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Reps in the News: Nov. 25 – Dec. 4

Governor Scott Walker

A new Marquette University Law School Poll finds Walker’s approval rating has risen only one point above his lowest approval rating of 37 percent registered in September, just after he dropped out of the 2016 presidential race. The latest survey of 803 registered voters was done from Nov. 12 to Nov. 15 and found approval of how Scott Walker is handling his job stands at 38 percent, with 58 percent disapproval. Thirty-one percent say they approve of the way Republicans in the legislature are handling their job, with 60 percent disapproving and nine percent saying they don’t know. For Democrats in the legislature, 39 percent approve while 49 percent disapprove, with 12 percent saying they don’t know.

Source:  law.marquette.edu/poll

Representative Reid Ribble

Ribble released the following statement after he joined with a majority of the House of Representatives to pass the American SAFE Act of 2015 in a vote of 289 to 137. “The first responsibility of the federal government to the American people is national security. At the same time, we are a compassionate nation, but we should not assume that compassion only expresses itself in the integration of refugees here in the United States. Compassion is also the $4.5 billion of relief you as citizens have generously provided. Compassion is helping families stay together at safe places nearest their homeland so that reintegration back to Syria after the conflict ends is easier. Syrians in many ways owe it to themselves to rebuild a safer, economically viable nation where they can prosper in their own homes. U.S. assistance in that effort is also compassion….While I feel strongly that we should be compassionate to those in need, I also have a responsibility to make sure our generosity isn’t taken advantage of to admit individuals who may seek to harm our nation.”

Source:  Ribble press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Baldwin, a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded the passage of her bipartisan Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage, or RAISE Family Caregivers Act, by the committee unanimously by voice vote. Introduced with U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the legislation would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and sustain a National Family Caregiving Strategy to support family caregivers. The legislation will now move to the full Senate. “I’m proud of the widespread support, nationally and in Wisconsin, that the bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act has received and I applaud today’s vote by my colleagues on the HELP Committee that moves this critical, bipartisan bill forward,” said Baldwin. “Family caregivers are integral to our long-term care system and our economy, but are too often overlooked as part of the care team for seniors and those with disabilities. If we are serious about ensuring that our older adults and loved ones with disabilities receive the highest quality care in their own homes, we must formally recognize and support family caregivers. The bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act creates a national strategy and plan to assist family caregivers. This effort is especially personal to me as I was raised by my maternal grandparents and later served as my grandmother’s primary caretaker as she grew older, and I will continue to work to ensure that everyone has access to the care and assistance they need and deserve.”

Source:  Baldwin press release

Senator Ron Johnson

Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to require that supplemental certifications and background investigations be completed prior to the admission of certain refugees into the United States. The legislation serves as a Senate companion to the bill the House is considering. Chairman Johnson said this following introduction of the bill:  “I am pleased to introduce the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015. As we have once again learned from the vicious attack in Paris, the threat posed by Islamic terrorists is real and growing. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, I feel a particular responsibility to ensure that any refugee whom this administration allows into America has been fully vetted. The best way to guarantee that the vetting process is not short circuited in any way is to have the officials of the agencies and departments responsible certify the integrity of the process. This bill requires that certification. I urge swift passage of this legislation.”

Source:  Johnson press release

Vice President Joe Biden

Standing in for President Obama in delivering this week’s address, the Vice President spoke to his and the President’s commitment to protecting our country from terrorists, while also providing refuge to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. He emphasized that he and the President consider the safety of the American people to be their first priority. But slamming the door in the face of refugees fleeing precisely the type of senseless violence that occurred in Paris last week would be a betrayal of our values. The vast majority of Syrian refugees are women, children, and orphans; survivors of torture; and people desperately in need of medical help. And all refugees undergo the highest level of security checks of any category of traveler to the United States. The Vice President reminded us that ISIL wants us to turn our backs on Muslims victimized by terrorism. We win by prioritizing our security while refusing to compromise our fundamental American values of freedom, openness, and tolerance. The audio and video of the address is available online at whitehouse.gov.

Source:  whitehouse.gov

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