Roe v. Wade Overturned

It's been a week since the U.S. Supreme Court released its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This is a victory for life and for those who have fought for decades to protect the unborn. (The photo above is from the annual March for Life held on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade that many Wisconsinites have attended over the decades.)

For almost fifty years the decision of nine unelected Justices have prevented a democratically derived consensus on the profound moral issue of abortion to be formed. This decision will now allow that democratic process to unfold in each state to determine at what point does society have the responsibility to protect life. Hopefully, the debate will be conducted with sincerity, compassion, and respect for the broad range of views that people hold.

Border Crisis Tragedy

This week's horrifying tragedy near the border with 53 migrants dying in the back of a tractor trailer puts a tragic spotlight on what I have been saying for over 16 months. President Biden's open border policy is facilitating the multi-billion dollar business model of some of the most evil people on the planet. It leads to this tragic human depredation.

Last week, I sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers about reports that DHS is using taxpayer dollars to reimburse nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that transport illegal aliens across the country. The letter requested information on a recently reported DHS plan to pay for buses and flights for illegal aliens directly.

Demanding Documents on 40-Year-High Inflation

I joined my Republican colleagues from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen demanding answers on how the Department prepared for inflation early in 2021. We want records pertaining to the American Rescue Plan, specifically those regarding the Treasury's actions to combat the known dangers of inflation following the reckless spending spree after the bill's passage in March 2021.

It is long past time to share vital information on the discussions and actions debated within the Biden administration to identify, address, and prevent the historic inflation facing our country today.

Washington Examiner: Demanding documents about inflation

Tweet: Biden's inflation causing triple whammy

COVID Vaccine Surveillance

Did our federal heath agencies perform sufficient surveillance of COVID-19 vaccine adverse events?

That's the question I posed to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky in the wake of a recent article that noted the CDC did not compile all of the data on vaccine adverse events it initially claimed it would.

According to the CDC's Standard Operating Procedures document dated January 29, 2021, the agency claimed it would perform routine [Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)] surveillance to identify potential new safety concerns for COVID-19 vaccines. Specifically, the surveillance would include, "generating tables summarizing automated data from fields on the VAERS form for persons who received COVID-19 vaccines."

The CDC reportedly failed to provide these tables and other surveillance data in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

This raises questions about whether CDC ever collected the information on vaccine safety it originally claimed it would. We need an explanation.

Safe Schools Act

I joined 20 of my Republican colleagues in the Senate to introduce the Safe Schools Act.

The legislation would allow COVID relief dollars allocated to schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund to be used by schools to harden themselves with physical security measures, such as locks, panic buttons, individual room security systems, video surveillance, and hiring and paying the salaries of armed school resource officers. Expenses for school security improvements would be exempt from current ESSER guidelines that require expenses to be related to COVID-19.

Joseph Project Success Stories

Many thanks to all the Joseph Project alumni who particpated in our roundtable this week. The stories they shared were inspiring. Many of these graduates were formerly incarcerated but have now found success through work.

• "This program made me a man." - Alvin, Joseph Project Class 7
• "The Joseph Project didnt let me give up on myself. I have gotten everything I have ever wanted since getting this job." - Janis, Joseph Project Wausau
• "The Joseph Project changed my whole outlook on life. Pastor Smith took a chance on me. He looked at me with nothing but love. I'm now living a legitimate life and I'm glad my mom got to see that before she passed." - Philip, Joseph Project Class 90

Around Wisconsin

I had a delicious visit to Widmer's Cheese Cellars in the tiny town of Theresa. Met the 3rd and 4th generation cheesemakers who carry on the family tradition. 2022 marks Widmer's 100th anniversary. In fact, cheese has been produced continuously from this location since 1900.

June 30 was the 105th birthday for Oshkosh resident Harold Eichstadt! Harold is a philanthropist, former farmer and member of the Optimist Club for 62 years. He is the oldest resident ever in his senior living community. Join me in wishing Harold Happy Birthday!