Message from Congressman Scott Fitzgerald

Good morning, everyone, and happy Monday!

Last week was busy on Capitol Hill as we wrap up our end-of-year legislative priorities. I enjoyed having an opportunity to meet with Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk last week to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and how to the two plan to cut excess regulations and wasteful government spending.

I was also proud to help pass a bill I am a cosponsor of—H.R. 5349, the Crucial Communism Teaching (CCT) Act. This bill will ensure our students understand the terrible consequences of communism, which has claimed over 100 million lives. This bill equips educators with resources they need to teach the contrast between communism’s oppression and America’s principles of freedom. By learning these lessons, the next generation will be prepared to value and defend the liberties that define our nation. I thank Rep. María Elvira Salazar for her leadership on this vital legislation, and all of my colleagues who have also supported the bill.

I’ve been asked many time back in Wisconsin by small business owners about the implementation of the beneficial ownership rule under the Corporate Transparency Act. As an update: on December 3, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide injunction against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act. The Corporate Transparency Act was passed in 2021 with the stated goal of strengthening our national security tools by establishing a new beneficial ownership reporting regime. Beneficial ownership information is the personally identifiable information (PII) on a company’s beneficial owners. A beneficial owner is defined as any individual who owns 25 percent or more equity interest in a legal entity. This rule was set to go into effect on January 1, 2025.

 The Biden-Harris Administration has sought an overly burdensome implementation of this rule through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) that has been marked by poor outreach and education efforts. Additionally, the rule gives overly broad access without adequate data security protections. That is why I have supported efforts to at least delay implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act. 

I am a cosponsor of H.R. 4035, the Protecting Small Business Information Act. This bill would prevent the government from collecting Americans’, including small businesses, nonpublic personally identifiable information until the government demonstrates how the information will be accessed and used by law enforcement. I also recently signed a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, calling for a one-year delay in the implementation of reporting deadlines for the Corporate Transparency Act.

Further action to reform or delay the beneficial ownership rule either through legislation or administratively under a new Trump Administration is possible. I will keep you updated on any further developments.

Last week I was humbled to be recognized as one of the 2024 NRF Heroes of Main Street. The U.S. retail industry plays a leading role in our economy, supporting millions of jobs and serving communities across the nation. I am proud to advocate for policies that help retailers thrive and grow, ensuring they remain a vital part of our local and national success. Thank you to the National Retail Federation for this meaningful recognition, and I look forward to continuing to champion the needs of Main Street and the hardworking Americans who are a part of that mission.

I’m incredibly disappointed by the ruling on Act 10 by a judge in Wisconsin. Although, it is hardly shocking that this decision came from a Dane County judge, where the court is as political and liberal as it gets in Wisconsin. 

Act 10 empowered Wisconsin taxpayers and returned our state to fiscal responsibility. It’s unbelievable to me that liberal teachers unions are leading this tirade against the public safety classification Act 10 assigns to police and firefighters. These men and women put their lives on the line to protect and serve Wisconsinites and they should be afforded their benefits accordingly as their service deserves. This decision is a travesty and will have devastating consequences for years to come if it is found permissible by higher courts.

That wraps the updates from last week.

Have a great week everyone and thanks for reading along!  

-Scott

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