Putting Veterans First
Across our nation, there are over 160 State Veterans Homes providing long-term care to America’s veterans. However, many of these facilities are not up to modern standards and are in desperate need of renovations. I think it’s wrong that our Veterans Homes are falling behind while the U.S. spends tens of billions of dollars on projects around the globe. That is why I was proud to help Rep. Dave Taylor (OH-02) introduce the Veterans First Act of 2025 on Tuesday. This bill would redirect $2 billion of USAID funds – a small portion of total foreign aid spending – to these renovation projects. Under this bill, all Priority 1 projects, projects that have funding secured from state governments but are awaiting federal support, would be funded. That includes over $7 million for three renovation projects at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King for HVAC, water system, and electrical upgrades. Our veterans deserve the very best we have to offer, click here to read more about this bill.
Semi Safe for Truckers
The nationwide truck parking shortage is a safety concern affecting truckers and the public. Anyone who drives has likely seen a semi parked on the shoulder of the interstate or at an exit-on ramp, which presents a safety hazard for truckers and everyone else on the road. Truckers who can’t find safe parking are forced into no-win situations, either parking in unsafe or illegal locations or violating hours-of-service regulations. This week I signed on to the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) that directs the Department of Transportation to establish a competitive discretionary grant program for projects that expand truck parking capacity. This bill will help build new rest areas with truck parking facilities while helping local and state governments add parking to existing truckers facilities such as inspection sites and weigh stations. I look forward to continuing to address issues like these as the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on reauthorizing surface transportation programs.
In Case You Missed It
ICYMI: I joined Chris Roth on WBAY this Wednesday to discuss my first tele-town hall and wide range of topics we were able to cover!
Watch my full interview by clicking HERE.
Recent Legislation
Sowing seeds > solar panels
Over the past several months, I have heard from many constituents concerned about farmland being converted and taken out of production. And they’re not wrong. Since 2017, the U.S. has lost over 20 million acres of farmland – to put it in perspective that’s over 140,000 farms gone for good in just five years. We can’t afford to lose any more farmland in favor of unreliable energy sources, which is why I signed on to Rep. Tiffany’s (WI-07) Future Agriculture Retention and Management Act to end taxpayer-funded subsidies for solar and wind development on agricultural land. While this bill will not prevent developers from building wind turbines or solar panels, it will prevent taxpayers from being forced to underwrite generous “green energy” giveaways that incentivize removing farmland from production and will protect Wisconsin family farms for generations to come. You can read more about this bill here.
Second amendment under fire
In recent years, we’ve witnessed troubling attempts, such as the Biden Administration’s 2024 push to declare firearm violence a “public health crisis,” to justify extreme policies such as sweeping carry bans, restrictions on firearm sales, and even outright confiscation of lawfully owned guns and ammunition. These moves threaten the rights of law-abiding citizens at a time when they may need to protect themselves and their families the most. This week, I was proud to cosponsor the Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act, introduced by my colleague Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27). The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act ensures that neither the President nor the Secretary of Health and Human Services can use an emergency declaration, whether for national security or public health reasons, to undermine the Second Amendment. As your representative, I’m committed to safeguarding the freedoms that define us as Americans and will continue fighting to keep the federal government in check.
Cheddar safe than sorry
In America’s Dairyland, we know just how important high-quality cheese is and we want consumers to know what they are buying. That is why I am proud to cosponsor the legislation led by my colleague from WI-01, Rep. Bryan Steil, the Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions (CURD) Act. This bill would codify the definition of “natural cheese” for food labels, which will help both American cheesemakers and consumers. This term has been used by cheesemakers for a long time to describe the process to make cheese by using pasteurized milk, distinguishing it from “process cheese.” This will help inform consumers of what they are buying at the grocery store.
