Newsletter

Small Business Week in Wisconsin

May 2, 2018

On Wisconsin

Small Business Week

Sen. Johnson spent Small Business Week in Wisconsin meeting with small business owners across the state and talking about issues that matter to them. From Plymouth to Ellsworth, the discusions focused on trade, national security and the American dream.

Small Business Roundtable, Ellsworth
Sen. Johnson participates in a small business roundtable organized by the St. Croix County Economic Development Corporation.
CertainTeed, Plymouth
Sen. Johnson stopped by CertainTeed in Plymouth. CertainTeed is a company partner for the Joseph Project, connecting those genuinely seeking employment with opportunities that all already exist. It was a pleasure to catch up with Robert and Richard, two Joseph Project graduates.
SourceCut Industries, Osseola
Sen. Johnson also spoke with employees at SourceCut Industries. The discussion covered everything from the farm bill to school safety. SourceCut is located in Osseo, WI and makes high quality cabinet and furniture components.

High School Visits

In addition to small business visits, Sen. Johnson stopped by three high schools to hear from students about what is most imortant to them. Students at Hortonville High School, Oshkosh North High School and Kiel High School asked Sen. Johnson a wide range of questions and many took the opportunity to get a picture with their U.S. Senator.

Hortonville High School
Hortonville High School
Oshkosh North High School
Oshkosh North High School
Kiel High School
Kiel High School

Tackling Wisconsin Issues

Sen. Johnson joined Congressman Glenn Grothman in addressing two major issues facing Wisconsin residents. On Tuesday, Congressman Grothman hosted a field hearing addressing the issue of air quality in Sheboygan County. Later in the week Sen. Johnson and Congressman Grothman joined local law enforcement, former addicts, and city, county and state health officials, to participate in a roundtable on the opioid crisis in Wisconsin.
Air Quality Hearing, Sheboygan
Field hearing on air quality in Sheboygan County with Congressman Glen Grothman
Roundtable on Opioids, Oshkosh
Roundtable on Opioid abuse in Oshkosh

On The Hill

Pompeo Confirmation

Before returning home for the first week of May, Sen. Johnson voted to confirm Mike Pompeo to the post of Secretary of State. After the vote, Sen. Johnson said, "Mike Pompeo's distinguished track record of service to our country was recognized today by a majority of my collegues. It is dissapointing Senator Baldwin and so many Senate Democrats abandoned Senate tradition and put partisan politics ahead of supporting the confirmation of such a well-qualified individual to be our nation's top diplomat."

'Dues Skimming' from Medicaid Payments

Sen. Johnson wrote a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services this week requesting information about the practice of government employee unions "skimming" federal dollars from Medicaid beneficiaries before payments are passed on to the recipients. "This clasification allows states to skim an estimated $200 million each year in union dues - taxpayer money that would otherwise go to the care of Medicaid recipients," Sen. Johnson wrote. The letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma can be found here.

Coming Up

The Senate is expected to vote next week to confirm Wisconsin's Michael Brennan to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. Throughout the spring and summer, the Senate will continue to work on a number of judicial and executive branch nominations as well as reauthorizations of federal programs.

Media Round-Up