This week, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, I held a hearing on the cost of the border crisis. It is widely recognized that the Biden-Harris Administration’s policy decisions have contributed to the most severe border crisis in American history. These deliberate choices have resulted in a staggering financial burden, costing American taxpayers approximately $150 billion annually. Yet, the true cost of this crisis goes far beyond the numbers. It affects our communities, compromises national security, and weakens our economy.

The witnesses included policy experts and law enforcement representatives who shared firsthand accounts of how the surge in migration has strained resources, overwhelmed public services, and complicated efforts to maintain public safety. Taxpayers are now bearing the financial burden for these increased services, many of which are being redirected away from citizens who have been part of these communities for years. This situation not only stretches local budgets to their limits but also raises serious concerns about the quality and availability of services for long-term residents.

The Former Chief Patrol Agent for the Yuma Sector, Chris Clem, stated: 

“Innocent Americans have been targeted by criminals who have illegally entered our nation. This includes those who committed the brutal murder of Laken Riley in Georgia, and the heinous rape and murder of Rachel Morin in Maryland. Especially horrific was the crime involving an innocent 12-year-old girl named Jocelyn Nungaray, who was raped and murdered in Houston, Texas. All these crimes were perpetrated by individuals who had illegally entered our country, several of whom were previously apprehended by the CBP and then later released back into our country.”

Everyday Americans are shouldering the burden of the Biden-Harris Administration's open border policies and its failure to secure the southwest border. Addressing this border crisis extends beyond mere enforcement—it's about preserving the integrity of our communities and ensuring that government resources are directed where they are most needed. A secure border is fundamental to protecting our national sovereignty and safeguarding the future of American families.

Read more about the hearing here. 

This week was highly productive for two budget reform efforts! On Monday, the House passed the Senate companion version of my bipartisan bill, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Data Access Act. I introduced this legislation back in February with my Democratic colleague, Kweisi Mfume (D-MD).

This bipartisan initiative will benefit taxpayers by enhancing the efficiency and data collection capacity of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). A transparent and efficient federal government is crucial to best serve the American people. and this bill streamlines CBO to provide taxpayers with more timely and accurate information on the cost of legislative proposals. This bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. 

On Wednesday, another one of my bills, the Stop the Baseline Bloat Act, which I introduced alongside Ed Case (D-HI) in April, was approved by the House Budget Committee. This legislation provides a more accurate accounting of federal spending by excluding temporary emergency expenditures from the ten-year baseline budget. According to the Cato Institute, a nonpartisan public policy research organization, Congress has allocated $12 trillion in emergency spending over the past 30 years. The current practice of including this temporary emergency spending in the CBO baseline budget each year skews the budget toward higher spending levels, and my bill will give us a more accurate outlook on spending so we can begin to bring it under control. 

I will always prioritize addressing outrageous government spending to help reduce the U.S. debt and it's burden on American citizens, their children, and grandchildren! 

Earlier in the week, the Committee on Education and Workforce held a hearing on the Biden-Harris Administration's Free Application for Federal Student aid (FAFSA) Failures this past academic filing year. The Administration's botched "simplified" FAFSA implementation has significantly impacted college enrollment rates, and Congress must hold the Department of Education (DOE) responsible for its errors. These missteps have severe repercussions, particularly for students in WI-06, who rely on financial aid to pursue their education in the upcoming fall semester. 

During the hearing, directors from the Government Accountability Office uncovered shocking findings by the Department of Education’s procedures in handling the new FAFSA process. In particular, the Department failed to provide sufficient staffing and resources needed to best assist students and families with filing. 

Within my questioning, I requested what technical support options were provided by the Department that offered students assistance when encountering any FAFSA-related questions or issues. Director Melissa Emrey-Arras, Director of Education, Workforce, and Income security Issues at GAO, noted that there were birth-year restrictions for students born in the year 2000 who as a result, couldn’t proceed with their applications. In March of this year, that issue was resolved, nearly five months past the usual October submission window. Watch. 

The unresponsiveness and excuses by the Department of Education that occurred over the past four years are unacceptable and have had a detrimental impact on many students. The mishandled FAFSA rollout was completely preventable, and it is appalling to see that the Department is still deliberating solutions for a smooth rollout only weeks before the 2025 filing year. As your Representative and a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, I will continue advocating for American students’ ability to receive the assistance necessary by the Department of Education.

I had a very productive meeting with the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, where all four representatives were fellow Wisconsinites. We focused on the issues impacting orthopedic surgeries and healthcare as a whole.

I enjoyed my Sunday morning at the Plymouth American Legion Breakfast!

I had a fantastic time at the St. Matthew Catholic Church Fall Festival in Campbellsport! From heartwarming community spirit to delicious homemade goodies, it was a perfect celebration of fall.

I am truly honored to receive the Friend of the Family Award from the Faith and Freedom Coalition. This recognition is given to individuals whose voting records align with our Conservative values and principles.

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 Sixth District, and let them know that they can subscribe by clicking here.

You can also stay up-to-the-minute by following me on Facebook (Congressman Glenn Grothman), Twitter (@RepGrothman) and Instagram (@RepGlennGrothman).