September 23, 2022

Commitment to America

Friend, 

Common sense has been absent in Washington for too long. In the last nineteen months, prices have reached a 40-year high, our communities are experiencing record high crime rates, and nothing seems to be getting done to address the American people’s priorities. Finally, there is reason to believe that can change.   

Today, I joined my colleagues to discuss the Commitment to America. An agenda to get our country back on track. The commitment focuses on four pillars

• An economy that is strong
• A nation that is safe
• A future built on freedom
• A government that is accountable

During the event, I was asked a question by a mother of two about how Congress can address rising prices that are impacting her family’s budget. There are three key steps we can take to get prices under control. We need to stop the excessive spending in Washington. Congress has the power of the purse. Second, we need to unleash American energy. It’s not just energy prices at the gas station that are impacting families’ budgets. It’s the diesel used in our farmers’ tractors, the diesel for transporting our goods, and the energy used to operate our stores. Finally, we need to promote policies that get workers back to work. Our labor policies have discouraged work, we should be encouraging work.

I asked the audience how many people have seen their grocery bills increase this past year. The response: everyone. 

Watch my remarks by clicking the play button above. 

We need an economy that is strong. High costs at the grocery store have persisted. Families are paying roughly $600 more a month for their expenses. Wisconsin families paid roughly $168 more this school year on back-to-school spending. Heading into the cold winter months, utility bills are likely to increase according to Secretary Janet Yellen. Instead of sitting back, Congress should work to reduce energy costs. We need an all of the above approach.

We need a nation that is safe. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. Neighborhoods across the country have seen a frightening increase in crime rates. From Kenosha to Milwaukee, there has been a dramatic increase in shootings right in our back yards. In order to stop violent crime, we need to support law enforcement and keep criminals off our streets. We should be funding the police, working to recruit more officers, and hold our local prosecutors and district attorneys that are using federal funds accountable for misguided policies.

We need a future that promotes freedom. Empowering parents and protecting our children is a top priority. We should be teaching our students how to think, not what to think. Parents and students need to have clear insight into our children’s education. I’m supportive of legislation to create a Parents’ Bill of Rights. This will increase transparency so parents know what their children are being taught in school. Parents should be free to choose the school that is best for their children. 

We need to hold the federal government accountable. Our government has spent over $9 trillion in the last nineteen months. We need to ensure there is proper oversight of the federal government’s spending and decision making. 

I'm committed to creating a strong economy, keeping our communities safe, and a future built on freedom. It's time to address our nation's top priorities. As always, if you'd like to share an opinion with me or need assistance working with the federal government, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. 

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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