url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wfrv-baldwin-gets-the-job-done-for-wisconsin-farmers-in-federal-funding-bill,WFRV: Baldwin Gets the Job Done for Wisconsin Farmers in Federal Funding Bill,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wisn-baldwin-helps-secure-federal-funding-to-conduct-gun-violence-research,WISN: Baldwin Helps Secure Federal Funding to Conduct Gun Violence Research,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-secures-wins-for-wisconsin-in-bipartisan-defense-spending-legislation,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Secures Wins for Wisconsin in Bipartisan Defense Spending Legislation,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Secures Wins for Wisconsin in Bipartisan Defense Spending Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured a number of critical investments for Wisconsin in the final defense spending legislation that passed Congress this week and will be signed into law by the President today. I worked to make sure the final bipartisan defense spending bill includes a number of funding provisions that support our veterans and our economy in Wisconsin, said Senator Baldwin. I'm pleased the President will sign this bipartisan legislation and ensure we are continuing to invest in Wisconsin veterans, workers, manufacturers and our Made in Wisconsin economy. Funding for Opioid Drug Abuse Prevention for Veterans Senator Baldwin was able to secure $56 million in opioid treatment and prevention funding to support service members at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This funding will support the continued opioid safety initiatives and reforms outlined in Senator Baldwin'sJason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act,which was signed into law in 2016. At Baldwin's request, the legislation also directs the VA to report to Congress detailing the actions to address each finding and recommendation included in GAO's May 2018 report on progress made towards improving opioid safety. Great Lakes Ice Breaker The legislation adds $4 million in construction and personnel funding to hire the necessary staff for a new program office charged with building a second Great Lakes Icebreaker. The office is required to be set up within 6 months. An additional Great Lakes Ice Breaker will help ensure that vessels can effectively cross the Great Lakes without delay. Vessel delays caused by the 2018-2019 ice season resulted in the loss of 5,421 jobs that are dependent upon the U.S. fleet's ability to deliver cargo throughout the Great Lakes Region. Businesses that depend upon the region's maritime industry lost over $1 billion in revenues because of delays caused by inadequate icebreaking. Due to the lost business revenue, the federal government lost over $125 million in taxes in addition to the $46 million lost by state and local governments. Oshkosh Defense Wheeled Vehicles Senator Baldwin worked to make sure the final defense spending legislation includes full funding for Medium and Heavy wheeled vehicles produced by Oshkosh Defense.Restoring funding to these cuts proposed by the President is a priority that supports hundreds of jobs in small and medium sized businesses across the Midwest and are crucial to our national and economic security. Buy America Continuing her efforts to make sure America is buying what Wisconsin makes, Senator Baldwin pushed to make sure the final bipartisan legislation includes her Buy America amendment that will require certain American-made U.S. Navy ships to be built using domestically-sourced components, including ensuring that the U.S. Navy uses diesel engines produced by Fairbanks Morse Engine in Beloit. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/funding-to-conduct-gun-violence-research,Baldwin Helps Secure Federal Funding to Conduct Gun Violence Research For First Time in More Than 20 Years,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.19 Baldwin Helps Secure Federal Funding to Conduct Gun Violence Research For First Time in More Than 20 Years As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin has long supported funding for gun violence prevention research WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure $25 million in the Fiscal Year 2020 government funding agreement for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study gun violence prevention. This is the first time in more than 20 years that Congress has appropriated federal funding for gun violence research. In last year's funding bill, Congress adopted language clarifying that a longstanding measure that bars the use of federal dollars to advocate or promote gun control, known as the Dickey Amendment, does not prevent those funds from supporting research into the causes of gun violence. I believe that Congress has a moral responsibility to confront gun violence like the public health crisis it is, said Senator Baldwin. I'm proud to say Congress finally took action today and is providing $25 million to study the effects of gun violence on our communities, and how to prevent it so we can save lives. Research funding provides us with opportunities to reduce gun violence in the United States. The academic scientific community is excited to learn about the modest allocation of research funding that has been approved for NIH and CDC. As with other complex diseases, we can learn more about the causes and optimal treatments for patients who are injured with a bullet, said Stephen Hargarten, MD, MPH, Professor of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Associate Dean for the Global Health Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Director of the Comprehensive Injury Center. Gun violence is a significant and pervasive public health burden, and many of us have been working together to perform analysis and research on this issue. We collectively are dedicated to make our communities healthy and safe. This government funding agreement includes $12.5 million for CDC and $12.5 million for NIH to conduct gun violence prevention research. Baldwin has long supported funding for gun violence prevention research and has cosponsored legislation to provide funding for the CDC to conduct or support research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-votes-house-passes-usmca,"Rep. Kind Votes, House Passes USMCA",2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCToday, Rep. Ron Kind and the House of Representatives voted to pass the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). The agreement passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in a largely bipartisan manner. For months, my colleagues and I worked to get a trade deal that ensures a level playing field for Wisconsin farmers, workers, and families, keeps jobs in the United States, and makes this deal enforceable. I'm proud of the work we've done. This deal is a great example of what can be accomplished when people work across the aisle to get things done and should serve as the template for all future trade agreement negotiations. USMCA is a renewed commitment between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and I look forward to working with our trade allies to continue advancing a North American economy that creates good-paying jobs and is in line with our values, said Rep. Ron Kind. I now encourage Senate Majority Leader McConnell to not let this be yet another bipartisan bill to die in the Senate. Let's move this deal across the finish line so Wisconsin dairy farmers can finally get access to these new markets. With Mexico being one of our biggest export markets, we are thrilled to see USMCA move a huge step closer to being implemented, said Cindy Brown, President ofChippewa Valley Bean Co., Inc. Specifically, we appreciate Rep. Kind's tireless efforts to obtain robust enforcement language, this gives growers certainty that they will not encounter non-tariff barriers."" Pork producers are happy to see USMCA move across the finish line. Canada and Mexico import 40% of US pork exports. This agreement gives pork producers in Wisconsin the continued certainty that they need to export into these vital markets. We thank Ron Kind for his hard work to ensure that we retained zero-duty access into both markets, said Howard (AV) Roth, President-Elect of National Pork Producers, from Wauzeka, WI. Thanks to the work of the Teamsters, House Democrats, and our labor allies, we finally have a trade deal that protects worker interests and enforces labor standards, said Bill Carroll, Teamsters Joint Council 39 Political & Legislative Coordinator. The revised USMCA is better than the initially signed agreement and a significant improvement over the original NAFTA. This holiday season will be a bit brighter for America's dairy farmers as today's vote brings us one step closer to finalizing USMCA and securing a more certain future for the dairy industry, said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation. Wisconsin's dairy industry appreciates the work that Congressman Kind has invested to ensure USMCA will provide expanded market opportunities and a more level playing field for dairy exports, in a manner that will be effectively enforced to help ensure those gains are realized. Now we are counting on the Senate to act quickly and finalize USMCA in order to deliver its improvements to North American trade. Wisconsin Farm Bureau appreciates Ron Kind's work on the USMCA as part of the Ways and Means Committee. Farm Bureau members are optimistic about the future of the USMCA and subsequent trade agreements that will continue to support our farmers and rural communities, said Joe Bragger, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, from Independence, WI. Congressman Kind is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee's Subcommittee on Trade and the co-chair of the New Democrat Coalitions' Trade Task Force. The Ways and Means Committee is the most powerful - and the oldest - committee in the House of Representatives. In these roles, Congressman Kind worked diligently with Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal and United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer to improve the agreement that was negotiated by the Administration last fall. In March of 2017, before negotiations had even commenced, Congressman Kind called on the Administration to renegotiate NAFTA to increase dairy access into Canada for Wisconsin farmers. This win was included agreement allowing our dairy farmers to have expanded access into the Canadian market. Additionally, he also demanded that the revised USMCA be fully enforceable, including stronger labor and environmental protections. These changes were included in USMCA creating a new gold standard for trade enforcement. Rep. Kind also called for the end of misguided metal tariffs against our allies, the 232 tariffs on Mexico and Canada, which were removed before the ratification of the agreement. Lastly, Rep. Kind successfully called for ending the Administration's attempts to take more authority from Congress in the setting of tariffs by unilaterally changing the de minimis threshold for both Canada and Mexico. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-pocan-votes-no-on-usmca,Congressman Pocan Votes ‘No’ on USMCA,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement following the House of Representatives vote on the implementing bill for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. ""Today, I voted against the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Though this new deal is a definitive improvement from NAFTA, I cannot be confident that this trade deal would correct its core flaws that led to the outsourcing of hundreds of thousands of American jobs, as well as serious environmental concerns. ""This was not an easy vote. The original USMCA proposed by President Trump was an unacceptable handout to pharmaceutical companies as well as failing to protect workers or our planet. Democrats, unions, and progressive advocates stood up to the President, and made this new deal better—including improving labor standards, removing the big, sloppy kiss to Big Pharma and strengthening enforcement mechanisms. ""Unfortunately, I cannot be confident that this trade deal would heal the wounds inflicted by NAFTA including, rampant outsourcing of American jobs, the closing of factories and manufacturing facilities across the country, and decades of harm to working and middle-class communities. The deal also fails to take a once in a generation opportunity for North America to take bold, collective action to address the climate crisis that threatens the future of our entire planet. ""Assuredly, this trade deal will provide some certainty to Wisconsin farmers and dairy producers, struggling in our current economy. However, this is not a wholesale solution to the issues of dairy or other segments of agriculture in the Midwest. I call on the administration to cease their chaotic tactics and trade war by tweet that have put family farmers in harms way and contributed to the closing of over 1900 dairy farms since the start of Donald Trump's presidency. ""Our goal should be a trade deal that is a model for future deals—not merely a marginal improvement to existing law, with questions about its ultimate effectiveness.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-a-vote-that-sets-the-precedent-for-all-future-presidents,Pocan: ‘A Vote That Sets the Precedent for All Future Presidents’,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following video after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump. See the full text of his video below. On January 3rd, 2013, I was sworn into Congress. On that day, I swore an oath—an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all its enemies. Unfortunately, President Trump has made it clear: he doesn't support our Constitution. In July of 2019, President Trump blocked $400 million in Congressionally-approved aid that Ukraine desperately needed to defend itself against Russia. But he needed Ukraine to do him a favor first though. President Trump asked that the President of Ukraine launch an investigation into his political rival, Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, military aid and a meeting with the president would only come after. But this is not about a single call or a single transcript. This is about a perfect storm—months of activity directly ordered by the President to his senior Cabinet and political appointees. Months of activity led by this President to pressure the Ukrainian government to conduct investigations into his political rivals. There is no question about it—this was a clear and orchestrated plan laid out by this President, inviting a foreign power to interfere in our democracy. President Trump betrayed his oath of office. He abused the power of his office—the highest office in the land—for personal and political gain. Since then, he has refused to cooperate with a co-equal branch of the federal government—the United States Congress—by refusing to provide any documents or allowing any government witnesses to testify. This obstruction of Congress coupled with his shameless abuse of power make up the articles of impeachment the House of Representatives passed today. Our vote to impeach the president should not have been a partisan vote. It was a vote for our Constitution and a vote for the future of our country. It was a vote that sets the precedent for all future presidents—Democrat or Republican. In his long life, Donald J. Trump has never been held accountable for his actions. Today, Democrats sent a clear signal to this president and all future presidents: No one is above the law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/kbjr-senator-tammy-baldwin-secures-increase-in-funding-for-great-lakes-restoration-initiative,KBJR: Senator Tammy Baldwin Secures Increase in Funding for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-gets-job-done-for-farmers,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Gets the Job Done for Wisconsin Farmers in Government Funding Legislation,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Gets the Job Done for Wisconsin Farmers in Government Funding Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced two major successes for Wisconsin farmers and agriculture workers in the government funding agreement for Fiscal Year 2020. Baldwin worked to secure $20 million for her Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, as well as $10 million to provide our nation's farmers and agricultural workers with more mental health resources. Both of these investments for Wisconsin farmers are included in the government funding agreement that will be voted on in Congress this week. Senator Baldwin's FARMERS FIRST Act, introduced with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), was included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which passed the Senate last year. This year, Senator Baldwin worked to make sure her reform is fully funded at $10 million for Fiscal Year 2020, an increase of $8 million from Fiscal Year 2019. Baldwin's reform provides competitive grant funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to state departments of agriculture, state extension services, non-profits and tribes to establish helplines and websites, provide suicide prevention training for farm advocates, create support groups and reestablish the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). I worked across party lines to include theFARMERS FIRST Actin the Farm Bill and now I've worked across the aisle to fully fund it because we need to help our farmers when they are dealing with stressful times. Our Wisconsin farmers are facing many difficult challenges and we all need to work together to provide them the support they need, including more funding for local mental health resources,said Senator Baldwin. Senator Baldwin also successfully secured full funding of $20 million for her Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, which helps dairy businesses looking to get their start, grow their business, modernize their dairy plants and reach new markets. Baldwin's Dairy Business Innovation Act was included in the 2018 Farm Bill that passed Congress and was signed into law by President Trump. Wisconsin's dairy businesses are a key driver of our state's economy, but recently our dairy farmers have faced very challenging times with an oversupply of milk, low milk prices and tough impacts from tariffs, said Senator Baldwin. It's critical that farmers, cheesemakers and dairy processors have tools to innovate and develop new Made in Wisconsin dairy products to build a brighter future for our dairy farms and drive our rural economy forward. 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-articles-impeachment,Rep. Ron Kind Votes for Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCRep. Ron Kind released the following statement after voting for the articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump: Until now, I have reserved judgment, waiting for all the facts to come out. I've reviewed the evidence and followed the hearings. It's clear the President's actions were a flagrant abuse of constitutional power; it was unlawful, and it jeopardized our national security. The President had every opportunity to present contrary evidence but didn't. Instead, he chose to obstruct the inquiry, preventing top officials from testifying and withholding relevant information. My vote today was not about the President himselfmore importantly, it was about defending the rule of law, our Constitution, and what signal we send future presidents of what is acceptable behavior. Asking another country to meddle in our election and withholding vital security assistance from an ally is what our founders feared and why they placed impeachment in our Constitution. If any presidentDemocrat or Republicanhad committed these offenses, I would have reached the same conclusion. I took an oath of office, not to any political party or person, but to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States--and it's an oath I take seriously. It's why I've supported impeachment inquiries into both Presidents Clinton and Trumpthe only member of Congress to do so. Because Congress is the only institution in our democracy that can hold a president accountable. The decision of whether or not the President should be removed from office now rests with the Senate. In the meantime, I will continue to work across party lines, tackling issues of importance like lowering health care and prescription drug costs, ending trade wars, and combating the student loan debt crisis.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-calls-on-purdue-pharma-to-cancel-bonus-for-ceo,"Baldwin, Colleagues Call on Purdue Pharma to Cancel $1.3 Million Bonus for CEO",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.19 Baldwin, Colleagues Call on Purdue Pharma to Cancel $1.3 Million Bonus for CEO By maintaining the aggressive incentive plan for Mr. Landau, the Board is showing that it does not recognize the role the incentive program played in accelerating the opioid crisis into a national tragedy. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin led 10 of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Purdue Pharma's Board of Directors, calling on them to cancel the reported $1.3 million bonus they are planning to give to Purdue Pharma CEO Craig Landau. Attorneys General from 24 states, including Wisconsin, have argued that Landau should not collect a bonus, and on Thursday, a bankruptcy judge is expected to issue a decision on whether the CEO can collect it. From the letter, the Senators write, We write to you today with concerns about the $1.3 million incentive bonus payment you have proposed to make to Purdue chief executive officer Craig Landau while your company is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Mr. Landau is a named defendant in multiple lawsuits, which allege he personally designed Purdue's intentionally deceptive opioid marketing campaign. Further, the payment is based on aggressive performance incentives similar to those used to encourage opioid sales. As such, we ask that you cancel the incentive payment to Mr. Landau and reevaluate your incentive payment plan to ensure your company puts patient safety ahead of profits. Purdue's opioid marketing campaign accelerated an opioid epidemic that has claimed an estimated 400,000 lives. The campaign generated $35 billion in revenue for Purdue and likely significant incentive bonus compensation for Mr. Landau for achieving ambitious opioid sales targets. The Senators are concerned that Purdue is using profits from selling more prescription opioids to reward high-level employees with massive bonuses, rather than helping states ravished by the opioid crisis that the company made worse. The Senators continue, By maintaining the aggressive incentive plan for Mr. Landau, the Board is showing that it does not recognize the role the incentive program played in accelerating the opioid crisis into a national tragedy. While the filings indicate that Purdue's sales incentive plan will not pay bonuses for opioid sales, it is not clear that the operating profit incentive will exclude opioid sales from its calculation. The company's recently-submitted compensation proposal would incentivize Mr. Landau to meet aggressive sales targets, and could result in the unwarranted prescription and irresponsible distribution of opioids and other addictive drugs. While the proposal indicates that Purdue's sales incentive plan will not pay bonuses for opioid sales, it is not clear that the operating profit incentive will exclude opioid sales from its calculation. In their letter, the Senators highlight that there is no indication the very compensation policies that encouraged its employees to allegedly deceive doctors and patients to sell opioids have been removed from the current compensation plan to sell other drugs. They conclude, In closing, we again urge you to cancel your proposed incentive bonus payment to Mr. Landau, and reevaluate your entire incentive pay program to ensure that your company puts patient safety ahead of profits. The full letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-secures-funding-increase-for-great-lakes,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Secures Increase in Funding for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Secures Increase in Funding for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, successfully secured $320 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for Fiscal Year 2020, an increase of $20 million from FY19. The increased investment in GLRI is included in the government funding agreement that will be voted on in Congress this week. Investments in the Great Lakes are an investment in the future of Wisconsin's economy. I am proud to have worked in a bipartisan way to increase funding for our Great Lakes, said Senator Baldwin. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has earned bipartisan support and is critical for the health of our region, our communities, and our clean water resources. It helps us clean up polluted sites, restore water quality and combat invasive species. Preserving the Great Lakes is not just an environmental goal - it is an economic necessity for Wisconsin. Since its inception, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has tripled the successful cleanup and delisting of Areas of Concern, reduced phosphorus runoff and the threat of harmful algal blooms, controlled and stopped the advancement of invasive species, and restored wildlife habitat over thousands of miles of rivers and waterways. Since 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has provided more than $2.5 billion to fund 4,706 projects throughout the Great Lakes region. Senator Baldwin has long been a champion of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. In July, Senator Baldwin, a member of the bipartisan Senate Great Lakes Task Force, introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019 to reauthorize and expand funding for the Great Lakes. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-working-for-wisconsin-in-ndaa,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Working for Wisconsin in National Defense Authorization,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Working for Wisconsin in National Defense Authorization Baldwin's legislation to strengthen Buy America requirements, support American workers and manufacturers included in NDAA WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin voted for the final version of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 that includes a number of measures that deliver results for Wisconsin. The final version of this defense funding bill now heads to the President's desk for his signature. I voted in favor of this bipartisan defense authorization legislation because it makes important investments to strengthen our national security and support our service members and their families,said Senator Baldwin.In particular, I am pleased the final bill includes a pay raise for our troops and gets rid of the widow's tax. It makes sure that federal Small Shipyard grants support American workers and businesses, and authorizes funding for a number of projects important to Wisconsin's military personnel and our Made in Wisconsin economy. Supporting Service Members and Military Families The bill includes a 3.1% pay raise for service members and eliminates the military widow's tax. Senator Baldwin is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Widow's Tax Elimination Act that was included in NDAA to repeal the law that prevents as many as 65,000 surviving military spouses nationwide from receiving full Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs survivor benefits. Strengthening Buy America Standards for Small Shipyard Grants Program Senator Baldwin's bipartisan legislation to strengthen Buy America requirements for federal Small Shipyard Grant funding was included in the final NDAA. The measure will support American businesses, manufacturers and workers. While Buy American requirements already apply to the Small Shipyard Grant Program, there is a loophole in the Maritime Administration's rules that allow these federal grants to be used to purchase foreign-made equipment. Baldwin's provision in NDAA will close this loophole to support American businesses and workers like Marine Travelift in Sturgeon Bay, which employs nearly 200 workers and uses Wisconsin-sourced materials to manufacture boat handling equipment that is exported around the world. Reinforcing Navy Shipbuilding in Wisconsin The bill includes more than $1 billion in initial funding for the Navy's Future Frigate. Fincantieri Marinette Marine is competing to build this future ship in Wisconsin, which will continue to support Senator Baldwin's priority of expanding good-paying Made in Wisconsin shipbuilding jobs. The final defense funding bill also included Baldwin's amendment to require certain Navy ships to be built using domestic diesel engines, like those produced by Fairbanks Morse Engine in Beloit. Additionally, the bill includes Baldwin's bipartisan amendment to direct the Navy to examine how it can bring more Navy maintenance work to Great Lakes shipyards. Protecting Workers against China's Attempts to Undermine American Industries Senator Baldwin, along with Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), secured their amendment in the final NDAA to prevent federal funds from being used by transit agencies to purchase rail cars or buses manufactured by Chinese state-owned, controlled, or subsidized companies. The Chinese government continues to use a range of state subsidies and predatory practices to support its market ascension in certain sectors of the United States' economy, including rail manufacturing and bus manufacturing. This amendment would prevent federal transit funds from being used by transit agencies to procure Chinese rail assets and ensure transit agencies develop and execute a cybersecurity plan to protect American industries and national security. Boosting Wisconsin Manufacturers The final NDAA includes an increase of $130 million for Oshkosh Defense's Tactical Wheeled Vehicles. Investing in Hi-Tech Careers in the Chippewa Valley Senator Baldwin secured an amendment requiring a plan from the Department of Defense to leverage commercial supercomputing for defense, allowing the U.S. and Wisconsin to continue advancing American leadership in supercomputing, provide critical technology to our most difficult research and computational questions, and accelerate the deployment of new computer technology. Cray Computing in Chippewa Falls has been building the world's leading supercomputers for decades and will be competing to develop and build the next generation of supercomputers. To compete with countries like China, the Department of Defense must begin taking advantage of the innovation, science, research and technology presented by the commercial sector. Combatting Water Contamination in Wisconsin Senator Baldwin has been taking action to ensure Wisconsin has clean drinking water, including addressing water contamination from chemicals containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The final NDAA bill requires that the military phase out the use of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), prohibits the uncontrolled release of PFAS at military installations, and provides new tools for states to initiate environmental cleanup of PFAS at military facilities, including sites in Wisconsin like Truax Field. However, provisions she supported in the Senate's NDAA to provide resources for nationwide environmental testing for PFAS and establish enforceable standards for PFAS in drinking water were not included in the final legislation. Communities in Wisconsin are facing concerning levels of PFAS contamination in their drinking water and the federal government needs to take urgent action to protect public health, said Senator Baldwin. I strongly supported provisions in the Senate-passed NDAA this summer that would protect Americans' drinking water from PFAS, and it's just wrong that they are not included in this defense reauthorization bill. I helped introduce legislation to develop better ways to detect PFAS chemicals in our water and environment, and the Senate should bring it up for a vote and pass it. I will keep working to get this done.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4439,Congresswoman Moore Supports Committee Passage of United States Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA),2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Supports Committee Passage of United States Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Today, the Ways and Means Committee voted to pass the USMCA. In response, Congresswoman Moore issue the following statement: I am proud to vote in support of the improved United States Mexico-Canada Agreement today. Throughout the negotiating process, I remained concerned that, unless we address the lack of basic labor rights in Mexico, American workers would continue to be at a competitive disadvantage. After the House Democrats secured major revisions to the agreement, I am hopeful that the rapid response labor enforcement mechanism created in this updated agreement can lead to greater equity in international trade. But to make it successful we need to work together. We need to work together to find common grounds with Mexico as they implement their labor reforms and build new labor courts. The labor attachs should be partners with Mexico. Together we can foster a renewed integration of our nations and nurture our mutually beneficial relationships. By ensuring workers throughout our region are protected by the strongest labor rights we can finally level the playing field. Unfortunately, this agreement fell short in addressing the climate crisis. Democrats have taken up climate change as a key issue. Not only does the USMCA not mention climate change once, but it also provides no binding restrictions on production of greenhouse gases in partner countries. Due to these lax restrictions, companies are able to outsource their production of greenhouse gases to other countries simply by purchasing carbon-intensive products from outside of the U.S.We should not be giving corporations a free loophole to pollute our neighboring countries, especially when that pollution will eventually come back in the long term to harm our communities. Notwithstanding the fact that additional improvements could be made to further modernize NAFTA, I believe the USMCA provides laudable modern fixes to a 25 year old agreement that reflect American priorities and values. Mexico and Canada are Wisconsin's top trading partners. Our manufacturing industry, unions, dairy farmers, and Wisconsin workers, industries and businesses need a fair trade agreement to support our regional economy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ron-kind-s-statement-passage-omnibus-appropriations-act,Rep. Ron Kind’s Statement on the Passage of the Omnibus Appropriations Act,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted against the fiscally irresponsible government spending package, which includes a number of policies unrelated to funding the government, including significantly increased spending and around $500 billion in lost revenue for the Government. The 1,773-page bill was released less than 24 hours before the final vote and fails to responsibly address our national debt. Today's spending bill is yet another example of the unwillingness of Republicans and Democrats to make tough decisions surrounding our excessive spending and national debt, said Rep. Ron Kind. This package will skyrocket our national debtjeopardizing the future of Social Security and Medicare, failing to prepare for the 70 million Baby Boomers who are beginning their retirement, and saddling future generations with massive debt because Congress keeps passing bills that aren't paid for. Rep. Kind's interest in finding savings in government programs began as an intern for Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin. While interning, Rep. Kind was tasked with investigating wasteful government spending programs for Sen. Proxmire's Golden Fleece Awards. The spending package does include Rep. Kind's bipartisan Giveback Deficit Reduction Act, which will require that all unused Congressional office funds be returned at the end of every fiscal year to the U.S. Treasury, and be used for deficit or debt reduction. Rep. Kind has returned nearly $2 million to the Treasury over his tenure. Unfortunately, the $500 billion in unpaid for tax cuts, combined with the recent $2.3 trillion partisan tax bill, and the over half-trillion dollars in increased interest payments due to this reckless behavior will leave a legacy of debt that will reach far beyond our children and grandchildren.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/fox-6-senator-baldwin-working-to-support-affordable-housing-for-volunteer-firefighters,Fox 6: Senator Baldwin Working to Support Affordable Housing for Volunteer Firefighters,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/weau-baldwins-reform-to-create-three-digit-suicide-prevention-hotline-passes-commerce-committee,WEAU: Baldwin’s Reform to Create Three-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline Passes Commerce Committee,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wkbt-senator-baldwin-leads-climate-crisis-committee-hearing-joined-by-la-crosse-mayor-tim-kabat,"WKBT: Senator Baldwin Leads Climate Crisis Committee Hearing, Joined by La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat",2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/wisconsin-senators-provide-recommendations-to-white-house-for-district-court-vacancy,Wisconsin Senators Provide Recommendations to White House for District Court Vacancy,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.19 Wisconsin Senators Provide Recommendations to White House for District Court Vacancy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson announced on Friday their agreement to recommend to the White House four Wisconsinites for consideration to fill the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin created by the retirement of the late Judge Rudolph Randa. The candidates, Joseph Bugni, Samuel Hall, Jr., Brett Ludwig and Daniel Vaccaro, were recommended by a bipartisan federal nominating commission that the Wisconsin senators established in April 2013 to move federal nominations forward, including nominations to vacant federal judgeships in Wisconsin. The full text of the Wisconsin senators' letter of recommendation to the White House is here and below. December 13, 2019 The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: We are pleased to recommend the following individuals to fill the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin created by the retirement of Judge Rudolph Randa: Joseph Aragorn Bugni Samuel Craig Hall, Jr. Brett H. Ludwig Daniel Jay Vaccaro These candidates were recommended by our Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission that we established to screen applicants. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ron Johnson Tammy Baldwin United States Senator United States Senator Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-tammy-baldwin-continues-working-to-improve-palliative-care-and-hospice-workforce,Senator Tammy Baldwin Continues Working to Improve Palliative Care and Hospice Workforce,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/fair-drug-pricing-act-passes-house,U.S. House of Representatives Approves Senator Baldwin’s Bipartisan Reform To Help Lower Prescription Drug Costs,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.19 U.S. House of Representatives Approves Senator Baldwin's Bipartisan Reform To Help Lower Prescription Drug Costs The bipartisan FAIR Drug Pricing Act takes the first step to address skyrocketing prescription drug costs by requiring transparency from drug corporations WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's bipartisanFAIR Drug Pricing Actpassed the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan reform takes the first step in addressing skyrocketing prescription drug prices by requiring transparency for pharmaceutical corporations that plan to increase drug prices. Baldwin's legislation was included in H.R.3, The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which passed the House by a vote of 230-192. For too long, I've heard story after story from Wisconsinites who are struggling to afford the life-saving medications they need. Drug corporations are making prescription drugs more expensive with no systematic transparency to taxpayers,said Senator Baldwin. Today is a major step forward for my bipartisan reform, and brings us one step closer to holding drug companies accountable for jacking up the prices on medications that Americans need. Now, I am calling on the Senate to take action so we can take on the rising costs of medicine people depend on, and bring relief to American families. In 2019, on average, drug prices have increased at 5 times the rate of inflation. AbbVie has increased the price of the top-selling anti-inflammatory drug, Humira, by almost 250 percent in the past five years to nearly $40,000. Pfizer regularly increases the price of its drugs often twice a year. In 2017, Pfizer raised drug prices twice by an average of 20 percent for more than 90 drugs. Meanwhile, American taxpayers continue to pay more each year because of the rising costs of drugs. Medicare spent nearly $130 billion on prescription drugs in 2016, and Medicare's portion of U.S. national drug spending has increased from 18 percent in 2006 to 30 percent in 2017. TheFair Accountability and Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act, which Baldwin introduced in May with Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Tina Smith (D-MN), would require drug manufacturers to disclose and provide more information about planned drug price increases, including research and development costs. Increased transparency will help provide much-needed context for taxpayers, consumers and policymakers about the costs and value of medications, and may also incentivize companies to reassess the long-standing practice of relentless drug price increases. Specifically, theFAIR Drug Pricing Actwould require drug manufacturers to notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and submit a transparency and justification report 30 days before they increase the price of certain drugs that cost at least $100 by more than 10 percent in one year or 25 percent over three years. The report will require manufacturers to provide a justification for each price increase, manufacturing, research and development costs for the qualifying drug, net profits attributable to the qualifying drug, marketing and advertising spending on the qualifying drug, and other information as deemed appropriate. The bill will not prohibit manufacturers from increasing prices, but it will, for the first time, give taxpayers notice of price increases and bring basic transparency to the market for prescription drugs. This reform is supported by AARP, Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Patients For Affordable Drugs, American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Neurology, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Kaiser Permanente, 340B Health, The Medicare Rights Center, Families USA, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc., Marshfield Clinic Health System, Security Health Plan, Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), Public Citizen, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Alliance for Retired Americans, and Medicare Rights Center. 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=4415,Congresswoman Moore Votes to Pass Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Votes to Pass Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs f t # e Washington, December 12, 2019 Congresswoman Moore Votes to Pass Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs Today, Congresswoman Moore voted in support of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan 230 192 vote. In response to the House's passage of H.R. 3, Congresswoman Moore issued the following statement: I am thrilled to be tackling an issue that keeps too many Americans up at night: the soaring price of prescription drugs. Prescription drug prices are forcing Americans to make unfathomable choices that can jeopardize their health and their lives. No one should have to choose between paying for life-saving treatment and paying the bills. No one should have to consider rationing their medicine. Big Pharma has reaped profits off the backs of hard working Americans by imposing exorbitant price tags that they cannot justify. Today, we're standing up to Big Pharma to rein in their price-gouging. House Democrats have pledged to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Today, we are delivering on our promise so Americans can access the drugs they need at prices they can afford. Key Components Among other H.R. 3 will reform prescription drug pricing in our nation by giving Medicare the ability to negotiate lower drug prices in line with the prices charged in other countries and making those prices available to private insurance providers, placing an out-of-pocket cap on these costs for people with Medicare Part D. H.R. 3 reinvests the savings of nearly $500 billion from these reforms into medical and pharmaceutical research for new cures and treatments and historic new benefits for vision, for dental and hearing for Medicare beneficiaries. Estimated number of beneficiaries who will gain from H.R. 3's expansion of Medicare coverage: New benefits Number of beneficiaries in WI-04 Dental 103,100 Vision 78,000 Hearing 97,200 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-votes-pass-landmark-legislation-lower-cost-prescription,"Rep. Ron Kind Votes to Pass Landmark Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs, Allow Medicare to Negotiate Prescription Drug Prices",2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCToday, Rep. Ron Kind voted for and the House passed H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, legislation that would lower prescription drug prices and level the playing field for American patients and taxpayers. The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act: Gives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with the drug companies and creates powerful new tools to force drug companies to the table to agree to real price reductions, while ensuring seniors never lose access to the prescriptions they need. Makes the lower drug prices negotiated by Medicare available to Americans with private insurance, not just Medicare beneficiaries. Limits the maximum price for any negotiated drug to be in line with the average price in countries like ours, where drug companies charge less for the same drugs. Creates a new, $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, and reverses years of unfair price hikes above inflation across thousands of drugs in Medicare. Extends Medicare coverage for seniors to include dental, vision, and hearing. Included in this legislation is Rep. Kind's Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019, which will increase transparency by providing notice to seniors when less expensive Medicare prescription drug plans are available to them and was introduced earlier this year. Today's vote brings us one step closer to relieving the burden of prescription drug prices for thousands of Wisconsinites, and millions of Americans. I am proud to vote for a bill that will help level the playing field so folks can pay fair prices for the prescription drugs they need without sacrificing other necessities, said Rep. Ron Kind. It is now up to the Senate to pass this important legislation so that seniors can find a prescription drug plan they can afford. Drug companies are price-gouging older Americans and taxpayers who pay the highest drug costs in the world, said Lisa Lamkins AARP Wisconsin Associate State Director for Advocacy. AARP is proud to support H.R. 3, which would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap out-of-pocket costs for Part D enrollees. The bill also enhances Medicare by improving access and adding needed dental, hearing, and vision coverage. AARP applauds Congressman Kind and his colleagues for passing H.R. 3 and working to provide relief for older Americans struggling to afford needed medications and services. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act will lower prescription drug costs by $492 billion spending over ten years. The legislation passed through the House with bipartisan support, 230-192.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/commitment-to-veteran-support-and-outreach-act,"Baldwin, Sullivan, Tester, Daines Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Veteran Suicide Crisis",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.19 Baldwin, Sullivan, Tester, Daines Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Veteran Suicide Crisis WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand community-based outreach that will help veterans access services to improve their health and wellness and prevent suicides. The number of veteran suicides nationwide continues to rise, and approximately 14 of the 20 veterans who die by suicide each day are not receiving care from the Veterans Health Administration. County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) are often the first point of contact in the community for veterans and are on the frontlines in this battle against veteran suicides by helping enroll veterans into the VA Health Administration. The Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act will increase resources for CVSOs that will better connect more veterans to the services they need. In 2017 alone, more than 6,100 veterans died by suicide, an amount nearly equal to the number of servicemembers killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. The veteran suicide rate has stayed relatively constant for the past 10 years and we need to do something about it, said Senator Baldwin. County Veteran Service Officers are on the frontlines everyday working to combat this tragic crisis, and this bipartisan legislation will support their efforts to provide needed services and solutions for our veterans that will improve their health and well-being. Alaska is home to more than 75,000 veterans, yet less than half of them are currently enrolled in the VA system, said Senator Sullivan. That means thousands of veterans are not connected to the benefits and health care services that they have earned. Local partners and veteran service officers are crucial resources in states, like Alaska, to reaching these off-the-grid veterans. This bipartisan bill, along with the groundwork already being done at my request by the Veterans Benefits Administration in Alaska, will reinforce the VA's mission to expand its reach and ensure veterans who live in rural, frontier states do not get left behind. Too often our Montana veterans have to drive hundreds of miles one way to get to help with VA claims, said Senator Daines. This bipartisan legislation provides critical resources to expand outreach for Montana veterans to help with their healthcare, benefits and wellness needs. Veterans are not always aware of the benefits available to them and CVSOs are often the first to inform them of their eligibility. CVSOs are local county employees who are nationally accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help veterans process their VA claims. These employees are responsible for successfully processing more than $22 billion in claims annually for direct compensation and pension benefits for veterans. They also provide assistance to veterans on a range of benefits and services, including compensation benefits, VA home loans, education benefits and available job placement assistance. However, there is currently no federal funding support directly available for CVSOs. The CVSO Act authorizes $50 million annually for five years to expand and support CVSOs or similar local entities, who currently assist veterans in obtaining critical benefits and services. The VA will award competitive grants to CVSOs, through the states, to create, expand, or support programs that promote health and wellness, prevent suicide and reach veterans who need help navigating the often-burdensome VA process. By increasing the number of CVSOs, states will be able to better leverage their local and federal resources to serve our veterans. The legislation is supported by the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO), the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and many individual CVSOs, local officials and stakeholders in Wisconsin and Alaska. Counties provide much-needed services to millions of veterans and their families, said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. The Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act will help us better connect veterans to key health, housing and career readiness resources. We applaud Senators Baldwin and Sullivan's bipartisan efforts to support county veterans service officers, and we look forward to working with Congress to better serve veterans in our communities. NACVSO applauds introduction of the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act' by Senator Tammy Baldwin. This Act will provide Federal support to County, Tribal, and State Veterans Service Officers that have historically been the first point of contact for veterans seeking to utilize their VA benefits and it will ensure that veterans have continued and expanded access to community advocates, said Herm Brueur, President of National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO). We currently have lost more veterans by suicide than those we have lost in executing the current wars. It is imperative to have advocates in the counties and communities where veterans and their families live to connect them with their earned benefits. This legislation provides resources to market VA benefits, create new CVSO offices to reach those who are struggling, or provide training for current CVSO offices. This will enhance the services for our veterans and ensure they have access to well-trained professional advocates at the local level to connect them to their benefits and improve the quality of their lives. They deserve these services for their service to our great country, said Joseph G. Aulik, Director of Veterans Services for the Brown County CVSO in Green Bay, Wisconsin. We support Senator Baldwin's initiative to strengthen our Sheboygan County Veteran Service Office outreach and services to veterans and their families. Sadly, veteran suicides continue to rise, and this funding will bolster our efforts to help people in need and save lives, said Adam Payne, Sheboygan County Administrator. This bill reflects a wonderful partnership between the Senate, the VA, and the states working together on behalf of veterans. It will go a long way to ensure the delivery of health and wellness programs, combat suicide, and increase a state's ability to improve outreach efforts and serve our veterans where they live especially in frontier states, like Alaska. This is a huge step in keeping our nation's promise to our veterans. said Verdie Bowen, State of Alaska Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs and former President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. More information on the legislation is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/national-suicide-hotline-designation-act-passes-committee,Baldwin’s Bipartisan Reform to Create Three-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline Passes Commerce Committee,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.19 Baldwin's Bipartisan Reform to Create Three-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline Passes Commerce Committee National Suicide Hotline Designation Act designates 9-8-8 as a suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's bipartisan reform to designate a three-digit phone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline and ensure states have the flexibility to strengthen local crisis call centers. In America, we lose about 45,000 people every year to suicide, including more than 6,100 veterans, making it one of the leading causes of death in this country, said Senator Baldwin. We need to do everything we can to prevent suicide and that means improving the tools we have to help people who are suffering from depression or other mental health issues. I'm proud my bipartisan legislation is moving forward so we can make it as quick and easy as possible for Americans in crisis to get the help and support they need through the National Suicide Hotline. The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis line are 10-digits, which is a barrier to Americans in crisis seeking support. TheNational Suicide Hotline Designation Actdirects the FCC to designate 9-8-8 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and allows veterans to press 1 after dialing 9-8-8 to be routed automatically to the Veterans Crisis Line for veteran-specific mental health support. Death by suicide is a severe problem in the veteran community with about 17 veterans committing suicide every day, on average. In 2017, in Wisconsin for example, one out of every five people who died by suicide was a veteran. The bipartisan legislation also recognizes that LGBTQ youth are also uniquely at risk of suicide and requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to report to Congress on its plans to facilitate specific training programs for these communities, as well as how best to implement a process so that LGBTQ Lifeline callers can access specialized services. Baldwin introduced this bipartisan reform with Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jack Reed (D-RI). Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) are cosponsors of the legislation. This legislation is endorsed by the American Legion, National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, NowMattersNow.org, United Suicide Survivors International, Open Minds, National Association for Rural Mental Health, Mental Health America, Tourette Association of America, the Kevin & Margaret Hines Foundation, the American Telemedicine Association, the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, Illinois Association of Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Association of Providers, Postpartum Support International, Education Development Center, National Board for Certified Counselors, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, Association For Ambulatory Behavioral Health, SMART Recovery, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice, Confederation of Independent Psychoanalytic Societies (CIPS), 2020 Mom, the American Association of Suicidology, the American Counseling Association, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American Psychological Association, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Behavioral Health Link, Centerstone, Depression Association of America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Council for Behavioral Health, RI International, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, Mental Health Colorado, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, and The Trevor Project. 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=4414,Congresswoman Moore Introduces the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Introduces the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Moore introduced H.R. 5392 the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, which would extend the solvency of Social Security and make key reforms to improve the program benefits so that Social Security works better for vulnerable Americans. Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: I lived in poverty and I am so grateful for the government assistance programs that provided me with the opportunity to improve my financial situation and make a better life for me and my family. I came to Congress and fought hard to join the esteemed Ways and Means Committee so that I could advance policies that promote basic economic fairness. That's why I am excited to sponsor legislation that would preserve and enhance the Social Security program. Social Security is the North Star of public policy. Social Security benefits act as the foundation of workers retirement security, and too often as the sole source of income for retirees. But Social Security is not just a retirement program; it is the most successful antipoverty program in our nation`s history. Without Social Security, around 22 million more Americans would live below the poverty line. Yet, the system's integrity is at risk. Social Security is fully funded until 2035 but faces a financing shortfall after that. Any solution that involve cuts to benefits is unacceptable to me. Additionally, any reform of this critical program should include benefit improvements that help women, people of color, and low-income people. I'm looking out for the elderly and women (because they generally live longer than men) who are more likely to outlive their benefits. I am speaking up for people of color who have suffered as a result of institutional inequities. I am advocating for children of retired, disabled or deceased workers who are full-time students enrolled in college or vocational schools. Reinstating the student benefit recognizes that children who are full-time students after age 18 are often still in fact dependent on their parents for their support and that children of Social Security beneficiaries may be unable to pursue an education without this benefit. I am supporting caregivers because this uncompensated labor is not free. Endorsing organizations: National Women's Law Center, Social Security Works, National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, Strengthen Social Security Coalition.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/climate-hearing-on-extreme-weather-from-climate-change,Senator Baldwin Leads Climate Crisis Committee Hearing on Building Community Resilience in the Face of Extreme Weather from Climate Change,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.19 Senator Baldwin Leads Climate Crisis Committee Hearing on Building Community Resilience in the Face of Extreme Weather from Climate Change Senate Democrats heard from experts, local officials on need to take action now to help communities rebuild after severe weather WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a hearing of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis entitled, Better, Stronger, Smarter: Building Community Resilience in a Future of Extremes. The special committee heard from local officials and national experts on how we can take action now to help communities rebuild after severe weather to be more resilient and better withstand future disasters. Many communities in Wisconsin are focused on building back stronger and more resilient because they know and live the reality of a changing climate every day, and they know the enormous local costs to taxpayers, said Senator Baldwin during the hearing. Climate change is certainly a big, global problem. But it is also, just as importantly, a local reality. We need to partner with our communities, counties and states to do more. Natural disasters associated with climate change are already increasing costs for local governments, particularly for rebuilding infrastructure. Repeated rebuilding is not financially sustainable, so designing and building infrastructure to withstand the next storm is essential as severe weather becomes more frequent and more intense. Communities must have resources and guidance to make proactive investments in their resilience and rebuild more effectively. Among the experts and local officials who provided testimony to the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, Mayor Tim Kabat of La Crosse, Wisconsin spoke to the costs associated with having to rebuild again and again after severe storms. La Crosse is like other river communities as we have learned to live, work and play in the Mississippi River and its watershed. We are also like other communities in that we are experiencing significant challenges because of our changing climate and weather patterns, said Mayor Kabat in his opening remarks. We need stronger partnerships with our federal agencies and greater flexibility in how resources are implemented on the ground. Earlier this year in La Crosse, Senator Baldwin, Mayor Kabat and other local officials met to discuss the need to invest in resilient infrastructure and flood mitigation so that communities are better equipped to withstand extreme weather eventsincluding flooding in La Crosse. Senator Baldwin has introduced bipartisan legislation that would help states rebuild stronger roads, highways and bridges as they recover from natural disasters by incorporating resiliency improvements into their emergency relief projects. The Rebuilding Stronger Infrastructure Act is included in the surface transportation reauthorization bill that passed out of committee in July. 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=4411,Congresswoman Moore on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore on Articles of Impeachment f t # e Washington, December 10, 2019 Congresswoman Moore on Articles of Impeachment Today, the House Judiciary Committee unveiled two articles of impeachment that charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. In response, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: Every President takes a sacred oath to protect the country and the interests of the American people. As a Member of Congress, I took a similar oathto support and defend the Constitution.When Trump solicited a foreign government to investigate a political rival for personal and political gain, he violated his oath. The Founding Fathers included mechanisms for presidents who abuse their power.Impeachment is that mechanism. I do not take these actions lightly, but President Trump has left Congress no choice but to move forward with articles of impeachment to uphold the Constitution and protect our democracy. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4412,Congresswoman Moores Amendments in the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act Pass the House,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore's Amendments in the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act Pass the House Today, Congresswoman Moore voted for the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act, which includes ten bills to ensure that coastal communities are properly prepared to address the climate crisis. The package, as passed, includes two amendments offered by Congresswoman Moore to guarantee low-income and tribal communities are involved in climate change planning. Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: I am proud to support the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act, which ensure coastal communities have the resources to properly respond to the effects of climate change. The underlying bill includes the Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act which I strongly support that would expand the Coastal Zone Management Act to allow tribal governments to also implement coastal and shoreline measures that support public safety, public access, and cultural and historic preservation. In that spirit, I proposed amendments to ensure that coastal tribal and low-income communities are not left out of critical planning for the future in other programs created in the bill. For too long, low-income communities have lacked the political and economic power to protect their communities from environmental and health hazards, even though they are particularly vulnerable and disproportionately affected. Similarly, our Native brothers and sisters are seeing climate change threaten their water and food sources. These are communities that have contributed to the least amount of greenhouse emissions, but are seeing climate change harm their way of life. Environmental injustice has weakened their voices, but this amendment strengthens their voices by requiring two programs in the bill (the Living Shoreline Grant Program and the Climate Change Adaption Preparedness and Response Program) to consult with these communities in developing plans that will guide funding decisions. We need to engage everyone to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. No one can be left out because nobody can afford to be left behind.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4413,Congresswoman Moore Statement on USMCA Trade Agreement,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Statement on USMCA Trade Agreement Washington, DC Congresswoman Moore released the following statement today on the announcement of a USMCA trade agreement: Today, Speaker Pelosi, Ways and Means Chairman Neal and the USMCA working group announced that they had reached agreement on a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico that modernizes NAFTA. I look forward to seeing the final text of the trade agreement. House Democrats fought hard to improve the agreement the Trump Administration negotiated last year to promote a level the playing field for workers while securing strong environmental and labor protections. We need to deliver the promises of open international trade, policies that will drive a better future for all Mexicans, Canadians and Americans, policies that fuel economic growth and raise living standards across our hemisphere. American workers continue to feel pressure from the loss of so many good-paying jobs as a result of globalization and I believe Congress needs to promote greater equity in international trade and fair-trade policies. Mexico and Canada are the top export markets for Wisconsin and with exports valued at more than $10 billion.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-statement-uscma-agreement-update,Rep. Kind Statement on USCMA Agreement Update,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCToday, Rep. Ron Kind released the following statement after Speaker Pelosi announced that a deal has been reached with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Lighthizer: I'm glad that Congress and this Administration have reached an agreement on the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). For months, my colleagues and I have worked and advocated for a trade deal that will ensure a level playing field for Wisconsin workers and farmers, keep jobs in the United States, and make this deal enforceable. Without enforceability, the gains achieved for workers and families would not exist and Wisconsin farmers would not have been guaranteed access to the Canadian dairy market. The work that has been done around this deal is a great example of what can be accomplished when people work across the aisle to get things done. The bipartisan efforts, changes to labor standards, increases in enforceability measures, and the solidifying of agricultural access should all serve as a baseline for how future trade agreements will be drafted. Raising standards in trade agreements to level the playing field for workers, farmers, and businesses is vital so we are not trying to compete in a race to the bottom that will jeopardize jobs in America. Trade relationships are never finishedespecially with our closest neighbors and alliesand I look to this as a renewed commitment between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and will continue to work on these vital matters to advance a North American economy that creates good-paying jobs and is in line with our values. I look forward to closely reviewing the revised textand as long as the new version of USMCA meets the standards we've fought forI look forward to working with my colleagues to getting this agreement across the finish line. Rep. Ron Kind worked tirelessly for years to push for the following to be included in the new USMCA trade agreement: Eliminated Canada's class 7 dairy program, creating guaranteed access to the Canadian dairy market for Wisconsin farmers. Improved Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards for farmers Increased labor and environmental standards Created a digital chapter for the 21st Century Faster and more enforceable dispute settlement process",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/statement-on-national-guard-bureau-report-on-wisconsin-national-guard,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on National Guard Bureau Report on Wisconsin National Guard,2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.09.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on National Guard Bureau Report on Wisconsin National Guard WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement todayon the National Guard Bureau's Office of Complex Investigations (OCI) assessment of the Wisconsin National Guard's sexual assault protocols, reporting mechanisms, investigations and accountability measures: I have a tremendous amount of respect for the service and sacrifice of our Wisconsin National Guard service members and I have worked for over a year to do right by courageous whistleblowers and brave survivors of sexual assault who came forward and contacted my office. I want to thank Governor Evers for joining me in calling for the National Guard Bureau's Office of Complex Investigations to conduct this independent and comprehensive assessment of the Wisconsin National Guard's handling of sexual assault and harassment. Our Wisconsin National Guard service members deserve leadership of unmatched integrity and a work environment free of sexual assault, harassment and the fear of retaliation. This National Guard Bureau report makes clear they have received neither. The failure of leadership, wrongdoing, and lack of accountability that has been uncovered demands change at the Wisconsin National Guard, including new leadership and implementing all of the report's recommendations on how best to prevent sexual assault and harassment, and confront it with accountability when it occurs. Now that the first steps of change are being taken, I support Governor Evers' executive order to work towards true justice for the survivors of sexual assault and accountability for those that committed crimes against them. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/us-senator-tammy-baldwin-delivers-weekly-democratic-address,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Delivers Weekly Democratic Address,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/waow-baldwin-pushing-legislation-to-stop-veterans-from-being-punished-for-va-miscalculations,WAOW: Baldwin Pushing Legislation to Stop Veterans from Being Punished for VA Miscalculations,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wjfw-baldwin-introduces-reform-to-provide-affordable-housing-for-volunteer-firefighters,WJFW: Baldwin Introduces Reform to Provide Affordable Housing for Volunteer Firefighters,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wkbt-baldwin-working-to-provide-affordable-housing-for-volunteer-firefighters,WKBT: Baldwin Working to Provide Affordable Housing for Volunteer Firefighters,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wkow-house-approves-baldwins-reform-to-protect-health-care-workers-from-workplace-violence,WKOW: House Approves Baldwin’s Reform to Protect Health Care Workers from Workplace Violence,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wsaw-senator-baldwin-working-to-prevent-overmedication-among-veterans,WSAW: Senator Baldwin Working to Prevent Overmedication Among Veterans,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-delivers-dem-address,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Delivers Weekly Democratic Address,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Delivers Weekly Democratic Address In May, the ENROLL Act passed the House of Representatives, said Senator Baldwin. But since then, it's been sitting in Majority Leader McConnell's legislative graveyard because Senate Republicans have refused to give it a vote, pass it and get it done. They've made it clear they support Trump's efforts to make it harder for people to sign up for quality, affordable coverage. WASHINGTON, D.C. As the open enrollment deadline for health insurance quickly approaches on December 15, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) delivers this week's Weekly Democratic Address. In the address, Senator Baldwin outlines how Congressional Democrats are fighting to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans while Congressional Republicans and President Trump are sabotaging our health care system by backing a lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act and expanding junk insurance plans that don't have to cover people with pre-existing conditions. Senator Baldwin highlights that she is focused on passing the ENROLL Act to help more people find comprehensive health care plans that meet their needs at a price they can afford. Sadly, this is yet another bill sitting in Majority Leader McConnell's legislative graveyard. Senator Baldwin closes by arguing that we cannot let the GOP health care sabotage continue, calling on Americans to continue signing up for quality, affordable health care coverage before open enrollment ends and pushing Leader McConnell to pass the ENROLL Act. The Weekly Democratic Address is available in bothAUDIO AND VIDEO FORMAT. You may download the audio of the addressHERE and the video of the addressHERE. Senator Baldwin's remarks as delivered follow: Hi, I'm Tammy Baldwin and I have the honor of working for Wisconsin in the United States Senate. When it comes to health care, the difference between Democrats and Republicans today couldn't be more clear. Congressional Republicans and President Trump tried to pass repeal plans that would take away people's health care and allow insurance companies to charge more or deny care for people with pre-existing health conditions. When that effort failed because the American people spoke out, the Trump administration went to work sabotaging our health care system instead of working on bipartisan solutions that will lower health care costs and expand coverage for hardworking families across this country. President Trump is in court right now trying to overturn the Affordable Care Act entirely, including guaranteed protections for 133 million Americans who have pre-existing health conditions. His administration is trying to make it harder for people to enroll in quality, affordable health care coverage by slashing federal funding for the Affordable Care Act navigator program by 84 percent. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is expanding junk health insurance plans that don't have to cover pre-existing conditions or provide essential benefits that families need, like prescription drug coverage, emergency room services or maternity care. President Trump is even using American taxpayer dollars to promote these junk insurance plans that could leave you stuck paying thousands out of pocket if you get sick. The people of Wisconsin did not send me to Washington to take people's health care away, so I'm working to help more Americans get access to quality health care, especially during open enrollment, which ends on December 15th. I introduced my ENROLL Act to restore funding for the navigator program that President Trump slashed, and help more people find comprehensive health care plans that meets their needs, at a price they can afford. Navigator programs are so important to helping millions of people find the right health care plan, whether its private insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, or coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. In May, the ENROLL Act passed the House of Representatives. But since then, it's been sitting in Majority Leader McConnell's legislative graveyard because Senate Republicans have refused to give it a vote, pass it and get it done. They've made it clear they support Trump's efforts to make it harder for people to sign up for quality, affordable coverage. After three years of sabotage, more Americans are uninsured today than when President Trump took office. And this year, enrollment numbers are down again. As the open enrollment period comes to a close, we cannot let that trend continue. So sign up for health care coverage, shop around, make sure that the insurance you have works for you and your family. We will continue to say no the sabotage and no to the junk plans. And we will continue to fight against health care repeal because no family should be forced to choose between helping a loved one get better or going bankrupt. Let's work to make things better, not worse. Tell Mitch McConnell to say yes to providing more access to quality, affordable health care coverage by passing the ENROLL Act today.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4410,Congresswoman Moore Supports Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Improve Housing Conditions in Indian Country,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Supports Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Improve Housing Conditions in Indian Country WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI) joined Reps. Denny Heck (D-WA), Scott Tipton (R-CO), Deb Haaland (D-NM), Tom Cole (R-OK), Ben Ray Lujn (D-NM), Don Young (R-AK) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), in introducing a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) through 2024. NAHASDA provides federal funding and assistance to tribes to ensure that their members can access safe, affordable housing. I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that respects Tribal sovereignty and meets our trust obligation to Native Americans by providing funding for low-income housing,"" said Moore. ""Native people experience some of the highest levels of poverty and, too often, this means that they experience some of the most severe shortages of quality housing. NAHASDA is a proven poverty alleviating program that uplifts Native tribes. I look forward to working with my bipartisan allies in Congress to pass this legislation. The data is disturbingly clear: Indian Country is facing a severe housing crisis, said Heck. NAHASDA is one of the best tools Congress wields to respond to this crisis, yet, NAHASDA programs have stood expired for years. If Congress wants to get serious about fulfilling its federal trust responsibility when it comes to housing, we must dust off our #1 policy toolNAHASDAand pass a bill to reauthorize these critical programs. ""NAHASDA plays an important role in providing Native American tribes with affordable housing options,"" said Tipton. ""With the block grants and loan opportunities available to them in this reauthorization, tribal communities can continue to make strides to create good and affordable housing a reality on their own terms."" ""Housing is a necessity for families to grow and thrive, but the federal government continues to fail to uphold the trust responsibility to Native Nations creating severe housing shortages in Indian Country, which was even further exacerbated when the Native Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act expired. The Native House Assistance and Self Determination Act is a critical measure to ensure Tribes can exercise self-governance. We're working to improve housing assistance programs for Tribes, so folks can raise their families in safe and affordable homes,"" said Haaland. Providing housing for Native Americans is a trust obligation of the United States Government, said Cole. For those living in Indian Country, particularly on reservations and without adequate housing, the federal government has a responsibility to undertake this issue. As an original cosponsor of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act, I am proud to be one of many introducing this bipartisan legislation to reauthorize funding for tribal housing across the country. It is my privilege to support reauthorization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and to support Congress' efforts to provide culturally responsive housing assistance for Native peoples, said Lujn. We cannot forget the role that safe and secure homes have in sustaining community health, especially for our service members. That is why I am proud to have my Tribal HUD-VASH bill authorizing housing assistance for Native veterans included in this legislation. Assuring domestic nations have the resources they require to tailor housing solutions to their citizenry is a crucial part of our trust obligation and our promise to safeguard Tribal sovereignty. I look forward to working with Rep. Heck, my colleagues in Congress, and Native Nations in moving this bold piece of legislation forward in the 116th Congress. ""NAHASDA is a fundamental component of upholding the federal trust responsibility to our nation's Indigenous Peoples and Alaska Natives. The housing programs it supports have a proven track record of success, although tremendous needs still exist in Native communities across the country, said Young. This introduction reflects years of work with tribes and Native organizations to develop and advance the best approach for reauthorizing NAHASDA and combating some of the tragically inadequate housing conditions in the nation. The policy improvements within this legislation are long overdue, and I am grateful to Congressman Denny Heck and my fellow cosponsors for their leadership on this critical issue. I look forward to working with my friends on both sides of the aisle to once again move this legislation towards final passage."" ""I'm excited to see Congress reintroduce a new NAHASDA reauthorization bill,"" said Gary Cooper, Chairman of the NAIHC Board of Directors and Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation. ""The NAHASDA programs hasn't been updated since 2008, and tribes deserve the needed certainty that reauthorization would provide. While the bill would authorize and update NAHASDA, I applaud Congressman Heck and all the cosponsors on including language in the bill that would make a number of other federal housing programs work better for Indian Country. While the bill may not include everything on tribes' wishlists for housing, it is a strong start, and I look forward to working with Congressman Heck, the Financial Services Committee and all of Congress to get this bill passed."" The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2019 would reauthorize NAHASDA programs, including the Native American Housing Block Grant, the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant, and loan guarantee programs. The bill also includes provisions to update NAHASDA and improve the federal response to the housing crisis in Indian Country more generally. The bill authorizes critical programs like the tribal HUD-VASH program and the Native American Housing Block Grant Competitive Grant Program. Native Americans living in tribal areas experience some of the poorest housing conditions in the U.S., and are several times more likely to live in housing that is physically substandard or overcrowded than the U.S. population as a whole. They are also more likely to live in poverty than the general population, further contributing to housing problems. In light of these conditions and the federal government's trust responsibility to Native American tribes, Congress has provided funding for Native American housing programs for several decades. In 1996, Congress passed the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) to respond to the housing crisis in Indian Country. NAHASDA authorizes the Native American Housing Block Grant (NAHBG) and the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG), which tribes and tribally-designated housing authorities can use to fund a range of affordable housing activities to benefit low-income tribal households. NAHASDA also authorizes loan guarantee programs to encourage mortgage lending on tribal lands and to help tribes obtain private financing for housing activities. In 2015, HUD estimated that over 100,000 housing units have been built, acquired, or rehabilitated since the NAHBG began. The NHHBG has been used to build, acquire, or rehabilitate nearly 600 homes since the program began, and to provide services or training to another 1,500 households. The authorization for most NAHASDA programs expired at the end of Fiscal Year 2013. The Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant program has not been reauthorized since its initial authorization expired at the end of Fiscal Year 2005.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-kind-and-schweikert-lead-bipartisan-resolution-reaffirming-united,Reps. Kind and Schweikert Lead Bipartisan Resolution Reaffirming United States’ Commitment to the World Trade Organization,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), along with a bipartisan group of members from the House Committee on Ways and Means introduced a House resolution encouraging the Administration to participate with other World Trade Organization (WTO) members in reforming the Appellate Body to address longstanding concerns and get the Appellate Body in working order. Specifically, the resolution reaffirms the United States commitment as a member of the WTO and work with other WTO members to achieve reforms that will: Improve the speed and predictability of dispute settlement Address longstanding concerns with the WTO's Appellate Body Increase transparency at the WTO Ensure that WTO members invoke special and differential treatment reserved for developing countries only in fair and appropriate circumstances Update the WTO rules to address the needs of the United States and other free and open economies in the 21st century The WTO is the institute that enforces the world's rules-based trading system, without it we would be in a race to the bottom. However, it's clear there are appellate body issues that need to be addressed and rules that need to be modernized for the 21st century. These changes are going to be written with or without our country's involvementit's up to us to decide who is holding the pen, said Rep. Ron Kind. This resolution demonstrates that the House of Representatives supports the WTO as an institution and instructs the Administration to work with our allies to give the body the reforms it needs so desperately. I am proud to be joined by so many of my Ways and Means colleagues to push this forward. For decades, the United States, through the World Trade Organization (WTO), has helped shape the rules for global commerce and knocked down trade barriers, allowing American businesses and its workers to grow and prosper. I support USTR's efforts to work with our friends to make the WTO more efficient and more transparent, and I recognize and appreciate the WTO is and continues to be a crucial linchpin in global trade. I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of this resolution and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to strengthen the WTO, said Rep. David Schweikert. So much of Northern Virginia's economy depends on trade, and sustaining American leadership on trade in part rests on our continued role in the World Trade Organization, said Rep. Don Beyer. A reformed WTO remains our best hope for sustaining a rules based trading system where Americans can thrive, and needed reforms will only be achieved with American engagement and leadership."" Innovators across North Texas rely on the WTO to institute and enforce trade rules. America having a seat at the table is vital to ensuring that our interests are protected and that the international marketplace is free and fair, said Rep. Kenny Marchant. Our resolution calls on the administration to remain engaged with our WTO allies and to work towards reforms that further these goals. While there is no doubt that the WTO requires significant reforms to deal with countries like China, I believe that a functioning WTO still offers the United States the best chance to ensure that trade liberalization is achieved in a manner that is consistent with our values. If we abandon the WTO, it will be harder for us to engage globally and drive the agenda on key issues shaping our future like e-commerce and privacy, said Rep. Suzan Delbene. As global trade is vital for Kansas and our country, we need free and fair trade and an efficient and modernized World Trade Organization (WTO). I am proud to cosponsor this resolution highlighting the need to reform the WTO and appreciate Congressman Kind's leadership on this bipartisan issue, said Rep. Ron Estes. At this time of crisis for the World Trade Organization, Congress must reaffirm its support for a strong rules-based global trading system, said Rep. Terri Sewell. American workers, farmers, and manufacturers depend on an equitable and transparent WTO, and America must take a leading role in proposing thoughtful and equitable reforms. In October, Rep. Kind led a bipartisan congressional delegation trip to Geneva, Switzerland where they met with official and discussed the modernization of the WTO, including ways to address the looming appellate body issue. The Ways and Means Committee is the most powerful - and the oldest - committee in the House of Representatives. It has jurisdiction over tax measures, the management of public debt, trade and tariff laws, Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and many other economic growth measures. Read the resolution text here -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-votes-to-affirm-two-state-solution-for-palestine-and-israel,"Pocan Votes to Affirm Two-State Solution for Palestine and Israel, Opposition to Settlement Expansion",2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), today released the following statement after the passage of H.Res.326, Affirming Support for a Two-State Solution and opposition to settlement expansion in the West Bank. ""Today's vote is a clear and necessary message to Palestinians and Israelis that Congress supports a two-state solution for peace in the region—including opposing the illegal expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Also, this is the first time we have necessarily expressed that a viable two-state solution must include explicit support for humanitarian aid for Palestinians. Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent pledge to annex the West Bank eliminates any possibility of a future Palestinian state and the reality of long-lasting peace in the region. Moving forward, if Israel continues with this expansion, Congressional assistance could change.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-reform-to-provide-affordable-housing-for-volunteer-first-responders,"Baldwin, Rounds, Tester, Capito and Roberts Introduce Reform to Provide Affordable Housing for Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders",2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.19 Baldwin, Rounds, Tester, Capito and Roberts Introduce Reform to Provide Affordable Housing for Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) today introduced bipartisan legislation to provide affordable housing opportunities for volunteer firefighters and first responders in order to help recruit and retain more volunteers, particularly in rural and under-served communities. According to the National Fire Protection Association's 2017 U.S. Fire Department Profile, 65 percent of firefighters nationwide are volunteers, and fire departments rely on these volunteers to help respond to a wide array of local emergencies. Recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters is critical for thousands of communities, yet local volunteer fire departments, especially those serving small and rural communities, find it difficult to meet staffing needs and attract younger volunteers. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act would expand eligibility for qualified volunteer first responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs and provide a greater incentive for more volunteers to stay and continue to serve their communities. Fire departments in Wisconsin and throughout the nation rely heavily on volunteer firefighters and EMS first responders. We need to make sure that those who volunteer their time to serve have affordable housing in their community, said Senator Baldwin. For someone who wants to be a volunteer firefighter, or for someone who is currently is, this bipartisan legislation would make owning a home more affordable and help with volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention. Expanding the eligibility for qualified volunteer emergency responders to participate in federal housing assistance programs has a number of benefits, said Senator Rounds. It encourages volunteering, provides agencies with a recruitment and retention tool, makes it easier for volunteer responders to remain living in their communities, and is a great way to say thank you' for their service. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation to support our volunteer emergency responders. Volunteer first responders risk their lives to keep our families safe and our communities secure with no compensation for their efforts, said Senator Tester. This bill will make recruiting volunteers easier, and will help the men and women who respond to trouble afford to live in the communities they so bravely serve. Hundreds of rural communities across West Virginia rely on volunteer firefighters and EMS professionals, Senator Capito said. This bill works to address the staffing and retention issues many stations face by providing housing incentives. The goal is to encourage these local heroes to continue their brave work in their communities, and this bill will help accomplish that. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act will help incentivize people in rural areas to volunteer for this critical service, said Senator Roberts. Many communities in Kansas are exclusively protected by volunteer first responders and it's critical we provide incentives like this to help recruit and retain these volunteers. This legislation makes it possible for more volunteer emergency responders to participate in the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. This existing program assists approved lenders in providing loans to low- and moderate- income households to build, rehabilitate or improve a home in eligible rural areas. The bill will allow volunteers to participate in the loan program even if their income exceeds the maximum allowable income level by up to $18,000. It also makes volunteer emergency responders eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. This existing program gives law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians a 50 percent discount from the list price of a home located in a revitalization area. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act is supported by National Volunteer Fire Council, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Housing Assistance Council, National Rural Housing Coalition, National Association of Towns and Townships, National Association of Counties, Wisconsin State Firefighters Association, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Wisconsin Counties Association and Wisconsin Towns Association. Senator Baldwin's collaborative and bipartisan effort to develop the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act is a critical step toward incentivizing and rewarding the fire and EMS volunteers that quietly protect and serve millions of Wisconsinites, stated Mike Koles, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Towns Association. In addition to putting out fires and saving lives during accidents and medical emergencies, increasingly Wisconsin's volunteers have provided exemplary leadership in responding to natural disasters. Yet, these heroes are retiring and not adequately being replaced with new volunteers. Affordable housing opportunities, such as created in this Act, are an essential tool in providing safe and vibrant communities throughout the Badger state. I'd like to thank Senator Baldwin and all of the bipartisan cosponsors of the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act for their leadership on this important issue, said National Volunteer Fire Council Chair Steve Hirsch. Many fire, EMS, and rescue departments are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteer personnel. Helping volunteer emergency responders buy, renovate, or refinance their home is a fantastic retention incentive that also makes it easier for volunteers to continue living in the community where they serve. Local governments and first responders are on the front lines of protecting public health, safety and well-being, said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. Many counties, especially in rural areas, enlist volunteers to provide critical emergency services. We applaud this bipartisan effort to expand affordable housing opportunities for volunteer first responders and their families. More information on the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/veterans-overmedication-and-suicide-prevention-act-2019,U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Dan Sullivan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Overmedication Among Veterans,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.19 U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Dan Sullivan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Overmedication Among Veterans WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced theVeterans Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct an independent expert study on the deaths of all veterans being treated at the VA who died by suicide or from a drug overdose in the last five years. I have worked across party lines to hold the VA accountable because too often our veterans have been prescribed drugs as a first resort before exploring other safer ways of getting the care they need. I'm proud to continue that work by leading this bipartisan effort with Senator Sullivan to confront the overmedication of veterans and prevent suicide deaths,said Senator Baldwin. Our veterans and their families deserve solutions to the challenges they face and this bipartisan legislation can help improve and save the lives of those that have served and sacrificed for our country. Throughout my service as an officer in the Marine Corps Reserve, I witnessed the struggles our servicemen and women experience in their search for proper care,said Senator Sullivan.It is our collective obligation as members of Congress and as American citizens to better understand the factors that contribute to veteran suicide, bolster preventative measures, and prevent these tragedies from occurring. Making sure that the VA has a holistic understanding of the information needed to stem veteran suicide is a critical step in this effort, and one that this bill makes great strides in addressing. This review would ensure that the VA has accurate information about the relationship between veteran suicides and prescription medication. Additionally, this legislation would direct the VA to perform a more comprehensive review of its behavioral health workforce with a focus on mental health counselors in an effort to address workforce shortages. These professionals will increase access to services and help reduce the incidence of suicide. In a September 2019 report released by the VA, the department confirmed that at least 60,000 veterans had died by suicide between 2008 and 2017. Among U.S. adults, the average number of suicides per day rose from 86.6 in 2005 to 124.4 in 2017. These numbers included 15.9 veteran suicides per day in 2005 and 16.8 in 2017. In 2017, the suicide rate forveterans was 1.5 times the rate for non-veteran adults, after adjusting for population differences in age and sex. The legislation would require a National Academies of Science study to review: The total number of veterans who died by suicide in the last five years; The total number of veterans who were involved in a violent, suicidal or accidental death; The prevalence of medications or illegal substances in the system of each veteran who died; The number of instances in which the veteran was concurrently on multiple medications prescribed by VA physicians or non-VA physicians; The percentage of veterans who are receiving non-medication first-line treatment (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) as treatment and its effectiveness compared with other treatments; An analysis, by state, of programs of the VA that collaborate with state Medicaid agencies, including an analysis of the sharing of prescription and behavioral health data for veterans; and Other aspects of care and recommendations to improve the safety and well-being of veterans. 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=4409,Congresswoman Moore Supports Decision to Move Forward with Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Supports Decision to Move Forward with Articles of Impeachment f t # e Washington, December 5, 2019 Congresswoman Moore Supports Decision to Move Forward with Articles of Impeachment The public hearings into the impeachment inquiry have allowed Americans to hear from courageous public servants and career-long diplomats. Each of these selfless Americans reaffirmed that what Trump did was plain wrong and refutes the shifting justifications that the White House and its allies have offered regarding him asking Ukraine's president to do me a favor. Additionally, throughout each of the hearings, the facts have not changed. Trump engaged in an unprecedented abuse of power for personal political gain, at the expense of our national security and the integrity of our elections. The House is moving forward with articles of impeachment because these heinous actions threaten our democracy. No one is above the law, not even the President. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4408,Congresswoman Moore Votes in Support of Legislation to Help End Robocalls,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Votes in Support of Legislation to Help End Robocalls f t # e Washington, December 4, 2019 Congresswoman Moore Votes in Support of Legislation to Help End Robocalls Today, the House passed the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (TRACED Act), to strengthen federal efforts to stop the stream of robocalls thataffect every community across the country.This bill will help give the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and DOJ additional tools to combat robocalls. Robocalls are a nuisance and can sap precious time. These calls can also scam Americans into giving away their personal information and money. We have also seen these calls bombard hospitals, diverting critical attention and resources. Today, Congress took steps to prevent Americans from being bombarded with robocalls and potentially defrauded by passing the TRACED Act. With nearly half of all cell phone calls being robocalls, I am grateful that Congress came together on a bipartisan basis to act. I am proud to support this legislation and will continue working to protect consumers. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-demands-usda-secretary-perdue-provide-plan-support-family-farms,Rep. Kind Demands USDA Secretary Perdue Provide Plan to Support Family Farms as China Talks Fall Flat,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Rep. Ron Kind sent a letter to Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue demanding a plan to provide certainty and support for family farms, who areas Secretary Perdue likes to saycasualties of this trade war. This letter comes as a deadline for new tariffs on consumer goods is set to take effect on December 15th and following comments from President Trump suggesting that he may wait until after the 2020 election to end the trade war with China. Wisconsin loses an average of two farms a day and is leading the nation in the number of family farm bankruptcies for the second year in a row. As farmers are facing these headwinds, they are finding export markets increasingly closed off. In the first four months of 2019 alone, Wisconsin agriculture exports dropped nearly five percent compared to 2018, and agriculture exports to China fell drastically by 31%. Since the Administration's trade war began in March of 2018, Wisconsin taxpayers have paid $ 743 million in additional tariffs. For over a year now, farmers in Wisconsin and across the country have been forced to bear the brunt of this reckless and erratic trade war, and just when there seemed to be a light at the end of this very long tunnel, the rug is pulled out from under them, said. Rep. Ron Kind. This Administration promised that relief was coming, but it hasn't happened, leaving our farmers waiting with no end in sight. If this Administration is going to keep our farmers closed off from important export markets, then Secretary Perdue and his colleagues must come up with a plan to support them during these uncertain times. This summer, Rep. Kind wrote to Secretary Perdue demanding more information on large purchases of agricultural products the President claimed China would be making. More than 150 days later, these purchases have still not been made and no further information was provided by the Secretary on when farmers should expect these purchases. Read the letter here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-kind-and-davis-introduce-bill-reauthorize-training-realtime-writers,Reps. Kind and Davis Introduce Bill to Reauthorize the Training for Realtime Writers Act,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCToday, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation that will reauthorize a grant program to encourage careers in realtime writing and court reporting. In 2007, Rep. Kind introduced the Training for Realtime Writers Act, which was passed and signed into law as part of the Higher Education Act of 2008. The grant program allows colleges and universities to apply for funding specifically to help encourage more students to pursue a career in realtime writing, closed captioning, or court reporting. Around 48 million Americans are deaf or hard-of-hearing and many of them rely on captioning services for news and information. From maintaining the integrity of our democracy to ensuring every citizen stays up to date on today's 24-hour news cycle, realtime writers are vital to folks everywhere, said Rep. Ron Kind. Over the past decade, this program has encouraged a new generation of realtime writers to enter this vital field. I am proud to work across the aisle with Rep. Davis to reauthorize this program so we can continue to increase awareness and interest in this profession. The Training for Real-Time Writers grant is an important grant program that ensures we have the necessary resources to train court reporters and captioners for the estimated 48 million Americans who are deaf or impacted by hearing loss, said Rep. Davis. These funds have been incredibly successful in training the current generation of captioners and court reporters by modernizing curriculums, developing new captioning-specific programs, and increasing attendance at institutes of learning through student recruitment, scholarships, advertisements, equipment upgrades, and distance learning programs. I'm proud to be introducing this legislation to reauthorize this program with my colleague, Rep. Kind and look forward to working to ensure it is included as the House tackles Higher Education Reauthorization this Congress. Read the bill text here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/veterans-debt-fairness-act,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Support for Legislation to Stop Veterans from Being Punished for VA Miscalculations,2019-12-02,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Support for Legislation to Stop Veterans from Being Punished for VA Miscalculations Bipartisan bill would prevent VA from holding veterans responsible for benefits overpayment WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to prevent the VA from charging veterans for its own accounting mistakes. The VA annually sends as many as 200,000 overpayment notices totaling thousands of dollars to veterans and their families, sending them into crippling debt and withholding future benefits payments until the debt is paid. These overpayments are often a result of the VA's own accounting errors, but the VA puts veterans and their families on the hook for repaying the debt. The bipartisan Veterans Debt Fairness Act, led by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), John Boozman (R-AR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would reduce these overpayment errors and require the VA to hold itself, and not veterans, accountable for its mistakes. The bill requires the VA to shoulder the debt burden of overpayments if the VA was responsible for the debt. Forcing our veterans and their families to use their VA benefits for the department's own accounting mistakes dishonors their service and sacrifice. We must do right by our veterans and protect their economic security, said Senator Baldwin. I'm supporting this bipartisan effort to ensure those who have served our nation don't go into debt or have their VA benefits taken away through no fault of their own. VA benefit overpayment notices have been steadily increasing, sometimes for a payment period dating back as far as five years. Many of these debt overpayments are at no fault of the veteran or their dependents, but rather VA accounting errors and record mismanagement. Currently, the VA can send out debt repayment notices to veterans requesting the full amount due within 30 days while freezing all benefit payments until the debt is repaid. The Veterans Debt Fairness Act requires the VA to update its computer systems so veterans can update their own information regarding their beneficiaries, eliminating a key cause of overpayments. Under their bill, the VA would be required to offer electronic notification of debt notices, including information on how to file appeals and hardship waivers. Debt collection would have to adhere to a 5-year backlog time limit and no more than 25% withholding of benefit payments. Other cosponsors of the Veterans Debt Fairness Act include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Full text of the legislation 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=4407,Congresswoman Moore and Congresswoman Fudge Introduce Legislation to Fight Poverty and Honor Unpaid Work,2019-12-02,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore and Congresswoman Fudge Introduce Legislation to Fight Poverty and Honor Unpaid Work Congresswoman Moore and Congresswoman Fudge introduced the Worker Relief and Credit Reform (WRCR) Act to expand and modernize the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to meet the demands on America's workforce, including rising costs and stagnant wages. Key reforms to the EITC include changes to the eligibility rules, the maximum credit, phase-in rates, phase-out rates, and creation of a new advance payment regime. Ways the WRCR Act changes the eligibility rules include (1) decoupling the credit from the number of children a taxpayer has, (2) expanding the age range by reducing the lower age limit to 18 and removing the upper age limit completely, and (3) broadening the types of activities that constitute work to include educational activities and family caregiving. The WRCR Act also provides an option for beneficiaries to receive 75% of their estimated credit monthly. Today, Congresswoman Moore held a press conference at Independence First in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to discuss how her legislation would benefit Milwaukeeans, where 22.5% of residents live below the poverty level. In response to the introduction of this bill, Congresswoman Moore made the following statement: This is very personal to me. I was a single mom and a student at the same time. I have also been a victim of the welfare queen trope which I proudly acknowledge, now. I have been a real critic to welfare policies that claim to help people in poverty that do not actually put people on a trajectory out of poverty. But the EITC is a program that really has some legs for continuing to address the rising cost of living and wage stagnation. Still, at 40 years old, signed into law by Gerald Ford, this credit is long overdue for a revamp. I worked closely with the Economic Security project to make critical improvements to the EITC and I've thought a lot about how we can achieve certain equities. When I think about the economic progress of the United States over the last century, I know that poverty persists in American not because we lack resources. We have plenty of money. Having money is not the problem. Labor's declining share of our nation's GDP is the problem. The concentration of economic benefits at the top is the problem. It doesn't matter how big our GDP is if the benefits are shared unequally. That's why it is so important to me that we expand the EITC to include more low-wage workers under the umbrella of economic stability. And that we expand it to students so people can be educated to take on the new kinds of jobs needed in our economy and to recognize the work of people taking care of loved ones. We need to acknowledge that this uncompensated labor is not free. It is disturbing that Americans must work multiple jobs for 40 hours or more a week and are still unable to provide for their families, said Congresswoman Fudge. Representing a district where more than 50 percent of Cleveland's children are living below the federal poverty line, I am proud to co-lead this bill with Congresswoman Moore that would benefit 154 million Americans, lower the poverty rate by one-third, and recognize our caregivers' important contributions to the workforce. It is our duty to ensure workers and their families do not fall into poverty. They deserve every opportunity to reach the middle class. The EITC currently lifts about 6 million people out of poverty each year. The Tax Policy Center (TPC) performed an economic analysis of the Economic Security Project's cost-of-living proposal, which shares many of the same features as the WRCR Act. Based on the TPC's estimate, the WRCR Act would have lifted about 9 million more people out of poverty in 2019 and benefited 42% of households. The Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) estimates that the WRCR Act would help 45% of adults in the United States, 78% of whom fall within the poorest 20%. ITEP also estimates that the WRCR Act would help 57% of our nation's children 90% of the benefits would accrue to the poorest 20%. At today's press conference, Peter Skopec, the State Director for Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) spoke on the importance of supporting the growing number of caregivers in Americans. A caregiver and local students shared their personal stories, too. Cosponsors include: Bass, Sanford Bishop, Butterfield, Cohen, Chu, Cicilline, Clay, Danny Davis, Escobar, Fudge, Chuy Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Grijalva, Haaland, Hastings, Huffman, Jackson-Lee, Jayapal, Khanna, Lawrence, Barbara Lee, Carolyn Maloney, Moore, Nadler, Norton, Omar, Pocan, Pressley, Rush, Ryan, Schakowsky, Tlaib, and Watson Coleman. Endorsed by the Economic Security Project Action; NAACP Milwaukee Branch; Kids Forward; IndependenceFirst; Caring Across Generations; Community Change Action; U.S. PIRG; WISPIRG; Friends Committee on National Legislation; MomsRising; DEMOS; NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd; Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, US Provinces; Congressional Progressive Caucus; RESULTS; First Focus Campaign for Children; MICAH Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope; Policy Matters Ohio Click here for more background information on the WRCR Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-democrats-slam-trump-administration-over-latest-walk-back-from-strong-tobacco-regulation,"Baldwin, Democrats Slam Trump Administration Over Latest Walk Back from Strong Tobacco Regulation",2019-11-27,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.27.19 Baldwin, Democrats Slam Trump Administration Over Latest Walk Back from Strong Tobacco Regulation 23 Democratic Senators call out President Trump for repeatedly putting companies' profits ahead of families' health and abandoning strong steps to address nicotine addiction After meeting with industry, Trump administration backed away from recent promise to ban all non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes that had not undergone FDA review New data shows e-cigarette use has more than doubled among high school students, and more than tripled among middle school students WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and 22 of her Democratic Senate colleagues sent a letter to President Trump criticizing his administration's alarming pattern of making decisions that prioritize tobacco companies' profits over public health. The letter comes following recent news that the Trump administration was backing down from previously promised steps to address nicotine addiction. This month, the Trump administration reversed course on its September announcement that the Food and Drug Administration would take action to clear the market of unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes. It also abandoned a policy it announced last year to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes. We write to express our outrage at your decision to ignore public health when it comes to addressing the dangers of tobacco and to understand whether your Administration has assessed the risks of your inaction. The nation is in the midst of a public health crisis, with millions of children facing potential addiction to tobacco products and people across the country at risk of deadly illness. Yet, according to press reports, you plan to take no meaningful action to address the youth vaping epidemic and vaping-related injuries. Further, your Administration has reportedly backed away from plans to implement a policy to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes, the Senators wrote. The latest backwards steps represent part of a larger pattern from the Trump administration of walking back, watering down, and abandoning proposals to address the epidemic of rising youth tobacco use. In 2017, the Trump administration punted critical regulation deadlines of e-cigarettes, allowing products to remain on the market with no review. New data shows that between 2017 and 2019 e-cigarette use among high school students has more than doubled and e-cigarette use among middle school students has more than tripled. The Senators continued, Your Administration's continued delay in protecting youth from tobacco, including by failing to deliver the policies you promised, is an irresponsible abdication of the government's obligation to protect the public health. It is unconscionable that the President of the United States is willing to allow special interests to stand in the way of protecting the millions of children using tobacco products that, in your own words, are very dangerous.' In addition to Baldwin, the letter was led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and also signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Udall (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The full letter is available below and here. Dear President Trump: We write to express our outrage at your decision to ignore public health when it comes to addressing the dangers of tobacco and to understand whether your Administration has assessed the risks of your inaction. The nation is in the midst of a public health crisis, with millions of children facing potential addiction to tobacco products and people across the country at risk of deadly illness. Yet, according to press reports, you plan to take no meaningful action to address the youth vaping epidemic and vaping-related injuries. Further, your Administration has reportedly backed away from plans to implement a policy to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death, disability, and disease in the United States, and nearly all tobacco use begins during youth and young adulthood. Yet your Administration has taken many steps to walk back, water down, and abandon proposals to address the dangers of tobacco use and nicotine addiction and shown an alarming willingness to put tobacco companies' profits ahead of the health and wellbeing of our families and children. Unfortunately, instead of listening to the data, science, and warnings from countless public health experts and advocatesyour Administration stands by its decisions to delay strong action and allow an explosion in youth vaping. In the last month, you have twice chosen to heed the interests of the tobacco industry over public health. The Trump Administration Walks Away From Promised Action on Flavored E-Cigarettes After Industry Pressure On September 11, 2019, apparently recognizing the dangers associated with e-cigarette use, you spoke from the Oval Office with First Lady Melania Trump, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, and then-Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless about your concerns with vaping and commitment to very strong rules [and] regulations. The same day, FDA issued a statement committing to finaliz[ing] a compliance policy in the coming weeks that would prioritize the agency's enforcement of the premarket authorization requirements for non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol, clearing the market of unauthorized, non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products. In a press release, HHS Secretary Azar said, we intend to clear the market of flavored e-cigarettes to reverse the deeply concerning epidemic of youth e-cigarette use that is impacting children, families, schools and communities. Acting FDA Commissioner Sharpless expressed support for your and Secretary Azar's leadership on this issue, saying, We must act swiftly against flavored e-cigarette products that are especially attractive to children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield said, CDC strongly supports FDA's announcement today that it intends to finalize an enforcement policy that will clear non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes from the market. This is an important step in response to the epidemic of e-cigarette use among our Nation's youth. The American Lung Association called the announcement a vital and positive step to address the youth e-cigarette epidemic. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said this is a necessary and long-overdue step, and said the ban must be comprehensive, immediate and long-lasting. Yet, in the weeks following the September announcement, the tobacco and vaping industries lobbied against the policy. A poll commissioned for the Vapor Technology Association a trade association working on behalf of the e-cigarette industry examined views exclusively among voters who vape and found negative results for your Administration, despite the fact that there is widespread support for banning flavored e-cigarettes. A coalition of conservative interest groups advocated against the policy on behalf of the vape shops. On November 4, the Office of Management Budget (OMB) cleared a policy removing candy, fruit, and mint flavors from the market within 30 days. That policy already included a major concession to industry the exemption of menthol products. Later that evening, however, you reportedly chose not to finalize the policy, indicating the vaping industry proved more persuasive than the harm their products have already caused to the health and future of millions of children. The continued influence of the vaping industry and other stakeholders on your White House and public health policy is deeply alarming. The Trump Administration Shelves Long-Announced Proposal to Reduce Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes In March 2018, FDA announced the agency planned to take action to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes to minimally or non-addictive levels, describing the proposal as help[ing] limit the addictiveness of the most toxic and widely used tobacco products, which would have significant public health benefits for youth, young adults, and adults, as well as potentially vast economic benefits. FDA scientists published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine about the potential public health effects of taking such steps to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes. The nicotine reduction policy was announced concurrently with this Administration's unacceptable four-year delay in the public health review of e-cigarettes a delay that allowed the explosion in youth vaping and in fact was used as a justification for FDA's inaction. On November 20, your Administration further walked back efforts to address addiction to tobacco products, indicating it would no longer consider this policy to reduce the level of nicotine in cigarettes. Public health advocates, including former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, expressed disappointment in the decision to abandon the proposal.Again, your Administration seems to be caving to the requests of the tobacco industry rather than prioritizing public health. Your Administration's continued delay in protecting youth from tobacco, including by failing to deliver the policies you promised, is an irresponsible abdication of the government's obligation to protect the public health. It is unconscionable that the President of the United States is willing to allow special interests to stand in the way of protecting the millions of children using tobacco products that, in your own words, are very dangerous. We request answers to the following questions to explain your Administration's actions by no later than December 10, 2019: Are the reports that you refused to finalize the policy to remove non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market accurate? With whom did your Administration consult on the policy, and subsequent reversal of the policy, to remove non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market? Did you consult with public health organizations? Did you consult with the vaping industry? Did any individual or organization advise that failing to implement this policy would benefit public health? Did any officials within HHS, CDC, or FDA advise you against finalizing the policy to remove non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market? Are the reports that FDA intends to halt its work on nicotine reduction in cigarettes accurate? With whom did your Administration consult on the policy, and subsequent reversal of the policy, to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes? Did you consult with public health organizations? Did you consult with the tobacco industry? Did any individual or organization advise that failing to implement this policy would benefit public health? Did any officials within HHS, CDC, or FDA advise you against continuing to pursue the policy to reduce nicotine in cigarettes to minimally or non-addictive levels? Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss compliance with this request, please contact Elizabeth Letter or Andi Fristedt with Senator Murray's HELP Committee Staff at 202-224-0767. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-signs-bipartisan-bill-encourage-hunters-donate-venison-0,Rep. Kind Signs onto Bipartisan Bill to Encourage Hunters to Donate Venison to Families in Need,2019-11-26,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"La Crosse, WIWith Wisconsin's annual deer gun hunt kicking off over the weekend Rep. Ron Kind cosponsored the Wild Game Donation Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow hunters to take a tax deduction for the cost of processing their venison when the final product is donated. The legislation will also provide a tax benefit to processors who participate in venison donation programs by making all processing income they receive from charities tax-exempt. Every year hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites head outside to take part in one of Wisconsin's greatest traditionshunting, said Rep. Ron Kind. This outdoor tradition benefits so many communities, from boosting local economies to supporting the conservation of Wisconsin's habitats to helping tackle food insecurity. Many hunters already donate to local food banks and help fill those shelves and this is just a simple way to say thank you and encourage others to do the same. Hunting in Wisconsin brings in $2.5 billion to the state's economy each year88% of that revenue comes from the nine-day gun hunt. For the last twenty years, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has encouraged hunters to donate venison to a local food bank. As a result, hunters have donated over 3.7 million pounds of venison since 2000. Meanwhile, 600,000 Wisconsinites seek assistance from a food bank each year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-signs-bipartisan-bill-encourage-hunters-donate-venison-families,Rep. Kind Signs onto Bipartisan Bill to Encourage Hunters to Donate Venison to Families in Need,2019-11-26,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"La Crosse, WIWith Wisconsin's annual deer gun hunt kicking off over the weekend Rep. Ron Kind cosponsored the Wild Game Donation Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow hunters to take a tax deduction for the cost of processing their venison when the final product is donated. The legislation will also provide a tax benefit to processors who participate in venison donation programs by making all processing income they receive from charities tax-exempt. Every year hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites head outside to take part in one of Wisconsin's greatest traditionshunting, said Rep. Ron Kind. This outdoor tradition benefits so many communities, from boosting local economies to supporting the conservation of Wisconsin's habitats to helping tackle food insecurity. Many hunters already donate to local food banks and help fill those shelves and this is just a simple way to say thank you and encourage others to do the same. Hunting in Wisconsin brings in $2.5 billion to the state's economy each year88% of that revenue comes from the nine-day gun hunt. For the last twenty years, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has encouraged hunters to donate venison to a local food bank. As a result, hunters have donated over 3.7 million pounds of venison since 2000. Meanwhile, 600,000 Wisconsinites seek assistance from a food bank each year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wdio-senator-baldwin-working-to-crack-down-on-unfair-trade-cheating,WDIO: Senator Baldwin Working to Crack Down on Unfair Trade Cheating,2019-11-25,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wsaw-baldwin-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-crack-down-on-trade-cheating,WSAW: Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Trade Cheating,2019-11-25,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-calls-for-action-on-funding-gun-violence-research-at-cdc,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Action on Funding Gun Violence Research at CDC,2019-11-22,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.22.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Action on Funding Gun Violence Research at CDC Recent shootings across the U.S. underscore the need for action on this public health crisis WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined 23 of her Senate colleagues in calling on leaders of the Appropriations Committee to include $50 million in funding for gun violence prevention research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the letter, the Senators point to the string of mass shootings that have occurred since they last wrote to urge funding for this vital research. We should embrace our responsibility to enact evidence-based solutions to the epidemic of gun violence,write the Senators in their letter.While limited research exists, policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and researchers lack comprehensive scientific information about the causes and characteristics of gun violence, which could inform the development of strategies to thwart future tragedies. This appropriations request will allow federally-funded public health researchers to revive a dormant field of study. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin has long supported funding for gun violence prevention research and has cosponsored legislation to provide $50 million in funding for the CDC to conduct or support research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention. A copy of the letter is available here. In addition to Baldwin, the letter was led by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and signed by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). 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=4405,Congresswoman Gwen Moore Introduces Legislation to Promote Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency,2019-11-22,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Gwen Moore Introduces Legislation to Promote Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency WASHINGTON D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Moore introduced HR 5158, the Promoting Sustainable Energy Projects for Tribal Communities Act, which allows tribal governments to receive cash in an amount equivalent to the full value of certain federal tax credits available to offset the cost of electricity generated using qualified energy resources or investments in renewable energy property. In response to the introduction of this bill, Congresswoman Moore made the following statement: Our tax code marginalizes tribal governments and their role in developing renewable energy. Because tribes are not subject to federal income tax they are not able to use tax credits. This situation has hindered the financial and energy independence of tribes across the nation, and undermined tribal sovereignty. Additionally, the declining use of coal is having devastating economic effects on tribal communities that have relied on coal to bring economic opportunity and jobs to Indian country. But rather than subsidize dirty energy, we need forward thinking solutions. My bill will not only incentivize tribal communities to pursue renewable energy projects, but will create high-paying jobs, attract needed large-scale investments and most importantly, restore tribal sovereignty. Background The tax-exempt status of tribal governments has precluded Indian country from benefiting from existing incentives. Tribes have been sidelined in efforts to grow the amount of energy from renewable resources. For example, tribes are often relegated to being passive players by leasing their lands to third party developers. These arrangements can leave tribes without a voice in how their land, water, atmosphere and community are affected. Furthermore, for generations, many tribes have relied on coal reserves, coal mines, and coal plants for jobs and financial resources. These tribes are facing additional hurdles due to the fact that our nation and utility companies are shifting away from coal. HR 5158 will spur renewable energy infrastructure in Indian country and promote tribal energy sufficiency and tribal self-determination by empowering tribes to tap into the abundance of renewable resource potential that exists on tribal lands. Empowering Homeowners Energy Efficiency Act This week, Congresswoman Moore introduced HR 5159, the Empowering Homeowners Energy Efficiency Act, which allows individual taxpayers to claim a tax credit to partially offset the cost of a home energy audit, up to a maximum credit of $150. In the U.S., 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from producing electricity that heats our homes. Given this, we don't have to look far to find ways to pursue sustainability, said Congresswoman Moore. A home energy audit allows homeowners to take proactive efforts to pursue energy efficiency. This legislation helps reduce a cost barrier for Americans looking to take steps towards reducing their carbon footprint. Background An HEA is an assessment to determine where a residence is losing energy, specifically trouble spots that can be fixed to make a home's energy consumption more efficient and sustainable. The scope of an HEA can vary, ranging from a minimal test of the efficiency of household appliances, windows and doors, to a comprehensive review of the efficiency of the home's structure (e.g., using a variety of diagnostic tools such as a blower door test to look for air leaks to the outside or an infrared camera exam to determine effectiveness of exterior wall insulation). Many state and federal grant programs already help cover the cost of making the improvements recommended through an energy audit. This tax credit would serve as a powerful incentive for homeowners to make green decisions for their homes, providing them with a deeper understanding of what changes could both reduce their energy costs and their home's carbon footprint.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-calls-out-trump-efforts-to-promote-junk-plans,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls Out Trump Administration’s Efforts to Promote Junk Plans Under Questionable Legal Authority,2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls Out Trump Administration's Efforts to Promote Junk Plans Under Questionable Legal Authority This comes in response to links on the HealthCare.gov website that re-direct customers to third-party online brokers that sell junk insurance plans on their websites. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and 22 Democratic Senators are calling for answers on the Trump administration's efforts to promote junk insurance plans to the American public during the Open Enrollment period for health insurance coverage. In a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Senators draw attention to the fact that the Trump administration-operated HealthCare.gov website is now directing consumers during the ongoing Open Enrollment period to junk plans through third-party brokers, with little to no information about the lack of health care coverage provided by these so-called short-term insurance plans. One of the Trump administration's most fervent efforts to undermine and unravel the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is through the expansion of these junk health insurance plans that lack protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Baldwin has led efforts in Congress to block the administration's expansion of junk plans, which do not have to cover essential services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care. The Senators wrote, in part, We are extremely concerned that the increased availability of junk plans and lack of oversight by CMS will cause consumers who believe they are purchasing ACA-compliant health plans to inadvertently sign-up for junk plan coverage that is less comprehensive and could expose them to higher out-of-pocket costs. Americans who purchase these junk plans risk being denied coverage for pre-existing conditions and left vulnerable to unexpected gaps in coverage and massive medical bills in the case of health care emergencies. The letter continued, Insurance brokers are now aggressively marketing junk plans to consumersincluding consumers who come to the HealthCare.gov portal seeking comprehensive coverage and then click on links that re-direct them to web brokers and phone-based broker services. The Senators pointed to the provision in the ACA that prohibits the health care exchange from making plans available that don't meet the ACA's coverage standards and wrote, It is also unclear what statutory authority CMS relies upon to authorize the re-direction of HealthCare.gov customers toward third-party broker entities that sell ACA-compliant coverage and junk plan coverage on the same platforms. The Senators underscored that junk plans were never intended to be an alternative to comprehensive health coverage and pose dangerous risks for consumers. The administration's persistent efforts to expand junk plans, which include extending the duration from 90 days to 364 days and encouraging states to apply for waivers from the ACA that would allow ACA premium tax credits to be used to subsidize junk plan coverage, risk confusing Americans into thinking these plans offer the same coverage as those that meet the ACA's standards. In closing, the Senators wrote, We are calling on HHS and CMS to take action to limit the availability of junk plans and take steps to ensure that consumers using HealthCare.gov are being offered comprehensive health insurance, receiving premium tax credits, and being enrolled in Medicaid, if eligible. Furthermore, CMS should take action to hold insurance brokers accountable when they mislead HealthCare.gov customers and misrepresent junk plans as safe alternatives to ACA-complaint health insurance coverage. During this year's Open Enrollment period, it is essential that you act fast in order to protect consumers. In addition to Baldwin, the letter was led by Senators Shaheen (D-NH) and Stabenow (D-MI), and also signed by Senators Tester (D-MT), Smith (D-MN), Cardin (D-MD), Merkley (D-OR), Murphy (D-CT), Casey (D-PA), Udall (D-NM), Feinstein (D-CA), Hassan (D-NH), Murray (D-WA), Schatz (D-HI), Hirono (D-HI), Warren (D-MA), Whitehouse (D-RI), King (I-ME), Wyden (D-OR), Klobuchar (D-MN), Blumenthal (D-CT), Schumer (D-NY) and Harris (D-CA). The full letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/house-approves-workplace-violence-prevention-bill,House of Representatives Approves Baldwin’s Reform to Protect Health Care and Social Services Workers from Workplace Violence,2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.19 House of Representatives Approves Baldwin's Reform to Protect Health Care and Social Services Workers from Workplace Violence Legislation creates standard requiring health care and social service employers to implement workplace violence prevention plan and protect employees from violent incidents WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the House of Representatives passed U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's legislation to protect health care and social services employees from workplace violence. After the vote, Baldwin joined Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT), who led the House companion legislation, as well as nurses, health care and social service professionals, and union leaders to celebrate this victory and call for action in the Senate. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act directs OSHA to issue a standard requiring health care and social service employers to write and implement a workplace violence prevention plan to prevent and protect their employees from violent incidents. Our health care and social services workers deserve to work in an environment free from workplace violence, said Senator Baldwin, Ranking Member of the Senate Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee. I'm proud to see this important effort pass the House of Representatives so we can provide overdue protections and safety standards to a workforce that serves people during some of their most vulnerable moments. This bill promotes a healthy environment that is good for both workers and those they serve, so we all need to work together to take action and pass this legislation in the Senate. Incidents of violence against health care and social service workers are on the rise. A 2016 GAO study reported that rates of violence against health care workers are up to 12 times higher than rates for the overall workforce, and 70% of nonfatal workplace assaults in 2016 occurred in the health care and social assistance sectors. Recently released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a sharp increase in serious injuries as a result of workplace violence among health care workers last year. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act would ensure that health care and social service workplaces adopt proven prevention techniques and are prepared to respond in the tragic event of a violent incident. More information about this legislation is available here. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act received support from a host of health care and social service professionals, as well as unions representing workers in these sectors, including the American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, American Federation of Teachers, American Industrial Hygiene Association, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, ElevatingHOME, Emergency Nurses Association, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Nurses United, National Association of Social Workers, Public Citizen, SEIU, Teamsters, United Steelworkers (USW), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/legislation-to-rename-new-richmond-post-office-passes-senate,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Rename New Richmond Post Office for World War II Veterans,2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Rename New Richmond Post Office for World War II Veterans WASHINGTON, D.C. The Senate passed bipartisan legislation today introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson to honor Captain Robert C. Harmon and Private John R. Peirson, two New Richmond natives who were both killed during World War II. Captain Robert Harmon and Private John Peirson paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country during World War II. These brave American heroes should have their service and sacrifice to our nation honored, said Senator Baldwin. I'm pleased that our legislation has passed the Senate and I look forward to the President signing it into law. The legislation will designate the post office at 430 South Knowles Avenue in New Richmond as the Captain Robert C. Harmon and Private John R. Peirson Post Office. Captain Harmon, on his 51st mission, was shot down over France a week before the D-Day invasion in Europe. A year later, Pvt. Peirson was killed during the Easter Day assault on the island of Okinawa. Though Captain Harmon's remains were never found, the brothers are buried side-by-side at the Fort Snelling Military Cemetery in Minneapolis. The American Legion Butler-Harmon Post 80, St. Croix County Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10818 and the New Richmond Chamber of Commerce support this effort. 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=4404,Congresswoman Moore Announces the 4th Congressional Districts 2019 Service Academy Nominees,2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Announces the 4th Congressional District's 2019 Service Academy Nominees Washington, D.C. Every year, members of Congress have the distinct privilege of helping to choose the next leaders of our great nation's armed forces. Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) announced the 2019 service academy nominees from Wisconsin's 4th congressional district. The young men and women who I have nominated to attend our nation's military service academies exemplify hard-work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of the United States. This year's process was highly competitive, and I can say with certainty that these exceptional students will make our district and country proud. The United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy provide our nation's youth with world class military training and academic degrees. Graduating from these schools is no easy task, but these young women and men from the 4th Congressional District are up to the challenge. I am proud to represent them in congress, and I look forward to watching them achieve incredible feats in the coming years. Below, please find a list of this years' service academy nominees: Adedapo Adeboyejo Katelyn Budzisz Tyler Erwin Isabel Jimenez Alfonso Morales Isabella Peterson Luke Slosar Alec Stys ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-rep-kind-s-request-temporary-emergency-shipments-propane-are,"Following Rep. Kind’s Request, Temporary Emergency Shipments of Propane Are Headed to Wisconsin",2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCYesterday, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Neil Chatterjee announced that he approved temporary emergency shipments of propane to the Midwest. These shipments come after Rep. Ron Kind sent a letter to FERC Chairman Chatterjee urging him to help ensure there is a continuous supply of propane to Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest. The region faces a potential shortage of propane due to a late corn harvest season and spike in cold temperatures. I'm grateful that FERC Chairman Chatterjee listened and acted quickly to get propane to Wisconsin and avoid a major crisis, said Rep. Ron Kind. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites rely on propane gas to heat their homes and businesses and operate their farms. These emergency shipments will ensure that they will be able to continue to do that. However, we need to keep working to find a long-term solution so shortages and emergency declarations like this don't keep happening. Nearly 250,000 residents and countless businesses throughout Wisconsin rely on propane fuel. Farmers also rely on propane to heat poultry and livestock barns, as well as dry wet corn crops and operate grain elevators. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared an energy emergency in anticipation of high demand. The original letter can be read here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-baldwin-presses-fda-commissioner-nominee-on-enforcing-dairy-labeling-standards,Senator Baldwin Presses FDA Commissioner Nominee on Enforcing Dairy Labeling Standards,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-baldwin-questions-fda-commissioner-nominee-on-advancing-medical-innovations,Senator Baldwin Questions FDA Commissioner Nominee on Advancing Medical Innovations,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-baldwin-questions-fda-commissioner-nominee-on-youth-vaping-and-e-cigarette-use,Senator Baldwin Questions FDA Commissioner Nominee on Youth Vaping and E-Cigarette Use,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-urging-media-companies-to-recognize-workers-unions,"Baldwin, Brown, Menendez Lead Senators Urging Media Companies to Recognize Workers’ Unions",2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.19 Baldwin, Brown, Menendez Lead Senators Urging Media Companies to Recognize Workers' Unions GateHouse-Gannett merger will combine two of country's largest newspaper chains WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) led a group of his Democratic colleagues urging Gannett News and GateHouse to voluntarily recognize any union selected by a majority of workers in any GateHouse- or Gannett-owned newsroom. The anticipated GateHouse-Gannett merger could have significant impacts on the companies' newsrooms and their communities. Union representation will help newspaper employees better advocate for the pay, benefits, and job security they deserve during this transition, while also give a voice to the communities that rely on the newspapers you own. Union representation will empower workers to advocate not only for themselves but also their newspapers and communities, the senators wrote. In many communities, local newspapers are the primary source of news and information, yet the consequences of closing or hollowing out a newspaper are not considered by news executives seeking to maximize shareholder value and profit. Through collective bargaining with the newsrooms, affected communities will have a voice in decisions about their newspapers. The newly combined media company, which will continue to operate under the Gannett name, owns the following Wisconsin news brands: Appleton Post-Crescent, Fond du Lac Reporter, Green Bay Press Gazette, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, Marshfield News Herald, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oshkosh Northwestern, Sheboygan Press, Stevens Point Journal, Wausau Daily Herald, Wisconsin Law Journal, Wisconsin Rapids Tribune. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) also signed this letter. A copy of the Senators' letter to Gannett Co. Inc. and GateHouse Media can be found below and HERE: November 19, 2019 Mr. Kirk Davis Paul Bascobert CEO President & CEO GateHouse Media Gannett Co., Inc. 175 Sully's Trail, 3rd Floor 7950 Jones Branch Drive Pittsford, NY 14534 McLean, VA 22107 Dear Mr. Davis and Mr. Bascobert: We write to urge Gannett News and GateHouse to voluntarily recognize any union selected by a majority of workers in any GateHouse- or Gannett-owned newsroom. The anticipated GateHouse-Gannett merger could have significant impacts on your companies' newsrooms and their communities. Union representation will help newspaper employees better advocate for the pay, benefits, and job security they deserve during this transition. It will also give a voice to the communities that rely on the newspapers you own. The merger will combine the two largest U.S. newspaper chains and, as a result, GateHouse will own more than 600 newspapers across the country when it is complete.[1] GateHouse has already said it plans to cut between $275 million and $300 million in costs annually after the merger goes through.[2] If GateHouse's past cost-cutting measures are any indicator, your newsroom employees are right to be concerned about the future of their newspapers and their jobs. The Columbus Dispatch[3], the Columbia Daily Tribune[4], the Florida Times-Union[5], and the Austin American-Statesman[6], among others, all saw their newsrooms shrink after they were purchased by GateHouse as part of an effort to increase profits and shareholder value. In the face of these layoffs, employees at your companies are increasingly turning to union representation to advocate for themselves and their local newspapers. Recent organizing efforts have resulted in union representation for employees at the Arizona Republic Guild and the Florida Times-Union, and the NewsGuild-CWA now represents 33 bargaining units of approximately 1,100 workers at your two companies.[7] Given the increasing interest in union representation among your employees, we urge you to voluntarily recognize any union representative selected by a majority of employees in any of your newsrooms. Your employees deserve to have a voice at the table. Union representation will empower workers to advocate not only for themselves but also their newspapers and communities. Almost one-fifth, or nearly 1,800, of all U.S. newspapers have closed since 2004. As a result, 171 counties have no local newspaper, and almost half of all U.S. counties have access to one newspaper, often one that is published once a week.[8] In many communities, local newspapers are the primary source of news and information, yet the consequences of closing or hollowing out a newspaper are not considered by news executives seeking to maximize shareholder value and profit. Through collective bargaining with the newsrooms, affected communities will have a voice in decisions about their newspapers. Newspapers, particularly local newspapers, are critical to an informed public and a strong democracy. Consolidation in the news industry has led to the hollowing out of newsrooms, and communities across the country are paying the price. As soon-to-be owners of more than 600 newspapers, you have a responsibility to preserve Americans' access to high-quality, locally reported news. Your anticipated merger will have a significant impact on the livelihoods of your employees and the communities they report in. Voluntarily recognizing union representation for any of your newsrooms who choose it will ensure both the workers and the communities have a voice in that process. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4403,Congresswoman Moore Supports Legislation to Aid Domestic Violence Survivors,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Supports Legislation to Aid Domestic Violence Survivors Congresswoman Moore joined Reps. Tom O'Halleran, Ann Wagner (MO-02), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), and Harley Rouda (CA-48) in introducing the Help End Abusive Living Situations (HEALS) Act, legislation to assist survivors of domestic violence to rapidly secure safe housing situations. As a survivor of domestic violence, I have made it my personal mission to uplift and empower individuals who have been victimized, said Congresswoman Moore. For those fleeing dangerous situations, access to safe housing can mean the difference between life and death. I am so proud to support this legislation, which will tackle the current housing shortage and help keep women, children, and men safe. As a former law enforcement officer, some of the very first calls I responded to involved domestic violence. I've seen firsthand the damage this uniquely heinous kind of violence can do to families and to survivors. said Rep. O'Halleran. No person experiencing DV should be forced to stay in a dangerous situation because they do not have housing elsewhere. I'm proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bill that will make a real difference for those seeking to leave abusive situations. The HEALS Act directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prioritize funding for transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The legislation also establishes standards in evaluating current resources available to survivors and instructs HUD to research and identify new housing options that may be viable for survivors of domestic violence. Survivors of intimate partner violence, stalking, and sexual assault often face volatile situations where they find themselves without a stable or safe place to live, said Congresswoman Wagner. Without safe housing options, victims can fall back into the cycle of violence they are desperately trying to escape. Many victims are also without a support network while they work to rebuild their lives, and these housing resources can give them the support they need to break the cycle of abuse. This legislation will help provide a vital lifeline to victims as they fight for independence and safety. A lack of housing or safe place to stay is one of the most dangerous barriers for survivors of domestic abuse or sexual assault, said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. Too often, those trying to escape abusive relationships have nowhere to go. No one should be made to choose between an abusive relationship and homelessness. I will always stand with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, which is why today, I join my colleagues in introducing the HEALS Act to ensure survivors have access to vital housing assistance. This bipartisan legislation empowers survivors of abusive living situations and provides critical resources needed to escape the cyclical violence that plagues so many United States households, said Congressman Rouda. I thank my colleagues for their work on this issue and am proud to support the thousands of brave Americans who have endured or are currently enduring domestic violence. Housing is safety for survivors. It is essential that our government designate resources to provide survivor-centered housing so that all survivors can find safety when fleeing danger. Monica McLaughlin, Director of Public Policy at the National Network to End Domestic Violence As the largest network of domestic and sexual violence service providers, YWCA USA knows that housing is the most common need for survivors of domestic violence, but the limited availability is unacceptable, said Alejandra Y. Castillo, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA USA. All women deserve to feel safe at home, and no one should have to choose between shelter and safety. We applaud Representative Moore for introducing the HEALS Act, which takes important steps toward addressing the dire need for housing that domestic violence survivors face. When we ask survivors of domestic violence about their dream home, their answer is simple; they want to be safe said Patti Seger, Executive Director of End Domestic Abuse WI. Survivors want a home of peace and security, free from violence. This should not be difficult to provide, but in our current housing shortage, it is. This is why legislation like the HEALS Act is so important, because survivors deserve peace, security, and a home free from violence. We want to thank Congresswoman Moore for her continued dedication to ensuring the safety of survivors of violence and their children. ""While I am not a survivor of domestic violence, I know that women are often forced to flee from their homes--sometimes with children in tow--leaving life as they knew it behind. Having sheltered a friend whose partner had attacked her, I know how dangerous the situation could have been for both of us. While her story had a happy ending, she and others like her need access to safe spaces. I am proud that we have a dedicated representative like Congresswoman Moore to fight for women like my friend,""Paula Penebaker, President & CEO, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-kind-and-hurd-request-house-leadership-bring-restore-our-parks-and,Reps. Kind and Hurd Request House Leadership Bring Restore Our Parks and Lands Act to the Floor,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Yesterday, co-chairs of the National Parks Caucus Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX)along with members of the National Parks Caucussent a letter to House Leaders asking for the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act to be brought to the floor for a vote. This bipartisan legislation would provide $6.5 billion over five years to help address priority repairs within our parks and public lands. Like many Americans, some of my favorite memories center around trips my family and I have taken to our national parks. National parks carry a unique natural, historic, and economic importance to our country, and without congressional action to address the needs of our national parks, these lands will suffer and repairs will become more costly, said Rep. Ron Kind, founder and co-chair of the bipartisan National Parks Caucus. The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act is a bipartisan and fiscally sensible solution that will fix the backlog of maintenance, address staffing needs, and increase accessibility so that future generations are able to continue to enjoy our national treasures. Nature is not just a destination, it's our home. We must make sure that our national parks and historic sites, including the eight I represent, continue to provide immeasurable cultural, environmental and economic benefits across local communities for generations to come, said Rep. Will Hurd, co-chair of the bipartisan National Parks Caucus. I am proud of the hard work my colleagues and I have put into the bipartisan Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act to reduce the nearly $12 billion backlog our National Park Service faces in repairing critical park structures, and I hope to see it on the House floor soon. The future of our parks depends on it. Aging infrastructure and record visitation at many park sites, combined with inconsistent annual deferred maintenance funding over decades, has resulted in an overall National Park Service repair backlog of almost $12 billion. Nationwide, parks contribute over $40 billion to our economy and generate over 325,000 jobs each year. Read the letter here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-democrats-slam-devos-decision-on-civil-rights-data-collection,"Baldwin, Democrats Slam DeVos’ Decision to Mask Educational Inequities by Halting Critical Elements of Civil Rights Data Collection",2019-11-19,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.19.19 Baldwin, Democrats Slam DeVos' Decision to Mask Educational Inequities by Halting Critical Elements of Civil Rights Data Collection DeVos proposes significant changes to the Civil Rights Data Collection, eliminating key data related to bullying and harassment, early childhood education, teacher quality Senators: These proposed changes will leave the Department under-informed and ill-equipped to help our most vulnerable students. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, joined her Democratic colleagues led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in slamming Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' decision to stop collecting critical civil rights data. Since 1968, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Education has conducted Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) on key civil rights issues facing our nation's schools. The DeVos administration has proposed to eliminate several critical data elements including school discipline, harassment and bullying, early childhood education, teacher quality, and more. These changes would make it more challenging to monitor compliance with civil rights laws and to identify and improve inequities in resources and educational outcomes in schools nationwide. In order to tackle educational inequity, the Department must gather data necessary to fully understand the problem. These proposed changes will leave the Department under-informed and ill-equipped to help our most vulnerable students, wrote the senators. The senators also urged Secretary DeVos to improve the Department's data collection related to harassment and assault to better capture all offenses. Additionally, while it is appropriate that the Department recognize the importance of collecting sexual assault data as a part of CRDC, we urge the Department to modify its additions regarding harassment and sexual assault to better capture all offenses. There are some glaring gaps in the proposal for collecting that data that must be addressed in order to provide a full understanding of the scope of sexual assault and harassment that students experience in their K-12 education, wrote the senators. In addition to Baldwin and Murray, other senators who signed the letter include Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). The full letter is below and a PDF is HERE. November 18, 2019 The Honorable Betsy DeVos Secretary of Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20202 Re: Docket ID ED-2019-ICCD-0119 Dear Secretary DeVos: We write to you today regarding the proposed changes to the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) for school year 2019-20. We urge the U.S. Department of Education (Department) to withdraw its proposal to eliminate a wide-ranging set of critical data elements that highlight educational inequities in schools and school districts. The Department's proposed changes to eliminate key data elements related to school climate, discipline, harassment and bullying, early childhood education, pathways to college and career, school finance, teacher quality, and resource equity are deeply concerning. These changes will make it more challenging to identify and address disparities in resources and educational outcomes that persist in schools across the country. The Department's proposal to withdraw such data elements will disrupt efforts of parents, researchers, policymakers, and States to monitor compliance with civil rights laws and hamper efforts to improve the inequities in our nation's schools. Additionally, while it is appropriate that the Department recognize the importance of collecting sexual assault data as a part of CRDC, we urge the Department to modify its additions regarding harassment and sexual assault to better capture all offenses. There are some glaring gaps in the proposal for collecting that data that must be addressed in order to provide a full understanding of the scope of sexual assault and harassment that students experience in their K-12 education. Since 1968 and improved over time, the Department biennially collects and publically reports data from nearly every school district across the country through the CRDC. The data collected through the CRDC provides critical information to parents, researchers, policymakers, local communities, and States regarding educational equity, access to educational services, and resource distribution in schools and school districts across the United States. In addition, the Department's Office for Civil Rights uses CRDC data to guide its efforts to enforce civil rights laws including the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. The majority of the data elements that the Department has proposed for elimination have been collected for many years through the CRDC, which allows for longitudinal and trend analysis. In order to tackle educational inequity, the Department must gather data necessary to fully understand the problem. These proposed changes will leave the Department under-informed and ill-equipped to help our most vulnerable students. The proposed rule would eliminate vital early childhood education data elements. The CRDC is the only source of comprehensive data on public preschool access and enrollment in the United States. High-quality early learning programs help lay the foundation for healthy child development and school readiness. This CRDC data is vital for gaining a holistic picture of the early learning landscape in the United States and supporting access to early learning programs is critical to promoting equity among the nation's youngest students.[1] The Department's proposed changes would drastically limit what we know about children's access and experiences in preschool. The Department's proposed changes eliminate data on preschool enrollment disaggregated by race, sex, disability (child's status under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and English Learner status. This change is extremely concerning given that eliminating this data would mask disparities among the population of children who attend public preschool programs. Additionally, it would undermine research on disparities in children's experiences in preschool. For example, CRDC data has shown significant racial disparities in preschool suspensions and expulsions, with black children representing just 19 percent of preschool enrollment but 47 percent of preschool suspensions.[2] Without disaggregated enrollment data, research on disparities of this nature would not be possible. Additionally, the Department's proposal includes an elimination of the only information available about whether public preschool programs are universal or targeted to serve a specific group of children, such as low-income children or children with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Department's proposal also eliminates data collection on the duration and cost to families of preschool and kindergarten programs and would further mask inequity in preschool access. Research confirms that children benefit more from full-day early childhood education programming than part-day,[3] yet the CRDC shows that 57 percent of public preschool programs offered only part-day preschool.[4] Despite the notion that all public programs are free for families, CRDC data also revealed that 14 percent of school districts offering preschool required families to cover all or part of the cost of preschool programming, which could pose a significant barrier for low-income families.[5] As the nation continues to expand investment in public preschool programs, it is vital to collect robust and high-quality data on public preschool to inform policy decisions, and to identify and address gaps in access to quality, affordable early childhood education programs. Removing all data elements related to school finance will further hide funding inequities between low-income and more affluent school districts and communities. Our nation's system for funding schools, highly dependent on local property taxes, has caused deep fiscal inequities among our nation's schools. Numerous studies have shown that investing more resources into schools improves student outcomes.[6] This is particularly important for schools with high concentrations of low-income students. This proposal would completely eliminate all data elements concerning school finances and staff salaries in the CRDC. This is particularly alarming given that the CRDC is the best source of reliable school-level data on expenditures across the country, providing key information about staffing levels and salaries for teachers, instructional aides, administrators, and support services staff. This data helps capture the deep disparities in staffing, level of experience amongst staff, and resources between high-poverty, and low-poverty schools and school districts. The CRDC is critical to documenting these inequities. While the Every Student Succeeds Act contains a new per-pupil expenditure reporting requirement related to federal, state, and local funds, that requirement is not disaggregated by salary and staff type as the CRDC elements. These combined reporting requirements provide important data on the spending decisions made in our nation's schools and school districts. We urge the Department to be focused on improving reporting on fiscal equity rather than eliminating it. Eliminating data regarding teacher quality at the school level would mask the high rates of inexperienced teachers working in schools and communities with the greatest needs. Research shows that teachers are the most significant school factor to improving student achievement.[7] Identifying teacher experience levels, whether they are in the first year of teaching or the fifteenth year of teaching, helps districts, states, and policymakers understand the support teachers need to provide high-quality instruction to their students. The Department is proposing to eliminate data elements regarding the numbers of teachers in their first or second years of teaching as well as the number of full time teachers absent more than ten school days, excluding professional development. This elimination will make it significantly more difficult for districts and states to tailor their professional development and teacher support based on need. Additionally, this will undermine the ability of parents and school districts to know if their children are being taught by less experienced teachers or teachers who are chronically absent. Data have shown that novice teachers are more common in underserved districts, including rural schools, schools in communities with a high degree of poverty, and schools that enroll a high percentage of students of color.[8] The Department's proposal to remove these data elements eliminates critical CRDC measures for teacher quality, which undermines our ability to improve resources and supports for teachers. Removing data regarding English language learners with disabilities who also receive special education services will mask the systemic barriers that oftentimes poorly serve these students. Students who are English language learners with disabilities are entitled to rights under the IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. However, research shows that nationwide there is a high degree of variability in how school districts identify students who are English language learners who are eligible for special education services, with some school districts systematically under-identifying or over-identifying students for English language services.[9] The Department has proposed to no longer collect disaggregated information about students with disabilities who are receiving English language learner services and services under IDEA. This will remove data concerning an important student population that is oftentimes facing systemic barriers to accessing educational services. We urge you to withdraw the proposal to remove this disaggregation and continue to ask schools to report the numbers of students with disabilities receiving English language learner services enrolled in their school. Eliminating disaggregated information about access to advanced coursework and college credit will mask persistent barriers in access to postsecondary credit. The Department proposed eliminating disaggregated information regarding students who took one or more Advanced Placement (AP) exams or who were enrolled in AP courses but did not take AP exams. While the 2019-20 CRDC preserves questions about AP class enrollment, by eliminating the proposed data elements, the CRDC data will no longer capture which students took AP exams in order to receive college credit. One of the biggest benefits of AP courses for students is the ability to take AP exams and potentially receive college credit. Further, many states are using federal, state, and local dollars to help cover the costs of AP exam fees for low income students to ensure students can take these exams. Without these data elements and the disaggregation requirements of these elements, policymakers will no longer be able to ascertain in a comprehensive way which students take AP exams and therefore will have a more difficult time designing policies to help improve access to AP exams. We urge you to preserve these data elements. Removing information about credit recovery program enrollment would hamper efforts to understand how many students are participating in credit recovery programs. The Department proposes to no longer collect information regarding the number of students enrolled in a credit recovery program in order to earn missed credit for high school graduation. While the quality of credit recovery programs varies widely across the nation, understanding the number of students enrolled in credit recovery programs is necessary to improve those programs and ascertain how many students seek to obtain credit towards finishing high school after they have not completed a traditional high school program. Eliminating this data element will harm data analysis regarding efforts to improve high school graduation rates and help non-high school graduates receive the credit they need to obtain a high school degree and move onto postsecondary education or the workforce. Changing sex-based harassment definition would result in incomplete information about bullying and harassment. We remain concerned that the Department is defining sex in a way that fails to reflect the designation of female or male as indicated in a student's record. Rather than allowing States and school districts to allow a student's record to be consistent with the student's gender identity, this definition would require school employees to make inquiries into students' medical and social histories in an extremely invasive manner that violates students' privacy. In addition to the clear privacy concerns, the Department is asking school officials to compile information for the CRDC that is more burdensome than simply referring to a student's record. The Department proposes to use a definition of sex-based harassment in the CRDC that fails to recognize gender-based harassment, including harassment based on gender identity, gender expression or conforming with gender stereotypes without justification for making such a change. Additionally, the removal of harassment based on sexual orientation from the harassment and bullying data element means the Department will no longer be capturing specific information about harassment or bullying based on a student's actual or perceived sexual orientation. Bullying and harassment of individuals based on their sexual orientation is a serious problem that has led to students who identify as LGBTQ being more likely to die by suicide. It is simply unacceptable that the Department would suggest eliminating these data and we strongly urge you to include these data in the final CRDC for 2019-20. Including data on incidents of sexual assault would be an important step, but must be done in a way to fully include all information regarding a potentially discriminatory environment. The data element proposed for the 2019-20 CRDC regarding allegations of offenses committed by students is too narrow as it only requires collecting data on documented incidents. When it comes to sexual assaults, rapes and attempted rapes committed by school staff members, the proposed 2019-20 CRDC requires reporting on all allegations and breaks down the reporting by a number of different outcomes. Important information is omitted when the number of allegations of offenses are not collected. It has been estimated that for every sexual assault of a child by an adult on school grounds that is reported to police, there are seven sexual assaults where a student has committed the assault.[10] These assaults should be properly accounted for in order to help assess the effectiveness of efforts to reduce sexual assaults of children. Additionally, the 2019-20 CRDC only requires schools to report documented incidents of rapes and attempted rapes by school staff members not sexual assaults. By not requiring data collection when it comes to non-rape sexual assaults, the Department is failing to fully document all sex-based discrimination students may be experiencing. The proposed CRDC limits the reporting of sexual assaults, rapes and attempted rapes exclusively to those having occurred on campuses. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX) protects students from sex-based discrimination that interferes with a student's education. In order to ensure that the CRDC data accurately reflects instances that are impacting a student's education, the data should include reports of assaults, rapes and attempted rapes that occur outside of school as well. Schools have a responsibility to respond to sexual assaults that interfere with a student's education regardless of whether they occur on or off school property. For instance, in Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District, 524 U.S. 274 (1998), the Court considered the school's liability in a sexual assault that first occurred while a teacher was visiting the student's home, and never on school property. And in Mitchell v. Cedar Rapids Community School District, 832 N.W.2d 689 (Iowa 2013), a school district was found to have breached its duty of reasonable care for a rape that occurred off school grounds and in a non-school activity. Overall, while the CRDC takes some important steps to better quantify sexual assaults, there are gaps in the required data that will prevent the ability to understand the full scope of sex-based discrimination. The Department should include additional requirements, including capturing all allegations of offenses, and not just those involving a staff member or that occur on school grounds, to ensure data collection efforts result in accurate information about the scope of sexual assaults for all students enrolled in grades K-12. The proposed rule should clarify the appropriate use of information collected on the basis of perceived religion. The rising number of allegations of harassment on the basis of religion in schools is highly concerning, and we support the collection of data in order to understand and assist in addressing this worrying trend. As part of the 2013-2014 CRDC data collection, the Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) began gathering information about allegations of harassment on the basis of religion, and for the 2015-2016 CRDC, OCR approved a mandatory collection of these data. In providing guidance about the collection, OCR instructed districts to look at the likely motives of the alleged harasser rather than the status of the alleged victim. For the 2019-2020 CRDC, OCR is proposing to collect new information on the number of allegations of harassment or bullying reported by students on the basis of perceived religion. But OCR has not provided any additional instructions or guidance for school districts on how they can collect data on perceived religion without eliciting private information from students. We encourage the Department to clarify the appropriate use of the information collected, and that any determination about perceived religion should reflect the school district's understanding about the harasser's perceived motivation and not stereotyped perceptions of the bullied student. Removing the requirement for school districts to post a web link to their harassment policy would discourage some school districts from posting online any written policy on harassment and bullying. We are concerned that OCR has proposed eliminating the collection of information on whether school districts have posted a web link to its written policy or policies prohibiting discriminatory harassment and bullying on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and disability. In defense of this proposed elimination, OCR argues that requiring school districts to report whether they have posted an online written policy on harassment imposes unnecessary regulatory burdens and levies additional costs that exceed benefits for school districts. But, removing the requirement may discourage some school districts from posting online any written policy on harassment that helps parents and students; a cost that likely far outweighs the administrative burden of simply reporting that a link has been posted. OCR has not provided sufficient reasons for why the cost of posting a web link to a harassment policy outweighs the social benefits to families and students who want to learn more about how their schools combat harassment and bullying, and we encourage the Department to maintain this reporting requirement. Changing reporting around single-sex athletics must only be done to improve understanding about potential discrimination not undermine it. While the proposed CRDC does not remove any requirements related to single-sex athletics, the Department is asking for public input regarding the way the data on single-sex teams is being used and what modifications could be made to better reflect the opportunities for nondiscriminatory athletic participation opportunities. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs receiving federal financial assistance, which includes the right to be able to participate equally in sports. Data regarding opportunities to participate in single-sex sports is vital to understanding whether discrimination is occurring. Participation in sports has been tied to self-esteem and overall well-being as well as to scholarship opportunities in higher education. While girls' high school athletics participation rate is more than ten times greater the level it was when Title IX passed, girls' participation levels have still never reached that of boys' participation levels when it passed.[11] We must continue to support nondiscriminatory opportunities to participate in athletics. Any changes to the CRDC regarding collection of data around single-sex opportunities should be made with the goal of quantifying any potential discrimination based on sex, which includes discrimination based on gender identity. The Department should not consider any changes that would undermine or run counter to that goal. Conclusion Parents, advocates, members of Congress, other policymakers, and researchers use the CRDC to understand where inequities still exist in our nation's school districts and inform efforts to eliminate those disparities. The Department's proposal to eliminate many critical data elements will hinder efforts to remedy these educational inequities and masks the challenges students face in accessing a high-quality education. We urge the Department to withdraw its proposal to eliminate these data elements and improve the elements related to sexual assault so that it can continue to use these important data to conduct civil rights' enforcement, identify trends, and conduct longitudinal analysis to direct its resources and inform its efforts, including providing technical assistance, issuing guidance, identifying best practices, and if warranted, beginning civil rights investigations to uphold students' civil rights. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/play-by-the-rules-act-2019,"Baldwin, Capito, Stabenow, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Trade Cheating",2019-11-19,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.19.19 Baldwin, Capito, Stabenow, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Trade Cheating Play by the Rules Act Holds China Accountable for Ignoring Trade Rules and Harming American Workers and Businesses WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced the bipartisan Play by the Rules Act to crack down on unfair trade cheating from nonmarket economies like China. China doesn't play by the international trade rules they agreed to and they should be held accountable, said Senator Baldwin. This bipartisan legislation will give the Commerce Department the flexibility it needs to take stronger actions that protect American workers and businesses against China cheating. Fair trade rules and policies are needed to protect U.S. jobs and promote economic growth in our country, said Senator Capito. Unfortunately, there are non-market economies that do not abide by free market forces to set prices, which ultimately puts our country at a disadvantage. That's why it's important that we hold those countries accountable when this happens. Doing so will ensure we are putting American jobs and the American economy first. I'm glad to team up with Senator Baldwin once again in introducing this bipartisan legislation that will provide the Commerce Department the flexibility it needs to hold bad actors accountable and ensure that our trade policies are followed and respected. Our trade enforcement laws protect American workers and American jobs. When a bad actor like China circumvents our trade laws, they must be held accountable. The Play by the Rules Act would crack down on unfair trade practices and make sure American workers are competing on a level playing field, said Senator Stabenow. The United States can outcompete any country in the world if the rules are applied the same to both countries, said Dr. Cassidy. This has not been the case between The United States and China, and it has hurt the American worker. We can do better. Our anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duty laws are designed to stop trade partners from tipping the scales in their favor and forcing American workers to compete at a disadvantage. These laws allow U.S. customs officials to collect duties on foreign imported products that are sold below market value or produced with unfair government subsidies. AD/CVD rules are widely used and mostly followed by WTO members. However, nonmarket economieslike Chinaare engaged in a sophisticated and government-backed effort to avoid paying the duties required by these rules at the expense of American workers and businesses. The Play by the Rules Act provides the Commerce Department additional flexibility when reviewing anti-circumvention petitions filed against nonmarket economies like China. This flexibility will allow Commerce to better combat China's attempts to cheat our workers and businesses. The Play by the Rules Act is supported by the United Steelworkers (USW), the Decorative Hardwood Association, the Committee to Protect U.S. Trade Laws, and Felker Brothers in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Our trade laws were designed to protect American jobs from unfair traders who dump illegally subsidized products into our markets. These laws must be constantly defended and improved as unfair traders attempt to circumvent the intent of our dumping laws. The Play by the Rules Act provides much needed flexibility for the Commerce Department to stop nonmarket economies like China from circumventing our trade rules and threatening American jobs. I thank Senators Baldwin, Capito, Cassidy, and Stabenow for their leadership on this legislation, said Tom Conway, USW International President. The Chinese government has subsidized plywood dumped by Chinese companies into American markets injuring American companies and their workers. When the U.S. government acted and assessed anti-dumping duties, American companies were able to re-hire workers in Wisconsin, Maine, Vermont, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, and West Virginia. But China is circumventing these lawful duties, threatening to undo our progress. Senator Baldwin's legislation provides the Commerce Department with the tools we need to crack down on trade cheating from China. We fully support her efforts and thank her for her work, said Kip Howlett, President of the Decorative Hardwood Association. The Committee to Support U.S. Trade Laws (CSUSTL) strongly supports the U.S. trade laws and recognizes that they ensure a level playing field for all parties impacted by unfair trade. The introduction of the Play by the Rules Act of 2019 reiterates the importance of having the appropriate trade tools available to remedy persistent trade distorting practices. We thank Senator Baldwin and her colleagues for their leadership and commitment to this issue. For too long Wisconsin manufacturers like me have been forced to compete with unfairly subsidized Chinese imports. While our antidumping laws can create a level playing field for American companies to compete, China is always seemingly finding new ways to circumvent our trade rules. Senator Baldwin's Play by the Rules Act gives the Commerce Department new flexibility to address Chinese circumvention and save Wisconsin jobs, said David Hendrickson of Felker Brothers in Marshfield, Wisconsin. More information about the Play by the Rules 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=4401,Congresswoman Moore Statement on the Trump Administrations Decision to Reverse Stance on Israels West Bank Settlements,2019-11-19,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Statement on the Trump Administration's Decision to Reverse Stance on Israel's West Bank Settlements f t # e Washington, November 19, 2019 Congresswoman Moore Statement on the Trump Administration's Decision to Reverse Stance on Israel's West Bank Settlements ""I am troubled by the State Department's decision, which moves the U.S. further away from being seen as an honest broker, takes the Israeli and Palestinian people further away from achieving a two-state solution and turns decades of U.S. foreign policy on its head.The unfortunate result of this decision (and a slew of others that this Administration has made so far) is that the United States is even more isolated from the international community, which largely regards Israeli occupation to be illegal. Peace, stability and security is even farther away today than when President Trump took office. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-s-statement-today-s-vote-keep-government-open-protect-millions,"Rep. Kind’s Statement on Today’s Vote to Keep the Government Open, Protect Millions of Dollars in Transportation Funding for Wisconsin",2019-11-19,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCToday, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Dec. 20 that also included a repeal of a $7.6 billion rescission currently scheduled to hit statesincluding Wisconsinbeginning in July 2020. Without this repeal, Wisconsin would have lost more than $140 million in highway funding. Last week, Rep. Ron Kind signed a bipartisan letter urging Congressional leaders to protect this funding, as did Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. Rep. Ron Kind released the following statement after today's vote: I'm happy that we were able to ensure that Wisconsin will be able to keep this much needed federal funding to continue improving our state's crumbling roads, but this isn't how Congress should keep legislating and budgeting, said Rep. Ron Kind. It's fiscally irresponsible for us to have our governmentand especially our militarywork on short term budgets. We need a long-term plan. The House did its job and passed appropriations months ago, it's time for the Senate to do their job. With a deficit close to a trillion dollars this year, we need to have a plan to get our fiscal house back in order and address these historically high deficits.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kind.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kind-urges-federal-energy-commission-address-propane-shortages,Rep. Kind Urges Federal Energy Commission to Address Propane Shortages,2019-11-19,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Ron Kind,K000188,kind.house.gov,,,legacy,"Last week, Rep. Ron Kind sent a letter on behalf of Wisconsin farmers and families urging Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Neil Chatterjee to help ensure there is a continuous supply of propane to Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest. With a late corn harvest season and cold temperatures and snow spiking in the forecast, propane will be higher in demand than normal. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites rely on propane gas to heat their homes and businesses and operate their farms, said Rep. Ron Kind. I appreciate the efforts made by several Midwest governorsparticularly Wisconsin Governor Tony Eversbut more must be done. I look forward to hearing from Chairman Chatterjee and working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure folks throughout the Midwest get the propane fuel they need and avoid another severe propane crisis. Nearly 250,000 residents and countless businesses throughout Wisconsin rely on propane fuel. Farmers also rely on propane to heat poultry and livestock barns, as well as dry wet corn crops and operate grain elevators. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared an energy emergency in anticipation of high demand. Read the letter here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-opposes-pompeo-reversing-policy-on-west-bank-settlements,Pocan Opposes Pompeo Reversing Policy on West Bank Settlements,2019-11-18,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), today released the following statement in response to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement that Israeli West Bank settlements do not violate international law—a major shift from longstanding U.S. and international policy. ""Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. Once again, the Trump administration is taking a massive step backwards and endangering any hopes of peace in the region with this destructive action. Reversing on decades-long bipartisan U.S. policy opposing the settlements in the West Bank is a blatant attempt to help Prime Minister Netanyahu—not promote peace in the region. ""With every policy they announce, this administration has made it clear: they don't want peace, they want instability. This announcement is one in a series of destabilizing decisions made by this administration—from cutting Congressionally-approved humanitarian funding to Gaza and the West Bank to moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem—these actions don't bring us any closer to peace. We need to pass House Resolution 326 and reaffirm our opposition to settlement expansion, support for a two-state solution, and opposition to the annexation of the West Bank.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:43:09Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/waow-baldwin-working-to-bring-relief-to-americans-struggling-to-afford-insulin,WAOW: Baldwin Working to Bring Relief to Americans Struggling to Afford Insulin,2019-11-15,2019,2019-11,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=4400,Congresswoman Moore Applauds the House's Passage of the EXIM Bank Reauthorization,2019-11-15,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Applauds the House's Passage of the EXIM Bank Reauthorization f t # e Washington, November 15, 2019 Congresswoman Moore Applauds the House's Passage of the EXIM Bank Reauthorization WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House passed the Export Finance Agency Act to reauthorize the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. The EXIM Bank, the official export credit agency of the United States, ensures American businesses can remain competitive in a globalized economy. Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: While Americans are being battered by Trump's reckless trade war, Democrats are fighting to ensure American industries remain competitive by supporting access to important markets. The EXIM bank and the trade it facilitates supports many workers here in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Passing this legislation builds upon that commitment, making it a win for American workers, businesses and our economy. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wqow-senator-baldwin-introduces-bipartisan-tax-reform-to-boost-small-business-start-up-growth,WQOW: Senator Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan Tax Reform to Boost Small Business Start-Up Growth,2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/insulin-affordability-data-collection-act,"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Bipartisan Reform to Examine Scope of Insulin Affordability Crisis, Bring Relief to Americans Struggling to Afford Medication",2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.14.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Bipartisan Reform to Examine Scope of Insulin Affordability Crisis, Bring Relief to Americans Struggling to Afford Medication WASHINGTON, D.C. In association with World Diabetes Day, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today helped introduce bipartisan legislation to create a national study to more fully understand the scope of the insulin affordability crisis in America. The bipartisan Insulin Affordability Data Collection Act, led by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer(R-ND),would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study rates of diabetic ketoacidosis. It would also direct HHS investigators to look into how high insulin prices make it more difficult for people with diabetes to adhere to their insulin prescriptions, and to calculate the amount of money Federal health programs could save if they didn't have to treat Americans who need additional care because they are unable to afford their proper doses. I've heard from countless Wisconsinites who are struggling to afford the prescriptions they needincluding insulin, said Senator Baldwin. In recent years, the price of insulin has skyrocketed and it's clear these steep price increases are resulting in patients lacking access to this life-saving medication. Our bipartisan reform is a first step towards understanding this serious issue and delivering solutions that will bring down the price of insulin, which patients and families need. We know that thousands of people are rationing their insulin and that some are paying with their lives like Alec Smith because we're hearing tragic stories firsthand, and seeing Facebook groups pop up dedicated to helping Americans access insulin. We need to do more than just gathering piecemeal information and have the federal government fully behind addressing this crisis, said Senator Smith. Our bipartisan bill is about continuing to elevate this issue, fully understanding the scope of what we're dealing with, and then developing solutions to help the Americans struggling to afford their life-saving insulin. 50,000 North Dakotans need insulin to live, yet we struggle to understand why it is becoming so expensive and what we can do to change that. We need answers, said Senator Cramer. This legislation is an investment in fixing the insulin affordability crisis. The Insulin Affordability Data Collection Act would require the HHS Secretary through the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) to conduct a study that examines the impact of the affordability of insulin on individuals who are insulin-dependent. Specifically, this study will investigate the impact of the affordability of insulin products on: Adherence to insulin prescriptions; Rates of diabetic ketoacidosis; Downstream impacts of insulin adherence (e.g. rates of dialysis treatment and end-stage renal disease); Spending by Medicare, Medicaid, and other Federal health programs on acute care episodes that could be averted by adhering to an insulin prescription; and Other factors, as appropriate. This bill would further separate instances of insulin affordability by an individual's insurance status. Under this legislation, ASPE would be required to submit this report to Congress within two years of enactment. The bill is supported by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and T1International. The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). Senator Baldwin has been continuing her fight to bring down the rising costs of the medicine people depend on. Baldwin's bipartisan FAIR Drug Pricing Act passed the Senate HELP Committee in June and it would address skyrocketing prescription drug prices by requiring transparency for pharmaceutical corporations that plan to increase drug prices. She also introduced the Affordable Medications Act with Senator Smith to hold big pharmaceutical corporations accountable for high prescription drug prices and help bring down health care costs for Americans. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/promoting-women-in-trucking-workforce-act,Senators Baldwin and Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote More Women in Trucking,2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.14.19 Senators Baldwin and Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote More Women in Trucking WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today introduced the Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act. Currently, women make up 47 percent of the United States' labor force, yet represent 24 percent of America's trucking workforce and only about seven percent of drivers. This legislation would support women in the trucking industry and would establish a Women of Trucking Advisory Board. In Wisconsin, we make things, and we need to ensure we have a strong workforce to transport our goods to market, said Senator Baldwin. Women currently make up less than ten percent of the truck driving workforce, and removing the barriers that get in the way of women pursuing and retaining careers in trucking is key. I'm proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Senator Moran because more job opportunities for Wisconsin women will lead to more economic security for working families. As the trucking industry continues to face a driver shortage, we need to examine new ways to recruit and retain drivers that are delivering Kansas goods across the country, said Senator Moran. Because women are substantially underrepresented in the trucking industry, Congress should explore every opportunity to encourage and support the pursuit of careers in trucking by women. I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan and sensible bill with Sen. Baldwin that will lead to new job opportunities for women and increase equality for women already in the trucking industry. The Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce would direct the administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish a Women of Trucking Advisory Board. Under this bill, the board would identify barriers to entry for women in the trucking industry, work across organizations and companies to coordinate formal education and training programs and help identify and establish training and mentorship programs for women in the industry. The legislation also requires the FMCSA Administrator to submit a report to Congress on the board's findings and recommendations. This legislation is supported by the Women in Trucking Association and the American Trucking Association. By creating an advisory board to utilize the expertise and resources of the Federal Motor Carrier Administration and the members of the board, we can increase the opportunities for women as drivers, technicians, owners, trainers and in other relevant career roles, said Women in Truck Association President and CEO Ellen Voie. I look forward to working with you and your office (Sens. Moran and Baldwin) in advancing this bill. On behalf of the American Trucking Association, I write to express thanks and support for the introduction of the Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act, said American Trucking Association President and CEO Chris Spear. Your (Sens. Moran and Baldwin) thoughtful and timely legislation brings important attention and focus to the advancement of female representation and participation in trucking. 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=4402,Congresswoman Moore Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Domestic Violence,2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Gwen Moore,M001160,gwenmoore.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Moore Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Domestic Violence Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Moore supported the introduction of the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVPSA), H.R. 5041, the only federal funding source under the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated to providing domestic violence prevention services. H.R. 5041 will reauthorize and expand funding for programs focused on protecting survivors and preventing family and domestic violence. Among the provisions for survivors, this bill includes authorizations for emergency housing, counseling, and assistance for those in financial distress. FVPSA was first authorized in 1984 and has provided essential services for survivors and their children. Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) led the bill's introduction and Reps. Gwen Moore, Tom Cole (OK-04), and John Katko (NY-24) joined in supporting the bipartisan measure. For 35 years, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act has been a reliable resource for survivors fleeing violent situations by providing life-saving help like emergency housing, said Moore. Equipping local communities with the right tools is a critical part of addressing our domestic violence epidemic. It's why I am so proud to support this bipartisan legislation, which will expand upon these efforts. Domestic and family violence affects Americans across the country, and we must do all we can to keep children and families safe. This bill answers the call of state, local, and tribal leadership for more resources and increased funding as we work to end domestic violence. McBath said. I would like to thank my Republican and Democratic colleagues who have joined me to help prevent violence, protect families, and care for survivors of domestic abuse. All too often, survivors of domestic violence are without the means to leave their situations, or they are not even aware of the first steps they can take. It is critical that these individuals have the resources needed to find help in dangerous situations, said Cole. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act rightfully provides funds to local, state, tribal governments and territories to further resources and empower survivors. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this important legislation. As a former federal prosecutor, I believe we must provide protection and support for the millions of Americans who face domestic violence in our country each year, said Katko. Since it was first authorized in 1984, the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) has played a critical role in providing vital services to survivors of domestic violence and their children. By reauthorizing this important program, we will ensure local, state, and tribal governments are able to continue protection and support services, allowing survivors and their children to properly recover from violence and abuse by a partner. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act, H.R. 5041, expands resources for survivors and initiatives to end domestic violence by: Increasing the funding authorization level to $252 million to respond to low funding levels and provide access to FVPSA funds for programs not currently funded. Expanding support and access for culturally-specific programs. Culturally-specific organizations are better equipped to address the complex, multi-layered challenges facing victims from racial and ethnic minority populations as they seek services and protections from abuse. Culturally-specific programs often have challenges accessing FVPSA funding at the state and local levels due to the limited funding available and robust competition. This bill authorizes a new culturally-specific program to address these needs and incorporates related funding into the formula itself. Strengthening the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to more fully respond to domestic violence in their communities and authorizes funding for tribal coalitions and the Alaska Native Women's Resource Center. Meaningfully investing in prevention. Brings evidence-informed, community-based prevention initiatives to more communities. Strengthening and updating the National Domestic Violence Hotline and hotline services for underrepresented populations, including American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Deaf victims of domestic and dating violence. Creating a new underserved populations grant program. The lack of resources and severity of violence is often heightened for survivors living at the margins, such as those living in rural communities, individuals with disabilities, older adults, those identifying with faith-based communities, youth and others. These underserved populations are often reluctant to seek assistance, and when they do, they frequently look for services and support in their immediate communities. This bill creates a grant program for family centers, youth centers, senior centers, community-based organizations or vocational organizations to meet the needs of these survivors. Continuing to support national technical assistance (TA) centers, including the Alaskan Native Tribal Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and their work to develop effective policy, practice, research and cross-system collaborations. Updating provisions and definitions to ensure access to services for all survivors, better align with related programs and reflect evolving practices in order to provide uniform guidance to those working to end domestic violence. Updates language to reflect current practices and provide a reference to other statutes to ensure common understanding across different federal programs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-introduces-bill-to-protect-grad-students-right-to-unionize,Pocan Introduces Bill to Protect Grad Students Right to Unionize,2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Mark Pocan,P000607,pocan.house.gov,pocan,https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), today introduced the Respect Graduate Student Workers Act, which prohibits the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from enacting their proposed rule which would strip graduate student workers' right to unionize, Jurisdiction-Nonemployee Status of University and College Students Working in Connection With Their Studies. The new bill seeks to ensure the full labor protections for graduate student workers—no matter the educational relationship between graduate student workers and a college or university. The Trump-appointed NLRB has sought to prevent graduate workers at private colleges and universities from unionizing, with a rule that attempts to define them as students only. These graduate employees teach coursework, conduct research, assist professors, and perform other revenue-generating work in conjunction with their studies. They deserve the right to form a union and collectively bargain, just as every worker in every industry deserves. ""This administration's most recent attempt to erode the rights of workers comes in the shape of an attack on graduate student workers who balance education with work for their schools,"" said Rep. Mark Pocan. ""Graduate workers are a vital part of teaching and research in colleges and universities and should have an equal voice in that workplace. Stripping them of their rights to unionize is a blatant attempt to profit off the backs of graduate students without giving them their due. It's time we give all workers the right to fight for a living wage."" ""As a graduate worker who struggles to make ends meet, I am very grateful Rep. Pocan is standing with us in our fight for change, said Tom Hansberger, a Marquette University graduate student worker. ""All working people should have the right to join together and have a voice in their union."" Like many things in the labor movement, graduate student unions have their historical home in Wisconsin. The Teaching Assistant's Association is the oldest graduate employee union in the country, turning 50 years old this year. That movement has grown to over 60 recognized graduate student unions across the country. These unions have given graduate student workers the power to collectively bargain, improving their pay and benefits—including a lower reliance on student loans, better workplace protections and broader health insurance. Graduate students who are working while enrolled in school deserve a living wage. The NLRB's new rule is just this administration's most recent attempt to dismantle the labor movement and gut worker power in the workplace. Graduate student workers are no different than employees anywhere else—and we cannot silence their voices in the workplace. The bill is endorsed by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Both unions represent graduate student workers on campuses across the country.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:43:09Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/baldwin-continues-pressing-cdc-and-fda-on-the-outbreak-of-severe-lung-injury-connected-to-vaping,Baldwin Continues Pressing CDC and FDA on the Outbreak of Severe Lung Injury Connected to Vaping,2019-11-13,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/senator-baldwin-presses-cdc-and-fda-on-the-outbreak-of-severe-lung-injury-connected-to-vaping,Senator Baldwin Presses CDC and FDA on the Outbreak of Severe Lung Injury Connected to Vaping,2019-11-13,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/bipartisan-digital-coast-act-passes-commerce-committee-2019,Bipartisan Digital Coast Act Passes Commerce Committee,2019-11-13,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.13.19 Bipartisan Digital Coast Act Passes Commerce Committee Legislation aids shoreline communities by delivering next generation coastal data Passed the Senate unanimously in the 114th and 115th Sessions of Congress WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) passed the Senate Commerce Committee. The Digital Coast Act will help shoreline communities along the Great Lakes and ocean coasts better prepare for storms, cope with varying water levels and strengthen economic development efforts. Following today's action, the bill is ready for consideration by the full Senate. Wisconsin's Great Lakes are a great asset for our quality of life and also for our long-term economic security, said Senator Baldwin. I'm proud of the progress we are making in moving this bipartisan reform forward to strengthen our shoreline communities, which face a variety of challenges to keep their harbors open, their waters clean and their beaches ready for visitors. This bipartisan bill ensures that our Great Lakes communities have the resources and tools they need to adapt to changing environmental conditions, maintain healthy shores, and make smart planning decisions to support their local economies and way of life. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) currently assembles and hosts the Digital Coast Project, a collaborative online database of the most up-to-date coastal information, and makes it available to both the public and private sectors. Digital Coast also provides tools for coastal communities to decipher and use the high-tech mapping data to make accurate decisions and smart investments in coastal communities. The Digital Coast Act authorizes the next phase in coastal mapping at NOAA by ensuring that communities will continue to have the data to make smart choices for economic development, shoreline management and coastal restoration. The bill supports further development of the current project, including increasing access to uniform, up-to-date data, to help communities get the coastal data they need to respond to emergencies, plan for long-term coastal resilience, and manage their water resources. Baldwin and Murkowski's bipartisan legislation passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous consent during the 114th and 115th Sessions of Congress. Supporters of the Digital Coast Act include Quantum Spatial, Inc., The Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors, Association of State Floodplain Managers, U.S. GEO, National Society of Professional Surveyors, National States Geographic Information Council, MAPPS (a national association of geospatial firms), American Planning Association, Coastal States Organization, National Association of Counties, and the Digital Coastal Partnership Advocacy Coalition. Read what supporters are saying about theDigital Coast Acthere. More information on theDigital Coast Actis availablehere. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/data-needed-to-combat-wage-discrimination,"Senator Baldwin, 28 Democrats Oppose EEOC Decision to Stop Collecting Data Needed to Combat Wage Discrimination",2019-11-13,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.13.19 Senator Baldwin, 28 Democrats Oppose EEOC Decision to Stop Collecting Data Needed to Combat Wage Discrimination Without justification, EEOC stops requiring employers to collect data on pay and hours based on race, sex, ethnicity and job category Baldwin, 28 Senate Democrats urge the EEOC to reconsider and take into account the impact on workers, particularly women and communities of color Senators: Ending the collection of Component 2 data will worsen pay inequities in the workplace WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined 28 Senate Democrats in writing to Chairwoman Janet Dhillon of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) condemning the EEOC's unfounded and shortsighted decision to stop requiring employers to provide data about their employees' pay and hours based on race, sex, ethnicity and job category information which is critical to the EEOC's ability to protect workers against pay and wage discrimination. The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. In September, without justification, the EEOC announced its decision to stop requiring employers to report Component 2 data on their employees' pay and hours sorted by race, sex, ethnicity, and job category. Without this crucial data, the EEOC will be woefully ill-equipped to identify workplace discrimination, let alone address it. Discontinuing the collection of Component 2 data will undermine the agency's critical mission of identifying industries and workplaces where inequity exists and holding employers accountable for pay discrimination, wrote the Senators. The EEOC has failed to justify its assertion that the burden on employers of providing Component 2 data far outweighs the benefits for working women and communities of color. The letter was led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee. Other Senators who signed the letter include Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Doug Jones (D-AL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Full text of the letter is available below and HERE. November 12, 2019 The Honorable Janet Dhillon Chair U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 131 M Street, NE Washington, DC 20507 RE: Comment on Notice of Information CollectionRequest for new Control Number for a Currently Approved Collection: Employer Information Report (EEO-1) Component 1; Revision of Existing Approval for EEO-1 Component 2 (Docket Number: EEOC-2019-0003) Dear Chairwoman Dhillon: We write to oppose the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) decision to remove Component 2 from its Employer Information Report (EEO-1) form. Component 2 requires employers to report their employees' pay and hours worked sorted by race, sex, ethnicity, and job category. This information helps the EEOC carry out its mission of combatting harassment in the workplace, addressing the gender pay gap, and enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. Discontinuing the collection of Component 2 data will undermine the agency's critical mission of identifying industries and workplaces where inequity exists and holding employers accountable for pay discrimination. The EEOC's rationale for ceasing this data collection is unfounded and will result in workers continuing to be discriminated against while employers are left unaccountable. 1.Gender and Racial Discrimination Drive the Wage Gap Despite making up nearly half the workforce, women are paid less for the same work. Women in the United States are paid just 82 cents for every dollar paid to men. The pay gap is even wider for women of color: Black, Native American, and Latina women are paid only 62 cents, 57 cents, and 54 cents, respectively, for every dollar paid to a white man. Although Asian American women typically make 85 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men, certain communities of Asian American and Pacific Islander women make significantly less. The wage gaps also vary by state and zip code. The wage gaps harm women and families across the economy, as women head close to 15 million households in the U.S. and about 26 percent of those families have incomes that fall below the poverty line. Further delays in eliminating the wage gap for women mean that women in the U.S. lose close to $915 billion every year. As a result, women and especially women of color have less money to support themselves, their families, and to secure their retirement. 2. Eliminating the Collection of Component 2 Data Undermines the EEOC's Ability to Combat Wage Discrimination Given the clear evidence of a persistent gender pay gap, which is driven in significant part by pay discrimination, there is little reason why the agency charged with shining light on the wage gap and battling discrimination would stop collecting Component 2 data. The Component 2 data, which covers over 60 million employees, is intended to provide greater transparency about wage gaps that occur across various industries and job categories and to aid enforcement of pay discrimination laws which are under enforced precisely because a culture of secrecy around pay makes pay discrimination harder to identify and thus harder to challenge. Starting nearly a decade ago, the EEOC started looking at ways to improve enforcement of federal laws prohibiting pay discrimination. In 2012, the EEOC convened a meeting of employer representatives, statisticians, human resource information systems (HRIS) experts, and information technology specialists, who concluded the burden of reporting pay data would be minimal for EEO-1 filers. In 2016, after multiple rounds of stakeholder engagement and based on extensive analysis, the EEOC updated its EEO-1 form to add Component 2, which requires companies with 100 or more employees to submit additional data on wages paid to their employees, sorted by job category, gender, race, and ethnicity. In 2017, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) decided, based on minimal and conclusory analysis, to stay the revised Component 2 pay data collection. In 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia determined that OMB's stay of EEOC's pay data collection was illegal and ruled that OMB did not explain in any substantive way why it believed the revised EEO-1 was contrary to [Paperwork Reduction Act] standards. The court ordered that the revised EEO-1 form go into effect. The agency is still in the process of collecting Component 2 data for 2017 and 2018, and the court has mandated the agency take all necessary steps to complete the data collection by January 31, 2020. The EEOC's decision to abandon the pay data collection going forward before it has fully collected, let alone analyzed, the data under the current collection is a remarkable step backward. The EEOC is electing to use fewer tools to identify pay discrimination, and this decision will fundamentally obstruct the agency's mission to fight pay discrimination. 3. The EEOC Fails To Justify Its Decision To Cease Collecting This Critical Data The EEOC has failed to justify its assertion that the burden on employers of providing Component 2 data far outweighs the benefits for working women and communities of color. According to the notice, the EEOC recently revised its previous methodology for calculating burdens on employers and arrived at higher calculations of burden. The revised burden estimates led the agency to conclude, the unproven utility to its enforcement program of the pay data as defined in the 2016 Component 2 is far outweighed by the burden imposed on employers that must comply with the reporting obligation. The EEOC reached this conclusion before it completed the 2017 and 2018 data collection or conducted any analysis of the data. Additionally, the agency does not take into account the fact that employers now have processes and systems in place to provide such data, given that they have submitted 2017 and 2018 data, which will streamline the process for future collections. The agency simply has failed to collect the information it needs to make any judgment about the benefits or burdens of the data collection to workers or employers. This disingenuous reasoning makes clear the EEOC is not actually considering the value of the Component 2 data collection to workers and the agency's potential ability to use this information to address the wage gap. Lost wages every year mean families, businesses, and the economy suffer. The EEOC has the authority to investigate inequity in pay and wage discrimination against employers and to prevent discrimination through outreach and education. The more information the EEOC has about the wage gap, the more likely the agency will be able to address it. Ending the collection of Component 2 data without considering the impact on women and especially women of color will worsen pay inequities in the workplace. We strongly urge the EEOC to reconsider this decision and continue collecting Component 2 data from EEO-1 filers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/hearing-on-vaping,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Presses CDC and FDA on the Outbreak of Severe Lung Injury Connected to Vaping,2019-11-13,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.13.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Presses CDC and FDA on the Outbreak of Severe Lung Injury Connected to Vaping WASHINGTON, D.C. Following the request of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) today held a hearing on the outbreak of lung injury connected to electronic cigarette use, or vaping, and the rise of youth use of these products. Senator Baldwin, a member of the Senate HELP Committee, pressed witnesses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the long-term health impacts of the lung injuries connected to vaping and also pressed the FDA on its delay in cracking down on marketing and advertising targeted at our nation's young people. I'm pleased that we are here to discuss both the outbreak of this illness, as well as the increasing number of children using e-cigarettes, said Senator Baldwin during the hearing. However, it is clear that our work is far from over. Now that the CDC has detected one potential chemical of concern, the Committee should hear from individuals on the front lines who can speak to the challenges of identifying, containing and preventing outbreaks and I expect we'll learn more today that will require further action. The full hearing is publicly available here. Video of Senator Baldwin's second round of questioning is available here. Senator Baldwin also today praised Children's Hospital of Wisconsin for its ground-breaking work on this issue. Last month, Senator Baldwin visited Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to meet with the doctors and medical experts who were the first to publicly identify this recent outbreak of lung injury and illness connected to vaping. As of November 7 2019, the CDC hasreported39 fatalities and more than 2,000 cases of lung injuries related to vaping in 49 states. In September, Senator Baldwin urged the CDC to activate its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to address the outbreak connected to vaping. Following this request, the CDCactivated its EOCthat allows the agency to provide increased operational support for the response to meet the outbreak's evolving challenges. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/protect-vets-from-foreign-online-disinformation,Baldwin Joins Colleagues in Requesting Update on VA and DoD Efforts to Protect Veterans and Servicemembers from Foreign Online Disinformation,2019-11-13,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.13.19 Baldwin Joins Colleagues in Requesting Update on VA and DoD Efforts to Protect Veterans and Servicemembers from Foreign Online Disinformation Report Finds Veterans, Servicemembers, and Their Families Remain Targets of Malign Influence Operations by Russia, China, and Other Foreign Actors WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined her colleagues, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), in sending letters to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) requesting information on the agencies' efforts to educate veterans and servicemembers about online disinformation campaigns and other malign influence operations by Russian, Chinese, and other foreign entities. The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) recently released the results of a two-year investigation that documented persistent, pervasive, and coordinated online targeting of American servicemembers, veterans, and their families by foreign entities seeking to disrupt American democracy. The report found that the Russian Internet Research Agency specifically targeted American veterans and the social-media followers of several congressionally-chartered veterans service organizations during and after the 2016 election. The report also revealed that foreign entities are targeting servicemembers and veterans for the purpose of interference in the upcoming federal election. In their letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, the Senators noted that while the VA has prioritized the security of its information systems and infrastructure - including veterans' personal information - the VA does not appear to have an established strategy for educating veterans about online disinformation efforts targeting them. The Senators urged Secretary Wilkie to consider implementing the VVA report's recommendations. While countering disinformation targeting veterans is not a core VA function, identifying these tactics helps improve veterans' cyber security and their ability to detect and avoid falling prey to scams and other forms of manipulation, the Senators wrote to the VA. Their letter is available HERE. In their letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper, the Senators acknowledged DoD has worked to deter online disinformation and other malign influence campaigns by foreign adversaries, but they also called on the Department to implement VVA's recommendations, consistent with existing efforts to counter foreign malign influence operations. Malicious foreign actors are targeting servicemembers using disinformation through social media platforms and other online tools and ... countering foreign interference in American elections is critical to protecting the integrity of our democracy, the Senators wrote to DoD. Their letter is available HERE. The VVA report's recommendations for addressing online disinformation targeting servicemembers include directing DoD to create a working group to study the security risks inherent in the use of common personal electronic devices and apps at home and abroad by servicemembers, and to direct commanders to include personal cybersecurity training and regular cyber-hygiene checks for all servicemembers. The report also recommended that the VA immediately develop plans to make the cyber-hygiene of veterans an urgent priority within the VA, and educate and train veterans on personal cyber security, including how to identify instances of online manipulation. The letters asked VA and DoD a series of specific questions about their efforts to protect veterans and servicemembers from foreign malign influence operations, and requested a response by December 6, 2019. The letter was also signed by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tom Udall (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Doug Jones (D-AL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kamala Harris (D-CA). Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/support-start-ups-2019,Senators Baldwin and Hoeven Introduce Bipartisan Tax Reform to Boost Small Business Start-Up Growth,2019-11-13,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.13.19 Senators Baldwin and Hoeven Introduce Bipartisan Tax Reform to Boost Small Business Start-Up Growth The bipartisan Support Our Start-Ups Act provides tax relief for new business start-ups WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced bipartisan tax reform legislation today that would support small business start-up growth around the nation. Wisconsin has a proud history of entrepreneurship and innovation, but recent reports show that we need to do more to support our Made in Wisconsin start-ups, said Senator Baldwin. Wisconsin's small businesses need a tax break and that's what I'm working for. Small businesses are the engines of our economy and if we provide tax relief to start-ups, we can free up investments to create jobs and grow our economy. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the engine that drives our economy, creating jobs and opportunities in communities nationwide, said Senator Hoeven. Our legislation enables entrepreneurs to deduct more of the start-up costs for their business, which in turn will allow them to invest these dollars in making their business a success. That's good for our entrepreneurs, their employees and the economy. New businesses and entrepreneurial ventures are an important source of job creation in the United States. New business start-ups have accounted for close to 30 percent of new jobs in the United States each year since 2011. Despite what we know about new businesses driving job growth, start-up rates are declining across all sectors of the U.S. economy, and these new businesses are generating fewer jobs than their predecessors. More needs to be done to lower the cost of starting a new business. According to the Kauffman Foundation, one of the country's leading entrepreneurship advocacy and research organizations, from 2014 to 2018, Wisconsin had a lower rate of new entrepreneurs compared to states with similar populations. Wisconsin also ranked below neighboring states in the average number of jobs created by start-ups in their first year. The bipartisan Support Our Start-Ups Act will: Increase the start-up deduction for new small businesses from $5,000 to $20,000, allowing small business owners to put money back into their business sooner, creating jobs and growing our economy. Increase the deduction's phase-out threshold from $50,000 to $120,000; and, Extend the start-up tax deduction to organizational expenditures and ensure businesses can benefit regardless if they are organized as a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship. The Support Our Start-Ups Act is supported by stakeholder organizations and businesses around the nation, including in Wisconsin and North Dakota. Those supportive of the legislation include the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Main Street Alliance, Engine, Startup Wisconsin, Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation, Gener8tor, Red Letter Grants and Emerging Prairie in North Dakota. Entrepreneurs tell us that legislation like Senator Baldwin's Support Our Start-Ups Act will help ease the personal financial burden placed on entrepreneurs who are the backbone of America's economic growth engine, said Matt Cordio, Co-Founder & President of Startup Wisconsin. We applaud this bipartisan effort by Senator Baldwin and Senator Hoeven to encourage and support entrepreneurs through this important legislation, said Joe Kirgues, Co-Founder of gener8tor. At Emerging Prairie we work to empower entrepreneurs to develop thriving businesses. No matter how great the idea they are founded upon, start-up businesses are often most vulnerable in their early years due to financial stress. This bill would work to remove these barriers - increasing their resiliency, said Greg Tehven, Co-Founder and CEO of Emerging Prairie in North Dakota. More information is available here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/trump-mismanaged-payments-to-farmers-for-trade-damages,"Baldwin, Democrats Unveil New Report Detailing How Trump Administration Mismanaged Payments to Farmers for Trade Damages",2019-11-12,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.12.19 Baldwin, Democrats Unveil New Report Detailing How Trump Administration Mismanaged Payments to Farmers for Trade Damages New data shows how payments create deep inequities, benefiting farms that have experienced less trade damage WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined a group of Senate Democrats, led by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), in releasing a new report detailing how the Trump administration is picking winners and losers in their attempt to aid farmers affected by President Trump's turbulent trade agenda. The data shows that in the wake of the trade uncertainty created by the President's actions, the $25 billion in mitigation payments to help farmers has been distributed unevenly across the country, benefitting some regions more than others. Specifically, the new report outlines that while farmers are in dire need of assistance, the administration's Market Facilitation Program (MFP) has treated farmers unfairly by, among other things, sending 95% of the top payment rates to southern farmers, who have been harmed less than other regions, and helping farms owned by billionaires as well as foreign-owned companies, including awarding $90 million in purchase contracts to a Brazilian company. In light of the report's findings, the Senators also sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve its trade assistance program to better support small farmers and pursue a focused trade policy to rebuild the markets American farmers have lost. Farmers in Wisconsin, the Midwest, and across the country have faced enormous challenges because of the impacts of the trade wars and the resulting retaliatory tariffs that have targeted agriculture products. Dairy farmers have been hit particularly hard by retaliatory tariffs and in Wisconsin, we've lost more than 1,800 dairy farms since President Trump took office, said Senator Baldwin. We should respect their hard work and contributions to the economy by directing aid in a way that most benefits our American farmers and family businesses who need it, not billionaires from other countries or big, wealthy farms. Over the past two years, President Trump has pursued a chaotic approach to trade that has created unprecedented uncertainty for American agriculture. While farmers are in dire need of assistance, according to an analysis of USDA data, the administration's Market Facilitation Program (MFP) has treated farmers unfairly by: Picking Winners and Losers between Regions and Crops: 95% of top payment rates have gone to southern farmers, who have been harmed less than other regions Helping Wealthy Farms and Foreign Companies Instead of Small Farms: Payments made to billionaires and foreign-owned companies, including $90 million to JBS, a Brazilian company Failing to Recover Market Access: No long-term investment or plan for rebuilding markets While farmers in the Midwest and Northern Plains have been affected the most, Southern farmers have received the highest payment rates. Looking at the first round of 2019 MFP payments per acre, the five top states are in the South. Additionally, the USDA trade assistance does nothing to target assistance to small and medium-sized farms that are most vulnerable to trade damage. The report also raises concerns that the administration lacks a long-term strategy to rebuild the markets they have lost. Highlights from the report include: Since President Trump took office, Wisconsin has lost more than 1,800 dairy farms. Dairy farmers have faced a storm of challenges in recent years, but unfortunately under this program, dairy farmers were paid based on production history that is between 6 and 8 years old and may not reflect current circumstances. For many Wisconsin farms, this old data means their payment will be smaller than it should be. Farmers in Georgia have already received over $50 per acre in the first round of 2019 payments, while farmers in 34 other states received $25 per acre or less, including Wisconsin. Both cotton farmers and soybean farmers received payments for the 2018 crop, despite the fact that cotton prices have increased while soybean prices have decreased. The Trump administration ignores any trade damage not related to its own chaotic trade actions and largely shuts out specialty crops and forestry from direct assistance. Instead of taking steps to support small and beginning operations, USDA doubled the payment limit for row crops payments from $125,000 to $250,000. This change will concentrate payments even more in the large complicated farming conglomerates. In the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill, Congress provided balanced support to help farmers manage market instability across the country and provided permanent support for USDA export market development programs. The Senators raised concerns that the administration's policy upends this careful compromise, replaces income from markets with government payments, creates vast inequities, and does not address the actual trade damage to farmers who have been hit the hardest. In May of this year, after reports that $62 million in U.S. taxpayer-funded aid meant for American farmers was given to a company owned by two Brazilian billionaires, Senator Baldwin demanded answers from President Trump about the administration's trade aid payments. In addition to Baldwin, Schumer and Stabenow, 12 Senators signed the letter to Perdue urging him to correct the inequities in the trade assistance payments including Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The full report is available here. The full letter is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wjfw-vet-groups-voice-support-for-baldwins-reform-to-create-three-digit-suicide-prevention-hotline,WJFW: Vet Groups Voice Support for Baldwin’s Reform to Create Three-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline,2019-11-08,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwin-honors-93-year-old-shawano-veteran,VIDEO RELEASE: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Honors 93 year-old Shawano Veteran,2019-11-08,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.19 VIDEO RELEASE: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Honors 93 year-old Shawano Veteran Baldwin visited the home of Phyllis Hafemann Olson to recognize her service in the Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII SHAWANO, WI United States Cadet Nurses are currently not granted veteran's status, but that didn't stop U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin from visiting the Shawano home of Phyllis Hafemann Olson to thank her for her service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II and present her with an American flag that had been flown over the United States Capitol. Phyllis is somebody who stepped up at a time of great need for our nation and served her country honorably, said Senator Baldwin. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to join her in her home and thank her for her service and sacrifice. Phyllis, born in Shawano, joined the Cadet Nurse Corps in 1945 after graduating from high school and served for three years at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Baldwin's visit was the result of a request from friends of Phyllis who inquired about formal recognition of her service in the Cadet Nurse Corps. Senator Baldwin is a cosponsor of the bipartisan United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act that would provide Cadet Nurses with veteran's status in order to obtain burial benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and would allow the Secretary of Defense to provide honorably discharged Cadet Nurses with a service medal. United States Cadet Nurse Corps (CNC) was authorized by Congress and signed into law in July 1943. Its purpose was to help alleviate the nursing shortage that existed during WWII. The CNC fell under the Public Health Service and the program was open to all women between the ages of 17 and 35 who were in good health and had graduated from an accredited high school. The recruiting target was the high-school graduate but college women were also recruited. The cadets came from locations across the nation and from all backgrounds. The CNC was the largest of the federal nurse-training programs; it allowed young women to serve their country in uniform and without discrimination. Of the 1,300 schools of nursing in the country, 1,125 participated in the program. The CNC operated from 1943 until 1948; during this period 179,294 student nurses enrolled in the program and 124,065 of them graduated from participating nursing schools. The American Hospital Association credited the cadet student nurses with helping to prevent the collapse of civilian nursing in the U.S. during the war. Photos from the visit are available for download here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/better-patient-safety-and-oversight-for-veterans,Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Call to Action for Better Patient Safety and Oversight at VA Facilities,2019-11-08,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.08.19 Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Call to Action for Better Patient Safety and Oversight at VA Facilities Senators demand answers following cases of inadequate care or mistreatment of veterans at VA medical facilities across the country WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined nine of her colleagues led by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) in calling for action following alarming incidents of veterans receiving inadequate care or mistreatment at the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) medical facilities. In aletterto VA Secretary Wilkie, the Senators voiced their concerns over serious, high-profile cases of veteran abuse and employee misconduct within VA facilities across the country. We are concerned about systemic issues that may be present within VA, affecting veterans' ability to receive high-quality, timely health care,stressed the Senators.We write with specific examples from Department facilities, in addition to questions for VA on how to ensure these incidents are not repeated at any other VA facility and protocols are put in place to safeguard patient care system-wide.The Department must get a handle on its shortcomings so that veterans feel safe using its facilities and providers choose it as a place to practice medicine. Multiple incidents in recent months have exposed serious lapses in quality of care for veterans nationwide. Earlier this year, a twice-suspended VA physician in Arkansas was charged with involuntary manslaughter in three patient deaths that were due to incorrect or misleading diagnoses.In West Virginia, allegations of patient homicides surfaced, launching an investigation into the murders that took place at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center after the deaths of multiple veterans from hypoglycemia.In Georgia, a veteran receiving end-of-life care at the VA Eagles' Nest Community Living Center suffered more than 100 ant bites on his body after he was left unattended and his room became infested by ants. In response to these disturbing reports, the Senators demanded immediate attention to address systemic issues and prevent incidents of mistreatment and abuse in the future. They called on the Department to implement protocols in order to safeguard patient care writing: Veterans must have confidence that when they turn to the Department for health care services that the individuals charged with caring for them are monitored and held accountable for their actions.VA needs to take action system-wide to ensure that a protocol is in place for reviewing providers' fitness to care for patients, flagging concerns, and restricting providers from modifying their records to conceal mistakes. The Senators' letter highlighted main areas of concerns at the Department, including Quality of Care Controls, Credentialing and Privileging, Whistleblowing, Drug Monitoring and Reporting, Facility Conditions, and VA Leadership Vacancies. In addition to Senators Baldwin, Tester and Moran, the letter was signed by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Shelley MooreCapito(R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AK), and Pat Roberts (R-KS). Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/us-senator-tammy-baldwin-honors-93-year-old-shawano-veteran,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Honors 93 Year-Old Shawano Veteran,2019-11-07,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wbay-baldwin-continues-advocating-for-national-marine-sanctuary-designation-in-wisconsin,WBAY: Baldwin Continues Advocating for National Marine Sanctuary Designation in Wisconsin,2019-11-07,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wbay-baldwins-biamendment-to-expand-flight-training-for-veterans-wins-full-senate-approval,WBAY: Baldwin’s BiAmendment to Expand Flight-Training for Veterans Wins Full Senate Approval,2019-11-07,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/weau-baldwin-announces-increased-federal-funding-to-provide-farmers-with-mental-health-services,WEAU: Baldwin Announces Increased Federal Funding to Provide Farmers with Mental Health Services,2019-11-07,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/wfrv-senator-tammy-baldwin-works-to-increase-funding-for-great-lakes-restoration-initiative,WFRV: Senator Tammy Baldwin Works to Increase Funding for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,2019-11-07,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/investigate-whether-barr-initiated-politically-motivated-investigation,U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Signs on to Letter Calling for the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility to Investigate Whether Attorney General Barr Initiated a Politically Motivated Investigation Based on Unfounded Conspiracy T,2019-11-07,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.07.19 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Signs on to Letter Calling for the Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility to Investigate Whether Attorney General Barr Initiated a Politically Motivated Investigation Based on Unfounded Conspiracy Theories about the 2016 Election WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined nine Senate Democrats to urge the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) to investigate whether Attorney General William Barr is using the power of his office to pursue a politically motivated investigation to undermine the Intelligence Community's conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help elect Donald Trump. In their letter led by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to the OPR's Acting Director and Chief Counsel Jeffrey Ragsdale, the Senators specifically call for investigations into: Whether Attorney General Barr's actions in initiating and conducting a now criminal probe into the origins of the Russia investigation, including closely overseeing it and personally participating in it, were appropriate and consistent with ethical rules and Department of Justice policies and practices; Whether anyone in the White House or an associate of the President has communicated with Attorney General Barr about his decision to initiate the investigation or the way in which he is conducting the investigation, and whether such communications are appropriate and consistent with ethical rules and Department of Justice policies and practices; Whether Attorney General Barr's inquiry includes criminally investigating Justice Department employees; whether such investigations have been properly reported to the Office of the Inspector General, as required under 28 C.F.R. 45.11; and whether these criminal investigations have proper legal and factual predicates; and Whether the fact that Attorney General Barr is named as a potential participant in the President's efforts to press Ukraine to investigate his political opponents warrants the Attorney General's recusal for any matters involving investigations into the origins of the Russia investigation, including efforts to engage Ukraine in these investigations. We write regarding the troubling reporting that the investigation Attorney General William Barr launched into the origins of the government's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election has shifted to a criminal inquiry. White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney recently tied this investigation to the Trump Ukraine matters, indicating that military aid to Ukraine had been withheld, in part, to pressure Ukraine to cooperate with the investigation, the Senators wrote. This raises significant questions about whether Attorney General Barr is using the weighty powers of the Justice Department to further the President's personal and political goals, instead of fairly and impartially administering justice. In light of these concerns, we respectfully request that the Office of Professional Responsibility immediately begin investigations of these issues. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also signed the letter. The full text of the letter is below: Jeffrey R. Ragsdale Acting Director and Chief Counsel Office of Professional Responsibility U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 3266 Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Director Ragsdale: We write regarding the troubling reporting that the investigation Attorney General William Barr launched into the origins of the government's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election has shifted to a criminal inquiry. White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney recently tied this investigation to the Trump Ukraine matters, indicating that military aid to Ukraine had been withheld, in part, to pressure Ukraine to cooperate with the investigation. This raises significant questions about whether Attorney General Barr is using the weighty powers of the Justice Department to further the President's personal and political goals, instead of fairly and impartially administering justice. In light of these concerns, we respectfully request that the Office of Professional Responsibility immediately begin investigations of these issues. As an initial matter, we are concerned that Attorney General Barr's now criminal investigation may lack a proper legal and factual predicate. The unanimous assessment by the U.S. intelligence community confirmed that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election. Special Counsel Mueller documented this Russian interference in detail, and his investigation resulted in indictments, convictions, or guilty pleas of 34 individuals, including top advisers to President Trump and 25 Russian nationals, and three Russian entities. Moreover, the Senate Intelligence Committee reaffirmed in a two-volume, bipartisan report, that Russia waged a broad campaign to interfere in the 2016 election in favor of Donald Trump. Despite these detailed findings by the intelligence community, the Special Counsel, and the Senate Intelligence Committee, Attorney General Barr appears to be using the Justice Department's resources and authority to undermine their assessment. In fact, reporting indicates that Attorney General Barr's investigation involves pursuing unfounded conspiracy theories and right-wing attacks on the Russia investigation. Moreover, the manner in which Attorney General Barr has handled this matter raises questions of whether there were undue political influences or purposes in pursuing this review of the Russia investigation. When Attorney General Barr first announced he had initiated his inquiry, he accused the FBI of spying on the Trump campaign. Such statements not only serve to undermine the Russia investigation, they also demonstrate the Attorney General's prejudgment of his own inquiry into that investigation. In addition, there appears to be no indication that he received a referral from an investigative agency or even satisfied the reasonable indication standard that might justify a criminal probe, particularly one involving other federal government officials. Rather, according to recent reports, the Attorney General seems to be taking unorthodox actions, including meeting personally with foreign intelligence officials, in pursuit of baseless conspiracy theories promoted by the President. Mr. Mulvaney's recent statement that the White House withheld military aid to Ukraine in part to push Ukraine to cooperate with Barr's ongoing investigation deepens our concern that the investigation is politically motivated. This statement is particularly concerning in light of the President's direct request, in a July 25 call, that the government of Ukraine conduct investigations implicating his political opponents and coordinate with Attorney General Barr in doing so. These concerns were underscored by Ambassador Bill Taylor's recent testimony that provided further context for the President's efforts to press Ukraine to conduct these investigations for his political purposes. Given these concerns, we urge the Office of Professional Responsibility to initiate immediately investigations of the following matters: Whether Attorney General Barr's actions in initiating and conducting a now criminal probe into the origins of the Russia investigation, including closely overseeing it and personally participating in it, were appropriate and consistent with ethical rules and Department of Justice policies and practices; Whether anyone in the White House or an associate of the President has communicated with Attorney General Barr about his decision to initiate the investigation or the way in which he is conducting the investigation, and whether such communications are appropriate and consistent with ethical rules and Department of Justice policies and practices; Whether Attorney General Barr's inquiry includes criminally investigating Justice Department employees; whether such investigations have been properly reported to the Office of the Inspector General, as required under 28 C.F.R. 45.11; and whether these criminal investigations have proper legal and factual predicates; and Whether the fact that Attorney General Barr is named as a potential participant in the President's efforts to press Ukraine to investigate his political opponents warrants the Attorney General's recusal for any matters involving investigations into the origins of the Russia investigation, including efforts to engage Ukraine in these investigations. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. We look forward to your prompt response.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/support-grows-for-national-suicide-hotline-designation-act,Veterans Groups Voice Strong Support for Baldwin’s Bipartisan Reform to Create Three-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline,2019-11-07,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.07.19 Veterans Groups Voice Strong Support for Baldwin's Bipartisan Reform to Create Three-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline Bipartisan bill designates 9-8-8 as a suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline WASHINGTON, D.C. Support from leading veteran advocacy organizations is growing for U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin's bipartisan reform to designate a three-digit phone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline and ensure states have the flexibility to strengthen local crisis call centers. Baldwin's National Suicide Hotline Designation Act is supported by the American Legion, AMVETS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the Wounded Warriors Project, as well as dozens of mental health and suicide prevention organizations nationwide. Death by suicide is a severe problem in the veteran community with about 17 veterans committing suicide every day, on average. In 2017, in Wisconsin for example, one out of every five people who died by suicide was a veteran. The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis line are 10-digits, which is a barrier to Americans in crisis seeking support. The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act directs the FCC to designate 9-8-8 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and allows veterans to press 1 after dialing 9-8-8 to be routed automatically to the Veterans Crisis Line for veteran-specific mental health support. Additionally, the legislation will authorize the ability of states to collect fees to ensure local call centers are able to support increased volume. Baldwin introduced this bipartisan reform with Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jack Reed (D-RI). Ensuring Veterans and at-risk groups have a simple, reliable way to access mental health services is vital to combatting our nation's suicide crisis, said Melissa Bryant, National Legislative Director of The American Legion. Interventions work. We are proud to support this legislation as a critical step toward tackling this public health crisis. AMVETS realizes the importance of establishing barrier-free communication channels for veterans who need immediate help, which is why we created a helpline for veterans who need to talk to someone immediately. When a veteran in crisis calls us, we work closely with the Veterans Crisis Line and refer those veterans regularly. Every day we encourage veterans to reach out for help when they need it, whether that means calling their fellow servicemembers or calling a helpline. Changing the number of the Veteran Crisis Line to 9-8-8 gives veterans or loved ones an easy number to remember in the midst of a crisis. We hope this will encourage more people to take advantage of this resource and make the call when they are in need of help, said Sherman Gillums, Chief Advocacy Officer for American Veterans (AMVETS). TAPS supports the implementation of a 3 digit number for the National Crisis Line. We want to make it as simple as possible for those at risk to reach out and connect with care, said Kim Ruocco MSW, Vice President of Suicide Prevention and Postvention at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). I know from my days in the military that in a crisis, simple is better. This is why Wounded Warrior Project supports S. 2661 the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019, said Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington. This important legislation, sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner and co-sponsored by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, would simplify access to the National Suicide Hotline by providing a three-digit phone number to dial to connect those experiencing suicidal ideations with life-saving resources. As we work to remove barriers to mental health care and employ public health approaches to prevent tragedy before it strikes, an easy-to-remember hotline for connecting veterans in distress to experts who can help is overdue. On the behalf of Wounded Warrior Project and the veterans we serve, we thank Sens. Gardner and Baldwin for their leadership on this important issue. Print Email Tweet Next Press Release Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/us-army-rangers-veterans-of-world-war-ii-congressional-gold-medal-act,Senator Baldwin Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Award WWII U.S. Army Ranger Veterans with Congressional Gold Medals,2019-11-07,2019,2019-11,Democrat,House,WI,Tammy Baldwin,B001230,www.baldwin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.07.19 Senator Baldwin Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Award WWII U.S. Army Ranger Veterans with Congressional Gold Medals WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced her support for bipartisan legislation, led by Senators and combat veterans Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), to award the U.S. Army Ranger Veterans of World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. There are approximately 40 living WWII Army Ranger Veterans, including 94-year-old Ranger Rene G. Kepperling from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Ranger Kepperling was a sniper and French interpreter for headquarters company, 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion, during World War II. He was among the American soldiers who courageously charged across the beaches of Normandy, France, during the D-Day landing 75 years ago. The brave veterans who served as Army Rangers during World War II have earned this long-overdue recognition, said Senator Baldwin. I'm proud to join this bipartisan effort so we can honor their service and sacrifice to the freedoms we all cherish. In World War II, the U.S. Army formed six all-volunteer Ranger Battalions and one provisional battalion. The initial concept of Ranger units drew both from the British method of using highly trained Commando units and the American military tradition of light infantry for scouting and raiding operations that went back to the 1700s. These brave soldiers participated in some of the most important battles of World War II. Army Rangers served in some of the most important battles throughout World War II, including at the D-Day landing, the Sicily campaign and in the Philippines, where they liberated more than 500 prisoners of war from a Japanese prisoner war camp. This bipartisan legislation is supported by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Descendants of World War II Rangers. Cosponsors include Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), John Boozman (R-AR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), James Risch (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). The full text of the legislation is available here. Print Email Tweet Previous Press Release",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z