Message from Congressman Scott Fitzgerald

Good afternoon, everyone, and happy Monday! 

Last week was busy on Capitol Hill as we were hard at work passing the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Resolution—keeping our word to the American people.

By passing the Budget Resolution, we're moving forward on our commitment to extend the Trump Tax Cuts, secure the border, and rein in inflation through responsible spending cuts. With "one big, beautiful bill," we're advancing President Trump's America First agenda and putting our country back on a path to prosperity.

Keep reading on to hear additional updates about what's been happening in Washington and in Wisconsin. I hope you have a great week.

-Scott

Inquiry Into Ivy League Schools Colluding to Raise Tuition Prices and Harm Students

I joined Congressman Jim Jordan, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Mike Lee in demanding answers from Ivy League schools as it appears they collectively raise tuition prices while engaging in price discrimination by offering selective financial aid packages to maximize profit.

These institutions establish the industry standard for tuition pricing, creating an umbrella effect for all colleges and universities to justify higher tuition costs than they could otherwise charge in a competitive market. Read more here.

House Judiciary Committee Republicans Hold Press Conference on NIL and Antitrust Issues in Madison, WI

Last Friday, my House Judiciary Committee Republican colleagues and I held a press conference on the Madison campus of the University of Wisconsin following a roundtable discussion on the antitrust issues facing the NCAA.

The press conference highlighted the current landscape around antitrust liability for the NCAA, which has created issues around name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments, the transfer portal, and eligibility rules in college athletics.

We heard directly from NCAA leadership, student-athletes, coaches, and university stakeholders about the challenges and unintended consequences stemming from how antitrust laws are currently affecting the structure and oversight of college athletics. Hearing from those most impacted is essential as we consider potential legislative solutions that preserve fairness in the evolving model of college sports. 

Watch the full press conference in Madison, WI here.

Overdraft Protection: A Lifeline for Consumers in Emergencies

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I recently spoke on the House Floor in support of S.J. Res. 18—that will repeal the CFPB’s overdraft rule and protect consumers’ access to financial products.

In Wisconsin, community banks and credit unions are the backbone of our local economies—they know their customers, they serve their neighbors, and they provide trusted financial tools like overdraft protection to help families manage through emergencies.

The CFPB's overdraft rule amounts to government price controls that will limit access to a lawful, contractually agreed-upon product—hurting working families.

Constituent Services: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Tax Day 2025:  The IRS reminds self-employed individuals, retirees, investors, businesses and corporations that April 15, 2025 is the deadline for first quarter estimated tax payments for tax year 2025. Because federal income taxes are pay-as-you-go, the law requires individuals who don’t have taxes withheld to pay taxes as their income is received or earned throughout the year. Taxpayers who are self-employed or in the gig economy are generally required to make estimated tax payments.

Paying Estimated Taxes: Taxpayers can rely on Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, for comprehensive instructions on computing their estimated taxes. IRS Online Account streamlines the payment process for taxpayers making estimated payments. Taxpayers have several options to make estimated tax payments, by mail or pay online with IRS Direct Pay, debit card, credit card, digital wallet or the Treasury Department's Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, offers detailed information for individuals navigating dividend or capital gains income, alternative minimum tax or self-employment tax, or who have other special situations.

Tax Withholding Estimator: The IRS recommends taxpayers use the Tax Withholding Estimator tool to accurately determine the appropriate amount of tax to withhold from their paychecks.
Regularly monitoring withheld taxes helps mitigate the risk of underpayment, reducing the likelihood of unexpected tax bills or penalties during tax season.

Social Media Highlight

That wraps the updates from this edition of my eNewsletter. Thanks for reading along!  

-Scott

That's a wrap for this week's eNewsletter! Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to stay up to date on my work for the 5th District of Wisconsin.

Sincerely,

Scott Fitzgerald
Member of Congress