While our country has American civilians stranded in Afghanistan, our first priority as the federal government, and united as Americans, needs to be to get our brothers and sisters trapped overseas surrounded by terrorists home safely. 

Thursday was a somber day in our history as 13 U.S. servicemembers lost their lives evacuating fellow Americans and Afghans alike from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. I am praying for the family and friends of the fallen and injured American servicemembers and Afghan allies after this horrific attack. Preventing terror attacks like this are the reason we went to Afghanistan initially and should not be tolerated.

Earlier this week, my colleagues and I in the House of Representatives were summoned back to Washington, D.C., however, instead of strategizing and debating varying plans to retrieve our fellow Americans stuck in Afghanistan, we were called in to vote on a partisan bill that calls for the highest sustained federal spending level in American history.

As inappropriate as this bill is at this moment in American history, we should take time to examine the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation framework. There was zero bipartisanship here, as Democrats voted 220-0 in favor, while Republicans voted 212-0 in opposition.

It's important to remember that this $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation framework is in addition to the massive, proposed increases to the regular federal budget, the $1.9 trillion ‘COVID relief’ bill President Biden signed into law earlier this year, and the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill recently passed by the Senate. These bills, along with the forthcoming budget reconciliation bill of up to $3.5 trillion, will further increase the federal debt, erode the value of the dollar, and increase the role of the federal government in people’s lives.

I was proud to join my Republican colleagues in voting no on this reckless package.  Details have yet to be finalized, but the initiative that will be focused on, according to Congressional Democrats, are things like amnesty for illegal immigrants, tax cuts for wealthy coastal elites, expanding government-controlled health care, increasing energy costs, and raising taxes on working families.

On Wednesday, I joined my Republican Study Committee colleagues outside of the Capitol to shine light on what is inside the needless $3.5 trillion bill that was passed by the Majority, a package that will further increase our deficit spending on an economy that can't bear it.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security will see no increase in federal funding under the Majority's plan. This comes as the border crisis continues to erupt, as more than 1.1 million migrants have already attempted to illegally enter our country this year. 

There was initially a group of Democrats who claimed they would stand up for the future of our country and against this reckless spending. But, in the end, they caved to peer pressure and did as Speaker Pelosi instructed by voting to advance this framework.

Historically, there have been big increases in the role of the federal government with Obamacare in 2010, Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society in the 1960s, and Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal in the 1930s. The bills I mentioned above will cause a similar rapid change that we cannot afford and will cause the average American to rely too heavily on the government to solve their problems.

I am sure that 20 years ago, there would have been enough common-sense Democrats in Congress that a spending proposal of this magnitude would have never been considered. Instead, Democrats voted 220-0 to pass it.

While the media has shifted focus elsewhere, all Wisconsinites should be aware that it appears as though another huge increase in the role of the federal government in our society is about to take place.

One of the most important parts of my job is hearing your feedback so I can make your voice heard in Washington, D.C. That is why I'll be hosting in-person town hall meetings on Monday, August 30 in Two Rivers and Grafton.

I hope to see you there!

Monday, August 30th

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Two Rivers Community House 

1710 West Park Street

Two Rivers, Wisconsin 54241

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Lime Kiln Park

2020 Green Bay Road

Grafton, WI 53024

I joined House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and my colleagues that bravely served in Afghanistan to emphasize that the first priority of the Administration right now must be to ensure that American citizens are able to return home from Afghanistan safely. Leaving them is not an option under any circumstances.

I spoke on the House floor to urge my colleagues in Congress and the media to not to lose sight of the humanitarian crisis at our Southern border. In July, over 212,000 migrants attempted to enter our country illegally. This is another 21-year high that must be addressed immediately by the Biden Administration.

Last weekend, I celebrated the town of Byron’s 175th birthday! Cheers to many more.

Thank you to Juan for doing a great job at my Fond du Lac office this summer as an intern! Best of luck moving forward.

The Ozaukee County Sundae on the Farm last weekend had lovely friends, food, and conversation!

Last weekend, I stopped by the Malone Holyland Catholic School and St. Mary’s Parish fish fry. Thank you for having me!

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 6th District, and let them know that they can subscribe by clicking here.

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