Last week, the House and Senate passed H.R. 2353, the Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act, with unanimous bipartisan support.

This week, President Trump signed the bill into law. This piece of legislation, that I cosponsored and voted for, will help address the nationwide skilled labor shortage, which includes pipe-fitters, welders and manufacturing workers. Wisconsin's 6th district is home to more manufacturing jobs than any other district in the country and this bill will help Americans enter the workforce with the knowledge required to compete for high-skilled, well-paying jobs in multiple sectors, including manufacturing.

I am proud to have been a cosponsor and strong supporter of legislation that helps U.S. citizens and residents in the 6th district acquire the education and skills necessary to take advantage of high-paying job opportunities and perform in today's modernized workforce. Organizations and corporations across the country have taken notice of the Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act and are eager to see the positive effects it will have on the nation's workforce.

 

Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, visited Wisconsin last Friday and I was proud to show him the beautiful natural resources the 6th district has to offer.

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. However, we still have work to do in order to make sure the lake can be enjoyed for generations to come, which is why I made it clear that I support Great Lakes Restoration Funding.

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. I told Secretary Zinke about a bipartisan amendment that Congressman Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and I introduced last year to try to solve this problem. For more information on the amendment, please click here.

Wisconsin and the United States continue to experience economic success, as highlighted by the second quarter's 4.1% GDP growth and Wisconsin's record low unemployment rates. Wisconsin's labor force reached record highs in June and manufacturing is on the rise across the country with 23,000 manufacturing jobs added in July alone. This spike in manufacturing jobs brings the 19 month total to 836,000 compared to 26,000 in the previous 19 months.

More opportunities are becoming readily available for job seekers, and annual wages and benefits for workers have risen at the fastest rate since 2008 as employers look to fill those new positions. I will continue to support legislation that promotes economic growth throughout the country and within the sixth district.

Arimon has been providing manufacturing solutions in Montello for over 70 years. Thanks for the tour of your great facilities!

Always great to visit the Montello Rotary Club!

I am proud to stand by my colleagues in Congress in a show of bipartisan support for the Chibok girls facing oppression from Boko Haram in Nigeria.

It was a pleasure meeting with the individuals from the Summit Credit Union in Beaver Dam. A great local business for the 6th district!