Reps in the News: March 4 – 10

Governor Scott Walker

The governor signed Senate Bill 293 into law on Feb. 26 at the Bellin Psychiatric Center in Green Bay. Senate Bill 293 works to improve mental health service delivery in Wisconsin by giving health care providers tools to allow for greater coordination of care, greater access to care, and more efficient health care delivery for those suffering from mental illness. “The legislation we’re signing today improves the delivery of mental health services to Wisconsin patients, with the potential to reduce our state’s costs in the Medicaid program,” Walker said. “Treating mental and physical health together is of great importance for Wisconsin citizens. We want to break the stigma associated with mental health issues and assist people in getting the care they need by continuing to invest in resources which support a healthier and more prosperous Wisconsin.”

Source: Walker press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Baldwin and U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings introduced legislation to hold Wall Street accountable. The Whistleblower Augmented Reward and Non-Retaliation Act (WARN Act) includes a number of Wall Street reforms to strengthen and empower whistleblowers in the financial industry. “In 2008, the reckless actions of Wall Street caused an economic collapse that touched every family and business in America. Wall Street was bailed out of this mess but the impact was felt by small businesses and hard working families who are still struggling to recover from reduced economic growth, job layoffs, lost income, home foreclosures and retirement savings that were wiped away,” said Baldwin. “The middle class has paid a steep price for the irresponsible actions of others, yet only one top banker went to jail for the financial crisis. If we strengthen and empower whistleblowers in the financial industry, we can do a better job of holding Wall Street accountable. These reforms will help us do that.”

Source: Baldwin press release

Senator Ron Johnson

Students from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, St. Norbert College, Green Bay area educators, and other community leaders unveiled League of Conservation Voters’ 2015 Environmental Scorecard at a rally outside the Brown County Courthouse. This year, more votes than ever were tracked, revealing that the 114th Congress has unleashed more attacks on our natural resources than any other year in our history. Scores are given to every member of the U.S. House and Senate. In Wisconsin, the most notable score was Senator Ron Johnson, who received a zero, bringing his lifetime environmental score to just four percent. Maggie McConnaha, a St. Norbert student, criticized Johnson, saying, “Today, I join with my fellow students in giving Ron Johnson an F grade for his assignment to protect our natural resources. We are ashamed that Ron Johnson sided with corporate polluters and not the needs of his constituents. Students like us all across the state will not stand for this behavior from our Senator.” 

The 2015 Scorecard includes votes cast during the first session of the 114th Congress. Both chambers seemingly left no environmental issue untouched in 2015, with assaults on the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Antiquities Act. It includes 35 House votes, which ties the record for the most votes scored in the House for the fourth time in five years, and 25 votes in the Senate, the second highest number ever included.

Source: Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters

President Barack Obama

In his weekly address, President Obama discussed the global campaign to degrade and destroy ISIL. The President stated that the coalition of 66 partners continues to grow stronger and is making vital progress in the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. He also noted that at home we will continue to stay vigilant. The President reiterated that although the fight against ISIL will remain difficult, we will prevail – and ultimately destroy ISIL. The address is available online at whitehouse.gov.

Source: White House press release