{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"WI\" and year = 2023 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-announces-mobile-office-hours", "Sen. Johnson Announces Mobile Office Hours", "2023-12-29", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced that his staff will be available for mobile office hours at the times and locations listed below. These office hours give constituents the opportunity to meet with Sen. Johnson\u2019s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or other federal matters.\n\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 our constituents.\n\nMilwaukee County Office Hours\n\nTuesday, January 2\n\n9:30 a.m. \u2013 10:30 a.m.\n\nWashington Park Senior Center\n\n4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-election-integrity-legislation-signed-into-law", "Steil Election Integrity Legislation Signed into Law", "2023-12-22", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today released a statement following his legislation to extend the Federal Election Commission\u2019s (FEC) Administrative Fine Program being signed into law. The law extends the program for certain reporting violations for an additional 10 years and ensures the FEC enforcement operations continue to run smoothly.\n\n\"In 2023, a year of divided government, only 27 bills the House passed were signed into law. I\u2019m proud that my common-sense election integrity bill was one of them,\u201d said Steil. \u201cThis law ensures the FEC is well equipped to provide more transparency for the American people. Not only does this law accomplish the immediate goal of efficient campaign finance regulation, but it also aligns with the broader objectives of the American Confidence in Elections Act. I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen Americans' confidence in our elections.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Federal Election Commission, commonly referred to as the FEC, enforces federal law that requires political committees to file reports of receipts and disbursements by a certain date.\n\nUnder the Administrative Fine Program, the FEC can swiftly resolve infractions related to late-filed or unfiled reports, ensuring transparency and accountability.\n\nThat Administrative Fine Program was set to expire on December 31, 2023. Steil\u2019s law extended the program for an additional 10 years, ensuring the FEC can expeditiously assess and enforce fines against campaign committees for their late-filed or unfiled reports.\n\nBefore the inception of the Administrative Fine Program, an average of 21 percent of campaign finance reports were filed late. Now, late filed reports are below 10 percent, and the agency has assessed over $9 million in fines.\n\nThis legislation was sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and Sen. Deb Fisher (R-NE), Ranking Member of that committee, and passed the Senate by voice vote.\n\nThe Committee on House Administration reported out by voice vote an identical measure, H.R. 5734, which was sponsored by Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI01) and Ranking Member Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY25) The president signed S. 2747 into law on December 19, 2023.\n\nCLICK HERE to read the law.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-for-the-washington-examiner-rushed-secret-negotiations-are-not-the-way-to-address-the-border-crisis", "Sen. Johnson for the Washington Examiner: Rushed, Secret Negotiations are Not the Way to Address the Border Crisis", "2023-12-22", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Thursday, the Washington Examiner published an op-ed written by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), where he emphasized that rushed and secret backroom negotiations by Senate leadership with President Biden are not the way to address the Democrat-caused crisis at the southern border. The senator stated that this effort should be about actually securing the border \u2014 not broader immigration reform.\n\nThe full op-ed can be found here and excerpts are below.\n\n\u201cOver the weekend, I joined 14 Republican Senate colleagues in releasing a letter calling for a meeting of the Senate Republican Conference to discuss the negotiations with the White House and Senate Democrats regarding securing our border. The letter appears to have succeeded in letting Senate leadership know that a large group of senators does not want to be jammed with legislation addressing the catastrophe at our border without a thorough review by us and the public.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cThe crisis at the southwest border is unlike anything we\u2019ve experienced in history. The massive flood of illegal migration is an order of magnitude larger than the \u2018humanitarian crisis\u2019 former President Barack Obama sparked when he abused prosecutorial discretion and granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants in 2012. In 2019, Obama\u2019s Homeland Security Secretary, Jeh Johnson, stated that 1,000 apprehensions per day \u2018overwhelm[ed] the system.\u2019 We recently experienced more than 14,000 encounters in a single day, and it has become common for encounters to exceed 10,000 per day.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, Biden and his Democratic allies in Congress want an open border. Biden came into office with the border largely secured and then immediately reversed all the policies that had successfully stemmed the flow of illegal immigrants. The fact that Biden and congressional Democrats are the root cause of the crisis is a major problem in conducting good-faith negotiations with them.\n\n\u201cIndeed, because Biden has not faithfully executed existing law, repeatedly lied to the public, ignored and violated Supreme Court rulings, and failed to engage in meaningful negotiations on securing the border until only recently, it is impossible for Republicans to trust him to comply with whatever he agrees to. That\u2019s a real challenge for Republican negotiators.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cMoreover, conducting rushed and secret backroom negotiations is not the way to address the unprecedented border crisis. That\u2019s the kind of business as usual process Washington leadership has relied upon to mortgage our children\u2019s future and weaken our country. Whatever negotiators produce will need to be fully vetted, discussed, and understood \u2014 by members and the general public. That will take weeks, not hours or days.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cBut this effort should be about securing the border \u2014 not broader immigration reform. Addressing DACA recipients is politically impossible until the border is secure, and now, with Biden expanding the population of undocumented immigrants by more than 6 million people, he has made the problem significantly worse.\n\n\u201cThe essential ingredient will be how to enforce any agreement reached. I have suggested making Ukraine funding contingent on benchmarks being met on a monthly basis. I am open to other foolproof enforcement ideas, but negotiators must realize enforcement is the key to any agreement that can pass the House and Senate.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-reschenthaler-kilmer-lead-effort-combat-reserve-guard-suicide-rates", "Van Orden, Reschenthaler, Kilmer Lead Effort to Combat Reserve & Guard Suicide Rates", "2023-12-21", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressmen Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, a former U.S. Navy JAG, and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) introduced H.R. 6873, legislation which directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include former members of the Reserves and Guard in their annual suicide report. After the 2020 report, the VA stopped including a separate statistic on suicides of former members of the Guard and Reserve, who were not federally activated.\n\n\u201cI worked with National Guards and Reserves in combat, and these men and women deserve the same services as active-duty personnel because veteran suicide does not discriminate on the nature of one\u2019s military service,\u201d said Van Orden. \u201cAll our servicemembers, regardless of what capacity they served in, deserve to have their mental health and well-being taken seriously. This includes the men and women who have served our nation through the Army Reserves, such as those here at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin\u2019s Third District, and the National Guard. By reinstating former members of the Reserves and the Guard in the Veterans\u2019 Affairs annual suicide report, we will have a more comprehensive understanding of veterans\u2019 mental health and can better identify ways to combat veterans\u2019 suicide and get them the support they need.\u201d\n\nQuote from Chief Deputy Whip Reschenthaler: \u201cOver 20 veterans die by suicide each day, a sad reality for our heroes who have sacrificed so much for our nation. America has a duty to all those who served our country in uniform to ensure they have the same mental health resources at home that they had on the battlefield. That begins with an accurate count of these tragedies so we can work towards combatting them. I thank Reps. Van Orden and Kilmer for joining me on this important legislation.\u201d\n\nQuote from Rep. Kilmer: \u201cIf you serve this country, the federal government should have your back. As a Co-Chair of the House Military Mental Health Task Force, I\u2019m deeply committed to addressing the mental health challenges faced by our service members, including those in the Reserves and National Guard not federally activated during their service. However, the alarming suicide rate among veterans underscores a critical gap in our understanding and support of these brave individuals. By including these former members of the Reserves and National Guard in the VA\u2019s annual suicide report, Congress can take a necessary step toward acknowledging and addressing this crisis. We owe it to every person who has served our nation in the armed forces, in any capacity, to ensure they receive the mental health support they need and deserve.\u201d\n\nIn 2018, there were 538 suicides among former members of the Armed Forces who were never activated for Federal military service, an average of 1.5 suicide deaths per day, according to the 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.\n\nVan Orden and Kilmer are co-chairs of the House Military Mental Health Task Force, which addresses issues pertaining to military mental health and suicide prevention. Reschenthaler is also a member of the task force, collaborating with subject matter experts, disseminating information, and providing resources to members and their staff so they can learn about the challenges facing America\u2019s former and current Service members and their families.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-slams-president-biden-s-failed-economic-polices-during-his-visit-to-milwaukee", "Steil Slams President Biden\u2019s Failed Economic Polices During His Visit to Milwaukee", "2023-12-20", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. (December 20, 2023) - Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today released the following statement slamming President Biden on his out-of-touch economic policies that have made life unaffordable for many Americans.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden is in Milwaukee to tell people not to believe what they are seeing with their own eyes. While in Wisconsin, the president should visit a grocery store to talk with customers who are paying 20% more for groceries. Inflation has made everything 17% more expensive in just three years. Bidenomics is making it more difficult for families to afford the things they need. We need to change course in Washington.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-announces-2023-congressional-app-challenge-winner", "Van Orden Announces 2023 Congressional App Challenge Winner", "2023-12-20", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "ONALASKA, W.I. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) announced the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for students in Wisconsin\u2019s Third District.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is an annual national competition that allows middle and high school students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to design, create, and demonstrate an application on a computer, tablet, or phone.\n\n\u201cI enjoyed hosting my first ever Congressional App Challenge and seeing the great talent of Wisconsin\u2019s Third District students,\u201d said Congressman Van Orden. \u201cAditi demonstrated exceptional STEM knowledge and creativity with her app for classifying polar-ring galaxies, and it was an honor topresent her with the Congressional App Challenge award this morning. I am extremely proud of Aditi, and I look forward to seeing the many accomplishments I know she will make in the future.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-announces-winners-2023-congressional-app-competition", "Tiffany Announces Winners of the 2023 Congressional App Competition", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WAUSAU, WI \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) announced the winners of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for Wisconsin's Seventh District. The CAC is a great way for middle and high school students interested in coding to compete against students across the United States.\n\n\u201cI want to thank everyone who submitted an application to this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge and congratulate those on the winning team on their exceptional submission. I am more impressed each year by the young computer scientists in Wisconsin\u2019s Seventh District,\u201dsaid Congressman Tiffany.\n\nFirst Place\n\nApp: VolunTrack WI\n\nBy: Dagmar Beckel, Peter Wise, and Casey Haugen\n\nSchool: Chetek-Weyerhaeuser School District\n\nThe winners of the first place app, VolunTrack, will be eligible to have their app on display at the U.S. Capitol and be featured on the House of Representatives website. They will also be invited to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in the spring. For more information on the CAC please visit Congressman Tiffany\u2019s website.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/permanent-subcommittee-on-investigations-demands-swift-response-to-inquiry-into-sexual-assault-harassment-at-the-coast-guard-academy", "Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Demands Swift Response to Inquiry into Sexual Assault & Harassment at the Coast Guard Academy", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) Ranking Member Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chairman Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to Admiral Linda Fagan, United States Coast Guard Academy Commandant, demanding the Coast Guard immediately provide all records responsive to PSI\u2019s probe into sexual assault and harassment at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. This followsPSI\u2019s hearing last week with current and former Coast Guard Academy cadets, who experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, or retaliation at the Academy and in the Coast Guard.\n\n\u201cIt is clear from this testimony, and the Subcommittee\u2019s inquiry to date, that the Coast Guard\u2019s culture of cover-up has allowed sexual assault and sexual harassment to persist for decades, both at the Academy and in the Coast Guard,\u201dwrote Sens. Johnson and Blumenthal in a letter to Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan. \u201cIt is equally apparent that accountability and systematic change at both the Coast Guard and the Academy are necessary to address past failures and to ensure that future cadets are protected. Full compliance with the Subcommittee\u2019s inquiry is a necessary component of these actions.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou have expressed a commitment to investigate reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment, hold perpetrators accountable, support victims, and be fully transparent with Congress and the American people. It is imperative that you live up to that commitment and ensure that the Coast Guard provides all requested documents and information to the Subcommittee without further delay,\u201dthe senators continued. \u201cShould the Coast Guard continue to withhold or redact requested records, PSI will have no choice but to utilize other means to ensure compliance with congressional oversight.\u201d\n\nIn September 2023, PSI opened a bipartisan inquiry into the Coast Guard Academy\u2019s mishandling of sexual assault investigations and its failure to disclose the results of its sexual assault investigation to Congress or the public.\n\nThe full text of today\u2019s letter can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-calling-for-a-meeting-of-the-conference-to-discuss-border-security-negotiations", "Sen. Johnson Joins Colleagues in Calling for a Meeting of the Conference to Discuss Border Security Negotiations", "2023-12-17", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined 14 of his Senate GOP colleagues in sending a letter to Conference Chair John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.) requesting a meeting of the Conference the week of January 8, 2024 to discuss the negotiations with President Biden and Senate Democrats regarding border security.\n\nSen. Johnson was joined on this letter by Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDecember 17, 2023\n\nThe Honorable John Barrasso\n\nChairman\n\nSenate Republican Conference\n\nDear Senator Barrasso:\n\nWe write to request that you call a meeting of the Conference to discuss Senate negotiations on securing the border. Rushed and secret negotiations with Democrats who want an open border and who caused the current crisis will not secure the border. The American public deserves an open and transparent process which cannot occur until the House returns the week of January 8, 2024. Accordingly, we request this Conference be held the week of January 8th, but not before.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-releases-statement-on-letter-calling-for-gop-conference-meeting-to-discuss-border-security-negotiations", "Sen. Johnson Releases Statement on Letter Calling for GOP Conference Meeting to Discuss Border Security Negotiations", "2023-12-17", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released the following statement on the letter sent today by 15 Senate Republicans to Conference Chair John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.) requesting a meeting of the Conference the week of January 8, 2024 to discuss the negotiations with President Biden and Senate Democrats regarding border security.\n\n\u201cEarlier today, I joined 14 Republican Senate colleagues in releasing our letter calling for a meeting of the Senate Republican Conference to discuss the negotiations with the White House and Senate Democrats regarding securing our border.\n\n\u201cThe crisis at the southwest border is unlike anything we\u2019ve experienced in American history. The massive flood of illegal migration is an order of magnitude larger than the \u2018humanitarian crisis\u2019 President Obama sparked when he abused \u2018prosecutorial discretion\u2019 and granted Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants in 2012. In 2019, Obama\u2019s Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, stated that 1,000 apprehensions per day \u2018overwhelm[ed] the system.\u2019 We recently experienced over 12,000 \u2018encounters\u2019 in a single day, and it has become common for encounters to exceed 10,000 per day.\n\n\u201cOf the more than 6 million migrants who have entered and stayed since President Biden took office and opened the border, approximately 1.7 million have been what CBP calls \u2018known gotaways.\u2019 That\u2019s a misnomer, because we have no idea who these people are or where they went \u2014 we just detected them illegally crossing our porous border. With FBI Director Wray confirming that terror threats to our nation are at an all-time high, particularly from Foreign Terrorist Organizations, Biden\u2019s open border represents a clear and present danger to America.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, President Biden and his Democrat allies in Congress WANT an open border. Biden came into office with the border largely secured, and then immediately reversed all the policies that had successfully stemmed the flow of illegal migrants. The fact that President Biden and congressional Democrats ARE the root cause of the current crisis is a major problem in conducting good-faith negotiations with them.\n\n\u201cBecause President Biden has not faithfully executed existing law, lied repeatedly to the public, ignored and violated Supreme Court rulings, and failed to engage in meaningful negotiations on securing the border until only recently, it is impossible for Republicans to trust him to comply with whatever he agrees to. That\u2019s a real challenge for Republican negotiators.\n\n\u201cI appreciate Senator Lankford\u2019s knowledge and tenacity in negotiating the types of policies and legislative language that would provide a president who actually wants to secure the border with the authorities to do so. The essential ingredient will be how to enforce any agreement reached. I have suggested making Ukraine funding contingent on benchmarks being met on a monthly basis. I am open to other foolproof enforcement ideas.\n\n\"Conducting rushed and secret backroom negotiations is not the way to address the unprecedented border crisis. That\u2019s the kind of business as usual process that Washington leadership has relied upon to mortgage our children\u2019s future and weaken our country. Whatever negotiators produce will need to be fully vetted, discussed, and understood \u2014 by members and the general public. That will take weeks \u2014 not hours or days. I look forward to our conference meeting the week of January 8th, where we can begin that vetting and discussion.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-votes-pass-ndaa", "Fitzgerald Votes to Pass NDAA", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement after voting to pass the Conference Report on the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes key conservative victories, including securing servicemembers the largest pay raise in twenty years, ending the liberal ideology infiltrating the U.S. military, and a Parents\u2019 Bill of Rights for military families.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s NDAA bill included critical wins for our military, servicemembers, and their families,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cThe NDAA covers a range of important priorities from boosting servicemember pay and improving our war-fighting capabilities, to pushing back against liberal ideology being forced on our servicemen and women. Our nation can only be as strong as the forces that protect us, and I was proud to move forward legislation that bolsters the men and women who keep America free.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-statement-after-voting-against-closed-door-ndaa", "Tiffany Statement After Voting Against Closed-door NDAA", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) released the following statement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY24.\n\n\u201cAfter voting for the bipartisan House NDAA earlier this year that gave our troops a well-deserved pay raise, the final version we considered today was unfortunately crafted behind closed doors and allows the uncontrolled surveillance of Americans to continue unabated. I cannot and will not vote to allow the federal government to continue engaging in the unconstitutional and widespread warrantless surveillance of American citizens,\u201d said Congressman Tiffany.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffanys-bipartisan-amendment-keep-chocolate-milk-schools-clears-house", "Tiffany\u2019s Bipartisan Amendment to Keep Chocolate Milk in Schools Clears House", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Rep. Tom Tiffany\u2019s (R-WI) and Gabe Vasquez's (D-NM) bipartisan amendment to prevent the Biden administration from banning chocolate milk in schools passed the House by voice vote and was included in H.R. 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023.\n\nSpecifically, Tiffany\u2019s amendment would prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from issuing any rule that bans varieties of milk covered by this bill, including chocolate milk. In February, the Biden administration proposed a rule that would restrict flavored milk in school lunchrooms.\n\nEarlier this year, Rep. Tiffany introduced H.R. 3930, the Milk is Indisputably Liked by Kids (MILK) Act of 2023. The MILK Act would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to ensure continued student access to flavored milk.\n\nThe Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 now awaits action in the U.S. Senate.\n\nRep. Tiffany\u2019s floor remarks can be found here as well as below.\n\n\u201cMy bipartisan amendment prevents the USDA from issuing any rule that bans any of the milk covered in this bill, including chocolate milk. This would ensure that all types and flavors of milk are available to school children and not subject to bureaucratic rulemaking.\n\n\u201cSome may ask why we are focusing on this issue. Unfortunately, it\u2019s because the USDA has its sights on getting rid of chocolate milk in schools. It is now up to us to act.\n\n\u201cThis summer it was reported that the Department of Agriculture is considering a ban on chocolate milk in elementary and middle schools. USDA issued a proposed rule that would set new nutrition standards for school meals.\n\n\u201cThese new standards could limit the availability of flavored milk, like chocolate and strawberry, in high schools while children in elementary and middle schools would have no access at all.\n\n\u201cFor those of you with young children or grandchildren, go and ask them what they think about USDA\u2019s new rule. I think I can speak for most folks when saying that when I was young, chocolate milk was usually the highlight of having lunch at school.\n\n\u201cBut this new rule would mean that the roughly 30 million students who participate in the USDA\u2019s school meal programs would no longer be able to have chocolate milk, or any flavored milk for that matter.\n\n\u201cAccording to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, removing flavored milk from schools resulted in a 62-63 percent reduction in milk consumption by kids in kindergarten through 5th grade, including a 50 percent reduction in 6th through 8th grades.\n\n\u201cMilk is full of rich nutrients that support bone growth and development, and millions of children enjoy drinking it. We should not allow rules that would limit our children\u2019s access to delicious and nutritious products like milk and its varieties covered in this great bill.\n\n\u201cCome and Take It, USDA!\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-backs-fy24-national-defense-authorization-act", "Van Orden Backs FY24 National Defense Authorization Act", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The FY24 NDAA authorizes funding for the United States Department of Defense and serves as the legislative guide for our military for the fiscal year.\n\nFollowing his vote to pass the FY24 NDAA, Congressman Van Orden stated:\n\n\u201cAs a United States Navy SEAL veteran with multiple combat tours, I know firsthand the threats our nation faces from our adversaries around the world. Ensuring our military is adequately funded and appropriately focused on completing its missions is essential to the safety and security of the United States and our allies. The FY24 NDAA includes incredible wins for our military capabilities and servicemembers, including the largest pay raise for servicemembers in over 20 years, and provides our men and women of the Armed Forces with the tools they need to keep pace with the unprecedented challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Russia, Iran, and North Korea.\n\n\u201cEven with these great provisions, I very reluctantly voted for the NDAA due to the inclusion of a clean extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The FBI is responsible for over 278,000 individual abuses of this section to the detriment of Americans\u2019 civil liberties, and I am adamant in my efforts when we return to Washington in 2024 to make the necessary reforms to FISA to prevent further misuse of national surveillance capabilities. If these reforms are not implemented, I will not be voting to reauthorize it in April 2024.\n\n\u201cWe know the world is safer with a strong U.S. military. While I have apprehensions with certain elements of this bill, I cannot put our nation's security and military readiness at risk.\u201d\n\nThe FY24 NDAA includes many key provisions for the United States military and our servicemembers such as:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-votes-formalize-impeachment-inquiry-president-joe-biden", "Fitzgerald Votes to Formalize Impeachment Inquiry into President Joe Biden", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement after voting to begin a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s vote was necessary as House Republicans continue to face obstruction from the White House in our investigation of the Biden family\u2019s corruption and President Biden\u2019s involvement in a foreign influence peddling scheme,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cFrom the 20 shell companies to the over $200 thousand in laundered funds, the evidence is not only overwhelming, it\u2019s black and white. This vote for a formal inquiry will corroborate and bolster the evidence we already have pointing to abuse of power and violation of public trust.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-votes-pass-whole-milk-healthy-kids-act", "Fitzgerald Votes to Pass Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement after passage of H.R. 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which provides students greater milk choices in their school cafeteria.\n\n\u201cThis whole milk legislation was a win all around for Wisconsinites, particularly for our farmers and students,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cOutdated government definitions have long vilified whole milk as an unhealthy drink option for students, when the reality is that milk has 13 essential nutrients that are critical for proper development. I was pleased to see this legislation passed and I look forward to putting whole milk back in our school cafeterias.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND: Several recent studies examining the effect of higher fat milk consumption found that it was associated with lower childhood obesity and concluded that dietary guidelines that recommend reduced-fat milk versions might not lower the risk of childhood obesity. Higher consumption of full-fat dairy has been shown to be associated with lower risk of total body fat mass in children and increases satiety in students.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3759", "Bipartisan Group of House Members Introduce Bill to Protect Older Workers from Age Discrimination", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) joined Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and a bipartisan group of House Education and the Workforce Committee members on the introduction of the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA), a bipartisan proposal to strengthen anti-discrimination protections for older workers. This legislation has been endorsed by AARP.\n\nPOWADA returns the legal standard for age discrimination claims to the pre-2009 evidentiary threshold, aligning the burden of proof with the same standards for proving discrimination based on based on race and national origin.\n\n\u201cIn my mind, the one form of discrimination that is so widespread is age discrimination against older workers. This affects a whole generation of Americans. Countless people aged 50 and up get laid off at a time when they still have mortgages to pay and children to support, and they find it very difficult to find a job. Employers also let go of older individuals as companies look to avoid higher insurance costs. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act is a crucial bipartisan initiative that aims to restore legal safeguards for older workers by ensuring that age discrimination claims receive just as much credibility as other claims of workplace discrimination,\u201d said Grothman (WI-06).\n\n\u201cEveryone\u2014regardless of their age\u2014should be able to go to work every day knowing that they are protected from discrimination. Unfortunately, age discrimination in the workplace is depriving older workers of opportunities and exposing them to long-term unemployment and severe financial hardship. More than a decade ago, the Supreme Court undermined protections for older workers by setting an unreasonable burden of proof for age discrimination claims. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act is a bipartisan bill that would finally restore the legal rights of older workers by ensuring that the burdens of proof in age discrimination claims are treated in the same manner as other discrimination claims,\u201d saidRanking Member Scott (VA-03).\n\n\u201cDiscrimination should never be tolerated in the workplace. Yet too often, older workers encounter discrimination on the job or when seeking employment. And when they do, they face barriers to proving their case because workers who experience age discrimination have to meet a higher burden of proof than people claiming discrimination based on race, national origin, or religion. That\u2019s wrong, and it\u2019s time for a remedy. I\u2019m co-leading the bipartisan Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act to restore protections for older workers and give them the ability to hold employers accountable for age discrimination,\u201d said Ranking Member Bonamici (OR-01).\n\n\u201cAll Americans, regardless of age, should be protected from discrimination in the workplace,\u201d said Congressman Fitzpatrick (PA-01). \u201cOur bipartisan Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act will ensure that age discrimination claims are subject to an appropriate burden of proof, and I am proud to join my colleagues on this legislation to protect workers.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe must stand strongly against all forms of discrimination, which includes discrimination against older Americans. Labor law must protect the dignity of all workers and recognize that discrimination against older Americans is discrimination all the same. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) will ensure that older workers will be fairly treated in the job market, returning the legal standard for proving discrimination back to its original intent. Discrimination based on age has no place in our workforce,\u201d said Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12).\n\n\u201cIn America, we uphold the principle of individuals being judged on their abilities, free from discrimination. Everyone, regardless of their age, deserves that same freedom,\u201d said Congressman Van Drew (NJ-02). \u201cFor far too long, older workers have faced barriers to employment. This has not only kept capable individuals out of the workforce but has also forced many into unemployment and hardship. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act to ensure that individuals in South Jersey, and nationwide, have equal opportunities to challenge discrimination, just as younger people do.\u201d\n\nPOWADA amends four laws \u2014 the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. A similar version of the bill was passed in the House with bipartisan support during the 117th Congress.\n\nRead the fact sheet for the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act here.\n\nRead the section-by-section summary of the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act here.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tiffany-statement-formalizing-impeachment-inquiry", "Rep. Tiffany Statement on Formalizing Impeachment Inquiry", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 13, 2023\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) released the following statement after voting to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.\n\n\u201cThe American people deserve transparency, and this process will give the House additional investigative abilities to uncover the facts about the President's involvement in his family\u2019s foreign business deals,\u201d said Congressman Tiffany.\n\nOver the past year, House Republicans have uncovered through testimony, whistleblowers, and investigations that:\n\nThe Biden family received at least $20 million from China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Romania while Joe Biden served as vice president and after he left public office.\n\nPresident Biden was on at least 20 phone calls with Hunter Biden\u2019s foreign business associates and attended dinners with foreign oligarchs who paid huge sums of money to Hunter Biden.\n\nThe Bidens created over 20 shell companies \u2013 most of which were created when Joe Biden was vice president.\n\nThe House Oversight Committee released a check of $40,000 in laundered Communist Chinese money directly to Joe Biden.\n\nThe House Oversight Committee uncovered evidence that Joe Biden, in 2018, received a $200,000 direct payment in the form of a \"personal check\" from his brother James Biden and sister-in-law Sara Biden.\n\nHunter Biden's business partners and assistants visited the White House over 80 times when Joe Biden was vice president.\n\nPresident Biden was \u201cthe brand\u201d for Hunter\u2019s foreign business dealings according to Devon Archer.\n\nThen-Vice President Joe Biden was allegedly paid $5 million as part of a bribery scheme by an executive of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian natural gas firm that Hunter Biden sat on the board.\n\nJoe Biden set up three aliases \u2013 Robert L. Peters, Robin Ware and JRB Ware \u2013 to send emails when he was Vice President. The National Archives has 5,400 emails in which Joe Biden used fake names.\n\nJoe Biden used fake aliases to send and receive at least 327 emails from Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Hunter Biden\u2019s business partners.\n\nThe DOJ interfered and prevented leads into Joe Biden during Hunter\u2019s tax investigation.\n\nHunter Biden and other Biden family members have racked up at least 150 suspicious activity reports by U.S. banks for their shady foreign business deals.\n\n###\n\nIssues:Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-hres-918", "Van Orden Statement on H.Res. 918", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after voting in support of H.Res. 918 to permit Committees within the House of Representatives to continue their investigations as part of the existing House inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach President Joe Biden:\n\n\u201cHouse Committees have uncovered an alarming amount of information that shows President Biden\u2019s involvement in his family\u2019s corrupt business activities. As Members of Congress, we have a Constitutional duty to ensure our executive branch acts honestly, morally, and in the best interest of our nation. This resolution simply allows the House to formally continue their investigations into the President and get the American people the answers they deserve.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-to-hold-press-conference-on-impact-of-crime-in-wisconsin-due-to-biden-s-open-border-policies", "Sen. Johnson to Hold Press Conference on Impact of Crime in Wisconsin Due to Biden\u2019s Open Border Policies", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "OSHKOSH \u2013 On Friday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) will attend a closed-door meeting with Winnebago County, City of Oshkosh, and neighboring area law enforcement officials highlighting the impact of the illegal drug trade, sex trafficking, and cartel-related activities in numerous Wisconsin communities\u2014all in part due to the disastrous situation at the southern border. Following this, the senator will hold a press conference.\n\nWHAT: Meeting,Press Conference\n\nWHO: Senator Ron Johnson, Members of Law Enforcement\n\nWHEN: December 15, 2023\n\nMEETING:1:30 p.m. CT (closed to media)\n\nPRESS CONFERENCE:2:15 p.m. CT\n\nWHERE: Winnebago County Sheriff\u2019s Office\n\n4311 Jackson St\n\nOshkosh, WI 54901\n\nRSVP: Please RSVP byFriday, December 15 at 1:00 PM CT with name, outlet, email and phone number topress@ronjohnson.senate.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/icymi-sen-johnson-unravels-biden-family-foreign-business-entanglements-and-addresses-danger-of-biden-s-open-border", "ICYMI: Sen. Johnson Unravels Biden Family Foreign Business Entanglements and Addresses Danger of Biden\u2019s Open Border", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Friday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined Larry Kudlow on Kudlow and Sean Hannity on Hannity to address the scandal of the Biden crime family corruption, and the need for Senate Republicans to make any Ukraine funding contingent on achieving benchmarks that actually secure the southern border. On Saturday, the senator joined Fox and Friends\u2019 Rachel Campos-Duffy, Will Cain, and Pete Hegseth where he also discussed solutions to record-high drug shortages and the liberties and freedoms that unite Americans.\n\nOn Hannity, Sen. Johnson discussed how he and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) attempted to warn the American public about how Joe Biden was compromised through the corrupt and illicit activities of his family\u2019s business dealings leading up to 2020.\n\nWatch the full interview with Sean Hannity here.\n\nOn how President Biden is compromised by his family receiving millions from our adversaries\n\n\u201cI think Chairman Comer, Chairman Smith, Chairman Jordan have done an excellent job of building on the record that Senator Grassley and I developed before the election. And now you've got Hunter Biden out there doing podcasts, you know, whining about being persecuted. I've said repeatedly I took no joy in uncovering the Biden crime family corruption. But Senator Grassley and I, we were trying to warn the American public before an election, before Joe Biden became president, before he was compromised. We tried to warn the American public that this man and his family had received millions of dollars from countries that were adversaries of ours. That if he were elected, that he would be compromised and our national security would be compromised. That's why we did this.\u201d\n\nOn how no one should feel sorry for Hunter Biden given his vile and criminal actions\n\n\u201cThis has nothing to do with some vendetta against poor Hunter Biden. Who, by the way, $872,000 on women and adult entertainment. Now, those women, and we knew this and reported on this, these women were probably trafficked through an international sex trafficking ring. We're supposed to feel sorry for a man in his late forties to early fifties who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on women who were sex trafficked. I'm sorry, I have no sympathy for the man whatsoever.\u201d\n\nWatch the full interview with Larry Kudlow here.\n\nOn Kudlow, Sen. Johnson slammed Joe Biden\u2019s open border, calling it a \u201cclear and present danger\u201d to the country. He emphasized that any funding for Ukraine must be tied to benchmarks that secure our border.\n\nOn the senator\u2019s plan to reduce the flow of illegal migrants and close Biden\u2019s open border through hard metrics tied to Ukraine aid\n\n\u201cThe open border, Biden and the Democrats\u2019 open border, is a clear and present danger to this country. It should be our number one national security and homeland security priority, and we have to use whatever leverage we have. Biden wants money for Ukraine, regardless of how you view funding for Ukraine, we must use that as leverage. And so we just wrote an op-ed, Senator Scott and I did for Fox News, that says that \u2018any money going to Ukraine must be contingent on actually securing the border.\u2019 We need to establish benchmarks, just like any kind of incentive you would have in business, benchmarks must be established, and they must be met, before money flows on a monthly basis to Ukraine. It's common sense. They're looking for $60 billion. You know, President Trump, under current law, secured the border in about 12 months. He went from peak to trough in 12 months with remain in Mexico and safe third countries. So, listen, I want the language that Senator Lankford is trying to negotiate for. Democrats are not negotiating in good faith. But regardless of what language we get passed, we cannot count on this president to faithfully execute those laws. This is a lawless administration. This is a president that wants an open border.\u201d\n\nWatch the full interview with Fox and Friends here.\n\nOn Fox and Friends, the senator broke down the vast financial foreign entanglements implicating President Biden and his son and addressed solutions to drug shortages exacerbated by federal government involvement in the healthcare market.\n\nOn the mountain of incriminating evidence against Joe Biden and his family\n\n\u201cOver a four year time period, where he decided not to pay $1.4 million in tax, he spent $4.9 million. Rachel, that's $23,500 a week, and he spent $872,000 on women and adult entertainment. That's $4,000 a week, about $600 a day. And these women were trafficked through an international sex trafficking ring. So, no, I don't feel sorry for Hunter Biden. He's a criminal. He has done vile, vile things. And now he's out there, you know, claiming persecution. Don't buy it. Nobody should feel sorry for Hunter Biden\u2026\n\n\u201cWell, Senator Grassley and I proved that Joe Biden was lying. The evidence continues to mount. Now, we know that Joe Biden had transferred into his account $40,000. You know these were supposedly loan repayments. But, you know, show us the loan documents, show us the interest payments. So no, I really appreciate the work that Chairmens Comer, and Smith, and Jordan are doing, they're filling in the pieces of the puzzle here, but the evidence is very incriminating and there's no way that Joe Biden can really evade his responsibility here. His family, he is corrupt, and he is compromised as president. He never should have been elected president, but because of the corrupt and complicit mainstream media that cover it up for him, and they continue to cover up for him, now, we're in this awful position here in America.\u201d\n\nOn how drug shortages can be alleviated through free market competition\n\n\u201cSo, what we have here, is we have a broken marketplace. Generally, when you have very low prices and shortages, it means that there are too few buyers. There are a lot of consumers, but there's just too much buying power concentrated in, for example, the government's hands, in a few insurance companies\u2019 hands. That's what needs to be broken up. We need to bring consumerism, the benefits of free market competition back into the drug market. Now, generic drugs might increase in price a little bit. That'll stabilize it, that\u2019ll alleviate those shortages. Don't look for a solution out of Washington, D.C. The federal government involved in healthcare has already screwed up the market. We need to let the market actually work.\u201d\n\nOn embracing the things that unite us as Americans: freedom and family\n\n\u201cWell, Americans are good people. I mean, we're concerned about each other, we want the best for our fellow citizens, we want the best for people all around the world. So Americans are good people, but we are being very ill-served by government. And one of my missions is to try and wean as many Americans off the federal government as possible. Understand, the federal government doesn't solve problems. It exacerbates problems. So defend your individual liberty and freedom and recognize we're not a naturally divided people. These are individuals, people like Joe Biden, people like the radical left that are purposely dividing us, which right now I would say our division is probably the greatest threat to this country, so resist it. Embrace the things that we all agree on: and that's freedom, that's raising our family, that\u2019s safety and security. Concentrate on those things.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-calls-out-state-department-failing-provide-information-potential", "Van Orden Calls Out State Department for Failing to Provide Information on Potential Refugee Resettlement in Eau Claire", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of State failed to provide requested information on the potential resettlement of refugees in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.\n\nOn November 17, Congressman Van Orden sent a letter to Secretary Antony Blinken requesting a detailed report of the vetting procedures conducted on the potential refugees to be resettled in Eau Claire by December 4, 2023. In the letter, the Congressman acknowledged the contributions of those who have immigrated to the United States legally, but raised concerns about the resettlement plan without evidence that the proper investigations for each potential refugee were thoroughly conducted.\n\n\u201cThe silence from the State Department is incredibly concerning,\u201d said Rep. Van Orden. \u201cI have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of my constituents, and without the ability to review the information I requested, I cannot say with confidence that these individuals were fully vetted. We are a nation of laws, and we must ensure that those who wish to immigrate or resettle here do so legally and are not threats to the safety and security of the United States.Until I have the information I requested, I will not support this resettlement.\u201d\n\nTo read the full letter, click here or scroll below.\n\nNovember 17, 2023\n\nThe Honorable Antony Blinken Secretary\n\nU.S. Department of State\n\n2201 C St NW\n\nWashington, DC 20451\n\nDear Secretary Blinken,\n\nTo ensure the safety of my constituents I have been monitoring the potential resettlement of refugees in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I recognize the great contributions immigrants have and continue to make to the success of the United States and welcome those who wish to legally immigrate here, but the safety of Americans, specifically my constituents must come first.\n\nI have engaged in conversations with the City Council President, Eau Claire County Sheriff Riewestahl, World Relief Wisconsin, and other community stakeholders; however there remain several unknowns as to who will be resettled in the community, when they will arrive, and whether procedures have been taken to bring them to the United States.\n\nWe share a responsibility to keep our nation as safe and secure as possible. To do this we must ensure that all those who wish to migrate, be granted asylum, or resettle as a refugee are vetted to the highest degree possible\u2014 this must be done prior to their migration or resettlement in the United States.\n\nI ask that you share a detailed report of the vetting procedures they have conducted including:\n\nwho these specific individuals are,\n\ncountry of origin,\n\ndocumentation that the proper inquiries and investigations for refugee resettlement were thoroughly conducted,\n\nwho conducted the inquiries and investigations (U.S. government personnel, and agencies or civilian contractors), if contractors, what specific contracting company was used, and\n\nthe information collected and consideration criteria for each individual.\n\nIt is a requirement from my position as a Member of Congress to ensure the safety of my constituents and without the information requested, I will not support their resettlement. I hope this will not be the case.\n\nPlease submit this information to my Legislative Director Claire Case at Claire.case@mail.house.gov by December 4, 2023.\n\nSincerely,\n\nDerrick Van Orden", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-introduces-legislation-rename-necedah-post-office-after-distinguished", "Tiffany Introduces Legislation to Rename Necedah Post Office After Distinguished Veteran", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) introduced legislation to honor the service and sacrifice of Sergeant Kenneth E. Murphy by renaming the United States Post Office in Necedah as the Sergeant Kenneth E. Murphy Post Office Building. Sergeant Murphy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his gallantry in Vietnam, as well as a Purple Heart.\n\n\u201cSergeant Murphy\u2019s heroism and devotion to his fellow service members and our great nation deserve to be honored,\u201d said Congressman Tiffany. \u201cThis Necedah postal renaming will cement his legacy in our nation\u2019s history.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am honored to be considered for this prestigious nomination for the Necedah Post Office Renaming. I was born in the house I grew up and have never left Necedah,\u201d said Sergeant Kenneth E. Murphy.\n\nH.R. 6651 would rename the U.S. Post Office located at 603 West 3rd Street in Necedah, Wisconsin, as the \u201cSergeant Kenneth E. Murphy Post Office Building.\u201d Sergeant Murphy was born and raised in Necedah and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. On November 9, 1966, while serving as a squad leader on a search and destroy mission near Tuy Hoa, Sergeant Murphy fearlessly ran through a hail of bullets to try and help several wounded soldiers. Despite being wounded twice, including once in the head, he organized his men, led them in a fierce assault on the enemy, and enabled his men to break out of the trap and overwhelm the insurgent force. Sergeant Murphy received a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross for his service and sacrifice. He resides in Necedah to this day.\n\nThe entire Wisconsin delegation are original cosponsors of H.R. 6651.\n\nRep. Tiffany\u2019s Necedah Post Office renaming bill text can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-wisconsin-delegation-members-urge-biden-administration-protect", "Van Orden, Wisconsin Delegation Members Urge Biden Administration to Protect American Dairy Market Access", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), along with Members of the Wisconsin Delegation, sent a letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging the administration to provide solutions to the U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute settlement panel ruling on November 24, 2023 that permits Canada to continue limiting American dairy market access.\n\nIn the letter, the Members requested the administration to share its plan for overturning the harmful conditions set by the USMCA dispute settlement panel ruling and their strategy for addressing barriers to dairy trade and market access opportunities.\n\n\u201cOur dairy farmers and processors work tirelessly to produce quality products,\u201d said Rep. Van Orden. \u201cWisconsin is a leading dairy state, and the ruling in favor of Canada\u2019s dairy market restrictions is an insult to the farmers, producers, and marketers who work to ensure nutritious products are available at prices people can afford. I will always stand up for our dairy industry workers, and I look forward to continuing to work with my Wisconsin Delegation colleagues and the administration to ensure the United States has an equal seat at the table as our USMCA counterparts.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3752", "Grothman, Cartwright Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Staffing Shortage in Bureau of Prisons", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressmen Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA) have introduced the BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act, a bipartisan bill to alleviate staffing shortages at Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities across the country by cutting bureaucratic red tape, which will enhance the safety and security of BOP personnel. This legislation received support from 11 cosponsors, as well as the Council of Prison Locals C-33 (CPL-33), the largest union for BOP employees nationwide.\n\n\u201cWe have labor shortages everywhere in this country, but when it comes to hiring correctional officers, it is unnecessarily multiplied by the federal bureaucracy,\u201d said Grothman. \u201cI have toured the Federal Correctional Institution in Oxford, Wisconsin, which is part of the Bureau of Prisons, and I often receive feedback from many of its employees. Unfortunately, FCI Oxford is yet another example of the staffing crisis that has devastated BOP facilities and personnel across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe crisis of chronic understaffing at the federal Bureau of Prisons undermines the prison system\u2019s ability to foster safety, accountability and rehabilitation\u201d said Cartwright.\u201cThe existing bureaucratic approach takes too long to hire new corrections officers and needs to be addressed immediately. This commonsense legislation will lead to swifter hiring cycles and better and safer conditions for our correctional officers and inmates.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe current staffing levels in BOP institutions have reached dangerously low levels, posing significant risks to both staff and inmates. Insufficient staffing within the Bureau of Prisons has far-reaching consequences, affecting prison operations, inmate management, and overall institutional functioning. In fact, in FY2023, there were over 7,700 vacancies for Correctional Officers within the BOP,\u201d said Brandy Moore White, National President of CPL-33. \u201cWe firmly believe that the enactment of the \"BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act\" into law will play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our prison facilities.\u201d\n\nBackground Information\n\nFor many years, staffing ratios at numerous Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities have fallen below safe or sustainable levels, posing increased risks to the safety and well-being of both BOP personnel and inmates. The lack of manpower also affects personnel morale and retention. Shane Fausey, National President of the Council of Prison Locals, highlighted this concern during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2022 by reporting that staffing at BOP has fallen from 43,369 employees in January of 2016 to 35,000 employees in September of 2022.\n\nOne of the biggest issues that affects the BOP\u2019s ability to hire personnel in a timely manner are requirements by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Currently, applicants to BOP must be processed through OPM before the applications are made available to individual BOP facilities for potential hire. This cumbersome process takes a minimum of 105 days, but often results in a lag of six months from the time a position is posted until it is filled.\n\nA straightforward and simple solution to tackle this issue is to provide individual BOP facilities with direct-hire authority for all vacant positions throughout the agency, at least until staffing ratios increase to acceptable levels. This streamlined approach aims to expedite the hiring process, ensuring that critical positions are filled promptly and efficiently.\n\nThe BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act would provide direct-hire authority for all BOP facilities until each facility reaches a level of 96 percent staffed and is supported by Council of Prison Locals C-33 (CPL33), the largest union for BOP employees nationwide.\n\nGrothman and Cartwright are joined by Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Ralph Norman (R-SC), David Trone (D-MD) Randy Weber (R-TX), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX).\n\nClick here for the full text of the bill.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sens-johnson-and-scott-for-fox-news-before-biden-gives-one-more-dime-to-ukraine-he-must-first-secure-our-border", "Sens. Johnson and Scott for FOX News: Before Biden Gives One More Dime to Ukraine, He Must First Secure Our Border", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, FOX News published an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) that addressed the \u201cclear and present danger\u201d of the open border under the Biden administration and called on Senate Republicans to deny cloture on any Ukraine support bill that does not include border metrics that dramatically reduce the number of illegal migrants being dispersed into the U.S.\n\nThe full op-ed can be found here and excerpts are below.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s open border policy is a clear and present danger to America. We believe a U.S. president\u2019s primary responsibility is to defend the country's citizens and our Constitution. When it comes to border security, he is doing neither. Rather than address and alleviate this clear and present danger, President Biden and his Democrat allies in Congress are the root cause.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cWhen the Biden administration took over, the border was largely secure. Once in office, the Biden administration claimed President Trump\u2019s policies that had secured the border were \u2018inhumane,\u2019 and they abruptly reversed course. The very unfortunate result is that Biden\u2019s open border policy is now facilitating the multi-billion dollar business model of some of the most evil people on the planet\u2014sex, drug, and human traffickers. The depredations caused by this trafficking occur in the shadows and go largely unreported. Overdose deaths, largely from fentanyl coming through the southwest border topped 100,000 annually. There is nothing humane about Biden\u2019s policies.\n\n\u201cIn addition to its inhumanity, the open border represents a huge national and homeland security threat. Of the 6 million migrants who got in, 1.7 million were detected crossing the border and accounted for as \u2018known gotaways.\u2019 We obviously don\u2019t \u2018know\u2019 who these people are, or where they currently reside.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cIn a recent hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, of which we are both members, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated in response to questioning by Senator Scott:\n\n\"\u2019What has now increased is the greater possibility of one of these Foreign Terrorist Organizations directing an attack in the United States\u2026 It is time to be concerned. We are in a dangerous period\u2026 The terror threats have elevated\u2026\u2019 since Joe Biden took office.\n\n\u201cWith an open border, it\u2019s obvious how and where foreign terrorists organizations would insert their fighters into our country. President Biden\u2019s failure to secure the border means it\u2019s up to Republicans to use any leverage we can\u2014including his administration\u2019s desire to provide foreign aid to Ukraine\u2014to secure it once and for all. Regardless of how anyone feels regarding support for Ukraine, and we are skeptical, we believe securing America\u2019s border and protecting our citizens should take precedence.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cA recent column stated that support for Ukraine combined with \u2018modest immigration reform\u2019 would be a \u2018win/win.\u2019 With a president who actually wanted to secure the border and could be counted on to faithfully execute the laws Congress passes, that might be true. But we have a lawless administration and a president who wants an open border\u2026\n\n\u201cAs a result, the strongest border security legislation probably won\u2019t work under Biden. Republicans must insist not only on strong legislative language, but also making any Ukraine funding contingent on achieving benchmarks proving the border is being secured.\n\n\u201cThe metric should be the number of migrants dispersed in America each month which would include, but not be limited to, migrants encountered, processed, and released (regardless of the waiver or program used), plus the detected gotaways. Each month the administration would be forced to significantly reduce the number of migrants getting into America, and its ability to disperse U.S. taxpayer money to aid for Ukraine would be tied to achieving those monthly goals.\n\n\u201cUnder existing law, President Trump went from peak to trough of illegal immigration in 12 months using \u2018Remain in Mexico\u2019 and safe third country agreements in Central America. Using that precedent, releasing aid to Ukraine only as we ramp down to a secure border over a twelve-month period is a reasonable expectation. House Republicans should not consider, and Senate Republicans should deny cloture on, any Ukraine funding bill that falls short of this requirement.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-announces-staff-led-mobile-office-hours-for-december", "Steil Announces Staff-Led Mobile Office Hours for December", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today announced staff-led mobile office hours for December. The congressman has offices in Janesville, Kenosha, Racine, St. Francis, Beloit, and Elkorn that are ready to welcome people from all over Southeast Wisconsin. Mobile office hours allow individuals and families outside of those areas the chance to connect directly with Rep. Steil\u2019s staff without needing to travel long distances.\n\nDates, times, and locations for December mobile office hours are as follows:\n\nThursday, December 7th\n\nCity of Elkhorn: Matheson Memorial Public Library, 101 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn, WI, 9:00am - 11:00am\n\nVillage of Hales Corners: Hales Corners Village Hall, 5635 S. New Berlin Road, Hales Corners, WI, 12:30pm \u2013 1:30pm\n\nCity of Oak Creek: Oak Creek Civic Center \u2013 Delphi Room, 8040 S. 6th Street, Oak Creek, WI, 2:00pm \u2013 3:00pm\n\nFriday, December 8th\n\nSalem: Salem Lakes Village Hall, 9814 Antioch Road, Salem, WI, 11:00am \u2013 12:00pm\n\nSomers: Somers Town & Village Hall, 7511 12th Street, Kenosha, WI, 1:00pm \u2013 2:00pm\n\nPleasant Prairie: Pleasant Prairie Village Hall Auditorium, 9915 39th Ave, Pleasant Prairie, WI, 3:00pm \u2013 4:00pm\n\nWednesday, December 13th\n\nBeloit: Beloit City Hall, 100 State Street, Beloit, WI, 9:00am \u2013 11:00am\n\nClinton: Clinton Village Hall, 301 Cross Street, Clinton, WI, 11:30am \u2013 12:30pm\n\nDarien: Darien Village Hall, 24 N. Wisconsin Street, Darien, WI, 1:30pm \u2013 2:30pm\n\nMilton: Milton City Hall, 710 S. Janesville Street, Milton, WI, 3:15pm \u2013 4:15pm\n\nThursday, December 14th\n\nUnion Grove: Yorkville Village Hall, 925 15th Avenue, Union Grove, WI, 9:00am \u2013 10:00am\n\nRacine: Caledonia Village Hall, 5043 Chester Lane, Racine, WI, 10:45am \u2013 11:45am\n\nVillage of Wind Point: Wind Point Lighthouse, 4725 Lighthouse Drive, Wind Point, WI, 1:00pm \u2013 2:00pm\n\nSturtevant: Sturtevant Village Hall, 2801 89th Street, Sturtevant, WI, 3:00pm \u2013 4:00pm\n\nStaff will be ready to answer questions and hear concerns about federal issues from anyone who wishes to come by, no appointments needed. As always, people are still welcome to contact any of Rep. Steil\u2019s offices in Southeast Wisconsin during scheduled hours or by appointment. That contact information is below:\n\nJanesville Office: 20 S. Main Street, Suite 10, Janesville, WI. (608) 752-4050, Tuesdays 10:00am \u2013 12:00pm, Thursdays 2:00pm \u2013 4:00pm\n\nKenosha County Office: Kenosha County Center, 19600 75th Street Bristol, WI 53104, (262) 654-1901, Tuesdays 10:00am \u2013 12:00pm\n\nRacine Office: Racine County Courthouse, Room 101, 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. (262-637-0510), Monday 9:00am -11:00am\n\nSt. Francis Office: St. Francis Civic Center, 3400 E. Howard Avenue St. Francis, WI 53235 (414) 285-2120, Wednesdays 2:00pm \u2013 4:00pm\n\nBeloit Office: Beloit City Hall, 100 State Street Beloit, WI 53511, Wednesdays 9:00am \u2013 11:00am\n\nElkhorn Office: Matheson Memorial Library 101 N. Wisconsin Street Elkhorn, WI 53121, Thursdays 9:00am -11:00am", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-joins-38-gop-senators-in-demanding-changes-to-biden-administration-rule-endangering-safety-and-wellbeing-of-unaccompanied-alien-children", "Sen. Johnson Joins 38 GOP Senators in Demanding Changes to Biden Administration Rule Endangering Safety and Wellbeing of Unaccompanied Alien Children", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), joined U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and 38 of their Senate GOP colleagues in a letter calling on the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to overhaul its harmful and deficient policies governing the agency\u2019s treatment of unaccompanied alien children in the United States. ORR\u2019s Proposed Rule\u2014parts of which the agency is already enforcing\u2014allows ORR to place vulnerable children in the custody of poorly vetted, andpotentially criminal, sponsors and obstructs whistleblowers from reporting abuse in the program to Congress. This letter comes one year after Sen. Johnson first wrote to HHS Secretary Xavior Becerra about the disturbing whistleblower account of HHS employee Tara Lee Rodas regarding the department\u2019s handling of the Unaccompanied Children Program.\n\n\u201cThis Proposed Rule ignores nearly seven years of oversight conducted by Congress and the Office of Inspector General and reveals chronic foot-dragging\u2014if not total reluctance\u2014when it comes to protecting vulnerable children,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cIt provides ample protections to government bureaucrats at the expense of children. Even more concerning, \u2018the requirements being [adopted] in this proposed rule are already enforced by [the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)].\u2019\u201d\n\n\u201c\u2026ORR does not even consider a sponsor\u2019s criminal record, current illegal drug use, history of abuse or neglect, or other child welfare concerns \u2018necessarily disqualifying to potential sponsorship.\u2019\u2026 In effect, ORR accepts a sponsor\u2019s representations almost entirely on face value,\u201d the senators continued.\n\n\u201cORR\u2019s Proposed Rule abdicates the agency\u2019s responsibility for protecting the vulnerable children in its custody from harmful behavior by poorly vetted, potential criminals. For these services, the taxpayer paid ORR $5.5 billion in FY2022. The Proposed Rule is wholly unworkable and ORR should discard it and its current practices. If not, Congress will have no choice but to introduce a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nSens. Johnson and Grassley are joined in this letter by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).\n\nRead more about the senators\u2019 December 4, 2023 letter to the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the Washington Examiner.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-joins-letter-urging-biden-administration-to-enforce-iran-steel-sanctions", "Sen. Johnson Joins Letter Urging Biden Administration to Enforce Iran Steel Sanctions", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and 29 of their Senate GOP colleagues, in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging the Administration to enforce existing sanctions on Iranian steel.\n\nIn the letter, the senators express the importance of \u201cproactively and continuously\u201d enforcing sanctions and the detrimental consequences of ineffective\u2014or willfully negligent\u2014enforcement. Iran is one of the largest steel producing countries in the world, with the industry generating significant export revenue.\n\n\u201cIn 2020, the United States sanctioned Iran\u2019s metals industries and steel producers, massively impacting their exports in 2021. The enforcement of these sanctions decreased Iranian steel exports from 9 million metric tons in 2020 to 4.2 million tons in 2021,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cHowever, Iranian steel exports rebounded to 10 million tons in 2022. This correlates to the United States reengaging with Iran to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), along with a decrease in enforcement of existing sanctions by the Treasury Department.\u201d\n\nThe senators warned relaxed sanctions enforcement only fuels the ability of Iranian-backed proxies to continue to fund and carry out terrorist attacks that further destabilize the region.\n\n\u201cIn this instance, relaxing sanctions enforcement resulted in economic enrichment for the world\u2019s largest state sponsor of terrorism,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cWe urge your Administration to enforce all Iran-related sanctions at your disposal, to include secondary sanctions on other countries who seek economic engagement with Iran. We owe it to the innocent children, women, and men who were savagely beaten, raped, tortured, and killed on October 7, 2023.\u201d\n\nSens. Johnson and Britt were joined on this letter by Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), Senate Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Senators John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nRead more about the senators\u2019 December 4, 2023 letter to the President and Secs. Blinken and Yellen in Politico.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-johnson-to-department-of-defense-sec-austin-the-overall-lack-of-transparency-from-you-and-your-colleagues-on-covid-19-vaccine-safety-and-efficacy-is-appalling", "Sen. Johnson to Department of Defense Sec. Austin: \u201cThe Overall Lack of Transparency From You and Your Colleagues on COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Is Appalling.\u201d", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013On Friday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd Austin regarding the Army\u2019srecent letter to previously discharged service members who were involuntarily separated after refusing to comply with the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination order, allowing them to request a correction of their records and potentially apply to return to service.\n\nSen. Johnson wrote, \u201cAllowing service members torequestto correct their records or potentially apply to return to service falls well short of providing those brave men and women any kind of compensation resulting from their involuntary separation and a profound apology for upending their lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cIf DOD wants to restore its credibility and trust among current and prospective service members, it needs to show that it is willing to be transparent and forthcoming regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines,\u201dSen. Johnson continued.\n\nSen. Johnson has previously described DOD\u2019s credibility issues in hismultiple letters on data integrity issues in theDefense Medical Epidemiology Database (DMED). His office continues to receive reports from DOD whistleblowers indicating that adverse medical events are alarmingly persistent in DMED.\n\nFor over two years, DOD has stonewalled the senator\u2019s oversight work that could provide service members and their families much much-needed information about the health consequences of the vaccines.\n\nLast month, DOD admitted to Sen. Johnson that it had \u201cidentified an increased incidence of very rare conditions \u2013 myo/pericarditis \u2013 during COVID-19 vaccine introduction in 2021.\u201d However, DOD attempted to downplay the significance of this by stating: \u201cIt is difficult to report precise numbers of adverse events following immunization since establishing a causal relationship between vaccination and a clinical diagnosis can be challenging. Nonetheless, the military has identified 80-90 cases of myo/pericarditis in Service members following administration of more than 4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in this population.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver the last two years I have sent over 60 public letters to federal agencies, including DOD, on various aspects of the pandemic. The overall lack of transparency from you and your colleagues on COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy is appalling,\u201dSen. Johnson stated.\n\nThe senator is still waiting to receive complete answers to questions his staff sent DOD following the publication of anews article that reported on new information from a DOD whistleblower on more increases in medical diagnoses in DMED. The senator also reiteratedrequests for Tricare data that he made to DOD nearly one year ago. DOD has failed to provide any response to that letter.\n\n\u201cInquiries and requests for information concerning the health and well-being of service members should never be ignored, particularly when those questions are from members of Congress and their staff,\u201dthe senator concluded.\n\nHe is requesting a response to his inquiries by no later than December 15, 2023.\n\nRead more about the senator\u2019s December 1, 2023 letter to Sec. Austin in theEpoch Times.\n\nFull text of the letter can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-statement-overturning-burdensome-cfpb-rule", "Fitzgerald Statement on Overturning Burdensome CFPB Rule", "2023-12-01", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement after voting to pass S.J.Res. 32.\n\nS.J.Res. 32 expresses Congress\u2019s disapproval of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\u2019s (CFPB) burdensome and overly complex final rule implementing Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act.\n\n\u201cI was proud to vote in support of S.J.Res. 32 today to safeguard small businesses\u2019 ability to access affordable credit that supports and grows our economy,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cTo be clear, the rule that the CFPB proposed goes well beyond the agency\u2019s authority. By overturning it, we would force the CFPB to better tailor the rule, to increase rather than decrease, small business lending, and protect against the release of their data.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-pappas-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-improve-va-management", "Van Orden, Pappas Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve VA Management Accountability", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Chairman of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, alongside Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced the Training Responsible And Informed National (TRAIN) VA Employees Act. This bipartisan legislation would help improve accountability at the Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs (VA) by establishing new management training for VA supervisors, management officials, and senior executives.\n\n\u201cI am incredibly appreciative of all the great work Veterans\u2019 Affairs does for our veterans and their families. It is important that we continue to do our due diligence to our veterans by ensuring VAs are operating at the highest standard possible,\u201d said Congressman Van Orden. \u201cI am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the TRAIN VA Employees Act to require regularly scheduled trainings for Veterans\u2019 Affairs supervisors, which will strengthen VAs across the nation to best serve our veterans.\u201d\n\nQuote from Congressman Pappas: \u201cAdditional management training for VA supervisors would improve their ability to support employees and address performance needs. I\u2019m pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill with Congressman Van Orden which will strengthen workforce training for VA management and, as a result, improve services provided to veterans.\u201d\n\nThe TRAIN VA Employees Act would:\n\nRequire VA to develop a mandatory training program for VA management within 1 year of enactment. The training would be mandatory for all current & future employees covered under the legislation.\n\nRequire VA management to participate in the training every two years, which will focus on topics such as:\n\nDeveloping performance goals and objectives with employees;\n\nEffectively managing employees with unacceptable performance; and\n\nTraining to understand disciplinary options and procedures available to supervisors, and more.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/icymi-sen-johnson-joins-gop-lawmakers-in-press-conference-calling-for-any-ukraine-support-bill-to-be-contingent-on-securing-the-southern-border", "ICYMI: Sen. Johnson Joins GOP Lawmakers in Press Conference Calling for Any Ukraine Support Bill to be Contingent on Securing the Southern Border", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cWe need to make any funds that go to Ukraine contingent on the administration actually reducing the number of migrants that are being dispersed in America\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Senate GOP colleagues, and members of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) in a joint press conference calling for Ukraine funding to be contingent on actually securing the southern border. Sen. Johnson emphasized the clear and present danger that President Biden\u2019s open border poses to America, and he urged Senate Republicans to deny cloture to any spending bill that does not include hard metrics for dramatically reducing the flow of illegal migrants.\n\n\u201cBiden\u2019s open border is a clear and present danger to America,\u201d said Sen. Johnson. \u201cAnd no matter what we pass legislatively, we can\u2019t trust the president and his administration, to faithfully execute that law. So we have one leverage point here. The administration wants funding for Ukraine. We need to use that leverage point.\u201d\n\nWatch the senator\u2019s full remarks here.\n\nOn the significance of House and Senate conservatives working together on spending issues\n\n\u201cI want to thank all of our conservative House colleagues for trekking over here to the Senate. Not only today, but consistently over the last year, meeting with conservatives in the Senate, trying to resolve and fix some of these issues. I\u2019ll point out, it\u2019s those meetings that resulted in, for example, us getting through the whole debt ceiling crisis. You\u2019ll remember it was the House Freedom Caucus that proposed a piece of legislation, and then compromised with the House colleagues and offered the Senate a pretty commonsense piece of legislation that again, got us past that. So, again, we\u2019re trying to lead in this instance as well. Just real quick on this chart, before I put up the border chart, I keep playing with the numbers, I\u2019m an accountant, and I thought this was pretty simple, pretty interesting. When you take a look at what we passed in terms of budget authority over the last four years, it was $5.6 trillion, but we outlayed $6.6 trillion\u2026 It is completely out-of-control.\u201d\n\nOn the clear and present danger at the southern border\n\n\u201cIt is unfortunate, and I completely agree with what the House has passed in terms of, H.R. 2, that type of language, in the hands of a president that actually wanted to secure the border, in the hands of an administration that would faithfully execute the laws passed by Congress, H.R. 2 would work, but we don\u2019t have that with this administration. Our open border, Biden\u2019s open border, is a clear and present danger to America, and no matter what we pass legislatively, we can\u2019t trust the president and his administration to faithfully execute that law.\n\n\u201c\u2026Now, since this administration has started, there\u2019s been about over 6 million people, at least 6 million, 1.7 million of that are detected gotaways. We have no idea who these people are or where they are located. We really don\u2019t know where the other 5.3 million people are,the ones who were encountered, processed, and dispersed. This is completely out-of-control. You have Hamas now calling for days of rage. Do you think in that 1.7 million or the overall 6 million, there may be a bad person or two? It\u2019s a clear and present danger.\u201d\n\nOn the need for hard metrics that reduce the number of illegal migrants dispersed in America\n\n\u201cSo we have one leverage point here. The administration wants funding for Ukraine. We need to use that leverage point, and we need to make any funds that go to Ukraine contingent on the administration actually reducing the number of migrants that are being dispersed in America.\n\n\u201c\u2026So, what the Senate must insist on is if they take up a supplemental, if they\u2019re looking at funding for Ukraine, Republicans in the Senate must hold firm and deny cloture on any bill that doesn\u2019t include benchmarks, hard metrics, and again, the metric needs to be number of migrants dispersed into America, whether, again, they\u2019re encountered, processed, and dispersed, or detectable gotaways, or any other category. And we need to deny cloture on any bill that doesn\u2019t include that hard metric. And just as an example, and you see in this chart, President Trump had to deal with the effect of DACA, the lawless actions of the Obama administration, which really sparked this multi-year border crisis, but just through sheer willpower with the current laws in place, President Trump basically secured the border in a 12-month time period. And so that\u2019s what the bill I\u2019m working on, in terms of providing metrics, again, where the Ukraine funding would be contingent on those metrics being met and certified, you would ramp that down to pretty much a secure border over 12 months.\u201d\n\nOn not allowing Biden\u2019s open border policies to continue\n\n\u201cThere is going to be one of two things that happen by next November. We\u2019re either going to secure the border or we\u2019re not going to secure it, and the Biden open border policy is going to continue. I think what we\u2019re saying is, we don\u2019t want, and we will not allow, to the best of our ability, any Republican fingerprints on anything that\u2019s going to keep the border open. We want to be part of the solution, and by the way that would be a huge favor to Democrats and Biden. We\u2019re not playing politics here. This would be actually detrimental politically to us. If we help Biden and force him to actually secure the border, that would fix one of the problems that the American people don\u2019t like his administration for. So we are about actually securing the border and nothing less than that.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:33:57Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-demanding-transparency-related-to-taxpayer-funded-voter-mobilization-plans", "Sen. Johnson Joins Colleagues in Demanding Transparency Related To Taxpayer-Funded Voter-Mobilization Plans", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and 21 of their Senate GOP colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden reiterating concerns over the White House\u2019s refusal to respond to the senators\u2019 previous demands for transparency regarding Biden\u2019s Executive Order 14019\u2014which instructs federal agencies to engage in voter mobilization and submit to the White House a plan for doing so\u2014and its potential violation of federal law prohibiting agencies from expending federal funds without congressional authorization.\n\n\u201cWe are concerned by your failure to respond to our previous inquiry on May 10, 2023, regarding Executive Order 14019 on \u2018Promoting Access to Voting,'\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cThis policy directive merits congressional oversight both as a general matter and under the Antideficiency Act. Accordingly, we write to reiterate our request for information regarding the implementation of this executive order, including copies of the plans submitted to the White House.\u201d\n\n\u201cFederal agencies should be focused on their defined missions in a nonpartisan manner, not using taxpayer funds for voter mobilization efforts with potentially partisan impacts,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cIn other words, it\u2019s not the job of the federal government to drive voter turnout.\u201d\n\nIn order to determine the voter mobilization and electioneering activities for which the Biden Administration is using taxpayer dollars, the senators once again request that the Biden administration provide the American people the following basic information:\n\n1. Copies of all federal agency \u201cstrategic plans\u201d required under the Order and a list of which agencies have not yet submitted a strategic plan;\n\n2. The strategic plan required by the General Services Administration under the Order;\n\n3. The recommendations provided by the Office of Personnel Management under the Order; and\n\n4. All procedures established by the Attorney General under the Order.\n\nSens. Johnson and Hagerty are joined on this letter by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.).\n\nRead more about the senators\u2019 November 28, 2023 letter to the president in FOX News.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:33:57Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-announces-mobile-office-hours/6bb404f7-1a6c-4d38-af60-aacebd00ee0b", "Sen. Johnson Announces Mobile Office Hours", "2023-11-28", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced that his staff will be available for mobile office hours at the times and locations listed below. These office hours give constituents the opportunity to meet with Sen. Johnson\u2019s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or other federal matters.\n\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 our constituents.\n\nVilas County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 1\n\n10:30 a.m. \u2013 11:30 p.m.\n\nEagle River City Hall\n\n525 E. Maple St., Eagle River, WI 54521\n\nOneida County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 1\n\n12:30 p.m. \u2013 1:30 p.m.\n\nRhinelander City Hall\n\n135 S. Stevens St., Rhinelander, WI 54501\n\nLincoln County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 1\n\n2:30 p.m. \u2013 3:30 p.m.\n\nMerrill City Hall\n\n1004 E. 1st St., Merrill, WI 54452\n\nMarathon County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 1\n\n4:00 p.m. \u2013 5:00 p.m.\n\nMaine Village Hall\n\n6111 N. 44th Ave., Wausau, WI 54401\n\nOutagamie County Office Hours\n\nWednesday, December 6\n\n11:00 a.m. \u2013 12:00 p.m.\n\nKimberly Public Library\n\n515 W. Kimberly Ave., Kimberly, WI 54136\n\nCalumet County Office Hours\n\nWednesday, December 6\n\n12:30 p.m. \u2013 1:30 p.m.\n\nHarrison Village Hall\n\nW5298 State Rd. 114, Harrison, WI 54952\n\nVernon County Office Hours\n\nWednesday, December 6\n\n2:00 p.m. \u2013 3:00 p.m.\n\nReadstown Village Office\n\n116 N. 4th St., Readstown, WI 54652\n\nLafayette County Office Hours\n\nThursday, December 7\n\n11:00 a.m. \u2013 12:00 p.m.\n\nBelmont Village Office\n\n222 S. Mound Ave., Belmont, WI 53510\n\nIowa County Office Hours\n\nThursday, December 7\n\n1:00 p.m. \u2013 2:00 p.m.\n\nHighland Village Office\n\n530 Main St., Highland, WI 53543\n\nCrawford County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 8\n\n3:00 p.m. \u2013 4:00 p.m.\n\nPrairie du Chien City Hall\n\n214 E. Blackhawk Ave., Prairie du Chien, WI 53821\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-demands-answers-from-president-biden-for-allowing-iran-access-to-an-additional-10-billion", "Steil Demands Answers from President Biden for Allowing Iran Access to an Additional $10 Billion", "2023-11-22", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.- Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today demanded answers from President Biden as to why his administration allowed Iran access to an additional $10 billion worth of previously restricted funds. The timing of the sanctions waiver is especially concerning due to the recent attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East by Iranian-backed terrorist proxies and the current war between Hamas and Israel. Rep. Steil is urging President Biden to reverse his administration's misguided decision to allow the largest state-sponsor of terrorism access to more funds.\n\nRep. Steil\u2019s letter follows introduction of the End Financing for Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (H.R. 6632), which passedthe House Financial Services Committee last week. This legislation will disrupt the ability of Hamas to fund terrorism and violence. It will also make it harder for state sponsors of terrorism, like Iran, to abuse International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources to finance terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.\n\nBelow are excerpts and highlights from the letter:\n\n\u201cAs you know, your administration re-issued a sanctions waiver allowing Tehran to access up to $10 billion worth of restricted funds. In addition to permitting Iraq to continue to import Iranian electricity and pay for this trade for another 120 days, the new waiver permits the conversion of the frozen funds into euros. This deviates materially from standard practice before 2023. I am gravely concerned that this expanded access will support more violence against Israel, the U.S., and our allies.\n\n\u201cThe timing of this waiver is exceptionally alarming. Iran has financed Hamas and other regional proxies, and reports indicate Iran\u2019s continued investment in nuclear, missile, and drone programs. While I understand that Iraq has long had issues with its electricity supply, I still find your administration\u2019s stated justification for this $10 billion waiver to be insufficient. Iran is the world\u2019s foremost state sponsor of terrorism and has a track-record of abusing humanitarian trade2 leniencies to finance hostile actions.\n\n\u201cThe Islamic Republic has not ceased in its enmity towards the sole Jewish and democratic state in the Middle East, 3 nor have its threats against U.S. interests and security diminished. On the contrary, we have seen Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria escalate hostilities in recent weeks with over 61 attacks on U.S. troops in the region.4 Iran and its proxy network continue to double-down, even in the face of pinprick U.S. military responses.5 Our country and the American people cannot afford to be intimidated by the largest state sponsor of terrorism. We must reverse this and change course and apply maximum pressure to restore U.S. deterrence on the regime.\u201d\n\nNOTE: The letter follows Rep. Steil\u2019s call on President Biden last month to enforce financial sanctions on Iran and to provide answers to Congress on his administration\u2019s approval of a previous sanctions waiver license that gave Iran $6 billion. Last year, Rep. Steil also introduced the Banking Transparency for Sanctioned Persons Act. This legislation, which was signed into law, increases transparency by requiring the U.S. Treasury Department to routinely report to Congress any sanctions licenses provided to allow transactions between financial institutions and targeted individuals.\n\nCLICK HERE to read the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-announces-mobile-office-hours/cb5ae11b-c8bd-478f-a767-af987a6dbdec", "Sen. Johnson Announces Mobile Office Hours", "2023-11-22", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced that his staff will be available for mobile office hours at the times and locations listed below. These office hours give constituents the opportunity to meet with Sen. Johnson\u2019s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or other federal matters.\n\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 our constituents.\n\nTaylor County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 30\n\n10:30 a.m. \u2013 11:30 a.m.\n\nStetsonville Community Room\n\n105 N. Gershwin St., Stetsonville, WI 54480\n\nPrice County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 30\n\n1: 00 p.m. \u2013 2:00 p.m.\n\nPark Falls City Hall\n\n400 4th Ave. S., Park Falls, WI 54552\n\nIron County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 30\n\n3:30 p.m. \u2013 4:30 p.m.\n\nIron County Courthouse, County Board Room\n\n300 Taconite St., Hurley, WI 54534\n\nVilas County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 1\n\n10:30 a.m. \u2013 11:30 a.m.\n\nEagle River City Hall\n\n525 E. Maple St., Eagle River, WI 54521\n\nOneida County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 1\n\n12:30 p.m. \u2013 1:30 p.m.\n\nRhinelander City Hall\n\n135 S. Stevens St., Rhinelander, WI 54501\n\nLincoln County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 1\n\n2:30 p.m. \u2013 3:30 p.m.\n\nMerrill City Hall\n\n1004 E. 1st St., Merrill, WI 54452\n\nMarathon County Office Hours\n\nFriday, December 1\n\n4:00 p.m. \u2013 5:00 p.m.\n\nMaine Village Hall\n\n6111 N. 44th Ave., Wausau, WI 54401\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-2023-va-veteran-suicide-prevention-annual-report", "Van Orden Statement on 2023 VA Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report", "2023-11-17", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after the release of Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs 2023 Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report:\n\n\u201cThe findings in the VA\u2019s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report are deeply troubling. I have lost many friends and teammates to suicide, and this report emphasizes that there needs to be a change in how we address mental health challenges among veterans. Our veterans need to know they do not have to fight their battles in silence, which is why I am incredibly proud to have my Warrior Call Resolution pass the House. Checking in with the veteran in your life, asking how they are doing, and having an open conversation with them is sometimes what they need \u2013 they have to know that there are people in their life who care and are there to support them.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-announces-mobile-office-hours", "Sen. Johnson Announces Mobile Office Hours", "2023-11-17", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced that his staff will be available for mobile office hours at the times and locations listed below. These office hours give constituents the opportunity to meet with Sen. Johnson\u2019s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or other federal matters.\n\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 our constituents.\n\nKewaunee County Office Hours\n\nWednesday, November 22\n\n10:30 a.m. \u2013 11:30 a.m.\n\nAlgoma City Hall\n\n416 Fremont St., Algoma, WI 54201\n\nDoor County Office Hours\n\nWednesday, November 22\n\n12:30 p.m. \u2013 1:30 p.m.\n\nEgg Harbor Village Hall\n\n7860 WI-42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209\n\nEau Claire County Office Hours\n\nMonday, November 27\n\n9:00 a.m. \u2013 10:00 a.m.\n\nEau Claire County Highway Department\n\n5061 US 53, Eau Claire, WI 54701\n\nChippewa County Office Hours\n\nMonday, November 27\n\n11:00 a.m. \u2013 12:00 p.m.\n\nChippewa Falls Public Library, Wissota Meeting Room\n\n105 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729\n\nDunn County Office Hours\n\nMonday, November 27\n\n1:00 p.m. \u2013 2:00 p.m.\n\nMenomonie Public Library\n\n600 Wolske Bay Rd., Menomonie, WI 54751\n\nSt. Croix County Office Hours\n\nMonday, November 27\n\n3:00 p.m. \u2013 4:00 p.m.\n\nStar Prairie Community Center\n\n207 Bridge Ave., Star Praire, WI 54026\n\nBrown County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 30\n\n11:00 a.m. \u2013 12:00 p.m.\n\nWrightstown Village Hall\n\n352 High St., Wrightstown, WI 54180\n\nManitowoc County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 30\n\n1:00 p.m. \u2013 2:00 p.m.\n\nTwo Rivers City Hall\n\n1717 E Park St., Two Rivers, WI 54241\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-joins-45-senators-to-demand-answers-over-biden-administration-s-unprecedented-pause-of-firearms-export-licenses", "Sen. Johnson Joins 45 Senators to Demand Answers Over Biden Administration\u2019s Unprecedented Pause of Firearms Export Licenses", "2023-11-17", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and 44 of their Republican Senate colleagues in a letter to Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary, Gina Raimondo, raising questions over last month\u2019s decision by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to impose a 90-day pause on the issuance of export licenses for firearms, ammunition, and certain accessories to most overseas markets. This unprecedented move is the latest chapter in the Biden administration\u2019s hostility towards America\u2019s firearms industry.\n\nThe letter notes the impact this pause could have on U.S. commercial and economic interests, which, according to the firearms and ammunition industry, would directly cost at least $89 million for the 90-day pause and at least $238 million annually should the pause become permanent.\n\nThe senators are demanding a response to their inquiry by no later than November 30.\n\nJoining Sens. Johnson and Budd are Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), and Senators John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Risch (R-Ind.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), John Kennedy (R-La.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rand Paul, M.D. (R-Ky.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-to-hhs-sec-becerra-and-inspector-general-grimm-niaid-official-s-actions-may-have-directly-obstructed-my-oversight-efforts", "Sen. Johnson to HHS Sec. Becerra and Inspector General Grimm: NIAID Official\u2019s Actions May Have Directly Obstructed My Oversight Efforts", "2023-11-16", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent letters to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sec. Xavier Becerra and HHS Inspector General Christi Grimm revealing a recently obtained email apparently showing a concerted effort led by Dr. David Morens, a senior scientific advisor at the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), to circumvent federal record keeping laws and avoid producing responsive documents to congressional requests including the senator\u2019s own request from June 2021.\n\nIn the letters, the senator included the text of Dr. Morens\u2019 June 17, 2021 email that he sent from his Gmail account to ten individuals he referred to as his American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH) \u201ccolleagues.\u201d In that email with the subject line, \u201cCONFIDENTIAL WITHIN OUR SMALL GROUP, PLEASE,\u201d Dr. Morens attached a June 11, 2021 letter Sen. Johnson and four other senators sent to Sec. Becerra and then-National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins requesting documents related to the origins of COVID-19.\n\nDr. Morens, who at the time reported to Dr. Anthony Fauci, summarized the requests relating to COVID-19 origins, and then informed his colleagues he has retained \u201cvery few\u201d records on \u201cthese matters\u201d and reiterated his preference that \u201ccorrespondence on sensitive issues be sent to [him] at [his] gmail [sic] address[.]\u201d Dr. Morens\u2019 complete email is copied below:\n\nSen. Johnson wrote, \u201cit appears that Dr. Morens may have intentionally deleted or destroyed records relating to the origins of COVID-19 given his admission that he has \u2018retained very few emails or documents on these matters.\u2019 Further, Dr. Morens\u2019 stated preference to receive correspondence on \u2018sensitive issues\u2019 through Gmail shows an apparent evasion of federal record keeping requirements and a complete disregard for transparency.\u201d\n\nThe senator added, \u201cDr. Morens\u2019 apparent actions may have directly obstructed my oversight efforts. . . . [I]n light of the information I recently obtained regarding Dr. Morens\u2019 efforts to hinder HHS\u2019s response to my June 11, 2021 letter, I am deeply concerned that HHS officials may have intentionally removed or destroyed responsive records on the origins of COVID-19 or on other aspects of the pandemic.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson requested Dr. Morens appear before his Subcommittee staff for an interview and also called on Sec. Becerra to immediately provide complete responses to his June 11, 2021 letter and the March 31, 2023 follow-up letter by December 6, 2023.\n\nAdditionally, Sen. Johnson reiterated his August 14, 2023 request to HHS Inspector General Grimm to investigate Dr. Morens\u2019 apparent violations of federal record keeping requirements and potential obstruction of congressional requests.\n\nRead more about the senator\u2019s November 15, 2023 letters to Sec. Becerra and Inspector General Grimm in the New York Post.\n\nThe full letter to HHS can be found here and the letter to the Office of the Inspector General can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-pettersen-s-bill-to-cut-off-iran-s-ability-to-fund-hamas-advances-through-house-financial-services-committee", "Steil, Pettersen\u2019s Bill to Cut Off Iran\u2019s Ability to Fund Hamas Advances Through House Financial Services Committee", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. (November 15, 2023) - Yesterday, the House Financial Services Committee passed Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen\u2019s (CO-07) the End Financing for Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (H.R. 6632). This legislation will disrupt the ability of Hamas to fund terrorism and violence. It will also make it harder for state sponsors of terrorism, like Iran, to abuse International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources to finance terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.\n\n\"Iran has a central role in funding Hamas and other terrorist groups that seek to destroy Israel, kill Jews, and attack American personnel throughout the region. This underscores the urgent need to use every financial tool in our box to deny the largest state sponsor of terrorism revenue,\u201d said Steil. \u201cThis bill will weaken Iran's ability to continue to fund violent extremists like Hamas and Hezbollah and ensure atrocities like what we witnessed on October 7 never happen again.\u201d\n\nThe End Financing for Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act prohibits the U.S. Treasury Department from using the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) to exchange Special Drawing Rights (SDR) with or to benefit a state sponsor of terrorism. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to work with the Group of Seven (G7) to develop a strategy to ensure Hamas is incapable of financing armed hostilities against Israel.\n\n\"We know that Iran is facilitating terrorism, including the Hamas organization that launched a ruthless attack against Israel and continues to perpetuate unspeakably brutal attacks against innocent civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian. This bipartisan legislation sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the financing of terrorism, particularly by state sponsors like Iran,\u201d said Pettersen. \u201cWe must crack down on these financing schemes and this bill is an important step to keep funding from international financial institutions out of the wrong hands.\u201d\n\nNOTE: The End Financing for Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act could now move to the House Floor for a vote.\n\nCLICK HERE to read the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tiffany-votes-against-status-quo-spending-measure", "Rep. Tiffany Votes Against \u201cStatus Quo\u201d Spending Measure", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 6363.\n\n\u201cI did not come to Congress to continue the failed status quo of excessive spending. Credit rating agencies are warning that America is in financial trouble \u2013 it\u2019s time for Washington to wake up and start making the same kind of tough choices Wisconsin families and small businesses have to make every single day.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/icymi-sen-johnson-joins-house-of-representatives-panel-on-injuries-caused-by-covid-19-vaccines", "ICYMI: Sen. Johnson Joins House of Representatives Panel on Injuries Caused by COVID-19 Vaccines", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), and seven of her House GOP colleagues, in a hearing titled Injuries Caused by COVID-19 Vaccines which explored potential links between COVID-19 vaccination and adverse events including myocarditis, pericarditis, blood clots, neurological damage, cardiac arrest, miscarriages, fertility issues, and more. The panel heard witness testimony on vaccine adverse events from medical experts Dr. Robert Malone and Dr. Kimberly Biss and also heard from attorney Thomas Renz who represented Department of Defense (DOD) whistleblowers who revealed increases in medical diagnoses among service members registered in a DOD database.\n\nThe senator discussed how U.S. public health agencies, including DOD, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lack transparency regarding the COVID-19 vaccines and have failed to provide complete responses to many of the 60 public oversight letters the senator has sent. The senator also displayed his censored drug adverse event comparison chart showing the worldwide totals of about 1.6 million adverse events and 36,501 deaths associated with the COVID-19 vaccines. Sen. Johnson has held four roundtable (May 6, 2020, January 24, 2022, August 3, 2022, and December 7, 2022) events on COVID-19 early treatment and vaccine safety with world-renowned doctors and medical experts since May 2020.\n\nSen. Johnson\u2019s panel remarks can be found here. Excerpts can be found below:\n\nOpening remarks on federal health agency oversight and COVID-19 vaccine adverse events\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cI put on our first event in June of 2021 in Milwaukee to just allow five vaccine-injured individuals to tell their story. My hope was that the media would show some ounce of sympathy for their plight. That didn't happen. I've held a number of other public events like you're doing here today and always the focus has been on the vaccine injured because they deserve to be seen and heard and believed because they deserve treatment. No matter what percent of doses result in an injury, we can't ignore the plight of the vaccine injury. So, again, I really appreciate you doing this. I do have a chart that's been censored a number of times. I don\u2019t know if they can get up behind me. This is CDC and FDA's own numbers. And yet, you know, through all the social media censorship directed by, unconstitutionally directed by, the Biden administration, people just don't want to see this. But these are the true numbers. The first five drugs that are listed here, this is over 28 years of reporting on the VAERS system and the FAERS system, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System, you can see ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine are pretty safe drugs as is dexamethasone, the two drugs below\u2014this is since the COVID pandemic\u2014remdesivir and the COVID vaccines. Now, I don't know how anybody can take a look at our response to COVID and not claim it was anything but a miserable failure; we\u2019re 4% of the world's population we experienced supposedly 16% of the deaths. The VAERS system on the COVID vaccines alone: 1.6 million adverse events, 36,501 deaths. Now, these are worldwide figures which are a little bit different than what you're showing in terms of U.S. figures. These are worldwide deaths. It's important to point out, though, of those, of that 36,501 deaths, 8,923 deaths occurred either on the day of vaccination or within day one or two. Now, there's always two complaints about the VAERS system. One, it doesn't prove causality, which is true, but when you have that correlation of 24.4% of the deaths occurring day zero, one, or two, it certainly is a correlation I would be concerned about, and I'm just not quite sure why the FDA, CDC, NIH are not concerned about or the general medical community. I do want to just quickly, and I'll do this quickly, talk about the oversight letters I've written trying to get this information during most of my public events, I always invited the heads of the representatives of the federal health agencies or Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson to come and discuss this with people like Dr. Malone, Peter McCullough, and the other experts I've had in my panels. They've never shown up. We had Dr. Peter Hotez, a real vaccine proponent, turned down, I think it's up to $2.6 million donation, to his charity just to debate a lawyer about medical, you know, RFK Jr.; he won't do it. That tells you something. But what also is pretty revealing is in the 60 oversight letters I've written to the FDA, the CDC, the Department of Defense, the NIH, some aspect of COVID, I've virtually gotten no response. I just want to talk about three general efforts. The first I want to talk about is the standard operating procedure that the FDA, CDC issued on how they were going to analyze their safety surveillance systems. So I first wrote a letter in June of 2022 because the CDC was nonresponsive to a Freedom of Information Act asking for those documents, the proportional reporting ratios that the analysis they're going to do, and then eventually the empirical Bayesian analysis. They didn't respond. Then we found out that, again, they weren't going to be doing PRR, they were going to be doing a Bayesian analysis, that was the FDA was going to do that, not the CDC. So its bottom line, cut to the chase here. It's been over a year and a half since I first tried to get that analysis of their own safety surveillance system, and they won't show it to us. You have to ask the question \u2018why?\u2019 Again, this is information the American public has a right to know. These are public servants, but they are so arrogant that they believe that they're not accountable to the American people, that they don't have to respond to congressional oversight. The other effort was regarding hot lots. This was pointed out by a fellow named Craig Paardekooper and Jessica Rose. There was 1 lot of Moderna had 5,297 adverse events reported to the VAERS system. This goes back to December 3rd, 2021. So the first year 1 lot had 5,297 adverse events reported. The worst flu vaccine lot ever reported had 137. There were 256 different lots of the vaccines in total, they had more than 500 adverse events reported and yet the response I get from the CDC or the FDA is even though you show them the data they write back, say \u2018FDA\u2019s analysis of counts of serious adverse events reported by COVID 19 vaccine lot numbers showed no unusual concentration reports of a single lot or small group of lots.\u2019 So again, they are just willfully blind. With impunity they just say \u2018we see nothing here, so quit asking questions.\u2019 The last attempt was my 60th oversight letter, and this had to do with an FDA-funded, and now I found out it's an FDA-conducted study, that concluded, the study found statistically significant signals for myocarditis and pericarditis, but also in the primary analysis, seizures, convulsions, met the statistical threshold for a signal in children age two to four years following Pfizer vaccination, all three databases and in children age two to five following Moderna vaccination. Now, the reason I'm pointing this out is this is, again, not only funded but conducted by senior FDA officials. The results were, they concluded the data collection in April of 2023. They issued on, September 12th, 2023 after an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. They advise that every American six months and up get these vaccines, even though they conduct a study, the data being collected ended in April that it has signals for myocarditis, pericarditis, and seizures. They didn't publish a report until a month after the committee recommended the immunization. What is going on here? So again, when you cannot get information that the American public deserves, when people don't show up for events like this and just be willing to engage in discussion or debate with eminently qualified doctors and vaccine experts, all they do instead is. they denigrate they vilify, they try and destroy their careers. Something's not right. Something smells to high heaven.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson questions Dr. Robert Malone on COVID-19 vaccine toxicity\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cYou know, those few members who did show up, you're not going to get a lot of accolades for doing this. It's pretty lonely in the Senate. Pretty lonely in the House to, to be asking these questions, which I think is its own travesty. Dr. Malone, in our event about 12 months ago, on December 7th, that was billed as \u2018What is in the vaccine? How does it work? How it would cause injury?\u2019 I still don't think we got nailed down, that nailed down asmuch as I wanted to. It's certainly been described to me in layman's terms that you've got this lipid nanoparticle, bio-distributes all over the body. It injects this modified mRNA that lasts a lot longer in the body than it was supposed to. Now, you said something earlier that is slightly different from what I've heard. I've heard is it gets injected into the cell, it juices the mitochondria to produce the energy, to produce and express the spike protein, andthen the body attacks the spike protein, because it's a foreign body, it's toxic, and that creates inflammation, that's what myocarditis is. So that's my layman term of what happened. Can you accurately describe \u2013 again, we don't we don't exactly know what's in these, you know, this gene therapy, but how is, how does it operate and how could itcause these injuries?\u201d\n\nDr. Robert Malone: \u201cSo the injuries are so widespread and many of them can be\u2026\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cLet me just add, we're hearing this, these turbo cancers.\u201d\n\nDr. Robert Malone: \u201cYes.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cAgain, if, if all of a sudden you're juicing the mitochondria of a cancer cell, again, as a layman, that would be concerning. So take it away.\u201d\n\nDr. Robert Malone: \u201cI think you're conflating two trains of research, the activation of mitochondrial metabolism and \u2013 which is the mitochondria are these energy sources that are within our cells. You can think of them as the Tesla battery for your cells. They are impacted in some way that's not clear by the nature of the composition of the material, and that, that's what's observed that as you administer the material to cells, you observe this alteration in mitochondrial function. The part that \u2013 mitochondria are not directly involved in producing protein, those areribosomes, and functionally what happens here is that this large molecule, I call it a string of pearls, the modified messenger RNA moves into the white part of the egg, the cytoplasm of the cell, and gets loaded on to these protein manufacturing machines that we call ribosomes. They do consume energy in order to make proteins, but it's those ribosomes that do the business. In terms of what could be causing the turbo cancers, certainly the modification of metabolism, which is what you're talking about, the energy generating part of the cell can contribute to that becausecancer cells are already kind of predisposed and off-the-rails in terms of their regular control. However, what we have learned recently, and this is literally just recently now, there's over a dozen labs that have confirmed it, and it's beenconfirmed by, as I mentioned, the European Medicines Agency, Health Canada, and the FDA is that we have these short DNA fragments. Now, science in the real world is a situation where we have constantly evolving understanding of a complex system, and in that evolving understanding, we often have situations where we find that things are caused by many phenomena, all acting at the same time. It is well established that DNA fragments will cause what's called insertional mutagenesis. They will stick themselves into the DNA of those cells that receive them. Short DNAfragments are particularly prone to this. It has been a topic of great concern by the FDA historically. They have basically parked those concerns and not done the types of studies that they would normally have done in the past for similar systems, but this type of insertion of genetic material into your chromosomes, and, by the way, this because asthe doctor will, I think, concur these particles are also shown to cross the placenta and so there's germ cells there in the fetus. There's germ cells throughout your body, like in your bone marrow, and then there's cells that are not stem cells \u2013 I should say stem cells, not germ cells. There are stem cells throughout your body, but many cell types thataren't. If you have integration or or DNA disruption of your regular cells in your body, that can lead to cancer, but if you have disruption in particularly many of these stem cell types, that is even more prone to cancers, including bloodcancers, which is among--among the profile of tumors that we're observing that are caused, that are associated with this turbo cancer. We have leukemias and lymphomas. So I think that it \u2013 I speculate that what we may find is that the incidence, the cancer risk here may be partially attributed to these DNA contaminations that would be consistent with the peer-reviewed literature. And by the way, these DNA fragments may also be shown to contribute to geneticanomalies in fetus, which is one of the most prominent causes of premature abortion. Do we agree on that? So I think that this question you've asked is touching on an evolving understanding or area of investigation that should havebeen well known, and previously, under FDA policy, would have been well investigated. We call this genotoxicity andinsertion of mutagenesis studies that were not performed.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cSo I probably made a mistake concentrating on turbo. I really wanted to know, the harm to the lining ofthe arteries, the, you know, what's doing neurologically \u2013 so many of the women have neurological \u2013 myocarditis, what\u2019s causing that?\u201d\n\nDr. Robert Malone: \u201cOkay, so we \u2013 what I can say definitively is that every aspect of these particles has a toxicity. The modified messenger RNA is intrinsically immunosuppressive. That's why it's been modified. It's been modified to be immunosuppressive. So the mRNA has intrinsic toxicity associated with it. This is what Karik\u00f3 and Weissman got the Nobel Prize for was making it less toxic by making it anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive. The lipidic components, the particles themselves are intrinsically toxic. This has long been known. It is the reason why I abandoned the technology. They're highly inflammatory. They destroy cells. When you use this in experimentation, you have to carefully monitor the dose that you administer and you basically administer up to a toxic dose in which you're still killing a large number of cells because it is membrane active, it disrupts membrane integrity. When youlose membrane integrity, cells die. Okay, so the RNA component is toxic. The formulations themselves are toxic. That's well documented. And then the payload, the thing that they are producing, the spike protein, this is, as I mentioned, one of the things that I was ridiculed for saying so long ago, but in fact the spike protein is a toxin that is now well established in the scientific literature, and I think there's wide consensus on that. The cardiovascular effects that you're talking about may also include a component of autoimmune disease that is elicited by the complex themselves,potentially binding to other proteins there. This is, the immunotoxicity is one explanation that many use for the cardiotoxicity. This autoimmune problem is a known complication, for instance, of the smallpox vaccines. The DOD dealt with that for decades, but the problem with that theory is that you observe the cardiotoxicity within hours to days. So you can observe the release of enzymes that are specific for damaged heart cells starting within hours ofwhen the injections are provided, and data suggests that it may be up to half of people that are receiving these have some degree of cardiac damage based on these enzyme releases. So there's direct toxicity, there's indirect toxicity,there is autoimmune disease, there is toxicity from the particles, there's toxicity from the proteins, there's toxicity from the mRNA. It's all a big mess.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cSo, there is independent research looking into these things, but it's not coming out of it's not beingdirected by the CDC, the FDA and the NIH, by and large, correct?\u201d\n\nDr. Robert Malone: \u201cBy and large, and I've provided to Ms. Greene and her aides a library of thousands of peer-reviewed references with or without the abstract that I've requested they put into the record for this meeting that anyone can search now, peer-reviewed, published references of thousands of papers covering these adverse events. So, it's coming in from all over the world, and I\u2019ve attempted to aggregate them for purposes of this committee.\u201d\n\nClosing remarks\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cSo, my final comment, I really do appreciate you allowing me to be a part of this. Earlier on I said there are two problems with VAERS complaints: doesn't prove causality, it generally, dramatically understates by only 1%, 10% we don't really know. It dramatically understates the number of adverse events. So, again, I really can't thank you enough for holding this. Thank you for, you know, exposing yourselves to public scrutiny and vilification, because that's basically what you're going to get. We've got to get to the bottom of this. So thank you.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-joins-sen-peters-in-bipartisan-legislation-recognizing-the-service-of-hmong-veterans-during-vietnam-war", "Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Peters in Bipartisan Legislation Recognizing the Service of Hmong Veterans During Vietnam War", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Thursday, U.S. Sen Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) in introducing bipartisan legislation\u2014the Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act\u2014to recognize the distinguished service of the Hmong veterans who served alongside American troops in the Vietnam War by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal.\n\nAs the Vietnam War spread south and west into Laos, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) recruited and trained Hmong men to help American troops fight back against the communist North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao. At great risk to the safety of themselves and their families, Hmong soldiers fought the ground war, flew combat missions, gathered intelligence on North Vietnamese troop movements, interrupted the Ho-Chi-Min Supply Trail, and rescued American pilots downed behind enemy lines. The Hmong people suffered heavy casualties, and their soldiers died at a rate ten times as high as that of American soldiers in Vietnam.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m happy to lead with Senator Peters to ensure the Hmong people get the recognition they deserve for their dedication to the fight against communism,\u201d Sen. Johnson said. \u201cWisconsin is proud to be home to so many brave individuals who are dedicated to liberty and freedom and opposed to government tyranny.\u201d\n\nFollowing the war, many Hmong were displaced from their villages as they were either bombed or burned down by the North Vietnamese and over 150,000 Hmong fled Laos when the nation fell to communist forces in 1975. Due to their ties with the American military, many Hmong came to the United States as refugees to start a new life. Over the ensuing decades, Hmong populations and their traditions have become engrained in communities in Wisconsin and across the United States. Currently, there are over 327,000 Hmong living in the United States, including approximately 58,000 in Wisconsin.\n\nSens. Johnson and Peters are joined on this legislation by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-supports-government-funding-measure", "Van Orden Supports Government Funding Measure", "2023-11-14", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) voted to pass H.R. 6363 \u2013 Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act.\n\n\u201cWhen I voted to keep the government open in September, I vowed to work with my colleagues in good faith to find a path forward to responsibly fund our government while supporting the needs of my constituents,\u201d said Rep. Van Orden. \u201cUnfortunately, many of my colleagues did not make such a pledge and instead decided to further delay the appropriations process, forcing the House to remain in gridlock.\u201d\n\n\u201cSo, once again, today, I voted to keep our government open and support our farmers, veterans, and troops. We must cut wasteful spending in Washington. Passing this funding extension bill will give Congress the time to do so while maintaining the operation of our government.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffanys-resolution-end-one-china-policy-expand-diplomatic-economic-ties", "Tiffany\u2019s Resolution to End \u201cOne China Policy,\u201d Expand Diplomatic, Economic Ties with Taiwan Reaches Important Milestone", "2023-11-13", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Aresolution that Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) introduced to resume formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and end the outdated, counter-productive, and dishonest \u201cOne China Policy\u201d now has the support of 50 House Republicans. This milestone shows the growing support in Congress to recognize Taiwan as a free, democratic, and independent country.\n\n\u201cIt is long past time for U.S. policy to reflect the objective reality that Taiwan has never been under the control of the People\u2019s Republic of China or part of its territory for even a single day,\u201dsaid Congressman Tiffany.\u201cThis important milestone shows that momentum is growing to turn the page on this failed 1970s-era policy.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe U.S. maintained normal diplomatic relations with the government in Taiwan until 1979 when then-President Jimmy Carter abruptly cut off formal ties with Taipei and recognized the Communist regime in Beijing.\n\nLawmakers responded by approving the bipartisan Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the cornerstone of continued U.S. ties with the island. President Reagan upgraded the relationship during his term with the \u201cSix Assurances,\u201d which made clear that the United States, which has never accepted Communist China\u2019s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, \u201chas not altered its position.\u201d\n\nDespite the TRA and the \"Six Assurances,\" the U.S. still lacks formal ties with Taiwan, inexplicably treating the island's democratically elected government the same way it treats brutal regimes in North Korea and Iran from a diplomatic perspective \u2013 and in a category worse than that of Cuba's dictatorship, which President Obama and Vice President Biden recognized during their second term.\n\nIn the 116th Congress (2019-2020), Congressman Tiffany\u2019s legislationhad just one cosponsor. This Congress, it has already grown to50 cosponsors.\n\nThe full text of Congressman Tiffany\u2019s resolution is availablehere. You can also read morehere.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-ordens-warrior-call-resolution-passes-house", "Van Orden\u2019s Warrior Call Resolution Passes House", "2023-11-13", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) applauded the passage of his bipartisan Warrior Call Resolution, which encourages Americans to connect with members of the Armed Forces and veterans to provide support and promote mental health treatment and solutions.\n\n\u201cOur warfighters face incredible challenges during their time of service,\u201d said Rep. Van Orden. \u201cOftentimes, what they experience in combat follows them back home and takes a troubling toll on their mental health and overall well-being. I am very proud to have this resolution pass the House so our nation\u2019s heroes know that they do not have to fight these battles alone.\u201d\n\nQuote from Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49): \u201cVeterans returning to civilian life face difficult challenges that increasingly make them feel disconnected and isolated from their communities. It is up to all of us, as neighbors and fellow Americans, to extend a helping hand to these heroic warriors and assist them with accessing services they need. I\u2019m proud to co-sponsor Rep. Van Orden\u2019s resolution asking Americans to support servicemembers and veterans and connect them to available resources in their communities. We must all do our part.\u201d\n\nQuote from Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01): \u201cVeterans sacrifice so much to defend our freedom and security around the world. When they return home from answering the call of duty, it\u2019s important they are connected to a support network. This resolution serves as a reminder to take the time to have honest conversations and help those who have served.\u201d\n\nPrior to its passage, Rep. Van Orden spoke on the House Floor in support of the Warrior Call Resolution. Click here to watch his remarks.\n\nRep. Van Orden\u2019s remarks, as prepared for delivery:\n\nMr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H. Res 848, urging all Americans, especially those who've worn the uniform, to reach out and connect with a fellow warrior.\n\nIn my 26 years of service, 22 of which I spent as a Navy SEAL, I have forged unbreakable bonds that only those who have served can truly understand. These bonds are not predicated on politics, that based in service over self. I don\u2019t recall ever asking one of my fellow service members what party they were affiliated with, I only asked them if they could perform the duties expected of them.\n\nDuring my service I bore witness the greatest virtues that can be attributed to the human condition and also the profound sense of sorrow when we lose one of our own.\n\nAmong those we've lost is my friend and Teammate, Navy SEAL Ryan Larkin, who tragically took his life on April 23, 2017.\n\nRyan's story speaks to the silent battles faced by many servicemembers and veterans.\n\nOut of the darkness that is Ryan\u2019s loss, the Warrior Call Resolution was born. It was inspired by Ryan's father, Frank Larkin, a former Navy SEAL and the 40th Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate. His sincere wish is that no parent, spouse, friend, or teammate should ever again have to experience the loss of a loved one due to suicide. This resolution reflects the ongoing need to support those who grapple with isolation and mental health challenges.\n\nEvery year, our nation sets aside a day for the men and women who gave their lives for freedom, Memorial Day, those that previously defended our freedoms, Veterans Day, and those that are currently defending our freedoms, Armed Forces Day.\n\nThis resolution serves a different purpose. It pays tribute to those we lost by trying to prevent those who have come through the crucible of service from taking their own lives.\n\nEvery day over 20 veterans commit suicide. We have lost more veterans to suicide in the last 10 years than the cumulative total of combat losses members in the Vietnam War. We are doing something wrong and it is time for a change.\n\nPreventing veteran suicide is my number legislative priority as the Chairman of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the Veteran Affairs committee, and I am thankful for my fellow members from both sides of the aisle and Ranking Member Levin for showing such commitment to this noble cause.\n\nWe know that one of the first outward signs of suicidal ideation is self-isolation. That is why it is so critical our veterans are involved with our Veterans Service Organizations and the VA itself.\n\nBut not all Americans have access to VSO or the VA, and this resolution empowers them to help end the scourge that is veteran suicide by simply picking up the phone and checking in with a Warrior they have in their life \u2013 whether it\u2019s a brother, friend, or neighbor \u2013 and have an honest conversation with them.\n\nLet them know that they are important to you and that you truly do value their sacrifice.\n\nIt puts meaning behind, \u201cthank you for your service\u201d.\n\nI acknowledge there is a lot more work to be done at VA, with the Transition Assistance Program, and how medical and mental health services are provided. We are working on those, they just take time.\n\nBut this is something we can do now.\n\nIf we can put aside our differences and understand that by passing this resolution, we can save even a single veteran\u2019s life, then all of the time we spend here arguing with each other just may be worth it.\n\nI urge all members to support my resolution to recognize the selfless gift these individuals have given us.\n\nWith that, I yield back.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-pettersen-introduce-legislation-to-end-financing-for-hamas-and-state-sponsors-of-terrorism", "Steil, Pettersen Introduce Legislation to End Financing for Hamas and  State Sponsors of Terrorism", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. (November 9, 2023) - Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) today introduced the End Financing for Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (H.R. 6632). This legislation will disrupt the ability of Hamas to fund terrorism and violence. It will also make it harder for state sponsors of terrorism, like Iran, to abuse International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources to finance terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.\n\nThe End Financing for Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act prohibits the U.S. Treasury Department from using the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) to exchange Special Drawing Rights (SDR) with or to benefit a state sponsor of terrorism. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to work with the Group of Seven (G7) to develop a strategy to ensure Hamas is incapable of financing armed hostilities against Israel.\n\n\"Iran has a central role in funding Hamas and other terrorist groups that seek to destroy Israel, kill Jews, and attack American personnel throughout the region. This underscores the urgent need to use every financial tool in our box to deny the largest state sponsor of terrorism revenue,\u201d said Steil. \u201cThis bill will weaken Iran's ability to continue to fund violent extremists like Hamas and Hezbollah and ensure atrocities like what we witnessed on October 7 never happen again.\u201d\n\nNOTE: The House Financial Services Committee announced the End Financing for Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act will be marked up by the full committee next week.\n\nCLICK HERE to read the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3716", "Grothman\u2019s Bill to Lower Costs for Cancer Patients", "2023-11-08", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Representatives Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Joe Morelle (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Brian Higgins (D-NY), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) have co-lead the introduction of the Cancer Drug Parity Act. This bill lowers costs for cancer patients prescribed oral medications by requiring that health insurers provide coverage for oral cancer treatments that is equivalent to conventional intravenous (IV) treatments.\n\nEvery year, approximately two million Americans are projected to receive a cancer diagnosis. For cancer patients, oral cancer treatments have proven to be a game-changer because they can be administered in the patient\u2019s own home and are overall less intrusive than IV treatments. Despite their proven success and reliability, oral medications have proved costly for patients. A study of patients prescribed oral cancer medications found that one in eight faced copayments of $2,000 or more for their first prescription.\n\n\u201cEvery American deserves the most effective cancer treatments available at the most affordable cost,\u201d said Grothman. \u201cAs oral medications increase in popularity among cancer patients, we cannot allow outdated health insurance plans to prevent patients from opting for their preferred method of treatment.\n\n\u201cI am glad both sides of the aisle have come together to lower costs for patients taking oral medications. Increased access to treatment, along with parity in the cancer drug marketplace, will improve patients\u2019 well-being and help save lives.\u201d\n\n\"Cancer patients should have access to whichever treatment gives them the best chance to fully recover. Technological advancements are improving patient outcomes while minimizing side effects. Patients deserve to benefit from these advancements. This important bill addresses this problem and enables patients to keep their primary focus on getting well,\" said Bilirakis.\n\n\u201cOral cancer treatments are an effective option for many patients and can allow for care at home and better disease management,\u201d said Bonamici. \u201cUnlike traditional IV treatments, oral chemotherapy is typically not covered by health insurance plans, leading to high costs and unaffordable co-payments for patients. I\u2019m glad to join my colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act to level the playing field for cancer patients and expand access to lifechanging cancer treatments.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is expected that two million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023 alone,\u201d said Fitzpatrick. \u201cI am proud to join my colleagues in leading the bipartisan Cancer Drug Parity Act to expand parity protections for cancer patients who previously could not afford these lifesaving treatments.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Cancer Drug Parity Act is a crucial step in ensuring health insurance coverage evolves alongside the remarkable advancements in cancer treatment,\u201d said Morelle. \u201cBy bridging the gap between outdated technology and cutting-edge therapies, this act empowers patients to access the best care available. I\u2019m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in prioritizing the well-being of individuals battling cancer\u2014offering hope and relief when they need it most.\u201d\n\n\u201cA cancer diagnosis is tough on any family and patients deserve to focus on receiving the best treatments without worrying about the cost,\u201d said Higgins. \u201cAs Co-Chair of the House Cancer Caucus I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting the bipartisan Cancer Drug Parity Act. Advancements in cancer care, like oral treatments, shouldn\u2019t place a greater financial burden on patients and families. Together we are making cancer care more affordable, accessible, and manageable, which will ultimately save lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs oral cancer medications continue to increase in number, affordable access to these less intrusive treatments is crucial to ensure the best possible care,\u201d said Matsui. \u201cFamilies and patients battling cancer should never have to forgo treatment or necessary care because of crippling costs. The bipartisan Cancer Drug Parity Act would end the disparity in coverage for oral treatments \u2013 putting power back in the hands of patients and providers to determine the best path to recovery.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs leaders of the Coalition to Improve Access to Cancer Care (CIACC), the International Myeloma Foundation proudly endorses the Cancer Drug Parity Act. This crucial piece of legislation would mark a significant stride towards increased access to life-saving treatments, particularly for patients reliant on orally administered anticancer treatments. By eliminating financial barriers, this act empowers individuals battling cancer and their healthcare providers to make informed treatment decisions without undue financial strain. It is imperative that we prioritize affordability and equal access to all forms of anticancer treatments chemotherapy, and the Cancer Drug Parity Act is a pivotal step towards achieving this goal,\u201d said the International Myeloma Foundation.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re thankful to Congressman Grothman for spearheading lifesaving policy that, for many patients, would equalize out-of-pocket costs for cancer drugs, whether they\u2019re taken orally or delivered intravenously,\u201d said Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. \u201cMany new chemotherapies such as those in pill form can be easier to tolerate for patients and allow many to have a better quality of life. Ensuring health insurance plans cover cancer treatment at an affordable cost, regardless of how it\u2019s administered, is key to ensuring access to the most innovative therapies for patients across the country.\u201d\n\nBackground Information\n\nOral chemotherapy is becoming more common for many types of cancer, however, health insurance coverage for different types of cancer treatments is not uniform.\n\nUnder current law, traditional IV/injectable treatments are routinely covered under the medical benefit component of a health insurance plan, while orally administered anti-cancer medications are generally covered under the prescription drug component, which often results in a considerable disparity in cost and leaving patients responsible for paying high and often unaffordable copays.\n\nThis legislation accounts for the advancements in oral cancer treatments by prohibiting insurance companies from imposing pricier copayments on cancer patients compared to IV treatments.\n\nMore than 40 states, including Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia have enacted \u201coral parity\u201d laws, which prevent health plans from creating separate cost-sharing requirements for oral versus IV cancer medicines. These laws have made a significant difference for those suffering from cancer. For example, an analysis of health plan claims from 2008 to 2017 found that the proportion of multiple myeloma patients initially charged $0 for oral medications nearly quintupled, rising from 11 percent to 49 percent, with the enactment of oral parity laws.\n\nThe Cancer Drug Parity Act will build on the success of state-level efforts to cancer patients whose health insurance is regulated at the federal level. The key provisions of the legislation include:\n\n\u00b7 Expanding oral parity protections to privately-insured patients under federal regulation.\n\n\u00b7 Preventing insurers from covering oral and self-administered medicines at different cost-sharing rates than IV chemotherapy.\n\n\u00b7 Implementing these requirements for health plans that already cover both oral and IV chemotherapy treatments.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-announces-united-states-service-academy-nominations-0", "Tiffany Announces United States Service Academy Nominations", "2023-11-08", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WAUSAU, WI \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) announced eleven students from Wisconsin's Seventh District who were nominated to a U.S. service academy. All high school students who wish to serve in our nation\u2019s military service academies are required to receive a nomination from at least one member of their state\u2019s Congressional Delegation, the Vice President, or the President of the United States.\n\n\u201cIt is my honor to nominate these eleven dedicated and determined high school students to their desired United States service academies,\u201dsaid Congressman Tom Tiffany. \u201cTheir willingness to step up and answer the call to defend our great nation is admirable, and I want to congratulate each and every one of them on receiving my nomination.\u201d\n\nThe following students received a nomination to a U.S. service academy:\n\nUnited States Military Academy West Point\n\nBennett Hatfield of Hudson, WI \u2013 Hudson High School\n\nGabriel Goldbach of Weston, WI \u2013 DC Everest High School*\n\nLucas Sydlewski of Houlton, WI \u2013 Missouri Military Academy (MO)\n\nTucker Galindo of Ladysmith, WI \u2013 Ladysmith High School*\n\nWilliam Schorr of Superior, WI \u2013 Superior High School\n\nUnited States Air Force Academy\n\nGabriel Goldbach of Weston, WI \u2013 DC Everest High School*\n\nLevi Black of Merrill, WI \u2013 Merrill High School\n\nSloan Snedden of Eagle River, WI \u2013 Northland Pines High School\n\nTucker Galindo of Ladysmith, WI \u2013 Ladysmith High School*\n\nWilliam King of Frederic, WI \u2013 Frederic 6-12 School\n\nUnited States Naval Academy\n\nHayden Bergman of Hudson, WI \u2013 Hudson High School*\n\nPatrick Cunningham of River Falls, WI \u2013 St. Thomas Academy (MN)\n\nWarren Thompson of Hayward, WI \u2013 Hayward High School\n\nUnited States Merchant Marine Academy\n\nHayden Bergman of Hudson, WI \u2013 Hudson High School*\n\n*Nominated to two service academies\n\nStudents who received a nomination to a U.S. service academy must also receive an offer of admission into an academy. If admitted, they will be extended the distinct honor of earning a four-year university education with the commitment of serving in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.\n\nThe U.S. Coast Guard Academy manages its own selection process and does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. This year\u2019s nominees were selected by a local panel of judges based on academic achievements, civic involvement, leadership skills, physical aptitude, and character through an interview process. For more information on Congressman Tiffany\u2019s service academy nominations, please visit his website.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3715", "Grothman\u2019s Bipartisan Hmong New Year Resolution", "2023-11-07", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06) has introduced H. Res. 801, a bipartisan resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Hmong New Year.\n\nGrothman is joined by Representatives Bryan Steil (R-WI), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Jim Costa (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA) Michelle Steel (R-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV) and Young Kim (R-CA).\n\n\u201cWisconsin is the state with the 3rd highest Hmong population and I am privileged to represent one of Wisconsin\u2019s largest Hmong communities. Each year, I attend the New Year celebrations in my district and am looking forward to attending them again this year in places like Oshkosh and Sheboygan,\u201d said Grothman. \u201cThese celebrations of thanksgiving are an honor to attend \u2013 the food, music, and dance make these festivals truly special events. The Hmong people will always be dear to my heart for the important role they played helping the United States fight communism in the Vietnam war. I am glad that both sides of the aisle have come together to recognize Hmong Americans\u2019 significant role in our communities and their pursuit of the American Dream.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Hmong New Year is a significant cultural tradition in Minnesota\u2019s Fourth District, which is home to our nation\u2019s largest Hmong population,\u201d said Congresswoman McCollum. \u201cWith this resolution, I join my Hmong neighbors and constituents in recognizing the holiday, giving thanks for the harvest, and celebrating the year to come.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Jacobs said, \u201cHmong New Year is celebrated across San Diego and I am proud to recognize this important holiday with my colleagues from both parties in this resolution. I join my Hmong neighbors in giving thanks and celebrating the year to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to join my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to recognize the cultural and historical significance of the upcoming Hmong New Year\u2014a time to honor their ancestors and give thanks for the harvest. I wish everyone who observes the holiday a safe and happy celebration,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald.\n\n\u201cHmong New Year is a joyous time to commemorate the end of harvest season and bring the community together. I am excited to join my constituents in celebrating this new beginning and the rich tradition of Hmong New Year,\u201d said Congresswoman Moore.\n\nCongressman Pocan added, \u201cThe annual Hmong New Year celebrations are a treasured part of Wisconsin\u2019s community and culture, and we welcome the opportunity to recognize this wonderful tradition. I am happy to support this resolution honoring the Hmong community in Wisconsin and nationwide.\u201d\n\n\u201cHmong New Year is one of the greatest and most valued traditions in our San Joaquin Valley. Each year, this celebration draws 100,000 people to honor the rich culture of the Hmong people and welcome the New Year. I am proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan resolution that recognizes the importance of Hmong heritage, and it\u2019s an honor to represent the Hmong community,\u201d said Congressman Costa.\n\nThe Hmong New Year is traditionally celebrated at the end of the rice harvest season in Laos and Southeast Asia in late November and early December. In the United States, the Hmong New Year traditions have carried over, occurring from October through December, and have become significant celebrations for Hmong Americans and many others.\n\nClick here to view Grothman floor remarks on the Hmong New Year.\n\nClick here for the full text of the resolution.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-presents-veteran-of-the-year-award-to-janesville-vietnam-war-veteran-al-pacheco", "Steil Presents Veteran of the Year Award to Janesville Vietnam War Veteran Al Pacheco", "2023-11-07", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Janesville, WI (November 7, 2023) - Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) yesterday presented Janesville veteran Sergeant Al Pacheco with the First Congressional District\u2019s 2023 Veteran of the Year Award.\n\nSergeant Pacheco served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Upon deployment, he was handpicked to serve in an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). During a convoy into Saigon, a bomb detonated beneath his APC. Despite being thrown out of the vehicle and losing consciousness, when Sgt. Pacheco awoke to heavy fire, he continued his fight against the enemy, disregarding his personal safety. For his sacrifices, Sgt. Pacheco was presented with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor.\n\nSgt. Pacheco\u2019s commitment to service and his fellow veterans has continued after his time in the military. He is widely recognized as a force for good in the veteran community where he dedicates his time to many veteran focused organizations. Sgt. Pacheco has made it his life's mission to be a soldier's solider - someone who any veteran can lean on at any time.\n\n\"Sergeant Pacheco\u2019s devotion to duty and country is unparalleled, and it was my honor to present him with the Veteran of the Year Award,\u201d said Steil. \u201cI know I speak for our entire community when I say thank you, Al, for your tremendous service to our country.\u201d\n\nNOTE: The recipient of this award was nominated by local Wisconsin citizens and selected by Wisconsin\u2019s First Congressional District\u2019s Veterans Advisory Board.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-statement-appropriations-legislative-branch-interior-and", "Fitzgerald Statement on Appropriations for the Legislative Branch & the Interior and Environment", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement following passage of appropriations for the Interior and Environment (H.R. 4821), and the Legislative Branch (H.R. 4364).\n\n\u201cIt was great to close out another productive week in the House with two additional appropriations bills passed for the Legislative Branch and the Interior and Environment\u2014both of which I voted yes on,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cNotably, the appropriations for the legislative branch boosts funding for Capitol Police officer recruitment, training, and retention, and prohibits funds from being spent on telecommunications equipment from China and other adversaries. Also, the Interior and Environment appropriations bill limits the abuse of the Endangered Species Act regarding species such as the gray wolf\u2014a big win for Wisconsin. The bill also claw-backs billions of dollars in wasteful spending on Biden-era climate justice programs.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-introduces-legislation-address-environmental-damage-public-lands", "Tiffany Introduces Legislation to Address the Environmental Damage on Public Lands from Illegals", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07), who chairs the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, introduced theTrash Reduction and Suppressing Harm from Environmental Degradation (TRASHED) at the Border Act to limit theenvironmental damage on federal lands from illegal aliens.\n\n\u201cHaving seen the litter of trash, clothes, and human waste on our federal borderlands firsthand, I can tell you that the environmental damage of President Biden\u2019s open border needs critical attention,\u201dsaid Congressman Tiffany. \u201cWhile the Biden administration turns a blind eye to the environmental consequences of illegal immigration, the TRASHED Border Act ensures there is greater transparency and accountability for illegals who litter on our public lands.\u201d\n\n\"The Biden border crisis is an unmitigated disaster, resulting in trash piled up in sensitive habitats and environmental degradation all along the southern border. I saw these alarming conditions firsthand when I visited the border last year, and they have deteriorated precipitously since. The Biden administration has refused to take action, and now Congress must step up to prevent further environmental degradation due to Biden\u2019s border crisis. The TRASHED Border Act will force the administration to fix the problem they created. Representative Tiffany has been a strong voice in this battle on the committee this Congress, and I commend him for his leadership on this issue and on the Federal Lands Subcommittee,\u201dsaid House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04).\n\nSpecifically, theTRASHED Border Act would require the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Interior to develop protocols to mitigate trash accumulation and the destruction of wildlife habitats along federal borderlands and sites associated with illegal immigration. Federal land managers must also report on the total amount of trash and environmental degradation caused by illegal border crossings.\n\nThis legislation also doubles fines and penalties for illegal immigrants who contribute to the environmental degradation of our federal borderlands.\n\nBackground:\n\nWith about40% of the land along the U.S.-Mexico border being federally managed, illegal immigrantsleave behind trash, including human waste, medical products,abandoned vehicles, and plastic. The illegal trash dumping, illegal trails created, and campfires started along the border threaten wildlife, destroy habitats, and attract disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes and flies. Human waste is also a growing problem that contaminates the drinking water of nearby residents and endangers crop production.\n\nIn fiscal year (FY) 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) provided data to the House Natural Resources Committee that found BLM district offices had to clean up 235 sites, collecting over 193 tons of garbage. It isalso estimated that each illegal immigrant will discard between 6 to 8 pounds of trash as they illegally cross the southern border.\n\nThe full text of theTRASHED Border Actcan be foundhere. You can also read morehere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-champions-clean-water-funding-wisconsins-third-district-fy24", "Van Orden Champions Clean Water Funding for Wisconsin\u2019s Third District in FY24 Interior Appropriations Bill", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) applauded the inclusion of two of his community project funding provisions in the FY24 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which passed the House today. The FY24 Interior Appropriations Bill will include $2 million for equipment to filter PFAS from drinking water in Eau Claire and $2 million for a new water system for the Town of Campbell in La Crosse.\n\n\u201cClean and safe drinking water for Wisconsin families should be a non-negotiable\u201dsaid Rep. Van Orden. \u201cUnfortunately, it has been too long since folks have been able to use the water in their own homes due to dangerously high PFAS levels. I am proud to have secured these important provisions for Eau Claire and the Town of Campbell in the FY24 Interior Appropriations Bill. Now, we can begin tackling our state\u2019s clean water crisis and get families the clean water they deserve.\u201d\n\nRep. Van Orden has joined multiple pieces of legislation to advance clean water efforts, including, but not limited to:\n\nCosponsored the PFAS Alternatives Act, which would authorize $25 million annually for each fiscal year between 2024 and 2028 to accelerate the development of PFAS-free turnout gear for firefighters, and an additional $2 million annually to support guidance and training for firefighters\n\nCosponsored the Healthy H2O Act, which would provide direct assistance to rural communities, households, and nonprofits to test their drinking water and fund filtration technology\n\nCosponsored the Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act, which would protect military personnel and American families from PFAS released from Department of Defense facilities", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-resettlement-refugees-eau-claire", "Van Orden Statement on the Resettlement of Refugees in Eau Claire", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement on the potential resettlement of refugees in Eau Claire:\n\n\u201cWe have a responsibility to keep our nation as safe and secure as possible,\u201d said Rep. Van Orden. \u201cIn order to do so, any and all who wish to migrate, be granted asylum, or resettle as a refugee in the United States must be vetted to the highest degree possible. I have been closely monitoring the potential resettlement of refugees in Eau Claire and have been engaged in conversations with City Council President Emily Berge, World Relief Organization, and the U.S. Department of State on this issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgeralds-chinese-espionage-reporting-act-passes-out-judiciary-committee", "Fitzgerald's Chinese Espionage Reporting Act Passes Out of Judiciary Committee Markup", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement following passage of his bill in a Judiciary Committee Markup\u2014H.R. 5404, the Countering Chinese Espionage Reporting Act.\n\nThe purpose of the bill is to bolster the U.S. response to the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP) economic theft of U.S. intellectual property. The bill directs the Attorney General to prepare an annual report on the Department of Justice activities related to countering Chinese national security threats, including trade secret theft, theft of United States intellectual property and research, and threats from non-traditional collectors, such as researchers in laboratories, at universities, and at defense industrial base facilities.\n\nThe bill was passed unanimously under a voice vote in the Judiciary Committee.\n\n\u201cIn 2015, the Chinese government announced its Made in China 2025 initiative\u2014a strategic, whole-of-government plan to supplant U.S. technology superiority. This initiative has led to a surge in American IP theft, costing the U.S. economy as much as $600 billion annually,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cMy bill is a critical response to the threat at hand and I was proud to see it unanimously passed out of committee today by my colleagues. We cannot allow China\u2019s pervasive theft of American IP go unchecked.\u201d\n\nClick here to watch Rep. Fitzgerald's full remarks.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3707", "Grothman Statement on Censure Resolution of Rashida Tlaib", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06) issued the following statement on his vote to table the censure resolution of Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI):\n\n\u201cI have consistently criticized Rashida Tlaib\u2019s radical left-wing ideology including her bizarre support for Hamas and similar groups in the Middle East,\u201d said Grothman. \u201cHowever, I disagree with the tendency in recent years to censure, remove from committees, or expel people for their outlandish statements made outside of their official capacity as a Member of Congress. If the people of Michigan want to vote for a progressive, anti-Israel fanatic, that is their right. I was prepared to oppose all three resolutions that were brought to the Floor yesterday: two for censure and one for removing a Congressman.\n\n\u201cI remain committed to condemning Tlaib and speaking out against her and others who share her mindset. It is particularly disturbing to see so many young people at anti-Israel marches across the country. Whether it be offensive information put out through the education establishment or just bias in the left-wing media, it must be confronted. At this moment, I am working to strengthen our immigration process by vetting immigrants, legal or illegal, to ensure we do not empower people like Tlaib in the United States and their influence on American policy.\n\n\u201cI will continue to utilize my platform to inform the American public about Israel, the most westernized state in the Middle East. I use my role to highlight the positive impact of Israel in the Middle East, not only on the Jewish population but also on the Palestinians who, when given the choice, would often prefer to reside in a country like Israel than in a newly established Palestinian state. I look forward to continuing to defend Israel and exposing Rashida Tlaib and her bizarre rhetoric.\u201d\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-applauds-new-exams-649-veterans-treated-tomah-va-medical-center", "Van Orden Applauds New Exams for 649 Veterans Treated at Tomah VA Medical Center", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced that VA will offer new disability exams to veterans negatively impacted by the negligence conducted at the Tomah VA Medical Center:\n\n\u201cAs a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and a veteran who receives 100% of my health care through VA, I take this matter very personally. The negligence of Dr. Mary Jo Lanksa is inexcusable and disgraceful. No veteran should experience such carelessness when it comes to their health care.\n\n\u201cThis issue has been a top priority of mine since it was brought to my attention, and I have been in constant communication with Sec. McDonough and the Tomah VA Medical Center Director, Karen Long, on how to help all veterans impacted by this, including the survivors of the veterans who have passed due to Dr. Lanksa\u2019s conduct. I am encouraged to see that VA will offer new disability exams to 649 Wisconsin veterans.\n\nWhile this is a positive step, I remain adamant on ensuring that every veteran or their survivor is receiving the highest level of communication and clarity possible on this issue. I look forward to continuing my work Sec. McDonough and Ms. Long to provide our nation\u2019s heroes with the level of care and treatment they earned.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-and-finance-committee-republicans-new-medicaid-rule-risks-disrupting-patient-care", "Sen. Johnson and Finance Committee Republicans: New Medicaid Rule Risks Disrupting Patient Care", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013 On Friday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.) and nine other Senate Finance Committee Republicans in sending a letter regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule to change Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP) operations in ways that offer no material benefit for patients. In the letter to Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the senators urged the Administration to withdraw problematic components of the proposed rule and to work with Congress to develop improvements to the Medicaid program so patients have access to cutting-edge, life-saving prescription drugs.\n\nThe senators note, \u201cWhile we share some of the agency\u2019s objectives, including preventing certain problematic practices within the prescription drug supply chain, many of the [rule\u2019s] proposed changes defy longstanding statutory understanding and impose costly new mandates, creating fiscal uncertainty for states and risking patient access to the most innovative therapies and cures.\u201d\n\nThey identify several problems with the proposal, including \u201cstacking\u201d to compute the \u201cBest Price\u201d benchmark, which would create technical complications and risk undercutting the policy\u2019s core objectives by disincetivizing larger price concessions.\n\nThe senators also highlight the lack of a patient-oriented justification for the proposal\u2019s price verification survey, noting that the proposed rule seeks to establish a survey process for certain \u201chigh cost\u201d covered outpatient drugs, like cell and gene therapies, instead of addressing the access barriers identified by states, patients, and providers.\n\nThey end the letter, \u201cWe urge CMS to preserve the MDRP\u2019s statutory balance consistent with Congress\u2019s intent by withdrawing the misguided proposals that risk disrupting patient care. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you to improve the Medicaid program so that patients have access to cutting-edge, live-changing prescription drugs.\u201d\n\nSens. Johnson and Crapo were joined on the letter by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).\n\nFull text of the letter can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/icymi-sen-johnson-grills-fbi-director-wray-and-dhs-secretary-mayorkas-in-emerging-threats-to-the-homeland-hearing", "ICYMI: Sen. Johnson Grills FBI Director Wray and DHS Secretary Mayorkas in Emerging Threats to the Homeland Hearing", "2023-11-01", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, participated in an annual hearing titled, Threats to the Homeland, where he sought answers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Christine Abizaid about the Biden administration\u2019s disastrous open border policies and mounting evidence that the FBI shut down the investigation into Joe Biden, James Biden, and Hunter Biden.\n\nSen. Johnson pointed out how failures by Sec. Mayorkas and the Biden administration\u2019s open border policies are the greatest threat to America\u2019s homeland. The senator emphasized the out-of-control number of illegal border crossings, the dispersion of millions of illegal aliens into the U.S., the horrors of human and fentanyl trafficking networks, and the spike in apprehensions of individuals on the terrorist watch list.\n\nWatch the highlights here. Excerpts can be found below:\n\nOn the alarming number of illegal border crossings under the Biden administration \u2014 which Secretary Mayorkas refused to answer\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201c\u2026It seems like your solution to the self-inflicted wound to America is we've just gotten more efficient at processing. I can't, quite honestly, think of a greater threat to America than what is represented by this chart. And this chart represents this administration's open border policy. It's a travesty. Director Wray, you said in your testimony the threats they're not getting any easier to deal with. Would having a secure border, would that make your job easier?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cWell, I will let Secretary Mayorkas speak for border security. But I will tell you that the threats that we have to contend with that are attributed to the border; cartel violence, distribution of fentanyl, etc are\u2026\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cThe answer is yes. Your job would be a whole lot easier if you don't have to deal with over 70,000 special interest aliens coming from countries that are of concern to us. Your job would be a whole lot easier if this year we hadn't encountered actually encountered 169 people on the terror watch list. Secretary Mayorkas, I've asked you this in the past. What numbers are represented here? How many people has this administration let in by encountering, processing, dispersing, or that have come in as a known or unknown got-away? What approximately? I don't need an exact number. So what do we got?\u201d\n\nSec. Mayorkas: \u201cSenator, let me say\u2026\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cI need numbers. Again, don\u2019t filibuster me. How many people has this administration let into the country?\n\nSec. Mayorkas: \u201cLet me say at the outset that our job would be a lot easier if the broken immigration system was fixed\u2026\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cMr. Secretary, I want a number. How many people have you let into this country?\u201d\n\nSec. Mayorkas: \u201cI should also comment\u2026\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cOkay. I'll give you the number. It's about 6 million. About 1.7 million as known got-aways. Now again, we don't know who these people are. We just know that they've come to this country and they're residing somewhere. Where are all these people residing? Where did the 6 million people go?\u201d\n\nOn potential terror threats coming into the country\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cWe know we've got about 100,000 in New York. And New York Mayor Adams says it will destroy New York. That's, by the way, less than 2% of the 6 million people. So less than 2%, 100,000, is going to destroy New York. What's happening around the country? I'm not going to get answers from Secretary Mayorkas. Director Wray, what are you doing to track these people and investigate the potential threat?\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cSo we are tackling it through a variety of means. There are some categories I would put kind of in the terrorist watch list category, and there are our joint terrorism task forces that are working with partners throughout the law enforcement community to try to identify\u2026\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cSo how many agents, how many agents do you have tasked to investigate potential terror threats coming into this country in those 6 million people, and particularly the 1.7 million got-aways? How many agents are on investigating that flow of illegal immigrants?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cWell, I don't know that I can give you the exact number.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cGive, do a ballpark. Try to ballpark.\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cLet me try it this way.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cIs it 100? Is it a couple hundred? Is it? I mean, just a ballpark?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cWell, I would say we have several hundred agents who are tackling the threats that come from the border, both from a national security side, a counterterrorism side, and from an organized crime or violent crime side.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cHow does that compare to the number of agents you had on, for example, investigating the January 6 protesters? How many agents at the height of that investigation, how many FBI agents were assigned to that task force?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cI don't have exact numbers, but what I would tell you is that I feel relatively confident that the number of agents workings on threats that are attributable to the border far exceeds the number of people working on the January 6 investigation.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cAgain, a ballpark. A ballpark.\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cI feel relatively confident that the number of agents working on threats that are attributable to the border far exceeds the number of people working on the January 6 investigation.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cWhat about the height of the January 6 investigations?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cSame answer.\u201d\n\nOn the horrors of human trafficking at the southern border\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cMr. Secretary Mayorkas, what is the average or the range of trafficking fees? I mean, because, by the way, we have a 100% secure border on the Mexican side, right. Very few people are crossing into this country without going through human traffickers. So they have to pay a trafficking fee. What is that range of trafficking fees?\n\nSec. Mayorkas: \u201cWhen you speak of trafficking Senator, you mean smugglers?\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cWell, I'm talking about the human traffickers. You know, the people, the people coming across here are paying what, a $7,000 fee? A 10,000? A fifty-or what is that range?\u201d\n\nSec. Mayorkas: \u201cSeveral thousand dollars per person.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cSo how do they pay that off? How does a young woman pay off 10 to $15,000 human trafficking fee?\u201d\n\nSec. Mayorkas: \u201cTragically, Senator, they often spend their entire life savings to pay a smuggler.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cWell, they also tragically get put into the human sex trade, correct?\u201d\n\nSec. Mayorkas: \u201cThere are all sorts.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cDirector Wray, are you investigating that? Are we busting up some, you know, we saw the Sound of Freedom. That movie. What investigations are you doing in terms of the sex trade that is going on because of the Biden administration's open border policy?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cWe have a number of task forces that are focused on human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, all across the country. And last year, we rounded up, I think, maybe 1,000 or so predators of that sort. And so that's probably the main vehicle through which we're tackling this, which is a significant, significant problem.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cOf the 73,000 special interest aliens coming from these countries that are of concern to ours, how many of those people are you keeping track of? What happens to them? Are we detaining them? Are we deporting them or are we granting them asylum?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cWell, as to deportation and asylum, I would leave that to the agencies that handle that.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cYou\u2019re aware of the 73,000 special interest aliens, correct?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cBut I'm aware of special interest aliens. I don't have the numbers.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cWhat are you doing to track them?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cSo if we have a fully predicated appropriately predicated investigation, then those people are squarely within scope of those investigations.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cHow many active investigations do you have on 73,000 special interest aliens?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cI don't have that number here. I can see if that's something we can get for you and follow up.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cYou can expect a QFR on that one. Thanks.\u201d\n\nOn evidence mounting that the FBI implemented a scheme to label any derogatory information on the Bidens as \u201cforeign disinformation\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cNow Director Wray, I'm assuming you've seen and read the letter the Senator Grassley wrote to you and Attorney General Garland, on October 24th?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cI'm generally aware of it.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cOh, you ought to read it. Let me read some segments to you. The FBI maintained over 40 confidential human sources thatprovided criminal information related to Joe Biden, James Biden, and Hunter Biden. An essential question that must be answered in this: did the FBI investigate the information or shut it down? Certainly, there is a host of reasons to conclude that they attempted to shut it down. It goes on. It has been alleged that the basis for shutting down the investigative activity \u2013 shutting it down was an August 2020 assessmentcreated by FBI supervisory intelligence analyst Brian Auten. That assessment was used by FBI headquarters team to improperly discredit negative Hunter Biden information as disinformation, causing investigative activity to cease. It goes on. Analyst Brian Auten opened the aforementioned assessment, which was used by the Foreign Influence Task Force to seek out CHS holdings in FBI field offices across the country related to the Biden family and falsely discredit them as foreign disinformation. My staff calls that \u201ccatch and kill.\u201d And by the way, it was that same task force that gave Senator Grassley and I our unsolicited briefing that was later leaked to the media to smear me and impactmy 2022 election. Senator Grassley concludes there appears to be an effort within the Justice Department and FBI to shut down investigative activity relating to the Biden family. Such decisions point to significant political bias, infecting the decision-making of not onlythe attorney general and FBI director, but also line agents and prosecutors. Our republic cannot survive such a political infection, and you have an obligation to this country to clear the air. Let me ask you another. And by the way, I'd ask unanimous consent that this letter be entered into the record and also this column that appeared in The Wall Street Journal published yesterday. Have you read this one? \u2018More on the stifled Hunter Biden probe.\u2019\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cI have seen that.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cOkay. Well enter that into the record. Again, this is column is written based on the October 23rd Judiciary Committee interview with former U.S. Attorney Scott Brady. Who was tapped by Attorney General Barr to vet information related to Ukrainian corporate corruption and pass on credible material to officers with ongoing investigations. I'll get some highlights here. The FBI office in Pittsburgh couldn't takeany steps without the review and approval of FBI headquarters. Mr. Brady describes a reluctance on the part of the FBI to really do any tasking related to allegations of Ukrainian corruption broadly and then specifically anything that intersected with Hunter Biden in his role in Burisma. FBI headquarters had to sign off on every assignment, no matter how small or routine. And that this, sometimes required 17different people, mostly at the headquarter level. And Mr. Brady said he'd never in his DOJ career seen anything like it. Mr. Brady says his office was informed by members of the Pittsburgh FBI team that they'd been instructed by headquarters not to affirmatively share information with the Brady team. He said he was surprised to learn that the FBI possessed the Hunter Biden laptop since 2019. He heard that through public reports. Senator Grassley's letter concludes that he has obtained names from his whistleblower, 25 Department of Justice, FBI personnel to interview at a future date. And he is also requesting a bunch of information. Will you provide those FBI personnel for interviews with hisoffice and mine and will you provide that those documents?\u201d\n\nDirector Wray: \u201cWell, I'll have to review the specific requests, and we'll see how we can be helpful.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson: \u201cOkay. Well, I'll hand you this letter. Final point I want to make. I was briefed a couple of weeks ago by members of the FBI on what Senator Blumenthal is doing to try and unredact a lot of the information on the 9/11 event. Okay. Now, the briefers seem to be people ofintegrity, like I think the vast majority of the men and women that work in the FBI, the 30,000 field agents. So, again, they, they\u2019re people ofintegrity. The problem is that they gave me three different examples of redacted and then unredacted to explain it. And the redactions made sense of those three examples. But I had to make the point. The problem I have is I simply cannot trust what the FBI is providing me, and I don't see that with any joy in my heart. I think that's a travesty. The American people want to believe and have trust in the FBI. We want credibility, integrity restored to the institution. But, Director Wray, you have not done that since assuming office. And I can go through a long laundry list of the reasons why that trust has been violated. I don't have it right now. I'm happy to sit down and meet with you and go over these things in detail. But I would say \u2013 because ask me, what can we do to restore our trust? Start being transparent. My final point is, and this is actually a question, why is it this makes no sense. I am an elected U.S. Senator. I have the highest security clearance. Why is it that unelected members of the FBI can see the documents unredacted? But I can't even in a secure briefing room? That makes no sense whatsoever. But that's exactly how federal law enforcement, Department of Justice, the FBI, who are the law, remain above the law, remain above scrutiny and completely scorn our constitutional responsibility and authority to provide oversight. We just can't do it, as the Chairman was talking about earlier, about how you've basically ignored his requests for credit for the requests for the record.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-announces-mobile-office-hours", "Sen. Johnson Announces Mobile Office Hours", "2023-10-31", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced that his staff will be available for mobile office hours at the times and locations listed below. These office hours give constituents the opportunity to meet with Sen. Johnson\u2019s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or other federal matters.\n\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 our constituents.\n\nWashington County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 2\n\n11:00 a.m. \u2013 12:00 p.m.\n\nSlinger Village Hall\n\n300 Slinger Rd., Slinger, WI 53086\n\nWashington County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 2\n\n2:00 p.m. \u2013 3:00 p.m.\n\nGermantown Village Hall\n\nN112 W17001 Mequon Rd., Germantown, WI 53022\n\nPepin County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 9\n\n1:30 p.m. \u2013 2:30 p.m.\n\nPepin Village Hall\n\n508 2nd St., Pepin, WI 54759\n\nPierce County Office Hours\n\nThursday, November 9\n\n3:30 p.m. \u2013 4:30 p.m.\n\nPrescott City Hall\n\n800 N. Borner St., Prescott, WI 54021\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3705", "Grothman Introduces Bipartisan Air America Act", "2023-10-30", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06) has introduced the bipartisan Air America Act, which will correct an inequity suffered by the brave Americans who are former employees of Air America by ensuring they receive the federal retirement benefits and recognition they have earned. This legislation was inspired by Neil Hansen, resident of Wisconsin\u2019s Sixth District, who was a pilot for Air America during the Vietnam War.\n\nGrothman\u2019s bill has 35 bipartisan cosponsors. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a companion version of this bill in the U.S. Senate, the Air America Act.\n\nBetween 1950 and 1976, a group of approximately 1,000 U.S. citizens worked for Air America, which was portrayed as a private company carrying out flight operations during the Cold War. However, now-declassified documents have revealed that Air America was wholly owned and controlled by the U.S. government \u2013 meaning these brave Americans were federal employees under the law at the time they worked. The Air America Act will ensure that those Air Americans who qualify for retirement benefits under the law will receive what they earned and deserve. Those who don't have the years of experience required for retirement benefits will nonetheless be honored finally with the recognition that their efforts were carried out on behalf of the U.S. government.\n\n\u201cCongress has twice passed corrective legislation for other covert CIA-affiliated groups,\u201d said Grothman. \u201cIt is not right to continue to ignore Air Americans. These patriots risked their lives, many of them giving their life, fighting communism in the same way members of the Air Force did.\n\n\u201cI am honored that so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are joining me to support these heroes. Now is the time to properly recognize Air Americans for their service to our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe brave men and women of Air America deserve an immense token of appreciation for their service to our nation. I am proud to lead this bipartisan bill to ensure our fellow Americans who honorably served our great nation receive the recognition they deserve,\u201d said Rubio.\n\nBackground Information\n\nAccording to now-declassified documents, we now know that Air America was not a private company and, in fact, acted as a top-secret arm of the executive branch in implementing Cold War policies under the management of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Air Americans saved tens of thousands of lives in search and rescue missions for downed U.S. military pilots, evacuations of allied refugees, and the final evacuations of Danang and Saigon in 1975.\n\nThe Air America Act would grant the individuals who worked for Air America the federal retirement credit they rightfully earned. Air America employees have not been granted their retirement credit because of an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) rule change in 1985 that required government form SF-50/52 to prove federal employment status. While these patriots were, during their tenure working for Air America, legally defined as federal employees eligible for civil service retirement credit, the covert nature of their work resulted in a narrative that they were employees of a private entity. Moreover, for obvious reasons of secrecy in a clandestine operation, our government did not hire Air Americans using standard government forms. The unusual and unjust retroactive application of the amended regulation requiring form SF-50/52 in 1985 should never have been applied to Air Americans whose employing U.S. government entity, Air America, was dissolved in 1976.\n\nGrothman is joined by 35 cosponsors, including Representatives Bryan Steil (R-WI), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), David Valadao (R-CA), David Trone (D-MD), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Robin Kelly (D-NY), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Hank Johnson (D-GA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Mike Waltz (R-FL), Mark Takano (D-CA), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Mike Bost (R-IL), Jim Costa (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Susie Lee (D-NV), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Andre Carson (D-IN), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), John Garamendi (D-CA), Frank Mrvan (D-IN), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Jim Baird (R-IN), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Dan Kildee (D-MI), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-presents-health-care-worker-of-the-year-award-to-mount-pleasant-oncology-nurse", "Steil Presents Health Care Worker of the Year Award to Mount Pleasant Oncology Nurse", "2023-10-30", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Mount Pleasant, WI (October 30, 2023) - Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today presented Melissa Friesema, an oncology nurse at the Advocate Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant with Wisconsin\u2019s First Congressional District\u2019s 2023 Health Care Worker of the Year Award. In addition, Hannah Steele, a registered pediatric nurse and Gary Homeier, a nurse practitioner, were recognized as Health Care Heroes.\n\n2023 Health Care Worker of the Year Melissa Friesema\n\nThe 2023 Health Care Worker of the Year Award was presented to Melissa Friesema, an oncology nurse at Advocate Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant. Melissa is known for showing true compassion to her patients by always going the extra mile to help them not only understand the treatment they are receiving, but also to encourage them along the way. Melissa steps beyond the call of duty and dedicates time in her personal life to support her patients outside of the medical center.\n\nHealth Care Hero Hannah Steele\n\nA Health Care Hero certificate was presented to Hannah Steele, a registered pediatric nurse at Advocate Aurora Medical Center. Prior to her time at the medical center, Hannah gallantly served in the Navy as a Division Officer at the Medical Home Port, Navy Readiness and Training Command Great Lakes. Hannah is described as the epitome of a hardworking professional who demonstrates strength and determination in every aspect of her life. Hannah\u2019s Health Care Hero recognition comes after already being acknowledged as a \u201cBest of the best\u201d in military medicine.\n\nHealth Care Hero Gary Homeier\n\nAn additional Health Care Hero certificate was presented to Gary Homeier, an acute critical care nurse practitioner who has served and cared for patients in Kenosha, Racine, Mount Pleasant, and Milwaukee for the last 13 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gary took it upon himself to be on the frontlines where his passion to deliver quality care to those in need shined bright. Gary is dedicated to training others in the health care field and passes along the mantra he lives by, that true healing begins in the community to which you belong.\n\nNOTE: Recipients of these awards were nominated by local Wisconsin citizens and selected by Wisconsin\u2019s First Congressional District\u2019s Health Care Advisory Board. The Health Care Advisory Board is comprised of health care professionals across Southeast Wisconsin.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-questions-city-council-chippewa-valley-refugee-resettlement", "Tiffany Questions City Council on Chippewa Valley Refugee Resettlement", "2023-10-27", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) sent a letter to the Eau Claire City Council President demanding transparency for residents on a controversial non-governmental organization plan to resettle a large number of refugees potentially from Somalia, Syria, and other unstable countries in the Eau Claire area.\n\nIn particular, Rep. Tiffany asks that city officials provide residents of Eau Claire and the broader Chippewa Valley with a robust opportunity to submit public comment on any resettlement plans and to conduct a full assessment of the costs of any such resettlement to Wisconsin taxpayers.\n\nIn the letter, Tiffany writes: \u201cAs you know, plans by a controversial non-governmental organization (NGO) to resettle a large number of refugees \u2013 potentially from Somalia, Syria, and other unstable countries \u2013 in the Eau Claire area have raised understandable concerns among local residents. Even more frustrating, representatives of this NGO reportedly met with the city manager well in advance of this announcement \u2013 but the city manager did not share this information with local officials or the public. If true, this is deeply disconcerting.\u201d\n\nThe letter continues: \u201cGiven the dangerous conditions in these countries, and the Biden administration\u2019s alarming track record when it comes to vetting newcomers,it is inconceivable that the local community would be kept in the dark in this way. I hope you will investigate these troubling allegations and take appropriate action.\u201d\n\nTiffany concludes: \u201cI would also ask that you provide residents of Eau Claire and the broader Chippewa Valley with a robust opportunity to submit public comment on any resettlement plans, and that you collaborate with state and county officials to conduct a full assessment of the costs of any such resettlement to Wisconsin taxpayers.\u201d\n\nThis letter comes after Rep. Tiffany\u2019s office received numerous calls from constituents in the Chippewa Valley expressing concerns about the resettlement plans.\n\nYou may read the full letterhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/icymi-sen-johnson-exposes-deep-state-corruption-slams-destructive-biden-policies", "ICYMI: Sen. Johnson Exposes Deep State Corruption, Slams Destructive Biden Policies", "2023-10-27", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined Neil Cavuto on Cavuto\u2019s World to discuss the war in Israel and the threats posed by Iran and Hamas terrorists. On Wednesday, the senator joined Harris Faulkner on The Faulkner Focus and Maria Bartiromo on Mornings with Maria to expose the corruption of the FBI and their mishandling of the investigation into the Biden Crime Family as well as the worsening crisis at the southern border.\n\nOn The Faulkner Focus, Sen. Johnson discussed how the FBI undermined the investigation into the Biden family. He also brought attention to the national security threat posed by the Biden administration\u2019s open border policies.\n\nSen. Johnson criticized the FBI turning a blind eye to the Biden Crime Family: \u201cUnfortunately, we can't trust top officials in the FBI anymore. Their credibility is shattered. You take a look at how they tormented President Trump when they knew that, for example, the Steele dossier was sourced by somebody they were investigating as a Russian spy. And then they have 40 human sources saying that there's potential criminal activity within the Biden Crime Family.\u201d\n\nThe senator blasted Democrat open border policies that threaten our national security: \u201cDemocrat supporters in Congress, care more about Ukraine's border than our own southern border. So, there's going to be a legitimate attempt to tie any funding for Ukraine to real border security where we actually stop the flow of illegal immigration, not allow 270,000 people come in one month through our southwest border. This is beyond a crisis. And it's also a huge national security threat. When you have Hamas calling for days of rage,probably periods of rage. You think in the 1.7 million known got-aways \u2026 there might be a terrorist or two in that cohort? So, we are highly concerned about the national security aspects and we need to secure border.\u201d\n\nWatch the full interview with Harris Faulkner here.\n\nOn Mornings with Maria, Sen. Johnson shed light on U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley\u2019s (R-Iowa) recent letter that revealed the FBI sidelined and discredited over 40 confidential human sources despite providing criminal information related to Joe Biden, James Biden, and Hunter Biden.\n\nSen. Johnson revealed the pervasive corruption at the highest levels of the FBI: \u201cWell first of all, I\u2019d recommend that everybody read Senator Grassley\u2019s seven-page letter. God bless the whistleblowers that are coming forward to his office. He\u2019s the perfect person. He\u2019s a champion of whistleblowers. But what this is showing is just, you know, just pervasive corruption at the highest levels of the FBI and not just in the Biden administration. This obstruction of justice, this obstruction of these investigations were occurring under the Trump administration, under Attorney General Bill Barr. Again, I don\u2019t know whether, you know, Attorney General Bill Barr was aware of it, but his underlings were certainly frustrating, and of course, what they were doing is they were they actually had a scheme to downplay, not only downplay, but to denigrate any derogatory information on Hunter Biden calling it Russian disinformation. Senator Grassley and I were both actually, you know, targets of that operation to dissuade us off our investigation on Hunter Biden, as well. So this is corruption that runs deep inside some of the top offices of the FBI and people ought to read that letter, and we need those witnesses coming forward. We need more whistleblowers. But these individuals that Senator Grassley lays out, they need to be interviewed by Senator Grassley. Hopefully my office can be involved as well. And certainly the house.\u201d\n\nWatch the full interview with Maria Bartiromo here.\n\nOn Cavuto\u2019s World, Sen. Johnson argued that any aid package to Israel be kept separate from Ukraine funding. The senator also emphasized the importance of U.S. strength on the world stage, remarking that the United States must stop appeasing the world\u2019s largest state-sponsor of terror, Iran.\n\nWatch the full interview with Neil Cavuto here.\n\nThe senator slammed both the Biden and Obama administrations for appeasement of Iran, saying, \u201cYou know, the fact of the matter is the Obama administration and now the Biden administration have funneled tens, hundreds of billions of dollars into the largest state sponsor of terror, hoping to appease them. Hoping to buy better behavior from them. All it has done is embolden Iran. And so the first thing we need to do is cut off that funding. We need to recognize Iran for the malign force that is in the world and stop funding them.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-presses-hhs-fda-cdc-and-nih-for-information-on-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-events", "Sen. Johnson Presses HHS, FDA, CDC, and NIH for Information on COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Events", "2023-10-27", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to the top U.S. health officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) calling for transparency and complete responses to the senator\u2019s numerous requests on the COVID-19 vaccines and other aspects of the pandemic. This correspondence marks the senator\u2019s 60th public letter to U.S. government agencies on the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nIn his letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, CDC Director Mandy Cohen, and NIH Acting Director Lawrence Tabak, the senator wrote, \u201cAs the top U.S. health officials, and for some of you, medical doctors who have sworn to uphold the Hippocratic Oath, you and your colleagues also bear the absolute responsibility of providing patients and the American public the benefit of informed consent.\u201d\n\nSen. Johnson added, \u201cYou and your colleagues have a duty to provide the American people with complete and transparent data regarding the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 \u2018vaccines.\u2019 It is completely unacceptable that public health agencies have ignored requests for detailed information about \u2018vaccine\u2019 lots that are associated with higher rates of adverse events and have failed to provide CDC\u2019s and FDA\u2019s complete data analyses (Proportional Reporting Ratio tables and empirical Bayesian data mining \u2013 if they exist) on \u2018vaccine\u2019 adverse events. The fact that the vast majority of my questions and information requests remain unanswered or outstanding only heightens my level of suspicion.\u201d\n\nThe senator emphasized the health agencies\u2019 lack of transparency by highlighting his numerous oversight requests to various government agencies that remain unanswered.\n\nSen. Johnson noted, \u201cIndividuals who willingly or reluctantly received the COVID-19 \u2018vaccines\u2019 deserve to know the full truth about the adverse health outcomes they or their loved ones may face following \u2018vaccination.\u2019 However, your agencies continue to obstruct my efforts to provide the public with the truth about the COVID-19 \u2018vaccines.\u2019\n\nThis letter also raised questions regarding a recently released, FDA-funded preprint study which found multiple adverse health outcomes, including seizures, associated with the COVID-19 vaccines among vaccinated children.\n\n\u201cThe results of this FDA-funded study reaffirm previous concerns about the safety of the COVID-19 \u2018vaccines\u2019\u2014particularly for children\u2014and underscore the need for federal health agencies to be transparent with the American people and responsive to Congress,\u201d the senator wrote.\n\nIn addition to reiterating the outstanding requests that health agencies have failed to address, the senator asked for new information and materials following the results of the FDA-funded study.\n\n\u201cIt is well past time for U.S public health agencies to be transparent,\u201d he concluded.\n\nRead more about the senator\u2019s October 25, 2023 letter to HHS, FDA, CDC, and NIH in the Epoch Times.\n\nThe full letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-statement-energy-and-water-appropriations", "Fitzgerald Statement on Energy and Water Appropriations", "2023-10-26", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement following passage of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill, H.R. 4394.\n\n\u201cThe House is open for business and we\u2019re picking right back up on passing appropriations bills. Speaker Johnson outlined an ambitious plan that I believe will put the House on a path to pass all the remaining funding bills and begin negotiations with the Senate,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cToday, we took the first step, and passed the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. This bill eliminates President Biden\u2019s waterway rule and returns control to states where jurisdiction has historically fallen. The bill also rescinds $5.58 billion from Biden\u2019s Inflation Reduction Act and prohibits oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to be sold to any entity owned by, or under the control or influence of, the Chinese Communist Party.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-advocates-to-save-milwaukee-taxpayers-thousands-of-dollars", "Steil Advocates to Save Milwaukee Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars", "2023-10-26", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today called on Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to waive a federal grant requirement that mandates Milwaukee\u2019s streetcar \u201cthe Hop\u201d begin service on October 31. As it stands, \u201cthe Hop\u201d will be operating on a non-viable route to satisfy the grant requirement starting on October 29. Steil is urging Secretary Buttigieg to take immediate action to stop government waste and save Milwaukee\u2019s taxpayers thousands of dollars.\n\nRead the full letter below:\n\n\u201cOn Sunday, October 29, Milwaukee\u2019s streetcar known as \u201cthe Hop\u201d will begin offering passenger service on the new \u201cL-Line\u201d through a closed construction site exclusively on Sundays during the winter. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Works, operating the L-Line in this unusual way is necessary to satisfy a federal grant requirement that mandates streetcar service start on October 31. I write to request that the Department of Transportation (DoT) waive this grant requirement. We have an obligation to the people we serve to reduce government waste. I am calling for your immediate action to save Milwaukee taxpayers thousands of dollars.\n\n\u201cAs you may know, the Hop is a $128 million streetcar transportation project largely funded with federal grant dollars through the Federal Transportation Agency (FTA). It opened in November 2018 and operates on a 2.1-mile route in downtown Milwaukee. For 2023, the average daily ridership is 1,408 individuals, a 74.5% decrease since its peak in 2018.\n\n\u201cThe Hop has long faced substantial concerns about the financial viability of the project, its dependence on federal dollars, and questions about demand for the service. A federal requirement mandating operation into a construction site, which is unlikely to generate significant ridership, further exacerbates these concerns.\n\n\u201cFederal requirements that force Milwaukee officials to operate an inefficient streetcar line simply to satisfy federal grant requirements are not in the best interest of taxpayers. Sundays are traditionally low-traffic days in Milwaukee\u2019s central business district. Furthermore, winter months see lower daily ridership than the rest of the year. Nonetheless, local officials are preparing to operate the L-Line on winter Sundays even though it is not ready to provide meaningful service to passengers.\n\n\u201cThe FTA estimates that it costs Milwaukee $351 per hour of operation. The cost per 15-hour day is $5,265. It makes little sense to further punish taxpayers by compelling Milwaukee officials to operate a non-viable route. Please consider taking the appropriate steps to waive the service date requirement. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.\u201d\n\nCLICK HERE to read the letter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-statement-election-speaker-mike-johnson", "Fitzgerald Statement on Election of Speaker Mike Johnson", "2023-10-25", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement regarding the election of Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04) to serve as Speaker of the House in the 118th Congress:\n\n\u201cFirst and foremost, I\u2019d like to congratulate my colleague and friend Mike Johnson on his election to lead the People\u2019s House. It\u2019s been a tough few weeks of building consensus, but I am proud of the candidate our conference has coalesced behind. Speaker Johnson is an honest Member of Congress who not only has strong conservative values but lives those values out through his work,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cI\u2019ve gotten to know Speaker Johnson through working together on the Judiciary Committee, and I couldn\u2019t be happier to have him at the helm. I look forward to getting back to work and passing conservative policy priorities under his leadership.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3697", "Grothman Applauds the Election of Speaker Johnson", "2023-10-25", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06) issued the following statement after Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was elected Speaker of the House:\n\n\u201cI am proud to congratulate Mike Johnson on becoming the 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives,\u201d said Grothman. \u201cAs a former constitutional lawyer and man of deep Christian faith, Speaker Johnson is committed to promoting conservative policies and returning our nation to its founding principles.\n\n\u201cSpeaker Johnson and I have had a good relationship during his tenure as Chairman of the Republican Study Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Republican Conference. I look forward to working together to lower out-of-control spending, protect Americans\u2019 individual liberties, and secure the border.\u201d\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tiffany-releases-statement-election-speaker-house", "Congressman Tiffany Releases Statement on Election for the Speaker of the House", "2023-10-25", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) released the following statement after supporting Mike Johnson (LA-04) for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cAll good things take time, and the House of Representatives got a conservative leader as a result of this process. Having served with Mike Johnson on the House Judiciary Committee, I have seen his dedicated work firsthand to protect all Americans\u2019 constitutional rights. He is the conservative fighter the American people need to change Washington\u2019s status quo, and I look forward to working with Speaker Johnson to reign in the Biden administration\u2019s reckless spending, secure the border, and bring much-needed relief to the American people.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-hres-771", "Van Orden Statement on H.Res. 771", "2023-10-25", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after the House vote on H.Res. 771 - Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists:\n\n\u201cI am a proud cosponsor of H.Res. 771, and I am very glad to see it adopted in the House \u2013 this is exactly the kind of action that is needed in Congress to show our support for Israel and its people. However, this is only the start of the very important work Members of Congress will need to do to stand with our friend and ally in the Middle East.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/opinion-my-commitment-israel-midst-congressional-chaos", "Opinion: My commitment to Israel in the midst of congressional chaos", "2023-10-20", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "I served our country for over 26 years, mostly as a Navy SEAL. During that time, I spent a full 16 years away from my family either training for combat, training others for combat, or in combat. I volunteered for all of my deployments and training assignments, knowing that they would separate me from my family but understanding that they would make me a better warrior so that I could protect my country and my family more effectively. Consequently, I lived and worked on five different continents during my time of service.\n\nAlthough I missed my family desperately during those years, I knew I was working with a team that shared a common goal \u2013 keeping our nation safe and secure. I was under the assumption that as a member of Congress, all of my colleagues would be operating under the same principle. I was incorrect.\n\nLast year was possibly the worst year in our family\u2019s history. We buried our first child who died this past August. She left us with three beautiful grandchildren and an honorable son-in-law. I missed the majority of her last year on earth because I chose to work in Congress to help fix the House and make sure that the country her children will grow up in without her would be worthy of her life.\n\nOut of the most horrific circumstances a parent can ever live through, our dearest Sydney gave me a gift. It is the understanding of the importance of time. It is the one thing that we can give to others that we can never get back. This is why I need to be in Israel today.\n\nWhen the entirety of the minority party can team with a minority of the majority party to remove a Speaker of the House, it is clear that Congress has become a dysfunctional body that is incapable of putting aside personal and political differences to work together for the American people.\n\nThis is what caused the current impasse to elect a Speaker of the House, and it is unacceptable on all levels. As a freshman member of Congress, I have cast seventeen votes for a Speaker in less than ten months. Fifteen for Kevin McCarthy, and two for Jim Jordan.\n\nCurrently, as I write this piece, there is no path for a new Speaker, and Congress remains rudderless and in disarray. There is no sense of urgency to elect a Speaker despite the many challenges we face at home, including an open southern border and skyrocketing gas and grocery prices. Our children\u2019s education is being threatened by political agendas and misplaced priorities antithetical to the American Dream.\n\nOver seven million illegal immigrants entered the country in the last two years with over 150 of those apprehended being on the terrorist watch list. There are also the challenges our friends and allies are facing around the world. Most striking is the sudden and vicious attacks carried out by savages in Israel, where Jews are being slaughtered on a level that they have not been since the Holocaust and an unknown number of American citizens are being held hostage by those same savages.\n\nAfter retiring from the military in 2014, I made a solemn promise to the Jewish people that if anything like what took place on October 7, 2023, were to ever happen, that I would help them and their nation to the best of my ability. I am keeping that promise.\n\nThe intent of my trip to Israel during this time of crisis is multifold. Primarily, I am there to witness what has and is taking place so that I can speak from an informed position to categorically refute members of the Democratic party and others who are actively denying the horrific acts that have been, and continue to be, committed as you read this. I will be inspecting medical facilities to have a holistic understanding of the current and future needs of the Israeli people and speaking to military and other governmental officials to understand the needs of those entities and how to best provide them as I do not trust the Biden administration to do so truthfully.\n\nAs a retired Navy SEAL and combat medic, I am uniquely qualified to objectively ascertain the ground truth and bring that information back to Congress where I can hopefully increase the sense of urgency for my colleagues of both parties to put aside their petty personal and significant political differences and act in the best interest of America and our beleaguered allies.\n\nI would ask that God bless you and your families.\n\n- DVO", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-joins-gop-colleagues-in-demanding-aid-package-to-israel-be-kept-separate-from-ukraine-funding", "Sen. Johnson Joins GOP Colleagues in Demanding Aid Package to Israel be Kept Separate from Ukraine Funding", "2023-10-20", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013 On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and seven of their Senate GOP colleagues in a letter to Senate Leadership requesting any federal assistance to Israel not be leveraged for more Ukraine funding. It has beenreported that President Biden plans to pair tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine with any new request for federal assistance for Israel.\n\nIn the letter, the senators highlighted that these are two separate and unrelated conflicts that cannot be considered as a \u201cpackage deal.\u201d Any attempt to give additional money to Ukraine risks complicating the process and prolonging the time it will take to get aid to our ally Israel.\n\n\u201cWe write today in the wake of over 1,400 Israeli civilians and at least 30 American citizens having been killed over the last week after brutal Hamas terrorists invaded Israel,\u201dthe senators wrote.\n\n\u201cIn response to these developments, it is critical we give prompt consideration to any request for financial aid or other material support requested by Israel. Based on the breadth of responses from members of Congress, there is a shared urgency to consider such a request,\u201dthe letter continues.\n\n\u201cThat being said, we know there will no doubt be efforts to attach any funding to Israel to more aid to Ukraine, in excess of the already $113 billion Congress has provided to Ukraine,\u201dthe senators continued. \u201cThese are two separate and unrelated conflicts and it would be wrong to leverage support of aid to Israel in attempt to get additional aid for Ukraine across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cFurthermore, it would be irresponsible and we should not risk a government shutdown by bundling these priorities together and thus complicating the process and lessening the likelihood of a funding package,\u201dthe senators wrote.\n\n\u201cWe urge you to keep separate attempts to provide military aid to Israel from additional funds to Ukraine or other matters,\u201d the letter concludes.\n\nSens. Johnson and Marshall were joined on this letter by Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).\n\nRead more about the senators\u2019 letter in theNew York Post.\n\nFull text of the letter can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3690", "Grothman Introduces Bipartisan Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act", "2023-10-19", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Representatives Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Mary Miller (R-IL), and Danny K. Davis (D-IL) introduced H.R. 5920, the Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act, which would amend the tax code to protect marriage by ensuring that student loan interest is tax-deductible for each spouse independently. This bill has received endorsements from the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the Congressional Family Caucus, Family Research Council, and Third Way.\n\nGrothman, DelBene, Miller, and Davis are joined by 12 bipartisan cosponsors, including Representatives Troy Carter (D-LA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Greg Steube (R-FL), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), and David Trone (D-MD).\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to deducting student loan interest, as with so many areas, the government is discouraging marriage,\u201d said Grothman. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce the Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act to alleviate American households of an unnecessary marriage penalty in the arena of student loans.\n\n\u201cIf you and your spouse were not married and both had a student loan, each individual could receive up to a $2,500 deduction, for a total of $5,000. When married and filing jointly, their collective deduction is $2,500. My bill will rectify this anti-marriage provision.\n\n\u201cSeparately applying the $2,500 deductible for each spouse in a marriage is a common-sense approach that not only reduces financial stress but also removes a barrier for more young couples to get married. Under no circumstances should our tax policy discriminate against the nuclear family.\u201d\n\n\u201cHigher education is a critical path to economic security,\u201d said Davis. \u201cUnfortunately, Americans collectively struggle under $1.77 trillion in crushing student loan debt, with an average $37,338 in federal student loan debt and $54,921 in private student loan debt. I am proud to join my colleagues in leading this bill that would double the student loan interest deduction for married couples filing jointly. Congress must take every opportunity to ease the heavy financial burden on student loan borrowers.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe government has a compelling interest to promote strong, healthy families, and we shouldn\u2019t be penalizing young couples for getting married. As chairwoman of the Congressional Family Caucus, I am proud to support Rep. Grothman\u2019s Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act,\u201d said Miller.\n\n\"Debt burdens can often prevent or slow people from starting a family. While we must make college more affordable overall, the Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act is a smart step in the right direction that will help families,\u201d said DelBene. \u201cEnding the marriage penalty for student loan borrowers would help alleviate some of the financial burden faced by many couples and makes higher education more accessible for families.\"\n\n\u201cNational Taxpayers Union is proud to support the Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2023,\u201d said Nicholas Johns, Senior Policy and Government Affairs Manager at NTU. \u201cThis commonsense legislation will remove the undue burden that current law places upon borrowers that become married. By rectifying this issue, married borrowers will no longer be penalized in their taxes simply because of marital status. National Taxpayers Union applauds Rep. Grothman for his leadership on this issue.\u201d\n\nBackground Information\n\nCurrently, when taxes are filed individually, interest on student loan debt, both public and private, is tax deductible up to $2,500 per person. For two people filing separately, the maximum deduction would be $5,000. Current law, however, penalizes married couples by restricting both spouses from taking the deduction for their loan and only allowing a maximum of $2,500 combined \u2013 even if both spouses would separately qualify.\n\nThe Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act would end this unfair tax treatment of student loan interest against married couples by allowing married couples filing a joint tax return to apply the $2,500 limitation on the tax deduction for student loan interest separately to each spouse, ensuring they can receive a maximum of $5,000 in deductions and eliminating the penalty they are currently paying upon getting married.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-introduces-veterans-education-transparency-and-training-act", "Van Orden Introduces the Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act", "2023-10-18", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) announced the introduction of the Veterans Education Transparency and Training (VETT) Act, which will simplify the process for veterans enrolling in higher education. Specifically, the VETT Act will modify educational form requirements for veterans and establish an online portal through the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to serve as a comprehensive resource center for trainings available to veterans through School Certifying Officials (SCOs).\n\n\u201cWe have a responsibility to ensure our nation\u2019s veterans receive the benefits they earned as swiftly as possible,\u201dsaid Van Orden.\u201cUnfortunately, administrative roadblocks and inconsistent regulations are preventing veterans from accessing their educational benefits. I introduced the VETT Act to help alleviate these barriers and streamline the application process so veterans can pursue the education path of their choice as they transition back to civilian life. By establishing greater clarity and flexibility to their educational benefits, we are standing by our commitment to our veterans and the benefits they deserve.\u201d\n\nQuote from Jay Bowen, Chairman of the American Legion Veterans Employment and Education Commission:\u201cThe American Legion firmly believes that eliminating barriers to education is crucial for providing veterans high quality of life after their service. Representative Van Orden\u2019s solution not only provides administrative flexibility to veterans enrolling in higher education, but also improves transparency.\"\n\nQuote from Frank G. Myers, Jr., President of the National Association of State Approving Agencies:\u201cNASAA strongly supports H.R. 5914, the Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act. The VETT Act is a commonsense bill that ensures that information between the VA and school officials will be centralized and consistent and that certain federal financial forms will no longer stand in the way of veterans\u2019 access to quality programs. We celebrate these provisions which will improve access without sacrificing safeguards for our veterans and their families.\u201d\n\nThe VETT Act is supported by nine Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) including: The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Veterans Education Project, Special Operations Association of America, Student Veterans of America, and the National Association of State Approving Agencies.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-joins-letter-to-biden-administration-on-improper-placement-of-acting-sec-of-labor-julie-su-in-presidential-succession", "Sen. Johnson Joins Letter to Biden Administration on Improper Placement of Acting Sec. of Labor Julie Su in Presidential Succession", "2023-10-18", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and 28 of their Republican Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden demanding clarification regarding the Biden Administration\u2019s apparent decision to improperly place Acting Secretary of Labor, Julie Su, into the presidential line of succession. The letter calls on the President to withdraw Su\u2019s nomination and put forward a nominee who can garner enough support to be confirmed to the position of Secretary of Labor.\n\nAlthough Ms. Su has failed to receive Senate confirmation and has bipartisan opposition to her nomination, the Biden Administration is choosing to keep her in place as Acting Secretary of Labor indefinitely and is listing her on the White House website as a member of the Cabinet \u201cin order of succession to the presidency.\u201d\n\nThe letter expresses that, pursuant to Article II of the Constitution, Congress has the authority to set the presidential line of succession beyond the Vice President \u2013 a power that it exercised with passage of the Presidential Succession Act of 1947. This Act further states that a Cabinet member is eligible to assume the presidency only if they are an officer \u201cappointed, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.\u201d\n\nSens. Johnson and Britt are joined in this letter by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and Senators John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\nRead more about the senators\u2019 October 18, 2023 letter in FOX News.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-ogles-demand-answers-bidens-potential-plans-resettle-palestinians", "Tiffany, Ogles Demand Answers on Biden\u2019s Potential Plans to Resettle Palestinians into the United States", "2023-10-17", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Reps. Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Andy Ogles (TN-05)sent a letter to Secretary Mayorkas demanding that the Biden administration make a public commitment not to use \u201ccategorical parole\u201d or any other loophole to bring Palestinians into the United States.\n\nThis letter comes after aprogressive Democrat called for the U.S. to accept large numbers of Palestinians into the United States.A White House spokesman also refused to explicitly rule out the Biden administration resettling Palestinians \u2013 saying only that there are \u201cno plans\u201d to do so \u201cat this time.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, Tiffany and Ogles write: \u201cIt is hardly a secret that the Biden administration has repeatedly exceeded its executive authority, allowing massive numbers of foreign nationals to enter our country outside the scope of existing immigration laws. One of the most flagrant examples of this abuse is the widespread use of so-called \u201ccategorical parole,\u201d which the Biden administration has used to release as many as one million aliens without visas into the United States \u2013 including thousands from Afghanistan alone.\u201d\n\nThe letter continues: \u201cMr. Secretary, the American people do not want to see this dangerous situation repeated with Palestinians. Moreover, they deserve more than a vague assurance from a White House spokesman that the Biden administration hasn\u2019t yet identified a legally dubious mechanism to flood American neighborhoods with foreigners from a region that is a global hotspot for Islamic terrorism.\u201d\n\nOn Friday, Reps. Tiffany and Ogles also introduced theGuaranteeing Aggressors Zero Admission (GAZA) Act. This legislation would prevent the Biden administration from issuing new visas or paroling holders of Palestinian Authority passports into the United States.\n\nYou may read thefull letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-speaker-election", "Van Orden Statement on Speaker Election", "2023-10-17", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after the failure of the vote to elect a Speaker of the House:\n\n\u201cWhen I came to Congress, I took an oath to defend the Constitution and serve the American people. The American people sent us here to fix our economy, secure our border, and make our communities safer. The disorder we have seen in Washington has prevented us from getting our jobs done and addressing these important issues facing hardworking Americans. I remain frustrated with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who continue to hold our government in gridlock by placing personal agendas above our core responsibility \u2013 serving those who elected us to represent them in Washington. It is time for this Congress to unite behind a Speaker so we can get back to work and put our nation on the right track.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-resolution-supporting-israel", "Sen. Johnson Joins Colleagues in Resolution Supporting Israel", "2023-10-17", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, (R-Wis.) joined a bipartisan resolution, led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho.) and Chairman Ben Cardin (D-Md.), condemning Hamas and reinforcing the United States\u2019 commitment to Israel\u2019s security. The resolution secured the support of nearly all members of the U.S. Senate.\n\nSens. Johnson, Risch, and Cardin are joined on the resolution by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ben Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii.), Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Angus King (I-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Peter Welch (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).\n\nFull text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-introduces-legislation-protect-americas-security-following-brutal", "Tiffany Introduces Legislation to Protect America\u2019s Security Following the Brutal Attack on Israel", "2023-10-16", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 On Friday, Reps. Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Andy Ogles (TN-05) introduced the Guaranteeing Aggressors Zero Admission orGAZA Act for short. This legislation would prevent the Biden administration from issuing new visas or paroling holders of Palestinian Authority passports into the United States.\n\n\u201cFollowing the horrific attack by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists on innocent Israeli civilians, the last thing America ought to do is trust identity documents issued by the radicals that oversee these territories,\u201dsaid Congressman Tiffany. \u201cWe need to put our security at home first and that starts by closing the door to bad actors who might be seeking to enter our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt a time when the threat of terrorism is not only grotesquely on display but being encouraged and justified, it is critical that we do our best to ensure the security of our nation,\u201dsaid Congressman Ogles. \u201cI applaud Rep. Tiffany for leading this legislation to block the entry of Palestinians into the U.S. and prevent the Biden Administration from issuing new visas for the foreseeable future.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nHamas, adesignated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and Fatah run the Palestinian territories.\n\nHamas is responsible for the deadly attacks in Israel that left over 25 Americans and at least 1,200 Israelis dead.\n\nFatah\u2019s leader \u2013 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas \u2013 recently faced a torrent of global condemnation after he madeoutrageous statements about the Holocaust. Fatah operatives have cheered on violence against Israelis, calling for the\u201cslaughter of anyone who is Israeli\u201dand comparing Jews to\u201capes and pigs.\u201d\n\nThe full text of theGAZA Actcan be found here. More information can also befound here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-and-rep-gallagher-for-the-wall-street-journal-repeal-the-1974-budget-law-that-fuels-the-shutdown-cycle", "Sen. Johnson and Rep. Gallagher for the Wall Street Journal: Repeal the 1974 Budget Law That Fuels the Shutdown Cycle", "2023-10-12", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) summarizing the necessary actions Congress should take to stop its well-honed process of forcing through last-minute massive spending bills that mortgage our children\u2019s futures. Since the signing of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, it is clear that this law has failed to bring fiscal sanity, and it is time to repeal and replace it.\n\nThe lawmakers argue for three common-sense solutions: ending government shutdowns\u2014which works effectively in their home state of Wisconsin, consolidate committee jurisdiction, and move to biennial budgeting.\n\nThe full op-ed can be found here and excerpts are below.\n\n\u201cTotal federal government spending was $4.4 trillion in fiscal 2019. Four years later, in 2023, Washington spent about $6.4 trillion. The federal debt has surpassed $33 trillion, and the deficit for 2023 alone approached $2 trillion. Federal spending, deficits and debt are out of control, as is the dysfunctional appropriations process that facilitates spending.\n\n\u201cCongress rarely passes spending legislation on time, according to Pew Research Center. Since 1974, Congress has passed all of its required appropriations bills only four times: in 1977, 1989, 1995 and 1997.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cThe solution is to rein in the federal government\u2019s size, but until the appropriations process is under control, that will be impossible.\n\n\u201cIn 1974 lawmakers passed the Congressional Budget Control and Impoundment Act to bring order to the annual appropriations process. As we approach its 50th anniversary, it\u2019s clear that the law has failed to bring order. It\u2019s time to repeal and replace it rather than continuing this destructive cycle.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cThe first idea is to end the annual ritual of threatened government shutdowns. In Wisconsin, if legislative dysfunction precludes the funding of state government or agencies, we don\u2019t shut them down; we keep operating them at last year\u2019s spending levels until appropriations are passed. What could be more common-sense? Members of Congress have introduced proposals to end federal government shutdowns forever. It\u2019s past time to pass one of those bills.\n\n\u201cA second idea is to move to biennial budgeting. We often hear the excuse that there isn\u2019t enough time to pass all 12 annual appropriations bills one at a time. But many states use a two-year budget cycle. Congress each year could pass bills that provide two years of funding for six appropriations accounts while conducting oversight of the previous year\u2019s spending on the other six accounts. This would give lawmakers time to pass bills individually and allow greater scrutiny of each account. By aligning the federal government\u2019s fiscal year to the calendar year\u2014it currently starts Oct. 1\u2014Congress would have three more months to pass the appropriations bills.\n\n\u201cThe third idea is to consolidate committee jurisdiction. When several committees claim jurisdiction over the same federal departments, agencies and legislation, it creates overlap and congressional dysfunction. This would be challenging to fix because entrenched committee chairmen would likely oppose anything that reduced their power. But aligning the full standing committees to functions and departments within the executive branch would be a major improvement over the status quo. We should also consider dissolving appropriations committees and transferring their duties to subcommittees under the properly aligned authorizing committees. Each full committee should also have an adequately staffed oversight subcommittee.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cThe appropriations process for fiscal 2024 is already a mess. Rep. Matt Gaetz and seven other Republicans used it as an excuse to remove the House speaker. We hope that House Republicans can quickly come together and elect a new speaker who will have the entire conference\u2019s support. But changing who sits in the speaker\u2019s chair matters less than changing the process by which Congress conducts oversight and appropriates money to the executive branch. By committing to repeal and replace the Congressional Budget Act, Republican lawmakers can avoid further chaos while providing a path to future fiscal sanity.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-demands-president-biden-enforce-financial-sanctions-on-iran", "Steil Demands President Biden Enforce Financial Sanctions on Iran", "2023-10-11", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) yesterday called on President Biden to enforce financial sanctions on Iran following the unprecedented assault on Israel by Iranian-backed terrorist group, Hamas. Steil also urged President Biden to provide answers to Congress on his administration\u2019s approval of a recent sanctions waiver license that gave Iran $6 billion.\n\nRep. Steil has advocated for transparency and integrity surrounding the sanctions waiver license process to ensure that the Executive Branch\u2019s foreign policy actions align with Congressional intent. Last year, Rep. Steil introduced the Banking Transparency for Sanctioned Persons Act. This legislation, which was signed into law, increases transparency by requiring the U.S. Treasury Department to routinely report to Congress any sanctions licenses provided to allow transactions between financial institutions and targeted individuals.\n\nBelow are excerpts and highlights from the letter:\n\n\u201cOver the weekend, the Iranian-backed terrorist group, Hamas, launched an unprecedented assault on Israel. To date, we know of hundreds of civilians who were brutally murdered. Dozens, if not more, have been taken hostage. American citizens are among the victims.\n\n\u201cNow more than ever we must demonstrate our ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and our mutual stand against terrorism. The recent aggression by Hamas underscores the need to enforce our financial sanctions and deny revenue to the largest state sponsor of terrorism, Iran. Denying the Iranian regime funding means it has less money to spend on terror, missiles, and proxies like Hamas.\n\n\u201cAs you are aware, on September 11, 2023, your administration notified Congress that the United States issued a sanctions waiver license around August 9, 2023, to allow $6 billion in Iranian assets held in South Korea to be released to Iran. Nearly two months after Hamas\u2019s banker, Iran, received billions of dollars, Hamas launched a massive, unprovoked war on Israel. Arguing that these two events are unrelated strains credulity.\n\n\u201cI have advocated for transparency into the United States\u2019 sanctions waiver license process to ensure our economic and foreign policy goals are aligned and we are not giving rogue regimes, like Iran, resources to fund death and destruction.\u201d\n\nCLICK HERE to read the full letter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3685", "Congressman Grothman Statement on the Unprovoked Attack Against Israel", "2023-10-07", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Following the attack on Israel, Congressman Grothman (WI06) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cHamas terrorists invading Israel is plain evil,\u201d said Grothman. \u201cThe goal appears solely to spread terror and death. There is no other time in recent memory in which an invasion targeted civilians, specifically women and children.\n\n\u201cIn light of this heinous attack, the lack of comment from Islamic countries is sad and illuminating. Israel has every right to defend itself, and America strongly stands with Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, as they respond to the violence perpetrated by Hamas.\u201d\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-opposing-biden-fcc-s-internet-takeover", "Sen. Johnson Joins Colleagues in Opposing Biden FCC\u2019s Internet Takeover", "2023-10-06", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and 40 of their Republican Senate colleagues in urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to abandon her proposal to reinstate the failed, heavy-handed Obama-era regulations of the internet. In their letter, the Senators point out that all of the Democrats\u2019 fearmongering claims about net neutrality\u2014most notably that Americans would get the internet one word at a time\u2014have been debunked and proven to be completely false.\n\n\u201cRe-imposing heavy-handed, public-utility regulations on the internet would threaten the progress our country has made since 2017, and it would steer our country out of the fast lane and into a world of less competition, less choice, less investment, slower speeds, and higher prices,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\nSens. Johnson, Cruz, and Thune are joined on this letter by senators John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rand Paul, M.D. (R-Ky.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-statement-house-speaker", "Fitzgerald Statement on House Speaker", "2023-10-05", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve worked very closely with Chairman Jim Jordan on the Judiciary Committee since coming to Congress. His passion is unmatched and his work has always been laser-focused on transparency, accountability, and action. I am convinced he\u2019ll be a Speaker who will always go to bat for the American people, and I am proud to stand with him. He has my complete support to become the next Speaker of the House.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-call-to-keep-senate-in-session-until-all-spending-bills-get-debated-and-passed", "Sen. Johnson Joins Colleagues in Call to Keep Senate in Session Until All Spending Bills Get Debated and Passed", "2023-10-05", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and 12 of their Republican Senate colleagues in urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to keep the U.S. Senate in session until all 12 appropriations bills have been debated and passed by the Senate.\n\nCongress averted a shutdown this past weekend and set a November 17 deadline for new spending agreement. The letter comes as the Senate is not expected to be in session until October 16.\n\n\u201cWe urge you to modify the Senate calendar so that we remain in session Monday through Friday every week until all 12 fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills are passed in the Senate and House and signed into law by President Biden,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cWhile valuable work is done while Senators are back in their home states, it is imperative that we remain in DC until our appropriations work can be completed. That is what the American people expect and deserve of us.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe continuing resolution extended government funding until November 17th,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cThat allows seven weeks for the Senate to consider the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills. The past nine weeks make it clear that we cannot afford to take a weekday off, much less a weeklong recess, with so much work to be completed in such a condensed time.\u201d\n\nSens. Johnson and Ricketts are joined on this letter by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Katie Boyd Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-demanding-schumer-present-plan-to-fund-government-and-avoid-omnibus-spending-package", "Sen. Johnson Joins Colleagues in Demanding Schumer Present Plan to Fund Government and Avoid Omnibus Spending Package", "2023-10-05", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and 18 of his Republican Senate colleagues in a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer informing him they will not consent or vote to proceed to any item on the Senate floor that is not related to appropriations bills. The Senators also requested for Leader Schumer to present his plan how the Senate will take up and pass the 12 appropriations bills with an open amendment process and conference them with the House in time to prevent a December omnibus spending package. This letter comes with just 44 days of government funding remaining following the passage of a Continuing Resolution last week.\n\nSens. Johnson and Scott are joined on this letter by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Shelley Moore-Capito (R- W. Va.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.),and Mike Lee (R-Utah).\n\nFull text of the letter can be foundhere.\n\nRead more about the Senators\u2019 October 4, 2023 letter inThe Hill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-statement-motion-vacate", "Fitzgerald Statement on Motion to Vacate", "2023-10-04", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement following the vote on a Motion to Vacate.\n\n\u201cIn the last 9 months, the Republican House has passed critically needed legislation to secure the border, give parents more say in their child\u2019s education, make America energy independent, and importantly, reduce our federal debt. I am disappointed by the results of yesterday\u2019s vote to remove the Speaker. I voted with the overwhelming majority of the Republican conference to back Speaker McCarthy and to get back to work on the remaining appropriations bills that would both reduce federal spending and stop the toxic policies of the Biden Administration. Unfortunately, the entire Democrat caucus joined with a very small number of Republican members to shut down the House and remove the Speaker,\" said Rep. Fitzgerald. \"I will not dwell further on the motion to vacate. My focus is now 100% on electing another Republican Speaker to continue our oversight responsibilities and lead our conference to more wins for the American people.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/icymi-sen-johnson-makes-his-case-to-end-government-shutdowns-once-and-for-all", "ICYMI: Sen. Johnson Makes His Case to End Government Shutdowns Once and for All", "2023-10-03", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Friday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) took to the Senate floor in an attempt to circumvent a government shutdown with the passage of a one-time 14-day Continuing Resolution (C.R.) to fund government at the previous year\u2019s appropriation levels. When speaking, the senator continued his support for the bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023 which would effectively end government shutdowns altogether by enacting rolling 14-day C.R.s until Congress passes all 12 appropriations bills.\n\nSenate Democrats blocked the common-sense solution, illustrating the dysfunction in Washington which the senator discussed in-depth Sunday on Fox News\u2019 Life, Liberty, and Levin.\n\nListen to his full speech here.\n\nOn Washington\u2019s broken appropriations process\n\n\u201cBy the time I arrived in 2011, Congresses\u2019 appropriations process was completely broken, it still is. The U.S. has since, this is again as of September 2019, the U.S. has since had three government shutdowns, passed 34 Continuing Resolutions to avoid shutdowns, raised or suspended the debt ceiling nine times, and again, this was just four years ago, increased the federal debt $8.5 trillion. So here we are, a couple days before the end of the fiscal year, four years later: our debt by the way has more than doubled, stands at $33 trillion now, and we\u2019re facing a shutdown. Isn\u2019t this ridiculous? There\u2019s no reason for this.\u201d\n\nOn the plan to halt future shutdowns\n\n\u201cThe Hassan-Lankford bill did what we do in Wisconsin. You don\u2019t shut the agency down, you don\u2019t shut the government down, you just keep spending at last year\u2019s level until the legislature can get its act together and appropriate the funds. So that bill that I chose, that we passed by the way, on a bipartisan basis, I believe every Democratic senator on the committee voted for it because Senator Hassan and Senator Lankford did a good job of coming together in a bipartisan fashion. They put some disciplines in there, but what it does, it just creates rolling 14-day C.R.s, with those disciplines, members can\u2019t travel back on the government dime, you only have a 24 hour shutdown I believe, there are other disciplines there that put pressure on the process. To get our act together and start appropriating bills. If you don\u2019t get it done in the first 14 days, you have another 14-day C.R., and another 14-day C.R. until we create the appropriations process.\u201d\n\nOn mortgaging our children\u2019s future\n\n\u201cAs dysfunctional as Washington, D.C. is and it is grotesquely dysfunctional, I come from the private sector. This would not happen in the private sector. You wouldn't take 72-73% of what you spend in your private sector budget and say that's on automatic pilot. We're never going to look at that. We're really going to look at 27% of the budget and try and control that. And that's what we're doing here with discretionary spending. This year, 27%. We'll focus on that and we'll ignore 73% and let it grow out-of-control. But again, this is a well-honed process. It\u2019s dysfunctional, but the process is in place, and it's a well-honed process to mortgage our children's future.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-statement-continuing-resolution-0", "Fitzgerald Statement on Continuing Resolution", "2023-09-30", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement after a continuing resolution was passed in the House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cEver since President Biden took office, we\u2019ve lost complete control over our southern border. Day-by-day we hear from border patrol and read reports that paint a worsening picture. To that end, I voted yesterday on a CR that would have provided sorely needed additional resources to secure our southern border,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cUnfortunately, that CR failed with not a single Democrat voting in support of the resolution and a solution to address the crisis. Today, the House was pushed into a corner and was forced to put forth a CR with no additional resources to secure our border\u2014a proposal I simply could not support. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the weeks ahead to pass the remaining appropriations bills and restore complete regular order to our southern border.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-votes-keep-government-open", "Van Orden Votes to Keep Government Open", "2023-09-30", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Following his vote to avert a government shutdown, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cI came to Congress to work on behalf of the veterans, farmers, and families in Wisconsin\u2019s Third District. That is why today, I voted to pay our troops, continue support for agriculture, secure the border, and keep the government open and working for the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-statement-appropriations-bills", "Fitzgerald Statement on Appropriations Bills", "2023-09-29", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement following passage of three appropriations bills for the Department of Defense (H.R. 4365), Homeland Security (H.R. 4367), and State and Foreign Operations (H.R. 4665).\n\n\u201cHouse Republicans delivered big wins in passing these three appropriations bills for the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and State and Foreign Operations,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cThese bills included a pay increase for service members, eliminated taxpayer funding for abortions, and secured additional funds for border patrol and wall construction, just to name a few. Notably, there was no funding for Ukraine included in these bills\u2014funding which I strongly oppose in the absence of legitimate oversight and defined end goals. I look forward to building on this momentum with my colleagues to pass the remaining appropriations bills.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-agriculture-rural-development-and-fda-appropriations-act", "Van Orden Statement on Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA Appropriations Act", "2023-09-29", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Following his vote against the Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA Appropriations Act last night, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cOver the past two months, I have voted in support of four single-subject appropriations bills that cut spending while prioritizing the interests of Wisconsinites. Last night, I voted against the Agriculture Appropriations Act out of concern for the steep cuts that would unduly stress America\u2019s agriculture industry.\n\n\u201cWhile my funding requests to support public safety in rural communities and Wisconsin\u2019s signature dairy and cranberry industries were a step in the right direction, the bill went too far in cutting important programs for Wisconsin farmers. We can deliver a product that implements fiscally responsible changes while doing what is right for our farmers \u2013 and this bill was not it.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/9/sen-johnson-and-republican-colleagues-demand-accountability-on-dod-official-with-iran-ties", "Sen. Johnson and Republican Colleagues Demand Accountability on DOD Official with Iran Ties", "2023-09-29", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Friday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and twenty-nine of his Republican colleagues in signing a letter demanding a full account of actions by a senior Pentagon official who allegedly served as part of an Iranian influence operation.\n\nChief of staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, Ariane Tabatabai, allegedly engaged in an Iranian government-linked initiative to bolster Iran\u2019s image and reinforce Tehran\u2019s national security priorities. According to communications in leaked emails, Tabatabai asked Iranian foreign ministry officials for input on her speaking engagements and may have consulted with the Iranian government prior to providing a congressional briefing.\n\nIn the letter, the senators assert that, given the facts, it is unconscionable that a senior defense official would continue to hold a sensitive position despite her alleged participation in an Iranian government influence operation.\n\nThe senators wrote, \u201c[W]e urge you to suspend Ms. Tabatabai's security clearance immediately pending further review.\u201d\n\nSens. Johnson and Wicker were joined on the letter by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-La.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and John Thune (R-S.D.).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/9/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-bill-to-keep-border-agents-paid-during-government-shutdowns", "Sen. Johnson Joins Colleagues in Bill to Keep Border Agents Paid During Government Shutdowns", "2023-09-29", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Friday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and four of his Republican colleagues in supporting the Keep Our Border Agents Paid Act, which would ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents and contractors are paid in the case of a government shutdown.\n\nSen. Johnson said, \u201cThe record-breaking number of migrants pouring across our southern border does not stop during a government shutdown, and our Border Patrol officers go to work every day during a shutdown\u2014without a paycheck. This bill ensures these agents do not miss a paycheck while they work tirelessly to stem the tide of Biden\u2019s disastrous border policies.\u201d\n\nNational Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd said, \"Border Patrol Agents are some of the most patriotic people in this country. We love our nation and we love our fellow citizens, and if we have to, we will work without pay. However, thanks to Senator Scott\u2019s bill, we might not have to worry about protecting our borders while also worrying about keeping food on the table for our families. We appreciate Senator Scott\u2019s willingness to look out for the well being of all brave agents on the frontlines and we encourage Congress to quickly pass his bill into law.\"\n\nSens. Johnson and Scott are joined on this legislation by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.).\n\nThe full text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-amendment-bar-sanctuary-cities-receiving-federal-funds-passes-us-house", "Tiffany Amendment to Bar Sanctuary Cities from Receiving Federal Funds Passes U.S. House", "2023-09-28", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Tom Tiffany\u2019s (WI-07)amendment to bar sanctuary cities from receiving federal funds was approved by the U.S. House and included in theDepartment of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Tiffany\u2019s amendment would prevent state and local governments who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities from obtaining DHS funds.\n\nThis summer, it was reported that DHS dished out atotal of $770 million to cities taking in illegal immigrants, includingover $104 million to the sanctuary city of New York City.\n\nRep. Tiffany\u2019s floor remarks on his amendment can be foundhere and below.\n\n\u201cThese so-called sanctuary city policies are nothing new. They are also illegal. In fact, they have been illegal since Bill Clinton signed a law making them illegal in the 1990s. As we have seen in recent months, these misguided policies serve as a magnet for illegal aliens \u2013 overwhelming schools, hospitals, and other local services.\n\n\u201cNew York Mayor Eric Adams recently conceded that the tidal wave of illegal immigrants flooding into his sanctuary city will cost Big Apple residents a staggering $12 billion. He went on to say the influx will \u2018destroy\u2019 his city.\n\n\u201cBut there is more to this issue than just dollars and cents.\n\n\u201cBecause these policies prevent local law enforcement from reporting illegal aliens to ICE, police are often forced to release foreign criminals from custody \u2013 who of course go on to target new victims. That doesn\u2019t just put sanctuary cities at risk \u2013 it puts every other neighboring community at risk too.\n\n\u201cMadame Speaker, why are Americans being forced to finance the dangerous and illegal policies of sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago? Why are we being asked to pick up the tab for the problems these jurisdictions are bringing upon themselves?\n\n\u201cIt is time to stop rewarding bad behavior.\n\n\u201cIf you make an affirmative decision to violate federal law, then you should be prepared to forego federal funds.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-amendments-remove-barriers-us-taiwan-cooperation-clear-house", "Tiffany Amendments to Remove Barriers to U.S.-Taiwan Cooperation Clear House", "2023-09-28", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, the U.S. House approved two amendments authored by Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) to theDepartment of State Appropriations Act. Both measures would sweep away administrative barriers to U.S.-Taiwan cooperation.\n\nThefirst amendment by Rep. Tiffany would end the State Department policy of relegating Taiwan\u2019s elected leaders to short U.S. transits in cities that are often far away from Washington, DC.\n\nThesecond amendment would remove unnecessary and counter-productive limits on communication and cooperation with Taiwanese officials imposed by the State Department through a 2021 memo. The Trump administrationremoved the restrictions during its tenure; however, the Biden administrationreimposed them shortly after coming into office.\n\nRep. Tiffany\u2019s remarks on the amendment to remove arbitrary restrictions can be foundhere and below.\n\n\u201cMr. Chairman, why do we allow the State Department \u2013 through a bureaucratic memo \u2013 to impose these unnecessary and counter-productive limits on communication and cooperation with Taiwan?\n\n\u201cWe don\u2019t have rules like this in place for the totalitarian rulers of Cuba or Russia\u2026 Both of whom operate embassies just a few miles away from where we are standing right now.\n\n\u201cWe don\u2019t have rules like this for U.S. interaction with Iran\u2026 John Kerry has met on several occasions with high-ranking Iranian officials, and the White House just paid a $6 billion hostage ransom to the Ayatollahs.\n\n\u201cWe don\u2019t have rules like this for U.S. interaction with Communist China\u2026 Biden administration officials continue to sit down at the table with the same CCP officials who our own Secretary of State has accused of committing genocide.\n\n\u201cYet we continue to enforce these degrading conditions on Taiwan, a long-time friend and fellow democracy.\n\n\u201cMr. Chairman, as the old Sesame Street song goes: \u2018One of These Things is Not Like the Others.\u2019 It is time to stop treating our friends like enemies, and our enemies like friends.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 425, "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": "2023"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 425, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2023", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 287, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2023&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 138, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2023&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "WI", "label": "WI", "count": 425, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2023", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "2023", "label": "2023", "count": 425, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2023-09-28,https~3A~2F~2Ftiffany~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Ftiffany-amendments-remove-barriers-us-taiwan-cooperation-clear-house", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=WI&year=2023&_next=2023-09-28%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Ftiffany~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Ftiffany-amendments-remove-barriers-us-taiwan-cooperation-clear-house&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 358.1739813089371, "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"}