Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a pattern. That’s what we say when troubling behavior repeats without correction – and that’s exactly what we’re seeing from the Wisconsin Democrat Party’s recent pattern of making violent threats against Republican officials.
Over the last three months, we have seen a disturbing rise in threats by Wisconsin Democrat Party officials, and it needs to end. First, a leader in the Democrat Party of Brown County made threats against my staff and me. Then, the former Walworth County Democrat Party Chairwoman held a mock funeral and left a cardboard coffin on Rep. Bryan Steil’s (WI-01) doorstep.
Now, just this week, it was reported by Fox 11 News that a Winnebago Democratic Party member working at the party’s booth at a farmers market was handing out bracelets asking if President Trump was dead yet.
This is a pattern of deeply concerning behavior by Wisconsin Democrat officials, and it is not how anyone should conduct themselves when it comes to political disagreements. After the political assassination of Charlie Kirk just one month ago, I wrote in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that we need to lower the temperature in this country, get back to the spirited debates that have always made our country great, be good to one another, and put an end to the hatred and vitriol that has plagued our politics for far too long. I meant every word of that.
Unfortunately, it seems that Democrat Party officials do not share that view. It is my sincere hope that they will come around and put an end to the violent rhetoric. At a time when we not only witnessed the murder of Charlie Kirk, but the assassination of a State Legislator in Minnesota, and multiple attempts on President Trump’s life, we cannot continue down this dangerous path of wishing harm upon our political opponents.
This isn’t political discourse – it’s intimidation. And it’s part of a pattern that must end. We cannot afford to normalize this kind of rhetoric and behavior.
We must remember that we are all Americans who want what is best for our country. I am calling on the Wisconsin Democrat Party to urge its members to reject violent rhetoric and return to open, honest policy debates so we can begin to heal the divisions in our country.
Thank you for starting your weekend with us. We hope you enjoy this week’s edition of The Wied Wire.
Watch my interview with NewsNation about the latest on the Democrats’ shutdown HERE.
In the Wieds
Checks and Imbalances
For weeks, Senate Democrats have voted nearly a dozen times to keep our government closed – blocking funding bills, making outrageous demands, and leaving essential services in limbo. While they play politics, hardworking Americans are forced to pay the price. That’s why I’ve taken steps to lead by example. During the shutdown, I formally requested not to receive my congressional salary. If federal workers are going without pay, lawmakers should too. We shouldn’t be cashing checks while the government is closed. Speaking of cashing checks – while Congress continues to get paid, Washington also expects taxpayers to keep paying their bills even when the government isn’t doing its job. That’s why I cosponsored the No Taxation Without Operation Act, introduced by Rep. Rob Bresnahan (PA-08). This bill would suspend federal income tax collection during any government shutdown – because if Washington isn’t open for business, it shouldn’t be collecting from those who are. This legislation puts pressure where it belongs: on lawmakers who refuse to govern. It’s long past time Washington put some skin in the game and restored fairness for taxpayers who deserve better than partisan gridlock. Click here to read more.
It’s Time to Return Power to Local Communities
In 2009, Governor Doyle signed Wisconsin Act 40 into law, significantly limiting the ability of local governments to have input on energy projects proposed in their communities. Since then, that top-down approach has only intensified. Over the past year, I’ve heard from countless constituents who feel ignored and overruled as large-scale wind and solar projects are sited with little regard for local input. Under Governor Tony Evers, it’s become glaringly obvious that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) views local input as merely a box to check off their list on the way to a predetermined outcome. Too often, the PSC has approved massive energy developments over local objections. Projects like Vista Sands in Portage County and Badger Hollow in Iowa and Grant Counties have moved forward despite serious concerns from residents and town boards. In the Town of Morgan, developers didn’t even bother to show up to the listening session on their project. That’s why this week I sent a letter to the chairs of the Wisconsin State Legislature’s energy committees urging them to advance Senate Bill 3/Assembly Bill 7 to restore local control and give communities a real say in what gets built in their backyards. This legislation would correct the imbalance by requiring the PSC to have a resolution of support from the impacted community before approving a project. I also sent a letter to PSC Chair Summer Strand urging the Commission to adopt reforms that prioritize local support and transparency. It’s wrong to force local governments to stand by while unelected bureaucrats in Madison make decisions about projects that they’ll never live next to, in towns they may never even visit. It’s time to restore local voices. Click here to read my letter to the legislature or click here to read my letter to the PSC.
Recent Legislation
A Little Prick, a Big Impact
Today, I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation alongside Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) to help improve the quantity of our nation’s blood supply and streamline the opening of new blood centers. The Boosting Lifesaving Operations, Opening Donation (BLOOD) Centers Act would require the FDA to establish an expedited supplemental Biologics License Application (BLA) process for blood centers with three existing BLA licenses or one or more BLA licensed location with an additional industry accreditation that exceeds FDA standards. Additionally, it requires the FDA to approve the supplemental BLA application within 30 days unless a blood center has shown a systemic failure to meet standards ensuring “safety, purity, and potency” of their blood products or specific concerns about the location of the supplemental application. At a time when our nation’s blood supply has reached a critical low, we must do everything we can to cut through red tape to ensure that people who are willing to donate can do so easily and swiftly. That is why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan BLOOD Centers Act to expedite the ability of blood centers to open new locations and collect life-saving blood for those who need it. This is common sense legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill passed.
District Update
Visiting the CP Center in Green Bay
This week, I had the honor to meet with Executive Director of the CP Center in Green Bay, Jon Syndergaard, to tour the facility and discuss the incredible services they provide. During my visit, I learned about the adult day services, therapy services, and CP Early Education and Childcare programs provided to over 2100 people, reaching over 14 counties through 4 different locations. I want to thank Jon and the amazing team at the CP Center for your leadership!
Skilled Trades: Build My Future Event
It was great to attend the First Annual Build My Future Event hosted by the Brown County Home Builders Association at NWTC earlier this week. This event provided over 500 high school students from across Northeast Wisconsin with the opportunity to interact and learn from leaders in the construction industry about opportunities in the skilled trades. Thank you to the Brown County Home Builders Association for hosting such an educational and successful event!
Supporting Agriculture: Forest Brook Seeds LLC Tour
[see featured photo above] Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit Forest Brook Seeds LLC located in Chilton with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF). I had the pleasure of meeting owner Jay Juckem to discuss their farm’s impressive operation, which is a local seller of corn, soybean, alfalfa seed, and to talk about issues impacting rural Wisconsin farmers. As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I will continue to fight for the men and women who are the backbone of our country. I want to thank Forest Brook Seeds LLC for my first ever experience in a combine and for your hard work each and every day!
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 Sister Bay. 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.
