{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"WI\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-announces-winner-2025-congressional-app-challenge", "Tiffany Announces Winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "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 winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for Wisconsin's Seventh District. The CAC provides middle and high school students who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) with the opportunity to compete against their peers from across the nation.\n\n\u201cThank you to all the students who participated in this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge. After reviewing the submissions, it is clear that we are not short of talent here in Wisconsin,\u201d said Congressman Tiffany. \u201cThis year\u2019s winner, Invisible Shield, was designed as a tool to combat the mental health crisis we are facing in the United States and provide a space where kids can write down their thoughts and get immediate onsite intervention from a trained counselor.\u201d\n\nFirst Place\n\nApp: Invisible Shield\n\nBy: Ridhi and Riya Shankar\n\nSchool: Marshfield Middle School\n\nThe winner of the first-place app, Invisible Shield, 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, "2026-04-28T06:05:12Z", "2026-04-28T06:07:17Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-applauds-203m-investment-strengthen-rural-health-care-wisconsin", "Van Orden Applauds $203M Investment to Strengthen Rural Health Care in Wisconsin", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) today applauded the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement that Wisconsin will receive $203,670,005 through the Rural Health Transformation Program, part of a historic $50 billion investment created under President Trump\u2019s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation to strengthen and modernize rural health care across America.\n\nBeginning in 2026, this funding will support Wisconsin-led efforts to expand access to care, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize facilities and technology, and keep care local for rural families, seniors, and veterans across the state.\n\n\u201cEvery American citizen should have access to readily available, high-quality, and actually affordable health care,\u201d said Rep. Van Orden. \u201cThis $203 million investment delivers real support for rural Wisconsin hospitals, clinics, and health care workers. Republicans fought to get this done, and not one Democrat voted for it. Thanks to President Trump\u2019s leadership, rural Wisconsin is finally getting the support it deserves.\u201d\n\nThe Rural Health Transformation Program will distribute $10 billion annually from 2026 through 2030, with funding allocated based on rural need, policy innovation, and the potential to deliver measurable improvements in access and outcomes.\n\nThe $50 billion investment strengthens rural health care in Wisconsin and across the nation by focusing on:\n\nA Nationwide Commitment to Strengthen Rural Health Care\n\nBringing More Care Within Reach for Rural Families\n\nStrengthening and Sustaining the Rural Clinical Workforce\n\nModernizing Rural Health Infrastructure and Technology\n\nDriving Structural Efficiency & Empowering Community Providers\n\nAdvancing Innovative Care Models and Payment Reform\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-dean-lead-letter-trump-violations-ceasefire-gaza", "Pocan, Dean Lead Letter to Trump on Violations of the Ceasefire in Gaza", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Mark Pocan", "P000607", "pocan.house.gov", "pocan", "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Madeleine Dean (PA-04) led a letter with 47 of their colleagues to President Trump expressing serious concerns regarding Israeli actions in Gaza that threaten the ceasefire framework, including continued bombardment against civilians, destruction of property, and insufficient delivery of humanitarian aid. The latest reporting indicates that Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement more than 700 times since it was signed less than three months ago.\n\n\u201cGiven the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Israel, it\u2019s imperative that we hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions,\u201d the Members wrote. \u201cWe strongly urge your administration to exert maximum diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government, including by leveraging U.S. assistance, to ensure full compliance with the terms of the framework and an end to the continued acts of violence and destruction that undermine this fragile agreement and threaten the prospect of lasting peace in the region.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe recognize that both Hamas and Israel have committed ceasefire violations,\u201d the Members continued. \u201cHamas has continued their brutal campaign in Gaza, including by reasserting control of areas of Gaza by killing civilians, and has killed three Israeli soldiers. However, we are deeply concerned that the Israeli response to violations by Hamas have been severe and disproportionate, resulting in massive loss of life. In fact, since the start of the current ceasefire agreement on October 10, 2025, at least 356 Palestinians have been killed and more than 900 have been injured by Israeli attacks\u2026 On November 29, the Israeli military killed two brothers, aged 8 and 10, in a drone strike after they crossed into an Israeli-controlled area of Gaza, referring to the children as \u201csuspects\u201d in a statement that failed to acknowledge they were children. The total death toll from the war in Gaza has now surpassed 70,000, including over 20,000 children.\u201d\n\n\u201cAdditionally, since the beginning of the ceasefire Israeli forces have reportedly destroyed more than 1,500 buildings, many of which did not appear to be damaged prior to being destroyed. These actions raise significant concerns that Israel could be acting in violation of international humanitarian law which prohibits the destruction of civilian property unless absolutely necessary for military operations. We also are gravely concerned that the Israeli government is not allowing sufficient levels of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza,\u201d the Members go on to write. \u201cThe ceasefire agreement calls for 600 trucks per day to enter Gaza, but recent reports indicate that far fewer trucks are actually getting through. Insufficient and delayed aid deliveries will only exacerbate an already desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza where civilians are still facing severe malnutrition and starvation, the rampant spread of disease, and lack of access to healthcare, clean drinking water, sanitation, and shelter.\u201d\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, the near daily violations of the ceasefire threaten to plunge the region back into full-scale war. It is imperative that your administration exerts maximum diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government, including by leveraging U.S. assistance, to bring an end to the near-daily attacks on civilians, including children, destruction of civilian property, and insufficient delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid,\u201d the Members concluded.\n\nA full copy of the letter can be found here.\n\nThe list of signers includes: Pocan, Mark; Dean, Madeleine; Ansari, Yassamin; Barrag\u00e1n, Nanette; Beyer, Donald; Bonamici, Suzanne; Brownley, Julia; Carson, Andr\u00e9; Carter, Troy; Casar, Greg; Castro, Joaquin; Chu, Judy; Cohen, Steve; Crockett, Jasmine; DeLauro, Rosa; DeSaulnier, Mark; Dexter, Maxine; Doggett, Lloyd; Escobar, Veronica; Evans, Dwight; Foushee, Valerie; Frost, Maxwell; Garamendi, John; Garcia, Sylvia; Grijalva, Adelita; Hayes, Jahana; Hoyle, Val; Jackson, Jonathan; Jacobs, Sara; Jayapal, Pramila; Johnson, Henry; Kelly, Robin; Khanna, Ro; Lynch, Stephen; McCollum, Betty; McGovern, James; Randall, Emily; Salinas, Andrea; Schakowsky, Janice; Stansbury, Melanie; Thompson, Bennie; Tokuda, Jill; Tonko, Paul; Tran, Derek; Vel\u00e1zquez, Nydia; Waters, Maxine; Watson Coleman, Bonnie", 1, "2026-04-10T05:46:57Z", "2026-04-10T05:48:19Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-announces-2025-first-congressional-district-congressional-app-challenge-winner", "Steil Announces 2025 First Congressional District Congressional App Challenge Winner", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Franklin, WI \u2013 Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) announced the 2025 Congressional App Challenge first place winner, Sonakshi Giri, from Franklin High School. Following the event, Steil released the following statement congratulating this year's winner.\n\n\"Congratulations to Sonakshi Giri from Franklin High School, winner of the 2025 App Challenge, for her app, RideRight. Creating an app takes time, skill, patience, and planning,\" said Steil. \"The App Challenge is a great way to promote STEM education and teach students how to be innovative.\"\n\nSonakshi Giri and her app, RideRight, is the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Wisconsin\u2019s First Congressional District. RideRight estimates a user\u2019s blood alcohol content (BAC) using factors such as age, sex, weight, alcohol type and amount, and time since consumption, then indicates whether it is safe to drive based on age- and location-specific laws, and advises how long to wait if it is unsafe. RideRight also includes a designated driver picker, a function that randomly draws a designated driver from a set of entered names.", 1, "2026-05-01T06:06:26Z", "2026-05-01T06:08:22Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-demands-answers-from-trump-admin-on-unauthorized-dismantling-of-manufacturing-program", "Senator Baldwin Demands Answers from Trump Admin on Unauthorized Dismantling of Manufacturing Program", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined a group of her colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration on its decision to withhold and delay congressionally-approved funds to the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program\u2019s Centers and why the Administration has repeatedly insisted MEP is inconsistent with their priorities. The MEP program is a public-private partnership that helps small and medium-sized manufacturers grow, make operational improvements, and create jobs. Prior to the Trump Administration\u2019s moves to dismantle the program, the MEP in Wisconsin helped create more than $2.5 billion in economic impact and created or retained nearly 4,000 jobs in just two years.\n\n\u201cOn April 1, 2025, the Administration began withholding and delaying funds Congress already enacted and appropriated for MEP Centers,\u201d wrote Baldwin and the Senators in a letter to Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Craig Burkhardt. \u201cSince then, NIST and the Administration have put the future of the MEP Program in deep uncertainty with its ever-shifting chronology of statements and actions. This uncertainty has already caused roughly 90% of MEP Centers to conduct layoffs or freeze hiring, with some at risk of entirely shutting down. Our offices are also deeply troubled by reports that the Administration has issued Reduction in Force (RIF) and possible separation notices to every MEP employee. These actions disregard Congress\u2019s explicit statutory direction to fully fund the MEP Program and its Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\u201d\n\nThese actions come despite longstanding broad, bipartisan support from Congress, and the fact that both the House and Senate Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bills provide $175 million for MEP.\n\nThe Administration has also claimed that the goal of the MEP \u2013 to support American manufacturers \u2013 was not aligned with the Administration\u2019s priorities. President Trump has promised an \u201cAmerican manufacturing boom,\u201d but the latest jobs report indicates 67,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost since April 2025.\n\n\u201cIt is perplexing why the Administration appears to believe a program specifically designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing would be at odds with its priorities,\u201d concluded the Senators. \u201cWe should not be undermining or eliminating a long-standing program that strengthens innovation, enhances global competitiveness, and creates jobs in U.S. manufacturing.\u201d\n\nSince 1988, the MEP has worked to strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturing through a nationwide network of MEP Centers. The MEP National Network is comprised of 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico and over 1,450 trusted advisors and experts at more than 430 MEP service locations that provide any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.\n\nSenator Baldwin has long championed investing in the manufacturing sector. In addition to helping pass the CHIPS and Science Act, Senator Baldwin worked to secure significant investments to support the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Baldwin is Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee charged with oversight of MEP at the Department of Commerce.\n\nIn addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter was led by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and co-signed by 26 of their colleagues.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Acting Under Secretary Burkhardt,\n\nWe write to seek clarity and information on what appears to be the unauthorized dismantling of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program. If the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) continues its current trajectory of refusing to provide MEP Centers their congressionally mandated funding, 65,000 American manufacturers will lose critical services and resources after December 31, 2025. This is an unacceptable and completely avoidable outcome, and we call on you to rectify this immediately.\n\nOn April 1, 2025, the Administration began withholding and delaying funds Congress already enacted and appropriated for MEP Centers. Since then, NIST and the Administration have put the future of the MEP Program in deep uncertainty with its ever-shifting chronology of statements and actions. This uncertainty has already caused roughly 90% of MEP Centers to conduct layoffs or freeze hiring, with some at risk of entirely shutting down. Our offices are also deeply troubled by reports that the Administration has issued Reduction in Force (RIF) and possible separation notices to every MEP employee. These actions disregard Congress\u2019s explicit statutory direction to fully fund the MEP Program and its Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\n\nThe MEP Program under the Department of Commerce (DOC) and NIST has long enjoyed broad bipartisan, bicameral support for its success as a national network of go-to experts that help small and medium-sized manufacturers enhance productivity and adopt advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. Congress first authorized MEP in the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act and of 1988 and reauthorized the program in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Recent legislation demonstrates Congress\u2019s ongoing support for MEP Centers, as both the House and Senate Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bills provide $175 million for MEP. The House report specifically supports \u201ccontinuation of current State awards that bolster the local manufacturing economy.\u201d Additionally, the Senate report clearly directs that \u201cno funds are provided to execute or plan for a program that reduces the number of active MEP Centers\u201d and that \u201cany revamp, including the one outlined in the June 2025 renewal documents, should not proceed without consultation and approval from the Committee.\u201d\n\nAdditionally, please provide a briefing to our staff on the status of the MEP Program and the Department\u2019s plans for program continuity no later than January 5, 2026.\n\nWe appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgerald-votes-pass-legislation-protecting-children-and-reducing-energy", "Rep. Fitzgerald Votes to Pass Legislation Protecting Children and Reducing Energy Costs", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "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 statements in response to the passage of four critical pieces of legislation this week: the Kayla Hamilton Act, the Protect Children\u2019s Innocence Act, the Power Plant Reliability Act, and the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act.\n\nOn the Kayla Hamilton Act:\n\n\u201cKayla Hamilton was murdered because the Biden-Harris Administration released a known MS-13 gang member through the unaccompanied alien children (UAC) program without conducting rigorous background checks,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald. \u201cUnder the Biden-Harris Administration, the UAC system was exploited by criminals and gangs, putting innocent Americans at risk. This legislation requires the Department of Health and Human Services to request criminal records before releasing UACs to a sponsor. It restores accountability and puts public safety first.\u201d\n\nOn the Protect Children\u2019s Innocence Act:\n\n\u201cChildren should never be subjected to permanent medical procedures they are too young to fully comprehend or consent to,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald. \u201cThis legislation protects minors by prohibiting doctors from performing genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration procedures. It ensures that the health and wellbeing of children come first, shielding them from dangerous medical practices pushed by left-wing political activists.\u201d\n\nOn the Power Plant Reliability Act:\n\n\u201cReliable, affordable electricity is essential for families and businesses, and reckless power plant closures in the U.S. put that at risk,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald. \u201cThis legislation strengthens the ability of states and grid operators to challenge closures that threaten reliability and requires advance notice so the system can plan responsibly. It helps keep our lights on, energy costs down, and our electric grid stable across the country.\u201d\n\nOn the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act:\n\n\u201cFor too long, progressive liberal policies and endless lawsuits have blocked critical infrastructure and energy projects, driving up costs and preventing American communities from accessing the energy and resources they need,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald. \u201cThe SPEED Act reforms NEPA by setting clear timelines, limiting frivolous litigation, and cutting through the bureaucratic obstacles liberals have imposed to stop growth. This legislation will allow us to build the roads, bridges, and energy facilities our country desperately needs, deliver affordable energy, create jobs, and strengthen American energy independence.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/as-union-pacific-files-application-to-acquire-norfolk-southern-senator-baldwin-calls-on-trump-administration-to-get-serious-about-bringing-down-costs-for-wisconsinites", "Baldwin Calls for Rejection of Rail Megamerger That Threatens to Raise Costs on Wisconsin Farmers, Manufacturers, and Families", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to reject the merger application filed by Union Pacific to acquire Norfolk Southern. If approved, this merger would greatly reduce competition in Class I rail and worsen already poor service and high costs experienced by Wisconsin farmers and manufacturers while jacking up costs on consumers as businesses pay more to get their products to market.\n\n\u201cAs Wisconsin families watch the cost of just about everything skyrocket, the last thing they need is a rail merger that all but promises to raise prices and worsen already inadequate service for Wisconsin farmers, manufacturers, and businesses,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cApproving this merger would take us in the wrong direction \u2013 stifling competition, worsening service, and raising costs on consumers and businesses who are already facing growing headwinds because of the Trump Administration. While President Trump accepts payouts from Union Pacific to fund his $400 million ballroom, I\u2019m ready to hold his feet to the fire and demand this merger be rejected on behalf of the Wisconsin farmers, manufacturers, and consumers who simply cannot afford it.\u201d\n\nThe merger, in which Union Pacific agreed to acquire Norfolk Southern, would be the most significant consolidation in freight rail in decades and would undoubtedly reshape the U.S. freight rail industry and supply chain. Baldwin has been critical of the rail merger, citing the continued consolidation in the railroad industry and impacts on manufacturers, agriculture, small businesses, and consumers. The Surface Transportation Board received a notice of intent regarding the proposed railway merger in July. Today, the railroads filed their formal application, which will initiate the merger review process.\n\nIn July, Senators Baldwin and Roger Marshall (R-KS) called on the Surface Transportation Board to scrutinize the impact of this merger on the already poor service and high costs experienced by American businesses and consumers that rely on freight rail. That letter came after President Trump illegally fired former STB member Robert Primus in June ahead of the proposed megamerger. As the STB considers this merger, Union Pacific\u2019s CEO recently visited President Trump in the Oval Office and committed to helping fund the President\u2019s $400 million White House ballroom. At a nomination hearing in November in front of the Senate Commerce Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) pushed two of President Trump\u2019s nominees for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) \u2013 Mr. Richard Kloster and Ms. Michelle Schultz \u2013 on whether they will act independently or simply take orders from the President.\n\nSince the 1950s, the rail industry has consolidated from over 100 Class I freight railroads to only six today, leaving U.S. manufacturers, utility companies, agricultural producers, and small businesses paying excessive rates despite poor service and reliability.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-releases-statement-on-navy-announcement-of-new-frigate-class", "Senator Baldwin Releases Statement on Navy Announcement of New Frigate Class", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after the U.S. Navy announced its plan to introduce a new frigate class. This announcement comes after the Trump administration announced plans to cut back the production of the U.S. Navy\u2019s Constellation-class frigate warships that are produced in Marinette, Green Bay, and Sturgeon Bay, WI.\n\n\u201cWisconsin workers and businesses have decades of experience and a second-to-none track record of building world-class vessels that defend our nation,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cThat\u2019s why I fought hard to build the Constellation-class frigates in Wisconsin, but the Trump administration is turning its back on this program and pulling the rug out from under thousands of skilled workers. Instead of following through with work already underway, Donald Trump has decided to throw in the towel and start from scratch \u2013 with no guarantee of better results. If the Trump administration insists on building a new frigate, then I call on the Navy to uphold its promise to Wisconsin\u2019s shipyards, communities, and workers and ensure that some of these ships are built here in Wisconsin. Additionally, using any of the Navy\u2019s money meant to build the Constellation-class in Wisconsin for this new frigate without the approval of Congress is illegal. It is only fair for the Trump administration to use every dollar meant to build the Constellation-class in Wisconsin for other Made in Wisconsin ships.\u201d\n\nBaldwin was an early and strong advocate for Constellation-class frigates being built in Wisconsin. In 2020, Fincantieri Marinette Marine won the contract. In the 2021 NDAA, Baldwin helped secure more than $1 billion for an additional Constellation-class frigate, to be built in Marinette, Wisconsin, as well as $69.1 million in additional advanced procurement funding for critical systems and components for the frigate. Since 2023, Senator Baldwin has also successfully fought to include $200 million in Department of Defense funding bills to support the frigate program and the Wisconsin workforce.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgerald-votes-control-wisconsins-gray-wolf-population", "Rep. Fitzgerald Votes to Control Wisconsin\u2019s Gray Wolf Population", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "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 H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act.\n\n\u201cWisconsin farmers and ranchers work hard to provide for their families and feed our communities. They should not have to worry about predators threatening their livestock because of outdated federal restrictions and decisions by activist judges.\n\n\u201cThe Pet and Livestock Protection Act delists the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act and returns management to state wildlife officials who understand local needs. This legislation allows members of the agricultural community to protect their livelihoods while ensuring responsible wildlife management.\u201d\n\nBackground: In 2013, the Obama Administration proposed delisting the gray wolf because the population had reached a level where it was no longer facing extinction. Since that time, the gray wolf population in the continental United States has continued growing and is now greater than 6,000.\n\nThe United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed the gray wolf from the Endangered Species (ESA) Act on January 4, 2021, after the gray wolf exceeded the agency's targeted population goal. However, on February 10th, 2022, a federal court vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's final gray wolf delisting rule, which means gray wolves in Wisconsin are currently under the protection of the ESA once more.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-house-passes-rep-tiffanys-bill-delist-gray-wolf", "U.S. House Passes Rep. Tiffany\u2019s Bill to Delist the Gray Wolf", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "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 passed the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, introduced by Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04). H.R. 845 delists the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA), prevents endless lawfare from overturning the decision, and restores authority to state lawmakers and wildlife officials to responsibly manage gray wolf populations. The bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 211-204.\n\n\"When federal protections were first established for gray wolves in the Great Lakes region, populations were only in the hundreds. Today, there are well over 4,000 wolves across Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Despite this recovery, activist judges continue to ignore the science, leaving livestock and pets to be slaughtered and rural communities vulnerable,\" said Congressman Tom Tiffany. \"The Pet and Livestock Protection Act reflects a commonsense approach that has been recognized across administrations of both parties, including Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden. The gray wolf has recovered, and Wisconsin should be allowed to responsibly manage a population that has exceeded recovery goals without interference from out-of-state judges.\"\n\n\"I'm thrilled that the Pet and Livestock Protection Act has now passed the House with a bipartisan vote, marking a major win for ranchers, farmers, and property owners in Colorado and nationwide,\" Congresswoman Lauren Boebert stated. \"The science has been clear for years: gray wolves are fully recovered, and their resurgence deserves to be celebrated as a true conservation success story. It\u2019s long past time to delist them and empower states to set their own management policies. I can\u2019t wait for President Trump to sign this bill into law.\"\n\n\"The science has been clear for nearly two decades: the gray wolf is a fully recovered species. States are more than capable of managing thriving wolf populations. This legislation restores a common-sense, science-based approach to wolf management, returning decision-making to states. I commend the House for acting to protect livestock, pets, and rural communities while maintaining healthy ecosystems,\" said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Pet and Livestock Protection Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the 2020 Department of the Interior final rule that delisted gray wolves in the lower 48 United States. It also ensures this rule cannot be overturned through judicial review, preventing activist judges, like the California judge who vacated the rule in 2022, from relisting the gray wolf by judicial fiat.\n\nIn 2020, the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under President Trump delisted the gray wolf in the lower 48 United States through a process that included the best science and data available. At over 6,000 wolves at the time of delisting, the gray wolf has been the latest Endangered Species Act (ESA) success story with significant population recoveries in the Rocky Mountains and western Great Lakes regions.\n\nDespite clear evidence of recovery, a California judge overturned the rule in 2022, relisting the gray wolf under the ESA. Since then, wolf attacks in Wisconsin have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2024, Wisconsin paid out $322,970 for wolf-caused losses, the second-highest amount in 40 years. There have been numerous gray wolf attacks in Wisconsin\u2019s Seventh District over the last few years. You can view some examples here, here, and here (warning of graphic content). Several states in the Northern Rockies are responsibly managing stable wolf populations, and it\u2019s time to give other states the opportunity to do the same.\n\n36 Members of Congress cosponsored Reps. Tiffany\u2019s and Boebert\u2019s Pet and Livestock Protection Act, including: Reps. Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Nick Begich (AK-At-Large), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Jeff Crank (CO-05), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Troy Downing (MT-02), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Gabe Evans (CO-08), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Harriet Hageman (WY-At-Large), Andy Harris (MD-01), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Richard Hudson (NC-09), David Joyce (OH-14), Mike Kennedy (UT-03), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Max Miller (OH-07), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Michael Rulli (OH-06), Bryan Steil (WI-01), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Tony Wied (WI-08)\n\nStakeholders that support the Pet and Livestock Protection Act include: Hunter Nation, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association (NCBA), Public Lands Council (PLC), National Rifle Association (NRA), Safari Club International (SCI), International Order of T. Roosevelt (IOTR), Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Blacktail Deer Foundation, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Wool Growers, New Mexico Cattle Growers, Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers Association, Coalition of Arizona/New Mexico Counties, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cattlemen\u2019s Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, and Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association\n\n\"This isn\u2019t just about wolves \u2014 it is about freedom, fairness, and who gets to decide the future of America\u2019s outdoors. Hunter Nation thanks Representatives Tiffany and Boebert, as they fought tirelessly to make sure the voices of hunters, ranchers, and rural Americans were heard in Washington. Today\u2019s vote restores common sense and gets us one step closer to getting wildlife management back where it belongs \u2014 with the states and with the people who live closest to the land,\" said Hunter Nation CEO and Founder Keith Mark.\n\n\"For too long, ranchers have grappled with the pendulum swing of regulatory determination on the gray wolf. The last three presidents have concluded that the gray wolf is fully recovered, yet lawsuits from activist groups have forced the agency to back away from sound science and keep the wolf listed. Restoring the 2020 wolf delisting through the Pet and Livestock Protection Act will give management decisions and certainty back to cattle producers, who are suffering financially and emotionally from wolf depredations that increase every year. NCBA extends our gratitude to Congress for passing this legislation and urge the Senate to act,\" said National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association President Buck Wehrbein.\n\n\"The science is clear. Gray wolves have long since recovered and remain listed only because of political pressure from activist groups. Ranchers and rural communities across the West face the daily consequences of unchecked wolf populations, which threaten both livestock and pets. Returning management authority to the states ensures that decisions are made closer to those directly impacted on the ground. Ranchers proudly support this bill, and PLC thanks Reps. Tiffany and Boebert for standing with ranchers and rural communities,\" said Public Lands Council President Tim Canterbury.\n\n\"Wisconsin Farm Bureau congratulates Congressman Tom Tiffany on the passage of H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act. This legislation is an important step toward restoring common-sense wildlife management and providing certainty for rural communities that have lived with the consequences of a growing wolf population for far too long. Those who live and work on the land have paid the price through livestock losses, threats to pets, and ongoing concerns for public safety. We urge swift passage in the Senate so Wisconsin farmers and rural residents finally have stability, clarity and a voice in wolf management decisions that directly impact their livelihoods,\" said Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Brad Olson.\n\n\"Cattlemen across Wisconsin have faced numerous challenges from the expanding gray wolf population. The most direct impact has been livestock depredation, but we cannot ignore secondary effects such as damaged fences from cattle being chased, interrupted grazing behavior, reduced fertility rates, and mental strain on producers managing concern for their own safety while caring for traumatized herds. These issues affect not only animal health and disposition but also increase the complexity of compensation claims. The Wisconsin Cattlemen\u2019s Association strongly supports Congressman Tiffany\u2019s Pet and Livestock Protection Act to federally delist the gray wolf, returning population management to the state level. As cattlemen, we need effective solutions to address a predator that is causing significant harm to our operations,\" said Tressa Lacy, Wisconsin Cattlemen\u2019s Association President.\n\n\"On behalf of our millions of members and hunters nationwide, we would like to thank Representatives Boebert and Tiffany for their leadership in introducing and passing the Pet and Livestock Protection Act,\" said John Commerford, Executive Director of NRA-ILA. \u201cHunters of all stripes care deeply about being good stewards of our land, and this bill lets them do just that. By passing this bill, the U.S. House has taken an important step to allow states to better manage wolves, in conjunction with hunters, just as they do successfully with nearly all species.\u201d\n\n\"I commend Congressman Tom Tiffany and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert for their tireless dedication to returning management of these recovered species to the states once and for all. We need to return wolf management to the states where it belongs and ensure that these decisions are based on science, not politics. Congressman Tiffany\u2019s bill will prevent activist judges who\u2019ve never seen a wolf, let alone lived among them, from interfering and instead empower local experts to manage our wildlife responsibly,\" said Luke Hilgemann, Executive Director IOTR.\n\n\"Despite far exceeding ESA population recovery goals and a proven record of successful management of gray wolves by state wildlife agencies, the endless cycle of scientific delisting and judicial reinstatements has created a need to legislatively delist gray wolves. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act codifies that the primary management authority of recovered gray wolves resides with our state wildlife agencies, and we thank Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Caucus Members Reps. Tiffany and Boebert for leading and championing this legislation through the House,\" said Taylor Schmitz, Senior Vice President for the Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Foundation.\n\n\"SCI commends the House for passing the Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025. For too long, animal rights groups and activist courts have overturned delisting decisions made on the best available science. SCI has defended the delisting of wolves for over 20 years. It is past time for Congress to step in and reinforce the intent of the Endangered Species Act \u2013 to remove recovered species from federal management and allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to focus on species truly at risk. SCI thanks the co-sponsors for supporting the science and appropriate state management of wolves and we urge the Senate to swiftly take up this bill,\" said Chris Tymeson, Vice President of Government Affairs, Safari Club International.\n\n\"The Wisconsin Bear Hunters' Association is strongly in favor of any action that would return wolf management to the states. Currently, farmers, hunters, pet owners and other residents in Wisconsin's wolf range are being adversely affected by the lack of wolf management. In fact, the effects of the unmanaged population are being felt throughout the state. It is time for Congress to act to ensure proper management of the species is returned to the state level. We continue to urge Congress to act on any measure, including H.R. 845 and H.R. 1897, that would guarantee states' rights to manage wolves,\" said Carl Schoettel, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association President.\n\n\"The Mule Deer Foundation believes that once a species has fully recovered, management should return to the states. We applaud our representatives for their leadership on this important issue,\" said Greg Sheehan, Mule Deer Foundation President and CEO.\n\n\"The US Fish and Wildlife Service delisted wolves in the Lower 48 states twice in the last decade and a half \u2013 during the Obama administration in 2011 and the Trump administration in 2020. Both times, judges intervened to invalidate the process despite agreement among scientists, biologists and professional wildlife managers that wolf populations are stable and growing and should return to state management. State wildlife agencies sustainably manage thousands of species without federal interference, and several states in the northern Rockies are successfully managing wolves because Congress took action to protect their delisting from activist judges. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supports the Pet and Livestock Protection Act to return wolf management to all states. We thank Representatives Tiffany and Boebert for sponsoring this legislation,\" said Blake Henning, Chief Conservation Officer, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.\n\nThe full text of the Pet and Livestock Protection Act is available here.", 1, "2026-04-18T05:35:53Z", "2026-04-18T05:37:16Z"], ["https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases/wieds-statement-vote-lower-healthcare-premiums", "Wied's Statement on Vote to Lower Healthcare Premiums", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Tony Wied", "W000829", "wied.house.gov", "wied", "https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI) released the following statement after yesterday's passage of the Lower Healthcare Premiums for All Americans Act.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s be very clear: Democrats singlehandedly created the healthcare system they are now railing against. Instead of working with us to address this issue, they would rather try to use it as political leverage in the midterms. Yesterday, House Republicans passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act to reform our broken system, expand choice and competition, and provide the transparency needed to lower health care costs for all Americans. If Democrats were serious about preventing hardworking Americans\u2019 premiums from skyrocketing next year, they would have joined us to pass these commonsense reforms. Unfortunately, that was not the case.\u201d\n\nThe Lower Healthcare Premiums for All Americans Act includes the following provisions to lower healthcare costs for hardworking American families:", 1, "2026-05-01T06:06:26Z", "2026-05-01T06:08:22Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-baldwin-young-lead-colleagues-in-calling-on-trump-to-strengthen-revitalize-great-lakes-shipbuilding", "Senators Baldwin, Young Lead Colleagues in Calling on Trump to Strengthen, Revitalize Great Lakes Shipbuilding", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Todd Young (R-IN) led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in calling on President Donald Trump to ensure that implementation of his Executive Order \u201cRestoring America\u2019s Shipbuilding Dominance,\u201d strengthens and revitalizes the Great Lakes shipbuilding industry. Specifically, the Senators are calling on the Trump Administration to establish Maritime Prosperity Zones in regions outside the traditional coastal shipbuilding centers, including the Great Lakes.\n\n\u201cWe share your goal of a revitalized shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing industry and believe that the hardworking people and dynamic economies of the Great Lakes region will be essential to achieving it,\u201d wrote the Senators in a letter to President Trump. \u201cThe Great Lakes are already home to shipbuilders, manufacturers, steel producers, casting and forging, and maritime industry suppliers. In many ways, the Great Lakes states are well positioned for sustained national investment that would build on the current shipbuilding and manufacturing capacity in the region.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers lay out a 5-point recommendation plan for the Trump Administration to take into consideration when establishing Maritime Prosperity Zones. Specifically:\n\nDefine Great Lakes Prosperity Zones by Activity: By looking at industry activity, including shipyards, their suppliers, and customers engaged in the maritime industry, rather than just geography, prosperity zones can better capture and support the full scope of the Great Lakes shipbuilding industry, workforce, and supply chains.\n\nSupport the Creation of a Great Lakes Shipbuilding Consortium: Groups of shipyards and their Great Lakes-based supply chain partners are forming a Great Lakes Shipbuilding Consortium to collaborate on their work on government vessels. The Senators recommend commissioning and funding a study led by the Consortium to better support investments in infrastructure, workforce, and technology.\n\nSupport Public and Private Investment into Shipyards, Ports, Supply Chain Modernization and Industrial Technology: Continue federal investments in modernizing aging shipyards and strengthening shipyard\u2019s supplier base.\n\nCreate the Conditions for Sustained Success: Streamline and increase competition in military new construction and repair contracting procedure, as well as enforce existing Buy America requirements.\n\nExpand Federal Investment in Workforce Training and Apprenticeships: Support targeted federal grants to high schools, community colleges, trade schools, and union training centers in the Great Lakes region to expand apprenticeship programs in welding, electrical systems, naval architecture, marine engineering, and precision manufacturing.\n\nSenator Baldwin continues to be a leading voice in revitalizing the shipbuilding industry and leveling the playing field for Wisconsin workers. Baldwin and a group of bipartisan colleagues introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. Baldwin also backed an investigation into China\u2019s unfair trade practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors that exposed their decades-long effort to undermine American workers.\n\nThe letter is supported by the Fincantieri Marine Marinette Shipyard.\n\nIn addition to Senators Baldwin and Young, the letter is also co-signed by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Jim Banks (R-IN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jon Husted (R-OH) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nAs Senators representing Great Lakes states, we write regarding your Executive Order, \u201cRestoring America\u2019s Maritime Dominance,\u201d signed on April 9, 2025. We share your goal of a revitalized shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing industry and believe that the hardworking people and dynamic economies of the Great Lakes region will be essential to achieving it. While Congress works to pass the Ships for America Act (S. 1541), which we believe will provide additional resources and tools that your Administration can use to turbocharge American shipbuilding, we would like to offer recommendations for complementary executive action that can be implemented in the near-term.\n\nSection 11 of the Executive Order calls for a plan to establish Maritime Prosperity Zones in regions outside of traditional coastal shipbuilding centers, including the Great Lakes. We agree that the Great Lakes can play a vital role in reclaiming our nation\u2019s position as a global leader in shipbuilding. The Great Lakes are already home to shipbuilders, manufacturers, steel producers, casting and forging, and maritime industry suppliers. Additionally, efforts are underway to connect industry leaders in the Great Lakes and develop a shipbuilding consortium for organized and strategic collaboration. In many ways, the Great Lakes states are well positioned for sustained national investment that would build on the current shipbuilding and manufacturing capacity in the region.\n\nA critical component of your plan to establish Maritime Prosperity Zones is identifying opportunities to incentivize and facilitate domestic investment in maritime industries. We would like to share recommendations for your consideration that we believe will best suit Great Lakes Prosperity Zones, leverage Midwest manufacturing strengths, create jobs, fund infrastructure investment, and upgrade the nation\u2019s military preparedness.\n\n1. Define Great Lakes Prosperity Zones by Activity\n\nBy using an industry reference rather than geography, shipyards, their suppliers, and customers engaged in the maritime industry, as well as their educational and training partners, will benefit from Great Lakes Prosperity Zones. By doing so, the focus of Great Lakes Prosperity Zones is on the shipyard and related port, manufacturing and educational industries, not specific neighborhoods that happen to overlap with shipyards. This approach assures a common application of prosperity zones across the Great Lakes without winners and losers based on geographic location and encourages emerging or resurgent shipyards and related activities currently not operational.\n\n2. Support the Creation of a Great Lakes Shipbuilding Consortium\n\nShipyards, steel producers, and manufacturing suppliers in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana have the capacity and workforce to build Navy and Coast Guard vessels, icebreakers, commercial ferries, and maritime security craft. Groups of shipyards and their Great Lakes-based supply chain partners are forming a Great Lakes Shipbuilding Consortium to collaborate on modular construction of U.S. government vessels. We recommend commissioning and funding a study led by the Consortium to facilitate investments in infrastructure, workforce, and technology.\n\n3. Support Public and Private Investment into Shipyards, Ports, Supply Chain Modernization and Industrial Technology\n\nThe maritime industry, including many of the suppliers that serve U.S. shipyards\u2014like metal fabricators, casting and forging, and engine component manufacturers\u2014operate with aging equipment and limited capital. While the U.S. capital markets and general economy are the best source for funding the maritime sector, the White House should continue federal investments, like MARAD\u2019s Small Shipyard Grant Program and the Port Development Infrastructure Program. It should also explore additional mechanisms to support the industry, especially small and mid-sized manufacturers. Strengthening our supplier base is key to scaling up ship production and maintaining a resilient and surge-capable industrial ecosystem.\n\n4. Create the Conditions for Sustained Success\n\nTo effectively establish Great Lakes Prosperity Zones, your Administration should streamline and increase competition in military new construction and repair contracting procedures. We recommend creating a Great Lakes Home Port designation to explore the feasibility of conducting military maritime repair work on the Great Lakes.\n\nIt is also critical that your Administration consistently enforce any existing Buy American requirements related to infrastructure projects and vessel construction and operation.\n\n5. Expand Federal Investment in Workforce Training and Apprenticeships\n\nWe must develop a next-generation workforce that can meet the demands of modern shipbuilding and marine technology. The White House should support targeted federal grants to high schools, community colleges, trade schools, and union training centers in the Great Lakes region to expand apprenticeship programs in welding, electrical systems, naval architecture, marine engineering, and precision manufacturing. A robust pipeline of skilled workers is essential to meet current and future demand.\n\nWe look forward to working with you to meet the current moment to restore America\u2019s maritime dominance.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgerald-statement-passage-lower-health-care-premiums-all-americans-act", "Rep. Fitzgerald Statement on Passage of the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "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 H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to Obamacare, we can\u2019t keep writing blank checks for a heavily subsidized program that continues to drive up costs. After 15 years, the reality is undeniable: Obamacare has failed to live up to its promises. Premiums have skyrocketed, patient choice has been taken away, and taxpayers are left footing the bill for waste, fraud, and abuse in the program.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s why the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act provides substantive health reforms that will benefit all Americans, not just the 7% of people on Obamacare's exchanges. It codifies the Trump Administration\u2019s 2019 Health Reimbursement Arrangement Rule, and the 2018 Trump Administration Rules on Association Health Plans. It also appropriates cost-sharing reduction subsidies to lower premiums and federal spending and enacts pharmacy benefit manager transparency.\n\n\u201cThese measures will actually bring cost relief to Wisconsin families, rather than giving away money to insurance companies for a failed program.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5811", "Moore, DelBene Lead Members in Asking the IRS about Use of Artificial Intelligence to Manage Taxpayer Data", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", "gwenmoore", "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01), along with Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding the agency\u2019s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to interact with legacy code used to manage Americans\u2019 taxpayer data.\n\nThe Members are seeking answers about the IRS\u2019s plan to rely on AI tools to interface with its decades-old Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL) systems, which continue to underpin the Individual Master File (IMF), the core repository for taxpayer accounts since the 1960s.\n\n\u201cWe hope this Administration shares our goal of ensuring any use of AI by the IRS is appropriately scrutinized, especially given the importance and significance of maintaining the integrity of the IMF and protecting taxpayer data from inappropriate access or exposure,\u201d the Members wrote.\n\nThe Members expressed concerns about the risks of using AI, especially when dealing with systems that manage sensitive taxpayer information and which are also responsible for processing tax returns for hundreds of millions of Americans. In the letter, the Members sought information on the agency\u2019s current and future AI use with its legacy COBOL systems, efforts to address potential inaccuracies and limitations, and taxpayer data protections.\n\nQuestions raised include:\n\nTo what extent has the IRS already started deploying AI to interact with its legacy COBOL systems and what future deployments are planned?\n\nWhat specific protections for the taxpayer data protected by Internal Revenue Code section 6103 are in place?\n\nThe lawmakers requested a written response from the IRS no later than January 10, 2025.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5812", "Republican Health Care Proposal Makes Health Care More Expensive, Ignores Premium Crisis", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", "gwenmoore", "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\u201cFor 15 years, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped millions of Americans access high-quality health care coverage. It has saved lives! Building on its success, enhanced premium subsidies helped a record 24 million Americans access care. Now many of these Americans, including my constituents, are weeks away from facing soaring premium costs.\n\nAfter cutting Medicaid/BadgerCare to fund tax breaks for billionaires, today\u2019s legislation would continue the Republican assault on access to affordable health care. It would take away health care for low-income Americans and ignore the looming rise in premiums.\n\nWe can\u2019t wait another 15 years for Republicans to propose a health care plan that primarily serves the wealthy. Time is up, and Congress must act now. That\u2019s why I\u2019m so pleased several Republicans joined in signing Democrats\u2019 discharge petition to extend ACA premium subsidies, it\u2019s the only way we can protect our constituents\u2019 access to affordable, high-quality care.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-statement-vote-lower-health-care-premiums", "Tiffany Statement on Vote to Lower Health Care Premiums", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "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) issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.\n\n\"Democrats promised you when they passed the Unaffordable Care Act that you could keep your doctor, keep your plan, and pay less. None of that was true. Since Obamacare\u2019s passage, premiums have nearly tripled and deductibles have doubled. To cover up those failures, Democrats poured billions into pandemic-era subsidies, even for households making up to $500,000, which padded the profits of big insurance companies.\"\n\n\"Those subsidies are now expiring under a deadline Democrats set themselves. The pandemic is over, and bailing out insurers again is not the solution. It\u2019s giving people choice, transparency, and competition so they can pick truly affordable plans that fit their needs. Today\u2019s bill does exactly that by lowering premiums, eliminating hidden prescription drug costs, and expanding affordable options for every American.\"\n\nThe Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act:\n\nLowers Premiums for all Americans\n\nPharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency: Requires PBMs to provide employers with detailed data on prescription drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions, empowering plans and workers with the transparency they deserve.\n\nAppropriates Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) Payments: Provides necessary funding for CSR payments beginning in 2027, lowering premiums and stabilizing the individual market while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Relief would be better directed towards low-income enrollees that need them.\n\nLowers Premium Costs: According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate, enacting H.R. 6703 would reduce the deficit by $35.6 billion over the 2026-2035 budget window. Additionally, CBO estimates this bill would reduce gross benchmark premiums by 11 percent.\n\nImproves Health Care Options for America\u2019s Workers\n\nAssociation Health Plans: Expands access to Association Health Plans (AHPs) by allowing employers, including self-employed workers, to band together across industries to purchase affordable, high-quality coverage.\n\nAccess to Stop-Loss Insurance: Ensures small and mid-sized employers can protect themselves from catastrophic claims by clarifying that stop-loss insurance is not \u201chealth insurance coverage.\u201d This would allow small businesses to offer their employees more tailored, affordable care.\n\nCHOICE Arrangements: Codifies and strengthens the 2019 rules allowing employers to provide defined contributions that employees can use to purchase their own health insurance. These contributions, known as CHOICE Arrangements, are a type of Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and allow employees to buy coverage with pre-tax dollars, lowering costs and expanding choice.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-pushes-trump-administration-to-ramp-up-avian-flu-response-for-farmers-and-consumers", "Senator Baldwin Pushes Trump Administration to Ramp Up Avian Flu Response for Farmers and Consumers", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) pushed the Trump Administration to ramp up their avian flu response as the first dairy herd in Wisconsin tested positive for avian flu in Dodge County earlier this month. Specifically, Senator Baldwin is calling on the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins to stop delaying the implementation of their avian influenza vaccine policy, in order to keep costs down for consumers and ensure Wisconsin\u2019s livestock and agricultural industry are protected from the ongoing outbreak.\n\n\u201cFor years, Wisconsin has dealt with the fall-out from an avian flu outbreak that has driven up grocery prices for consumers and caused undue stress for our farmers who are already facing headwinds created by the Trump Administration,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cSo far this year, the Trump Administration has dragged their feet on implementing their own plan to address avian flu, and American farmers and consumers are sick of paying the price. As the avian flu begins to threaten Wisconsin cattle, it\u2019s high time for the Trump Administration to deliver on a response that matches the scale and urgency of this crisis.\u201d\n\nIn a letter sent today to Secretary Rollins, Senator Baldwin emphasized that nearly four years into the current avian flu outbreak, the disease is still spreading, infecting over 3.5 million animals on Wisconsin farms since September, including the first confirmed case of avian flu in dairy cattle last week. Senator Baldwin urged the Trump Administration to move forward with finalizing and implementing a national avian influenza vaccination strategy, as included in USDA\u2019s Five-Pronged Approach from February 2025.\n\nEarlier this year, Senator Baldwin led her colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration release funding for labs that are dedicated to early detection, response, and control of animal diseases and outbreaks like avian flu. She also called on the Department of Health and Human Services and President Trump to quickly develop a plan to contain the avian flu outbreak that is devastating the nation\u2019s poultry flocks and dairy herds and driving egg costs to reach record highs.\n\nA full version of this letter is available here.\n\nDear Secretary Rollins,\n\nI write regarding the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which continues to devastate the nation\u2019s poultry flocks, disrupting agricultural markets and straining household budgets. Nearly four years into this outbreak, farmers are still absorbing massive losses. The Administration acknowledged the need for a new approach earlier this year in the USDA\u2019s Five-Pronged Approach to Address Avian Flu. It is imperative that you follow through with a targeted vaccination policy paired with decisive action to eliminate trade barriers and retain global markets for American farmers. These next steps must come with robust agency coordination with the agriculture industry and public health stakeholders.\n\nDespite extensive and costly mitigation efforts, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have occurred in all 50 states since 2022, resulting in the loss of over 165 million birds. The ongoing spread is on track to quadruple previous records from the 2014-2015 outbreak, which impacted 50 million birds but contained the outbreak in just seven months. Since September, nearly 9.5 million new cases have been reported nationwide, including over 3.5 million cases on Wisconsin farms.\n\nWisconsin reported its first confirmed case of HPAI in dairy cattle last week. This detection occurred in a closed dairy herd with established biosecurity protocols and no known epidemiological links to other affected cattle, further stressing the need to address the spread of HPAI from wild birds. Migrating birds continue to carry the infection to both domestic poultry flocks and dairy cattle, making clear that existing containment strategies are insufficient. Simply put, the Administration must do more to mitigate the outbreak of avian flu.\n\nThe outbreak is also hurting American consumers when they can least afford it. Supply shocks to egg markets driven by repeated outbreaks are increasing grocery costs across the country. This year, egg prices peaked at approximately $6 per dozen, nearly three times the typical average price. Without a meaningful adjustment in the Administration\u2019s public health response, recurring outbreaks will continue to fuel food price volatility and erode consumer confidence.\n\nTraditional methods for addressing the ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks have failed to stop the spread of this virus. The Administration must move forward with finalizing and implementing a national avian influenza vaccination program, as included in USDA\u2019s Five-Pronged Approach from February 2025. Vaccination must be coupled with sustained investments in surveillance infrastructure, sufficient staffing, and laboratory capacity within the National Animal Health Laboratory Network to ensure rapid detection and response to outbreaks before they spread.\n\nSince the outbreak began in 2022, I have pressed the Biden and Trump Administrations to address risks posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza. I again call on the Trump Administration to follow through on its commitment to a national avian influenza vaccination policy while working with the agricultural industry and public health stakeholders to eliminate trade barriers. American farmers and consumers need a response that matches the scale and urgency of this outbreak.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-releases-statement-on-2026-national-defense-legislation-following-vote", "Senator Baldwin Releases Statement on 2026 National Defense Legislation Following Vote", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) voted to pass the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sending the annual defense legislation to the President\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cThis bill makes critical investments in our national security by strengthening commitments to our allies around the world and sending a strong message to our adversaries like China. I\u2019m proud to support Wisconsin\u2019s servicemembers and their families with a well-deserved pay raise and investments for American workers and businesses that support our nation\u2019s defense, including American shipbuilding,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cWe still have more work to do to ensure President Trump follows the law as Commander-in-Chief, but this bipartisan effort takes important steps to put checks on this Administration when American troops and taxpayer dollars are on the line.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-senator-baldwin-calls-out-trumps-fcc-on-efforts-to-stifle-free-speech", "WATCH: Senator Baldwin Calls Out Trump\u2019s FCC on Efforts to Stifle Free Speech", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, called out the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on his efforts to stifle free speech and increase market consolidation. Today\u2019s FCC Oversight Hearing comes after FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened regulatory action against ABC and its affiliates, leading to the temporary suspension of late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel.\n\nDuring her questioning, Baldwin highlighted FCC Chairman Carr\u2019s use of merger review to force companies to enact policies favored by the Trump Administration, while leaving consumers with higher prices and fewer choices.\n\nIn September, Senator Baldwin demanded answers from the Trump Administration for censoring critics and infringing on Americans\u2019 First Amendment right to free speech, specifically calling out Chairman Carr for censoring Jimmy Kimmel.\n\nA recording of Senator Baldwin\u2019s question is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/sen-johnson-demands-hhs-produce-records-linking-children-s-deaths-to-covid-19-vaccines", "Sen. Johnson Demands HHS Produce Records Linking Children\u2019s Deaths to COVID-19 Vaccines", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "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.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. requesting records indicating that at least 10 children died \u201cafter and because of receiving COVID-19 vaccination.\u201d\n\nThe requested records are connected to a Nov. 28, 2025 memo reportedly written by Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Chief Medical Officer and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Director at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the memo, Dr. Prasad stated, \u201c[f]or the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe memo outlined the Biden Administration\u2019s failure to fully investigate the safety of the vaccines, including the risks of myocarditis,\u201dChairman Johnson wrote.\n\n\u201cAlthough Dr. Prasad\u2019s leaked memo did receive some limited media coverage, it did not receive anywhere near the attention it should have. As a result, the American public remains largely unaware of what should be a blockbuster revelation. Hopefully, the documents HHS will provide in response to this oversight request will garner the public attention they deserve,\u201d Chairman Johnson concluded.\n\nIn addition to requesting documents linked to Dr. Prasad\u2019s memo, the chairman also reiterated his outstanding requests for information relating to the Biden Administration\u2019s last-minute four-year extension of liability protections for COVID-19 vaccines.\n\nChairman Johnson asked Secretary Kennedy to explain \u201cwhat steps HHS has taken to examine whether the existing liability shield for COVID-19 vaccines should remain in place.\u201d\n\nRead more about the chairman\u2019s letter in The Daily Caller.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/17/2025-12-sen-johnson-demands-hhs-produce-records-linking-children-s-deaths-to-covid-19-vaccines/", "Sen. Johnson Demands HHS Produce Records Linking Children\u2019s Deaths to COVID-19 Vaccines", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Sen. Johnson Demands HHS Produce Records Linking Children\u2019s Deaths to COVID-19 Vaccines\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. requesting records indicating that at least 10 children died \u201cafter and because of receiving COVID-19 vaccination.\u201d\n\nThe requested records are connected to a Nov. 28, 2025 memo reportedly written by Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Chief Medical Officer and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Director at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the memo, Dr. Prasad stated, \u201c[f]or the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe memo outlined the Biden Administration\u2019s failure to fully investigate the safety of the vaccines, including the risks of myocarditis,\u201dChairman Johnson wrote.\n\n\u201cAlthough Dr. Prasad\u2019s leaked memo did receive some limited media coverage, it did not receive anywhere near the attention it should have. As a result, the American public remains largely unaware of what should be a blockbuster revelation. Hopefully, the documents HHS will provide in response to this oversight request will garner the public attention they deserve,\u201d Chairman Johnson concluded.\n\nIn addition to requesting documents linked to Dr. Prasad\u2019s memo, the chairman also reiterated his outstanding requests for information relating to the Biden Administration\u2019s last-minute four-year extension of liability protections for COVID-19 vaccines.\n\nChairman Johnson asked Secretary Kennedy to explain \u201cwhat steps HHS has taken to examine whether the existing liability shield for COVID-19 vaccines should remain in place.\u201d\n\nRead more about the chairman\u2019s letter in The Daily Caller.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgeralds-merger-agreement-approvals-clarity-and-predictability-act", "Rep. Fitzgerald\u2019s Merger Agreement Approvals Clarity and Predictability Act Passes Financial Services Committee", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Scott Fitzgerald", "F000471", "fitzgerald.house.gov", "fitzgerald", "https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Scott Fitzgerald\u2019s (WI-05) Merger Agreement Approvals Clarity and Predictability Act, legislation that addresses political intrusion into the regulatory approval process for bank mergers and acquisitions, passed the House Financial Services Committee today. Specifically, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a thorough review of how federal regulators use commitments and conditions when approving mergers of insured depository institutions. It also directs GAO to determine whether regulators rely on extrastatutory considerations, such as policy preferences or non\u2011statutory goals, when conditioning merger approvals.\n\n\u201cThe Merger Agreement Approvals Clarity and Predictability Act, ensures clarity, consistency, and accountability in how merger approvals are handled,\u201d said Congressman Scott Fitzgerald. \u201cIt makes clear that institutions, large and small, know what is required for a merger based on law, not on shifting or informal agency expectations. For many community banks, mid-sized institutions, and credit unions, unpredictable conditions add cost, complexity, and risk. That uncertainty can chill beneficial transactions, inhibit consolidation where it makes sense, reduce efficiency, and ultimately harm consumers and depositors. By directing GAO to conduct an objective, data-driven study, we provide the Financial Services Committee with the information needed to determine whether regulators are operating within the boundaries Congress set.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND: This bill, consistent with executive orders prohibiting debanking and political influence in banking regulation, directs the Comptroller General to review the prudential regulators\u2019 use of conditions and commitments in insured depository institution merger approvals. The study must determine whether such conditions were imposed in accordance with statutory requirements or were influenced by other considerations, including political objectives or debanking-related factors. The Comptroller General is required to submit a report to Congress within one year detailing all the findings and determinations made during the study. While prudential regulators possess limited discretionary authority to impose conditions or commitments, that discretion must be exercised within the bounds of statutory requirements and without political bias.\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-fy2026-national-defense-authorization-act", "Van Orden Statement on FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Derrick Van Orden", "V000135", "vanorden.house.gov", "vanorden", "https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) announced major victories secured in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act following today\u2019s House passage.\n\n\u201cThis bill puts our warfighters first. The FY26 NDAA strengthens America\u2019s ability to fight, adapt, and win. It reinforces our alliances, modernizes our investments in America\u2019s national security, and ensures that the men and women who serve have the capabilities they need to accomplish their missions and return home safely.\u201d said Van Orden.\n\nThe final bill includes several of Congressman Van Orden\u2019s key priorities:\n\nVolk Field, Wisconsin MILCON \u2013 $8.4M: Authorizes $8,400,000 for an ADAL ACS Complex at Volk Field Air National Guard Base (WI), a major Guard and state infrastructure win.\n\nUSSOCOM Innovation Pilot: Creates \u201cUrgent Innovative Technologies & Capabilities Initiative\u201d to rapidly develop, test, and field SOF capabilities, with annual reporting.\n\nIndividual Longitudinal Exposure Record: Codifies ILER as a permanent DoD exposure data system and requires annual briefings to HASC, SASC, HVAC, and SVAC.\n\nJoint Task Force Counterterrorism Authority: Extends authority for DoD joint task forces supporting CT and counter\u2013transnational organized crime missions through FY 2032.\n\nU.S.\u2013Israel Anti-Tunnel Cooperation: Extends authority and increases funding authorization to $80M for anti-tunnel capabilities.\n\nU.S.\u2013Israel Counter-UAS Cooperation: Extends and updates authority for cooperation with Israel to counter unmanned systems in all domains.\n\nEmerging Tech RDT&E with Partners: Authorizes joint RDT&E with key partners (including Israel) on AI, cyber, robotics, quantum, and automation; adopts House language with clarifying amendments.\n\nBaltic Security Initiative: Establishes BSI and requires a DoD strategy to build integrated Baltic defense and deterrence capabilities.\n\nTaiwan Security Cooperation \u2013 Medical support: Expands authorized assistance categories to include medical equipment, supplies, and combat casualty care.\n\nTacSRT Program of Record Study: Directs Air Force and USD(I&S) to study creating a Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking program of record.\n\nBaltic HIMARS Interoperability: Requires DoD briefing by July 1, 2026, on enabling HIMARS and munitions interoperability across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.\n\nService Academy Master Plans: Requires each Service Academy to develop installation master plans aligned with long-term mission requirements.\n\nHouse Board of Visitors Update: Modernizes House Board of Visitors membership structure for the Service Academies.\n\nNaval Academy Director of Admissions: Establishes a Director of Admissions position in the U.S. Naval Academy to strengthen accessions oversight and accountability.\n\nISI \u2013 Expanding Range Access for Non-Traditional Defense Companies: Detailed DRL in the House report requiring a DoD briefing by Dec. 15, 2025 on test-range access for non-traditional/dual-use companies.\n\n\u201cAs our adversaries continue to evolve, we don\u2019t get the luxury of falling behind. This bill puts steel behind our commitments and keeps America\u2019s fighting force the most capable and lethal in the world.\u201d Congressman Van Orden added.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-passage-whole-milk-healthy-kids-act", "Van Orden Statement on Passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "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 House passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act:\n\n\u201cI championed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act from the start because it\u2019s a straightforward, bipartisan solution that gets real, nutritious milk back into our schools and supports Wisconsin\u2019s dairy farmers.\n\nI was unable to be in Washington today to vote in favor of this bill as my wife is facing serious health concerns and is undergoing further medical evaluation. While I could not be present, my support for this bill has been unwavering, and I am grateful to my colleagues for carrying it across the finish line in the House.\n\nI look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/sen-johnson-applauds-addition-of-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy-and-metachromatic-leukodystrophy-to-newborn-screening-panel", "Sen. Johnson Applauds Addition of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Metachromatic Leukodystrophy to Newborn Screening Panel", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 decision to add Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), expanding access to early detection for two devastating rare diseases. The senator recognized Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Matthew Bellina, and Laura and Jordan McLinn for their tireless work and advocacy.\n\n\u201cI championed Right to Try to give those with terminal or rare diseases hope and the freedom to try experimental drugs and therapies. I am grateful to Secretary Kennedy and to all those advocating for early screening of rare diseases to give families the chance to act when treatment can be most effective,\u201d Sen. Johnson said.\n\n\u201c[This] wouldn\u2019t have happened without you, Mr. Secretary, and the people that work with you tirelessly to do what\u2019s right. God bless you and thank you,\u201d Sen. Johnson concluded.\n\nSen. Johnson\u2019s full remarks can be found here.\n\nSen. Johnson\u2019s history of work with Right to Try can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/16/2025-12-sen-johnson-applauds-addition-of-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy-and-metachromatic-leukodystrophy-to-newborn-screening-panel/", "Sen. Johnson Applauds Addition of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Metachromatic Leukodystrophy to Newborn Screening Panel", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 decision to add Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), expanding access to early detection for two devastating rare diseases. The senator recognized Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Matthew Bellina, and Laura and Jordan McLinn for their tireless work and advocacy.\n\n\u201cI championed Right to Try to give those with terminal or rare diseases hope and the freedom to try experimental drugs and therapies. I am grateful to Secretary Kennedy and to all those advocating for early screening of rare diseases to give families the chance to act when treatment can be most effective,\u201d Sen. Johnson said.\n\n\u201c[This] wouldn\u2019t have happened without you, Mr. Secretary, and the people that work with you tirelessly to do what\u2019s right. God bless you and thank you,\u201d Sen. Johnson concluded.\n\nSen. Johnson\u2019s full remarks can be found here.\n\nSen. Johnson\u2019s history of work with Right to Try can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4961", "Rep. Grothman Denounces Antisemitic Attacks at Bondi Beach", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) released the following statement condemning the antisemitic attacks at Bondi Beach:\n\n\u201cThe antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach is a horrifying act of hatred that must be unequivocally condemned,\u201d said Congressman Grothman. \u201cWhat should have been a peaceful gathering turned into a moment of terror simply because Jewish families were celebrating their faith. We mourn the innocent lives lost and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Sydney and around the world.\n\n\u201cIt is deeply disturbing that the October 7 attack, the most devastating antisemitic massacre in recent history, has been followed by a surge in antisemitic hatred across the globe. That reality cannot be ignored or excused. There is no justification for targeting the Jewish people anywhere, under any circumstances.\n\n\u201cCombating antisemitism requires the truth. Facts about Israel, along with the horrors of Hamas and its allies, must be clearly communicated. It would be illuminating to research the bizarre hatred contributed by the Hamas massacre on October 7. Greater efforts must be made to understand and confront the roots of antisemitic hatred and broader hostility toward the West.\u201d\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-slams-republican-price-hikes-on-health-care-as-open-enrollment-ends-for-aca-marketplace-coverage", "Baldwin Slams Republican Price Hikes on Health Care As Open Enrollment Ends for ACA Marketplace Coverage", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called out President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for doing nothing to stop 275,000 Wisconsinites\u2019 health care premiums from skyrocketing as the open enrollment period ends for coverage beginning on January 1st. Last week, Senate Republicans rejected a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which will cause 22 million Americans\u2019 premiums to double on average starting on January 1st.\n\n\u201cToday, Donald Trump and Republicans finally ran out the clock and locked in price hikes on millions of Americans\u2019 premiums for next year. While Wisconsinites make tremendous sacrifices to afford their coverage, millions more will decide to go without health insurance. Make no mistake: Republicans caused this crisis and now it\u2019s Wisconsin\u2019s small businesses, farmers, and working families who will pay the price,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cWhile the American people have been clear \u2013 in polls and at the ballot box \u2013 that they desperately need a little bit of breathing room, Republicans have once again prioritized billionaire tax breaks while asking Wisconsinites to make do with less. I will never give up the fight to bring down costs and deliver on affordable care for my constituents.\u201d\n\nFor months, Senator Baldwin has been pushing to extend these tax credits and leads legislation that would make them permanent. Last month, Senator Baldwin forced a Senate vote to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Senate Republicans voted to stop Baldwin\u2019s effort to add her amendment that would have extended the tax credits to the government funding bill before the Senate. Last week, she took to the Senate floor to implore her Republican colleagues to join Democrats and extend these vital tax breaks.\n\nIn recent weeks, Senator Baldwin has traveled the state, making stops in Weston, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Mount Horeb to highlight how the expiration of these tax credits will hurt working families, small businesses, and farmers. She\u2019s also hosted roundtables with constituents while in D.C., including with Wisconsinites from La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee, in addition to meeting with Wisconsin farmers who use the Affordable Care Act. She also convened Governor Tony Evers and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) to highlight just how much Wisconsinites\u2019 premiums would rise without these tax credits.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/sen-johnson-requests-justice-department-review-allegations-of-judicial-misconduct-in-wisconsin-case-involving-a-former-trump-lawyer", "Sen. Johnson Requests Justice Department Review Allegations of Judicial Misconduct in Wisconsin Case Involving a Former Trump Lawyer", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi raising concerns about potential judicial misconduct against Jim Troupis, a former Dane County, WI Circuit Court judge who faces criminal charges in Wisconsin. The charges are connected to Mr. Troupis\u2019 role as one of President Trump\u2019s attorneys in the state in the 2020 election.\n\nChairman Johnson wrote, \u201cbecause of his role as the president\u2019s attorney [Mr. Troupis\u2019] life has been upended by unceasing political persecutions currently led by Wisconsin\u2019s attorney general.\u201d\n\nAccording to recently unsealed court documents, Mr. Troupis\u2019 attorneys allege that the judge overseeing Mr. Troupis\u2019 case, John Hyland, may have had retired Judge Frank Remington, who is \u201cnot a fan\u201d of Mr. Troupis, write the order denying the motions to dismiss. A forensic linguistic expert reportedly confirmed that it was \u201chighly likely\u201d that Judge Remington wrote the order even though it was signed by Judge Hyland. Mr. Troupis\u2019 legal team requested for the case to be heard by another judge in another Wisconsin county \u201cwhere Troupis did not serve as a judge\u201d in order to \u201censure the appearance of impropriety does not haunt the rest of this case.\u201d Judge Hyland denied this request on Dec. 9, 2025.\n\n\u201cIt is difficult to understand how Judge Hyland can make an impartial decision about [Troupis\u2019 attorneys\u2019] allegations when he is directly implicated,\u201d the chairman wrote.\n\nChairman Johnson called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review Judge Troupis\u2019 case \u201cto determine whether any wrongdoing has occurred.\u201d\n\nThe letter to DOJ can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/12/2025-12-sen-johnson-requests-justice-department-review-allegations-of-judicial-misconduct-in-wisconsin-case-involving-a-former-trump-lawyer/", "Sen. Johnson Requests Justice Department Review Allegations of Judicial Misconduct in Wisconsin Case Involving a Former Trump Lawyer", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi raising concerns about potential judicial misconduct against Jim Troupis, a former Dane County, WI Circuit Court judge who faces criminal charges in Wisconsin. The charges are connected to Mr. Troupis\u2019 role as one of President Trump\u2019s attorneys in the state in the 2020 election.\n\nChairman Johnson wrote, \u201cbecause of his role as the president\u2019s attorney [Mr. Troupis\u2019] life has been upended by unceasing political persecutions currently led by Wisconsin\u2019s attorney general.\u201d\n\nAccording to recently unsealed court documents, Mr. Troupis\u2019 attorneys allege that the judge overseeing Mr. Troupis\u2019 case, John Hyland, may have had retired Judge Frank Remington, who is \u201cnot a fan\u201d of Mr. Troupis, write the order denying the motions to dismiss. A forensic linguistic expert reportedly confirmed that it was \u201chighly likely\u201d that Judge Remington wrote the order even though it was signed by Judge Hyland. Mr. Troupis\u2019 legal team requested for the case to be heard by another judge in another Wisconsin county \u201cwhere Troupis did not serve as a judge\u201d in order to \u201censure the appearance of impropriety does not haunt the rest of this case.\u201d Judge Hyland denied this request on Dec. 9, 2025.\n\n\u201cIt is difficult to understand how Judge Hyland can make an impartial decision about [Troupis\u2019 attorneys\u2019] allegations when he is directly implicated,\u201d the chairman wrote.\n\nChairman Johnson called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review Judge Troupis\u2019 case \u201cto determine whether any wrongdoing has occurred.\u201d\n\nThe letter to DOJ can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgerald-statement-passage-invest-act-expand-access-capital-small", "Rep. Fitzgerald Statement on Passage of the INVEST Act to Expand Access to Capital for Small Businesses", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "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 H.R. 3383, the Incentivizing New Ventures and Economic Strength Through Capital Formation (INVEST) Act.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s capital markets are the backbone of our economy. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how urgently we need to modernize the rules that govern them,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald. \u201cThe INVEST Act gives more Americans access to early-stage investment opportunities, opens up financing for small businesses, and protects seniors from scams. By expanding opportunities for everyday investors, this bipartisan, commonsense legislation opens the door for more Americans to invest in the businesses of tomorrow.\u201d\n\nBackground: Most venture funding flows to a handful of coastal cities, leaving entrepreneurs in the Midwest, South, and rural America in a weaker position when trying to raise capital. Outdated private market rules, which rely on wealth over financial knowledge, prevent millions of Americans from investing in early-stage companies. Meanwhile, the number of U.S. public companies has fallen by more than half since 1997, limiting job growth and retirement investment opportunities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-votes-to-extend-health-care-tax-breaks-avert-crisis-for-275000-wisconsinites", "Baldwin Votes to Extend Health Care Tax Breaks, Avert Crisis for 275,000 Wisconsinites", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) voted to extend tax breaks that help 275,000 Wisconsinites afford their health care premiums. Senate Republicans rejected a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which will cause 22 million Americans\u2019 premiums to double on average starting on January 1.\n\n\u201cToday, we had a simple choice: vote to avert crisis for 275,000 Wisconsinites or greenlight higher costs for millions of Americans. I voted to prevent higher costs for Wisconsinites, my Republican colleagues voted to double, triple, or quadruple working families' health care premiums,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cI\u2019ll be the first to say that our health care system needs major reforms, and I\u2019ll work with any of my colleagues to fix it and ensure all Americans have access to high-quality care they can afford. But right now, Wisconsin small business owners, farmers, and families are logging on to HealthCare.Gov only to discover they cannot afford their insurance next year. At a time when the cost of everything seems to be going up, Republicans have once again sent a message that they have no plan to bring prices down for Wisconsinites.\u201d\n\nFor months, Senator Baldwin has been pushing to extend these tax credits and leads legislation that would make them permanent. Last month, Senator Baldwin forced a Senate vote to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Senate Republicans voted to stop Baldwin\u2019s effort to add her amendment that would have extended the tax credits to the government funding bill before the Senate.\n\nIn recent weeks, Senator Baldwin has traveled the state, making stops in Weston, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Mount Horeb to highlight how the expiration of these tax credits will hurt working families, small businesses, and farmers. She\u2019s also hosted roundtables with constituents while in D.C., including with Wisconsinites from La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee, in addition to meeting with Wisconsin farmers who use the Affordable Care Act. She also convened Governor Tony Evers and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) to highlight just how much Wisconsinites\u2019 premiums would rise without these tax credits.\n\nA full recording of Senator Baldwin\u2019s floor speech ahead of the vote to extend these tax credits is available here.\n\nA full recording a Senator Baldwin\u2019s press call with impacted constituents today is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/video-release-sen-johnson-holds-psi-hearing-defining-the-problems-of-obamacare", "***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson Holds PSI Hearing Defining the Problems of Obamacare", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing entitled \u201cDefining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve It.\u201d The four Majority witnesses discussed how Obamacare\u2019s structural problems are fueling higher costs and rampant fraud, and they identified the harms they have experienced as a result.\n\nChristopher Briggs shared the story of his daughter with leukemia, showing how President Obama\u2019s repeated assurance that \u201cif you like your health plan, you can keep it,\u201d turned out to be a lie.\n\nNick Stehle told the story of his severely autistic son and explained how Medicaid expansion\u2019s able-bodied adults are first in line for home health care, with his son on a ten-year waiting list.\n\nJoel White outlined the massive consolidation in health care since Obamacare, which has weakened competition and driven prices up.\n\nTarren Bragdon discussed the massive Medicaid fraud recently uncovered in Minnesota and the GAO investigation showing how easy it is to defraud Obamacare.\n\nClips of the witnesses\u2019 testimonies can be found here.\n\nRead Chairman Johnson\u2019s opening statement here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/11/2025-12-video-release-sen-johnson-holds-psi-hearing-defining-the-problems-of-obamacare/", "***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson Holds PSI Hearing Defining the Problems of Obamacare", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing entitled \u201cDefining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve It.\u201d The four Majority witnesses discussed how Obamacare\u2019s structural problems are fueling higher costs and rampant fraud, and they identified the harms they have experienced as a result.\n\nChristopher Briggs shared the story of his daughter with leukemia, showing how President Obama\u2019s repeated assurance that \u201cif you like your health plan, you can keep it,\u201d turned out to be a lie.\n\nNick Stehle told the story of his severely autistic son and explained how Medicaid expansion\u2019s able-bodied adults are first in line for home health care, with his son on a ten-year waiting list.\n\nJoel White outlined the massive consolidation in health care since Obamacare, which has weakened competition and driven prices up.\n\nTarren Bragdon discussed the massive Medicaid fraud recently uncovered in Minnesota and the GAO investigation showing how easy it is to defraud Obamacare.\n\nClips of the witnesses\u2019 testimonies can be found here.\n\nRead Chairman Johnson\u2019s opening statement here.\n\nWatch the full hearing here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgerald-chairs-joint-judiciary-subcommittee-hearing-obamacare-subsidy", "Rep. Fitzgerald Chairs Joint Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on Obamacare Subsidy Fraud", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "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), who serves as Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, held a joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Oversight titled, \u201cFighting Obamacare Subsidy Fraud: Is the Administrative Procedure Act Working as Intended.\u201d Rep. Fitzgerald issued the following statement about the hearing:\n\n\u201cA recent GAO report showed how Obamacare subsidies are riddled with fraud. After 15 years, it\u2019s clear that Obamacare has proven to be a litany of broken promises. Premiums have skyrocketed, patient choice has been taken away, and taxpayer dollars have been wasted.\n\n\u201cDespite this, Democrats shut down the government for 43 days and demanded a massive bailout for a system and a subsidy sunset they established themselves when they passed the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 with all Democrat votes.\n\n\u201cCongress cannot keep writing blank checks for Obamacare. It is heavily subsidized and keeps costs high. Instead, we should fix our healthcare system by passing meaningful, structural reforms.\n\n\u201cIn the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, Republicans prevented illegal aliens from receiving premium tax credits. We also removed the cap on repayments to the federal government for excessive subsidies and added stricter eligibility verification to ensure people do not receive generous subsidies before their eligibility is determined.\n\n\u201cI also support several bills that would codify important reforms, including the Trump Administration\u2019s 2019 Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Rule, and the 2018 Trump Administration Rules on Association Health Plans (AHPs) and Short-Term, Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI).\u201d\n\nWatch Congressman Fitzgerald's opening statement from the hearing:\n\nBackground: This hearing examined Obamacare subsidies, including the enhanced temporary subsidies implemented by Democrats and the Biden Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are set to expire at the end of this year. The hearing also reviewed how the subsidies inflate healthcare costs and create an environment ripe for waste, fraud, and abuse. In addition, the hearing highlighted how the Trump Administration has pursued commonsense reforms to address these issues and explored solutions to address rising healthcare costs.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgerald-votes-pass-fy26-national-defense-authorization-act", "Rep. Fitzgerald Votes to Pass FY26 National Defense Authorization Act", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "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 S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.\n\n\u201cI was proud to vote for the FY26 NDAA as it advances President Trump\u2019s mission to keep America strong, secure, and dominant on the world stage. The bill accomplishes this by strengthening border security, accelerating next-generation military technologies, and investing in the ships, aircraft, and munitions needed to maintain American dominance. Most importantly, it puts our servicemembers first by authorizing a 3.8% pay raise and includes support for their families.\n\n\u201cThis legislation also codifies fifteen executive orders issued by President Trump and incorporates over thirty of his legislative priorities. These include declaring a national emergency at the southern border, eliminating DEI initiatives within the Department of War, and revising the National Missile Defense Policy to reflect the Golden Dome for America Policy. The FY26 NDAA is the kind of focused, no-nonsense policy that our nation deserves.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5809", "Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on AGOA", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", "gwenmoore", "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, the Ways and Means Committee marked up H.R. 6500, the African Growth and Opportunity (AGOA) Extension Act. In response, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement:\n\n\u201cAGOA is an important trading tool that supports economic opportunities and development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2000, it has supported thousands of jobs in the region and plays a central role in the U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa trading relationship. But for months, unfortunately, AGOA has expired. It is vital that the Committee addresses that now.\n\nI understand this proposal does not include provisions to improve labor and environmental standards. We must work to build upon AGOA and ensure it serves workers and protects our environmental resources; these are critical priorities for me. I am committed to helping make those reforms in other reauthorizations and enhancing this crucial economic tool.\n\nI also support the HOPE (Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement) I and II and HELP (Haiti Economic Lift Program). As the people of Haiti experience extreme levels of violence and instability, it is even more important that we continue this program. While this program needs improvement, pulling the rug from under workers and manufacturers could only increase instability. We need to find ways to support the people of Haiti as they face challenges and hardship.\n\nI would be remiss if I didn\u2019t express my disappointment at Republicans\u2019 refusal to reauthorize the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA). This is a crucial program that supports workers who experience job loss and job insecurity due to trade. Leaving TAA out only hurts American workers. I supported Rep. Horsford\u2019s amendment to reauthorize this program, but Republicans chose to strike it down.\n\nI look forward to strengthening AGOA, so we can continue using trade to support progress and economic growth for the people of sub-Saharan Africa.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-rejects-fy26-defense-bill-costs-continue-skyrocket", "Pocan Rejects FY26 Defense Bill as Costs Continue to Skyrocket", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Mark Pocan", "P000607", "pocan.house.gov", "pocan", "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), co-chair and co-founder of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus, released the following statement after voting against final passage of the $890.6 billion FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill\u2019s topline does not reflect the additional $150 billion added to the Pentagon\u2019s budget through the Big Ugly Law this past July, pushing total military spending over $1 trillion for the first time. Rep. Pocan continues his streak of never having voted in favor of an NDAA since being elected to Congress in 2012.\n\n\u201cOnce again, Congress is choosing to funnel exorbitant sums into a bloated defense department instead of investing in the everyday needs of working families, like housing, healthcare, and rising costs at the grocery store. The Pentagon remains the only major agency that continues to fail an audit year after year. Yet we keep writing essentially blank checks to defense contractors with little accountability and few results to show for it, while ignoring the needs of our troops who bravely serve our nation. Until lawmakers prioritize people over the Pentagon and demand real oversight, I will continue opposing these reckless, out-of-control defense bills.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T05:38:05Z", "2026-04-07T05:39:14Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-collins-van-orden-and-salinas-introduce-bill-to-support-organic-farmers-and-producers", "Baldwin, Collins, Van Orden, and Salinas Introduce Bill to Support Organic Farmers and Producers", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03) and Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06) introduced legislation to give organic producers tools to increase capacity, modernize their operations, and expand their businesses to meet growing demand. The Domestic Organic Investment Act would make a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program permanent that helps solve supply chain gaps for the organic market by providing grants to farmers and businesses. While certified organic sales have grown to over $71.4 billion in 2024, domestic organic acreage has not kept pace with demand for organic products.\n\n\u201cWisconsin is America\u2019s Dairyland, and to keep that legacy, we need to support our farmers and make sure they can meet the demands of families. With the demand for organic foods continuing to skyrocket, we need to make sure that any farmer who wants to grow their business, has the tools and resources to do it,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cI\u2019m working with Democrats and Republicans so more organic farmers can expand their operations, support good paying jobs, and continue to be the beating heart of our rural communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cMaine\u2019s organic agriculture industry continues to grow at a rapid pace with the support of federal investments and strong market demand. However, many organic producers still face challenges in expanding their operations and accessing new markets,\u201d said Senator Collins. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation would make permanent the USDA\u2019s Organic Market Development program and help organic food producers in Maine and across the country modernize their operations, expand their capacity, and better compete in today\u2019s global marketplace.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve heard directly from Wisconsin\u2019s organic farmers about the challenges they face getting their products to market, and this bill delivers real solutions. By making this program permanent, we\u2019re helping family farmers modernize, expand, and stay competitive in a rapidly growing industry. I am proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the people who feed our nation,\u201d said Representative Van Orden.\n\n\u201cOregon has long been a national leader in organic agriculture, yet too many of our growers still face hurdles when it comes to getting their crops onto grocery store shelves,\u201d said Representative Salinas. \u201cWhether it\u2019s the lack of modern processing facilities, storage capacity, or the technology needed to stay competitive, these gaps stop family farms across Oregon from reaching their full potential. This bill will invest in our organic growers, supporting local jobs, reducing reliance on imports, and ensuring Oregon farmers remain at the forefront of a resilient, innovative organic economy. I\u2019m grateful to my colleagues for their work to support organic farmers in Oregon and across the country.\u201d\n\nThe Domestic Organic Investment Act will codify the Organic Market Development Grant program administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service. The development program will:\n\nIncrease the capacity of the domestic organic product supply chain for producers, handlers, suppliers, and processors of certified organic products;\n\nModernize manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems;\n\nImprove the capacity of eligible entities to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or quality standards required to access markets;\n\nExpand capacity for processing, aggregation, and distribution of certified organic products to create more and better markets for producers of certified organic products; facilitate market development for domestically produced certified organic products;\n\nConduct feasibility studies and market viability assessments to inform organic transition strategies and opportunities;\n\nAddress barriers to entry to organic product certification for historically underserved entities; and\n\nSupport market and promotional activities that help build commercial markets for certified organic products in the United States.\n\nThe Domestic Organic Investment Act is endorsed by Organic Valley and the Organic Trade Association.\n\n\u201cWe are deeply grateful to the sponsoring lawmakers for introducing this important and timely DOIA legislation,\u201d said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of Organic Trade Association. \u201cThese infrastructure investments will remove long-standing barriers to give organic producers and manufacturers the capacity and resources they need to meet the rapidly growing consumer demand for the benefits of organic.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe U.S. organic marketplace is poised for significant growth, but right-sized processing and distribution capacity remains a notable challenge. Over the past year, we\u2019ve seen disruptions in our co-manufacturing network and the loss of fluid dairy processing, underscoring the need for strategic investments. This infrastructure bill is a step toward leveraging more processing capacity, ensuring more organic food reach American families, and delivering greater opportunities for U.S. farmers. The leadership provided by Senators Tammy Baldwin and Susan Collins as well as Representative Derrick Van Orden and Andrea Salinas are greatly appreciated \u2013 it is encouraging to see both bipartisan and bicameral support for organic agriculture in America,\u201d said Shawna Nelson, Organic Valley, CEO.\n\n\u201cAmong our membership, IFPA has numerous organic fruit and vegetable producers across the nation and the bipartisan legislation brought by Reps. Salinas and Van Orden provides exactly the kind of strategic investment the fresh produce industry needs to strengthen our supply chain. The Domestic Organic Investment Act invests in modern infrastructure, reduces long-standing supply chain bottlenecks, and most importantly, ensures that U.S. producers can meet rising consumer demand while keeping more economic opportunity in our rural communities. We\u2019re proud to champion legislation that supports growers, expands markets, and builds a stronger, more resilient organic supply chain for the future. We are grateful to Senator Baldwin and Collins for their commitment to advancing this bill,\u201d said Cathy Burns, International Fresh Produce Association, CEO.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-baldwin-urges-trump-to-follow-through-on-pledge-and-enforce-strong-buy-america-standards", "Sen. Baldwin Urges Trump to Follow Through on Pledge and Enforce Strong Buy America Standards", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) urged the Trump administration to follow through on President Donald Trump\u2019s pledge to prioritize American workers and businesses and properly enforce Buy America rules when rebuilding our nation\u2019s infrastructure. Baldwin championed the Build America, Buy America Act in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), but some agencies have exploited loopholes, and these standards to prioritize American workers have been flouted. Specifically, Senator Baldwin is calling on the Trump Administration to conduct an additional round of identification of \u201cdeficient programs\u201d to identify remaining gaps in Buy America standards within federal infrastructure funding.\n\n\u201cThe President has long said he wants to prioritize American workers, American businesses, and American manufacturers. Well, it\u2019s time he put his money where his mouth is,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cI was proud to include strong provisions into law that ensure when we rebuild our infrastructure, we do it with American workers and companies \u2013 and now we need the Trump administration to make sure our workers get the business they deserve.\u201d\n\nAmong the core directives of Senator Baldwin\u2019s Build America, Buy America (BABA) law was a requirement to impose strong Buy America policies on programs \u201cdeemed deficient,\u201d failing to prioritize and protect American businesses and workers. Deficient programs were defined as those not covered by Buy America standards at all, or the existing coverage was outdated and undermined by waivers or other loopholes. After the law\u2019s passage as part of the BIL, many federal agencies were late or provided incomplete information on deficient programs. Now more than four years after enactment of BABA, many departments and agencies have partially or fully avoided BABA implementation for certain programs.\n\nSenator Baldwin has long led the charge in advocating for stronger Buy America standards to support American businesses and workers. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Baldwin successfully included provisions of her Made in America Act. In January, Senator Baldwin pushed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee to commit to enforcing Buy America laws. She also worked to include strong Buy America standards in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Associate Director Stumo,\n\nI write to urge you to ensure full implementation of Buy America policies signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and ensure that federal infrastructure funding is subject to strong Buy America standards. More specifically, I ask that you direct federal agencies to conduct an additional review to identify deficient programs so that we can ensure that taxpayer-funded projects are using domestically produced materials and products supplied by America\u2019s workers and businesses.\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) included a requirement that within 60 days of enactment, each agency submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress a report listing all federal financial assistance programs for infrastructure administered by the agency and that identifies the programs that are deficient. A program is considered deficient if it is not covered by Buy America requirements or if the existing coverage is undermined by waivers of general applicability or other loopholes. Unfortunately, many agencies were late or provided incomplete reports on deficient programs, and more than four years after enactment of IIJA, I am concerned that many agencies have not fully implemented BABA for certain programs.\n\nOne clear example is the Federal Transit Administration\u2019s (FTA) continued treatment of entire \u201csystems\u201d as \u201cend products\u201d under its Buy America regulations at 49 C.F.R. Part 661. This outdated interpretation directly conflicts with BABA\u2019s purpose of strengthening domestic content requirements and remedying deficient programs.\n\nMoreover, there is little transparency into the Department of Housing and Urban Development\u2019s (HUD) progress on BABA implementation. To date, HUD has issued various \u201cpublic interest\u201d waivers that have delayed and narrowed BABA applicability. In 2023, HUD adopted lengthy timelines that have allowed tens of billions of dollars in federal assistance to be distributed without full compliance of BABA requirements. It remains unclear today whether BABA is being applied to federally assisted housing projects, as evidenced by the lack of project-specific waivers issued by the department.\n\nFollowing the initial round of identification of deficient programs required by the infrastructure law, a renewed evaluation is necessary to assess the status of Build America, Buy America (BABA) implementation across the federal government. This updated review should include a thorough examination of any longstanding or newly issued general waivers. It is commonsense to conduct a second round of identification of deficient programs to provide policymakers with a clear understanding of how the BABA law is being implemented, where weaknesses in Buy America standards remain, and what actions are needed to bring agencies into full compliance with the law.\n\nWhen we use taxpayer dollars to support American-made products and jobs, we help ensure that goods are produced under strong environmental and workplace safety standards while strengthening our economic and national security. I appreciate your attention to this request and look forward to working with you to support American workers and businesses.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/media-advisory-chairman-johnson-to-hold-hearing-defining-our-healthcare-problem-and-principles-we-should-follow-to-solve-it", "***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Chairman Johnson to Hold Hearing: Defining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve it", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, will hold a hearing entitled \u201cDefining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve It.\u201d The hearing will examine the systemic problems in our health care system that have contributed to rising costs and pervasive fraud.\n\nWHAT: The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hear from six witnesses.\n\nWHEN: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET\n\nWHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building, SD-342\n\nWATCH: The hearing will be livestreamed on Sen. Johnson\u2019s X account, Rumble, and Subcommittee\u2019s website.\n\nWITNESSES:\n\nChristopher Briggs\n\nVictim of Obamacare\n\nNick Stehle\n\nVictim of Obamacare\n\nJoel White\n\nPresident, Council for Affordable Health Coverage\n\nTarren Bragdon\n\nPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Government Accountability\n\nDan Jacobs\n\nSmall Business Owner and ACA Marketplace Enrollee\n\nAaron Lehman\n\nFarmer and ACA Marketplace Enrollee\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/video-release-sen-johnson-on-squawk-box-we-can-t-continue-to-throw-money-at-a-completely-failed-system", "***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson on Squawk Box: \u201cWe Can\u2019t Continue to Throw Money at a Completely Failed System\u201d", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined CNBC\u2019s \u201cSquawk Box\u201d to discuss how Obamacare continues to fail the people that Democrats promised it would help and why the system must return to a consumer-driven market. \u201cSocialism might sound appealing, but it destroys economies. We\u2019re $38 trillion in debt \u2014 we can\u2019t keep pouring money into a failed system that perpetuates fraud,\u201d Sen. Johnson said.\n\n\u201cI'm trying to show my Senate colleagues how you go through the problem-solving process. We had an earlier hearing, it was titled \u201cAssessing the Damage Done by Obamacare,\u201d which would really take the first step in solving the problem, which is admitting you have one. Now, the problem we have is that Democrats are literally not admitting they have a problem,\u201d Sen. Johnson continued. \u201cThis hearing is really all about the next step: you have to properly define the problem, and you have to establish principles on how you're going to solve that problem.\u201d\n\n\u201cI'm willing to help people, but I'm not willing to perpetuate $20 to $30 billion per year in fraud and just look the other way,\u201d Sen. Johnson concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/09/2025-12-media-advisory-chairman-johnson-to-hold-hearing-defining-our-healthcare-problem-and-principles-we-should-follow-to-solve-it/", "***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Chairman Johnson to Hold Hearing: Defining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve it", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, will hold a hearing entitled \u201cDefining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve It.\u201d The hearing will examine the systemic problems in our health care system that have contributed to rising costs and pervasive fraud.\n\nWHAT: The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hear from six witnesses.\n\nWHEN: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET\n\nWHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building, SD-342\n\nWATCH: The hearing will be livestreamed on Sen. Johnson\u2019s X account, Rumble, and Subcommittee\u2019s website.\n\nWITNESSES:\n\nChristopher Briggs\n\nVictim of Obamacare\n\nNick Stehle\n\nVictim of Obamacare\n\nJoel White\n\nPresident, Council for Affordable Health Coverage\n\nTarren Bragdon\n\nPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Government Accountability\n\nDan Jacobs\n\nSmall Business Owner and ACA Marketplace Enrollee\n\nAaron Lehman\n\nFarmer and ACA Marketplace Enrollee\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/12/09/2025-12-video-release-sen-johnson-on-squawk-box-we-can-t-continue-to-throw-money-at-a-completely-failed-system/", "***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson on Squawk Box: \u201cWe Can\u2019t Continue to Throw Money at a Completely Failed System\u201d", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined CNBC\u2019s \u201cSquawk Box\u201d to discuss how Obamacare continues to fail the people that Democrats promised it would help and why the system must return to a consumer-driven market. \u201cSocialism might sound appealing, but it destroys economies. We\u2019re $38 trillion in debt \u2014 we can\u2019t keep pouring money into a failed system that perpetuates fraud,\u201d Sen. Johnson said.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m trying to show my Senate colleagues how you go through the problem-solving process. We had an earlier hearing, it was titled \u201cAssessing the Damage Done by Obamacare,\u201d which would really take the first step in solving the problem, which is admitting you have one. Now, the problem we have is that Democrats are literally not admitting they have a problem,\u201d Sen. Johnson continued. \u201cThis hearing is really all about the next step: you have to properly define the problem, and you have to establish principles on how you\u2019re going to solve that problem.\u201d", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-says-trumps-bailout-is-no-fix-to-his-trade-wars-damage-to-wisconsin-farmers", "Baldwin Says Trump\u2019s Bailout is No Fix to His Trade War\u2019s Damage to Wisconsin Farmers", "2025-12-08", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after President Trump announced a $12 billion bailout to farmers who have been hurt by his own trade war:\n\n\u201cWisconsin farmers put in more time and heart into their craft than just about anyone I know \u2013 and all they want is a fair shot to succeed,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cTrump knows that his trade war is crushing our farmers, and this chaos and hardship is a totally self-inflicted wound. Sadly, this package won\u2019t even be enough to make our farmers and producers whole. We\u2019ve spent years rebuilding relationships after Trump\u2019s first trade war and fighting for American farmers to be able to sell their products across the world. Those markets are now gone, and this one-time check is not going to cover the years of lost business for farmers. If the President wants to get serious about helping our agriculture sector, he needs to start by ending this reckless trade war.\u201d\n\nReporting has shown that the Trump administration\u2019s tariffs have made it difficult for Wisconsin dairy farmers to export milk products and for beef producers and soybean farmers to access Chinese markets. Trump\u2019s trade war had led to China boycotting American soybeans, causing soybean prices to drop significantly and leaving farmers without places to sell their products. While China has since committed to purchasing American soybeans Wisconsin farmers are still waiting for them to fulfill their agreement to purchase American soybeans at the promised levels.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tiffany-calls-governor-evers-release-wisconsins-food-stamp-files-usda", "Rep. Tiffany Calls on Governor Evers to Release Wisconsin\u2019s Food Stamp Files to the USDA", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "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 Governor Tony Evers urging him to release Wisconsin\u2019s food stamp data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Vulnerable Wisconsinites are at risk of losing benefits because the Evers administration continues to block the federal government from conducting food stamp fraud checks.\n\nUSDA audits in states that have submitted their data have already identified significant issues, including 186,000 deceased individuals receiving food stamps and 500,000 people receiving benefits more than once.\n\nIn the letter, Rep. Tiffany stated, \"Like many Wisconsin residents, I was disappointed by your recent public statements ruling out cooperation with the federal government to detect fraud in the food stamp program. We should all be able to agree that fraud and abuse in vital safety net programs is unacceptable, which is why I hope you will reconsider your position.\"\n\n\"Your position on this matter is even more shocking given recent developments in our neighboring state of Minnesota. There, the governor\u2019s mismanagement and lack of transparency in food security programs have led to multiple investigations of a taxpayer-funded fraud scheme totaling a staggering $1 billion that allegedly involved Somalian terrorists,\" Tiffany continued.\n\n\"Failure to police abuse in this program jeopardizes its solvency and integrity, harming those the most who can afford it least. By withholding this information, you are effectively prioritizing the ability of scammers and illegal aliens to bilk this program over the well-being of the most vulnerable Wisconsinites that it exists to serve. This makes no sense. I strongly urge you to cooperate with the USDA audit,\" Tiffany concluded.\n\nYou can read a full copy of Rep. Tiffany\u2019s letter here.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-calls-out-trumps-latest-illegal-efforts-to-dismantle-the-department-of-education-and-undermine-students", "Baldwin Calls Out Trump\u2019s Latest Illegal Efforts to Dismantle the Department of Education and Undermine Students", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Department of Education, led over 30 of her colleagues in calling out the Trump Administration\u2019s latest illegal step to dismantle the Department of Education. Baldwin and her colleagues called on Secretary Linda McMahon to reverse these moves that undermine Wisconsin students.\n\n\u201cThe actions you announced on November 18th to continue hollowing out the U.S. Department of Education are outrageous, illegal, and will jeopardize the funding and support that tens of millions of students, teachers, and families across the country rely on,\u201d wrote Baldwin and the Senators. \u201cYour brazen attempt to dismantle the Department by transferring to other federal agencies complex and foundational responsibilities that Congress specifically charged to the Department\u2014including more than half of all federal funds for elementary and secondary education programs and billions in higher education funding\u2014will undermine public education.\u201d\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s be very clear: You are choosing to create even more bureaucracy that states, school districts, and educational institutions across America will have to expend time and resources navigating at the expense of students and families,\u201d the Senators add. \u201cWe urge you to immediately reverse course and to focus your time and attention on actions that actually help states, school districts and educational institutions improve educational outcomes and support for students.\u201d\n\nRecently, the Department of Education announced that it signed interagency agreements to illegally outsource core functions of the agency that students and their families rely on. The lawmakers detail how the myriad departmental responsibilities McMahon is now seeking to spin off to other agencies that lack the expertise, capacity, and legal mandate to successfully administer key programs will risk support, funding, and oversight that our laws provide to students and families across America. In the letter, the Senators make clear that, as McMahon has previously acknowledged, dismantling the Department would require an act of Congress, which has not been proposed\u2014or even seriously pursued\u2014by the administration.\n\nIn addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter was led by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and co-signed by 32 of their Senate colleagues.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Secretary McMahon:\n\nThe actions you announced on November 18 to continue hollowing out the U.S. Department of Education (\u201cthe Department\u201d) are outrageous, illegal, and will jeopardize the funding and support that tens of millions of students, teachers, and families across the country rely on. Your brazen attempt to dismantle the Department by transferring to other federal agencies complex and foundational responsibilities that Congress specifically charged to the Department\u2014including more than half of all federal funds for elementary and secondary education programs and billions in higher education funding\u2014will undermine public education. This is the latest example of this administration\u2019s complete lack of regard for our laws and its failure to provide the certainty, clarity, and stability that students and schools deserve when it comes to the federal government\u2019s approach and commitment to properly implementing federal education laws and appropriations.\n\nLet\u2019s be very clear: You are choosing to create even more bureaucracy that states, school districts, and educational institutions across America will have to expend time and resources navigating at the expense of students and families. We urge you to immediately reverse course and to focus your time and attention on actions that actually help states, school districts and educational institutions improve educational outcomes and support for students. We expect you to work with Congress to pursue any ideas to streamline programs and improve public education, as the law and the Constitution require, and you have yourself stated you would do in your confirmation hearing.\n\nThe Department of Education is the only federal agency whose sole mission is to help children learn and improve their educational outcomes. The Department delivers much-needed federal funding and enforces basic educational guardrails and civil rights protections so that every child can get the quality public education that they are entitled to under the law, no matter who they are or where they live. Congress has unambiguously authorized dozens of education programs to be administered by the Department through numerous laws and has clearly appropriated funding on a bipartisan basis for decades to the Department to carry out those programs. Appropriations law prohibits the transfer of funds to another federal agency unless expressly authorized in appropriations law, which it has not done in this case. When Congress wants another agency to administer a program or function, it has expressly said so\u2014and in some cases, it has provided authority to transfer funds to allow this to happen. By contrast, Congress has not expressly authorized any other agency to administer the programs established under the previously mentioned laws, nor has it provided the authority for the Department to transfer these programs and associated funding to another agency.\n\nThe November 18 announcement outlines six interagency agreements (IAAs) with the Departments of Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services, and State to transfer major responsibilities out of the Department of Education. The authorities cited in the IAAs do not enable the Department to do an end-run around the relevant authorizing and appropriating statutes. For example, the Department cites the Economy Act to justify its use of the IAA framework. While the Economy Act is routinely used by other federal agencies to enter into IAAs for the procurement of discrete goods and services that a particular agency might have expertise in and authority to provide, such as DOJ\u2019s fingerprinting authority, this authority was never contemplated to allow the transfer of major program functions or entire offices to another agency with the express stated purpose of eventually dismantling the agency or putting the Secretary \u201cout of a job.\u201d Federal resources outlining the purpose of the Economy Act make this clear. This view is further affirmed by the Department\u2019s inability to cite a single instance of using this statute or any others in a similar way prior to this year.\n\nYou have expressed your interest in working with Congress on these issues, but these IAAs were developed in secret without outside input. The fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Department makes no reference to administering these programs at other agencies and the fiscal year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), for example, makes no reference to administering them either. The Secretaries of Labor, Interior, State, and HHS have similarly never testified to Congress on how they would carry out and administer these critical education programs.\n\nSince you were nominated to lead the Department, you have routinely misled the public about the level of involvement the Department has long had in the day-to-day management of schools\u2014inaccurately suggesting that the Department was depriving states and families from making choices about their children\u2019s education, shackling teachers with burdensome regulations and paperwork and causing K-12 and college students to experience \u201cdrudgery caused by administrative burdens.\u201d On the basis of these false assertions, you have strangely claimed that we need to \u201cReturn Education to the States.\u201d In fact, states and local communities have\u2014since the founding of our republic\u2014had the primary responsibility for educating our students and the establishment of the Department in 1979 did nothing to change that fact. In fact, there are numerous federal laws that prevent the Department from being involved in the day-to-day decision making in schools and colleges as it relates to curriculum, teaching, and programs.\n\nUntil your arrival at the Department, its role has been to provide funding, support, and oversight as authorized by federal education laws to ensure students from all walks of life and in every part of the country can get a high-quality public education. The Department\u2019s programs ensure that parents get timely, accessible information about how their kids\u2019 schools are doing. They ensure students with disabilities\u2019 rights are enforced, so that they can get the education they are entitled to. The Department administers programs to help under-resourced rural school districts and allocates Impact Aid for more than 1,000 school districts with a reduced revenue base or increased costs due to a federal presence, such as a military base. It also administers programs to help first-generation and low-income students pursue and succeed in college. These are just a select few examples of the indispensable supporting role that the federal government\u2014and the Department, in particular\u2014plays in advancing educational outcomes for students.\n\nTo justify these new IAA\u2019s, you say federal funding will keep flowing to states, school districts, and colleges. But we have already seen funding held up and seriously delayed because of this administration\u2019s chaotic changes\u2014and its extreme policies\u2014and the moves you announced last week are certain to further jeopardize these funds.\n\nYou claim these actions will improve student achievement, yet your actions will significantly weaken federal monitoring of states\u2019 K-12 accountability and school improvement systems. Before Congress mandated that states develop these systems with key guardrails in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, several states had weak or no school improvement systems, which allowed vulnerable students to slip through the cracks. As part of ESEA and subsequent appropriations directives, Congress has charged OESE with improving state compliance in state and local school report cards requirements, school improvement, and more. But without the staff expertise from OESE, it is likely that DOL will be ineffective in holding states accountable for improving student outcomes.\n\nThe Department also provides deep policy expertise to ensure programs support improved student outcomes, such as through expert guidance to colleges and universities to improve college access, retention, and completion through programs like TRIO, GEAR UP, the Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program, and others. Now, DOL, who lacks the necessary expertise, is tasked with managing these programs and students will suffer as a result.\n\nDOL has no prior experience in administering education programs at this scale and complexity and will need to develop the capacity and processes to allot billions of dollars in funding to state and local educational agencies. States will also have to make changes to receive any funds distributed through DOL\u2019s grant system while continuing to draw down prior year grant funding in the Department\u2019s system. Your IAA also seems to suggest the Department will still retain some authorities over Title I-A, which means that states will now have to work with two federal agencies when they need help navigating this complex and absolutely critical program. These changes solve exactly zero problems but manage to create an onslaught of new ones. We are very concerned that these changes will mean funds our constituents rely on will not continue to flow as intended under federal education laws.\n\nIn addition to its scope and complexity, the Title I-A program primarily funds instruction and activities in elementary schools. We do not believe kindergartners or other elementary school students should be the focus of efforts to integrate workforce programming and education activities, activities that are better suited to older students. Instead of improving students\u2019 readiness for the workforce, the move of Title I-A to DOL is much more likely to deprive states and school districts of the technical assistance and support they need to effectively implement federal education funding in their schools and provide high-quality educational opportunities to all students.\n\nDOL already has a comprehensive workload to support the nation\u2019s workers and workforce programs. It is authorized and funded to administer workforce training and enforce worker protection programs for which Congress appropriates $13.5 billion in discretionary funding annually, including for roughly a dozen workforce training grant programs totaling approximately $4 billion in annual funding. In addition to lacking the subject area expertise needed to administer the Department\u2019s programs, DOL does not have the grant administration capacity to take on the work outlined in the IAA; the approximately $30 billion in the Department\u2019s funding across approximately 50 discrete formula and competitive education grant programs that you seek to transfer now to DOL dwarf its current grant administration and oversight work. Transferring basic and significant responsibilities for administering education programs to DOL creates very significant risks of delays in funding and other administrative challenges for states, school districts, institutions of higher education, and other organizations through Impact Aid, rural education programs, afterschool programs, TRIO, and foundational education formula grant programs that tens of thousands of schools count on to help provide a quality education to millions of students.\n\nUnfortunately, we have already seen negative consequences for states, schools, colleges, and students as these IAAs roll out: the first IAA inked earlier this year between the Department and DOL on career and technical education and adult education has been plagued with serious challenges\u2014and it is but a small fraction of what is now being transferred to DOL. In fact, as your own staff reportedly concluded in its analysis after this transfer, \u201cThe size and scope of OCTAE's programs are miniscule [sic] compared to other [Education Principal Operating Components] and programs\u2026Larger formula grants and competitive grants are going to be much more difficult to migrate.\u201d States and districts faced delays in accessing their Perkins CTE funding, and advocates report delays in guidance and training issued by DOL. Moreover, a CTE expert recently testified before the House of Representatives, \u201cAt a time of scarce resources, it\u2019s hard to understand why the Department is paying Labor to do work that it can do for itself.\u201d The fiscal year 2025 funding level for Perkins CTE and adult education was $2.18 billion, whereas the other programs DOL will now be responsible for are funded at roughly $30 billion. If the administrative costs balloon under these new IAAs as the administrative costs under the CTE IAA have, not only will these IAAs be terrible for students, their families, and educators, they will also be a catastrophic waste of time and money for the American taxpayer.\n\nThe Department has provided no substantive detail or even basic information about how the significant changes envisioned by these IAAs would be implemented. The other federal agencies that will suddenly have significant responsibilities in administering billions in education funding\u2014have provided no information about their roles or their capacity to carry out these programs and activities. The plan seems clear\u2014to jam these changes through for a talking point, whatever the consequences may be for states, school districts, schools, students, and families.\n\nWe once again demand that you reverse these detrimental plans and refocus your efforts on supporting state and local efforts by properly implementing federal laws intended to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for all students, especially those who count on the Department doing its job most.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-booker-announce-reintroduction-world-aids-day-resolution", "Pocan, Booker Announce Reintroduction of World AIDS Day Resolution", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Mark Pocan", "P000607", "pocan.house.gov", "pocan", "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) reintroduced a bicameral resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day, including the goal of achieving zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. The resolution also recognizes the impact of efforts by the United States and international organizations to combat HIV/AIDS, such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and the President\u2019s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and encourages greater coordination among the global community to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m honored to be part of a bipartisan group in Congress to recognize this important day,\u201d Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, said. \u201cWe\u2019re closer than ever before to eradicating this disease; we cannot give up now. This is the time for the government to fulfill its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic and for leaders around the globe to reaffirm their commitment to ending AIDS once and for all.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to work alongside Representatives Pocan and Fitzpatrick on this resolution, which recognizes the over 40 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS and the thousands of Americans who continue to lose their lives each year,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAs the Trump Administration focuses on dismantling foreign assistance and refuses to recognize the goals of World AIDS Day, it is more critical than ever that the United States recommit to eradicating HIV/AIDS globally and remain a leader in supporting those currently living with HIV/AIDS, preventing the spread of disease, and ultimately achieving zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-introduces-nonpartisan-legislation-to-cut-red-tape-streamline-environmental-projects", "Steil Introduces Nonpartisan Legislation to Cut Red Tape, Streamline Environmental Projects", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) joined his colleagues Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02), Janelle Bynum (OR-02), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) in introducing the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act. This bill reduces administrative barrier for ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodplains, speeding up development time and reducing regulatory costs.\n\n\u201cBureaucratic red tape should not stall common sense conservation projects,\u201d said Steil. \u201cThe Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act eases administrative burdens and empowers Wisconsin communities to make our waterways healthier, strengthen our resilience to floods, and enhance ecosystems across the nation. I'm proud to help lead the effort to ensure Wisconsin\u2019s conservation projects are completed on time, strengthening our environment and reducing flood risks in our community.\u201d\n\n\u201cFEMA\u2019s No-Rise Rule is hindering conservation efforts across the state of Montana and across the country,\u201d said Downing. \u201cMy bipartisan legislation cuts this burdensome red tape, empowering locally supported conservation and restoration projects. I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me in this common sense measure to right size regulation for American conservation.\u201d\n\n\u201cEnvironmental restoration projects across Oregon \u2013 and the country \u2013 are being held up by unnecessary red tape when they don\u2019t need to be,\u201d said Bynum. \u201cIt\u2019s resulting in canceled projects and costing our communities thousands of dollars. I\u2019m thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for partnering with me on this important legislation that will protect our communities, restore our environment, and remove barriers to progress.\u201d\n\n\"Floodplain restoration projects reduce flood risks and provide many other public benefits,\" said Wisconsin Wetlands Association Executive Director Tracy Hames. \"Despite this, many obstacles impede wetland, stream, and floodplain restoration within FEMA-mapped areas. Addressing the regulatory barriers is a crucial first step to bringing back the water-managing functions of Wisconsin's floodplains. We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Steil and other congressional delegates to advance this commonsense approach.\"", 1, "2026-04-28T06:05:12Z", "2026-04-28T06:07:17Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tiffany-reintroduces-bill-give-state-and-local-governments-final-say-over", "Rep. Tiffany Reintroduces Bill to Give State and Local Governments Final Say Over Refugee Resettlement", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Thomas P. Tiffany", "T000165", "tiffany.house.gov", "tiffany", "https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07), joined by Reps. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Tony Wied (WI-08), Andy Ogles (TN-05), and Lance Gooden (TX-05), introduced legislation that would give state and local governments the authority to block federal refugee resettlement. The Community Assent for Refugee Entry (CARE) Act would bar refugee resettlement in any state or locality that takes legislative or executive action formally disapproving the resettlement within their jurisdiction.\n\nThis legislation would bring transparency to communities across America and in Wisconsin. You may remember last year, residents in the Chippewa Valley were kept in the dark about the resettlement of refugees from African nations. This bill will give local jurisdictions, governors, and state legislatures the final word in planned resettlements.\n\n\"America is generous, but no community should be blindsided or have its resources stretched thin because the federal government made the decision for them to resettle refugees. This commonsense legislation ensures that the people most affected have the final say in the refugee resettlement process now and into the future,\" said Congressman Tiffany.\n\n\"Local communities deserve to have a say about what takes place in their own backyards,\" said Congressman Wied. \"In the past, when communities in Wisconsin objected to the federal government resettling refugees in their neighborhoods, they were ignored. The CARE Act guarantees that won\u2019t happen again.\"\n\nThe full text of the CARE Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases/dump-red-tape-act-passes-house-bipartisan-support", "DUMP Red Tape Act Passes House with Bipartisan Support", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Tony Wied", "W000829", "wied.house.gov", "wied", "https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass Congressman Tony Wied\u2019s legislation, the Destroying Unnecessary, Misaligned, and Prohibitive (DUMP) Red Tape Act.\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of our economy, but they often lack the time and resources to navigate complex regulatory frameworks,\u201d said Congressman Wied. \u201cAs a former small business owner, I know firsthand how burdensome regulations can make it harder for businesses to operate and turn a profit. I\u2019m very proud to see the House pass my bill, the DUMP Red Tape Act, to give small business owners a direct line to make their voices heard, report unnecessary regulations, and ensure those complaints are documented and reviewed so Congress can take action.\u201d\n\nThe DUMP Red Tape Act will create a dedicated hotline for small business owners to report overly burdensome or unnecessary federal regulations to the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy.\n\nBackground: During the last four years, the United States saw an unprecedented surge in federal regulations instituted under the Biden Administration. A 2024 report by the House Committee on Oversight found that the Biden Administration added an astonishing $1.7 trillion in new regulatory costs during their time in office. This added over 300 million regulatory paperwork hours, created unnecessary hurdles for small business owners to overcome, and made it more difficult to maintain and grow their businesses. The Trump Administration and House Republicans are committed to working to remove red tape and ease the burden on small businesses and consumers.\n\nThe DUMP Red Tape Act directs the Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create a \u201cRed Tape Hotline,\u201d that will be accessible via email, web form, or phone. The \u201cRed Tape Hotline\u201d will provide annual reports to Congress detailing frequently cited problematic rules, affected industries and geographic regions, recommendations for agency reform, and actions taken by the Chief Counsel to alleviate these obstacles.", 1, "2026-04-18T05:35:53Z", "2026-04-18T05:37:16Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-applauds-approval-of-wisconsins-1-billion-plan-to-expand-broadband-statewide-from-bipartisan-infrastructure-law", "Baldwin Applauds Approval of Wisconsin's $1 Billion Plan to Expand Broadband Statewide from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in applauding the approval of Wisconsin\u2019s plan to utilize $1 billion she helped deliver from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build out the Badger State\u2019s broadband network. When completed, the plan will connect more than 175,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet across Wisconsin.\n\n\u201cBroadband is not a luxury, it\u2019s a necessity for Wisconsinites to work, learn, connect with loved ones, and run their businesses and farms. That\u2019s why when I helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I was squarely focused on delivering high-speed internet to Wisconsin communities big and small,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cI will be the first to say this process has taken too long, only made worse by the Trump administration forcing Wisconsin to redo our entire application, but today\u2019s approval brings us one step closer to putting shovels in the ground and making sure Wisconsinites in every corner of our state get the high-speed internet they need.\u201d\n\n\u201cAccess to high-speed internet is a necessity for how we learn, work, and stay connected in the 21st Century, and as a result of this years-long effort to secure this designation, we\u2019ll be able to help more than 175,000 homes and businesses get online across the state. That\u2019s remarkable,\u201d said Governor Evers. \u201cAfter three years of working to implement the BEAD program and the Trump Administration making changes in the final hour, getting to this point today was a marathon effort. I'm grateful for the folks at PSC and others who helped secure this important federal designation to move forward our state's efforts to close the digital divide and ensure folks and families have the reliable, affordable high-speed internet they need and deserve.\u201d\n\nToday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Wisconsin\u2019s plan to enact $1 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding can move forward. The plan will now be reviewed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for approval. Today\u2019s announcement comes after the Trump Administration required Wisconsin to start their application over, wasting time and state resources. More information about Wisconsin\u2019s plan and application process is available here.\n\nThe BEAD program was established by the Baldwin-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand high-speed internet access to areas currently unserved or underserved by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs. Last year, Senator Baldwin announced that Wisconsin received $1.05 billion in federal funds through the BEAD program to connect more Wisconsinites to high-speed internet. The funding came after Senator Baldwin successfully pushed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release an updated National Broadband Map that provided a more reliable and accurate depiction of broadband availability across Wisconsin.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-presents-burlington-nurse-with-health-care-worker-of-the-year-award", "Steil Presents Burlington Nurse with Health Care Worker of the Year Award", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Elkhorn, WI \u2013 Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) presented Sam Porter, a nurse at Aurora St. Luke\u2019s Hospital and Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, with Wisconsin\u2019s First Congressional District\u2019s 2025 Health Care Worker of the Year Award.\n\n\u201cHealth care professionals serve on the front lines. Our community is especially thankful to Samantha Porter for her dedication to helping others, both inside and outside of the emergency department. Her selflessness, compassion, and commitment to putting her patients\u2019 needs first should be commended. Congratulations, Samantha.\u201d\n\n(Pictured: Theresa Porter, Healthcare Worker of the Year Sam Porter, Congressman Bryan Steil, Joan Yunker, and Sean Yunker)\n\nSteil presented the 2025 Health Care Worker of the Year Award to Sam Porter, an Emergency Department Nurse at Aurora St. Luke\u2019s Hospital and at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center. Samantha was nominated for her commitment to providing life-saving and compassionate care to every patient she serves.", 1, "2026-04-16T05:48:36Z", "2026-04-16T05:50:08Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-denounces-trump-admin-plan-to-cut-frigate-program-undermine-national-security-and-jeopardize-good-wisconsin-jobs", "Baldwin Denounces Trump Admin Plan to Cut Frigate Program, Undermine National Security and Jeopardize Good Wisconsin Jobs", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) denounced the Trump administration\u2019s plan to significantly cut back the production of the U.S. Navy\u2019s Constellation-class frigate warships that are produced in Marinette, Green Bay, and Sturgeon Bay, WI. Constellation-class frigates, which are produced by Fincantieri Marinette Marine and support thousands of good-paying jobs, fill a unique gap in the Navy\u2019s fleet and play a key role in competing with China.\n\n\u201cI take great pride in representing Wisconsin\u2019s shipbuilding industry in Washington because our workers have helped keep America safe for generations,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cAnd today\u2019s news is a blow to that legacy, a blow to our national security, and a blow to our Made in Wisconsin economy. The frigate program is held up by the thousands of skilled Wisconsin workers, and the administration\u2019s decision pulls the rug out from under them and puts their livelihoods at risk. I am deeply disappointed in the Trump administration letting China get the upper hand on us and turning their backs on this key program and the Wisconsin workers who make it possible. The Secretary of the Navy made promises to send other shipbuilding work to Wisconsin to stabilize the workforce, but promises aren\u2019t good enough. I call on the administration to immediately share its shipbuilding action plan for supporting Wisconsin workers.\u201d\n\nBaldwin was an early and strong advocate for Constellation-class frigates being built in Wisconsin. In 2020, Fincantieri Marinette Marine won the contract. Since then, Senator Baldwin has advocated in both annual National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) and government funding bills to ensure the program gets the funding it needs to sustain the supplier base and build the warships. In the 2021 NDAA, Baldwin helped secure more than $1 billion for an additional Constellation-class frigate, to be built in Marinette, Wisconsin, as well as $69.1 million in additional advanced procurement funding for critical systems and components for the frigate. Since 2023, Senator Baldwin has also successfully fought to include $200 million in Department of Defense funding bills to support the frigate program and the Wisconsin workforce. There has been strong bipartisan consensus in Congress advocating for the Navy to significantly expand the size of the fleet, including by building additional frigates. In June, Baldwin emphasized the importance of the program to U.S. national security and Wisconsin to the Secretary of the Navy in an Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5808", "Congresswoman Gwen Moore and County Executive David Crowley Visit with Seniors, Deliver Meals Ahead of Thanksgiving", "2025-11-24", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", "gwenmoore", "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Gwen Moore and County Executive David Crowley Joined Meals on Wheels in serving lunch to Milwaukee seniors.\n\n\u201cSo many in our community are struggling with hunger, including our seniors. Republicans and the Trump White House are making it harder for my constituents to keep food on the table. Meals on Wheels helps meet such a critical need in our community, and I am so thankful for their work. It was such a pleasure to join them in delivering nourishment to our seniors. I will always fight to protect programs such as SNAP and Meals on Wheels and push back against any cuts.\u201d said Congresswoman Gwen Moore.", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-leads-legislation-to-ensure-health-care-access-for-pregnant-women", "Senator Baldwin Leads Legislation to Ensure Health Care Access for Pregnant Women", "2025-11-24", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (MOM) Act to ensure that all women eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplaces, as well as women eligible for other individual or group health plan coverage, can access affordable health care coverage throughout their pregnancies. The bill would establish a special enrollment period for expectant mothers. Currently, marriage, divorce, having a baby, adoption, and changing jobs are considered qualifying life events that trigger a special enrollment period; however, becoming pregnant is not considered a qualifying event. The Healthy MOM Act would change that.\n\n\u201cEvery American deserves access to high quality, affordable care, but for pregnant women, having comprehensive coverage is essential to set up mothers and babies for success,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cEnsuring expecting mothers have access to the care they need to stay healthy and safe is something we all can get behind. I\u2019m proud to work with my colleagues to help tackle the maternal mortality crisis Wisconsin communities are facing and support families as they grow.\u201d\n\nThe United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, and it\u2019s rapidly getting worse. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that maternal deaths in recent year have increased by a dramatic 89%.\n\nThe Healthy MOM Act is endorsed by Chamber of Mothers, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, National Partnership for Women and Families, MomsRising, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and March of Dimes. The Healthy MOM Act is led by Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and co-sponsored by a dozen other Senators.\n\nSenator Baldwin also leads legislation to improve access to maternity care and grow and diversify the perinatal health workforce, part of a larger package Senator Baldwin supports called the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Senator Baldwin also introduced the MAMA Act to better ensure pregnant women and new mothers can access affordable mental health care and substance use disorder services.\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-leads-wi-house-delegation-remembrance-waukesha-christmas-parade", "Fitzgerald Leads WI House Delegation in Remembrance of Waukesha Christmas Parade Victims & Introduces Bill to Keep Violent Offenders Off Our Streets", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "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) led the entire Wisconsin House delegation in reintroducing a bipartisan House Resolution honoring the victims of the devastating attack on the Waukesha Christmas Parade in 2021. Congressman Fitzgerald also introduced the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act, legislation aimed at combating radical bail policies by subjecting bail bonds to insurance fraud laws.\n\n\u201cFour years ago, during Waukesha\u2019s 58th annual Christmas parade, a horrific act of violence took the lives of six innocent people: Wilhelm Hospel, Virginia Sorenson, LeAnna Owen, Tamara Durand, Jane Kulich and Jackson Sparks,\u201d said Congressman Scott Fitzgerald. \u201cToday, it was an honor to introduce a resolution alongside my colleagues in Wisconsin\u2019s House delegation to honor their memory and recognize the resilience the community of Waukesha has shown in the years since this tragedy. Through a mural, a statue, and a soon-to-be-unveiled sculpture, Waukesha has preserved the legacy of those who are no longer with us, while offering hope as healing continues.\u201d\n\nRead the House Resolution text here.\n\nCongressman Fitzgerald\u2019s bill, the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act, would bring transparency and accountability to charitable bail funds by requiring them to comply with federal insurance fraud laws and background check requirements.\n\n\u201cI introduced the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act with the tragic incident that happened in Waukesha in mind. For too long, weak and radical bail policies have allowed left-wing groups to aggressively solicit funds to pay bail with little regard to the criminal histories of those they\u2019re putting back on the streets,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald. \u201cThis legislation strengthens accountability in the bail process and helps ensure violent criminals are not released because of soft-on-crime policies. We must do everything we can to make sure that what happened at the Waukesha Christmas parade in 2021 never happens again. We will never forget the six lives lost that day.\u201d\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-calls-on-trump-administration-to-immediately-release-head-start-funds", "Baldwin Calls on Trump Administration to Immediately Release Head Start Funds", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is calling on the Trump Administration to immediately release funds for Head Start programs across the country now that the federal government is fully reopened. All year the Trump administration has repeatedly tried to undermine Head Start programs and currently, at least 17 programs in 12 states caring for over 6,600 children are still closed because the Trump Administration has not yet disbursed funds the programs are owed. In Wisconsin, two Head Start programs have still not received their funding, forcing Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program Head Start to be closed entirely.\n\n\u201cIt is unacceptable that Head Start programs continue to wait for federal funds now that the government has reopened,\u201d Senator Baldwin wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. \u201cThe federal government has been open for more than a week, and yet, as of November 20, at least 17 programs in 12 states caring for over 6,600 children are closed. This means parents are needlessly facing the difficult choice of finding expensive alternative care or to not working and earning income for their families,\u201d Baldwin concluded.\n\nHead Start serves roughly 750,000 children. The federal government shutdown ended more than a week ago and funds to support these programs need to be released swiftly so programs can reopen and continue to operate. Unfortunately, approximately 130 programs serving over 60,000 children are still awaiting grant funding which would have otherwise been released in October or November, but for the government shutdown. During the shutdown, Baldwin introduced a bill to avoid any lapse in funding and keep Head Start programs open, protecting vital childcare and early learning services for pre-school children, infants, and toddlers.\n\nSince day one, the Trump administration has repeatedly delayed, withheld, and threatened funding for Head Start programs. Draft budget documents showed that the Administration wanted to eliminate Head Start as part of its Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration also illegally froze Congressionally approved funding for Head Start, forcing at least one program in Wisconsin to close. In July, the main government watchdog issued a report that found the Trump Administration illegally impounded funding approved by Congress for Head Start programs.\n\n\u201cThe Office of Head Start must act immediately to support Wisconsin\u2019s working families in Head Start and release access to grant funds. Every day without this funding access means that families in Southwest Wisconsin are struggling to get to work, children are put into difficult situations, and several more communities are dangerously close to finding themselves in the same situation,\u201d said Jennie Mauer, executive director of the Wisconsin Head Start Association. \u201cThis crisis in our communities didn\u2019t start with the government shutdown, it started when Health and Human Services abruptly shutdown the regional offices needed to process and monitor grants. Wisconsin\u2019s economy can\u2019t wait another day. These delays are hurting Wisconsin workers, Wisconsin families, and Wisconsin children.\n\nIn April, Senator Baldwin led a group of 41 Senators in calling out the Trump administration\u2019s direct attacks on Head Start and demanding HHS release Head Start funding, reverse the mass firing of Head Start staff, and stop gutting the offices that help ensure high-quality child care is available for thousands of children and families across the country. She also pressed HHS Secretary Kennedy on this frozen funding at a Senate hearing in May. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Senator Baldwin\u2019s bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services includes $12.4 billion for Head Start, an $85 million increase.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found below or here.\n\nDear Secretary Kennedy and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Gradison:\n\nI write to you today to urge you to immediately issue Notice of Awards to Head Start programs that had their funding delayed due to the government shutdown. Over 130 programs serving nearly 65,000 children have had to either close their doors or string together other sources of funding in order to keep their doors open without federal funding. It is unacceptable that Head Start programs continue to wait for federal funds now that the government has reopened.\n\nFrom the very start of the Trump administration, Head Start programs have faced an onslaught of attacks and chaos. On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo that froze the disbursement of grant funding for federal programs and services governmentwide, including Head Start, causing rapid uncertainty for programs. On April 1, HHS abruptly closed five of the ten regional offices that help local grantees administer Head Start programs in 22 states. Furthermore, in July, the Government Accountability Office found that the administration illegally withheld funding from Head Start programs nationwide.\n\nNow, Head Start programs and the families that rely on Head Start across the nation are facing more uncertainty as programs remain closed while available funding has yet to go out the door. The federal government has been open for more than a week, and yet, as of November 20, at least 17 programs in 12 states caring for over 6,600 children are closed. This means parents are needlessly facing the difficult choice of finding expensive alternative care or to not working and earning income for their families.\n\nI urge you to immediately issue awards to ensure all Head Start Programs can fully operate.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/sen-johnson-joins-sens-rick-scott-mike-lee-in-resolution-slamming-wasteful-earmark-spending", "Sen. Johnson Joins Sens. Rick Scott, Mike Lee in Resolution Slamming Wasteful Earmark Spending", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) in introducing a resolution opposing reckless spending in Congress.\n\nThis resolution \u201caffirms the need for Congress to reign in overspending to help curb the inflation crisis that is crippling the families of the United States,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\n\u201cAs Senator Tom Coburn used to say, earmarks are the gateway drug to continued massive deficit spending and the mortgaging of our children\u2019s future. Our nation is $38 trillion in debt \u2014 America cannot afford irresponsible spending habits. The root cause of so many of our problems is the size, scope, and cost of the federal government. Eliminating earmarks is a step in the right direction,\u201d Sen. Johnson said.\n\nFull text of the resolution can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/21/2025-11-sen-johnson-joins-sens-rick-scott-mike-lee-in-resolution-slamming-wasteful-earmark-spending/", "Sen. Johnson Joins Sens. Rick Scott, Mike Lee in Resolution Slamming Wasteful Earmark Spending", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) in introducing a resolution opposing reckless spending in Congress.\n\nThis resolution \u201caffirms the need for Congress to reign in overspending to help curb the inflation crisis that is crippling the families of the United States,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\n\u201cAs Senator Tom Coburn used to say, earmarks are the gateway drug to continued massive deficit spending and the mortgaging of our children\u2019s future. Our nation is $38 trillion in debt \u2014 America cannot afford irresponsible spending habits. The root cause of so many of our problems is the size, scope, and cost of the federal government. Eliminating earmarks is a step in the right direction,\u201d Sen. Johnson said.\n\nFull text of the resolution can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:22Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-backs-bill-to-reverse-republicans-historic-cut-to-snap", "Baldwin Backs Bill to Reverse Republicans\u2019 Historic Cuts to SNAP", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined the entire Democratic caucus in introducing the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 to repeal Republicans\u2019 historic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Donald Trump\u2019s big, ugly budget bill. Republicans\u2019 signature budget bill is projected to cut SNAP by $187 million over the next decade and take away food assistance from 2.4 million Americans.\n\n\u201cDonald Trump\u2019s \u2018Big, Ugly Bill\u2019 made the largest cut to nutrition programs in history so that billionaires and big corporations could get a tax break, while leaving working families out to dry,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cAs Wisconsin families are watching the price of everything skyrocket, food assistance like Foodshare is a lifeline that we need to protect and expand, not undercut so the rich can get richer. If Republicans are serious about bringing costs down for families, let\u2019s start by reversing their historic cuts to programs that keep food on the table for millions of Americans.\u201d\n\nRepublicans\u2019 budget bill makes the largest cut in history to our nation\u2019s premier food assistance program. Their bill also creates a massive unfunded mandate on state governments that could force deep cuts or even eliminate SNAP entirely.\n\nNearly 1,500 national, state, and community-based organizations joined a letter voicing support for Senate Democrats\u2019 effort to restore this food assistance. SNAP is a lifeline for over 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. In Wisconsin, nearly 700,000 people rely on SNAP benefits, including more than 108,000 seniors and 270,000 children across the state.\n\nDuring the government shutdown, Senator Baldwin supported legislation that prevents the Trump administration from illegally withholding available funds for SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Senator Baldwin also pushed President Trump to uphold a court ruling ordering the administration to use emergency funds to pay out full benefits for SNAP beneficiaries in November as the shutdown threatened to interrupt these vital services.\n\nFull text of this legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5792", "Congresswoman Gwen Moore Votes to Remove Senate Republican Slush Fund Measure", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", "gwenmoore", "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Moore voted to strip out a corrupt provision included in the government funding bill that allowed certain Senate Republicans whose phone records were obtained as part of January 6th investigations to sue for up to $1 million.", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-introduces-package-bills-reform-medicare-advantage-strengthen", "Pocan Introduces Package of Bills to Reform Medicare Advantage, Strengthen Traditional Medicare", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Mark Pocan", "P000607", "pocan.house.gov", "pocan", "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), along with 12 other members, introduced a package of eight bills that apply guardrails to Medicare Advantage (MA) programs while strengthening traditional Medicare.\n\n\"Only Medicare is Medicare. It is one of the most popular and important services our government provides,\" Rep. Pocan said. \"But for too long, private healthcare companies taking advantage of Medicare\u2019s brand and popularity have tricked and wronged seniors. This package of commonsense, pro-patient reforms will bring greater accountability, transparency, and affordability to Medicare Advantage, while strengthening traditional Medicare and protecting patient choice. This package represents a strong step forward to protect seniors, save taxpayer dollars, and restore integrity to the Medicare program.\u201d\n\nThe eight bills are below and can be divided into three subcategories:\n\nDelays and Denials of Care\n\nDenials Don\u2019t Pay Act: Disincentivizes MA companies from delaying and denying lifesaving care through dangerous prior authorization requirements. (one-pager)\n\nRight to Appeal Patient Insurance Denials (RAPID) Act: Ensures that patients receive the necessary care they are entitled to by automatically appealing any denial of care. (one-pager)\n\nDisclose Your Denials Act: Requires MA plans to audibly and visually disclose their delay and denial rates when advertising, increasing transparency in the MA program, and allowing patients to be better informed. (one-pager)\n\nMA Companies Overcharging Taxpayers\n\nMedicare Advantage Fraud Accountability Act: Bars companies from participating in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program if they have been convicted of defrauding the government. (one-pager)\n\nKeep Medicare Costs Down Act: Requires MA companies to charge the government per beneficiary as much as, or less than, traditional Medicare, aiming to reduce unnecessary and wasteful government spending. (one-pager)\n\nSeniors\u2019 Choice and Clarity Act: Streamlines the process and improves clarity and choice for Medicare beneficiaries by limiting the number of plans that Medicare Advantage (MA) companies can offer to three a year, reinstating a 2019 CMS rule. (one-pager)\n\nStrengthening Traditional Medicare\n\nProtecting Medicare Choice Act: Prohibits Medicare Advantage from being redesignated as the default option for seniors, as proposed in Project 2025. (one-pager)\n\nFind My Doctor Act: CMS must create a national, user-friendly website where people can search for doctors by plan, empowering Medicare beneficiaries to make informed decisions by searching whether their doctors participate in a plan before enrolling. (one-pager)\n\n\u201cBig Insurance has long pitched Medicare Advantage as a key tool to lowering health care costs and delivering better care, but like so much of their rhetoric, this is nothing but bold-faced lies. The truth is, Medicare Advantage is neither Medicare nor an advantage. And it certainly doesn\u2019t exist to lower costs. It exists to help Big Insurance make sky-high profits and enrich shareholders. It is long past time Congress stepped in and protected patients. The legislative package Congressman Pocan is introducing is the most comprehensive plan ever introduced to rein in Medicare Advantage and protect patients. Congress should pass these bills without delay.\u201d - Wendell Potter, President, The Center for Health and Democracy.\n\n\"Medicare Advantage insurers profit from withholding medically necessary care, and can withhold care with near impunity. So, people enrolling in corporate MA plans are forced to gamble with their health and with their lives. They can\u2019t avoid the bad actors. It\u2019s time Congress protected older Americans and people with disabilities from bad actor Medicare Advantage insurers, as Congressman Pocan\u2019s MA Bill package would do.\" - Diane Archer, President and Founder, JustCare.\n\n\"Corporate-run plans masquerading as Medicare are delaying and denying the care that people need, all while robbing taxpayers of trillions. Congressman Pocan's package of reforms is desperately needed to hold these corporate plans accountable and strengthen Traditional Medicare. We urge Congress to swiftly pass them into law.\" - Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works.\n\nFull Package Cosponsors Include: Andre Carson (IN-07), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12)", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-introduces-legislation-rename-marshfield-post-office-after", "Tiffany Introduces Legislation to Rename Marshfield Post Office After Distinguished Army Veteran", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "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) introduced legislation to honor the service and sacrifice of Army Corporal Gordon \u201cGordy\u201d Richard Schmoll by renaming the United States Post Office in Marshfield as the \"Army Corporal Gordon 'Gordy' Richard Schmoll Post Office Building.\" For gallantry in World War II, Gordy was awarded the Victory Medal, two bronze battle stars, and a Purple Heart.\n\n\"Corporal Schmoll devoted his life to what he cherished most: his family, his faith, and his country, serving in World War II,\" said Congressman Tiffany. \"His legacy will be forever remembered amongst the Marshfield community with this postal renaming.\"\n\nH.R. 6119 would rename the United States Post Office located at 202 South Chestnut Avenue in Marshfield, Wisconsin, as the \"Army Corporal Gordon 'Gordy' Richard Schmoll Post Office Building.\" Army Corporal Schmoll, a Marshfield native, entered the United States Army in 1943 and served in France and Germany during World War II. Among the honors he received were the Victory Medal and two bronze battle stars on the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, along with the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat. He carried out his duties until his honorable discharge on January 10, 1946, when he returned to Marshfield. Gordy was also a member of VFW Post 1866. On February 23, 2013, he passed away at age of 89.\n\nRepresentatives Bryan Steil (WI-01), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), and Tony Wied (WI-08) are original cosponsors of H.R. 6119.\n\nRep. Tiffany\u2019s Marshfield Post Office renaming bill text can be found here.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wieds-statement-voting-release-epstein-files", "Rep. Wied's Statement on Voting to Release the Epstein Files", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Tony Wied", "W000829", "wied.house.gov", "wied", "https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI) released the following statement after he voted to release the Epstein Files.\n\n\u201cToday, I was proud to vote in favor of releasing the Epstein files in full. While I had already taken direct action to ensure the House Committee on Oversight continued investigating and releasing previously sealed documents by voting to pass H. Res. 668 on September 3rd, it was clear the American people believed more needed to be done. With this vote, the House, under the Trump Administration, has shown the American people the transparency they deserve \u2014 something they did not see when Democrats had full control of the government under the Biden Administration.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgeralds-ndo-fairness-act-and-law-enforcement-innovate-de-escalate-act", "Rep. Fitzgerald's NDO Fairness Act and Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act Pass House Judiciary Committee", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "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 after the House Judiciary Committee passed two bills he introduced, the NDO Fairness Act and the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025.\n\nNDO Fairness Act\n\n\u201cThe federal government should not be able to pull the personal data of individuals under investigation and then hide that fact indefinitely,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald. \u201cThe NDO Fairness Act puts guardrails in place to restore transparency, reinforce constitutional rights, and end this pattern of surveillance overreach. I thank Chairman Jordan for bringing this bill before the Committee, especially with the recent revelation that Special Counsel, Jack Smith, sought and obtained cell phone records of Members of Congress, and then prevented notification of that search through a non-disclosure order.\u201d\n\nBackground: The NDO Fairness Act reins in prosecutorial abuse and executive branch overreach by strengthening the standards prosecutors must meet when seeking to place non-disclosure orders (NDOs) on service providers. This bill will prevent federal prosecutors from using indefinite and often boilerplate secrecy orders to access third-party communications data. It will also ensure an individual is notified within 90 days when their data was searched and allow that individual to request a copy of any information disclosed.\n\nLaw-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025\n\n\u201cLaw enforcement depends on effective less-than-lethal tools to respond safely in unpredictable situations,\u201d said Congressman Fitzgerald. \u201cAs technology advances, our laws need to keep pace so departments can access equipment that helps protect officers and the public. The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act makes that possible, and I\u2019m proud to see it moving forward.\u201d\n\nBackground: This legislation modernizes the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) by excluding \u201cless-than-lethal projectile devices\u201d from its definition of the term \u201cfirearm.\u201d Under the current reading of the GCA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) considers new models of less-than-lethal equipment, such as TASER devices, to be classified as firearms due to the way an object is propelled, although they do not carry a substantial risk of serious injury or death. The current classification has made procurement of these devices, critical for self-defense and de-escalation, difficult for law enforcement. This also leads to the misclassification of police officers' use of force, as the use of any firearm is considered \u201cdeadly force\u201d by a majority of states.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5791", "Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on Epstein Resolution", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", "gwenmoore", "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Moore released a statement following her vote to release every Department of Justice (DOJ) file on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to the House and the American public, with very limited exceptions including to protect the personal information of victims and to protect active investigations or prosecutions.\n\n\u201cFor years, a sick man, who happened to be a wealthy, well-connected financier, preyed on young girls. These survivors were denied justice for far too long, and too many people looked the other way, failing them. I thank the survivors who courageously came forward to share their heartbreaking stories of abuse and called for Congress to vote to release these files. The American public echoes their calls for transparency.\n\nThis resolution was long overdue and triumphed despite many efforts to keep these documents hidden. Speaker Johnson worked to block efforts to release these files from reaching the House floor, including recessing the House several times to stop Democratic attempts to push for the release. At the White House, Trump engaged in a major pressure campaign to keep Republican members from supporting the petition. It did not work.\n\nAnd let\u2019s be clear: rather than wait for the Senate to act on this legislation, the Trump Administration retains the ability to release these files TODAY without any further action from Congress and has had that ability since he took office on January 20, 2025.\n\nToday\u2019s vote is a vital step in finally securing transparency and accountability that so many Americans and survivors have demanded.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-statement-vote-release-epstein-files", "Tiffany Statement on Vote to Release the Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "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) issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support.\n\n\"I have consistently said that, regardless of the issue, the American people deserve full transparency. Only through complete transparency can we restore trust in our institutions. For years under President Biden, Democrats kept these files sealed, and today, I voted to release the Epstein files and give the American people the sunlight they deserve.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/van-orden-statement-house-vote-release-epstein-files", "Van Orden Statement on the House Vote to Release the Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "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) issued the following statement after voting to release the Jeffrey Epstein files:\n\n\u201cToday, the House took a necessary step toward full accountability. I voted to release the Epstein files because the American people deserve the truth. From day one, I\u2019ve been clear: anyone who abuses a child should face the ultimate punishment. I have pushed from the very beginning for these files to be made public.\n\nHouse Republicans have led this investigation at every turn. We have released more than 60,000 pages of documents, made the Barr deposition public, and issued subpoenas to the Justice Department, Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Epstein Estate, and Ghislaine Maxwell.\n\nDemocrats spent years obstructing transparency and protecting those within their own ranks who maintained relationships with a convicted sex offender. Their conduct, including exploiting victims\u2019 trauma to distract from their reckless 43-day government shutdown, has been disgraceful.\n\nMy vote today was straightforward: no more secrets, no more excuses, and no more protecting predators. The American people will finally see the truth and accountability will follow.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-repeal-law-that-lets-senators-pocket-500000-for-being-lawfully-investigated", "Baldwin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Repeal Law that Lets Senators Pocket $500,000 for Being Lawfully Investigated", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues introduced the Anti-Cash Grab Act, legislation that will repeal a provision \u2014 quietly added into the Senate government funding bill by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) at the last minute \u2014 that allows senators to collect $500,000 for every phone record lawfully obtained. Senator Baldwin voted against the government funding bill that contained this measure.\n\n\u201cWhile 22 million Americans are being told there\u2019s no money to stop their skyrocketing premiums, Republicans greenlit a taxpayer-funded payday for themselves,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cAmericans believe no one is above the law, and if you are part of an attempt to overturn a fair and free election, you should be investigated \u2013 not paid $500,000. I voted against the bill that had this tucked in, and we need to repeal this self-dealing law as soon as possible.\u201d\n\nThe Anti-Cash Grab Act would undo the unprecedented attempt by Senate Republicans to line their own pockets at the expense of American taxpayers. This bill would strike a provision, buried deep within the 394-page Republican government funding bill, that allows certain Republican Senators to collect $500,000 for each instance in which their phone records were lawfully acquired in accordance with due process requirements at the time of lawful investigations.\n\nThe provision was put in the bill after it was revealed that, in the FBI\u2019s investigation into President Donald Trump\u2019s effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election, eight Senators had their phone records lawfully analyzed due to their part in the President\u2019s scheme.\n\nThe Anti-Cash Grab Act is led by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and co-sponsored by Senator Baldwin and 25 of their colleagues.\n\nA one-page summary of the bill is here. The full text of the bill is here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-demands-senate-immediately-pass-bill-to-release-epstein-files", "Baldwin Demands Senate Immediately Pass Bill to Release Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues in demanding Republican Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) immediately bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act to the Senate floor for a vote, without delay or legislative changes. Their call follows the U.S. House of Representatives\u2019 overwhelming bipartisan approval of the measure by a vote of (427-1).\n\n\u201cThe victims of Jeffrey Epstein \u2013 and the American people \u2013 deserve answers, accountability and the truth,\u201d wrote Baldwin and the Senators. \u201cSo far, they have only seen empty promises from President Trump and his Administration. Now that a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives has acted to provide transparency on this matter \u2013 we call on you to quickly hold a vote in the U.S. Senate to help deliver the accountability that was promised and that so many Americans are demanding.\u201d\n\nFor more than two decades, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have sought justice and accountability for his alleged sexual crimes involving underage girls. The bipartisan legislation would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all documents and records related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, ensuring transparency and providing the American people with access to critical information. As recently as last year, Trump promised Americans he would release the files, saying \u201cyeah, yeah I would\u201d and \u201cI'd be inclined to do the Epstein [files]. I'd have no problem with it.\" Yet, for months, the House Republicans have stonewalled their release and Senate Republicans have blocked multiple Democratic attempts to release the files and give transparency, accountability, and the truth to the victims and to Americans nationwide.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Senate has the chance to show strong leadership and swiftly pass this legislation,\u201d concluded Baldwin and the Senators. \u201cWe urge you to promptly proceed to the consideration of H.R. 4405 on the Senate floor pursuant to Senate Rule XIV, so that the legislation can be immediately placed on the Senate Calendar.\u201d\n\nThe letter was signed by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-slams-trump-administrations-efforts-to-dismantle-education-department-and-shortchange-american-families", "Senator Baldwin Slams Trump Administration\u2019s Efforts to Dismantle Education Department & Shortchange American Families", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Department of Education, condemned the Trump Administration\u2019s misguided actions to illegally dismantle the Department, threatening to cut off or disrupt vital support for students, teachers, and families.\n\n\u201cEvery American child \u2013 no matter who they are or where they live \u2013 deserves access to a high-quality education. That\u2019s the promise and opportunity we give to all Americans. Today\u2019s announcement takes us a step further away from achieving that. After cutting funding for Wisconsin schools and trying to cut significantly more, Donald Trump is now trying to illegally eliminate the Department of Education in order to score a political point and it is students and families that will pay the price,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cThis isn\u2019t complicated: local communities and parents just want their schools to be funded well and children safe in the classroom. Illegally moving programs to other federal agencies does nothing to help students \u2013 it just creates confusion and will lead to more bureaucracy, not less. I\u2019ll do everything I can to stop President Trump and Education Secretary McMahon in their crusade to shortchange Wisconsin children.\u201d\n\nToday, President Donald Trump and Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced that the Trump Administration will move programs from the Department of Education into agencies without the proper expertise to administer them. This includes moving the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, which oversees critical K-12 formula and competitive grant programs, and the Office of Postsecondary Education, which oversees programs to help students access and complete college, to the Labor Department. The Indian Education program will be moved to the Department of Interior, a childcare access program will be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services, and foreign language education programs to the State Department. In a similar effort to skirt the law earlier this year, the Trump Administration moved career, technical, and adult education grant programs out of the Education Department and into the Department of Labor.\n\nSenator Baldwin has been an outspoken critic of President Trump\u2019s stated goal of dismantling the Department of Education and continued efforts to withhold funding from American students and schools, including blocking $7 billion in Congressionally approved funding ahead of the 2025-2026 school year. In June, Senator Baldwin pressed Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon on the Trump administration\u2019s decision to cut off funding for grants for school based mental health, including a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction program that provides mental healthcare for students.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-votes-against-allowing-americans-healthcare-costs-skyrocket", "Pocan Votes Against Allowing Americans\u2019 Healthcare Costs to Skyrocket", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Mark Pocan", "P000607", "pocan.house.gov", "pocan", "https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02)released the following statement after he voted no on funding legislation that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits.\n\n\u201cToday, I voted no on a bill that fails the American people. This legislation does nothing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that keep healthcare affordable for more than 22 million Americans. That means millions will have to pay significantly more for their healthcare in the coming months or lose their insurance entirely. This will also have a ripple effect leading to rate increases for nearly everyone in this country.\n\nAnd while everyday Americans are left behind, this bill continues to protect Congressional Republicans\u2019 billionaire and corporate donors, keeping in place massive tax cuts paid for by ripping healthcare away from 15 million Americans and gutting food benefits for those who need them most by over $180 billion.\n\nOn top of that, this legislation allows Senate Republicans, like Ron Johnson, who were investigated for their involvement in the January 6th insurrection to enrich themselves by suing the federal government for $1 million, or possibly more.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-statement-on-trump-blowing-up-wisconsins-bipartisan-judicial-nominating-process", "Baldwin Statement on Trump Blowing up Wisconsin's Bipartisan Judicial Nominating Process", "2025-11-17", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WISCONSIN \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after President Trump bypassed Senators Baldwin and Ron Johnson\u2019s (R-WI) bipartisan judicial nominating commission and installed failed politician Brad Schimel for a top prosecutor job in Wisconsin:\n\n\u201cOver the years, Senator Johnson and I have worked together to set up this commission because, despite our differences, it is how we can work together to make sure we have high quality, impartial, and experienced people serving the people of Wisconsin. Before today, Presidents of both parties have respected that. But today, President Trump blew it up and is ignoring Wisconsinites of all stripes. Brad Schimel was soundly rejected twice by Wisconsinites because they knew he would play politics with the law, not deliver justice fairly for everyone \u2013 and he has no business being a top prosecutor in Wisconsin. As President Trump politicizes our justice system, it is more important than ever that the people serving in the courts and on the bench are committed to upholding the rule of law, not loyalty to the President.\u201d\n\nToday, President Trump announced that he was installing Schimel to be the interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. U.S. Attorney positions are required to be Senate-approved, and interim appointments are limited to only 120 days. However, the Trump administration has skirted this law to keep in place other U.S. Attorneys, who were ardent supporters of the President, in place longer than the legally limited 120 days.\n\nAt the start of the 119th Congress, Baldwin and Johnson set up their bipartisan judicial nominating commission, which was first established by Wisconsin\u2019s U.S. Senators in 1979. The Commission has six members, with each Senator nominating three. The Commission takes applications for open U.S. Attorney positions and federal judicial appointments that cover Wisconsin and then makes recommendations to the U.S. Senators. Presidents of both political parties have respected Wisconsin\u2019s unique process, until now.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-announces-november-telephone-town-hall", "Steil Announces November Telephone\u00a0Town\u00a0Hall", "2025-11-14", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Janesville, WI \u2013 Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) announced he will be holding a telephone town hall on Monday, November 17, at 12:00 p.m. CT. Congressman Steil has held numerous in-person listening sessions this year across the 1st District, including in Beloit, Bristol, Elkhorn, Janesville, and Mount Pleasant. This is Congressman Steil\u2019s ninth telephone town hall of the year.\n\n\u201cOne of my top priorities is to be available and accessible to Wisconsin families,\u201d said Steil. \u201cI look forward to hearing from residents about the challenges they are facing, discussing recent events in Washington, and having a productive conversation about how we can move our nation forward.\u201d\n\nResidents of the 1st Congressional District can sign up for Congressman Steil\u2019s telephone town hall by going to Steil.house.gov/live or calling his office at (608) 752-4050.", 1, "2026-04-14T05:46:13Z", "2026-04-14T05:48:07Z"], ["https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases/steil-votes-to-end-shutdown-calls-to-reform-process", "Steil Votes to End Shutdown, Calls to Reform Process", "2025-11-14", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Bryan Steil", "S001213", "steil.house.gov", "steil", "https://steil.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. (November 14, 2025) \u2013 Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) voted again to fund the federal government and end the ongoing shutdown. This action follows more than 40 days of opposition by Senate Democrats, who refused to support the clean CR passed by the House of Representatives, causing a lapse in appropriations. This was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. After the vote, Steil issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cThere was no reason our government should have shut down in the first place. Weeks ago, I voted for legislation to fully fund SNAP, pay our service members, and reopen the federal government. Unfortunately, Democrats in the Senate fought for over a month to keep our government shut down, causing chaos for working families,\u201d said Steil. \u201cNow, Congress must act to fix the broken process and pass the Eliminate Government Shutdowns Act. We need to end the brinksmanship in Washington and remove the potential for future government shutdowns permanently.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-baldwin-keeps-up-pressure-to-extend-health-care-tax-breaks-with-three-stops-in-wisconsin", "ICYMI: Baldwin Keeps Up Pressure to Extend Health Care Tax Breaks with Three Stops in Wisconsin", "2025-11-14", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WISCONSIN \u2013 Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) wrapped up another week on the road with stops in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay to highlight how the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits will devastate Wisconsin families and small businesses. The 275,000 Wisconsinites who rely on enhanced premium tax credits to afford their ACA coverage will see their premiums double on average if Republicans allow them to expire next year.\n\n275,000 Wisconsinites benefit from the Affordable Care Act\u2019s enhanced premium tax credits, saving them an average of $585 per month. Unless Republicans work with Democrats to extend these tax breaks beyond January 1, 2026, four million Americans will not be able to afford their health care entirely, including 30,000 Wisconsinites. Recent polling shows that 78 percent of Americans and nearly 60 percent of Republicans support extending the tax credits.\n\nOn Monday, Senator Baldwin forced a Senate vote to extend the Affordable Care Act\u2019s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Senate Republicans voted to stop Baldwin\u2019s effort to add her amendment that would have extended the Affordable Care Act\u2019s enhanced premium tax credits to the government funding bill before the Senate. Senator Baldwin also leads legislation to make these tax breaks permanent.\n\nIn recent weeks, Senator Baldwin has traveled the state making stops in Weston, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Mount Horeb to highlight how the expiration of these tax credits will hurt working families, small businesses, and farmers. She\u2019s also hosted roundtables with constituents while in D.C. working to reopen the government, including with Wisconsinites from La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee, in addition to meeting with Wisconsin farmers who use the Affordable Care Act. She also convened Governor Tony Evers and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) to highlight just how much Wisconsinites\u2019 premiums would rise without these tax credits.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://tiffany.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiffany-statement-bill-reopen-federal-government", "Tiffany Statement on Bill to Reopen the Federal Government", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "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) issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. The legislation is set to be signed into law by President Trump.\n\n\u201cThe long, nationwide nightmare of the Democrat government shutdown is finally over. More than seven weeks ago, I voted for a clean budget bill to keep the government open, pay our federal workers and military, and ensure taxpayers received their benefits. It\u2019s shameful that so many Democrats like Senator Baldwin put politics ahead of the American people for the sake of last week\u2019s elections, but tonight, we ended their hostage racket and delivered funding to strengthen care for veterans, support farmers, and provide stability for hardworking families.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://vanorden.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-van-orden-statement-government-reopening", "Rep. Van Orden Statement on Government Reopening", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "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 federal government reopened:\n\n\u201cAfter more than 40 days of chaos caused by the Democrats\u2019 unnecessary, harmful, and utterly foolish shutdown, the federal government is finally reopening.\n\nFrom day one, House Republicans did our job. We passed clean, responsible funding bills to keep the government open. We voted 15 times to fund the government and keep vital programs running. Fifteen times.\n\nMeanwhile, Chuck Schumer and the Democrats refused to cooperate. They chose political theater over public service. They voted 15 times to hold the American people hostage, 15 times against mothers and children relying on WIC and SNAP, 15 times against air traffic controllers keeping our skies safe, and 15 times against federal workers just trying to do their jobs.\n\nAll of it, every bit of it, was to protect their bloated wish list of partisan pet projects and reckless spending. Democrats see power, we see people.\n\nThis kind of behavior is shameful. Using the American people as bargaining chips to score political points is beneath the office they hold, and the American people won\u2019t forget it.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/video-release-sen-johnson-joins-sen-rick-scott-in-senate-field-hearing-on-the-palisades-fire", "***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Rick Scott in Senate Field Hearing on the Palisades Fire", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) participated in a field hearing in Pacific Palisades, California held by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging entitled, \u201cForgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire.\u201d U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) chaired the hearing.\n\nThe hearing is part of the senators\u2019 ongoing efforts to examine the deadly Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles that resulted in billions of dollars in property damage and the tragic loss of life. The senators heard from survivors, local leaders, and advocates who described the challenges that the aging community faced in preparing for, evacuating from, and recovering after the deadly fire \u2014 and how they continue to access resources nearly a year later.\n\nThe senators examined government failures in preparedness and response and emphasized the urgent need for accountability and reforms to ensure that seniors and other vulnerable populations are not overlooked in future disaster recovery efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/13/2025-11-video-release-sen-johnson-joins-sen-rick-scott-in-senate-field-hearing-on-the-palisades-fire/", "***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Rick Scott in Senate Field Hearing on the Palisades Fire", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) participated in a field hearing in Pacific Palisades, California held by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging entitled, \u201cForgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire.\u201d U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) chaired the hearing.\n\nThe hearing is part of the senators\u2019 ongoing efforts to examine the deadly Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles that resulted in billions of dollars in property damage and the tragic loss of life. The senators heard from survivors, local leaders, and advocates who described the challenges that the aging community faced in preparing for, evacuating from, and recovering after the deadly fire \u2014 and how they continue to access resources nearly a year later.\n\nThe senators examined government failures in preparedness and response and emphasized the urgent need for accountability and reforms to ensure that seniors and other vulnerable populations are not overlooked in future disaster recovery efforts.", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:22Z"], ["https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fitzgerald-votes-reopen-government-after-senseless-democrat-shutdown", "Rep. Fitzgerald Votes to Reopen Government After Senseless Democrat Shutdown", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "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 after voting to pass the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371, legislation to end the government shutdown.\n\n\u201cI was never in favor of this shutdown. Back in September, I voted to responsibly fund the government, including support for SNAP, our military, and our air traffic controllers, without partisan provisions. House Republicans advanced that clean funding bill, but Senate Democrats voted against it 14 times, prolonging a shutdown that never should have happened.\n\n\u201cAfter more than forty days of avoidable disruption, this agreement finally reopens the government and provides stability for American families, our military, air traffic controllers, farmers, and the broader economy. It provides resources for veterans\u2019 benefits, as well as housing and vital programs supporting our service members and their families. It also makes critical investments in America\u2019s rural communities, supporting our farmers and ranchers, and ensuring our food supply remains strong.\n\n\u201cI am especially encouraged that this agreement to reopen the government does not include an extension of Obamacare subsidies. These temporary handouts were never meant to be permanent, and they place an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said that, with the deal in place, the Senate will hold a separate vote on the subsidies, which is the correct approach. Keeping this debate out of the funding bill is a win for taxpayers and creates an opportunity for meaningful discussions and a plan to reform the system in a way that is more accountable and sustainable.\n\n\u201cWisconsinites deserve leadership that puts them first. The Democrat shutdown accomplished nothing but uncertainty for taxpayers.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4924", "Grothman Issues Statement on Reopening of Government Following Needless Shutdown", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", "grothman", "https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\u201cI\u2019m glad Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Thune, and President Trump prevailed in reopening the government,\u201d said Congressman Grothman. \u201cIt\u2019s disappointing that Senate Democrats dragged the American people through weeks of uncertainty only to accept the same deal that was available before the shutdown.\n\n\u201cFor 43 days, families and federal workers were used as political leverage to appease the radical wing of their party. This reckless approach put critical programs and hard-working Americans at risk for no reason. As we look ahead to January 31, I hope Democrat leadership will put governing ahead of political games so we can provide stability for the American people.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5790", "Congresswoman Gwen Moore Votes No on Government Funding Bill that Ignores Republican Health Care Crisis", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", "gwenmoore", "https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\u201cI understand this shutdown has imposed hardships on federal workers and the programs our communities need. These hardships have only worsened because of the Trump administration\u2019s deliberate policy decisions, including suing to deprive 42 million Americans of food.\n\nAfter allowing Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums to spike, my constituents are being forced to pay thousands more for health insurance come January 1st. And for others, higher premiums will force them to forgo health insurance altogether. This isn\u2019t a theoretical threat for more than 300,000 Wisconsinites, including small business owners, who are covered by the ACA. Many of my constituents have shared with my office how important this coverage is to them.\n\nBy gutting Medicaid and ignoring ACA premium hikes, Republicans created this health care crisis. And these same Republicans continue to defend their cruel agenda. While I appreciate and respect the eight Democratic Senators who negotiated this deal, I have little confidence in the promise of a future vote on a still unknown proposal to extend ACA premium subsidies.\n\nRather than working to address real costs of living concerns facing Americans, Republicans instead slipped in a provision that allows certain GOP Senators to sue for millions, using taxpayer funds to enrich themselves through lawsuits related to January 6th investigations. This is a grift.\n\nWe could have ended this Republican shutdown and protected Congress\u2019s power of the purse and helped families facing massive increases in health care premium costs.\n\nThis bill falls short of these critical needs, which is why I could not support it.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases/wieds-statement-after-ending-democrats-shutdown", "Wied's Statement After Ending the Democrats' Shutdown", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Tony Wied", "W000829", "wied.house.gov", "wied", "https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI) released the following statement after he voted to end the Democrats' shutdown after 43 days.\n\n\u201cTonight, I voted to end the Democrats\u2019 shutdown and reopen the government. After 43 long days, this vote ensures our service members and federal workers finally get paid, and that we resume critical services for our farmers and struggling American families. Despite constant attempts by Democrats, including Senator Baldwin, to stand in the way and prolong the suffering of Americans, House Republicans got the job done. I look forward to getting back to work and continuing to deliver for hardworking Northeast Wisconsin families.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/chairmen-johnson-grassley-call-for-full-release-of-jack-smith-subpoenas", "Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Call for Full Release of Jack Smith Subpoenas", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Senate Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) demanded that Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen elaborate on the full extent of the Biden administration\u2019s Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s (FBI) efforts to obtain information relating to Members of Congress during the partisan \u201cArctic Frost\u201d probe.\n\nThe chairmen\u2019s inquiry comes in light of records they received from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) showing employees of NARA, FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), and United States Postal Inspection Service discussing subpoenas to the three companies as they collaborated on Arctic Frost and related investigative activities. The subpoenas referenced in the NARA OIG records appear to have been served prior to Special Counsel Jack Smith\u2019s takeover of Arctic Frost. Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen have yet to produce subpoenas during the time frame referenced in the NARA OIG records.\n\nThrough whistleblower disclosures, Chairmen Johnson and Grassley have revealed that over 400 Republican organizations and individuals were targeted as part of \u201cArctic Frost,\u201d and phone records for at least 13 Members of Congress were subpoenaed, including Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) (the newest addition).\n\nThe chairmen also sent letters to Southern First Bank, Microsoft, TDS Telecommunications, and six web platforms and social media companies to determine whether they were also recipients of subpoenas issued by either Smith or the Biden DOJ before Smith became Special Counsel.\n\nA list of the senators\u2019 latest Arctic Frost letters is below:\n\nAT&T\n\nLumen\n\nVerizon\n\nMicrosoft\n\nSouthern First Bank\n\nTDS Telecommunications\n\nAlphabet Inc.\n\nApple Inc.\n\nMeta Platforms, Inc.\n\nSnap Inc.\n\nX Corp.\n\nYahoo, Inc.\n\nLearn more about Sen. Johnson\u2019s Arctic Frost oversight:\n\nOctober 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley, Expose \u201cArctic Frost\u201d Witch Hunt Targeting 430 Republicans\n\nOctober 14, 2025: Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Grassley in Demanding Federal Entities, Telecommunications Companies Turn Over Records Provided to Jack Smith\n\nOctober 10, 2025: Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Lead Letter to DOJ and FBI Demanding Documents Detailing the Biden Administration\u2019s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress\n\nMay 5, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Request Biden White House and NARA Records on Politically-Motivated Investigations into President Trump\n\nApril 9, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation\n\nMarch 14, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation\n\nJanuary 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/12/2025-11-chairmen-johnson-grassley-call-for-full-release-of-jack-smith-subpoenas/", "Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Call for Full Release of Jack Smith Subpoenas", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Senate Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) demanded that Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen elaborate on the full extent of the Biden administration\u2019s Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s (FBI) efforts to obtain information relating to Members of Congress during the partisan \u201cArctic Frost\u201d probe.\n\nThe chairmen\u2019s inquiry comes in light of records they received from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) showing employees of NARA, FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), and United States Postal Inspection Service discussing subpoenas to the three companies as they collaborated on Arctic Frost and related investigative activities. The subpoenas referenced in the NARA OIG records appear to have been served prior to Special Counsel Jack Smith\u2019s takeover of Arctic Frost. Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen have yet to produce subpoenas during the time frame referenced in the NARA OIG records.\n\nThrough whistleblower disclosures, Chairmen Johnson and Grassley have revealed that over 400 Republican organizations and individuals were targeted as part of \u201cArctic Frost,\u201d and phone records for at least 13 Members of Congress were subpoenaed, including Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) (the newest addition).\n\nThe chairmen also sent letters to Southern First Bank, Microsoft, TDS Telecommunications, and six web platforms and social media companies to determine whether they were also recipients of subpoenas issued by either Smith or the Biden DOJ before Smith became Special Counsel.\n\nA list of the senators\u2019 latest Arctic Frost letters is below:\n\nAT&T\n\nLumen\n\nVerizon\n\nMicrosoft\n\nSouthern First Bank\n\nTDS Telecommunications\n\nAlphabet Inc.\n\nApple Inc.\n\nMeta Platforms, Inc.\n\nSnap Inc.\n\nX Corp.\n\nYahoo, Inc.\n\nLearn more about Sen. Johnson\u2019s Arctic Frost oversight:\n\nOctober 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley, Expose \u201cArctic Frost\u201d Witch Hunt Targeting 430 Republicans\n\nOctober 14, 2025: Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Grassley in Demanding Federal Entities, Telecommunications Companies Turn Over Records Provided to Jack Smith\n\nOctober 10, 2025: Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Lead Letter to DOJ and FBI Demanding Documents Detailing the Biden Administration\u2019s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress\n\nMay 5, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Request Biden White House and NARA Records on Politically-Motivated Investigations into President Trump\n\nApril 9, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation\n\nMarch 14, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation\n\nJanuary 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:22Z"], ["https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-wied-honors-veterans-day-stars-act", "Congressman Wied Honors Veterans Day with STARS Act", "2025-11-11", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Tony Wied", "W000829", "wied.house.gov", "wied", "https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 In honor of Veterans Day, Congressman Tony Wied (R-WI) announced the introduction of the Supporting Troops\u2019 Access to Recognition Services (STARS) Act, legislation that will ensure continued in-person DEERS/RAPIDS services for those who have served our country.\n\nThis bill builds on a series of letters Congressman Wied spearheaded earlier this year, urging the Department of War to address the closure of in-person DEERS/RAPIDS sites and protect access to military ID services for veterans and their families. The STARS Act reflects his continued commitment to removing bureaucratic barriers and delivering practical solutions for those who served.\n\n\u201cOur active-duty service members and veterans risked everything for our country, and the very least we can do is make it easy for them to access their hard-earned benefits,\u201d said Congressman Wied. \u201cAs we celebrate Veterans Day, I\u2019m proud to introduce the STARS Act to ensure service members, veterans, and their families can access their benefits without unnecessary travel or delays.\u201d\n\nThe STARS Act requires the Department of War to provide in-person DEERS/RAPIDS services at least two days per week within 30 miles of a metropolitan area. Metropolitan areas are metropolitan statistical areas, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, with a population of 300,000 people or more.\n\nBackground: Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System (DEERS/RAPIDS) IDs are vital for veterans and their beneficiaries to access the benefits they have rightfully earned. Recent years have seen the closure of many in-person processing locations across the country. While some are able to renew their IDs online, many veterans and beneficiaries who are unfamiliar with the internet, do not have access to the internet, or who have disabilities, rely on in-person processing to keep their IDs up to date. In Wisconsin\u2019s 8th District, we have seen the recent closure of the Green Bay Facility. For that reason, the closest facility is located in Appleton, Wisconsin and is staffed by a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. However, that guardsman is on temporary orders and is set to be reassigned. Without a sufficient replacement, in-person DEERS/RAPIDS processing will end in Northeast Wisconsin. This will greatly impact not only constituents in Wisconsin\u2019s 8th district, but also adjacent districts in Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan who utilize the Appleton DEERS/RAPIDS site.\n\nRep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) is an original cosponsor of this legislation.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-wied-introduces-barns-act-protect-farmers-event-future-government", "Congressman Wied Introduces BARNS Act to Protect Farmers in the Event of a Future Government Shutdown", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Tony Wied", "W000829", "wied.house.gov", "wied", "https://wied.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 On day 41 of the government shutdown, Congressman Tony Wied (R-WI) introduced legislation to ensure that the Farm Services Agency (FSA) is considered essential and remains open regardless of a lapse in federal funding.\n\n\u201cThe Farm Service Agency provides critical support to our great farmers here in Wisconsin and across the nation,\u201d said Congressman Wied. \u201cFrom disaster relief to loan programs and everything in between, the farmers who rely on these services should not be forced to suffer because politicians in Washington can\u2019t get their act together.\u201d\n\nThe Bringing Assistance to Rural Needs during Shutdowns (BARNS) Act would instruct the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to automatically consider the FSA as an essential agency and ensure those offices remain open during any future shutdown.\n\nBackground: The FSA is a subagency of the USDA that supports farms and farming communities through various programs, including disaster relief, conservation programs, commodity price guarantee programs, and loan programs \u2013 among many others. Throughout the shutdown, farmers have continuously pointed toward the closure of FSA offices as one of their top issues of uncertainty. Farms have missed determination deadlines, loan payments, and other payments due to these closures. Thankfully, the USDA resumed operations for the FSA two weeks ago. However, some offices were delayed or have yet to reopen \u2013 leaving farmers in limbo.\n\nReps. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Michael Guest (R-MS), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), and Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) are original cosponsors of this legislation.\n\n\u201cFarmers deserve certainty. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides essential programs that keep America\u2019s farms and ranches strong. From disaster assistance to loans and market support, FSA services help farmers plan, invest, and care for their land and livestock. Even in times of disruption, the work of the FSA is critical to the stability of our agricultural community and, even more, the American food supply,\u201d said Congressman Bergman (MI-01).\n\n\u201cThe work of our farmers is both essential and precise \u2014 with harvests planned months in advance and natural disasters posing an unpredictable risk, our producers need timely, comprehensive support whether or not the government is shut down. I\u2019m proud to support the bipartisan BARNS Act and protect our farming communities. Politics should never inhibit the prosperity of American farms,\u201d said Congresswoman McClain Delaney (MD-06)\n\n\u201cOur farmers don\u2019t stop working during a shutdown, and the support systems they depend on shouldn\u2019t stop either,\u201d said Congressman Mackenzie (PA-07). \u201cFSA offices provide essential services that help family farms manage loans, respond to weather damage, and plan for the season. Keeping these doors open during any future shutdown will help ensure our agricultural communities have the certainty they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cWashington shutdowns shouldn't shut down the heartland. That's why I'm proud to cosponsor the BARNS Act,\u201d said Congressman Harrigan (NC-10). \u201cWhen a farmer's loan deadline hits or disaster strikes, \u201csorry, we're closed\u201d isn't an answer our rural communities can afford. Our farmers feed America 365 days a year. The least we can do is keep the Farm Service Agency doors open when they need us most.\u201d\n\nCongressman Wied is also grateful to have the support of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Farm Credit Cooperative Compeer Financial.\n\n\u201cWe thank Congressman Wied for his understanding of the critical role that FSA plays in the rural and farm economy. The BARNS Act will go a long way to provide the certainty rural America needs to continue operating, despite any future government shutdowns,\u201d said Jase Wagner, President & CEO of Compeer Financial", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/new-baldwin-will-force-vote-to-extend-aca-tax-breaks-for-one-year", "NEW: Baldwin Will Force Vote to Extend ACA Tax Breaks for One Year", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) will force a vote to extend the Affordable Care Act\u2019s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Senators Baldwin, Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) will take to the Senate Floor shortly to force Senate Republicans to go on the record whether they will greenlight Baldwin\u2019s amendment to be added to the Continuing Resolution to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits.\n\n\u201cThe health care crisis that families are dealing with demands that we act now. Not in a few weeks, not next month, but now,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cWisconsin families expect me to use every tool I have in my toolbox to stop their premiums from skyrocketing \u2013 so that is just what I am doing. My Republican colleagues are refusing to stop health care costs from doubling for 22 million constituents \u2013 so, I am forcing them to go on the record and vote on it.\u201d\n\nBaldwin has introduced an amendment to the Continuing Resolution to extend the enhanced premium tax credits for one year and stop 22 million Americans from having their premiums double. Baldwin will force the Senate to vote on a measure that, if passed, would allow the Senate to add Baldwin\u2019s amendment to the government funding bill and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits for one year.\n\nThe full text of the amendment is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-baldwin-forced-vote-to-extend-aca-tax-breaks", "WATCH: Baldwin Forced Vote to Extend ACA Tax Breaks", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) forced a Senate vote to extend the Affordable Care Act\u2019s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Senate Republicans voted to stop Baldwin\u2019s effort to add her amendment that would have extended the Affordable Care Act\u2019s enhanced premium tax credits to the government funding bill before the Senate.\n\n\u201cMy Republican colleagues sent a clear, unmistakable message that they are okay with jacking up health care costs on 22 million Americans. I\u2019m not, and I am going to keep fighting to stop these massive health care price increases that Wisconsin families are staring down,\u201d said Senator Baldwin.\n\n275,000 Wisconsinites benefit from the Affordable Care Act\u2019s enhanced premium tax credits, saving them an average of $585 per month. It is projected that the failure to extend these tax credits will lead to four million Americans not able to afford their health care entirely, including 30,000 Wisconsinites. Recent polling shows that 78 percent of Americans and nearly 60 percent of Republicans support extending the tax credits.\n\nWatch Senator Baldwin\u2019s floor speech here.\n\nThe full text of the amendment is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-opposes-government-funding-bill-that-fails-to-address-skyrocketing-health-care-costs", "Baldwin Opposes Government Funding Bill that Fails to Address Skyrocketing Health Care Costs", "2025-11-09", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement on the government funding deal that fails to stop health care costs from skyrocketing for more than 275,000 Wisconsinites:\n\n\u201cMy goal is always results for Wisconsin families. And what I hear from Wisconsinites is they need some breathing room and cannot afford to have their health care costs double. So, that is what I have been fighting for. I have been in Washington at the table trying to reopen our government and find a compromise to make sure that 275,000 Wisconsinites don\u2019t have their health care costs go through the roof next year. Donald Trump and my Republican colleagues have refused to even talk. A wink and a nod to deal with this health care crisis later \u2013 with no actual guarantees \u2013 is just not enough for me or the Wisconsin families I work for. The clock is up, families are shopping for insurance now, and I refuse to sign off on a deal that doesn\u2019t lower working families\u2019 health care costs.\u201d\n\nWisconsinites who buy their insurance through the Affordable Care Act, or HealthCare.gov, are currently shopping for coverage for 2026, only to find their premiums cost as much as $30,000 more per year because Republicans have failed to extend vital tax breaks that help Wisconsinites afford their insurance. 275,000 Wisconsinites benefit from the Affordable Care Act\u2019s enhanced premium tax credits, saving them an average of $585 per month. It is projected that the failure to extend these tax credits will lead to four million Americans not able to afford their health care entirely, including 30,000 Wisconsinites. Recent polling shows that 78 percent of Americans and nearly 60 percent of Republicans support extending the tax credits.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-introduces-bill-to-restore-head-start-funding-during-shutdown", "Baldwin Introduces Bill to Restore Head Start Funding During Shutdown", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led 30 of her colleagues in introducing a bill to keep Head Start programs open during Republicans\u2019 government shutdown, protecting vital childcare and early learning services for 750,000 pre-school children, infants, and toddlers.\n\n\u201cHead Start is more than a safe place for kids to get a jump on learning, it\u2019s also a lifeline for working parents who need reliable preschool and childcare. While Republicans stonewall on helping us save Americans from higher health care costs and reopen the government, thousands of families who rely on Head Start are being left in the lurch as facilities shutter, children have nowhere to go, and parents weigh missing work or school to care for their kids. My bill would give families certainty that Head Start and the care it provides will continue,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cIf my Republican colleagues don\u2019t want to sit down and talk about saving 22 million Americans from skyrocketing health care costs, I hope they can at least agree that 750,000 children and their families shouldn\u2019t pay the price for Washington dysfunction.\u201d\n\nHead Start serves roughly 750,000 children. As of November 1st, nearly 10% of all Head Start children were at risk of losing access to their classrooms. According to the National Head Start Association, 20 programs have either partially or fully closed, impacting nearly 10,000 children. Additionally, there are 140 Head Start programs serving approximately 65,000 children with grants up for renewal in October and early November that have not received their fiscal year 2026 grant funding.\n\nThe Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025 ensures that Head Start programs will keep running and receiving funding even if Congress hasn\u2019t passed a new budget yet.\n\n\u201cSimply put, there is broad bipartisan, bicameral support for Head Start in Congress, because it works. Unfortunately, 20 programs across 17 states and Puerto Rico, which together serve nearly 10,000 children, have already closed their doors as a direct result of the shutdown,\u201d said Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director of the National Head Start Association. \u201cWe applaud Senator Baldwin\u2019s leadership and solution-oriented approach with the Keep Head Start Funded Act, and we implore Congress to come together, pass a Continuing Resolution, and resolve the FY26 spending bills to ensure that Head Start can continue to serve children, families, and communities uninterrupted.\u201d\n\nThis legislation is led by Senator Baldwin and co-sponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Gary Peters (D-MI).\n\nSenator Baldwin\u2019s bill to reopen Head Start programs comes as President Donald Trump has made clear all year that he wants to end Head Start. Draft budget documents showed that the Trump administration wanted to eliminate Head Start as part of its Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration also illegally froze Congressionally approved funding for Head Start, forcing at least one program in Wisconsin to close. In July, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report that found the Trump Administration and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) illegally impounded funding approved by Congress for Head Start programs.\n\nIn April, Senator Baldwin led a group of 41 Senators in calling out the Trump administration\u2019s direct attacks on Head Start and demanding his Department of Health and Human Services immediately release Head Start funding, reverse the mass firing of Head Start staff, and stop gutting the offices that help ensure high-quality child care is available for thousands of children and families across the country. She also pressed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy on this frozen funding at a Senate hearing in May. She visited a Head Start facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin to talk with families, leadership, and staff about the impact of the illegal funding freeze after they were forced to close their doors earlier this year.\n\nAs the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Senator Baldwin\u2019s bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services includes $12.4 billion for Head Start, an $85 million increase.\n\nFull text of this legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/video-release-sen-johnson-holds-hearing-entitled-assessing-the-damage-done-by-obamacare", "***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson Holds Hearing Entitled \u201cAssessing the Damage Done by Obamacare\u201d", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing entitled \u201cAssessing the Damage Done by Obamacare.\u201d The Subcommittee heard from four witnesses who discussed Obamacare\u2019s failures to lower costs and meet coverage goals.\n\nThe first witness, Joel White, explained how Obamacare\u2019s expansion of the third-party payer system has fueled insurer consolidation, reduced competition, and driven up costs.\n\nThe second witness, Tarren Bragdon, described the damage done to Medicaid and to those whom Medicaid was originally designed to help.\n\nThe third witness, Brian Blase, PhD, explained how Obamacare\u2019s complex exchanges dismantled the individual market and drove premiums and deductibles sharply higher.\n\nThe minority witness, Shana Verstegen \u2013 a fellow Wisconsinite \u2013 is a victim of Obamacare\u2019s soaring premiums and perverse incentives causing employers to drop coverage and force their employees on to the unaffordable exchanges.\n\nClips of the witnesses\u2019 testimonies can be found here.\n\nRead Chairman Johnson\u2019s opening statement here.\n\nWatch the full hearing here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/07/2025-11-video-release-sen-johnson-holds-hearing-entitled-assessing-the-damage-done-by-obamacare/", "***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson Holds Hearing Entitled \u201cAssessing the Damage Done by Obamacare\u201d", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing entitled \u201cAssessing the Damage Done by Obamacare.\u201d The Subcommittee heard from four witnesses who discussed Obamacare\u2019s failures to lower costs and meet coverage goals.\n\nThe first witness, Joel White, explained how Obamacare\u2019s expansion of the third-party payer system has fueled insurer consolidation, reduced competition, and driven up costs.\n\nThe second witness, Tarren Bragdon, described the damage done to Medicaid and to those whom Medicaid was originally designed to help.\n\nThe third witness, Brian Blase, PhD, explained how Obamacare\u2019s complex exchanges dismantled the individual market and drove premiums and deductibles sharply higher.\n\nThe minority witness, Shana Verstegen \u2013 a fellow Wisconsinite \u2013 is a victim of Obamacare\u2019s soaring premiums and perverse incentives causing employers to drop coverage and force their employees on to the unaffordable exchanges.\n\nClips of the witnesses\u2019 testimonies can be found here.\n\nRead Chairman Johnson\u2019s opening statement here.\n\nWatch the full hearing here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:22Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-slams-trump-administration-for-letting-china-cheat-and-undercutting-american-shipbuilders", "Senator Baldwin Slams Trump Administration for Letting China Cheat and Undercutting American Shipbuilders", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is calling out the Trump Administration for reversing course on holding China accountable, delaying penalties that were designed to support American shipbuilding and level the playing field for American workers after China has spent decades cheating to undercut Wisconsin shipbuilders. Recently, the White House announced that as part of a trade deal struck between President Xi Jinping of China, the United States would suspend for one year the penalties imposed by a Section 301 investigation that Senator Baldwin, shipbuilders, and workers first called for in March 2024. The Administration is only allowing the public one day to weigh in.\n\n\u201cFor years, I\u2019ve been fighting to level the playing field for American shipbuilding as China cheated the system, undercut workers, and threatened our national security. Instead of holding China accountable, the President folded, leaving American workers behind,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cAfter months of working with both the Biden and Trump Administrations to put us on the path to cracking down on China\u2019s unfair trade practices, President Trump turned on a dime by rolling back penalties designed to protect American shipbuilders. Wisconsin workers deserve a level playing field, not to be used as just another bargaining chip in this President\u2019s chaotic trade war that has so far only jacked up costs on consumers while doing very little to boost American manufacturing.\u201d\n\nLast March, Senator Baldwin joined United Steelworkers and other labor leaders in support of the American shipbuilding industry and to call on the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to conduct a Section 301 investigation of China\u2019s practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. In April 2024, the USTR under President Biden announced they were heeding that call and launching an investigation into China, concluding in a report that China targeted dominance in these sectors is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and is therefore \u201cactionable\u201d under Section 301. This report laid the groundwork for the Trump Administration to impose penalties on China to support American shipbuilding. This announcement reverses course on that decision by suspending the actions recommended in the Section 301 Investigation.\n\nSenator Baldwin has long championed Buy America policies to support American businesses and workers. She fought to advance her American Made Navy Act in last year\u2019s annual defense legislation, which would ensure by 2033 any new Navy ship purchased uses 100% domestically produced materials, like propulsion systems, shipboard components, couplings, shafts, support bearings, and more. She also worked to include strong Buy America standards in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-baldwin-presses-rail-regulator-nominees-on-whether-they-will-cave-to-trump-and-rubberstamp-railroad-megamerger", "WATCH: Baldwin Presses Rail Regulator Nominees on Whether They Will Cave to Trump and Rubberstamp Railroad Megamerger", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, at a nomination hearing in front of the Senate Commerce Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) pushed two of President Trump\u2019s nominees for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) \u2013 Mr. Richard Kloster and Ms. Michelle Schultz \u2013 on whether they will act independently or simply take orders from the President. The hearing comes after President Trump illegally fired former STB member Robert Primus and ahead of a proposed megamerger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, which could further undercut competition for Class I railroads and lead to even worse service for shippers like Wisconsin farmers, manufacturers, and consumers. As the STB considers this merger, Union Pacific\u2019s CEO recently visited President Trump in the Oval Office and committed to helping fund the President\u2019s $300 million White House ballroom.\n\nThe merger, in which Union Pacific agreed to acquire Norfolk Southern, would be the most significant consolidation in freight rail in decades and would undoubtedly reshape the U.S. freight rail industry and supply chain. The Surface Transportation Board received a notice of intent regarding the proposed railway merger in July, which initiates the regulatory review process. Baldwin has been critical of the rail merger, citing the continued consolidation in the railroad industry and impacts on manufacturers, agriculture, small businesses, and consumers. Senators Baldwin and Roger Marshall (R-KS) called on the Surface Transportation Board to scrutinize the impact of this merger on the already poor service and high costs experienced by American businesses and consumers that rely on freight rail.\n\nFull video of Senator Baldwin\u2019s questions is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/sen-johnson-moves-to-ensure-federal-workers-are-paid-during-government-shutdown", "Sen. Johnson Moves to Ensure Federal Workers are Paid During Government Shutdown", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced a substitute amendment to his Shutdown Fairness Act and is seeking unanimous consent from his Senate colleagues to pay all federal employees and servicemembers, including furloughed workers, during a government shutdown.\n\n\u201cRight now, I'd be willing to add furloughed workers because we're going to pay them anyway [\u2026] Would you take my bill, add furloughed workers, say it\u2019s a done deal? Is that something you\u2019d accept here today?\u201d Sen. Johnson said to Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) during his floor speech on October 23, 2025.\n\nSen. Johnson was joined by U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).\n\nSen. Johnson's Shutdown Fairness Act has been endorsed by\n\nThe American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)\n\nThe National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)\n\nNational Association of Letter Carriers\n\nNational Association of Retired and Federal Employees\n\nThe Federal Managers Association\n\nThe Association of Flight Attendants-CWA\n\nThe Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)\n\nThe International Association of Fire Fighters\n\nThe Council of Prison Locals 33 (CPL-33)\n\nThe National Treasury Employees Union\n\nSouthwest Airlines Pilots Association\n\nCoalition of Airline Pilots Association\n\nNetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots\n\nTransport Workers Union\n\nSen. Johnson\u2019s full floor speech can be found here.\n\nFull text of the amendment can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/06/2025-11-sen-johnson-moves-to-ensure-federal-workers-are-paid-during-government-shutdown/", "Sen. Johnson Moves to Ensure Federal Workers are Paid During Government Shutdown", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced a substitute amendment to his Shutdown Fairness Act and is seeking unanimous consent from his Senate colleagues to pay all federal employees and servicemembers, including furloughed workers, during a government shutdown.\n\n\u201cRight now, I\u2019d be willing to add furloughed workers because we\u2019re going to pay them anyway [\u2026] Would you take my bill, add furloughed workers, say it\u2019s a done deal? Is that something you\u2019d accept here today?\u201d Sen. Johnson said to Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) during his floor speech on October 23, 2025.\n\nSen. Johnson was joined by U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).\n\nSen. Johnson\u2019s Shutdown Fairness Act has been endorsed by\n\nThe American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)\n\nThe National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)\n\nNational Association of Letter Carriers\n\nNational Association of Retired and Federal Employees\n\nThe Federal Managers Association\n\nThe Association of Flight Attendants-CWA\n\nThe Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)\n\nThe International Association of Fire Fighters\n\nThe Council of Prison Locals 33 (CPL-33)\n\nThe National Treasury Employees Union\n\nSouthwest Airlines Pilots Association\n\nCoalition of Airline Pilots Association\n\nNetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots\n\nTransport Workers Union\n\nSen. Johnson\u2019s full floor speech can be found here.\n\nFull text of the amendment can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:22Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/media-advisory-chairman-johnson-to-hold-hearing-assessing-the-damage-done-by-obamacare", "***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Chairman Johnson to Hold Hearing: Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", "ronjohnson", "https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, will hold a hearing entitled \u201cAssessing the Damage Done by Obamacare.\u201d The hearing will focus on the damage done to the individual marketplace and a discussion of the larger problems of Obamacare.\n\nWHAT: The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hear from four witnesses.\n\nWHEN: Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET\n\nWHERE: Senate Dirksen Building, SD-342\n\nWATCH: The hearing will be livestreamed on X, Rumble, and The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs website.\n\nWITNESSES:\n\nJoel White\n\nPresident, Council for Affordable Health Coverage\n\nTarren Bragdon\n\nPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Government Accountability\n\nBrian Blase, Ph.D.\n\nPresident, Paragon Health Institute\n\nShana Verstegen\n\nSmall Business Employee and ACA Marketplace Enrollee\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 779, "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 \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "WI", "p1": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 417, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 362, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 403, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 376, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "WI", "label": "WI", "count": 779, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 779, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WI", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2025-11-05,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eronjohnson~2Esenate~2Egov~2F2025~2F11~2Fmedia-advisory-chairman-johnson-to-hold-hearing-assessing-the-damage-done-by-obamacare", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WI&year=2025&_next=2025-11-05%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eronjohnson~2Esenate~2Egov~2F2025~2F11~2Fmedia-advisory-chairman-johnson-to-hold-hearing-assessing-the-damage-done-by-obamacare&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1175.7627888582647, "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"}