This Tuesday, I had the opportunity to speak at a panel hosted by the Republican Study Committee and Values Action Team on how federal policies discourage marriage. Far too often, government programs, from the tax code to federal benefits, create what we call "marriage penalties," punishing couples financially for choosing to marry. That is not right and it undermines the stability of families across our country.

I was joined on the panel by Representative Robert Aderholt, Representative Mary Miller, Matt Dickerson from the Economic Policy Innovation Center, Terry Schilling from the American Principles Project, and Robert Rector from the Heritage Foundation. Together we discussed how these policies affect families and why reform is needed.

At the panel, I highlighted my Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act, which would remove the financial disincentives in federal student loan programs that penalize couples for marrying. I also spoke about the coalition letter signed by pro-family organizations urging Congress to include marriage penalty reform in reconciliation, which I highlighted in last week’s newsletter, demonstrating that support for strengthening families spans across communities and organizations.

These policies matter because strong families are the backbone of our society. Eliminating marriage penalties is a commonsense step Congress can take to help families thrive, support children, and promote long-term economic stability. I will continue fighting to ensure federal policy rewards families for making the choice to marry, not punishes them.

📺Watch my full remarks HERE.

On Thursday, the House passed the Retirement Savings Protection Act - a win for American workers and retirees!

For too long, hard-earned retirement savings were at risk, used to push woke ESG agendas instead of focusing on what matters most: financial security and maximum returns.

This bill ensures plan managers put your money first, not politics, protecting the retirement funds of 152 million Americans from risky Green New Deal policies.

American workers are getting a raise. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, families could see up to $7,200 more in take-home pay.

Cutting red tape and prioritizing workers isn’t just smart, it’s freedom in action.

This week, I met with Mr. Bogdan Klich, Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, to discuss the importance of strong Polish–American relations.

We talked about our shared strategic interests and the value of continued cooperation between the United States and Poland. I appreciated the opportunity to exchange perspectives and reinforce the close partnership between our two countries.

I appreciated the opportunity to attend the Fond du Lac Hmong New Year Celebration and spend time with families celebrating culture, tradition, and the beginning of a new year.

Thank you to the organizers and the Fond du Lac Hmong community for the warm welcome and for hosting such a meaningful celebration.

I enjoyed attending the Oshkosh Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Recognition Program on Thursday. It was great to be with local business leaders celebrating the entrepreneurs and employers who help drive Oshkosh’s economy and make our community stronger.

Thank you to the Chamber for hosting a terrific event and for the work you do year-round supporting Wisconsin businesses.

Yesterday, we recognized Religious Freedom Day and the fundamental right of every American to worship freely without government interference. Religious liberty is a cornerstone of our Constitution and essential to preserving a free society.

I remain committed to defending the First Amendment and standing up for people of faith across Wisconsin and the country. No American should be forced to choose between their deeply held beliefs and participating fully in public life.