Our Representatives in the News

Governor Scott Walker

Before Walker took the stage at 9:30 pm Saturday, April 25, at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition’s spring summit at the evangelical Point of Grace Church in Waukee, Iowa, he told reporters he’s holding out hope that the U.S. Supreme Court will rule that states can bar same-sex marriages. But if that’s not the case, he suggested that voters should seek a constitutional amendment to allow state-level bans. “I think the appropriate route is for people across America who care deeply about this issue to pursue a constitutional amendment allowing the states to determine what the definition is,” Walker said. When the Supreme Court declined to hear Wisconsin’s case last fall, Walker said, “For us, it’s over in Wisconsin.” But his comments on Saturday indicated he’s not ready to walk away from the fight. “Another day, and another issue Scott Walker has decided to take a wildly extreme position on,” said Democratic National Committee spokesman Jason Pitt. “While the rest of the country moves forward and continues to recognize legal, same-sex marriage, Scott Walker, Steve King and other GOP 2016 hopefuls keep trying to turn back the clock.”

Source:  The Capital Times

Representative Reid Ribble

Ribble led a bipartisan and bicameral group of members in introducing legislation that could help save millions of federal dollars by curbing erroneous payments to deceased individuals. The Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act was introduced by Ribble and Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) in the House of Representatives. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
 The Office of Personnel Management Inspector General reported just four years ago that $601 million in improper payments were made to federal retirees found to have died in the previous five years.

Rep. Ribble:  “Every day, we have hard choices to make on how to spend limited taxpayer dollars. Not spending them on Social Security payments for people who have passed away is an easy choice. The Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act is a commonsense good government bill to help ensure that Social Security funds are spent only where they are needed.”

Source:  Ribble press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

In honor of National Park Week, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has championed two bills to improve and protect National Scenic Trails in Wisconsin. Baldwin also participated in the National Park Service and National Park Foundation’s “Find Your Park” social media campaign with a video calling for support of Wisconsin’s parks and trails and by joining the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Friends of the National Park Service Centennial.

Baldwin introduced the National Scenic Trails Parity Act to provide improved management and access to additional funding for Wisconsin’s Ice Age and North Country National Scenic Trails. Senator Baldwin also cosponsored the Complete America’s Great Trails Act to help lead to the completion of the National Scenic Trails. The National Scenic Trails Parity Act would make the Ice Age, North Country, and New England National Scenic Trails units of the National Park System, putting them on equal footing with the remaining National Scenic Trails administered by the National Park Service. Without unit status, the Ice Age, North Country and New England National Scenic Trails do not have equal participation in National Park Service funding and other programs. The Complete America’s Great Trails Act would create a tax credit for landowners who voluntarily make land contributions toward the completion of National Scenic Trails. The tax credit, equal to the fair market value of the portion of land, provides an incentive for landowners to help extend, strengthen the connectivity and improve the maintenance of National Scenic Trails.

Source: Baldwin press release

President Barack Obama

Vice President Biden swore in Loretta Lynch as the newest Attorney General of the United States at the Department of Justice on April 27. After her swearing-in ceremony, President Obama met with Lynch at the White House to welcome her to the team and reiterate that he looks forward to her leadership at the Department of Justice. The Attorney General thanked the President then updated him on several issues, including the events occurring in Baltimore, Md., following the death of Freddie Gray, which the Department of Justice is currently investigating.

Source:  White House press release