Biden Administration's Alternate Universe on Southern Border
Grilling Sec. Mayorkas on Mishandling of Border Crisis
This week I was part of a surreal hearing with Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the administration's complete mishandling of the crisis on the southern border.
It's like he lives in an alternate universe, an alternate reality. I ran him through a little history lesson using my chart of exactly what has led to this massive flow of illegal immigration. He simply would not acknowledge the fact that President Trump had pretty well stopped the flow of unaccompanied children, of family units exploiting our very generous, credible fear standard under asylum.
The first step to fixing the border crisis is admitting there's a problem and Sec. Mayorkas won't even do that.
Watch my full exchange with him here and here.
Biden's "Ministry of Truth" Disinformation Board
Free speech is fundamental to our freedom and liberty. The new " Disinformation Governance Board" aka the "Ministry of Truth" should frighten any American who values liberty and free speech. This will only serve to censor voices critical of the administration's disastrous policies for their failure to secure the border. We must fight this tooth and nail.
Daily Caller: Sen. Johnson Call for Answers From DHS over Biden's 'Disinformation Board', Slams Nina Jankowicz
SCOTUS Roe v. Wade Breach
The goal of this unprecedented breach is to intimidate sitting Supreme Court justices. This is yet another example of how the radical left intends to "fundamentally transform" America.
Undermine our judicial system, open our borders, drive gasoline prices to record levels, forty year high inflation, and spark a crime wave. They are fundamentally destroying our country and they must be stopped.
More in this interview on The Clay and Buck Show.
Mistreatment of Military Families in Private Housing
Service members and their families represent the finest among us. When stationed in U.S. military installations, these men and women should expect to live in conditions that will not damage the health and safety of themselves and their families.
As Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations I helped lead a hearing in conjunction with the release of this bipartisan report examining the mistreatment of military families in privatized housing.
Watch the full hearing here. Read my press release here.
Small Business Week
Wisconsin business owners tell me they're in dire straits. Issues from burdensome regulations, skyrocketing prices, supply chain issues, and not being able to find enough people to hire are universal problems.
Watch this video about my meetings with small business leaders.
I'm passionate about helping small business because it's not big government that made this country great, it's individuals who have the freedom to dream, aspire, build and create. During National Small Business Week we celebrate Wisconsinites who dreamed big and created over 400,000 small businesses.
ICYMI: News From My Work in the Senate
- Protecting Wisconsin's Mink Farmers: Wisconsin has the largest presence of mink farms in the country. The 2021 Wisconsin mink farming crop was valued at $40 million and supports over 250 full-time employees and over 500 seasonal employees in rural communities. I joined a letter requesting eliminating a provision from the House America COMPETES Act that would prohibit raising mink for fur production.
- Fighting for Wisconsin's VA Healthcare Workers: Following a letter to the Milwaukee VA about vaccine mandates still in effect, I wrote additional letters to the Tomah and Madison VA medical centers. The Milwaukee, Madison and Tomah VAMC employees that reached out to my office fear that the facilities' coercive vaccine mandate will cause staff shortages and directly effect patient care. I share those legitimate concerns. We now know individuals who are fully vaccinated can contract and spread COVID-19. Vaccine mandates are pointless and destructive.
- Planned Parenthood Gets Illegal PPP Loans: I requested information from the U.S. Small Business Administrator regarding illegally obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans received by Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country. In 2020, the SBA notified a number of Planned Parenthood affiliates that they had wrongfully applied for 38 PPP loans totaling more than $80 million dollars. Despite this determination, the SBA approved 17 new PPP loans to Planned Parenthood affiliates totaling nearly $40 million in 2021.
Around Wisconsin
I had an inspiring meeting with leaders of Wisconsin Ukrainians about efforts to help family and friends on the ground in Ukraine. Supplies like tourniquets, body armor, and generators have been donated by Wisconsinites. My heart lies with the brave Ukrainian people fighting for peace and freedom.
I recently had a wonderful visit with the folks at All-Color Powder Coating company in Oregon. This family business celebrated 25 years last year. Fun Fact: they are responsible for keeping the famous sunburst chairs on the UW Memorial Union Terrace in vibrant color.
Thank you to the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin for presenting me their Champion of Merit Eagle award, given to federal legislators who fight for free enterprise and open competition in construction projects.
Congratulations to the United Way of Dane County on its 100th anniversary. Staffer Tawsif Anam presented a Certificate of Special Senatorial Recognition to their CEO Renee Moe.
We just marked the one year anniversary of the passing of my friend Pastor Jerome Smith. He was a fierce spiritual leader and the true force behind the Joseph Project. May his legacy of helping and inspiring Wisconsinites continue to live on.
