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/videos/watch/weau-senator-tammy-baldwin-introduces-legislation-to-grow-international-education-system,WEAU: Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces Legislation to Grow International Education System,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wsaw-senator-tammy-baldwin-announces-truax-field-to-house-f-35s,WSAW: Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Truax Field to House F-35s,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-bipartisan-legislation-help-halt-flow-of-fentanyl,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on President Trump to Sign Bipartisan Legislation Passed by Congress to Help Halt Flow of Illicit Fentanyl into the United States,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on President Trump to Sign Bipartisan Legislation Passed by Congress to Help Halt Flow of Illicit Fentanyl into the United States Baldwin supported bipartisan legislation will help promote the latest in chemical screening devices and scientific support to detect and intercept fentanyl and other synthetic opioids WASHINGTON, D.C. Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin passed the Senate last night and she is calling on President Trump to quickly sign it into law. The INTERDICT Act, would provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tools such as hi-tech chemical screening devices to help detect and interdict fentanyl and other illicit synthetic opioids The growing crisis of fentanyl and opioid abuse is hurting families and taking lives at alarming rates both in Wisconsin and across our country, said Senator Baldwin. We must do more to combat this epidemic. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that Customs and Border Protection officers have the tools they need to help stop fentanyl from entering our communities. This spring, Senator Baldwin held a roundtable in Milwaukee on the fentanyl crisis. Senator Baldwin brought together health care providers, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner and Wisconsinites working on the front lines to combat this crisis to discuss how illicit fentanyl is impacting Wisconsin. In 2016, Milwaukee County saw 97 deaths related to fentanyl an increase of 223% from 2015. In 2016, CBP seized nearly 200 pounds of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids like fentanyl, primarily from along the southwest border. This is a 25-fold increase over seizures in 2015. Between 2014 and 2015, deaths involving synthetic opioids, which include fentanyl, increased by 72%, taking more than 9,500 lives. Mexico is the primary source for illicit fentanyl trafficked into the United States, while distributors in China are the principal source of the precursor chemicals used to manufacture the drug, as well as a source for finished-product illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, which are often shipped to the United States through the mail and express consignment carriers. Specifically, the INTERDICT Act: Ensures that CBP will have additional portable chemical screening devices available at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities, and additional fixed chemical screening devices available in CBP laboratories. Provides CBP with sufficient resources, personnel, and facilities including scientists available during all operational hours to interpret screening test results from the field. Authorizes the appropriation of $9 million for hundreds of new screening devices, laboratory equipment, facilities, and personnel for support during all operational hours. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-calls-on-administration-to-rescind-rule-denying-women-access-to-birth-control,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Trump Administration to Rescind Rule Denying Women Access to Birth Control Coverage,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Trump Administration to Rescind Rule Denying Women Access to Birth Control Coverage Overwhelming Opposition to Rule in Public Comments from American Women; Birth Control Coverage of over 60 Million at Risk WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined her colleagues in sending a letter to Acting Health and Human Services Secretary Eric Hargan, Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin highlighting the hundreds of thousands of comments in opposition to the Trump administrations interim final rule (IFR) significantly weakening the contraceptive requirements in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The letter, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), calls on the Administration to rescind the rule, and requested answers on how it will address the impact that undermining birth control coverage will have on womens health and economic freedoms. One commenter wrote, My husband and I would not be able to handle a child today or in the near future while I pursue my career, and birth control keeps me as a productive member of societyTaking away birth control protections is a huge mistake for someone who claims to want a better economy. According to another, As someone with PCOS, a hormonal disorder that causes my ovaries to create cysts rather than eggs that potentially turn into cancerous tumors, birth control is essential to my treatment. The Senators letter includes more personal anecdotes from commenters, demonstrating the vital role that birth control plays in Americans lives. ""Because of the ACA requirement that insurers cover birth control, millions of women have now gained access to contraceptive coverage. But the new IFRs issued by the Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury Departments permit employers and universities to claim broad religious or moral exemptions to covering birth control. They also make the religious accommodation process voluntaryplacing the birth control coverage of over 62.4 million American women at risk,wrote the Senators. More than 500,000 commenters have expressed their opposition to the Administrations birth control IFRs to the Department of Health and Human Services alone, with thousands more writing in to the Departments of Labor and Treasury. A federal court has halted their enforcement. In addition to rescinding the rule, the Senators called on the Departments to provide answers on how they will address the threat posed by the IFRs to the economic and health benefits of birth control coverage no later than January 5, 2018. In addition to Senators Baldwin, Warren and Murray, the letter was also signed by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Al Franken (D-MN). Text of the letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-joins-colleagues-asking-dea-doj-tools-combat-opioid-epidemic,"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues in Asking DEA, DOJ What Tools They Need To Combat Opioid Epidemic",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues in Asking DEA, DOJ What Tools They Need To Combat Opioid Epidemic Senators Letter Follows Washington Post, 60 Minutes Investigation, Committee on Judiciary Oversight Hearing WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined her Senate colleagues this week in asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) what tools they need to most aggressively target the ongoing opioid epidemic. The letter follows a Washington Post/60 Minutes investigation into the impact of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act on DEAs ability to combat opioid addiction, and subsequent testimony from DEA officials that the law needs to be changed. It is critical that we have the information required to evaluate this law and make necessary revisions to update and improve the law to ensure the DEA retains all the tools necessary to aggressively prevent the diversion of opioids, wrote the Senators in their letter. Last week, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary held an oversight hearing on the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act, where DEA representatives testified that the law should be amended in order to ensure the agency has all the tools necessary to aggressively combat the addiction epidemic. When pressed during the hearing on exactly what changes the DEA needs, officials were unable to provide any suggestions. Brown and Durbins letter urges the DOJ and DEA to work together to provide a written list of suggested changes to update and improve the 2016 law. Current law also requires the Secretary of the Department of Human Services (HHS) and DEA Administrator to submit a report to Congress identifying any residual issues with diversion efforts, including information on whether coordination between the industry and law enforcement has helped with diversion. This report was due in April 2017, but has not yet been submitted to Congress. Brown, Durbin, and several of their colleagues wrote to HHS and DEA in October demanding this report. The Senators letter reiterates this report is past-due and the Senators must have this information so they can determine how the best ensure DEA has the tools it needs to fight the opioid epidemic. Led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), the letter was also signed by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA). Full text of the Senators letter is below and available here. The Honorable Jeff Sessions Attorney General United States Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Acting Administrator Robert Patterson United States Drug Enforcement Agency 8701 Morrissette Drive Springfield, VA 22152 Dear Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Acting Administrator Patterson: On December 12, 2017, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary held an oversight hearing to discuss the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act (P.L. 114-145), legislation that was signed into law in April of 2016. During this hearing, the Acting Assistant Administrator for the Diversion Control Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Ms. Demetra Ashley, testified that changes to the 2016 law are necessary in order to ensure the DEA has all the tools necessary to combat the opioid epidemic. We urge you to provide, in writing, a list of the specific changes that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and DEA would recommend making to P.L. 114-145 to ensure the DEA has the tools necessary to act proactively and aggressively in combatting our nations addiction epidemic. As you are aware, two months ago, The Washington Post published an article entitled The Drug Industrys Triumph Over the DEA and CBS released a related 60 Minutes expos highlighting the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act and its impact on the DEAs capacity to participate fully in the war against addiction. On October 16, 2017, several Senators introduced legislation to repeal this 2016 law. On October 20, 2017, one-third of the Senate wrote to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and DEA to request an update on the laws impact and a summary of any challenges in diversion control caused by the laws passage. This letter also demanded that HHS and DEA fulfill their statutory obligation and submit an official Report to Congress identifying any residual issues with diversion of controlled substances and strategies to reduce the volume of opioids on the market. That same day, Senator Hatch and Senator Cassidy, two of the original authors of the 2016 law, wrote a similar letter urging HHS and DEA to promptly submit the required report. On November 28, 2017, Senator McCaskill hosted a Senate roundtable to discuss the 2016 law, and on December 12, 2017, the Judiciary Committee held its oversight hearing on the law. It was at this Judiciary Committee hearing nearly two months after the initial news reports criticizing the law and more than a year after the laws implementation that a current representative of the DEA, Ms. Ashley, suggested Congress revise the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act. Despite not articulating specific changes in written testimony, nor in response to several questions, Ms. Ashley at one point indicated that the terms immediate and substantial likelihood in the laws definition of imminent danger created unintended consequences for DEAs enforcement authority.We write to confirm whether recommending changes to these statutory terms are DEAs official position with respect to amending the 2016 law. Notwithstanding this singular acknowledgment, DOJ and DEA have failed to provide Congress with any substantive guidance and/or technical assistance for statutory revisions necessary to prevent the diversion and abuse of controlled substances not at last weeks Judiciary Committee hearing, nor in any written correspondence to date. This law passed over a year and a half ago, and we are more than eight months past the statutory deadline for a required Report to Congress; the silence from DOJ, DEA, and HHS is deafening. As it was said at last weeks Judiciary Committee hearing: Congress cannot understand what youre requesting if the agency doesnt request it clearly and with language attached. It is critical that we have the information required to evaluate this law and make necessary revisions to update and improve the law to ensure the DEA retains all the tools necessary to aggressively prevent the diversion of opioids. We urge DOJ and DEA to act swiftly to assemble and provide Congress with a written list of suggested improvements to the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act by no later than January 19, 2018, and to work with the Acting Secretary of HHS to provide the Report to Congress required by Section 3 of P.L. 114-145 as soon as possible. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-calls-for-hearings-on-challenges-facing-puerto-rico-and-virgin-islands,"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Hearings on Health and Education Challenges Facing Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Following Hurricanes Irma, Maria",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Hearings on Health and Education Challenges Facing Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Following Hurricanes Irma, Maria WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined her colleagues in sending a letter to HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to request that the Committee hold hearings to assess the challenges facing the health and educational systems of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Noting the extensive damage caused by the hurricanes to the islands' education and public health infrastructures, the letter, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), urged Chairman Alexander to hold hearings to address these issues and to evaluate the relief provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education, both of which fall under the HELP Committee's jurisdiction. Given the extent of the damage inflicted upon both territories, as well as the important roles of the departments under this committee's jurisdiction in ongoing hurricane relief efforts, we believe such hearings would be an important part of the Committee's oversight related to hurricane recovery,the Senators wrote. Hearings could help ensure that the Senate has a detailed understanding of the health and education challenges facing Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as an understanding of how Departments under the Committee's purview have provided relief, and how they can improve relief efforts. The HELP Committee has not yet held any hearings on how the two territories have been affected by the storms. Senators Baldwin, Warren and Cassidy were joined by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) in sending the letter. Full text of the Senators letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-statement-on-continuing-resolution-vote,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Continuing Resolution Vote,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Continuing Resolution Vote WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement on the continuing resolution vote in the Senate tonight. This week, Congressional Republicans delivered a huge gift to the wealthiest few, big corporations and Wall Street. Those who have too much power and influence in Washington won again, and the people of Wisconsin are fed up with it and so am I. That is why I am voting against this kick-the-can-down-the-road legislation. Congress should not be leaving town without getting the job done to keep a promise on pensions that workers have earned. We should not put off protecting Dreamers who have only known America as their home. We should not shortchange our veterans; we should do right by them. And at a time when Congressional Republicans are giving the top 1% huge tax breaks, it is morally wrong that Congress is failing to fully fund childrens health care, community health centers and combating the opioid crisis. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-congratulates-115th-fighter-wing-on-announcement,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Congratulates Dedicated Men and Women of the 115th Fighter Wing on U.S. Air Force Announcement,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Congratulates Dedicated Men and Women of the 115th Fighter Wing on U.S. Air Force Announcement Wisconsin Air National Guards Truax Field selected as a preferred location for an Air National Guard F-35 squadron WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin congratulated the dedicated men and women of the 115th Fighter Wing after the U.S. Air Force announced that Wisconsin Air National Guards Truax Field has been selected as a preferred location for an Air National Guard F-35 squadron. I congratulate the dedicated men and women of the 115th Fighter Wing. I have been proud to play a lead role within the Wisconsin Congressional delegation advocating for the 115th, and I am pleased that the Air Force has recognized the tremendous strategic, geographic and economic capabilities that Truax offers,said Senator Baldwin.The 115th Fighter Wing plays an essential role in protecting the safety and security of Wisconsin and our nation. I am excited about Truaxs selection for this new mission and the enduring benefit it will provide to our economy and the State of Wisconsin. In addition to the contributions to our nations and Wisconsins security, basing the F-35 mission at Truax Field would maintain the more than 1,650 jobs to which the 115th currently contributes, as well as the continuity of services the unit provides to the city and state, while also benefiting regional retail, healthcare, real estate, food services and construction industries. Over the lifetime of the F-35 mission, there is an estimated economic impact of $4.8 billion. Having represented and advocated on behalf of the base for more than 17 years in Congress, Senator Baldwin has played a leading role organizing the Wisconsin Congressional delegations support for the Truax effort. In recent years, Senator Baldwin has sent multiple letters to and has held numerous discussions with Air Force senior leaders, including the current and former Secretaries and Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force, in support of the effort to base the F-35 mission at Truax Field. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-introduces-bill-to-equip-students-with-international-skills,U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Todd Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Equip Students with High-Demand International Skills,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.17 U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Todd Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Equip Students with High-Demand International Skills WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize Title VI of the Higher Education Act. The Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act will ensure that American students have access to quality international and foreign language education programs that meet the needs of our nation. Wisconsin is home to world class universities and our international education system lives up to our state motto, Forward. That is why Im joining Senator Young in supporting the reauthorization of the Title VI program to continue the growth of our international education system, said Senator Baldwin. This effort is working to satisfy the increasing demand for qualified workers throughout the world. At the same time, we must continue to strengthen international programs like Title VI within Wisconsins educational institutions to foster innovation that enhances our local economies and small businesses. In promoting both of these goals, I am looking forward to supporting this legislation in committee. Its important that our students are equipped with high-demand international skills and that our institutions of higher education can also successfully prepare students. That is why we must increase investment in international and foreign language education, said Senator Young. This legislation will allow Hoosier students to be economically competitive amidst workforce challenges in the 21st century. Title VI provides resources for universities across the country, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to develop quality and innovative international programs of strategic interest related to the Middle East, East and Central Asia, Russia, Eastern Europe, Africa and other world areas. This bill advances national security, invigorates global competition and expands access to underserved students. Partnerships between universities and government strengthen and preserve our national and international foreign language education infrastructure. This is a forward looking bill that will harness proven strategies and spur innovation in the comprehensive international education system that produces graduates to meet our nations growing demand for global competence in the workforce, said Guido Podesta, Vice Provost and Dean of the International Division at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hoosiers throughout the state will reap the benefit of the programs supported in Senator Youngs bill, said Michael A. McRobbie, President of Indiana University. A wide array of Indiana organizations - from the Indiana National Guard, which relies on IUs Title VI programming to train Service members, to local K-12 school districts, which send their teachers to language and training workshops sponsored by IUs Title VI centers will be greatly helped by the Senators legislation. Click here to view the full text of the bill. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2587,Strong Bipartisan Opposition to Trump Ex-Im Nominee,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC In response to the Senate Banking Committees decision to reject the nomination of Scott Garrett to lead the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) released the following statement:I applaud the decision of both Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee in ending the misguided nomination of Scott Garrett, President Donald Trumps choice to lead the Ex-Im Bank. There is little doubt that Garret, who worked tirelessly to shut down the Bank during his tenure in Congress, would have worked from within to destroy this vital institution, forcing hard-working Americans to pay the price. As a proven job creator that drives nationwide economic growth, I take comfort in knowing there is bipartisan consensus on the need to confirm a nominee who recognizes the role the Bank plays in strengthening our economy. Over the last 10 years, the Ex-Im Bank supported over 1.7 million American jobs. This year alone in Wisconsin, the Bank enabled the export of $181 million goods and services. The Bank has been unquestionably successful in supporting American jobs and leveling the international playing field for American manufacturers. However, it remains to be seen if President Trump will answer the bipartisan calls for him to nominate someone who will bring the Bank back to its full potential. For the sake of American exports and the ability of US workers to compete in the global economy, I hope he does.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-presses-strongbridge-biopharma-for-answers-on-dramatic-price-increase,"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Bipartisan Colleagues Press Strongbridge Biopharma for Answers on Dramatic Price Increase for Drug Treating Glaucoma, Rare Genetic Diseases",2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Bipartisan Colleagues Press Strongbridge Biopharma for Answers on Dramatic Price Increase for Drug Treating Glaucoma, Rare Genetic Diseases The Senators are urging Strongbridge to take immediate steps to alleviate the burdens their price increases have put on patients, and to ensure the companys behavior fully complies with laws, regulations and guidance WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in pressing Strongbridge Biopharma for answers on dramatic price increases for Keveyis, formerly known as Daranide. Keveyis is a drug that treats glaucoma and a type of rare genetic disease known as periodic paralysis, which causes attacks of muscle weakness or loss of muscle movement. After a series of companies bought and sold the right to the decades-old dichlorphenamide, the list price was hiked from $50 to $13,650 for 100 pills in 2015. Strongbridge recently acquired the drug and hiked the price even further to $15,001. In a letter to Chief Executive Officer Matthew Pauls, Senators Baldwin, Klobuchar and Collins urge Strongbridge to take immediate steps to alleviate the burden their price increases have put on patients and to ensure the companys behavior fully complies with relevant laws, regulations and guidance. We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the dramatic price increase for Keveyis, formerly known as Daranide, after Strongbridge Biopharma acquired the drug. As recently as the early 2000s, patients could obtain 100 pills of dichlorphenamide at a list price of $50, the Senators wrote. Yet, after a series of companies bought and sold the rights to this decades-old drug and obtained a new rare disease designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the list price increased to $13,650 for 100 pills in 2015. Strongbridge recently acquired the drug and hiked the price even further to $15,001. According to a Strongbridge, patients might pay up to $219,000 a year for this medication. The Senators continued, We are committed to combatting sudden astronomical price increases as well as any anticompetitive conduct and attempts to game the regulatory process at the expense of Americans in need of life-saving therapies. We urge you to take immediate steps to alleviate the burden your price increases have imposed on patients and to ensure your companys behavior fully complies with relevant laws, regulations and guidance. Please provide our offices with a written response including any analysis used by Strongbridge Biopharma relating to the pricing or market share of dichlorphenamide since 2015, any research and development and product improvement activities Strongbridge Biopharma has conducted since acquiring this drug, and any information reviewed or generated by the Strongbridge Biopharma Board of Directors relating to the drug over that same period. Senator Baldwin has made addressing skyrocketing prescription drug prices a top priority. Earlier this year, Senator Baldwin, along with Senators Klobuchar and John McCain (R-AZ), introduced the bipartisan Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act that would allow individuals to safely import prescription drugs from Canada, creating major savings for consumers and bringing greater competition into the pharmaceutical market. Senator Baldwin has also introduced bipartisan legislation, the FAIR Drug Pricing Act, with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to address skyrocketing prescription drug prices by requiring transparency for pharmaceutical corporations that plan to increase drug prices. In addition, Senator Baldwin joined a group of Senate Democrats to launch a major push to bring down the costs of prescription drugs by introducing the Improving Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs Act. The full text of the senators letter isbelow and is available here. Dear Mr. Pauls, We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the dramatic price increase for Keveyis, formerly known as Daranide, after Strongbridge Biopharma acquired the drug. This drug (dichlorphenamide) was approved in the U.S. in 1958. Keveyis is used to treat glaucoma as well as a type of rare genetic disease, known as periodic paralysis, which causes attacks of muscle weakness or loss of muscle movement. Some people with this condition suffer daily attacks for hours on end and these attacks can occur without warning. As recently as the early 2000s, patients could obtain 100 pills of dichlorphenamide at a list price of $50. Yet, after a series of companies bought and sold the rights to this decades-old drug and obtained a new rare disease designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the list price increased to $13,650 for 100 pills in 2015. Strongbridge recently acquired the drug and hiked the price even further to $15,001. According to Strongbridge, patients might pay up to $219,000 a year for this medication. A 300-fold increase in the cost of a vital, decades-old treatment is unacceptable. Last year, the Senate Aging Committee released a report following a bipartisan investigation into sudden price spikes in decades old drugs, uncovering a business model that exploits market failures at the expense of patients. We are committed to combatting sudden astronomical price increases as well as any anticompetitive conduct and attempts to game the regulatory process at the expense of Americans in need of life-saving therapies. We urge you to take immediate steps to alleviate the burden your price increases have imposed on patients and to ensure your companys behavior fully complies with relevant laws, regulations and guidance. Please provide our offices with a written response including any analysis used by Strongbridge Biopharma relating to the pricing or market share of dichlorphenamide since 2015, any research and development and product improvement activities Strongbridge Biopharma has conducted since acquiring this drug, and any information reviewed or generated by the Stonebridge Biopharma Board of Directors relating to the drug over that same period. Please also provide any documents examining the impact of the price increase on people with periodic paralysis and other conditions treated by this drug. We also ask that you provide a briefing to our staff at a mutually convenient time no later than three weeks from today. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-pressures-health-secretary-nominee-to-put-science-over-ideology,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and HELP Committee Democrats Pressure Health Secretary Nominee Azar to Put Science over Ideology Following Reports Health Officials Are Prohibiting Words,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and HELP Committee Democrats Pressure Health Secretary Nominee Azar to Put Science over Ideology Following Reports Health Officials Are Prohibiting Words WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined her colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary nominee Alex Azar on the troubling reports that the Trump Administration is once again putting ideology before science by restricting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies within HHS from using certain words or phrases in preparing documents for the fiscal year 2019 budget. Given Mr. Azars prior commitment to follow science and evidence at his confirmation hearing, the Senators, led by Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), requested an explanation as to how Mr. Azar would approach this issue in his position at HHS. We are incredibly concerned by this report; if true, it represents an unconscionable restriction on agency communications that prevents the department from accurately conveying the nature of its work, potentially posing a danger to critical health and scientific efforts, the Senators wrote. We also strongly oppose any communications, whether written or verbal, that suggest to Department and agency employees that they should avoid using particular words or phrases even if such guidance is not referred to as a ban. Given your pending nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, we seek your reaction to this reported new Administration policy, as well as additional information about how you would plan to address these communications restrictions if confirmed. On December 15, 2017, news outlets reported the Trump Administration had prohibited policy analysts from using a number of words and phrases in budget documents, including diversity, science-based, fetus, and transgender. CDCs work necessarily uses many, if not all, of the banned words. They are essential to the CDCs work,including addressing the health trends of LGBTQ communities, and researching the Zika virus and its impact on fetuses. In addition to Senators Baldwin and Murray, the letter was signed by all of the Democratic members of the Senate HELP Committee, including Senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA), Al Franken (D-MN), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). Full text of the letter is below and available here. December 19, 2017 Alex M. Azar II c/o The Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Mr. Azar: On December 15, 2017, the Washington Post reported that the Trump Administration has prohibited officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other parts of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using a number of words or phrases in documents prepared for the fiscal year 2019 (FY19) budget. We are incredibly concerned by this report; if true, it represents an unconscionable restriction on agency communications that prevents the Department from accurately conveying the nature of its work, potentially posing a danger to critical health and scientific efforts. We also strongly oppose any communications, whether written or verbal, that suggest to Department and agency employees that they should avoid using particular words or phrases even if such guidance is not referred to as a ban. Given your pending nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, we seek your reaction to this reported new Administration policy, as well as additional information about how you would plan to address these communications restrictions if confirmed. According to news reports, CDC officials received a list of seven prohibited words or phrases during a meeting last week with senior agency budget officials.[1] The forbidden words are vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based and science-based. The prohibition applies to the budget and supporting materials being prepared for the FY19 budget proposal, which is expected to be released in early February. Meeting attendees were reportedly not provided a reason why these words are banned, but the words vulnerable, entitlement, and diversity have already been flagged for correction in draft documents. Subsequent reports indicate the prohibition is not exclusive to CDC.[2] There also continues to be confusion about whether the prohibition applies beyond budget documents.[3] CDCs work necessarily uses many, if not all, of the banned words. For example, the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention addresses the health trends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals.[4] Through this office, the CDC offers resources and information for transgender individuals, including information on HIV in transgender communities.[5] In fact, CDCs own data makes clear that transgender individuals are at increased risk for HIV, in part because of exactly the kind of stigma this dangerous prohibition stands to perpetuate.[6] The CDCs work on the Zika virus involves study of the passage of the virus from a pregnant woman to her fetus and the potential for birth defects in the fetus.[7] CDCs Office of Minority Health includes a division dedicated to diversity and inclusion management. It is hard to understand how CDC might prepare budget documents and more broadly conduct its work while omitting these key words and phrases. Within HHS more broadly, these prohibited words and phrases are used frequently. For example, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) operates a national registry of evidence-based programs and practices to inform the public of mental health and substance use interventions.[8] In FY2018, SAMHSA requested $2.8 million for the registry.[9] Part of the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) mission is to help[] the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medical products and foods to maintain and improve their health.[10] The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) within HHS has published thousands of documents studying vulnerable populations.[11] There are many more examples of the use of these words and phrases across the Department. The reports of explicit prohibition on the use of certain words or phrases unnecessarily inserts ideology into the work of the CDC, whose mission is to conduct[] critical science and provide[] health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and throughout the Department.[12] The censorship has the potential to freeze scientific advancement at the agency and across the Department, and it sends a clear message that the Trump Administration is yet again prioritizing ideology over science. If confirmed, you will be in a position to dictate departmental policy and budget. You have previously expressed a commitment to following science and evidence at the Department. During your nomination hearing before the HELP Committee last month, you stated, if I am Secretary, I am the Secretary for all Americans. we have programs that this Congress has created and that HHS is there to implement, and I would faithfully implement those programs. We may differ in different elements of how those get implemented, but I firmly believe in following evidence and science where it go[es] -- where it will take us in running these programs.[13] When asked about womens access to free contraception, you said, I will follow the law there. If the law requires the coverage, and if the evidence and the science and the facts support that ... then well follow the law there. It seems difficult to reconcile your stated beliefs about following science and evidence with reports of the Administrations ideological censorship that undermines much of CDCs work and the broader health mission of the Department. To help us understand how you would approach the policy if confirmed, please respond to the following questions by no later than January 2, 2017: Are you aware of whether the reports of the Trump Administration banning key words and phrases from HHS documents are accurate? If the reports are accurate, do you agree with the Trump Administrations reported decision to prohibit the use of the seven words and phrases from HHS budget documents? If so, please describe for each word or phrase how the Department and patients and families stand to benefit from its prohibition. If confirmed, would you plan to continue the prohibition? If not, why not? If confirmed, would you propose to include any additional prohibited words or phrases, or would you propose to eliminate any of the current words or phrases? How do you believe censorship of certain words or phrases affects the work of the CDC or HHS at large? Do you believe the restriction has an impact on the science- and evidence-based work conducted by the agency? Thank you in advance for your attention to this critical matter. If you have any questions, or would like to further discuss compliance with this request, please contact Andi Fristedt or Elizabeth Letter with Senator Murrays HELP Committee Staff at 202-224-6403.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-statement-on-republican-tax-legislation,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Republican Tax Legislation,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Republican Tax Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today issued the following statement after House and Senate Republicans passed partisan tax legislation: This is largely a taxgiveawayto the wealthiest few, big corporations and Wall Street while millions of middle class families will face tax hikes. Powerful corporations get permanent tax breaks, the top 1% will see 83% of the benefits, and Republicans have put peoples health care on the chopping block to pay for it. Thats just not right and its not fair. This was a huge missed opportunity to do right by working families in Wisconsin. We should have worked together on bipartisan reform that was focused on the middle class but Republicans chose a go-it-alone approach to deliver a huge gift to those who have too much power and influence in Washington. ### Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2585,GOP Tax Scam: Another Gift to Corporations,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC In response to today's vote on, H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) released the following statement: ""As members of Congress, we have a duty to always put the needs of our constituents before our own. This reckless Republican tax bill not only represents a deep misunderstanding of that responsibility, but also exposes the extent of their indifference to the struggles of poor and working class families. ""The GOP tax scam betrays every tenet of responsible governing and meaningful reform. It further complicates the tax code and creates even more loopholes for their corporate donors. When fully implemented, their plan will raise taxes on every single income group making less than $75,000 per year. Of the advertised tax benefits, 83% will go to the top 1% of taxpayers. ""Its no secret that CEOs have already stated their intention of passing these tax cuts to their shareholders rather than creating jobs or raising wages. Our constituents are rightfully sick and tired of these empty promises, trickle-down myths, and attempts to chip away at the bedrock safety net programs upon which they depend. Thats why Ill continue to fight for policies that truly grow our economy and support the needs of regular Americans.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-slams-ryan-and-republicans-for-slashing-corporate-taxes-at-the,Pocan Slams Ryan and Republicans for Slashing Corporate Taxes at the Expense of the Middle Class,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 19, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement regarding the final version of the Republican tax bill, which was passed today in the House of Representatives. ""Speaker Ryan and House Republicans just passed one of the biggest legislative scams in American history. Despite all of the rhetoric, lofty promises, and downright lies, the GOP tax bill is not written for the middle class, it's written for corporations and the wealthy. Today, Speaker Ryan and Republicans confirmed loud and clear that their priority is to help corporate and special interests at the expense of working families in Wisconsin and across the United States. ""Make no mistake, the Republican tax plan will negatively impact millions of American families, but what Speaker Ryan will do next is even worse. The handouts to corporations and the wealthy from this bill are so drastic that they are projected to balloon the deficit by more than $1.4 trillion, and Speaker Ryan is already planning to use this as an excuse to make massive cuts to programs like Medicare and Social Security. ""And while Speaker Ryan has been fighting to give corporations tax cuts at the expense of the middle class, he's neglected to reauthorize critical services like the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Federal Perkins Loans Program. When Congress returns in January, I will do all that I can to fight for working families and stop Speaker Ryan's radical agenda from doing more harm."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:19:19Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wsaw-senator-tammy-baldwins-bipartisan-legislation-to-boost-forest-health-and-timber-economy,WSAW: Senator Tammy Baldwin's Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Forest Health and Timber Economy,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwins-legislation-supporting-family-caregivers-passes-house,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Bipartisan Legislation to Support Family Caregivers Passes the House,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwins Bipartisan Legislation to Support Family Caregivers Passes the House Bipartisan legislation establishing a coordinated strategy to support family caregivers is endorsed by more than 60 aging and disability organizations WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Susan Collins (R-ME) today applauded House passage of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senators Baldwin and Collins in May 2017, would establish a coordinated strategy to support family caregivers. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and sustain a strategy to recognize and support the more than 40 million family caregivers in the United States. This bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by more than 60 aging and disability organizations, including the AARP, the Alzheimers Association, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Arc. Every day, family caregivers do right by their loved ones and we need to do right by them by formally recognizing and supporting family caregivers, said Senator Baldwin. This bipartisan effort is especially personal to me as I was raised by my maternal grandparents and later served as my grandmothers primary caretaker as she grew older. I know the challenges that family caregivers face. Ive listened to family caregivers across Wisconsin and worked to help make a difference in their lives. Our legislation will provide much-needed support for family caregivers, ensuring that our older adults and loved ones with disabilities receive the highest quality care in their own homes. I look forward to seeing our bipartisan legislation signed into law. Family caregivers play an essential role in our communities by dedicating time and attention and making countless personal and financial sacrifices to care for their loved ones, said Senator Collins. I am delighted that the House has now passed our bipartisan legislation, which will develop a coordinated strategic plan to leverage our resources, promote best practices, and expand services and training available to caregivers.I look forward to our bill becoming law. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act was supported by a broad bipartisan coalition of cosponsors including Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Senators Baldwin and Collins first introduced the RAISE Family Caregivers Act in July 2015, and the legislation first passed the Senate unanimously in December 2015. Learn more about the RAISE Act here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/waow-senator-tammy-baldwin-against-gop-tax-plan-to-give-tax-breaks-to-the-wealthy,WAOW: Senator Tammy Baldwin Against GOP Tax Plan to Give Tax Breaks to the Wealthy,2017-12-18,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/waow-senator-tammy-baldwin-against-gop-tax-plan-to-give-tax-breaks-to-the-wealthy-2017-12-18,WAOW: Senator Tammy Baldwin Against GOP Tax Plan to Give Tax Breaks to the Wealthy,2017-12-18,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2589,"Reps. Moore and Paulsen Introduce Legislation to Help Trafficking Victims, Invest in Resources and Training",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Reps. Moore and Paulsen Introduce Legislation to Help Trafficking Victims, Invest in Resources and Training f t # e Washington, DC, December 15, 2017 Washington, D.C. This week, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) introduced the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to promote justice and services for trafficking survivors. This legislation encourages federal agencies to promptly report data on human trafficking offenses to the FBI and requires the Department of Homeland Security to submit an annual assessment on trends from human trafficking investigations. It also further improves training for law enforcement personnel by promoting a victim-centered approach to combatting human trafficking.Additionally, the bill formally authorizes an Office of Victim Assistance within the Department of Homeland Security. The specially trained victim assistance personnel at this office play a crucial role in securing victims cooperation with trafficking investigations. For far too long, Americas criminal justice system has failed to protect those who have fallen victim to human trafficking, said Congresswoman Moore. In order to substantively combat this pervasive and complex issue, local and federal law enforcement officials must have the tools and training necessary to identify and respond to human trafficking in all of its forms. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017 not only addresses these concerns, but also builds upon the progress of the Violence Against Women Act to strengthen existing laws and grant federal agencies the capacity to provide critical services to trafficking survivors. During a time in our national politics when sensible legislation is regularly stymied by partisan entrenchment, I take great pride in the work Rep. Erik Paulsen and I have achieved in developing a bipartisan approach to end this form of modern-day slavery. When human trafficking survivors are freed from this modern-day slavery, we need to make sure these victims have the resources they need to get back on their feet and get the justice they deserve, said Congressman Paulsen. We must remain diligent in the effort to end sex trafficking and bolster the tools we have to help those in need. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-addresses-sexual-harassment-of-tipped-workers,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Call on EEOC to Address Rampant Sexual Harassment of Tipped Workers,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Call on EEOC to Address Rampant Sexual Harassment of Tipped Workers Sexual Harassment Remains Persistent Problem for Tipped Workers, Particularly Women of Color WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined18 of her colleaguesin sending a letter to Acting Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Victoria Lipnic requesting information onthe commissionsefforts to address sexual harassment in the food and hospitality industries, which have high numbers of tipped workers. The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal workplace anti-discrimination laws andinvestigatingdiscrimination charges that employees file with the commission.In fiscal year 2016alone, the EEOC received close to 13,000 complaints involving sexual harassment.? Sexual harassment is pervasive throughout the United States, and it does not discriminate by industry. Yet EEOC data shows that theaccommodation and food servicesindustryincluding restaurants and the hospitality industryis particularly rife with harassment,wrote the Senators. Sexual harassment remains a persistent problem for American workersparticularly women and people of color. From fiscal years 2005 to 2015, complaints from accommodation and food services workers accounted for 14.2% of all sexual harassment allegations filed with the EEOC.Over 60% of workers who rely on tips are women, and 40% are people of color.Data show that tipped workers are particularly susceptible to sexual harassment. Some evidence also suggests that tipped workers who are paid less than the minimum wage experience higher rates of sexual harassment than tipped workers paid the standard minimum wage. To better understand the EEOCs ongoing efforts to address sexual harassment, the senators asked the EEOC to provide thorough answers on what the EEOC has done to identify, investigate, and limit sexual harassment in the workplace no later thanJanuary 5, 2018. The letter was led by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and also signed by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). A copy of the letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-urging-resources-to-opioid-epidemic,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators Urging Congressional Leadership to Commit Resources to Opioid Epidemic,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators Urging Congressional Leadership to Commit Resources to Opioid Epidemic WASHINGTON, D.C. As the Nations opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined a bipartisan coalition in calling on Senate leadership to provide states with the resources they need to tackle this ongoing public health emergency. In their letter, the bipartisan group urge Leaders Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to include additional funding dedicated to addressing the crisis in the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation, wrote the Senators. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from Acting Secretary Hargan that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. In addition to Senator Baldwin, Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) also signed the letter. The full text of the letter is available here and can be seen below: December 15, 2017 Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Democratic Leader Schumer: We write today to discuss our Nations opioid misuse epidemic and the urgent need for Congress to provide our states with the resources they need to deal with this public health emergency. In light of recent statements from the administration asking Congress to act on this issue, we believe the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation present significant opportunities for additional funding. As you are aware, the opioid misuse epidemic is taking a toll on individuals, families and communities across the Nation. It is tearing apart families and straining the resources of local governments, law enforcement and public health agencies. Although we are pleased by the recent declaration of the epidemic as a public health emergency, that action needs to be coupled with adequate, sustained resources. On December 4, Acting HHS Secretary Eric Hargan stated that the administration is looking forward to hearing from Congress about how they intend to address this. That means it is up to us to act. We urge you to advance a spending package that will provide substantial new resources for our families and our communities who have waited too long for help. Although the measures in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), the 21st Century Cures legislation and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 were important first steps, we must now build upon those efforts to ensure that states have adequate resources for first responders, enforcement, prevention efforts and treatment and recovery services. We must also provide more resources for research into addiction and pain, to gain a better understanding of the disease and develop innovative new treatments for substance misuse. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from Acting Secretary Hargan that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. Thank you and we look forward to working with you to ensure that our communities receive the resources they need to effectively address this national crisis. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-statement-on-fcc-vote-to-end-net-neutrality,Pocan Statement on FCC Vote to End Net Neutrality,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement regarding the Federal Communications Commission's vote to eliminate the Open Internet Order and end the long held principle of net neutrality. ""Millions of Americans have called on the FCC to support an open Internet, not one that is controlled by a handful of powerful corporations that could charge extra for higher speeds and more access. Despite these calls, the FCC rejected the will of the American people and voted to hand the Internet over to special interests. ""Net neutrality evens the playing field, protects consumers, and ensures that small businesses can remain competitive. Now that the FCC has completed a process filled with secrecy, technical flaws, and fraud, this decision must be revisited. Congress should immediately find a legislative solution to ensure that net neutrality remains the law.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:19:19Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-fights-to-restore-fcc-net-neutrality-rules,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Fight to Restore FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Fight to Restore FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules CRA resolution would reinstate robust net neutrality protections and the Open Internet Order WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and 15 other Senators today announced their plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would undo today’s action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and restore the 2015 net neutrality rules. Today, the FCC approved an item that removes the 2015 Open Internet Order, which the D.C. Circuit Court upheld in 2016. The Open Internet Order prohibited internet service providers from setting up internet fast and slow lanes and ensured they could not block or slow down internet traffic. “Today the FCC voted to roll back net neutrality rules and allow internet service providers to create an uneven playing field in the online marketplace for services and ideas,” said Senator Baldwin. “We must work to ensure that the internet does not become a two-tiered system, with fast lanes for some and slow lanes for others. Net neutrality is a principle that is at the heart of an accessible and free internet, and I believe we need to protect innovators, entrepreneurs and consumers and keep the internet open for everyone.” The CRA resolution, led by Senator Markey (D-MA), would rescind FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s item and fully restore the Open Internet Order. CRA resolutions allow Congress to overturn regulatory actions at federal agencies with a simple majority vote in both chambers.  In accordance with the Congressional Review Act, the Senators will formally introduce the resolution once the rule is submitted to both houses of Congress and published in the federal register. Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA) plans to introduce a CRA resolution in the House of Representatives.   Along with Senator Baldwin, the CRA resolution was cosponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D–CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). A copy of the CRA can be found here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-supports-legislation-to-combat-sexual-harassment,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in Congress,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in Congress The Congressional Harassment Reform Act to Bring Transparency and Accountability to Sexual Harassment Reporting Process WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today helped introduce new, bipartisan legislation that would overhaul the current process that victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress must go through when reporting a claim. The bipartisan Congressional Harassment Reform Act, led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), would bring transparency and accountability to the current process by extending protections to interns and fellows, eliminating forced mediation, ending the current required secrecy in the process by allowing victims to speak publicly about their case, requiring Members of Congress found personally liable for harassment to pay settlements out of their own pockets, and improving systems to address harassment and discrimination in Congress. “We need to make major changes here in Congress and get our house in order. The current process for victims of sexual harassment or discrimination on Capitol Hill is difficult to navigate and lacks transparency,” said Senator Baldwin. “This needs to change and Senator Gillibrand’s bipartisan legislation will reform the current process so it works better for victims and provides more transparency to the public.""  Specifically, the Congressional Harassment Reform Act: Extends protections against harassment and discrimination to interns and fellows. Requires everyone working on Capitol Hill, including Members, to undergo training on harassment and discrimination. Changes the name of the Office of Compliance (OOC) to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. Puts victims in the driver’s seat by allowing them to choose how to resolve their complaint (e.g. counseling and mediation are both no longer mandatory) and protecting their option to discuss their claim publicly. Establishes a Confidential Advisor to consult, on a confidential basis, with any employee who has alleged harassment or discrimination; and assist any employee who has an allegation under Title IV in understanding the procedures, and the significance of the procedures. Gives OOC’s General Counsel the authority to conduct interviews and gather evidence regarding complaints of covered harassment and discrimination filed under this section, including interviews with former employees. Allows individuals to work remotely without penalty throughout proceedings. Improves tracking of complaints and procedures by implementing an online platform. Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, they will be responsible for the cost of any settlement. Requires that if a Member of Congress is found to be personally liable for harassment or discrimination, any settlement must be approved by the Senate or House Ethics Committee. Requires that all settlements will be publicly disclosed unless the victims choose to keep them private. Requires offices to post notices with information about employees’ rights and how to contact the Office of Compliance. Provides for a climate survey to identify the pervasiveness of the problem and what gaps continue to exist in its resolution.   In addition to Senator Baldwin, the following Senators are original cosponsors of the legislation: Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). A copy of the legislation can be found here.  Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-propose-bipartisan-american-timber-economy-reform,"Senators Baldwin, Johnson and Klobuchar Propose Bipartisan Reform to Enhance American Timber Economy",2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.17 Senators Baldwin, Johnson and Klobuchar Propose Bipartisan Reform to Enhance American Timber Economy The Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act would update Good Neighbor Authority to avoid timber harvest delays, allow needed road repairs WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is continuing her advocacy for the forest products industry by introducing the bipartisan Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act that would amend the 2014 Farm Bill to allow the Forest Service’s Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) to cover forest management efforts that require road repair, improve forest access and complete stalled Forest Service projects. The bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act proactively addresses the need to conduct road repairs in order to complete Forest Service projects in the next few years. This modification also supports ecosystem goals by improving forest health, restoring wildlife and fish habitat and improving water quality. “Good Neighbor Authority has proven to be a very useful tool to accelerate the pace of work done on our national forests. We have made real progress in in recent years both in forest restoration and in increasing timber sales. In order to keep moving forward, we need to update Good Neighbor Authority and I’m proud of the bipartisan coalition we have built in support of that effort,” said Senator Baldwin. “This needed update will lead to more gains in forest health and wildlife habitat, while continuing the increased timber sales we’ve seen in recent years and meeting long-term forest stewardship goals for our national forests.” “While having the GNA program in place since 2016 has boosted the logging economy across northern Wisconsin, we need to remove the program’s current exemption on the use of GNA funds to fix permanent forest roads. When a bid turns into a sale and a cut is lined up, we can’t let a forest road in need of repair slow down the process,” said Senator Johnson. “I’m proud to partner with my colleagues to push for an improvement in a program that is helping Wisconsin loggers not just survive, but begin to thrive.” “Minnesota’s forests don’t just provide recreational opportunities and environmental benefits. They can also sustain rural economies,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This bipartisan bill will continue to encourage collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service and state agencies to undertake forest management projects, which will help protect water resources, enhance wildlife habitat, restore forest health, and strengthen our local economies.” During her time in the United States Senate, Senator Baldwin has worked to ensure the U.S. Forest Service has the tools it needs to work with the timber industry and wildlife advocates to meet goals the Forest Service has for sustainable timber harvest, forest restoration, and wildlife habitat. In October 2014, she hosted Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell for a discussion of forest management issues in Wisconsin, and pressed him to ensure that tools including stewardship contracting and “Good Neighbor Authority” were used in Wisconsin. “The Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) is very appreciative for Senator Baldwin’s commitment to ensure full utilization of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill,” said GLTPA President Max Ericson. “We are confident this legislation will greatly enhance the productivity of Wisconsin’s already successful GNA program.” “We fully support and appreciate Senator Baldwin’s efforts to amend the Agriculture Act of 2014, addressing necessary language changes regarding forest roads integral to the continued success of Good Neighbor Authority in the State of Wisconsin,” said Norman K. Bickford, President, Wisconsin County Forests Association Board of Directors.  “We expect this bill will provide numerous additional opportunities for state forestry agencies to work together and more efficiently with our federal partners on federal forest lands. It is simply good government,” said George Geissler, President of the National Association of State Foresters and Oklahoma State Forester.    “As the management budget of the Forest Service is depleted by larger and more devastating wildfires, it is increasingly important to allow states to lend a hand in federal forest restoration,” said Ben B. Hollingsworth Jr., President of the Boone and Crockett Club. “The Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act will allow states to work on a broader array of projects to create healthier forests. This is good for the health and vitality of our federal forest public lands, our water quality, the wildlife living there, and everyone who relies on these lands for outdoor recreation.” “The Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act represents a mid-western, common sense improvement to the Good Neighbor Authority, which will benefit our National Forests and surrounding rural communities,” said Steve Kariainen, Forest Resources Association Lake States Coordinator. The Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act is supported by the Federal Forest Resource Coalition, Forest Resources Association, National Association of State Foresters, Hardwood Federation, Boone and Crockett Club, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, Wisconsin County Forests Association, LP Building Products, Flambeau River Paper Mill, Futurewood Corporation and Johnson Timber Corporation. Senator Baldwin supported the 2014 Farm Bill that authorized the use of Good Neighbor Authority. The bill also permanently authorized Stewardship Contracting, which allows the Forest Service to partner with stakeholder groups to accomplish forest management and wildlife habitat restoration projects. As a strong supporter of Wisconsin’s timber economy, Senator Baldwin championed the use of Good Neighbor Authority in Wisconsin. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Wisconsin DNR established an agreement to work together under the authority in 2015.  Since then, Good Neighbor contributed to a substantial increase in timber harvest in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, along with Stewardship Agreements and the work of the Forest Service.  Timber sales on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest have risen steadily in recent years, from 77.1 million board feet (mmbf) in 2014 to 81.1 mmbf in 2015 to 114.8 mmbf in 2016. The Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act will allow increased sales and forest restoration projects to continue. Read the full text of the Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-introduces-bipartisan-bill-assist-small-businesses-offering,Rep. Kind Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Assist Small Businesses in Offering Retirement Plans to Employees,2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Kind introduced the bipartisan Small Businesses Add Value for Employees (SAVE) Act of 2017, which will encourage more small businesses to offer retirement savings plans to their employees. “A comfortable retirement is something everyone seeks to achieve – whether they work for a big business or a small business. Unfortunately, many small businesses don’t offer retirement savings plans to employees because it can be complicated and costly. By taking steps to make it easier for Wisconsin small businesses to offer their employees a retirement plan we level the playing field and set workers and businesses up for future success,” said Rep. Kind. The bill introduced by Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisc.) and Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) removes the “common bond” requirement, enabling small businesses to pool together, regardless of industry, to offer retirement plans to their employees.  Rep. Kind has been active on this issue since 2008.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-demands-delay-of-net-neutrality-decision,"Citing Unknown and Potentially Damaging Impacts on Students and Schools, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Demand Delay of Net Neutrality Decision",2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.17 Citing Unknown and Potentially Damaging Impacts on Students and Schools, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Demand Delay of Net Neutrality Decision Schools in low-income and rural areas relying on high-speed internet to help kids learn could be hit especially hard by FCC decision Senators: “From early childhood education through higher education and workforce training, students need access to high-speed internet in order to learn and make the most of their educational experience” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined 21 of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai urging him to consider how a free, fair, and open internet provides our nation’s students in P-12 and higher education with opportunities to learn and succeed. Senators requested Chairman Pai delay the proposed vote to dismantle existing net neutrality rules until he specifically addresses the impacts on students and schools—specifically those in rural or low-income communities, as well as how the decision it will impact education equities and the digital divide. “By overturning the Commission’s current rules that preserve net neutrality and prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, throttling, or otherwise privileging lawful content, we fear that the Draft Order could harm our nation’s students and schools—especially those in rural and low-income communities,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to delay this monumental decision to dismantle net neutrality until you have fully examined the Draft Order’s impact on our nation’s students and their ability to learn.” Allowing internet service providers to limit access and increase costs could increase the digital divide for students in rural and low-income areas, where their only access to the internet may be at a resource-constrained school or a public library. This decision could also hinder teachers’ and students’ ability to access educational materials from around the globe and make it more difficult for students with disabilities and English learners to receive a high-quality education. On December 14, the Commission is expected to vote along party lines in favor of Chairman Pai’s proposal, which will roll back the FCC’s current prohibitions against blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, and will give more power to internet service providers (ISPs). The letter was led by HELP Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), and was also signed by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Al Franken (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).  Full text of letter below and available here. December 12, 2017  The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street Southwest Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: We write today regarding your draft order—the Restoring Internet Freedom Order (“the Draft Order”) —and its potential impacts on students, schools, and institutions of higher education. By overturning the Commission’s current rules that preserve net neutrality and prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, throttling, or otherwise privileging lawful content, we fear that the Draft Order could harm our nation’s students and schools—especially those in rural and low-income communities. We urge you to delay this monumental decision to dismantle net neutrality until you have fully examined the Draft Order’s impact on our nation’s students and their ability to learn. In the past four years, P-12 schools have made enormous strides in improving access to high-speed connectivity for all students. In 2013, 40 million students were in schools not meeting the 100 kbps per student threshold. By 2017, only 6.5 million students were in schools not meeting this goal—narrowing this gap by 84 percent.[1] From early childhood education through higher education and workforce training, students need access to high-speed internet in order to learn and make the most of their educational experience. The Draft Order runs counter to our national goal of affordable, high-speed internet for all students. By rolling back the FCC’s current prohibitions against blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, the Draft Order could lead to a tiered and compartmentalized internet, and whose characteristic openness is limited to those students, schools, and institutions who can afford it. Beyond that, the Draft Order threatens to impede innovation that has taken place within the educational sphere, including when it comes to access to high-quality online coursework. Our nation’s P-12 education system increasingly relies on an open internet to improve equity and access to high-quality content and instruction. Teachers depend on the internet to collaborate with colleagues and to access educational materials from around the globe. Entrepreneurs and educators alike have been able to develop high-quality educational technologies that support state standards and equip schools and teachers to personalize instruction. These technologies, which include educational apps and online coursework, help students learn valuable research and internet safety skills, and expand access to a high-quality education for students with disabilities and English learners. By allowing ISPs to limit access and increase costs, the Draft Order could threaten educational equity and exacerbate the digital divide.  Rural schools could be particularly harmed by the potential effects of the Draft Order. One recent analysis shows that the 77 percent of the schools that lack high-speed fiber connections are in rural communities.[2] Despite the Draft Order’s claim that the Commission’s current rules have stifled investment in internet infrastructure and rural communities, independent studies have found that such investments by ISPs have largely remained stable[3] and in some cases have increased in underserved areas.[4] The Draft Order would neither protect fiscally-strapped schools and school districts from aggressive ISP pricing practices, nor would it guarantee any additional investment in underserved areas. Institutions of higher education rely on an open internet to carry out both their educational and research missions. For instance, online coursework has grown significantly over the past decade: as of the fall of 2015, more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course, representing about 30 percent of enrollments, compared to less than 10 percent in the fall of 2002.[5] Should the Draft Order be adopted, video lectures and online learning resources that are essential to institutions of higher education may be rendered unavailable by ISPs that decide to block them or otherwise privilege a competing resource. Additionally, basic research, which today more than ever relies upon frequent exchange of massive data sets online, could be severely impacted by a tiered and tolled internet. The Association of Research Libraries has stated that “if our institutions had to pay a fee in order to access these connections or download these digital files, it wouldn't happen.”[6] Resource-constrained public institutions of higher education, the biggest users of online coursework, which remain funded nearly $9 billion below their per-student levels before the Great Recession, would particularly feel these constraints.[7] The Draft Order may also disproportionately impact students whose only adequate connection to the internet is the one inside their classroom. Even in 2017, far too many students lack access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection outside their classrooms—at home or off-campus. According to a 2015 Pew Research Center analysis, approximately 5 million households with school-age children did not have high-speed internet at home.[8] This analysis found that households with annual incomes under $50,000 were more than three times as likely to lack a high-speed connection than those with incomes over $50,000; nearly 40 percent of households with annual incomes under $25,000—165 percent of full-time federal minimum wage[9]—did not have a high-speed connection.[10] Coupled with the Commission’s recent modifications to the Lifeline program and proposed changes to the critical Universal Service Fund’s Schools and Libraries Program (“E-Rate”) program, implementation of the Draft Order could further deepen the “digital divide,” effectively limiting or outright denying internet access to the students who need it most. In summary, we are deeply concerned about the Draft Order’s impact on our nation’s education system. Subsequently, we ask that you delay your planned vote to roll back net neutrality and forever change the landscape of the internet until you can satisfactorily answer the following questions: The Draft Order fails to make a single mention of ‘student’ or ‘students’ in its 210 pages; to what extent did the Commission contemplate the Draft Order’s impact on students and the programs, schools, and institutions of higher education that they attend? What tangible and enforceable guarantees does the Draft Order provide for schools and institutions of higher education in rural areas, which face substantial barriers to accessing a high-speed internet connection? What evidence does the Commission have that the Draft Order will provide superior connectivity over the regulatory regime currently in place? How will the Draft Order affect the E-Rate program, including the progress made in such program since the 2014 modernization order? Paragraph 256 of the Draft Order “reject[s] the contrary argument ISPs will engage in ‘virtual redlining’ because, as discussed, paid prioritization is likely to lead to increased network investment and lower costs to end users, particularly benefitting those on the wrong side of the digital divide.”[11] What steps will the Commission take to ensure that ISPs do not engage in such behavior and that issues associated with the “digital divide” and the “homework gap” are not being actively exacerbated by the regulatory framework envisioned by the Draft Order? We thank you for your consideration of these pressing issues. We look forward to your swift and detailed response.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwins-maritime-legislation-becomes-law,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Bipartisan Legislation Supporting Maritime Industry Becomes Law,2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Bipartisan Legislation Supporting Maritime Industry Becomes Law Bipartisan Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act addresses the critical need for trained workers in the maritime industry WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. This bipartisan legislation helps address the critical need for trained workers in the maritime industry. “It is an honor to represent a state with a long and proud maritime manufacturing tradition,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to see this bipartisan legislation signed into law, in order to help ensure the future of our maritime workforce.” The Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act authorizes the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to designate community and technical colleges with maritime training program as centers of excellence and allow the Administration to provide technical assistance and other support to these institutions as they train the domestic maritime workforce. “The legislation reinforces how important the marine manufacturing talent and skills of the Great Lakes Region are to the nation,” said Ann Franz, director of the North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance (NCMMA).  “At the heart of the marine industry, there is a highly skilled workforce with an unwavering passion. We see this as an opportunity to showcase world class marine manufacturing in northeast Wisconsin and grow the shipbuilding and maritime careers in our area.” “Passage of the Maritime Centers of Excellence legislation empowers Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to remain in the forefront of maritime and marine education and training,” said NWTC President Dr. Jeff Rafn. “The College will collaborate with other Centers of Excellence throughout the country to prepare workers for the maritime and marine manufacturing industry. Northeast Wisconsin is a premier shipbuilding center on the Great Lakes. Designating a Maritime Center of Excellence at NWTC will improve the opportunities for the Great Lakes marine manufacturing industry to innovate and grow. We are thankful for the support of our congressional delegation, who clearly understand the critical role technical and community colleges including NWTC play in sustaining and growing the maritime and marine workforce.” The bipartisan legislation is supported by the North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance and the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) and was cosponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-tammy-baldwin-highlights-report-encouraging-transparency-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs,Senator Tammy Baldwin Highlights Report Encouraging Transparency to Lower Prescription Drug Costs,2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/buy-american-report-remains-incomplete,"President Trump Signed a Buy American Executive Order in April, but Administration Report Remains Incomplete",2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.17 President Trump Signed a Buy American Executive Order in April, but Administration Report Remains Incomplete U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Urges Trump Administration to Complete and Release Buy American Report WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has sent a letter to President Trump calling for the Trump Administration to complete and make public a Buy American report that the President called for eight months ago. On April 18, 2017, President Trump visited Kenosha, Wisconsin and signed an Executive Order on Buy American and Hire American. As part of the President’s order he tasked his own Administration to complete a report on Buy American laws and submit it to him within 220 days of the order, which was November 24, 2017.  In her letter to President Trump, Senator Baldwin writes: “I understand that the report is not finished and I am writing to urge your Administration to expedite the publication of this now late report.” Senator Baldwin has worked to advance Buy American policies in the Senate, introducing those that would help rebuild America’s crumbling drinking water infrastructure with American made iron and steel. Baldwin’s legislation passed the Senate last year with broad bipartisan support (95-3). According to media reports, importers of cheap foreign steel from Russia hired a Washington D.C. lobbying firm to encourage Speaker Ryan to eliminate or loosen Buy American laws for their own benefit. The firm employs former House Speaker John Boehner and several former top Republican aides. Speaker Paul Ryan and the Republican House Leadership stripped Senator Baldwin’s legislation from the final water infrastructure bill. Senator Baldwin then introduced an amendment to restore her Buy America reform and demanded a vote. Majority Leader McConnell blocked a simple request to consider the amendment and obstructed a vote in the Senate. While visiting Wisconsin in April, President Trump was asked by local media if he supported Senator Baldwin’s Made in America Water Infrastructure Act. President Trump said “I do,” and also said, “I agree with her 100 percent.” However, the President has yet to push Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan to act on Baldwin’s Buy America legislation. Also in April, Senator Baldwin led cosponsors of the Made in America Water Infrastructure Act in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman John Barrasso calling on them act on the Buy America legislation. In her letter to the President, Senator Baldwin writes: “I again urge you to prioritize the completion of the report. And, I remain hopeful that we can work together to ensure Congress strengthens our government’s commitment to buying American-made goods in order to improve wages, boost growth, and support American manufacturers.” The Executive Order requires the report to examine the effect of international trade obligations on our Buy American laws. Senator Baldwin requested a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on that very subject, which she shared with President Trump on March 10, 2017. The findings of that report led Senator Baldwin and her colleagues to call on the Trump Administration to remove the government procurement chapter from NAFTA. In her letter, Senator Baldwin writes, “I provided you with an advance copy of one of the GAO reports we requested. That report found that the United States opened twice as much procurement to foreign firms as the next five largest World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement signatories combined (European Union, Japan, South Korea, Norway, and Canada). Given the findings in the report, I wrote to you, along with eight of my Senate colleagues, to ask you to remove the government procurement chapter from NAFTA. I hope that the forthcoming report will inform the position of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during NAFTA renegotiations.” An online version of the letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1290,Roy Moore Poses Significant Threat to Youth in U.S. Senate Page Program,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. In response to concerns over Roy Moores presence in the U.S. Senate and the threat he represents to young people who participate in the U.S. Senate Page Program, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) wrote a letter to the Senate Sergeant at Arms to determine what preventative steps are being taken to protect Senate Pages from predatory conduct. As Congresswoman Moore writes, It has come to light that Roy Moore is alleged to have had a number of inappropriate relationships with at least ten minors. The threat Roy Moore posed to minors was so notorious and troublesome that in 1979 he was banned from the Gadsen Mall and YMCA for soliciting sex from minor girls. In addition to initiating a sexual encounter with a fourteen-year-old when he was a thirty-two-year-old district attorney, Moore pursued relationships with three minors/young women between the ages of sixteen to eighteen during this time. I believe my fears are well founded. We have seen Members of Congress abuse the Congressional Page Program. You will recall that in 2006, former Republican Representative Mark Foley resigned after sending suggestive emails and text messages to male Pages. Unfortunately, this was a contributing factor in the then elimination of the House Page Program. We need to be vigilant stewards of these children going forward. Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper U.S. Capitol Room S-151 Washington, DC 20510 RE: Safeguarding the Youth in the U.S. Senate Page Program Dear Senate Sergeant at Arms, I write you today to share my urgent concern regarding the threat to the safety of the young men and women working in the United States Senate Page Program if Roy Moore becomes the U.S. Senator to Alabama. It has come to light that Roy Moore is alleged to have had a number of inappropriate relationships with at least ten minors. The threat Roy Moore posed to minors was so notorious and troublesome that in 1979 he was banned from the Gadsen Mall and YMCA for soliciting sex from minor girls. In addition to initiating a sexual encounter with a fourteen-year-old when he was a thirty-two-year-old district attorney, Moore pursued relationships with three minors/young women between the ages of sixteen to eighteen during this time. As you know, for more than 180 years, the Congressional Page Program has provided a unique, life changing opportunity for young people interested in learning about the legislative process. These students are often high school juniors and seniors as young as 16 years of age. My state of Wisconsin currently has one Page serving the U.S Senate this year, and it is a program to which the state has been a proud contributor for many years. Serving as a Page can be an exciting and enriching experience for these students as it provides them unique insight into our legislative process. However, being away from home also puts these young people in a very vulnerable position. They are away from family and their normal support structures. They are thrust into an adult world and an unfamiliar city. The nature of life on Capitol Hill necessitates long hours in close proximity to lawmakers and staff that can create power dynamics of which young people are not fully aware. It would be unconscionable for Congress to not be vigilant and proactive in taking precautions to safeguard these children given the well sourced allegations against Roy Moore. I believe my fears are well founded. We have seen Members of Congress abuse the Congressional Page Program. You will recall that in 2006, former Republican Representative Mark Foley resigned after sending suggestive emails and text messages to male Pages. Unfortunately, this was a contributing factor in the then elimination of the House Page Program. We need to be vigilant stewards of these children going forward. In order to meet our obligation, I urge you to be proactive in protecting Senate Pages and that is why I am asking if you are taking steps to prepare the Page Program for the possible election of Roy Moore. I would like to know what preventative steps are being undertaken to safeguard Senate Pages from predatory conduct of U.S. Senators and Senate staff. The U.S. Congress has an obligation to keep these students safe especially in light of known potential harm. Thank you for your service. I look forward to reading your response. Sincerely, Gwen S. Moore Member of Congress ### Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat | Instagram",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-supports-biomedical-research-funding,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Supports Legislation to Increase Funding for Biomedical Research,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Supports Legislation to Increase Funding for Biomedical Research National Biomedical Research Act Creates New Funding Stream to Support NIH and FDA WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced her support as an original cosponsor of legislation that would increase funding for biomedical research. The National Biomedical Research Act, introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), would increase funding for targeted biomedical research initiatives through a new, reliable funding stream supporting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The purchasing power of the NIH has been cut by Congress for more than a decade. This funding boost would help restore the NIH budget roughly to its 2006 levels, adjusted for biomedical inflation. “As the granddaughter of an NIH-funded scientist, I have long championed strengthening our research enterprise. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation to improve opportunities for young researchers, and that’s why I’m cosponsoring the National Biomedical Research Act to ensure stronger investments in biomedical research,” said Senator Baldwin. “Now more than ever, we must protect and strengthen our investments in research, science and innovation. I’m proud to join Senator Warren in this effort, and I look forward to supporting this legislation in committee.” During a recent HELP committee hearing, NIH Director Francis Collins confirmed that currently, NIH only funds about 19 percent of the grant applications submitted by research scientists, including many high-quality applications that would advance biomedical science. ""If we look back in history, say back around 2000, 2001, we were funding about 30 percent, maybe even 35 percent because funds were more available,"" said Director Collins.   The National Biomedical Research Act would create the Biomedical Innovation Fund, a new fund designed specifically to provide predictable investments in life-saving biomedical research conducted by leading scientists at the nation's top research institutions. The funding would provide $5 billion annually in supplemental funding for grants for young emerging scientists, and breakthrough research that will help accelerate the development and approval of new medicines, improve prevention, and increase understanding of life-threatening diseases. Right now, NIH rejects nearly nine of eleven grant proposals, one of the highest rejection rates in history and far below the 1/3 success rate called for by agency leaders, because of a lack of resources. Predictability of funding for biomedical research will create stability for researchers and accelerate the pace of scientific advancements.  The legislation has received support from more than two dozen patient and research advocacy groups‎. In addition, the following Senators are original cosponsors of the legislation: Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Al Franken (D-MN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA)  Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-urges-review-of-va-providers,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Urges Nationwide Review of VA Providers in Light of USA Today Report,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Urges Nationwide Review of VA Providers in Light of USA Today Report WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators on Friday in calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a nationwide review of its providers after a USA Today investigation found multiple providers hired by the Department had at least one state medical license revoked due to malpractice. In a letter to VA Secretary David Shulkin, the Senators presented a series of questions. “For years, states have experienced provider shortages across many different medical specialties, and like the private sector healthcare industry, the VA has faced similar provider shortages,” the Senators wrote. “As such, we request information about the VA’s oversight of provider hiring guidelines to ensure that the pressure to fill shortages has not led to insufficient health care quality controls.” In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter was led by Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and signed by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Full text of the letter is available here and below: December 8, 2017  The Honorable David Shulkin Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20420-0001 Dear Secretary Shulkin: We write to express our serious concerns regarding recent media reports suggesting that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers employment to medical practitioners with a known history of licensure revocation by a state medical licensing board. The national reporting also highlighted cases of the VA hiring providers with known conduct and performance deficiencies that resulted in sanctions and criminal charges of the individuals. For years, states have experienced provider shortages across many different medical specialties, and like the private sector healthcare industry, the VA has faced similar provider shortages. For states, such as Arkansas, in which many veterans eligible for VA care are rural, the provider shortage is even more pronounced. As such, we request information about the VA’s oversight of provider hiring guidelines to ensure that the pressure to fill shortages has not led to insufficient health care quality controls. We request that the Department of Veterans Affairs conduct a nationwide review to identify all providers by state and specialty, who were known to have had adverse actions taken against their clinical privileges, to include the revocation of state medical licensure, and were subsequently hired by the Department. Of the individuals identified by the aforementioned report, what is the employment status of each individual identified? What additional oversight measures are required for providers identified through this review who remain employed by and practicing within the VA? In addition to a review to determine the current status of providers within the VA, we would also like information relevant to oversight of VA policies regarding hiring of individuals who have disciplinary or performance deficiencies that resulted in sanctions, claims, or charges. At what level is a final personnel decision approved? Does the VA have regular reporting and review of any providers hired under these circumstances? How is the performance and conduct of such individuals tracked, including the healthcare outcomes they deliver for veterans? When the VA intends to hire a provider with known medical malpractice claims, what additional scrutiny or consideration are such applicants subjected to? Does the VA have authority to hire a provider whose license has been revoked? When the VA considers hiring these providers, at what level does the VA approve a final offer of employment? Are such hiring decisions subject to reporting requirements to the Department? If so, to what level? Following the employment of such a provider, does the VA require any probationary periods of review or mandatory consultation prior to authorizing the direct provision of care to patients? Do these positions include any responsibility for the direct provision of medical care? Please confirm the status of this request and provide a timeline for completion of the requested review. We ask that you please keep our offices updated on this issue. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/icymi__senator-tammy-baldwin-on-msnbc-talking-tax-reform-and-donald-trumps-broken-promises,ICYMI - Senator Tammy Baldwin on MSNBC Talking Tax Reform and Donald Trump's Broken Promises,2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-and-khanna-statement-on-trump-calling-for-saudi-arabia-to-allow,Pocan and Khanna Statement on Trump Calling for Saudi Arabia to Allow Humanitarian Aid to Flow into Yemen,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 7, 2017) – U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) released the following statement regarding President Trump's call for Saudi Arabia to lift a crippling blockade on Yemen that has prevented food, fuel, and medicine from reaching Yemenis facing a famine. ""For months, we have watched in horror as the world's largest humanitarian crisis, which has engulfed Yemen, has only deepened as a result of the Saudi-led war and blockade. After months of Congressional pressure, President Trump has finally issued a much-needed demand that the Saudis completely allow food, fuel, water, and medicine to reach the Yemeni people. ""If the Saudis refuse this urgent call, millions of innocent people will die. And while President Trump's words are a good starting point, Congress must take additional action to end the United States' unauthorized military involvement in Yemen by adopting H.Con.Res.81. We must send a powerful signal that our country will no longer be complicit in the use of starvation as a tool of war. Through open and transparent congressional debate, we can end the prolonged suffering in Yemen. ""Nowhere else on earth today is there a catastrophe that is so profound and affects so many lives, yet could be so easy to resolve: halt the bombing, end the blockade, and let food, medicine, and fuel into Yemen so that millions may live.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:19:19Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-statement-on-trump-administration-reversing-position-to-attack,Pocan Statement on Trump Administration Reversing Position to Attack Public Sector Unions,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 7, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Justice filing an amicus brief in Janus v. AFSCME. In the brief, the Trump Administration argues that the fair-share fees that public employee unions charge union non-members violate workers' First Amendment rights. ""Despite campaigning on a promise of supporting American workers, President Trump is once again doing everything he can to attack them. The Trump Administration's stunning reversal on Janus v. AFSCME, done in the middle of the night, is just the latest example of the President making false statements to millions of Americans who put their faith in him. President Trump appealed to hard working voters, but he is governing solely for the wealthy donor class who funded his campaign. ""With this brief, it is clear that President Trump has no plans to raise wages, create jobs, or grow and strengthen the middle class. Rather, President Trump is engaging in a coordinated effort with Republicans in Washington to dismantle unions, rig the economy against American workers, and give handouts to the wealthy and corporations. American workers deserve better."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:19:19Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-baldwin-on-the-success-of-the-her-next-generation-researchers-act,Senator Baldwin on the success of the her Next Generation Researchers Act,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-baldwin-calls-for-stronger-investment-in-rural-infrastructure,Senator Baldwin Calls for Stronger Investment in Rural Infrastructure,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-tammy-baldwin-delays-confirmation-on-sec-nominees-demands-answers,"Senator Tammy Baldwin Delays Confirmation on SEC Nominees, Demands Answers",2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-tammy-baldwin-demands-answers-from-sec-nominees,Senator Tammy Baldwin Demands Answers from SEC Nominees,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-statement-on-oral-arguments-for-masterpiece-cakeshop-v-colorado,Pocan Statement on Oral Arguments for Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 5, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), Co-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, released the following statement today regarding the U.S. Supreme Court holding oral arguments for Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. ""Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is about more than a wedding cake: it is about dignity and equality. When Charlie and Dave wanted a cake for their wedding, they wanted to experience what millions of Americans get to have every year – the opportunity to celebrate love and share a special moment with family and friends. Unfortunately, they were denied that opportunity and experienced the same discrimination many of us in the LGBTQ community know all too well. ""Every American deserves the right to live their life without facing discrimination because of who they are or who they love. And while I hope that the Supreme Court makes the right decision in this case, there is still much more work to be done. Across the country, Americans can be kicked out of their homes, denied services, and fired from their jobs just for being gay. We must continue to fight to ensure that every American can live their life with dignity and equality.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:19:19Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/nbc-today-with-megyn-kelly_tripadvisor-under-scrutiny-for-removing-reviews,NBC TODAY with Megyn Kelly – TripAdvisor Under Scrutiny for Removing Reviews,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-tammy-baldwin-presses-osha-administrator-nominee-scott-mugno-on-worker-protections,Senator Tammy Baldwin Presses OSHA Administrator Nominee Scott Mugno on Worker Protections,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wfrv-green-bay-tv_lawmakers-fight-opioid-crisis,WFRV Green Bay TV – Lawmakers Fight Opioid Crisis,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-baldwin-calls-for-strong-cfpb-advocate,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Strong Consumer Protection Advocate at CFPB,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Strong Consumer Protection Advocate at CFPB WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, along with 43 of her colleagues, is urging President Donald Trump to swiftly nominate a strong consumer protection advocate to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) who will put working families ahead of Wall Street. In a letter, led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), the Senators also expressed serious concerns with the White House decision to install Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney as part-time acting director of the agency. Mulvaney has a clear record opposing the CFPB and has sought to abolish it. “Through aggressive enforcement and supervision, CFPB actions have resulted in $12 billion in relief for more than 29 million American consumers who were cheated by financial companies,” the Senators wrote. “Assigning leadership of the CFPB to someone who already has a full-time job reporting to the White House and who does not believe in the CFPB’s mission jeopardizes the agency’s independence and effectiveness. We urge you to nominate a CFPB Director who will bring to the job both bipartisan support and a track record of being tough on Wall Street.” The CFPB was created as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act following the financial crisis that began in 2007 to ensure that bad actors on Wall Street would be held accountable for fraudulent or predatory practices that take advantage of middle class Americans. Since its creation, the CFPB has helped more than 17 million Americans receive over $11 billion in relief from illegal and unfair financial practices. The following Senators also signed the letter, Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Al Franken (D-MN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Jon Tester (D-MT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Carper (D-DE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Bill Nelson (D-FL). The text of the letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-baldwin-rubios-just-act-wins-committee-approval,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s JUST Act Wins Foreign Relations Committee Approval,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s JUST Act Wins Foreign Relations Committee Approval The bipartisan Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act will assist in the return of or restitution for assets stolen in the Holocaust. Jewish community leaders and organizations continue to offer strong support for the bill's commitment to justice. WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Marco Rubio (R-FL) are praising the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for passing the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act (S. 447). This bipartisan legislation will improve efforts assisting Holocaust survivors and the families of Holocaust victims by requiring the State Department to report on the progress of certain European countries on the return of—or restitution for—wrongfully confiscated or transferred Holocaust-era assets. “I applaud the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today for supporting this bipartisan effort to ensure justice is done, at long last, for Holocaust survivors and the families of Holocaust victims,” said Senator Baldwin. “These individuals have waited far too long to recover, or receive compensation for, what is rightfully theirs, and by highlighting this issue as an American foreign policy priority, we will spur action in countries that are falling short of their obligations. I look forward to seeing this bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate as soon as possible, and ultimately signed in to law.” “The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s passage of the JUST Act is one more step toward ensuring justice for Holocaust survivors and the families of Holocaust victims,” said Senator Rubio. “By enhancing ongoing efforts between the State Department and European countries, this bill will help facilitate long deserved restitution to survivors and their families whose property was stolen during the Holocaust. I applaud today’s measure, and I look forward to the JUST Act’s final passage before the Senate.” The JUST Act will build on the international Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues of 2009, which affirms that the protection of property rights is an essential component of a democratic society based on the rule of law and recognizes the importance of restituting or compensating Holocaust-related confiscations made during the Holocaust-era between 1933-45. Unfortunately, many nations that endorsed this declaration, including many NATO allies, have not fully addressed the restitution of Jewish communal, private and heirless property. The JUST Act permanently amends current law to require the State Department to report on certain countries’ compliance with and progress toward the goals of the 2009 Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets, as well as on what actions those countries are taking to resolve the claims of U.S. citizens. This will enhance on-going U.S. efforts to urge Central and Eastern European countries to achieve progress on this issue and will help build on America’s commitment to ensuring justice for Holocaust victims and their families. The public record created by the JUST Act will serve as a powerful tool for the U.S. State Department and the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO)—the global umbrella body that advocates on behalf of the Jewish community for the restitution of property confiscated during the Holocaust and its aftermath—to encourage Terezin countries to complete the restitution process. Senators Baldwin and Rubio call on those countries to work with the State Department and WJRO to fulfill their property restitution obligations. “The JUST Act will encourage countries across Europe to meet their responsibilities to Holocaust survivors and their families who have waited too long for justice. We thank Senators Baldwin and Rubio for their tireless advocacy on behalf of Holocaust survivors and their families,” said Gideon Taylor, the World Jewish Restitution Organization’s Chair of Operations. “Addressing the claims of Holocaust survivors is a pressing issue. Despite international declarations on the need to resolve claims relating to Nazi-expropriated property, most formerly Jewish-owned properties confiscated by the Nazis and their collaborators have not been returned, nor has compensation been provided to the rightful owners or their heirs. Justice for those who endured unprecedented hardships during the Holocaust is a moral necessity—ensuring that victims are given what is rightfully theirs should be a U.S. foreign policy priority. S.447, the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act of 2017, will help ensure the return of, or proper restitution for, assets stolen from Jews during the Holocaust,” said Rabbi Andrew Baker, Director of International Jewish Affairs, AJC. “The Jewish Federations of North America applaud Senators Baldwin and Rubio for their leadership on The Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act (S. 447), which will generate a more robust public record of restitution efforts by European governments. While many countries have made progress in addressing property restitution, others have not and time is running out. We are also grateful to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for their consideration of this important issue. With Congress and the State Department working together, we will shine a spotlight on those countries that still need to stand by their promises to the victims of the Holocaust. Holocaust survivors and their families deserve no less,” said William Daroff, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Director of the Washington Office of the Jewish Federations of North America (JNFA). The JUST Act has received strong support from organizations across the country including World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO), American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), J Street, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), B’nai B’rith International, HIAS refugee assistance organization, National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation in Milwaukee. In addition to Senators Baldwin and Rubio, the JUST Act is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Todd C. Young (R-IN), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John McCain (R-AZ), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), John Thune (R-SD), Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). A companion bill was introduced in the House in February by U.S. Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-protects-biofuel-production-and-rural-wisconsin-jobs,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Highlights Efforts to Protect Biofuel Production and Rural Wisconsin Jobs,2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.04.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Highlights Efforts to Protect Biofuel Production and Rural Wisconsin Jobs EPA proposal to cut Renewable Fuel Standard that would’ve hurt Wisconsin farmers and rural communities reversed WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is highlighting successful bipartisan efforts to restore biofuels targets for next year, following the recent decision from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that maintains Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations in 2018. Maintaining these renewable fuel blending levels helps support the biofuel industry, Wisconsin farmers and the rural economy. Senator Baldwin’s actions came at a time when the Trump administration and EPA considered major biofuels policy changes that sent confusing signals to industry leaders, causing uncertainty for biofuels businesses, fuel retailers and farmers. In an October letter to the EPA, Senator Baldwin joined a bipartisan group of senators led by Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) to oppose changes that could cause near-term job losses and discourage investment in capacity and new fuel development. “This year we have seen a slew of attacks on biofuels, which are a key part of Wisconsin’s farm economy.  I am proud that we fought off the worst of those policy changes and that EPA reversed its proposal to undermine this important industry,” said Senator Baldwin. “Unfortunately, big oil companies will continue to attack the biofuel industry and the growth of renewable fuels. I will fight for Wisconsin farmers and the health of our rural economy by promoting strong renewable fuel obligations and the deployment of advanced biofuels.” In October, Senator Baldwin joined 38 senate colleagues in a separate bipartisan letter led by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on the proposed level of biofuels to be blended into fuels in 2018 under RFS, writing: “If done right, this rule is an opportunity to continue our nation’s path to be not only the world leader in first generation ethanol production, but also in cellulosic ethanol and advanced biofuel production by spurring investment and manufacturing here in the United States rather than overseas. We urge you to continue to implement the RFS as intended by Congress and release a strong final rule that would give consumers more choices at the pump, strengthen our economy and make our country more secure.” Senator Baldwin is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517), which would expand the use of biofuel by allowing consumers to buy certain biofuel blends year-round, ending an overly-restrictive policy that increases fuel costs for consumers. In March, she urged President Trump to continue to assign fuel importers and refiners responsibility for incorporating biofuels into petroleum fuel blends. The EPA recently announced it had sided with farm-state representatives including Senator Baldwin and the biofuels industry and rejected a petition to reassign responsibility for renewable fuel blending from refiners and importers to fuel retailers, a move that would have undermined the biofuels industry.   Last year, Senator Baldwin signed a letter to the EPA expressing concern that the methodology used to calculate biofuel blending targets resulted in decreased biofuel volume targets. In July of 2015 she called on the EPA to raise its biofuel blending targets, and at the beginning of the year she pushed the EPA to release its biofuel blending targets, some of which had been delayed for over a year. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-urges-fcc-chairman-to-delay-vote-rolling-back-net-neutrality-rules,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Urges FCC Chairman Pai to Delay Vote Rolling Back Net Neutrality Rules,2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.04.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Urges FCC Chairman Pai to Delay Vote Rolling Back Net Neutrality Rules Letter Follows Reports that Bots may have Filed Hundreds of Thousands of Comments to FCC During Net Neutrality Policymaking Process WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined 27 of her colleagues, led by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, expressing concern over reports that bots filed hundreds of thousands of comments to the FCC during the net neutrality policymaking process and calling on the Chairman to delay the planned December 14th vote to roll back net neutrality rules until an investigation of the state of the record is conducted. “A free and open Internet is vital to ensuring a level playing field online, and we believe that your proposed action may be based on an incomplete understanding of the public record in this proceeding,” wrote the Senators. “In fact, there is good reason to believe that the record may be replete with fake or fraudulent comments, suggesting that your proposal is fundamentally flawed.” “Without additional information about the alleged anomalies surrounding the public record, the FCC cannot conduct a thorough and fair evaluation of the public’s views on this topic, and should not move forward with a vote on December 14, 2017,” the Senators continued. “The FCC must invest its time and resources into obtaining a more accurate picture of the record as understanding that record is essential to reaching a defensible resolution to this proceeding,” the Senators concluded. In addition to Senators Baldwin and Hassan, the letter was signed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Angus King (I-ME), Al Franken (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). See below for the full text of the letter or click here:   December 4, 2017   The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street Southwest Washington, DC 20554   Dear Chairman Pai: We are deeply concerned by your recently released proposal to roll back critical consumer protections by dismantling the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) current net neutrality rules. A free and open Internet is vital to ensuring a level playing field online, and we believe that your proposed action may be based on an incomplete understanding of the public record in this proceeding. In fact, there is good reason to believe that the record may be replete with fake or fraudulent comments, suggesting that your proposal is fundamentally flawed. To this end, we request a thorough investigation by the FCC into reports that bots may have interfered with this proceeding by filing hundreds of thousands of comments. Furthermore, an additional 50,000 consumer complaints seem to have been excluded from the public record in this proceeding, according to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by the National Hispanic Media Coalition.  Without additional information about the alleged anomalies surrounding the public record, the FCC cannot conduct a thorough and fair evaluation of the public’s views on this topic, and should not move forward with a vote on December 14, 2017.  New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has spent the past six months conducting an investigation into the fraudulent comments, and found that “hundreds of thousands” of comments may have impersonated New York residents, a violation of state law. He further asserts that the FCC has not cooperated with requests for additional data and information. Data scientist Jeff Kao has also run an analysis of the public record, and estimates that over a million comments filed in support of repealing net neutrality may have been fake. These reports raise serious concerns as to whether the record the FCC is currently relying on has been tampered with and merits the full attention of, and investigation by, the FCC before votes on this item are cast. A transparent and open process is vitally important to how the FCC functions. The FCC must invest its time and resources into obtaining a more accurate picture of the record as understanding that record is essential to reaching a defensible resolution to this proceeding.  As a result, we are requesting that you delay your planned vote on this item until you can conduct a thorough review of the state of the record and provide Congress with greater assurance of its accuracy and completeness.  Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-statement-on-senate-republican-tax-legislation,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Senate Republican Tax Legislation,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Senate Republican Tax Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today issued the following statement after Senate Republicans passed partisan tax legislation: “I think we need to make our tax system simpler and fairer for hard working Wisconsin families, small businesses and manufacturers, but this partisan legislation fails to do that. This is largely a tax giveaway to the wealthiest few, big corporations and Wall Street while millions of middle class families will get a tax hike. We should do right by Wisconsin’s middle class families and reward their hard work, but this legislation rewards the top 1% and Republicans have put people’s health care on the chopping block to pay for it. That’s not right and it’s not fair.” Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2556,Calamitous GOP Tax Plan Passes the Senate,2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"House and Senate Republicans have a long track record of pushing through destructive proposals without giving anyone including their own colleagues and stakeholders the time to read the fine print, and today is no different. share: f t Washington, D.C. In response to the passage of the GOP tax plan in the Senate, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) released the following statement: Today, Senate Republicans once again flouted the legislative process, jamming through a calamitous tax overhaul proposal that will undoubtedly paralyze Main Street America for years to come. Not only will this bill increase the deficit by $1.4 trillion over the next ten years, but it will also cripple affordable housing construction for the poor, raise taxes on 82 million middle class families, and cut Medicare and Medicaid by billions of dollars. If signed into the law, this effort will wreak havoc on both the fiscal health of our country and the physical health of our constituents as it will eliminate the Affordable Care Act individual mandate, unraveling our health care system and putting the lives of countless Americans at risk. House and Senate Republicans have a long track record of pushing through destructive proposals without giving anyone including their own colleagues and stakeholders the time to read the fine print, and today is no different. The devil is indeed in the details. As senators go into conference with their House colleagues to work out the differences in their proposals, I call on all Americans to sound the alarm about this disastrous effort and demand their representatives change course before its too late. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-new-gao-report-shows-school-voucher-programs-failing-to-provide,Pocan: New GAO Report Shows School Voucher Programs Failing to Provide Students with Equitable Opportunities,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (November 30, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today announced the findings of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report regarding taxpayer funded school voucher programs and how they are failing to provide students with equitable opportunity. As part of the report Pocan requested, the GAO studied 27 taxpayer funded private school voucher and education savings account programs in the 2016-2017 school year. ""The new report from GAO shows the outrageously low standards to which many school voucher programs are held. As Secretary DeVos continues her assault on public education and efforts to privatize schools, it is more important than ever to ensure that these programs are held accountable,"" said Rep. Pocan. ""Every student deserves the opportunity to go to a school that meets their needs and every parent should have the guarantee that their child is in a safe, equitable, and successful environment. The U.S. Department of Education must address the concerns in this report and should immediately institute the GAO's recommendations. Our students deserve nothing less."" ""Betsy DeVos has made expanding private school vouchers and voucher-like schemes the centerpiece of her agenda, including pushing for these schemes at the federal level. This GAO report highlights how vouchers hurt, not help, students with disabilities,"" said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. ""The federal government should be working to support students with disabilities, not undermining their federal rights and protections."" ""Congress should amend IDEA immediately to ensure that parents of children with disabilities know the important rights and services they are leaving behind when they take a private school voucher,"" said Daniel Domenech, Executive Director of the American Association of School Administrators. ""These scathing findings detailing the lack of transparency and accountability in state voucher programs by a nonpartisan government office should concern all taxpayers, but particularly families with children in public school who see their dollars ripped out of the public school system to support these deeply flawed programs."" Of the 27 programs studied by the GAO, only 8 of the programs required private schools to comply with annual financial audits, meaning that the states funding the schools often had no clear understanding of the programs the investments are funding. The GAO also found that many of the programs lack accountability and transparency when it comes to disability protections, education standards, professional standards, and information distributed to parents. Findings from the GAO report include: Only about half of the private schools participating in voucher programs provided special education or disability related information on their websites, creating a significant problem for families making a decision about where to send their children. Private school voucher programs are inconsistently providing information on changes in key protections and rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) when parents move a child with a disability from a public to a private school. 83% of students who were enrolled in a program specifically designed for students with disabilities were enrolled in one that either provided no information or inaccurate information regarding the changes in IDEA rights. One third of the 27 programs operating in school year 2016-17 had no academic testing requirements and officials in two of the programs interviewed indicated that some private schools were unfamiliar or unequipped to administer standardized tests. Only one third of the programs require schools to publicly report test results. Only four programs provided information on the graduation rates at participating schools. Only an estimated 13% of all private schools participating in voucher programs provide student and school performance data on their websites. Just seventeen of the programs required background checks on all employees or on employees with direct and unsupervised contact with children. The full report is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:12:50Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-proposes-amendments-to-republican-tax-bill,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Proposes Amendments to Republican Tax Bill,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Proposes Amendments to Republican Tax Bill Close Carried Interest Tax Loophole for Wall Street Money Managers Provide Tax Relief for Working Families, Start-Ups, Small Businesses and Manufacturers WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today introduced four separate amendments to the Republican tax bill in the Senate. “I think we need to make our tax system simpler and fairer for hardworking families, small businesses and manufacturers. That is what I have been working for,” said Senator Baldwin. “But the Republican plan is a tax giveaway to the top 1% and powerful corporations. This partisan legislation lets Wall Street keep a tax loophole while most Americans earning less than $75,000 a year would see tax increases. That’s not right and it’s not fair.” Baldwin’s amendments include closing the carried interest tax loophole by ensuring that income earned by managing other people's money is taxed at the same ordinary income tax rates as the vast majority of working Americans. President Trump has repeatedly promised to close the loophole, saying, “We will eliminate the carried interest deduction and other special interest loopholes that have been so good for Wall Street investors, and for people like me, but unfair to American workers.” On May 1, 2017, after being asked why his tax reform outline didn’t specifically mention carried interest after campaigning on its closure, the President responded by saying, “It’s out. Done…carried interest was great for me, but carried interest was unfair and it’s gone.” In September, Senator Baldwin called on President Trump to make good on his pledge to close the carried interest tax loophole and act on her Carried Interest Fairness Act. And earlier this month, she sent a letter to Chairman Hatch urging him to keep President Trump’s promise to close the carried interest tax loophole. In May, Senator Baldwin re-introduced the Carried Interest Fairness Act to end the carried interest tax loophole to ensure that income earned by managing other people's money is taxed at the same ordinary income tax rates as working Americans. The Senate Republican tax bill fails to close the tax loophole for money managers on Wall Street. “I want to see loopholes closed — like the one that favors Wall Street hedge funds and allows them to pay a lower tax rate than many Wisconsin workers pay.  It’s simply unfair for Wisconsin workers to pay a higher tax rate than a millionaire on Wall Street,” said Senator Baldwin. “I have legislation to close the carried interest tax loophole for the wealthy on Wall Street but this partisan tax legislation lets billionaires on Wall Street keep their loophole. If Senate Republicans want to help President Trump keep his promises to the American people, they will support my amendment.” This year Senator Baldwin has introduced a number of tax reforms aimed at bringing tax relief to working families, start-ups, small businesses and manufacturers in Wisconsin. Today, she will be offering these reforms as amendments to the Republican tax bill in the Senate.  The Stronger Way Act would provide tax relief to working families by expanding the earned income tax credit and child tax credit. “This tax reform rewards hard work and helps raise incomes by allowing workers to keep more of what they earn. The Stronger Way Act strengthens the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for working families,” said Senator Baldwin. “It also helps move the unemployed into the workforce by creating a new federal-state partnership to invest in local jobs programs that will help raise incomes for working families.” The 21st Century Manufacturing Act would provide tax relief to manufacturers so they can invest in research and development, create jobs and help drive economic growth. “In order to maintain our strong Made In Wisconsin manufacturing economy, we need to provide tax relief to manufacturers so they can invest in innovation and create jobs,” said Senator Baldwin.  “This tax reform will encourage manufacturers all across our state to invest in research and development and help drive economic growth for years to come.” The Support Our Start-Ups Act provides tax relief to small business start-ups so they can invest in growing their business and creating jobs. “Wisconsin has a proud history of entrepreneurship and innovation, but recent reports show that we need to do more to support our Made in Wisconsin start-ups,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin’s small businesses need a tax break and that's what I'm working for. Small businesses are the engines of our economy and if we provide tax relief to start-ups, we can free up investments to create jobs and grow our economy.” Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-push-to-hold-companies-accountable-notifying-consumers-data-breaches,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Renews Push to Hold Companies Accountable for Notifying Consumers of Data Breaches,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Renews Push to Hold Companies Accountable for Notifying Consumers of Data Breaches Measure calls for up to five years in prison for knowingly concealing breaches WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, joined Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to file legislation Thursday that would require companies to quickly notify consumers of data breaches and impose new criminal penalties for corporate personnel who deliberately conceal breaches.  “The recent data breaches, from Uber to Equifax, will have profound, long-lasting impacts on the integrity of many Americans’ identities and finances, and it is simply unacceptable that millions of them may still not know that they are at risk, nor understand what they can and should do to help limit the potential damage,” said Senator Baldwin. “At a recent Commerce Committee hearing, I asked Equifax executives point blank if they were going to notify every single American affected by the massive data breach that their personal information was hacked. I did not get a straight answer and that’s not acceptable. The Senate needs to take action to hold these companies accountable and require them to notify affected consumers when their personal information has been breached. This legislation will make sure we are doing right by consumers.” The renewed push for congressional action comes on the heels of Uber’s disclosure last week that it concealed from drivers and customers a 2016 data breach affecting 57 million accounts. The legislation would require companies to notify consumers of data breaches within 30 days and make it a crime punishable by as much as five years in prison for knowingly concealing them, among other things.  In addition to requiring companies to warn consumers of breaches and imposing jail time for keeping them secret, the legislation also directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to develop security standards to help businesses protect consumers' personal and financial data and provide incentives to businesses who adopt new technologies that make consumer data unusable or unreadable if stolen during a breach. Click here for a copy of the legislation the lawmakers filed today. Following a massive Equifax data breach that threatened the sensitive, private information of more than 145 million Americans, Senator Baldwin called for a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee where executives from the company took questions from Senator Baldwin and others on the committee. Senator Baldwin sent a letter to the CEO of Equifax after the hearing calling on him to provide direct notice to each and every American consumer impacted by the data breach. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-supports-buffett-rule-amendment,Senator Baldwin Supports Buffett Rule Amendment to Tax Proposal,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.17 Senator Baldwin Supports Buffett Rule Amendment to Tax Proposal Amendment would help ensure wealthy pay fair share in taxes WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin cosponsored the amendment introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to the Senate Republicans’ tax proposal that would institute the Buffett Rule to prevent America’s top earners from paying lower tax rates than middle-class families.  The amendment, based on Whitehouse’s Paying a Fair Share Act, would ensure that multi-million-dollar earners pay at least a 30 percent effective federal tax rate.  “For far too long, our tax code has unfairly favored the wealthiest Americans. We need to make sure millionaires and billionaires at the top are paying their fair share so we can cut taxes for the working class and small businesses, and rebuild our middle class,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to once again join Senator Whitehouse to make the ‘Buffett Rule’ a reality. This amendment will ensure that our path forward is guided by fairness and a respect for hard working middle class families.” “Rhode Island nurses and teachers shouldn’t have to pay higher tax rates than millionaires and billionaires,” said Whitehouse, who first introduced the Paying a Fair Share Act in 2012 and reintroduced it in April.  “This amendment would help to make sure that the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share.  If Republicans really wanted to make our tax system work for the middle class, they’ll pass this amendment.” In 2014, the highest-earning 400 Americans – making an average of $317 million each – paid an average effective federal tax rate of just 23 percent, far short of the top marginal rate of 40 percent.  The “Buffett Rule” is named after Warren Buffett, the legendary investor who has famously lamented that he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.  Former President Barack Obama proposed adding the Buffett Rule to the tax code to ensure that those at the top pay at least the tax rate paid by middle-class families. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) also cosponsored the amendment. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2289,EPA Finds Local Industrial Refurbishing Plants in Violation of Federal Law,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"After months of investigations by federal authorities, the EPA has put Greif Industries on notice for alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Clean Air Act at three of its Wisconsin facilities. share: f t Washington, D.C. In response to the announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that multiple Milwaukee-area industrial refurbishing plants violated federal law, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) issued the following statement: After months of investigations by federal authorities, the EPA has put Greif Industries on notice for alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Clean Air Act at three of its Wisconsin facilities, two of which are in the 4th Congressional District. Needless to say, this news is deeply disturbing as the alleged hazard zones fall in densely populated residential neighborhoods putting the health and well-being of thousands at risk. Todays announcement not only stresses the need for enhanced transparency in the private sector, but it also underscores the necessity for press freedom and a responsive EPA that can hold companies accountable for breaking laws that protect the public. Since assuming office, those like Donald Trump and Scott Pruitt have done everything in their power to cripple the EPAs regulatory capacity and vilify the media. Fortunately, press outlets like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel have been working diligently to investigate corporate polluters like Greif Industries and shed light on their potentially dangerous practices. As a member of Congress, nothing is more important to me than securing the safety of my constituents. With this in mind, I encourage the EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, as well as other applicable state and federal agencies, to continue to work to protect our communities from this threat and ensure Grief Industries promptly complies with federal law. As agencies move forward with the enforcement mechanisms available, I will continue to work with federal stakeholders and all relevant parties to ensure our residents have access to information about any potential environmental hazards they may have been exposed to. ### Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat | Instagram | Website",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-introduces-bipartisan-bill-begin-planning-future-work,Rep. Kind Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Begin Planning for the Future of Work,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Ron Kind introduced the bipartisan Exploring the Future of Work Act, to review the workforce challenges that an increase in automation and innovation present. The bill is a first step in helping make sure our workers are prepared and trained for the jobs innovation brings. “Over the years Wisconsinites have seen firsthand how technology and innovation has changed our everyday lives. Automation is showing no sign of slowing down, and it is only a matter of time until it changes the jobs available to our workers. We can’t afford to be unprepared. By starting to look at the challenge and how we find solutions we can prepare our workers for the jobs of the future,” said Rep. Kind. The bill requests the National Academies to conduct a study to assess demographic, training, technology, and workforce needs; identify industry sectors likely to be significantly impacted by automation; and provide recommendations for policy solutions. The National Academies would then submit a report to Congress on their findings.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-tammy-baldwin-presses-hhs-secretary-nominee-alex-azar-on-prescription-drug-prices,Senator Tammy Baldwin Presses HHS Secretary Nominee Alex Azar on Prescription Drug Prices,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-to-address-teen-pregnancy-prevention-program,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on HHS to Address Changes To Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.29.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on HHS to Address Changes To Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, along with Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and 24 Senate Democrats today wrote to Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Eric D. Hargan to demand a thorough explanation of concerning changes to the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP), which appear ideologically-driven and designed to undermine efforts to provide quality, evidence-based services to communities nationwide. “[Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program] has been recognized by bipartisan evidence experts as an outstanding example of how to build evidence and administer a high quality evidence-based program,” wrote the Senators. “…The Department seems intent to replace a high quality evidence-based program that meets the needs of diverse communities and populations around the country with a single ideological approach that fails to meet the needs of young people. We are concerned that this new announcement represents a further effort to dismantle or redistribute program resources toward an approach that does not meet the same quality of evidence review as TPPP requires.” Senate Democrats first asked HHS to explain changes to the TPPP program in a July 2017 letter and received an incomplete response from the department. In addition to Senators Baldwin, Murray, and Cantwell, the letter was signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ),  Edward Markey (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Margaret Hassan (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Robert Casey (D-PA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Al Franken (D-MN), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Full text of the letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-calls-senate-passage-his-provision-ease-burden-flood-insurance,Rep. Kind Calls for Senate Passage of His Provision to Ease Burden of Flood Insurance Costs,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Ron Kind called on Senate leadership to include his Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reauthorization. The bill could open up the flood insurance market and allow more private businesses to compete and possibly lower prices for consumers. Currently, the primary option for property owners needing to purchase flood insurance is the National Flood Insurance Program, which can be costly. “We are seeing an increase in severe weather and flood damage in communities across the country, including western and central Wisconsin. For many in flood zones, like La Crosse, the cost of flood insurance is a necessary but significant financial burden. I hope the Senate will soon take up and pass my bill. It is time we give options to the Wisconsinites and Americans who are required to purchase flood insurance,” said Rep. Kind. Find a copy of the letter here. Rep. Kind continues to work with homeowners, property owners, community leaders, and local governments to try and ease the financial burden of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-joins-bipartisan-letter-raising-alarm-over-critical-asian-carp-study,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force Letter Raising Alarm over Delay in Finalizing Critical Asian Carp Study,2017-11-27,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.27.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force Letter Raising Alarm over Delay in Finalizing Critical Asian Carp Study Senators express serious concerns over the timeline for implementing permanent measures to combat Asian carp WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), co-Chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, in sending a letter to the acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works raising alarm over the delay in finalizing the Brandon Road Study, a critical action-plan for keeping Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. “It is imperative that the USACE meet the original timeline for completing the Chief’s Report by January 2019,” wrote the Senators. “The USACE initiated the Brandon Road Study in April 2015 after the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin Study (GLMRIS) identified the Brandon Road Lock & Dam as a location to control the movement of Asian Carp into the Great Lakes.” Great Lakes Task Force Vice Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Task Force members Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also signed the letter. “USACE has indicated that implementing the recommended measures in the TSP is unlikely before 2025,” the Senators continued.  “This timeline is particularly concerning given recent findings that demonstrated new ways for Asian carp to enter the Great Lakes…This past June, an eight pound Silver carp made its way up the Illinois River, beyond the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, and was found above the electric barrier – just nine miles from Lake Michigan.” The letter is available here and the full text may be found below.   Mr. Ryan A. Fisher Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army (Civil Works) 108 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-0101   As Senators representing Great Lakes states, we write to share our views on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) draft Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) for the Brandon Road Study.  First, it is imperative that the USACE meet the original timeline for completing the Chief’s Report by January 2019.  The USACE initiated the Brandon Road Study in April 2015 after the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin Study (GLMRIS) identified the Brandon Road Lock & Dam as a location to control the movement of Asian Carp into the Great Lakes. The USACE provided a 46-month timeline to complete Brandon Road Study, with an interim step of releasing the Tentatively Selected Plan by January 2017. This was already longer than the 3x3x3 rule enacted in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (P. L. 113-121), in which feasibility studies must result in a final report in three years or less.  Despite the six-month delay in the release of the TSP, we fully expect the USACE to complete its Chief’s Report by January 2019. Secondly, we ask that you provide us an update on the timeline for completion of the Chief’s Report Thirdly, USACE has indicated that implementing the recommended measures in the TSP is unlikely before 2025.  This timeline is particularly concerning given recent findings that demonstrated new ways for Asian carp to enter the Great Lakes.   Field studies conducted in recent years by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that small fish – including Asian Carp – can become entrained between barges and transported safely through the electric dispersal barriers near Romeoville, Illinois – located approximately 25 miles from Lake Michigan.  Moreover, this past June, an eight pound Silver carp made its way up the Illinois River, beyond the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, and was found above the electric barrier – just nine miles from Lake Michigan. While waterway shipping is important to the economies of the Great Lakes states, it is also essential that we prevent the devastating impacts that would occur if Asian Carp invade the Great Lakes. Studies have shown those impacts would include declines in native fish species and a one-third reduction of total fish weight in Lake Erie. This threatens the Great Lakes’ world-class $7 billion/year fishing industry, $16 billion/year recreational boating industry, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs these industries support. We appreciate the USACE’s recognition that controlling the movement of aquatic invasive species such as Asian Carp is necessary, and we look forward to hearing from you on your commitment to complete the Chief’s Report by January 2019. Thank you for your consideration of our request. We ask that this letter be included in the formal record of comments for the draft report.   Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-encourages-wisconsinites-to-support-the-local-economy-on-small,Pocan Encourages Wisconsinites to Support the Local Economy on Small Business Saturday,2017-11-24,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"MADISON, WI (November 24, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), a small business owner and union member, today released the following statement regarding Small Business Saturday, which is Saturday, November 25, 2017. ""Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to support the locally owned businesses that are the economic engines of our communities. As a small business owner myself, I know both the challenges these workers face, as well as the opportunities that come with community support. ""On Saturday, November 25, I encourage everyone to show their support for locally owned businesses and our friends and neighbors who run them. Shopping at a local business is about more than buying a product, it's about creating jobs, raising wages, and helping our economy and community grow.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:12:50Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2327,Rep. Moore Hosts Press Conference on ACA Open Enrollment,2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Milwaukee, WI On Monday, November 27th, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) will join local leaders to remind constituents that they only have two more weeks until the December 15, 2017, deadline to shop for quality, affordable health insurance on HealthCare.gov. share: f t For Immediate Release November 27, 2017 Contact: Eric Harris (202) 225-4572 Congresswoman Gwen Moore Hosts Press Conference on ACA Open Enrollment Milwaukee, WI On Monday, November 27th,Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) will join local leaders to remind constituents that they only have two more weeks until the December 15thdeadline to shop for quality, affordable health insurance on HealthCare.gov. Despite confusion, the Affordable Care Act is still law so insurers are required to offer discounts; in fact, subsidies may be even higher this year. For more information about this event, please call the Milwaukee district office at(414) 297-1140. WHAT: Press Conference on ACA Open Enrollment WHO: U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Jenni Sevenich, CEO of Progressive Community Health Centers WHEN: Monday, November 27, 2017 at 9am WHERE: Progressive Community Health 3522 W Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208 P: (414) 935-8000 ### Twitter|Facebook|Snapchat|Instagram|Website",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-joins-va-senior-advisor-jake-leinenkugel-tomah-vamc-director,"Rep. Kind Joins VA Senior Advisor Jake Leinenkugel, Tomah VAMC Director Victoria Brahm, and Marv & Linda Simcakoski to Highlight Resources Available to Wisconsin Veterans",2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Ron Kind joined VA White House Senior Advisor Jake Leinenkugel and Tomah VA Medical Center Director Victoria Brahm at the Tomah VA to attend the Foundational Services event. The event brought together community groups, VA health care professionals, and veterans to highlight alternative health practices and services available to Wisconsin veterans. “Many Wisconsin veterans I talk with discuss how challenging it is to transition back into civilian life. It is critical that we let our veterans know that they are not alone and there are a number of VA and community resources available to help them, which is why things like the Foundational Services event are so useful. It was great to see so many Wisconsinites come together to ensure our veterans get the care they have earned and deserve,” said Rep. Kind. Recently, Rep. Kind held town hall events throughout Wisconsin to hear directly from veterans about the challenge of transitioning back to civilian life and their experiences with the Department of Veterans Affairs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-joins-democratic-women-senators-in-letter-to-mcconnell-pass-the-dream-act,"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Senators Cantwell, Murray and Democratic Women Senators in Letter to Leader McConnell: Pass the DREAM Act Before Senate Recesses in December",2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.22.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Senators Cantwell, Murray and Democratic Women Senators in Letter to Leader McConnell: Pass the DREAM Act Before Senate Recesses in December Over 90 percent of DACA recipients are employed, would benefit from security and peace of mind WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) and Democratic women colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging him to pass the Dream Act as soon as possible before the Senate recesses in December. In the letter, Senator Baldwin and 10 other female Democratic Senators emphasized the impact of President Trump’s decision to rescind the DACA program on women DREAMers, and their families, and underscored the need to pass legislation that would prevent them from being deported from the only home they have ever known. “Women make up 53 percent of DACA recipients. According to the largest survey of DACA recipients, about one-quarter are parents of American citizen children,” the Senators wrote. “The futures of these mothers and their U.S. citizen children have been thrown into uncertainty. If Congress does not act to protect them, hundreds of thousands of women will lose their status and face deportation.” The Senators expressed concern that these American citizen children of DACA recipients may end up in foster care if their mothers are deported. The Senators also noted that the fear of deportation leads fewer immigrants to report incidents of sexual abuse or domestic violence. In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter is signed by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The full text of the letter is below:   November 21, 2017 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Senate Majority Leader 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510   Dear Leader McConnell: We write to urge you to pass the Dream Act as soon as possible and before the Senate recesses for the holidays. There is bipartisan support for Dreamers who have grown up as Americans and know only this country as their home. They are enrolled in our colleges, serving in our military, contributing to our economy and leading lawful, productive lives. It has been over two months since President Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program and we have yet to see a Republican legislative plan to fix DACA. As mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers, we are particularly concerned about the harm immigrant women and young children face with the rescission of DACA. Women make up 53 percent of DACA recipients. According to the largest survey of DACA recipients, about one-quarter are parents of American citizen children. The futures of these mothers and their U.S. citizen children have been thrown into uncertainty. If Congress does not act to protect them, hundreds of thousands of women will lose their status and face deportation. The effects of deportation have a lasting impact on immigrant families. When a parent is deported, it leaves the other with the responsibility of raising a family as a single parent—likely on a single income. If both parents are deported, their children may end up in foster care. Dreamer parents deserve to raise their children with dignity and without the threat of deportation. Through the DACA program, immigrant women have been able to secure jobs and educational opportunities that allow them to provide for themselves and their families. In fact, over 90 percent of DACA recipients are currently employed and approximately 70 percent were able to get better paying jobs through their DACA status. Without the Dream Act, women will face extreme difficulty making ends meet for their families. Women deserve to feel safe and be protected, regardless of immigration status. Taking away DACA protections places survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at risk of further exploitation. There is already increasing fear among immigrant survivors to report these crimes. In fact, nearly 43 percent of legal advocates said they had personally worked with a domestic violence or sexual assault survivor who dropped a civil or criminal case because they were too scared of potential immigration enforcement actions to continue. If we do not act now to pass the Dream Act, thousands of Dreamer mothers and their families will face separation. The experience of Riccy Enriquez Perdomo, a DACA recipient and mother of two small children, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this summer despite having DACA protection, is just one example of what could happen across the country if Congress fails to pass the Dream Act. Riccy was detained for seven days and shuffled to five different detention facilities during that time. Her family was unable to see her or even get accurate information on where she was being held. ICE had already prepared travel documents for her to be sent to Honduras before acknowledging their mistake. Riccy’s experience and the painful uncertainty her family faced will be repeated thousands of times across the country if we do not take action. Dreamers should not be threatened with detention and deportation. Immigrant women contribute so much to our society and we cannot let them down. Congress should immediately consider legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers. There is absolutely no doubt that America will benefit from passage of the Dream Act, and too much is at stake not to act. We urge you to bring this legislation to the Senate floor for consideration as soon as possible. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/key-sportsman-groups-endorse-rep-kind-s-bipartisan-bill-manage-and,Key Sportsman Groups Endorse Rep. Kind’s Bipartisan Bill to Manage and Prevent the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease,2017-11-21,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, key sportsman groups endorsed Rep. Kind’s bipartisan Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act. The bill will support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies as well as support research regarding the causes of chronic wasting disease and methods to control the further spread of the disease. CWD positive deer have been found in or within 10 miles of Grant, Vernon, Crawford, Richland, Monroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, and Wood counties. Below are comments from groups who have endorsed the bill:   Wisconsin Wildlife Federation “The funding and help with research outlined in Reps. Kind and Sensenbrenner’s legislation would give the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources the kind of support it needs as it grapples with the spread of chronic wasting disease in the state,” said George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. “Wisconsin’s deer herds are critically important to the state’s more than 600,000 gun hunters and 225,000 bow hunters. They represent an estimated $1 billion in annual economic benefits for the state.” Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation “The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has long recognized that increased attention to, and funding for, regular screening and testing of cervids at the state level is necessary to ensure a timely response is possible in the event of a Chronic Wasting Disease outbreak,” said Brent Miller CSF’s Senior Director, Northeastern States. “We commend the leadership of Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus member, Congressman Kind, and Congressman Sensenbrenner on this critical wildlife management issue.” National Wildlife Federation “Chronic Wasting Disease poses a grave threat to North America’s deer, elk, and moose herds, and the hunters and communities that depend on them,” said Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Yet as this terrible disease spreads rapidly across our country, it’s received neither the urgent attention nor sufficient resources from Washington to combat it. That is about to change thanks to the leadership of two great sportsmen, Representatives Ron Kind and Jim Sensenbrenner, who understand how serious this threat and why immediate action is needed. The National Wildlife Federation enthusiastically supports their bill to provide states and tribes the support required to respond to this critical threat to America’s wildlife.” Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance “In the last decade, while CWD has relentlessly spread to new areas and increased in prevalence, the funding and resources to fight it have dwindled,” said Matt Dunfee, Program Coordinator for the CWD Alliance. “Given that CWD may pose the greatest risk to the sustainability of North America’s deer, elk, and moose populations, it is beyond vital that we ramp up the funding and resources needed to manage this disease. This proposed legislation goes a long way in getting the wildlife management community the tools they need to fight CWD at a level appropriate to the severity of the disease.” National Deer Alliance “At the North American Deer Summit, held earlier this year in Austin, TX, the states represented made it clear that more funding was needed for CWD monitoring and research. We are glad that our coalition of conservation groups was able to work with Congressman Kind and Congressman Sensenbrenner to craft this important legislation,” said the National Deer Alliance. Quality Deer Management Association “The importance of healthy white-tailed deer populations to the future of wildlife conservation and our hunting heritage cannot be overemphasized,” said QDMA CEO Brian Murphy.  “Expenditures by whitetail hunters account for nearly half of the entire U.S. hunting economy which employs nearly 500,000 Americans, contributes tens of billions to our economy, and funds significant portions of state wildlife agency budgets for both game and nongame species.” Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies “Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease that affects members of the deer family, and may be one of the biggest challenges in modern wildlife conservation history,” stated Virgil Moore, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Director of Idaho Fish and Game. “This legislative package, if passed, will move forward and strengthen state and tribal chronic wasting disease management strategies by providing critical funding to help protect our nation’s wildlife.” With 88% of Wisconsin’s 763,384 hunters participating in deer hunting and an economic impact of $2.5 billion, it is critical that action is taken to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. The bill is co-sponsored by Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). It has three main components. Authorizing funding to state and tribal agencies responsible for wildlife management to implement management strategies to address CWD. Directing USDA to make grants to expand and accelerate applied research on CWD. Directing USDA and the Department of Interior to work cooperatively with the states to conduct research and implement state CWD response plans to reduce the spread and prevalence of the disease.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-seeks-answers-on-closing-of-appleton-coated-lost-jobs,"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Seeks Answers from PNC Bank on Closing of Appleton Coated, Lost Jobs",2017-11-21,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Seeks Answers from PNC Bank on Closing of Appleton Coated, Lost Jobs Senator Baldwin: “I want to know why the bank appears to have chosen a short-term profit at the expense of Appleton Coated, its workers and their families.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is asking questions and seeking answers from PNC bank about its role in the closing of Appleton Coated in Combined Locks. “Today, 500 workers are without jobs in Combined Locks. Another 120 don’t know if their next paycheck will be their last. The closure of Appleton Coated has affected the Fox Valley deeply, pulling millions of dollars in economic output from a region that has lost 1,300 jobs since August,” said Senator Baldwin. “While restoring jobs as quickly as possible is the first priority, I am deeply troubled by what I have learned about the events that led to Appleton Coated’s closure. There appeared to be multiple options to keep the plant open yet PNC Bank refused them. I want to know why the bank appears to have chosen a short-term profit at the expense of Appleton Coated, its workers and their families. Our community needs answers.” As the Appleton Post-Crescent reported, the paper mill, which employed about 620 workers, went into receivership Aug. 17 and was sold Oct. 10 to Industrial Assets Corp. after a series of court hearings. The mill is currently idle, with minimal staff maintaining the facility. Senator Baldwin, in a letter sent to PNC Bank chairman, president and CEO William Demchak, asks a number questions about the banks role in the closing and lost jobs. As the Appleton Post Crescent has reported, “Baldwin sought to determine if allegations of enforcement of $50,000-a-day penalties starting in July on the reported $11 million loan strained the company’s finances and garnered an extra $3 million for the bank on top of what it would have earned on the loan.” A copy of the letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-statement-net-neutrality,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Net Neutrality,2017-11-21,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Net Neutrality WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today released the following statement on the FCC’s plan to repeal Net Neutrality rules: “Rolling back net neutrality rules will allow internet service providers to create an uneven playing field in the online marketplace for services and ideas. We must work to ensure that the internet does not become a two-tiered system, with fast lanes for some and slow lanes for others. Net neutrality is a principle that is at the heart of an accessible and free internet, and I believe we need to protect innovators, entrepreneurs and consumers and keep the internet open for everyone.”   Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/manufacturers-applaud-baldwin-for-getting-job-done-to-improve-buy-american-standards,American Manufacturers Applaud U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin for Getting the Job Done to Improve Buy American Standards in National Defense Legislation,2017-11-21,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.17 American Manufacturers Applaud U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin for Getting the Job Done to Improve Buy American Standards in National Defense Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the final fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the Senate last week, leading voices in the American manufacturing community applauded U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin for her work to successfully include Buy American requirements in the final legislation. “Fairbanks Morse congratulates the NDAA conferees on an agreement that is not only beneficial for US manufacturers and US jobs, but helps to preserve US technologies for our defense industrial base,” said Marvin Riley, COO EnPro Industries. “We are extremely grateful for Senator Baldwin’s leadership in maintaining US capabilities that are vital to the interests of our national security.” “The American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) commends the hard work of Senator Baldwin for her tireless efforts in support of the shipbuilding industry.  This provides the needed protection for our US shipbuilding industry which is required to defend the United States,” said Chris Cikanovich, President, ASSA. “This will further ensure that domestic companies remain an asset to the United States defense programs and that the shipbuilding supplier base remains a vital component of the United States industrial base.” Senator Baldwin has been leading the charge to include Buy American requirements in the final NDAA. The NDAA passed by the Senate in September included section 863, which eliminated a number of critical Buy American requirements in defense procurement laws. Senator Baldwin offered an amendment to reverse this provision and after it wasn’t given a vote, she took her fight to the House-Senate conference committee. Last month she led 15 of her Senate colleagues in pressing the conference committee to include critical Buy American requirements in defense procurement laws. The legislation also includes measures Senator Baldwin fought for to support Made in Wisconsin manufacturing and shipbuilding. While Senator Baldwin included a bipartisan amendment to add $600 million for a second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to the Senate-passed NDAA’s original level of one, that was still one ship short of the ideal number of three vessels. Accordingly, Senator Baldwin then pressed the House-Senate conference committee to include funding for three Littoral Combat Ships. This effort was successful, and the final NDAA includes funding for three ships, which will maintain workforce levels at the shipyard in Marinette and throughout the supply chain across Wisconsin. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wfrv-green-bay-baldwin-introduces-bipartisan-reform-to-strengthen-opioid-safety-for-veterans,WFRV Green Bay: Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan Reform to Strengthen Opioid Safety for Veterans,2017-11-20,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-joins-colleagues-to-reaffirm-support-for-paris-climate-agreement,"As COP23 Closes, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Senate Colleagues to Reaffirm Support for Paris Climate Agreement",2017-11-20,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.17 As COP23 Closes, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Senate Colleagues to Reaffirm Support for Paris Climate Agreement New Senate Resolution highlights American support for climate action, progress on clean energy and climate solutions WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the United Nations 23rd Conference of the Parties wraps up in Bonn, Germany, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined a Senate Resolution, led by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), expressing U.S. support for the Paris climate agreement. The resolution highlights that fact that, despite President Donald Trump’s intention to withdraw from the historic climate accord, the United States has experienced emissions reductions during a period of economic growth, and that state and local governments are committing to clean energy deployment that will help ensure the United States can meet its climate goals. “There is no doubt that global climate change poses a growing threat to our planet, our country, our Great Lakes and Wisconsin,” said Senator Baldwin. “Turning our back on the world and backing out of the Paris Agreement is bad for our environment and bad for our economy in Wisconsin. The U.S. must show strong leadership on climate change, reaffirm our commitment to future generations and take action to address this challenge.” The resolution also points to the massive job growth potential from clean energy, with more than 2.5 million people in the United States already working in industries such as wind, solar and energy efficiency in all 50 States. As recently as this week, Virginia and New Jersey have taken steps or signaled their intention to join the Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the successful market-based system that sets a cap on carbon emissions from the electric sector.   A copy of the Senate resolution can be found here.   In addition to Senator Baldwin, other Senators co-sponsoring the resolution include Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Jack Reed (D-RI). ### Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-secures-funding-for-wisconsins-great-lakes,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Secures Funding for Wisconsin’s Great Lakes,2017-11-20,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Secures Funding for Wisconsin’s Great Lakes Senate Appropriations Committee includes $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Appropriations Committee today released the Fiscal Year 2018 Interior and Environment funding bill, which includes $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) that Senator Baldwin secured as a member of the committee. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is critical for the health of our region, our communities, and our clean water resources. It helps us clean up polluted sites, restore water quality and combat invasive species,” said Senator Baldwin. “Preserving the Great Lakes is not just an environmental goal - it is an economic necessity, and I’m glad to see the Senate Appropriations Committee has taken this positive step to fully fund this important initiative.” Last month, Senator Baldwin joined  a bipartisan group of her Senate colleagues calling on the Office of Management and Budget to include this critical funding in the legislation. A copy of the October letter is available here. In May, Senator Baldwin championed a bipartisan agreement to fully fund the GLRI in omnibus funding legislation. The GLRI is a critical program for the Great Lakes region that helps protect our clean water resources. President Trump proposed eliminating federal funding for this program, suggesting that instead we could rely on the State of Wisconsin and local governments to provide this critical funding. Senator Baldwin has championed the GLRI and protecting our Great Lakes throughout her time in the Senate. Last year, Senator Baldwin successfully fought to reauthorize the GLRI for five more years in bipartisan legislation signed into law by President Obama. The text of the Draft FY2018 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-introducing-bipartisan-bill-manage-and-prevent-spread-chronic,Rep. Kind Introducing Bipartisan Bill to Manage and Prevent the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease,2017-11-17,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Ron Kind announced he is introducing the bipartisan Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act. The bill will support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies as well as support research regarding the causes of chronic wasting disease and methods to control the further spread of the disease. CWD positive deer have been found in or within 10 miles of Grant, Vernon, Crawford, Richland, Monroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, and Wood counties. “As an avid hunter who has passed the tradition down to my sons I know how important maintaining a healthy deer herd is to both Wisconsin’s heritage and economy. Chronic wasting disease has the potential to devastate deer herds, and it is time we bring hunters, scientists, and officials together to create a comprehensive plan to manage and prevent the spread of the disease,” said Rep. Kind. With 88% of Wisconsin’s 763,384 hunters participating in deer hunting and an economic impact of $2.5 billion, it is critical that action is taken to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. The bill is co-sponsored by Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). It has three main components. Authorizing funding to state and tribal agencies responsible for wildlife management to implement management strategies to address CWD. Directing USDA to make grants to expand and accelerate applied research on CWD. Directing USDA and the Department of Interior to work cooperatively with the states to conduct research and implement state CWD response plans to reduce the spread and prevalence of the disease. The following organizations have endorsed the bill Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, National Deer Alliance, Quality Deer Management Association, and Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2228,"Reps. Moore, Meeks Lead 56 House Democrats in Letter to FCC about Lifeline Program",2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Chairman Pai's proposal to cap Lifeline is a direct assault on low-income communities who depend on phone and internet services as an essential component in their everyday lives. share: f t Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Gwen S. Moore and Congressman Gregory W. Meeks led a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chair Ajit Pai expressing concern with recent changes to the Lifeline Program, which provides a modest monthly subsidy of $9.25 to connect low-income Americans to phone and internet service. Representatives Meeks and Moore issued the following statement regarding the letter, which was signed by 56 other House Democrats and supported by groups such as the NAACP, Communications Workers of America, Public Knowledge, and many others (listed below): Chairman Pais proposal to cap Lifeline is a direct assault on low-income communities who depend on phone and internet services as an essential component in their everyday lives, said Congresswoman Gwen Moore. These services not only save lives during emergencies, as we saw during this years devastating hurricane season, but they are also vital when applying for jobs, attending school, scheduling doctors appointments, and maintaining finances. In 2016, the United Nations declared internet access a human right, so why, in 2017, is Chairman Pai trying to strip this right away? I will not sit by and watch as Chairman Pai allows the elderly, disabled, veterans, low income individuals, and communities of color to be placed on the wrong side of the digital divide. In our modern, highly technological and interconnected world, internet and phone service are all but required to lead a functional life. Many Americans still dont have phone and internet access, rendering it nearly impossible to complete everyday tasks, such as finishing assigned schoolwork or conducting a phone interview, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks said. The digital dividewhich Chairman Pai promised he would seek to minimizepersists today and the Lifeline Program is critical in helping minimize it. Yet, Chairman Pais proposed changes would practically decimate the Lifeline program, upon which millions of Americans rely. Indeed, this is nothing more than a poorly disguised attack on our nations most vulnerable citizens. I thank Congresswoman Moore and the cosigners and endorsing organizations of this letter for partnering with me to stand against Chairman Pais efforts to widen the digital divide. Statements from endorsing organizations: The Lifeline Program is the only government program dedicated to bringing telephone and internet service to low-income Americans; people who are disproportionately of color, seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities. It is because of Lifeline that more American workers, especially those who may be unemployed, have access to job openings, and more seniors can call their loved ones, neighbors, or emergency services in the event of a mishap, said Ms. Hilary Shelton, Director of the NAACPs Washington Bureau and the Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy. Lifeline has enabled Veterans to access the health, educational, and financial benefits to which they are entitled and rural residents to have access to health care and emergency services. It is because of Lifeline that parents can stay in touch with their childrens schools and teachers. The FCC should be ashamed and embarrassed that rather than enhancing and encouraging Lifeline participation and success, it is taking steps to decimate the program. It is alarming that if adopted by the FCC, these proposals would remove providers of affordable telecommunications service for nearly 70 percent of the low-income households who rely on Lifeline to connect to our modern communications network, said National Consumer Law Center attorney Olivia Wein. Instead, we should keep and strengthen recent reforms that modernized the Lifeline program to bridge the digital divide and allow millions of low-income families to partake in daily activities that many of us take for granted, such as using the internet for work, homework or to communicate with doctors and teachers. Chairman Pais proposal will destabilize and irreparably harm the Lifeline program, making it nearly impossible for our nations poorest families to get access and stay connected to phone and Internet service, said Carmen Scurato, Director of Policy and Legal Affairs at the National Hispanic Media Coalition. We need to work together to ensure that we bridge the digital divide so that traditionally marginalized communities can participate in our economy, democracy, and society - and gutting the Lifeline program is not the answer. Its hard to underestimate the damage Chairman Pais plan to undercut Lifeline will have on low-income families and people of color, said Free Press Action Fund Deputy Director and Senior Counsel Jessica J. Gonzlez. This cruel action benefits no one and is in defiance of the spirit of the program, which was designed to give some of the most vulnerable in our communities a chance to connect with others and find new opportunities. That an FCC chairman is even able to float such a ruthless proposal speaks poorly to the state of our politics today. Pai should be in government to help, not hurt, people. Were thankful for Representatives Gregory Meeks and Gwen S. Moores efforts to call attention to this injustice and are happy that so many others have followed their lead to demand far better from this FCC chairman. ""If ultimately adopted, Chairman Pai's proposals would roll back the United States' longstanding commitment that basic telecommunications services should be universally available to and affordable for all Americans. The Chairman's plan would strand millions of low-income families, veterans, and children without affordable communications services, and drastically curtail their access to the education, job training, and basic services that increasingly require an internet connection, said Public Knowledge. Rather than moving forward with this plan that would harm the most vulnerable, the FCC should refocus its efforts to promote affordable, competitive broadband for all Americans, and ensure that the Lifeline program remains a core component of our efforts to close the digital divide."" In reviewing FCC Chairman Pais Lifeline proposals, we can only conclude that his aim is to starve this vital program of service providers, participants, subsidies, and funding. The end result will be a drastically smaller, less effective program and a widened chasm between those who can afford access to essential telecommunications services and those who cannot, said Adrianne B. Furniss, Executive Director of the Benton Foundation. This makes a mockery of U.S. telecommunications law and Americas historical commitment to ensure that affordable communications infrastructure and services reach everyone no matter where they live. Benton welcomes Congress reminder to the FCC about what its true mission is. Congressional Cosigners (56): Representatives Michael E. Capuano, Ro Khanna, Jerrold Nadler, Keith Ellison, G.K. Butterfield, Yvette D. Clarke, Hakeem Jeffries, Barbara Lee, Tim Ryan, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Alcee Hastings, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Anthony Brown, Bobby L. Rush, Mark Takano, James P. McGovern, Jose E. Serrano, Norma Torres, Earl Blumenauer, Raul Grijalva, Louise M. Slaughter, Dina Titus, Dwight Evans, Eliot Engel, Terri A.Sewell, Carolyn B. Maloney, Mark Pocan, Danny Davis, Janice D. Schakowsky, Robin L. Kelly, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Alma Adams, Steve Cohen, Grace F. Napolitano, Bennie G. Thompson, David N. Cicilline, Luis Gutierrez, John A. Yarmuth, Tulsi Gabbard, Robert A. Brady, Darren Soto, Ted Lieu, Joyce Beatty, McCollum, Donald S. Beyer, Jr., Cedric L. Richmond, John Lewis, John Garamendi, Alan S. Lowenthal, Carol Shea-Porter, Marcy Kaptur, Colleen Hanabusa, Elijah E. Cummings, Jamie Raskin, Henry C. Hank Johnson, Bill Foster Endorsing organizations (16): National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Communications Workers of America (CWA), Public Knowledge, Free Press, National Hispanic Media Coalition, National Lifeline Association, Benton Foundation, Greenlining Institute, United Church of Christ, Common Sense Kids Action, National Consumer Law Center, The Utility Reform Network, OpenMedia, OCA- Asian Pacific American Advocates, New Americas Open Technology Institute, Appalshop, Inc ### Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat | Instagram | Website",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2557,Passage of GOP Tax Scam Puts the Well-Being of Millions in Peril,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Once again, Speaker Paul Ryan and his Republican House colleagues are taking a victory lap around Capitol Hill at the expense of America's working- and middle-class. share: f t Washington, D.C. In response to the passage of the House Republican tax plan, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade, issued the following statement: Weve been down this road before. Once again, Speaker Paul Ryan and his Republican House colleagues are taking a victory lap around Capitol Hill at the expense of Americas working- and middle-class. Once again, the health care of millions including children, the disabled, and those battling poverty is in jeopardy in an effort to appease President Trump and his partys wealthiest donors. And once again, the country now looks to the Senate to reject this dangerous proposal and find the humanity that all too often eludes their counterparts in House. Let us hope that common-sense once again triumphs over arrogance and self-indulgence. ### Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat | Instagram | Website",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-slams-ryan-for-raising-taxes-on-36-million-middle-class-families,Pocan Slams Ryan for Raising Taxes on 36 Million Middle Class Families,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"MADISON, WI (November 16, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement regarding the House Republican tax plan, which was passed today in the House of Representatives. This legislation will now move on to the Senate, where Republicans plan to jam through provisions to strip approximately 13 million Americans of their care, in addition to giving a massive tax windfall for corporations and the wealthy. ""Speaker Ryan and House Republicans just voted to raise taxes on the middle class. Why? To give the wealthiest Americans and corporations a multi-trillion dollar tax giveaway. While I'm still recovering from my recent heart surgery, had I been in Washington, my vote would not have been a ‘no,' it would have been a ‘hell no'. ""The GOP tax plan even makes the middle class pay for tax breaks for corporations that outsource their jobs to foreign countries. Rather than developing a plan that would expand economic opportunities and strengthen the middle class, Speaker Ryan and House Republicans are further rigging the economy against the American people. ""Republicans claim they are doubling the standard deduction, but in reality, they eliminated deductions like those for state and local taxes, student loan interest, and medical expenses, raising taxes on 36 million middle class households. Hundreds of thousands of Speaker Ryan's own constituents rely on these deductions, including many that utilize the state and local tax deduction. ""Speaker Ryan was wrong to shove this tax plan through Congress in a two week span without holding a single hearing with those who will be most affected – the middle class. Today is not the end of the fight and I will do everything I can to help ensure that the Senate bill fails.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:12:50Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-joins-colleagues-to-unveil-new-legislation-to-ensure-retirees-keep-pensions,"Joined By Retired Teamsters, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Senate and House Colleagues to Unveil New Legislation to Ensure 25,000 Workers and Retirees in Wisconsin Keep Their Earned Pensions in Full",2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.16.17 Joined By Retired Teamsters, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Senate and House Colleagues to Unveil New Legislation to Ensure 25,000 Workers and Retirees in Wisconsin Keep Their Earned Pensions in Full Without Congressional Action, the Retirement Benefits of 25,000 Pension Plan Participants in Wisconsin Could Be At Risk WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Senate and House Democrats today to unveil new legislation – the Butch Lewis Act - to ensure Teamsters and thousands of other American retirees can keep the retirement they have earned so their families and livelihoods are not put at risk. “I am proud to be signed on to the Butch Lewis Act with Senator Brown and my colleagues,” said Senator Baldwin. “This important legislation keeps our promise to workers and retirees, and fixes failing pensions, so today’s retirees can count on the pensions they have earned and workers can count on their pensions in the future.” Specifically, the Democrats are introducing legislation that would allow the Treasury Department to make loans, leveraged by safe investments, to pension plans to ensure that retirees and their families are guaranteed their promised benefits. This new legislation would put the pension plans back on solid footing, ensure they can meet their obligations to current retirees and workers for decades to come without cutting the benefits retirees earned and safeguard them for the future. During the press conference, Democrats called for this fix to be passed by the end of this year. Pension plans – including the massive Central States Teamsters Pension Plan, the United Mine Workers Pension Plan, and over 200 more plans impacting workers in every state in the country – are on the brink of failure and threatened by massive cuts. If nothing is done, these 200 multiemployer plans are projected to fail, many within the next 10 years. The result of significant cuts to these pensions would be economically devastating, as the retirement benefits of 1.5 million plan participants could be at risk, including 25,000 in Wisconsin. In 2015, multiemployer participants were paid $241 billion in wages and pension benefits and those participants paid over $35 billion in federal taxes and an additional $8.4 billion in state and local taxes. If pension plans are allowed to fail, not only will employers no longer be able to pay promised benefits, but taxpayers would be at risk of having to pay billions when the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), the government sponsored insurance company for multiemployer pensions, has an exposure of $59 billion and is projected to become insolvent by 2025. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the cost of backstopping the PBGC, should it fail, would be $101 billion dollars over 20 years. The Democrats therefore said these workers, retirees, families and communities are at risk through no fault of their own and must be protected. In addition to Senator Baldwin, the legislation was led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and cosponsored by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Al Franken (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).  Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2558,Rep. Moore Hosts Press Conference on GOP Tax Plan,2017-11-15,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Milwaukee, WI On Monday, November 20th, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) will join local leaders to discuss the alarming impact the GOP tax plan will have on the country. share: f t For Immediate Release November 20, 2017 Contact: Eric Harris (202) 225-4572 Congresswoman Gwen Moore Hosts Press Conference on GOP Tax Plan Milwaukee, WI On Monday, November 20th,Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) will join local leaders to discuss the alarming impact the GOP tax plan will have on the country. Not only does the bill include drastic cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, but it also eliminates student loan and state and local tax deductions upon which millions of Americans depend. For more information about this event, please call the Milwaukee district office at(414) 297-1140. WHAT: Press Conference on GOP Tax Plan WHO: U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Mayor Dan Bukiewicz, Oak Creek Dr. Robert Kraig, Executive Director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin Stephanie Sue Stein, Board of Directors, League of Progressive Seniors Amy Mizialko, Vice President, Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association WHEN: Monday, November 20, 2017 at 9:30am WHERE: Washington Park Senior Center 4420 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI 53208 P. (414) 933-2332 ### Twitter|Facebook|Snapchat|Instagram|Website",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-helps-introduce-the-consumer-privacy-protection-act,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce The Consumer Privacy Protection Act,2017-11-15,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.15.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce The Consumer Privacy Protection Act Protects Americans’ sensitive personal information against cyberattacks and ensures timely notification and protection when data is breached WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined with her Senate colleagues, led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), to introduce comprehensive consumer privacy legislation to protect Americans’ sensitive personal information against cyberattacks and to ensure timely notification and protection when data is breached. The Consumer Privacy Protection Act of 2017 would require companies to take preventive steps to defend against cyberattacks and data breaches, and to quickly provide consumers with notice and appropriate protection when a data breach occurs.  The bill addresses the kinds of security breaches that have affected multiple companies – most notably the recent, massive Equifax breach that exposed the personal information of almost half the American population. This sensitive consumer information is increasingly targeted by both criminal hackers and hostile foreign powers. “When it comes to the sensitive, personal information, we have to make sure American consumers have the information and the tools they need to protect themselves,” said Senator Baldwin. “In the case with Equifax, there are still tens of millions of Americans who don’t know whether or not they are at risk. That is unacceptable and the Senate must take action to hold these companies accountable and protect our constituents.”   In addition to Senator Baldwin, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.); Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.). The Consumer Privacy Protection Act requires that corporations meet certain baseline privacy and data security standards to keep information they store about consumers safe, and it requires that these firms provide notice and protection to consumers in the event of a breach.  This legislation protects broad categories of data, including: (1) social security numbers and other government-issued identification numbers; (2) financial account information, including credit card numbers and bank accounts; (3) online usernames and passwords, including email names and passwords; (4) unique biometric data, including fingerprints and faceprints; (5) information about a person’s physical and mental health; (6) information about geolocation; and (7) access to private digital photographs and videos. Following a massive data breach that threatened the sensitive, private information of more than 145 million Americans, Senator Baldwin called for a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee, and last week executives from Equifax took questions from Senator Baldwin and others on the Commerce Committee. Senator Baldwin sent a letter to the CEO of Equifax calling on him to provide direct notice to each and every American consumer impacted by the data breach. This Consumer Privacy Protection Act has the support of leading consumer privacy advocates, including the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Consumer Federation of America, New America’s Open Technology Institute, and Public Knowledge.  The full text of the bill can be found here.  Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-leads-letter-to-trump-calling-for-strong-protections-for-workers,"As NAFTA Renegotiations Move Forward, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Leads Letter to Trump Administration Calling for Strong Protections for Workers",2017-11-15,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.15.17 As NAFTA Renegotiations Move Forward, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Leads Letter to Trump Administration Calling for Strong Protections for Workers WASHINGTON, D.C. – As negotiations over a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) resume today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has led 17 of her Senate colleagues in a letter to United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer calling for the Trump Administration to reverse the race to the bottom that has led to job losses and wage stagnation in the United States. The Senators wrote, “In advance of the fifth round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations in Mexico City, it is clear that the Parties are at an inflection point. Entrenched corporate special interests are fiercely lobbying against reforms that benefit American working families. They fight because NAFTA has allowed them to reap big profits by taking advantage of cheap foreign labor—causing job losses, stagnating wages, and shuttered factories here at home. We write to encourage you to end the race to the bottom that has been the hallmark of previously failed agreements. We ask you to do this by pressing ahead with a bold labor chapter proposal that includes clear standards with swift and certain enforcement.” The letter notes that the failures of previous labor chapters has been made evident by the recent Guatemala case. That case, decided under the Dominican Republican – Central America – United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), found that Guatemala was in compliance with its labor obligations despite its horrifying track record, which includes the murders of 68 trade union leaders since 2007. In addition to calling on Ambassador Lighthizer to address these issues in the renegotiated text of NAFTA, the letter calls for an independent labor monitoring body to address entrenched labor issues in Mexico. Finally, the letter calls for Ambassador Lighthizer to withhold the benefits of the agreement unless and until parties have implemented and begun enforcing the fundamental protections of the new labor chapter. The letter to Trade Representative Lighthizer was signed by Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The full letter is available here and below. November 15, 2017 The Honorable Robert E. Lighthizer United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20508 Dear Ambassador Lighthizer: In advance of the fifth round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations in Mexico City, it is clear that the Parties are at an inflection point. Entrenched corporate special interests are fiercely lobbying against reforms that benefit American working families. They fight because NAFTA has allowed them to reap big profits by taking advantage of cheap foreign labor—causing job losses, stagnating wages, and shuttered factories here at home. We write to encourage you to end the race to the bottom that has been the hallmark of previously failed agreements. We ask you to do this by pressing ahead with a bold labor chapter proposal that includes clear standards with swift and certain enforcement. As you are well aware, the May 10, 2007 Agreement is the baseline from which the new labor chapter must build. While May 10th was an improvement for its time, recent events have made clear that its provisions are inadequate. Nowhere is this more evident than in the recently decided Guatemala labor case, in which a panel concluded that Guatemala is in compliance with its free trade labor obligations despite a horrifying labor record. The Guatemala case demonstrates how the May 10th model must be improved as part of the renegotiated NAFTA. First, the new labor chapter must eliminate or narrowly define the requirement that labor law violations must be through a “sustained or recurring course of action or inaction” to constitute a violation of the agreement.  As the panel noted, such a requirement is overkill as “individual instances of non-compliance do not ipso facto prove that enforcement is ineffective. A given case of employer non-compliance in the face of inaction or deficient action by enforcement authorities certainly could indicate a failure of effective enforcement. However, this is not necessarily always the case.” Second, the requirement that violations occur “in a manner affecting trade” should be eliminated. The Parties should stipulate that the working conditions of all workers affect the labor market, thereby always affecting the conditions of trade and investment. In addition to fixing these two important textual issues, we recommend that you build-in an independent labor monitoring and compliance body. This will help address entrenched labor issues in Mexico and overcome decades of inadequate monitoring and enforcement of labor obligations in trade agreements and ensure that rights and remedies apply to all workers, including seasonal and migrant workers. Finally, as has long been the case with the provisions sought by multinational corporations, the broader benefits of NAFTA’s replacement—lower tariffs, greater market access—should not be granted unless and until all Parties have implemented the fundamental protections of the new labor chapter. In other words, Mexican labor law reforms must be fully implemented before entry into force of the new agreement. If this requires an annexation, that is acceptable. We believe that the reforms outlined above can reverse the race to the bottom that has led to job losses and wage stagnation in the United States. Additionally, we request that you engage with us to discuss these and related ideas further. We find that face-to-face engagement can spur creativity and bridge divides. Sincerely, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-introduce-bipartisan-va-reform-to-strengthen-opioid-safety,"Senators Baldwin, Capito, Moran, Manchin, Blumenthal and Tester Introduce Bipartisan VA Reform to Strengthen Opioid Safety in the VA Choice Program",2017-11-15,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.15.17 Senators Baldwin, Capito, Moran, Manchin, Blumenthal and Tester Introduce Bipartisan VA Reform to Strengthen Opioid Safety in the VA Choice Program WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced bipartisan VA reform legislation, the Andrew White Veterans Community Care Opioid Safety Act, to strengthen opioid therapy safety and pain care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community care programs, including through the VA Choice program. To improve opioid safety and care for our veterans, Congress passed legislation introduced by Senators Baldwin and Capito, the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act in 2016, “Jason’s Law,” to strengthen VA’s opioid prescribing guidelines, put in place stronger oversight and accountability, and provide safer and more effective pain management services for our nation’s veterans. While VA has made progress increasing opioid safety and reducing overprescribing within the VA health care system through Jason’s Law, recent reports have found that veterans receiving opioid therapy from community care providers, including through the VA Choice program, are at a significant risk. A July 2017 VA Office of Inspector General report on opioid prescribing in VA community care programs found that contract providers are not subject to many of the opioid safety reforms included in Jason’s Law and implemented at VA. Specifically, community care providers are not aware of and thus, not complying with, VA opioid therapy and safe prescribing protocols. Furthermore, VA is not consistently tracking opioid prescriptions from community care programs due to significant information exchange gaps between VA and non-VA providers. “Our family is supporting the bipartisan bill that Senator Baldwin is putting forward to address the Inspector General’s report from July that shows veterans receiving care outside the VA don’t have the same opioid prescribing and monitoring guidelines that Jason’s Law requires inside the VA,” said Marv Simcakoski, Jason’s father. “We need to stay vigilant and I am going to work my hardest to see that this legislation also gets across the finish line.” “Last year, we successfully passed bipartisan VA reform legislation named in honor of Jason to strengthen opioid prescribing guidelines at VA facilities, and put in place stronger oversight and accountability.” said Senator Baldwin. “Now, we are continuing to build on that progress to help give every veteran access to the same safe care, regardless of where they seek services.” “Jason’s Law was a significant step in preventing opioid overprescribing at the VA and holding VA officials and health care professionals accountable to the men and women who have selflessly served our country. However, it has become clear that more can be done to prevent addiction and opioid abuse among our veterans served by community care providers,” Senator Capito said. “This legislation will help ensure the health and well-being of all veterans seeking care—veterans like Andrew White, a brave Marine and West Virginian who tragically lost his life after being overprescribed. I’m proud to honor Andrew’s memory with this bill and to continue such an important effort with Senator Baldwin.” “The national opioid crisis disproportionately affects veterans and the VA’s history in managing their chronic pain has led to avoidable over prescriptions, addiction and even death,” said Senator Moran. “The bipartisan Andrew White Veterans Community Care Opioid Safety Act, will help the VA and our healthcare providers in the community share information that is important to the well-being of our veterans.” “By working together, we can help prevent the over-medication of our veterans, whether they go to the VA or to their local doctors for their health care,” said Senator Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Veterans deserve the very best health care, and this bill encourages safer pain management for them.” “As a country, we owe our Veterans the best medical care available and that includes safely managing pain,” Senator Manchin said. “In 2016, I was proud to join Senator Baldwin in passing the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act in 2016, which strengthened VA opioid prescribing guidelines, and oversight and accountability. The Andrew White Veterans Community Care Opioid Safety Act is the next step to ensure that VA is not sending veterans out to irresponsible or reckless providers in the community who overprescribe opioids. I look forward to passing this legislation, which will safeguard the well-being and care of our nation’s bravest men and women.” “For many, the perilous path to opioid addiction starts in the doctor’s office with a prescription pad. Veterans receiving treatment in the community through the VA Choice program should not run a higher risk of opioid addiction just by virtue of their healthcare provider,” said Senator Blumenthal. “This bipartisan measure would strengthen accountability and oversight of prescribing practices in the Choice program. It’s an easy fix that will save lives as we attempt to lessen the chokehold of these deadly drugs on communities across America.” The bipartisan Andrew White Veterans Community Care Opioid Safety Act would strengthen opioid therapy safety and pain care at VA community care programs by implementing the VA Inspector General’s recommendations and extending targeted opioid safety reforms in Jason’s Law to VA purchased care. This would ensure community care providers follow the same safe opioid prescribing standards and have access to the same up to date pain care information as VA practitioners to help guarantee that all of our veterans receive safe and high quality care in their communities. Specifically, the Andrew White Veterans Community Care Opioid Safety Act would: Direct VA to provide critical health information, including a list of medications, as well as the latest opioid safety guidelines immediately to a non-VA provider when a veteran accesses services through a community care program to ensure the provider has the information needed to provide safe and effective care; Require non-VA community care providers to review the updated VA/DOD safe opioid prescribing guidelines and Opioid Safety Initiative protocols prior to delivering care to a veteran; Direct non-VA community care providers to submit opioid medications they prescribe to a veteran to a VA pharmacy for dispensing and to ensure it is included in the VA database and the patient’s medical record for tracking; Ensure that any veteran with an immediate medical need or who is unable to obtain the prescription at a VA pharmacy due travel distances or undue hardship may access it at another pharmacy, and directs their community care provider to notify and provide information on the prescription to VA; Hold VA accountable by requiring compliance reports to Congress and ensures that VA can take action to protect veterans if a non-VA community care provider is not delivering safe or appropriate care.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-calls-for-ig-investigation-of-commerce-secretary-ross,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls For Inspector General Investigation of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross,2017-11-14,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.14.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls For Inspector General Investigation of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Six Senators call for an independent inquiry into Ross’ possible failure to comply with divestment or recusal requirements WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined a group of six senators, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), in calling on the Inspector General (IG) of the Commerce Department to open an independent inquiry into Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’ compliance with ethics requirements. Today’s letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). The Senators’ letter details several areas of concern, including: Ascertaining the true value of Secretary Ross’ personal wealth; Whether Secretary Ross has complied with the divestment requirements in his ethics agreement; Whether Secretary Ross has complied with the recusal requirements in his ethics agreement and the adequacy of that agreement; and Whether senior department officials have been allowed to serve despite conflicts of interest. As part of his confirmation process, Ross committed to an ethics agreement that required he divest significant assets and recuse himself from actions that would affect the assets he was permitted to retain. After missing several deadlines to provide proof that he has sold problematic assets, it remains unclear whether Ross has actually complied with the divestment requirements outlined in his original ethics agreement. Ross also appears to be actively participating in policymaking that could have a direct and predictable effect on the financial interests of the assets he has retained, which would violate that agreement’s recusal terms. Following additional reporting that raises serious questions about Ross’ true net worth and the structure of his finances, it is also unclear whether or not the original ethics agreement is truly sufficient to prevent conflicts of interest. This reporting also raises concerns about high-ranking Department of Commerce officials including Secretary Ross’ chief of staff, Wendy Teramoto, who appears to have served on the board of a shipping company at the same time she oversaw trade deals that may have impacted that company’s finances. The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here and copied below.   Dear Inspector General Gustafson: We write to request that you commence an investigation of Secretary Wilbur Ross and his chief of staff, Ms. Wendy Teramoto, to ensure that their conduct and representations are consistent with all ethical requirements of the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Ascertaining the true value of Secretary Ross’s personal wealth On October 26, 2017, many of us wrote to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) regarding inconsistent statements that Secretary Ross and Commerce Department officials provided to Forbes magazine.  These statements concerned a mysterious transfer of approximately $2 billion that Secretary Ross contends he made between last year’s presidential election and his nomination for Commerce secretary.  According to the magazine, Secretary Ross told a Forbes reporter these “assets were put into trust” sometime “between election and the nomination.”  A statement from the Commerce Department in response to Forbes contradicts Secretary Ross, stating “there was no major asset transfer to a trust in the period between the election and Secretary Ross’s confirmation.”  A new report from Forbes released last week contends that the approximate $2 billion never existed at all. Other statements from Secretary Ross make us further question the extent of his holdings.  As part of the confirmation process, Secretary Ross provided written answers to the Senate in response to several written questions.  Senator Blumenthal asked in writing of Secretary Ross, “Do you receive a financial benefit over any offshore company or entity?”; “Do you exercise control over any offshore company or entity?”; and “Do you have signature authority over any offshore accounts?”  Secretary Ross’s written responses to these questions only revealed some stock and a board membership in Arcelor Mittal and a bank account in Ireland with the equivalent of about $58,000.  The document with questions and answers is attached.  Recent news reports about documents known as the “Paradise Papers” reveal Secretary Ross’s extensive, complicated holdings in offshore accounts that lead us to conclude these responses are severely insufficient. We urge you to examine the veracity of Secretary Ross’s statements about his wealth, including responses provided to Congress, whether Secretary Ross has provided fabrications about other assets or shielded the existence of assets, and the extent to which false representations impacted the evaluation of and implementation of the ethics agreements he must now follow.  Whether Secretary Ross has complied with the divestment requirements in his ethics agreement  As part of the confirmation process, Secretary Ross agreed to divest – or sell off – 80 assets over the course of several months.  Ethics officials allowed Secretary Ross to retain twelve other assets (listed in sections 7 and 10 of his agreement).  The assets that Secretary Ross agreed to divest were lumped into two groups.  On one list were 40 assets he agreed to sell within 90 days of confirmation (Section I of Attachment A).  On another list were 40 assets he agreed to sell within 180 days of confirmation (Section II of Attachment A).  On November 5, 2017 – the day after the story broke about the Paradise Papers – a document appeared on OGE’s website signed by Secretary Ross declaring his compliance with the ethics agreement, stating he had “completed all of the divestitures” per his agreement.  Whether he has yet to fully divest is uncertain. Secretary Ross was confirmed on February 27, 2017.  The first divestment deadline was May 28, 2017, the date by which he should have divested all 40 assets listed in Section I of Attachment A.  No document was filed in that window.  Five days after the deadline, on June 2, he signed a document claiming to have sold everything he had agreed to sell on the list.  He filed documents – known as transaction reports – that were posted on OGE’s website reflecting his divestment of many of these assets.  But as of today, there appears to be no proof of divestment of up to fourteen of the assets that appeared on the list of assets he said he had sold, including several Invesco funds.  Moreover, the document in which he claims to have completed the divestiture warns there was an “unanticipated delay” concerning sale of three assets: Air Lease Corp., Bank of Cyprus and BankUnited. But Secretary Ross fails to explain the “unanticipated delay.”  He has filed documents claiming divestment of Air Lease and BankUnited, but he has yet to file proof of any transfer concerning his Bank of Cyprus interests. The next deadline was August 26, 2017 – the date to sell all of the 40 assets listed in Section II of Attachment A of his agreement.  But that date came and went.  On September 5, 2017, Secretary Ross filed a document claiming he had been granted a 60-day extension of the deadline by Commerce ethics officials, “due to the outsourcing of the accounting function of the firm that handles some partnerships in which I have interests.”  The next deadline was October 25, 2017, the date by which he should have sold those assets.  That date came and went, too.  Finally, on November 1, he signed a document claiming to have divested everything; that document was made public November 5, 2017.  Nonetheless, he appears to have filed little proof of divestment of these assets.  While we understand he has several weeks until he must file proof, he contends that the filing of proof of divestment is somehow not applicable – having checked “N/A” on the form where it requires such proof. To further confuse matters, the ethics forms that Secretary Ross submitted during the confirmation process lists broad ranges for the value for these interests – not specific stakes of ownership.  This makes it difficult to determine whether his transactions involving an asset constitute all ownership in that interest or just a portion thereof.             We urge you to investigate and confirm that Secretary Ross has complied with all the deadlines in his agreement, whether Secretary Ross has divested all assets per his agreement – including how, e.g., by sale, by gift, etc., whether the process for divestment was conducted in an orderly, legitimate manner, and whether the extensions he was provided by ethics officials were valid. Whether Secretary Ross has complied with the recusal requirements in his ethics agreement and the adequacy of that agreement Secretary Ross is supposed to recuse himself from actions that would affect the assets he has been allowed to retain.  Whether he has done so is questionable. Secretary Ross’s ethics agreement allows him to retain certain assets related to “real estate financing and mortgage lending” and “transoceanic shipping” – like Diamond S Shipping and Navigator Holdings – but retained within off-shore holding companies.  In order to retain these assets, Secretary Ross pledged he would “not participate personally and substantially in any particular matter that to my knowledge has a direct and predictable effect on the financial interest of the entity” unless he receives a waiver or qualifies for an exemption.  Secretary Ross committed to “remain vigilant in identifying any particular matters affecting the interests of these entities and their holdings,” and he recognized that his pledge also barred him from participation in matters impacting the industries of those assets. As secretary, Secretary Ross is pursuing policies that could have a direct and predictable effect on the financial interests of the assets he has retained and the industries in which they hold a presence.  For example, Secretary Ross has led efforts to advance trade agreements with China and other countries regarding shipments of liquid natural gas and petroleum products.  These commodities are shipped by vessels owned by entities in which he retains a significant financial stake.  His trade efforts could also affect other kinds of freight and cargo shipments that could provide his business interests with valuable sources of income.  In addition, as another example, Secretary Ross oversees the Bureau of Industry and Security, which implements U.S. sanctions against other countries.  Secretary Ross also maintains an influential role in this administration, having known and worked with President Donald Trump for decades, advising him on all matter of infrastructure and economic policy.  His policy efforts and decisions on these fronts could further aid his business interests. We urge you to obtain all records of recusal and verify compliance.  We further urge you to investigate whether Secretary Ross has participated in matters personally and substantially that could affect the assets he was allowed to retain, whether there are any assets that he pledged to divest but has yet to sell, all conflicts that Secretary Ross has personally identified, whether Secretary Ross has been given any waivers and the nature of those waivers, any exemptions he has been provided and the nature of those exemptions, and the adequacy of the agreement governing Secretary Ross. Whether senior department officials have been allowed to serve despite conflicts of interest Finally, recent news reports have revealed that Secretary Ross’s chief of staff, Ms. Wendy Teramota, remained on the board of a shipping company called Navigator until July 17, 2017, yet she began working at the Department several months earlier in March.  The Commerce Department has stated in some reports that she was simply working as a “part-time special position as an advisor.”  Yet several reports contradict that claim, contending she was working on high-profile matters at the department for months before she separated from Navigator – including work on trade matters that would directly affect Navigator. These reports about a clear and compelling conflict of interest make us question whether her efforts are focused on her personal business interests or the well-being of the American people. We urge you to examine what, if any, ethical constraints were placed on Ms. Teramoto before she began her tenure at the department, what ethics agreement have governed her tenure, the adequacy of any ethics agreements governing her tenure, what matters she has been involved in since her tenure began, who in the department has allowed her to work on matters when there was a clear conflict, and whether and to what extent she has been affiliated with any other businesses since she began her employment at the department.  We appreciate you close attention to these issues.  If there are any matters that fall outside the scope of your authority, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can ensure other officials are properly addressing them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-joins-letter-to-fcc-chairman-over-proposed-rule-harm-rural-americans,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Letter to FCC Chairman Raising Concerns Over Proposed Rule That Could Harm Rural Americans Who Depend on Landline Service,2017-11-14,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.14.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Letter to FCC Chairman Raising Concerns Over Proposed Rule That Could Harm Rural Americans Who Depend on Landline Service WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined a group of Senators led by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in sending a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai raising concerns about a proposed rule that could harm rural consumers by undermining existing protections for landline service. The Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure and Investment Report and Order lessens notifications to consumers about changes to their landline service (virtually eliminating advance notice of copper retirement to retail customers), eliminates rules put in place to protect consumers, and changes the definition of “service” to reduce access to critical communications for consumers. “Households and businesses in our states, and across the country, cannot afford the disruption of having service altered without adequate advance notice, the assurance that an equivalent replacement exists, and a clear understanding of how to obtain and use the replacement,” the Senators wrote. “We need a reliable service standard in place to ensure that services people depend on will continue to work, and that rural Americans will not be left behind during this technology upgrade, furthering the digital divide.” In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter was also signed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Edward Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Al Franken (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Gary Peters (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The full letter is available here and pasted below.   November 14, 2017   The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street Southwest Washington, DC 20554   Dear Chairman Pai: We encourage the Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to accelerate the deployment of advanced networks to all Americans. However, we have concerns that the Commission will vote on an item this week that could harm consumers. It is critical that as we work to enhance networks across the country, we protect existing service for consumers during and after technology transitions.  As currently drafted, the Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure and Investment Report and Order lessens notifications to consumers about changes to their landline service (virtually eliminating advance notice of copper retirement to retail customers), eliminates the “de facto” retirement rule, and changes the definition of “service” to reduce access to critical communications for consumers in an attempt to lessen regulatory barriers on phone service providers. These changes cause serious concern for rural Americans including the elderly, low-income, and consumers living with disabilities who rely on landline phone service. As you know, millions of people and businesses, not to mention critical U.S. government operations, across the nation rely on legacy landline phone service. Individuals in rural America, particularly those living where cell phone service is poor, utilize these landlines to conduct business, reach emergency responders, and stay in touch with loved ones. Households and businesses in our states, and across the country, cannot afford the disruption of having service altered without adequate advance notice, the assurance that an equivalent replacement exists, and a clear understanding of how to obtain and use the replacement. Furthermore, this order would affect more than landline phone service. Alarm systems, fax machines, and medical monitoring devices frequently depend on access to landline service. DSL broadband service also relies on landline phone service. If phone lines are not maintained, all of these services could be put in jeopardy. We need a reliable service standard in place to ensure that services people depend on will continue to work, and that rural Americans will not be left behind during this technology upgrade, furthering the digital divide. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We hope to work with you to further advance the benefits of next generation technology to all Americans. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2072,Congratulations to 2017 Service Academy Nominees,2017-11-13,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"The young men and women who I have nominated to attend our nation's military service academies exemplify hard-work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of the United States. share: f t Washington, DC Every year, members of congress have the distinct privilege of helping to choose the next leaders of our great nations armed forces. Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) announced the 2017 service academy nominees from Wisconsins 4th congressional district. The young men and women who I have nominated to attend our nations military service academies exemplify hard-work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of the United States. This years process was highly competitive, and I can say with certainty that these exceptional students will do our district and country proud."" The United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy provide our nations youth with world class military training and academic degrees. Graduating from these schools is no easy task, but these young Wisconsinitesare up to the challenge. I am proud to represent them in congress, and I look forward to watching them achieve incredible feats in the coming years. Below, please find a list of this years service academy nominees. Cole Acker Thomas Datka Sean Gilligan Timothy Gomez Spencer Guenther John LaBonte Donovan Lauda Calleigh Rogers Joseph Wilson Andrew Zeidler ### Twitter|Facebook|Snapchat|Instagram|Website",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-announces-funding-for-wisconsin-counties-affected-by-floods,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Transportation Funding for Wisconsin Counties Affected by 2016 Floods,2017-11-13,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.13.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Transportation Funding for Wisconsin Counties Affected by 2016 Floods The announcement comes after Senator Baldwin called on the Department of Transportation to make emergency funding available for Western and Northern Wisconsin Communities WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced more than $1.3 million in emergency relief transportation funding to help repair roads and communities damaged by storms and severe flooding in July and August 2016. This announcement comes after Senator Baldwin sent two separate letters last year calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to make emergency relief funding available for the Wisconsin counties affected by significant flood damage. “Last year, we saw torrential rain and severe flooding that damaged roads, bridges, homes and businesses in our communities in northern and western Wisconsin,” said Senator Baldwin. “I applaud the Department of Transportation for making additional emergency relief funding available so Wisconsin can re-build these communities and ensure our residents have access to safe transportation.” Western Wisconsin: DOT released $836,816 in emergency relief transportation funding to help repair roads and bridges in Buffalo, Trempealeau and Eau Claire counties damaged by the August 2016 floods. (Read the letter from Senator Baldwin to DOT calling for emergency funding after the August 2016 floods here.) Northern Wisconsin: DOT also released $500,000 in emergency relief funds for Forest Service roads damaged by the July 2016 floors in Bayfield, Ashland, Sawyer and Price counties. (Read the letter from Senator Baldwin to DOT calling for emergency funding after the July 2016 flooding here.)  Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-introduces-bipartisan-bill-assist-wisconsin-veterans-finding,Rep. Kind Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Assist Wisconsin Veterans with Finding Good-Paying Jobs,2017-11-12,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Ron Kind introduced the bipartisan Better Jobs for Veterans Act. The bill provides veterans and their spouses the training and opportunity they need to find good-paying jobs.   “Many Wisconsin veterans I talk with discuss how challenging it is to transition back into civilian life. One of the best things that we can do to help with the transition is to make it easier for them to find a meaningful job that gives them self-fulfillment and financial security for their family. With the bipartisan Better Jobs for Veterans Act, we bring together local businesses and job training programs to help veterans find good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Kind. The bill is composed of four main parts. Make permanent the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, which provides training assistance to unemployed veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 who are no longer eligible for the GI Bill. Improve recordkeeping and information sharing regarding military training performed by members of the Armed forces that translate to civilian jobs. Extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to members of the Ready Reserve, National Guard, and military spouses. Make the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent. With the current Tax Bill cutting the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), it is more important than ever to take action to protect it.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-to-equifax-ceo-letter,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to Equifax CEO: Provide Direct Notice to Each And Every American Consumer Impacted by Your Company’s Failures,2017-11-10,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.10.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to Equifax CEO: Provide Direct Notice to Each And Every American Consumer Impacted by Your Company’s Failures Senator Baldwin: “I will continue to closely watch how Equifax works to remediate the damage that has been done to the lives of our constituents.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin sent a letter Thursday to Interim CEO of Equifax, Paulino do Rego Barros Jr., to express her dissatisfaction with Mr. Barros’ answers at Wednesday’s Commerce Committee hearing, which Senator Baldwin first called for in September. In the letter, Senator Baldwin wrote: “Once again, I urge you to ensure that every person whose data you believe was compromised is promptly and directly notified.  This breach will have profound, long-lasting impacts on the integrity of many Americans’ identities and finances, and it is simply unacceptable that millions of them may still not know that they are at risk, nor understand what they can and should do to help limit the potential damage. “In our exchange at yesterday’s hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, you refused to state whether Equifax would proactively and directly notify each of the more than 145.5 million Americans whose data was compromised.  Furthermore, you reported that only 30 million individuals have utilized the website Equifax created as the primary means by which consumers can learn if they were impacted and access the limited services your company is offering to help them protect themselves. “It is deeply concerning that only slightly more than 20 percent of affected individuals have successfully used this tool, which you said you have been promoting heavily through social and other media.  Even if that number fails to capture those Equifax has directly notified because state law mandated it, or because their credit card information was part of the information compromised by the breach, it remains quite possible that millions of individuals do not know for certain if their information was exposed.”  Following this massive data breach, Senator Baldwin helped introduce the Freedom from Equifax Exploitation (FREE) Act to give control over credit and personal information back to consumers. The FREE Act would also prevent credit reporting agencies from profiting off of consumers' information during a freeze, enhance fraud alert protections, and provide the opportunity for consumers to receive an additional free credit report following the Equifax data breach.   Read the full letter here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwins-bipartisan-va-reform-passes-senate,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Bipartisan VA Reform to Ensure Veterans Receive Care from Trusted Doctors Passes the Senate,2017-11-10,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.10.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Bipartisan VA Reform to Ensure Veterans Receive Care from Trusted Doctors Passes the Senate The Veterans ACCESS Act prevents doctors once fired or suspended by the VA from treating our veterans again WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) bipartisan reform to ensure veterans receive care from trusted doctors in their communities passed in the Senate on Thursday by unanimous consent. The bipartisan Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services (ACCESS) Act will protect veterans seeking care through VA community care programs, like the Choice Program, from being treated by doctors who have been fired or who are suspended from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “It’s commonsense that if a doctor is suspended or has been fired from the VA, they shouldn’t be able to serve veterans seeking care within their own communities, and certainly shouldn’t be doing so with taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to work across the aisle with Senator Moran on our bipartisan reform to help ensure that no matter where they receive treatment, our veterans will find the quality health care they need, deserve and have earned.”‎ Currently, a loose patchwork of VA regulations are intended to stop fired or suspended VA providers from participating in VA-administered community care programs. However, VA's continued lack of consistent implementation of national standards at the local level demonstrates that Congress must act and not leave veterans' health and safety to chance. The Veterans ACCESS Act will require the VA Secretary to deny or revoke the eligibility of a healthcare provider to participate in community programs if that provider was removed from employment with VA, violated his or her medical license, had a Department certification revoked, or broke the law. In addition, the bipartisan reform ensures that when a provider is suspended from VA care, the provider is also suspended from non-VA care. The legislation also gives VA the ability under certain circumstances to deny, revoke or suspend a provider’s eligibility if that action is necessary to immediately protect the health, safety, or welfare of veterans. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-votes-against-tax-bill-gives-large-tax-cuts-powerful-special,Rep. Kind Votes Against Tax Bill that Gives Large Tax Cuts to Powerful Special Interests At Expense of Hardworking Wisconsinites,2017-11-09,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the House voted to advance a bill that gives large tax cuts to powerful special interests at the expense of Wisconsin’s working families, family farmers, seniors, and veterans. Rep. Kind voted against the bill. “There is no question that our current tax code is in need of reform. I believe that this Tax Bill isn’t the right kind of reform Wisconsinites need. In addition to sticking our children and grandchildren with over 2.3 trillion dollars in debt, it gives large tax cuts to the very wealthy and powerful special interests at the expense of Wisconsin families, veterans, and farmers.” During the markup of the bill Rep. Kind offered amendments aimed at helping veterans get jobs, ensuring fiscal responsibility, supporting family farmers, and protecting places of worship from being politicized. All amendments were blocked by Congressional Republicans. “If my colleagues are willing, I stand ready to work on a completely paid-for bipartisan plan to simplify the tax code and cut taxes for hardworking Wisconsinites.” Congressional Republicans continued to make last minute changes that will impact every single person in America. The Senate is expected to pass their own tax bill and then both bills will go to a conference to be reconciled",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-co-sponsors-veterans-education-protection-act,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Co-Sponsors Reintroduction of Military and Veterans Education Protection Act with Groundbreaking Support from Veterans Service Organizations,2017-11-09,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.09.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Co-Sponsors Reintroduction of Military and Veterans Education Protection Act with Groundbreaking Support from Veterans Service Organizations Momentum builds to pass legislation that would close the 90/10 loophole and protect veterans from predatory for-profit schools WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin supported the reintroduction of the Military and Veterans Education Protection Act, legislation she cosponsors that would close a loophole that allows for-profit schools to avoid having to secure at least 10 percent of their revenue from non-federal sources. “Our brave men and women in uniform make great sacrifices on our behalf. We have a shared responsibility to ensure that when they return home, they have access to the tuition benefits they have earned,” said Senator Baldwin. “Every veteran who wants to pursue higher education should be able to do so, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues to close this loophole and support our veterans’ access to education.” More than two decades ago, Republican President George H.W. Bush signed a bipartisan law that limited how much federal funding for-profit schools may receive from taxpayers. Now called the 90/10 rule, this limit requires for-profit schools to obtain at least 10 percent of their revenues from non-federal sources. However, a loophole in the law excludes Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) education funds, like the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Tuition Assistance (TA), from being counted as federal funds. Some for-profit schools exploit this 90/10 loophole by using aggressive recruitment practices and deceptive marketing tools to enroll servicemembers, veterans and other GI Bill beneficiaries. The Military and Veterans Education Protection Act would close the 90/10 loophole by counting VA and DOD funds as federal dollars. The legislation is led by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Jon Tester (D-MT). Cosponsors include Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Al Franken (D-MN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NM) Since 2009, more than 1.7 million service members, veterans and their families have used the Post-9/11 GI Bill to finance their higher education. However, over the past several years, about 40 percent of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill tuition benefits have gone to for-profit schools, even as questions continue about their graduation, default and job placement rates. Additionally, some of the largest recipients of Post-9/11 GI Bill funds have closed down after years of delivering poor outcomes to students and taxpayers. Two now-shuttered for-profit colleges, ITT Technical Institutes and Corinthian Colleges, received over $1 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits before suddenly closing their doors, leaving nearly 7,000 student veterans and every American taxpayer in the lurch. Far too many veterans and service members have exhausted their hard-earned benefits at now-defunct schools. In response, a broad coalition of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and other advocacy groups are rallying behind this commonsense effort to close the 90/10 loophole to protect military and veteran students, as well as taxpayers, from bad actors in the for-profit educational sector. “Student Veterans of America (SVA) has been committed to closing the 90/10 loophole since 2011,” said William Hubbard, VP of Government Affairs for the Student Veterans of America. “Prospective and current student veterans remain the target of predatory programs that deliver a low-quality education. We remain committed to transparency in higher education and helping student veterans become informed consumers. SVA supports closing this loophole and is pleased to be working with Congress to make that a reality.” The American Legion passed a resolution at their 2017 National Convention in Reno, Nevada, stating, “The American Legion expresses its strong support for legislation and federal agency action to ensure better quality and student outcomes for institutions approved for use of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits by excluding Department of Defense and VA funds from the 90/10 calculation.” “The 90/10 loophole allows predatory schools to take advantage of the benefits survivors loved ones served and died for,” said Ashlynne Haycock, Manager for Education Services for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). “Just like veterans, surviving family members have been taken advantage of by institutions of higher learning that want access to their educational benefits, only to be left with useless degrees and untransferable credits. If a school is not doing anything morally wrong, they should not object to the closure of the loophole. We must close the loophole to help ensure that surviving families and veterans have access to the highest quality education. These families have already sacrificed so much for this country, they should never be taken advantage of, and should be given every opportunity to pursue their dreams.” “Just as the Military Order of the Purple Heart fights to expand veterans' educational opportunities as we did with the recently passed Forever GI Bill, we must also make sure that those opportunities are of the highest quality possible,” said Neil Van Ess, National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. “Closing the 90/10 loophole would be a big step toward achieving that goal, and we thank Senator Carper for introducing this important legislation.”  “In recent research by VES on the 90/10 loophole, we found that revenue has increased by 60% from military education benefits indicating high reliance on the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance benefits to stay in business,” said Tanya Ang, Director of Policy and Outreach for Veterans Education Success. “This is concerning, at best, and something must be done to ensure service members, veterans, and their family members are protected from the predatory practices of fraudulent institutions.” “The 90/10 loophole has created a reality that unjustly wastes the money of American taxpayers and deprives veterans of the education benefits they have earned,” said Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Legislative Director Tom Porter. “While closing the loophole is not the only solution, it is a significant step Congress should take to improve education outcomes for veterans. Education is the best tool veterans have to transition to civilian life and develop the skills to find a new career. IAVA is committed to ensuring that every veteran can take advantage of their full earned benefits. That means refusing to allow predatory for-profit colleges from targeting GI Bill benefits and failing to deliver on promised quality education.” Organizations supporting the Military and Veterans Education Protection Act include: The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Student Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans Education Success, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officers Association of America, Blue Star Families, Military Child Education Coalition, Veterans for Common Sense, Non Commissioned Officers Association, VetsFirst, VetJobs, High Ground Veterans Advocacy, AMVETS, Wounded Warrior Project, The Retired Enlisted Association, Got Your Six, National Guard Association of the United States, Association of the United States Navy, Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, National Military Family Association, Swords to Plowshares, Air Force Association and the Air Force Sergeants Association. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-gets-the-job-done-on-buy-american-standard-ndaa,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Gets the Job Done on Buy American Standard in National Defense Authorization Act,2017-11-09,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.09.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Gets the Job Done on Buy American Standard in National Defense Authorization Act Final NDAA released by House-Senate conference committee also includes wins for Made in Wisconsin manufacturing and shipbuilding WASHINGTON, D.C. – The final fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released today by the House-Senate conference committee includes Buy American requirements that U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin fought for in the bipartisan legislation. “I fought for a Buy American policy that supports our manufacturers and our workers, as well as our national and economic security,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to get the job done on this because when American taxpayer money is spent on our military it should be spent buying American products built by our workers. We can now say the NDAA rewards the hard work of American workers.” The NDAA passed by the Senate in September included section 863, which eliminated a number of critical Buy American requirements in defense procurement laws. Senator Baldwin offered an amendment to reverse this provision and after it wasn’t given a vote, she took her fight to the House-Senate conference committee. Last month she led 15 of her Senate colleagues in pressing the conference committee to include critical Buy American requirements in defense procurement laws. The legislation also includes measures Senator Baldwin fought for to support Made in Wisconsin manufacturing and shipbuilding. The final NDAA includes full funding for Oshkosh Defense’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. “I have worked hard to support manufacturing jobs at Oshkosh Defense and have long pushed to fully fund the procurement of military vehicles made in Wisconsin,” Senator Baldwin said. While Senator Baldwin included a bipartisan amendment to add $600 million for a second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to the Senate-passed NDAA’s original level of one, that was still one ship short of the ideal number of three vessels. Accordingly, Senator Baldwin then pressed the House-Senate conference committee to include funding for three Littoral Combat Ships. This effort was successful, and the final NDAA includes funding for three ships, which will maintain workforce levels at the shipyard in Marinette and throughout the supply chain across Wisconsin. “I take great pride in representing Wisconsin’s shipbuilding industry because our workers have helped sustain America’s security for generations, boasting a successful history of building ships for our nation’s defense,” said Senator Baldwin. “The LCS program is supported by thousands of skilled workers at the Marinette Marine shipyard and at the 200 suppliers across Wisconsin. This is a big win for Made in Wisconsin shipbuilding.”  Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-joins-bipartisan-group-calling-on-doj-boost-support-for-forensic-labs,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Group Calling on DOJ to Provide Guidance on Boosting Support for Forensic Labs in Efforts to Combat Opioid Epidemic,2017-11-09,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.09.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Group Calling on DOJ to Provide Guidance on Boosting Support for Forensic Labs in Efforts to Combat Opioid Epidemic WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin sent a bipartisan letter, led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and John Cornyn (R-TX), asking U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to provide Congress with information detailing how the Department of Justice (DOJ) is supporting and prioritizing forensic science service providers across the nation as a part of a broader approach to combat the opioid epidemic. “The opioid crisis knows no boundaries; it reaches into homes in every community in every region of this country.  Stopping the flow of these drugs is critical to ending the crisis, but to do so requires the ability to trace the drugs to their source.  This demands a forceful and vigorous effort by our forensic science community,” wrote the senators. The senators continued, “The current opioid crisis has overwhelmed the nation’s collective laboratory systems with more than a 6000% increase in the last four years, according to National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) data provided by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. Case backlogs and turnaround times are growing. Dangerous emerging drugs are not being scheduled to make them illegal, and deaths likely associated with drug overdose are not being investigated completely by medical examiners and coroners.” The bipartisan coalition of 30 senators call on the DOJ to provide a comprehensive list to Congress within 30 days, detailing how the Department is supporting and prioritizing forensic science service providers, and to also explain how the Department is including grant programs and technical assistance for providers at the state, county and local levels to help combat the public health crisis. The forensic science community plays a critical role in communities affected by the opioid epidemic. Labs and other forensic science service personnel help local law enforcement and federal agencies trace drugs to their source by helping to analyze evidence, find importers, manufacturers and distributors, and to determine causes of death in overdoses. The bipartisan group supporting the letter also includes Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Thad Cochran (R-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), James Inhofe (R-OK), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rob Portman (R-OH), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The letter can be read in full here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-undergoes-heart-surgery,Pocan Undergoes Heart Surgery,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"MADISON, WI (November 8, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today underwent a triple bypass surgery at UnityPoint Health – Meriter in Madison, Wisconsin. He had the surgery done as a preemptive measure to a cardiac issue. The surgery went well and Mark is looking forward to a speedy recovery so he can return to Washington soon to continue fighting for the people of Wisconsin. Phil and Mark are grateful for all of the messages of support from friends and the community, as well as the work of Dr. Takushi Kohmoto and his team at UnityPoint Health – Meriter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:12:50Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-introduces-bipartisan-va-reform-to-stop-funding-transferred-away-from-veterans,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan VA Reform to Stop Federal VA Funding from Being Transferred Away From Veterans to State General Fund,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan VA Reform to Stop Federal VA Funding from Being Transferred Away From Veterans to State General Fund WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Dean Heller (R-NV) to introduce bipartisan VA reform legislation to improve the Veterans Affairs State Veterans Home Programs. Senator Baldwin’s legislation will stop the practice of federal State Home Per Diem funding being transferred away from veterans to state-government general funds. In Wisconsin, as has been reported by the media, according to the Legislative Audit Bureau, federal State Home Per Diem funding has been transferred from the King veterans home to the state general fund. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure that any federal funds from the State Home Per Diem Program stay at our state veterans homes to improve the care of veterans,” said Senator Baldwin. “This VA reform will put an end to this federal funding being transferred away from our veterans.” State Veterans Homes are facilities that provide nursing home, domiciliary or adult day care. They are owned, operated and managed by state governments. In Wisconsin, state veterans homes operate in King, Union Grove and Chippewa Falls. The VA’s State Home Per Diem Program provides an economical alternative to constructing, maintaining and operating VA facilities for the provision of care to eligible veterans. Under this program, the states provide quality care for eligible veterans in three different types of programs: nursing home, domiciliary and adult day health care. The State Veterans Home Program Improvement Act of 2017 also contains additional reforms, including reforming the VA’s veterans home priority list to give rural states a fair shot at securing funding to construct a veterans home through the VA’s State Home Construction Grant Program. The bipartisan legislation would also allow VA to run a four-year pilot program to allow veterans to receive state veteran home per diem in state-operated nursing homes. This would be another option for veterans to receive care closer to their home and family. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-joins-colleagues-to-investigate-persecution-lgbtq-azerbaijan,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Call on State Department to Investigate Reported Persecution of LGBTQ People in Azerbaijan,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Call on State Department to Investigate Reported Persecution of LGBTQ People in Azerbaijan WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan group of senators today called on Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to investigate news reports that authorities have conducted raids and detained people in Azerbaijan because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In a letter to Tillerson, the senators called for the investigation following recent news reports of raids conducted in September in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, when authorities detained more than 50 gay and transgender people. “We write to share our concerns about press reports that Azerbaijani authorities have detained dozens of gay and transgender persons simply because they are gay or transgender,” the senators wrote. “We urge you to investigate these reports and, if they are credible, to publicly condemn these actions in the strongest terms and to push for perpetrators to be held accountable.” The senators wrote that the United States’ partnership with Azerbaijan is important in part because of the country’s location between Russia and Iran, but that these reported human rights violations cannot go unaddressed. “Indeed, U.S. foreign policy must promote both our values and our interests and any notion that the two are mutually exclusive is a false choice,” they wrote. In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter was led by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Pat Toomey (R-PA), and the other senators signing the letter are: Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Read the full letter here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-letter-close-carried-interest-tax-loophole,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to Chairman Hatch: Let’s Keep President Trump’s Promise to Close Carried Interest Tax Loophole for Hedge Funds on Wall Street,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to Chairman Hatch: Let’s Keep President Trump’s Promise to Close Carried Interest Tax Loophole for Hedge Funds on Wall Street President Trump: “It’s out. Done…carried interest was great for me, but carried interest was unfair and it’s gone.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin sent a letter to Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, urging him to keep President Trump’s promise to close the carried interest tax loophole for hedge fund managers on Wall Street. Senator Hatch is expected to release the Senate Republicans’ tax plan on Thursday. Senator Baldwin wrote: “President Trump has made a promise to the American people to close the carried interest tax loophole. He included the promise in his tax reform plan as a candidate. He spoke about it extensively, stating, ‘We will eliminate the carried interest deduction and other special interest loopholes that have been so good for Wall Street investors, and for people like me, but unfair to American workers.’ On May 1, 2017, after being asked why his tax reform outline didn’t specifically mention carried interest after campaigning on its closure, the President responded by saying, ‘It’s out. Done…carried interest was great for me, but carried interest was unfair and it’s gone.’ I agree with President Trump, this loophole for hedge fund managers on Wall Street should be closed and we should work together to help him keep his promise.” The carried interest loophole allows certain investment managers to benefit from a tax loophole that allows them to take advantage of the preferential 20 percent tax long-term capital gains rate on income received as compensation. Senator Baldwin’s Carried Interest Fairness Act would end this loophole by ensuring that income earned by managing other people's money is taxed at the same ordinary income tax rates as that of the vast majority of Americans. The Joint Committee on Taxation has concluded that closing this loophole will raise $15 billion in revenue over 10 years. On Monday, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brady offered an amendment to the House tax plan that maintains the ability of hedge fund and private equity managers to claim the lower capital gains rate on their compensation. The amendment requires the higher short-term capital gains rates for investment income only if the investments are held for less than three years. This change will not affect investments which are longer than three years. It also allows these filers to avoid the payroll taxes ordinary workers must pay on their labor income. In the letter to Chairman Hatch, Senator Baldwin wrote, “I believe that if we close this tax loophole for wealthy and powerful hedge fund managers, we can invest this revenue in much-needed tax cuts for hard working families and small businesses who need tax relief.  However, the House’s partisan tax proposal lets big money hedge funds keep this loophole so they can pay a lower tax rate than the vast majority of working people across Wisconsin. That’s not fair and it fails to keep the President’s promise.” A copy of the letter is available here.  Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-call-on-admin-prioritize-lgbtq-youth,Senators Call on DOJ and HHS to Reverse Course and Continue to Prioritize LGBTQ Youth in Key Programs,2017-11-08,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.17 Senators Call on DOJ and HHS to Reverse Course and Continue to Prioritize LGBTQ Youth in Key Programs WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), joined by 18 of their colleagues, wrote letters to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the departments to ensure that key programs designed to serve homeless youth and children who are the victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking, continue to focus on the needs of LGBTQ youth. “During the campaign, President Trump said that he would ‘do everything in [his] power to protect LGBTQ citizens.’  We write to you because the Administration is not living up to the President’s promise,” the senators wrote. “We urge you to reverse course on actions that will make it more challenging for programs you oversee to serve LGBTQ Americans.”  In the letters to DOJ and HHS, the senators expressed concerns that this year’s grant announcements for DOJ’s Mentoring for Child Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Domestic Sex Trafficking Initiative and HHS’ Street Outreach Program removed all mentions of LGBTQ youth as well as the requirement that grantees must specifically address the unique needs of LGBTQ youth. As LGBTQ youth are at a higher risk for running away and becoming homeless compared to their peers, and thus are more likely to be victimized, the decision to eliminate LGBTQ youth as a focus of these programs further imperils already vulnerable youth. In addition to Sens. Baldwin, Casey and Murray, the following senators signed both letters: Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Al Franken (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). Read the letter to DOJ here. Read the letter to HHS here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-leads-bipartisan-letter-calling-for-protection-of-buy-american,Pocan Leads Bipartisan Letter Calling for Protection of ‘Buy American’ Requirements,2017-11-07,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (November 7, 2017) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) last week led a bipartisan group of 35 Members of the House of Representatives in calling for conferees of the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to protect ‘Buy American' laws. Specifically, Members called for adopting Section 862 of the House bill and rejecting Section 863 of the Senate counterpart in order to require the U.S. Navy to use American made products for critical shipboard components in sealift and auxiliary ships. ""Jeopardizing the stability of companies—located in states across the country—that manufacture these defense components would harm our military's ability to rely on secure and stable supplies in an increasingly dynamic global security environment,"" Members wrote. ""If domestic sources for critical defense components exit the market, our military could be forced into relying on countries that do not share our interests, including strategic adversaries like China or Russia, or countries with lax supply chain security practices, for parts and supplies."" ""This would unnecessarily inject risk into the defense acquisition system, ranging from counterfeit parts to uncertain lifecycle sustainment support to cybersecurity vulnerabilities,"" Members continued. ""On the other hand, domestic content restrictions help ensure that critical products meet our military's high standards for reliability, availability, and maintainability, supporting the warfighter's safety and effectiveness."" Eroding Buy American requirements also runs counter to two Presidential initiatives—President Trump's Executive Order directing the Pentagon to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and his ""Buy American, Hire American"" Executive Order to better enforce current domestic content laws. Excluding section 863 of the Senate-passed NDAA would maintain the existing domestic content requirements that Department of Defense components have complied with for years. Including Section 862 of the House-passed NDAA will strengthen the domestic industrial base. It is also important to note that these requirements can be waived for cost, schedule, and non-competitive reasons. In other words, Department of Defense components retain flexibility under these laws.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T22:12:50Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-legislation-expand-services-for-lgbt-seniors,"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Services for LGBT Seniors",2017-11-07,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.07.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Services for LGBT Seniors Legislation Would Permanently Establish National Resource Center on LGBT Aging and Prioritize Research to Improve LGBT Health WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, along with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Edward Markey (D-MA) and Al Franken (D-MN) today introduced the LGBT Elder Americans Act to improve services available for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults. This legislation would build on the Older Americans Act to include LGBT seniors as a vulnerable population and permanently establish the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging.   “We should guarantee all of our seniors access to the care that truly meets their needs and so I am proud to advance this legislation that will improve services and support for LGBT older adults,” said Senator Baldwin. “Too many LGBT older adults carry the harmful physical and emotional health effects of having lived through a lifetime of discrimination. It is past time we do something about it and strengthen the Older Americans Act to better support our LGBT seniors.”  “Our laws and research are not current in addressing the unique needs of the aging generation of baby boomers,” said Senator Bennet. “This legislation would provide LGBT seniors, who often face significant barriers to accessing health care, with targeted services and resources. By helping aging service organizations assist older LGBT adults and permanently establishing a National Resource Center, we will better meet the needs of the LGBT community.” “LGBT seniors can face unique challenges and have few LGBT-specific resources to help them cope,” said Senator Merkley. “It’s time to end that hurdle to services and pass the LGBT Elder Americans Act.” “Our LGBT seniors helped build this country, and we owe them dignity and access to services that address their specific needs,” said Senator Markey. “I am proud to co-sponsor the LGBT Elders Act to ensure all of our seniors receive the care they have earned and deserve.” “We need to do all we can to support seniors in Minnesota and across the nation so that they can age safely and access vital programs that enrich their lives,” said Senator Franken. “That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in this effort to make sure we address the needs of our LGBT seniors by improving the quality of specialized services, and establishing the nation’s first resource center devoted to older LGBT Americans.”  As the number of Americans age 65 and older surges over the next few decades, the number of LGBT seniors is estimated to double to three million by 2030. The available research shows that LGBT seniors have fewer sources of support compared to heterosexual individuals and, therefore, face higher poverty rates. The LGBT Elder Americans Act, first introduced in 2015, would permanently establish the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, which would be the country’s first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and support for older LGBT adults. The Center's resources would include educating mainstream aging service organizations about the needs of LGBT seniors and providing educational resources to LGBT seniors, their families, and their caregivers. The Center would also work with LGBT organizations to ensure that the special needs of older adults are taken into account. Additionally, the legislation would prioritize research and development grants for organizations working to improve LGBT health, long-term care needs, and access to culturally-responsive services. This legislation is supported by Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE), the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the National LGBTQ Task Force. A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1). The text of the legislation is available here.  Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-urging-senate-finance-reject-changes-401ks,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues Urging Senate Finance Committee To Reject Tax Changes To 401(k)’s,2017-11-07,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.07.17 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues Urging Senate Finance Committee To Reject Tax Changes To 401(k)’s WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined a group of colleagues in a letter led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) calling on the leadership of the Senate Finance Committee to reject changes to the tax system that would harm existing tax incentives for Americans to save for retirement. The letter comes as Senate Republicans are poised to release their own version of tax reform legislation later this week. Senate Republicans may be considering making changes to the incentives Americans enjoy for retirement, specifically by adopting so-called “Rothification,” which would eliminate or limit the amount of pre-tax money that can be contributed to these 401(k) accounts. In the letter, Senate Democrats highlight research showing that workers at all income levels participating in employer-sponsored retirement plans contribute on average at least $2,700 annually to their accounts. This amount exceeds the $2,400 limit that Republicans reportedly have considered setting as a new pre-tax limit for retirement account contributions. The senators wrote: “Congress needs to do more to improve retirement incentives for the American people, not less. Dramatically altering incentives for retirement simply to raise short-term revenue to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy is a cynical ploy that will harm hardworking Americans in every state.” The full text of the letter is available here. Joining Senator Baldwin on the letter are Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tom Udall (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z