When I first took office and joined the Small Business Committee, I made a promise to put Main Street over Wall Street. For me, this wasn’t just a slogan – it was a mission rooted in the reality I know well. Small Businesses drive our economy here in Northeast Wisconsin and across the country. They deserve to have Congress’s full support – and that is exactly what we delivered.
First, I am extremely proud that my legislation, the Destroying Unnecessary, Misaligned, and Prohibitive (DUMP) Red Tape Act, was passed in the House with strong bipartisan support.
This commonsense bill would give small business owners something they’ve long needed: a direct line to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy. Through a dedicated hotline, entrepreneurs will now be able to report overly burdensome or unnecessary federal regulations, ensuring their concerns are documented, reviewed, and acted upon.
A report published last December by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that over half of small business owners view the cost of complying with regulations as a barrier to growth. Small businesses are forced to navigate complex environmental reporting requirements, overtime and wage rules that change from one administration to the next, and lengthy permitting processes that can delay construction projects for months or even years.
I know how critical this is because I’ve lived it. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy – but they often lack the time and resources to navigate complex regulatory frameworks. As a former small business owner, I know firsthand how burdensome regulations can make it harder for businesses to operate and turn a profit.
But that’s not all.
Representative Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) and I co-led the Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act, which also passed the House this week. This legislation will strengthen the SBA Office of Rural Affairs to better serve rural small businesses by requiring its leadership to have real experience in rural economic development and remain accountable to Congress.
These are commonsense reforms that cut unnecessary red tape and provide the type of support America’s small businesses need and deserve.
As your representative in Washington, you have my word that I will always stand with our small businesses to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to thrive – because when small businesses succeed, our communities and our economy grow stronger.
Thanks again for starting your weekend off with this! We hope you enjoy this week’s edition of The Wied Wire.
Click here to watch my floor speech on the DUMP Red Tape Act.
In the Wieds
Prescription for Progress
When a child is diagnosed with a rare disease, families face a difficult journey filled with faith, fear, and uncertainty. Too often, the treatments they need are delayed or limited, leaving parents desperately searching for answers while time slips away. Earlier this year, a family from our district reached out to share their personal experience with a rare childhood cancer diagnosis. After hearing their story, it prompted me to take a closer look at the issue, which then led me to sign on as a cosponsor of the Give Kids a Chance Act – a bill designed to open doors to more therapies. This legislation builds on programs that have already delivered over 60 new treatments for children with cancer and rare diseases. It ensures that promising drug combinations are studied without delay, recognizing that the cures of tomorrow will come from innovative therapies working together. And it does all of this without adding costs to taxpayers. This week, the House passed the Give Kids a Chance Act by voice vote, which demonstrates our strong bipartisan commitment to children’s health. With this step forward, families across the country gain more hope, more support, and – hopefully soon – more options in their fight against childhood cancer and rare diseases. Every child deserves the chance to grow up, chase their dreams, and live life to the fullest. I will continue working to make sure our policies reflect that promise and honor the families in our community who have endured the uncertainty of rare disease diagnoses. I look forward to seeing this bill pass the Senate and bringing us closer to making cures a reality.
Rank and Rile?
Chances are, you’ve probably heard about the video six Democratic Members recently released, encouraging service members to defy orders. Some may just see it as a political stunt, but for our troops – and for our democracy – the consequences are far more serious. Military law sets a very high bar for refusing an order – orders to deploy troops or enforce federal authority are presumed lawful unless explicitly barred by statute or court ruling, not politics. Service members swear an oath to carry out lawful orders through the chain of command. When questions arise about legality, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) provides the proper channels to resolve them. It is not the role of individual Members of Congress to tell troops to disregard orders. Doing so undermines discipline, weakens trust, and risks politicizing the armed forces. As a retired Navy captain, Senator Mark Kelly is still subject to the UCMJ, which is why the Department of War opened an investigation into his actions. Not only did their little stunt risk politicizing our armed forces, but it also put a target on our troops following those orders. When elected officials suggest that orders are illegitimate, violent extremists may interpret those words as a green light to target our troops, believing they are guilty of enforcing “illegal” commands. That kind of rhetoric risks inciting violence against the very men and women who protect us. And let’s be clear: if Republicans put out a similar video under President Obama or President Biden, it would have been immediately framed as a reckless threat to democracy. We must hold our elected officials to the highest standards. Preserving discipline and equal justice under the law should not be partisan – it is essential to the stability of our republic and the safety of those who serve.
U.S. Troops Should Be Safe on American Soil
The day before Thanksgiving, two National Guard members stationed in our Nation’s Capital were shot by an Afghan national, Rahmatullah Lakanwal, brought here under the Biden administration’s “Operation Allies Welcome”. What should have been a season of gratitude quickly turned into a chilling reminder of the risks our service members face – not only abroad, but here at home. Sadly, Specialist Beckstrom passed away from her injuries, and Staff Sergeant Wolfe continues to fight for his life. While Lankanwal’s motive is still unclear, it is believed he may have been radicalized through connections in Afghanistan after his arrival. He was evacuated in 2021, and seemed to be settling at first, but by early 2023, volunteers working with his family flagged that he was spiraling – he isolated himself in a dark room, abandoned work, and quit taking English classes. However, this horrific attack is not just about one man’s decline. It shined a light on the consequences of Biden’s failed vetting process that rushed evacuees into the country under what is now being described as a “trust without verification” approach. A tragic reminder that poor policy decisions have dire consequences. When unvetted foreign nationals are imported from terrorist hotbeds to our soil, it invites danger into our communities, putting American lives at risk where they should be safest. While it is important that we stand by those who assisted U.S. troops overseas, we must also ensure that anyone admitted is thoroughly vetted and respects our laws and values.
The Green Bay Bowl
The West De Pere Phantoms capped off a perfect season with a 28–14 win at Camp Randall, clinching the WIAA Division 2 State Football Championship! This victory marks the third state title in program history, a testament to the team’s grit, discipline, and unshakable spirit. From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, the Phantoms delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. What made this championship especially memorable was the matchup itself: a battle between two schools just miles apart in our district. Facing off against Notre Dame Academy, the Phantoms prevailed in a matchup that showcased the talent, determination, and excellence of both programs. It was a proud day for our community, with two local teams rising to the state’s biggest stage. This week, I had the privilege of honoring the Phantoms on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. In my remarks, I commended the coaching staff and the entire Phantoms team for their hard work and dedication throughout this unforgettable season. I also gave a special shoutout to the father-son duo of Head Coach Chris Greisen and all-star quarterback Patrick Greisen, who set the Division 2 record for total passing yards in a championship game – an extraordinary achievement on an already memorable day. Once again, congratulations to the entire Phantoms team, and hats off to both programs for giving our district a championship game to remember!
Click here to watch my remarks honoring the West De Pere Phantoms on the House floor.
Legislative Update
Standing with Waukesha, Standing Against Violent Offenders
Last week, I joined the Wisconsin congressional delegation to introduce a bipartisan House Resolution honoring the victims of the devastating attack on the Waukesha Christmas Parade. On November 21st, 2021, what should have been a Christmas celebration turned into a nightmare. Darrell Brooks, a career criminal, drove his car into the parade and killed six innocent people and injured 62 others. We will never forget the lives lost that day, and we will continue to honor their memory. In that same vein, I was also proud to cosponsor Rep. Fitzgerald’s (R-WI) Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act. This bill updates federal law on insurance-related crimes to classify any corporate, nonprofit, or for-profit entity that posts bail as being ‘engaged in the business of insurance’. By making this change, Congress is targeting organizations that exploit loopholes to bail out offenders who pose a threat to public safety. In recent years, charitable bail funds have come under fire for posting bail for violent offenders. In the Summer of 2020, we saw far too many instances of violent criminals being released from jail just to reoffend, thanks to the pro-criminal organizations that bailed them out. This needs to end. The tragic case involving Darrell Brooks – who was released despite a long history of violent crime – reminds us of the real dangers these practices can pose to our communities. Bail should never be a revolving door for violent criminals – it should be a safeguard that protects our friends, families, and neighbors from being victimized.
Udderly Unfair: Don’t Milk Our Farmers Dry
This week, I was proud to lead a bipartisan letter with my colleagues, Reps. Tenney (R-NY), Delbene (D-WA), and Costa (D-CA) to the U.S. Trade Representative, urging that the dairy industry be a top priority as the Administration reviews the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, which was first brokered under President Trump. For decades, Canada has skirted its commitments, tilting the playing field against American dairy farmers and undermining the promise of fair trade. These broken promises have real consequences for hardworking families and communities whose livelihoods depend on dairy. As the fourth largest dairy-producing district in the nation – and the largest east of the Mississippi – we know this story well. When trade partners fail to honor their word, it’s our barns, co-ops, and communities that pay the price. Our dairy industry deserves nothing less than a fair shake, and I will continue fighting to ensure that Wisconsin’s farmers and America’s dairy producers have the opportunity to thrive.
Pumping New Life Into Blood Centers
[see featured photo above] I recently had the opportunity to visit The Community Blood Center in Appleton for a tour and to learn about their impressive operation. I also joined The Community Blood Center’s President & CEO, John Hagins, to discuss how my bipartisan legislation, The Boosting Lifesaving Operations, Opening Donation (BLOOD) Centers Act, would cut red tape to help centers open new locations and collect more life-saving blood. I want to extend my thanks to John, Tricia, and the entire team at The Community Blood Center for hosting me and for all you do to save lives!
District Update
NEW Community Shelter Legislative Breakfast
A member of my staff recently had the pleasure of attending the NEW Community Shelter’s Annual Legislative Breakfast to connect with other elected officials and to learn about the shelter’s mission and the resources they provide to the Green Bay community. I want to thank Terri Refsguard and the entire team at NEW Community Shelter for your hard work and dedication.
Constituent Services Spotlight
Providing the best constituent services to the people of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District is a top priority for me. From the Social Security Administration (SSA) 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 see more. This week’s photo is a patriotic image of a Bald Eagle sitting under the American Flag during last week’s snowstorm – a beautiful symbol of resilience, even when the weather outside is frightful! If you would like to submit a picture to be featured in our Photo of the Week section, please email it to twstaff@mail.house.gov with your name and location.
