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Message from Congressman Scott Fitzgerald
Good afternoon!
The House isn’t voting this week, so I wanted to take this as an opportunity to remind anyone reading the newsletter today about the constituent services my office can offer.
I’m here to be a resource and can help you navigate issues related to the Federal government—maybe even more than you realize! From Service Academy nomnations to navigating federal benefits and obtaining a U.S. passport, I’m here to help. If you’re ever unsure, just give my office a call at (262) 784-1111.
To give you a glimpse at what my office and I accomplished last year…I responded to nearly 45,000 constituents and assisted over 900 constituents with casework to cut through federal bureaucracy. Of course, on the legislative front I worked hard too on legislation that I believe will improve the lives of Wisconsinites. In total, I introduced 17 bills last year and cosponsored 109 bills.
It was a great year all in all and I look forward to helping and meeting even more of you in 2024!
I hope everyone has a great week.
- Scott
Roe v Wade Anniversary
January is a noteworthy month for the pro-life movement. As thousands of people travel to Washington, D.C., to make their voices heard on this issue, I believe it is important to reaffirm my belief that life begins at conception and must be protected at every stage.
I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. H.R. 7 prohibits any federal funds from going towards abortion services, as well as federal funds for health benefits coverage and plans that include abortion coverage. It also bans any federal health facility or federal employee from offering abortion services. In addition, it makes the Hyde Amendment, which prevents Federal funds from going towards abortions, permanent. The Hyde Amendment has existed in Federal law for decades and enjoys wide bipartisan support.
I've long made it a priority to advocate for unborn lives in Congress and I’m proud to report that I earned an A+ on Susan B Anthony’s pro-life scorecard again this year.
Supreme Court of the United States Hears Case on Federal Bureaucrats
When I first came to Congress, I wrote a column about how unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. often do not receive the scrutiny that they deserve. These Federal workers occupy influential posts in government agencies—like the Department of Labor or the Department of Health and Human Services—and dictate more policy than many in the public realize. This policymaking impacts American taxpayers’ wallets, workplaces, medicine cabinets, and more.
The power of Federal bureaucrats has skyrocketed since 1984, when the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council that determined courts, when interpreting an ambiguous statute, should defer to the agency’s interpretation of the statute. This ruling, known as the “Chevron deference,” marked a considerable departure from the landmark Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison, in which the court ruled that if a statute must be interpreted, the Federal courts are the appropriate Constitutional branch to decide what the law says.
I’ve since introduced legislation to try and rein in the power, and last week, I was thrilled to see oral arguments begin at the Supreme Court on a case that will determine the future of the Chevron standard.
For too long, Chevron has given unelected bureaucrats unjustified power at the expense of Congressional intent. I hope the court will swiftly strike this unconstitutional standard down.
Naval Academy Summer Seminar and Summer STEM Applications
The Naval Academy Summer Seminar and Summer STEM Applications are open and will remain open until April 15.
Naval Academy Summer Seminar offers an opportunity for rising high school seniors to experience USNA for one week. Participants learn about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's future leaders.
The Summer STEM Program is a great catalyst to initiate the pursuit of a future in science and engineering. Summer STEM is an opportunity for participants to create, build, and explore in world-class lab facilities, working alongside USNA’s distinguished faculty and Midshipmen.
For more information, visit: Naval Academy Summer Seminar and Summer STEM. Click here to see the Naval Academy Summer Seminar and Summer STEM Program in action.
Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program
ICYMI, my office is seeking a veteran for a position in WI-05’s Oconomowoc district office. If you or a person you know are interested, I encourage you to apply!
The person chosen for the special position will work with military and veteran constituents to handle veterans-related casework and act as a facilitator between constituents and federal, state, and local agencies.
The Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program was established by the House of Representatives to provide employment opportunities for veterans within member offices.
The program is limited to veterans who meet all of the following requirements:
- Honorably discharged
- Released from active duty within the last six years
- Terminal pay grades at or below E-5, O-3, or W-2
- Veterans promoted to the pay grades of E-6, O-4, and W-3 within 6-months of separation from active duty are eligible, granted they meet ALL other eligibility requirements.
- Veterans who are in receipt of a 20-year or Temporary Early Retirement Authorization (TERA) retirement are not eligible for the program.
Click here to learn more about the job posting.
That’s a wrap for this week’s eNewsletter! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on my work for the 5th District of Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Scott Fitzgerald
Member of Congress
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