The Appropriations Committee is responsible for approving expenditures made from the Federal Treasury. The Committee also writes annual appropriations bills that allow federal funds to be disbursed through a variety of government organizations, agencies and departments. I am a member of six subcommittees -- Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science and Related Agencies, Transportation, and Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Interior and Defense. Through these panels, I work to make critical investments that benefit the people of Wisconsin.

• The Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee, which I chair, allocates funds to promote food safety and prosperity within agriculture. The committee also has jurisdiction over nutrition programs including Food Stamps and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (commonly known as WIC). Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration is under the jurisdiction of this committee. Agriculture is the backbone of our state. I have helped secure emergency funding for Wisconsin dairy farmers and I continue to support counter-cyclical aid for farmers when milk prices plummet. I have also fought for resources to combat plant and animal diseases that are detrimental to Wisconsin. Food safety is also one of my priorities. Responsibility for ensuring food safety is spread between the Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture. Both fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee. I have consistently pushed for more inspectors, improved food inspection criteria and modernization of food safety programs.

• The Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies works to prevent crime, promote justice and facilitate fair commerce.

  The panel is also concerned with crimes related to illegal drugs and we work to secure funding programs that aid drug prevention. The subcommittee 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 subcommittee, 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 becoming repeat offenders. The Title V program, which 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 better funding for law enforcement and drug programs. Among them are programs that combat the use of Ecstasy and methamphetamines by youth. I have also directed resources to define and target high drug trafficking areas, so drug enforcement can be focuses in areas where it will make the greatest difference.

• The Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation is responsible for rail improvements and highway repairs. The subcommittee plays a key role in air travel and helps fund construction of airport control towers. As a member of this subcommittee, I have helped 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 public bus lines and AMTRAK systems.

• The Labor, Health, Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee oversees resources used for a wide range of public interest projects including biomedical research, community health centers, education programs, after-school programs and financial aid for college students. I have worked through this subcommittee to address Wisconsin’s nursing shortage and to fund job training programs in our state. Access to affordable, quality health care in Wisconsin is an important matter to me, and I have pushed to improve health care facilities and increase health coverage for Wisconsin minorities. I have also supported programs that provide better treatment and care for those suffering from substance abuse.

• In addition, I have worked on this subcommittee to help ensure that our children receive the best possible education. Specifically, I have supported increased teacher training in Wisconsin and expanding after school programs to include more children. By improving the educational system and expanding the activities for Wisconsin's children, there will be greater opportunities for them to succeed in the future.

• The Subcommittee on Interior oversees appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and some portions of the Department of Energy's budget, including Fossil Energy Research and Development, Clean Coal Technology, Energy Conservation, and Alaska Gas Pipeline Authorities. Other agencies under the Subcommittee's jurisdiction are the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the Forest Service. Through my work on the Interior Subcommittee, I have secured funding to protect our state’s forests, to construct and maintain the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and funding for projects at the Forest Products Lab in Madison, the nation’s leading wood research institute. I have also used my seat on the Interior Subcommittee to make investments in Wisconsin communities for water-related projects (including resources to help cities remove radium from their water wells and build new wastewater facilities). We need to protect our environment for future generations and ensure that Wisconsin has clean drinking water.

• The Defense Appropriations Subcommittee sets funding levels for our armed services, oversees how our defense dollars are spent and examines military budget decisions. The defense budget is the largest discretionary part of the budget, consisting of roughly half of all the money that Congress controls through yearly appropriations. I take this responsibility as a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee very seriously. On the panel, I have ensured that the Army and Marine Corps have access to all the transportation assets they need. My fellow members and I work with the Pentagon to make sure our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have everything they need to do their jobs, and there is a sustainable plan to keep our armed forces prepared in the future.