Americans deserve access to American goods, and when you walk into the grocery store, you deserve to know where your food comes from.
Since arriving in Congress, I have continued to fight for greater transparency for the American people. As Wieders know, a few months ago I introduced the REAL Butter Act to ensure that lab-created butter is labeled as such. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Our farmers in Wisconsin and across the country produce some of the highest-quality food in the world. Americans deserve the opportunity to buy that food rather than relying on foreign products whose origins they may not know.
Too often, however, foreign products are imported that undermine American producers simply to increase corporate profits. I refuse to stand by and allow American farmers to be put at a disadvantage and for American consumers to be left in the dark about where their food comes from.
That is why I was proud to cosponsor the Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement (COOL) Act. Introduced by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), this bill requires retailers to notify their customers of the country of origin of beef. For years, Americans had that ability – until Washington stripped away mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef after pressure from international trade groups.
By removing that requirement, it created a situation where foreign beef shipped into the U.S. is minimally processed or packaged here and then labeled “Product of the USA.” That’s not just misleading, it’s downright dishonest.
This bipartisan bill restores mandatory labeling for beef, ensuring that when a package says, “Made in the USA,” it truly is. No more misleading claims. No more foreign beef disguised as American. The COOL Act strengthens enforcement by prohibiting retailers from falsely designating foreign beef as U.S.-made and imposing penalties for violations.
Today, I also reached out to my colleague Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to cosponsor his Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act. For too long, small farms and local processors have been boxed out of the market by federal rules that make it difficult for families to buy meat from the farmers they know and trust. Under current regulations, farmers often have to haul their livestock hundreds of miles to one of the few federally inspected slaughterhouses. These restrictions make it harder for small farms and independent producers to compete with large corporations and limit families’ access to high-quality, locally produced American meat. The PRIME Act fixes that.
This legislation gives states the freedom to allow the intrastate sale of custom-slaughtered meat directly to consumers, restaurants, grocery stores, and community businesses. It strengthens local food systems, supports family farms, and makes it easier for people to buy high-quality, locally produced American meat.
Each of these bills puts American farmers and families first by prioritizing transparency, fairness, and trust while giving consumers the information they need to support American producers and make informed choices for their families. I will continue to fight for a more transparent food supply that supports local producers and ensures families can trust the food they bring home.
Thanks again for starting your weekend with us! We hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the Wied Wire.
District Update
Green Bay Waterways
[see featured photo above] I had a great time joining UW-Green Bay for a boat tour of Green Bay to learn more about the Bay’s progress toward becoming a National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and the incredible conservation work and programs that are being led by UWGB. I want to thank UWGB Chancellor Mike Alexander, Director of Freshwater Strategy Emily Tyner, and Professor Chris Houghton for your time, hard work, and positive impact. Fun Fact: The Bay of Green Bay is the largest freshwater estuary in the world!
Commitment to World Class Care
I had the pleasure to visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin to learn more about the incredible care, services, and support they provide to so many families whose children or loved ones are receiving care at local hospitals. It was incredible to witness firsthand the positive impact that the organization has on patients during some of the most challenging times. Thank you to President/CEO Laurie Bertrand and her outstanding team for showcasing your House and for your unwavering support and commitment. The Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin partners closely with Children’s Wisconsin to provide patients and their families with support as they receive care. I had the opportunity to tour Children’s Wisconsin and their Herma Heart Institute and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to learn more about the critical services provided to children from Northeast Wisconsin, the State of Wisconsin, and throughout the country. It was great to hear directly from families about the importance of Children’s services and the expansion of facilities in Appleton and Green Bay to provide care closer to home.
Supporting Local Industries
I recently visited Fincantieri Marinette Marine to learn more about the current shipbuilding programs and innovation taking place at the shipyard. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss ongoing projects with their leadership team and tour the shipyard to learn more about the plans for their new welding lab. Thank you to the entire team at Marinette Marine for having me and for your continued hard work.
Tracks through Time
Founded in 1956, the National Railroad Museum recently celebrated their 70th anniversary! I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the museum’s CEO Jacqueline Frank, Board Chairman David Ward, and museum volunteer George Wiesner for a tour and firsthand look at the restoration process and to discuss the museum’s plans for continued expansion and its role in supporting local tourism.
Constituent Services Spotlight
Providing the best constituent services to the people of the Eighth Congressional District is a top priority for me, from Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), my staff and I are here to help! To request assistance with a Federal Agency, you can contact my District Office at 920-301-4500 or submit a message through my website here.
Photo of the Week
We have received so many wonderful pictures since we launched the Photo of the Week section of the Wied Wire, and I would love to continue seeing more. This week’s photo is of two deer spotted hanging out in the weeds. If you would like to submit a picture to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Week, please email it to twstaff@mail.house.gov with your name and location. We look forward to highlighting more of your photos that celebrate the places and moments that make Wisconsin special.
