There’s no substitute for getting out of Washington and sitting down with the people who are actually running our businesses, working our farms, caring for our neighbors, and building our communities.

This week, I was across Western Wisconsin doing just that, and bringing some good news with me.

Keeping Wisconsin Open For Business

I joined the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce for a conversation with local business leaders about the issues facing employers across the region. We talked about the policies coming out of Washington and what they mean for Main Street businesses, workers, and the local economy.

I also visited DSG Supply in La Crosse, an employee-owned company that has been part of the Midwest’s business community for more than a century. With more than 1,000 employee-owners across the region, DSG is a great example of how employee ownership can give workers a real stake in the success of the company they help build.

In Onalaska, I stopped by Canvasback Cold Brew Lounge, a new local coffee shop started by Ethan and Alexa. What began as a small coffee roasting business has grown into a storefront and Onalaska’s first cold brew lounge.

And in Eau Claire, I visited Northwest Enterprises, where Jim Hager and his team are doing everything from custom steel fabrication and truck equipment to specialized repair work. These are the kinds of skilled, locally owned businesses that keep Wisconsin’s economy strong.

Small businesses like these are exactly why I fought to make sure Main Street businesses can keep more of what they earn. The Working Families Tax Cuts preserve the 20% deduction for qualified pass-through businesses and allow businesses to immediately expense 100% of qualifying investments. That means more money to hire, buy equipment, expand, and keep building right here in Wisconsin.

Supporting Wisconsin Farmers

You can’t talk about Wisconsin without talking about agriculture. I joined USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce at the Charles Burke Farm in Westby, where we got a firsthand look at conservation work in the Coon Creek watershed.

There’s a lot of history in that valley. Wisconsin farmers have been proving for generations that you can be good stewards of the land and still produce the food that feeds our country.

We also met with Organic Valley down in Cashton to talk about what they’re seeing in the marketplace and what they need from Washington.

My philosophy hasn’t changed. Wisconsin farmers know their farms better than Washington bureaucrats do. My job is to make sure they have the freedom and opportunity to keep doing what they do best.

Fighting for Rural Healthcare

I visited Grant Regional Health Center and Black River Health to hear directly from healthcare leaders about the challenges facing rural hospitals and clinics.

These aren't just hospitals on a map. They're where your neighbors work and where families go when they need care. And we’ve got a big win to talk about.

Working with CMS and the Trump Administration, we secured a change to Wisconsin’s Medicaid provider assessment that is bringing an estimated $9.6 billion in federal Medicaid funding into Wisconsin.

That means more support for the rural hospitals and healthcare providers that Wisconsin families depend on. The folks I talked to this week know exactly what that means for their communities.

Listening to Communities

I also attended a town hall on the proposed MariBell 765 kV transmission project to hear directly from fellow Wisconsinites, local leaders, and community members. When major infrastructure projects could affect Wisconsin landowners and communities, the people who live here deserve a seat at the table.

Always great seeing you guys out on the road. Thanks for taking the time to stop, talk, and tell me what’s on your mind. Until next time, I’m always glad to be home.

As always, you can reach my team at vanorden.house.gov with any questions or concerns. It's a pleasure to serve you and your family in Congress.

Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 225-5506

La Crosse Office: (608) 782-2558

Eau Claire Office: (715) 831-9214