November 4, 2022

To Fix Economy, We Need to Change Course

Friend, 

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

There are solutions to address rising costs, out-of-control crime, and the challenges our children face in schools.  These are priorities Washington has neglected for years. I’m focused on addressing the issues families are facing.   

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. The Racine Journal Times recently noted energy prices are expected to significantly increase this winter, costing Wisconsin families roughly $120 - $180 more this season. Instead of sitting back, Congress should work to reduce energy costs by increasing production of American-made energy and ending the Biden Administration’s anti-energy regulations. We need an all the above energy approach.

Supply chain constraints have tightened our production of goods. The United States has become too reliant on foreign nations and must end our dependence. We should be focused on moving our suppliers back to the United States and encouraging domestic manufacturing by removing harmful barriers on employers looking to create jobs. Bureaucratic delays are keeping America behind on innovation. We need to reduce burdensome regulations and encourage transparency. 

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, and we have seen an increase in many of our communities here at home.  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 holding those soft-on-crime prosecutors and district attorneys accountable for misguided policies.

Wisconsin families have been devastated by failing policies. Fentanyl overdose deaths are on pace to increase this year. In 2021, 68 people died from a fentanyl overdose in Racine County, 48 people in Kenosha County, and 47 people in Rock County. By failing to secure the southern border and increase funding for law enforcement, this deadly substance is entering our community at alarming rates.

Too often, young adults are falling victim to these dangerous substances. Everyone in our community must be aware of fentanyl’s presence in other drugs.

Finally, 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 support legislation to create a Parent’s Bill of Rights. This bill increases transparency, so parents know what their children are being taught in school.

Americans’ priorities are clear, yet Washington is failing to address them. Since January 2021, Congress has spent over $9 trillion, and inflation has driven costs to record highs. My priorities are to lower costs and keep our communities safe.

As always, if you'd like to share an opinion with me, or need assistance working with a federal agency, please don't hesitate to contact my office. 

On Wisconsin, 

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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