Following a record-setting year is never easy, but 2018 has brought just as many wins as 2017. Congress passed several landmark bills that were signed into law, our economy grew mightily and Wisconsin's unemployment rate hit an all-time low.
Here are some of my highlights from the past year:
January
One of the first things I did to start off the 2018 Congress was take to the floor of the House to speak in support of the sanctity of human life and rights of the unborn. We have a moral and civic duty to protect those who are voiceless and defenseless, namely our unborn children.
Shortly after, the House passed H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.This bill 1) Requires health care practitioners to do all they can to preserve the life of the child as they would other babies born prematurely and requires the practitioner to ensure that the child is immediately transferred and admitted to the hospital, 2) Establishes strong criminal penalties for anyone who intentionally kills, or attempts to kill, a child born alive and 3) Allows the woman upon whom the abortion was performed or attempted to obtain appropriate relief through civil action. Read more about the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act by clicking here.
I also met several great pro-life Wisconsinites at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. It is always so heartening to see the outpouring of support for the pro-life movement, especially from the younger generation.
At the end of the month, Congress passed a bipartisan bill to fund the military. This bill included a well-deserved pay raise for troops as well as much-needed updates to our missile defense systems. Read more here.
February
There were plenty of Wisconsinites at the Winter Olympics!
I was honored to participate in the nation's first Rural Prosperity Roundtable in Ripon. This national initiative, led by USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Anne Hazlett, intends to draw attention to the unique challenges facing rural America, and focus on solutions that work for everyone. Thanks to Ripon College for hosting!
Unfortunately, February was the last month office dog Todd was with us before his big move to California.
We lost Reverend Billy Graham. A good man who who helped many people find hope through Christ.
March
I voted for the STOP School Violence Act, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. This bill invests in early intervention and prevention programs in our local schools, so that our communities and police officers can be partners in preventing violent events from happening. This means that students, teachers and law enforcement receive the tools and training they need to better identify the warning signs of a violent individual and how to react when they see something that is not right.
I introduced two bills that will give children, parents, teachers, faculty and law enforcement the resources they need to make sure their campus' are safe and secure. The Student and Teacher Safety Act allows schools more flexibility with existing federal funds to make physical safety improvements to campus facilities, support local education programs aimed at improving school safety and security and assist in coordination between schools and local law enforcement to identify threats. To read more, please click here. The Make Schools Safe Again Act prohibits the Secretary of Education or the Attorney General from authorizing agreements between schools and law enforcement agencies to encourage the non-reporting of criminal activity of students, a precedent set forth by the Obama administration. To read more, please click here.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke traveled to Horicon, WI to announce more than $1.1 billion in annual national funding for state wildlife agencies. While visiting the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area, Secretary Zinke presented a ceremonial check to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for nearly $35 million. I thanked Secretary Zinke for being a leader on sportsmen’s conservation efforts and am honored that he chose Horicon to make this announcement. This investment in our natural resources ensures that Wisconsinites will be able to enjoy everything our beautiful state has to offer for generations to come. For more information, please click here.
I had been fighting to bring "Right to Try" legislation to the House floor for quite some time. "Right to Try" allows terminally ill patients who have exhausted all other treatment options the opportunity to try medications that have passed basic Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety protocols, but have not received final approval for public use. The law does not require any individual to participate in the program, but instead give those with no other options one last chance. After several conversations with my friend, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), the House passed "Right to Try" legislation with bipartisan support! This bill, originally introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), is a big win for American health care. To me, voting for this bill was easy. It was important to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry that opposed this bill and make sure that those with terminal illnesses have the access to these treatments that could save lives and potentially reveal cures to major diseases.
P.S. As we closed out March, Wisconsin's unemployment rate hit a record low of 2.9 percent!
April
Speaker Ryan with Congressman Grothman and his family
Due to the nature of this job, members of Congress often receive information on actions that will be taken up by Congress before the general public does. It was brought to my attention that some members, both Republicans and Democrats, decide to use this information for personal financial gain. In the private sector, this is called insider trading and it is strictly illegal. That is why I introduced The Member Financial Transparency Act, which requires members of Congress to file reports to either the House or Senate Ethics Committee on transactions in stocks, bonds, commodities futures and other forms of securities no later than seven days after the transactions are completed. The bill also modifies the deadline period for the House Clerk and Senate Secretary to make these reports public no later than 10 days after receipt. I believe that members of Congress on both sides of the aisle should stop providing themselves with special rules and play by the same ones as everyone else in the stock market.
April 17- This was the last time you'll ever have to worry about the old, outdated tax code! The next time you file your taxes, it will be under the modern rules of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was written with middle class families in mind.
May
There are two air quality monitors in Sheboygan County. The Kohler-Andrae monitor is upwind from the key sources of ozone in the County and therefore detects ozone from major sources to the south, such as Chicago, Indiana, Michigan and other counties. The Haven monitor is downwind from the key ozone sources and therefore detects the actual ozone levels in Sheboygan County. The problem for the county is that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chooses to rely on the Kohler-Andrae monitor. This results in the County failing to maintain acceptable ozone standards, in the process triggering devastating regulations. In other words, Sheboygan County is currently being penalized for Chicago's pollution. That is why I held a field briefing with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in Sheboygan County in order to bring more awareness to this error in judgement by the EPA. Read more here.
Also in May, I was joined by local health officials, community leaders and concerned citizens for a roundtable in Oshkosh to discuss the opioid abuse epidemic in our country and what we can to help fight it.
After my roundtable discussion, I introduced a bill that will help fight the epidemic of opioid abuse in America. The Responsible Opioid Prescription Act limits distribution of opioids at the source by aligning Medicaid’s prescribing guidelines with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control. When a patient receives more medication than is needed, two things can happen. First, they may take the medication until the bottle is empty because they were told to by a doctor, at which point they may develop a dependency. Second, when opioids get left in a medicine cabinet, an adolescent, relative or visitor can access them or distribute them for recreational use. For more information, please click here.
We had a big health care win when Senator Ron Johnson's bipartisan “Right to Try” bill was signed into law by President Trump. "Right to Try" allows terminally ill patients who have exhausted all other treatment options the opportunity to try medications that have passed basic Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety protocols, but have not received final approval for public use. The law does not require any individual to participate in the program, but instead gives those with no other options one last chance.
June
According to the National Institute of Health, fentanyl-related deaths have been rising at an alarming rate, jumping from about 2,500 in 2013 to over 20,000 in 2016. That is why I introduced a bill that amends the Controlled Substances Act to decrease the amount of fentanyl that carries a minimum five-year sentence from ten grams to two grams. The laws already on the books aren’t discouraging people from dealing and taking massive quantities of fentanyl. It’s time to try something new. I believe this bill will benefit communities and families in Wisconsin by keeping both criminals and fentanyl off the streets. To read more about the dangerous drug fentanyl, please click here.
June's theme in Congress was to do make a big push to fight the opioid crisis by passing several bills to combat the problem. I am proud to say that of the three bills I have introduced to address this problem, one passed the House in June, the Improving the Federal Response to Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorder Act. This bill creates a federal inter-agency task force to coordinate with local communities on best practices and new ways to combat the growing opioid abuse epidemic. This bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 409-8. To watch me speak about my bill on the House floor, please click here.
In light of comments made by a California Member of Congress, and general incivility on both sides of the aisle, I joined a bipartisan group of nearly 150 Congressmen in a commitment to civility.
Congratulations to Hailey Donahue of Fond du Lac! She was the Sixth District's winner of the Congressional Art Competition. This talented artist’s work is still displayed in the Capitol.
By the way, June is a great time to visit Washington and take a tour of the Capitol. Here are some of the families that stopped by my office!
July
I strongly believe in upholding the Constitution and promoting the ideas that have made America great. The job of the Supreme Court is to interpret the law. The Court is not meant to be filled with activists and ideologues, but with men and women who understand the law and know when the government has overstepped its bounds.That is why I was pleased that President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, replacing the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. During his career, Kavanaugh has staunchly defended the Constitution, making sure overzealous laws and regulations do not infringe on our freedoms.
Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) is a top-notch technical school located in the heart of the sixth district, Cleveland, WI. I was thrilled that they were able to make the trip to Washington, D.C. for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce's "Innovation Forum and Showcase" to discuss career and technical education and the positive career outlook that follows for the students. LTC set up a live, interactive booth in the Rayburn House Office Building to showcase their work in robotics. In the afternoon, Dr. Carlsen gave live testimony before Congress on the benefits of a technical education and career in the skilled labor market. To watch my discussion with Dr. Carlsen, please click here.
While on the topic of skilled labor, as you may know, there is a nationwide shortage. This includes pipe-fitters, welders and manufacturing workers. Wisconsin's sixth district is home to more manufacturing jobs than any other in the country, so while Wisconsin is enjoying record-low unemployment, we can still do better. That is why it was so important that the House and Senate passed H.R. 2353, a bill to reauthorize and modernize our CTE programs, with overwhelming bipartisan support. This bill removes burdensome government red tape from CTE programs and makes it easier for students to learn the skills they need to acquire a good, well-paying job in the skilled workforce. For a short summary of the bill, please click here.
August
Shortly after it passed the House and Senate, President Trump signed H.R. 2353 into law!
Secretary Zinke made another trip to Wisconsin this month. Our first stop was in Sheboygan, where we had lunch with local leaders and volunteers from wildlife conservation groups. We were able to survey Lake Michigan and show Secretary Zinke how much cleaner it is than 20 years ago. Our next stop was in Theinsville, the town I grew up in (go Highlanders!). We visited the Theinsville Dam and Fishway, where we discussed the Asian Carp problem. Asian Carp is an invasive species that is quickly destroying the natural ecosystem in the Great Lakes.
This summer, the unemployment rate among young Americans fell to the lowest level we've seen in over half a century! This year, Americans between the ages of 16-24 have experienced access to more opportunities now than they have in several years. As companies and organizations nationwide experience the positive impact brought about by policies such as Tax Reform, more young individuals are being hired and gaining valuable workforce experience. The job market is booming and I urge our nation's young professionals to take advantage of the opportunities presented through widespread economic growth.
September
I, along with several of my colleagues, introduced a bipartisan resolution stressing the importance of recognizing the Hmong New Year Celebration. The Hmong people represent a significant population in multiple states across the country, most prominently Wisconsin, California and Minnesota. The 6th District is home to three of Wisconsin’s largest Hmong communities in Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Oshkosh. The Hmong people have come to play an important role in the 6th District and Wisconsin’s communities, operating small businesses, rising as community leaders, and pursuing the American Dream. This resolution is not only necessary because of the representation it gives to important Hmong traditions and cultural celebrations, but also due to the significance of the Hmong population as a whole in the Wisconsin's 6th district. I appreciate the positive impact the Hmong people have on the district, the state and nationwide.
I joined the USO to help assemble care packages for military spouses. The sacrifice that military personnel and their loved ones make every day is deeply appreciated.
I was honored to be recognized as a Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation for my continued support of policies that help local businesses and retailers!
My D.C. office teamed up with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight organization and the Dream Foundation to welcome Vietnam veteran and WI resident, Lou Dehnert, to Washington to pay his respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Lou is terminally ill and previously had not visited Washington, D.C. He has always wanted to see the memorial to give one last goodbye to his friends with whom he served courageously. Lou served in Motor Pool Operations in the 528th unit from 1969-72. My Legislative Director, Ryan Croft, a veteran himself, was in attendance to present Lou with his Vietnam Commemoration Pin. His courage, bravery and devotion to his country will never be forgotten.
October
As you may know, one of the biggest fights I have taken up in Washington has been on behalf of individuals with disabilities and their right to find meaningful, dignified work. That is why it was a pleasure to host Assistant Secretary of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, Johnny Collett, to the sixth district to tour work centers specialized in providing employment opportunities and rehabilitation services to those with disabilities. I have long advocated for increasing efforts to help those with special needs find employment and workplace opportunities. The Assistant Secretary and I visited three different work centers, Brooke Industries, RCS Empowers, and Lakeside Packaging Plus. These organizations offer a wide variety of services to those with special needs and their families so that they have the opportunity to lead lives of fulfillment. To read more about my visit with Assistant Secretary Collett and the organizations, click here.
As the 115th Congress comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the actions taken and progress made throughout this session. The 115th Congress made huge strides for the well-being of our citizens and nation as a whole.
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 6784, the Manage Our Wolves Act. I cosponsored and voted for this bill because it is important to the sixth district and the state of Wisconsin. Since 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has actively worked to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list based on the overwhelming scientific evidence that the species has recovered drastically in recent years. Wisconsin and other states have shown that they have the ability to manage wolf populations at the state level and keep them at a healthy, sustainable degree. There is no reason for farmers livestock to be at risk and for residents to lose their beloved dogs and cats when Wisconsin can maintain a healthy wolf population at the state level. Voting to remove wolves from the Endangered Species List and put control back into the hands of the states gives farmers and residents the peace of mind that they deserve.
Remember in August when Secretary Zinke came to Wisconsin and we discussed the Asian Carp problem? Well, Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and I teamed up to introduce a bipartisan bill that will help keep Wisconsin's waterways healthy by restricting the access of invasive species of fish. The bill, H.R. 7170, amends the Federal Power Act to ensure that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is 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 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.
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 now makes 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.
December
We said farewell to former President George H.W. Bush. President Bush was an outstanding man and an honorable President. He will be remembered for being a war hero, a patriot, a family man, and someone who stood up for the values and ideals of our beautiful nation. 41 was a pioneer of U.S. foreign policy, helping us shape and improve many of our relationships abroad. He helped bring an end to the Cold War and led us to victory in the Gulf War. He was bold, compassionate, and always put his country first. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the Bush family for their loss.
Congress passed and President Trump quickly signed the Farm Bill into law. The 2018 farm bill supports farmers, protects crop insurance and conservation programs, invests in efforts to expand foreign markets and prioritizes agricultural research and rural development. This bill is critical to providing all stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers and consumers, as well as the sectors and industries that rely on them, with a consistent playing field over the next five years. Not only does it provide farmers with stability and support, but it also addresses the needs of the modern farming industry. One of the changes made to dairy policy in the new Farm Bill requires the USDA to establish regionally located dairy innovation centers to assist dairy farmers with diversifying their products to appeal to the modern market. Additionally, the new Farm Bill legalized and provided crop insurance for industrial hemp, a commodity that I have been fighting for, and will boost Wisconsin's agricultural outputs. Overall, the Farm Bill addresses many of the contemporary concerns of the agriculture industry and provides stability to farmers across the country.
It's been a productive 2018, and I thank you all for your support. It's truly an honor to serve you in Congress. As we enter the 116th Congress, I hope that my Democrat friends will reach across the aisle as Republicans have done over the past two years to pass a record number of bills through the House. Additionally, in the new Congress I have changed offices. If you visited Washington, D.C. at some point over the last two years, you may remember that I was in room 1217 Longworth. My staff and I have relocated to room 1427 in the Longworth building. Please don't hesitate to contact my staff for a White House or Capitol tour.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Glenn Grothman
Member of Congress
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