This week, I was proud to stand with Senator Baldwin (D-WI) to introduce a bipartisan bill to honor veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep with the Vietnam Service Medal. Currently, participants in Operation End Sweep, a mission to clear dangerous mines from Haiphong Harbor and surrounding waters in North Vietnam after the war concluded, are ineligible for this service medal because their service took place after the United States had officially withdrawn from Vietnam in January 1973.
The Honoring Operation End Sweep Veterans Act was inspired by Retired Navy Commander Michael Cosgrove of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, who served in Operation End Sweep but was not properly honored for his service. Our bill would direct the Department of Defense to award veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep with the Vietnam Service Medal to recognize their service and sacrifice.
Operation End Sweep marked the end of the Vietnam War and serves as a powerful example of the dedication and bravery of our Vietnam veterans, like Retired Navy Commander Michael Cosgrove of Sturgeon Bay, who risked their lives to clean up naval mines left behind in the war’s aftermath. This bill to ensures their service is honored equally alongside that of every other Vietnam veteran.
Thank you for starting your weekend off with us. I hope you enjoy this week’s edition of The Wied Wire.
Watch my latest interview with Fox 11 News HERE.
In the Wieds
Bipartisan Bill to Boost Support for Rural Small Businesses
On Monday, I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation along with my colleague, Representative Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), to strengthen resources available for rural small businesses. The Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act expands the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Rural Affairs’ duties and requires them to conduct outreach events to better serve rural small businesses who are often underserved by the SBA. In addition, this bill requires the Assistant Administrator of this office to have experience relevant to rural small businesses and requires the Administrator of the SBA to publish an annual report detailing staffing, budget, and outreach activities of the Office of Rural Affairs. I was pleased to see this bill pass out of the House Committee on Small Business on Tuesday and I will always continue advocating for small businesses across Wisconsin’s 8th District.
Shoutout to our Incredible Interns!
Over the last few months, our Washington, D.C. office was lucky to have a great group of summer interns. Rory, Wes, and Estella are all college students who came to Washington to learn more about how Congress works, and they did a fantastic job. They helped handle constituent concerns, gave Capitol tours, and supported our legislative and communications teams every step of the way. Thank you to the three of you for your hard work this summer and I look forward to seeing what you accomplish in the future!
If you or anyone you know is interested in interning for our office in our District or D.C. offices, click here to apply.
District Update
Celebrating NEW Businesses
A member of my staff recently attended the ribbon cutting event for Bay Baller Sports Academy hosted by the Greater Green Bay Chamber. Located in the New Frankin area, Bay Baller Sports is committed to providing an affordable, local space for athletes of all ages to train and play, with a special focus on ensuring young people don’t have to travel into the city to access quality facilities. I’ve always believed that sports play a vital role in helping kids grow into the leaders of tomorrow, and I wish the entire team at Bay Baller Sports the best of luck as they continue contributing to the strong economic momentum throughout Northeast Wisconsin!
Severe Weather
On Wednesday, communities in Northeast Wisconsin experienced a round of severe storms, including three tornadoes in Menominee, Oconto, and Gillett. The storms caused damage to buildings, downed trees and power lines, which led to temporary power outages in several counties. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured thanks to the swift action of local emergency management teams and first responders. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the community leaders, weather officials, and emergency personnel who acted quickly to keep residents safe and informed!
Recognizing the Career of Mark Murphy
As a lifelong Packers fan, I was proud to recognize the esteemed career of retiring Green Bay Packers President and CEO, Mark Murphy, during a speech on the House floor this week. During his tenure with the Packers, Mark significantly contributed to the success of the organization, and I thank him for his many years of dedicated leadership. I wish him and his family the very best in retirement!
REMINDER: 2025 Congressional App Challenge Registration is open!
I recently announced that registration is now open for this year’s Congressional App Challenge! Each year, Members of Congress have the opportunity to invite students to participate in the Congressional App Challenge, an initiative to encourage middle and high school students to pursue an interest in STEM and computer science. All app submissions are due in the Congressional App Challenge student submission portal by 12:00PM ET on October 30, 2025. Additional information regarding the Congressional App Challenge, including student eligibility and app parameters, can be found on my website. Please contact my District Office at 920-301-4500 with any questions about this year’s challenge.
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 of the Packers training camp. 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.
