2022 was a memorable year for Americans from all walks of life. Despite the many challenges facing our nation, the families, small businesses, employees, and students I've met this past year give me optimism for 2023. I look forward to continuing to make your voice heard in Washington in the 118th Congress.

Here is a look back at some highlights from 2022.

Fentanyl is tearing families apart in what has become the deadliest drug overdose crisis in American history. This deadly drug is largely smuggled into the United States by Mexican drug cartels, and it is now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.

On January 18, I joined "Wake Up America" to discuss the border crisis, and my legislation to bring a sorely-needed increase to the penalty of trafficking deadly fentanyl.

Through Medicare Advantage, tens of millions of older adults, including many with disabilities, have access to comprehensive, affordable health coverage choices. I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to preserve and strengthen this program for elderly Americans who rely on it. 

On January 26, I was proud to sign this bipartisan letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a patient-centered approach to Medicare Advantage coverage.

During the hearing, I asked the former Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney, about the root cause of the inflation “tax” and the need to balance our federal budget. We need to create a responsible budget, which is why I am always looking for ways to hold Washington accountable and secure a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.

On March 29, it was a pleasure meeting with the National Association of Postal Supervisors to build on our efforts to improve the efficiency within the USPS.

In April, I went to the Southern border for a firsthand look at the crisis. We made stops at the San Diego Sector in California, El Centro Sector in California, and Yuma Sector in Arizona. Every border patrol agent, ICE agent and local law enforcement officer I spoke with made it clear — migrants from all around the world are exploiting the same loopholes in our immigration system to be let into the interior of the United States within days because these loopholes are not a secret, they are advertised. Border Patrol informed me that the Yuma sector alone has encountered migrants from over 140 different countries.

On April 19, I had the opportunity to meet the talented students of Cedarburg High School’s Coding Club and congratulate them on winning the 2021 Congressional App Challenge!

It was an honor to be recognized by the Association for Mature American Citizens on April 27 for protecting the rights of seniors and families in Congress. Thank you for presenting me with the American PATRIOT Award!

On May 3, I congratulated Grace Zhang of Sheboygan North High School for earning first place in the Sixth District’s 2022 Congressional Art Competition. Grace’s beautiful artwork, titled “A Glimpse,” is now on display in the U.S. Capitol for visitors, staff, and Members of Congress to see! 

In the second week of May, we came together to celebrate National Police Week by sharing gratitude to law enforcement for dedicating their lives to protecting our communities. On the morning of May 12, I showed my respect and appreciation for our nation’s officers at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Broad student loan forgiveness would mostly benefit the wealthy while disproportionately hurting low-income Americans by feeding inflation. On May 13, I headed a letter with 22 of my colleagues warning President Biden of the dire consequences of such a backward policy, one he lacks authority to issue.

In Wisconsin, we are incredibly lucky to call the Hmong our neighbors. During the Vietnam War, the Hmong people fought alongside American troops and risked their lives in the name of the principles and freedoms promoted by the United States.

On June 16, I introduced legislation, with 38 bipartisan cosponsors, including the entire Wisconsin delegation, to honor the Hmong people with the Congressional Gold Medal for their help in the Vietnam War. I am glad that both sides of the aisle came together to recognize the service of Hmong individuals who bravely served our country in the fight against communism on the world stage. 

On June 11, I joined the Beechwood Fire Department at their 107th Annual Picnic. Thank you all for volunteering to protect our communities!

On June 24, the Supreme Court made the correct and much-needed decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

Over the years, millions of children have had their dreams stolen before seeing the light of the day. It is important for America to remember, when ultrasounds were practically unheard of, 47 states had made abortion illegal. Now, with accurate ultrasounds, it is clear to all Americans that unborn children are human beings.

As an advocate for individuals with disabilities, I was thrilled to meet with the folks from the Disability Service Providers Network in early July and hear about their efforts to support communities and families across Wisconsin.

In the third week of July, I spoke on the House floor to warn my colleagues that spending increases will fuel the inflation crisis, not end it. For every dollar printed by the Federal Reserve, the dollars already in circulation lose value.

On July 28, it was an honor to be presented with the Hero of Main Street Award by the National Retail Federation in recognition of my commitment to supporting retail jobs in Congress. The retail industry provides work to thousands of employees across the Sixth District!

During a typical month, the House is in session three weeks and in recess one week. Some representatives stay in Washington when we are in session for weeks at a time, but I always come back to Wisconsin on the weekends. Every August, Congress is out-of-session for the whole month, so each member has the chance to go back to their district to stay in touch with the people who elected them and hear which issues are most important to each local community. This August, I held four town hall meetings during the district-work period. Thank you to everyone who attended!

On August 12, Congress was called back to Washington for one day to vote on the deceptively-named "Inflation Reduction" Act. The price tag of this bill, which you as a taxpayer are responsible for, is $745 billion. Of the many reckless provisions in this bill, one of the most unsettling is the plan to supercharge the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with an army of 87,000 new agents. Handing the IRS nearly six times its annual budget – $80 billion – to double the agency in size will enable them to target middle-income families and exacerbate the many problems facing our nation. That's one of the many reasons I voted against this bill. 

Student loan debt cannot be erased. Someone always must pay. With broad student loan “cancellation”, the burden would be transferred to the American taxpayers, the majority of which never took out loans or have paid them back in full. Despite this reality, on August 24, President Biden bypassed Congress and followed through with his plan to "cancel" federal student loan debt. 

In anticipation of the President’s decision regarding student loans, I introduced the Fairness for Responsible Borrowers Act to protect Americans from this shortsighted policy by clarifying that the President doesn't have the authority to cancel student loan debt without Congressional approval. 

In September, the world came together to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The reign of Queen Elizabeth II symbolized the best of British tradition. For more than 70 years, she fearlessly defended human rights across the globe and met with many world leaders, including 13 U.S. Presidents. I hope that her successors will continue to reinforce her commitment to advancing individual liberties and representing the Church of England on the world stage. While the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II lives on, may she rest in peace. 

On September 14, I was proud to receive an A rating from Moms for America in recognition of my record of defending mothers and families in Congress.

During a House Oversight Committee hearing on September 15, Michael Shellenberger and I discussed America's lead in advancing environmental preservation. The United States has led the world in reducing carbon emissions while other large economies continue to pollute the environment.

On September 17, I spoke at the Alzheimer’s Association's Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Manitowoc in support of the fight to raise awareness and end this devastating disease. 

The beginning of October marked the conclusion of Fiscal Year 2022. For the first time in our nation's history, the Department of Homeland Security reported that Border Patrol apprehended over 2 million illegal immigrants at the Southwest border in Fiscal Year 2022 alone, on top of an estimated 600,000 "got-aways" who dodged Border Patrol altogether.

Time after time, Border Patrol agents have emphasized their frustration to me with Secretary Mayorkas and President Biden who refuse to even attempt to put an end to this devastating, unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The Biden Administration’s neglect has served as a gateway to heinous abuses against women and children at the hands of criminal drug cartels, who are generating billions in profits.

On October 10, I wished all my Taiwanese friends worldwide a prosperous and happy Taiwan National Day. Taiwan is an important American ally in the Asia-Pacific region, and I am glad to use my role as a Congressman to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.

On October 26, I had a wonderful visit to Hennings Cheese in Kiel, which is a perfect example of a family-owned small business that has contributed to Wisconsin becoming America’s premier cheese producer since its founding in 1914.

In November, I was humbled to be elected to serve as a regional representative to the Republican Policy Committee (RPC), which plays an essential role in the legislative proposals and policy focuses of the House Republican Conference. 

By serving on the RPC, I will have the opportunity to bring our Wisconsin values and commonsense solutions to the Congressional leadership table to tackle the many issues facing our nation today and help our communities thrive.

On Veterans Day, Americans come together in unity to recognize the tremendous service and sacrifice America's vets made to our country. The United States is blessed to have the world’s best servicemen and women defending our freedoms, and Veterans Day is a reminder of the respect and gratitude we owe them for their service.

On November 10, I was honored to spend time with veterans from the Sixth District over lunch in Oshkosh to discuss the need for greater accountability and efficiency within our government to support veterans.

On November 22, I had the opportunity to see all the amazing work Plexus Corp. is doing in Neenah to provide manufacturing expertise and complex product solutions on a global scale. Companies like this are essential in strengthening our supply chain and Wisconsin's economy.

On December 6, I joined my friend Congressman Doug Lamborn on the House floor to discuss the Holy Bible and its important role in American history.

On December 7, I was honored to join the American Red Cross at their Holiday Mail for Heroes event where I, and other Members of Congress, wrote cards to servicemembers protecting our country overseas. The holiday season marks a particularly important time to highlight our appreciation for the selfless sacrifices of our soldiers to protect America and its principles all around the world.

On December 8, I spoke at the 18th Annual Lakeshore Technical College Legislative Breakfast in Sheboygan about the value of career and technical education (CTE) and the need to shine a light on the many benefits of CTE to younger Americans, like job security and less student loan debt.

In 2023, I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve you in the Majority in the House of Representatives. As we transition into the 118th Congress, I will continue to bring our Wisconsin values and common-sense solutions to Washington to work in a bipartisan manner to make the Sixth District, Wisconsin, and the whole country a better place to live. I am committed to working on your behalf to rein in spending, enact border security, reduce insulin costs, increase the penalties for trafficking deadly fentanyl, expand career opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and preserve the safety and security of you and your family.

If you’re looking for assistance with a federal agency or want to share your concerns with me, I encourage you to call my office or send me an email.

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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