Today marks the 10th day of the unnecessary and avoidable government shutdown caused by Senate Democrats. As I said last week, House Republicans did our job. On September 19th, we passed a clean, 7-week continuing resolution to keep the government open while we continue to work on our bipartisan appropriation bills to fund the government next year.
However, Senate Democrats, including Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), continue to block the 60 votes necessary to reopen the government. Senate Democrats have voted not once, but six times to keep the government closed.
They continue to play politics and are holding our government hostage, refusing to reopen it unless their outrageous demands are met — including $1.5 trillion in new spending, free healthcare for illegal aliens, a $50 billion cut to rural hospitals, and $1.1 billion in funding for left-wing media outlets. That is not how our government is supposed to function. Although these demands are nonstarters, if they want to have those debates, they need to open the government first.
Democrats voted for a clean continuing resolution 13 times during the Biden Administration, and not once did Republicans block them, because we understand that governing requires compromise, not a “my way or the highway” approach. Even Speaker Pelosi, when pressed by a reporter to explain why she claimed this current CR wasn’t “clean,” couldn’t point to a single example of “pork” or unrelated provisions. That tells you everything you need to know – this is political theater, not a serious objection.
While they continue to throw a tantrum, Americans are facing the real consequences of their actions. As of today, Capitol Police officers who work everyday to protect members, staff, and visitors, will miss their first paycheck. On October 15th, our servicemembers and other federal employees will not receive their paycheck. Small business owners in Wisconsin are missing out on $59 million in SBA loans and our farmers are losing out on critical aid. While I’m thankful President Trump was able to step in and use tariff revenue to keep the WIC program afloat, it should never have come to that. It’s disgusting that Senate Democrats would jeopardize essential lifelines that millions of families rely on just to score political points. This is absolutely unacceptable.
Senate Republicans continue to vote to reopen the government, and they only need 5 more Democrats to join them to do so. I sincerely hope that Senator Baldwin will join them in this effort and do right by the American people.
Like I said last week, despite the shutdown, my office is still open and here to serve the people of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District. Please visit my website to find out how this shutdown may or may not impact you, and do not hesitate to contact my office if you need assistance.
Thank you for starting your weekend off with us! I hope you enjoy this week’s edition of The Wied Wire.
Watch my interview with Newsmax about the Democrats’ shutdown HERE.
In the Wieds
Hope in the Holy Land
Two years ago, on October 7, 2023, the world watched in horror as Hamas carried out one of the most devastating terror attacks in history against innocent Israeli civilians. That day marked the beginning of a brutal war that brought immense suffering and deep instability to the region. As Wied Wire readers know, I have always stood firmly in support of Israel’s right, like any other sovereign nation, to defend itself against terrorism and protect its citizens, borders, and right to exist. At the same time, I remain committed to ending endless wars around the globe and ensuring that our servicemembers are never put in harm’s way for conflicts that do not advance America’s national security interests. This week, President Trump achieved a major diplomatic breakthrough by brokering a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal includes the release of all remaining Israeli hostages, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and provisions for humanitarian aid and reconstruction. I’m grateful for President Trump’s leadership and his unwavering commitment to restoring peace in the region. His ability to secure a peaceful resolution through diplomacy and strategic strength marks a significant step towards long-term security after years of violence and chaos. It’s a moment of hope and a reminder that peace is always worth pursuing.
Combating Cargo Theft
You may have seen that last weekend, 60 Minutes aired a segment that featured the theft of two semitrucks carrying more than $1 million of celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s branded tequila. Unfortunately, stories like this are becoming more and more common, as sophisticated criminal networks are able to infiltrate every level of our nation’s supply chains. That’s why this week, I was proud to add my name to the growing list of cosponsors of H.R. 880, the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act, to give law enforcement the tools and authorities necessary to address the ever evolving nature of cargo theft. This legislation will, among other things, clarify that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has the authority to establish requirements that registered businesses at all levels of the supply chain are operating as legitimate businesses. The full bill can be found here.
District Update
Meeting with WTCS President Layla Merrifield
[see featured photo above] I recently had the pleasure to meet with Layla Merrifield, the Wisconsin Technical College Systems (WTCS) President, to discuss the impact of Wisconsin’s 16 public, two-year technical colleges that provide incredible hands-on learning opportunities for students across the state. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss the importance of the skilled trades with President Merrifield and appreciate the work that the Technical Colleges do for students and employers throughout the 8th Congressional District and Wisconsin.
Cornerstone Community Center Name Reveal Ceremony
I was proud to attend the recent name reveal ceremony held at the Cornerstone Community Center for the center’s fourth ice rink. During the ceremony, it was introduced that the rink will be named the Donald and Patricia Schneider Family Arena, which will be a 65,000-square-foot-space with 3,000 spectator seats. I’m excited to see the final project that is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026!
Congressional App Challenge Deadline October 30th!
The deadline for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge is fast approaching! All app submissions for this year’s competition are due in the Congressional App Challenge student submission portal by 12:00pm CT on October 30, 2025. 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. Additional information regarding the Congressional App Challenge, including student eligibility and app parameters, can be found on my website. If you have any questions regarding this year’s challenge, please contact my District Office at 920-301-4500.
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 Fall foliage over the Oconto River. 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.
