Our Veterans

Veterans Day is Monday. We are the land of the free because of the brave. Wisconsin is home to more than 275,000 veterans. As of 2023, veterans make up nearly 6% of the adult population in Wisconsin. Our veterans have made incredible sacrifices in service to our country.

I have had the opportunity to meet with veterans all over Wisconsin and to listen to their stories. We owe all American servicemembers gratitude for their service and dedication to our great nation.

Protecting Patients and Addressing IV Shortage

Recently, I led the Wisconsin delegation in urging the Biden-Harris administration to take immediate action to address the nationwide IV fluid shortage due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The administration must take action to minimize the impact of this shortage on patient care and increase the supply of IV solutions.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton left a trail of destruction across the Southeastern states, particularly in North Carolina and Florida. In their aftermath, people from around the country have joined together to help the communities facing devastating losses.

The largest manufacturer of IV fluids and dialysis solutions in the U.S., Baxter International, is located less than an hour from Asheville, North Carolina. According to the company, their site was significantly impacted by the rain and storm surge from Hurricane Helene and is still in the process of returning to full operation. Baxter supplies roughly 60% of the IV fluids to hospitals in the U.S.

Unfortunately, I have heard from Wisconsin hospitals and other medical providers who were forced to postpone and cancel elective procedures for patients due to the impending shortage. If immediate action is not taken to mitigate the harm coming from a lack of IV supplies, American lives will be put at risk.

I will continue working to ensure Americans impacted by these natural disasters have access to the care they need.

To read my full letter to the Biden-Harris administration, click here.

Border Crisis Hearing in Wisconsin

In the past four years, over 8.2 million illegal immigrants have come across our southern border. The impacts of this open border continue to be felt all around our country.

The City of Whitewater, for example, is witnessing a dramatic increase in migrants flowing into the community. Especially troubling is that a dangerous cartel has also infiltrated the community and are conducting drug and human trafficking operations.

Last month, I joined the House Judiciary Committee for a field hearing in Milwaukee to examine the effects of the current southern border crisis on Wisconsin communities, such as Whitewater.

At the hearing, we heard the testimony of a Wisconsin father, Rick Rachwal, who lost his 19-year-old son to fentanyl. Another witness, Jake Curtis, General Counsel and Director of the Center for Investigative Oversight, Institute for Reforming Government, published a report and an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal highlighting how the immigration crisis has led to the straining of public resources here in Wisconsin. We specifically discussed the challenges illegal immigration is placing on the schools, teachers, and students in Whitewater.

The dangers posed by sanctuary cities was another topic of the hearing. Areas operating as a sanctuary city, like some here in Wisconsin, shield illegal immigrants from federal law enforcement. Even those that have committed violent crimes.

Securing the southern border is my priority. We must ensure that our families remain safe, and I will continue my work to do just that.

To watch the full hearing, click here.

Protecting Americans' Retirement Savings

Millions of American families rely on institutional investors, including asset managers, investment advisors, and pension funds to save for retirement. Those institutional investors often follow the lead of two big firms, known as proxy advisors, when deciding how to vote on questions posed to shareholders. Unfortunately, proxy advisors and institutional investors have far too often put their political agendas ahead of maximizing returns for families.

Recently, the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing examining politicized investing and its impact on Americans' retirement savings.

Institutional investors should not be using your retirement savings to advance their political agenda. However, time and again these firms, under the influence of the proxy advisor duopoly have been pushing American companies to adopt politically motivated environmental, social, and governance policies. This hurts retirement savings, workers, and our economy.

My bill, the Protecting Americans' Retirement Savings from Politics Act, helps ensure retirement and pension funds are being managed based on risks and returns, not political agendas. It is crucial we empower investors, restore transparency and accountability, and enhance competition.

I questioned Treasurer of the State of Illinois, Michael Frerichs, about how conflicts of interest impact investment decisions that can affect millions of shareholders.

To watch the full hearing, click here.

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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