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://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3072,Rep. Moore Statement on the #TrumpShutdown,2018-12-22,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Moore Statement on the #TrumpShutdown f t # e Saturday, December 22, 2018 Urban Milwaukee Congresswoman Washington, D.C. -- Gwen Moore (WI-04) released the following statement in response to the partial government shutdown, which began at midnight: share: f t Rep. Gwen Moore Urban MilwaukeeWashington DC Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) released the following statement in response to the partial government shutdown, which began at midnight: President Trump's tantrums have forced the nation into political and economic chaos. His behavior and this shutdown are inexcusable. A reasonable, bipartisan compromise has already passed the Senate. For the sake of our nation and the good of the public, House Republicans and President Trump need to do their job, fund the government, and put an end to this mess. To read online,cilckhere. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3070,Rep. Moore Fights to Re-Enfranchise Incarcerated Americans,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C. Yesterday,Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI)introduced H.R. 7359, the Voter Information and Access Act (VIAA). VIAA would provide detained and incarcerated persons, who are eligible to vote, information on voting eligibility, registration, and access to absentee ballots and polling places. Upon the bill's introduction,Congresswoman Moorereleased the following statement: The freedom to vote and the power to have our voices heard is a fundamental tenet of our democracy. However, in jails and prisons across the country, nearly half a million individuals awaiting trial or on the precipice of release are being systematically disenfranchised and denied access to essential information about their voting rights,"" saidCongresswoman Moore. ""The Voter Information and Access Act would help right this wrong by supplying detained and incarcerated persons with the information they need to access the ballot box. At a time when the right to vote for so many Americans is under attack, it's essential we pass this legislation and move forward in our fight to reduce recidivism and increase societal reintegration. ""The Campaing for Youth Justice supports the VIA Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Moore. We know that too many children, particularly those charged as adults, become eligible voters while pending trial. In addition, thousands return home from a period of incarceration with no history of voting. Too often, these youth come from communities that are disenfranchised and grossly over-represented in prison. The VIAA would enable them to engage in the democratic process and take a critical step to reneging positively in civic life,"" saidMarcy Mistrett, CEO, Campaign for Youth Justice. The VIAA will provide critical voting rights information and assistance for millions of eligible voters who currently are hindered in participating in the electoral process. Hundreds of thousands of these potential voters need assistance while jailed awaiting trial without access to voter registration or voting access. Tragically, an estimated 17 million, eligible Returning Citizens, are caught in a limbo of fear, confusion, miseducation or lack of information about their voting rights and do not participate as voters. The VIAA answers a vital need in fulfilling the quest for an inclusive and robust Democracy, saidBarbara R. Arnwine, President, Transformative Justice Coalition. ### Twitter|Facebook|Snapchat|Instagram|Website",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-introduces-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-boost-apprenticeships,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces New Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Apprenticeships,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces New Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Apprenticeships EARNS Act would expand apprenticeship opportunities while supporting existing apprenticeship programs There are more than 22,000 registered apprenticeships programs that provide workers with the skills they need to succeed WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today helped introduce bipartisan legislation to strengthen our nation's workforce and provide skilled jobs to workers through registered apprenticeships. The Effective Apprenticeships Rebuild National Skills (EARNS) Act, led by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), includes provisions from Senator Baldwin's PARTNERS Act to promote and expand apprenticeship opportunities while supporting existing apprenticeship programs. In Wisconsin, I've heard from workers looking for more job training, and businesses facing a shortage of skilled workers,said Senator Baldwin. Registered apprenticeships are a proven way to provide workers with the skills they need to succeed and our businesses with the skilled workforce they need to grow our economy. This legislation will improve and expand our registered apprenticeship programs to boost workforce readiness and ensure Wisconsin businesses can compete globally. To ensure that our workforce can truly lead in the 21stcentury global economy, we need our students and workers to be prepared to compete for high-skill, high-wage jobs in industries across the economy,said Senator Murray.By strengthening and expanding registered apprenticeship programs,we can help workers get the training and experience they'll need, while they are also earning a paycheck, and provide a ladder of opportunity to reach a stable middle class life. I thank Senator Hatch for partnership and on this bill and I look forward to continue working with Senators Baldwin, Scott, and Kaine, and with workers, businesses, and advocates to build on this work to expand registered apprenticeships to serve more students, workers, and businesses across the country in the coming Congress. Apprenticeship is an important tool in maintaining and growing our nation's workforce to remain a leader in the world economy and I am proud it is part of my legislative legacy,said Senator Hatch.That is why I joined Senator Murray today the last day of the 115th Congress to introduce the EARNs Act which represents a first step in reforming and expanding registered apprenticeships. Over the past several years I have crisscrossed the country listening to the workforce development ideas of industry leaders representing small, mid-size and large companies. I've worked in a bipartisan manner to bring industry-led ideas to forefront of apprenticeship policy. The bill we introduced today reflects some of those ideas, but we have a way to go. I hope our work in this legislation will be built upon in the next Congress. In particular, I trust states and industry to lead this reform. As I depart the Senate, I have every confidence in this body forging the compromises necessary to facilitating programs that build our workforce and build our workers, apprenticeship sponsors and apprentices alike. There are now more than 22,000 registered apprenticeships programs across the nation, and over 150,000 employers are participating in over 1,000 occupations. This proven model of workforce training and development should be expanded in the information technology, finance, healthcare, insurance, information management fields and trades to support a strong and leading American workforce. The EARNS Act focuses on providing greater clarification around the role of the Office of Apprenticeship and the National Advisory Committee, establishes in statute the quality standards that make apprenticeships the highest quality form of work-based learning in the country, and directs the $160 million Congress has appropriated for registered apprenticeships to support expansion of existing programs, creating new programs in nontraditional apprenticeship occupations, support for qualified intermediaries, and funding for youth apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships. The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tim Scott (R-SC). 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/msnbc-senator-baldwin-on-keeping-the-government-open-and-the-partisan-power-grab-in-wisconsin,MSNBC: Senator Baldwin on Keeping the Government Open and the Partisan Power Grab in Wisconsin,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,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-baldwin-calls-on-senate-to-pass-blue-water-navy-vietnam-veterans-legislation,WFRV: Baldwin Calls on Senate to Pass Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Legislation,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,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/major-victory-for-organic-farmers-in-farm-bill,"In Major Victory for American Consumers and Organic Farmers, Baldwin’s Legislation to Combat Fraudulent Organic Imports Heads to the President’s Desk",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.18 In Major Victory for American Consumers and Organic Farmers, Baldwin's Legislation to Combat Fraudulent Organic Imports Heads to the President's Desk Baldwin's legislation fights back against fraud, delivers on Inspector General recommendations, and protects integrity of USDA organic standards for consumers and Wisconsin farmers WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's legislation to combat fraudulent organic imports that unfairly undercut American farmers and mislead consumers passed Congress last week with overwhelming bipartisan support as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. The legislation now heads to the President to be signed into law. Wisconsin is home to more than 1,200 organic farms, and they are a strong driver of our state's agricultural economy,said Senator Baldwin.Our farmers work extremely hard to make sure their products meet the strict requirements of USDA organic standards, and we must make sure that all organic products sold in the U.S. meet those same rigorous standards. This reform will level the playing field for American farmers and make sure that American consumers get the high quality, organic food products they expect. I look forward to seeing the President sign this important legislation into law. Reports by theWashington Post, theMilwaukee Journal Sentineland theUSDA Office of the Inspector Generalrevealed concerns about the integrity of agricultural products imported into the United States to be sold as organic. In their May 2017 article, the Washington Post reported on substantial fraud in imported grain from Turkey destined to be sold as organic in the United States. Fraudulent organic imports have the potential to seriously and unfairly damage the strong reputation of American organic products and undercut their sales, posing a threat to U.S. farmers and consumers alike. Senator Baldwin'sOrganic Farmer and Consumer Protection Actwill take on these unfair trading practices by giving officials new and better tools to guard against fraud. The legislation works to ensure that all organic products admitted at ports of entry in the United States are authentic and prohibit entry of products labeled as organic that do not meet National Organic Program standards. It addresses the threat that fraudulent imported organic products pose to U.S. farmers and consumers, and ensures that farmers exporting products to the U.S. must abide by robust organic production standards, just like domestic organic farmers. The National Organic Coalition is grateful to Senator Baldwin for her incredible leadership in the Farm Bill process to strengthen oversight of organic imports by introducing and successfully championing the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act. There has been an urgent need to modernize and strengthen USDA's infrastructure to prevent fraud,said Abby Youngblood, Executive Director of the National Organic Coalition.This farm bill is a huge win on that front, by providing USDA with enhanced authorities and resources to crack down on fraud. These provisions are a boon to farmers, especially those who are harmed by fraudulent imports, as well as consumers, whose trust in the organic seal depends on effective enforcement of clear and consistent standards across the board. NOC will play an active role in working with USDA to fully operationalize these changes to ensure integrity of organic products originating from both international and domestic farms and companies. MOSES is excited to tell our farmers and supporters about Farm Bill wins for organic more funding for organic research and data collection, provisions to address import fraud, and funding for organic certification cost-share,said John Mesko, Executive Director of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES).We especially want to extend appreciation to our home-state Senator Tammy Baldwin for her leadership role in strengthening oversight of organic imports. The Senator has met with farmers on this issue and heard loud and clear about the need for a level playing field. We're thrilled that she and other Congressional champions have succeeded in making sure that the USDA is armed with the resources and authorities to keep organic strong alongside tremendous growth in the organic marketplace. The Farm Bill contains the largest commitment of resources ever to ensure organic integrity remains strong. It includes better policy and funding for organic fraud prevention, especially in the international trade arena, which was really needed. Modernizing the organic regulations and increasing funding help the National Organic Program be in a position to better weed out fraud, said Melissa Hughes, Chief Mission Officer and General Counsel, Organic Valley. A big thanks to our home-state U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin as well as Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow for leading efforts to strengthen organic oversight. They played a key role in making sure the Farm Bill updated the agency's ability to crack down on any suspected fraud no matter where it might originate. The work ahead of the organic industry is to now get these changes operational at the National Organic Program as soon as possible, and at Organic Valley, we are going to keep our foot on the gas pedal until these new provisions are fully realized and implemented. We thank Sen. Tammy Baldwin for her leadership that resulted in the bill containing important steps to modernize and speed up federal efforts to prevent organic fraud and to create a transparent marketplace, said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. The Farm Bill strengthens the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program's authority and capacity to conduct investigations to keep organic markets strong; it invests in technology and access to data to improve tracking of international organic trade; and requires increased measures that will strengthen global organic supply chain integrity. Reliable oversight and a level playing field are critical to the success of U.S. organic farmers and ensures that consumers are getting what they pay for every time they choose the USDA organic seal. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/stop-pushing-junk-plans,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Trump Administration to Stop Pushing Health Insurance Plans that Weaken Pre-Existing Condition Protections,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Trump Administration to Stop Pushing Health Insurance Plans that Weaken Pre-Existing Condition Protections New Administration guidance encourages states to promote junk health plans that lack protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions and would increase costs for millions of Americans WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led a group of 38 Senators in calling on the Trump Administration to withdraw recent changes that make it easier for states to promote junk insurance plans. These health care plans typically lack protections for people with pre-existing conditions and would increase costs for millions of Americans. Under the Administration's new guidance, states could use federal subsidies to pay for these subpar plans by utilizing a section of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) intended to give states additional flexibility to implement targeted improvements that expand coverage, reduce costs and provide more comprehensive benefits. The Senators argue that the Administration is improperly using Section 1332 to allow states to do the exact opposite. We have serious concerns they will increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. In light of substantive concerns that we have with the impact on patients, and procedural concerns that we have with the manner in which these significant policy changes have been promulgated, we ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and re-engage with stakeholders, states, and Congress, said the Senators in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. The Senators made it clear these actions did not reflect Congress' intent in creating the 1332 waiver program, stating the Administration's recent guidance significantly changes enforcement of these four important guardrails, undermining Congressional intent and posing a significant risk to consumers that now have affordable and comprehensive health coverage. Additionally the proposed changes, which were outlined in guidance provided by the Administration and a discussion paper released a few months back, will allow states to increase out-of-pocket maximums and reduce the value of coverage, weaken essential health benefits, and implement changes that increase health care costs for the majority of beneficiaries if a state can demonstrate costs will be lower for some. We ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and work with us and other stakeholders on policies that maintain protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions and improve affordability, concluded the Senators. In October, Senator Baldwin forced a vote in the Senate on her discharge petition that would have blocked the Trump Administration's rule to expand junk insurance plans. The measure was supported by 50 Senators, including one Republican. Ultimately, the petition did not receive the simple majority needed to pass the Senate and send it to the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to Baldwin, Warner, Cardin and Shaheen, the letter was signed by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Angus King (I-ME), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Doug Jones (D-AL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), and Brian Schatz (D-HI). The full text of the letter can be found here and below. The Honorable Alex Azar Secretary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 The Honorable Seema VermaAdministrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services7500 Security BoulevardBaltimore, MD 21244 The Honorable Steven MnuchinSecretaryU.S. Department of the Treasury1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20220 Dear Secretary Azar, Administrator Verma and Secretary Mnuchin: We write to express concern with the Administration's October 22 guidance and November 29 discussion paper on new options for states pursuing a Section 1332 waiver under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The new guidance and discussion paper promote health plans that lack protections for people with pre-existing conditions and low-income families enshrined in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance released in 2015 and adopt new principles that were not envisioned by Congress. We have serious concerns they will increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. In light of substantive concerns that we have with the impact on patients, and procedural concerns that we have with the manner in which these significant policy changes have been promulgated, we ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and re-engage with stakeholders, states, and Congress. Section 1332 of the ACA gives states additional flexibility to implement state-specific improvements that expand coverage, reduce costs and provide more comprehensive benefits. In fact, Congress enacted so-called guardrails that waiver proposals must meet in order for the Secretary to approve them. Specifically, waivers must ensure 1) health coverage is at least as comprehensive as it would be under the ACA, 2) cost-sharing and premiums are as affordable as they would be under the ACA, 3) the number of individuals with coverage remains comparable to the number of individuals covered under the ACA, and 4) the waiver does not increase the Federal deficit. The Administration's recent guidance significantly changes enforcement of these four important guardrails, undermining Congressional intent and posing a significant risk to consumers that now have affordable and comprehensive health coverage. The waiver concepts, published after the release of the recent guidance, suggests that the Secretary will permit states to use Federal subsidies for the purchase of short-term, limited-duration (STLDI) junk plans that do not meet Federal patient protections. The new guidance will also allow states to count junk plans as health insurance when determining how many individuals are enrolled in coverage. This change will allow states to enroll more individuals in subpar plans that do not offer essential health benefits such as mental health care, maternity care, prescription drug coverage or substance use disorder treatment. Additionally, these subpar plans can discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions, older Americans and women by excluding these essential benefits. These plans may also charge certain customers more for their coverage, deny coverage entirely, impose annual and lifetime limits on care, and other anti-consumer practices. This use of federal tax dollars for subpar, often deceptively-marketed insurance that barely provides coverage at all is completely unacceptable. It is important to note that hospitals, insurers, patient groups and independent health experts have all agreed that the increased use of these junk plans will increase the cost of health care coverage for many Americans, undercut protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions and erode stability in the health insurance markets. In addition to the increased use of junk plans, the discussion paper makes clear that the Secretary will also give states more flexibility to increase out-of-pocket maximums and reduce the value of coverage, weaken essential health benefits, and implement changes that increase health care costs for those who need it most if a state can demonstrate costs will be lower in the aggregate. We have serious concerns about how these changes will impact the quality and affordability of coverage, especially for vulnerable sub-populations. Furthermore, we are concerned that this guidance may exceed the Secretary's legal authority by not requiring Congressional approval to changeexisting law and by subverting the full notice and comment rule-making process. The guidance violates the statute by allowing states to provide access to instead of provision of affordable and comprehensive coverage to at least the same number of residents. It also redefines health insurance to include plans that lack the ACA's consumer protections. In addition, by forgoing Congressional approval and the rule-making process the Administration has excluded an opportunity for public comment from millions of Americans and other stakeholders that will be impacted by these changes. In contrast, the Department finalized the 2015 guidance only after taking into account feedback from stakeholders and experts. The Department finalized this new guidance immediately, without getting any vital input from affected stakeholders. For these reasons, we ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and work with us and other stakeholders on policies that maintain protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions and improve affordability. Thank you for your consideration of our letter and we look forward to your response.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/us-senator-tammy-baldwin-calls-on-senate-to-pass-blue-water-navy-vietnam-veterans-legislation,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Senate to Pass Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Legislation,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,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/wmtv-baldwins-reform-to-provide-mental-health-resources-for-farmers-included-in-farm-bill,WMTV: Baldwin’s Reform to Provide Mental Health Resources for Farmers Included in Farm Bill,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,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/first-step-act,Major Criminal Justice Reform Legislation Cosponsored By Senator Baldwin Passes Senate,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.18 Major Criminal Justice Reform Legislation Cosponsored By Senator Baldwin Passes Senate Baldwin: An important step in the right direction to keep our communities safe and make the criminal justice system more just and fair. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin voted in favor of the bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that passed the Senate this week with overwhelming support (87-12). The legislation cosponsored by Senator Baldwin, the First Step Act, includes reforms to America's prison and sentencing system to reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars and promote safe communities. This bipartisan legislation is an important step in the right direction to keep our communities safe and make the criminal justice system more just and fair, said Senator Baldwin. The First Step Act reforms sentencing for nonviolent offenders and will help lower recidivism rates. People who have made mistakes and paid their debt to society deserve a chance to move forward and live a productive life. While there is much more work to be done, this bipartisan legislation will help move us in the right direction and I'm proud to join a broad coalition of supporters who have worked to get the job done on this legislation. TheFirst Step Actwas introduced by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The bipartisan legislation uses evidence-based recidivism reduction programs to help inmates successfully return to society after serving their sentence.It also reduces some sentences for certain low-level, nonviolent offenders while preserving important law enforcement tools to tackle criminal enterprises. The bill aims to reduce crime by helping low-risk inmates prepare to successfully rejoin society through participation in proven recidivism reduction programs. It also improves fairness in prison sentences by recalibrating certain mandatory minimum sentences while expanding their application to new categories of violent felons.The bill grants greater discretion to judges in sentencing of low-level, nonviolent drug offenders who cooperate with law enforcement. It also clarifies congressional intent on sentencing enhancements for certain crimes involving firearms.TheFirst Step Actpreserves the maximum potential sentences for violent and career criminals. Finally, the legislation allows petitions for retroactive application of theFair Sentencing Actto be considered on an individual basis to reduce sentence disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenses. Under this legislation, any savings generated by the reforms are automatically reinvested into law enforcement programs to further reduce crime and improve community safety. TheFirst Step Actincludes safeguards that prevent career and violent criminals from receiving earned time credits toward pre-release custody following completion of recidivism reduction programs. Under the bill, each inmate is evaluated using a data-driven risk and needs assessment tool to determine their likelihood of reoffending upon release. Only inmates found to be a low or minimum risk may benefit from earned time credits. Conviction for a number of serious offenses also disqualify inmates from earning time credits. TheFirst Step Actis modeled after state-based reforms that have proven to reduce crime, prison populations and taxpayer expenses. It is endorsed by President Trump andcosponsoredby more than a third of the Senate, evenly balanced among Democrats and Republicans. TheFirst Step Actis backed by a number of law enforcement groups, including thenation's largest police group. It's alsosupported by 172 former federal prosecutorsincluding two former Republican U.S. attorneys general, two former deputy attorneys general and a former director of the FBI along withsheriffs from 34 statesacross the country. The National Governor's Association, which represents the governors of all 50 states,praised the bill. A broad coalition of conservative and progressive groups along with a host of business leaders and faith-based organizations also support theFirst Step Act. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/bipartisan-reform-mental-health-resources-for-farmers-included-in-farm-bill,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Bipartisan Reform to Provide Mental Health Resources for Farmers Included in 2018 Farm Bill,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's Bipartisan Reform to Provide Mental Health Resources for Farmers Included in 2018 Farm Bill The final 2018 Farm Bill includes several key priorities authored by Baldwin to support Wisconsin farmers WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's bipartisan reforms to provide our nation's farmers with critical support and mental health resources was included in the final 2018 Farm Bill that passed Congress last week with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation now heads to the President to be signed into law. In April, Senators Baldwin and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the Facilitating Accessible Resources for Mental health and Encouraging Rural Solutions for Immediate Response to Stressful Times (FARMERS FIRST) Act to provide funding for local mental health resources and expand access to stress reduction strategies and suicide prevention programs for people who work in agriculture. Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that farmers and other individuals who work in agriculture experience a high rate of suicide. Farmers are the backbone of our rural economy and leaders in our rural communities. Washington has been slow to recognize the challenges that farmers are facing, and the daily stressors that they experience during difficult years, said Senator Baldwin.I worked to include this bipartisan reform in the final Farm Bill so that when there is a crisis on the farm, farmers know they are not alone and there are resources available to help them find a path through tough times. I'm looking forward to the President signing the Farm Bill into law so we can help tackle this problem and save lives. Senator Baldwin's bipartisan effort has been endorsed by the National Milk Producers Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, Farm Aid, Female Farmer Project, National Rural Health Association, National Council for Behavioral Health, Rural Coalition/Coalicin Rural, American Soybean Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Cotton Council, National Young Farmers Coalition, Rural and Agricultural Council of America, U.S. Cattlemen's Association, Wisconsin Farmers Union, The American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, and Eating Disorders Coalition. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) appreciates Senator Baldwin's leadership in ensuring farmer stress and mental health was a priority in the Farm Bill. First and foremost, nothing is more important to American agriculture than the safety and wellness of our farmers. This provision will go a long way to put farmers and ranchers in touch with those who can help them through serious and personal struggles. State departments of agriculture are the closest connection to producers tackling these issues, so NASDA is pleased to see that all state departments of agriculture qualify as recipients and agents to implement this service, said Dr. Barbara Glenn, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The National Rural Health Association is proud to support the rural health provisions in the recently passed 2018 Farm Bill, including policies to ensure the financial viability of rural hospitals, expand deployment of telemedicine, and improve access to mental health services. The reauthorization of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) will help support agricultural workers and their families in rural communities by providing at-home resources for mental health services. Many farmers struggling still with the economic consequences of the Great Recession are at higher risk of substance abuse and suicide, but the majority of rural counties do not have a single psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker to meet these needs. We applaud the bipartisan work of rural health advocates who fought to ensure the future of the FRSAN program in this Farm Bill, said Jessica Seigel, National Rural Health Association. ""Stress is part of the job, whether you're a farmer, rancher, farmworker, young or old. We all share a responsibility to ensure mental health assistance remains part of the national safety net for farm families. As growers weather this difficult farm economy, we're grateful that Congress has stepped up to include these critical resources in the 2018 Farm Bill.When these challenges are left unspoken, swept under the rug or stigmatized, our entire community is impacted. Inclusion of the FARMERS FIRST Act in the Farm Bill is an important first step,""said Andrew Bahrenburg, National Policy Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition. Specifically, Senator Baldwin's reform will provide funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to state departments of agriculture, state extension services, non-profits and tribes to establish helplines, provide suicide prevention training for farm advocates, create support groups and reestablish the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). The bipartisan FARMERS FIRST Act was cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). 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-demands-ice-respond-to-foia-request-regarding-raids-in-wisconsin,Pocan Demands ICE Respond to FOIA Request Regarding Raids in Wisconsin,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 17, 2018) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today sent a letter to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling on the agency to respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that he sent to the agency more than two months ago. Despite receiving the request on October 12, the agency continues to ask for extensions to respond to the request for records regarding raids in Wisconsin, including the agency's communication with local law enforcement officials and information about whether the arrested individuals held criminal records. ""I am writing to follow up on a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records pursuant to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's actions that resulted in the arrest of 83 individuals in Wisconsin in September 2018,"" wrote Pocan. ""The FOIA request was initiated because the agency was unwilling to provide information and answers to simple questions about these enforcement activities. Since the initial request submitted on October 12, 2018 – two months ago – we have received two letters from the agency delaying the process without sufficient explanation."" ""The inability to provide this straightforward information or comply with the FOIA request in a timely manner underscores a very troubling lack of accountability that seems to be pervasive within the agency,"" continued Pocan. ""Further delays on this request will not be granted, and I urge you to move expeditiously to provide the requested information. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:11:43Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/statement-on-federal-court-ruling-to-dismantle-the-affordable-care-act,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Federal Court Ruling to Dismantle the Affordable Care Act and Repeal Protections for People with Pre-Existing Conditions,2018-12-15,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Federal Court Ruling to Dismantle the Affordable Care Act and Repeal Protections for People with Pre-Existing Conditions WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement in response to the federal court ruling in thelawsuit supported by the Trump Administration and filed by 20 states, including the State of Wisconsin, that would dismantle the Affordable Care Act and threaten guaranteed health care protectionsfor people with pre-existing conditions. Wisconsin should have never signed on to this lawsuit and Scott Walker has not only broken his promise to protect people with pre-existing conditions, he has now signed legislation preventing Governor-elect Evers from keeping his promise to take our state's good name off this attack on people's health care. ""This ruling is a threat because Walker's lawsuit would take away guaranteed health protections and raise costs for Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions. But it is not the final word and we must do everything we can to stop this sabotage because if it succeeds, insurance companies will again be able to deny coverage or charge higher premiums for more than 2 million people in Wisconsin with a pre-existing condition."" Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/ag-leaders-commend-baldwins-work-doing-right-by-farmers,Wisconsin’s Agriculture Leaders Commend Senator Baldwin’s Work Doing Right by Farmers,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.18 Wisconsin's Agriculture Leaders Commend Senator Baldwin's Work Doing Right by Farmers Bipartisan Farm Bill includes Baldwin reforms to support Wisconsin's agriculture economy Wisconsin farmers call Baldwin's reforms a much improved safety net for family dairy farmers, cheesemakers call it a much-needed boost to the American dairy industry WASHINGTON, D.C. Farmers and cheesemakers, farm groups and rural stakeholders are sharing their strong support for Senator Baldwin's bipartisan reforms that were included in the 2018 Farm Bill that passed Congress this week with overwhelming bipartisan support. The final 2018 Farm Bill includes several key priorities authored by Baldwin to support Wisconsin farmers and help boost Wisconsin's agriculture economy. The legislation now heads to the President to be signed into law. Senator Baldwin successfully secured improved risk management tools for dairy farmers, grants for Dairy Business Innovation, mental health resources for farmers and provisions to combat fraudulent organic imports. More information about her efforts is available here. Senator Baldwin has been an outspoken supporter for rural communities and Wisconsin's struggling dairy industry, said Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte. Wisconsin Farm Bureau appreciates her vote for the 2018 Farm Bill so Wisconsin farmers will have programs in place to help them during these tough times. The passage of the farm bill is welcome news in farm country, where net farm income is at its lowest point in more than a decade. Wisconsin Farmers Union appreciates the tireless work of Senate and House agriculture leaders and their staff to resolve differences in this incredibly important piece of legislation, said Darin Von Ruden, President, Wisconsin Farmers Union. Farmers Union appreciates Sen. Baldwin's efforts to crack down on fraudulent organic imports and her role in bringing forth provisions of the Dairy Business Innovation Act and making sure they were incorporated in the farm bill. We also are pleased to see continued support for conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). We are also encouraged by the reauthorization of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, a program that is direly needed given the current economic and mental health crises plaguing rural America, and we urge funding of that to be a priority in the next appropriations cycle. Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is pleased to see the exciting concepts in Senator Baldwin's Dairy Business Innovation Act in the new 2018 Farm Bill. Dairy farmers and processors believe a consumer focus innovating delicious products for families is the sustainable solution to revitalize the dairy industry. Innovation Centers can concentrate dairy expertise and help new ideas flourish in the marketplace, said John Umhoefer, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. I would like to thank Senator Baldwin for her leadership and support throughout the entire Farm Bill process. Family farms in Wisconsin are facing economic hardships not seen since the 1980's coupled with unprecedented trade uncertainties. This Farm Bill will help provide stability through these turbulent times to the family farms that are the backbone of this great nation. Senator Baldwin has once again proven that she is an ally for Wisconsin farmers in Washington D.C. and I look forward to working with her and her staff into the future for the betterment of Wisconsin's family farms, said Tony Mellenthin, President, Wisconsin Soybean Association. Wisconsin Corn appreciates Senator Baldwin's support in passing the Farm Bill. It's no secret that it is a hard time for producers with low prices, trade issues and barriers to ethanol. The passage of the Farm Bill shows our elected officials are listening and we hope this is the first step to a stronger future for Wisconsin corn growers, said Doug Rebout, President of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association. On behalf of the dairy farmer owners of AMPI I'd like to thank Senator Baldwin for her leadership and for working together with other leaders to come up with a much improved safety net for family dairy farmers in Wisconsin and across rural America. I believe the new policy will provide certainty in very uncertain times and hope for the future of our industry and the rural communities we live in and support, said Steve Schlangen, Dairy Farmer and Chairman of the Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI) Board of Directors. Given the challenging times in agriculture, especially for dairy producers, the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill is great news and positions us to compete in the future.I commend Senator Baldwin for her leadership in listening to the needs of her constituents, including producers like me who need better solutions to manage operational risks. In addition, she supported measures to address those struggling with mental health concerns due to financial stress and uncertainty in rural areas.Senator Baldwin championed policy that addressed these concerns, in addition to several others included in this bill, and we are fortunate to have a leader like her in Congress, said Nic Schoenberger, Land O'Lakes Dairy Producer and Board Director, from Kiel, Wisconsin. Senator Baldwin's efforts were crucial to improving the risk management tools for dairy farmers to reflect the reality of today's dairy economy. Edge was fortunate to be able to work collaboratively with the Senator on the new Dairy Margin Coverage program and on allowing farmers to use various tools simultaneously. Our dairy farmers need to able to manage risk according to their management style and individual farm's needs, said Brody Stapel, President of Green Bay-based Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and Dairy Farmer in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. We are grateful for Senator Baldwin's bipartisan efforts to protect Wisconsin's dairy industry in the 2018 Farm Bill. She understands the issues that are critically important to dairy producers across the USA and her support of the Farm Bill shows that she is willing to fight for us. We greatly appreciate the Senator's advocacy for the entire industry, said Louie Gentine, CEO of Sargento Foods, Inc. The Dairy Business Innovation Act will help start-ups and existing companies accelerate and enhance their technology, product development, finance, and marketing. I'm delighted that Senator Baldwin is delivering this much-needed boost to the American dairy industry, said Bob Wills, Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker and President of Cedar Grove Cheese and Clock Shadow Creamery. My family and I know the challenges firsthand of taking on the processing and marketing of our own dairy products. Senator Baldwin's Dairy Business Innovation Act provides an opportunity for farmers and processors to grow and diversify their businesses to meet customers' changing tastes, said Tom Crave, Vice President of the Dairy Business Association in Wisconsin and a dairy farmer and cheese processor in Waterloo, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association appreciates the hard work by and support of Senator Baldwin on the issues of importance to our growers in the Farm Bill.The Senator has been a strong supporter of agricultural research programs important to our growers and export promotion programs that help us as we develop new markets for Wisconsin's largest fruit crop. Like all of agriculture we face challenges and the Senator has been a partner in taking action on behalf of our family farmers as we work toward continues to develop and implement sustainable practices, said Tom Lochner, Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association. The Farm Bill contains the largest commitment of resources ever to ensure organic integrity remains strong. It includes better policy and funding for organic fraud prevention, especially in the international trade arena, which was really needed. Modernizing the organic regulations and increasing funding help the National Organic Program be in a position to better weed out fraud, said Melissa Hughes, Chief Mission Officer and General Counsel of Organic Valley. A big thanks to our home-state U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin as well as Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow for leading efforts to strengthen organic oversight. They played a key role in making sure the Farm Bill updated the agency's ability to crack down on any suspected fraud no matter where it might originate. The work ahead of the organic industry is to now get these changes operational at the National Organic Program as soon as possible, and at Organic Valley, we are going to keep our foot on the gas pedal until these new provisions are fully realized and implemented. We thank Sen. Tammy Baldwin for her leadership that resulted in the bill containing important steps to modernize and speed up federal efforts to prevent organic fraud and to create a transparent marketplace, said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. The Farm Bill strengthens the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program's authority and capacity to conduct investigations to keep organic markets strong; it invests in technology and access to data to improve tracking of international organic trade; and requires increased measures that will strengthen global organic supply chain integrity. Reliable oversight and a level playing field are critical to the success of U.S. organic farmers and ensures that consumers are getting what they pay for every time they choose the USDA organic seal. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) appreciates Senator Baldwin's leadership in ensuring farmer stress and mental health was a priority in the Farm Bill. First and foremost, nothing is more important to American agriculture than the safety and wellness of our farmers. This provision will go a long way to put farmers and ranchers in touch with those who can help them through serious and personal struggles. State departments of agriculture are the closest connection to producers tackling these issues, so NASDA is pleased to see that all state departments of agriculture qualify as recipients and agents to implement this service, said Dr. Barbara Glenn, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. ""Stress is part of the job, whether you're a farmer, rancher, farmworker, young or old. We all share a responsibility to ensure mental health assistance remains part of the national safety net for farm families. As growers weather this difficult farm economy, we're grateful that Congress has stepped up to include these critical resources in the 2018 Farm Bill.When these challenges are left unspoken, swept under the rug or stigmatized, our entire community is impacted. Inclusion of the FARMERS FIRST Act in the Farm Bill is an important first step,""said Andrew Bahrenburg, National Policy Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition. The entire list of support for Senator Baldwin's efforts in the 2018 Farm Bill is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/luj-n-pocan-lynch-boyle-and-schakowsky-introduce-house-companion-of,"Luján, Pocan, Lynch, Boyle, and Schakowsky Introduce House Companion of Senator Warren’s Accountable Capitalism Act",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 13, 2018) – U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (NM-03), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-13), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) introduced H.R. 7294, the House companion of Senator Elizabeth Warren's (D-MA) Accountable Capitalism Act. Senator Warren introduced the bill in August to help eliminate skewed market incentives and return to the era when American corporations and American workers did well together. The legislation empowers American workers and aims to reverse the harmful corporate trend over the last thirty years that have produced record corporate profits for American companies but stagnant wages for American workers. ""I'm proud to partner with Representatives Luján, Pocan, Lynch, Boyle, and Schakowsky on this bill to empower American workers,"" said Warren. ""With the support of this powerful group of House leaders, we're one big step closer to helping American workers get the higher wages they deserve."" ""Throughout our country's history, the well-being of our workers has been directly linked to the prosperity we have achieved as a nation,"" said Luján. ""Yet today, working families in my district and across the country face rising costs of living and stagnant wages. Elevating the voices of workers in our corporate boardrooms will help restore balance in our economy. The Accountable Capitalism Act is an innovative and commonsense approach to level the playing field. I thank Senator Warren for her partnership on this effort."" ""Today, it's more important than ever that we give American workers the opportunity to have a seat at the table to make critical decisions on their rights and their future. Unfortunately, runaway corporate power is causing more benefits to flow to shareholders and CEOs, while families are struggling to make ends meet,"" said Pocan. ""I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing the House companion bill to Sen. Warren's Accountable Capitalism Act to take a strong step forward leveling the playing field for America's middle class. Together, we will empower American workers and build an economy that works for everyone."" ""I am proud to join my colleagues Representatives Luján, Pocan, Boyle and Schakowsky to introduce the House companion Bill to Senator Warren's legislation,"" said Lynch. ""Hopefully this Bill will help to rebalance the relationship for workers and give employees a stronger voice in the workplace."" ""American workers feel the system is rigged against them – and they're right,"" said Boyle. ""Washington has only exacerbated this trend. Look no further than the Republican tax scam and the record profits, stock buybacks, and stagnant wages we've seen since. Clearly we can no longer afford to sit back and hope corporations act in the best interests of their employees. The Accountable Capitalism Act represents a great step toward making that a reality."" ""For the past 40 years, economic growth has gone to the top one percent, and workers have seen their wages stagnate and their jobs shipped overseas,"" said Schakowsky. ""Even with high profile examples like General Motors announcing its intent to perversely kill roughly 15,000 American jobs leading to its stock price increasing by five percent, the Republican majority over the last eight years has done nothing to right this wrong. In fact, Republicans have made things much worse by crafting that misguided tax bill. That is why I have chosen to be an original cosponsor of the Accountable Capitalism Act, a bill that will ensure the American economy gets back on track and works for everyone, not just the wealthy. I am proud to stand with my friend and incoming Assistant Speaker, Ben Ray Luján, on this important bill."" Since the passage of the Republican tax bill, American companies have done more than $800 billion in stock buybacks, while real wages for workers remain stagnant. There is an urgent need to end the grip of shareholder value maximization and return to the era when American corporations produced broad-based growth that helped workers and shareholders alike. The Accountable Capitalism Act: Compels company directors to consider the interests of all corporate stakeholders - including employees, customers, shareholders, and communities in which the company operates - by requiring American corporations with $1 billion or more in annual revenue to obtain a federal charter as a ""United States corporation."" This approach is derived from the thriving benefit corporation model that 33 states and the District of Columbia have adopted and that companies like Patagonia, Danone North America, and Kickstarter have embraced with strong results. Empowers workers at United States corporations to elect at least 40% of Board members: Borrowing from the successful approach in Germany and other developed economies, a United States corporation must ensure that no fewer than 40% of its directors are selected by the corporation's employees. Restricts the sales of company shares by the directors and officers of United States corporations: Top corporate executives are now compensated mostly in company equity, which gives them huge financial incentives to focus exclusively on shareholder returns. To ensure that they are focused on the long-term interests of all corporate stakeholders, the bill prohibits directors and officers of United States corporations from selling company shares within five years of receiving them or within three years of a company stock buyback. Prohibits United States corporations from making any political expenditures without the approval of 75% of its directors and shareholders: Drawing on a proposal from John Bogle, the founder of the investment company Vanguard, United States corporations must receive the approval of at least 75% of their shareholders and 75% of their directors before engaging in political expenditures. This ensures any political expenditures benefit all corporate stakeholders. Permits the federal government to revoke the charter of a United States corporation if the company has engaged in repeated and egregious illegal conduct: State Attorneys General are authorized to submit petitions to the Office of United States Corporations to revoke a United States corporation's charter. If the Director of the Office finds that the corporation has a history of egregious and repeated illegal conduct and has failed to take meaningful steps to address its problems, she may grant the petition. The company's charter would then be revoked a year later - giving the company time before its charter is revoked to make the case to Congress that it should retain its charter in the same or in a modified form.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:11:43Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-letter-to-pfizer,Senator Baldwin to Pfizer: Why Does $11 Billion in Corporate Tax Breaks Result in Prescription Drug Price Hikes for Families?,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.18 Senator Baldwin to Pfizer: Why Does $11 Billion in Corporate Tax Breaks Result in Prescription Drug Price Hikes for Families? WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin wrote to the CEO of Pfizer this week, calling on them to provide an explanation after the pharmaceutical company announced that they intended to increase the costs of 41 prescription drugs starting in January. Major drug companies have drastically raised prices for top-selling drugs over the past five years, in some cases more than doubling prices. This is despite increased sales and company profits. I am disappointed that your company has decided to continue playing political games and to raise prices once again in January instead of making a commitment to permanently reduce prescription drug prices for millions of families struggling to afford needed medications, wrote Senator Baldwin. Last December, President Trump signed partisan tax legislation passed by Congressional Republicans that gave permanent tax breaks to corporations such as Pfizer. Since then, Pfizer has received almost $11 billion in tax benefits and announced more than $10 billion in stock buybackslargely benefitting top executives and wealthy shareholders as prescription drug prices continue to rise for American families. Pfizer and many other companies instituted price hikes on prescription drugs after the corporate tax cut became law. In January of this year, Pfizer instituted 116 price hikes. Then on July 1, Pfizer increased prices for the second time on many prescription drugs by nearly 10 percent. Days later, Pfizer issued a puzzling statement that they would return the prices of over 40 prescription drugs to their pre-July 1 levels as soon as technically possible but only until the end of the year or until the President's prescription drug Blueprint is implemented. Senator Baldwin then called on Pfizer to make those price reductions permanent. Instead, Pfizer is increasing prices again rather than lowering costs for Wisconsin consumers. Senator Baldwin has been working to hold prescription drug companies accountable for skyrocketing drug prices. Earlier this year, Baldwin and the late Senator John McCain sent a letter to President Trump urging him to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable and make good on his promise to lower the skyrocketing prescription drug prices that American families are struggling to afford. In 2017, Baldwin and McCain introduced the bipartisan FAIR Drug Pricing Act, which would begin to address high prescription drug prices and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable by requiring transparency for drug companies that plan to increase drug prices. The bill would not prohibit manufacturers from increasing prices, but it would, for the first time, give taxpayers notice of price increases and bring basic transparency to the market for prescription drugs. I have heard from countless Wisconsinites who are struggling to afford medications that they have relied on for years as major drug companies continue to systematically raise drug prices with no transparency or accountability. That is why I have offered a bipartisan solution, the FAIR Drug Pricing Act, to institute basic transparency for drug companies that raise prices, wrote Senator Baldwin. The full 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/data-care-act,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Help Protect People’s Personal Data Online,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Colleagues to Help Protect People's Personal Data Online Data Care Act will stop websites and apps from using personal data against users, protect user information from hacks and hold companies accountable for misuse WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined 15 of her Senate colleagues in introducing new legislation to protect people's personal data online. The Data Care Act, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), would require websites, apps and other online providers to take responsible steps to safeguard personal information and stop the misuse of users' data. Far too many times, we have seen online providers fail to meet their users' expectations about how their personal data will be collected, used and protected. The current system is skewed against consumers and we have to fix it, said Senator Baldwin. The Data Care Act will provide clear, reasonable rules of the road on user data, and hold companies who fail to follow them accountable. People have a basic expectation that the personal information they provide to websites and apps is well-protected and won't be used against them. Just as doctors and lawyers are expected to protect and responsibly use the personal data they hold, online companies should be required to do the same. Our bill will help make sure that when people give online companies their information, it won't be exploited, said Senator Schatz. Doctors, lawyers and bankers are legally required to exercise special care to protect their clients and not misuse their information. While online companies also hold personal and sensitive information about the people they serve, they are not required to protect consumers' data. This leaves users in a vulnerable position; they are expected to understand the information they give to providers and how it is being used an unreasonable expectation for even the most tech-savvy consumer. By establishing a fiduciary duty for online providers, Americans can trust that their online data is protected and used in a responsible way. The Data Care Act establishes reasonable duties that will require providers to protect user data and will prohibit providers from using user data to their detriment: Duty of Care Must reasonably secure individual identifying data and promptly inform users of data breaches that involve sensitive information; Duty of Loyalty May not use individual identifying data in ways that harm users; Duty of Confidentiality Must ensure that the duties of care and loyalty extend to third parties when disclosing, selling or sharing individual identifying data; Federal and State Enforcement A violation of the duties will be treated as a violation of an FTC rule with fine authority. States may also bring civil enforcement actions, but the FTC can intervene. Rulemaking Authority FTC is granted rulemaking authority to implement the Act. Free Press Action welcomes the important contributions the Data Care Act makes to a growing list of good ideas on privacy in the Senate. The bill shifts away from a notice and choice framework alone, where internet users bear all the responsibility and risk of protecting themselves, with few remedies for violations. Instead it moves towards putting the duty on companies and other data collectors where it belongs, to actually prevent such harmful exploitation and honor people's rights. It also does the right thing by empowering the FTC to make rules and impose penalties, and let's state attorneys general enforce the new protections too. We thank Senator Schatz and all the co-sponsors for putting so many ideas on the table, pushing the debate towards even more comprehensive laws, said Sandra Fulton, Government Relations Director for Free Press Action. We commend Senator Schatz for tackling the difficult task of drafting privacy legislation that focuses on routine data processing practices instead of consumer data self-management. It signals an important shift in how Congress views consumer privacy issues and foreshadows a serious privacy debate in 2019, said Michelle Richardson, Director of the Privacy and Data Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology. EFF thanks Senator Schatz for his leadership on protecting consumer data privacy. We generally favor legislation requiring large companies to serve as fiduciaries for their consumers' data, and to satisfy duties of loyalty, confidentiality, and care for their users. We look forward to working with the Senator to improve his bill and to advance information fiduciary protections that will meet the needs of Internet users and adequately safeguard consumer data privacy as a part of comprehensive privacy legislation, said India McKinney, Legislative Analyst for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EEF). In addition to Senators Baldwin and Schatz, the Data Care Act is co-sponsored by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Doug Jones (D-AL), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Dick Durbin (D-IL). 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-ron-kind-votes-against-status-quo-farm-bill,Rep. Ron Kind Votes Against Status Quo Farm Bill,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Votes Against Status Quo Farm Bill La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind voted against the 2018 Farm Bill, the Conference Report of H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act. His statement is below: This Farm Bill maintains a status quo that will drive more family farmers out of business. It fails to rein in wasteful subsidies and crop insurance programs that lead to overproduction by big Agribusiness, and sends taxpayer dollars to billionaires on Wall Street, and in Chicago and San Francisco. It cuts $800 million from vital conservation programs, and does nothing to address the damage caused by the President's trade war. I can't support a bill that maintains the failed status quo. As long as family farmers are fighting for their lives in Wisconsin, I will continue to fight for them in this Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill has a number of fiscally irresponsible provisions, including a crop subsidy program that gives 80% of all farm subsidies to 20% of American farmers. The Farm Bill also expands the eligibility of pass-through entities, allowing distant relatives (including cousins, nieces and nephews) to qualify for taxpayer-funded commodity payments. Rep. Kind introduced bipartisan amendments to the House Farm Bill to create more transparency in the crop insurance and subsidy programs, protect the Conservation Stewardship Program within the Farm Bill Conservation Title, and avoid trade disputes with Brazil due to U.S. cotton subsidies. His amendments were blocked by the House Committee on Rules. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/waow-us-senator-tammy-baldwin-applauds-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-farm-bill,WAOW: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,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/wbay-us-senator-tammy-baldwin-announces-nearly-20-million-for-brown-county-highway-project,WBAY: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Nearly $20 Million for Brown County Highway Project,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-reminds-wisconsinites-impacted-flooding-december-17,Rep. Ron Kind Reminds Wisconsinites Impacted by Flooding of December 17 Application Deadline for Federal Disaster Assistance,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Reminds Wisconsinites Impacted by Flooding of December 17 Application Deadline for Federal Disaster Assistance La Crosse U.S. Rep. Ron Kind is reminding Wisconsinites impacted by late-August and early-September's severe storms and flooding that the application deadline for individual federal disaster assistance is Monday, December 17, 2018. Wisconsinites are strong, and are hard at work rebuilding their homes, farms and businesses after the devastating flooding and storms we saw late this summer, said Rep. Ron Kind. I want to remind everyone facing storm damage repairs that the application deadline to receive individual federal disaster assistance is this Monday, December 17th. My office is open and ready to help Wisconsinites get connected to the help they need. Wisconsin residents can apply for disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Counties in western and central Wisconsin that are approved for individual assistance include Crawford, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, and Vernon Counties. Renters, homeowners and businesses in those counties who were affected by severe storms and flooding from Aug. 17 through Sept. 14, 2018 are eligible to apply. Rep. Kind's office has, and will continue to, work side-by-side with residents and local officials that are rebuilding their homes and communities. Any Wisconsinite with questions regarding recovery efforts or services should call his office toll-free at 1-888-442-8040, or visit his website: kind.house.gov. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-applauds-2018-farm-bill-senate-passage,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill That Includes Major Investments for Wisconsin Farmers and Rural Communities,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill That Includes Major Investments for Wisconsin Farmers and Rural Communities Bipartisan legislation includes improved risk management tools for dairy farmers, grants for Dairy Business Innovation, mental health resources for farmers and provisions to combat fraudulent organic imports WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today voted in favor of the final bipartisan Farm Bill and praised the Senate for passing the legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support. The final 2018 Farm Bill includes several key priorities authored by Baldwin to support Wisconsin farmers and help boost Wisconsin's agriculture economy. The legislation now must pass the House of Representatives before being sent to the President to be signed into law. Wisconsin farmers are a key driver of our agriculture economy and the backbone of our rural communities, but right now our farmers are facing a perfect storm of challenges that have threatened their businesses and our communities, said Senator Baldwin. I've met with farmers across Wisconsin and I brought their concerns and ideas to Washington to make sure the Farm Bill works for our Wisconsin farmers. I've worked for strong investments and reforms in the 2018 Farm Bill to support our hardworking farmers, and ensure they have the tools to be successful and move our state forward. It's time for Congress to get the job done and get this bipartisan legislation to the President's desk. Reforms authored by Senator Baldwin and included in the final legislation are summarized below. Improving Tools for Wisconsin's Family Dairy Farmers Wisconsin's dairy farmers are facing extremely challenging times with low dairy prices, an oversupply of milk in the region, unfair trade barriers from Canada, market loss in Mexico and broader trade uncertainty. The 2018 Farm Bill makes substantial improvements for dairy farmers, building on the $1.1 billion investment made in the Bipartisan Budget Act, which assisted farmers facing enormously difficult market conditions. Senator Baldwin fought to substantially update the dairy tools so that they address the challenges Wisconsin farmers are facing. Baldwin worked with her colleagues and secured bipartisan agreement to sunset the Margin Protection Program and replace it with an updated safety net program, Dairy Margin Coverage. This new program will provide higher coverage levels to better reflect the costs farmers face to produce milk, and provide more affordable rates. Farmers who used the Margin Protection Program when it was failing to adequately respond to the downturn in dairy prices will be eligible for a refund or credit for the premiums they paid. Additionally, dairy farmers will be able to utilize multiple risk management tools at the same time, making it possible for them to better adjust to changing market conditions. Specifically, farmers may enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage and the Livestock Gross Margin program or other dairy insurance products at the same time. This addresses a key gap in risk management tools for Wisconsin dairy farmers. In addition, Senator Baldwin's Dairy Business Innovation Act was included in the Farm Bill to support dairy product innovation and address oversupply by providing resources to help cheesemakers and other dairy businesses get their start, develop new products and expand markets. Supporting More Resources for Farmers in Crisis Washington has been slow to recognize the challenges that farmers are facing and the daily stressors that they experience during difficult years. Senator Baldwin'sbipartisan FARMERS FIRST Actwas included in the Farm Bill and will provide funding for local mental health resourcesand expand access to stress reduction strategies and suicide prevention programs for people who work in agriculture. Standing Up For Organic Farmers and Consumers by Cracking Down On Fraudulent Organic Imports Wisconsin is home to over 1,200 organic farmsthe second highest number in the countryand our organic farmers work extremely hard to make sure their products meet strict U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic standards. Senator Baldwin worked to include her Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act to crack down on fraudulent foreign imports that claim to be organic but do not meet the USDA standard, and also ensure that American consumers are getting the high quality, organic food they expect. Investing in Rural Economic Development for Wisconsin's Small Towns and Rural Communities The 2018 Farm Bill includes investments in rural economic development to expand high-speed internet to more rural areas, combat the opioid crisis, support rural emergency medicine, improve rural drinking water and boost rural small businesses. Safe drinking water is a priority for every community and is essential to the health and economic vitality of Wisconsin's rural communities. Senator Baldwin secured language from her Rural Water Infrastructure Improvements Act to support more rural areas and make sure they have access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation. The Farm Bill reauthorizes USDA's water and wastewater loan and grant program and increases the maximum amount of financing available for these infrastructure projects from $100,000 to $200,000. 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=3058,Trump Attacks Legal US Immigrants with Public Charge Rule Change,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen decrying President Trump's latest attack on legal immigrants and their children. The full letter is available here. The letter was submitted as a public comment on the Trump Administration's Proposed Rule, Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds, which would expand the list of federal programs considered in the public charge determination to include non-cash assistance programs established by Congress to protect individuals and families from poverty, provide a basic living standard, and support work. The Trump Administration's proposed rule serves no purpose other than to terrify immigrants, refugees, and their families, said Congresswoman Moore. The changes contradict Congressional intent and threaten access to essential health, nutrition, and security for millions of vulnerable families. I will not stand by and allow the Trump Administration to continue these hateful scare tactics, and I am proud to join with many of my democratic colleagues pushing back against this harmful proposal. In today's letter, Congresswoman Moore wrote in part: The Proposed Rule would have dire consequences for immigrant families who have been part of our communities for decades, while being assured repeatedly by U.S. immigration officials that partaking in benefit programs would not hinder their eligibility to become lawful residents. The authority to institute such drastic changes in law resides solely with Congress, not the Administration. It is a contradiction of our American values to wreak havoc in the lives of millions who help weave our diverse cultural and economic framework. Congresswoman Moore, whose district, WI-04, has a large number of immigrant families, urges Secretary Nielsen to withdraw the proposed rule in its entirety. ### Twitter|Facebook|Snapchat|Instagram|Website",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3059,Rep. Moore's Bill Honoring Vel R. Phillips’s Legacy is Signed into Law,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Moore's Bill Honoring Vel R. Phillips's Legacy is Signed into Law f t # e Monday, December 10, 2018 Washington, DC Last week, Congresswoman Gwen Moore's (WI-04)bill to designate the US Post Office located at 2650 North Doctor Martin Luther King Drive in Milwaukee as the Vel R. Phillips Post Office Building was signed into law. Vel Phillips inspired profound activism in the City of Milwaukee. Her movement influenced the congressional fair housing debates and led to the enactment of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. As the first Black official elected to Milwaukee's Common Council and the first Black member of the Democratic National Committee, Vel was also a prolific trailblazer. Vel was a soldier for civil rights. She paved the road of change and lifted up our city's dream for equality and prosperity for all. Today, I stand on her shoulders and take solace knowing that her legacy of love, service, and commitment now will be memorialized in Milwaukee, said Congresswoman Moore. I believe Vel would be honored to know that her representatives in Washington worked together, across aisles and chambers, to celebrateher legacy in our great city. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wmtv-baldwin-legislation-to-improve-access-to-maternity-care-passes-senate,WMTV: Baldwin Legislation to Improve Access to Maternity Care Passes Senate,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,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/wbay-baldwins-bipartisan-legislation-to-spur-small-business-investment-heads-to-presidents-desk,WBAY: Baldwin's Bipartisan Legislation to Spur Small Business Investment Heads to President’s Desk,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,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/wzaw-us-senator-tammy-baldwin-calls-on-congress-to-pass-the-farm-bill,WZAW: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Congress to Pass the Farm Bill,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,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-announces-nearly-20-million-for-brown-county,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Nearly $20 Million for Brown County Highway Project,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Nearly $20 Million for Brown County Highway Project Federal funds will upgrade Wisconsin Highway 29 to improve transportation efficiency for Brown County businesses and families WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin successfully secured nearly $20 million in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant funding for a Brown County highway project that will improve local transportation efficiency and access for Wisconsin residents and families. The federal grant is being provided through DOT's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program that will fund improvements and upgrades on Wisconsin Highway 29. The State Trunk Highway 29-County Highway VV Interchange Project will replace County Highway VV with a new interchange on Wisconsin Highway 29 that will include sidewalks, bicycle lanes and roundabouts near its ramp terminals and nearby intersections. This project will improve transportation network efficiency and economic growth throughout Brown County. It will enhance mobility for families as well as goods, and expand access to broadband. I strongly support transportation and economic development projects that strengthen Wisconsin communities, said Senator Baldwin. I worked to secure federal funding for this project to support economic development in Brown County and enhance transportation accessibility and mobility for Wisconsin residents and families. Senator Baldwin's efforts are greatly appreciated in helping maintain Brown County as one of the fastest growing economies in the state, said Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin has supported strong funding for DOT programs that prioritize transportation investments and upgrades, including the BUILD program. The BUILD Grant Program funds projects that support the revitalization of roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports and intermodal transportation throughout the country. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/improving-access-to-maternity-care-act-passes-senate,U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Lisa Murkowski’s Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Access to Maternity Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Passes Senate,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.18 U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Lisa Murkowski's Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Access to Maternity Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Passes Senate The legislation will help ensure women have better access to timely, high quality maternity care by identifying provider shortage areas in rural and underserved communities WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) are praising the Senate passage of their bipartisan Improving Access to Maternity Care Act that will help reduce maternity care shortages by identifying areas lacking maternal health professionals to help incentivize providers to practice in these underserved, often rural areas. The legislation has already passed the House and now heads to the President to be signed into law. Too many communities around Wisconsin are still facing a shortage of qualified, maternity care professionals and services. I've heard from other expecting mothers across the state who can't find a maternity care provider in their community and are forced to drive over an hour for their appointments often putting their lives and their babies' lives at risk, said Senator Baldwin. This bipartisan legislation will identify shortages to better target resources so providers can deliver the care that expecting mothers in Wisconsin so desperately need no matter where they live. I'm proud to have led this bipartisan effort with Senator Murkowski to ensure that healthier pregnancies lead to healthier babies, and I'm looking forward to the President signing this bill into law. Picture this: you're a woman in rural Alaska facing a high-risk pregnancy. To help ensure the safety of your baby, you must fly hundreds of miles away for care adding stress to an already overwhelming situation. Because of the cost of transportation and housing, your family and loved ones aren't able to be with you, so you spend the remaining weeks of your pregnancy and your delivery alone, said Senator Murkowski. This is a sad but true reality for many parts of Alaska, which lack any form of access to maternity care -- services that some parts of the U.S., perhaps, take for granted. I am proud that my Senate colleagues supported our legislation to improve access to these types of services which will increase overall safety, reduce rates of pregnancy-related deaths, and lower healthcare costs, long-term. TheImproving Access to Maternity Care Actdirects the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to identify maternity care shortage areas that may be used by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). The NHSC is critical to filling workforce shortages in underserved areas, with over 9,200 Corps clinicians delivering services to about 9.7 million people across the US. Currently, ob-gyns are recognized under the primary care shortage designation, which fails to adequately address shortages in maternity care. HRSA already collects data on shortages of primary care, dental care and mental health care providers, and this reform will require HRSA to start collecting data on shortages of maternity care providers as well, to help better target resources where they are needed most. By identifying maternity care needs within existing shortage areas, the United States can begin to fill the gap in maternity care access. This legislation is critical to facilitating a better understanding of where the serious maternity care shortages are located and to subsequently direct health care providers to those communities. TheImproving Access to Maternity Care Actis endorsed by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the March of Dimes, and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Learn more about the bipartisanImproving Access to Maternity Care Act here. Text of the legislation isavailable 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/sen-baldwin-to-gov-walker-do-the-right-thing-and-veto-partisan-power-grab,Sen. Baldwin to Gov. Walker: Do The Right Thing and Veto Partisan Power Grab,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,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/spurring-business-in-communities-act,U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Marco Rubio’s Bipartisan Legislation to Spur Small Business Investment Heads to President’s Desk,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.18 U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Marco Rubio's Bipartisan Legislation to Spur Small Business Investment Heads to President's Desk WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today praised the Senate passage of their bipartisan Spurring Business in Communities Act that will increase the amount of start-up funding for small businesses in underserved states like Wisconsin. The House passed the legislation in May and it now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. Small businesses are the engines of our Made in Wisconsin economy and if we increase the amount of start-up funding in states like Wisconsin, we can create new jobs and grow our economy, said Senator Baldwin. Wisconsin has lagged in business start-up activity and I have worked to change that. This legislation will help carry on Wisconsin's proud history of entrepreneurship and innovation by providing more support to our small business start-ups, and I'm looking forward to the President signing this bill into law. This bill will help to keep and encourage more investment in Florida's economy, instead of being shoe-horned into Wall Street and Silicon Valley, said Senator Rubio. I'll continue to fight for Florida's economy, and I look forward to the president signing this important bill into law. According to the Kauffman Foundation, one of the country's leading entrepreneurship advocacy and research organizations,Wisconsin ranked last in business start-up activityin reports released in 2017, 2016 and 2015. The Spurring Business in Communities Act will allow more Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) to form and invest in Wisconsin, Florida and other under-licensed states to ensure government financing for small businesses does not disproportionately benefit areas already dominated by financial services. Specifically, the legislation will: Exempt SBIC applicants from under-licensed states from full capital requirements; Give first priority to new applicants from under-licensed and under-financed states; and Establish annual reporting requirements on the Small Business Administration's progress toward increasing the geographic dispersion of SBICs. More information about the Spurring Business in Communities Act 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=3049,Rep. Gwen Moore Statement on GOP Power Grab,2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Gwen Moore Statement on GOP Power Grab f t # e Wednesday, December 5, 2018 Washington, DC In response to the Wisconsin State Legislature's passage of sweeping lame-duck legislation restricting the powers of incoming Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) released the following statement: Voters sent Tony Evers and Josh Kaul to Madison with a clear mandate. Their election should have triggered a peaceful transition of power; instead, Wisconsin Republicans have disgraced the state in a midnight legislative session more befitting of a strong man dictatorship than the United States of America. The legislators who engineered this coup retained the majority of the legislature, despite getting fewer overall votes than the Democrats, due to highly gerrymandered district lines. Their actions amount to a smash and grab hijacking of the voters' will. In my over 30 years of public service, I have never witnessed a power grab as shameful and blatant as this in Wisconsin. This power grab is a direct threat to our state's democracy. As Wisconsinites, we must stand strong in the face of greed and intolerance to overcome this period of darkness and begin our return to Wisconsin's progressive roots. ### Twitter|Facebook|Snapchat|Instagram|Website f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-announces-funds-to-rebuild-improve-rural-water-infrastructure,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Over $51 Million to Rebuild and Improve Rural Water Infrastructure in Wisconsin,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.04.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Over $51 Million to Rebuild and Improve Rural Water Infrastructure in Wisconsin USDA funds will be used to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems for homes and businesses in Wisconsin rural communities WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is announcing more than $51 million in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development funding to help rebuild and improve water infrastructure in Wisconsin communities. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin has supported strong funding for infrastructure projects through USDA's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program and is working to reauthorize the program in the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA Rural Development will provide $34,822,000 in loans and $16,547,000 in grant funding for seven water and wastewater projects in Wisconsin. Safe drinking water and reliable water infrastructure are priorities for every Wisconsin community and are essential to public health and the economic prosperity of our state. Too often, small rural communities lack the resources to solve our most pressing water challenges, said Senator Baldwin. I worked to secure these strong investments to make sure that our rural communities across Wisconsin have access to clean drinking water, and safe and improved water infrastructure. USDA is providing the funds through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The funding can be used for drinking water, storm water drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. The USDA funding was awarded to the following Wisconsin communities: City of Waupun: $27,611,000 in loans and $9,479,000 in grants for water distribution and storm water drainage system improvements, including the addition of a phosphorus removal system making use of new technology. Village of Reedsville: $1,049,000 in loans and $802,000 in grants for water distribution system improvements; and $1,275,000 in loans and $813,000 in grants for sanitary sewer system improvements. Village of Tennyson: $1,628,000 in loans and $2,591,000 in grants for water and sanitary sewer system improvements. Village of Albany: $983,000 in loans and $676,000 in grants for water system improvements. Village of Blanchardville: $1,876,000 in loans and $1,453,000 in grants for water distribution and sanitary sewer system improvements. Village of Radisson: $400,000 in loans and $733,000 in grants for a new well and elevated water tower to meet residential and industrial needs after an existing well was shut down due to lead. 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-republican-attempts-to-override-will-of-wisconsin,Pocan Statement on Republican Attempts to Override Will of Wisconsin Voters,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"MADISON, WI (December 3, 2018) – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement regarding Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee taking up legislation today aimed at weakening the authority of incoming Democratic officials. ""Wisconsin Republicans' shameful and undemocratic last-minute attempt to override the vote of the people is more becoming of a third world dictatorship than the birthplace of Fighting Bob La Follette and it must be stopped. Jamming the last days of the legislative session with voter suppression legislation and attempts at undermining the agenda of a newly elected Governor and Attorney General is a blatant attempt to override the vote by the people of our state. ""Republicans had eight years of the Scott Walker Administration to enact laws if needed, but instead, they waited until the last minute of an exiting administration to make an unconstitutional push for more power. As a former Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, I know that fast-tracking these bills is not only wrong to do, but also shows how wrong the Republicans know these actions are. By rushing these bills, Republicans know they are attempting to deceive the people. ""Wisconsin voters spoke on November 6, electing Democrats to the Governor's and Attorney General's offices, as well as other offices up and down the ballot. Governor Walker, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, and Speaker Vos should immediately reverse course and stop seeking to crack down on voting rights, thwart the incoming administration, and shove through laws that will have long-lasting damaging effects on Wisconsin families.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:11:43Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/weau-senator-baldwin-working-to-improve-access-to-maternity-care-for-wisconsin-moms,WEAU: Senator Baldwin Working to Improve Access to Maternity Care for Wisconsin Moms,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,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=3040,Rep. Moore: “We must improve and expand Social Security”,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Last night, Congresswoman Moore (WI-04) introduced, H.R. 7195, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, which would make key reforms to the Social Security Act to guarantee vulnerable populations have the resources they need to maintain basic living standards and avoid the grips of poverty.It's widely understood on both sides of the aisle that Congress needs to improve the fiscal outlook of Social Security. In order to achieve that goal, we have to make the program more effective. My bill works to that end by relying on proven anti-poverty tools to ensure that women, the elderly, and low-income populations, in Milwaukee and across the country, receive the benefits and support they need to thrive. For much of my life, I lived in poverty. Cash assistance, food stamps, and social services afforded me the tools I needed to lift my family out of impoverishment and to construct the foundation upon which I've built my life. I came to Congress to make sure all Americans have that same chance, and this bill is an important part of that mission. The Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act would update the Special Minimum Benefit to 100% of the poverty threshold, increase an individual's benefits 20 years after becoming eligible for retirement, and reinstate the student benefit for children with disabled, diseased, or retired parents. The bill would pay for these measures by eliminating the cap on Social Security payroll contributions and gradually raising the contribution rate for employers and employees to 6.5% over six years. The bill's text is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-s-statement-following-signing-usmca-trade-agreement,Rep. Ron Kind’s Statement Following the Signing of the USMCA Trade Agreement,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind's Statement Following the Signing of the USMCA Trade Agreement La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind released the following statement regarding the signing of the USMCA trade agreement. Rep. Kind is a senior Member of the Ways and Means Committee, and serves on the Trade Subcommittee: I continue to have serious questions for the Administration about the recently finalized USMCA agreement, which need to be answered before I can come to a conclusion on the underlying agreement. These issues include enforceability of labor and environmental standards, and lifting the tariffs on Mexico and Canada that continue to hurt Wisconsin workers, farmers and businesses. I encourage Ambassador Lighthizer to meet with the Ways and Means Committee, as well as Members of the incoming majority who are dedicated to finding common ground in our trade agreements. Without the inclusion of the Democratic party, the odds of finalizing the agreement are low. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-statement-on-signing-of-the-us-mexico-canada-agreement,Pocan Statement on Signing of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (November 30, 2018) – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement regarding the signing of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). ""Despite the United States, Mexico, and Canada signing the NAFTA 2.0 agreement today, this deal is incomplete. The agreement as currently negotiated will not stop the damage done by NAFTA, including job outsourcing, wage suppression, and environmental degradation. In order to gain widespread support of Democrats in Congress, the agreement must contain swift and enforceable labor and environmental standards and must reverse special protections for corporations. We have been clear about these goals from day one, and I will continue to push the Trump Administration in the upcoming months to fulfill their promise of a new trade framework that supports working families.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:10:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/pensions-committee-statement,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on the House and Senate Joint Select Committee on Pensions Announcement,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on the House and Senate Joint Select Committee on Pensions Announcement Pension crisis remains for 25,000 workers and retirees in Wisconsin WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement after the House and Senate Joint Select Committee on Pensions announced that they had not reached a bipartisan agreement on a solution to the pension crisis threatening 1.3 million Americans, including 25,000 workers and retirees in Wisconsin, and thousands of small businesses around the country. The Joint Select Committee was tasked with coming up with a package by November 30 that could be voted on in Congress but they announced they would not meet today's deadline. Pension promises must be kept and it's simply wrong that Washington has once again failed to protect the retirement security of 25,000 workers and retirees in Wisconsin and put small businesses on the hook for a pension liability that may cost them everything, said Senator Baldwin. I am disappointed that the Joint Select Committee on Pensions failed to reach a bipartisan agreement this week to resolve the multiemployer pension crisis. I will continue to stand with retirees and workers in our fight because they should be able to count on the pensions they have earned. They will not stop until the job is done and I will not stop until the job is done to keep this promise. Senator Baldwin is not a member of the House and Senate Joint Select Committee on Pensions but she has cosponsored the Butch Lewis Act to ensure American retirees and workers can keep the retirement they have earned so their families and livelihoods are not put at risk. Specifically, the legislation 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. The Butch Lewis Act 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. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/usmca-statement,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on USMCA,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on USMCA WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement after President Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Mexican President Enrique Pea Nieto signed an agreement to authorize a new trade deal updating the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The House and Senate will now need to write implementing legislation for the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA.) NAFTAwhich I opposedcost Wisconsin thousands of manufacturing jobs and needs to be fixed. Wisconsin needs better trade deals, not trade wars so now Congress needs to do its job and make sure this new deal works for farmers, manufacturers, businesses and workers. Unfair trade practices have harmed our agriculture economyWisconsin has lost 584 dairy farms this yearand trade wars and tariffs are making things worse. We need to make sure that the USMCA confronts Canada's unfair trade barriers and Mexico's limits on Wisconsin cheese exports. As Congress works on legislation for this new deal I will be working to ensure that this new deal increases market access for our Wisconsin dairy farmers and cheese makers. With the signing of the USMCA there is still more work to be done in Congress to ensure any final agreement stops the outsourcing of jobs to other countries, strengthens Buy America, puts in place real enforcement of labor provisions, and allows the United States to take action on currency manipulation. I will only support this new deal if we can make it a better deal for Wisconsinfarmers, manufacturers, businesses and workers. 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/wisconsin-congressional-democrats-call-inclusion-wisconsin-federal-tax,Wisconsin Congressional Democrats Call for Inclusion of Wisconsin in Federal Tax Recovery Package,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Wisconsin Congressional Democrats Call for Inclusion of Wisconsin in Federal Tax Recovery Package Reps. Kind, Pocan and Moore, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, call on Congressional Leadership to take immediate action in support of Wisconsin families impacted by severe weather La Crosse Today, Reps. Ron Kind, Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore, and Senator Tammy Baldwin called for the inclusion of Wisconsin families, farmers, and businesses impacted by flooding in an upcoming tax package aimed at providing federal disaster relief. The tax package, which was introduced without bipartisan consideration, excludes Wisconsin from a long list of high-profile natural disasters. Wisconsinites working to rebuild their homes, farms and businesses deserve the same federal disaster assistance as those who caught the attention of the national media. We are calling on Congressional leadership to step up to the plate and give Wisconsinites a fighting chance as they work to repair and rebuild their lives, said the lawmakers in a joint statement. The letter, addressed to Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, demands that Wisconsin, and all federally-declared disasters, are eligible for disaster tax benefits. The proposed tax package, introduced just this week, bypassed a full-committee markup in Ways and Means, on which Rep. Ron Kind serves, and is scheduled for a vote on the House floor tomorrow. In disaster situations, targeted tax benefits are a commonly used way to help individuals and businesses recover. The proposed legislation would ensure losses from disasters are deductible; waive the 10 percent penalty for withdrawing funds from retirement accounts; and protect working families from losing critical tax benefits due to job displacement from the storms. The bill would also create a credit for farms and businesses that were destroyed, in order to retain the workforce while the operations rebuild. In late August and early September, heavy rainfall, severe flooding, strong winds and tornadoes damaged and, in some cases, completely destroyed, homes and businesses across Wisconsin. Tragically, two Wisconsinites were killed in storm-related incidents. It is critical that impacted Wisconsinites receive the support they need to reconstruct their lives. Read the letter to Speaker Paul Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wisconsin-congressional-democrats-call-for-inclusion-of-wisconsin-in,Wisconsin Congressional Democrats Call for Inclusion of Wisconsin in Federal Tax Recovery Package,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (November 29, 2018) – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ron Kind (WI-03), and Gwen Moore (WI-04), and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called for the inclusion of Wisconsin families, farmers, and businesses impacted by flooding in an upcoming tax package aimed at providing federal disaster relief. The tax package, which was introduced without bipartisan consideration, excludes Wisconsin from a long list of high-profile natural disasters. ""Wisconsinites working to rebuild their homes, farms and businesses deserve the same federal disaster assistance as those who caught the attention of the national media. We are calling on Congressional leadership to step up to the plate and give Wisconsinites a fighting chance as they work to repair and rebuild their lives,"" said the lawmakers in a joint statement. The letter, addressed to Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, demands that Wisconsin, and all federally-declared disasters, are eligible for disaster tax benefits. The proposed tax package, introduced just this week, bypassed a full-committee markup in Ways and Means, on which Rep. Ron Kind serves, and is scheduled for a vote on the House floor tomorrow. In disaster situations, targeted tax benefits are a commonly used way to help individuals and businesses recover. The proposed legislation would ensure losses from disasters are deductible; waive the 10 percent penalty for withdrawing funds from retirement accounts; and protect working families from losing critical tax benefits due to job displacement from the storms. The bill would also create a credit for farms and businesses that were destroyed, in order to retain the workforce while the operations rebuild. In late August and early September, heavy rainfall, severe flooding, strong winds and tornadoes damaged and, in some cases, completely destroyed, homes and businesses across Wisconsin. Tragically, two Wisconsinites were killed in storm-related incidents. It is critical that impacted Wisconsinites receive the support they need to reconstruct their lives. Read the letter to Speaker Paul Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:10:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wbay-us-senator-tammy-baldwin-introduces-improving-access-to-maternity-care-act,WBAY: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces Improving Access to Maternity Care Act,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,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-calls-for-action-to-combat-climate-change,"Following the Recent Federal Report, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Immediate Action to Combat Climate Change",2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.29.18 Following the Recent Federal Report, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Immediate Action to Combat Climate Change Baldwin joins 24 Senate colleagues in backing the recent report and National Climate Assessment on the consequences of climate change WASHINGTON, D.C. Following the release of a scientific report outlining severe projected impacts from climate change, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and 24 of her Senate colleagues are speaking out and calling for action. Senator Baldwin cosponsored a resolution, led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), supporting the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and last week's National Climate Assessment to affirm the acceptance of these findings and call for bold action to combat climate change. Global climate change is real and we must act now to confront this fact because public health and our economy is threatened, said Senator Baldwin. The impact of climate change can be seen on agriculture, biodiversity, extreme weather and our Great Lakes. We have a moral obligation to act on climate change so we can keep our promise to future generations to confront today's challenges and pass on a world better than we found it. On October 8, the IPCC released a report outlining the consequences of rising global temperatures and the ways in which climate chaos will become substantially worse as the planet continues to experience pre-industrial levels of warming. The report showed that the difference between warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius is substantial, and limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is affordable, feasible and necessary to protect people from the worst impacts of climate change. The report concludes that unless the current path of climate change is slowed, massive impactssuch as limited water supply availability, sea-ice free Arctic summers, mass die-offs of coral reefs, and intense and unprecedented heat waveswill become reality as soon as 2040. Last Friday, the Trump Administration released the National Climate Assessment, a Congressionally mandated report from American climate experts throughout the federal government. Despite the Trump Administration's attempts to bury the report on Black Friday, the report has gained widespread attention for its alarming findingswhich include evidence that the U.S. is already feeling the effects of climate change, and conclusions that our nation will suffer thousands of deaths and over $500 billion per year in crop damage, lost labor, and extreme weather damages by 2100. Specifically, the IPCC report found that: The last 50-year period in the Northern Hemisphere has the warmest average temperature of any 50-year period in 500 years. At current rates of greenhouse gas emissions, by 2040, Earth will warm by 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. At a 1.5-degree Celsius temperature rise, the global population exposed to water stress could be 50 percent lower than if the global temperature rises 2 degrees Celsius. At warming at or above 2 degrees Celsius, the world could experience loss of greater than 99 percent of all coral reefs on Earth and mass migration from regions most affected by atmospheric changes. For U.S.-specific impacts, the National Climate Assessment found that: The U.S. is already experiencing impacts from the changing climate, including threats from rising seas and increased flooding. 2 degrees Celsius or higher warming would cost the U.S. a 15% drop in corn and soybean yields. The U.S. economy will lose over $500 billion annually from lost labor, crop failure, and damages related to extreme weather if we continue on our current course. By 2100, climate change could cost the U.S. up to a tenth of GDP, more than double the losses of the Great Recession. The Senate resolution was also cosponsored by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tom Udall (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Michael Bennet (D-CO). The full resolution is available 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-ron-kind-cosponsors-bill-expanding-access-manufacturing-jobs,Rep. Ron Kind Cosponsors Bill Expanding Access to Manufacturing Jobs for Wisconsin Veterans,2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Cosponsors Bill Expanding Access to Manufacturing Jobs for Wisconsin Veterans La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind cosponsored the Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act, which will expand access to good-paying, meaningful manufacturing jobs for Wisconsin Veterans. Many Wisconsin Veterans have excellent technical training and manufacturing experience from their time serving our nation, but still struggle to find good-paying manufacturing jobs in our state, said Rep. Ron Kind. The Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act will encourage Wisconsin manufacturers to hire Wisconsin veterans, and help create a stronger economy and workforce here at home. The Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act will boost training opportunities for Veterans by creating a grant program within the Department of Labor establishing pilot State Manufacturing Employment Programs to support continued education, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training for eligible veterans through employers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6,000 Veterans in Wisconsin are unemployed and seeking job opportunities. This bill would help transition technical and mechanical military skills learned while serving to the civilian workforce, and incentivize the recruitment and training of our Veterans. The American Legion, AMVETS, and the Association of the United States Navy have endorsed the legislation. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/resolution-honoring-ngycp-passes-senate,U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and David Perdue’s Bipartisan Resolution Honoring 25th Anniversary of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program Passes Senate,2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.28.18 U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and David Perdue's Bipartisan Resolution Honoring 25th Anniversary of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program Passes Senate The successful program provides free alternative education and structured discipline for at-risk youth WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and David Perdue (R-GA) are praising the Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution (S.Res.424) honoring the 25th anniversary of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program (NGYCP). NGYCP is celebrating 25 years of providing free alternative education and structured discipline for at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 18. For 25 years, the National Guard Youth Challenge Program has worked to foster the development of our youth and help create the leaders of tomorrow, said Senator Baldwin. I am proud to pass this bipartisan resolution and honor the individuals at NGYCP who provide educational and mentorship opportunities to our young people so they can prosper and succeed. This is a strong statement of support from the U.S. Senate for those dedicated young cadetsincluding the current and former participants at the Wisconsin ChalleNGe Academy at Fort McCoywho have committed to improving their lives and becoming successful, responsible adults. Georgia is home to one of the largest National Guard Youth Challenge programs in the country, said Senator Perdue. First started by Georgia's U.S. Senators Sam Nunn and Saxby Chambliss, this program has helped thousands of youth discover their potential and set them on the path to a successful future. I'm proud of the work NGYCP is doing in Georgia and across the country, and we are honored to recognize their 25 years of success. The 39 current programs spanning twenty eight states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have been responsible for the graduation of more than 165,000 cadets and the awarding of over 116,000 academic credentials. NGYCP offers an opportunity to succeed outside of traditional high school environments for more than 11,000 cadets annually. I am extremely proud and honored to be part of NGYCP and especially proud to be part of an incredible team of 48 staff members at the Wisconsin ChalleNGe Academy here at Fort McCoy. We could not be successful, however, without the leadership and support of Senator Baldwin and her team, as well as other state leaders and the National Guard leadership here in Wisconsin, said Kevin Greenwood, Director of the Wisconsin ChalleNGe Academy. The Challenge Academy here in Wisconsin has been in operation since 1998 and has successfully graduated 3,723 Cadets. The Wisconsin program is well respected nationally as a model program that has a reputation of upholding the traditions of the ChalleNGe philosophy and vision of its founders. The Academy is recognized as a leader in embedding Character Development, Resilience, Grit, and Soft-Skill growth in our youth attending the Academy to instilling life-long success skills that will benefit them long after they have graduated from the program. For the Wisconsin Challenge Academy - our measure of success and reward is seeing responsible, contributing, citizens for life and passing those skills on to future generations. The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, coupled with the recent addition of post graduate training provided by the Job ChalleNGe Program, has created a better future and options for at-risk youth across our nation, said Tina Coria, Chairman of the Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Foundation. These crucial programs help shape youth into productive citizens and prepare them for future success. I am personally grateful to Senator Perdue and Senator Baldwin for their unwavering support and look forward to our next goal of workforce development. The NGYCP was born from the visionary concepts of utilizing a whole person intervention model to assist a generation of youth affected by gangs, violence, high dropout rates, and drug abuse. The program, which is funded through a cost-share between the Department of Defense and states, offers a unique opportunity for at-risk youth to change their course at a critical time in their lives. More information on the resolution is availablehere. 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-ron-kind-criticizes-pentagon-failing-first-full-financial-audit-and,Rep. Ron Kind Criticizes Pentagon for Failing First Full Financial Audit and Wasting Wisconsinites’ Tax Dollars,2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Criticizes Pentagon for Failing First Full Financial Audit and Wasting Wisconsinites' Tax Dollars La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind criticized the Pentagon for a flagrant misuse of taxpayer dollars due to a lack of financial oversight in daily operations. The Department of Defense recently released the results of the agency's first-ever full financial audit, which earned a failing grade due to financial noncompliance and mismanagement of expensive military assets. This failed audit shows the uncontrolled mismanagement within the Department of Defense. The Pentagon's brazen misuse of hardworking Wisconsinites' tax dollars is unacceptable, and should be remedied immediately, said Rep. Ron Kind. The Defense Department needs to act quickly to create more transparency and efficiency within the department, and work together with Congress to redirect money to our Servicemembers. This comes after the release of a 2015 report exposing the Pentagon for wastefully spending $125 billion of taxpayer funds on inefficient administrative costs. The 2015 report was requested internally by Pentagon leaders to help ease bureaucracy within the Defense Department, but the findings were suppressed to avoid embarrassment for the department. Rep. Kind has long fought to cut wasteful spending and increase government transparency. In May, he introduced the bipartisan Wasteful Defense Spending Reduction Act, which would establish a commission to review defense programs and recommend wasteful and outdated programs to be eliminated. Following the release of the commission's report, Congress would have 90 days to vote on a joint resolution of approval to enact the recommendations in their entirety. Rep. Ron Kind has been dedicated to finding ways to save taxpayer money ever since his time working for Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin investigating wasteful government spending programs for Sen. Proxmire's Golden Fleece Awards. Rep. Kind has continued to publicly call out wasteful spending, and will continue to fight to lower the national debt by using taxpayer dollars more efficiently. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/celebrating-house-democratic-unity-reps-pocan-khanna-mcgovern-encourage,"Celebrating House Democratic Unity, Reps. Pocan, Khanna, McGovern Encourage Senate to Pass Upcoming Yemen War Powers Resolution",2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (November 27, 2018) – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), and Jim McGovern (MA-02), leaders of H. Con Res. 138, issued the below statement in light of recent GOP efforts to block the resolution's vote in the House and the impending Senate vote this week: ""The stakes in Yemen have never been higher and the time for action is long overdue. The United States is unconstitutionally participating in a Saudi-led war that could starve 14 million Yemenis to death. This week, the Senate will vote on Sens. Sanders, Lee and Murphy's S.J.Res. 54 to end all U.S. involvement in this catastrophic Saudi military campaign, as 30 former Obama Administration officials have publicly urged. ""We encourage all of our Senate Democratic colleagues to unite around this measure in order to ensure its passage this week, and we intend to follow suit by promptly passing a similar War Powers Resolution in the House. We are proud of the leadership and unity of our Democratic colleagues, including Leader Pelosi, Whip Hoyer, and Ranking Members Smith, Engel, Schiff, Lowey and Nadler, who are among the 90 cosponsors of the bipartisan H.Con.Res. 138, which also directs the President to end the unauthorized U.S.-Saudi war. We look forward to the continued support of House Democrats as we urgently work to reassert Congressional authority over war and ease the suffering of millions of innocent people.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:10:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wluk-senator-baldwin-calls-on-congress-to-pass-the-senates-bipartisan-farm-bill,WLUK: Senator Baldwin Calls on Congress to Pass the Senate's Bipartisan Farm Bill,2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,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=3025,Rep. Moore Introduces Legislation to Stop SSA Office Closures,2018-11-20,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC In the wake of this year's closure of the Mitchell Street SSA field office in Milwaukee, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) introduced H.R. 7146, the Maintain Access to Vital Social Security Services Act of 2018, which would require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to operate a sufficient number of fully staffed field offices, as well as set up a review process for their closure. The shuttering of Social Security Field Offices, in Milwaukee and across the country, has created major complications for millions of Americans who depend on their hard-earned benefits, said Congresswoman Moore. My bill will help to ensure the SSA provides essential services to all communities. Requiring the SSA to operate sufficient offices, instituting a 90-day notification period before a proposed closure, and mandating at least two public hearings for those affected are commonsense proposals which will help my constituents, and all Americans, secure full access to SSA benefits they need. ""Every member of Congress should support Representative Gwen Moore's Maintaining Access to Vital Social Security Services Act,"" saidNancy J. Altman, Social Security Works President. ""This visionary legislation would ensure that Americans have reliable and convenient access to Social Security field offices. All of us have paid for high quality service at field offices with our Social Security contributions. With 10,000 Americans turning age 65 every day, we should be opening field offices, not closing them."" This bill is endorsed by Social Security Works-Washington State, Social Security Works, Economic Opportunity Institute, Gray Panthers NYC, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE), and Latinos for a Secure Retirement.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wdjt-legislation-designating-the-vel-phillips-post-office-in-milwaukee-passes-the-senate,WDJT: Legislation Designating the Vel Phillips Post Office in Milwaukee Passes the Senate,2018-11-20,2018,2018-11,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=3022,Rep. Moore Leads Effort to Promote De-Escalation Nationwide,2018-11-16,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Moore Leads Effort to Promote De-Escalation Nationwide f t # e Saturday, November 16, 2018 Washington, DC Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) introduced H.R. 7142, the National De-Escalation of Violence and Community Safety Training Act, which would establish a program allowing eligible entities such as churches, schools, community colleges, or state and local governments to provide de-escalation training to prevent and reduce violence in our communities. Following the introduction of her bill, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement:At a time when political, racial, and socio-economic divides are at such extremes, the promotion of de-escalation techniques are more essential than ever. I am proud to lead my Democratic colleagues in introducing this groundbreaking bill to help defuse conflict, promote peace, and help prevent violence in our communities, said Congresswoman Moore. This kind of widespread and accessible de-escalation training could change the game when it comes to troublesome power dynamics in our society. The concept of de-escalation needs to apply to more than just police training. We've got to give our kids and our community members the tools necessary to maintain a safe and civil society. This bill is a great first step. ""We applaud Congresswoman Moore for her leadership and vision to promote De-Escalation of Violence Training, by introducing H.R. 7142. If enough Americans can learn the principals and methods of ""De-Escalation of Violence Training"" we believe citizens can help diffuse unexpected, potentially volatile situations before law enforcement can get there, said Dr. Stephanie Myers, National Co-Chair, Black Women for Positive Change. ""If enough people in schools, hospitals, recreations centers, families, and workplaces can learn how to de-escalate the anger and temper of individuals who pose a violent risk, we believe lives can be saved. We call on Members of Congress and the Senate to support Congresswoman Moore's visionary legislation. Innovative approaches are urgently needed to protect our communities from rising threats of violence."" f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-calls-immediate-action-stalled-gi-education-benefits,Rep. Ron Kind Calls for Immediate Action on Stalled GI Education Benefits for Wisconsin Veterans,2018-11-16,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Calls for Immediate Action on Stalled GI Education Benefits for Wisconsin Veterans Computer glitch at the VA is blocking education benefits payments to potentially thousands of Veterans La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind called on Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to immediately address the issues Wisconsin Veterans are facing obtaining their earned GI benefits from the VA. Rep. Kind also requested thorough action steps to address the VA's technological issues preventing GI benefit payments, and a complete timeline of remedial steps to ensure Veterans impacted receive the benefits they have earned. It is unconscionable that a technological glitch is causing Wisconsin Veterans to lose the GI education benefits they have earned, threatening their access to education and housing, said Rep. Ron Kind. I am calling for immediate action to remedy this issue, and for a full action plan to ensure our Veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. Many Veterans across the country rely on GI benefits included in the bipartisan Henry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, which Rep. Kind co-sponsored. Congress passed this legislation to permanently expand the opportunities available to Servicemembers and Veterans to access higher education when they return to civilian life. A glitch in the VA's 50-year-old benefit processing computer system has caused Veterans to wait for months to receive their expected education payments. Rep. Kind's office is open to serve Wisconsin Veterans. His talented staff of caseworkers can assist Veterans in: Accessing education and GI benefits, Veterans health care benefits, replacing lost medals earned, attaining medals earned, obtaining disability compensation, and liaising with the VA, among other issues. Veterans may call 1-888-442-8040, or visit www.kind.house.gov. Read the letter here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/greater-access-to-early-childhood-education-for-families-of-disabled-military-veterans,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Call for Greater Access to Early Childhood Education for Families of Disabled Military Veterans,2018-11-16,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.16.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Call for Greater Access to Early Childhood Education for Families of Disabled Military Veterans WASHINGTON, D.C. In a letter to Assistant Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Lynn Johnson, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and a bipartisan group of senators, led by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), called on HHS to ensure disabled post-9/11 military veterans and their children are able to access high-quality early childhood education through the Head Start program. High-quality early education is a proven strategy for achieving a competitive workforce. It is vital that all children are able to benefit from it, and that we reward veteran families with access to opportunities like the Head Start program, the Senators wrote. In the letter, the Senators urge HHS to make Head Start available to veterans with a disability rating of 60 percent or above and whose disability payments would otherwise make their families ineligible for consideration. Under current regulations, veteran disability payments are used in Head Start eligibility calculations. By removing barriers to include the children of more veterans, we can help provide these families access to the support they need to succeed in school, work, and life after service, said the Senators in their letter. For decades we have opened the door to higher education for millions of service members and veterans. It is time we do the same for their children. Joining Senators Baldwin and Cantwell in signing the letter are U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). The full letter can be viewed 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/vel-phillips-post-office-bill-passes-senate,Legislation Designating the Vel R. Phillips Post Office Building in Milwaukee Passes the Senate,2018-11-16,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.16.18 Legislation Designating the Vel R. Phillips Post Office Building in Milwaukee Passes the Senate WASHINGTON, D.C. Last night, the Senate passed legislation designating the U.S. Post Office located at 2650 North Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Drive in Milwaukee as the Vel R. Phillips Post Office Building. Vel contributed so much at every level and paved the way for other Wisconsinites to help make a difference in people's lives,said Senator Baldwin.She was a leader in engaging the Milwaukee grassroots in dialogue with the Community Brainstorming conference and she encouraged everyone to join her on the march for social justice.Vel had a lifelong passion of doing right by others, and I'm proud to honor her memory and do right by her and her family by designating this Milwaukee building in her name. Senators Baldwin and Ron Johnson introduced legislation in September to secure this designation at the Post Office location on MLK Drive. A companion bill, led by Congresswoman Gwen Moore, passed in the House of Representatives in September.After passing the Senate on Thursday, this legislation honoring Milwaukee's pioneering civil rights activist who passed away earlier this year, now heads to the President's desk. Velvalea Vel Phillips was the first woman judge in Milwaukee County and the first African American elected to the Milwaukee Common Council and to statewide office in Wisconsin. Following Vel's passing in April,Senator Baldwin authored a resolution in the Congressional Recordto honor her life of public service and her many contributions to the state of Wisconsin and as a civil rights leader. 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-ron-kind-celebrates-national-rural-health-day,Rep. Ron Kind Celebrates National Rural Health Day,2018-11-15,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Celebrates National Rural Health Day La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, Co-chair of the Congressional Rural Health Caucus, released the following statement celebrating Wisconsin's rural health centers and professionals on National Rural Health Day: Communities across Wisconsin rely on our outstanding rural healthcare centers and professionals for access to quality, affordable and local care. On National Rural Health Day, we celebrate those who work to keep our rural communities healthy and strong, and recommit to working together to ensure our rural health facilities stay open to those who need them most, said Rep. Ron Kind. Over 62 million rural communities in the United States rely on rural health care providers for access to emergency and daily care. Nearly 700 rural hospitals are at risk of closing across the country, despite providing important care and being economic engines for the rural economy. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-and-jayapal-statement-on-meeting-with-leader-pelosi,Pocan and Jayapal Statement on Meeting with Leader Pelosi,2018-11-15,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (November 15, 2018) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), First Vice-Chair of the CPC, released the following statement after meeting with Leader Nancy Pelosi today: ""We had a very productive conversation with Leader Pelosi today about the growing numbers of the Congressional Progressive Caucus after the election and the need to ensure that CPC members are well represented as we go forward. ""Specifically, we are pleased that Leader Pelosi shares our commitment to ensuring that CPC members are represented proportionally on the key exclusive committees—including Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Appropriations, Financial Services and Intelligence. With the talent of the incoming class of new members, we agreed that there should be opportunities not only for seasoned CPC members, but also for our brand new CPC members, many of whom bring particular issue-area expertise. ""We also are pleased that Leader Pelosi envisions more elected leadership positions that CPC members can run for, including an important role for the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee that will include an expanded budget and purpose to help lead the Democratic Caucus forward in fighting for opportunities for all Americans, including the poor, working class and people of color. We look forward to seeing several CPC members run for these elected positions. ""We look forward to reporting back to our CPC members on the productive and successful conversation with Leader Pelosi."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:10:16Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wmtv-senator-baldwin-introduces-legislation-to-expand-chiropractic-care-for-military-personnel,WMTV: Senator Baldwin Introduces Legislation to Expand Chiropractic Care for Military Personnel,2018-11-15,2018,2018-11,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/access-rural-america-act,U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Joni Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect and Expand Rural Broadband,2018-11-15,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.15.18 U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Joni Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect and Expand Rural Broadband Bipartisan bill provides regulatory relief for telecommunications companies to expand high speed broadband access in our rural communities WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced bipartisan legislation to encourage investment in high-speed internet and protect and expand access to broadband in our rural communities. The Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports (ACCESS) Rural America Act would provide regulatory relief to rural telecommunications service providers by allowing them to submit streamlined financial reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These small companiesmany of which are the sole service providers in their regioncould be put out of business by looming regulatory costs. Specifically, this bipartisan legislation would increase the number of investors that triggers SEC public reporting requirements for rural telecommunications companies. This will save these small companies from costly SEC reporting requirements that were never intended for them. Reliable high-speed broadband is critical to strengthening small businesses and neighborhoods throughout Wisconsin's rural communities. Unfortunately, rural telecom companies are getting hit with disclosure costs that were never intended for them, creating new challenges to delivering broadband access throughout Wisconsin, said Senator Baldwin. Our bipartisan legislation provides the regulatory relief that rural service providers need to build-out high-speed broadband in small communities and continue our efforts to bring broadband access for all no matter where you live in Wisconsin. To compete in today's economy, small businesses and rural communities in Iowa need access to quality broadband. Currently, rural telecom providers throughout Iowa face the threat of costly SEC reporting requirements, making it more difficult to invest in broadband throughout Iowa, and across the country. The bipartisan ACCESS Rural America Act allows these businesses to focus on expanding access to broadband instead of complying with red tape, said Senator Ernst. We are extremely pleased to learn of Senator Baldwin's effort to support a Sarbanes Oxley relief bill for Senate consideration. Resources expended on SEC registration compliance would directly reduce funds available for broadband expansion and slow or even halt expansion and endanger our business to continue. SEC compliance would be in addition to the rigorous reporting already in place. Resources are continually being spent to educate shareholders on the thresholds and to manage the effects of exceeding the thresholds. We look forward to seeing our Senate working in a bipartisan effort to help incent rural broadband providers deploy network to assist economic development and telemedicine in the rural portions of our great state of Wisconsin, said John Klatt, President/CEO of Lakeland Communications in Milltown, Wisconsin. Small, rural broadband providers want to focus their energy, efforts and investment toward connecting more rural broadband customers. Unfortunately, the risk of expensive compliance associated with Sarbanes-Oxley regulations has forced some broadband providers to redirect their energy and resources to keeping shareholder counts below a certain threshold. These small, locally owned companies, many of which are more than 100 years old, are seeking reasonable relief from the threat of burdensome SOX regulations, which could cost their companies more than $1 million annually. We fully support the efforts of Senator Baldwin to provide the thoughtful, measured relief of the ACCESS Rural America Act, said William C. Esbeck, Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association. Coon Valley Farmers Telephone Company is the sole provider of TV, phone, and internet services to 1,900 Wisconsinites.We trace our roots back to 1911, when members of our community used their own financial resources to form the company. In return for their investment, they were issued shares. Over generations, those shares have been split among children, to the point where the number of shares outstanding could require us to register with the SEC. These registration costs-which are estimates to be over one million dollars-would devastate our business. Without us, Wisconsinites in our rural community would lose access to high-speed broadband. Senator Baldwin's bill is a common-sense measure to provide targeted regulatory relief for small businesses in Wisconsin, and it will ensure that we can continue to make investments necessary to provide our communities with broadband, said Carol Ann Olson, General Manager of Coon Valley Farmers Telephone Company in Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Northeast Iowa Telephone Company (NEIT), a provider of broadband Internet and other communication services in rural areas of Northeast Iowa via state of the art fiber optic network(s) is pleased that Senator Ernst is sponsoring important legislation to provide significant relief from burdensome Sarbanes-Oxley rules for small telecommunications providers. Passage of this legislation will allow NEIT, and companies like it, to continue expanding broadband service, truly the Super Highway of the 21st Century throughout rural parts of the US rather than having to use scarce resources on complying with additional federal regulations for small telecommunications companies who are already subject to significant regulation from other Federal and State Agencies. We look forward to passage of this legislation so that the important work of deploying advanced broadband services that will allow rural customers to compete in the global economy can continue, said David Byers, Chief Operating Officer at Northeast Iowa Telephone Co. in Monona, Iowa. As a community-based communications company in northwest Iowa serving 21,000 customers in 30 communities, Premier Communications is pleased to have the support of Senator Ernst in sponsoring legislation with the purpose of reducing the financial and regulatory burdens of existing Sarbanes-Oxley rules. Without the expansion of the shareholder thresholds, Premier would be forced to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and take on the financial burden of meeting the numerous regulations. With this proposed legislation, Premier will be able to continue focusing on network investments in fiber optics that will serve its rural customers with advanced broadband services and applications rather than allocating precious financial resources in regulation. In addition, we have seen increased economic development opportunities in the rural communities where network investments have occurred and we look forward to continuing that throughout all of our service territory, said Doug Boone, CEO of Premier Communications in Sioux Center, Iowa. Federal Securities and Exchange Commission registration and reporting requirements intended for larger, publicly-traded firms pose significant challenges for, and can impose substantial burdens on, smaller, locally-owned companies with limited resources. NTCA therefore greatly appreciates the leadership of Sens. Joni Ernst and Tammy Baldwin in introducing the ACCESS Rural America Act, which will help relieve these burdens and enable small providers to focus more on their core mission of deploying and operating advanced broadband networks in rural areas, said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCAThe Rural Broadband Association. The full legislation is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-reforms-to-protect-the-great-lakes,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Reforms to Protect the Great Lakes Included in Bipartisan Coast Guard Reauthorization,2018-11-14,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.14.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's Reforms to Protect the Great Lakes Included in Bipartisan Coast Guard Reauthorization WASHINGTON, D.C. Today the U.S. Senate passed the Coast Guard Reauthorization legislation, which included a number of measures U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin worked to secure in the bipartisan legislation to support the nation's Coast Guard, help Wisconsin's coastal economy, and protect the Great Lakes from pollution and the spread of harmful invasive species. Senator Baldwin authored improvements to the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), which was included in the final Coast Guard Reauthorization, in order to protect U.S. waters, businesses and communities from invasive species. Earlier versions of the legislation included provisions that would have rolled back progress made in the fight against invasive species in the Great Lakes, and protections for water quality. After working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make the final Coast Guard reauthorization better, I will support this bipartisan legislation because it helps protect our Great Lakes from the spread of harmful invasive species and supports our coastal economy in Wisconsin, said Senator Baldwin. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Senator Baldwin worked to secure substantial updates and include key measures to protect the Great Lakes from the spread of invasive species.Baldwin secured funding for harbor monitoring, the development of Laker ballast treatment technology and improved emergency response tools to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem in the case that new invasive species are detected. Notably, she also worked to ensure that ballast water and other pollutants that could threaten the health of the Great Lakes will continue to be regulated under the Clean Water Act, fighting earlier efforts to remove this entire set of pollutants from our nation's bedrock water protection law. The Alliance for the Great Lakes is grateful to Senator Baldwin who has fought tirelessly to protect the Great Lakes from aquatic invasive species, said Alliance for the Great Lakes Vice President for Policy Molly Flanagan. The version of VIDA passed by the Senate today is dramatically improved from a bad version of the bill that Senate Democrats blocked in April 2018. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Senator Baldwin played a pivotal role in negotiating a bill that includes strong protections for the Great Lakes. Once again, Senator Baldwin has made safeguarding the Great Lakes a top priority, said Mary Jean Huston, State Director for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin. What was once a very concerning proposal is now much improved by the Senator. The bill will ensure that science drives our response to invasive species threats, and that Wisconsin has tools to prevent invasive species from spreading in the Great Lakes. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/chiropractic-health-parity-for-military-beneficiaries-act,U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Jerry Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Chiropractic Health Care for Current and Former Military Personnel,2018-11-14,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.14.18 U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Jerry Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Chiropractic Health Care for Current and Former Military Personnel Bipartisan bill requires TRICARE to cover chiropractic services for military retirees and members of the National Guard and Reserve WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand chiropractic health services for military retirees and members of the National Guard and Reserve. The Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act would require TRICARE to cover chiropractic services for all military service members, both active and retired, and non-activated reservists. Currently, health care programs through the U.S. Department of Defense, including TRICARE, do not cover chiropractic care for military retirees and non-activated reservists. Senator Baldwin's bill continues her bipartisan efforts to address the opioid epidemic by expanding access to complementary and integrative health services, which includes chiropractic care, for members of the military and veteran communities to treat chronic pain. Military retirees, reservists and National Guard members have served and sacrificed for our nation and the freedoms we all cherish. We all have a shared responsibility to do right by them, said Senator Baldwin. I've heard from Wisconsin veterans who are in desperate need of chiropractic health services so they can access non-opioid pain management care and live healthier lives. My bipartisan legislation with Senator Moran would make sure these individuals can get the health care benefits they've earned and deserve. Many of the retired servicemembers and Reservists who served our country have sustained back and other neuromusculoskeletal injuries that can be treated through chiropractic care, said Senator Moran. However, the Department of Defense offers limited access to chiropractic care for Active duty and certain members of the Reserve Component leaving many in need at a disadvantage. I've long advocated for increased access to chiropractic care in the VA, and this legislation will similarly increase access to chiropractic care for all military enrollees by expanding TRICARE coverage for retirees and all reservists. The men and women who have served our nation deserve access to the same care they received while on active duty, and I'm pleased to introduce legislation that makes certain they do. On behalf of the 45,000 members of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and the nearly 500,000 soldiers and airmen of the National Guard, NGAUS is pleased to support this legislation addressing Chiropractic health care services for as part of the TRICARE program. NGAUS continues to advocate to close the current gaps in healthcare coverage for our National Guard service members. NGAUS believes this legislation is an important step in affording our reserve component service men and women the ability to access the types of healthcare their active duty counterparts receive. We would like to thank Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas for taking the lead on this initiative and for their continued support of our nation's service men and women, especially our reserve component soldiers and airmen, in the National Guard and Reserve, said J. Roy Robinson, Brigadier General (Ret.), President of the National Guard Association of the United States. Chiropractors have become valued members of the military healthcare team. Their non-drug, non-addictive and noninvasive approach to pain management is particularly relevant today for people who wish to avoid the risk of addiction from prescription opioid pain medications. This legislation will ensure that military retirees in the TRICARE system have access to the same effective, non-drug options for their pain, said Dr. Ray Tuck, President of the American Chiropractic Association. As a member organization of the National Military and Veterans Alliance, the Armed Forces Retirees Association (AFRA) is pleased to collaborate with many other military and veterans service organizations in support of this legislation. Many retirees benefited from chiropractic care while on active duty and these injuries need continued treatment upon retirement.Your legislation will provide continuity in care for retirees while also making chiropractic coverage available to certain reservists, recognizing that they often suffer from the same injuries as their active duty counterparts, said Ted Painter, Executive Director of the Armed Forces Retirees Association (AFRA) and Co-Director of the National Military and Veterans Alliance. We deeply appreciate Senator Baldwin's and Senator Moran's work to help our military, and Veterans for Common Sense is in strong support of the Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act. Medicare already covers chiropractic care, but our career military retirees and their survivors and dependentscan't get it through TRICARE unless this legislation is enacted. And, I've experienced firsthand the benefits of chiropractic care, including improved mobility, chronic pain relief, and improved quality of life -- all without addictive pain drugs or expensive and risky back surgery. This inequity literally hurts our military and must be fixed, said Anthony Hardie, National Chair & Director of Veterans for Common Sense. The Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act is supported by the American Chiropractic Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Air Force Sergeants Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans for Common Sense, and the following members of the National Military and Veterans Alliance: American Military Society, American Retirees Association, Armed Forces Marketing Council, Armed Forces Retirees Association, Army and Navy Union, Association of the United States Navy, Military Order of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of World Wars, Reserve Officers Association, Society of Military Widows, The Independence Fund, and The Retired Enlisted Association. More information about the legislation is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-honors-veterans-and-servicemembers-veterans-day,Rep. Ron Kind Honors Veterans and Servicemembers on Veterans Day,2018-11-09,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Honors Veterans and Servicemembers on Veterans Day La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind released the following statement honoring Wisconsin Veterans and Servicemembers ahead of Veterans Day: This Sunday, we come together to honor the service and sacrifice of Wisconsin's Veterans, Servicemembers and their families as we commemorate Veterans Day. The men and women of our Armed Forces have served this great nation with honor, pride and distinction. We must honor our nation's heroes year-round, and ensure we keep our promises to them when they return home to Wisconsin, said Rep. Ron Kind. Rep. Kind has introduced several bills within the last year aimed at helping Veterans and Servicemembers find jobs, access physical and mental healthcare, and expand education opportunities when they return to civilian life, including: the Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act, the Improving Preparation and Resources for Occupational, Vocational, and Educational (IMPROVE) Transition for Servicemembers Act, the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act, the Better Jobs for Veterans Act, the Violence Against Women Veterans Act, and the Reduce Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act. Rep. Kind's office is open to serve Wisconsin Veterans. His talented staff of caseworkers can assist Veterans in: accessing education benefits, Veterans health care benefits, replacing lost medals earned, attaining medals earned, obtaining disability compensation, and liaising with the VA, among other issues. Veterans may call 1-888-442-8040, or visit www.kind.house.gov. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-khanna-say-administration-s-comments-on-yemen-not-enough-call-for,"Pocan, Khanna Say Administration’s Comments on Yemen Not Enough, Call for Full End to U.S. Participation in Saudi War",2018-11-02,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (November 2, 2018) – U.S. RepresentativesMark Pocan (WI-02) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) issued the following response to announcements by Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo regarding their intention to spur negotiations for a ceasefire to the conflict in Yemen within 30 days. The Saudi-led war and blockade on Yemen threatens to produce the worst famine in over a century, pushing 14 million into starvation; more than 100,000 Yemeni children have died from war-related causes over the past two years. ""Recent comments by Secretaries Mattis and Pompeo calling for a ceasefire in Yemen within thirty days are welcome, but are nowhere near sufficient. The Trump Administration has yet to condition U.S. military participation in the Saudi campaign on the successful outcome of negotiations. Rather than insist that the Saudi regime's adversaries take the first step toward peace, the Trump Administration must work to secure concessions from the Saudis to stop their brutal bombing campaign, ease their blockade of food and medicine, and end fresh assaults and military sieges on heavily populated centers,"" noted Pocan and Khanna. ""Nevertheless, the Secretaries' remarks show the White House is sensitive to the increasing likelihood that majorities in both chambers of Congress will pass bipartisan measures to decisively end over three years of unauthorized U.S. participation in the Saudi-led war,"" the Pocan and Khanna continued. ""The War Powers Resolution of 1973 guarantees floor votes to both House Concurrent Resolution 138 and Senate Joint Resolution 54, which would terminate U.S. logistical, intelligence, and midair refueling assistance to Saudi-led airstrikes within 30 days."" ""President Trump asked for a bipartisan legislative solution to Saudi misdeeds in the wake of the murder of American resident and critic of the war in Yemen, Jamal Khashoggi. This fall, then, President Trump should support the passage of H. Con. Res. 138 and S. J. Res. 54 to ensure accountability during these negotiations. If not, Congress will reassert its constitutional authority to stop U.S. participation in an unauthorized war that President Trump inherited, but which he shamefully expanded instead of ending,"" concluded Pocan and Khanna. The Representatives' skepticism toward the announcements by Secretaries Mattis and Pompeo stems from a pattern of similar comments from administration officials despite repeated Saudi military escalations over the past two years, with continuous U.S. backing. In April 2017, when 7 million were already on the brink of starvation, Secretary Mattis vowed to bring the conflict ""in front of a UN-brokered negotiating team"" to ""resolve this politically as soon as possible."" In March of this year, as Mattis lobbied against congressional action to end U.S. logistical, intelligence, and refueling services for Saudi airstrikes, the Defense Secretary again committed to ""a negotiated settlement, and we believe our policy right now is correct for doing this."" In September, Secretaries Pompeo and Mattis falsely asserted to Congress—after the infamous Saudi bombing of 40 children—that the coalition was ""making every effort"" to reduce civilian casualties in order to continue U.S. refueling for the Saudi regime's deadly aerial bombardment campaign. Pocan and Khanna, along with U.S. Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, are leading 75 members of Congress to end the unconstitutional U.S.-Saudi war in Yemen with H. Con. Res. 138, expected to be voted on sometime in November. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:10:16Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2987,Trump Administration Approves Wisconsin’s Medicaid Work Requirement Waiver,2018-11-01,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2018 Contact: Libbie Wilcox, 917-536-6991 Trump Administration Approves Wisconsin's Medicaid Work Requirement Waiver Milwaukee, WI Today, in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) approval of Governor Scott Walker's BadgerCare Reform project to impose work requirements on certain Medicaid recipients,Reps. Gwen Moore(WI-04) andMark Pocan(WI-02) released the following statement withWisconsin Tribal Nations. The approval of this waiver by the Trump Administration will have devasting effects on low-income and vulnerable populations in Wisconsin, particularly on tribal nations who will likely be disproportionally harmed, saidCongresswoman Moore. Imposing work requirements and monthly premiums on Wisconsinites is in direct contradiction with the proposal's stated desire to ensure that every Wisconsin resident has access to affordable health insurance to reduce the state's uninsured rate,' as it is certain to drastically reduce Medicaid enrollment. As elected officials, it is our duty to ensure that our state's most vulnerable are afforded access to health care services without barriers. Governor Walker's policy is nothing more than a shameful continuation of his war on the poor. The Trump Administration's approval of Governor Walker's plan to impose work requirements on BadgerCare recipients will only result in fewer Wisconsinites with health care, saidCongressman Pocan. As we saw in Arkansas, where over 4,000 people receiving Medicaid lost their health coverage due to work requirements, Governor Walker's plan puts the most vulnerable members of our community at risk of losing access to health care when they need it most. This is unacceptable. ""Sadly, economic development has passed by many in Indian County so the decision to make employment a precondition to receive health care benefits will have an immediate, negative impact on our community. The State of Wisconsin and CMS are not in a place to unilaterally change the treaty and trust relationship between Wisconsin Tribal Nations and the United States, but this waiver does just that. Tribal governments will take the State up on the opportunity to engage in consultation in hopes to improve this oversight. We hope the State and CMS will recognize the unique nature of our relationship, and we will work to further educate decision-makers on all sides,""Chairman Cox(Menominee),Chairman Hill(Oneida),President Holsey(Stockbridge-Munsee),Chairman Peterson(Red Cliff),Chairman Taylor(Lac Courte Oreilles),Chairman Wiggins(Bad River), andChairman McGeshick(Sokaogon Chippewa) said in a joint statement.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-and-doggett-request-gao-investigation-into-economic-development,"Pocan and Doggett Request GAO Investigation into Economic Development Subsidies, Including Foxconn",2018-11-01,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (November 1, 2018) – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Tax Policy, wrote to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request an investigation on the effectiveness of economic development subsidies, such as those provided to Foxconn Technology Group in Wisconsin. This request comes as the Center for American Progress released a new issue brief on the hidden impacts of these business incentives, including potential downsides often not considered by lawmakers, the press, or the general public. ""As incomes for the many workers have stagnated in recent decades, policymakers have looked to other tools to spur jobs and wages. Economic development has become a top policy priority. This is especially true at the state and local level, where elected officials have become increasingly willing to provide subsidies to incentivize business location or relocation as a means of job creation,"" wrote Pocan and Doggett. ""According to the Upjohn Institute, these subsidies have tripled since 1990. For example, in Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker and the state legislature passed a law that would provide up to $4.5 billion in public funding to subsidize Foxconn, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer,"" continued Pocan and Doggett. ""Under even the most optimistic assumptions, the state is not expected to break even on the deal until 2043, decades after these officials will have left office."" Specifically, Pocan and Doggett are requesting the GAO conduct a review and issue a report on the following questions: Are there reliable empirical analyses of the net economic effects of these economic development subsidies? Based on any available evidence of economic development incentives affecting business location decisions, what economic impacts have such incentives generated? To what extent have large federal economic development programs been used to provide incentives impacting business location decisions and what evaluations have the federal agencies conducted to determine economic impact? How does the federal government evaluate the effectiveness of economic development policies within the federal agencies? Have such evaluations taken into account the incentives provided by state and local governments in incentive packages provided to businesses? What kind of coordination takes place among federal agencies, such as the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development and the Small Business Administration, and state and local governments? Given the apparent expansion of such activities by state and local governments, what actions have federal agencies taken to enforce relocation and other provisions intended to ensure that program purposes are met? What improvements can be made to processes at the federal, state and local levels to better understand the effectiveness of economic development programs and to what extent can federal authorities encourage further transparency in economic development?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:10:16Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2980,Rep. Moore Holds Walker Accountable for FoodShare Mismanagement,2018-10-31,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Moore Holds Walker Accountable for FoodShare Mismanagement f t # e Wednesday, October 31, 2018 For Immediate Release October 31, 2018 Contact: Libbie Wilcox (917) 536-6991 Rep. Moore Holds Walker Accountable for FoodShare Mismanagement Milwaukee, WI On Thursday, November 1, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) will join Hunger Task Force to hold Governor Scott Walker and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services' (DHS) accountable for failing to comply with federal regulations and causing seniors living in subsidized housing to lose their full monthly FoodShare benefit. This week, Congresswoman Moore wrote to Governor Walker demanding he acts immediately to correct this flawed interpretation of federal law, fix the error in senior's benefit calculations, and guarantee that vulnerable seniors are retroactively credited for lost funds. WHAT: Press Conference to Hold Walker Accountable for Mismanaging Seniors' FoodShare Benefits WHO: U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director, Hunger Task Force WHERE: Mitchell Court, 2600 West National Avenue, 53204 WHEN: 10:30 AM CT 11 AM CT f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2979,Rep. Moore Calls On Gov. Walker to Restore Seniors’ FoodShare Benefits,2018-10-29,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC In response to news that the State of Wisconsin may be denying tens of thousands of the most vulnerable individuals, including seniors and those with disabilities,their full FoodShare benefits,Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04)wrote to Governor Scott Walker urging him to take immediate action to restore full benefits to seniors and retroactively credit those impacted. Recent administrative and court hearings have found that the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) failed to comply with federal regulations by not providing seniors living in subsidized housing a proper utilitycredit, resulting in them receiving a much smaller monthly benefit than they were otherwise entitled to. This oversight has massive consequences for seniors on fixed incomes who depend on FoodShare to put food on the table. Food insecure seniors are at a much higher risk of diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and more life-threatening illnesses. Had DHS correctly followed federal laws and regulations, affected seniors and persons with disabilities would have likely seen an increased monthly food benefit and had more resources available to provide for themselves, wroteCongresswoman Moore. Instead, the State's policy has improperly denied seniors and those with disabilities resources to maintain an adequate and nutritious diet, which is critically important to their health and well-being. In the letter, Congresswoman Moore pressed Governor Walker to swiftly identify seniors who were shortchanged because of the State's flawed interpretation of federal law, correct the error in their benefit calculations, and ensure that impacted seniors are retroactively credited for lost benefits. Again, you have the opportunity to correct this injustice and to help put additional dollars into the food budgets of needy seniors and persons with disabilities at little cost to the State,"" continued Congresswoman Moore. ""I urge you to seize it. To read the full letter to Governor Walker, clickhere.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2973,Statement on Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting,2018-10-27,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Statement on Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting f t # e Saturday, October 27, 2018 Milwaukee, Wisconsin In response to the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) released the following statement: I am filled with grief for the city of Pittsburgh and the entire Tree of Life congregation. As we mourn this horrific mass shooting, let us lift up the brave first responders who put themselves in harm's way to save lives. They are true American heroes. The hatred we have seen today has no place in this country. Our constitution guarantees us the right to worship freely and to walk among our fellow men as equals. It is long past time for our communities to lift up our shared values, eliminate false distinctions, and embrace the beauty and strength of our differences. In the face of this anti-Semitic violence, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and, once again, call on Congress to act to pass commonsense, bipartisan gun control reform. It is Congress's duty to put the lives of our constituents ahead of money and special interests. No American should have to live in fear. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-announces-nearly-79000-grant-stevens-point-fire-department,"Rep. Ron Kind Announces Nearly $79,000 Grant to Stevens Point Fire Department",2018-10-24,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Announces Nearly $79,000 Grant to Stevens Point Fire Department Department of Homeland Security Grant will go to new life-saving extrication equipment Stevens Point On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind announced a $78,790 grant from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the Stevens Point Fire Department. The grant funds will be used to purchase extrication equipment, which can be used in vehicular accidents. Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect Wisconsinites. I am proud to announce that the Stevens Point Fire Department received this important grant before winter weather makes our roads more dangerous, said Rep. Ron Kind. This funding will help ensure Stevens Point and nearby communities have the tools and resources they need in emergency situations, and save lives of accident victims and firefighters alike. The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) are administered through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The grants enhance the safety of Wisconsin communities by providing financial assistance to eligible fire departments, State Fire Training Academies, and nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/beloit-native-to-serve-as-ship-sponsor,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Beloit Native Major General Marcia Anderson to Serve as Ship Sponsor of the USS Beloit,2018-10-24,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.24.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Beloit Native Major General Marcia Anderson to Serve as Ship Sponsor of the USS Beloit WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced that Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer has named retired U.S. Army Major General Marcia Anderson to be the sponsor of the future USS Beloit. General Anderson is a proud native of Beloit and in 2011 became the first African American woman to be promoted to Army Major General. General Anderson has done a great service to Wisconsin and to this nation with her extraordinary, trailblazing career in the U.S. military, said Senator Baldwin. I can think of no better person to serve as the sponsor of the future USS Beloit, supporting the ship's launch and commissioning and building a special relationship with the ship's crew. This is another exciting day for the city of Beloit and a recognition of the city's commitment to strengthening our national security. The opportunity to help the Navy recognize Beloit's history and contributions to our National Defense is an honor and a privilege, said Major General Marcia Anderson (U.S. Army, ret.). Now, more people will know what those who call Beloit home already know - it represents America at its best. General Anderson retired from Army Reserve in 2016 after a 36 year career serving in multiple command and leadership positions, including as Deputy Chief, Army Reserve where she oversaw an $8 billion budget and more than 220,000 soldiers and civilians. An attorney by training, she has been employed by the United States courts for more than 25 years, and currently serves as Clerk of United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, where she is responsible for two offices that manage and administer bankruptcy cases for 44 counties. Earlier this month, Baldwin announced that the newest Freedom variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will be named the USS Beloit to honor the City of Beloit for its contributions to the U.S. Navy and America's national security. Senator Baldwin advocated for naming LCS 29 after the City of Beloitto recognize this community's longstanding commitment to Wisconsin's maritime economy and our nation's defense. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin has consistently worked to secure funding for the LCS program, including the futureUSS Beloit,which will be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/trump-signs-baldwins-opioid-crisis-response-reforms-into-law,President Trump Signs Senator Baldwin’s Opioid Crisis Response Reforms Into Law,2018-10-24,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.24.18 President Trump Signs Senator Baldwin's Opioid Crisis Response Reforms Into Law Prevent the flow of illegal fentanyl, opioids, and meth from other countries Stronger support for local prevention, treatment and recovery efforts More resources for growing meth problem in Wisconsin WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, President Trump signed into law a number of Senator Baldwin's bipartisan reforms to combat the opioid crisis in Wisconsin. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Baldwin authored key reforms included in bipartisan legislation which passed the Senate earlier this month. Senator Baldwin worked to include provisions that will help prevent the flow of illegal fentanyl, opioids and methamphetamine from other countries; extend and expand investments in local prevention, treatment and recovery efforts; and provide more resources to combat the growing methamphetamine problem in Wisconsin. I've met with local health officials, law enforcement and those who have lost loved ones throughout Wisconsin, and it's clear Washington must do more to be a stronger partner in supporting local prevention, treatment and recovery efforts,said Senator Baldwin.In Wisconsin, we have seen a spike in fentanyl overdose deaths and a growing problem of methamphetamine abuse in our state. That's why I have worked to provide more resources and flexibility to help Wisconsin fight this epidemic, and to stop the flow of illicit drugs, like fentanyl, meth and illegal opioids, coming from other countries into America. These bipartisan reforms are an important step forward and will help provide Wisconsin the tools we need to save lives. Prevent the flow of illegal fentanyl, opioids, and meth from other countries TheOpioid Crisis Response Act of 2018includes a bipartisan reform introduced by Senator Baldwin that would help stop the flow of illegal opioids, fentanyl, methamphetamine and other illicit drugs into the country through International Mail Facilities. TheRestricting Entrance and Strengthening the Requirements on Import Controls for Trafficking (RESTRICT) Illicit Drugs Act, introduced with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), would give the FDA more tools to prevent illegal fentanyl, opioids and other illicit synthetic drugs from entering the country at the border through our International Mail Facilities. Recently, communities across Wisconsin have seen dramatic increases in illicit fentanyl overdoses. According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, in 2018, there have been 193 confirmed opioid-related overdose deaths and 117 confirmed fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Milwaukee County. Stronger support for local prevention, treatment and recovery efforts Earlier this year, Senator Baldwin led the effort to include an additional $1 billion in the FY2018 omnibus spending bill signed by President Trump for the Opioid State Targeted Response Grant program. The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 includes provisions from Baldwin's Opioid Response Enhancement Actto expand and extend the Opioid State Targeted Response Grant program to provide states and tribal communities more resources for local prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. The grant program was established as part of the bipartisan21st Century Cures Actthat Senator Baldwin worked to pass in Congress. More resources for growing meth problem in Wisconsin Senator Baldwin has held roundtable dialogues across the state with law enforcement, first responders, health officials and community leaders where she has learned about the growing problem of methamphetamine abuse in Wisconsin. In response, Senator Baldwin worked to include a reform in the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 that would provide states with more flexibility in using federal funding so Wisconsin will be able to put it to work to address the growing meth problem in our state. 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=2963,"PRESS CALL: Ahead of Trump Visit, Wisconsin Democrats Unveil New For The People Report on Impacts of GOP Agenda on the Health & Economic Security of Wisconsinites",2018-10-23,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Milwaukee, WI On Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 2:15 p.m. CT,Reps. Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) will roll out the fourth in a new series of state-levelreportsoutlining in stark detail how GOP-control of Washington has undermined the health and economic security of hard-working Wisconsin families. The report comes ahead of President Trump's trip to Mosinee, WI and will be released under embargo on Wednesday morning. The report exposes Republicans' broken promises on the core economic issues at the heart of House Democrats' For The People agenda: health costs and prescription drug prices; the GOP tax scam, stagnant real wages and unmet infrastructure needs. At a rally in West Bend in 2016, Trump said On taxes, I am going to give a massive tax cut to every worker and small business in this country, bring thousands of new companies and millions of new jobs onto our shores and make it very difficult for our businesses to leave. Democrats' report found that too many Wisconsinites are being left behind by the Trump Administration and the Republican Congress: 330,320 Wisconsin taxpayers will see NO tax benefit or will suffer a tax hike by 2019, While the wealthiest 1 percent of Wisconsin residents received a total of more than $1.5 million, and Real average hourly wages in Wisconsin haveremained relatively flat, increasing just 0.5 percentfrom January 2017 to August 2018. WHO: Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) WHAT: Press call on New For The People' Report on Impacts of GOP Agenda on Health & Economic Security of Wisconsinites WHEN: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 2:15 p.m. C.T. DIAL-IN: 800-369-2142 Participant passcode:WI REPORT *** Members of the media should RSVP toelena.kuhn@mail.house.gov***",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/president-trump-signs-buy-america-reform-into-law,President Trump Signs Buy America Reform into Law,2018-10-23,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.23.18 President Trump Signs Buy America Reform into Law Bipartisan water infrastructure legislation includes a requirement pushed by Senator Baldwin that federally funded water infrastructure projects use American-made iron and steel A five-year Buy America standard is better than the status quo and President Trump has takenan important step forward on our shared goal of making sure taxpayer money is not spent supporting foreign workers. WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, President Trump signed into law bipartisan water infrastructure legislation that includes a requirement pushed by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin that federally funded water infrastructure projects use American-made iron and steel. Senator Baldwin has long championed stronger Buy America standards and her Made in America Water Infrastructure Act requires that 100 percent American-made iron and steel is used in water infrastructure projects funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) signed by President Trump includes a five-year extension of Buy America requirements for water infrastructure projects funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. A five-year Buy America standard is better than the status quo and President Trump has taken an important step forward on our shared goal of making sure taxpayer money is not spent supporting foreign workers, said Senator Baldwin. I will continue fighting for a permanent Buy America commitment from Washington that rewards our Made in Wisconsin workers and manufacturers. On April 18, 2017, while visiting Kenosha, local media asked President Trump if he supported Senator Baldwin's permanent Buy America standard. President Trump said I do, and also said, I agree with her 100 percent. The bipartisan WRDA legislation he signed today includes a Buy America requirement through at least 2023. As we invest in our nation's water infrastructure, American taxpayers expectnow more than everthat the iron and steel products incorporated into these taxpayer-financed projects will be melted, molded and made in America by American workers and the foundries and mills that employ them,said Neenah Foundry's Municipal Products Group Vice President Scott Hoffman.On behalf of Neenah Enterprises of Neenah, Wisconsin, our deep appreciation goes to Senator Baldwin for her leadership in securing a five-year extension of the procurement preference for American-made iron and steel products for drinking water infrastructure. Senator Baldwin has been a leader on a multitude of Buy America efforts to ensure that taxpayer-financed public infrastructure uses castings produced in American foundries like Neenah. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is a federal-state partnership that acts as an infrastructure bank to help ensure safe drinking water in all 50 states and territories. Baldwin's reform would require all of these projects to use American-made iron and steel. Eligible projects include improving drinking water treatment; fixing or replacing old pipes; improving the source of the water supply; replacing or constructing finished water storage tanks; or any other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health. 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/more-than-50-members-of-congress-call-on-the-trump-administration-to,More than 50 Members of Congress Call on the Trump Administration to Release Evidence of Prior U.S. Awareness of the Saudi Plot to Capture Khashoggi,2018-10-22,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (October 22, 2018) – U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) led a bipartisan group of 55 Members of Congress in writing to Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence, calling for the release of information regarding the U.S. intelligence community's advance knowledge of Saudi Arabia's plot to capture journalist and American resident Jamal Khashoggi. The letter comes as the Trump Administration continues to downplay the involvement of the Saudi regime's top leadership in the capture and death of Mr. Khashoggi within a Saudi diplomatic facility. In light of the reported existence of U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials' plot ""to lure The Washington Post columnist and American resident Jamal Khashoggi into Saudi custody,"" the Members ""seek urgent answers as to whether Mr. Khashoggi was in fact contacted about the credible threat to his life and liberty posed by the Saudi plot to capture him."" The Members of Congress also requested information on ""the precise date on which any arm of the U.S. intelligence community first became aware of the Saudi plan to detain Mr. Khashoggi,"" as well as ""whether the intelligence community will declassify portions of U.S. intercepts of Saudi officials relevant to Mr. Khashoggi's disappearance."" ""As you are aware,"" write the U.S. Representatives to Director Coats, ""Intelligence Community Directive 191, issued in 2015, specifies the duty of the U.S. intelligence community to warn both U.S. and non-U.S. persons of threats of serious bodily injury, kidnapping, and intentional killing."" Considering ""the profound ramifications of this potential crime, U.S. foreknowledge of Saudi plans to detain Mr. Khashoggi, and whether the U.S. intelligence community carried out its duty to warn, we intend to use the full force of Congressional oversight and investigatory powers to obtain these answers should they not be forthcoming,"" concluded the Members. Among the signatories of the letter are Ranking Members Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) of House Appropriations and Judiciary Committees, respectively. Both the House and Senate are poised to exercise oversight and investigatory responsibilities regarding this issue and others surrounding the murder of Khashoggi. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), for whom Mr. Khashoggi was a constituent, also signed the letter. ""We look forward to your timely response to our inquiry as both the House of Representatives and the Senate consider privileged resolutions this fall, such as H. Con. Res. 138 and S. J. Res. 54, which invoke Congress's sole constitutional authority over the offensive use of force to end illegal U.S. military participation with Saudi Arabia in Yemen,"" added the Members. In his final column published by The Washington Post before his disappearance, Khashoggi argued that ""Saudi Arabia's crown prince must restore dignity to his country — by ending Yemen's cruel war."" Khashoggi urged Mohammed Bin Salman to take account of the ""poverty, cholera and water scarcity"" afflicting Yemen as a result of the deadly air campaign that he had launched in 2015 with U.S. participation. Such high-profile examples of dissent are thought to have spurred Mohammed Bin Salman into ordering the capture of Khashoggi. ""In weighing the merits of U.S.-Saudi military cooperation,"" concluded the U.S. Representatives, ""it is imperative that Members of Congress have a full, detailed grasp of the intelligence community's knowledge of Saudi actions and their potentially harmful impact on the wellbeing of U.S. residents and citizens, as well as any U.S. intelligence failures pertaining to Saudi activities that may have contributed to needless loss of life.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:08:35Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/weau-senator-baldwin-announces-over-14-million-for-hiv/aids-care-in-wisconsin,WEAU: Senator Baldwin Announces Over $14 Million for HIV/AIDS Care in Wisconsin,2018-10-19,2018,2018-10,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-calls-for-immediate-action-to-reduce-lead,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Secretary DeVos and Acting Administrator Wheeler to Take Immediate Action to Reduce Lead Levels in Nation’s Schools,2018-10-19,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.19.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Secretary DeVos and Acting Administrator Wheeler to Take Immediate Action to Reduce Lead Levels in Nation's Schools Baldwin, Stabenow and colleagues call for the Department of Education and EPA to ensure school districts have resources needed to test for, combat lead in school drinking water WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) led 33 Senate colleagues in calling on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to take immediate action to protect students from lead in school drinking water. In the letter, the Senators note a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that an estimated 41 percent of public school districts, serving 12 million students, do not test for lead in school drinking water, and where school districts did test for lead, more than a third found elevated lead levels. In Wisconsin, 169 buildings in the Milwaukee Public School System were found to have at least one fixture that supplied water with elevated lead levels. Given that lead exposure can result in a variety of health impacts, especially for young children, we urge you to swiftly implement GAO's recommendations to encourage more school districts to test for lead and take immediate action to combat lead in school drinking water, wrote the Senators in their letter. The GAO report made clear that ED and EPA must accelerate actions to address this problem. While both of your agencies provide guidance and other resources to states and school districts regarding testing and remediating lead in drinking water, GAO found that some EPA regional offices have not communicated the importance of testing for, and remediating lead in, school drinking water to school district personnel. Furthermore, GAO found that ED and EPA do not regularly collaborate to support state and school district efforts to address lead in drinking water, despite agreeing to do so in a 2005 memorandum of understanding. In total, GAO offered ED and EPA seven recommendations that will encourage school districts to test for lead and ensure testing and remediation efforts are aligned with best practices. A copy of the letter and full list of Senators who signed on is available 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-ron-kind-welcomes-federal-assistance-help-wisconsinites-recover,Rep. Ron Kind Welcomes Federal Assistance to Help Wisconsinites Recover after Flooding,2018-10-18,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Welcomes Federal Assistance to Help Wisconsinites Recover after Flooding La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind issued the following statement after the Trump Administration granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Wisconsin, triggering the release of federal funds to help people and communities recover from the recent storms and severe flooding. As I've traveled across Wisconsin visiting communities and families impacted by flooding, I have seen our spirit of strength and resiliency in times of adversity. The President's declaration will be a welcome relief for many that have been flooded out of their homes and businesses. I look forward to continuing to work with FEMA to ensure the additional federal resources are well-utilized, said Rep. Ron Kind. Rep. Kind's office has, and will continue to, work side-by-side with residents and local officials that are rebuilding their homes and communities. Any Wisconsinite with questions regarding recovery efforts or services should call his office toll-free at 1-888-442-8040, or visit his website: kind.house.gov. Wisconsin residents can apply for disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-announces-over-14-million-for-hiv/aids-care,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Over $14 Million for HIV/AIDS Care and Support Services in Wisconsin,2018-10-18,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.18.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Over $14 Million for HIV/AIDS Care and Support Services in Wisconsin Federal funding for Wisconsin will improve health care for those living with HIV/AIDS WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced more than $14 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve the quality of health care and support services for Wisconsinites living with HIV/AIDS. Senator Baldwin has been a strong supporter of increased funding for domestic HIV/AIDS programs to improve prevention and education efforts and to help save lives. These federal grants, which are part of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, will support Wisconsin organizations and clinics including the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Health Services, Inc., Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers in Milwaukee, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. HIV/AIDS remains a public health crisis in our country and despite medical advances, people living with HIV still face significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens to quality health care, said Senator Baldwin. I am proud to have helped secure this funding for HIV/AIDS prevention programs and other efforts aimed at building healthier families and saving lives throughout Wisconsin. Every year, almost 40,000 Americans become newly infected with HIV and today, there are an estimated 5,900 people in the state of Wisconsin living with HIV. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides support for people living with HIV/AIDS who do not have adequate health coverage or resources to cope with the disease. Grants were awarded by Parts B, C and D of the Ryan White Program and funding will be directed to the following areas: Part B provides funding to states to improve the quality and availability of HIV health care and for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP); Part C directly funds community clinics and health centers that deliver quality, comprehensive HIV care to over 275,000 Americans per year; and Part D funds local organizations' efforts to provide family-centered comprehensive HIV care and treatment for women, infants, children and youth. Senator Baldwin introduced the HIV Clinical Services Improvement Act to ensure that our community providers have the capacity and support to deliver high-quality care to those living with HIV/AIDS. Senators Baldwin and Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) have also repeatedly lead calls for strengthening federal investments in our domestic programs to address the serious public health threat of HIV/AIDS in America. More information about the grant funding is available 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/reps-ron-kind-and-jackie-walorski-call-ustr-lighthizer-establish-tariff,Reps. Ron Kind and Jackie Walorski Call on USTR Lighthizer to Establish Tariff Exclusion Process,2018-10-16,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Reps. Ron Kind and Jackie Walorski Call on USTR Lighthizer to Establish Tariff Exclusion Process Kind and Walorski are joined by 167 Members with constituents impacted by tariffs and retaliation Washington, DC Today, U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) called on United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to establish a process that allows U.S. companies to request an exclusion from the recent tariffs imposed on $200 billion of Chinese imports. This process would help U.S. companies retain global competitiveness, and would help target the effects of the tariffs on China, rather than on U.S. companies and consumers. Exclusions were established for all previous rounds of tariffs, but have been neglectfully omitted for the most recent tariffs. Reps. Kind and Walorski were joined by a bipartisan coalition of 167 Members of Congress. Statements from the lawmakers are below: The very least this Administration can do is provide businesses the ability to petition their government to prove their case that these tariffs will hurt their businesses, workers, and customers alike. I am committed to working together to ensure we find a safe landing zone for American farmers and businesses, and will continue to call on the President and Ambassador Lighthizer to end these reckless tariffs, said Rep. Ron Kind. We need to hold China accountable, but we need to do it in a way that doesn't harm American manufacturers, farmers, workers, and consumers. A fair and transparent exclusion process for U.S. businesses will help minimize the negative impact of these tariffs and build on our nation's economic momentum. The administration should heed our bipartisan call to establish a strong exclusion process and ensure we stay focused on the real target, which is China's unfair trade practices, said Rep. Jackie Walorski. This request remains consistent with previous Section 301 exclusion requests. An exclusion process is vital to ensuring that U.S. companies can seek relief in the event that there are no alternative suppliers of the good, or if other special circumstances exist that could harm their ability to compete in the global marketplace. Read the letter here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-leads-effort-to-give-workers-a-greater-voice-at-public-companies,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Leads Effort to Give Workers a Greater Voice at Public Companies,2018-10-16,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.16.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Leads Effort to Give Workers a Greater Voice at Public Companies Baldwin and colleagues call for SEC to consider the merits of directly electing workers to company boards WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is leading 12 of her Senate colleagues in calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to use its upcoming Staff Roundtable to consider implementing reforms that will promote worker engagement, drive long-term growth and investment, and give workers a greater voice in public companies by allowing workers to be elected as company board members. In the letter, the Senators note research has shown that company boards with worker representation make better resource allocation decisions, over a longer period of time. In developing the roundtable agenda, you asked SEC staff to consider, Whether meaningful ownership in the company can be demonstrated by factors other than the amount invested and the length of time shares are held. We strongly believe meaningful ownership can and should be determined by the value of contributions made to the company by its various stakeholders. Workers, for example, invest their time, skill, and effort in the company, andlike shareholdersdepend on managers to both generate a return on that investment and share that return in the form of increased compensation, wrote the Senators in their letter. Congress has proposed several pieces of legislation to promote worker engagement with corporate management and in the selection of directors. Research has shown that boards with worker representation make better resource allocation decisions over a longer time horizon. Because your agenda seeks a forum for engagement, we believe the SEC's agenda should include a discussion of the merits of directly electing of workers to company boards. The letter was also signed by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Edward Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Patty Murray (D-WA). The full text of the letter is available below and here. Dear Chair Clayton: We write to you today to request agenda items for the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Staff Roundtable on the Proxy Process, announced on July 30, 2018. As you noted in your announcement, shareholder engagement at S&P 500 companies has increased from six percent in 2010 to 72 percent last year. This dramatic increase reflects a growing interest in the priorities of large companies. As a reflection of this growing interest in (and power of) large publicly-traded companies, we ask the Commission to add topics to the proxy process roundtable agenda to address the obligations of corporations to all of their public stakeholders, including employees, consumers, local communities, and taxpayersin addition to public shareholders. In developing the roundtable agenda, you asked SEC staff to consider, Whether meaningful ownership in the company can be demonstrated by factors other than the amount invested and the length of time shares are held. We strongly believe meaningful ownership can and should be determined by the value of contributions made to the company by its various stakeholders. Workers, for example, invest their time, skill, and effort in the company, andlike shareholdersdepend on managers to both generate a return on that investment and share that return in the form of increased compensation. Congress has proposed several pieces of legislation to promote worker engagement with corporate management and in the selection of directors. Research has shown that boards with worker representation make better resource allocation decisions over a longer time horizon. Because your agenda seeks a forum for engagement, we believe the SEC's agenda should include a discussion of the merits of directly electing of workers to company boards. You recently wrote that encouraging long-term investment in our country is, a key consideration for American companies and, importantly, American investors and their families. Similarly, in setting the roundtable agenda you asked SEC staff to consider, if the voices of long-term retail investors are appropriately represented in the shareholder proposal process and in the shareholder engagement dynamic more generally. Given the research demonstrating the benefits of worker engagement, and the interest in the subject from Congress, we believe that fostering this engagement should be reviewed at the roundtable, in order to evaluate how it can drive long-term investment to benefit retail investors or, Mr. and Mrs. 401(k). We recognize the costs that increased engagement impose on companies and others in the proxy process. As such, we support your suggestion that the roundtable should examine scalable engagement requirements. Larger companies use more public resources and should be accountable to wider groups of stakeholders. Engagement rules should also consider the needs of small and emerging businesses, which you have rightly noted will provide these companies access to capital while expanding opportunities for Main Street investors. In his 2018 annual letter to CEOs, BlackRock Chairman Larry Fink wrote, Companies must benefit all of their stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, customers, and the communities in which they operate. As representatives of those stakeholders, and often arbiters of how taxpayer resources are spent, we believe that public companies should adjust their engagement focus to ensure that they are better stewards of the resourcesincluding worker and taxpayer resourcesthat have been contributed to them. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to working with you to make shareholder engagement more inclusive.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/enforcing-made-in-usa-labeling-standards,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Urging Trump Administration to Fully Enforce “Made in USA” Labeling Standards,2018-10-16,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.16.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Urging Trump Administration to Fully Enforce Made in USA Labeling Standards Baldwin calls on the FTC to require monetary penalties for companies fraudulently affixing Made in America labels to foreign-made products WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) in urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to fully enforce its Made in the USA labeling standards. In their letter, the Senators referenced instances where companies fraudulently affixed Made in America labels to foreign-made products. The Senators said mislabeling products not only misleads consumers, but also disadvantages American businesses. If the consequences of misusing the Made in the USA' label do not include paying fines or admitting wrongdoing, it is unlikely that these and other companies will be deterred from using the same deceptive tactics to sell their products in the future, the Senators wrote. The value of the Made in the USA' label is dependent on its integrity. The Commission plays a critical role in ensuring that American-made products are truly made in America. We urge you to require the companies in these cases to pay fines and admit they lied. Failure to take decisive action risks weakening the significance of the Made in the USA' label and undermining American manufacturers. The Senators are urging the FTC to consider monetary penalties as well as admission of guilt settlements for companies that import products from countries like China, and then commit these label violations. Full text of the letter is below. Dear Chairman Simons, We write to urge the Commission to fully enforce Made in the USA labeling standards and to express our concerns with no-fault, no-money settlements for Made in the USA labeling violations. When a product says Made in the USA, consumers expect that the product was made domestically. Failing to enforce Made in the USA standards misleads consumers and disadvantages domestic producers, and we urge the Commission to take all steps necessary to protect the integrity of the label. In the cases of Nectar Sleep, Sandpiper/PiperGear USA, and Patriot Puck specifically, we urge the Commission to assess financial penalties and require admissions of guilt. In all three instances, the companies fraudulently affixed Made in the USA labels to foreign-made products, most of which were imported from China. There is a clear financial benefit to companies such as those in question to label their goods as Made in the USA. Consumers view American-made goods more positively and are often willing to pay a higher price for them. In addition, consumers may be less likely to have health or quality concerns about a product when its true country of origin is concealed. If the consequences of misusing the Made in the USA label do not include paying fines or admitting wrongdoing, it is unlikely that these and other companies will be deterred from using the same deceptive tactics to sell their products in the future. The value of the Made in the USA label is dependent on its integrity. The Commission plays a critical role in ensuring that American-made products are truly made in America. We urge you to require the companies in these cases to pay fines and admit they lied. Failure to take decisive action risks weakening the significance of the Made in the USA label and undermining American manufacturers. 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://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-calls-more-funding-healthcare-enrollment-assistance,Rep. Ron Kind Calls for More Funding for Healthcare Enrollment Assistance,2018-10-15,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Calls for More Funding for Healthcare Enrollment Assistance Navigator grants have been drastically cut nation-wide, with only one grant awarded in Wisconsin La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind called on Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to provide additional Navigator funding in order to assist Wisconsin residents enroll in health insurance coverage for 2019. Only one Wisconsin organization was awarded federal funding for enrollment services this year, and the grant was cut by over 80% from prior years. Choosing a healthcare plan can be complicated, and I want to ensure we have sufficient resources available to find coverage that works for every Wisconsinite and their family, said Rep. Ron Kind. Unfortunately, the Administration has made it nearly impossible for Wisconsinites to access in-person assistance, and is in-turn harming the health and wellbeing of Wisconsinites across our state. I am calling for more funding for the Navigator program, so nobody goes without the care they need. The Navigator program awards grant funding to organizations that provide enrollment assistance for individuals and outreach and education to raise awareness about the federal health insurance marketplace. The Department of Health and Human Services has drastically cut funding for the Navigator program in 2017 and 2018. With only $10 million allocated for the entire country this year down from $63 million in 2016 the program will only provide outreach to 23 of Wisconsin's 72 counties. Read the letter here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-and-khanna-to-lead-colleagues-in-calling-on-the-trump,Pocan and Khanna to Lead Colleagues in Calling on the Trump Administration to Release Intelligence on Prior Knowledge of Saudi Plot to Capture Jamal Khashoggi,2018-10-12,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (October 12, 2018) – U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) today circulated a letter to their colleagues, requesting that Members of Congress join them in calling on Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence, to release information regarding the U.S. intelligence community's advance knowledge of Saudi Arabia's plot to capture journalist and American resident Jamal Khashoggi. In the letter, Members are seeking answers as to whether the Trump Administration's intelligence agencies performed their duty to warn Khashoggi of the credible threat to his life and liberty posed by the Saudi plot to capture him; the precise date on which any arm of the U.S. intelligence community first became aware of the Saudi plan to detain Khashoggi; and whether the intelligence community will declassify portions of U.S. intercepts of Saudi officials relevant to Khashoggi's disappearance. The information is especially urgent as both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate consider floor votes this fall for privileged resolutions, including H. Con. Res. 138 and S. J. Res. 54, which seek to end unauthorized U.S.-Saudi military cooperation. Pocan and Khanna plan to send the letter to Coats next week. The full letter is below. Dear Director Coats: TheWashington Post reported on October 10th that United States intelligence agencies intercepted Saudi officials' conversations which demonstrated that Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, de facto head of the Saudi regime, ordered an operation to lure The Washington Post columnist and American resident Jamal Khashoggi into Saudi custody and detention. Preliminary evidence made publicly available suggests that 15 Saudi officials, including a forensics chief and autopsy expert, likely murdered Mr. Khashoggi after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2nd. As you are aware, Intelligence Community Directive 191, issued in 2015, specifies the duty of the U.S. intelligence community to warn both U.S. and non-U.S. persons of threats of serious bodily injury, kidnapping, and intentional killing. Any U.S. intelligence ""element that collects or acquires credible and specific information indicating an impending threat"" of those actions ""shall have a duty to warn the intended victim or those responsible for protecting the intended victim, as appropriate."" The State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017 present evidence of a regular pattern of torture and physical coercion utilized by Saudi officials against detainees. In November 2017, for example, Saudi regime authorities began holding influential Saudi nationals in captivity. At least 17 individuals were reported to have been hospitalized due to injuries sustained under physical abuse; one apparently died in custody with a twisted neck, a badly swollen body, and other signs of injury. Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri was also reportedly physically threatened and intimidated by Saudi officials after arriving in Saudi Arabia in 2017. Given your office oversees the U.S. intelligence community's duty-to-warn process, we seek urgent answers as to whether Mr. Khashoggi was in fact contacted about the credible threat to his life and liberty posed by the Saudi plot to capture him; the precise date on which any arm of the U.S. intelligence community first became aware of the Saudi plan to detain Mr. Khashoggi; and whether the intelligence community will declassify portions of U.S. intercepts of Saudi officials relevant to Mr. Khashoggi's disappearance. Considering the profound ramifications of this potential crime, U.S. foreknowledge of Saudi plans to detain Mr. Khashoggi, and whether the U.S. intelligence community carried out its duty to warn, we intend to use the full force of Congressional oversight and investigatory powers to obtain these answers should they not be forthcoming. We look forward to your timely response to our inquiry as both the House of Representatives and the Senate consider privileged resolutions this fall, such as H. Con. Res. 138 and S. J. Res. 54, which invoke Congress's sole constitutional authority over the offensive use of force to end illegal U.S. military participation with Saudi Arabia in Yemen. In weighing the merits of U.S.-Saudi military cooperation, it is imperative that Members of Congress have a full, detailed grasp of the intelligence community's knowledge of Saudi actions and their potentially harmful impact on the wellbeing of U.S. residents and citizens, as well as any U.S. intelligence failures pertaining to Saudi activities that may have contributed to needless loss of life. Sincerely, Members of Congress ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:08:35Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-submits-foia-request-regarding-recent-ice-raids-in-wisconsin,Pocan Submits FOIA Request Regarding Recent ICE Raids in Wisconsin,2018-10-12,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (October 12, 2018) – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to receive records regarding recent raids in Wisconsin, including the agency's communication with local law enforcement officials. The request comes three weeks after Pocan initially contacted ICE, and two weeks after Pocan met with officials from the agency in Washington and was promised information that officials have yet to provide. Over his six years in the U.S. House of Representatives, this is the first time Pocan has had to file a FOIA request to receive information from a federal agency. The full letter is available here and below. Dear Acting Director Vitiello: Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, I request that you produce the following records related to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's activities in Wisconsin conducted during September 2018 that resulted in the arrest of 83 individuals. This request follows numerous attempts to gain access to this information dating back to initial contact on September 23, 2018. We request that the agency produce all records pursuant to: Contact between ICE officials/agents and local law enforcement prior to and during the enforcement actions, including the names of individuals contacted and the date, time, and outcome of each contact. A list of the criminal offenses (or lack thereof) committed by the 83 detainees, broken down by individual while upholding privacy requirements by omitting personally identifiable information. The offering and distribution of privacy release forms to allow for detainees to seek assistance from Congressional representatives and other relevant advocates. The establishment and use of satellite office space in Madison and other locations beyond the official field office in Milwaukee, including any information detailing the amount of time ICE officials have utilized the satellite offices. Documentation of protocol followed when making arrests, including records detailing whether information was collected pertaining to the medical/health needs of the arrestee; whether the arrestee has any live-in dependents; and the medical/health needs of the dependents. The number of people detained by county and a list of the counties in which they were housed upon arrest. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:08:35Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/affordable-loans-for-any-student-act-of-2018,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Legislation to Ensure Affordable Student Loans for Every Borrower,2018-10-11,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.11.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Legislation to Ensure Affordable Student Loans for Every Borrower WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined her colleagues this week in introducing the Affordable Loans for Any Student Act of 2018, led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), to ensure affordable, simple income-based repayment plans for any federal student loan borrowers. Higher education should be a path to prosperity, not a path into suffocating debt, but right now student loan debt is holding back an entire generation and creating a drag on economic growth in Wisconsin and across the country, said Senator Baldwin. This legislation will help bring relief to Wisconsin students and families by ensuring there is a repayment plan that works for them. It's past time for Washington to take action to give Wisconsin students a fair shot at getting ahead and building a stronger future for themselves. The average college senior who has taken out loans now graduates with more than $30,000 in debt, and total student debt nationwide has topped $1.5 trillion, creating a significant drag on the economy. Many borrowers would benefit from a simple repayment plan based on their income, with a clear light at the end of the tunnel. Currently, however, there are at least five income-based repayment plans and dozens of confusing iterations. As a result, far too many borrowers fail to discover or successfully maintain income-based repayment until it's too late. The Affordable Loans for Any Student Act would overhaul and fix this dysfunctional system, streamlining existing programs and creating just two simple and easy-to-understand options for borrowers to choose from and avoid loan delinquency or default. The Affordable Loans for Any Student Act of 2018 would overhaul the confusing system of income-based repayment plans to give borrowers a simple choice between two plans: A Fixed Repayment Plan with equal monthly payments sufficient to repay the loan and any accrued interest over a period of 10 years; or An Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan in which a borrower pays 10 percent of their income above a poverty level, capped at 20 years of payments. In addition to streamlining repayment plans for borrowers, the bill: Ends interest capitalization and origination fees on all loans, which can add thousands of dollars to a borrower's total payments over the life of the loan. Targets assistance to struggling and low-income borrowers. Allows for automatic recertification of income for IBR plans. Limits aggressive federal debt collection amounts that are obtained through wage garnishment or tax offset to no more than the amount the borrower would pay under IBR. Replaces the current deferment and forbearance options into one, streamlined pause payment process that does not capitalize interest. Provides relief to severely delinquent borrowers and those who rehabilitate their loans by automatically enrolling them into the IBR plan. Changes the use of the confusing term master promissory note to student loan contract to improve consumer understanding of the purpose of the document. Improves other loan disclosures and interactive counseling. The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). This Affordable Loans for Any Student Act of 2018 is supported by The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), Higher Education Loan Coalition, Young Invincibles, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients). When one in four federal student loan borrowers are delinquent or in default,the Affordable Loans for Any Student Act stands out as the reform borrowers urgently needreducing the costs and burden of student debt, simplifying and improving repayment options, and reducing the likelihood of default, said James Kvaal, President, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS). We applaud Senator Merkley for his continuing leadership on strengthening income-driven repaymentto better serve struggling borrowers and urge Congress to follow suit. Young Invincibles is happy to support theAffordable Loans for Any Student Act, said Reid Setzer, Government Affairs Director, Young Invincibles. The bill would dramatically simplify America's student loan system, making it easier for borrowers to enroll in the best repayment plan for them. Making it easier to enroll and stay enrolled in income-based plans helps create a more equitable system for borrowers. The bill also offers borrower-friendly terms to millions seeking relief from staggeringly high monthly payments. We urge Congress to enact this important piece of legislation. The Higher Education Loan Coalition endorses this important legislation that will decrease the cost of borrowing and simplify repayment of student and parent loans, said Jean McDonald Rash, Chair, Higher Education Loan Coalition. The elimination of origination fees and capitalization of interest ensures that borrowers receive a fair deal from their government student loans.Borrowers will receive improved counseling and targeted, consumer friendly information to allow them to understand their total loan repayment before they assume too much debt. Once in repayment, their ability to manage their debt through simplified repayment plans will vastly improve. This bill is good news for student and parent borrowers in every step of the loan cycle! 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-ron-kind-leads-ways-and-means-democrats-calling-gao-investigation,Rep. Ron Kind Leads Ways and Means Democrats in Calling for GAO Investigation Into How the Administration’s Border Policies Detract from Forced Labor Enforcement,2018-10-10,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Leads Ways and Means Democrats in Calling for GAO Investigation IntoHow the Administration's Border Policies Detract from Forced Labor Enforcement La CrosseToday,U.S. Reps. Ron KindandJohn Lewisled all Ways and Means Democrats incalling for aGovernment Accountability Office (GAO) investigation intowhether or not the Administration's aggressive immigration policy is detracting from its ability to adequately enforce laws prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor. If the President is serious about a level playing field for American workers, ending the importation of goods made by forced labor should be a clear first step, saidRep. Ron Kind. I am calling on the GAO to investigate if the President's ""zero-tolerance"" immigration policy is causing the U.S. to lose focus on banning imports produced with forced labor, and expect a full report so we can take immediate corrective action. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and is responsible for enforcing both international trade regulations and U.S. immigration policy.Rep. Kind specifically requested that the GAO compare the CBP resources dedicated to immigration policy enforcement with the resources dedicated to the enforcement of the prohibition of goods produced with forced labor. Read the letter here. Rep. Kindand Lewis, along with formerWays and MeansChairmenSandy LevinandCharlie Rangel, introduced legislation to close a 75-year-old loophole which allowed products made by forced labor to enter the United States. President Obama signed the legislation into law as part of theTrade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Actin late 2015.In his final year in office, President Obama used this new authority four times, the first such action since the Clinton Administration. In the first 19 months of the Trump Administration, it has been used just twice. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-tammy-baldwins-senate-floor-speech-on-overturning-trumps-expansion-of-junk-insurance-plans,Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Senate Floor Speech on Overturning Trump’s Expansion of Junk Insurance Plans,2018-10-10,2018,2018-10,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/wmtv-us-senator-tammy-baldwin-announces-uss-beloit,WMTV: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces USS Beloit,2018-10-10,2018,2018-10,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/junk-plans-resolution-senate-vote-statement,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Statement After the Senate Voted 50-50 on the Trump Administration’s Expansion of Junk Insurance Plans That Can Deny Coverage to People with Pre-Existing Conditions,2018-10-10,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.10.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's Statement After the Senate Voted 50-50 on the Trump Administration's Expansion of Junk Insurance Plans That Can Deny Coverage to People with Pre-Existing Conditions WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement after the Senate voted 50-50 on her resolution to overturn the Trump administration's expansion of junk insurance plans. Forty-nine Democrats and one Republican voted for Baldwin's resolution, while fifty Senate Republicans voted for an expansion of junk insurance plans that can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and don't have to provide essential health services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care. This was an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to protect people's access to quality, affordable health care when they need it most. I'm pleased that I earned bipartisan support for my resolution to overturn the Trump administration's expansion of junk insurance plans but it's disappointing that too many Senate Republicans failed to keep their promise to protect people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage. I will continue my fight to protect the guaranteed health care protections that millions of Americans depend on because the people of Wisconsin did not send me to Washington to take their health care away; they need us to work together to protect people's health care and make it more affordable. Senator Baldwin's effort wassupported by more than 20 of the nation's top health care organizationsincludingthe American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American Heart Association, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, WomenHeart, National Women's Law Center, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, American Psychiatric Association, Residential Eating Disorders Consortium, Protect Our Care, Families USA, AIDS United, Association for Community Affiliated Plans, Mental Health America and the Little Lobbyists. ### 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/senate-passes-wrda-2018,Senate Passes Water Infrastructure Bill that Includes U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Reforms,2018-10-10,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.10.18 Senate Passes Water Infrastructure Bill that Includes U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's Reforms Bipartisan bill includes five-year Buy America provision, invests in water technology, increases funding for clean drinking water and supports Great Lakes and Wisconsin coastal communities WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin worked to include a number of measures in the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to support American workers and businesses, invest in innovative water technology, protect the Great Lakes and address drinking water challenges in Wisconsin. The Senate passed the legislation today and now it heads to the President for his signature. This bipartisan legislation that passed the full Senate includes many reforms that I worked for to support American businesses and our workers here at home, while investing in innovative water technologies to help us solve the water challenges we face throughout our state and nation, said Senator Baldwin. I am proud that we are working together to change how communities respond to water crises, improve public health and protect our coastal communities and freshwater resources, including the Great Lakes, for future generations to come. Fighting for American Workers and Businesses The final bill that passed today includes a five-year extension of Buy America requirements for water infrastructure projects funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The Senate version of the water infrastructure legislation included Senator Baldwin's permanent Buy America requirement, which earned President Trump's support. The House-passed legislation included no Buy America requirement. In House-Senate negotiations on the final 2018 WRDA, the House would only agree to move to a five-year Buy America extension. A five-year Buy America standard is better than the status quo, but Speaker Ryan and the House failed to keep President Trump's promise. Our American manufacturers and workers deserve a permanent Buy America commitment from Washington that rewards their hard work, said Senator Baldwin. I'm going to continue my work to ensure that we are doing right by them by making sure that America is buying what Wisconsin makes with a permanent Buy America standard. Supporting Innovative Water Technology Senator Baldwin secured provisions from her Water Technology Acceleration Act that will incentivize the development and deployment of emerging water technologies to provide better solutions to our most pressing water challenges. The bill dedicates $10 million each year to the new Innovative Water Technology Grant Program created by Senator Baldwin to address water quality issues. Wisconsin entrepreneurs are at the cutting edge of water technology innovation, and this effort will help to ensure these new solutions are deployed to respond to threats to our drinking water, from lead in water to groundwater contamination. This effort is supported by The Water Council. Preventing Asian Carp from Reaching the Great Lakes This legislation also takes an important step to addressing a major threat to Wisconsin's economythe threat of Asian Carp entering the Great Lakes. The bill authorizes funding for the critical action-plan for blocking Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. Senator Baldwin was successful last year in ensuring the draft-version of the Brandon Road Study was released publicly. Finalizing this critical effort is the next step in Senator Baldwin's efforts to press for action and protect the Great Lakes fishery, a $7 billion industry. Investing in Clean Drinking Water Senator Baldwin fought for critical investments in WRDA to promote clean drinking water through the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. This funding will provide financial assistance to local governments in Wisconsin for drinking water infrastructure projects. In addition, WRDA reauthorizes and strengthens the Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act to support water infrastructure projects. WRDA also provides grant opportunities for states to assist local communities in addressing water contamination issues and increases funding for the monitoring, testing and replacement of school drinking water fountains that contain lead components. Strengthening Wisconsin's Coastal Communities WRDA directs the Army Corps to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the water resources needs of the Great Lakes System. Senator Baldwin worked to include this Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study to develop a coordinated strategy to manage and protect the Great Lakes coastline from threats associated with erosion, flooding and aging infrastructure. In Wisconsin, severe erosion threatens homes, public utilities and infrastructure in affected areas, including Mount Pleasant, Racine and Kenosha. This study has the support of seven Great Lakes states, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and several organizations including the Great Lakes Commission and Coastal States Organization. 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-to-force-vote-on-overturning-expansion-of-junk-plans,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Files Discharge Petition to Force Senate Vote on Overturning Trump Administration’s Expansion of Junk Insurance Plans,2018-10-09,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.09.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Files Discharge Petition to Force Senate Vote on Overturning Trump Administration's Expansion of Junk Insurance Plans Senate Will Vote this Week on Junk Plans that Can Deny Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions With 49 Senators supporting Baldwin's resolution, two Republican votes are needed to pass it in the Senate WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin filed a discharge petition that will force a Senate vote on her resolution to overturn the Trump Administration's expansion of junk insurance plans that can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and don't have to provide essential health services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care. The Senate vote on overturning the expansion of junk insurance plans is expected to take place on Wednesday. Last week, Senator Baldwinannounced that 49 Senators will vote in favor of her resolution, so just two Republican votes are needed for it to pass the Senate. The Trump Administration is rewriting the rules on guaranteed health care protections that millions of Americans depend on. These junk insurance plans can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and don't have to provide essential health services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care,said Senator Baldwin.Anyone who says they support health care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions should support this resolution. This is an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to protect people's access to quality, affordable health care when they need it most. Senator Baldwin's effort issupported by more than 20 of the nation's top health care organizations includingthe American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American Heart Association, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, WomenHeart, National Women's Law Center, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, American Psychiatric Association, Residential Eating Disorders Consortium, Protect Our Care, Families USA, AIDS United, Association for Community Affiliated Plans, Mental Health America and the Little Lobbyists. The signed discharge petition is availablehere. 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/uss-beloit,"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces the USS Beloit, Newest Littoral Combat Ship Honors Made In Wisconsin Manufacturing",2018-10-09,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.09.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces the USS Beloit, Newest Littoral Combat Ship Honors Made In Wisconsin Manufacturing Senator Baldwin advocated for designating this new Wisconsin-built LCS after the City of Beloit to honor its proud history of supporting the Navy and America's national security WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced that the newest Freedom variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will be named the USS Beloit to honor the City of Beloit for its contributions to the U.S. Navy and America's national security. Senator Baldwin advocated for naming LCS 29 after the City of Beloit to recognize this community's longstanding commitment to Wisconsin's maritime economy and our nation's defense. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin has consistently worked to secure funding for the LCS program, including the future USS Beloit, which will be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard. The LCS program is supported by thousands of skilled workers at the shipyard and at the 200 suppliers across Wisconsin, benefitting the state's manufacturing and shipbuilding industries. The City of Beloit has a proud history of supporting the Navy and the U.S. military. Citizens of Beloit have selflessly served in our Armed Forces, and companies like Fairbanks Morse that call the city homeand boast patriotic workforces that are second to nonehave ensured for generations that our servicemembers can safely and successfully complete their missions, said Senator Baldwin. So I was thrilled to champion this effort to recognize Beloit's support of the U.S. Navy and our national defense. The naming of a Navy ship is a significant honor steeped in tradition, and I want to thank Secretary Spencer for working with me on this exciting decision. The city and citizens of Beloit have been a steadfast supporter of the Navy and Marine Corps, said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. From building engines for freedom-variant LCSs to manufacturing components for the Ford-class aircraft carriers, the contributions of Beloit citizens make our Navy stronger, more capable, and more lethal. I am proud to name the next ship in honor of the city and citizens of Beloit. The City of Beloit is greatly honored by the U.S. Navy's recognition of this region's long-standing commitment to supporting the military. We take great pride in the men and women of our community who have dedicated themselves to our nation's security, whether it is through military service or behind-the-scenes work at companies like Fairbanks Morse. Fairbanks Morse has a significant history of contributing to the Navy, including when it put its locomotive business on hold to manufacture 1,650 engines in support of the nation's World War II efforts. This recognition of Fairbanks Morse's patriotism is well deserved, said Beloit City Manager Lori Curtis Luther. The relationship among the City of Beloit, Fairbanks Morse, and the Navy began in 1938, when Fairbanks Morse sold its first engine to the Navy. The City of Beloit greatly supported Fairbanks Morse's wartime efforts by building new housing developments, establishing new bus lines to bring in workers from adjacent communities and helping women join the workforce. Similarly, the Beloit community played a significant role in the war effort though the founding of the Council of Defense, which organized fundraising, scrap metal drives, civilian defense initiatives in case of blackouts and air raids, and the training of blackout workers and volunteers. Fairbanks Morse has over 125 years of history in Beloit and shares a very special relationship with the United States Navy, so we are extremely proud that LCS 29 will be officially named the USS Beloit to pay tribute to our long and significant association with the U.S. Navy beginning with World War II. I would also like to express our appreciation of Senator Baldwin's efforts advocating for this honor that every citizen of Beloit and every Fairbanks employee will be proud of, said Fairbanks Morse president Deepak Navnith. Fairbanks Morse manufactures a large percentage of the Navy's large medium-speed diesel engines and was selected as the Freedom variant Supplier of the Year in 2015. Senator Baldwin has long supported the work of Fairbanks Morse and their efforts to strengthen Wisconsin's manufacturing base. 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=2951,Kavanaugh is a Blight on Washington,2018-10-06,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Milwaukee, WI In response to today's 50 - 48 vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh,Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04)released the following statement: Today's vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh is a vote against women and sexual assault survivors. It's a vote that tells young girls across the country that their voices will not and should not be heard. The FBI investigation that took place this week was nothing more than a Trump-controlled sham designed as politicalcover for Republicans paying lip service to victims of sexual violence. There was no due process. There was no justice. History will undoubtedly remember this confirmation as a blight on Washington. Throughout his hearings, Judge Kavanaugh demonstrated a lack of candor and temperament befitting of the Supreme Court. His testimony was partisan, conspiratorial, and dishonest. President Trump selected Kavanaugh solely due to his radical belief that the president has near-monarchial power and stands above the law. The Federalist Society and Republicans selected him to tip the balance of the Supreme Court against women's rights, civil rights, justice, and progress. I've heard the cries of my constituents. I've heard the stories of survivors who've traveled across the country to protest. I know that despite today's loss, our fight is far from over. We will not allow our country to regress. We will not be forced into silence and submission. We have seen the soul of the GOP, and we are demanding change. United, our energy will bring justice and integrity back to Washington.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/statement-on-confirmation-of-judge-brett-kavanaugh,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court,2018-10-06,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.06.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court WASHINGTON, D.C. Following the final vote on the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to be Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement: ""The people of Wisconsin need a fair, non-partisan and independent Supreme Court Justice and based on everything we know, I do not have confidence that Judge Kavanaugh would be that justice. ""The stakes are too high for the American people, who do not want the Supreme Court to advance a political agenda to overturn the law of the land on health care for people with pre-existing conditions, women's reproductive health and the constitutional rights and freedoms of all Americans. ""Judge Kavanaugh has proven that he lacks the judicial temperament to serve on America's highest court and I do not believe he will provide the independence we need on our Supreme Court at this time. That is why I opposed his confirmation to the United States Supreme Court."" 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-ron-kind-celebrates-reopening-de-soto-high-school-s-football-field,Rep. Ron Kind Celebrates the Reopening of De Soto High School’s Football Field after 2016 Flooding,2018-10-05,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Celebrates the Reopening of De Soto High School's Football Field after 2016 Flooding De Soto - Thursday night, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind celebrated the reopening of De Soto High School's football field, which was washed out in the floods of September 2016. Rep. Kind worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help replace the field, which required $500,000 in repairs. As a former high school quarterback myself, many of my favorite memories were made under Wisconsin's Friday night lights, said Rep. Ron Kind. I am excited to see De Soto High School's field repaired and reopened, and look forward to watching a lot of great football on their new field. Rep. Kind also presented a new American flag to the school, which was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of the reopening of the field. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-requests-federal-disaster-declaration-help-wisconsinites,Rep. Ron Kind Requests Federal Disaster Declaration to Help Wisconsinites Impacted by Severe Weather and Flooding,2018-10-05,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Requests Federal Disaster Declaration to Help Wisconsinites Impacted by Severe Weather and Flooding La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind sent a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Walker's request for a federal disaster declaration for several Wisconsin counties impacted by flooding. Rep. Kind's letter also reiterates his call to the President to put the full support of the federal government behind flooding cleanup efforts. Many counties across Wisconsin's Third Congressional District were impacted, including La Crosse, Vernon, Monroe, Crawford, Richland, Juneau and Adams counties. My staff and I have been on the ground, touring flooded areas and helping Wisconsinites recover and begin the process of rebuilding our communities, said Rep. Ron Kind. Wisconsinites are strong, but there is no doubt that federal assistance will be needed to help everyone get back in their homes, businesses and farms. I welcome the Governor's declaration request, and again urge the President to fully support the state of Wisconsin, our communities, and our farmers. Read the letter here. Immediately after the flooding, Rep. Kind wrote a letter to President Trump requesting that he put the full support of the federal government behind cleanup and recovery efforts in Wisconsin. Rep. Kind requested additional assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for damage assessments, road and bridge repair assistance from the Department of Transportation (DOT), and farm and crop damage assistance from the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rep. Kind's office can help Wisconsinites work with federal agencies after flooding and severe weather. More information can be found by calling toll-free: 1-888-442-8040 or by visiting kind.house.gov. Residents are also encouraged to report home damage by calling 211, or their county emergency management offices. Farmers should report crop damage to their county's Farm Service Agency. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wbay-senate-passes-opioid-crisis-response-bill-that-includes-senator-baldwins-reforms,WBAY: Senate Passes Opioid Crisis Response Bill that Includes Senator Baldwin’s Reforms,2018-10-04,2018,2018-10,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/us-senator-tammy-baldwin-statement-on-fbi-background-investigation-of-judge-brett-kavanaugh,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on FBI Background Investigation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh,2018-10-04,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.04.18 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on FBI Background Investigation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh WASHINGTON, D.C. After reviewing the FBI's supplemental background investigation of sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement: ""It is clear to me that the White House and Senate Republicans stood inthe way of a full investigation of the credible allegations against this Supreme Court nominee by not allowing the FBI to interview Dr. Blasey Ford, Judge Kavanaugh and a number of witnesses who came forward publicly. My concerns that Judge Kavanaugh was hand-picked by powerful special interests and that he would overturn the law of the land on health care for people with pre-existing conditions and women's reproductive health have not changed. I am still not convinced that Judge Kavanaugh would serve as a fair, impartial and independent Supreme Court Justice. 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=2938,Lifting Mothers and Children Out of Poverty,2018-10-03,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC This week, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) introduced the RISE Out of Poverty Act, her signature legislation to overhaul our nation's only cash assistance program for mothers and children.In 1996, Congress replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) a program that eliminated entitlements, imposed work requirements, and limited education and training. These barriers severely restrictedthe reach of cash assistance. Today, TANF continues to fail struggling families who are unable to meet basic needs. I'll never forget spring of 1996 when Governor Tommy Thompson decided to end welfare as we know it, said Congresswoman Moore. I stood on the floor with 100 amendments filibustering the bill until the early hours of the morning. Months later, when this proposal was adopted by the US Congress and signed into law by a Democratic president, I knew I would spend the rest of my career fighting to save the safety net for women and children. 43 million Americans currently live in poverty, including millions in extreme poverty. My bill would make sweeping reforms to TANF to ensure it can actually work for the populations it's supposed to help. As a former welfare recipient who rose up out of poverty with the help of cash assistance, higher education, and food stamps, I understand how critical it is for Congress to fix this broken program. Our nation is only as strong as it's most vulnerable populations. Instead of criminalizing and demonizing the poor, we must help lift them up, so they too can escape poverty. Key provisions of the RISE Act will: Index the block grant for both inflation and child population growth in states since 1996. Replace the current contingency fund with one based on the Emergency Contingency Fund enacted in the Recovery Act which helped to create over 260,000 jobs. Stop the clock during a recession: RISE would make the 60-month time limit inapplicable during periods of high unemployment and require states to disregard months in which the state had unemployment rates of 6.5% or higher from being counted toward the 60-month limits. Guarantee child care for TANF work-eligible recipients. Require that States adopt standards and procedures to address domestic and sexual violence among TANF recipients. Eliminate full family sanctions and lifetime sanctions and establish a Pre- and Post-Sanction Review Process requiring states to continuously work with families that are subject to sanction or have already been sanctioned. Stipulate that the number one goal of TANF is child poverty reduction. Please find a full copy of the legislation here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-introduces-bipartisan-bill-assist-servicemembers-and,Rep. Ron Kind Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Assist Servicemembers and Families Transitioning to Civilian Life,2018-10-03,2018,2018-10,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Ron Kind Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Assist Servicemembers and Families Transitioning to Civilian Life La Crosse Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind introduced the bipartisan Improving Preparation and Resources for Occupational, Vocational, and Educational (IMPROVE) Transition for Servicemembers Act with Reps. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Walter Jones (R-NC). Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) have introduced a companion bill in the Senate. The transition from military life back into the civilian world is understandably challenging for many Servicemembers and military families. We need to do everything we can to ease this transition, and ensure every agency that helps in this process is working together seamlessly, said Rep. Ron Kind. I am proud to introduce the IMPROVE Act, so our Servicemembers and their families get the best transition assistance possible after courageously serving our nation. The IMPROVE Act will reform the existing Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for transitioning Servicemembers by emphasizing career technical training and higher education courses, increasing the ratio of TAP employees to Servicemembers, and by streamlining the accessibility of state-wide veteran services by creating a searchable database for Servicemembers and veterans. Rep. Kind has also recently co-sponsored and championed multiple bills aimed at helping Veterans find jobs when they return to civilian life, including the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act, the Better Jobs for Veterans Act and the Reduce Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act of 2018. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z