- The Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee works to set federal funding to promote safety and prosperity within the agricultural industry. The committee also works to set spending levels on nutrition programs including Food Stamps and the WIC program. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration is under the jurisdiction of this committee.
Agriculture is the backbone of our State, and as the Ranking Member of this subcommittee I will continue to work to ensure that Wisconsin's farmers will get a fair return for all of their hard work, and to ensure that the federal government continues investing in farmers and rural America.
In the past, I have helped to secure funding for Wisconsin's dairy farmers in the events of emergency market loss, and I will continue to support programs that aid farmers during periods of low milk prices. I also supported this subcommittee's decision to place pressure on the FDA to properly enforce standards of regulations to ensure that Milk Protein Concentrates (MPCs) are not used in standard cheese products, as the increased importing of MPCs has a negative market effect on dairy farmers.
Additionally, this subcommittee has provided funding for food safety efforts. I will continue to work to ensure that the Food Safety and Inspection Services properly protect Americans from animal related illnesses such as "Mad Cow Disease." I also will continue to urge the committee to fund Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services activities to prevent the spread of Johne's Disease and Chronic Wasting Disease.
Read about my work as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and how that work affects Wisconsin.
- The Appropriations Subcommittee of Labor, Health and Education sets funding levels for priorities as Biomedical studies across the nation to funding community health centers. The committee also conducts budget hearings and oversees government funding to aid educations programs. These include special education programs, after school programs for children and financial aid for college students.
I have worked thru this subcommittee to address the current nursing shortage that Wisconsin faces and to secure funding for job training programs in Wisconsin. Healthcare for Wisconsin residents is an important matter to me, and I have pushed to improve healthcare facilities as well as increase healthcare coverage for Wisconsin minorities. I have also supported programs that provide better treatment and care for those suffering from substance abuse.
Additionally, I have worked on this subcommittee to help ensure that our children receive the best possible education. As such, I have supported increased teacher training in Wisconsin and I have helped increase after school programs. By improving the educational system and expanding the activities for Wisconsin's children, we are increasing the opportunities these children will have to succeed in the future.
- As a member of the newly formed Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I have a unique opportunity to form and oversee the newly formed Department of Homeland Security. The recent reshuffling of different Agencies to the new Department of Homeland Security is the largest restructuring of the government in decades, and holds many risks and opportunities for our national security.
On the subcommittee I will work hard to represent the needs of first responders in Wisconsin and around the country. The needs of our local police and firefighters are many, and the new demands of the post 9/11 world have only added to those needs. I will also concentrate on increasing security in airports in a way that makes sense. Our emergency management system also needs to be maintained so the traditional mission of natural disaster response is not forgotten.
You can read more about my work on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and how that work affects Wisconsin.
- As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and State we work to set funding levels for organizations and programs that help prevent criminal activities.
The committee is also concerned with crimes related to illegal drugs and we work to secure funding programs that aid in drug prevention. The committee is dedicated to preserving the safety of those living in the United States and not only do we hope to limit crimes, but we support programs that recognize potential criminals in an attempt to rehabilitate them before problems occur.
While working on this committee I have fought to preserve the safety of all Wisconsin residents. Many of the programs that I support focus on juvenile crime and seek alternatives to prevent the chances of children turning in repeat offenders. The Title V program that I helped create, provides federal funds to local communities to prevent juvenile crimes. Additionally, the Families and Schools Together (FAST) program works with area families and schools to help give support to at risk children. By building better parent-child relations and supplying the necessary counseling and peer support, the program provides a positive atmosphere where children can develop bright futures.
I have also worked to ensure that Wisconsin receives sufficient funding for law enforcement and drug programs. Several of these programs that I have supported help to educate Wisconsin youth on the effects of such drugs as Ecstasy and methamphetamines. The drug programs I have worked to fund are also used to recognize areas of high drug trafficking, so drug enforcement can be focused on areas of high drug activities.
Read about my information about my work on the Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations Subcommittee and how that work affects Wisconsin.
- The Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation is responsible for setting funding levels for programs such as rail improvements and highway repairs. The subcommittee also extends into air travel and helps establish federal funding for the construction of airport control towers and programs that promote transportation safety improvements.
As a member of this subcommittee, I helped to secure funds for the Marquette Interchange in Milwaukee, as well as funding for the construction of Milwaukee's new AMTRAK station at General Mitchell Airport.
I am a strong advocate of public transportation and I support funding for such transit programs as public bus lines and AMTRAK systems. I am also a strong supporter of the Job Access Reverse Commute program, which provides transportation opportunities to low income individuals who do not always have the necessary means to get to work.
