url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
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. – 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’s 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’s 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.

“On April 1, 2025, the Administration began withholding and delaying funds Congress already enacted and appropriated for MEP Centers,” wrote Baldwin and the Senators in a letter to Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Craig Burkhardt. “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’s explicit statutory direction to fully fund the MEP Program and its Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.”

These 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.

The Administration has also claimed that the goal of the MEP – to support American manufacturers – was not aligned with the Administration’s priorities. President Trump has promised an “American manufacturing boom,” but the latest jobs report indicates 67,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost since April 2025.

“It is perplexing why the Administration appears to believe a program specifically designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing would be at odds with its priorities,” concluded the Senators. “We should not be undermining or eliminating a long-standing program that strengthens innovation, enhances global competitiveness, and creates jobs in U.S. manufacturing.”

Since 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.

Senator 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.

In 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.

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Acting Under Secretary Burkhardt,

We 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.

On 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’s explicit statutory direction to fully fund the MEP Program and its Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The 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’s 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 “continuation of current State awards that bolster the local manufacturing economy.” Additionally, the Senate report clearly directs that “no funds are provided to execute or plan for a program that reduces the number of active MEP Centers” and that “any revamp, including the one outlined in the June 2025 renewal documents, should not proceed without consultation and approval from the Committee.”

Additionally, please provide a briefing to our staff on the status of the MEP Program and the Department’s plans for program continuity no later than January 5, 2026.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
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. – 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.

“As 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “Approving this merger would take us in the wrong direction – 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’m 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.”

The 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.

In 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’s CEO recently visited President Trump in the Oval Office and committed to helping fund the President’s $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’s nominees for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) – Mr. Richard Kloster and Ms. Michelle Schultz – on whether they will act independently or simply take orders from the President.

Since 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.

###",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. – 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’s Constellation-class frigate warships that are produced in Marinette, Green Bay, and Sturgeon Bay, WI.

“Wisconsin workers and businesses have decades of experience and a second-to-none track record of building world-class vessels that defend our nation,” said Senator Baldwin. “That’s 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 – 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’s shipyards, communities, and workers and ensure that some of these ships are built here in Wisconsin. Additionally, using any of the Navy’s 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.”

Baldwin 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.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
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. – 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 “Restoring America’s Shipbuilding Dominance,” 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.

“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,” wrote the Senators in a letter to President Trump. “The 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.”

In 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:

Define 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.

Support 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.

Support Public and Private Investment into Shipyards, Ports, Supply Chain Modernization and Industrial Technology: Continue federal investments in modernizing aging shipyards and strengthening shipyard’s supplier base.

Create 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.

Expand 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.

Senator 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’s unfair trade practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors that exposed their decades-long effort to undermine American workers.

The letter is supported by the Fincantieri Marine Marinette Shipyard.

In 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).

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Mr. President:

As Senators representing Great Lakes states, we write regarding your Executive Order, “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” 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.

Section 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’s 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.

A 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’s military preparedness.

1. Define Great Lakes Prosperity Zones by Activity

By 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.

2. Support the Creation of a Great Lakes Shipbuilding Consortium

Shipyards, 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.

3. Support Public and Private Investment into Shipyards, Ports, Supply Chain Modernization and Industrial Technology

The maritime industry, including many of the suppliers that serve U.S. shipyards—like metal fabricators, casting and forging, and engine component manufacturers—operate 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’s 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.

4. Create the Conditions for Sustained Success

To 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.

It is also critical that your Administration consistently enforce any existing Buy American requirements related to infrastructure projects and vessel construction and operation.

5. Expand Federal Investment in Workforce Training and Apprenticeships

We 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.

We look forward to working with you to meet the current moment to restore America’s maritime dominance.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
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. – 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’s livestock and agricultural industry are protected from the ongoing outbreak.

“For 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “So 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’s high time for the Trump Administration to deliver on a response that matches the scale and urgency of this crisis.”

In 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’s Five-Pronged Approach from February 2025.

Earlier 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’s poultry flocks and dairy herds and driving egg costs to reach record highs.

A full version of this letter is available here.

Dear Secretary Rollins,

I write regarding the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which continues to devastate the nation’s 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’s 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.

Despite 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.

Wisconsin 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.

The 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’s public health response, recurring outbreaks will continue to fuel food price volatility and erode consumer confidence.

Traditional 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’s 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.

Since 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.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

###",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. – 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’s desk.

“This 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’m proud to support Wisconsin’s servicemembers and their families with a well-deserved pay raise and investments for American workers and businesses that support our nation’s defense, including American shipbuilding,” said Senator Baldwin. “We 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.”

###",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’s 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. – 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’s 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.

During her questioning, Baldwin highlighted FCC Chairman Carr’s use of merger review to force companies to enact policies favored by the Trump Administration, while leaving consumers with higher prices and fewer choices.

In September, Senator Baldwin demanded answers from the Trump Administration for censoring critics and infringing on Americans’ First Amendment right to free speech, specifically calling out Chairman Carr for censoring Jimmy Kimmel.

A recording of Senator Baldwin’s question is available here.

###",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’s 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 – 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 “after and because of receiving COVID-19 vaccination.”

The 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, “[f]or the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children.”

“The memo outlined the Biden Administration’s failure to fully investigate the safety of the vaccines, including the risks of myocarditis,”Chairman Johnson wrote.

“Although Dr. Prasad’s 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,” Chairman Johnson concluded.

In addition to requesting documents linked to Dr. Prasad’s memo, the chairman also reiterated his outstanding requests for information relating to the Biden Administration’s last-minute four-year extension of liability protections for COVID-19 vaccines.

Chairman Johnson asked Secretary Kennedy to explain “what steps HHS has taken to examine whether the existing liability shield for COVID-19 vaccines should remain in place.”

Read more about the chairman’s letter in The Daily Caller.

Full text of the letter can be found here.

###",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’s 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’s Deaths to COVID-19 Vaccines

WASHINGTON – 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 “after and because of receiving COVID-19 vaccination.”

The 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, “[f]or the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children.”

“The memo outlined the Biden Administration’s failure to fully investigate the safety of the vaccines, including the risks of myocarditis,”Chairman Johnson wrote.

“Although Dr. Prasad’s 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,” Chairman Johnson concluded.

In addition to requesting documents linked to Dr. Prasad’s memo, the chairman also reiterated his outstanding requests for information relating to the Biden Administration’s last-minute four-year extension of liability protections for COVID-19 vaccines.

Chairman Johnson asked Secretary Kennedy to explain “what steps HHS has taken to examine whether the existing liability shield for COVID-19 vaccines should remain in place.”

Read more about the chairman’s letter in The Daily Caller.

Full text of the letter can be found here.

###",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:31:39Z
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 – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 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.

“I 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,” Sen. Johnson said.

“[This] wouldn’t have happened without you, Mr. Secretary, and the people that work with you tirelessly to do what’s right. God bless you and thank you,” Sen. Johnson concluded.

Sen. Johnson’s full remarks can be found here.

Sen. Johnson’s history of work with Right to Try can be found here.

###",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 – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 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.

“I 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,” Sen. Johnson said.

“[This] wouldn’t have happened without you, Mr. Secretary, and the people that work with you tirelessly to do what’s right. God bless you and thank you,” Sen. Johnson concluded.

Sen. Johnson’s full remarks can be found here.

Sen. Johnson’s history of work with Right to Try can be found here.

###",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:31:39Z
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. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called out President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for doing nothing to stop 275,000 Wisconsinites’ 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’ premiums to double on average starting on January 1st.

“Today, Donald Trump and Republicans finally ran out the clock and locked in price hikes on millions of Americans’ 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’s Wisconsin’s small businesses, farmers, and working families who will pay the price,” said Senator Baldwin. “While the American people have been clear – in polls and at the ballot box – 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.”

For 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’s 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.

In 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’s 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’ premiums would rise without these tax credits.

###",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 – 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’ role as one of President Trump’s attorneys in the state in the 2020 election.

Chairman Johnson wrote, “because of his role as the president’s attorney [Mr. Troupis’] life has been upended by unceasing political persecutions currently led by Wisconsin’s attorney general.”

According to recently unsealed court documents, Mr. Troupis’ attorneys allege that the judge overseeing Mr. Troupis’ case, John Hyland, may have had retired Judge Frank Remington, who is “not a fan” of Mr. Troupis, write the order denying the motions to dismiss. A forensic linguistic expert reportedly confirmed that it was “highly likely” that Judge Remington wrote the order even though it was signed by Judge Hyland. Mr. Troupis’ legal team requested for the case to be heard by another judge in another Wisconsin county “where Troupis did not serve as a judge” in order to “ensure the appearance of impropriety does not haunt the rest of this case.” Judge Hyland denied this request on Dec. 9, 2025.

“It is difficult to understand how Judge Hyland can make an impartial decision about [Troupis’ attorneys’] allegations when he is directly implicated,” the chairman wrote.

Chairman Johnson called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review Judge Troupis’ case “to determine whether any wrongdoing has occurred.”

The letter to DOJ can be found here.

###",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 – 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’ role as one of President Trump’s attorneys in the state in the 2020 election.

Chairman Johnson wrote, “because of his role as the president’s attorney [Mr. Troupis’] life has been upended by unceasing political persecutions currently led by Wisconsin’s attorney general.”

According to recently unsealed court documents, Mr. Troupis’ attorneys allege that the judge overseeing Mr. Troupis’ case, John Hyland, may have had retired Judge Frank Remington, who is “not a fan” of Mr. Troupis, write the order denying the motions to dismiss. A forensic linguistic expert reportedly confirmed that it was “highly likely” that Judge Remington wrote the order even though it was signed by Judge Hyland. Mr. Troupis’ legal team requested for the case to be heard by another judge in another Wisconsin county “where Troupis did not serve as a judge” in order to “ensure the appearance of impropriety does not haunt the rest of this case.” Judge Hyland denied this request on Dec. 9, 2025.

“It is difficult to understand how Judge Hyland can make an impartial decision about [Troupis’ attorneys’] allegations when he is directly implicated,” the chairman wrote.

Chairman Johnson called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review Judge Troupis’ case “to determine whether any wrongdoing has occurred.”

The letter to DOJ can be found here.

###",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:31:39Z
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. – 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’ premiums to double on average starting on January 1.

“Today, 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’ll be the first to say that our health care system needs major reforms, and I’ll 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.”

For 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’s effort to add her amendment that would have extended the tax credits to the government funding bill before the Senate.

In 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’s 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’ premiums would rise without these tax credits.

A full recording of Senator Baldwin’s floor speech ahead of the vote to extend these tax credits is available here.

A full recording a Senator Baldwin’s press call with impacted constituents today is available here.

###",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 – Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing entitled “Defining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve It.” The four Majority witnesses discussed how Obamacare’s structural problems are fueling higher costs and rampant fraud, and they identified the harms they have experienced as a result.

Christopher Briggs shared the story of his daughter with leukemia, showing how President Obama’s repeated assurance that “if you like your health plan, you can keep it,” turned out to be a lie.

Nick Stehle told the story of his severely autistic son and explained how Medicaid expansion’s able-bodied adults are first in line for home health care, with his son on a ten-year waiting list.

Joel White outlined the massive consolidation in health care since Obamacare, which has weakened competition and driven prices up.

Tarren Bragdon discussed the massive Medicaid fraud recently uncovered in Minnesota and the GAO investigation showing how easy it is to defraud Obamacare.

Clips of the witnesses’ testimonies can be found here.

Read Chairman Johnson’s 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 – Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing entitled “Defining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve It.” The four Majority witnesses discussed how Obamacare’s structural problems are fueling higher costs and rampant fraud, and they identified the harms they have experienced as a result.

Christopher Briggs shared the story of his daughter with leukemia, showing how President Obama’s repeated assurance that “if you like your health plan, you can keep it,” turned out to be a lie.

Nick Stehle told the story of his severely autistic son and explained how Medicaid expansion’s able-bodied adults are first in line for home health care, with his son on a ten-year waiting list.

Joel White outlined the massive consolidation in health care since Obamacare, which has weakened competition and driven prices up.

Tarren Bragdon discussed the massive Medicaid fraud recently uncovered in Minnesota and the GAO investigation showing how easy it is to defraud Obamacare.

Clips of the witnesses’ testimonies can be found here.

Read Chairman Johnson’s opening statement here.

Watch the full hearing here.

###",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:31:39Z
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. – 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.

“Wisconsin is America’s 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m 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.”

“Maine’s 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,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would make permanent the USDA’s 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’s global marketplace.”

“I’ve heard directly from Wisconsin’s organic farmers about the challenges they face getting their products to market, and this bill delivers real solutions. By making this program permanent, we’re 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,” said Representative Van Orden.

“Oregon 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,” said Representative Salinas. “Whether it’s 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’m grateful to my colleagues for their work to support organic farmers in Oregon and across the country.”

The Domestic Organic Investment Act will codify the Organic Market Development Grant program administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service. The development program will:

Increase the capacity of the domestic organic product supply chain for producers, handlers, suppliers, and processors of certified organic products;

Modernize manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems;

Improve the capacity of eligible entities to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or quality standards required to access markets;

Expand 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;

Conduct feasibility studies and market viability assessments to inform organic transition strategies and opportunities;

Address barriers to entry to organic product certification for historically underserved entities; and

Support market and promotional activities that help build commercial markets for certified organic products in the United States.

The Domestic Organic Investment Act is endorsed by Organic Valley and the Organic Trade Association.

“We are deeply grateful to the sponsoring lawmakers for introducing this important and timely DOIA legislation,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of Organic Trade Association. “These 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.”

“The 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’ve 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 – it is encouraging to see both bipartisan and bicameral support for organic agriculture in America,” said Shawna Nelson, Organic Valley, CEO.

“Among 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’re 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,” said Cathy Burns, International Fresh Produce Association, CEO.

Full text of the bill is available here.

###",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. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) urged the Trump administration to follow through on President Donald Trump’s pledge to prioritize American workers and businesses and properly enforce Buy America rules when rebuilding our nation’s 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 “deficient programs” to identify remaining gaps in Buy America standards within federal infrastructure funding.

“The President has long said he wants to prioritize American workers, American businesses, and American manufacturers. Well, it’s time he put his money where his mouth is,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was proud to include strong provisions into law that ensure when we rebuild our infrastructure, we do it with American workers and companies – and now we need the Trump administration to make sure our workers get the business they deserve.”

Among the core directives of Senator Baldwin’s Build America, Buy America (BABA) law was a requirement to impose strong Buy America policies on programs “deemed deficient,” 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’s 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.

Senator 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.

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Associate Director Stumo,

I 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’s workers and businesses.

The 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.

One clear example is the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) continued treatment of entire “systems” as “end products” under its Buy America regulations at 49 C.F.R. Part 661. This outdated interpretation directly conflicts with BABA’s purpose of strengthening domestic content requirements and remedying deficient programs.

Moreover, there is little transparency into the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) progress on BABA implementation. To date, HUD has issued various “public interest” 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.

Following 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.

When 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.

Sincerely,

###",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 – 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 “Defining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve It.” The hearing will examine the systemic problems in our health care system that have contributed to rising costs and pervasive fraud.

WHAT: The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hear from six witnesses.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building, SD-342

WATCH: The hearing will be livestreamed on Sen. Johnson’s X account, Rumble, and Subcommittee’s website.

WITNESSES:

Christopher Briggs

Victim of Obamacare

Nick Stehle

Victim of Obamacare

Joel White

President, Council for Affordable Health Coverage

Tarren Bragdon

President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Government Accountability

Dan Jacobs

Small Business Owner and ACA Marketplace Enrollee

Aaron Lehman

Farmer and ACA Marketplace Enrollee

###",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: “We Can’t Continue to Throw Money at a Completely Failed System”,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 – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” 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. “Socialism might sound appealing, but it destroys economies. We’re $38 trillion in debt — we can’t keep pouring money into a failed system that perpetuates fraud,” Sen. Johnson said.

“I'm trying to show my Senate colleagues how you go through the problem-solving process. We had an earlier hearing, it was titled “Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare,” 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,” Sen. Johnson continued. “This 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.”

“I'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,” 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 – 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 “Defining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve It.” The hearing will examine the systemic problems in our health care system that have contributed to rising costs and pervasive fraud.

WHAT: The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hear from six witnesses.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building, SD-342

WATCH: The hearing will be livestreamed on Sen. Johnson’s X account, Rumble, and Subcommittee’s website.

WITNESSES:

Christopher Briggs

Victim of Obamacare

Nick Stehle

Victim of Obamacare

Joel White

President, Council for Affordable Health Coverage

Tarren Bragdon

President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Government Accountability

Dan Jacobs

Small Business Owner and ACA Marketplace Enrollee

Aaron Lehman

Farmer and ACA Marketplace Enrollee

###",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: “We Can’t Continue to Throw Money at a Completely Failed System”,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 – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” 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. “Socialism might sound appealing, but it destroys economies. We’re $38 trillion in debt — we can’t keep pouring money into a failed system that perpetuates fraud,” Sen. Johnson said.

“I’m trying to show my Senate colleagues how you go through the problem-solving process. We had an earlier hearing, it was titled “Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare,” 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,” Sen. Johnson continued. “This 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.”",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’s Bailout is No Fix to His Trade War’s 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. – 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:

“Wisconsin farmers put in more time and heart into their craft than just about anyone I know – and all they want is a fair shot to succeed,” said Senator Baldwin. “Trump knows that his trade war is crushing our farmers, and this chaos and hardship is a totally self-inflicted wound. Sadly, this package won’t even be enough to make our farmers and producers whole. We’ve spent years rebuilding relationships after Trump’s 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.”

Reporting has shown that the Trump administration’s 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’s 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.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
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’s 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. – 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’s 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.

“The 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,” wrote Baldwin and the Senators. “Your brazen attempt to dismantle the Department by transferring to other federal agencies complex and foundational responsibilities that Congress specifically charged to the Department—including more than half of all federal funds for elementary and secondary education programs and billions in higher education funding—will undermine public education.”

“Let’s 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,” the Senators add. “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.”

Recently, 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—or even seriously pursued—by the administration.

In 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.

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary McMahon:

The actions you announced on November 18 to continue hollowing out the U.S. Department of Education (“the Department”) 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—including more than half of all federal funds for elementary and secondary education programs and billions in higher education funding—will undermine public education. This is the latest example of this administration’s 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’s approach and commitment to properly implementing federal education laws and appropriations.

Let’s 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.

The 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—and 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.

The 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’s 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 “out of a job.” Federal resources outlining the purpose of the Economy Act make this clear. This view is further affirmed by the Department’s inability to cite a single instance of using this statute or any others in a similar way prior to this year.

You 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.

Since 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—inaccurately suggesting that the Department was depriving states and families from making choices about their children’s education, shackling teachers with burdensome regulations and paperwork and causing K-12 and college students to experience “drudgery caused by administrative burdens.” On the basis of these false assertions, you have strangely claimed that we need to “Return Education to the States.” In fact, states and local communities have—since the founding of our republic—had 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.

Until 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’s programs ensure that parents get timely, accessible information about how their kids’ schools are doing. They ensure students with disabilities’ 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—and the Department, in particular—plays in advancing educational outcomes for students.

To justify these new IAA’s, 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’s chaotic changes—and its extreme policies—and the moves you announced last week are certain to further jeopardize these funds.

You claim these actions will improve student achievement, yet your actions will significantly weaken federal monitoring of states’ 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.

The 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.

DOL 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’s grant system while continuing to draw down prior year grant funding in the Department’s 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.

In 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’ 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.

DOL already has a comprehensive workload to support the nation’s 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’s 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’s 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.

Unfortunately, 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—and 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, “The size and scope of OCTAE's programs are miniscule [sic] compared to other [Education Principal Operating Components] and programs…Larger formula grants and competitive grants are going to be much more difficult to migrate.” 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, “At a time of scarce resources, it’s hard to understand why the Department is paying Labor to do work that it can do for itself.” 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.

The 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—have provided no information about their roles or their capacity to carry out these programs and activities. The plan seems clear—to jam these changes through for a talking point, whatever the consequences may be for states, school districts, schools, students, and families.

We 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.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
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. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in applauding the approval of Wisconsin’s plan to utilize $1 billion she helped deliver from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build out the Badger State’s broadband network. When completed, the plan will connect more than 175,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet across Wisconsin.

“Broadband is not a luxury, it’s a necessity for Wisconsinites to work, learn, connect with loved ones, and run their businesses and farms. That’s why when I helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I was squarely focused on delivering high-speed internet to Wisconsin communities big and small,” said Senator Baldwin. “I 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’s 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.”

“Access 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’ll be able to help more than 175,000 homes and businesses get online across the state. That’s remarkable,” said Governor Evers. “After 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.”

Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Wisconsin’s 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’s announcement comes after the Trump Administration required Wisconsin to start their application over, wasting time and state resources. More information about Wisconsin’s plan and application process is available here.

The 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.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z
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. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) denounced the Trump administration’s plan to significantly cut back the production of the U.S. Navy’s 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’s fleet and play a key role in competing with China.

“I take great pride in representing Wisconsin’s shipbuilding industry in Washington because our workers have helped keep America safe for generations,” said Senator Baldwin. “And today’s 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’s 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’t good enough. I call on the administration to immediately share its shipbuilding action plan for supporting Wisconsin workers.”

Baldwin 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.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
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. – 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.

“Every 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “Ensuring expecting mothers have access to the care they need to stay healthy and safe is something we all can get behind. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to help tackle the maternal mortality crisis Wisconsin communities are facing and support families as they grow.”

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, and it’s 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%.

The 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.

Senator 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.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",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. – 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.

“It is unacceptable that Head Start programs continue to wait for federal funds now that the government has reopened,” Senator Baldwin wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “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,” Baldwin concluded.

Head 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.

Since 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.

“The Office of Head Start must act immediately to support Wisconsin’s 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,” said Jennie Mauer, executive director of the Wisconsin Head Start Association. “This crisis in our communities didn’t start with the government shutdown, it started when Health and Human Services abruptly shutdown the regional offices needed to process and monitor grants. Wisconsin’s economy can’t wait another day. These delays are hurting Wisconsin workers, Wisconsin families, and Wisconsin children.

In April, Senator Baldwin led a group of 41 Senators in calling out the Trump administration’s 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’s bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services includes $12.4 billion for Head Start, an $85 million increase.

Full text of the letter can be found below or here.

Dear Secretary Kennedy and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Gradison:

I 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.

From 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.

Now, 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.

I urge you to immediately issue awards to ensure all Head Start Programs can fully operate.

Sincerely,

###",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 – 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.

This resolution “affirms the need for Congress to reign in overspending to help curb the inflation crisis that is crippling the families of the United States,” the senators wrote.

“As Senator Tom Coburn used to say, earmarks are the gateway drug to continued massive deficit spending and the mortgaging of our children’s future. Our nation is $38 trillion in debt — 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,” Sen. Johnson said.

Full text of the resolution can be foundhere.

###",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 – 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.

This resolution “affirms the need for Congress to reign in overspending to help curb the inflation crisis that is crippling the families of the United States,” the senators wrote.

“As Senator Tom Coburn used to say, earmarks are the gateway drug to continued massive deficit spending and the mortgaging of our children’s future. Our nation is $38 trillion in debt — 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,” Sen. Johnson said.

Full text of the resolution can be foundhere.

###",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’ 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. – 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’ historic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Donald Trump’s big, ugly budget bill. Republicans’ 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.

“Donald Trump’s ‘Big, Ugly Bill’ 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “As 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’s start by reversing their historic cuts to programs that keep food on the table for millions of Americans.”

Republicans’ budget bill makes the largest cut in history to our nation’s 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.

Nearly 1,500 national, state, and community-based organizations joined a letter voicing support for Senate Democrats’ 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.

During 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.

Full text of this legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
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. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues introduced the Anti-Cash Grab Act, legislation that will repeal a provision — quietly added into the Senate government funding bill by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) at the last minute — 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.

“While 22 million Americans are being told there’s no money to stop their skyrocketing premiums, Republicans greenlit a taxpayer-funded payday for themselves,” said Senator Baldwin. “Americans 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 – 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.”

The 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.

The provision was put in the bill after it was revealed that, in the FBI’s investigation into President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election, eight Senators had their phone records lawfully analyzed due to their part in the President’s scheme.

The 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.

A one-page summary of the bill is here. The full text of the bill is here.

###",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. – 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’ overwhelming bipartisan approval of the measure by a vote of (427-1).

“The victims of Jeffrey Epstein – and the American people – deserve answers, accountability and the truth,” wrote Baldwin and the Senators. “So 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 – 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.”

For 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 “yeah, yeah I would” and “I'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.

“The U.S. Senate has the chance to show strong leadership and swiftly pass this legislation,” concluded Baldwin and the Senators. “We 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.”

The letter was signed by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus.

The full text of the letter is available here.

###",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’s 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. – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Department of Education, condemned the Trump Administration’s misguided actions to illegally dismantle the Department, threatening to cut off or disrupt vital support for students, teachers, and families.

“Every American child – no matter who they are or where they live – deserves access to a high-quality education. That’s the promise and opportunity we give to all Americans. Today’s 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “This isn’t 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 – it just creates confusion and will lead to more bureaucracy, not less. I’ll do everything I can to stop President Trump and Education Secretary McMahon in their crusade to shortchange Wisconsin children.”

Today, 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.

Senator Baldwin has been an outspoken critic of President Trump’s 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’s 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.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
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 – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after President Trump bypassed Senators Baldwin and Ron Johnson’s (R-WI) bipartisan judicial nominating commission and installed failed politician Brad Schimel for a top prosecutor job in Wisconsin:

“Over 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 – 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.”

Today, 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.

At the start of the 119th Congress, Baldwin and Johnson set up their bipartisan judicial nominating commission, which was first established by Wisconsin’s 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’s unique process, until now.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
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 – 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.

275,000 Wisconsinites benefit from the Affordable Care Act’s 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.

On Monday, Senator Baldwin forced a Senate vote to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Senate Republicans voted to stop Baldwin’s effort to add her amendment that would have extended the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits to the government funding bill before the Senate. Senator Baldwin also leads legislation to make these tax breaks permanent.

In 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’s 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’ premiums would rise without these tax credits.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
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 – 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, “Forgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire.” U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) chaired the hearing.

The hearing is part of the senators’ 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 — and how they continue to access resources nearly a year later.

The 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 – 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, “Forgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire.” U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) chaired the hearing.

The hearing is part of the senators’ 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 — and how they continue to access resources nearly a year later.

The 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://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 – 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’s Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) efforts to obtain information relating to Members of Congress during the partisan “Arctic Frost” probe.

The chairmen’s 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’s takeover of Arctic Frost. Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen have yet to produce subpoenas during the time frame referenced in the NARA OIG records.

Through whistleblower disclosures, Chairmen Johnson and Grassley have revealed that over 400 Republican organizations and individuals were targeted as part of “Arctic Frost,” and phone records for at least 13 Members of Congress were subpoenaed, including Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) (the newest addition).

The 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.

A list of the senators’ latest Arctic Frost letters is below:

AT&T

Lumen

Verizon

Microsoft

Southern First Bank

TDS Telecommunications

Alphabet Inc.

Apple Inc.

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Snap Inc.

X Corp.

Yahoo, Inc.

Learn more about Sen. Johnson’s Arctic Frost oversight:

October 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley, Expose “Arctic Frost” Witch Hunt Targeting 430 Republicans

October 14, 2025: Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Grassley in Demanding Federal Entities, Telecommunications Companies Turn Over Records Provided to Jack Smith

October 10, 2025: Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Lead Letter to DOJ and FBI Demanding Documents Detailing the Biden Administration’s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress

May 5, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Request Biden White House and NARA Records on Politically-Motivated Investigations into President Trump

April 9, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation

March 14, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation

January 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case

###",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 – 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’s Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) efforts to obtain information relating to Members of Congress during the partisan “Arctic Frost” probe.

The chairmen’s 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’s takeover of Arctic Frost. Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen have yet to produce subpoenas during the time frame referenced in the NARA OIG records.

Through whistleblower disclosures, Chairmen Johnson and Grassley have revealed that over 400 Republican organizations and individuals were targeted as part of “Arctic Frost,” and phone records for at least 13 Members of Congress were subpoenaed, including Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) (the newest addition).

The 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.

A list of the senators’ latest Arctic Frost letters is below:

AT&T

Lumen

Verizon

Microsoft

Southern First Bank

TDS Telecommunications

Alphabet Inc.

Apple Inc.

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Snap Inc.

X Corp.

Yahoo, Inc.

Learn more about Sen. Johnson’s Arctic Frost oversight:

October 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley, Expose “Arctic Frost” Witch Hunt Targeting 430 Republicans

October 14, 2025: Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Grassley in Demanding Federal Entities, Telecommunications Companies Turn Over Records Provided to Jack Smith

October 10, 2025: Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Lead Letter to DOJ and FBI Demanding Documents Detailing the Biden Administration’s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress

May 5, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Request Biden White House and NARA Records on Politically-Motivated Investigations into President Trump

April 9, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Additional Arctic Frost Records Detailing Sweeping Anti-Trump Investigation

March 14, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Release Records Showing FBI Obtained Trump, Pence Cell Phones, Conducted Sweeping Interviews to Advance Anti-Trump Arctic Frost Investigation

January 30, 2025: Sens. Johnson, Grassley Make Public Whistleblower Records Revealing DOJ and FBI Plot to Pin Trump in Jack Smith Elector Case

###",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:31:22Z
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. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) will force a vote to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (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’s amendment to be added to the Continuing Resolution to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits.

“The health care crisis that families are dealing with demands that we act now. Not in a few weeks, not next month, but now,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin families expect me to use every tool I have in my toolbox to stop their premiums from skyrocketing – so that is just what I am doing. My Republican colleagues are refusing to stop health care costs from doubling for 22 million constituents – so, I am forcing them to go on the record and vote on it.”

Baldwin 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’s amendment to the government funding bill and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits for one year.

The full text of the amendment is available here.

###",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. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) forced a Senate vote to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Senate Republicans voted to stop Baldwin’s effort to add her amendment that would have extended the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits to the government funding bill before the Senate.

“My Republican colleagues sent a clear, unmistakable message that they are okay with jacking up health care costs on 22 million Americans. I’m not, and I am going to keep fighting to stop these massive health care price increases that Wisconsin families are staring down,” said Senator Baldwin.

275,000 Wisconsinites benefit from the Affordable Care Act’s 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.

Watch Senator Baldwin’s floor speech here.

The full text of the amendment is available here.

###",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. – 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:

“My 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’t 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 – with no actual guarantees – 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’t lower working families’ health care costs.”

Wisconsinites 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’s 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.

###",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. – 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’ government shutdown, protecting vital childcare and early learning services for 750,000 pre-school children, infants, and toddlers.

“Head Start is more than a safe place for kids to get a jump on learning, it’s 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “If my Republican colleagues don’t 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’t pay the price for Washington dysfunction.”

Head 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.

The Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025 ensures that Head Start programs will keep running and receiving funding even if Congress hasn’t passed a new budget yet.

“Simply 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,” said Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director of the National Head Start Association. “We applaud Senator Baldwin’s 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.”

This 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).

Senator Baldwin’s 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.

In April, Senator Baldwin led a group of 41 Senators in calling out the Trump administration’s 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.

As the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Senator Baldwin’s bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services includes $12.4 billion for Head Start, an $85 million increase.

Full text of this legislation is available here.

###",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 “Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare”,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 – Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing entitled “Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare.” The Subcommittee heard from four witnesses who discussed Obamacare’s failures to lower costs and meet coverage goals.

The first witness, Joel White, explained how Obamacare’s expansion of the third-party payer system has fueled insurer consolidation, reduced competition, and driven up costs.

The second witness, Tarren Bragdon, described the damage done to Medicaid and to those whom Medicaid was originally designed to help.

The third witness, Brian Blase, PhD, explained how Obamacare’s complex exchanges dismantled the individual market and drove premiums and deductibles sharply higher.

The minority witness, Shana Verstegen – a fellow Wisconsinite – is a victim of Obamacare’s soaring premiums and perverse incentives causing employers to drop coverage and force their employees on to the unaffordable exchanges.

Clips of the witnesses’ testimonies can be found here.

Read Chairman Johnson’s opening statement here.

Watch the full hearing here.

###",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 “Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare”,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 – Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing entitled “Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare.” The Subcommittee heard from four witnesses who discussed Obamacare’s failures to lower costs and meet coverage goals.

The first witness, Joel White, explained how Obamacare’s expansion of the third-party payer system has fueled insurer consolidation, reduced competition, and driven up costs.

The second witness, Tarren Bragdon, described the damage done to Medicaid and to those whom Medicaid was originally designed to help.

The third witness, Brian Blase, PhD, explained how Obamacare’s complex exchanges dismantled the individual market and drove premiums and deductibles sharply higher.

The minority witness, Shana Verstegen – a fellow Wisconsinite – is a victim of Obamacare’s soaring premiums and perverse incentives causing employers to drop coverage and force their employees on to the unaffordable exchanges.

Clips of the witnesses’ testimonies can be found here.

Read Chairman Johnson’s opening statement here.

Watch the full hearing here.

###",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. – 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.

“For years, I’ve 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,” said Senator Baldwin. “After months of working with both the Biden and Trump Administrations to put us on the path to cracking down on China’s 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’s chaotic trade war that has so far only jacked up costs on consumers while doing very little to boost American manufacturing.”

Last 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’s 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 “actionable” 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.

Senator 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’s 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.

###",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. – Today, at a nomination hearing in front of the Senate Commerce Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) pushed two of President Trump’s nominees for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) – Mr. Richard Kloster and Ms. Michelle Schultz – 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’s CEO recently visited President Trump in the Oval Office and committed to helping fund the President’s $300 million White House ballroom.

The 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.

Full video of Senator Baldwin’s questions is available here.

###",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 – 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.

“Right now, I'd be willing to add furloughed workers because we're going to pay them anyway […] Would you take my bill, add furloughed workers, say it’s a done deal? Is that something you’d accept here today?” Sen. Johnson said to Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) during his floor speech on October 23, 2025.

Sen. 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.).

Sen. Johnson's Shutdown Fairness Act has been endorsed by

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)

National Association of Letter Carriers

National Association of Retired and Federal Employees

The Federal Managers Association

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)

The International Association of Fire Fighters

The Council of Prison Locals 33 (CPL-33)

The National Treasury Employees Union

Southwest Airlines Pilots Association

Coalition of Airline Pilots Association

NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots

Transport Workers Union

Sen. Johnson’s full floor speech can be found here.

Full text of the amendment can be found here.

###",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 – 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.

“Right now, I’d be willing to add furloughed workers because we’re going to pay them anyway […] Would you take my bill, add furloughed workers, say it’s a done deal? Is that something you’d accept here today?” Sen. Johnson said to Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) during his floor speech on October 23, 2025.

Sen. 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.).

Sen. Johnson’s Shutdown Fairness Act has been endorsed by

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)

National Association of Letter Carriers

National Association of Retired and Federal Employees

The Federal Managers Association

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)

The International Association of Fire Fighters

The Council of Prison Locals 33 (CPL-33)

The National Treasury Employees Union

Southwest Airlines Pilots Association

Coalition of Airline Pilots Association

NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots

Transport Workers Union

Sen. Johnson’s full floor speech can be found here.

Full text of the amendment can be found here.

###",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 – 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 “Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare.” The hearing will focus on the damage done to the individual marketplace and a discussion of the larger problems of Obamacare.

WHAT: The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hear from four witnesses.

WHEN: Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Senate Dirksen Building, SD-342

WATCH: The hearing will be livestreamed on X, Rumble, and The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs website.

WITNESSES:

Joel White

President, Council for Affordable Health Coverage

Tarren Bragdon

President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Government Accountability

Brian Blase, Ph.D.

President, Paragon Health Institute

Shana Verstegen

Small Business Employee and ACA Marketplace Enrollee

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/11/05/2025-11-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/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – 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 “Assessing the Damage Done by Obamacare.” The hearing will focus on the damage done to the individual marketplace and a discussion of the larger problems of Obamacare.

WHAT: The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will hear from four witnesses.

WHEN: Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Senate Dirksen Building, SD-342

WATCH: The hearing will be livestreamed on X, Rumble, and The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs website.

WITNESSES:

Joel White

President, Council for Affordable Health Coverage

Tarren Bragdon

President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Government Accountability

Brian Blase, Ph.D.

President, Paragon Health Institute

Shana Verstegen

Small Business Employee and ACA Marketplace Enrollee

###",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:31:22Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-baldwin-calls-on-trump-to-fully-fund-foodshare-for-wisconsin-families,WATCH: Baldwin Calls on Trump to Fully Fund FoodShare for Wisconsin Families,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a Senate floor speech today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on President Trump to once again use the resources at his disposal and fully fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Baldwin’s speech comes as two judges confirmed that Donald Trump was required to use emergency funds to fund SNAP, yet Trump continues to sow confusion and refuses to use available resources to ensure FoodShare recipients get their full benefits for November immediately.

“The President has the money for all sorts of things. Private planes for his staff, $20 billion to bail out Argentina, and of course, his glamorous ballroom. But, he is choosing not to fund SNAP and keep 700,000 Wisconsinites fed. He would rather hold families hostage than simply work with Democrats to lower health care costs and reopen the government,” said Senator Baldwin.

Senator Baldwin has repeatedly called on the Trump Administration to continue to fund SNAP and ensure that the approximately 42 million Americans who receive SNAP see their benefits continue uninterrupted. In Wisconsin alone, approximately 700,000 people rely on SNAP for food assistance benefits. Of those receiving assistance, 270,000 are children and 108,000 are senior citizens. Earlier this year, every Wisconsin Republican in Congress voted for the largest cut to the SNAP program in history.

Last week, Senator Baldwin and her colleagues introduced the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 to direct the USDA to immediately release billions of dollars in available funds to ensure SNAP and WIC benefits continue uninterrupted for the remainder of this fiscal year. The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse states for covering SNAP benefits during a shutdown.

Watch Senator Baldwin’s floor speech here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-calls-on-republicans-to-help-avert-health-care-crisis-ahead-of-november-1-affordable-care-act-open-enrollment,Baldwin Calls on Republicans to Help Avert Health Care Crisis Ahead of November 1 Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment,2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Wisconsinites start shopping for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace tomorrow, November 1st, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on Republicans to work with Democrats to reopen the government and stop 275,000 Wisconsinites from seeing their premiums double on average next year. Tomorrow, Wisconsinites who buy their insurance through the ACA, or HealthCare.gov, will start shopping for coverage, only to find their premiums are going up by as much as $30,000 per year because Republicans have failed to extend vital tax breaks that help Wisconsinites afford their insurance.

“Tomorrow, the rubber meets the road. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites can log onto HealthCare.Gov and see just how much more they are being forced to pay for health care because my Republican colleagues and President Trump are refusing to lift a finger,” said Senator Baldwin. “The stories I am hearing from Wisconsinites are simply devastating: small business owners having to fire staff, parents figuring out what activity they can’t afford for their kids next year, and families simply not sure they can afford health care at all. These are the families I have been fighting for. The clock is up. Donald Trump and Republicans need to join me and act now to avert a health care crisis for the 22 million Americans who are about to experience some serious sticker shock tomorrow. House Republicans need to end their 42-day vacation, the President needs to join the conversation, and the Senate should be working over the weekend – not taking a long weekend like Republicans are making us – so we can avoid this crisis.”

Since the government shutdown on October 1st, Republicans and Donald Trump have refused to negotiate with Democrats to extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that help 22 million Americans afford their ACA coverage. 275,000 Wisconsinites benefit from the premium tax break, saving them an average of $585 per month. It is projected that the Republican cost increases will price four million Americans out of 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.

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’s 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. On Monday, Senator Baldwin also convened Governor Tony Evers and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) to highlight just how much Wisconsinites’ premiums would rise without these tax credits. Today, she hosted two Wisconsin constituents virtually to talk about the start of open enrollment and the dire need to extend these tax credits for working families.

Senator Baldwin has voted seven times to reopen the government, reverse Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid, and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Senator Baldwin and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) lead legislation to make these tax breaks permanent.

Full recordings of Senator Baldwin’s virtual roundtables with constituents who use the Affordable Care Act are available here: La Crosse, Eau Claire, Milwaukee, Wisconsin farmers, and Open Enrollment Roundtable.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-statement-on-courts-mandating-trump-fund-snap-immediately-and-follow-the-law,Baldwin Statement on Courts Mandating Trump Fund SNAP Immediately and Follow the Law,2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, after two federal judges ruled that the Trump Administration must continue to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Senator Baldwin released the following statement:

“It should have never come to this. The courts just confirmed what I have been saying all week: The Trump Administration was making a choice – an illegal one at that – to cruelly cut off food assistance for Wisconsinites,” said Senator Baldwin. “This truly was politics at its worst. FoodShare in Wisconsin is a lifeline for working families and ensures children can go to sleep with full stomachs. The Trump Administration needs to stop dragging their feet and get these funds out the door immediately so no family has an empty fridge tomorrow.”

Despite having billions of dollars available in emergency funding to pay for SNAP and being legally mandated to fund the program, the Trump Administration has so far refused to do so. The Trump administration’s United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP funding, had a shutdown plan on its website explicitly stating that it can use emergency funds for the program during a shutdown, before pulling that plan down and reversing course.

This week, Senator Baldwin and her colleagues introduced the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 to direct the USDA to immediately release billions of dollars in available funds to ensure SNAP and WIC benefits continue uninterrupted for the remainder of this fiscal year. The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse states for covering SNAP benefits during a shutdown.

In Wisconsin alone, approximately 700,000 people rely on SNAP for food assistance benefits and were at risk of losing the aid if the USDA does not utilize available funding to continue the program. Of those receiving assistance, 270,000 are children and 108,000 are senior citizens. Additionally, every Wisconsin Republican in Congress voted earlier this year for the largest cut to the SNAP program in history.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-blasts-trump-administration-denying-more-disaster-aid-for-wisconsin-communities-impacted-by-august-storms,Baldwin Blasts Trump Administration Denying More Disaster Aid for Wisconsin Communities Impacted by August Storms,2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released a statement following the Trump Administration’s denial of Wisconsin’s application for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to help recover and build back from severe storms and flooding in August. This denial comes in addition to President Trump and FEMA denying Wisconsin’s request for Public Assistance to help address $26.5 million in damages to public infrastructure.

“Wisconsin communities are working tirelessly to rebuild and recover – and all they are asking for is a helping hand from the federal government. But, the Trump Administration is leaving our local communities out to dry and without the tools and resources they need to protect themselves from having this type of devastation happen in the future,” said Senator Baldwin. “Denying federal assistance and leaving our communities to fend for themselves is a slap in the face to all Wisconsinites. I’m once again calling on the Trump Administration to reconsider their decision and prioritize our local communities.”

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to state, local, and tribal governments to develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in ways that reduce or mitigate future disaster losses in their communities.

After the Trump Administration denied Wisconsin’s request for assistance to rebuild public infrastructure, Baldwin called on her Republican colleagues to join her in supporting Governor Evers’ appeal. Senator Baldwin pushed the Trump Administration to act and get Wisconsin the federal resources communities need to recover. She led a bipartisan group of colleagues calling on the Trump Administration and FEMA to support Wisconsin’s request to assist in conducting a formal federal Preliminary Damage Assessment. Baldwin also joined the entire Wisconsin delegation in requesting an expedited Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment and requesting the President issue a Major Disaster Declaration to unlock federal assistance for recovery efforts in Wisconsin.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-fund-snap-while-trump-administration-illegally-withholds-funding,"Baldwin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Fund SNAP While Trump Administration Illegally Withholds Funding",2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues introduced legislation to ensure there is not a disruption in vital food assistance for 42 million Americans while the Trump administration illegally withholds available funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Baldwin and her colleagues pushed for expedited passage of the bill, the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, to ensure that SNAP recipients are not cut off from their food assistance come November 1st, but Senate Republicans blocked the measure.

“Food isn’t a ‘nice to have,’ it’s a necessity. FoodShare helps hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites make sure their kids are fed and families have food in the fridge,” said Senator Baldwin. “Right now, that security is all on the line because Donald Trump is choosing not to follow the law and not use money sitting in a bank account to help families. Well, if Donald Trump won’t act, Congress needs to. Our bill makes sure this much-needed assistance gets out the door, so no child, no veteran, and no senior goes hungry because of Washington politics at its worst.”

Despite having billions of dollars available in emergency funding to pay for SNAP and being legally mandated to fund the program, the Trump administration is refusing to do so. In fact, the Trump administration’s United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP funding, had a shutdown plan on its website explicitly stating that it can use emergency funds for the program during a shutdown.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 directs the USDA to immediately release billions of dollars in available funds to ensure SNAP and WIC benefits continue uninterrupted for the remainder of this fiscal year. The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse states for covering SNAP benefits during a shutdown.

In Wisconsin alone, approximately 700,000 people are at risk of losing their food assistance benefits if the USDA does not utilize available funding to continue the program. Of those receiving assistance, 270,000 are children and 108,000 are senior citizens. Additionally, every Wisconsin Republican in Congress voted earlier this year for the largest cut to the SNAP program in history.

The legislation is led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and was co-sponsored by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/video-release-sens-johnson-grassley-expose-arctic-frost-witch-hunt-targeting-430-republicans,"***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sens. Johnson, Grassley, Expose “Arctic Frost” Witch Hunt Targeting 430 Republicans",2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for a press conference regarding the release of 197 subpoenas issued by Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of a case against President Trump. The investigation, launched by Joe Biden’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and codenamed “Arctic Frost,” sought testimony, communications, and records related to at least 430 Republican individuals and entities. The subpoenas were obtained by Chairman Grassley through legally protected whistleblower disclosures.

“My first point is we need more whistleblowers. We need people, men and women, inside these agencies who have integrity, who want to see the integrity and credibility of the Department of Justice, of the FBI, restored, come forward. Because right now, I think Kash Patel and Pam Bondi are overwhelmed by all the messes they're trying to clean up,” Sen. Johnson stated.

“People need to understand how politicized the Biden administration turned all these agencies. And again, the best way to describe President Biden's attitude were his exact quotes, how he thought basically half of America were domestic terrorists. In September 2022, in front of Independence Hall, he said, ‘Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundation of our republic.’ A year later, in New York City, ‘Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy.’ Now nothing could be further from the truth,” Sen. Johnson continued.

“The American people need to understand exactly what happened. And again, I'm calling on members of the Judiciary Committee to help Senator Grassley and myself get to the bottom of this so we can expose this. So this doesn't happen again in America,” Sen. Johnson concluded.

Sen. Johnson’s remarks can be found here. Watch the full press conference here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-calls-on-president-trump-to-immediately-release-available-snap-funds,Baldwin Calls on President Trump to Immediately Release Available SNAP Funds,2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement calling on President Trump and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately release critical Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November. President Trump and the USDA have the full legal authority and available resources in reserve to fund SNAP for November, but thus far, they are refusing to do so.

“Here in Wisconsin, FoodShare helps 700,000 families put food on the table, children go to school ready to learn, and our farmers sell their products. The families that rely on FoodShare are our friends, our neighbors, and folks we go to Church or Synagogue with – and there is just no reason they should go hungry because Donald Trump is playing political games,” said Senator Baldwin. “We need to be crystal clear on what is happening here: Donald Trump has the legal authority and money to make sure not a single American loses their food assistance – heck, he even had a plan on his website to do it — but he is now choosing not to act. While we wait for Republicans to join us to reopen the government and stop health care costs from skyrocketing, I’m calling on President Trump to make the emergency SNAP funding available and prevent Wisconsin families from going hungry before it is too late.”

Just weeks ago, USDA explicitly said on its website that it would use its contingency fund to continue paying SNAP benefits. However, USDA has now deleted that plan from its website and changed tune – instead attempting to use food assistance for families as a political tool.

In Wisconsin alone, approximately 700,000 people are at risk of losing their food assistance benefits if the USDA does not utilize available funding to continue the program. Of those receiving assistance, 270,000 are children and 108,000 are senior citizens. Additionally, every Wisconsin Republican in Congress voted earlier this year for the largest cut to the SNAP program in history.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-calls-on-trump-administration-to-reverse-course-on-harmful-plan-to-import-beef-from-argentina,Baldwin Calls on Trump Administration to Reverse Course on Harmful Plan to Import Beef from Argentina,2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and a group of her colleagues are calling on the Trump Administration to reverse course on its harmful and undeveloped plan to import more beef from Argentina, which will harm American ranchers.

“We write in strong opposition to the Administration’s undeveloped plan to increase imports of Argentinian beef,” Baldwin and the Senators wrote. “This announcement has already had tangible market impacts felt by cattle producers across the country, at a time when cattle producers are looking for long-term stability to rebuild their herds. Rather than reward Argentina’s president and agricultural producers, we encourage you to focus on policies that support American farmers and ranchers and that bring down costs for all Americans.”

To meaningfully lower prices for American families, the Senators called on the Trump Administration to end the chaotic, across-the-board tariffs that are driving market instability and increasing costs.

“In addition, we are concerned that this plan could also introduce serious animal health threats that further cripple U.S. cattle production at a time of low cattle supply…” they continued. “…these animal health threats would pose severe risks to U.S. livestock production, disrupt domestic and international trade, and have far-reaching economic consequences across rural communities and the agricultural supply chain.”

The letter is led by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and also co-signed by 12 of their Senate colleagues.

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here and below.

Dear Ambassador Greer,

We write in strong opposition to the Administration’s undeveloped plan to increase imports of Argentinian beef. This announcement has already had tangible market impacts felt by cattle producers across the country, at a time when cattle producers are looking for long-term stability to rebuild their herds. Rather than reward Argentina’s president and agricultural producers, we encourage you to focus on policies that support American farmers and ranchers and that bring down costs for all Americans.

If the Administration wants to address consumer prices and support U.S. farmers and ranchers, it should end the chaotic, across-the-board tariffs that are driving market instability, upending valuable export markets, and increasing the cost of equipment and other inputs.

In addition, we are concerned that this plan could also introduce serious animal health threats that further cripple U.S. cattle production at a time of low cattle supply. Argentina has a history of foot-and-mouth disease and ongoing issues with New World Screwworm. The introduction of either one of these animal health threats would pose severe risks to U.S. livestock production, disrupt domestic and international trade, and have far-reaching economic consequences across rural communities and the agricultural supply chain.

Instead of introducing additional volatility into the market, we urge you to implement a trade policy that uses targeted tariffs and other tools to ensure U.S. producers can fairly compete in the global marketplace while also ensuring Americans have access to healthy, affordable foods.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-urges-trump-administration-to-reverse-its-decision-to-send-20-billion-more-to-argentina-and-instead-prioritize-us-farmers,Baldwin Urges Trump Administration to Reverse Its Decision to Send $20 Billion More to Argentina and Instead Prioritize U.S. Farmers,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and a group of her colleagues are calling on the Trump Administration to reverse course on sending $20 billion more in aid to Argentina and focus instead on restoring and expanding export markets for U.S. farmers.

“We write to you with great concern that the Administration has once again prioritized a foreign nation over the needs of farmers and rural communities,” wrote Baldwin and the Senators. “At the end of September, we wrote to the President expressing our concerns about the Administration’s announcement that it intended to offer a $20 billion currency swap line to Argentina. As you know, shortly after this announcement, 20 shiploads of soybeans were sent to China from Argentina.”

“Instead of prioritizing U.S. farmers and rural communities, the Administration has doubled down on aiding Argentina when family farmers are running out of time and cannot continue to endure short-sighted international actions instead of long-term trade stability. We urge you to immediately reconsider further aid to Argentina and to instead focus on restoring and expanding long-term export market access for American farmers,” the Senators concluded.

The letter is led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and also co-signed by 18 of their Senate colleagues.

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Bessent:

We write to you with great concern that the Administration has once again prioritized a foreign nation over the needs of American farmers and rural communities.

At the end of September, we wrote to the President expressing our concerns about the Administration’s announcement that it intended to offer a $20 billion currency swap line to Argentina. As you know, shortly after this announcement, 20 shiploads of soybeans were sent to China from Argentina. The recent announcement to double this aid with investments from banks and sovereign wealth funds in addition to the U.S. taxpayer commitment threatens to continue to close markets for American farmers, who are already facing increased competition from Argentine and Brazilian farmers.

At the same time the Administration is weighing financial assistance for farmers impacted by the Administration’s self-inflicted trade war, it is unacceptable to continue taking actions that continue to undermine restoring long-term market access for our farmers.

Across-the-board tariffs are increasing the cost of critical inputs farmers need to produce a crop, like fertilizer and equipment, at the same time retaliatory tariffs are making U.S. agricultural products less competitive and putting key export markets at risk. Similar trade shocks in 2018 and 2019 irreparably harmed U.S. farmers, who never fully recovered the market share that they once had in China. The volume of commodities dependent on this market is staggering—in a typical year China would have normally booked 15.4 million metric tons of soybeans, corn, wheat and sorghum at the end of August. This year there have been no outstanding sales of any of these commodities by a Chinese buyer.

With relatively large harvests and some remaining stocks from 2024, the harvest in many areas is expected to fill the grain bins quickly, with farmers having the added expense of temporary storage in grain bags or even piles on the ground, risking damage to the crop and further price discounts.

Instead of prioritizing U.S. farmers and rural communities, the Administration has doubled down on aiding Argentina when family farmers are running out of time and cannot continue to endure short-sighted international actions instead of long-term trade stability.

We urge you to immediately reconsider further aid to Argentina and to instead focus on restoring and expanding long-term export market access for American farmers.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/new-healthcare-premiums-for-wisconsinites-to-skyrocket-in-2026-because-republicans-refuse-to-extend-health-care-tax-credits,NEW: Healthcare Premiums for Wisconsinites to Skyrocket in 2026 Because Republicans Refuse to Extend Health Care Tax Credits,2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) announced that Wisconsinites who get their health care through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace will see skyrocketing premiums because Congressional Republicans continue to fail to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. The new rates released by the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance show all Wisconsinites with marketplace coverage will see their costs go up while some families will see their premiums double, including some seniors seeing an increase of over $30,000 per year. Today’s announcement comes as Wisconsinites will begin shopping on HealthCare.Gov for health care on November 1, in just five days.

“For more than 275,000 Wisconsinites, the hundreds or thousands of dollars they are being forced to pay to get health care is 100% avoidable – but my Republican colleagues refuse to act. I’ve talked to many of these families and small business owners who are downright scared about what the future holds. At a time when Wisconsin families are desperate for a little bit of breathing room, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to jack up costs on ordinary Americans while giving handouts to billionaires and big corporations,” said Senator Baldwin. “There is still time to act and stop Wisconsinites from facing these dire cost increases. After 27 days, I’m still at the table ready to work with my colleagues to end this shutdown and protect millions of families who are already struggling to make ends meet – are my Republican colleagues finally ready to join me?”

For 27 days, Republicans and Donald Trump have refused to negotiate, keeping the government shut down and not working with Democrats to extend these tax breaks and stop 22 million Americans from seeing skyrocketing health care costs. 275,000 Wisconsinites benefit from the premium tax break, saving them an average of $585 per month. It is projected that the Republican cost increases will price four million Americans out of 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.

How much Wisconsinites’ health care coverage costs will increase varies depending on age, income, plan selection, and available insurers in each county. However, many Wisconsinites will see their premiums increase significantly, with seniors and middle-class families seeing some of the largest increases, if Republicans in Congress do not extend the premium tax breaks. The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance today released several scenarios illustrating the enormous out-of-pocket costs Wisconsinites will see on a monthly and annual basis based on example ages, incomes, and counties of residence.

In Barron County, a 60-year-old couple making around $85,000 could see their premiums skyrocket more than $33,000 each year. In Dane County, a 60-year-old couple could still see their premium triple, costing them another nearly $20,000 a year.

A 26-year-old in Eau Claire, making $48,000 a year and who is no longer eligible to be on their parents’ insurance would see their premium cost an additional $2,000 a year.

“At a time when costs continue to go up and families and seniors are already struggling to make ends meet, we should be doing everything we can to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. But instead, Republicans in Congress are refusing to extend key supports under the Affordable Care Act, which means some Wisconsinites will pay hundreds or thousands of dollars more every month and even tens of thousands of dollars more a year—folks, that’s breathtaking,” said Gov. Evers. “With Open Enrollment just days away, President Trump and Republicans in Congress must work across the aisle to ensure these Affordable Care Act tax credits do not expire and prevent Wisconsin families and seniors from seeing their healthcare coverage costs skyrocket. Republicans’ reckless decisions are causing prices on everything to go up, from groceries to gas—Wisconsinites cannot afford to pay even more for healthcare, too. Republicans need to end this chaos and stop working to make healthcare more expensive. It’s that simple.”

“More than 275,000 Wisconsinites from all walks of life will suffer if their ACA premiums rise, including small business owners, self-employed workers, farmers, and families across our state. These higher costs will squeeze Wisconsinites already struggling with the high cost of living. Too many will be forced to forgo health care altogether because it’s now unaffordable,” said Representative Moore. “Republicans must start working with Democrats to protect our constituents’ access to affordable health care.”

“Earlier this year, Congressional Republicans took a machete to Americans’ healthcare with their Big Ugly Law,” said Representative Pocan. “Now, they deliberately shut down the government instead of working with Democrats to prevent healthcare from getting even more expensive for everyone. It’s not just theoretical anymore, these rates are here and all of us will be paying more for healthcare, but unfortunately, some families might now need to decide between affording healthcare or putting food on the table.”

Senator Baldwin has voted seven times to reopen the government, reverse Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid, and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Senator Baldwin and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) lead legislation to make these tax breaks permanent. In recent months, Senator Baldwin travelled the state and met with constituents virtually to highlight how the expiration of these tax credits will hurt working families, small businesses, and farmers.

Today, Senator Baldwin, Governor Evers, and Representatives Moore and Pocan held a virtual press conference on the dire need to extend health care tax breaks for families. A full recording of the virtual press conference is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/sen-johnson-releases-statement-on-confirmation-of-rebecca-taibleson-to-the-u-s-court-of-appeals-for-the-seventh-circuit,Sen. Johnson Releases Statement on Confirmation of Rebecca Taibleson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit,2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released the following statement on the confirmation of Rebecca Taibleson to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.

“Congratulations to Rebecca Taibleson on her confirmation to serve on the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. I am confident that she will be a valuable addition to the Seventh Circuit, given her strong commitment to the Constitution and her dedication to applying the law as written. Thank you to President Trump and my colleagues for supporting her nomination,” Sen. Johnson said.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-slams-trumps-denial-of-fema-disaster-assistance-for-wisconsin-communities-impacted-by-august-storms,Baldwin Slams Trump’s Denial of FEMA Disaster Assistance for Wisconsin Communities Impacted by August Storms,2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released a statement following the Trump Administration’s decision to deny federal assistance for Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties after catastrophic storms and flooding in August caused more than $26.5 million in damages to public infrastructure.

“By denying federal assistance, the Trump Administration is leaving Wisconsin communities to fend for themselves,” said Senator Baldwin. “No community can pick up these pieces alone, and Wisconsinites need support so they can rebuild and be on the road to recovery. I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in calling on the Trump Administration to step up to the plate and be here for Wisconsin communities left in the lurch. I fully support Governor Evers' appeal for the Trump Administration to reconsider their decision and prioritize our local communities.”

President Trump and FEMA denied Governor Evers’ request for Public Assistance to help support emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties. A Public Assistance declaration would give state, local and tribal governments access to grants to help cover their costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure.

Senator Baldwin pushed the Trump Administration to act and get Wisconsin the federal resources communities need to recover. She led a bipartisan group of colleagues calling on the Trump Administration and FEMA to support Wisconsin’s request to assist in conducting a formal federal preliminary damage assessment. Baldwin also joined the entire Wisconsin delegation in requesting an expedited Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment and requesting the President issue a Major Disaster Declaration to unlock federal assistance for recovery efforts in Wisconsin.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-opposes-trumps-pick-for-the-seventh-circuit-court-of-appeals,Baldwin Opposes Trump’s Pick for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after voting against President Trump’s pick for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Rebecca Taibleson:

“Wisconsinites expect judges who have relevant experience, respect everyone’s rights and freedoms, and will deliver justice fairly and impartially. I have reviewed Ms. Taibleson’s application, her previous work and statements, and her confirmation hearing, and sadly, she does not meet those standards and what Wisconsinites deserve.”

In Ms. Taibleson’s confirmation hearing, she refused to say that Obergefell v. Hodges, which ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples, was decided correctly. This comment came as she said that other cases that had come before the court were decided correctly. Ms. Taibleson also said that Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and stripped women of their right to an abortion, is settled law.

While the nominee was put forth by the bipartisan nominating commission that Senators Baldwin and Ron Johnson (R-WI) set up, Baldwin made clear that forwarding those recommendations was not an endorsement of the identified candidates.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-supports-legislation-to-pay-all-federal-employees-during-shutdown,Baldwin Supports Legislation to Pay All Federal Employees During Shutdown,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues introduced and tried to pass a measure to pay all federal workers, servicemembers, and federal contractors who are currently missing paychecks due to President Donald Trump’s and Congressional Republicans’ shutdown. The bill was brought to the Senate floor for quick consideration, but Senate Republicans blocked it. For 23 days, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have refused to negotiate to reopen the government, ensure federal workers and troops get paid, and stop 22 million Americans from going over a health care cliff.

“Millions of Americans are missing paychecks because Republicans won’t come to the table to reopen the government and help save 22 million Americans from skyrocketing health care costs. Until they do, I want to ensure all federal employees and their families don’t pay the price,” said Senator Baldwin. “All federal workers are being impacted by Trump’s shutdown and all of them should be paid, not just the ones Donald Trump picks and chooses.”

Senator Baldwin co-sponsored a measure that would deliver paychecks to every federal employee, including servicemembers, during this shutdown. The Military and Federal Employee Protection Act provides a one-time appropriation for the salaries of members of the military, all federal employees, and federal contractors from October 1 to the date the bill takes effect. This bill ensures that both furloughed employees and employees excepted from furlough will receive their standard pay if it was interrupted due to the shutdown.

Unlike the Shutdown Fairness Act, which excludes furloughed workers, the Military and Federal Employee Protection Act would pay all federal employees for the time that has elapsed under the government shutdown. Additionally, this bill does not give President Trump a permanent blank check to pay the salaries of only favored employees during any government shutdown. The bill restricts how the funding can be used and would bar the Trump Administration from spending the funds for any purposes other than compensating servicemembers, federal employees, and contractors.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-urges-trumps-usda-to-immediately-release-november-snap-benefits,Baldwin Urges Trump’s USDA to Immediately Release November SNAP Benefits,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined a group of her colleagues in calling on the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release the billions of dollars at its disposal to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue in November. President Trump and the USDA have the legal authority and ability to fund SNAP in the coming months, but thus far are refusing to do so and cutting off 700,000 Wisconsin families who rely on food assistance from SNAP from getting support come November. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced Wednesday that Wisconsin families on Food Share, Wisconsin’s SNAP program, will feel the impact starting November 1.

“We were deeply disturbed to hear that the USDA has instructed states to stop processing SNAP benefits for November and were surprised by your recent comments that the program will ‘run out of money in two weeks,’” said Baldwin and her colleagues. “In fact, the USDA has several tools available which would enable SNAP benefits to be paid through or close to the end of November.”

“In the event that more resources are needed than what is available in contingency funding, the USDA should explore all legal means to augment funds to pay the full amount of SNAP benefits in November. Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance. We urge you to immediately communicate to states and committees of jurisdiction the USDA’s plans to disburse the contingency funding to state agencies and utilize all available legal authorities so that American families can get benefits without interruption. Democrats remain at the table and ready to negotiate reopening the government,” the Senators concluded.

In Wisconsin alone, approximately 700,000 people are at risk of losing their food assistance benefits if the USDA does not utilize available funding to continue the program. Additionally, every Wisconsin Republican in Congress voted earlier this year for the largest cut to the SNAP program in history.

The letter is led by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and also co-signed by 42 of their Senate colleagues.

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Rollins,

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is our nation’s largest food assistance program, serving 42 million people, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, and 4 million people with disabilities. Any halt in SNAP funding will have devastating impacts for program beneficiaries, increasing food insecurity and undermining family budgets. Given the critical importance of SNAP benefits, the USDA must take all steps possible to ensure that families do not go hungry.

We were deeply disturbed to hear that the USDA has instructed states to stop processing SNAP benefits for November and were surprised by your recent comments that the program will “run out of money in two weeks.” In fact, the USDA has several tools available which would enable SNAP benefits to be paid through or close to the end of November. First, the USDA must, at a minimum under the law, use the contingency funding that is available for SNAP, as noted by USDA officials. Second, the USDA has interchange authority under 7 U.S.C. 2257 that permits the transfer of funds from other USDA nutrition programs. In fact, this authority was recently used by the USDA when it transferred money from child nutrition programs to the WIC account to maintain WIC benefits during the shutdown. In the event that more resources are needed than what is available in contingency funding, the USDA should explore all legal means to augment funds to pay the full amount of SNAP benefits in November.

Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance. We urge you to immediately communicate to states and committees of jurisdiction the USDA’s plans to disburse the contingency funding to state agencies and utilize all available legal authorities so that American families can get benefits without interruption. Democrats remain at the table and ready to negotiate reopening the government.

Sincerely,

An online version of this release is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/sen-johnson-joins-sen-cruz-colleagues-in-effort-to-require-proof-of-citizenship-for-voter-registration,"Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Cruz, Colleagues in Effort to Require Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration",2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) in a bicameral comment letter in support of a petition by the America First Legal Foundation to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.

“Requiring documentary proof of citizenship is a simple, common-sense reform. Just as Americans are asked to show identification for far less consequential activities—boarding an airplane, opening a bank account, or even attending certain events—it is entirely reasonable to require proof of citizenship to participate in our elections. This step would not burden eligible voters but would provide an essential check to ensure that only citizens are added to the voter rolls,” the senators said.

“Requiring documentary proof of citizenship will strengthen the integrity of our elections, safeguard the voices of American citizens, and ensure that every lawful vote is protected from being diluted by unlawful ballots,” the senators concluded.

Sens. Johnson, Cruz and Rep. Crane were joined by U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).

Full text of the letter can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/video-release-sen-johnson-urges-bipartisan-action-to-advance-the-shutdown-fairness-act-and-ensure-workers-are-paid,***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson Urges Bipartisan Action to Advance the Shutdown Fairness Act and Ensure Workers Are Paid,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) spoke on the Senate floor to discuss his Shutdown Fairness Act, which ensures that all federal employees reporting to work during a shutdown receive pay and allowances on a regular basis during a lapse in appropriations. He called for renewed bipartisan cooperation to demonstrate that the Senate can work as intended.

“I come from the private sector. You don't get a whole lot accomplished arguing all the time. It's all about finding areas of agreement. I’ve got a product, you want to buy it, and we’ll haggle over the price,” Sen. Johnson began.

“There are more than 2 million federal employees who are now being forced to work because they're termed excepted — but that means they're essential. They're protecting our nation. They're protecting our safety and security. They're writing Social Security checks. To see that they get their paycheck, so they don't have to work DoorDash, and so they don't have to go to food banks, so they're not under that stress,” Sen. Johnson said. “I am asking in good faith. Let's figure out how to get that done.”

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to actually see this process work in the Senate? […] Let’s sit down in good faith, let’s hammer out the amendments, and let’s get this thing passed next week,” Sen. Johnson concluded.

Watch the full video here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-leads-colleagues-calling-out-trumps-unnecessary-mass-firing-at-dept-of-education-that-will-harm-students-nationwide,Baldwin Leads Colleagues Calling Out Trump’s Unnecessary Mass Firing at Dept. of Education That Will Harm Students Nationwide,2025-10-22,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a group of her colleagues in slamming the Department of Education’s latest mass firings and underscoring how they will hurt students nationwide.

“We write with outrage at the Department of Education’s latest, illegal reductions in force of 465 employees—approximately 20 percent of the Department’s remaining workforce—which have been carried out during the government shutdown. A shutdown does not compel the Department to fire workers, nor does it provide any additional authority to do so,” wrote Baldwin and the Senators in a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Punitive, reckless actions like these latest firings demonstrate how President Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought are relishing the government shutdown they caused—and are treating students as political pawns. That is outrageous—and flatly unacceptable.”

In their letter, the Senators note that the latest round of firings compounds the already-catastrophic hollowing out of the Department that Secretary McMahon oversaw earlier this year—which weakens oversight and weakens support for students in every part of the country.

Importantly, the lawmakers note that the latest mass firings mean that several essential offices will be almost entirely hollowed out, including, among others, the Office of Special Education Programs, the Office of Higher Education Programs, and the Rehabilitation Services Administration—gravely jeopardizing the essential role these staff serve in ensuring Americans with disabilities can get an education, proper oversight and functioning of key higher education programs, and much more.

“The Department is essential to protecting the rights of our nation’s students and ensuring billions in taxpayer funding is spent effectively and as Congress intended – to improve the academic outcomes of students and prepare them for success in school and life. But illegally firing employees during a government shutdown clearly demonstrates how this administration has no interest in a funded, functional government and prefers a government shutdown in order to score political points while pursuing the goal of destroying federal education programs and eliminating the Department of Education,” the Senators concluded.

In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter is also led by Senators Murray (D-WA), Sanders (I-VT), and Schumer (D-NY) and co-signed by 27 of their Senate colleagues.

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary McMahon:

We write with outrage at the Department of Education’s (“the Department”) latest, illegal reductions in force (“RIF”) of 465 employees—approximately 20 percent of the Department’s remaining workforce—which have been carried out during the government shutdown. A shutdown does not compel the Department to fire workers, nor does it provide any additional authority to do so. The Department is choosing to conduct these mass firings, further degrading support for students nationwide, in clear violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, among other federal laws.

Punitive, reckless actions like these latest firings demonstrate how President Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought are relishing the government shutdown they caused—and are treating students as political pawns. That is outrageous—and flatly unacceptable. Despite what the President claims about going after “Democratic programs,” the simple fact of the matter is that the Department’s actions to hollow out key offices responsible for supporting students with disabilities, rural students, students experiencing homelessness, school districts that serve low-income students or military families doesn’t just hurt “Democrats,” it hurts students and families in every part of the country.

Importantly, these RIFs are the latest in a pattern of reckless, vindictive, and poorly planned actions that the Department has undertaken in secret. The Department has yet to justify the RIFs it implemented earlier this year that has already severely impeded the Department’s ability to carry out its statutory functions. We are deeply concerned these latest RIFs will severely degrade the ability of the Department to carry out its most basic statutory responsibilities, including the timely awarding of funding provided in annual appropriations acts. In fact, that seems to be your intent. In justifying these detrimental, unnecessary RIFs earlier this week, you posted online that: “the federal Department of Education is unnecessary.”

This administration has cancelled or discontinued funding for hundreds of school-based mental health programs, teacher training programs to address teacher shortages around the country, and critical education research that would help more states and districts improve academic outcomes, and created completely unnecessary and burdensome delays for grant recipients and service providers across the country. Continuing to fire employees working on bipartisan programs that provide students with additional educational resources or confer educational rights on children does not serve these students better or make the government more efficient. Instead, it will mean students with disabilities cannot access services they are guaranteed, other students will not be able to have their rights enforced, schools may not be held accountable for the academic achievement of their students, taxpayer dollars will be used less effectively, and more waste, fraud and abuse will occur. All of this leaves our children worse off, harms American competitiveness, and wastes taxpayer money.

This most recent round of RIFs include a near dismantling of the Office of Special Education Programs (“OSEP”). OSEP administers $15 billion in formula and discretionary grant programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) intended to improve results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21. Advocates and experts have raised the alarm over the impact of these massive workforce terminations on more than 8 million children with disabilities and their families served through programs authorized by the IDEA and funded in annual appropriations legislation, with one even stating that “Eliminating federal capacity to support IDEA is harmful to people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them, and it runs counter to everything our members work toward every day.”

This mass firing of professionals at the Department dedicated to ensuring federal law is implemented as required at the state and local level runs counter to your stated commitment to implement federal law. In fact, in response to questions about fulfilling the Secretary’s responsibilities for monitoring, technical assistance and enforcement under section 616 of the IDEA, you stated, “OSEP has successfully completed its statutory obligations in FY 2025, as noted above, and plans to have a similar number of staff complete similar statutory obligations in FY 2026.” We are alarmed that the administration is now walking back from its commitment to millions of children with disabilities and their families and the education and services they are entitled to under federal law by laying off “people the Democrats want” according to President Trump.

The administration has also fired staff in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (“OESE”), including personnel involved in administering key federal programs and responsibilities authorized by several federal laws. This includes the staff responsible for the approval and monitoring of state accountability and improvement systems to ensure they are compliant with federal law and address the needs of the most vulnerable student groups. Fired staff also worked to ensure the compliance of state and local report cards so parents and the public have accurate, timely, and thorough information on school performance. The administration also chose to fire staff administering the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, which guarantees important education rights for more than 1.3 million students experiencing homelessness. Finally, the administration reportedly also chose to turn its back on more than 1,000 school districts serving our military communities, Tribal treaty, federal trust and Alaska Land Settlement Act lands by firing staff in the Impact Aid office. This could delay the timely release of future funding for the current and next school year.

When a student is denied their right to an education, the Department’s Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) is supposed to be there to ensure they are able to access the education to which they are entitled under law. However, we are extremely concerned that the reported reductions will further compromise OCR’s ability to carry out its mission. As you are aware, earlier this year, the Department reduced OCR’s workforce by more than half and closed more than half of all of its regional offices. Those reductions left OCR’s workforce with an unprecedented and unmanageable number of open investigations per OCR staff of 168:1. Additional staff reductions will simply worsen an already unreasonable burden for remaining staff and deny timely remedy for students and families.

Also included in the latest round of RIFs was nearly everyone in the Rehabilitation Services Administration (“RSA”). RSA is the primary agency responsible for carrying out activities under various titles of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that are funded through the Department. The Rehabilitation Act helps states provide critical employment services to individuals with disabilities. These services improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and assist in helping such individuals live independently in their communities. The Department is responsible for implementing these mandatory programs, including carrying out monitoring activities for these programs, providing technical assistance to grantees, and publishing information to organizations to ensure the effective implementation of the programs funded under the Rehabilitation Act. In FY25, Congress provided approximately $4.4 billion for programs funded through the Department under the Rehabilitation Act. By firing nearly everyone that works on these programs, the administration is showing it does not care about community integration for people with disabilities or improving the employment opportunities of such individuals.

The administration also chose to RIF nearly everyone in the Office of Higher Education Programs. This office is responsible for implementing many different higher education grant programs, including TRIO, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, grant programs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority-Serving Institutions, the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program, the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program, Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program, and the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Program. These bipartisan programs received over $2.9 billion in FY25. Much of this funding was awarded right before September 30th after a bungled obligation process during which grantees did not receive continuation awards for legally dubious reasons and then, because of the Department’s refusal to run timely, new FY25 grant competitions, it instead front-loaded resources or funded old grant slates. The latest round of RIFs will compound the destruction of the first round of RIFs and further ensure that the Department does not have adequate staff to carry out the statutory requirements covering these programs or ensure grantees fulfill all their responsibilities as stewards of these taxpayer resources.

In addition, the Department still has hundreds of millions of dollars in already appropriated funds to obligate before December 31st of this year. These RIFs will make it extraordinarily difficult to meet that deadline—and in a way that ensures taxpayer dollars are put to the best use. The programs funded through the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education— including the Basic Needs Systems Grants program, the Postsecondary Student Success Grants program, the Research and Development Infrastructure Investments program, the Open Textbook Pilot, the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success program, and the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant program—all help improve postsecondary access and completion for students attending college, many of whom are low-income or first-generation. The Department also recently issued notices inviting applications for $270 million of funding for two school-based mental health programs. State and local educational agencies must submit their applications by the end of the month before Department staff and peer reviewers take additional actions required before awards can be made by December 31st. These RIFs will put the Department at risk of letting these funds expire, harming students and families who count on these programs.

The Department is essential to protecting the rights of our nation’s students and ensuring billions in taxpayer funding is spent effectively and as Congress intended – to improve the academic outcomes of students and prepare them for success in school and life. But illegally firing employees during a government shutdown clearly demonstrates how this administration has no interest in a funded, functional government and prefers a government shutdown in order to score political points while pursuing the goal of destroying federal education programs and eliminating the Department of Education.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-leads-colleagues-in-blasting-trump-administration-for-illegal-mass-firings-at-health-department,Baldwin Leads Colleagues in Blasting Trump Administration for Illegal Mass Firings at Health Department,2025-10-22,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a group of her colleagues in calling out the Trump Administration’s most recent reckless mass firings at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and laying out how they will hurt Americans in every part of the country.

“A government shutdown does not compel the Department to fire workers, nor does it provide any additional authority to do so. The Department is choosing to do this, further putting Americans’ health and well-being at risk,” wrote Baldwin and the Senators in a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Firing employees responsible for administering substance use and mental health programs and programs protecting against emerging and infectious diseases, as well as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, hurts and endangers all Americans in every state, in communities across the country.”

The lawmakers note that the mass firings ordered October 10th are just the latest in a long string of chaotic, haphazard, and detrimental firings at HHS this year.

“The reckless and harmful actions the Department and this administration have taken over the last several months undermines the critical role HHS plays in ensuring the health and well-being of all Americans,” Baldwin and the Senators conclude. “Unfortunately, this latest action to fire employees during a government shutdown clearly demonstrates how this administration has no interest in a funded, functional government and prefers a shutdown rather than working on solutions to problems facing American families, including addressing the impending rise in health care costs for millions of Americans.”

In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter is also led by Senators Murray (D-WA), Sanders (I-VT), and Schumer (D-NY) and co-signed by 27 of their Senate colleagues.

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

We write with outrage at the Department of Health and Human Services’ (the “Department”) illegal reductions in force (RIF) of approximately 1,000 employees carried out during the government shutdown. A government shutdown does not compel the Department to fire workers, nor does it provide any additional authority to do so. The Department is choosing to do this, further putting Americans’ health and well-being at risk, in clear violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, among other federal laws.

Punitive and reckless actions like these latest firings demonstrate how President Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought are relishing the government shutdown they created to play politics with Americans’ health and well-being. Despite what the President claims about going after “Democratic programs”, HHS programs touch the lives of nearly every American. Firing employees responsible for administering substance use and mental health programs and programs protecting against emerging and infectious diseases, as well as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, hurts and endangers all Americans in every state, in communities across the country.

This is just the latest in a pattern of reckless, vindictive, and poorly planned actions that the Department has undertaken in secret. The Department has yet to justify the RIFs and other staff reductions it implemented earlier this year when the Department fired and forced out 20,000 HHS employees. We are deeply concerned these latest RIFs, on top of other actions taken by the Department, will further negatively impact the ability of HHS to provide critical services to the American people and carry out its statutory responsibilities, including the timely awarding of funding provided in annual appropriations acts. Last fiscal year, HHS impounded billions of dollars, including funding for lifesaving cancer research and comprehensive early childhood care and education, and created completely unnecessary and burdensome delays for grant recipients and service providers across the country.

This latest round of RIFs was so poorly executed that the Department acknowledged it made mistakes and has already rescinded hundreds of RIF notices it sent to employees on October 10th. In some instances, employees learned that they were fired not through official notices but through an inability to use their credentials to log into their agency accounts. Continuing to fire employees who administer and oversee critical HHS programs in every state does not make the government more efficient—it will only lead to more funding delays this year, less effective use of taxpayer dollars, and more risk of fraud and abuse. This leaves the United States less prepared in the face of a public health emergency and puts the health and well-being of every American at risk.

The most recent round of RIFs within the Department was particularly reckless with regard to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Within CDC, approximately 1,300 employees received RIF notices across dozens of programs charged with keeping Americans safe, including experts in disease surveillance, infectious diseases like measles, and nearly all the editors of the agency’s flagship publication, its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Yet in a clear sign of the haphazard nature in which HHS is implementing such significant changes, approximately 700 of the 1,300 CDC employees who received RIF notices were reinstated the next day. This follows the pattern of earlier staff reductions where HHS has fired employees only to later reinstate them. The nearly 600 CDC employees that remain fired by the latest RIFs include data scientists and health statisticians, chronic disease experts, and communications personnel who keep states and the public informed about critical health information. These RIFs are the latest example of an administration that continues to attack public health programs in an effort to silence career scientists, which will put American lives at risk.

Despite the administration’s supposed priority to address the fentanyl crisis, it chose to fire more than 100 people from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, gutting the agency responsible for addressing our nation’s mental health care and substance use crises to half the size it was at the beginning of the year. These cuts decimated the Division of Children and School Mental Health, leaving no staff to improve youth mental health outcomes, and included staff from the Mental Health Promotion Branch, State and Consumer Protection Branch, and the Division of Primary Prevention. These firings undermine our recent progress in reducing the number of drug overdose deaths and will negatively impact our ability to address the mental health crisis.

Similarly, the administration has seemingly forgotten its purported commitment to the health of women and families as they have pursued layoffs that will worsen the existing maternal health crisis and make it harder for women to access cancer screenings. In this latest round of RIFs, the administration chose to decimate the division of Healthy Start at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a critical program focused on preventing maternal deaths and reducing infant mortality. These staff supported grantees around the country who trained and certified doulas, screened women for depression and intimate partner violence, and provided mental health and public benefit referrals and support, all of which lowered the infant mortality rate. Additionally, the administration fired the HRSA staff tasked with operating the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for Children program which prevents pediatric deaths by ensuring our emergency medicine providers and departments are equipped to care for infants and children facing medical emergencies, including in rural communities. They are further decimating our health care workforce’s ability to care for the American people by firing staff that run nursing workforce development programs and help train new nurses to practice in underserved communities. They also fired 55 people working in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), including all staff working to oversee the Title X family planning program, which last year provided cancer screenings, STI testing, and contraceptives for almost four million people.

The administration also fired more than 40 employees from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), including from its center for preparedness, cybersecurity, and information management offices. ASPR leads the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies. ASPR’s Preparedness and Emergency Operations program leads the Department’s preparedness, support, and coordination functions. When disaster strikes a community and the response and recovery needs exceed a state or local jurisdiction’s capabilities, ASPR deploys medical teams, provides medical supplies and services, and coordinates emergency medical care as needed. These latest firings put our nation’s health preparedness at risk, by effectively eliminating entire programs that identify health incidents, determine response needs, and coordinate Federal health care surge operations before, during, and after a public health emergency or disaster.

Within the Administration for Children and Families, nearly 50 employees received RIF notices who are responsible for reducing poverty, supporting families and vulnerable youth, and evaluating the effectiveness of these programs. These cuts reportedly include staff within the Office of Community Services that provide assistance and support to states to reduce poverty, provide housing and energy assistance, and provide emergency assistance for at-risk Americans. The administration also reduced staff in the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation that ensure federal funds are being used effectively to improve access to child care, reduce poverty, and improve employment outcomes. Further, RIF notices reportedly included all employees responsible for the Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five program in the Office of Early Childhood Development, which will further undermine states’ early childhood education and child care systems. These reductions show the administration is unconcerned with finding the most effective programs to move children, individuals and families out of poverty.

The reckless and harmful actions the Department and this administration have taken over the last several months undermines the critical role HHS plays in ensuring the health and well-being of all Americans. Unfortunately, this latest action to fire employees during a government shutdown clearly demonstrates how this administration has no interest in a funded, functional government and prefers a shutdown rather than working on solutions to problems facing American families, including addressing the impending rise in health care costs for millions of Americans.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-calls-on-cpkc-rail-company-to-do-more-to-prevent-future-accidents-after-two-derailments-in-dodge-county,Baldwin Calls on CPKC Rail Company to Do More to Prevent Future Accidents After Two Derailments in Dodge County,2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on the CEO of railway company Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to make the needed improvements to prevent future train derailments and protect Wisconsin communities and workers. Baldwin’s call comes after a CPKC train carrying crude oil derailed in Dodge County, Wisconsin in August, marking the second derailment in the area in just two years.

“This is the second derailment in this location in as many years, which is an unacceptable safety record for the Reeseville community and raises serious questions about the reliability of this stretch of CPKC’s rail infrastructure. I urge you to take immediate action to identify and correct the cause of this most recent derailment, including by completing an assessment of track conditions, completing any necessary maintenance, and making any infrastructure upgrades needed to ensure the long-term safety of this track,” wrote Baldwin in a letter to Keith Creel, President and CEO of Canadian Pacific Kansas City. “It is imperative that CPKC work to prevent future derailments and potential risk to communities in Wisconsin, workers, and the movement of goods that Americans rely on.”

Senator Baldwin has long supported rail safety legislation, including introducing the Railway Safety Act and the Crude-By-Rail Safety Act. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin consistently advocates for strong funding to improve freight and passenger rail safety and reliability, including the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Mr. Creel,

I write to you following the derailment of a Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) train in Dodge County, Wisconsin in August. This is the second derailment in this location in as many years, which is an unacceptable safety record for the Reeseville community and raises serious questions about the reliability of this stretch of CPKC’s rail infrastructure. I urge you to take immediate action to identify and correct the cause of this most recent derailment, including by completing an assessment of track conditions, completing any necessary maintenance, and making any infrastructure upgrades needed to ensure the long-term safety of this track.

On August 15, 2025, a CPKC freight train derailed 24 railcars that were carrying hazardous materials near Reeseville. Two of the 24 railcars derailed were mechanically breached and released crude oil. In 2023, a CPKC train derailed, with 29 railcars coming off the tracks in the same location. The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) rail incident report following the 2023 derailment attributed the cause to a track alignment issue.

Furthermore, I ask that you provide my office with a summary of the actions CPKC has taken following the August derailment, as well as a description of any and all investments or changes in operation the railroad made following the 2023 derailment. It is imperative that CPKC work to prevent future derailments and potential risk to communities in Wisconsin, workers, and the movement of goods that Americans rely on.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-colleagues-call-for-investigation-into-domestic-deployment-of-military-in-american-cities,"Baldwin, Colleagues Call for Investigation into Domestic Deployment of Military in American Cities",2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here and below.

Dear Acting Inspector General Stebbins,

We write to express our concern about the deployment of U.S. troops to American cities, including in Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Portland; Chicago; and Memphis. The military’s expanded use to support immigration operations and domestic law enforcement activities at home is fundamentally un-Constitutional, dangerous for American civil rights, and risks straining military readiness and resources, weakening troop morale, undermining recruitment and retention, and eroding public trust in the military. Neither the active-duty military nor the National Guard are intended or trained at scale for the purposes that the Administration has claimed they are used for, including “crime-fighting.” We are concerned that these domestic deployments erode the military’s and National Guard’s ability to prepare for their critical missions. We urgently request that you initiate an inquiry into the cumulative effects of these domestic deployments of U.S. active-duty troops and the National Guard—over the objections of state and local officials—on military readiness, resources, personnel, and our military as an institution.

Readiness is the cornerstone of our national defense, yet repeated politicized domestic deployments place that readiness at risk. When military and Guard units are pulled away from scheduled training or mission preparation, the consequences extend beyond individual units and erode operational strength across the force, leaving the military less prepared for overseas operations and crisis response. The Guard’s unique role as both a state and federal force makes it particularly vulnerable to strain, which could impact the ability of the Guard to protect and save local communities during natural disasters at home.

Service members commit to service with the understanding that their sacrifices will aid communities in times of disaster and defend our nation overseas. They are not trained nor prepared to act as a domestic police force. Assignments in support of politically charged law enforcement operations in Los Angeles; Portland; Washington, DC; Memphis; or Chicago erode trust in leadership and accelerate burnout. Military personnel who feel their service has strayed from its intended purpose may question their continued commitment, compounding the Army and the Guard’s already significant retention challenges. At the same time, successfully recruiting new personnel depends on a clear, apolitical mission that honors the history of the active-duty force and the Guard. Associating military service with domestic law enforcement duties—fundamentally contrary to our Constitution—may deter recruits and shrink the pipeline of talent needed to sustain force levels essential to our national security. We cannot afford to drive out servicemembers by normalizing putting them in highly political and fraught conditions, including by forcing troops to confront fellow Americans as opposed to prepare for war, and forcing military officers to navigate unprecedented legal territory and worry about whether they are upholding their oath.

The domestic deployment of military personnel also is a significant waste of resources. The Pentagon initially estimated the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles to be approximately $170 million for a 60-day deployment. The Washington, DC, National Guard deployment is estimated to cost $2.5 million per day. Many of the Guard units deployed to Washington, DC, to “help restore law and order” are now tasked with “beautification projects” such as picking up trash and spreading mulch. These assignments are a misuse of military personnel and resources, trivialize the professionalism of our service members, and damage morale. Diverting military personnel and defense funds to such missions is inconsistent with the Constitution, congressional intent and responsible stewardship of resources entrusted to the Department of Defense (Department).

These domestic deployments also risk normalizing military involvement in contentious civilian law enforcement, which apart from being deeply contrary to the Constitution, raises serious concerns about the apolitical character of our armed forces and compliance with the Posse Comitatus Act. The Posse Comitatus Act reflects the founding principle—reflected in the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments—that separating civilian law enforcement from the military protects both individual liberties and states’ rights. Several federal courts have found no credible evidence that the Administration’s use of the military in this way is justified, finding that conditions on the ground have not reached the high threshold of crisis that merits such a militarized response, especially over the objection of local officials. Further, the Trump Administration’s unprecedented deployment of out-of-state Guard personnel into a non-consenting jurisdiction is a significant overreach of executive power.

As such, we request that your office conduct an inquiry into these recent domestic deployments of active-duty and National Guard troops to Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Portland; Chicago; and Memphis. As part of that inquiry, we ask that you provide us with responses to the following:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-baldwin-wisconsinites-call-on-republicans-to-prevent-health-care-costs-from-skyrocketing,"ICYMI: Baldwin, Wisconsinites Call on Republicans to Prevent Health Care Costs from Skyrocketing",2025-10-17,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the government shutdown entered its third week and the Senate remains in session, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) convened virtually with Wisconsinites across the state to show what’s at stake as Republicans refuse to come to the table and extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits that save 270,000 Wisconsinites on average $585 per month.

“This week, I met with folks across Wisconsin who are bracing for their premiums to skyrocket come January, and for some – that price tag will be so high it’ll force them off their health care entirely,” said Senator Baldwin. “Republicans passed tax giveaways for billionaires and corporations, but are refusing to come to the table to lower costs for families across Wisconsin. It’s high time they join me and get this done, before it’s too late.”

On Tuesday, Senator Baldwin hosted a press conference with La Crosse area constituents and public health leaders who rely on the ACA marketplace. During the press conference, one constituent shared that without the ACA premium tax credits, she could go without insurance and possibly bankrupt herself if something catastrophic occurs.

On Wednesday, Senator Baldwin convened with Eau Claire area farmers and small business owners and employees who outlined exactly what is at stake if these tax breaks expire. Phil, a farmer in Pierce County, shared that come January, his health care could jump hundreds of dollars more per month – a cost he simply cannot afford.

On Thursday, Senator Baldwin joined Wisconsin farmers to hear how the expiration of the ACA premium tax credits would hurt them, their families, their workers, and their industry. The looming expiration comes as farmers are already navigating uncertainty due to Trump’s trade war. Later that day, Senator Baldwin met with constituents from Kenosha and Racine who shared their concerns about rising health care costs and the impact those increases could have on their families and the broader community.

On Friday, Senator Baldwin continued her call for Republicans to come to the table and extend these tax breaks with Milwaukee area constituents, who shared that these tax breaks are the difference between life and death for them and their family members.

Senator Baldwin has voted seven times to reopen the government, reverse Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid, and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Senator Baldwin and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) lead legislation to make these tax breaks permanent.

The press conference with La Crosse area constituents can be found here.

The press conference with Eau Claire area constituents can be found here.

The press conference with Wisconsin farmers can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/sen-johnson-introduces-the-shutdown-fairness-act,Sen. Johnson Introduces the Shutdown Fairness Act,2025-10-17,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced the Shutdown Fairness Act to ensure that hardworking Americans are paid during government shutdowns. This legislation would appropriate funds for pay and allowances of excepted federal employees for periods of work performed during a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.

“With Democrats continuing the Schumer Shutdown, they should at least agree to pay all the federal employees that are forced to continue working. The 2025 Shutdown Fairness Act is a permanent fix that will ensure excepted workers and our troops are paid during a shutdown,” Sen. Johnson said.

Sen. Johnson was joined by U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/sen-johnson-joins-sen-grassley-in-demanding-federal-entities-telecommunications-companies-turn-over-records-provided-to-jack-smith,"Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Grassley in Demanding Federal Entities, Telecommunications Companies Turn Over Records Provided to Jack Smith",2025-10-14,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Last week, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in sending letters to five federal entities and four telecommunications companies requesting they provide Congress records that were handed over to former Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of his elector case against President Trump. Smith’s case began at the Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the codename “Arctic Frost.”

This work follows Sen. Johnson and Sen. Grassley’s bicameral effort to obtain Justice Department and FBI records related to the collection of Members of Congress’ phone records during Arctic Frost.

The letters that Sens. Johnson and Grassley sent to five federal entities on Oct. 10, 2025 are listed below:

Department of Homeland Security

Department of Defense

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

National Archives and Records Administration

U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia

The Oct. 11, 2025 letters to the telecommunications companies are listed below:

Verizon

AT&T

T-Mobile

Lumen

Additional co-signers of these letters include U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), as well as Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.).

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/chairmen-johnson-grassley-lead-letter-to-doj-and-fbi-demanding-documents-detailing-the-biden-administration-s-targeting-of-sitting-members-of-congress,"Chairmen Johnson, Grassley Lead Letter to DOJ and FBI Demanding Documents Detailing the Biden Administration’s Targeting of Sitting Members of Congress",2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Senate Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and 16 bicameral colleagues wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel requesting information about the Biden administration’s collection of call logs from sitting Members of Congress (MOC).

This request follows an Oct. 6, 2025 briefing where FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino informed several senators that over the course of Jack Smith’s elector case against President Trump – known as Arctic Frost – the FBI collected and analyzed call logs from at least nine MOCs for the period of Jan. 4, 2021 – Jan. 7, 2021. The image below shows part of the document that Deputy Director Bongino provided the senators during the briefing listing the elected officials that Jack Smith targeted.

“The Biden administration’s blatant weaponization of the federal government should shock every American,” the Members wrote.

Today’s letter instructs the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI to turn over all records referring or relating to the collection and analysis of the call logs, including DOJ and FBI communications with personnel from the Biden White House. If these materials are subject to grand jury secrecy rules – specifically Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) – the Members requested DOJ immediately seek judicial authorization to release the requested records.

“Given that these materials relate to an unprecedented collection of records and information on sitting MOCs and raise serious constitutional concerns, Congress’ need for these records clearly outweighs any interest in secrecy,” the Members noted.

Today’s letter stems from Chairmen Johnson and Grassley’s ongoing work to expose the abuses of power connected to the Arctic Frost investigation, which also targeted 92 Republican organizations and individuals.

Sens. Johnson and Grassley were joined on the letter by all Members of Congress known to have been targeted as part of Arctic Frost, as well as all Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including: U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.). Additional cosigners include U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.).

Read more about the letter in the New York Post.

Full text letter can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/sen-johnson-joins-sen-graham-49-republican-colleagues-in-urging-fda-to-continue-to-stand-for-life,"Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Graham, 49 Republican Colleagues in Urging FDA to Continue to Stand for Life",2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and 49 Republican senators in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary commending their recent statements on data discrepancies surrounding abortion pill safety and commitment to review the science. In light of these statements, the senators urged HHS and FDA to review the dangerous decision to approve a generic version of mifepristone, currently the leading drug used to perform chemical abortions.

“We commend your recent statements acknowledging the data discrepancies surrounding abortion pill safety and your commitment to reviewing the science. We are also encouraged by HHS’s recent announcement that it will review prior Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) approvals given the recent studies raising concerns about the drug’s safety. Given this commitment, however, we are deeply concerned about the FDA’s approval of a new generic version of mifepristone. While we recognize the FDA’s statutory responsibility in evaluating drug applications, the timing of this approval appears inconsistent with the comprehensive safety reassessment your agencies have prioritized. Out of respect for this important review, and with full confidence in your dedication to protecting women’s health, states’ rights, and unborn life, we urge you to take decisive action to reevaluate whether this generic version of mifepristone is suitable to enter the market,” the senators wrote.

Sens. Johnson and Graham were joined by U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W. Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), David McCormick (R-Pa.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

Full text of the letter can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/new-report-shows-267000-veterans-will-lose-their-coverage-if-republicans-take-away-health-care-tax-breaks,"NEW: Report Shows 267,000 Veterans Will Lose Their Coverage if Republicans Take Away Health Care Tax Breaks",2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after a new report from the Urban Institute was released that shows as many as 267,000 U.S. military veterans will lose their health coverage next year if Republicans let the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits expire at the end of the year.

“This report makes clear that if Republicans continue down this path and jack up health care costs on Wisconsin families, they are also terminating care for more than 250,000 Veterans who have sacrificed for our country,” said Senator Baldwin. “This is wrong and no way to take care of those who served us. I have been fighting hard to reopen the government and keep health care costs down because Wisconsinites and these Veterans deserve it. I am at the table, ready to work with anyone to get this done and protect millions of Americans from skyrocketing health care costs.”

Today, Senator Baldwin voted for a sixth time to keep the government open, reverse Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid, and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Every single Senate Republican voted against the measure. Senator Baldwin and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) lead legislation to make these tax breaks permanent. Last month, Senator Baldwin made four stops in Weston, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Mount Horeb to highlight the need to extend these tax breaks.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-releases-statement-on-israel-hamas-peace-agreement,Senator Baldwin Releases Statement on Israel-Hamas Peace Agreement,2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of a peace agreement.

“This agreement is long overdue but welcome news. While not every issue has been resolved, Israel and Hamas have taken the first and needed step towards peace.

“Since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel that murdered 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds more hostage, I have held firm the belief that Israel was well within its rights and bounds to defend itself. I still believe that. But over the past two years, we have seen the Netanyahu government inflict unspeakable harms to Palestinian civilians, fail to recover the remaining hostages, and push the Middle East to the brink of a regional war. My heart still hurts for the victims, their families, their loved ones and the communities that will never be the same.

“For nearly two years, I have called for this war to end, for all the hostages to be released, and aid to be surged into Gaza. That was, and still is, the only path to both self-determination for the Palestinian people and security for the Israeli people. While that North Star may not be in reach today, we are taking a step closer to it by ending this war. This administration must ensure that both sides honor their respective commitments within this deal and recommit our nation to supporting a path to a two-state solution.

“This war’s impact stretches well beyond the Middle East. It has caused trauma and hardship here in Wisconsin. It has seeded the ground for unacceptable antisemitism and Islamophobia and turned our neighbors against one another. As this deadly conflict hopefully comes to a close, I pray that Wisconsinites can come together too, to condemn hate and violence where it exists in our communities, and move forward, together.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/sen-johnson-joins-bipartisan-resolution-supporting-israel-and-condemning-hamas-heinous-attack-two-years-ago,Sen. Johnson Joins Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Israel and Condemning Hamas’ Heinous Attack Two Years Ago,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and all Senate Republicans in a bipartisan resolution condemning Iran-backed Hamas terrorists and supporting an outcome to the war that ensures Israel’s security. The senators called for the release of all remaining hostages, including the remains of two United States citizens, and the complete denial of Hamas’ ability to reconstitute in the region.

“The October 7th attacks demonstrated Hamas’ hatred of the Jewish people and its indifference to the fate of its own people. As we remember the terrible evil of that day, we must be resolute in demanding that Hamas be fully dismantled and play no role in the region moving forward,” Sen. Johnson said.

Sens. Johnson, Ernst, and Fetterman were joined by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.)

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/sen-johnson-to-donate-paychecks-to-the-joseph-project-amid-government-shutdown,Sen. Johnson to Donate Paychecks to The Joseph Project Amid Government Shutdown,2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced that he will be donating his paychecks to The Joseph Project for the duration of the federal government shutdown. The Joseph Project, a faith-based jobs initiative, provides a week-long job preparation training program that links participants with Wisconsin employers.

“Since the U.S. Constitution requires that I receive pay, even during a shutdown, I’ll be donating my paychecks to The Joseph Project. Every day the shutdown continues, the check gets a little bigger – compliments of Chuck Schumer,” Sen. Johnson said.

Read more about The Joseph Project here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-new-poll-shows-78-support-extending-aca-tax-credits-that-allow-270000-wisconsinites-to-access-health-care,"ICYMI: New Poll Shows 78% Support Extending ACA Tax Credits That Allow 270,000 Wisconsinites to Access Health Care",2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed that 78% of Americans – including majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents – support extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits which allow tens of millions of Americans to access health care.

“Unless Republicans come to the table to negotiate, health care premiums for 270,000 Wisconsinites will double in the new year,” said Senator Baldwin. “This proves exactly what I have been telling anyone who will listen: Americans don’t want their health care costs doubled or their insurance stripped away. Wisconsinites want the lower costs that Donald Trump promised, but time and time again, he’s come up short on that promise. I’m at the table, ready to work with anyone who will help me deliver the breathing room Wisconsin families need in their budgets.”

Key findings:

78% of the public say they want Congress to extend the enhanced tax credits available to people with low and moderate incomes to make the health coverage purchased through the ACA’s Marketplace more affordable.

59% of Republicans and 57% of “Make America Great Again” supporters favor extending the tax credits which otherwise would expire at the end of the year.

70% of Americans who purchase their own insurance say they would not be able to afford a doubling in their premiums without significantly disrupting their household finances.

42% of Marketplace enrollees say they would go without health insurance coverage if the amount they had to pay for health insurance each month nearly doubled.

If Republicans take the enhanced premium tax breaks away from Americans, annual premiums will more than double for ACA Marketplace enrollees on average. Without extension of these tax credits, four million Americans could lose their coverage and 22 million more could see significantly higher premiums.

Today, Senator Baldwin voted for the fourth time to keep the government open, reverse Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid, and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Every single Senate Republican voted against the measure. Senator Baldwin and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) lead legislation to make these tax breaks permanent.

Earlier this week, Senator Baldwin held a virtual press conference with two Wisconsin constituents who shared how expiring tax credits for their Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage will jack up their costs and make it harder for them to make ends meet.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/chairman-johnson-requests-information-about-millions-of-u-s-visa-holders-that-avoided-thorough-vetting-process,Chairman Johnson Requests Information about Millions of U.S. Visa Holders that Avoided Thorough Vetting Process,2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Rodney Scott, regarding a recent report by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) entitled, “CBP Has Not Evaluated the Security Risks of Interview-Waived Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa Holders.”

The DHS OIG report found that “between March 2020 and March 2024, the Department of State (DoS) issued more than 12 million nonimmigrant U.S. visas without conducting in-person interviews or collecting fingerprints.”

“These disturbing findings raise serious questions about DoS’s and CBP’s awareness of and ability to track the recipients of the 12 million nonimmigrant visas,” Chairman Johnson wrote.

“The fact that millions of nonimmigrant foreign nationals obtained a U.S. visa without undergoing the usual vetting process poses a significant national security risk,” Chairman Johnson continued.

Chairman Johnson is seeking more information about the millions of nonimmigrant visas that were issued while standard interviewing and fingerprinting procedures were waived. The chairman has requested that the State Department and CBP provide his office details about their efforts to identify, locate, interview, and fingerprint the nonimmigrant visa holders that did not undergo a thorough vetting process.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/10/psi-chairman-johnson-sen-rick-scott-request-records-from-ladwp-for-congressional-investigation-into-pacific-palisades-wildfire,"PSI Chairman Johnson, Sen. Rick Scott Request Records from LADWP for Congressional Investigation into Pacific Palisades Wildfire",2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) sent a letter to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) requesting records and information related to LADWP’s preparedness and response to the Pacific Palisades wildfires in January 2025.

Today’s letter is part of the senators’ ongoing efforts to examine the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles that resulted in billions of dollars in property damage and the tragic loss of life. This follows letters sent last month to former Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva, requesting information on the LAFD’s response to the Palisades fires.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-releases-statement-as-republicans-put-government-on-collision-course-for-shutdown,Senator Baldwin Releases Statement as Republicans Put Government on Collision Course for Shutdown,2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WATCH: SENATOR BALDWIN TALKS TO WISCONSINITES ABOUT KEEPING THE GOVERNMENT OPEN AND REPUBLICANS’ LOOMING HEALTH CARE PRICE HIKES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after President Donald Trump and Republicans put Congress on the path to a government shutdown:

“I’ve been fighting to keep the government open and keep health care costs down for millions of working families who are staring down a health care cliff. Republicans, who control the White House, the Senate, and the House, have not only refused to listen to families who need some breathing room, but they also have abandoned working with Democrats to do right by the American people. I’m at the table and ready to negotiate a solution that keeps the government open and makes good on Donald Trump’s promise to keep costs down for Americans – but my Republican colleagues are nowhere to be seen,” said Senator Baldwin. “This is Donald Trump’s government, and this is Donald Trump’s shutdown.”

Senator Baldwin voted to keep the government open, reverse Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid, and extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Every single Senate Republican voted against the measure.

On Tuesday, Senator Baldwin hosted a virtual press conference with two Wisconsin constituents who shared how expiring tax credits for their Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage will jack up their costs and make it harder for them to make ends meet. Unless Republicans act now, 270,000 Wisconsinites could see their health care premiums double in 2026. Senator Baldwin leads legislation to make these tax breaks permanent.

Last week, Senator Baldwin made four stops in Weston, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Mount Horeb to highlight the need to extend these tax breaks. Earlier today, Senator Baldwin voted for a bill that would have kept the government open, rejected Republicans’ deep cuts to Medicaid, and extended Affordable Care Act tax breaks for working families, though Republicans rejected it.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/9/video-release-sen-johnson-calls-for-bipartisan-action-to-end-government-shutdowns,*** VIDEO RELEASE *** Sen. Johnson Calls for Bipartisan Action to End Government Shutdowns,2025-09-30,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) spoke on the Senate floor to discuss his Eliminate Shutdowns Act to end the drama and uncertainty of Congress’s budgetary dysfunction. The bill ends government shutdowns by establishing two-week rolling continuing resolutions to fund the government if there is a lapse in appropriations.

“Aren’t you getting sick and tired of these government shutdowns? The drama, the turmoil, the partisan bickering, and holding the American people hostage for demands of billions and billions of dollars for more spending we can’t afford?” Sen. Johnson said.

“The American people don’t like these shutdowns. They want them ended. We have a very simple bill, not partisan, that offers no advantage to anybody. It keeps the government open and gives appropriators time to do appropriating, appropriate those departments, and end all the chaos, all the turmoil, and all the games with people’s lives,” Sen. Johnson concluded.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-baldwin-pens-op-ed-calling-out-republicans-for-raising-health-care-costs-for-wisconsin-families,ICYMI: Baldwin Pens Op-Ed Calling Out Republicans for Raising Health Care Costs for Wisconsin Families,2025-09-29,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – This weekend, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) penned an op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calling out her Republican colleagues for refusing to act and taking away tax breaks that allow 270,000 Wisconsinites to afford their health care on the Affordable Care Act. Unless Republicans join Senator Baldwin, the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits will expire at the end of the year, jacking up the cost of insurance for over 20 million Americans by 75% on average and pricing out four million Americans from being able to afford health care at all. The op-ed comes on the heels of Senator Baldwin hosting events across the state last week to meet with health care providers, small business owners, and families to talk about how these tax breaks have helped them afford health care and what it would mean to have increased costs come January 1st.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: High prices hurt my WI constituents. Republicans are breaking their promises.

Working Americans don’t want handouts, they just want a system that isn’t rigged for and by those at the very top. They want health care they can afford when they need it.

Today, a record number of Americans get their insurance from the Affordable Care Act. That is not some accident. Since I helped pass the law in 2010, we’ve built on its success, making care more affordable for working families by expanding tax breaks that brought costs down. In 2025, 24 million Americans, including over 300,000 Wisconsinites, got insured through the Affordable Care Act.

But right now, that progress is in jeopardy. At the end of this year, those vital tax breaks that helped millions of families afford their insurance will expire. The average premium for the 22 million Americans who use those tax credits will skyrocket by 75% on average, while four million of our neighbors will be priced out of coverage all together.

I hear from Wisconsin families and businesses pinched by high costs

It's not just millions of families in jeopardy, it’s local economies. About half of Americans on the Affordable Care Act are small business owners or employees. Gigi, an entrepreneur in Stoughton, Wisconsin, is one of them. This year, Gigi achieved a long-time dream when she opened a small storefront on Stoughton’s Main Street. But she relies on this tax relief to afford health insurance – the only way she can afford the oncologist appointments she needs to stay healthy as a survivor of childhood cancer. If the GOP takes these tax breaks away, her premiums will increase by over $350 each month.

Just this week, I also met with Keith who runs a small insurance agency in Marathon City, Wisconsin. Keith shared that without these tax breaks, the premium for his family’s insurance will be over three times more expensive each month. What’s worse, many of the farmers and self-employed contractors he works with are facing similar increases.

These Wisconsinites just need some breathing room, not to be kicked off their health care. I hear from families and businesses just like these all too often that they are being pinched by high costs. Just getting by is getting harder. I heard it all last year when I was campaigning, just like Donald Trump did. The President even pledged on the campaign trail to bring prices down on day one for families.

My Republican colleagues have had chance after chance – four times in fact – to make good on that promise and join Democrats in voting to stop these premium tax breaks from being stripped away. They have shot it down every time. They even drafted a massive tax bill, and instead of including a tax break for hard working Americans to be able to afford their health care, they chose to cut taxes for big corporations and billionaires.

Expect Affordable Care Act premiums to skyrocket next year

Right now, time is of the essence. Americans who get their health insurance on the Affordable Care Act are poised to get letters in the mail in the coming weeks saying their premiums will go up next year. For families, those skyrocketing insurance costs will trigger tough decisions of what they can afford. Small business owners might see staff flee for big corporations who can afford big group insurance.

Working Americans don’t want handouts, they just want a system that isn’t rigged for and by those at the very top. They want health care they can afford when they need it.

We have a perfect opportunity to address these Affordable Care Act tax breaks in the bill we pass to keep the government open. Republicans are claiming they want to keep costs down for families. This is their chance. The only question is, will they take it?

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-baldwin-calls-on-republicans-to-protect-americans-health-care-and-keep-government-open-on-senate-floor,WATCH: Baldwin Calls on Republicans to Protect Americans’ Health Care and Keep Government Open on Senate Floor,2025-09-29,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Baldwin took to the Senate floor to highlight the need to reverse Republicans’ deep cuts to Medicaid and rural hospitals through their Big Ugly Bill and stop Republicans from taking away health care tax breaks that help 22 million Americans afford their Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. If Republicans refuse to come to the table and extend these tax credits for families, over 20 million Americans with ACA coverage will see their premiums skyrocket by 75% on average, including an estimated four million Americans who will be priced out of care altogether.

“We need to lower the cost of health care, not take it away from families. I simply refuse to just go along to get along because the people I represent are truly struggling, and the solution is right in front of us,” said Senator Baldwin. “The path to keep the government open and stop health care costs from rising for millions is on the table. This whole idea of a shutdown is totally avoidable. If Republicans refuse to see what is right in front of them, then a shutdown is on them, and Wisconsinites will know exactly who to thank when their health care costs skyrocket or is simply stripped away.”

Last week, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) made four stops in Weston, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Mount Horeb to highlight the need to extend ACA tax breaks that help 270,000 Wisconsinites afford their insurance. Unless Republicans act, the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits will expire at the end of the year. Over 300,000 Wisconsinites use ACA coverage, including 270,000 who receive premium tax credits that save them on average $585 each month.

Watch here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-baldwin-wraps-week-on-road-calling-for-gop-to-extend-aca-tax-breaks-before-they-expire,ICYMI: Baldwin Wraps Week on Road Calling for GOP to Extend ACA Tax Breaks Before They Expire,2025-09-26,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WISCONSIN – This week, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) made stops in Friendship, Weston, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Mount Horeb highlighting the need to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax breaks that help 230,000 Wisconsinites afford their insurance. Unless Republicans act, the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits will expire at the end of the year, jacking up the cost of insurance for over 20 million Americans by 75% on average.

“Affordable Care Act tax breaks are a lifeline for families, business owners, and communities across Wisconsin. This week, I traveled across the state and heard from families and small businesses who are wondering how they’ll make ends meet if Republicans allow their health care costs to skyrocket,” said Senator Baldwin “We know Republicans can pass tax giveaways for billionaires and corporations, but if they are serious about keeping costs down for working families, it’s time to join me at the table to get this done.

On her tour of the state, Senator Baldwin met with health care providers, small business owners, and constituents to talk about how Enhanced Premium Tax Credits have helped a record number of Wisconsinites get insured through the ACA. Today, over 300,000 Wisconsinites use ACA coverage, including 270,000 who receive premium tax credits that save them on average $585 each month. Senator Baldwin also joined business owners and leaders to talk about how the expiration of these tax breaks will affect local economies. About half of the adults using the Affordable Care Act are small business owners, employees, or self-employed Americans.

In Weston, Senator Baldwin hosted a roundtable at Marshfield Medical Center with small business owners, employees, and retirees who rely on the ACA marketplace. During the visit, one couple shared they expect their monthly premium could jump from around $600 per month to around $1,700 per month if this tax break expires. Listen to what Marathon County residents had to say about these cuts here.

In Green Bay, Senator Baldwin visited Casa ALBA Melanie and met with local providers, health care navigators, small business owners, and community members who get their health care through the ACA. During the conversation, participants shared their concerns about rising health care costs and the impact those increases will have on their families and the broader community. Hear what a local business owner had to say about these cuts here.

In Milwaukee, Senator Baldwin was joined by public health leaders, local business owners, and Milwaukee residents at Outreach Community Health Center for a conversation on the ripple effects that the expiring tax breaks will have. Hear about how the Affordable Care Act benefitted Langston and his family here.

In Mount Horeb, Senator Baldwin toured Upland Hills Health Mount Horeb Clinic before sitting down with Upland Hills providers and local business owners. One business owner shared that about one-third of her employees get their care through the Affordable Care Act, and thanks to the enhanced tax-credit subsidies, they can afford health insurance that would have been out of reach otherwise.

Senator Baldwin also made a stop in Friendship to highlight her work expanding access to health care in rural communities. Senator Baldwin visited Gundersen Moundview Hospital, a critical access hospital, to see the newly unveiled mobile pediatric clinic. Senator Baldwin secured over $230,000 for the clinic, which increases accessibility to care for families across the region.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/9/sen-johnson-for-the-wall-street-journal-my-plan-to-end-government-shutdowns-forever,Sen. Johnson for The Wall Street Journal: My Plan to End Government Shutdowns Forever,2025-09-22,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) proposing the Eliminate Shutdowns Act to automatically extend funding in two-week increments at prior levels until appropriations are passed. By doing so, Congress could end government shutdowns.

""With government funding and functioning assured, Congress would no longer have to spend weeks and months arguing over how to keep government departments open after failing to pass appropriation bills,"" said Sen. Johnson.

""Fortunately, this turmoil can be avoided permanently by passing the Eliminate Shutdowns Act. Anyone voting 'no' is voting to continue budgetary chaos and should be held accountable by the American people,"" Sen. Johnson concluded.

The full op-ed can be found here and excerpts are below.

""The U.S. has experienced three government shutdowns since I entered the Senate in 2011. During that time Congress has passed 55 continuing resolutions and increased or suspended the debt ceiling 12 times. The national debt has grown during those 14 years from $14 trillion to $37 trillion. In 2019 I supported a bill that would have done away with government shutdowns forever. It passed the committee I chaired 12-2, but never passed either chamber of Congress.

""With another shutdown looming, I’ve introduced an even simpler bill, the Eliminate Shutdowns Act, that could end the drama and uncertainty of Congress’s budgetary dysfunction. Some argued the 2019 bill would lead to higher spending and prohibit consideration of other measures until appropriations bills were passed. Those were legitimate concerns. My new bill simply provides for automatic two-week rolling continuing resolutions for any department for which an appropriation bill or longer-term continuing resolution hasn’t been passed. This would keep spending flat by prorating the previous year’s spending level.

...

""Instead, Congress could focus on areas of agreement, pass those appropriations, and then horse-trade on areas of disagreement. There would be no artificial deadlines, only the pressure of working with the other side to fund each other’s priorities. It’s impossible to say exactly how this would play out, but could it be any worse than the current situation?

...

""Converting to multiyear funding cycles is my main priority. We should admit that Congress simply isn’t capable of passing 12 individual appropriation bills each year. Instead we should draft, debate and pass six two-year appropriations on a rotating basis every year. In the nonappropriation year for a particular account, the relevant committees can conduct oversight. It might even be worth considering four three-year appropriations, allowing two years of oversight for each account.

""The fighting over funding fiscal 2025 lasted six months. No one can predict how long we will be at loggerheads trying to fund 2026. With Democrats demanding spending that increases 10-year deficits by $1.5 trillion as their price for a four-week continuing resolution, a shutdown seems all but certain. At least this time a Republican administration will manage the shutdown in a way that minimizes harm to the nation. Democrats take the opposite approach, looking for ways to inflict as much pain as possible for political advantage.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-colleagues-demand-answers-from-trump-administration-on-censoring-critics-and-limiting-free-speech,"Baldwin, Colleagues Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Censoring Critics and Limiting Free Speech",2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined a group of her colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration for censoring critics and infringing on Americans’ First Amendment right to free speech. The Senators specifically called out Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr for censoring Jimmy Kimmel and demanded the FCC to stop trying to silence media organizations. The Senators sent the letter following comments from Carr on a right-wing podcast suggesting that the FCC would take action against ABC and its parent company, Disney, over a monologue this week by comedian Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night show.

“We are outraged by your comments yesterday on a podcast suggesting that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would take action against ABC, its parent company Disney, and its affiliates, over comments made by comedian Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night show. It is not simply unacceptable for the FCC Chairman to threaten a media organization because he does not like the content of its programming—it violates the First Amendment that you claim to champion. The FCC’s role in overseeing the public airwaves does not give it the power to act as a roving press censor, targeting broadcasters based on their political commentary. But under your leadership, the FCC is being weaponized to do precisely that,” wrote the Senators.

“Under your leadership, the FCC appears to be discarding Congress’s clear directive in the Communications Act to ensure broadcasters act in the “public interest”—and is instead requiring them to act in “Trump’s interest.” This approach is an anathema to the Constitution. The consequences of your comments were quickly apparent. Hours later, Nexstar—a major owner of ABC affiliates that has a significant merger pending before the FCC—announced that it would take Kimmel off the air. Soon thereafter, Disney announced it was indefinitely suspending his show altogether. This is precisely what government censorship looks like,” the Senators continued.

“We urge you to immediately stop threatening media organizations due to their programming and return to the FCC’s mission of ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, efficient communication services,”the Senators concluded.

The senators requested answers by September 25, 2025, to the following questions:

How is the FCC defining the “public interest” standard to which broadcasters must adhere? To the extent that the FCC has adopted some new ideological or political neutrality test, how is the FCC defining ideological or political bias?

Did you, your staff, or any FCC staff have any communication with Disney or ABC about Jimmy Kimmel, his Monday monologue, or his show between Monday, September 15 and today?

You publicly stated that ABC and Disney could “do this the easy way or the hard way.” Please detail the “easy way” and the “hard way” you were referencing in making this statement.

The letter was led by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and also co-signed by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Gary Peters (D-MI).

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Chairman Carr,

We are outraged by your comments yesterday on a podcast suggesting that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would take action against ABC, its parent company Disney, and its affiliates, over comments made by comedian Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night show. It is not simply unacceptable for the FCC Chairman to threaten a media organization because he does not like the content of its programming—it violates the First Amendment that you claim to champion. The FCC’s role in overseeing the public airwaves does not give it the power to act as a roving press censor, targeting broadcasters based on their political commentary. But under your leadership, the FCC is being weaponized to do precisely that.

During an appearance on the Benny Johnson podcast on Wednesday, you suggested the FCC would consider revoking the broadcast licenses of ABC affiliates in response to comments made by Kimmel on his late-night talk show following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. You proceeded to threaten that the FCC “can do this the easy way or the hard way,” and telegraphed that “there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead” unless ABC affiliates “find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel[.]”

These statements are outrageous and a betrayal of the FCC’s mission. Although broadcasters are obligated to act in the public interest—in return for receiving access to the public airwaves—this requirement does not give the FCC Chairman the authority to act as the speech police and force broadcasters to adopt political viewpoints that you favor. Under your leadership, the FCC appears to be discarding Congress’s clear directive in the Communications Act to ensure broadcasters act in the “public interest”—and is instead requiring them to act in “Trump’s interest.” This approach is an anathema to the Constitution.

The consequences of your comments were quickly apparent. Hours later, Nexstar—a major owner of ABC affiliates that has a significant merger pending before the FCC— announced that it would take Kimmel off the air. Soon thereafter, Disney announced it was indefinitely suspending his show altogether. This is precisely what government censorship looks like.

In fact, before assuming your role as President Trump’s FCC Chairman, you publicly condemned perceived attempts “by government officials to silence political speech they don’t like.” You also defended comedians and talk show hosts’ right to incorporate politics into their acts, posting: “From Internet memes to late-night comedians, from cartoons to the plays and poems as old as organized government itself - Political Satire circumvents traditional gatekeepers & helps hold those in power accountable. Not surprising that it’s long been targeted for censorship.” And you rightly rejected government censorship as a threat to our First Amendment protections, posting: “Free speech is not a threat to democracy—censorship is.” But as FCC Chairman, you now have apparently forgotten these principles.

We urge you to immediately stop threatening media organizations due to their programming and return to the FCC’s mission of ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, efficient communication services.

Additionally, to ensure we fully understand the implications of your recent comments, we expect you to respond in writing to the following questions by September 25, 2025:

How is the FCC defining the “public interest” standard to which broadcasters must adhere? To the extent that the FCC has adopted some new ideological or political neutrality test, how is the FCC defining ideological or political bias?

Did you, your staff, or any FCC staff have any communication with Disney, ABC, or their affiliates about Jimmy Kimmel, his Monday monologue, or his show between Monday, September 15, and today? If yes, we expect you to produce copies of all such communications.

You publicly stated that ABC and Disney could “do this the easy way or the hard way.” Please detail the “easy way” and the “hard way” you were referencing in making this statement.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-joins-resolution-calling-for-demilitarized-palestinian-statehood,Senator Baldwin Joins Resolution Calling for Demilitarized Palestinian Statehood,2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues in introducing a resolution calling on the President to recognize a demilitarized Palestinian state.

“I believe in my core that a two-state solution is our only path to peace, prosperity, and security in the region. We cannot lose sight of this goal right now because it has never been more important to provide hope for something better,” said Senator Baldwin. “This resolution doubles down on decades of U.S. foreign policy – from both Democrats and Republicans – that recognizes lasting peace in the region relies on the Israeli and Palestinian peoples having their own states. While a two-state solution is our North Star, we cannot stop the pressure to end this war, bring all remaining Israeli hostages home, and surge aid to Palestinian civilians suffering.”

The resolution calls for U.S. recognition of a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, in accordance with international law and the principles of a two-state solution. It underscores how urgent U.S. action would preserve the best chance for peace, helping give both Palestinians and Israelis a future grounded in freedom, security, and prosperity.

The resolution comes as world leaders meet at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, where a number of U.S. allies are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state, joining more than 140 of the 193 UN member states who already do so—a reflection of the global consensus that Palestinian statehood must be part of any lasting peace.

The resolution is endorsed by J Street.

Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2025/9/sen-johnson-joins-sen-rick-scott-49-senate-colleagues-in-bipartisan-letter-encouraging-u-k-prime-minister-starmer-to-work-with-president-trump-to-free-jimmy-lai,"Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Rick Scott, 49 Senate Colleagues in Bipartisan Letter Encouraging U.K. Prime Minister Starmer to Work with President Trump to Free Jimmy Lai",2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,Republican,Senate,WI,Ron Johnson,J000293,www.ronjohnson.senate.gov,ronjohnson,https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and 49 of their bipartisan colleagues in sending a letter to United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him to work closely with President Trump and the U.S. government to secure the release of Jimmy Lai, a U.K. citizen and pro-democracy leader. Mr. Lai has been unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist regime and is suffering from deteriorating health after five years of imprisonment.

“Like our president, we share Mr. Lai’s values and admire his struggle for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. We are encouraged by the U.S. and U.K. Governments' determination to free Mr. Lai. We know it will be difficult and that the U.K. will need to explore all possible avenues and use every tool at its disposal to secure Mr. Lai's freedom,” the senators wrote.

Sens. Johnson and Scott were joined by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

The full text of the letter can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-demands-va-tighten-opioid-prescribing-abide-by-jasons-law-to-protect-veterans,"Baldwin Demands VA Tighten Opioid Prescribing, Abide by Jason’s Law to Protect Veterans",2025-09-18,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led her colleagues in demanding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) strengthen compliance with Jason’s Law and improve the VA’s opioid prescribing practices for our veterans. Baldwin’s call comes after a report exposed internal VA audits found lagging compliance with Jason’s Law and recent reporting exposed severe staffing shortages at VA medical centers across Wisconsin.

“The opioid and substance use disorder epidemic continues to have deadly impacts across the country making the VA pain and opioid safety programs critical to our veterans’ safety. We were troubled to see the lack of progress in compliance over recent years,” wrote the Senators in a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins. “Jason’s Law and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act are saving lives, but VA must reach full compliance to continue this work and fulfill our nation’s promise to deliver world-class care to our veterans. There is urgency in ensuring each Veterans Health Administration facility achieves full compliance with the law and that funding is swiftly and effectively utilized.”

Signed into law in 2016, Senator Baldwin’s Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act focuses on strengthening the VA’s opioid prescribing guidelines and improving pain management services.

A recent report published by the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Veterans Affairs identified internal VA audits that found there has not been significant improvement in compliance with Jason’s Law since 2019. In response, Baldwin is calling for the VA to develop a plan to achieve 100% compliance and identify the resources needed to do so. Additionally, Baldwin is demanding that the VA spend every dollar available for opioid safety and treatment.

In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter was co-signed by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Collins,

We write to raise concerns regarding compliance with the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act (Jason’s Law) that was signed into law as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016. Earlier this year, the Office of the Inspector General published its report on oversight of the VA’s Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescriptions Drug Monitoring Program, including its use of appropriated funds and compliance with Jason’s Law. We write to draw your attention to the findings in this report and request your plan to achieve 100% compliance with the law.

Jason’s Law requires all Veterans Health Administration facilities to have a pain management team responsible for coordinating and overseeing pain management therapy for pain unrelated to cancer. The opioid and substance use disorder epidemic continues to have deadly impacts across the country making the VA pain and opioid safety programs critical to our veterans’ safety. We were troubled to see the lack of progress in compliance over recent years. The Inspector General reported that the Veteran’s Health Administration audits of pain management teams found 32% of facilities were not in full compliance with the law in September 2019, and by October 2024, the share of facilities not in full compliance had risen to 33%. We do note that during the same timeframe, the percentage of facilities that were partially compliant increased from 28% to 32%, leading to a decrease in the number of facilities that were noncompliant (4% down to 1%). Despite the modest progress indicated by these numbers, we ask that your response include a plan to bring all facilities to full compliance.

The Inspector General identified several causes for the lack of compliance, including a lack of clarity regarding the standards for Pain Management Teams, their composition, function, and responsibilities, including how these requirements vary across types of medical facilities. It is our understanding that the Department has been working for several years to update this guidance. Please provide us with information on which individuals or organizations contributed recommendations for the new directive and how that input was collected, along with a timeline for its expected distribution.

The Inspector General noted additional barriers to compliance. For example, delays in the hiring process or long wait times to approve positions and hiring actions negatively impact medical facilities’ ability to hire members of pain management teams to achieve compliance. Other factors include difficulties in attracting suitable candidates due to nationwide shortages of certain specialties or in rural locations and a possible lack of VA competitiveness when compared to other medical employers. Please provide your evaluation of all factors that impact the hiring of staff for pain management teams and your plan to address these factors in a way that will substantially improve compliance with the law. Please include your methods of measuring progress for each factor identified and a timeline for achieving full compliance. Please include resources needed, including funding, statutory language, coordination with other government agencies, or other needs.

An additional challenge the Inspector General identified was the lack of expenditure of Congressionally-appropriated funds for opioid safety and treatment programs. Congress includes funding designated for the implementation of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act in annual appropriations bills. In fiscal year 2022, however, the Department did not spend over $93 million, accounting for 44% of the appropriated funds provided for this purpose. This indicator did improve, with the Department’s unexpended funds dropping to $33 million (16%) in fiscal year 2023 and $9 million (4%) in fiscal year 2024. We appreciate the attention the Department showed to this account that led to improved efficiency in utilizing the funds for their intended purpose, but underscore that VA should be spending every dollar available for opioid safety and treatment. Please provide us with your analysis of any difficulties that remain in fully expending the appropriated funds each fiscal year. Please also provide your expenditure rate for fiscal year 2025.

Jason’s Law and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act are saving lives, but VA must reach full compliance to continue this work and fulfill our nation’s promise to deliver world-class care to our veterans. There is urgency in ensuring each Veterans Health Administration facility achieves full compliance with the law and that funding is swiftly and effectively utilized. Thank you for your attention to this critically important, lifesaving matter. We look forward to working together to fulfill our shared responsibility to those who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-keeps-pressure-on-gop-to-save-24-million-families-from-republicans-health-care-cliff,Baldwin Keeps Pressure on GOP to Save 24 Million Americans from Republicans’ Health Care Cliff,2025-09-18,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) continued pushing her Republican colleagues to extend tax breaks for working families who purchase health insurance on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. If Republicans in Congress fail to extend these tax breaks, the 24 million Americans who have ACA coverage will see on average a 75% jump in their premiums next year, including four million Americans who will be priced out and lose coverage. Senator Baldwin leads legislation to make these tax credits permanent.

“At a time when Wisconsin families just want a little breathing room, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are about to jack up the cost of health care for millions of Americans. This president promised to lower costs on day one. Instead, he’s doled out tax breaks to big corporations and his super wealthy friends while leaving working families to foot the bill,” said Senator Baldwin. “In a few short weeks, millions of Americans will get a letter in the mail that says their premiums are going to skyrocket next year. Unless Republicans step up and do the right thing, I’ll make sure my constituents know just who is to blame.”

Tuesday, Senators Baldwin, Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) hosted a press conference on Capitol Hill to call on Republicans to extend these tax credits. The Senators were joined by two storytellers – a small business owner, Lester Johnson, and a stage IV cancer survivor, Laura Packard – who both talked about the importance of these tax credits to keep the care they need within reach. Senator Baldwin also took to the Senate floor on Wednesday to rally support for extending these tax credits.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-baldwins-bipartisan-bill-to-combat-fentanyl-crisis-and-support-first-responders-heads-to-presidents-desk,NEWS: Baldwin’s Bipartisan Bill to Combat Fentanyl Crisis and Support First Responders Heads to President’s Desk,2025-09-18,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that her Safe Response Act, bipartisan legislation to respond to the fentanyl crisis and deliver first responders with training and tools to prevent drug overdose deaths, passed out of the Senate and now heads to the President’s desk.

“One life lost to the fentanyl and opioid epidemic is one too many, and I am doing everything I can to stop this crisis. Our law enforcement and first responders are on the front lines every day fighting the fentanyl crisis in Wisconsin, and it’s my job to make sure they have the resources they need to save lives,” said Senator Baldwin. “When first responders have both the access and proper training to use lifesaving tools like Narcan, it helps stop Wisconsin families from losing a loved one too soon. I’m glad to see my bipartisan bill that will deliver these resources now heads to the President’s desk and is one step closer to becoming law.”

Baldwin’s bipartisan Safe Response Act was included in the SUPPORT Act and would reauthorize a grant program to provide funding for states, local government entities, Indian Tribes, and tribal organizations to train and provide resources to first responders to respond to an overdose. The Safe Response Act provides $57 million per year for fiscal year 2026 through 2030 for grants to first responders and those in key community sectors to respond to overdoses.

The bipartisan SUPPORT Act invests in addiction prevention, treatment, recovery, and law enforcement efforts. The legislation passed the House with strong bipartisan support in June, passed the Senate unanimously today, and now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. In addition to the Safe Response Act, the SUPPORT Act also includes the following Baldwin-backed legislation:

Bruce’s Law: Bipartisan legislation to bolster federal prevention and education efforts surrounding fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid that is increasingly being incorporated into illicit street drugs and fake prescription pills.

Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Disease Act – Bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) ongoing initiative to eliminate the risk of infectious disease caused by substance use disorder to continue through 2028.

FASD Respect Act – Bipartisan legislation to collect data collection on prenatal smoking, alcohol, and other substance misuse, in addition to the outcomes associated with such activities on children’s health.

A one-pager on the Safe Response Act is available here. Full text of this legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/baldwin-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-put-988-crisis-line-for-lgbtq-youth-into-law,"Baldwin, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Put 988 Crisis Line for LGBTQ+ Youth into Law",2025-09-17,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced bipartisan legislation, the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act, to codify the 988 lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ young people. The legislation comes after the Trump Administration shut down the LGBTQ+ youth services in July, despite the specialized lifeline having received over 1.5 million crisis contacts since 2022, with an increasing number of contacts each year.

“We are in the middle of a mental health crisis, and the 988 lifeline saves lives, plain and simple,” said Senator Baldwin. “There is absolutely no good reason that Donald Trump took away this specialized help for our LGBTQ youth. Mental health does not see partisan lines or geography, and I’m proud to be working with Democrats and Republicans to do what’s right and ensure that all kids have access to the help they need – regardless of who is President.”

Senator Baldwin wrote the legislation to create the three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and fought to stand up a pilot program for LGBTQ+ youth to address higher rates of suicide and mental health challenges among this population. Since the lifeline launched, it has received over 17.7 million contacts, including 12 million calls, 3.1 million texts, and 2.6 million chats. In 2025, the answer rate hit its highest point since inception, 92 percent, but cutting funding for specialized services puts that in jeopardy.

In July, President Trump eliminated the 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services. As ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Senator Baldwin fought to secure $535 million for the 988 Suicide Prevention Line and to restore dedicated funding for LGBTQ+ youth specialized services in Fiscal Year 2026 funding legislation, which passed out of committee with bipartisan support. The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act would protect the specialized services for years to come by putting this specific service into statute. The bill requires that the Secretary of Health and Human Services dedicate sufficient resources, including for “establishing, re-establishing, operating, and maintaining” specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth.

The Trevor Project found that nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, and 12 percent of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide, rates much higher than those present among non-LGBTQ+ youth. These specialized services connect LGBTQ+ youth with specially trained crisis counselors, similar to other dedicated programs for veterans and service members.

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Davids (D-KS-03), Moulton (D-MA-06), Lawler (R-NY-17), and Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01).

“LGBTQ+ youth experience significant health and behavioral health disparities, including elevated rates of suicide attempts, with 39% reporting in 2024 that they had seriously considered suicide in the past year,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Research shows that culturally competent care—support that understands and affirms LGBTQ+ identities—can be life-saving. Before the 988 LGBTQ+ line was shut down on July 17, more than 1.5 million calls, texts, and chats were routed to specially trained counselors. AFSP thanks Representatives Krishnamoorthi, Lawler, Davids, Fitzpatrick, and Moulton, and Senators Baldwin and Murkowski, for introducing bipartisan legislation to restore these specialized services. We urge Congress to act quickly to pass this vital bill and ensure LGBTQ+ youth in crisis have access to the care they need.”

“Two months ago today, the administration eliminated the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ LGBTQ+ youth specialized services – a devastating blow that cut life-saving resources for more than 1.5 million young LGBTQ+ Americans who relied on them,” said Trevor Project's CEO, Jaymes Black. “Given that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, the need for these services remains pressing. At The Trevor Project, we are doing everything we can to fill the gaps in crisis care caused by the ‘Press 3’ shutdown. We are immensely grateful to the members of Congress – both Republicans and Democrats – who are calling to restore this vital suicide prevention funding through new legislation. This is not about politics, or identity; this is about doing what is best to support our country’s highest risk populations – and save young people’s lives nationwide.”

“LGBTQ+ youth are facing a mental health crisis at a scale we can’t ignore. Nearly 40% have seriously considered suicide, according to The Trevor Project, and far too many are unable to access the care they need. In 2024 alone, almost half of LGBTQ+ young people who sought mental health support couldn’t, often because of barriers at home or in their schools,” GLSEN’s Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers said. “The launch of the LGBTQ+ option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was a major step forward. It’s a service that has already made a difference, and one we can’t afford to lose. The bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025 will ensure that this specialized service remains available and fully funded for the LGBTQI+ community. By codifying ‘Option 3’ into law, this bill sends a clear message: our LGBTQ+ youth matter, and they deserve support, safety, and someone to turn to in their darkest moments. We’re proud to see leaders on both sides of the aisle standing up for their lives.”

“It comes down to one simple truth: 988 saves lives—especially for those who are most vulnerable,” said David Stacy, Vice President of Government Affairs, Human Rights Campaign. “The evidence is clear and overwhelming, yet this administration has cruelly ripped away this vital lifeline. We are proud that leaders from both parties recognize the importance of 988, what it represents, and the lives it changes. Their support helps us ensure that every person has the chance to live their full American dream.”

“LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high rates of suicide and suicidal thoughts, making access to specialized suicide prevention and support essential,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “We have to do everything we can to save young people’s lives. The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act dedicates critical resources to maintain and strengthen the specialized LGBTQ+ services within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. NAMI is proud to support this lifesaving legislation.""

The legislation is supported by the Trevor Project, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Alliance for Mental Illness, GLSEN, and the Human Rights Campaign.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z
https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/watch-baldwin-questions-ousted-cdc-officials-on-rfk-jr-ignoring-science-and-endangering-americans-health,"WATCH: Baldwin Questions Ousted CDC Officials on RFK, Jr. Ignoring Science and Endangering Americans’ Health",2025-09-17,2025,2025-09,Democrat,Senate,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,baldwin,https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) questioned two former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials who were fired or resigned after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. asked them to ignore science and preapprove vaccine recommendations without evidence. Senator Baldwin, in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, pressed the former CDC officials about RFK, Jr. censoring them, the Secretary’s repeated attempts to interfere with CDC’s evidence-based recommendations, and the impact on the health of Americans.

Former Director of the CDC, Dr. Susan Monarez, was fired by Secretary Kennedy last month after refusing to terminate scientists without cause and accept vaccine recommendations without evidence. Former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Debra Houry, resigned shortly thereafter with related concerns.

During the HELP hearing, Dr. Monarez revealed that she reached out to the Chair of the HELP Committee to share concerns following Secretary Kennedy’s demands to preapprove vaccine recommendations without reviewing scientific evidence. She recounted how once Secretary Kennedy became aware of her actions, he instructed her to never speak to Senators again.

Senator Baldwin has continued to hold Secretary Kennedy’s feet to the fire for putting Americans’ health at risk, including his firing of the CDC’s entire Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Surveillance Branch and not providing on-the-ground support to keep children safe. In Milwaukee, lead exposure shuttered six Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and displaced 1,800 children.

A full recording of Senator Baldwin’s questions is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z