- My Second Subcommittee Hearing: Examining the Growth of the Welfare State, Part II.
- The Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act.
- Education & Workforce Committee Hearing on Antisemitism in College Campuses.
- Weekly Roundup.
- Contact Me.
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On Wednesday, I held my second Oversight Subcommittee Hearing on "Examining the Growth of the Welfare State," where I examined the waste, fraud, and abuse impacting our welfare system.
Today's welfare system often discourages Americans from getting married and disincentivizes work, fostering a cycle of government dependency.
What’s more, some are getting rich off the good intentions of the welfare system. Enter the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). This is a tax credit given to developers through the federal government that can cover up to 70% of the cost of a new building, but the developer is not required to charge lower rent. There are few guardrails in this tax credit program and many studies have shown that the benefits of the program go more to the building owners than low-income individuals. Even with overwhelming evidence that this program is a transfer of your tax dollars to the pockets of real estate moguls, Congress is currently discussing expanding the program by 25% despite already spending roughly $13 billion per year on this failed program. I questioned a panel of witnesses, including the Honorable Dr. Ben Carson, Mr. Chris Edwards of the CATO Institute, and Mr. Howard Husock of the American Enterprise Institute, about the intricacies of our current welfare state and how the system enriches wealthy developers at the expense of taxpayers.
Watch the full hearing here:
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This week, I reintroduced the bipartisan Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act. This bill will eliminate a government-imposed punishment for marriage and ease the burden of student loan debt by amending the tax code to ensure that student loan interest is tax-deductible for each spouse independently.
Under current law, if two unmarried individuals each have student loans, they can each receive up to a $2,500 tax deduction, for a total of $5,000. However, their collective deduction is capped at $2,500 when married and filing jointly. My bill will rectify this anti-marriage provision by allowing each spouse to claim their full $2,500 deduction.
Our policies should support, not penalize, American families. While this is only an initial dent in the federal government’s war on marriage, it’s a meaningful step toward protecting the institution of marriage from unfair discrimination.
For more information on the Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act, click HERE.
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On Wednesday, the Committee on Education and Workforce held a hearing on the alarming rise of antisemitism on college campuses. The Anti-Defamation League reported that in 2024, more than 1,200 antisemitic incidents occurred on college campuses, a staggering 500% increase from the previous year.
Last Congress, our committee questioned the leaders from some of our nation's most prestigious universities. While this was both necessary and revealing, it's important to recognize that antisemitism is also a serious issue among smaller college campuses across the country.
This week, we questioned leaders from three different colleges: DePaul University, Haverford College, and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. These colleges have experienced the firsthand effects of the surge in antisemitic activity since the October 7 attacks against Israel.
Education and Workforce Republicans are taking action to ensure antisemitism is condemned, not tolerated, in our education system. Violence and harassment are not protected Free Speech, and we will continue to hold these education officials accountable.
Watch the full hearing HERE.
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Small businesses are the backbone of America - creating over 59 million jobs and contributing more than 43.5% of our GDP.
Last week, we celebrated the resilience of small business owners across the country. These entrepreneurs work tirelessly to turn ideas into reality, drive local economic growth, and support millions of American workers. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!
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Teachers go above and beyond every day for their students. While we never need a specific reason to celebrate the incredible educators in our lives, Teacher Appreciation Week is a meaningful reminder to express our gratitude.
Observed from May 5–9, this week offered a special opportunity to recognize the dedication, passion, and lasting impact of educators in our communities.
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Wednesday was National Skilled Trades Day! We proudly celebrated the talent and essential contributions of skilled tradespeople who work tirelessly, day and night, to keep our communities running.
Your commitment ensures the everyday necessities in our lives, and we thank you for all that you do!
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Thursday was the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. We commemorated the allied victory and end of the Second World War, and remembered the brave individuals who fought to defend freedom and fight the scourge of antisemitism. Their dedication and sacrifice live on to inspire generations to come.
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Thak you to the Cleveland Firefighters and First Responders for having me at their annual Brat Fry last week! It was great to see the community come together to enjoy lots of good food, all in support of the Cleveland Fire Department. I was grateful to be a part of it.
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I was honored to be one of over 200 attendees at Oshkosh Military History Day! I appreciate the chance to support the museum and the incredible volunteers who brought history to life. Thank you for making it all possible!
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I was so (hoppy) to stop by Lomira St. Mary Easter Breakfast last weekend! It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect and give thanks, surrounded by families and friends who also celebrate this cherished tradition.
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I had a great time at the Collins Volunteer Fire Department Brat Fry and Raffle - complete with a Cornhole Tournament! I'm always grateful for the chance to support our local firefighters. Thank you for all you do for our community!
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I was honored to spend last Friday night in Sheboygan at the weekly VFW fish fry with our nation's veterans. Thank you for the warm hospitality and meaningful conversations!
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I had a productive meeting with the National Community Pharmacists Association to discuss strategies for lowering prescription drug costs and safeguarding our independent community pharmacies here in Wisconsin's Sixth District.
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As a strong advocate for outdoor recreation, I enjoyed meeting with the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs to discuss the vital role the Recreational Trails Program plays both here in Wisconsin and across the country.
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The Wisconsin Hospital Association was originally founded in 1920 with the mission of providing valuable resources to the community.
This week, I had the privilege of meeting with them to discuss healthcare priorities and work toward ensuring affordable, high-quality medical options that will benefit all Wisconsinites.
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It was great ("meating") with two WI-06 representatives from the Meat Institute this week.
Their packers and processors support 350+ companies across North America, operating over 800 USDA-inspected plants and producing over 95% of U.S. meat and poultry! We discussed sustainable ways to nourish communities locally and globally with wholesome products.
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This week, I had a very informative meeting with Dr. Paul Larson of the Wisconsin Radiological Society in Oshkosh. We discussed how to better protect radiologists nationwide by advocating for fair and sustainable reimbursement rates - thanks for stopping by!
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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), X (@RepGrothman) and Instagram (@RepGlennGrothman).
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Sincerely,
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Glenn Grothman Member of Congress
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