I’ve always been a strong believer in passing single-subject spending bills. It’s the only way to root out wasteful spending, cut our national debt, and restore regular order in the House of Representatives – the process our constituents expect and deserve.
Unfortunately, the last time Congress passed the dozen yearly appropriations bills on time was way back in 1997. Let that sink in. In the fifty years since the 1974 Congressional Budget Act established our modern appropriations process, Congress has only met that deadline four times. Four. That’s not governance, it’s dysfunction.
This is unacceptable.
For far too long, Washington politicians have kicked the can down the road by refusing to do their jobs. Even some in our Republican Party have refused to roll up their sleeves and make the tough spending decisions through regular order. Leading to a parade of countless Omnibus packages and Continuing Resolutions (CR) – under both Democrats and Republicans – that put our out-of-control spending on autopilot.
With that said, the short-term, clean CR the House passed in late September is far better than the Democrats shutting down the government. When given the choice between voting for a clean CR with no pork-barrel spending and shutting down the government, I am going to do the responsible thing and keep our military, law enforcement, and federal workers paid and the government open.
Don’t just take my word for it. As Senator Tammy Baldwin put it: “American families suffer if we let the government shut down. It threatens to take Border Patrol off the beat, halt benefits for our Veterans, and block food for families in need.”
But stopgaps are not solutions. There is a better way forward. Temporary fixes may keep the lights on, but they don’t solve the deeper problem: a broken budget process that fuels our debt and erodes public trust. We owe it to the American people to do better.
I am committed to working with my colleagues to restore fiscal sanity, pass single-subject spending bills, and finally tackle America’s debt crisis. Regular order isn’t just a procedural goal – it’s a promise to the American people that we are doing our jobs, line by line, dollar by dollar.
To learn more about the Democrats’ shutdown, watch my full interview with Tom Zalaski on WFRV Newsmaker Sunday this past week.
Thanks again for starting off your weekend with us! We hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the Wied Wire.
In the Wieds
Let Parents Grade the System
I’m a strong supporter of educational freedom and trusting parents to make the choices that best serve their children. What works for one family may not work for another – because not every child learns the same way. That’s exactly why a one-size-fits-all education system leaves too many students behind. That’s why I recently signed onto Rep. Bryan Steil’s (R-WI) letter urging Governor Tony Evers to reconsider his decision to not opt the State of Wisconsin into the newly created federal tax credit scholarship program. A child’s future shouldn’t be determined by their address or their parents’ paycheck, but too often, families are forced to keep their children in schools that don’t meet their needs. This program allows low- and middle-income families access to the same quality educational opportunities as those who are more fortunate. Whether it’s a public, private, or faith-based school, this funding empowers families to make the decision that’s right for them. Governor Evers’ refusal to allow Wisconsinites to participate not only blocks access to opportunity – it sends a troubling message to parents across Wisconsin: that the state knows better than they do. I believe parents are the most important decision-makers in a child’s life, and our policies should reflect that. I hope Governor Evers will reverse course and allow Wisconsin students the ability to take advantage of this new program. Doing so would unlock educational opportunities for thousands of families – giving every child a chance to succeed, no matter their zip code.
DPI: Deliberate Protection of Injustice
Just a few short years ago, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) made national headlines after it was caught promoting materials on sex changes targeted at toddlers who hadn’t even learned to read. These taxpayer-funded resources pushed raunchy, age-inappropriate content while labeling concerned parents as “trolls.” Now, under Governor Evers and Superintendent Jill Underly, it’s come to light that DPI concealed more than 200 cases of teacher misconduct and grooming from parents. According to a recent Cap Times investigation, DPI routinely failed to track, investigate, or disclose serious allegations – devoting minimal resources and keeping families in the dark. This isn’t just a policy disagreement – it’s a fundamental breach of trust. DPI’s pattern of secrecy and contempt for parental involvement is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. Every child deserves a safe learning environment. Every parent deserves to know what’s happening in their child’s classroom. Period. That’s why this week, I joined Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) in sending a letter to Governor Evers demanding a full investigation into each incident and public disclosure when misconduct is verified. Parents deserve transparency and respect, not ridicule and exclusion. It’s long past time to hold DPI accountable. Wisconsin families deserve better.
On Wednesday, I stood with Green Bay Alderwomen Melinda Eck and Jennifer Grant to condemn the “wanted” posters that littered our neighborhoods over the weekend and called on Wisconsin Democrat leaders to speak out against the rise in dangerous political rhetoric. Watch HERE.
Recent Legislation
Stamped with Valor: Renaming Waupaca’s Post Office
Today, I introduced a bill to rename the post office in Waupaca in honor of Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich. M/Sgt. Handrich was born in Waupaca County, who served in both World War 2 and the Korean War and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in combat. During a fierce battle near Sobuk-san Mountain, he held his position for over eight hours despite being wounded multiple times, directing fire and encouraging his men until he was fatally struck. His actions saved countless lives and turned the tide of the engagement. Click here to read the full story of his heroic actions. If you are interested in renaming your local post office in honor of a fallen family member or loved one, please reach out to my D.C. office at 202-225-5665 or send an email through this link.
Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich, born in Waupaca County, earned the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in combat during the Korean War.
District Update
Recognizing Community Leaders
Earlier this week, I had the honor to recognize Mr. Patrick Moran, winner of the De Pere Community Silver Knight Award for 2025. I presented Mr. Moran with a Congressional Record, a document representing the official proceedings of Congress, to commemorate this award. Since 1968, the De Pere Community Silver Knight Award has been bestowed upon outstanding individuals nominated by De Pere service clubs, civic organizations or members of the community. From Mr. Moran’s time serving as a Cub Scout Leader and Soccer Coach in De Pere to his over 50 years with the De Pere VFW Post 2113, his unwavering support and dedication to Northeast Wisconsin is deserving of our recognition. Congratulations to Pat on this well-deserved award!
National Manufacturing Month
[see featured photo above] In honor of National Manufacturing Month, I had the pleasure of touring and participating in a roundtable discussion at Luxemburg-Casco High School to highlight their impressive Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Program. It was great to hear from students about the incredible opportunities that the YA program offers and how they positively impact business communities throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The YA program provides an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen career path. Luxemburg Casco’s YA program includes 14 different apprenticeship program areas, including Construction, Education, Health Science, Manufacturing, and more. Following the roundtable event, I had the opportunity to travel over to one of the great businesses that support and promote the YA program, D&S Machine Service, Inc. I toured the facility with owner Russ Nowak, met members of his great team, and learned about the innovative work they are doing right in Luxemburg! Thank you to the Luxemburg-Casco High School staff and students for your hospitality and for hosting such a great event!
Congress in the Classroom: Visit to Preble High School
I had the pleasure of speaking with a junior civics class at Preble High School earlier this week. I was happy to help start their unit on the legislative branch by sharing an overview of my role as a Member of Congress, the legislative process, and why serving your community matters. They asked a lot of intelligent questions, and it was great to see students so engaged. Thank you to the class and staff at Preble High School for your warm welcome and for the great conversation!
Congressional App Challenge Deadline One Week Away!
The deadline for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge is one week away! 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. 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.
