Reps in the News: Kitchens Joins State Task Force on Foster Care

Representative Joel Kitchens

Rep. Kitchens released the following statement announcing the Assembly Task Force on Foster Care:  “Earlier today, Speaker Vos (R- Rochester) announced the formation of an Assembly Task Force on Foster Care. I am honored to have been asked to be a part of this bipartisan group of legislators that will work to address the shortages and deficiencies in our current foster care program. While attracting and retaining foster care parents is imperative, working to figure out why children go into the foster care system and supporting them when they age out it is equally as important. As the Chairman of the Children and Families Committee and a longtime school board president, I truly believe there is no better investment a state can make than in its children. Foster children are an especially vulnerable subset as they experience struggles many children do not.

“This spring, I attended the Fostering Futures event hosted by Congressman Gallagher in our area. The seminar really opened my eyes to the many difficulties that foster parents face and the hardships that many foster children have to overcome. The task force will spend the next several months holding public hearings around the state to hear directly from foster families and interested parties on what their greatest concerns are. With input from the public and experts, the task force will work to craft a legislative package that will be introduced in the fall. I look forward to working with the Task Force Co-Chairman, Representative Snyder (R-Schofield), and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to provide assistance and relief to foster families here in Wisconsin.”

Source:  Kitchens press release

Congressman Mike Gallagher

During the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018, Rep. Gallagher fought for full funding for three Littoral Combat Ships. The bill authorizes the Department of Defense’s policy, budget and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. During his remarks, Gallagher stood up for the LCS and spoke to the Navy’s increasing demand for more of these vital ships in key theaters overseas. He urged his colleagues to fulfill the first function of the federal government by modernizing the military, restoring its readiness and answering our Navy’s call for a 355-ship fleet, which includes its validated requirement for 52 small surface combatants. This could translate into local high-skill, high-pay jobs for northeast Wisconsin workers.

Source:  Gallagher press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

On June 28, Sen. Baldwin joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and several of their colleagues in introducing the first-ever Senate Resolution recognizing June as “LGBTQ Pride Month.” The resolution notes major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBT Americans and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for LGBT individuals. June 28 marked the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. “America is right to be proud of the progress we have made to pass on to the next generation a country that is more equal, not less equal. Every June, communities across America celebrate Pride Month and this resolution recognizes the march towards full equality in our country,” Baldwin said. “We have more work to do and I believe America is ready to take the next steps forward. Together, let’s continue to break down barriers so that every American has an equal opportunity to dream the same dreams, chase the same ambitions, and have the same shot at success.” Senator Baldwin is a sponsor of the Equality Act, comprehensive federal legislation to expand civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Last week she also introduced a resolution marking June 26 as “LGBT Equality Day,” honoring the anniversary of three significant victories won at the U.S. Supreme Court for LGBT Americans.

Source:  Baldwin press release

Senator Ron Johnson

Sen. Johnson published an op-ed in The New York Times last week outlining his criticism of Senate Republicans’ proposed health care bill. Johnson argued that the legislation, drafted behind closed doors largely by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, “doesn’t appear to come close” to fixing problems he says were caused by the regulations and reforms instituted by the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s signature health care legislation. Johnson, who ran in 2010 on his opposition to Obamacare, did not go into much detail about how he would like the GOP bill to change, arguing that the solution to rising health care costs and millions of uninsured Americans is “simple.”

“A simple solution is obvious,” he wrote. “Loosen up regulations and mandates, so that Americans can choose to purchase insurance that suits their needs and that they can afford.”

Source:  Businessinsider.com

President Donald Trump

House Democrats are on a mission to educate the American people about a little-known power of the 25th Amendment – the ousting of the president. Led by freshman Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, a group of growing Democratic co-signers has put forth a bill that could force President Donald Trump from office if he were found mentally or physically unfit. Although it was introduced in April, the bill has gained steam in the past week as Trump’s tweet storms have grown in ferocity.

“Given Donald Trump’s continued erratic and baffling behavior, is it any wonder why we need to pursue this legislation?” asked Rep. Darren Soto, D-Florida, a co-signer. “The mental and physical health of the leader of the United States and the free world is a matter of great public concern.” If successful, the law would create an 11-member bipartisan commission known as the Oversight Commission on Presidential Capacity, which would medically examine the president and evaluate his mental and physical faculties.

Source:  nbcnews.com