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Reps in the News: Feb. 26 – March 4

Governor Scott Walker

Walker announced nominations are being sought for the 33rd annual Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award. The award is administered by the Department of Administration Division of Personnel Management to honor women who are making a difference in Wisconsin state government. “The award recognizes the service of women whose contributions to client, co-workers, or the public are substantial,” Gov. Walker said. “In this way, we hope to encourage and recognize the achievements of all women in state government.” Virginia Hart was Wisconsin’s first woman to serve as a cabinet secretary. Friends and colleagues established a fund after her retirement in 1983 to recognize the contributions of a woman in state government every year. The winner of this year’s award receives $250 and will be honored at the annual Virginia Hart Award Event in Madison in May. If you are interested in nominating someone for the award, visit: http://oser.state.wi.us. The deadline for submitting nominations is March 31, 2016.

Source: Walker press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined a growing chorus of Senate Democrats calling on the Republican majority to back up their rhetoric and support passage of desperately needed emergency funding and significant new funding for a national consumer education campaign on opioids, to help stem the opioid abuse crisis in the country. The call comes after passage of legislation out of the Senate Judiciary committee that authorizes, but does not allocate, new funding to address the prescription abuse and heroin crisis. The Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (S. 2423), introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), would provide supplemental appropriations totaling $600 million to programs at the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Source: Baldwin press release

Senator Ron Johnson

Johnson introduced legislation to swiftly provide federal funding to combat an emerging infectious disease threat, that of the Zika virus. Johnson’s bill would provide flexibility to use existing, unused funds that had been set aside for combating the largely controlled Ebola outbreak of 2014. The legislation lifts restrictions on the funds to allow it to be spent for response and preparedness related to the Zika virus, which may pose dire risks to unborn children during pregnancy. Johnson’s bill is a companion to one introduced in the House of Representatives.

Source: Johnson press release

President Barack Obama

In his weekly address, Obama discussed his upcoming trip to Cuba, a visit that will further advance the progress made since he announced the new chapter of U.S.-Cuba relations more than a year ago. This will be the first visit of a U.S. President to Cuba in nearly 90 years. President Obama believes the best way to promote American interests and values, and help improve the lives of the Cuban people, is through engagement. During his trip, the President will meet with President Raúl Castro to discuss the progress made in the process of normalizing relations, and reaffirm support of universal values such as freedom of speech, assembly and religion. The President will also meet with members of civil society and Cuban entrepreneurs, and speak directly to the Cuban people about our shared beliefs and continued support as they build the future they want.

Source: White House press release

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