Support for Wisconsin Students at Risk

Recently passed legislation established a new federal tax credit scholarship program. This program could help your family.

This new program creates a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1,700 for charitable donations to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). Working families are eligible for scholarships funded by these donations. Scholarship funds could be used for a variety of educational needs, including tuition, school supplies, support services for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and transportation. This program benefits families and students enrolled in both public as well as private schools.

While the program allows any taxpayer to donate and receive the credit, it requires states to opt into the program to be eligible for scholarship funding. 

I led members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation in writing to Governor Evers. We asked him to take advantage of this program and open up these scholarships to Wisconsin families.

You can read our letter below or at the link here.

I want to hear from you:

Shutdown Continues

On October 1, the federal government shut down due to a lapse in funding. Like you, I'm frustrated the government remains shut down. This is no way to operate. I am committed to continuing to work for you and your family.

Prior to the shutdown, the House voted to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to keep our government open. I supported this resolution and believe the shutdown should have been avoided. However, the Senate has still not passed this proposal to fund the government. The Senate will continue to hold votes to reopen the federal government. I recently introduced legislation to end government shutdowns permanently. You can read more on this legislation here.

This week, military members were scheduled to miss a paycheck due to a lapse in funding. However, the administration announced that they would continue paying our troops using unobligated balances in the Department of Defense. 

While many essential government functions like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits will continue, there are a number of services and consequences that continue as a result of this shutdown like:

• Federal Law Enforcement officers are missing their paychecks, which can impact our public safety and make it harder for these families to pay their bills
• Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay. This could lead to delayed and cancelled flights, risks to airport security, and potentially dangerous conditions at airports.
• Social Security and other government employees have been furloughed and will miss their next paychecks.
• The CDC is unable to provide long-term guidance on things like preventing opioid overdoses, HIV, and diabetes.

For more information on the ongoing shutdown, visit my website here.

I recently joined 1130 WISN to talk about my work to end the ongoing shutdown and prevent future shutdowns. You can listen below or at the link here.

Open and Accessible

One of my top priorities is being available and accessible, that includes during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Despite many federal offices closing, my office remains staffed and available to assist you. For a list of offices and current hours, please click here.

Here are some of the ways my office can help. Here are some of the ways my office can help.

• Experiencing a delay with the IRS? If you have not received a past tax return or are experiencing delays contacting the IRS involving an e-filed federal income tax return, visit my website to learn more about how we can help.
  
  
• Having trouble receiving your Social Security Payment? If you are not receiving your social security each month or have experienced issues with the Social Security Administration (SSA), please reach out to my office. My team will connect with the SSA to ensure you receive the benefits you have paid for.
  
  
• Issue working with the VA? If you are a veteran having an issue working with the VA or receiving your benefits, contact us. My team will get to work securing the benefits you have fought for and earned in service to our country and has helped solve more than 230 difference veterans and service member-related casework requests since 2024.
  
  
• Planning for international travel? Check you passport expiration date and apply to renew it if needed. Passport appointments are required. If you have difficulty scheduling an appointment or receiving a response from the State Department, contact us.
  
  
• Interested in a Congressional Commendation or Presidential Greeting? My office can work with you to help secure a Congressional Commendation or Presidential Greeting for residents of the 1st Congressional District. Whether it is an Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony, Election to Public Office, or other notable achievement, my staff is happy to work with you to secure recognition for these achievements.
  
  
• Looking for more information on Federal Grants and Domestic Assistance? My office can point you in the right direction and help you connect federal agencies that provide grant opportunities to qualified individuals or businesses. For more information, visit my website here.
  
  
• Issues applying for FEMA assistance for recent flooding? My office is available to help you work with FEMA and get the benefits you qualify for. For more information, visit the webpage here or contact my office. Be sure to apply for benefits before November 12.
  
  
• Questions about what is going on in D.C.? My office is here to answer any questions you might have with what is going on in Congress, with a federal agency, or in a federal program. This year, my office has already responded to more than 100,000 phone calls, emails, and letters.

Celebrating with our Community

This week, I joined the Italian American Society in Kenosha to celebrate Columbus Day.

It was great to talk with Wisconsin families about my work to lower costs, protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and reopen the federal government.

As always, feel free to contact my office if you have any questions, want to share an opinion, or are having trouble with a federal agency.

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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