On Thursday, I introduced a House Resolution to recognize the significant role vitamin D may play in the fight against COVID-19.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, I have shared research about the possible benefits of vitamin D for COVID-19 prevention, referencing medical research studies out of Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, to name a few. These studies show a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiencies and negative COVID-19 patient outcomes, including severe symptoms, hospital stays, ICU admittance, and overall mortality rate. Furthermore, the studies suggest those with healthy vitamin D levels are likely to fare much better against COVID-19 infection because of the benefits vitamin D intake can have for overall respiratory health and immune response.

This past September, Dr. Anthony Fauci endorsed taking vitamin D supplements for immune system health and function. In December, 120 health, science, and medical experts from the U.S., U.K., and Europe sent an open letter to world governments stating that there is clear evidence that Vitamin D reduces COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.

During the early stages of COVID-19, the world was in need of a treatment for this virus while we awaited a safe, effective vaccine. While we now have vaccines to prevent COVID-19, not everyone has access to them yet, there are two existing COVID variants we know of, and people are still dying from the illness every day.

We have been told to listen to the science regarding COVID-19 since its inception. Now, 120 doctors from several of the world’s most prestigious medical institutions concur that there is overwhelming evidence that vitamin D can be effective in decreasing the severity of COVID-19, but our government’s top public health agencies still have not pursued this credible lead. The unwillingness of these agencies to investigate this lead has undoubtedly cost many lives.

I am once again calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the connection between vitamin D deficiencies and COVID-19 and let the public know how this could help in our fight against the virus, just as they have with other prevention methods during the pandemic.

During my time as a state legislator, I made it a point to be an advocate for individuals with disabilities. The love, laughter, and pride they bring to everyone around them is something to be cherished and celebrated. I have taken this attitude with me to Washington, DC and continue to look out for their best interest.

Democrats have included the elimination of Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act in the stimulus package they are currently pushing through Congress. This section of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows certain organizations, known as Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) to pay individuals with disabilities a special minimum wage. Some balk at the prospect of paying someone a special minimum wage, but the reality of the situation is different from the theory.

I introduced an amendment during the House Committee on Education and Labor markup of the FY2021 budget bill that would maintain Section 14(c) and the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities it provides. Sadly, this amendment was swiftly rejected by the Democrat-controlled Committee. Click below to watch me introduce my amendment and speak to the importance of preserving workplace choice and flexibility for individuals with disabilities.

On Friday, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform held its own markup on sections of the FY2021 budget bill that fall under the committee's purview, including $350 billion earmarked for state and local governments. To these sections, I offered three amendments.

The first would help restore the jobs lost by President Biden's misguided decision to shut down construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. We are in a recession due to COVID-19 and on day one, President Biden issued an executive order that will cost our country at least 11,000 jobs, hundreds of which are in Wisconsin. My amendment would ensure that funds are not distributed until the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline resumes.

The second would ensure sanctuary cities and jurisdictions are not rewarded for refusing to follow federal immigration law. These cities include Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore and dozens more large, medium, and small cities throughout the country. Those jurisdictions do not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and decline to comply with lawfully issued orders to hold individuals (these orders are called “detainers”) from federal law enforcement agencies, like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), meaning dangerous gang members are then released back into their communities to reoffend. Just last year in Baltimore, a 16-year-old girl was murdered. Five suspects were charged with murder in the first degree, assault in the first degree, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit first degree assault, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. ICE issued detainers on three of these individuals. In addition to being illegally present in the United States, they are members of the ruthless MS-13 gang. Two of these suspects had previous ICE detainers placed on them for past crimes but were released because of sanctuary policies. These criminal illegal immigrants and dangerous MS-13 gang members should have never had the opportunity to murder this teenage girl. My amendment would prohibit federal funding to areas that ignore these commonsense laws. 

The third would prevent a federal bailout of chronically mismanaged state and local public pension funds. For example, the Illinois state public pension fund is in disrepair because of misguided decisions made by the people in charge of the fund. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Wisconsin's state public pension fund is healthy because it has been managed responsibly. My amendment would prohibit COVID-19 funding from being used to bailout these mismanaged state and local public pension funds.

Unfortunately, the Democrat-controlled House Committee on Oversight and Reform did not adopt any of my amendments.

February is American Heart Month. It is important to take care of ourselves and our health, and set an example for those in our lives to do the same.

I was happy to speak with the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative about the how to improve health care in rural areas, including the advances in telemedicine and how we can keep that option for patients even after COVID-19 has been defeated.

Today is National Cheddar Day. Let's celebrate not only the great taste of cheddar cheese, but the important role cheese plays for local Wisconsin farmers, workers, and businesses.

As your Congressman, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Fond du Lac and Washington. If you enjoyed this newsletter be sure to forward it to your family and friends so they can stay informed on what I’m doing in Washington and the Sixth District. 

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