When it comes to your taxpayer dollars, any amount of fraud is too much. Unfortunately, we have seen far too many instances of waste, fraud, and abuse in state and federal programs.
President Trump and Republicans were sent to Washington with a promise to root out this fraud because Americans were tired of watching their hard-earned tax dollars disappear without accountability.
In recent months, we have seen alarming examples across the country, including here in our own district, involving organizations like Newcap. Just next door in Minnesota, authorities uncovered a multi-billion-dollar childcare fraud scheme that is currently under investigation by the FBI. In Minnesota alone, more than 20 daycare centers have been raided, and more than 60 individuals have either been convicted or pleaded guilty.
As Members of Congress, we have an obligation to be good stewards of your taxpayer dollars and ensure this kind of abuse does not continue. That is why this week I joined my colleagues in passing the No Funds for Repeat Child Care Violations Act of 2026.
This legislation strengthens accountability by ensuring taxpayer dollars are not sent to repeat violators of childcare regulations and safety standards. Specifically, it requires the Department of Health and Human Services to withhold funds from states that repeatedly fail to address waste, fraud, and abuse or commit serious violations in childcare assistance programs.
The bill also makes enforcement mandatory and helps protect an estimated $600 million in taxpayer dollars lost to childcare fraud each year.
Hardworking families already face enough challenges in affording childcare. They should not have their opportunities stolen by fraudsters. Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar taken away from a child in need or a working parent trying to get ahead.
I look forward to continuing to support common sense legislation that cracks down on fraud wherever it occurs in our country. While there is still more work to be done, bills like this are an important step in the right direction.
Click here to watch my latest interview with Newsmax
In the Wieds
A Major Step Forward for American Infrastructure
Recently, after a 14-hour markup session, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed the bipartisan Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development (BUILD) for America 250 Act to reauthorize federal programs for highways, rail, and transit. This bill focuses on strengthening proven infrastructure programs and policies that move people and goods safely and efficiently across the country. I was pleased that many of my policy priorities were included in the final bill. H.R. 2348, the School Bus Safety Campaign Act, directs the Department of Transportation to produce and distribute a national public safety campaign on the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. H.R. 1659, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, establishes a new grant program to expand access to safe parking for commercial motor vehicle operators and address the nationwide shortage of parking spaces. The BUILD for America 250 Act is a strong step forward for improving the safety and connectivity of communities and industries across the country. The American people deserve infrastructure that is safe, efficient, and built to last for generations. As this legislation moves forward, I look forward to working to ensure these priorities are funded and implemented effectively.
Common Sense Contracting
On Wednesday, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on the importance of small-business contractors and subcontractors to the defense industrial base. My questions to the witnesses focused on some of the issues small businesses face with the Department of War’s new cybersecurity requirements. Many small businesses have seen new costs of upwards of $100,000. This is something that large corporations can absorb but that many small businesses cannot. Additionally, I discussed the importance of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification from the Small Business Administration. Under this program, 3% of all federal contracting dollars are reserved for SDVOSB-certified companies. As the Chairman of the Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, I will always be committed to ensuring that small businesses can compete for government contracts on a fair and level playing field.
District Update
June Dairy Month: Visiting Brooks Farms in Waupaca
During National Dairy Month, we celebrate all of the hardworking dairy farmers who provide nutritious food for families across the country and fuel our economy right here in Wisconsin. I recently visited Brooks Farms in Waupaca to learn more about the operation, their long history in the industry, and how I can be helpful as a member of the Agriculture Committee in Congress. Thank you to the Brooks Family for hosting me and for your continued hard work!
Made in America: Tour of Charter Casting in Shawano
[see featured photo above] I had the pleasure to visit Charter Casting in Shawano for a tour of their impressive facility. It was great to learn more about their daily operations, continued innovation in the industry, and to connect directly with leadership and team members who work so hard each and every day. Thank you to President Shane Bonner, his incredible leadership team, and the hardworking men and women at the facility for hosting me and for your dedication!
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 a 100 ft tall windmill built in the Netherlands and shipped to Little Chute in 2012. 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.
