Agriculture

Representing one of the most productive farming regions in the country, I have worked hard on agriculture issues both in Wisconsin and in Washington.  I believe that current agricultural policies are out of date and do not reflect the needs of the average Wisconsin farmer in today’s modern economy.  This is why I have spent my time in Congress fighting to reform and modernize our agriculture policy.  

Western Wisconsin is home to one of the largest dairy producing regions in the country. I have long believed that we need to forge a truly national dairy policy that stops pitting region against region. I have introduced a comprehensive plan to secure the future of the Wisconsin dairy industry. Read my full plan here(LINK).

Additionally, I have highlighted the promise and needs of organic agriculture by founding and co-chairing the Congressional Organic Caucus.

I have used my position on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee to advocate for tax benefits to help family farmers thrive and innovate. I authored a Biogas Investment Tax Credit to encourage dairy producers to control their animal waste with the use of manure digesters while also producing renewable energy.

I continue to look for new ways to assist small and beginning farmers and those who produce renewable energy on the farm through tax incentives; to expand market opportunities abroad; and to provide access to an adequate labor supply through reform of the H-2B program.

Budget and Fiscal Responsibility

Families across western and central Wisconsin know a budget is about priorities. Responsible budgeting also means adhering to some basic principles: don’t spend more than you take in and make smart investments that will help you down the road. With that in mind, I’m working to restore fiscal accountability and discipline in Congress.

Deficit Reduction Plan

I’m committed to making the tough decisions to actually cut wasteful and unnecessary spending. We can do that by reforming four categories of spending.

• Rising health care costs are the fastest area of spending in the federal budget. We must change the way we pay for health care to get these costs under control. Fortunately, recent health care reform puts us on a path to do this.
• Current weapons programs are $300 billion over budget - we must bring these costs under control.
• We must reform our outdated taxpayer-funded farm subsidy programs. They are not responsible to taxpayers, do not help family farmers, and have distorted the marketplace.

Office Budget Giveback

My commitment to fiscal responsibility extends to my congressional office, where I have direct control over the budget. Working with my staff, I have identified savings and cuts every year that we can make to operate my offices in the most fiscally responsible manner possible.

In 2012, I found $81,326 in my office budget to return to the U.S. Treasury, bringing the total amount of federal funds that I have returned to taxpayers to over $1.4 million since I came to Congress. Last year’s savings are on top of the sequester cuts facing the federal government, which during 2013 will lower my office budget by 8.2%.

Of course, my annual budget givebacks are not going to solve our budget problems alone. But that’s no excuse to not do what I can to make a stand on behalf of the taxpayer and show that it’s possible for elected officeholders to provide excellent constituent service on a lean budget.

Default

We cannot let America default on our obligations because we are unwilling to work together to find a compromise on the budget. I know we can find common ground and make the tough decisions necessary to get us on a sound fiscal path. Hear me talk about the importance of putting partisanship aside and cutting wasteful spending in this Fox News interview.

It is imperative that we start making decisions that will guarantee our children inherit a better country. We must restore fiscal responsibility to get this economy growing again

Conservation

All of us in western and central Wisconsin are aware of how important the environment and our state’s beautiful natural resources are to our daily lives. I’m proud to have made responsible stewardship of our natural heritage one of the hallmarks of my work in Congress.I have been particularly focused on sportsmen’s issues, protecting the Mississippi River, and advocating for our National Wildlife Refuge System.

Legislative Successes

• As an avid hunter and fisherman, I’m passionate about protecting the rights of hunters and anglers across the country so that they can pass the sporting tradition along to their children. I believe that families enjoying nature together paves the way for future conservationists.  That’s why I was proud to see one the bill’s I’ve authored, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, become law. This legislation increases funding for wetland conservation.

• The Mississippi River is vital to our economy through tourism, recreation, and commercial transport; to the health of our natural environment; and to our very way of life. That is why I founded and co-chair the Upper Mississippi River Basin Congressional Task Force and championed to ensure that the Mississippi River be designated as a Critical Conservation Area under the Farm Bill’s new Regional Conservation Partnership Program. This designation will provide voluntary assistance to farmers, bolster our farm economy, give conservation groups the tools they need to continue preserving and protecting the river, and help create jobs in the Mississippi River basin communities.

All of us in western and central Wisconsin are aware of how important the environment and our state’s beautiful natural resources are to our daily lives. I’m proud to have made responsible stewardship of our natural heritage one of the hallmarks of my work in Congress.I have been particularly focused on sportsmen’s issues, protecting the Mississippi River, and advocating for our National Wildlife Refuge System.

Legislative Successes

• As an avid hunter and fisherman, I’m passionate about protecting the rights of hunters and anglers across the country so that they can pass the sporting tradition along to their children. I believe that families enjoying nature together paves the way for future conservationists.  That’s why I was proud to see one the bill’s I’ve authored, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, become law. This legislation increases funding for wetland conservation.

• The Mississippi River is vital to our economy through tourism, recreation, and commercial transport; to the health of our natural environment; and to our very way of life. That is why I founded and co-chair the Upper Mississippi River Basin Congressional Task Force and championed to ensure that the Mississippi River be designated as a Critical Conservation Area under the Farm Bill’s new Regional Conservation Partnership Program. This designation will provide voluntary assistance to farmers, bolster our farm economy, give conservation groups the tools they need to continue preserving and protecting the river, and help create jobs in the Mississippi River basin communities.

• Home to three national wildlife refuges, western and central Wisconsin benefits from billions of dollars these federal lands generate in economic activity. The Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is visited by over 4 million people each year – more than Yellowstone National Park. National Wildlife Refuge System Yet the National Wildlife Refuge System has been critically underfunded for years, causing debilitating maintenance backlogs and loss of visitor access and services. Seeing this unmet need, I founded the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus in 2006 to bring these issues to light and advocate for increased funding for the system.

• I have been a strong supporter of our National Parks system for years, taking my family backpacking in a different park each summer. Truly one of our nation’s greatest treasures, the National Parks have proven to be sound investments for communities, jobs, and future generations. Research shows that every dollar invested in National Parks generates ten dollars in direct economic impact. In 2013 alone, National Park visitors contributed $26.5 billion to the nation’s economy and supported nearly 240,000 jobs. As the upcoming 2016 Centennial of the National Park Service draws near, I am determined to use my leadership role as Co-Chair of the Congressional National Parks Caucus to push for continued investment in the National Park system.

Education

Education at all levels is of vital importance to our country, and giving our students the tools they need to succeed has long been a mission of mine while serving in Congress. Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District is home to fourteen colleges and universities with more than 71,000 undergraduate students and over 120,000 students enrolled in K-12.
 
However, student loan debt is a serious problem. College grads in Wisconsin enter the job market with over $28,000 in debt, on average, and student loan debt has surpassed $1 trillion nationally, which is higher than credit card debt and second only to homeowner mortgage debt. That’s why in early 2015 I introduced the College Affordability Action Plan to make sure hard working students and families have access to an affordable education. My strategy to help make college more affordable consists of five key principles:

• Making Sure Government Doesn’t Profit from Student Loans
• Allow Student Loans to Be Refinanced Like Mortgages
• Provide Tax Incentives to Address College Affordability
• Make Loan Payments Match Earnings
• Provide Pell Grants Year-Round

I believe that investing in higher education and helping more students afford college is one of the smartest decisions we can make as a nation. Every dollar we invest today will pay dividends down the road and help ensure that Wisconsin can compete in the global marketplace.  For more information on my five principles, click here.

Legislative Successes

• Since kids perform better academically when they are active during the school day, I will continue to advocate for an increased focus on physical education in our schools.  For more information on my work to fight childhood obesity and my FIT Kids Act specifically, click here.
• Another bill I was proud to introduce, the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act, provides incentives for states to develop action plans to connect children and families to the great outdoors. The proposal also creates a national strategy to increase outdoor activity and, through coordination with federal and local partners, further identify the health, conservation and other benefits of spending time outdoors.
• In June 2015, introduced a resolution to protect and commemorate the Wisconsin Idea as a fundamental part of the University of Wisconsin system. The Wisconsin Idea has been part of the fabric of our state for over 100 years. Generations of Wisconsinites have been guided by the values of giving back both inside and outside the classroom and fostering our students’ potential. Investing in higher education and helping foster the Wisconsin Idea is one of the smartest decisions we can make. Every dollar we invest today will pay dividends down the road and help ensure that Wisconsin can compete in the global marketplace.

Health Care

As a sitting Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I am at the forefront of debates surrounding health care policy. People across western and central Wisconsin have shared with me for years their concerns with our current health care system. Our economy continues to suffer as Wisconsin families fall further into debt due to rising health care costs. Comprehensive health care reform could not wait and I was glad to help shape and support the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010.  As part of health care reform, I was committed to making sure that we fixed what’s broken in the health care system and strengthened what’s working. For 46 years, Medicare has provided critical health care and financial stability for seniors and people with disabilities – and it’s working for seniors in western Wisconsin.

Legislative Successes:

• Part of the health care reform bill included provisions from legislation I authored. The provisions move the Medicare system from one that pays for the quantity of services provided to one that is quality-based and addresses the long-term sustainability of the program.

• This year, I partnered with Chairman Ryan to include access to Medicare data for Qualified Entities in the SGR repeal and replace bill that was signed into law.

• This Congress, I introduced bipartisan legislation that seeks to improve the health and lives of our children, our families, and our seniors.

Jobs and the Economy

Economic conditions in western and central Wisconsin and across the country are slowly improving. But we still have work to do. While there may be disagreements about how we address it, there is overwhelming consensus that we must do something. I will continue to work to foster an environment that creates good paying jobs, gets Wisconsinites back to work, and keeps our economy growing.

Job Growth

Getting the economy back on track and creating good paying jobs here in Wisconsin is my priority. I am advocating for policies that will create and save jobs, invest in stabilizing state and local economies, and provide help to the unemployed.

We need to invest in our greatest resource – our workers – so that we can remain the most innovative and creative nation in the world.  I support investing in workforce training, education, infrastructure and basic research and development to ensure our workforce is ready to compete in the 21st century economy. 

American Made: Ensuring a Strong Economy

We must build, construct, and grow manufacturing in Wisconsin and across America in order to ensure a strong American economy.   

That's why I've put together a plan to help us do just that. By capitalizing on existing American strengths – a well educated and well trained labor force, innovation, and competitive spirit; by supporting the transformation and growth of America’s manufacturers to move into the markets of the future; and by coordinating with federal, state, and local governments and private institutions, we can ensure America’s economic success. Read the summary here. 

Helping Rural Business Prosper

I authored the Rural Microbusiness Investment Credit togenerate investment in both start up and expanding rural microbusinesses by providing a 35% federal tax incentive to entrepreneurs who invest in their businesses.  This is importantl for businesses in the midst of recession that need assistance in making critical investments. The credit is specifically targeted to entrepreneurs who are operating businesses in economically distressed rural areas where access to capital has always been a challenge and is even more difficult with the recent decline in bank lending to small businesses.

National Security and Foreign Policy

Nothing is more important than the responsibility our nation’s leaders have to protect the national security of the American people.  It is vital that we both maintain a strong national defense as well as a robust diplomatic corps to foster critical relationships with like-minded countries to protect a rules-based international world order.

I believe that as our servicemembers honorably serve our country overseas, Congress should finally do its job in providing a clear authorization for the use of military force. Currently, the U.S. relies far too heavily on authorizations that are over 15 years old, which no longer accurately reflect the threat environments overseas. Congress has failed to provide clarity with a new authorization of force, and I will continue to support bipartisan efforts to reassert congressional input to avoid open-ended conflicts that lack clear guidelines and objectives.

The U.S. must also continue to use its diplomatic power to protect the rules-based international world order that was created by the U.S. and its allies after WWII. Accomplishing this will require the U.S. to lead an international coalition with our allies to counter the rising challenges from autocratic powers like Russia. I am concerned that recent steps taken to walk back our international commitments will damage our national security, threaten human rights throughout the world, and hamper the ability of the U.S. to influence international decisions that will ultimately affect Americans.

It is also my promise to ensure that no veteran is left behind. Our armed forces serve with honor and it is our duty to provide the best care we can offer when they come home. To read more about my work for veterans, click here.

Seniors

As part of health care reform, I was committed to making sure that we fixed what’s broken in the health care system and strengthened what’s working. For 46 years, Medicare has provided critical health care and financial stability for seniors and people with disabilities – and it’s working for seniors in western and central Wisconsin. Under health care reform, Medicare was strengthened and improved by:

• Immediately lowering prescription drug costs for the 8,800 seniors in western Wisconsin stuck in the ‘donut hole’ and ultimately closes it altogether by 2020. The bill provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Drug manufacturers started providing 50% discount on brand-name drugs in the donut hole.
• Eliminating Medicare co-payments for preventive care so that seniors will pay nothing on recommended preventive services that will keep them healthier longer. It also limited cost-sharing requirements in Medicare Advantage plans to the amount charged for the same services in traditional Medicare coverage and improved payment accuracy to ensure that Medicare pays the right amount for health services.
• Fighting waste, fraud and abuse in the system by strengthening existing enforcement and compliance tools and eliminating overpayments to providers. New penalties were created for submitting false data on applications, false claims for payment, or for obstructing audits or investigations related to Medicare or Medicaid.

Medicare is an important program that is working for our seniors. I supported health care reform because it strengthens and improves this vital program and protects it for years to come. Reform also ensures the sustainability of our health care system and provides stable, affordable, high-quality health care to all Americans.

Protecting Social Security

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over Social Security, I am committed to finding responsible solutions to address the long-term financing challenges facing the program. I know we can find a way to ensure Social Security remains strong for today’s seniors while making sure future generations can rely on it too. As part of my commitment to protect its solvency, I strongly oppose privatizing Social Security because it would rob money from the system that is needed to pay benefits for today’s seniors. We cannot leave the emergency retirement money of our nation to be subject to the ups and downs of the stock market.

In 2005, when some members of Congress tried to privatize the program, I fought hard to save Social Security from this effort to destroy it, putting our seniors’ financial security at risk. When the stock market plunged and the housing bubble burst, there was one thing America’s seniors could count on - Social Security. There are those in Congress today that are again threatening to privatize Social Security. We cannot allow that to happen. I have fought to keep Social Security strong for today’s seniors and generations to come.

According to the Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees, Social Security has enough money to pay 100% of benefits for decades to come through payroll taxes and the Trust Fund. During the decades before Social Security's finances reach a critical point, I believe the Social Security Trust Fund surplus should be reserved for Social Security payments alone. Protecting the Social Security surplus from being raided for other spending will protect the program and prevent us from having to increase the deficit to make sure seniors get the benefits they’ve earned.

Economic Stability for Seniors

Seniors, like so many Americans, are struggling at this time and are worried about the present and future. I am working every day on behalf of the seniors in western Wisconsin to rebuild our economy and protect the programs most important to them. We’re making tough choices to turn this country around and put us on a path towards shared prosperity for generations to come.

Protecting seniors and their income from financial frauds and schemes so they have money for the things they need is also critical.  That’s why I supported new and tougher regulations on the banking industry through the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act which bans unfair rate increases and forbids the abusive fees and penalties that credit card companies have inflicted on America’s seniors.

Sportsman

There is nothing I enjoy more than spending an early morning with my two sons sitting in a duck blind or on the river with a fishing pole in hand, and I have worked hard to protect the rights of hunters and anglers across the country to pass the sporting tradition on to future generations. I am a longtime member of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus and have previously served as both the vice chair and co-chair of the caucus. 

Veterans

Since my first days in Congress, I have promised to leave no veteran behind and every day I work to fulfill that promise. Our men and women in uniform serve with honor and when they come home, they deserve the best we can offer. Having traveled around western and central Wisconsin and visited Iraq four times and Afghanistan twice, I have heard from a number of Wisconsinites currently serving in our nation’s armed forces. It has become very clear that in these challenging economic times we must do more to provide for the basic needs of our troops and veterans. It is critical that we ensure there is a robust VA medical system available so that Wisconsin’s veterans can get the quality care they earned and deserve.

Last year, serious problems with pain management practices were discovered at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Clinic (VAMC). In March of 2014, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded an investigation into allegations of misconduct at the Tomah VAMC. Unfortunately, they failed to notify Congress and did not post the results of their report on their website. In order make sure this never happens in the future, I led the Wisconsin delegation in introducing and passing the bipartisan Inspectors General Transparency Act of 2015. This bill increases government transparency by ensuring that all OIG reports are published on the OIG website and submitted to the head of the establishment under investigation, the individual or entity requesting the investigation, and Congress.

Additionally, one of the recommendations from the OIG investigation was to create a collaborative pain management team, similar to the tumor board model, to better coordinate pain management in very complex cases. Based on this recommendation, I introduced the bipartisan Veterans Pain Management Improvement Act, which would establish a pain management oversight board within each Veterans Integrated Service Network comprised of health care professionals, clinical patients and/or family members of a clinical patient. This legislation will give veteran patients and their families a real role in VA oversight and help ensure the VA provides better care for our veterans.

Veterans History Project

I believe we owe an enormous debt to our men and women in uniform. A great way to show our gratitude is to encourage them to share their memories and experiences. This is why I authored legislation creating the Veterans History Project, which allows veterans and their families to record their stories and preserve them for future generations. These recordings are entered into the permanent collection in the Library of Congress, where they will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices these men and women made defending our country.