What Issue is Most Important to You?

Protecting Our Great Lakes

In January 2020, high water levels and a powerful storm combined caused severe damage to the Racine Harbor breakwater. For those in our community who live on or near the Lake Michigan shoreline, this was just one of the many events that highlighted the threats to our shoreline in recent years. The damage caused during the storm also showed just how degraded much of the infrastructure along the Great Lakes had become.

In the wake of the storm, Racine County leaders ordered a review of the damage done and reached out to me for assistance. In response I worked closely with the county to determine possible solutions. We determined that existing federal programs prioritized projects in other parts of the country and that there was not a current program well suited to address this issue. It became clear that to fix the issues impacting Racine and other communities across the Great Lakes, a new approach was needed.

To craft a solution, I reached out to a wide range of impacted groups, including the Wisconsin Counties Association, Clean Wisconsin, and the Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce (RAMAC). I also consulted with expert organizations including the Lake Carriers’ Association, the American Great Lakes Ports Association, and the Great Lakes Commission. At the same time, I heard from a bi-partisan array of elected officials who supported the effort.

This week, I was able to introduce the product of those efforts. To address the breakwater damage and help put in place protections across the Great Lakes I introduced the Revitalizing and Enhancing America’s Community Harbors (REACH) Act. This bill will open avenues for Racine, and other community harbors to receive federal assistance for critical water infrastructure projects. As we go forward, it can ensure that infrastructure along our Great Lakes is in place to help preserve this vital resource to our community.

Earlier this year, I also testified before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to stress the importance of addressing this issue. Watch my testimony by clicking here or the image above.

Click here to learn more.

Town Hall in Kenosha

I hosted a town hall last week in Kenosha focusing on border security. I was joined on stage by an informative panel, including U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott (retired), Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman, Kenosha County Sheriff Dave Zoerner, and Kenosha Police Detective Pablo Torres.

Each of the panelists shared their expertise on how the unsecure border is impacting our community and creating challenges here in Wisconsin. In case you weren't able to make it, you can watch the full event by clicking here.

Honoring a Wisconsin Civil War Hero

Hans Christian Heg (1829–1863) was a Norwegian American abolitionist, journalist, antislavery activist, prison reformer, politician, and soldier. Heg’s parents immigrated to Wisconsin in 1840, settling in Racine County. In 1859 he was elected state prison commissioner and was reelected two years later. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, he raised the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which was nicknamed the Scandinavian Regiment. While fighting to preserve the Union and end slavery, Heg tragically died from injuries suffered during the Battle of Chickamauga.

After his death three statues were raised in his honor. One was placed in his native Norway, one was placed in a park near his family home in Racine County, and one was placed on the Wisconsin State Capitol grounds. In June 2020, a group of rioters tore down and decapitated his statue in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Thankfully, the Madison statue has since been restored.

This week, Congress passed a bill I helped lead to designate the Post Office on Janesville Road in Muskego Wisconsin as the “Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office”. By renaming this post office we not only stand up against the violence and vandalism of 2020, but also honor and remember the heroic bravery of Colonel Heg and the sacrifices he made for our country.

Click here to read the full bill.

Supporting Our Veterans

Congress has a fundamental duty to honor our veterans and keep our nation safe. Ensuring taxpayer dollars are appropriately spent on critical programs like supporting our veterans, servicemembers, and national defense is more important than ever.

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, provides funding for federal agencies tasked with the mission of serving our veterans and bolstering our national security.

Our servicemembers and veterans have served our nation and defended our freedoms from adversaries abroad, and it’s time these heroes and their loved ones get the support and assistance they deserve in return. I am committed to ensuring those who have defended our country are supported in the way they earned by the nation they fought to protect.

Click here to read the full bill.

Last weekend, I joined Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park where we unveiled the park’s new Army memorial shelter. This shelter is the first in a series of planned structures that will honor veterans from all branches of service.

The park, formerly a gravel pit and construction company yard that has been developed into a park, is now a place for veterans and others to come and enjoy nature in a serene setting.

In Case You Missed It

This week, I joined Bloomberg to discuss President Biden’s executive order on immigration and how we ensure that our elections remain fair.

Click here to watch the full video.

On Monday, I joined Fox Business to discuss potential impacts of artificial intelligence on our justice system and more.

Click here to watch the full video.

I also joined WISN to discuss the importance of securing our border and how events like these are a key step in the process.

Click here to watch the full event.

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

Click here to subscribe to my e-newsletter