Representative Glenn Grothman

What's Ahead

The Border Crisis and How it Impacts Your Safety!
Foreign Aid Funding.
Tree Planting Ceremony Honoring Wisconsin's 175th Anniversary.
Pastor Robert Suhr of Christ Church.
Weekly Roundup.
Contact Me.

The Border Crisis and How it Impacts Your Safety!

This week, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, I held a hearing on how the border crisis is affecting public safety in our towns, cities, and communities. The failed policies of the Biden Administration have allowed illegal migrants with criminal backgrounds to remain in our country despite the danger they pose to citizens. In fact, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) non-detained docket contains at least 617,000 aliens with criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.

Under the Biden Administration criminal history does not make an illegal alien an enforcement priority. According to a 2022 memo issued by the Administration “the existence of criminal history alone, regardless of severity, will not necessarily indicate that a noncitizen presently poses a current public safety threat.” According to this standard, a criminal alien could theoretically be a convicted murderer and avoid becoming an enforcement priority for ICE.

Even if the Biden Administration were to enforce our laws, sanctuary jurisdictions work to make our country less safe by shielding these criminals from consequences. Sanctuary jurisdictions across the country refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, even in the case where an individual is arrested or convicted for criminal activity.

During this hearing, we uncovered significant insights concerning the ongoing crisis. Among the most shocking revelations was one shared by Sheriff Bill Waybourn of Tarrant County, Texas. In his testimony, Sheriff Waybourn detailed his county’s ongoing fight against the fentanyl epidemic and findings from his interrogation of cartel members. Sheriff Waybourn stated “We have solicited intelligence from cartel members in jail asking them the proverbial question, why are you killing your clients with this fentanyl? And their simple answer was, whatever kills the American is good with us.”

Other key revelations from the proceedings indicate that the Biden Administration is impeding ICE from enforcing the law on migrants residing unlawfully within the United States, including those who have committed additional criminal acts. Furthermore, the administration's failure to detain the majority of illegal aliens during removal processes is evident, with over three-quarters of those encountered by Border Patrol in December 2023 alone being released.

Foreign Aid Funding

Congress worked into the weekend to, today, pass supplemental foreign aid bills to, among other things, send funding to Ukraine and Israel.

For years now, I have been a proponent of fixing our broken immigration system and securing our porous southern border. I am disappointed that this week, aid to Ukraine took priority over the fight to get a handle on our open southern border. I felt that we should have negotiated harder over the spending bills passed last month to secure significant, consequential policy changes at the border, but we did not fight at that time.

This package of legislation represented the last chance we had to make a stand on the border. It is apparent that President Biden will not do anything to reduce the over 200,000 migrants coming here illegally on a monthly basis—which is the biggest crisis of my lifetime. The only way to stop this influx right now is to force the Biden Administration to the table and one more time, Congress passed on that opportunity. Our last chance was to negotiate with the aid to Ukraine and unfortunately, not enough Republicans were willing to do it. It is a little bit galling because our leadership team had made public proclamations about using Ukraine aid to force the Biden Administration to do something about the border, but now that will not happen. We will now have to wait for a new President to stop the unprecedented flow of illegal migrants crossing the border.

I have voted to support Ukraine in the past but since then have repeatedly expressed frustration in the lack of interest by the Biden Administration in working towards a peace agreement. All wars end eventually. Ukraine has the second lowest birth rate in the world and Russia also has a problem with too few young people. Both countries should be particularly interested in finding a way to end this war and there appears to be no effort made in this direction.

I was happy to vote for funding to our ally Israel. It is essential to Israel’s existence that they succeed in eradicating Hamas, who orchestrated the October 7 attack that killed over 1,200 people. This funding was of particular importance given the recent unprecedented attacks by Iran and the fact that so much of the aid is going to replenish Israel’s defense systems, including the Iron Beam, Iron Dome, and David’s Sling that have been crucial over the last two weeks. We must stand strongly with our ally and support Israel’s right to defend itself.

Tree Planting Ceremony Honoring Wisconsin

This past Wednesday, several of my Wisconsin colleagues and I came together to participate in a ceremony to plant a Sugar Maple, the Wisconsin state tree, on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. This tree will commemorate the 175th anniversary of the state of Wisconsin.

Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01), Chairman of the House Administration Committee who has jurisdiction over the Capitol grounds, led the effort with my support. The approval of this tree took an entire year but its rewarding to see a little bit of Wisconsin in D.C.

Next time you visit our nation's capital, make sure to stop by the Sugar Maple on the Western lawn of the Capitol!

Pastor Robert Suhr of Christ Church

For over two decades, Pastor Robert Suhr has served as the bedrock of Christ Church Mequon, leading with wisdom and grace as its Senior Pastor. Under his stewardship, the church has flourished into a vibrant community, embracing individuals from all walks of life and setting an exemplary standard of commitment to its mission and stewardship. He is also a devoted husband of over 35 years to his beloved wife Jill, a loving father to three adult children, and a proud grandfather of seven.

I was glad to welcome Pastor Suhr to Washington, D.C. to offer the opening prayer for House Floor proceedings on April 12. After the prayer he met with Speaker Mike Johnson and I on the Speakers Balcony.

Thank you again Pastor Suhr and congratulations of your retirement after 41 years of service!

Click the image above to watch Pastor Suhr's prayer

Weekly Roundup

I had a meeting with Kim Medelberg from Beaver Dam, who works with Christians United for Israel. Our discussion revolved around the attacks on Israel and how we can further support our ally.

I had the pleasure of meeting with my alma mater UW-Madison's Chancellor, Jennifer Mnookin. Go Badgers!

This week, I had a meeting with the Wisconsin Hospital Association in D.C. to discuss how Congress can help improve our health care systems and put patients first.

I had a great meeting with Don Korte Jr., President of the Wisconsin chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

I met with Chancellor Katherine Frank of UW - Stout. We spoke about federal priorities during the upcoming appropriations season!

Click the image above for more information

Two weeks ago Grafton American Legion held their 40th annual Las Vegas Night, it was a great night spent with my fellow Wisconsinites.

Wonderful Brat Fry hosted by the North Fond Du Lac Fire Association to raise money for the Fire Department!

I had the pleasure of attending the Oshkosh Special Olympics, where I really enjoyed cheering on the athletes!

I had a fantastic visit to the Great Lakes Cheese facility in Plymouth, WI. It was a pleasure meeting the staff and getting a firsthand look at the production area!

Contact Me

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.

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Sincerely,

Glenn Grothman
Member of Congress