This past week I held four town halls in Manitowoc County, Ozaukee County, Columbia County and Green Lake County. One of the most important parts of my job as your Congressman is hearing feedback so I can make your voice heard in Washington, D.C. 

It was great to meet with so many of you who came out this week and answer your questions. I look forward to bringing your feedback to D.C.

Last week, Rep Ed Case (D-HI) and I introduced the bipartisan Stop the Baseline Bloat Act. This legislation aims to ensure a more honest accounting of what the federal government plans to spend by removing temporary emergency spending from the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) ten-year baseline budget.

According to the Cato Institute, a public policy research organization, Congress has designated $12 trillion in spending for emergencies over the past 30 years. The current practice of including emergency spending in the CBO baseline budget skews the budget toward higher spending, distorting the fiscal outlook, and contributing to the dire fiscal state of our country.

I am proud to let you know that this bill is supported by six taxpayer advocate organizations including, Citizens Against Government Waste, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, FreedomWorks, Heritage Action, National Taxpayers Union, and Taxpayers Protection Alliance. 

Inflation has reached outrageous levels over the past several years, and the federal government bears responsibility for it. The CBO cannot continue to create a budget baseline that justifies outrageous spending levels. Getting the country’s fiscal house in order starts with an unbiased CBO baseline.

Back in February I was given a tour of Mayville Manufacturing and was extremely impressed! Mayville Manufacturing is a program at Mayville Jr/Sr High School that takes place as a shop class. The program focuses on metal manufacturing, placing a strong emphasis on sustainability. They sell the finished projects and reinvest the proceeds into the program, which ensures a continuous cycle of growth. This strategy has enabled the program to acquire essential equipment like a 3D printer, a laser engraver, and a CNC plasma table. Additionally, the generosity of local businesses has supplemented the inventory with further donations of equipment. 

These high school students have a great future ahead of them and its great to see programs like these based in schools in WI-06! 

On Monday, I hosted a reception for the Congressional Art Competition. Congratulations to Jordyn Jacobson on her painting of "F18s Shooting Flares". Her piece will now be on display in the U.S. Capitol!