{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"WI\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6dbcb692-1a35-4425-a68a-0800126f13c1", "Johnson Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced Monday that his staff will be available for the mobile office hours listed below. Mobile office hours allow constituents to meet with the senators staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.\r\nNote: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of constituents we are here to assist.\r\nTuesday, Dec. 29, 9 a.m.  10 a.m.  Verona Public Library  500 Silent St., Verona\r\nTuesday, Dec. 29, noon  1 p.m.  Cuba City Municipal Building  108 N. Main St., Cuba City\r\nTuesday, Dec. 29, 2:30 p.m.  3:30 pm.  Browntown Village Hall  110 S. Mill St., Browntown\r\nWednesday, Dec. 30, 1:30 p.m.  2:30 p.m.  Eastside Community Center  6156 Douglas Ave., Caledonia", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=900c0964-c3aa-474d-8439-bd66b3461cb5", "Johnson: Economic Growth Outweighs Negatives", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Votes yes to end uncertainty on tax provisions while faultinghorrible omnibus spending process \r\nWASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this after the Senate passed HR 2029, the bill containing both the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015:\r\nI have repeatedly said that the number one component of a solution to the problems facing America is economic growth. Although far from what I  and most Republicans  would have proposed, the compromise tax reform and FY2016 spending bill should have a net positive effect on our economy.\r\nTemporary tax provisions cause uncertainty that harms our economy. Making a number of temporary tax treatments permanentsuch as the research and development credit and Section 179 expensing for businesses that buy new equipment  is long overdue and will be helpful. Lifting the oil export ban will decrease America's trade deficit, reduce the negative influence of other oil exporters such as Russia, help balance U.S. refining capabilities, and create greater incentives for U.S. producers to explore, innovate, and further reduce production costs. \r\nMassive omnibus spending bills are a horrible way of funding government, and I truly hope this is the last I ever have to vote on. Under a new Republican majority in the Senate, the Appropriations Committee carefully deliberated on, voted, and reported out every one of the 12 individual appropriation bills. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats blocked these bills from coming to the floor for consideration and a full amendment process. Republican leaders were forced to negotiate under threat of multiple presidential vetoes.\r\nThe resulting spending bill stayed within the most recently agreed-upon limits, the uncertainty and resulting economic harm that would have been created by the presidents threatened government shutdown was avoided, and at least a few good policy amendments survived. These included my committees Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act and reforms to the Visa Waiver Program designed to improve national security. Noticeably  and most regrettably  absent was the reauthorization for the DC Opportunity Scholarship program, which gives low-income families in the nations capital a chance to escape failing schools. Negotiators also failed to include any meaningful regulatory relief for Wisconsins smaller community banks.\r\nUpon careful consideration, I believe the positives outweighed the negatives and I decided to vote yes. I hope that Democrats will stop obstructing and allow us to return to a more thoughtful and deliberative process next year so that we can do a far better job of prioritizing spending.\r\nSen. Johnsons comments on his successful legislation to improve national security can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ca1bc5d0-d4ce-4bdb-a221-8b0babbe0642", "Johnson Legislation to Help Keep Terrorists Out of U.S. by Reforming Visa Waiver Program Passes U.S. Congress", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Omnibus package also includes Johnson priority to fight cyberattacks \r\nWASHINGTON  Two key priorities of Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), strengthening national security protections in the Visa Waiver Program to keep terrorists off U.S. soil, and improving cooperation to stop cyberattacks, passed Congress on Friday.\r\nThe Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015, S. 754, and the majority of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, S. 2362, passed as part of the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill.\r\nJohnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, was the Senate sponsor of the reforms to the Visa Waiver Program. The program simplifies travel between the United States and a group of 38 countries, but in the wake of attacks in Paris by terrorists holding passports from European countries in the program, Congress sought to enhance the security measures in it.\r\nI am pleased that these reforms have passed Congress, said Johnson on Friday. Protecting Americans against terrorism is something we can all agree on. These reforms to the Visa Waiver Program will improve our ability to keep terrorists out of the United States while maintaining the legitimate travel and the security benefits of the Visa Waiver Program.\r\nJohnson also was part of a bipartisan group that shepherded the cybersecurity reforms through Senate and House homeland security and intelligence committees, and he crafted the reforms of network security for federal computer systems with Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, ranking member of the Senates homeland security committee. The bill enables private companies and the federal government to share information about attempts to steal information from computer systems.\r\nForeign adversaries are pillaging American companies for their intellectual property and our government agencies for their sensitive data, said Johnson on Friday, citing notorious cyberattacks on private companies and the theft of personal data on millions of Americans from the Office of Personnel Management and the Internal Revenue Service. The Cybersecurity Act of 2015 is an important step in the right direction. It requires federal agencies to use common-sense solutions. Its long overdue, and I am pleased that it now has passed.\r\nSen. Johnsons comments on the omnibus appropriations bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=67fc9192-4647-4598-9393-a5ab10f88d47", "Johnson, Senators Highlight Small Business Tax Relief", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Alongside Head of National Federation of Independent Business \r\nWatch remarks here.\r\nWASHINGTON Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), along with Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Dan Danner, head of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), spoke Thursday outside the Senate floor on the critical small business tax relief that is part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, soon to be considered by the Senate.\r\nMaking Section 179 expensing permanent increases small business certainty and cash flow, said Johnson. The level of uncertainty businesses in Wisconsin and across the country face right now is an enormous drag on our economy. It costs the economy jobs and overall growth. This provision increases cash flow and reduces borrowing, prompting businesses to invest in the kind of capital equipment that expands manufacturing and building. It will help develop a stronger economy and provide good paying jobs for Wisconsinites.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=78fdcadb-5eab-4911-b30c-37c3aa660600", "Johnson, Murphy Resolution Condemning Sexual Violence Against Women and Children by ISIS Militants Passes Senate", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) condemning the ongoing sexual violence against women and children of Yezidi, Christian, Shabak, Turkmen, and other religious communities by ISIS militants passed the full Senate Wednesday.\r\nSenate Res. 310 also urges the prosecution of the perpetrators of the violence and those complicit in these crimes. It was passed through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by voice vote last month.\r\nISIS publicly and systematically targets communities on the basis of their religious identities using a crusade of violence that includes executions, beheadings, arbitrary detainment, forced displacement, torture, enslavement, rape and other sexual violence. Johnsons resolution condemns these outrages. It calls upon the attorney general to commence the investigation and prosecution of any United States citizen alleged to be a perpetrator of this targeted violence or complicit in these crimes and urges the government of Iraq and other countries to act similarly.\r\nI recently had the opportunity to meet a young Yezidi woman who went by the name Bazi,\" said Johnsonfollowing passage of his resolution through committee. She was held by ISIS as a slave for months and was a victim to extreme brutality. She came to the United States to raise awareness of the sexual violence and religious persecution that is ongoing at the hands of ISIS militants. During our meeting we spoke about Americas role in the world helping to prevent these atrocities. Often, if the United States doesnt help, no one will. That discussion stuck with me. This resolution is a necessary first step in raising awareness and holding these evil perpetrators and accomplices accountable. I am pleased that this bipartisan effort to protect vulnerable women and children has now passed the full Senate.\r\n\"We can no longer turn a blind eye to the ISIS terrorists who rape, torture, and imprison innocent women and children, said Murphy. Sexual violence is a brutal weapon of war, and women from the Yezidi, Shabak, Turkmen and Christian communities have been systematically targeted for far too long. These women are hiding in the shadows of fear and the shameful stigma of abuse, while their perpetrators go free. Im proud to join a bipartisan coalition that worked to get this resolution passed. Its an important step in condemning this barbaric violence and finally bringing the terrorists to justice.\r\nFull text of the resolution can be foundhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=34330dbf-ff46-469b-bd74-74d854d7f22a", "Johnson Congratulates Bo Ryan on Successful Career", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  On Tuesday, Bo Ryan announced his retirement after 14 years as the University of Wisconsin-Madison head mens basketball coach. He retires with 747 career wins, 364 of which were at UW-Madison, and seven Big Ten titles.\r\nRyan has been one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history. He will be remembered not just for his victories but also for his community service and dedication to helping fight cancer. In 2013, he won the Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award.\r\nSen. Johnson said this Wednesday: Bos contributions to collegiate basketball in Wisconsin are unmatched, and his successful career is greater tribute than any words could be. His retirement marks the end of an era. He leaves behind an incredible legacy of leadership on and off the court that always will be remembered.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=a291e333-16e1-4ac1-b66e-5fe9d6497ef1", "Chairman Johnson Speaks on Senate Floor to Support Legislation Empowering Government Watchdogs", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, spoke on the Senate floor Tuesday alongside his colleagues Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in support of S. 579, the Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2015.\r\nThe bipartisan legislation was reported unanimously out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee earlier this year and provides much-needed authorities for inspectors general to ensure they can perform their watchdog responsibilities in an efficient and independent manner. I am pleased that a bipartisan group of senators came together to make clear once again that inspectors general must have unfettered access to all agency documents, Johnson said of the committee passage.\r\nThe bill, sponsored by Sen. Grassley has 13 cosponsors, five of them Democrats and eight of them Republicans, one of whom is Johnson. The bill was blocked Tuesday with scant explanation, however, by Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, leader of the Senate Democrats.\r\nThe importance of inspectors general was made clear in the scandal of overprescriptions at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah, Wis., when the inspector general office for the Department of Veterans Affairs investigated the allegations but did not publicly release its findings. The legislation requires the public posting of inspector general findings.\r\nOn the floor Tuesday, Johnson remarked, I cannot imagine anything controversial about wanting inspectors generals to have access to the people and the documents they need to do their jobs. Americans deserve an accountable, transparent and effective government, and this is one tangible thing that we can do to help achieve that common goal.\r\nSen. Grassley thanked the bills cosponsors in his remarks on Tuesday. I especially want to thank Sen. Johnson and Sen. McCaskill, he said, for working closely with me on this legislation from the very beginning and for their work on getting this through the committee.\r\nAfter the bills proponents spoke, Sen. Harry Reid objected to Sen. Grassleys request for unanimous consent of the bill on the Senate floor, refusing to give a reason.\r\nJohnson joined Grassley in voicing his disappointment at the blockage, citing a tragic case of a Wisconsin veteran. What is the objection to giving inspectors general the tools they need to provide the accountability, the transparency, to safeguard the American taxpayer money? he asked. Because an inspector general was not transparent, because the VA Inspector General held 140 reports on inspections and investigations, the family of Thomas Baer did not realize there were problems. They took their father to that health care facility, and their father died of a stroke because of neglect. Thats how important this is, and yet we cant even hear the reason behind the objection to allowing this very common-sense piece of legislation to pass? This is very disappointing.\r\nWatch Sen. Johnsons full remarks here.  Full text of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=cddfcfff-0a82-45c2-89a5-02f86fb33b48", "Johnson Applauds Passage of Perkins Loan Compromise", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this in support of a temporary extension of the Perkins Loan Program passed by unanimous consent on the Senate floor Wednesday:\r\nIts taken a number of months to achieve compromise on extending the Perkins Loan Program. I appreciate Chairman Alexanders willingness to listen to the concerns that universities, students and families in Wisconsin have shared with me on the importance of an extension. This decades-old program partners with colleges and universities to provide assistance to more than 20,000 low-income students in Wisconsin each year, and an extension will provide greater certainty as Congress continues its work toward broader reforms in federal student aid.\r\nThe bipartisan proposal extends the Perkins Loan Program for two years for undergraduate students and provides one year of additional Perkins Loans to graduate students already participating in the program.\r\nSen. Johnson has pushed hard to make sure that we found a way to help students who are depending on Perkins Loans, said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), original author of the proposal. This agreement will give Congress two years to think about how to make it simpler and easier for students to apply for financial aid and afford college.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e1aa6ef9-b744-4922-868a-5801491bb750", "Johnson Comments on Inclusion of Key Security Bills in Omnibus", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said this Wednesday about the inclusion of S. 2362, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act and S. 754, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 in the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill:\r\nIn my first year as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I have focused on the national and economic security of America. The committee's priorities have been border security, cybersecurity, threats to our critical infrastructure, and countering violent extremism.\r\nAfter the horrific attacks in Paris, the committee zeroed in on other U.S. vulnerabilities, holding hearings and roundtables on the Refugee Resettlement Program and the Visa Waiver Program. The committee heard consistently that the Visa Waiver Program must be thoroughly reviewed, particularly since the known attackers in Paris were nationals of countries that are part of the program. \r\nIn response, I introduced and advocated for the Senate companion to H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015, which has now been included in the omnibus package we will vote on later this week. The reforms will strengthen the Visa Waiver Program and take significant steps toward preventing those who seek to cause us harm from entering our country while at the same time maintaining legitimate travel and the security benefits associated with the Visa Waiver Program partnership.\r\nOn cybersecurity and on the inclusion of S. 754, Johnson said, Americans data and critical infrastructure is under attack. Former NSA Director Gen. Keith Alexander called cyberattacks the greatest transfer of wealth in history, as foreign adversaries pillage American companies for their intellectual property and government agencies for their sensitive data on Americans. Recent cyber-thefts from the Office of Personnel Management and the Internal Revenue Service, and private companies such as Sony, Target, Anthem, and JP Morgan, have shown this is a growing trend. The biggest threat to privacy isnt government agencies trying to keep Americans safe. Its foreign adversaries stealing information on hundreds of millions of Americans.\r\nThe Cybersecurity Act of 2015 is an important first step toward improving our cyber-defenses. Its not perfect, but its a big step in the right direction, one that Congress has been trying to enact for several years. Im proud to have been part of the bipartisan group, with my colleagues on the Senate and House Intelligence and the Homeland Security committees, that finally helped get this legislation passed.\r\nThe information sharing authorization component of the bill enables private companies and the government to share information about known attackers and stop them. The federal network security component I crafted with Sen. Carper will require federal agencies to update their outdated cybersecurity, using common-sense solutions that the private sector has been using for years. This legislation protects us. Its necessary, and its long overdue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398443", "Ryan settles in as House speaker, sees good things happening in new role", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  On Friday,Wisconsins First District Congressman and speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, spoke with Kenosha Newss Joe Potente.  Excerpts of Ryans remarks follow:  \r\n \r\nQ. How are you balancing your time between D.C. and your district these days? A. Ive kept my same routines, actually. Thats been pretty good. Ive been very pleased with it. Now with this budget agreement, Im probably going to stay longer. But I come home at the end of the weeks session. I spend a day in the district doing district work, and then Saturdays and Sundays at home. Typically, I do some constituent events along with my kids sporting events on Saturdays, and then Sundays are family days. So last Saturday, for instance, I went to Elkhorn to meet the kids that were going to nominate to the military academies. I did that on Saturday, then went to one of my kids ball games. Then Sunday, I went to the Rock County Historical Society holiday fundraiser, which is something we do in Janesville, and had a family dinner. So, basically Im finding that I have a similar routine, which Ive been really vigilant at keeping, which is to keep constituents and family as part of my weekly routine like I always have, and Ive been able to maintain that. The other thing is that technology helps. I can do a lot on a phone and a computer. So I do a lot of conference calls, a lot of texting and emailing  you dont have to be physically present to do a lot of work. I do spend a lot of my weekends on the phone. Q. Youve been in the speakers job now for about a month and a half. How does it compare with what you thought it was going to be? A. Ive been in Congress for a while; this is my 17th year. So Ive always observed the job; Ive always felt like I had a pretty good sense of what it is. But you never know these things until you actually do them yourself. So, it is different in a number of ways. I find myself doing more macro then micro policy, and Ive always really enjoyed the nuts and bolts of policy, and I find I do more macro than micro. I think I knew that, but now Im experiencing it. I will find a way that I can get back involved in policy formulation, but for now I havent had that chance. There are a lot more ceremonial duties than I expected. Theyre pleasant  you know, I meet with heads of state when they come into town. I do a lot of ceremonial things. I met with the president of Israel yesterday. Q. You dont seem rattled by these budget deadlines. How are you keeping your cool about this? A. Ive been around the block. My experience as Budget chair and Ways and Means chair gives me a pretty good perspective on these things. So, no, I am not rattled by these things. Ive seen this situation before. By the way, I dont want it to keep going like this. My goal as speaker is to return to what we call regular order, where we dont have these brinksmanship deadlines. My goal is try and de-escalate the situation, so that Congress works more smoothly, and more democratically. Q. What do you feel are your greatest accomplishments since becoming speaker? A. I basically feel like I have helped turn the battleship back to regular order, meaning it takes awhile to change the culture of any big institution like Congress. But in 10 days  today being the 10th  we will have passed three conference reports. In all of the last Congress, in 2014 and 2013, we passed three in the entire two-year period. And what a conference report is, is in the regular system of how a bill becomes a law, you pass a bill through the House and then you pass a bill through the Senate, and then you go to a conference committee consisting of House members and senators where you iron out the differences, get a reconciled bill and then pass it through both houses and onto the president. Thats the system the founders envisioned. Thats regular order. That is small d democratizing Congress so that everybody can participate in the process, and we only did that three times in 2013 and 2014. We have now done that three times on big issues in the last 10 days. That I think is my biggest accomplishment. To read these articles online, click here and here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7d42092a-a92c-4c96-a726-6461aeb09259", "Johnson Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced Monday that his staff will be available for the mobile office hours listed below. Mobile office hours allow constituents to meet with the senators staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.\r\nNote: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of constituents we are here to assist.\r\nMonday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m.  11 a.m.  Florence County Government Building, 2nd Floor Conference Room  501 Lake Ave., Florence\r\nMonday, Dec. 21, 12:15 p.m.  1:15 p.m.   Forest County Government Building, County Board Room  200 E. Madison Ave., Crandon\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=211691c3-d943-4ac4-bd74-5b13265b4133", "Johnson to Attend EAA Event", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) will attend Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1158s Breakfast with Santa event this Saturday in West Bend. Details are below.\r\nTime:8:30 a.m.  10 a.m. CT   Location:West Bend Airport, 310 Aerial Drive, West Bend   Note:This event is open to the press.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-bill-addresses-puerto-rico-debt-crisis-shields-americans-from-a-taxpayer-bailout", "Duffy Bill Addresses Puerto Rico Debt Crisis; Shields Americans from a Taxpayer Bailout", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. U.S. Representative Sean Duffy (WI-07)introduced the Puerto Rico Financial Stability and Debt Restructuring Choice Act on Wednesday. Upon introduction of the bill, Rep. Duffy offered:\n\tThis bill empowers the Government of Puerto Rico with the choice to partner with the Federal Government and put the island on a path towards balanced budgets and a return to fiscal security. If Congress does not act, it would have a devastating effect on the people of Puerto Rico and countless Americans throughout the states who stand to lose billions in the bond markets.\n\tHe continued, This is a multi-pronged approach and a long-term solution. It cannot happen without adoption of legislation by the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly which must be signed by the Governor. We know bailouts do not change spending habits. We need all sides to be fully committed to changing the way Puerto Rico manages its budgets, tax collection and finances.\n\tBackground:\n\t\n\tPuerto Ricos Choice\n\tRespecting the democratic process and the political leadership elected by the people of Puerto Rico, thePuerto Rico Financial Stability and Debt Restructuring Choice Actgives the islands leadership a choice: through the adoption of legislation passed by the Assembly and signed by the Governor, the Government of Puerto Rico will have access the same chapter 9 bankruptcy process that Americas States do if it also agrees to an independent Financial Stability Council to oversee the islands path toward balanced budgets and a return to financial stability.\n\t\n\tChapter 9\n\tPrior to the 1980s, Puerto Rico was treated like a state for the purposes of allowing its municipalities and political subdivisions to access the bankruptcy courts. After a rewrite of the bankruptcy code, Puerto Rico lost access to chapter 9. ThePuerto Rico Financial Stability and Debt Restructuring Choice Actwill restore Puerto Ricos access to an orderly debt restructuring process, without which the result would be disorderly litigation which is neither good for the island or its bondholders. \n\t\n\tPuerto Rico Financial Stability Council\n\tIn order to restore investor confidence and improve tax collection and budgeting practices, the Government of Puerto Rico may choose to accept the establishment of a 5-member Financial Stability Council with the authority to oversee the islands financial planning and annual budgets. Unlike the D.C. Control Board of the 1990s, this Council will not be imposed on Puerto Rico  the islands elected leaders in San Juan must agree to accept the Council. The Councils duration will also be limited and it will not have the blanket authority to impose changes to Puerto Ricos government. Rather, the Financial Stability Council will focus on just that: restoring financial stability to Puerto Rico. \n\tRead the full text of Rep. Duffy's bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=05e75d85-0e72-4b1e-a7e6-b11efcee314e", "Johnson, Senators Introduce Bill to Fast-Track Disposal of Excess Federal Real Property", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and James Lankford (R-Okla.), introduced the Federal Asset Sale and Transfer Act Tuesday to reduce the federal governments inventory of unneeded real properties and the cost of maintaining them. Johnson said this following committee passage on Wednesday:\r\nThe federal government is sitting on thousands of federal properties that could be consolidated or sold. Because it doesnt dispose of them, it wastes millions of taxpayer dollars each year in overhead costs. This bill will simplify and accelerate the disposal process for these costly properties. This is a bipartisan effort, and I am pleased that we can build upon the previous work of Sens. Mark Warner and Roy Blunt, who spearheaded the Civilian Property Realignment Act.\r\nToo many federal properties are unneeded and underused. We need to take a businesslike approach to carefully review federal real estate holdings and look for opportunities to downsize, Sen. Warner said. By aggressively looking for ways to consolidate and sell these federal properties, we can save taxpayers billions of dollars by reducing maintenance and operations costs for years to come.\r\nThe federal government is the largest property owner and manager in the country and must do a better job in managing assets, said Sen. Blunt. I am pleased to work with Senator Johnson to continue the efforts that Senator Warner and I have done. This bipartisan legislation will help consolidate and maximize the footprint and use of federal buildings which will save taxpayers money for years to come. \r\nThe Federal Asset Sale and Transfer Act creates a process to cut through the red tape that prevents agencies from disposing of excess property in a timely and effective way. It requires that at least $500 million in unneeded properties be disposed of in the initial phase of sales. Proceeds from these sales will be used to carry out more property disposals, resulting in savings in operations and maintenance.\r\nFull text of the bill can be found here.   The committee business meeting can be seen here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=69138fc1-9ed8-40dd-86d4-aa71e3d6cdcd", "Chairman Johnson Applauds Bipartisan Passage of VA Whistleblower Bill", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act passes unanimously out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee \r\nWASHINGTON  A bill sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), S. 2127, the Dr. ChrisKirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2015, passed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by a unanimous vote of 16 to 0 on Wednesday.\r\nThe bill is named for Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick, a whistleblower from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah, Wis., who took his own life after being fired for questioning excessive prescription practices at the facility. Dr. Kirkpatricks brother, Sean, testified at a committee hearing in September about the retaliation his brother faced after blowing the whistle at the Tomah facility. Chairman Johnson introduced the bill in honor of Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick, and it is cosponsored by senators Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Mark Kirk of Illinois and Jodi Ernst of Iowa.\r\nThe legislation will strengthen penalties forthose whoretaliateagainst whistleblowers, add protections for probationary period employees,give greater authority to the Office of Special Counsel to investigate prohibited personnel actions, and ensure federal employees have a greater knowledge of whistleblower protections.\r\nJohnson said this after the vote:\r\nDr. Kirkpatrick strove to provide the best possible care to our nations veterans. In his memory, our committee passed this bill to make needed reforms. The bill also ensures that accessing the medical file of another employee toretaliate against the employeefor blowing the whistle  something that we have seenhappensall too oftenat the VA  is prohibited and punished. I applaud the unanimous, bipartisan passage of this bill, and I will work with my colleagues toward its passage by the full Senate.\r\nSen. Johnsons letters on the Tomah VAMC can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ec720472-5a3a-4877-a9a3-80991b2233fd", "Johnson Comments on Passage of Every Student Succeeds Act", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this on Wednesday after voting in favor of adopting the conference report on the Every Student Succeeds Act, a bipartisan reform of the No Child Left Behind Act that authorizes federal K-12 education funding through fiscal year 2020:\r\nThis bill is a strong bipartisan effort to devolve power away from Washington and toward states, communities, and the teachers and parents who are at the front line of education. Returning power to those closest to children will help educators perform their work more effectively and efficiently, and it gives students a better chance of success. It is a prime example of achieving a successful result by concentrating on areas of agreement  an approach I fully support and practice.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=f0d96f9f-9884-47d9-9a37-64a670ce3c7e", "Johnson, Carper Question K-1 Visa Program Vulnerabilities Following San Bernardino Terrorist Attack", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chairman and Ranking Member Send Letters to Homeland Security and State Departments Requesting Documents and Information on K-1 Visa Program\r\nWASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent letters to the departments of Homeland Security and State on Wednesday requesting documents and information on the K-1 visa program following the terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Calif. One of the suspected terrorists, Tashfeen Malik, entered the United States under a fianc visa in July 2014.\r\nThe San Bernardino attack has exposed the K-1 visa program as another potential vulnerability to our nations security, Johnson said. Despiteundergoing background checks and reviews by both the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, Tashfeen Malik gained lawful entry into the United States and brought terrorism to our shores. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs,I will push for answers from the Homeland Security and State departments to find out how Ms. Malik slipped through the cracks and explore necessary reforms aimed at preventing terrorists from entering the United States via K-1 visas in the future.\r\nFollowing the attacks in San Bernardino, the threat of homegrown terrorism and self-radicalization has become all too real to Americans, said Carper. As the Committee with oversight over our nations homeland security, its critical that we learn all that we can from this tragedy to inform our fight against terrorism in all forms here at home and keep Americans safe. I realize that many Americans are concerned about terrorists traveling to our country. I am too and thats why I believe we must continue to examine any vulnerabilities in the various that address how people travel to and stay in our country. Given that one of the San Bernardino attackers came to the United States on a K-1 visa  or fianc visa  its important for us to get more information about that program in particular to determine if there are weaknesses and, if so, fix them to help prevent tragedies like this from happening again. In addition to our examination of our traveler programs, we must also address the threat of homegrown terrorism and self-radicalization and work to destroy ISISs influence by countering their twisted message and inoculating against the groups efforts to radicalize our own people here at home.\r\nFull text of the letters can be found here and here.   Chairman Johnsons border report can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7aadcce5-a353-43c7-b9f3-034654acb07d", "Johnson Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced Tuesday that his staff will be available for the mobile office hours listed below. Mobile office hours allow constituents to meet with the senators staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.\r\nNote: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of constituents we are here to assist.\r\nTuesday, Dec. 15,noon  1 p.m.  Darien Public Library  47 Park St., Darien\r\nTuesday, Dec. 15,2:30 p.m.  3:30 p.m.  Grinnell Hall Senior Center  631 Bluff St., Beloit\r\nFriday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m.  10 a.m.  Seneca Town Hall  21041 Town Hall Road, Seneca\r\nFriday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m.  noon  Readstown Village Hall  116 N. 4th St., Readstown\r\nFriday, Dec. 18, noon  1 p.m.  River Falls Public Library  140 Union St., River Falls\r\nFriday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m.  3 p.m.  Prairie du Sac Village Hall  335 Galena St., Prairie du Sac", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=900fa9f8-0c63-4686-a522-20de7e39881a", "Johnson Voices Concern Over New Border Patrol Chief", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, wrote this week to the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), R. Gil Kerlikowske, concerning the next border patrol chief.\r\nAs I am sure you are aware, there have been concerning reports about a potential candidate from a sanctuary city jurisdiction, Johnson wrote, referencing Heather Fong, former chief of police for San Francisco. Obviously, the selection of such a candidate would send a strong message  both in the U.S. and outside  that enforcing our immigration laws is not the priority of CBP. Such an appointment would surely create another incentive for illegal migration to our country.\r\nThe National Border Patrol Council commented, Ms. Fongs longstanding support of sanctuary cities makes her unqualified to hold this important position. Her appointment would demonstrate that the U.S. Border Patrol is no longer a law enforcement agency, but has become an agency designed to advance the political agenda of the administration.\r\nWe thank Senator Johnson for his support and leadership on the important issue, the council added.\r\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e7c9a000-7630-4da6-8bad-1d78eec7ca16", "Johnson Calls for Inclusion of Visa Waiver Program Bill in Final Omnibus Package", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill Includes Additional Reforms to Promote Preclearance, Enhance the Screening of All Travelers in VWP Countries, Codify DHS Efforts to Increase the Use of Federal Air Marshals \r\nWASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, wrote Tuesday to Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, requesting inclusion of S. 2362, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, in the Senates final omnibus package.\r\nAs you know, the bill takes significant steps towards enhancing the Visa Waiver Program, Johnson wrote. It will deny VWP status to individuals who have connections to terrorist hotspots, demand strong intelligence and law enforcement information sharing, enhance screening of all travelers in VWP countries, help prevent extremists from using documents to evade detection, increase threat monitoring of VWP countries, and take steps to ensure VWP travelers do not falsify their background information. My bill will also promote preclearance, enhance the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, and codify efforts to increase the use of Federal Air Marshals.\r\nI believe, together, these reforms will strengthen the Visa Waiver Program and take significant steps toward preventing those who seek to cause us harm from entering our country through this program, while at the same time maintaining legitimate travel and the benefits associated with this partnership. As the holiday season approaches, we must ensure that Congress acts swiftly.\r\nJohnson said Monday the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will explore the legislation further on Wednesday during a roundtable discussion.\r\nFull text of the letter can be found here.  Full text of the bill can be found here.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398441", "Ryan Talks ISIS and Bipartisan Accomplishments in Congress", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  This morning,Wisconsins First District congressman and speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, spoke with the Big 1380 AMs Stan Milam and Wisconsin State Journals Mark Sommerhauser.   Excerpts of Ryans remarks follow:   On the Presidents remarks and combating ISIS:    \r\nWhat I heard more was a defense of his containment strategynot an adjustment to a new strategy. We should not try to defend what has been our failing policy.   ***   \r\nAnd, I do believe we need a new strategy. Thats not just my opinionan overwhelming bipartisan vote in the House and the Senate as part of the defense authorization bill called on the Obama administration to present to Congress a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS. My concern is that the president more or less resuscitated what he had been saying and what he had been doing, which clearly has been inadequate. . . . What I was hoping to hear were the elements of a new strategy that was actually focused on defeating ISIS. Im hoping that the president, as now required by law on a bipartisan basis, actually comes up with a more comprehensive plan to defeat ISIS.   ***   \r\nWe will be bringing a bill to the floor this week, cracking down on the loopholes in the visa-waiver program. There are 38 countries that are in the visa-waiver program. What does that mean? That means a radical with a French passport or a Belgian passport can get on a plane in Brussels or Paris today and come to America, no questions asked, and be here for 90 days without us knowing anything. And so, there are loopholesgaps in our systemthat need to be dealt with. Weve identified this with our taskforce in Congress, and we are working on bipartisan legislation to plug that loophole, just like we did two weeks ago on the issue of Syrian refugees.   On recent bipartisan accomplishments in Congress:   \r\nWe have a full, completed five-year [highway bill] that paid for five years and its 10 percent above where spending was for highways. . . . And why this is important is, take a look at Rock County. Widening the interstate, I-90, from the state line up to Madison, is a multi-year project. In order to have the commitments by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, they need multiple years of funding for the transportation trust fund. Well, now we have that, and its the first time weve done that in a decade. We had something like 37 short-term extensions over the last number of years. Being able to unlock a bill that we havent been able to pass in a decade, getting a multi-year, five-year highway bill is one of the big accomplishments that Im very happy about.   ***   \r\nWell, we have replaced No Child Left Behind. And I, along with lots of educators and concerned parents in the First District of Wisconsin had big of problems with No Child Left Behind. I think we fixed those programs, and we had an enormous bipartisan vote359 out of 435 voted for a new Title I bill. We have now replaced No Child Left Behind, given more power to the states and the school districts to customize our primary and secondary education plans to meet the needs of our community. We are very happy with this; its been years in the making. Its a huge accomplishment. No Child Left Behind was written in 2002. This is the biggest rewrite of this area of education law in 25 years, and it was a very big bipartisan accomplishment. Just those two thingstwo big issues: transportation, educationthese have been thorny issues that havent been acted on for a long time. We finally delivered some big, comprehensive solutions.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/tis-the-season", "'Tis the Season", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear friends,\nHoliday hits are taking over radio stations, homes are being adorned with lights, the smell of fresh cuts Christmas trees are igniting our sensesand as boys and girls around the world complete their lists for Santa, Congress is checking items off its year-end to-do list as well.\nEnergy Independence:One such item was the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act which passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 249 to 174 this past week. This bill seeks to harmonize energy security planning in North America and maximize our ability to utilize our countrys resources. Included in that bill is my amendment to hold the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the same standard that it holds American businesses.\nDuring debate on the bill,I offered: Let the American people see the impactoftherules that are being proposed. Just like inevery other government agency. The E.P.A. shouldn't get special treatment. Transparency, good government, and involving the American people in the process is what this amendment is about.\nClick on the image to watch my full remarks, or clickhere.\n\n\nThe amendment, which can be read in fullhere, was originally introduced as a stand alone bill as part of my5 for 15agenda.\nMove that Busthe omnibus that is. In the coming week, you may hear about something policy folks like to call the omnibus. This is an end-of-year piece of legislation that wraps together the remaining Appropriations bills that have been debated, but Congress has yet to hold a vote. While legislation that is this large in nature is never my preference, an omnibus at least gives businesses the ability to plan for an entire year, as opposed to having to bow to the whim of short-term spending bills (Continuing Resolutions). Of course, I will stand by my pledge to you to read the bill before voting on it to ensure that it falls in line with the needs of the 7thDistrict. Keep an eye on myfacebookand this weekly newsletter for more updates on that.\nUntimely, but necessary, business:This weeks terrorist attack in San Bernardino and last months terrorist attacks in Paris have ignited a conversation in Congress and across the country about our refugee procedures and current visa-waiver program. This is a broad issue that will require a multi-pronged approach. In the absence of leadership from the White House, Congress has resolved to take the lead. This week the House will begin consideration of a visa-waiver reform bill that will put necessary safeguards in place that will go a long way towards ensuring that terrorists cannot continue to take advantage of our outdated system. I spoke with Fox Business anchor Trish Regan about this first phase. Click on the image to watch my conversation with her:\n\n\nIn other news:Is there an app for that? If not, now's your chance! All 7th District high schoolers, this is your invitation to show-off your STEM skills and take part in the Congressional App challenge. Click on the image for full contest details. Good luck!\n\n\nI will continue to keep you informed as Congress moves ahead with all of the legislation I mentioned above; in addition to these, please keep me up-to-date on the burning issues on the home front. Until next week\n\nHave a great week,\nSean", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=34338a0c-d7bb-44ed-9834-96ed773fdbb1", "Johnson Introduces Senate Companion Bill to Enhance the Security of the Visa Waiver Program", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Additional Reforms to Promote Preclearance, Enhance the Screening of All Travelers in VWP Countries, Codify DHS Efforts to Increase the Use of Federal Air Marshals \r\nWASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced a bill Monday to enhance the security of the current Visa Waiver Program. The chairman said this about the bill:\r\nA review of U.S. security programs is critical. After the horrific attacks in Paris, I immediately convened a hearing to discuss our vulnerabilities. The committee heard expert testimony about our porous borders, the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program and the weaknesses with the current Visa Waiver Program, particularly since the known attackers in Paris were nationals of countries that are part of the program.\r\nIt is clear that enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program are needed, and a number of proposals are being considered.I am introducing a bill that incorporates ideas that have emerged at our committee hearings and briefings as well as from the Senate bill I have cosponsored and the House bill that will be voted on this week. We will explore this legislation on Wednesday in our committee. I encourage my colleagues to support this package and will keep working to ensure these reforms are signed into law.\r\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=698f2596-1d28-48f4-9336-9fa848afa0c9", "Johnson: If only presidents actions matched his words", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued this statement Sunday following President Obamas address on the threat of terrorism and the fight against ISIS:\r\nOn Sept. 4, 2014, President Obama stated America's goal was to 'degrade and ultimately defeat' ISIS. I immediately stated that I agreed with that goal and that I would back the president once he laid out and fully committed to an effective strategy to accomplish it. To dateand tonights status-quo speech was no exceptionhe has done neither. [AUDIO HERE]\r\nAs is often the case, tonight I agreed with much of what President Obama said. Unfortunately, far too often the president's actions do not match his words. That will undoubtedly be the case again. [AUDIO HERE]\r\nIt has been 15 months since President Obama stated his goal. The recent string of terror attacks -- the Russian airliner blown out of the sky over Egypt, the Beirut bombing, and the attacks in Paris, Mali, and now San Bernardinoprove that ISIS is neither a JV team\" nor contained. Fifteen months without defining and committing to a winning strategy is simply too long. [AUDIO HERE]\r\nEvery day that ISIS is not overtly losing, it is perceived as winning, and it will continue to inspire and gain adherents throughout the world. ISIS, every form of Islamic terror, and every Islamic terrorist organization must be pursued and defeatedthe sooner the better.\r\nI stand ready to support the president as soon as he fully commits to a winning and decisive strategy. [AUDIO HERE]\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-on-the-president-s-address-to-the-nation", "Duffy on the Presidents Address to the Nation", "2015-12-06", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. U.S. Representative Sean Duffy (WI-07)made the following statement in response to the Presidents address to the nation:\nThe President proved yet again how tragically out of touch he is tonight. Days after the FBI, the media and the American public recognized San Bernardino as the second deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9-11, the President calls for a late night Oval Office addressto finally admit that he has come to terms with the fact that this was not another case of \"work place violence\". He also took the opportunity tonight to finally call the 2009 Fort Hood shootings terrorism. Again, this is not breaking news for the victims, their families and the American people.\nNonetheless, the nation hoped the events in Paris and San Bernardino would finally compel the President to present a comprehensive plan to defeat ISIS and its evil ideology. Instead, President Obama is using the tragedy to push his left-wing agenda to restrict 2nd Amendment rights. Never mind that California has some of the strictest gun control laws in the country and that the gun control measures he is proposing would have done nothing to prevent the massacre in San Bernardino.\nThe President offered nothing new to combat terrorism. Even theplan he outlined to reform the visa waiver program has already been developed by Congress and will be voted on this week.\nThe president's lack of seriousness when it comes to our national security is the reason why during his tenure, the world has gotten more - not less - dangerous. It's time for a Commander-in-Chief who is ready to confront and defeat our enemies wherever they hide.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-amendment-included-in-bipartisan-house-passed-energy-bill", "Duffy Amendment Included in Bipartisan House Passed Energy Bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. U.S. Representative Sean Duffys (WI-07)amendment to hold the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the same standard that it holds American businesses was included in the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act which passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 249 to 174 on Thursday.\nDuring debate on the bill,Rep. Duffyoffered: Let the American people see the impactoftherules that are being proposed. Just like inevery other government agency. The E.P.A. shouldn't get special treatment. Transparency, good government, and involving the American people in the process is what this amendment is about.\nTo watch Rep. Duffys full remarks, click on the image below orhere.\n\n\nThe amendment, which can be read in fullhere, was originally introduced as a stand alone bill as part of Rep. Duffy5 for 15agenda.\n\nThe North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act harmonizes energy security planning in North America and maximizes our ability to utilize our countrys resources; find quick facts on the billhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=53cf2d97-8a53-45fe-882b-1e0ce60f2cd3", "Johnson Comments on Passage of FAST Act", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said this on Thursday after voting in favor of the conference report implementing the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which reauthorizes and funds Americas surface transportation programs through fiscal year 2020:\r\nThe FAST Acts bipartisan conference report is the product of months of thoughtful negotiations and public input. While not perfect, its the product of a functioning, productive Congress. I worked closely with my fellow Wisconsinites, Reps. Reid Ribble and Sean Duffy, as well as with my Senate colleagues, to ensure the final report would benefit Wisconsin constituents and businesses. The report gives local and state governments the ability to plan their road and bridge project budgets out further than just a few months at a time, which has unfortunately been the norm for a decade. These short-term funding measures can increase construction costs by as much as 30%, by some estimates. The FAST Act gives our transportation construction industry certainty, which every business craves as they build their annual budgets, bid on projects, make equipment purchases and set staffing needs.\r\nThe report contains bipartisan language that will specifically benefit Wisconsin in a number of ways. It will:\r\n Improve the process for seeking federal permitting authorization for major infrastructure projects. \r\n Improve rules on carrying fluid milk so that fewer milk trucks would be needed, cutting costs for dairy farmers and benefiting consumers.\r\n Ensure that fire trucks and other heavy emergency vehicles are exempt from federal axle highway weight laws. \r\n Allow logging trucks on their way to the mill to continue driving a short 12-mile stretch of I-39 in Marathon County. Currently, these logging trucks must exit U.S. Highway 51 south of Wausau when it becomes I-39, because federal Interstate weight limits restrict trucks to 80,000 total pounds while the states highway limit is 98,000 pounds. Logging trucks will no longer have to pull off the highway and slowly traverse narrower city and county roads, thus improving safety conditions.\r\n Prohibit the Department of Transportation from awarding grants to local and state governments for motorcycle-only checkpoint programs.\r\n Reinstate the Motorcycle Advisory Council (MAC) which would advise the Federal Highway Administration on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=acf1b3d6-0047-4dc9-8595-fef13394327a", "Johnson Votes to Repeal Obamacare", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said this on Thursday evening following Senate passage of the Restoring Americans Health Care Freedom Reconciliation Act, a repeal of the unpopular Obamacare:\r\nThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, has completely failed to live up to its name. President Obama repeatedly promised that if you like your health care plan, you can keep it. Instead, millions of Americans were not protected when Obamacare was enacted, and their policies were canceled. President Obama also promised Americans they could keep their doctors. Instead, Americans buying plans on Obamacare's government-run exchanges are discovering that the networks of providers are often narrower, with fewer choices. Those promises were repeated by many of Obamacare's supporters and were named PolitiFact's 2013 Lie of the Year.\r\nAnd instead of the Affordable Care Act making health care more affordable, the evidence shows that it has actually made health coverage more expensive.\r\nAs a result, I voted yes tonight with 51 of my colleagues to repeal most of Obamacares harmful provisions. The president should sign this bill so we can begin moving toward free market reforms that devolve power from Washington toward doctors and patients. If the president refuses and instead vetoes this bill, our repeal is a marker for what a Republican Congress again will pass in 2017 under an administration that is willing to admit the harm done by Obamacare.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=148", "House Replaces No Child Left Behind", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Replaces No Child Left Behind \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 2, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Washington, D.C.)  Today, the House of Representatives passed S. 1177, Every Student Succeeds Act, formally replacing No Child Left Behind. Included in this legislation is an amendment Congressman Glenn Grothman offered that will increase oversight by requiring reauthorization in four years instead of the six years that was originally included in the bill. The legislation now provides a four-year trial period to states and local school districts and allows the next Administration to make needed education reforms.By reauthorizing this legislation in four years instead of six, the next president will be able to work with state and local school districts to make any necessary changes to our education laws, said Congressman Grothman. Reducing the federal footprint in education empowers parents and provides local control to help every student succeed. Giving states and local school districts the needed flexibility to establish real education reform is an important step towards fixing our K-12 education system. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.                                    ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=fcedf304-a0c6-4a60-9d7e-81b721a52f32", "ICYMI: Johnson Introduces Amendment to Restoring Americans Health Care Freedom Reconciliation Act", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, spoke on the Senate floor Wednesday regarding his amendment to H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans Health Care Freedom Reconciliation Act. What my amendment would do is restore the promise that if you had health care that you liked in 2013, insurance companies could offer those same plans again, Johnson said. They were far more affordable, far more affordable.\r\nObamacare at its heart is a massive consumer fraud. A massive consumer fraud. So the purpose of my amendment is the purpose of a piece of legislation I introduced in 2013. The same thing. It's designed to honor the promise that President Obama made that he did not keep, the promise that was made under Obamacare that was not kept. [AUDIO HERE]\r\nWatch Sen. Johnsons full remarks here.  The full text of the amendment can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=146", "Grothman Votes To Keep Electricity Prices Low, Protect Wisconsin Businesses", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grothman Votes To Keep Electricity Prices Low, Protect Wisconsin Businesses \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 1, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Washington, D.C.)  Congressman Grothman voted today for S.J. Res 23 and 24 in order to prevent electricity prices from skyrocketing on Wisconsin businesses and consumers. S.J. Res 23 and 24 explicitly express Congressional disapproval over the Environmental Protection Agencys rule relating to carbon pollution emission guidelines for coal, oil and natural gas, including the regulations for greenhouse gas emissions. These rules proposed by the EPA would devastate Wisconsins power producing plants and would cause escalating electricity prices for the citizens of Wisconsin.Wisconsin residents shouldnt have to worry about paying their electric bill, but the Obama Administrations new rules ensure that Wisconsins electricity costs will surge, said Congressman Grothman. The EPA is not only hurting Wisconsin businesses, but also consumers. Make no mistake - this is cap and trade all over again. The EPA is looking to fundamentally change the way electricity is generated, consumed, and distributed. The Obama Administration needs to be stopped and this is a good first step to do so. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.                                     ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=146", "Grothman Votes To Keep Electricity Prices Low, Protect Wisconsin Businesses", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Congressman Grothman voted today for S.J. Res 23 and 24 in order to prevent electricity prices from skyrocketing on Wisconsin businesses and consumers. S.J. Res 23 and 24 explicitly express Congressional disapproval over the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s rule relating to carbon pollution emission guidelines for coal, oil and natural gas, including the regulations for greenhouse gas emissions. These rules proposed by the EPA would devastate Wisconsin\u2019s power producing plants and would cause escalating electricity prices for the citizens of Wisconsin.\n\n\u201cWisconsin residents shouldn\u2019t have to worry about paying their electric bill, but the Obama Administration\u2019s new rules ensure that Wisconsin\u2019s electricity costs will surge,\u201d said Congressman Grothman. \u201cThe EPA is not only hurting Wisconsin businesses, but also consumers. Make no mistake - this is cap and trade all over again. The EPA is looking to fundamentally change the way electricity is generated, consumed, and distributed. The Obama Administration needs to be stopped and this is a good first step to do so.\u201d\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398440", "Ryan: I want us to renew the American Idea", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  This morning,Wisconsins First District Congressman and speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, spoke with WISNs Jay Weber.Excerpts of Ryans remarks follow: On moving the country forward:  \r\nWhat matters to me as a citizen . . . is someone who will offer an alternative, not just a criticism of the status quo; weve got that down. We cant just be an opposition party, we have to be a proposition party. ***   \r\nI dont like divisive identity politics, I dont like . . . dividing people and appealing to people [based] on what divides us. I want us to unify; I want us to inspire; I want us to be optimistic; I want us to get back to who we are and renew the American Idea . . . . Thats the kind of leadership I think we need. On the Syrian refugee crisis:  \r\nWhen ISIS is telling us that they are trying to infiltrate the refugee population, its only reasonable and practical to put a pause on the program and make sure the proper security guards are in place, especially when our own security people [are] telling us they dont have those proper security safeguards in place. On a bipartisan basis, we passed with overwhelming support, this [refugee] bill . . . . Im hopeful that the president sees it our way. Im hopeful that the president comes around and listens to his own security people, so we can get this done.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=039bc71c-0e42-4d10-8cf7-6f9796afce4d", "ICYMI: Johnson Releases Border Report", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released a100 + page reporton the state of Americas borders last Monday, Nov. 23, while in Phoenix holding a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the increasing threat of heroin and illicit narcotic trafficking across the Arizona border. \r\nMondays hearingmarked the 13thheld by the committee on border security and the second focused on Americas heroin epidemic. These topics are closely related, Johnson said in hisopening statement, as one root cause of our unsecure border is Americas insatiable demand for drugs.\r\nJohnsons border report provides a summary of findings from the committees border security hearings, as well as a primer on key border security issues and recommendations for first step reforms that could begin improving security at our borders.The committee has already begun crafting and passing a number of these initial reforms.Six bills related to border security have been reported out of committee, one of which was recently signed into law.\r\n\"America's borders are not secure,\" the report reads. \"This current state of affairs is clearly unacceptable. A secure border is not only a prerequisite to a functioning legal immigration system, but it is essential to maintaining national security and protecting public health and safety.\r\nThe full text of the report can be downloadedhere.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4d853bb0-6904-4c90-9e25-646d92f7069b", "Johnson Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson announced Monday that his staff will be available for the mobile office hours listed below. Mobile office hours allow constituents to meet with the senators staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.\r\nNote: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of constituents we are here to assist.\r\nWednesday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.  11 a.m.  Osseo City Hall, Council Chambers  13712 8th St., Osseo\r\nWednesday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m.  2 p.m.  Sheboygan Falls City Hall  375 Buffalo St., Sheboygan Falls\r\nThursday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.  noon  Kettle Moraine YMCA  River Shores Branch  705 Village Green Way, Unit 201, West Bend\r\nFriday, Dec. 11, 1 p.m.  2 p.m.   Bristol Municipal Building   19801 83rd St., Bristol\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e4fabfab-5418-44a9-992d-03e734c105b4", "Johnson honored to attend tribute to Bart and Cherry Starr", "2015-11-26", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GREEN BAY  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) on Thursday attended a Thanksgiving Day tribute to Bart and Cherry Starr for the years of work they have done on behalf of Rawhide Boys Ranch, as well as numerous other charitable organizations.\r\n\r\nJohnson was among those addressing the people assembled at Green Bays KI Convention Center to honor the former Green Bay Packers quarterback and his wife for their years of patronage of the home and school for disadvantaged youth. The senator presented the couple with a commemorative text of the tribute to them that he delivered on the floor of the United States Senate earlier this month.\r\n\r\nVideo of that tribute may be seen here.\r\n\r\nAfterward, Johnson remarked:\r\n\r\nIts an honor to be able to thank Cherry and Bart in person for all theyve done. Wisconsinites came to love Bart for the incredible way he led the Packers to greatness and for his humility in sharing the credit with his teammates. Afterward, the Starrs dedication to Rawhide, the passion they showed for helping young men find success in life it added a whole new level to the appreciationI think we all felt for them.Im just gladI was able to tell them in person.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6ee2cc71-fdd6-4e3b-9435-8d713cc48905", "Johnson Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Calling for Increased Flexibility for Dairy Farmers in Transportation Bill", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators: The transportation of milk is an issue that affects businesses and consumers in every region and in every state. \r\nWASHINGTON Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Kelly Ayotte (D-N.H.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Angus King (I-Maine) this week in calling for flexibility for Americas dairy farmers in the recently-passed Surface Transportation bill. The senators sent a letter to bipartisan leaders on the conference committee asking that the final bill allow bulk milk trucks to carry milk without being forced to offload portions, which increases food safety risks for consumers and costs for dairy farmers.\r\nEach day, more than 12,500 bulk milk trucks pick up milk at farms across the country and move it to over 2,000 processing plants. The transportation of milk is an issue that affects businesses and consumers in every region and in every state, the senators wrote. We urge you to support language that was included in the House-passed version of H.R. 22, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, that would classify milk as a non-divisible load. This provision would allow states to issue special permits to bulk milk trucks, giving them more flexibility to ensure that milk is delivered in a timely manner and in compliance with federal and state food safety and security standards. \r\nThe language, offered by Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT-5) and Richard Hanna (R-NY-22), was included in the House-passed version of the bill but was not included the bill passed by the Senate.\r\n\r\nFull text of the letter is below:\r\nNovember 23, 2015\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Jim Inhofe The Honorable Barbara Boxer\r\nChairman Ranking Member\r\nSenate Committee on Environment Senate Committee on Environment\r\nand Public Worksand Public Works\r\n205 Russell Senate Office Building 112 Russell Senate Office Building\r\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\nThe Honorable John Thune  Ranking Member Bill Nelson\r\nChairman Ranking Member\r\nSenate Committee on Commerce, Senate Committee on Commerce,\r\nScience, and Transportation Science, and Transportation\r\n511 Dirksen Senate Office Building 716 Dirksen Senate Office Building\r\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Richard Shelby The Honorable Sherrod Brown\r\nChairman Ranking Member\r\nSenate Committee on Banking,  Senate Committee on Banking,\r\nHousing, and Urban Affairs   Housing, and Urban Affairs\r\n304 Russell Senate Office Building 713 Russell Senate Office Building\r\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Orrin G. Hatch The Honorable Ron Wyden\r\nChairman Ranking Member\r\nSenate Committee on Finance   Senate Committee on Finance\r\n104 Hart Senate Office Building 221 Dirksen Senate Office Building\r\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\nDear Chairs and Ranking Members,\r\nEach day, more than 12,500 bulk milk trucks pick up milk at farms across the country and move it to over 2,000 processing plants. The transportation of bulk milk is an issue that affects businesses and consumers in every region and in every state.\r\nWe urge you to support language that was included in the House-passed version of H.R. 22, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, that would classify milk as a non-divisible load. This provision would allow states to issue special permits to bulk milk trucks, giving them more flexibility to ensure that milk is delivered in a timely manner and in compliance with federal and state food safety and security standards.\r\nBy classifying milk as a non-divisible load, this provision acknowledges that milk cannot be easily divided or dismantled between farms and processing plants. Milk is a perishable product that must be sealed for safety and transported quickly. When milk truckers pick up bulk milk, they must load the entire stock of bulk milk that a farm produced that day  not just the amount of milk that would keep the trucker in compliance with state truck weight limits. This is problematic because the amount of milk produced at a farm varies from day-to-day, based on weather, feed, and other factors. As a result, milk truckers perpetually risk being overweight. While milk truckers can break the seal and offload a portion of the milk to bring their truck weight into compliance, doing so increases transportation time and compromises the safety and security of the milk.\r\nCurrent law already permits states to issue special permits for non-divisible loads, such as trees, boats, or any other products whose integrity would be compromised through division. Adding milk to the list of products that qualify as non-divisible loads would improve the safety and security of bulk milk. Whats more, this provision would improve the stability of trucks loaded with fluid milk.\r\nAs the Conference Committee deliberates which provisions will be included in the final version of the DRIVE Act, we strongly urge your support the inclusion of this important milk classification.\r\nSincerely,\r\nSen. Chris Murphy  Sen. Patrick Leahy  Sen. Ron Johnson  Sen. Mike Crapo  Sen. Al Franken  Sen. Tammy Baldwin  Sen. Kelly Ayotte  Sen. Jim Risch  Sen. Angus King\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/americans-safety-must-be-first-priority", "Americans' Safety Must Be First Priority", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear friends,\nAre you better off now than you were four years ago? An iconic question Ronald Reagan posed to the American people in 1980. Are you safer now than you were four years agoor even one week ago? A fair question that all Americans should be asking ourselves right now.\nWhile Russias neo-CzarVladimirPutin and Frances socialist President Francois Hollande take-up the fight abroad, President Obama is waging a full scale PR battle to increase the number of Syrian refugees allowed into the U.S. However, as we saw after the Paris attack - where at least one terrorist infiltrated Europe posing as a refugee - as much as he might like to make us believe that all of the people yearning for our shores have honest intentions, the threat against us is very real.\nOur first priority must be the safety of Americans. If that cannot be guaranteed, then we cannot allow a mass influx of refugees into our country.\nWe now average one ISIS related arrest per week in this country, and have witnessed horrific ISIS inspired attacks like in Gardland, Texas and Chattanooga, Tennessee. We know that 30% of releaseddetainees from Guantanamo Bay return to the fight and ISIS has already pledged their intention to infiltrate the refugee process. To that point, FBI and counterterrorism officials have testified before Congress that we dont have the proper human intelligence and databases to ensure that a terrorist couldnt slip through the system.\nWe are a compassionate people; it is one of the things I love most about our country, but when terrorists threaten to exploit our compassion, we have a responsibility to protect the American people from threats and vulnerabilities to our homeland.\nThat is why the House voted this week to require the Administration to produce new security assurances for every refugee we admit from Iraq and Syria, which has become the largest breeding ground of jihadists the world has ever known. The House has also passed the FTO Passport Revocation Act, which will broaden the State Departments authority to revoke the passport of any U.S. citizen who joins a foreign terrorist organization. Additionally, Speaker Ryan signed the National Defense Authorization Act this week which will provide our military with the tools they need to keep us safe. That bill also requires the President to finally devise a real strategy to defeat ISIS, which now controls more territory than al Qaeda could have ever hoped to possess.\nRather than bring in more refugees who may pose a threat to the United States, a compassionate approach would be to devote our resources to creating safe zones for refugees near their home countries. Of course, the most compassionate thing our nation and our president can do is take a lead: to defeat ISIS and end the four-year-old civil war in Syria so these displaced men, women and children can return to their homes.\nWhere the President has faltered, we must take a stand. As your congressman, I will always stand up for your safety and the security of the United States. We live in dangerous times but I am committed to defending our shores from the terrorists who wish us harm.\n\nIn other news.\n\nThe threats abroad demand that we maintain a strong force at home. Gen. Dunbar and I remain in contact and I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that we retain a strong National Guard force in Wisconsin. Click on the image to watch my interview with KBJR about the situation:\n\n\nKARE 11's recent investigation unearthed the disturbing finding that an untold number of our Veterans are being seen by doctors who are not currently qualified to treat patients. I discussed my efforts to resolve this issue, but the real question: Should it take an act of Congress for the VA and doctors to be honest with our Veterans? Click on the image for the full story.\nDespite these uncertain times, as we begin this Thanksgiving week, I am reminded that we still have much to be grateful for in America. As Rachel, the kids and I gather around our table this Thursday, we will offer an extra prayer of thanks to the men and women in uniform who ensure our safety and safeguard our freedom. To them, and to all of you, our family wishes you a safe and blessed holiday.\nUntil next week\n\nHappy Thanksgiving,\n\nSean", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-encourages-students-to-take-part-in-congressional-app-challenge", "Duffy Encourages Students to Take Part in  Congressional App Challenge", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HUDSON, WI U.S. Representative Sean Duffy (WI-07)is encouraging 7thDistrict high schoolers to show off their strongest science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills and take part in the nation-wide Congressional App Challenge.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge (CAC), now in its second year, was developed to expose high school students to coding and get them engaged and excited about computer science. As part of the challenge, students will compete against their peers to create their own app.\n\nAs more businesses look for STEM-based skills in their applicants, we want to help ensure that they have qualified candidates from right here in Wisconsin. I am very happy that there seems to be significant interest from so many young, bright, 7th District students to take part in this competition and I look forward to seeing what they come up with, Duffy said. \n\nBetween November 9, 2015 and January 15, 2016, 7thDistrict high school students may design and program an app and then submit it via theCAC website.Local judges, selected by Rep. Duffys office, will then test the apps and select an individual or team as the 7thDistrict winner.\n\nPlease visit the CAC websitesofficial rules pagefor more information. Further questions can also be directed to Jesse Garza, Rep. Duffys District Director, at 715-808-8160 orJesse.Garza@mail.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2a5dbe47-40f1-41c3-b015-8dacdf44db97", "Johnson Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson announced Monday that his staff will be available for the mobile office hours listed below. Mobile office hours allow constituents to meet with the senators staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.\r\nNote: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of constituents we are here to assist.\r\nMonday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m.  11 a.m.  Waushara County Courthouse  209 S. Sainte Marie St., Wautoma\r\nMonday, Nov. 30, 2:15 p.m.  3:15 p.m.  Lester Public Library  6550 Virginia St., Vesper\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=140", "Grothman Votes To Protect America, Strengthen Background Checks For Syrian Refugees", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grothman Votes To Protect America, Strengthen Background Checks For Syrian Refugees \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 19, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today voted to protect American citizens by strengthening background checks on Syrian refugees attempting to enter the United States. The American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015 (SAFE Act) was introduced in response to the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated last week by the Islamic State in Paris, France. At least one terrorist involved in the Paris attack used a Syrian passport to gain entry into Europe. Numerous media reports have highlighted the threat of the Islamic State exploiting Americas refugee resettlement program to infiltrate the United States and the dire need for increased scrutiny on the backgrounds of Syrian refugees. Keeping Americans safe is my number one priority, said Congressman Grothman. Its clear the Islamic State wants to exploit and infiltrate the Syrian refugee program to plant terrorists inside the United States. This bipartisan legislation will protect Americans by ensuring that any Syrian refugee admitted to the United States passes a rigorous background check. President Obama downplayed the role radical Islam played in the Paris attacks, declaring the Islamic State was contained hours before the attacks occurred. The President has shown he is nave and weak when it comes to protecting America and our national interests overseas. While ultimately I believe we should halt our Syrian refugee program for the foreseeable future, this legislation is a serious first step towards preventing another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\r\n  \r\n                                   ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=141", "Grothman Introduces Amendment To Restore Fiscal Responsibility", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grothman Introduces Amendment To Restore Fiscal Responsibility \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 19, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Washington, D.C.)  Today, the House-Senate education conference committee voted to advance the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This legislation will replace No Child Left Behind and restore local control in K-12 education. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) urged fellow conference committee members to support his amendment keeping funding at current levels until 2020. The amendment passed the House conference committee 9-8, but failed in the Senate conference committee 6-16.At a time when government spending is completely out-of-control, we need to make fiscal responsibility a top priority. For too long our nations leaders have failed to act like adults and balance our nations budget.  This amendment is the first step in restoring sanity in the budgeting process.  U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.                                    ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398438", "Ryans Speaks with Fox Newss Hannity", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This should not be about Republicans and Democratsthis should be about keeping America safe, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said last night during an appearance on Fox Newss Hannity with Sean Hannity. Here are excerpts from their conversation on the Syrian refugee crisis and eliminating the threat of ISIS.On the presidents threat to veto Congresss refugee legislation:   \r\nI dont for the life of me understand this. He just said he is going to veto our bill putting a pause on the refugee program. I cant imagine why one would do that. Our bottom line is very, very clearand its the first responsibility of the federal governmentsecure the homeland. Keep people safe in America.\" So heres what were doing. We obviously know that ISIS wants to infiltrate the refugee population. Thats very clear. So we need to put a pause on this program and have higher standards placed upon it so that we can verify on a person-by-person basis, each and every single refugee, whether or not they pose any security risk.\" On putting politics aside and finding a bipartisan solution:  \r\nThis should not be a partisan issue. Democrats agree with us here in Congress, and I think were gonna have a pretty big bipartisan vote tomorrow.Because this should not be about Republicans and Democrats. This should be about keeping America safe. This is our national security. It shouldnt be politicized like the president is politicizing it. And that is why we are asking all of our colleagues to support fixing this, pausing this, and getting this right. On raising the standards of the refugee program:  \r\nWere a compassionate country. The refugee laws are important laws. And we dont want terrorists to dictate how we runwhether we have a law or not. But we dont thinkin this particular case with respect to ISIS trying to infiltrate the Syrian and Iraqi refugee programthat the standards are anywhere near where they should be. On the presidents failure to devise a strategy to defeat ISIS:  \r\nThe reason were having this conversation about refugees, the reason were having this conversation about ISIS, is because we dont have a plan to defeat ISIS. Its because the president and his foreign policyparticularly with respect to Iraq and Syriais so abysmal, so lacking, it didnt contain ISIS, and we dont have a strategy to defeat ISIS. So lets not forget the big picture here, which is we have terrorism, worldwide, knocking on our door, and we do not have a plan to defeat this terrorist threat.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=140", "Grothman Votes To Protect America, Strengthen Background Checks For Syrian Refugees", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today voted to protect American citizens by strengthening background checks on Syrian refugees attempting to enter the United States. The American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015 (SAFE Act) was introduced in response to the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated last week by the Islamic State in Paris, France. At least one terrorist involved in the Paris attack used a Syrian passport to gain entry into Europe. Numerous media reports have highlighted the threat of the Islamic State exploiting America\u2019s refugee resettlement program to infiltrate the United States and the dire need for increased scrutiny on the backgrounds of Syrian refugees.\n\n\u201cKeeping Americans safe is my number one priority,\u201d said Congressman Grothman. \u201cIt\u2019s clear the Islamic State wants to exploit and infiltrate the Syrian refugee program to plant terrorists inside the United States. This bipartisan legislation will protect Americans by ensuring that any Syrian refugee admitted to the United States passes a rigorous background check.\u201d\n\n\u201cPresident Obama downplayed the role radical Islam played in the Paris attacks, declaring the Islamic State was \u2018contained\u2019 hours before the attacks occurred. The President has shown he is na\u00efve and weak when it comes to protecting America and our national interests overseas. While ultimately I believe we should halt our Syrian refugee program for the foreseeable future, this legislation is a serious first step towards preventing another terrorist attack on U.S. soil.\u201d\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:30:58Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=141", "Grothman Introduces Amendment To Restore Fiscal Responsibility", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, the House-Senate education conference committee voted to advance the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This legislation will replace No Child Left Behind and restore local control in K-12 education. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) urged fellow conference committee members to support his amendment keeping funding at current levels until 2020. The amendment passed the House conference committee 9-8, but failed in the Senate conference committee 6-16.\n\n\u201cAt a time when government spending is completely out-of-control, we need to make fiscal responsibility a top priority. For too long our nation\u2019s leaders have failed to act like adults and balance our nation\u2019s budget. This amendment is the first step in restoring sanity in the budgeting process.\u201d\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:30:58Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8d258fb5-61dc-4b2c-a4ee-85f96a9eb399", "Johnson to Hold Public Town Hall at UW Green Bay", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) will hold a public town hall meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the University of Wisconsin  Green Bay. Details are below.\r\nSen. Johnson said this in anticipation of the event:\r\nI am looking forward to visiting the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay next week. It should be a great opportunity to listen to students, faculty, and other members of the community and answer any questions they may have. Students are preparing themselves to build a successful life for themselves and their families. They should be able to leave college full of promise and hope, reasonably assured that opportunity awaits. Unfortunately, growing personal and national debt threaten their future. Together, we must honestly assess and address the challenges facing America. If we do so honestly by concentrating on areas of agreement that unify us, the hard work and determination of young people at UW-Green Bay will help secure our countrys future.\r\nTime:4:45 p.m.  5:45 p.m.   Location:Christie Theater, University Union, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay   Note:This event is open to the press.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e850c868-8428-436b-92d6-82712489de60", "Johnson Leads Senate Bill on Syrian Refugees", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill requires that supplemental certifications and background investigations be completed prior to the admission of certain refugees\r\nServes as a companion bill to House legislation being considered later this week\r\nurl\r\nWASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation Wednesday to require that supplemental certifications and background investigations be completed prior to the admission of certain refugees into the United States. The legislation serves as a Senate companion to the bill the House will consider later this week. Chairman Johnson said this following introduction of the bill:\r\nI am pleased to introduce the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015. As we have once again learned from the vicious attack in Paris, the threat posed by Islamic terrorists is real and growing. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, I feel a particular responsibility to ensure that any refugee whom this administration allows into America has been fully vetted. The best way to guarantee that the vetting process is not short circuited in any way is to have the officials of the agencies and departments responsible certify the integrity of the process. This bill requires that certification. I urge swift passage of this legislation.\r\nThe full text of the bill can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=138", "Grothman Announces Town Hall Meetings", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grothman Announces Town Hall Meetings  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 17, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Fond du Lac, WI)  Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) will host two town hall meetings on Wednesday, November 25. Congressman Grothman encourages all members of the community to attend to discuss important issues to the 6th Congressional District.Wednesday, November 25, 2015\r\n  \r\nTown of Algoma Town Hall - 9:00-10:00 AM  \r\n15 N Oakwood Rd, Oshkosh, WI Fox Lake Community Center - 2:30-3:30 PM  \r\n248 E State St, Fox Lake, WI U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.                                      ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=139", "Grothman Named To Conference Committee For Education Reform", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grothman Named To Conference Committee For Education Reform   \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 17, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Washington, DC)  Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) was named as a conferee to the conference committee to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Grothman was named along with nine other Republican House members.The House Education and Workforce Committee has worked hard to strengthen and reform education this year  putting power back in the hands of parents, administrators and local officials, said Congressman Grothman. Americas next generation deserves a quality education.  I look forward to working with my fellow conferees and coming to a final agreement that puts students and parents first. Speaker Ryan appointed the following members to serve on the House conference committee: \tRep. John Kline (R-MN), Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce  \r\n\tRep. Todd Rokita (R-IN)  \r\n\tRep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)  \r\n\tRep. David P. Roe (R-TN)  \r\n\tRep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI)   \r\n\tRep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)  \r\n\tRep. Luke Messer (R-IN)  \r\n\tRep. Steve Russell (R-OK)  \r\n\tRep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL)   \r\n\tRep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\r\n  \r\n                                   ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=138", "Grothman Announces Town Hall Meetings", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Fond du Lac, WI) \u2013 Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) will host two town hall meetings on Wednesday, November 25. Congressman Grothman encourages all members of the community to attend to discuss important issues to the 6th Congressional District.\n\nWednesday, November 25, 2015\n\nTown of Algoma Town Hall - 9:00-10:00 AM\n\n15 N Oakwood Rd, Oshkosh, WI\n\nFox Lake Community Center - 2:30-3:30 PM\n\n248 E State St, Fox Lake, WI\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:30:58Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=139", "Grothman Named To Conference Committee For Education Reform", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) was named as a conferee to the conference committee to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Grothman was named along with nine other Republican House members.\n\n\u201cThe House Education and Workforce Committee has worked hard to strengthen and reform education this year \u2013 putting power back in the hands of parents, administrators and local officials,\u201d said Congressman Grothman. \u201cAmerica\u2019s next generation deserves a quality education. I look forward to working with my fellow conferees and coming to a final agreement that puts students and parents first.\u201d\n\nSpeaker Ryan appointed the following members to serve on the House conference committee:\n\n\u2022 Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce\n\n\u2022 Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN)\n\n\u2022 Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)\n\n\u2022 Rep. David P. Roe (R-TN)\n\n\u2022 Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI)\n\n\u2022 Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)\n\n\u2022 Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN)\n\n\u2022 Rep. Steve Russell (R-OK)\n\n\u2022 Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL)\n\n\u2022 Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA)\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:30:58Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=55382623-aa6d-4512-a411-7c818a13179a", "Johnson Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson announced Tuesday that his staff will be available for the mobile office hours listed below. Mobile office hours allow constituents to meet with the senators staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.\r\nNote: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of constituents we are here to assist.\r\nFriday, Nov. 20, 10  11 a.m.  Holmen Village Hall  421 S. Main St., Holmen\r\nMonday, Nov. 23, 10  11 a.m.  De Pere City Hall, Riverview Room  335 S. Broadway, De Pere\r\nMonday, Nov. 23, noon  1 p.m.  Hortonville Village Hall, Board Room  531 N. Nash St., Hortonville\r\nMonday, Nov. 23, 2:15 p.m.  3:15 p.m.   New Holstein Public Library, Art Room  2115 Washington St., New Holstein\r\nTuesday, Nov. 24, noon  1 p.m.  Argyle Village Hall  401 E. Milwaukee St., Argyle\r\nTuesday, Nov. 24, 1:30  2:30 p.m.  Dorchester Village Hall  188 S. 2nd St., Dorchester\r\nTuesday, Nov. 24, 3:30  4:30 p.m.  Lake Mills City Hall, Room 239  200 Water St., Lake Mills\r\nWednesday, Nov. 25, 10  11 a.m.  Elcho Town Hall  N11234 Dorr St., Elcho\r\nWednesday, Nov. 25, noon  1 p.m.  Cassian Town Hall  9110 Church Road, Harshaw\r\nWednesday, Nov. 25, 2:15 p.m.  3:15 p.m.  Manitowish Waters Town Hall, Conference Room  5733 Airport Road, Manitowish Waters\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=137", "Grothman Calls For Moratorium On Syrian Refugee Program", "2015-11-16", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grothman Calls For Moratorium On Syrian Refugee Program \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 16, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today called on President Barack Obama to halt the Syrian refugee resettlement program in the United States in the aftermath of the heinous terrorist attack in Paris, France. At least one terrorist involved in the Paris attack used a Syrian passport to gain entry into Europe.President Obama should immediately halt his Syrian refugee program until the United States Intelligence Community can guarantee the program does not pose any threats to our national security, Congressman Grothman said. The safety of American citizens should be priority number one.  It is clear that Obamas refugee program does not have the proper tools or the necessary background information to distinguish legitimate Syrian refugees from Islamic State terrorists. President Obama stood by his plans to allow as many as 100,000 Syrian refugees to relocate to the United States in the coming years.  He also downplayed the role radical Islam played in the Friday terrorist attack in Paris. The tragic terrorist attack committed by Muslim extremists in Paris should be a wakeup call to the United States, Grothman said. If we cant guarantee the safety of our citizens, we should halt our Syrian refugee resettlement program immediately. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\r\n  \r\n                                      ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398432", "Ryan Discusses ISIS and Life in Janesville as Speaker", "2015-11-16", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  This morning,Wisconsins First District Congressman and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan spoke with Charlie Sykes on WTMJs Midday with Charlie Sykes and Tim Bremel on WCLOs Your Talk Show.\n \n    \n    \n    Paul Ryan Discusses ISIS with WTMJs Charlie Sykes - \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    Paul Ryan Discusses Life in Janesville as Speaker with WCLOs Tim Bremel - \n    \n    \n \nExcerpts of Ryans interviews follow:\nOn balancing time in Wisconsin and Washington:  \nIll be here every weekend, because this is where we live. I commute back and forth like Ive always done.***\nI am trying to keep the same cadence of life, which is home on the weekends, doing community events on Saturday, kids sporting events, and then Sundays are our family days. And so, you will see us around just like we always have been . . . . We [were] able to catch dinner at Whiskey River down on Main Street on Saturday night. We love that place. Good BBQ. So thats the kind of life we have, and its the kind of life I want my family to have and kids to have and were going to continue to have; because its a lot like the way I was raised here.***\nSo, I think I can walk and chew gum at the same time: Be a Janesville family guy, be an effective speaker of the House, unify our conference, make Congress work, get things done. And yes, I will do some travel, but I have always done some travel.On the presidents plan to contain ISIS:  \n\"This requires a strategy, which we do not have. And containment is the last thing you need to describe the strategy that we need. We sent [the president] the Defense Authorization bill that requires . . . the president to submit a plan to have a strategy to actually defeat ISIS. But this war started in the Middle East, its come to Europe, and weve got to do everything we can to make sure it does not come here. ***  \nThis is a terrorist organization that is very well organized. They have their own land. They have an organization. And we do not have a comprehensive strategy to . . . eradicate them, to defeat them. This is going to take a long, comprehensive strategyone we do not now have, that we need. On the Syrian refugee crisis:\nI dont know if we have time to reevaluate all of our policies with refugeespeople coming from other parts of the world. But I think right now we have an issue with Syrian refugees that we need to address immediately. ***  \nWe are looking at all of the options. Were still gathering a lot of the facts. We need to evaluate what tools we have right now to make sure that something like [Paris] does not happen here. ***  \nIve asked the intelligence community to brief our members in a classified briefing as we return to Washington today. The issue of Syrian refugees is an . . . . issue we have to take on. So this weekend, I basically started our committeesour intelligence committees, our defense committees, our immigration committees, our appropriations committeesto put together a list of options . . . to make sure that were doing everything we possibly can to prevent something like [Paris] from happening.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=137", "Grothman Calls For Moratorium On Syrian Refugee Program", "2015-11-16", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today called on President Barack Obama to halt the Syrian refugee resettlement program in the United States in the aftermath of the heinous terrorist attack in Paris, France. At least one terrorist involved in the Paris attack used a Syrian passport to gain entry into Europe.\n\n\u201cPresident Obama should immediately halt his Syrian refugee program until the United States Intelligence Community can guarantee the program does not pose any threats to our national security,\u201d Congressman Grothman said. \u201cThe safety of American citizens should be priority number one. It is clear that Obama\u2019s refugee program does not have the proper tools or the necessary background information to distinguish legitimate Syrian refugees from Islamic State terrorists.\u201d\n\nPresident Obama stood by his plans to allow as many as 100,000 Syrian refugees to relocate to the United States in the coming years. He also downplayed the role radical Islam played in the Friday terrorist attack in Paris.\n\n\u201cThe tragic terrorist attack committed by Muslim extremists in Paris should be a wakeup call to the United States,\u201d Grothman said. \u201cIf we can\u2019t guarantee the safety of our citizens, we should halt our Syrian refugee resettlement program immediately.\u201d\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:30:58Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/you-want-answers", "You want answers?", "2015-11-15", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear friends,\nThe latest scandal to plague the Tomah VA has left us, once again, demanding answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Tomah officials.\nA recentKARE 11 news investigationfound that VA hospitals in Wisconsin and Minnesota had provided misleading information about the qualifications and certifications of some of their doctors. The Veterans Health Administration has repeatedly posted inaccurate and misleading information on its website concerning the competency and ability of its doctors to provide veterans with the care they deserve. It is troubling to think that the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States Armed Forces would be treated by doctors who should not be wearing a lab coat.\nI have asked the acting director of the Tomah VA to respond to seven specific inquiries:\n1) When did the VA find out about the misinformation on its website?\n2) What actions were taken when the VA was made aware of this and when were those actions taken?\n3) Have patients been notified about their physicians license denials, or inaccurate information regarding their certifications?\n4) Was patient care impacted because of a physicians license denial or lack of updated certification?\n5) Has there been a review of other current health care providers and their licenses and certifications?\n6) What is current practice to ensure that all health care providers are up to date with license and certification?\n7) Were any doctors inaccurately listed as licensed or certified on the VAs website compensated at an amount based on the inaccurate information listed?\nRead the full text of the letterhere.\nIn other news:\nOur third annual Hunger & Homelessness summit was a great success. It was our largest summit to date and included compelling panels on Veterans homelessness and the tragic opioid situation currently plaguing far too many of our neighbors. Of course, we were also very glad to have Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro join our discussions and hear first hand from those on the front lines combatting rural poverty. Take a look at a re-cap from this years summit:\nA very special thank you to Rib Lake High School and Jeff Zondlos family, friends and neighbors who came out to help us honor a true hometown hero. It was a privilege to award him his long-overdue Purple Heart medal and give him the homecoming he had never received. Click on the image below for more on Mr. Zondlos story:\n\n\nOne more thing:This week I was proud to cosponsor theRefugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Actwhich will address gaps in the security screening process of refugees and prioritize the admission of persecuted religious minorities from Iraq and Syria, such as Yazidi Christian women who face persecution from ISIS. This is an issue that many of you have brought to my attention, and Congress is doing all it can to address it.\nIt was great to catch-up with many of you this week in Wisconsin. My continued thanks and endless appreciation to all the men and women who serve our nation in uniform, and serve our community back home: it is a privilege to represent you in Congress. Until next week\n\nHave a great week,\n\nSean", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398431", "Statement on Attacks in Paris", "2015-11-13", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Statement on Attacks in Paris \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n        November 13, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON  House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) tonight issued the following statement regarding the attacks in Paris: \r\n\r\nOur first thoughts tonight are for those lost and those risking their lives to save others. We are united and unbowed in our support for the French people. It will take time to grasp the scale of this horror, but there is one thing we already know. Terror will not prevail. We will. \r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-demands-answers-from-va-agency-misleading-patients-about-doctors-qualifications", "Duffy Demands Answers from VA; Agency Misleading Patients About Doctors Qualifications", "2015-11-13", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. U.S. Representative Sean Duffy (WI-07) is demanding answers from Veterans Affairs (VA) officials after a recent KARE 11 news investigation found that VA hospitals in Wisconsin and Minnesota had provided misleading information about the qualifications and certifications of some of their doctors.\nIn a letter to the Tomah VAs Acting Medical Director, Victoria Brahm, Duffy says: The Veterans Health Administration has repeatedly posted inaccurate and misleading information on its website concerning the competency and ability of its doctors to provide veterans with the care they deserve. It is troubling to think that the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States Armed Forces would be treated by doctors who should not be wearing a lab coat.\nHe asked the Director to respond to seven specific inquiries:\n When did the VA find out about the misinformation on its website?\n\tWhat actions were taken when the VA was made aware of this and when were those actions taken?\n\tHave patients been notified about their physicians license denials, or inaccurate information regarding their certifications?\n\tWas patient care impacted because of a physicians license denial or lack of updated certification?\n\tHas there been a review of other current health care providers and their licenses and certifications?\n\tWhat is current practice to ensure that all health care providers are up to date with license and certification?\n\tWere any doctors inaccurately listed as licensed or certified on the VAs website compensated at an amount based on the inaccurate information listed?\n Read the full text of the letter here:15.11.13 Letter to Tomah VA.pdf\nAmong the physicians in question is the primary care doctor for Thomas Baer, who passed away earlier this year after failing to receive adequate and timely medical attention from the Tomah VA staff. His daughter spoke on his behalf during a Congressional field hearing in Tomah this spring which looked into questionable practices at the facility. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1e4882ef-5f87-46c9-910b-55f362db2b3a", "Johnson Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Paris", "2015-11-13", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "OSHKOSH, WISen.Ron Johnson (R-Wis.),chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, madetheseremarksaboutthe terrorist attacks inParis.\r\nThe latest barbaric attacks in Paris demonstrate that free nations remain vulnerable to acts ofterrorism. We must remain vigilant. These are attacks against civilizationthey are attacks against us all. America must show leadership, strength and resolve as we stand with those who have stood with us from the beginning to preserve our liberty and our very way of life.\r\nOur thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and the people of France.\r\n###\r\nU.S citizens inParisneeding assistance may call011-202-501-4444. Those in the United States concerned about loved ones inParis may call(888) 407-4747.\r\nThe State Department is setting up a public email address and bringing up its call center. Constituents should not call the U.S. Embassy in Paris as most staff are on lockdown in their homes. Instead, please monitortravel.state.gov over the evening for complete contact information.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=724081a8-4380-475c-8a31-eb1c6e5dd19e", "Johnson, Barrasso Introduce Gray Wolf Delisting Bill", "2015-11-12", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation this week that directs the secretary of the Interior to reissue final rules related to the listing of the gray wolf in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Wyoming under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The bill serves as the Senate companion to the bipartisan House bill introduced by Reps. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) earlier this year.\r\nAfter over 30 years of needed protection and professional pack population management, the wolf has made its comeback, Johnson said. In 2011, the administrations Department of the Interior determined the number of wolves in the western Great Lakes states to be sufficient and growing and made the correct decision to delist them as an endangered species. President Obamas own Interior secretary applauded the decision, saying, Thanks to the work of our scientists, wildlife managers, and our state, tribal, and stakeholder partners, gray wolves in the western Great Lakes region are now fully recovered and healthy.\r\nUnfortunately, in late 2014, a liberal judge in Washington, D.C. overruled the administrations wildlife experts in the field and returned the gray wolves to the Endangered Species List. Its obvious the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service judges its past delisting decision to have been correct, and the ongoing efforts in Wisconsin and elsewhere to properly manage the wolf levels are working well. Simply put, wolves in these four states are no longer endangered and do not need the protections the ESA afforded them in the past.\r\nOur bill's language does not modify the Endangered Species Act, nor does it prevent the Fish and Wildlife Service from ever returning the wolf to the endangered list if it determines the population is again threatened and in need of federal protection. I strongly agree with Wisconsins farmers, ranchers, loggers and sportsmen that future gray wolf listing decisions should come from the experts, and not from judges.\r\nSeveral important strides have been taken this year to once and for all give the final say on the gray wolfs status to our expert researchers inside the state Department of Natural Resources and the Department of the Interior. Im glad to be a part of this important effort, and it is my hope that all senators from these four affected states will join Sen. Barrasso and me in this effort. \r\nWyoming has honored its commitment and put together a solid and working plan to protect the states wolf population.Even the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agrees that wolves should be delisted in Wyoming, said Barrasso. This is just one of many legislative opportunities well continue to pursue until Wyomings wolf management plan is protected and fully implemented.\r\nA full text of the bill can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=136", "Grothman Statement in Recognition of Veterans Day", "2015-11-11", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grothman Statement in Recognition of Veterans Day \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 11, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day.As we mark Veterans Day this year, may we remember the sacrifice of those who have defended our country and faithfully worn the uniform of the United States. These Americans who answered the call to serve are the bravest among us, and we owe every veteran a debt of gratitude. May we renew our commitment to taking care of our servicemen and women both serving abroad and those who have returned home, said Congressman Glenn Grothman. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.                                    ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=136", "Grothman Statement in Recognition of Veterans Day", "2015-11-11", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day.\n\n\u201cAs we mark Veterans Day this year, may we remember the sacrifice of those who have defended our country and faithfully worn the uniform of the United States. These Americans who answered the call to serve are the bravest among us, and we owe every veteran a debt of gratitude. May we renew our commitment to taking care of our servicemen and women both serving abroad and those who have returned home,\u201d said Congressman Glenn Grothman.\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:30:58Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=93e9bfdc-b665-4201-b4b6-371f3f747412", "Johnson Votes to Support Americas Veterans and Service Members", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this Tuesday following the Senates passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and an appropriations bill that would fund military construction and veterans affairs for fiscal year 2016:\r\nToday, Congress acted in a bipartisan fashion to support the finest among us, as well as their families and their loved ones. The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act will provide for the benefits and care that our veterans deserve. I am pleased that language I proposed to ensure that reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) are available to the public was included in final passage. Tragically, we have learned that the VA OIGs decision to keep hundreds of reports from the public, including one on dangerous practices of overprescription of opiates at the Tomah VA Medical Center that resulted in the death of at least one Wisconsin veteran, can literally be a matter of life or death. Americans deserve transparency and accountability from the VA, and my hope is that this requirement will prevent mistreatment and substandard care of our veterans in the future. \r\nI am also pleased that the Senate has again passed the National Defense Authorization Act with strong bipartisan support. I urge President Obama to move quickly in signing this important piece of legislation that supports our troops and national defense into law.\r\nRelated content here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=a526c27e-42cf-4630-b089-10890a51c035", "Johnson, Murphy Resolution Condemning Sexual Violence Against Women and Children by ISIS Militants Passes Committee by Voice Vote", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), along with co-sponsors Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced a bipartisan resolution Monday condemning the ongoing sexual violence against women and children of Yezidi, Christian, Shabak, Turkmen, and other religious communities by ISIS militants. The resolution also urges the prosecution of these perpetrators and those complicit in their crimes. It was passed through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by voice vote Tuesday.\r\nISIS publicly and systematically targets communities on the basis of their religious identities using a crusade of violence that includes executions, beheadings, arbitrary detainment, forced displacement, torture, enslavement, rape and other sexual violence. Johnsons resolution condemns these outrages. It calls upon the attorney general to commence the investigation and prosecution of any United States citizen alleged to be a perpetrator of this targeted violence or complicit in these crimes and urges the government of Iraq and other countries to act similarly.\r\nI recently had the opportunity to meet a young Yezidi woman who went by the name Bazi, Johnson said. She was held by ISIS as a slave for months and was a victim to extreme brutality. She came to the United States to raise awareness of the sexual violence and religious persecution that is ongoing at the hands of ISIS militants. During our meeting we spoke about Americas role in the world helping to prevent these atrocities. Often, if the United States doesnt help, no one will. That discussion stuck with me. This resolution is a necessary first step in raising awareness and holding these evil perpetrators and accomplices accountable. I am pleased to see it pass through committee today and hope the full Senate moves to consider it quickly.\r\nI am proud to co-sponsor this bi-partisan resolution condemning ISISs use of sexual violence as a weapon against thousands of women and girls. While no one under ISISs rule has escaped violence, we now know that women and girls from the Yezidi, Shabak, Turkmen and Christian communities have been systematically targeted for sexual slavery, a crime against humanity, said Murphy. Too often, rape and sexual violence are ignored as weapons of war, allowing the perpetrators to go free while women often face a shameful stigma after being attacked. We must lead the way in condemning these barbaric acts of violence and ending the impunity for those who carry them out. Thats why were calling on governments around the world, including our own law enforcement officials, to prosecute those responsible and take concrete steps to protect vulnerable populations of women and children.\r\nA copy of the resolution can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=c13e0c08-6c5e-4004-8da8-0ca9c24a94df", "Johnson Commemorates Veterans Day", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, and every day, I encourage all Americans to take time to say thank you to a veteran. \r\nWASHINGTONSen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) made these remarks Tuesday in recognition of Veterans Day:\r\nThis Veterans Day, we remember the finest among us. We stand in awe, inspired, encouraged and grateful for the service of men and women throughout history who have protected our countrys freedom and security. While I have never had the honor of serving in the military, it is my honor to serve those Wisconsinites who have done so, including the nine veterans of the Army, Navy and Marines who are on my staff. My gratitude for their service and the service of so many others is only the beginning of what I owe them  of what we all owe them.\r\nToday, and every day, I encourage all Americans to take time to say thank you to a veteran.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/happening-now", "Happening Now", "2015-11-09", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear friends,\nAs you read this, nearly 200 people are filing into the convention and expo center in Rothschild for our third annual Hunger & Homelessness summit. Today, some of our districts most thoughtful minds on the topic will convene to discuss how we can help the most needy among us in our community. In addition to exchanging ideas, we will also hear from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Julian Castro.\nRural homelessness is a prevalent problem, not just in Wisconsin, but also across the country. However, rarely does it receive its fair share of the attention or funding. I am grateful that the Secretary would take the time to visit our community.Just as we look forward to learning more about HUD initiatives and how we can utilize them in our state from the Secretary, I know he will return to Washington with a more informed perspective on homelessness in rural America. Click here for a preview of todays conversation:\n\n\nIn other news:\nThe House passed a long-term highway safety and construction bill, the DRIVE Act, this week.\nA long-term highway bill gives those responsible for building our highways and protecting those who travel on them the ability to do their jobs, and do them well. I am very pleased that it includes a long-awaited and very important weight-limit exemption that will allow logging trucks to get out of our small communities and onto a 13-mile stretch of I-39.By raising the weight limit, we will help protect truckers as well as our friends and neighbors who travel these roads. You can find more information about the weight-limit exemptionhere.\nHowever, there are things in this bill  as in any bill  that are not ideal. I spoke in favor of important reforms to the controversial Export-Import bank;unfortunately, they were not included in the final bill. I will continue my efforts to reform the bank and ensure that taxpayers are not on the hook to bailout our countrys largest businesses. Take a look at my remarks in favor of an Export-Import bank amendment:\n\n\nAn Opportunity to Offer thanks:\n\nThis Wednesday we will pause to offer thanks to all who have served and sacrificed to protect our great nation. In a special way, we will honor one of our hometown heroes with his long awaited, and much deserved, Purple Heart medal:\n\n\nPlease join me to honor Specialist Fourth Class Jeff Zondlo, of Marshfield, at 10:45 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Rib Lake High School in Rib Lake, WI. This event is open to anyone who'd like to share their gratitude with Mr. Zondlo.\nWe remember in a special way all of our Veterans  and their families  this week. Thank you. Until next week\nHave a great week,\n\nSean", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-to-award-marshfield-veteran-with-purple-heart", "Duffy to Award Marshfield Veteran with Purple Heart", "2015-11-09", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wausau, WI  U.S. Representative Sean Duffy (WI-07) is honored to celebrate Veterans Day by presenting Specialist 4th Class Jeff Zondlo, of Marshfield, with the Purple Heart medal he earned while serving as an artilleryman in Vietnam.\nMr. Zondlo suffered extensive injuries during an enemy raid in Chu Lai, Vietnam on June 10, 1969. Multiple explosions knocked him unconscious and left him with gaping wounds and painful burns. However, Mr. Zondlos drive to protect his fellow serviceman that day still rang through.\nNot only is Mr. Zondlo is an exemplary serviceman but a remarkable American citizen as well, Rep. Duffy said. To swallow the pain of ones own injuries in the effort to protect another is true heroism and, for that, Mr. Zondlo deserves our highest respect.\nRep. Duffy released a teaser video ahead of Wednesdays event:\n\nThis event is open to the public.\n\nPurple Heart Presentation\nWednesday, November 11 , 2015\n10:45 a.m.\nRib Lake High School Gymnasium\n1236 Kennedy Street\nRib Lake, WI 54470\n*media availability following the presentation\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398430", "Ryan Makes Senior Staff Changes in Washington and District Offices", "2015-11-06", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Wisconsins First District Congressman Paul Ryan today announced a number of personnel changes within his Washington, D.C., and District offices. The changes will take effect immediately.Andrew Andy Speth, Senior Advisor  Speth is a Janesville, Wisconsin, native who graduated from UWWhitewater in 1992.For seven years he served as an aide in the Wisconsin state legislature. Speth was Ryans press secretary during Ryans first congressional campaign in 1998, and he has subsequently served as Ryans chief of staff for nearly 17 years. A veteran of multiple tours in the Middle Eastincluding IraqSpeth was a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves and Wisconsin Air National Guard from 20022013.Speth will work in the Speakers Office and continue to call the First District home, living in Janesville with his wife, Katy, and their five children. Danyell Tremmel, Chief of Staff  Tremmel is a Hartland, Wisconsin, native, and she previously served as Congressman Ryans district director and most recently as the district chief of staff. She graduated from UWWhitewater in 1996, and she has been with the House of Representatives for nearly 19 years, having served residents of Wisconsin's First District her entire career. Allison Steil, Deputy Chief of Staff  Steil is a native of Janesville, Wisconsin, graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2009. Allison has worked for Congressman Ryan since 2009 in a number of capacities, most recently serving as his policy director. She too has worked for the residents of Wisconsin's First District her entire career. Katie Donnell, Legislative Director  Donnell graduated from UWMadison in 2012, and she is a Brookfield, Wisconsin, native. Before joining Congressman Ryans office in January as a legislative assistant, she worked for Congressman Tom Petri (WI-06) and the Foreign Policy Initiative.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3be9bb7a-7883-487d-b73b-367ad56c2741", "Johnson Disappointed in Presidents Rejection of Keystone XL Pipeline", "2015-11-06", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Keystone XL Pipeline is part of ensuring that the private sectors success in finding new sources of energy in North America will continue. \r\nWashington  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this on Friday following President Obamas rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline project:\r\nAmericans are finally starting to see improvement in the economy, largely because of lower energy prices. The Keystone XL Pipeline is part of ensuring that the private sectors success in finding new sources of energy in North America will continue. Multiple studies, including review by the Obama administrations State Department, have shown that building the pipeline is the most environmentally friendly method of transporting oil from Canada. There is no good reason for the administration to block this project. I am disappointed that President Obama refused to drop his irrational, politically motivated opposition rather than listen to the American people.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-supports-highway-safety-for-wisconsin", "Duffy Supports Highway Safety for Wisconsin", "2015-11-05", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.U.S. Representative Sean Duffy (WI-07)offered the following remarks upon voting in favor of a long-term highway safety and construction bill, the DRIVE Act.\n\nA long-term highway bill gives those responsible for building our highways and protecting those who travel on them the ability to do their jobs, and do them well.\n\nI am very pleased that it includes a long-awaited and very important weight-limit exemption that will allow logging trucks to get out of our small communities and onto a 13-mile stretch of I-39.By raising the weight limit, we will help protect truckers as well as our friends and neighbors who travel these roads.\n\nMore information on Rep. Duffys weight-limit exemption may be foundhere.\n\nRep. Duffy shared frustrations that structural changes to the Export-Import bank were not included in the final egislation: There are things in this bill  as in any bill  that are not ideal. I spoke in favor of important reforms to the controversial Export-Import bank;unfortunately, they were not included in the final bill. I will continue my efforts to reform the bank and ensure that taxpayers are not on the hook to bailout our countrys largest businesses.\n\nClick on the image to watch Rep. Duffys remarks from debate on Export-Import bank reforms:\n\n\nThe DRIVE Act passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 371 to 54. The bill will now go to conference with the Senate.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=22af77bc-c51f-46c2-8753-5585980676ff", "Johnson, Senators Introduce Fruit and Vegetable Access for Children Act", "2015-11-05", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), joined by his colleagues Sens. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Daniel Coats (R-Ind.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), introduced the Fruit and Vegetable Access for Children Act on Thursday.\r\nThe bipartisan legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Agricultures Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which improves childrens in-school snacks in schools districts with low-income families. The bill would allow the program to include all forms of fruits and vegetables, including fresh, frozen, canned, dried and pureed. This ensures that schools can more effectively use their program dollars, and it accommodates cold-weather states where local fruit and vegetable harvests are seasonal.\r\nWe should allow our schools in Wisconsin the flexibility they need to provide nutritious foods for our children, Johnson said. By opening the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to all forms of fruits and vegetables, schools utilizing the program are given the opportunity to maximize the nourishing snacks they provide children with taxpayers dollars. I am pleased that Senators Donnelly, Coats and Baldwin have joined me in supporting this initiative. Better access to healthy foods for children is something we can all agree on.\r\nProviding children in need with access to nutritious fruits and vegetables is critical to building healthy diets, and I am proud to work with my colleagues to give school districts flexibility to operate such an important program, said Donnelly.\r\nSchool children should have access to a full range of healthy fruit and vegetable snack options, said Coats. This common-sense solution ensures children can enjoy an expanded array of nutritious snacks throughout the school year and schools can get more out of their program funds.\r\nGiving our schools the flexibility to serve a broad range of fruits and vegetables is a major part of helping our children get more of the daily nutrients they need, Baldwin said. Our farmers grow the corn, carrots, peas, sweet corn and cranberries that give kids the healthy foods they need to succeed and Im proud to support this effort that will boost our Grown in Wisconsin economy.\r\nThe full text of the bill can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398418", "Op-Ed by Speaker Ryan in USA TODAY: 'Get serious about enforcing our laws'", "2015-11-04", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The following op-ed by Speaker Ryan appears on page 7A oftoday's USA TODAY:Paul Ryan: 'Get serious about enforcing our laws'   TheHouse of Representativeswill not vote on comprehensive immigration legislation as long as President Obamais in office. And the reason is simple: TheAmerican peoplecant trust him to uphold the law.  He has tried to go around Congress by ordering his administration to create a new legal status for undocumented immigrants. Evena federal district court sayshe has overstepped his bounds. The first principle of any immigration reform has to be securing our border and enforcing the laws already on the books. But that is the very principle the president has violated.   Americans have every right to be skeptical. They dont think the federal government will keep its commitments. The last time Congress passed a comprehensive bill  in 1986  it was supposed to stop illegal immigration. And yet the number of undocumented immigrants more than doubled to 11 million. So the people are rightly asking themselves, Why will this time be different? Especially with this president. Instead of working to build trust, he has destroyed it. Last November, after his party lost control of the Senate, the president decided to circumvent the legislative process by unilaterally granting legal status to 5 million people. He has already demonstrated he is not serious about enforcing the law. Passing comprehensive reform during his presidency would merely render it meaningless. This is not an argument for inaction  far from it. In fact, only concrete action can rebuild credibility. If Congress secured the border and strengthened enforcement, that would show Americans that the federal government is more trustworthy. As speaker, Ive promised a new way of doing business. Dont pass thousand-page bills in the middle of the night. Do it all out in the open. Take it step by step. And get serious about enforcing our laws. Thats the way to fix our immigration system.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-challenges-yellen-on-handling-of-fomc-leak-investigation", "Duffy Challenges Yellen on Handling of FOMC Leak Investigation", "2015-11-04", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.  Financial Services Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Sean Duffy (WI-07) questioned Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen about her agencys handling of recent leak investigations. Click on the image below to watch todays exchange:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6427e162-2399-4291-b5f2-fd8e1b1a7fa6", "Bill to Eliminate WOTUS Rule Passes the Senate", "2015-11-04", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) voted Wednesday in favor of a bill that would eliminate the Waters of the United States rule pointing out how harmful this overregulation would be to Wisconsin farmers. Johnson made these remarks about his vote:\r\nThis new regulation means the EPAs regulatory power over the use of Wisconsinites land would expand to cover an estimated 92% of the state. We can all agree on reasonable regulations that prevent the pollution of Lake Michigan or the rivers of our state, and we should all celebrate the Clean Water Acts success in reducing pollution in lakes and streams. That success should not be used as an excuse for the EPA to unilaterally claim control over all land within 1,500 feet of any backyard puddle or former high-water mark.\r\nThis is an unconscionable power grab, and thats why I cosponsored Sen. Barrassos legislation directing the EPA to take a more reasonable approach. Its unfortunate Democrats blocked that, and I urge President Obama to sign the next best plan, a resolution of disapproval of the Waters of the United States regulations.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398416", "Ryan: We Have an Obligation to Offer a Bold Alternative", "2015-11-02", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  This morning,Wisconsins First District Congressman and speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, spoke with WLIPs Bill Lawrence and WRJNs Glenn Klein.\r\nExcerpts of Ryans remarks follow:\r\nServing the people of Wisconsins First District:  \r\nYou know, the best conversations I have with constituents are typically at a cross-country meet with other parents or at a volleyball tournament with other parents or . . . the Italian-American club, talking with people at the Columbus Day dinner. . . . I get really good organic feedback from constituents. It makes me understand whats going on in peoples lives, and with kids at home, you have other responsibilities other than just [the speakership]. And I think we want well-balanced people in positions of leadership, and thats what Im going to do.***\r\nYou know, I was home this weekend, and Im going to be home in a weekend traveling the district and being with my familyand then working in Washington.Rethinking the speakership:  \r\nIm redesigning the way the job works so that it can be done more effectively, and we can get better results out of Congress. Thats my goal. We have divided government right now, and . . . its difficult to see the big things getting done. But we still have to get things done, and I want to make sure that that happens. ***  \r\nRight now, I just want to make sure that we fix whats broken in Congress. I want to heal the institution. I want it to truly be the peoples House and get it working again. Lets just have honest . . . debates so that we can put forth honest solutions so that the people of this country get to choose what kind of country they want to have. Thats a moment Im looking forward to. Its very clarifying, and I think its what people want and need. ***  \r\nIve always been about the cause that I care about: these issues, these principles, this country, working families who are not strong right now and need to get strength. The countrys got to get its mojo back, and right now, we dont. And weve got to put together an agenda to make sure we do. ***  \r\nWhat I want these bills to do is work their way through the congressional committees like Congress is supposed to work. I chaired two [committees]the Budget Committee and the Ways and Means Committeeso what I dont want to do is sit around playing Caesar or dictator in the House deciding what bill goes and what bill doesnt. I think you have to have more of a bottom-up legislative process where the House can work its will, and that means you arent sitting in the speakers chair predetermining the outcome of everything because, you know, I wasnt elected dictator of the House. I was elected speaker of the House, and I want the House to work its will. Providing a vision for the Republican Party:  \r\nI believe that [in] 2016, we as a country are going to have to have as clear a conversation with [each] other as citizens about what direction do we want the country to go, what kind of country do we want to have. Not just for people who are struggling and raising families, but for the next generation. And those are the big issues that I think we need to deal with and that I think we need to present. And if we dont like the direction the countrys headedwhich, I and most of my colleagues dontI think we have an obligation to offer people a very good, bold alternative. And so now Im eager and excited.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8b08d747-1c06-4a38-856b-0d230917e0b8", "Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Returns from Central America", "2015-11-02", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We must acknowledge that both push and pull factors lead Central Americans to migrate to the U.S., and both must be addressed. \r\nWASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), traveled Friday through Sunday to Guatemala and Honduras on a bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to see firsthand the factors that incentivize migration from Central America to the U.S.\r\nAmong the delegation's many stops were border crossings and checkpoints in both countries and a vocational training facility and model police precinct station in Honduras.\r\nThe senators made these remarks upon their return:\r\nThis weekend I was joined by Sens. Tom Carper, Heidi Heitkamp and Gary Peters and Congressman Reid Ribble on a fact-finding tour of Guatemala and Honduras, Johnson said.\r\nWitnessing the conditions in these Central American countries reinforced what we have been learning in 12 border security hearings held by the Senate committee I chair: that the root cause of America's insecure border is our insatiable demand for drugs. This demand has created drug cartels and conditions that have corrupted public institutions throughout Central America, leaving these countries incapable of providing sufficient security and the rule of law that are basic prerequisites of economic success.\r\nI was heartened to confirm that a sense of national pride still exists in these countries. The Guatemalan president-elect expressed a love for country that he knows must be shared by his fellow citizens. Children in Honduras talked about their future in Honduras. And Guatemalans just repatriated from the U.S. erupted in applause when welcomed back to their home country. The president of Honduras told the delegation that witnessing his people leave their country for opportunities in the U.S. was a 'slap in the face.' Although the landscapes of Guatemala and Honduras are stunningly beautiful, we found that the most beautiful part of both countries is their people.\r\nI return committed to setting achievable goals based on reality, and then working with my colleagues to design solutions that have the best chance for success. We must acknowledge that both push and pull factors lead Central Americans to migrate to the U.S., and both must be addressed. It is also important to understand that those who are leaving to seek opportunity are the very people that these countries need to remain and fight to improve their countries.\r\nThere is much work to be done, and it will take the collaborative efforts of many people in a number of countries to accomplish shared goals. The fact that we observed teams from Colombia, joining exceptional Americans from a variety of agencies and multiple military branches working with dedicated citizens of the host countries, instilled real hope.\r\nCentral American societies have been ravaged by what too many Americans consider a victimless' crime  drug abuse. We have seen the victims, and it is high time that we commit ourselves to finding real solutions.\r\nThis trip to Guatemala and Honduras gave us a chance to see, first-hand, the driving factors that compel so many children and parents to make a desperate decision and flee to the United States, said Carper. We were able to see the progress being made by the governments of Guatemala and Honduras to improve conditions in their countries and to learn more about a number of international initiatives aimed at alleviating the root causes of this migration, such as efforts to crack down on human and narcotics smugglers, violence reduction programs, job training for at-risk youth, and programs to encourage economic growth. Its encouraging to see many of the ways these programs are working on the ground, and meet the men and women dedicating their lives to making these nations a better place to live, work and raise a family. While were seeing progress, we need to do more to strengthen our efforts in the region. The governments of the Northern Triangle have made an unprecedented commitment to tackle these challenges in a coordinated way through the Alliance for Prosperity, which is a multi-national strategy to improve the economic and societal conditions in the Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. We must work with our regional partners to support this effort, particularly given that the U.S. appetite for illegal drugs has contributed mightily to the difficulties these nations face. Change in these nations wont happen overnight, and it wont be easy, but we do have a moral and fiscal obligation to help our neighbors in these nations. They can do it, we can help.\r\nOur world is so connected today that what happens outside our borders can have a huge impact on us right here in the United States. Thats why I traveled to Central America with fellow members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee  to learn about challenges there that affect our country and how we can work with those nations to develop solutions, said Heitkamp. Human trafficking, drugs, and gangs in Central America can all cause families to want to leave those nations, so its important that we understand those root causes to make sense of migration within the Americas. I was moved by our time with girls at a shelter for victims of human trafficking  their resilience reminded me why its critical that we fight this horrible crime in North Dakota and around the world.\r\nToo many children are facing a sense of fear and hopelessness that is driving them to embark on the dangerous journey north to the United States, and it is critical that Congress have a clear understanding of the root causes of this migration, said Peters. I was pleased to join Senators Johnson, Carper and Heitkamp and Rep. Ribble to learn about the conditions on the ground in Guatemala and Honduras as well as the efforts by the U.S. and our partners in the region to crack down on smugglers who prey on desperate children and parents and help create a brighter future for the people of Central America.\r\nThe surge of adults and unaccompanied children trying to immigrate through our southern border is a crisis without an easy solution, and presents humanitarian issues on multiple layers as untold numbers of migrants become victims of human trafficking and suffer at the hands of brutal drug cartels in some of the hemispheres poorest and most volatile countries, Ribble said. We want to stem this tide of migration both by having strong border control and enforcement mechanisms, and by acting as a partner to address the root causes of this problem before it starts. As I visited border crossings, police checkpoints, shelters for sex trafficking victims, and spoke with officials in the region, I saw promising work being done, but it is clear that we still have a long way to go to truly address the immigration crisis at hand.\" \r\nRelated content here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/if-you-pray", "If you pray...", "2015-11-01", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear friends,\nFor months, Washington has been mired by one political conflict after another; even as recently as this past Wednesday when Congress considered a controversial budget busting spending bill, that I could not in good-faith vote for. However, on Thursday morning, I awoke to a crisp fall day and had the sense that a season of change was upon us. A few hours later, Paul Ryan was elected as the 54th Speaker of the House, and the first to hail from Wisconsin.\nAmericans are getting the sense that Speaker Paul Ryan will bring a different approach to the job. As a fellow Wisconsinite and a friend, I know Paul to be a man of strong faith and great moral character. That will be evident in his approach to this job. As a colleague, I can attest that he is a guy who can set visions. We saw him do that with his Path to Prosperity budgets and we will see him do it again in this position.\nAmong his first comments as the newly minted Speaker Ryan, he asked his colleagues, If you pray, pray for each other: Republicans for Democrats, and Democrats for Republicans. Regardless of your political beliefs, if you pray, I hope you will pray for Paul as well; our country needs him to be successful.\nAhead of the Speaker vote, I shared my thoughts with MSNBCs Thomas Roberts. Click the image below to watch that interview:\n\nIn Other News\nRecord Turnout for Wausau Job Fair:Thank you to the more than 130 employers and nearly 200 job seekers who came-out for the Wausau job fair. This was our largest job-fair to date and we received excellent feedback from the employers about the caliber of applicants!\n\n#1 Issue Facing Veterans:Veterans are seeking help from the VA for hearing loss and tinnitus more than any other disabilities facing them today: the demand for audiology services is growing at nearly 10% per year. Audiology is one of the highest demand services in the VA, and nearly half of all patients awaiting care are for audiology services. Follow up services, minor repairs and adjustments are also subject to long wait times, resulting in many Veterans not fully utilizing the devices they receive. Veterans are traveling 90 miles one way or forced to wait six weeks just to get a hearing aid adjusted by the VA. This week, I hosted an event to discussmy bill which will provide much needed options for hearing impaired Veterans.\nI am grateful to work on this issue alongside Sgt. Matt Eversmann, who is best known for his legendary leadership at the Battle of Mogadishu. His heroic efforts were depicted in the filmBlack Hawk Down.He and I spoke about the issue on Morning Joe. Click on the image to watch:\n\nHunger & Homeless:We still have a few spots left at our third annual Hunger and Homeless summit. This years event will feature Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro.\n\nTo register for this years summit, clickhere.\nThis was a busy week for our District, and an historic week for our state. From one proud Wisconsinite to another, until next week\nHave a great week... and Go Pack Go!\nSean", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398415", "Ryan: I See the First District as My Family", "2015-10-30", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today,Wisconsins First District Congressman Paul Ryan spoke with members of the Wisconsin press corps in his first interview since assuming the role of speaker of the House.Excerpts of Ryans remarks follow: On how the speakership will affect his work in Wisconsins First District:  \r\nI am still Paul Ryan, and I am going to be living in Janesville, being with constituents and family each week. I see the First District as my family. It is where the people I representmy friends, my familylive. And it is where I am going to continue living and working and representing this district. I think this gives me a great opportunity to make a huge differencenot just for Wisconsin, but for our country. I was very humbled by the fact that my colleagues here in the House on an overwhelming basis elected me speaker of the House. Its something that I never thought I would do or never sought, but its something that Im honored to have: this opportunity to serve in this capacity.   ***   \r\nI live in Janesville. I am going to stay living in Janesville. I am going to continue to be a partof the community and serve this congressional district. So, as far as constituents are concerned, I dont think they will see any difference.\r\n  \r\n***  \r\nI commute; I live in Janesville. I just work here. I work here, but I live in Janesville. I am going to continue working in Washingtonliving in Janesville. That means a weekly commute. Nothing is going to change from that perspective. So, I will still be traveling back and forth from the First District on a weekly basis, and thats not going to change. ***  \r\nAnd so, I start a new day today in a new position. But Im the same person, and I think youll see the kind of service I provide the country and Wisconsin continuing like I have in the past. On his vision for his speakership:  \r\nWe do not have time to be timid. We believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. . . . That means we cant simply be an opposition party. We have to be an effective alternative party offering the country a clear vision and a different way forward. That is something I believe we can absolutely unify around. . . . to stop being timid, to be bold, to be specific, to lay an agenda out there in 2016 . . . so that we can give the people of this country a very clear choice. That is something I believe we can absolutely unify around, and I think thats exactly what Republicans of all kinds and backgrounds are hungering [and] yearning for. ***  \r\nOnce I basically decided this was something I had to do, I wanted to do it in a way where I could be successful. And so, I wanted to make sure that I could take this job in a way thats redesigned. . . . I turned from no, to skeptical, to willing, to eager. And now, I am excited. The way I said it to my colleagues was if Im in for a dime, Im in for a dollar. Im going to dive into the deep end of the pool, and be happy and joyful, and do this job well. I believe that in our conference we have rallied around a newly designed speakership that is good for Congress and good for conservatives, so that we can offer the country a bold agenda going forward. ***  \r\nI come at this job from a different path than most people do. I come at it as a committeechairman, who believes in the committee process, in the legislative process that the Founders envisioned . . . which is a more participatory, consensus system where policy is written in the committees. I want to open the process up. I believe in a bottom-up, participatory approach to legislating in Congress. And then I also am going to work on making us, and helping move us to being an alternative party, a proposition partygoing on offense on bold ideas. I believe that we must owe the country a very clear and compelling vision for a better way forward than the path we are now on. ***  \r\nIve helped move our party to be the party of fiscal responsibility and tackling the drivers of our debt, offering a balanced budget and a plan to pay off our national debt so that we can grow our economy and give our children and grandchildren a more prosperous future, and not saddle them with our debts. This is obviously one of the biggest issues of our time, and this is an issue that must be dealt with. If we do not tackle these challenges soon, they will tackle us. So obviously I bring to this job with me the policy experience background and initiatives that Ive been championing since I have been here. ***  \r\nI believe we have an obligation to look for common ground where we can find it, and I think my career shows that. Am I spirited in defense of my principles and offering alternatives when I think the other party and the presidents going in the wrong direction? Absolutely. But that doesnt mean to say that we cant find common ground to advance good ideas for the good of the country. And so, I think you can do both. I can walk and chew gum at the same time. And so I believe that you can find common ground without sacrificing principle for the good of the country. But if there are areas you do not agree, if you think the country is headed in the wrong direction, you have an obligation to say how you would do things differently. I think thats what people deserve, and I think thats what people want.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0ce2b1f2-dff7-43a4-9b12-020393b48abd", "Sen. Johnson Pays Tribute to Senior Airman Quinn Johnson-Harris", "2015-10-30", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Watch Sen. Johnson's remarks on the Senate floor here.\r\nWASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, took to the Senate floor Thursday to pay tribute to Senior Airman Quinn Johnson-Harris. Earlier this month, the 21-year-old from Milwaukee lost his life while serving in Afghanistan. He, along with five other airmen and five civilian passengers, died when a C-130 crashed upon takeoff from Jalalabad Air Field. Johnson attended Johnson-Harris funeral service in Milwaukee last week.\r\nIt is my solemn duty and particular honor to tell you about Airman Johnson-Harris, Johnson said on Thursday. For 239 years, our service men and women have guarded our freedom, more than 42 million of them. Since the Revolutionary War, more than 1 million of those heroes have given their lives, including more than 27,000 sons and daughters of Wisconsin. Now, Airman Johnson-Harris has been added to that terrible toll.\r\nI saw the grief of Airman Johnson-Harris family this past weekend, he continued. I saw the respect they had for him and the honor granted him by a family that knows the meaning of earned honor. Quinn swore to support and defend the constitution of the United States, to put his life on the line for the liberties we all enjoy. We must never take that kind of dedication for granted.\r\nWatch Sen. Johnsons remarks here, or below.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\nFull text of the speech:\r\nMr. President, I come to the floor today to pay tribute to one of the finest among us, a young man from Wisconsin whose service to his country was cut short by tragedy in Afghanistan.\r\nSenior Airman, Quinn Lamar Johnson-Harris, a 21-year-old from Milwaukee, was among the six airmen and five civilian passengers who lost their lives when a C-130 crashed on takeoff from Jalalabad Air Field in Afghanistan earlier this month. Every one of those people was a grave loss to our country. Every one deserves to be remembered and revered before the Senate.\r\nIt is my solemn duty and particular honor to tell you about Airman Johnson-Harris.\r\nQuinn graduated from Homestead High School in Mequon, Wisconsin, in 2012. The next year, he joined the Air Force. It was a foregone conclusion that he would serve his long before that, however. \r\nHis grandfather served in Vietnam. His oldest brother, Jeremy, is a proud Marine. And his other older brother Lamar, graduated from West Point just last spring and is now proudly serving in the Army. His mother told the story about how her three sons  Quinn was only two years old at the time  saluted at the grave of their grandfather and vowed to serve their country.\r\nMr. President, for men such as these, our nation is eternally grateful.\r\nQuinn went to help rebuild houses in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina while he was still in school. Later, when he served in the Air Force, he was the heart of the squadron, a comrade said to a reporter. He was the best of us, that sergeant said.\r\nFor 239 years, our service men and women have guarded our freedom, more than 42 million of them. Since the Revolutionary War, more than 1 million of those heroes have given their lives, including more than 27,000 sons and daughters of Wisconsin.\r\nNow, Airman Johnson-Harris has been added to that terrible toll. His brothers, his sister, Fa-tia , his parents, Yvette and LaMar, and all his family and friends grieve the loss. Our hearts go out to them, and we pray that they will find peace and comfort.\r\nI saw the grief of Airman Johnson-Harris family this past weekend during his funeral service at Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Milwaukee. I saw the respect they had for him and the honor granted him by a family that knows the meaning of earned honor. Quinn swore to support and defend the constitution of the United States, to put his life on the line for the liberties we all enjoy. We must never take that kind of dedication for granted. We owe him the honor of taking our own corresponding oath of duty as seriously as he took his.\r\nMay God bless Airman Johnson-Harris loved ones. May He guard all those in our armed forces who defend our nations liberty. And may God bless this country with peace.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=75276a85-cf3b-4c38-a026-3c8878df9a07", "Johnson on Why He Voted Against Budget Deal", "2015-10-30", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) made these remarks after voting no on H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015:\r\nRepublicans and Democrats should be able to agree to protect the full faith and credit of the United States. Washington does enough damage to the economy  instead, it should provide the certainty needed for growth.\r\nBut surely we can do much better than this terrible deal that resulted from a dysfunctional process.\r\nThis deal lifts the caps that halted President Obamas 2009 spending spree and reined in his big-government ambition for five years. In exchange for $80 billion of new spending over two years, it promises spending restraint 10 years from now. It pays for recurring expenses by a one-time sale from the strategic petroleum reserve  at a time of low oil prices. It makes Social Securitys fiscal problems worse by diverting money to make its disability program briefly look solvent. It allows the federal debt  which already rose 71% since President Obama took office, which now totals $56,710 for every person in the United States  to rise without limit for the next year and a half.\r\nThis deal makes changes across federal programs  in agriculture, health care, Social Security, taxes. The peoples business deserves transparency. This back-room process does not permit it.\r\nThe public expects, and should demand, that we do better. I have fought consistently to limit out-of-control spending and prioritize spending. I was proud to be part of crafting the first balanced budget in 14 years. This deal takes us off that responsible path and puts us back on a path of unrestrained spending and borrowing. That is reason enough to oppose it and is why I voted no.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d9111ff1-9bfb-4b6e-ab55-e6f304e33251", "Johnson: As Syrians Suffer, American Leadership Needed", "2015-10-30", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this Friday about news that the Obama administration approved the deployment of small teams of U.S. special-operations forces to Syria to support Syrians fighting ISIS:\r\nThe flood of Syrians risking everything to flee their country shows what happens when America seeks peace through withdrawal: People suffer, and it has consequences that spin out of control. While the Assad regime continues to murder its own people, the conflict also has created an environment that allowed ISIS to expand. America cannot be the worlds policeman, but when its in our national interest and we have the ability to stop chaos and stabilize a situation, we should.\r\nThats why I have supported President Obamas stated goal of degrading and destroying ISIS. However, we need a comprehensive strategy that will actually achieve our goal of defeating ISIS.\r\nVladimir Putin has found an on-ramp and is partnering with Iran to prop up the Assad regime. American leadership is needed to assemble a broad coalition involving Western Europe and the Gulf states that can provide safe havens in Syria, stop the terrible displacement of refugees and de-escalate this war.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=133", "Grothman Votes for Congressman Paul Ryan for Speaker of the House", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Grothman Votes for Congressman Paul Ryan for Speaker of the House \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 29, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) released the following statement today after voting for Congressman Paul Ryan for Speaker of the House.I am proud to support my friend and mentor, Congressman Paul Ryan, for Speaker of the House. Paul has a history of conservative leadership as the House Budget Committee Chairman, 2012 Vice Presidential candidate and as the Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Paul is a proven conservative and I look forward to working with him to get our nations fiscal house back in order, said Congressman Grothman. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.                                     ###  \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398412", "Speaker Ryan's Remarks to the House of Representatives", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCHouse Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) delivered the following remarks following his election as the 54th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives:\r\n  \r\nThank you, Madam Leader. Before I begin, I want to thank the family and friends who flew in from Wisconsin and from all over to be here today. In the gallery, I have my mom, Betty; my sister, Janet; my brothers, Stan and Tobin; and more relatives than I can count. Most important of all, I want to recognize my wife, Janna, and our three kids: Liza, Charlie, and Sam.\r\nI also want to thank Speaker Boehner. For almost five years, he led this House. And for nearly 25 years, he served it. Not many people can match his accomplishments: the offices he held, the laws he wrote. But what really sets John apart is hes a man of charactera true class act. He is, without question, the gentleman from Ohio. So please join me in saying, one last time, Thank you, Mr. Speaker.\r\nNow I know how he felt. Its not till you hold this gavel and stand in this spot and look out and see all 435 members of the Houseas if all of America was sitting right in front of you. Its not till then that you feel it: the weight of responsibility, the gravity of the moment.\r\nAnd standing here, I cannot help but think of something Harry Truman once said. The day after Franklin Roosevelt died and Truman became president, he told a group of reporters: If you ever pray, pray for me now. . . . When they told me yesterday what had happened, I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.\r\nWe all should feel that way. A lot is on our shoulders. So if you ever pray, pray for each other Republicans for Democrats, Democrats for Republicans. And I dont mean pray for a conversion. Pray for a deeper understanding, becausewhen youre up here, you see it so clearlywherever you come from, whatever you believe, we are all in the same boat.\r\nI never thought Id be the speaker. But early in my life, I wanted to serve in the House. I thought the place was exhilaratingbecause here, you could make a difference. If you had a good idea and worked hard, you could make it happen. You could improve peoples lives. To me, the House represented the best of America: the boundless opportunity to do good.\r\nBut lets be frank: The House is broken. We are not solving problems. We are adding to them. And I am not interested in laying blame. We are not settling scores. We are wiping the slate clean. Neither the members nor the people are satisfied with how things are going. We need to make some changes, starting with how the House does business.\r\nWe need to let every member contributenot once they have earned their stripes, but right now. I come at this job as a two-time committee chair. The committees should retake the lead in drafting all major legislation. If you know the issue, you should write the bill. Open up the process. Let people participate. And they might change their tune. A neglected minority will gum up the works. A respected minority will work in good faith. Instead of trying to stop the majority, they might try to become the majority.\r\nIn other words, we need to return to regular order. Now, I know that sounds like process. But its actually a matter of principle. We are the body closest to the people. Every two years, we face the votersand sometimes face the music. But we do not echo the people. We represent them. We are supposed to study up and do the homework that they cannot do. So when we do not follow regular orderwhen we rush to pass bills a lot of us do not understandwe are not doing our job. Only a fully functioning House can truly represent the people.\r\nAnd if there were ever a time for us to step up, this would be that time. America does not feel strong anymore because the working people of America do not feel strong anymore. Im talking about the people who mind the store and grow the food and walk the beat and pay the taxes and raise the family. They do not sit in this House. They do not have fancy titles. But they are the people who make this country work, and this House should work for them.\r\nHeres the problem. Theyre working hard. Theyre paying a lot. They are trying to do right by their families. And they are going nowhere fast. They never get a raise. They never get a break. But the bills keep piling upand the taxes and the debt. They are working harder than ever to get ahead. Yet they are falling further behind. And they feel robbedcheated of their birthright. They are not asking for any favors. They just want a fair chance. And they are losing faith that they will ever get it. Then they look at Washington, and all they see is chaos.\r\nWhat a relief to them it would be if we finally got our act togetherwhat a weight off their shoulders. How reassuring it would be if we actually fixed the tax code, put patients in charge of their health care, grew our economy, strengthened our military, lifted people out of poverty, and paid down the debt. At this point, nothing could be more inspiring than a job well done. Nothing could stir the heart more than real, concrete results.\r\nThe cynics will scoff and say its not possible. But you better believe we are going to try. We will not duck the tough issues. We will take them head on. We are going to do all we can so working people get their strength back and people not working get their lives back. No more favors for the few. Opportunity for allthat is our motto.\r\nI often talk about the need for a vision. Im not sure I ever said what I meant. We solve problems hereyes. We create a lot of them too. But at bottom, we vindicate a way of life. We show by our work that free people can govern themselves. They can solve their own problems. They can make their own decisions. They can deliberate, collaborate, and get the job done. We show self-government is not only more efficient and more effective; it is more fulfilling. In fact, we show it is that struggle, that hard work, the very achievement itself that makes us free.\r\nThat is what we do here. And we will not always agreenot all of us, not all of the time. But we should not hide our disagreements. We should embrace them. We have nothing to fear from honest differences honestly stated. If you have ideas, lets hear them. I believe a greater clarity between us can lead to a greater charity among us.\r\nAnd there is every reason to have hope. When the first speaker took the gavel, he looked out at a room of 30 people, representing a nation of 3 million. Today, as I look out at you, we represent a nation of 300 million. So when I hear people say America does not have itwe are done, we are spentI do not believe it. I believe, with every fiber of my being, we can renew the America Idea. Now, our task is to make us all believe.\r\nMy friends, you have done me a great honor. The people of this country have done all of us a great honor. Now, lets prove ourselves worthy of it. Lets seize the moment. Lets rise to the occasion. And when we are done, let us say we left the peopleall the peoplemore united, happy, and free. Thank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://duffy.house.gov/press-release/duffy-requests-funds-for-american-made-icebreaker-to-service-the-great-lakes", "Duffy Requests Funds for American-Made Icebreaker to Service the Great Lakes", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Sean Duffy", "D000614", "duffy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.  Great Lakes Task Force Co-Chair, Sean Duffy (WI-07) sent a request to House Appropriators asking that previously authorized funds for an American-made icebreaker be included in appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2016.\nIn the letter, which was also signed by fellow co-chairs Reps. Louise Slaughter and Candice Miller, reads in part: It is troubling that the United States has only one icebreaker operating in the Great Lakes capable of initially breaking the extremely heavy ice seen in recent years. The Coast Guard argues, Maintaining a reliable Great Lakes heavy icebreaking capability is essential. Icebreakers provide multi-mission capabilities such as supporting commerce by keeping open shipping lanes and conducting search and rescue missions to keep ships and their crews safe.\nOn May 18, 2015 the House unanimously passed H.R. 1987, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, which authorizes funding in FY2016 and FY2017 for this purpose. While the Senate has not acted, we feel that the overwhelming support for this legislation merits funding for this critical national security asset.\nFull text of the letter and additional background may be found here:\n15.10.29 - Icebreaker Request .pdf\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=133", "Grothman Votes for Congressman Paul Ryan for Speaker of the House", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) released the following statement today after voting for Congressman Paul Ryan for Speaker of the House.\n\n\u201cI am proud to support my friend and mentor, Congressman Paul Ryan, for Speaker of the House. Paul has a history of conservative leadership as the House Budget Committee Chairman, 2012 Vice Presidential candidate and as the Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Paul is a proven conservative and I look forward to working with him to get our nation\u2019s fiscal house back in order,\u201d said Congressman Grothman.\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:28:00Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1dcc6abb-9eeb-46e1-9d76-993054ff2cde", "Johnson Statement on the Election of Speaker Paul Ryan", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) made these remarks commending the election of Speaker Paul Ryan:\r\nPaul Ryan is a person of integrity, courage and ideas. I respect and admire his willingness to accept this nomination and serve as the next speaker of the House. I have no doubt Paul will propose positive ideas and solutions to the problems facing our nation. Ive had the pleasure of working closely with him since coming to the Senate, and I look forward to continuing that relationship so that together we can focus on the areas that unite us as a nation, rather than divide us.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=bdc02694-6305-4742-bd5e-e8817569d52a", "Chairman, Committee Discuss Biodefense Report Recommendations", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to assess the state of Americas biodefense, a term used to define the nations readiness for a manmade or intentional biological event, such as the release of a weaponized pathogen.\r\nDiscussions about homeland security often involve the threats we can see: violent extremism, dirty bombs, explosives, nuclear weapons, etc., Johnson said in his written opening statement Wednesday. Today we will be examiningour nations defenses and preparedness for a threat that is not visible to the naked eye but that can threaten entire cities: biological agents such as the bacteria and viruses that cause anthrax, plague, tularemia and Ebola.\r\nTestifying were former Sen. Joseph Lieberman and former Gov. Tom Ridge. Both co-chaired the Blue Ribbon Panel on Biodefense, which has been examining this aspect of the nations security infrastructure since December 2014 and has held numerous panel discussions with former and current biodefense and public health experts on the subject. The panelsreport,titled, A National Blueprint for Biodefense: Leadership and Major Reform Needed to Optimize Efforts, was released Wednesday morning and discussed publicly for the first time before the committee.\r\nThe hearing focus was twofold: understanding the findings of the blue ribbon panels report and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in our nations biodefense infrastructure.\r\nThe bottom line of this report is were better defended than we were in 2001 after the anthrax attacks, but really, the state of our biodefense is inadequate, Lieberman said. Were unprepared for the very real biological threats we face, both from terrorists and from naturally emerging contagious diseases.\r\nLieberman and Ridge pointed out that the report has about 100 action itemsdetailed steps for responsibility and accountabilityin order to maximize results. One such item recommends institutionalizing biodefense in the office of the vice president of the United States and empowering thevice presidentwith complete jurisdiction and authority. Currently, there is no ultimate accountability in the system. We strongly believe that the only person in the national government, the federal government, that has the capacity and frankly, the political and financial muscle, to move and build and integrate an architecture to deal with the bio threat, is the vice presidentof the United States, Ridge said.\r\nThe report highlights that there are 25 pieces of legislation, executive orders or treaties that deal with biodefense, 50 political appointees in the federal government who have some responsibility over the issue and four pages worth of congressional committees and subcommittees that have disparate jurisdiction over bits and pieces. A strategy, a unified budget and streamlined oversight by thevice presidentis needed, Ridge said.\r\nJohnson agreed that a unified budget was a strong recommendation. Certainly weve seen study after study of duplicated programs in the federal government, he said. From my standpoint, if anything, it might save you money because youll eliminate a lot of that duplicated effort so youve got more money to actually effectively utilize to fight the threats.\r\nJohnson also asked Lieberman and Ridge if theyd spoken to thevice presidentabout their recommendation of his oversight, but neither of them had at the time of the hearing.\r\n###\r\nRelated content:   Chairman Johnsons opening statement can be foundhere.   The full hearing can be viewedhere.   The Blue Ribbon Panel report can be foundhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=d3b53866-026d-4b31-8c12-5849b7957ab4", "Johnson Applauds Passage of Cybersecurity Bill", "2015-10-28", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Watch Sen. Johnsons remarks following Senate passage of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Acthere.\r\nWASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, applauded the Senate passage of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act on Tuesday. The bill will improve cybersecurity in federal agencies and within private companies by enabling better information sharing.\r\nThe cyber threat we face today is real, and it is growing, Sen. Johnson said. There is no easy solution, but there are things Congress can do to improve cyber security that might make cyberattacks more difficult. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act is a first step. It will put federal agencies on track to implement common-sense cybersecurity solutions, and as a result, improve the security of Americans data at federal agencies. I am pleased to see it pass the full Senate.\r\nSen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, commended Sen. Johnsons efforts on the bill last Thursday on the floor of the Senate, saying, Let me once again thank Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Carper for the unbelievable contribution that both of them individually made in their committee. \r\n###\r\nRelated content:Johnson spoke on the Senate floor last Thursday in support of the bill. Watch here.  Johnson joined Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John McCain (R-AZ), and Tom Carper (D-DE) following Senate passage to discuss the bill. Watch here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=132", "Grothman Votes To Reauthorize Export-Import Bank", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) released the following statement after voting to reauthorize and reform the Export-Import Bank. While I have worked for years to shrink state and federal government, the fixation on eliminating the Ex-Im Bank by some conservatives, instead of focusing on must-fix items like massive welfare spending and an out-of-control immigration system, has been perplexing. The Ex-Im Bank has returned money to the Treasury every year for the past 20 years  totaling over $7 billion.    While some opponents may claim the Bank only helps larger corporations, the truth is for every job created at a larger company, many more are created at local suppliers, manufacturers and small businesses. This bank is necessary for companies like Caterpillar, Pierce, Rockwell Automation and Manitowoc Crane to create jobs, spur innovation and lead America forward. The fact is, without Ex-Im financing our manufacturing sector will lose sales to countries like China, Germany and India.  The United State currently has a trade deficit of $500 billion and that number will only increase without the Ex-Im Bank. Manufacturing is the backbone of Wisconsins economy and the 6th Congressional District has more manufacturing jobs than any other district in America. Wed like to keep it that way. While I disagreed with the process some of my colleagues decided to pursue to bring this legislation to the House floor, passing this legislation is important to my district and the state of Wisconsin.  U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsins 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov. Below is a list of companies from the state of Wisconsin that support the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank:  \r\n1)\tAirBorn, Inc.  \r\n2)\tModine Manufacturing Co.  \r\n3)\tAppleton Marine Co.  \r\n4)\tAztalan Engineering, Inc.  \r\n5)\tBall Corportation  \r\n6)\tNeenah Enterprises, Inc. (Neenah Foundry)  \r\n7)\tNOSHOK, Inc  \r\n8)\tNOW Health Group, Inc.  \r\n9)\tCatepillar Inc.  \r\n10)\tCMD Corporation  \r\n11)\tCNH International (Case, New Holland)  \r\n12)\tPower Technology, Inc.  \r\n13)\tDuPont  \r\n14)\tExportAble LLC  \r\n15)\tRust-Oleum Corp  \r\n16)\tHalliburton  \r\n17)\tTCI, LLC  \r\n18)\tHillenbrand, Inc.  \r\n19)\tHoneywell International Inc.  \r\n20)\tHUSCO International  \r\n21)\tProlitec  \r\n22)\tDans Fish  \r\n23)\tCECOR, Inc.  \r\n24)\tOshkosh Corp.  \r\n25)\tPierce  \r\n26)\tKuhn Krause  \r\n27)\tZeeland Farm Services, Inc.  \r\n28)\tZippo Manufacturing Company  \r\n29)\tTelesmith  \r\n30)\tJohn Deere  \r\n31)\tThe Manitowoc Company  \r\n32)\tUrban Manufacturing  \r\n33)\tMarquipWard United/ Barry-Wehmiller  \r\n34)\tMaxon Industries  \r\n35)\tToolcraft Co., Inc.  \r\n36)\tD&D Products Inc.  \r\n37)\tSikorsky Aircraft Corporation  Derco Aerospace  \r\n38)\tSiemens Financial Services, Inc.  \r\n39)\tUTC Aerospace Systems  \r\n40)\tRockwell  \r\n41)\tPatriot Taxiway  \r\n42)\tFABCO  \r\n43)\tKondex  \r\n44)\tVintage Parts Inc.                                     ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398409", "Ryan Floor Statement Opposing Ex-Im Reauthorization", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Wisconsins First District Congressman and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan delivered the following remarks in opposition of H.R. 597, legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank.\"Mr. Speaker, I want to express my strong disapproval for this bill for the Export-Import Bank. \"This is a pretty profound debate we are having. It's about what kind of economy were going to have. Are we going to reward good work or good connections? \"I think there are plenty other ways to expand opportunity in this country, and corporate welfare is not one of them. The biggest beneficiaries of this bank, two-thirds of their money go to 10 companies. Forty percent goes to one company. \"And this bank does cost moneyjust ask the Congressional Budget Office when they use real scorekeeping. Remember Fannie Mae? Remember their accounting? Remember when they told us they weren't going to cost any moneyuntil they did? And it cost us billions. \"The other excuse that I just don't buy is, 'other countries do this, so should we.' We shouldn't acquire other countries' bad habits. We should be leading by example. We should be exporting democratic capitalism, not crony capitalism. \"There is this criticism by those against the free enterprise system who compare it to competition, like a sport. Where the critics of free enterprise say theres a winner and theres a loser, just like a boxing match or a football game. Well, that's true when it comes to crony capitalism. That is the case when it comes to corporate welfare. Because in that case, the winner is the person with connections. It's the company with power. It's the company with clout. \"The loser is the person who is out there working hard, playing by the rules, not knowing anybody, not going to Washington, hoping and thinking that the merit of their idea and the quality of their work is what will win the day. That's what is rewarded under a free enterprise system. \"Free enterprise is more about collaboration. It's more about transactions of mutual benefit where everybody benefits, and the rising tide lifts all boats. Equality for all. Equal opportunity. That's free enterprise. That's small d, democratic capitalism. This thing is crony capitalism, and I urge it be rejected.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=132", "Grothman Votes To Reauthorize Export-Import Bank", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) released the following statement after voting to reauthorize and reform the Export-Import Bank.\n\n\u201cWhile I have worked for years to shrink state and federal government, the fixation on eliminating the Ex-Im Bank by some conservatives, instead of focusing on must-fix items like massive welfare spending and an out-of-control immigration system, has been perplexing. The Ex-Im Bank has returned money to the Treasury every year for the past 20 years \u2013 totaling over $7 billion.\n\n\u201cWhile some opponents may claim the Bank only helps larger corporations, the truth is for every job created at a larger company, many more are created at local suppliers, manufacturers and small businesses. This bank is necessary for companies like Caterpillar, Pierce, Rockwell Automation and Manitowoc Crane to create jobs, spur innovation and lead America forward. The fact is, without Ex-Im financing our manufacturing sector will lose sales to countries like China, Germany and India. The United State currently has a trade deficit of $500 billion and that number will only increase without the Ex-Im Bank.\n\n\u201cManufacturing is the backbone of Wisconsin\u2019s economy and the 6th Congressional District has more manufacturing jobs than any other district in America. We\u2019d like to keep it that way. While I disagreed with the process some of my colleagues decided to pursue to bring this legislation to the House floor, passing this legislation is important to my district and the state of Wisconsin.\u201d\n\nU.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his first term representing Wisconsin\u2019s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Contact his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-2476, or online at grothman.house.gov.\n\nBelow is a list of companies from the state of Wisconsin that support the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank:\n\n1) AirBorn, Inc.\n\n2) Modine Manufacturing Co.\n\n3) Appleton Marine Co.\n\n4) Aztalan Engineering, Inc.\n\n5) Ball Corportation\n\n6) Neenah Enterprises, Inc. (Neenah Foundry)\n\n7) NOSHOK, Inc\n\n8) NOW Health Group, Inc.\n\n9) Catepillar Inc.\n\n10) CMD Corporation\n\n11) CNH International (Case, New Holland)\n\n12) Power Technology, Inc.\n\n13) DuPont\n\n14) ExportAble LLC\n\n15) Rust-Oleum Corp\n\n16) Halliburton\n\n17) TCI, LLC\n\n18) Hillenbrand, Inc.\n\n19) Honeywell International Inc.\n\n20) HUSCO International\n\n21) Prolitec\n\n22) Dan\u2019s Fish\n\n23) CECOR, Inc.\n\n24) Oshkosh Corp.\n\n25) Pierce\n\n26) Kuhn Krause\n\n27) Zeeland Farm Services, Inc.\n\n28) Zippo Manufacturing Company\n\n29) Telesmith\n\n30) John Deere\n\n31) The Manitowoc Company\n\n32) Urban Manufacturing\n\n33) MarquipWard United/ Barry-Wehmiller\n\n34) Maxon Industries\n\n35) Toolcraft Co., Inc.\n\n36) D&D Products Inc.\n\n37) Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation \u2013 Derco Aerospace\n\n38) Siemens Financial Services, Inc.\n\n39) UTC Aerospace Systems\n\n40) Rockwell\n\n41) Patriot Taxiway\n\n42) FABCO\n\n43) Kondex\n\n44) Vintage Parts Inc.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:28:00Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=79154f41-3cbc-4d9e-8b26-eb742c33d5e5", "Johnson Co-Sponsors Resolution Opposing the EPAs Plan to Make Electricity Rates Skyrocket", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined 47 other senators today in co-sponsoring a resolution to disapprove of the Environment Protection Agencys (EPA) proposed regulations for existing power sources.\r\nI am again disappointed in the EPAs use of executive overreach to harm Wisconsin families and businesses by putting at risk our ability to have affordable, dependable and reliable energy, Sen. Johnson said. As he promised as a candidate, President Obamas latest regulatory overreach from the EPA would certainly cause electricity prices to skyrocket in Wisconsin and across the country. The best estimate right now is that his proposed plan would end up costing Americans $7,000 per person. Wisconsinites deserve better. We can have both a clean environment and a healthy economy  in fact, we need a strong and healthy economy in order to afford the pollution controls necessary for a clean environment. The EPAs regulatory overreach continues to take us in the wrong direction.\r\nThe resolution, introduced by Senators Shelly More Capito (R-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), is co-sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.); Jim Inhofe (R-OK.), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee; Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Lamar Alexander (R-TN.); John Barrasso (R-Y.); Roy Blunt (R-MO); John Boozman (R-AR); Bill Cassidy (R-LA); Dan Coats (R-IN); Thad Cochran (R-MS); Bob Corker (R-TN); John Cornyn (R-TX); Tom Cotton (R-AR); Mike Crapo (R-ID); Ted Cruz (R-TX); Steve Daines (R-MT); Mike Enzi (R-WY); Joni Ernst (R-IA); Deb Fischer (R-NE); Jeff Flake (R-FL); Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Chuck Grassley (R-IA); Orrin Hatch (R-UT); John Hoeven (R-ND); Johnny Isakson (R-GA); James Lankford (R-OK); Mike Lee (R-UT); Joe Manchin (D-WV); John McCain (R-AZ); Jerry Moran (R-KS); Rand Paul (R-KY); David Perdue (R-GA); Jim Risch (R-ID); Pat Roberts (R-KS); Mike Rounds (R-SD); Marco Rubio (R-FL); Ben Sasse (R-NE); Tim Scott (R-SC); Jeff Sessions (R-AL); Richard Shelby (R-AL); Dan Sullivan (R-AK); John Thune (R-SD); Thom Tillis (R-NC); Pat Toomey (R-PA); David Vitter (R-LA); and Roger Wicker (R-MS).\r\nTo view the full resolution, click here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9e1ef365-34df-4453-923a-74e1b1478afb", "Johnson Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2015-10-26", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson announced Monday that his staff will be available for the mobile office hour listed below. Mobile office hours allow constituents to meet with the senators staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.\r\nNote: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of constituents we are here to assist.\r\nTuesday, Nov. 3, noon  1 p.m.  Dodgeville City Hall  100 E. Fountain St., Dodgeville\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e1d0e5db-bb42-4f1d-a503-48c1fbf3f85e", "Johnson Introduces Resolution to Honor Major Lisa Jaster", "2015-10-26", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with co-sponsor Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), introduced a resolution Monday honoring Army Reserve Major Lisa Jaster.\r\nJaster, a Wisconsin native who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is the first Army Reserve woman and mother to graduate from the prestigious Army Ranger School. Jaster is now the third woman ever to graduate from Army Ranger School since the program was established in 1950. Sen. Johnsons resolution recognizes and honors Jasters impressive accomplishments and the role she will play in protecting and defending the American people.\r\nMajor Jaster is an exceptional leader who makes Wisconsin and this nation proud, Sen. Johnson said. I admire her determination and deep commitment to serving with the finest among us. Today, I am pleased to be able to congratulate and honor Major Jaster on this historic achievement, and I look forward to her continued leadership in our armed forces.\r\nIm proud to honor Wisconsin native Major Lisa Jaster for her tremendous achievement in earning her Army Ranger tabs, Sen. Baldwin said. Her success is yet another affirmation that continued gender integration of our nations Armed Forces will help improve readiness and recruitment of the best talent America has to offer. Major Jasters commitment and perseverance is an inspiration to us all and I wish her the best as she continues her courageous service to our nation.\r\nA copy of the resolution can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2767ae3c-58f0-47fd-a4c9-1d2ac9c3b2a5", "Johnson Responds to Presidents Veto of Defense Authorization", "2015-10-23", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, made these remarks following President Obamas veto of the National Defense Authorization Act on Thursday:\r\n\"It is more than unfortunate that the commander in chief would hold America's national security hostage to his demand for more spending on lower-priority big-government programs. The president is putting our national security and the finest among us, the men and women of our armed services, at risk by vetoing the bipartisan 2016 National Defense Authorization Act. I hope that Congress is able to override this irresponsible veto, as support for our troops and providing for national defense should command bipartisan unity.\"\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398408", "Ryan to GOP Colleagues", "2015-10-22", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Ryan sent the following letter to members of the House Republican Conference. Dear Colleague: Over the past few days, Ive been thinking a lot about our country, and its clear to me that were in a very serious moment. Working families continue to fall behind, and they are losing faith in the American Idea: the belief that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get ahead. At the same time, a weaker America has led to a more dangerous world. Our friends and rivals alike wonder whether we will pull ourselves out of this stupor. Instead of rising to the occasion, Washington is falling shortincluding the House of Representatives. We are not solving the countrys problems; we are only adding to them. But now, we have an opportunity to turn the page, to start with a clean slate, and to rebuild what has been lost. We can make the House a more open and inclusive bodyone where every member can contribute to the legislative process. We can rally House Republicans around a bold agenda that will tackle the countrys problems head on. And we can show the country what a commonsense conservative agenda looks like. Thats why Im actually excited for this moment. Ive spoken with many of you over the past few days, and I can sense the hunger in our conference to get to work. I know many of you want to show the country how to fix our tax code, how to rebuild our military, how to strengthen the safety net, and how to lift people out of poverty. I know youre willing to work hard and get it done, and I think this moment is ripe for real reform. Thats because, whatever our differences, were all conservatives. We were elected to defend the constitution. We share the same principles. We all believe America is the land of opportunitythe place where you should be able to go as far as your talents and hard work will take you. We all believe in empowering every person to realize his or her potential. And we have the know-how to apply these principles to the problems of today. I never thought Id be speaker. But I pledged to you that if I could be a unifying figure, then I would serveI would go all in. After talking with so many of you, and hearing your words of encouragement, I believe we are ready to move forward as a one, united team. And I am ready and eager to be our speaker. This is just the beginning of our work. There is a long road ahead. So lets get started. Sincerely, Paul Ryan", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1b7ca0f0-3f92-4dfd-a200-e820a5cbed38", "ICYMI: Johnson on Senate Floor Discussing Cybersecurity Bill", "2015-10-22", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, spoke on the Senate floor Thursday in support of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act. The legislation would improve cybersecurity in federal agencies and within private companies by enabling better information sharing. The cyber threat we face today is real, and it is growing, Sen. Johnson said. Within the last year and a half alone, more than 20 top American companies and federal agencies have experienced major breaches.\r\nCongressional oversight, including hearings held by my committee, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, has shown agencies are not doing enough to protect their sensitive data. Our committees oversight hearings on the IRS and OPM data breaches revealed that basic cybersecurity hygiene and best practices would have stopped attackers in their tracks had they been in place at these agencies.\r\nThere is no easy solution, but there are things Congress can do to improve cyber security that might make cyberattacks more difficult, Sen. Johnson continued. I especially appreciate the collaboration of Sen. Carper in working with me to help craft Title II of the bill, the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, which was unanimously reported out of our committee. This bill will put federal agencies on track to implement common-sense cybersecurity solutions already in use at many companies, thereby improving the security of Americans data at federal agencies.\r\nSen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, commended Sen. Johnsons efforts Thursday on the floor of the Senate, saying, Let me once again thank Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Carper for the unbelievable contribution that both of them individually made in their committee.\r\nWatch Sen. Johnsons full remarks here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=be5caec0-a075-4630-a6be-6631cd5b8440", "Chairman, Committee Learn About Incentives for Central American Migration", "2015-10-22", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We share the same goal  we all want everybody to have the opportunity to build a good life for themselves and their families. \r\nWASHINGTON  We have to secure our borders, Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said in his opening remarks at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday, not just for the illegal immigration issue, but for national security, for public health and safety. This is a serious matter; it deserves serious attention.\r\nWednesdays hearing was the 12th hearing the committee has held on the lack of security at Americas borders. The purpose of the hearing was to assess the ongoing illegal migration from Central America and to address the incentives that underlie it.\r\nIn fiscal year 2014, the border patrol apprehended 66,000 unaccompanied children, primarily in the Rio Grande Valley, Chris Cabrera, a border patrol agent from the Rio Grande Valley sector, said, testifying on behalf of the National Border Patrol Council. Although the apprehensions of UACs are down 50 percent in fiscal year 2015, this is no cause for celebration. We will still apprehend 30,000 unaccompanied children this year and an additional 40,000 in family groups.\r\nAn increase in the use of social media to attract Central American families is one root cause, Kimberly M. Gianopoulos, director of International Affairs and Trade for the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), testified. Social media outlets enable migrants who arrive in the United States to share messages and pictures with families in their home countries. This can serve as a powerful and influential endorsement of the decision to migrate.\r\nAnother root cause is Americas current catch-and-release policy. Cabrera testified from his experience interviewing detained families and unaccompanied children that most believe they will not be caught or even if they are caught, they will not be deported back to their home country. They are acutely aware that U.S. authorities will not hold them until they are adjudicated, Cabrera said, and until that changes, they will continue to come.\r\nWitnesses agreed that violence, instability and corruption are another root cause.\r\nHow far are we away from having low enough levels of corruption and a strong enough rule of law to actually provide the type of economic activity to provide the opportunities that are really lacking in Central America? Johnson asked Casas-Zamora, a senior fellow and program director in the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program for Inter-American Dialogue. He added, I dont think its good for Central America that those individuals that actually want to seek opportunity flow out of the country. I think the goal of our policy should be to stop the flow.\r\nThe short answer is [we are] very far from that, Casas-Zamora responded.\r\nJohnson cited Casas-Zamoras earlier testimony about the importance to Central America of remittances from citizens who have gone to the United States. Thats a pretty powerful incentive to have more people leave to take advantage of the wage differential, take advantage of this land of opportunity, to fund their economy, Johnson said.\r\nThats one of the crucial questions here. It is a powerful incentive, Casas-Zamora said. The only way to counter that is to generate alternative sources of opportunity in the country. To tell you the truth, thats not easy.\r\nThat requires the rule of law, Johnson replied.\r\nTheyre losing their best and their brightest, and its tragic, said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, testifying on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.\r\nAlso testifying at the hearing was Duncan Wood, director of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.\r\nThe good news is we actually share the same goal  we all want everybody to have the opportunity to build a good life for themselves and their families, Johnson said after the hearing. Theres not one party that has a monopoly on compassion, and I think we saw that here today.\r\nChairman Johnsons opening statement can be found here.   The full hearing can be viewed here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398406", "Ryan Statement on GOP Conference - Remarks as Prepared for Delivery", "2015-10-20", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "paulryan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC Wisconsins First District Congressman and Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan delivered the following statement.\r\n  \r\n\"Tonight, I shared with my colleagues what I think it will take to have a unified conference and for the next speaker to be successful.\r\n\"Basically I made a few requests for what I think is necessary, and I asked to hear back by the end of the week.\"First, we need to move from being an opposition party to a proposition party. Because we think the nation is on the wrong path, we have a duty to show the right one. Our next speaker needs to be a visionary one.  \"Second, we need to update our House rules so that everyone can be a more effective representative. This is, after all, the peoples house. But we need to do it as a team. And it needs to include fixes that ensure we dont experience constant leadership challenges and crisis.  \"Third, we, as a conference, should unify now, and not after a divisive speaker election.  \"The last one is personal. I cannot and will not give up my family time. I may not be able to be on the road as much as previous speakers, but I pledged to make up for it with more time communicating our message. \"What I told the members is, if you can agree to these requests, and I can truly be a unifying figure, then I will gladly serve. And, if I am not unifying, that is fine as well. I will be happy to stay where am, at the Ways and Means Committee. \"Here is how I see it. . . . \"It is our duty to serve the people the way they deserve to be served. It is our duty to make the tough decisions this country needs to get back on track. \"The challenges we face today are too difficult and demanding for us to turn our backs and walk away.  \"Global terror . . . wars on multiple fronts . . . a government grown unaccountable, unconstitutional, and out-of-touch . . . persistent poverty, a sluggish economy, flat wages, and a sky-rocketing debt. \"But we cannot take them on alone. Now, more than ever, we must work together. \"All of us are representatives of the peopleall the people. We have been entrusted by them to lead.  \"And yet the people we serve do not feel that we are delivering on the job they hired us to do. We have become the problem. If my colleagues entrust me to be speaker, I want us to become the solution.  \"One thing Ive learned from my upbringing in Janesville is that nothing is ever solved by blaming people. We can blame the president. We can blame the media. We can point fingers across the aisle. We can blame each other. We can dismiss our critics and criticism as unfair. \"People dont care about blame. They dont care about effort. They care about results. Results that are meaningful. Results that are measurable. Results that make a difference in their daily lives. \"I want to be clear about this. I still think we are an exceptional country with exceptional people and a republic clearly worth fighting for. Its not too late to save the American idea, but we are running out of time.  \"Make no mistake: I believe that the ideas and principles of results-driven, common-sense conservatism are the keys to a better tomorrowa tomorrow in which all of Gods children will be better off than they are today.  \"The idea that the role of the federal government is not to facilitate dependency, but to create an environment of opportunity . . . for everyone. \"The idea that the government should do less. . . . And do it better.  \"The idea that those who serve should say what they mean and mean what they say.  \"The principle that we should determine the course of our own lives . . . instead of ceding that right to those who think they are better than the rest of us. \"Yes, we will stand and fight when we must. And this presidency will surely require that.  \"A commitment to our natural rights. A commitment to common sense . . . to compassion . . . to co-operationwhen rooted in genuine conviction and principleis a commitment to conservatism.  \"Let me close by saying: I consider whether to do this with reluctance. And I mean that in the most personal of ways.  \"Like many of you, Janna and I have children who are in the formative, foundational years of their lives.  \"I genuinely worry about the consequences that my agreeing to serve will have on them.  \"Will they experience the viciousness and incivility that we all face on a daily basis?  \"But my greatest worry is the consequence of not stepping up. Of some day having my own kids ask me, when the stakes were so high, 'Why didnt you do all you could? Why didnt you stand and fight for my future when you had the chance?'  \"None of us wants to hear that question.  \"And none of us should ever have to. \"I have shown my colleagues what I think success looks like, what it takes to unify and lead, and how my family commitments come first. I have left this decision in their hands, and should they agree with these requests, then I am happy and willing to get to work. Thank you.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=60e418c0-0102-4423-9f79-7a265076ae10", "Johnson Announces Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2015-10-20", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Ron Johnson announced Tuesday that his staff will be available for the mobile office hours listed below. Mobile office hours allow constituents to meet with the senators staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.\r\nNote: Staff-led mobile office hours are closed to press. Recording devices of any kind are not allowed. These restrictions are put in place for the privacy of constituents we are here to assist.\r\nThursday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m.  noon  Eau Pleine Town Hall  3191 Highway 34, Junction City\r\nFriday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.  11 a.m.   Kendall Village Hall  219 W. South Railroad St., Kendall\r\nFriday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.  11 a.m.  Oakfield Community Center  130 N. Main St., Oakfield\r\nFriday, Oct. 30, noon  1 p.m.  Rusk County Courthouse  311 Miner Ave. East, Ladysmith\r\nFriday, Oct. 30, 12:15 p.m.  1:15 p.m.  Neenah City Hall, Hauser Room  211 Walnut St., Neenah\r\nFriday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m.  4 p.m.  Sawyer County Courthouse  10610 Main St., Suite 10, Hayward\r\nFriday, Oct. 30, 3:45 p.m.  4:45 p.m.  Sister Bay Village Hall  10693 N. Bayshore Drive, Sister Bay\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 583, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "WI", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 583, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 583, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2015&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "WI", "label": "WI", "count": 583, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 583, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-10-20,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eronjohnson~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3FID~3D60e418c0-0102-4423-9f79-7a265076ae10", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2015&_next=2015-10-20%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eronjohnson~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3FID~3D60e418c0-0102-4423-9f79-7a265076ae10&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1176.7472638748586, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}