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| Protecting Wisconsin's Waterways |
This week, I introduced a bipartisan bill along with Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) that will help keep Wisconsin's waterways healthy by restricting the access of invasive species of fish. The bill, H.R. 7170, would amend the Federal Power Act to ensure that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would be required to consider the threats posed to Wisconsin's waterways by invasive species of fish prior to authorizing the construction of a new fishway.
Wisconsin's Sixth District is home to a significant amount of lakes and waterways that should be protected from invasive species of fish in order to conserve their natural habitats. Fishways help enhance and preserve the populations of native fish by providing them with a passageway through dams. However, invasive species, such as Asian Carp, use the same fishways to invade rivers and lakes and devastate native species and their habitats.
Wisconsin experiences this problem firsthand with Asian Carp, a well known invasive species that can grow up to three feet in length. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ordered the installation of a fishway at the Prarie du Sac dam, a site where Asian Carp populations have been spotted. Installing a fishway in this location would allow the Asian Carp to migrate upstream to the Wisconsin River, Lake Wisconsin and eventually the Great Lakes. This would wreak havoc on native species and threaten the Great Lakes $7 billion fishing industry. Federal decision makers need to consider all possible consequences before ordering the installation of new fishways. I am proud to promote legislation that brings awareness to this issue and helps protect Wisconsin's native fish species and waterways.
For more information, please click here. |
| This week, at a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing, I questioned The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General for the Department of Justice and Mr. Hugh J. Hurwitz, Acting Director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on how the BOP holds both inmates and guards accountable for wrongdoing.
Specifically, I questioned them about the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Since being signed into law, PREA has led to a large number of frivolous accusations against guards, which in turn leads to a litany of paperwork. I wanted to see things from the BOP's perspective in order to gain insight to these false accusations in an effort to to discern how we can both A) protect actual victims under PREA and B) reduce frivolous reporting that only serves to distract from other important prison matters.
Additionally, I touched on the treatment of prison guards by inmates throughout the country and within the Sixth District. Specifically, the need to bring more awareness to the difficulty prison guards experience when attempting to discipline or prevent inmates from causing disturbances. Prison guards have a very difficult job that involves dealing with many unpleasant circumstances and I am grateful for their service.
For more information and to watch my entire line of questioning, please click here.
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Today, President Trump, along with Prime Minister Trudeau and President Pena Nieto, officially signed the United States-Mexica-Canada Agreement (USMCA) at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The trade agreement will now make its way to the U.S. International Trade Commission to assess the economic impact of the deal and to Congress for approval, which will likely be determined in the new session beginning in January.
The trade deal is good news for dairy farmers in Wisconsin who have struggled significantly over recent months. The deal will allow the US to export the equivalent of 3.6% of Canada's dairy market, up from the existing level of about 1%. Additionally, Canada eliminated its Class 6 and 7 pricing systems which allowed low priced dairy ingredients to undersell United States dairy sales in Canada.
Overall, the deal gives the United States more access to Canada and Mexico's markets which creates more of a level playing field for American farmers and businesses. I look forward to examining the final draft of the deal in detail and assessing the benefits it will provide Wisconsinites and Americans as a whole.
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The Summer 2019 White House Internship Program application is now open! Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. The White House Internship Program is a highly competitive program, but a fantastic opportunity for students with a strong interest in politics. For more information on the internship, please click here.
Additionally, my Washington, D.C. and Fond du Lac offices are now accepting internship applications for the Spring of 2019. Congressional internships provide valuable professional and educational experience, while giving students the opportunity to learn about the legislative process and the various issues affecting the state of Wisconsin and the Sixth District. Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to wi06resumes@gmail.com for consideration. |
As your congressman, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Fond du Lac and Washington. If you enjoyed this newsletter be sure to forward it to your family and friends so they can stay informed on what I’m doing in Washington and the 6th District.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress |
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