Issues

Congress is dysfunctional. I came to Washington to roll up my sleeves and solve problems. Far too often, politicians in Washington let politics get in the way of getting important work done on behalf of the American people. I am working to change that. As the co-chair of the Congressional Future of Work Caucus, I work with my colleagues to address the needs of workers and ensure our workforce is prepared with the education and skills needed to meet future job demands. I will always fight for what is important to us in Southeast Wisconsin.

Our national debt should be a frightening number to all Americans, and especially all lawmakers. Washington has a spending problem and we must act to restore fiscal responsibility. Congress needs a healthy dose of Wisconsin commonsense. Families in our state know how to balance their checkbooks, and it's time Congress does the same. We need to find common ground on addressing our mounting fiscal challenges.

As someone who spent a decade in the private sector, specifically in manufacturing, I've seen firsthand how over-regulation and federal red tape can hinder innovation, stifle job growth, and reduce competition. In Wisconsin, we have a diverse economy and we must protect good paying jobs by keeping the government's hands off of small businesses and maintaining tax and regulatory relief.

As I talk to families across Wisconsin, I consistently hear from concerned parents about the quality of their children’s education and mental health. I am committed to promoting positive academic outcomes, giving parents the access and transparency they deserve in their children’s education, and improving the overall mental well-being of children. Students get the most out of their education when their parents or guardians are supportive and involved. Education decisions are best made locally.

We can protect our environment and protect jobs at the same time. Wisconsin's natural resources, from the shores of Lake Michigan in Kenosha and Racine to the Ice Age Trail that runs through Janesville and Waukesha, are an important part of what makes our state a great place to live and work. I believe we have a responsibility to protect resources like these for generations to come. I am a strong advocate for legislation vital to protect the Great Lakes.

We can't afford to have Washington bureaucrats and the federal government dictating individual health care needs. Our health care system is failing patients across the country. Hardworking families struggle to pay their medical bills. Congress must act to alleviate this pain and stress by putting patients and doctors at the forefront of the decision-making process which will help drive down costs, improve quality, and create more accessible and affordable health care options for families.

A priority of mine is to ensure that our communities in Southeast Wisconsin are a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. I have met with local officials, law enforcement officers, and folks across Southeast Wisconsin to discuss how we can keep our communities safe. Defunding the police is a dangerous idea that will make our communities less safe. We must support our men and women of law enforcement. By fixing what's wrong and supporting what's working, we can strengthen Southeast Wisconsin.

Southeast Wisconsin is home to more than 45,000 veterans. It is critical we support them and their families. Helping our veterans should never be a partisan issue. Our American heroes' service and sacrifice must never be forgotten. I will always work for our veterans, ensure they have access to the benefits they've earned, and work to increase access to health care and mental health resources for veterans and their families.

Getting our elections right is vital to restoring trust in our system. I am the Chairman of the Committee on House Administration. I am committed to ensuring that our elections are free, fair, and secure. These principles are vital to our democracy. I am on the frontlines in Congress working against misguided proposals, like H.R. 1, that threaten the integrity of our elections.

Ensuring America's national security is of upmost importance. Our government has a constitutional obligation to provide for the common defense. We need a comprehensive national security strategy to address threats to our country. We must ensure our service members have the resources they need to address the growing threats to our national security, such as Iran, Russia, China, and cybercriminals. We must ensure our men and women in uniform have the training, resources, and equipment needed to protect our nation. I have helped pass legislation to protect our nation here at home and abroad.

I am a strong advocate of our Second Amendment rights. I am also a gun owner. Our right to bear arms is guaranteed by the Constitution and responsible gun ownership is an important part of the Wisconsin way of life. I will continue to support the right to bear arms for all law-abiding citizens and I will actively watch for any legislation that may infringe on this right.