WISCREPORT.COM (08/25/2010) - 85 percent of Americans, overall, are disatisfied with the United States Congress according to a recent Harris Poll. The number is that high because Republicans and Independents are REALLY disgruntled, but, it doesn't end there. The poll shows that even though Democrats are in the majority in Washington D.C., 73 percent of people who consider themselves Democrats are also strongly disapproving of the way things have been going in Congress. To read all about it, click on the headline above. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/19/2010) - The United States Veterans Administration (VA) says it will open a new Vet Center site in Wausau, Wisconsin, as well as add additional counselors at the Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay Vet Centers to help process cases and expedite assistance to veterans. Wisconsin currently has a low number of Vet Centers compared to other states like West Virginia or Hawaii that have a smaller veteran population than Wisconsin, but have nine and seven Vet Centers respectively. Click on headline above for more details. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/16/2010) - President Barack Obama traveled to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin today to jumpstart what the president called a homegrown, clean energy industry. ZBB Energy received a loan that is helping to fund an expansion of company operations, enabling ZBB to retain a dozen workers add 80 new employees. The President says he wants to see Made In America stamped on new energy products distributed in this country and around the globe. For more on this story, click on the above headline. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/12/2010) - On Monday, August 16, President Barack Obama will travel to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, where he will tour ZBB Energy Corporation and deliver remarks to workers. While in the state, President Obama will also visit Milwaukee, where he will headline events for Mayor Tom Barrett and the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Barrett is running for Wisconsin Governor and other Democrats are involved in heavily contested races. Click on the headline above to read more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (08/01/2010) - A new state administrative rule regarding political campaign advertisements is now in effect in the State of Wisconsin. The new rule uses a common-sense test in determining whether an ad has a political purpose and is subject to statutory disclosure and disclaimer requirements. The old rules led to campaign ads by independent groups that skirted regulation by avoiding the use of certain words. Read more by clicking on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/29/2010) - Testifying before Congress today, Mortgage Insurance Companies of America (MICA) pledged to play a critical role in the future of housing finance by continuing to enable first-time and lower income families to purchase homes safely and soundly. Testifying on behalf of MICA was Patrick Sinks, President and COO of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To read more, click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/23/2010) - It must be an election year. The Wisconsin GOP is accusing the camp of Wisconsin 7th Congressional District candidate Julie Lassa (D-Portage County) of carrying out a negative campaign against Republican Sean Duffy (R-Ashland County). They claim Lassa is using a thin link and flawed logic to cover up her track record. That record includes more than a decade of working on business and workforce issues. For more details, click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/20/2010) - Politics between Republicans and Democrats in Wisconsin is heating up and advertising and accusations are reflecting that. Politifact.com checks into how accurate campaign statements are. They say some ads against U.S. Senator Russ Feingold are overall Barely True on the Truth-O-Meter. For more, click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/15/2010) - Initiatives important to Wisconsin agriculture, rural development and nutrition are part of the Agriculture Appropriations bill set to go before the United States Senate for approval. Click on the headline above to learn more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (07/02/2010) - Wisconsin will receive $25,246,669 in loan and grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Broadband Initiatives Program. Click on the headline above for more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/23/2010) - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kathleen Parker and former New York governor Eliot Spitzer will co-host a spirited, nightly roundtable discussion program on CNN/U.S., according to Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. The new program, set to debut this fall, will air weeknights at 8pm Eastern time (7 CDT, etc.). Democrat Spitzer, a prosecutor and governor, and Parker, a conservative commentator, will host an exchange of opinions and analyses of the news of the day between themselves and guests and regular contributors. Click on the headline above to read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/21/2010) - U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are leading a bipartisan group of senators in urging the House of Representatives to take up legislation to end the automatic pay raise system for members of Congress. In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, 20 senators asked that the House vote on a bill passed by the Senate last year requiring members of Congress to pass legislation if they want to give themselves a pay raise. Currently, members of Congress receive an automatic pay increase UNLESS they pass legislation to block it. Click on headline above to read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/24/2010) - State Republicans voted at the State GOP Convention in Milwaukee to support Ron Johnson to run against U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, and Republican candidate Dick Leinenkugal pulled out of the race. Instead Leinenkugal suggested the Republican Party get behind Johnson. Republican delegates also put their support solidly behind Republican Scott Walker to run for Governor. Walker was endorsed by more than 91 percent of the delegates present. Read more at WisconsinReport.com by clicking on the above headline. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/11/2010) - One of the Democrats talked about as a possible replacement for retiring Dave Obey has endorsed Julie Lassa, who yesterday announced she is in the race, while a Republican already running says if elected he will limit himself to eight years. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) has endorsed Julie Lassa in her bid for the Wisconsin 7th District seat held in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 40 years. Republican Dan Mielke (R-Rudolph) says Lassa and his Republican opponent, Sean Duffy (R-Ashland), are career politicians, unlike himself. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/10/2010) - State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) has entered the race for the Congressional seat that Dave Obey is giving up after more than 40 years. Last week Obey announced he will retire from the Wisconsin 7th Congressional Seat in the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of his current term. Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Reince Priebus says Lassa has apparently emerged as the hand-picked successor to Dave Obey. Priebus added the usual opposing party rhetoric, indicating Lassa won't necessarily have an easy campaign. For more at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/05/2010) - U.S. Congressional Representative Dave Obey (D-Wausau) is retiring from his Wisconsin seat in the House after more than 40 years of service in Washington D.C. Obey first ran for the seventh Wisconsin district seat when Melvin Laird resigned to become Secretary of Defense in the President Richard Nixon administration. Obey has served as Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. He has been a popular representative in Congress, beating numerous Republican challengers over the years. He received 61 percent of the vote in the last election. For more see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/26/2010) - Former state Commerce Secretary Richard Leinenkugel has announced his Republican bid for the Wisconsin U.S. Senate seat held by Russ Feingold (D-WI). When Feingold took office 18 years ago, Leinenkugel said he was busy improving the state economy by expanding his family beer-making business in Chippewa Falls. In making a switch from Commerce Secretary to Republican Primary candidate for the seat held by Feingold, Leinenkugel tried to distance himself from Governor Jim Doyle (D-WI), who had appointed him Secretary, saying he was working for the state not the Governor or Democrats. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/21/2010) - Menomonee Falls Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has introduced a U.S. House bill that would require all candidates for federal office to publicly disclose campaign donations online before gaining access to the funds. Meanwhile, State health officials have praised Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle (D) for signing Act 209 (Assembly Bill 659). State Health Secretary Timberlake says it is a long-overdue modernization of state law governing HIV testing. For more on both of these stories at WisconsinReport.com, click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/16/2010) - Former Wisconsin Governor and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson says he told his family he has decided not to take on U.S. Senator Russ Feingold in Feingold's bid for re-election. However, comments suggest he hasn't ruled out running for some office sometime in the future. Feingold says he hopes the attention can now get back to the issues rather than whether the once popular former governor will jump into the fray. Meanwhile, a member of the Leinenkugel Beer family sounds like he might run. Read more on this story and more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/02/2010) - As elected officials and community leaders across the nation took part in Census Day activities to increase local participation in the 2010 Census April 1st, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that 54 percent of the nation's estimated 134 million households have mailed back their census forms. While April 1 was officially designated as Census Day, the Census Bureau will continue to accept 2010 Census questionnaires by mail through mid-April. If you don't answer by then, someone may be knocking on your door starting May 1, 2010. Read more on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/27/2010) - A grassroots movement from the other side of the fence is growing to be an alternative voice for people who do not necessarily agree with the tactics and apparent goals of the Tea Party. Coffee Party USA instead aims to reinvigorate the democratic process with civility, inclusiveness, and civic engagement. In addition to holding Coffee Party USA group Coffee Party Summit get togethers in many cities throughout the country this weekend, Coffee With Congress is scheduled March 29th through April 9th. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/26/2010) - The Fixes to the Senate Health Reform bill now go to the White House to become part of the new law signed by the President earlier this week. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 220 to 207 to give final okay to the minor changes made by the Senate to the Fixes sent to the Senate by the House. The Fixes are officially called the Health Care and Education Reconcilition Act. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says this completes what the late Senator Edward Kennedy called the great unfinished business. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/25/2010) - The United States Senate has approved a package of Fixes to the historic health care reform bill that President Obama signed into law Tuesday. The Senate vote on the Fixes was 56-43. The Fixes were sent to the Senate by the House following House approval of the Senate Health Reform bill last weekend. The Senate sent the Fixes package back to the House for a final Fixes vote due to some technical glitches in the Fixes that were uncovered in the Senate. Meanwhile, some Wisconsin Republicans want to authorize a lawsuit over the new federal Health Care Law. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/24/2010) - Now that President Obama has signed the Senate Health Reform Bill into law thanks to the approval of the House of Representatives, the House is moving on to boosting the economy. The House has passed two job creation and small business bills: the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Act and the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act. It is hoped this will help businesses cope with the effects of the economy and create more jobs to get the economy moving in a positive direction. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/23/2010) - President Barack Obama has signed the Senate Health Reform bill into law, making good on a campaign promise that helped him get elected. The road to signing day was bumpy, slow and frustrating over more than a year since President Obama was sworn into office in January of 2009. Several provisions in the new law came from Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. As President Obama was signing the bill, Attorneys General from more than a dozen states were filing lawsuits challenging the new law, and Washington D.C. Republicans have vowed to repeal it. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/22/2010) - The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate Health Care Reform bill 219-212 during a special weekend session in Washington D.C. They did so while also passing a separate House bill that fixes some of the things some people thought should not be included in the law. The original Senate bill now goes to President Obama for his signature, however, the Fixes now go to the Senate for approval. So Health Care Reform issues are not completely settled just yet. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/19/2010) - Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen is applauding the announcement that China has reopened its markets to pork and pork products from the U.S. almost a year after slamming the door shut in the wake of the H1N1 scare. Meanwhile, a resolution is to be introduced on the U.S. House floor to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and recognizing the efforts of former Wisconsin U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson who made Earth Day possible. Earth Day will be held April 22nd this year. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/17/2010) - The Small Business Council of America (SBCA) is urging Members of the House of Representatives to vote against the Senate health care reform bill. The SBCA believes the details of the legislation will not only harm small businesses and their ability to provide health care to employees, but SBCA suggests it could lead to the ultimate demise of the USA private health care system. A spokesperson says SBCA supports health care reform, but not as proposed in the House and Senate bills. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/11/2010) - After months of delay, the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Sam Brownback (R-KS) and James Inhofe (R-OK). The Lords Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act requires the Obama administration to develop a new multifaceted strategy to help confront the regional crisis and continuing atrocities committed by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), one of Africas longest-running rebel groups. Read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/22/2010) - New federal regulations for consumer credit cards are now in effect. Lawmakers hope the new rules will be beneficial to consumers who have been having a rough time trying to meet all of the past requirements, fees, and interest rates that have been thrown at them. Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D., is among those praising the implementation of the CARD Act, which protects consumers by banning unfair credit card interest rate hikes and forbids abusive fees and penalties. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/14/2010) - People in the United States and in countries around the world are looking to assist in the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti. Many are unable to actively go to the country to help in digging out citizens from under the rubble of the buildings, but money and goods are needed to help survivors cope with being without lodging, food, water, and other basic needs. InterAction has a list of member organizations online that accept donations. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (1/5/2010) - The U.S. Senate Health Care bill recently passed by the Senate includes some provisions of the Control Spending Now Act (CSNA) introduced by Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). The provisions would effectively lower the cost of prescription drugs, if included in the final version that comes out of the House-Senate Conference Committee. Senator Feingold says he will fight to keep the provisions in the final bill. In a WisconsinReport.com news story Feingold explains how the savings would come about. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/29/2009) - The National Education Association is disappointed with some provisions of the United States Senate version healthcare reform passed by Senators last week. The 3.2 million members of NEA are unhappy that the Senate has chosen to finance healthcare reform on the backs of teachers and bus drivers, and other middle class americans instead of millionaires, according to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/28/2009) - Now that the U.S. Senate has passed its version of the Health Care bill that has received much discussion in Congress, and cable channel and radio talk/news shows for nearly a year, many Republicans continue to stick to the same basic spin. Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Mark Jefferson is suggesting that Wisconsin U.S. Senators Feingold and Kohl have, in his words, sold out Wisconsin, by voting for passage. However, the Wisconsin Hospital Association President is applauding the Congressional delegation. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/24/2009) - The U.S. Senate passed the Senate version of the so-called Health Care Reform early in the morning on Christmas eve, as Democrats hoped. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) says the Senate bill is far from perfect, but, it includes important provisions for Wisconsin. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) explains that the Senate version begins the process of cutting health care costs and hopes the finalized Senate - House compromise bill will reach President Obama for his signature in January. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/21/2009) - The United States Senate cut off debate on the senate version of health care reform during the early morning hours shortly after midnight today. Wisconsin Congressional Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) is wondering why Democrats in the Senate have joined House Democrats in taking action in what Ryan calls The Dark Of The Night, while Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) says he will keep fighting for the so-called Public Option that is not in the current version. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/16/2009) - Citizen Action of Wisconsin (CAW) has issued a new report that shows the U.S. Senate health care bill under consideration would extend coverage to over 330,000 Wisconsinites if enacted. CAW Executive Director Robert Kraig says it would be sad if the Senate doesn't pass the so-called health care reform bill. If the bill doesn't make it to the White House for President Obama to sign, Wisconsin residents would be losing meaningful health care reform. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/14/2009) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, recently introduced the Control Spending Now Act. The legislation would reduce the deficit by more than one half trillion dollars. The Act is made up of more than 40 proposals to cut the record deficit, which currently stands at $1.42 trillion. One of the Feingold Spotlight on Spending topics shines a light on making prescription drugs available to more citizens. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/12/2009) - U.S. House Representative Ron Kind (D-WI), Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, voted Friday to protect consumers and hold Wall Street and big banks accountable through the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173). Kind says he voted that way so that the United States never again comes close to the near economic collapse faced last year. For more information on this story see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/04/2009) - Today, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced the Asset Management Improvement Act. This legislation is designed to ease administrative burdens on public housing agencies placed on them by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and allow them to operate more efficiently. Read more online at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/03/2009) - As the Obama administration hosts a jobs summit, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is continuing his efforts to support American jobs by urging the president to support Buy American requirements. Feingold led a group of members of Congress in asking the president to include strong and effective Buy American requirements in any legislative proposals developed during the White House jobs summit. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/30/2009) - While the federal Cash For Clunkers program grabbed headlines earlier this year, another U.S. government program still in effect can help put money in the pockets of new-car buyers who act before the end of 2009. The Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association is reminding people that the tax break for buying a new car is due to expire at end of year. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/23/2009) - U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of a new report highlighting the benefits of health insurance reform for Wisconsin. Also today, Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson and Richard Gephardt are showing support for Health Insurance Reform for the United States. Read more about the HHS Report and the Thompson-Gephardt joint statement at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/17/2009) - Former State Representative Terri McCormick of Appleton has announced her bid to become the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in the Wisconsin Eighth Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Representative Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-Appleton). Kagen has represented the 8th District since 2007. He was preceeded by Republican Mark Green (1999-2006), Democrat Jay Johnson, and Republican Toby Roth (1989-1996). WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/10/2009) - Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate is disappointed with the votes of some Congressional Representatives from Wisconsin in the U.S. House last Saturday. Tate says the votes of Congressmen Tom Petri (R-WI) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) against the Affordable Health Care for America Act highlights the growing divide between their stance on the issues and what their constituents want. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/07/2009) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested that the New Direction that Democrats have been promising the country will be manifested today by passage of the Health Care Reform that Congress has been spending so much time and effort on. She made the comments at a news conference today following a Democratic Whip meeting with President Obama in the Cannon Caucus Room. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/07/2009) - In a victory for President Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous. The 220-215 vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/05/2009) - Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl are urging the Obama administration to support a Wisconsin proposal for high-speed passenger rail service from Milwaukee to Madison. In a letter sent to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Feingold and Kohl stated their support for the state request for federal funding to develop a high-speed passenger rail line to connect the two largest Wisconsin cities. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/12/2009) - Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) is leading the charge to keep the Patriot Act strong, in the face of soon to expire provisions of the Act. Sensenbrenner believes the provisions should be extended beyond the end of this year. He is also commending President Obama for supporting the reauthorization. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/07/2009) - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, joined Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Congressman George Miller (D-CA), in introducing legislation to restore vital civil rights protections for older workers in the face of the Supreme Court decision in Gross v. FBL Financial. The bill is supported by AARP and other senior citizen advocates. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/30/2009) - The Senate Finance Committee yesterday first failed to include a public health insurance option plan offered by Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV), and later another similar plan offered by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during consideration of the committee health care reform proposal. Some Democrats, including Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, say the issue is not completely at an end. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/26/2009) - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, has released a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examining long-term effects of 401(k) loans and leakage on retirement savings of workers. The report highlights various policy changes to reduce these effects, urging Congress to take legislative action. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/23/2009) - U.S. House Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-WI) supported the extension of Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits by voting for the Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009. The Act passed the House 331-83. It provides a continuation of UC checks for another 13 weeks in states hardest hit by joblessness. The Senate is working on a similar plan. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/15/2009) - Small business owners have been calling their Representatives and Senators to urge them to support health care reform legislation that cuts costs, stops insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions and gives people the option of a public plan. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/10/2009) - The September 9th health care reform speech by President Barack Obama before a joint session of the U.S. Senate and House Of Representatives has been received well by many Obama supporters, however, others are not completely satisfied. Read about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/07/2009) - While all of the debate and rhetoric in Congress and on television and cable shows and radio talk programs continues, the State of Wisconsin is continuing to build what has been labeled BadgerCare. Click on the headline above for more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/31/2009) - Republican Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner of Brookfield, Wisconsin has announced his bid for re-election to represent the Wisconsin 5th district in the U.S. House of Representatives and has also announced he is being treated for prostate cancer. Click on the headline for more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/26/2009) - U.S. Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) passed away during the night at age 77. The youngest of the famous Kennedy brothers had been suffering from brain cancer. President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy were both assassinated decades earlier. Ted continued their political tradition in the U.S. Senate for nearly half a century. He was one of the Democratic champions for the American People who was respected by party members and opponents alike for his dedication. Read more on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/11/2009) - While Congress pushes for national health care reform legislation that may ultimately open the door for more citizens to receive primary and preventive medical, dental and behavioral health care in a consistent, welcoming, health care home setting, the model of care provided by the Wisconsin Community Health Centers continues to serve as an example to follow, according to Stephanie Harrison, executive director of the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association. Read more about the effort in the story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/07/2009) - Washington D.C. has extended the Cash For Clunkers program which has been more successful than originally anticipated. Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold says the program has been a boost to local economies, and is pleased to see it continue. Feingold, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also says he was pleased to vote to approve the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Feingold also approves of the cooperative nature of agencies looking into possible anti-competetive practices hampering some parts of the dairy industry. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/06/2009) - U.S. Congressional Representative Tom Petri (R-WI) might find himself the victim of health insurance industry financed Teabagger protests after video of him supporting a public option for health care reform, and rejecting the argument of so-called Birthers was released by One Wisconsin Now. Petri answered questions at a town hall meeting in Darby, Wisconsin. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scott Ross gives Petri credit for taking on what Ross calls the right-wing fringe some people are calling the Birther movement. Read more on this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/31/2009) - Congressional Representative Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-WI) says the health care reform legislation currently making its way through Congress is getting better with each new draft. The House Energy and Commerce Committee resumed their mark-up of the Affordable Health Choices Act after members of the committee and House Leadership reached a compromise on key portions of the legislation. Kagen says he will be holding public listening sessions throughout Northeast Wisconsin in August to discuss the health care reform legislation. Read more about this story on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/25/2009) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says $3.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds will be used for transit upgrades and improvements in Wisconsin. The grants include the purchase of buses in Eau Claire, and Appleton, plus some other transportation related needs in the Appleton and Eau Claire areas of the state. The ARRA funds distribution to Wisconsin brings the total now to 415 grants and the amount to $3.8 Billion dollars for transit improvements. Read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/21/2009) - Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-WI) says the proposed health care legislation will take us closer to our goal of guaranteeing access to affordable care for all of us. According to a report released today by Families USA, 233,000 people in Wisconsin will gain health care coverage under the American Affordable Health Choices Act by 2013 and 375,000 by 2019. Kagen will join doctors and nurses today from across the country in support of reforms included in the American Affordable Health Choices Act. Read more about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/17/2009) - The United States House Energy and Commerce Committee began the work of marking up America's Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200). The plan for health care reform promises to lower costs, provide better care, and keep the insurance industry competitive and fair for all consumers. House members have began offering ammendments to the original bill. The ammendment process started Friday and will continue next week. Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammi Baldwin offered two ammendments that were accepted by the committee. Read all about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/14/2009) - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced that Wisconsin will receive up to $5,400,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for its state-run rebate program for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR qualified home appliances. The new program underscores the Obama Administration commitment to make American homes more energy efficient, while helping to support the national economic recovery. The Recovery Act appropriated funds for the program to help spur economic growth, create jobs, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. See WisconsinReport.com for more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/13/2009) - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) gave high marks to U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor in his opening statement during the first day of confirmation hearings, but wants to know more. Kohl is second in seniority among Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is responsible for conducting the hearings as the Senate engages in its Constitutional role to advise and consent on Supreme Court nominations. Kohl told the nominee that the committee needs to know what she thinks about civil rights, privacy, property rights, the separation of church and state, and civil liberties. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/06/2009) - The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the availability of $4 billion in Recovery Act grants nationwide to help bring broadband service to unserved and underserved communities. This is the first round of Recovery Act funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and to create jobs by building out Internet infrastructure. Wisconsin U.S. Congressional Representative Steve Kagen, M.D. is part of the effort to include rural areas of Northeast Wisconsin in the economic recovery. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/03/2009) - The Fourth of July weekend is upon us, but the fireworks that many people are interested in learning more about may be taking place in the State of Alaska, USA. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced today that she will not seek a second term as Governor of the State of Alaska and will relegate the power of governor to Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell. Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will become Lieutenant Governor. The transfer of power will take place July 26th. Read more about this story on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/01/2009) - Small business owner and former Congressman Mark Neumann has filed paperwork to officially enter the 2010 race for Wisconsin Governor. Neumann was elected to represent the 1st Congressional District in Wisconsin in 1994 and was re-elected in 1996. Neumann ran for US Senate on the Republican ticket in 1998. 55 year old Neumann owns a home building company and is co-chairman of Educational Enterprises, a non-profit that runs three Hope Schools in Milwaukee as well as a public charter school in Arizona. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/19/2009) - Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold took the case of the Wisconsin auto industry directly to President Obama yesterday (Thurs., June 19, 2009). Feingold told President Obama by phone how important the industry is to the state, and had another conversation with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. The President continues to make it clear he does not intend to meddle in decisions made by the auto industry, even though the government currently has a large financial stake in helping General Motors and Chrysler try to survive. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/05/2009) - Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. is marking the 65th Anniversary of D-Day by continuing his fight for veterans in Northeast Wisconsin and throughout the country. Congressman Kagen spoke with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and urged the VA to advance several measures that will help our brave soldiers when they return home. Kagen is urging Secretary Shinseki to make sure the health needs of military veterans always be tended to as needed, because the veterans deserve to be treated with the respect they deserve. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/04/2009) - While some staunch Republicans, talkshow hosts, and other opponents of Democrats are calling President Barack Obama's speech in the Middle East, apologetic, and worse, most of the residents of the United States are calling it an extension of goodwill long overdue. The speech was made across the ocean, live, early today U.S. time and is being repeated on some television channels at more opportune times for people in the U.S. to view. A member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee says it was the kind of speech needed at this point in history. Read about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/26/2009) - President Barack Obama officially nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court this morning (Tuesday) following a White House search that in the end, reportedly, included five women on the Short List. If approved by Congress, Judge Sotomayor will be the first hispanic to sit on the Supreme Court. U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold say Sotomayor seems to be a good choice, but they reserve the right to study her qualifications carefully, because filling the Supreme Court seat being vacated is serious business. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/22/2009) - In honor of Memorial Day, a United States Congressional Representative from Wisconsin has proposed federal law aimed at helping military personnel, students and veterans. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) Thursday introduced bipartisan legislation called the Service Member Home Ownership Act and the Help Student Soldiers Act to provide housing and education benefits to service members. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/21/2009) - Credit Card debt in the U.S. has reached a record high of nearly one trillion dollars. Almost half of American families currently carry a balance. The average balance was over seven thousand dollars in 2007. Congress thought it was time to put on some brakes regarding the credit card industry so customers are treated more fairly. On May 20th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, H.R. 627. What does this mean to cardholders? WisconsinReport.com has the details. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/20/2009) - The U.S. House of Representatives today okayed the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act by a vote of 361-64. The Senate had earlier passed the Act onto the House by a vote of 90 to 5 Tuesday. Some of the problems that have been evident that this Act applies answers to, include over-the-limit fees, charges for paying by phone, and getting advance notice when the credit card company decides to raise your rate. It also addresses difficulties young people have regarding credit cards. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/19/2009) - In response to President Obama's commencement address last Sunday at the University of Notre Dame, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), held a press conference in Washington, D.C. Monday (5/19/2009). Smith and Sensenbrenner also sent a letter to President Obama calling on him to publicly forgo rescinding the Bush Administration conscience protection regulation regarding abortions in the United States. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/28/2009) - Wisconsin Congresswoman Gwen Moore is a co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913). The act is designed to give local law enforcement agencies tools to combat violent hate crimes. If passed. it would expand the definition of a Hate Crime. Moore says every American regardless of race, religion, color, gender or sexual orientation should never have to be a victim of a hate crime. See the story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/23/2009) - Former Judiciary Committee Chairman and author of the REAL ID legislation, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05), is responding to the remarks of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano. Napolitano spoke to the Anti-Defamation League National Leadership Conference about repealing REAL ID, an idea that the author of the bill finds distasteful. Read all about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/20/2009) - Governor Jim Doyle has approved proposals for transit projects in 14 small urban areas and 32 non-urbanized areas around Wisconsin. Approval is a major step in securing the portion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding that has been appropriated for the state. The projects total nearly $34.5 million. Read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/17/2009) - Governor Jim Doyle and 7th Wisconsin Congressional District Congressman Dave Obey today broke ground on a new academic building at UW-Superior. The project is expected to create or maintain 200 jobs and move forward efforts to grow the Northern Wisconsin economy. More on this story and other relevant reading about what's going on in Wisconsin can be found at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/15/2009) - A Wisconsin State Senator is saying today is a great day to be a citizen of Wisconsin. Senator Neal Kedzie says what is being called the Taxpayer Tea Party taking place in Madison and elsewhere is more than a demonstration against high taxes. However, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Joe Wineke says the Republican tea bag party is being bankrolled by special interest groups fighting to protect the Bush tax cuts for multi-millionaires and big corporations. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/07/2009) - Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) joined U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and UW Chancellor Biddy Martin to talk to UW-Madison students on campus about student credit card issues. The event was hosted by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG), which is part of the U.S.PIRG federation. 76 percent of undergrads have credit cards and, on average, leave school with 22-hundred dollars in credit card debt. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/02/2009) - House Budget Committee Ranking Republican Paul Ryan (WI-01) yesterday introduced a comprehensive alternative to the fiscal year 2010 budget proposed by the President and Democratic Majority. Republicans say their plan will get spending and deficits under control, without raising taxes, but some Democrats don't think it's right for the country, at this point in history. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/26/2009) - United States Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) is commending President Barack Obama for presenting a budget to Congress that represents an honest assessment of the current financial situation. Wisconsin's United States Senator Russ Feingold, a member of the Senate Budget Committee agrees. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/11/2009) - United States Congressmen Steve Kagen and Ron Kind are fighting for tax breaks for small businesses. The Wisconsin Representatives led 12 of their colleagues in a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to include a provision that would provide built-in gains (BIG) tax relief in the final version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually over the last decade have been created by small businesses according to the Small Business Administration. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/15/2009) - As one of the first legislative acts of the 111th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday reauthorized the 11-year-old Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and extended health insurance coverage to an additional 4.1 million children nationwide. The bill will provide coverage to more than 11 million children. Families USA expects quick action in the U.S. Senate to speed the bill to new United States President Barack Obama's desk. It may be the first bill that was vetoed by outgoing President George W. Bush that will be signed by the new President. See WisconsinReport.com for more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/29/08) - In 2008, Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold’s top accomplishments included efforts to help Wisconsin servicemembers and veterans and to protect the Great Lakes. Feingold continued support for men and women in uniform with efforts to help ease the tremendous burden they and their families face. In October the President signed into law legislation authored by Feingold to allow servicemembers to suspend cell phone contracts without charge when deployed. Feingold also led the Wisconsin delegation in calling for the establishment of new Vet Centers in Wisconsin, and more. Read about it at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/13/08) - General Motors is making several adjustments to 2009 production of a large number of GM vehicles even though GM's official statement is that they are encouraged by the White House's apparent willingness to consider other options to help the auto industry now that the U.S. Senate has turned down the House's recommendation to issue a loan to the Big 3 automakers. GM announced a significant reduction of planned production because of a major slump in industry sales, which were down 36 percent overall in November, but 41 percent off the mark for GM products. See more on this at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/25/08) - Wisconsin Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI) has been elected vice-chairwoman of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. In January, when Congress reconvenes for the first session of the 111th Congress, Representative Moore will become a key leader in the U.S. House of Representatives on issues affecting women. Congresswoman Moore’s tenure will last for two years and she will serve with Chairwoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and two Republican members of Congress. For more on this story and other news go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/21/08) - What happens in the automotive industry affects the people of the United States far beyond the immediate employee roster in the U.S. automobile factories and auxiliary industries. It could potentially affect everyone in the country. Estimates indicate that if allowed to happen, the collapse of the U.S.-based auto industry wouldn't just impact the nearly 355,000 Americans directly employed by the Big Three. There is the eventual potential that around 3 Million jobs, and possibly more, in all parts of the USA, in many different types of occupations, could ultimately be lost. See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/15/08) - Boosted by the economic crisis and a strong debate performance, Democrat Barack Obama is over the 50 percent mark in the key battleground states of Wisconsin, Colorado, Michigan, and Minnesota, and for the first time leads or ties Republican John McCain among white voters in all four states. The four simultaneous Quinnipiac University polls of likely voters released yesterday also shows by wide margins, voters in each state say Senator Obama understands the economy better than Senator McCain. By bigger margins, voters say McCain better understands foreign policy. More details are at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/10/08) - Change To Win, a nationwide worker organization of over 6 million members, has outlined a comprehensive economic recovery program for Main Street America that would generate broad-based prosperity, restore faith and fairness in the market system, and renew the American Dream for working and middle class families. The worker organization called on Congress to reject the Wall Street bailout based on the flawed economic policies of the past. A spokesperson says the United States needs a new economic model that rewards worker productivity and innovation, and, sets new rules for the marketplace and the workplace. See more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/03/08) - The group Open Debates renewed the call for debate reform in the wake of last night's vice-presidential debate between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin. The organization claims that the extensive format restrictions imposed by the Republican and Democratic campaigns, with the complicity of the Commission on Presidential Debates, reduced much of the vice presidential debate to a series of memorized sound bites. Open Debates says the atmosphere that resulted was detrimental to the voting public. More on the Veep Candidates debate at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/01/08) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) announced today that Congress has passed legislation based on a provision he authored allowing servicemembers deployed overseas to terminate cell phone contracts free of penalties. The Feingold measure, which passed as part of the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act, will expand the rights servicemembers already have to terminate similar contracts like residential and automobile leases without penalty. The measure now heads to the President for his signature. For more information on this story go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/30/08) - The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) CEO is weighing in on the failure by the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, and one of Wisconsin's U.S. Senators has some suggestions on how to make the Bailout Better. Wisconsin Bankers Association President Kurt Bauer warns the crisis won't get better by doing nothing. Senator Russ Feingold expects the so-called Bailout to see another round of voting by Congress, which creates another opportunity to address what he calls major flaws in the proposal. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/29/08) - Another big name bank has been gobbled up by a bigger name financial system, as the United States Congress debates a measure that is aimed at relieving the pressure the financial sector is experiencing. Wachovia today announced intentions to sell its retail bank, corporate and investment bank and wealth management businesses to Citigroup. Wachovia Corporation will remain a public company with two main operating subsidiaries: Wachovia Securities, the nation's third largest brokerage firm, and Evergreen Asset Management, a leading provider of asset management services. More on this story is online at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/29/08) - The United States Congress failed to pass the 700 Billion Dollar Solution they have been working on over the weekend and debating today. Despite the apparent urgency of the financial crisis, H.R 3997, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, failed on the House floor by a vote of 205 - 228. Several Wisconsin members of the House of Representatives voiced dissapproval of the so-called Bailout. Some others were dismayed that the attempt to find a solution that the majority could agree on just wasn't possible. The Stock Market reacted in dissappointment. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/27/08) - There are mixed reactions to last night's first United States Presidential Debate between the two major party candidates running to be the next Commander In Chief of the Economy as well as Commander In Chief of the Military. McCain supporters say Arizona Senator John McCain won, while Illinois Senator Barack Obama supporters say Obama came out on top. And, Depending on which tv/radio talker you listen to after the debates, you have your choice of, it was a draw, or, Obama proved he was ready to take control of the military and the economy, or, McCain's strategy seemed to be to try his best to look stern and to not look at his opponent, and so on. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/25/08) - The Republican and Democrat running against each other for President of the United States have decided to lend their input and guidance in the current national economy emergency Congress is wrestling with. Yesterday, U.S. Senators John McCain (R) and Barack Obama (D) issued a joint statement that pointed out that it's important for both parties to come together to solve the problem. Obama and McCain will both be meeting with President George W. Bush and leaders of Congress today in hopes of making a difference in the so-called 700 Billion Dollar Solution to save homes, jobs, and the ecomomy proponents say are at stake. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/17/08) - United States Reprepresentatives Ron Kind (D) of LaCrosse, Wisconsin and Steven Kagen (D) of Appleton, Wisconsin joined a majority in Congress Tuesday evening in passing a comprehensive energy plan for America – H.R. 6899. Kind hailed the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act as a way for Democrats and Republicans to come together to forge a path to energy independence. Kind says the plan is much more than a Drill, Baby, Drill plan. It begins federal investments in renewable and clean energy alternatives to take the so-called addiction to foreign oil eventually off the table. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/08/08) - When Barack Obama's Democratic Vice Presidential running mate, Senator Joe Biden, campaigned in Green Bay he was introduced by a Hoffmaster Appleton employee who, along with 300 coworkers, is losing his job. Greg Hinds, is a 17-year employee of a series of companies that have occupied the same plant. Hinds feels that he, his wife and two daughters, have suffered under what is called the failed economic policies of the last eight years of the Bush Administration. Hinds suggested that a John McCain-Sarah Palin administration is likely to be no better for the country. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/05/08) - Last night, Arizona Senator John McCain told the Republican Convention Delegates and tv audience that he has respect and admiration for Barack Obama and his supporters. McCain said despite the differences, more unites us than divides us. McCain, the hope of Republicans to keep control of the White House, then advised the Party regulars and on-lookers, that he and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will win in November. McCain said if he does win he will reach out a hand to all willing Patriots, and get the country back on the road to prosperity and peace. Read John McCain's speech at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/03/08) - One of the co-stars of the Law and Order television series who tried for the presidency against John McCain during the Republican primary spoke at the Republican National Convention last night. Showing more enthusiasm than he did as a presidential candidate, himself, Fred Thompson essentially told people they need to stand up for a strong military, a mature foreign policy, a free and growing economy, for the values that bind Republicans together and, what he says, keep our nation free, and for McCain, who he reminded people in detail, was tortured as a prisoner of war. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/01/08) - The 2008 Report of the Democratic Platform Committee suggests that Democrats want to make the United States Government and the country less partisan than it has been for decades. The Preamble to the Platform, states that it's time to reach out to Republicans, Independents, and all Americans who hunger for a new direction, and a reason to hope. The Platform indicates Democrats not only want to undo the damage they perceive that the Bush Administration has done, they want to find and enact the ideas that are right for the country and it's citizens. Read the Preamble at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/29/08) - Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama officially accepted his party's nomination last night, during the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. During his acceptance speech Obama made the case for why America cannot afford four more years of what many believe are the failed policies of the George W. Bush Administration. Obama laid out his vision to bring about fundamental change at home and abroad. He reminded the country about the extraordinary promise of America at its best and challenged his supporters to continue to fight for that promise by marching ahead and never looking back. Read Obama's acceptance speech at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/28/08) - Former President Bill Clinton, 2004 Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry, and 2008 Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden, all say that Barack Obama is Ready to be President. President Bill Clinton trumpeted the idea that when he first ran for the White House job, Republicans then campaigned against him with the idea that he had no experience and was not ready, and, now they are trying to use that tactic against Obama. President Clinton said they were wrong then, and they are wrong now. More on yesterdays (Thursday, August 27th, 2008) speakers at the convention at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/27/08) - Last night the candidate who came in second in the long primary campaign to determine who would be the Democrats presidential candidate on the November 2008 ballot urged her 18 Million primary voters to switch their allegience to Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton told delegates at the Democrats National Convention in Denver, Colorado that her delegates and supporters and Obama's delegates and supporters must unite as a single party with a single purpose. Hillary said it's time to take back the country and no one should sit by the sidelines, because it will take everyone and every vote to make sure it happens. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/25/08) - The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama for America campaign announced that two prominent Republicans will address the Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 25, 2008 and Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Former United States Congressman Jim Leach and Fairbanks Alaska Mayor Jim Whitaker will speak about Barack Obama's record of bringing Republicans, Independents and Democrats together to bring change and his vision for unifying the United States. For more on this story see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/22/08) - A Wisconsin health care organization is attributing three of the state's congressional representatives for saving some Medicare benefits for residents of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Health Care Association (WHCA) has high praise for U.S. Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Steve Kagen (D-WI) and Ron Kind (D-WI), a member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, for participating in a successful, bipartisan effort in Congress last week to stop the Bush Administration attempt to cut some funding. See WisconsinReport.com for more details. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/13/08) - United States Congressional leaders from both parties have condemned the Russian invasion of the country of Georgia. Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives call the action by Russia a deplorable outbreak of violence, and want Russia to know that this kind of behavior is not acceptable in the 21st Century. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Republican Leader John Boehner, and House Republican Whip Roy Blunt announced that the U.S. Congress is ready to assist the people of Georgia. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/08/08) - Two U.S. Congressional Representatives from Wisconsin have joined forces to try to get some help for mill workers who will be without work at the NewPage Corporation's Kimberly Mill. Republican Tom Petri and Democrat Steve Kagen wrote to the Labor Department seeking Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the employees affected by the planned shutdown of the Kimberly mill. Kagen says paper imported to the United States from China is one reason U.S. paper companies are having a downturn. For more details, see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/04/08) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has recently suggested that House member Chet Edwards of Texas might be a good choice to be Senator Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate. Chet Edwards represents the 17th Congressional District in Texas. He has been elected to the House since 1990, and, among other committees and issues, Chet Edwards is involved in military and veterans affairs. The Texas politician indicates he is pleased the House passed its Fiscal Year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill in a strong bipartisan vote 409 to 4. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/01/08 - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is hailing congressional passage of legislation that will help make college more affordable for many students. The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) includes a provision to broaden access to TRIO programs for colleges with branch campuses, such as the UW system, based on legislation Feingold had previously introduced. For more on this story and others check out WisconsinReport.com on the internet. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/31/08) - Biodiesel, a renewable fuel made in Wisconsin, is safer and better for the environment than conventional diesel, according to information from the U.S. Department of Energy. In other news, Governor Jim Doyle has announced a $2,880,128 project that will support improvements to the Burger Boat Company’s facility at the Port of Manitowoc. And, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), is applauding the restoration of $250 million in federal funds for job training in the second Senate economic stimulus plan. For more on these stories, see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/26/08) - Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain has inched ahead of Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama in Colorado; come within inches in Minnesota and narrowed the gap in Michigan and Wisconsin, according to four simultaneous Quinnipiac (KWIN-up-ee-ack) University polls of likely voters in these battleground states. Voters in each state say energy policy is more important than the war in Iraq, and, most support off-shore oil. By a smaller margin they also support drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. WisconsinReport.com has more details. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/21/08) - American voters oppose same-sex marriage 55 - 36 percent, but they don't want government to get involved in banning the practice, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pee-ack) University national poll released last week. Democrats support same-sex marriage by a narrow 47 - 43 percent margin, while Republicans oppose it 80 - 14 percent and independent voters oppose it 49 - 43 percent. Women in the survey oppose same-sex marriage 51 - 40 percent and men oppose it 61 - 31 percent. More details are on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/12/08) - The United States Senate has passed Senator Herb Kohl’s (D-WI) legislation to protect Americans from becoming the victim of foreclosure rescue scams as part of a bipartisan housing package (H.R. 3221). The Kohl measure protects financially distressed homeowners – often elderly – from unscrupulous financial predators by implementing stricter requirements and a federal floor of protection. For more on this story and others go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/08/08) - The Miller Center's National War Powers Commission, co-chaired by former Secretaries of State James A. Baker, III and Warren Christopher, today recommended that Congress repeal the War Powers Resolution of 1973. The Commission suggests that Congress create a new statute that would provide for more meaningful consultation between the president and Congress on matters of war. The Commission notes that there seems to be no cooperation between Congress and the Presidency regarding declaration of War. See WisconsinReport.com for more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/03/08) - Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Congress approved the wording of the Declaration on July 4th in that year. It became Independence Day in 1791, and wasn't a federal holiday until 1870 when congress made it an unpaid federal holiday. It became a paid federal holiday in 1941. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/03/08) - Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin and others are credited with being the authors of the Declaration of Independence signed by fifty-six delegates to the Continental Congress. Most people today do not have any idea what is in the Declaration other than the famous preamble that declares that all men are created equal and have the rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. To read the rest of the words in the Declaration of Independence go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/23/08) - The former rivals for the right to become the official Democratic candidate to run on the national presidential election will campaign together in Unity, New Hampshire Friday, June 27th. The location, announced today (Monday, June 23rd), was reportedly chosen for it's symbolic name, and because Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama each received 107 votes in the primary voting there January 8th. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/20/08) - Wisconsin Farm Bureau leaders were in Washington D.C. this week (June 14-18) to lobby lawmakers on pressing issues facing agriculture and give first-hand accounts of flood damage. Immigration, trade agreements, ag exports, and oil drilling inside the USA and offshore, were all hot topics during the visit, which included a tour of the White House. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/13/08) - ABC Television News Anchor Charles Gibson has now joined the ranks of NBC's Tim Russert, who passed away of an apparent heart attack while at work today. As the news of Russert's death was being announced on NBC by former anchor Tom Brokow and friends, Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University was presenting its 15th annual Fred Friendly First Amendment Award to ABC's Charles Gibson. Russert had received the award in 2005. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/12/08) - As record gas and food prices, skyrocketing health care costs and the mortgage crisis continue to hammer the economy, the Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) two million members today called on Congress to pass legislation extending jobless benefits. Read more about this news story and others on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/09/08) - This isn’t exactly the party I’d planned, but I sure like the company, Hillary Clinton said as she started the weekend speech that would signify the end of her try for the presidency. Saturday, June 7th New York U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton officially suspended her presidential primary campaign and asked her 18 Million supporters to get behind Barack Obama. Read Hillary's speech at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/02/08) - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation authored by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to protect cranes throughout North America and the world. The Crane Conservation Act of 2008, H.R. 1771, was passed on May 21, 2008 with strong bipartisan support (304-118). A companion bill authored by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), S. 1048, is pending in the Senate. The Crane Conservation Act would provide funding to assist in the recovery of several endangered crane species, help enhance international and domestic crane conservation projects, and encourage the Department of Interior to seek input from those involved in crane conservation. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/25/08) - More than two-million internet surfers have visited a website created by a United States Navy veteran to inform people about Memorial Day. The site was created in 1994 by David Merchant as a project for Dr. Gretchen Whitney's Information Network Applications Class, School of Information Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN. The website, usmemorialday.org, was created to help promote the return of the original intent and meaning back to Memorial Day and to provide an online community for people to share their feelings, pride, respect and honor for those who gave their all for the country. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/23/08) - The Wisconsin Farmers Union celebrated as word came down that the U.S. Senate had voted to override the president's veto of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 by a vote of 82-13. This came after word that the U.S. House of Representatives vote (316-108) to override the veto may have been invalid due to an inadvertent clerical error, leaving one of the 15 titles incomplete. The error may have caused further delay in passing the bill due to the upcoming holiday weekend. Now Congress plans to vote on the omitted title after its recess. Senator Herb Kohl likes some of the bill. Representative Ron Kind sees room for improvement. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/21/08) - During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with executives representing the nation’s five largest oil companies, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl said his No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act (NOPEC) will send a message to oil producers. The bill will permit the Department of Justice to bring actions against foreign states – such as members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – for collusive practices in setting the price or limiting the production of oil. The NOPEC bill has bi-partisan co-sponsorship, including Arlen Specter, Chuck Grassley, Russ Feingold Barbara Boxer, and others. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/06/08) - Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) is urging his Senate colleagues to support a national affordable housing trust fund to help create affordable housing for families facing severe housing costs around the country. In a letter to the Senate Banking Committee, Feingold called on the committee to pass the bipartisan National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) as part of broader housing legislation. The proposal would help low income families by providing housing solutions. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/14/08) - U.S. Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) have introduced the Illegal Garnishment Prevention Act. The bill would prevent the U.S. Department of Treasury from using direct deposit for Social Security beneficiaries until they put a stop to the illegal garnishment of government benefits from the bank accounts of private citizens. It is already illegal to have banks deduct money from federal funds in personal bank accounts to turn over to creditors, but, it is taking place anyway far too often. This bill starts a process to make it less likely to happen. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/04/08) - New York Senator Hillary Clinton holds a 50 - 41 percent lead over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama among likely Pennsylvania Democratic primary voters and runs better against Arizona Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican nominee in Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll. This compares to a 53 - 41 percent lead in a March 18 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University of Hamden, Connecticut. Pennsylvania is one of three of the biggest so-called Swing States surveyed by the school. The others are Florida and Ohio. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/03/08) - Fourteen administration officials and airport representatives gathered Wednesday in a closed meeting to explain to Congressional Representative Tom Petri of Wisconsin why 204 Marines and soldiers returning from Iraq were barred from the Oakland, California airport terminal on September 27th, 2007. The military personnel felt slighted when they were deplaned onto a grass median between runways instead of allowed to taxi to the terminal and deplane there. Officials said it was a mistake and not an insult, and measures are being taken to prevent it from happening again. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/01/08) - After hearing presentations by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Minority Leader John Boehner, members of the Veterans Affairs committee, the Secretaries of the Army and Veterans Affairs, and Wisconsin veterans took steps April 1st, 2008 to ensure the well-being and health care of United States fighting men and women, past and present, are on solid ground. Department Commander David A. Kurtz led a delegation of Wisconsin members of The American Legion to Washington to fight for funding to care for the nation’s veterans of past wars and to protect benefits for those now serving. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/20/08) - While many people in Wisconsin and the rest of the United States are spending time this week to protest the Iraq War on the 5th anniversary of U.S. involvement there, others are patting the military on the back for doing what their Commander In Chief has been requiring them to do. Democratic Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq by thanking local veterans in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District. The Congressman was joined by six veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan who commented on the experience. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/19/08) - The convergence of the 5th anniversary of Shock and Awe with Christian Holy Week and Iraq Moratorium Number 7 has sparked hundreds of antiwar actions across the country, and three dozen in Wisconsin, this week. There are events scheduled today in Madison, Minoqua, LaCrosse, Appleton, Webster, Kenosha and Wisconsin Rapids. This weekend, additional events are to be held in Sheboygan, Racine, Viroqua, Wausau, Hayward, Madison, Janesville, Dodgeville, Ripon, Milwaukee, Fort Atkinson, as well as DeKalb and Duluth. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/19/08) - Today, March 19, 2008, marks the five-year anniversary of President Bush deploying American soldiers to Iraq. United States Congressional Representative Ron Kind from LaCrosse, Wisconsin (D-WI) remembers that the Bush Administration had predicted the war could be undertaken at a far less cost than it has turned out to be. Instead of Billions of Dollars, the cost has evolved into many Hundreds of Billions of Dollars. Dollars that critics point out, will have to be paid back to financial institutions and foreign countries by our children, grandchildren, and babies yet to be born. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/14/08) - US Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) applauded the final version of the FY09 Budget Resolution, which the Senate passed late last night, for including major boosts in federal funds for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and the Child Care Development Block Grant program – increases that would directly benefit Wisconsin if the plan is enacted into law. In addition, an ammendment supported by Kohl creates a new standard deduction for homeowners that will provide relief to more than 641-thousand Wisconsin taxpayers. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/08/08) - Wisconsin United States Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold (both D-WI) have called on President George W. Bush to end unfair trade practices by overseas paper manufacturers that hurt domestic producers. Kohl and Feingold are trying to make the Bush Administration understand that, because paper mills are major employers in some regions of Wisconsin, such unfair trade practices could result in fewer employment opportunities in Wisconsin and other areas of the country where paper manufacturing has been making it possible for workers to support their families. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/08/08) - Congress is looking into the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act to help promote new construction, preservation, and conversion of existing Section 202 facilities into assisted-living facilities. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Chairman of the Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development have introduced a bill designed to streamline the program and process. It is hoped the move would save the government money and make it easier for senior citizens. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/25/08) - The Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Tomah will receive $4.425 million from the 2008 VA Appropriations bill to complete a renovation of their facility. Democratic Congressional Representative Ron Kind of LaCrosse says the funding was made possible by the boost given to the Veterans Administration by the Democratic Congress, who this year provided the largest increase to the VA in its 77-year history with an allocation of $3.8 billion above what President Bush had requested. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/25/08) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is continuing his fight to ensure family farmers and the self-employed remain eligible for the protections they deserve. Feingold is urging members of the Farm Bill conference committee to maintain in the final bill a provision similar to one he proposed to update the tax code so farmers and other self-employed individuals can remain eligible for Social Security and disability benefits. Feingold says this will help farmers who experience bad weather affecting farm income. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/22/08) - Democrat Barack Obama spent more than twice as much money on TV advertising in Wisconsin than all other candidates combined in the Wisconsin Presidential Primary and nearly five times as much as Hillary Clinton. The Obama campaign enjoyed a massive advantage in spots aired. Obama campaign commercials were on the air a full week earlier than Clinton. Obama aired his first Wisconsin ad one day after Super Tuesday, while the first Clinton ad did not appear until February 12. The wise campaign choices and stimulating speeches paid off big time for Obama, catapulting him further in the lead in the battle of primaries. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/22/08) - Bush Administration claims that so-called competitive sourcing in the U.S. Forest Service saved money, are based on shoddy and misleading accounting, according to findings of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit released this week. The report indicates that Competitive Sourcing forces either the outsourcing of federal employees’ jobs or radical internal downsizing and reorganization. The National Federation of Federal Employees is giving credit to a Wisconsin Congressional Delegation for helping to reign in the wasteful spending. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/21/08) - Outsourcing government jobs to private companies may not be saving taxpayers money, as had been promised by the Bush administration. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an audit, requested by Wisconsin's U.S. Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, and several other senators, on the competitive sourcing program at the United State Forest Service (USFS). The administration had promoted the outsourcing plan as a way to cut down on government spending, but, because complete data is not available, saving money in this instance, is unknown. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/20/08) - Hello, Youngstown, how are you tonight, Hillary Clinton asked a crowd of people in Ohio last night shortly after the cable news channels had all declared her opponent Barack Obama the presidential primary winner in Wisconsin shortly after the polling places closed. Clinton was already moving on in her campaign for the Democratic nomination to be on the November ballots, hoping to change the trend going toward Obama. Obama won 58 percent of the Wisconsin votes, compared to Hillary Clinton's 41 percent. Obama has now won the last ten primaries. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/20/08) - Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama gained a larger lead in Democratic delegates following yesterday's win over Hillary Clinton in the presidential primary races. Unofficial counts today show Obama with 1168 delegates gained from primaries and cacuses held so far. Hillary Clinton has 1018 delegates, without including Super Delegates. That means that Obama is now about 150 regular delegates ahead of Hillary, following the 59 to 41 percent Wisconsin win over the U.S. Senator from New York. After strong campaigning in Wisconsin, Obama spoke to an audience of 19,000 in Houston, Texas. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/20/08) - John McCain furthered his lead in the Republican primary process after his win in Wisconsin Tuesday, February 19th. Unofficial delegate counts now show Arizona U.S. Senator McCain with 884 delegates. The same unofficial tabulation shows former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in second place with 243 delegates. Texas U.S. Senator Ron Paul is in a distant third with 14 delegates, at this point, going toward the fall 2008 Republican convention. Comments during McCain's Wisconsin victory speech indicates he thinks his experience will convince people to make him President of the USA. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/18/08) - Wisconsin State Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker of Marathon County has chosen to endorse U.S. Senator Barack Obama over U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton in tomorrow's Democratic Primary. Decker says Obama is the candidate best suited to address the challenges that America faces in today's global economy and bring real change to the broken system in Washington. The North-Central Wisconsin State Senator believes Obama stands for the issues that matter most to the residents of the State of Wisconsin. Decker says Obama has demonstrated he can unite the country. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/16/08) - Democratic U.S. Congressional Representative Ron Kind of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, says the farm bill being discussed in committee needs more work to make it work for family farmers and taxpayers. Kind says, among other things, what he calls, the proposal’s budget gimmick, phases out direct payments in the ninth year, only to see them reappear again in the tenth. He calls that a sham. Kind also says he's looking forward to working with his Ways and Means colleagues to prevent new taxes for farm programs. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/14/08) - As the 2008 national elections approach, US Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) unveiled legislation to encourage greater participation in Presidential and Congressional elections by moving the polling date to the first weekend of November, instead of the first Tuesday of that month. The proposal, if passed, would make it possible for United States residents to vote between 9 am Saturday until 5 pm (Central Time) Sunday, giving many workers and others who can't make it to the voting place during a weekday the opportunity to vote during what may be a more opportune time. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/14/08) - Former Wisconsin U.S. Senator Bob Kasten has endorsed John McCain for president. Now that Rudy Giuliani is out of the Repubulican presidential nomination seeking business, Kasten has switched his allegiance from the Giuliani campaign camp where he was a policy adviser. Kasten represented Wisconsin in the United States Congress, followed by the U.S. Senate for a total of 18 years. Kasten has been named to the McCain Wisconsin Steering Committee. Milwaukee native Kasten says John McCain uses a set of core conservative principals in making decisions in the U.S. Senate. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/14/08) - Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were in a virtual tie following a poll among members of the Wisconsin Counties Association. In the first ever presidential straw poll taken during last week's Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Exchange, John McCain easily won on the Republican side, while on the Democratic side, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were in a tight race. Senator Obama won the Wisconsin Counties Association straw poll by just one percentage point over Hillary Clinton. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/06/08) - Barack Obama is the leader over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic delegate count following the Super Tuesday primaries yesterday. Preliminary figures indicate Obama has a total of 838 delegates, including his performances in the early primaries and caucuses prior to Super Tuesday. Hillary Clinton now has 834. On the Republican side, John McCain now has an estimated 720 delegates, Mitt Romney has 256, Mike Huckabee has 194, and Ron Paul has 14. The next primary contests in the process take place this Saturday, February 9th, on the way to the totals needed in the respective parties to be each party's ultimate candidate. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/01/08) - The chairman of the U.S. Senate Antitrust Subcommittee is concerned about the possible implications of a merger of Microsoft and Yahoo. Microsoft is offering to purchase Yahoo for about 44 Billion Dollars. Industry sources say Microsoft is looking to increase it's competitive position against Google's growing internet empire. Democratic United States Senator Herb Kohl from Wisconsin is the chairman of the Antitrust subcommittee. Kohl says hearings are being considered if Yahoo accepts the Microsoft offer. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/30/08) - Rival Democratic presidential candidates were issuing statements about John Edwards and the importance of his candidacy even as he was declaring the end to his current effort to win the right to represent Democrats on the November ballot. Edwards called a news conference in New Orleans today and announced pulling out of the primary race. Edwards has been receiving third place votes in all of the primaries to date, and, is making way for remaining primary voters to throw their support to one of the two remaining candidates: Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/28/08) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is leading an effort to include an increase in Food Stamp benefits in the economic stimulus package currently being worked on by Congress. In a letter to Senate leadership, Feingold and a bipartisan group of eighteen of his Senate colleagues asked that they reconsider the omission of the Food Stamp benefit increase from the package, in light of the fact that experts say it could help stimulate the economy as well as help low-income Americans. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/27/07) - A bill introduced by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin to aid wounded veterans, and passed unanimously in both houses of Congress, has been signed into law by President Bush. The bill was suggested by, and bears the name of, Korean War veteran Dr. James C. Allen, a retired Madison ophthalmologist. The seven year odyssey of turning one doctor's observation from an idea into a bill into a law is a lesson in civics and the power of one person to make a difference in our democracy. The Dr. James C. Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act (H.R. 797) will aid veterans who sustained a significant loss of vision in one eye while serving their country. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/15/07) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) voted in favor of the Senate Farm Bill, which included several provisions Feingold authored to help Wisconsin farmers. However, he expressed disappointment with the defeat of several common-sense reforms despite bipartisan support. Among the measures Feingold successfully had included or supported in the bill were restoration of the MILC program, protection for Wisconsin’s dairy farmers through better price reporting and USDA oversight, and a balanced milk marketing order review commission. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/15/07) - The United States Senate passed a farm bill and an energy bill this week. The Farm Bill includes programs instrumental in helping Wisconsin family farms continue to grow and thrive. The energy bill includes an expanded Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), which has long been supported and promoted by Wisconsin Farmers Union and its members.The farm bill passed on a vote of 79 to 14, while the energy bill passed on a vote of 86 to 8. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) voted in favor of both pieces of legislation. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/13/07) - U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have been attempting to add an amendment to the farm bill, now before the Senate, that would put a hard cap on federal farm program payments and ensure that only farmers get payments. Senator Grassley says the ammendment would help allow young people to get into farming and lessen the dependence of federal subsidies, and, begin to restore public respectability for the federal farm program by targeting this assistance to those who need it. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/13/07) - The United States Senate has unanimously passed provisions championed by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) including a tax credit to small businesses that pay a salary differential to employees called up for active duty. The amendment includes provisions from legislation introduced earlier in the year by Senators Kerry and Smith, the Active Duty Military Tax Relief Act, which would bolster military families and small businesses that employ reservists. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/19/07) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has growing concern over Federal Communications Commission encouragement to big business to own more and more radio and television stations. That practice, in many cases, takes away local control of news and programming aired on broadcast stations throughout the country. Senator Feingold supports Senator Dorgan’s Media Ownership Act to improve transparency in media ownership rulemaking. Feingold says he will push for passage of the Dorgan bill and will continue efforts to ensure diverse and open media. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/2/07) - The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) has recognized U.S Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl for their leadership in winning an extension for Wisconsin's popular senior drug coverage program, SeniorCare. Earlier this year, Kohl and Feingold negotiated for inclusion of a two and a half year extension for the program in a Senate spending bill, preserving the successful drug benefit for 103,000 low-income seniors across the state. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/29/07) - Wisconsin Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. and his Washington D.C. roomate, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, who represents rural Denver have a gentleman's wager riding on the outcome of tonight's Packers vs. Broncos football game. Kagen is taking the Packers and Perlmutter has the Broncos. Whoever wins the wager, brings the beer. A case of Miller versus a case of Coors. Tensions are high on Capitol Hill - and in this instance, it's not about politics. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/29/07) – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) is troubled by media reports that the suspected mastermind behind the attack on the USS Cole in 2000, was released from custody in Yemen. Feingold says the administration needs to explain whether it was aware and approved of the release of al-Badawi, and the President should explain what he will do to ensure that this terrorist is brought to justice. He also hopes the Presidential candidates will commit to refocusing our national security where it belongs. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/24/07) - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) has secured $2.025 million in federal appropriations for employment and economic development programs throughout Wisconsin. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill, which was passed by the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. last night. “Successful job training programs keep talented, high-skilled workers learning new skills throughout their careers,” Kohl said. The bill now moves to a House-Senate conference. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/22/07) - Federal legislation cosponsored by Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) would give Wisconsin’s 340,015 self-employed individuals better access to affordable health-care coverage, ending a significant double-digit disparity in premium rates that has contributed to the nation’s health-care crisis. The Equity for Our Nation’s Self-Employed Act (H.R. 3660) would eliminate the cost penalties in health insurance imposed on sole proprietors and make quality health care more affordable for Americans who make up the majority of the working uninsured. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/19/07) - Citizen Action of Wisconsin, a USAction affiliate, applauded Wisconsin Congessional Representative Tom Petri for crossing partisan lines, and voting Thursday (10/18/07) to override President Bush’s veto of a bill to renew and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The House narrowly missed its chance to override the veto, even though the plan would have guaranteed 10 million children access to quality, affordable health care. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/18/07) - Wisconsin First District Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) together with other House Budget Committee Republicans have unveiled the “Budget Boondoggle Award” to help identify and draw attention to waste, fraud and abuse in government spending. The award was inspired by the efforts of the late Wisconsin Senator E. William Proxmire, who launched the “Golden Fleece Award” in the 1970s to highlight some of the most outrageous examples of wasteful spending by the federal government. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/18/07) - The House of Representatives has failed to override the President’s recent veto of legislation to greatly expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Congressman Steve Kagen, MD (D-Appleton) says forty-four Republicans joined the Democratic majority in the attempt to override President Bush's veto, but, that wasn't enough to save the S-CHIP idea. S-CHIP would have provided health insurance to 10 million children whose parents work but still can't afford health insurance. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/17/07) - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2102, the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 (also known as the media shield bill). The bill is cosponsored by Wisconsin First District Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) . It helps safeguard the free flow of information from the media to the public and provide protection at the federal level. Journalists could not be compelled by a federal entity to testify, produce documents, or disclose sources in civil and criminal cases, unless certain standards and conditions are met. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/15/07) - The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (H.R. 1727) has been passed by the House of Representatives on a voice vote. The bill, authored by Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Mary Bono (R-CA) and Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) will improve the lives of and hasten better treatments and cures for people living with paralysis. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (9/27/07) - The House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (H.R. 1727) and sent it for consideration to the full House. The bipartisan legislation, introduced in March 2007 by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues is designed to improve the lives of and hasten better treatments and cures for people living with paralysis. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has introduced legislation to effectively end U.S. military involvement in Iraq. The bill, supported by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, requires the President to begin safely redeploying U.S. troops from Iraq 120 days from enactment, as required by the emergency supplemental spending bill passed by the Senate. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM – In the wake of a government report that showed the national average price for gasoline rising for the eighth straight week, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl introduced legislation to have the federal government build oil refineries around the country. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is taking several steps to help level the playing field for farmers in Wisconsin. As the Farm Bill debate approaches, Feingold is working for increased competition in the agriculture industry and working to prevent anti-competitive practices by large agribusinesses that harm family farmers. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - As the U.S. Senate convened for the 110th Congress, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl was sworn in for his fourth term and introduced several bills related to his priorities for the new session of Congress. Kohl will serve on the Appropriations and Judiciary Committees and will be Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging; he will also become chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations panel and the Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights panel. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - First District Congressman Paul Ryan, who will serve as the Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, has expressed support for the President's call to balance the federal budget. (read more)...
![[Skip To Content]](images/spacer.gif "[Skip To Content]")
