In the News
The 1st Congressional District's new representative announced the first bill he has authored Tuesday.
Rep. Bryan Steil made appearances in the district Tuesday to talk about his bill, which is designed to penalize countries that don't do enough to stop international human trafficking.
The legislation seeks to bolster the effectiveness of the U.S. State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report.
The report allows the United States to restrict aid to countries that don't measure up in their efforts to stem human trafficking.
Freshman congressman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., presented a powerful approach to stopping human trafficking with the unveiling of his first bill on Tuesday.
In front of area law enforcement and elected officials, Steil introduced HR 2149 "Exposing the Financing of Human Trafficking Act" at the Racine County Sheriff's Substation.
A new federal bill that aims to cut off funding for human trafficking is working its way to the floor of the House of Representatives.
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., announced the bill he authored — Exposing the Financing of Human Trafficking Act, or HR 2149 — at a press conference on Tuesday at the Racine County Sheriff's Patrol Station in Yorkville, with elected officials and law enforcement officers from both Racine and Kenosha counties in attendance.
Human trafficking is a $150 billion global industry according to the International Labor Organization. It's an issue impacting families around the world, but especially here in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Now U.S. Congressman Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) is proposing a federal law he hopes would reduce the problem.
Among the thousands of cars traveling along the I-94 corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago every day, traffickers are actively doing business.
Combating human trafficking in Wisconsin by holding countries abroad accountable is the idea behind a new bill in Washington, D.C.
Law enforcement officials know I-94 is a pipeline for criminals.
"I-94 has always been a corridor for illegal activities," said Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling.
That includes human trafficking. Sheriff Schmaling said he worries it's just going to get worse.
Rep. Bryan Steil introduced his first bill on Tuesday.
The bill focuses on combating human trafficking and holding countries accountable for their involvement.
Steil made the announcement during a press conference in Racine.
"Human trafficking on a global scale is a $150 billion operation we need to put a dent in that, we need to end that," he said.
Steil says the bipartisan bill will help fight human trafficking along the Interstate 94 corridor from Milwaukee County to the Illinois state line.
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville, is introducing his first bill after hearing concerns from sheriffs in his district that human trafficking is one of their top concerns.
Steil rolled out his "Exposing the Financing of Human Trafficking Act," in Janesville along with law enforcement officials Tuesday.
From the ceremonial flyover, to the POW/MIA table, the Battle Field Cross and the rifle salute to the lone trumpet playing "Taps," the Memorial Day rituals are familiar for veterans and military families.
Sunday's commemoration at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery was filled with ceremony, symbolism and tradition.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said he has been going to this event every year since the first one after 9/11.
Remembering the sacrifices made by veterans — and assuring that future generations do the same — was a theme that rang through Sunday's Memorial Day ceremony at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Ceremony.
Before a standing-room-only crowd, local dignitaries paid their respects to the fallen and urged everyone in attendance to never forget those who died for their country.
"We will not forget the great sacrifice ... the many have made for the great cause of freedom, and we do not take it lightly," pastor David DeBerge said in his invocation.
Republican Representative Bryan Steil hosted three listening sessions across his district on Friday.
In Milton, he shared with his constituents the issues he's tackling in Washington, D.C.
Some of those include providing mental health services for veterans and protecting social security for seniors.
"For me to be a voice to be voice in Washington, I need to hear from people day in and day out," said Steil.
Rep. Steil also took questions from many people on topics ranging from climate change to President Trump's Administration.