Reps in the News: April 15 – 22

Governor Scott Walker

Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and the Wisconsin Women’s Council announced the recipients of the 2016 Governor’s Trailblazer Awards for Women in Business, recognizing women pioneers in the business community. Award recipients will be honored in a ceremony at the State Capitol later this spring. “Here in Wisconsin, we have many woman-owned businesses leading the way for others like them,” Governor Walker said. “It’s great to acknowledge these business owners for their hard work and commitment to excellence. We hope they will continue their business’ legacy and be role models to other women who are considering opening a business and creating jobs in Wisconsin.” This year’s 14 Trailblazer award recipients represent eight counties and a wide range of industries including non-traditional industries for women.

Source:  Walker press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Baldwin introduced a bipartisan reform to grow, improve and sustain the palliative care and hospice workforce to keep pace with patient need and help improve the well-being of Americans with life-threatening illnesses and their families. “This issue 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,” Baldwin said. “I know firsthand the importance of ensuring that there are enough trained health care professionals to provide quality care across the country and to fulfill the needs and wishes of patients and their families.” The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) would strengthen training for new and existing physicians, those who teach palliative care, and other providers who are part of the palliative care team to give patients and their families a voice in their care and treatment goals. It also boosts palliative care research and provides academic and career awards to incentivize practice and study of palliative and hospice care. Baldwin’s legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Advocates from across the country and in Wisconsin have expressed support for the bipartisan bill.

Source:  Baldwin press release

Senator Ron Johnson

Johnson introduced legislation in February to swiftly provide federal funding to combat the emerging infectious disease threat of the Zika virus. His bill, a companion to one introduced in the House of Representatives, would have provided the flexibility to use existing, unused funds that had been set aside for combating the largely controlled Ebola outbreak of 2014. The Obama administration announced they would adopt the course of action called for in the bill, using funding from the Ebola outbreak to address Zika. “I support the administration’s goal to address the pressing threat of the Zika virus by broadening the uses permitted for unspent funds reserved for an outbreak that has generally been contained in the United States,” Johnson said. “Preventing pandemics is crucial to protecting the security of America, the mission of my committee and something we can all agree on.”

Source:  Johnson press release

President Barack Obama

In his weekly address, the President highlighted two specific steps the Administration recently took to make sure everyone plays by the same rules. First, in order to help more Americans retire with the security they have earned, the Department of Labor finalized a rule that will ensure retirement advisers compete based on the quality of advice they give rather than acting in their own financial interests. In addition, the Treasury Department took action this week to crack down on corporations that take advantage of inversions, a loophole that allows some businesses to avoid paying their fair share in taxes here at home. These actions underscore the President’s belief that we should continue to build an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, does their fair share, and plays by the same rules.

Source:  White House press release