Hearing on Apprenticeships

This week at a House Education and Labor Committee hearing, I spoke with experts about the skilled labor shortage and the benefits of encouraging high school students to pursue careers in the skilled labor market. Often, students are misinformed and encouraged to get a traditional four-year degree, when pursuing a trade will enable them to acquire a high-paying job without a mountain of debt.

I far too often see young people who are 28 or 29 and sometimes 33 or 34 years old who enroll in technical school or take on apprenticeships because they have either given up trying to find a job with their four-year degree or they have lost interest in that subject. The worst part about that situation is that they likely have student debt, and they have missed out on a decade of working in a potentially high-paying skilled labor job.

One of the best things we can do for our kids, and the future of our country, is to destigmatize career and technical education for kids graduating high school.

For more information, please click here.

Wisconsin Dairy

In 2018, Congress passed an updated version of the Farm Bill, which requires reauthorizatuon every four to five years. This bill ensures America's farmers have the tools and resources they need to keep our country fed.

Several provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill will have great positive effects on Wisconsin's dairy industry. That is why this week, I sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to prioritize implementation of the provisions affecting the dairy industry.

I will always fight for Wisconsin's dairy industry, because our farmers work too hard not to have someone standing up for them.

To read the full letter, please click here

Special Olympics

This week, some Washington politicians floated the idea of cutting federal funding for the Special Olympics. Yesterday, I sent this letter to the House Appropriations Committee supporting the full funding of the Special Olympics. I wholeheartedly support these athletes and hope my colleagues will, too.

Weekly Roundup

Ripon's own AFK Foundry is one of the longest continually operating foundries in Wisconsin.

I had a great time meeting with the employees of Northwoods Inc. to tour their facility and talk about my bill, the Workplace Choice and Flexibility Act, which gives individuals with disabilities expanded opportunities when looking for fulfilling careers.

Alliance Laundry Systems was founded in Ripon and is now a worldwide leader in commercial laundry products.

I was honored to receive the Family Research Council's “True Blue” award for my commitment to protecting faith, family, freedom and life.

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 6th District.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress