Across Northeast Wisconsin, we are fortunate to have some of the best dairy farmers in the country. They work tirelessly every day to feed our families, and as your representative in Congress, I am committed to working just as hard for them in Washington.
Over the past year and a half, we have been able to deliver many huge wins for our dairy farmers. From the One Big Beautiful Bill to the Farm Bill and other commonsense legislation like the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which returns whole milk to our schools, supporting agriculture has remained a top priority for me and House Republicans this Congress.
This week, I continued that fight by introducing my newest legislation, the Recognizing Engineered Alternatives as Lab-Created (REAL) Butter Act.
It is unbelievable that legislation like this is even necessary. Unfortunately, that is now the reality we face. That is because billionaire food experiments are no longer hypothetical. Bill Gates is currently funding a carbon-based, lab-grown butter project created from carbon dioxide instead of milk from a cow, and it is happening in Illinois, right in the backyard of America’s Dairyland.
In other words, a fake butter made from thin air, despite claims that it is chemically the same as traditional butter. This creation is an attack on American farmers, the dairy industry, and the Trump Administration, which recently recognized butter as a healthy food under its newly announced dietary guidelines.
Just like with lab-grown meat, these billionaires believe they can replace healthy, time-tested animal fats and proteins with synthetic substitutes in the name of climate change, and that families won’t notice the difference.
The REAL Butter Act would simply require that this fake butter be clearly labeled as “lab-created butter” directly on the product, so consumers are not confused about what they are buying.
This common-sense legislation would protect consumers and ensure they can make informed decisions when choosing healthy, real dairy-based butter. If lab-created butter reaches grocery store shelves, Americans deserve to know exactly what it is, how it was made, and where it came from.
America’s dairy farmers put in the work every day to keep our families fed, our rural communities strong, and our agricultural heritage alive. They should not have to compete with products that hide behind vague or misleading labels. Consumers deserve to know exactly what they are buying, and our dairy farmers deserve a level playing field.
I am committed to getting this legislation through committee and onto the House floor for a full vote to promote transparency, protect consumer choice, and support Wisconsin dairy farmers.
As we celebrate National Dairy Month, I want every dairy farmer across Northeast Wisconsin to know that I will always fight for you, and that you have a partner in me in Washington.
Next week, our nation will celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4th. As you spend the holiday weekend with family and friends, take a moment to reflect on how blessed we are to live in the greatest country in the world. I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating this historic milestone. We’ll see you back here in two weeks. Thanks again for starting your weekend with us, and we hope you enjoy this week’s edition of The Wied Wire.
Click here to watch me discuss the REAL Butter Act with WBAY
In the Wieds
Bringing Back the Buffalo: Supporting Tribal Conservation Efforts
There were once 60 million buffalo roaming across almost all of the lower 48 states. Native Americans relied on buffalo herds for everything from food, clothing, and shelter to utensils, containers, and arrows, and the animal played an undeniable role in Native culture. Unfortunately, overhunting in the 1800s drastically reduced their numbers to near extinction. However, thanks to tribal conservation efforts, their numbers are slowly recovering. There are now 90 member tribes across 22 states that comprise the InterTribal Buffalo Council, which has established buffalo herds and management programs, including the Oneida Nation here in Wisconsin. That’s why this week I was proud to cosponsor the bipartisan Don Young–Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act to bolster the Department of the Interior’s ability to work with tribes to promote buffalo management. The bill also requires the Department to consult tribes on policies relating to buffalo habitat management. I am proud to stand with our tribal communities here in Wisconsin and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill through the House.
Bipartisan Small Business Bill Passes House
I am proud to announce that this week, a bipartisan bill I co-led alongside Congressman Olszewski (D-MD) passed the House of Representatives. Currently, small businesses must be certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in order to apply for certain federal contracts. However, the current certification system is highly fragmented, leading to dramatically different wait times across programs. The Oversight and Transparency for Small Business Certifications Act of 2026 requires the Small Business Administration to report to Congress on its backlogs, wait times, certification processes, and program participation for SBA certifications, such as the service-disabled, veteran-owned business certification. These reports will allow Congress to oversee these programs more effectively to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure this important piece of legislation is passed.
District Update
Recognizing Law Enforcement Heroes
It is an honor of a lifetime to represent the people of Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District. Northeast Wisconsin is the best place to live, work, and raise a family and we have so many incredible people who call it home. As your Congressman, it is my honor to highlight local heroes for their commitment and dedication to their communities. I recently recognized Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Deputy Brent Reimer for receiving the Wisconsin Professional Police Association’s 2026 Certificate of Merit and for his unwavering service. Thank you, Deputy Reimer, for protecting our communities throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Click here to watch my floor speech recognizing Deputy Reimer
BUILD America 250: Roundtable with Appleton Business Leaders
I recently joined the US Chamber, Fox Cities Chamber, and local business leaders in Appleton. During our roundtable discussion, we talked about key infrastructure projects across Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District, my work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the importance of getting the BUILD America 250 Act across the finish line. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important conversation and for your leadership throughout the Fox Valley!
June Dairy Month: Honoring WI-08 Dairy Farmers
During June Dairy month, it’s important that we recognize the hard work of our dairy farm families and communities. This week, I had the opportunity to visit Hornstead Dairy in Brillion and met with Amber Horn-Leiterman and members of the Horn family that operate a multi-generational dairy farm that was established in 1863. It was great to learn more about the daily operation, the innovative practices that they have adopted, and I even had the chance to see the birth of a calf! I want to thank the entire Horn family for showcasing your impressive operation and for your hard work!
Providing the best constituent services to the people of Wisconsin’s 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 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 a monarch butterfly spotted in a garden in Appleton. 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.
