Shutdown Impacts Food Aid

Today, is the 31st day of the government shutdown. I oppose the shutdown. Over a month ago, I voted for, and the House of Representatives passed, legislation to continue current government operations and prevent the shutdown. Unfortunately, that bill has not passed the Senate. Despite continued brinksmanship in Washington, I am working to support Wisconsin families and reopen the federal government.

At my request, my pay is withheld for the duration of the federal shutdown. If our troops, federal law enforcement, and essential employees like air traffic control, do not receive pay, members of Congress should also not be collecting a paycheck. I'm currently working on legislation to prevent all members of Congress from getting paid during shutdowns to hopefully prevent future shutdowns.

I want to hear from you:

Prior to the shutdown, the House passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep our government open and important programs funded. I supported this resolution and believe the shutdown should have been avoided. However, the Senate has still not passed this proposal to fund the government. The Senate is continuing to hold votes to reopen the federal government.

Because of the ongoing shutdown, essential federal employees are not receiving pay. Additionally, funding for programs like FoodShare, food aid for low-income families, expires tomorrow. In Wisconsin, approximately 700,000 individuals receive FoodShare, with an average monthly benefit of $160 per person.

While the House voted, with my support, to fund these programs with a continuing resolution, the Senate has not met the 60 vote threshold to pass the clean CR. If seven U.S. senators change their votes, the Senate can pass the clean CR and immediately restore funding to these programs.

Despite the ongoing shutdown, I remain committed to working for Wisconsin families.

Energy Affordability

Since 2022, energy prices have increased faster than the rate of inflation. This year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that energy prices will be roughly 11% higher than in 2022. This increase has had a real impact on family budgets.

One issue with energy affordability is a movement at the federal, state, and local levels to ban certain types of energy sources.

Banning homeowners from utilizing certain types of energy sources, whether it is for heating individual households or from the energy grid, not only reduces consumer choice, it can artificially drive up costs on families or lead to utility outages. One report found that banning fossil fuels for home heating could increase costs on Wisconsin families by nearly $20,000.

Families should have the opportunity to choose the energy source that best meets their needs.

This week, I joined my colleagues in sponsoring the Energy Choice Act, H.R. 3699. This legislation ensures that states and local governments do not ban affordable energy options based on the type or source of energy to be delivered. The bill protects consumer choice and supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

Legislation signed into law this summer also unleashes American energy to bring down energy costs for American families. This includes reinstating oil and gas lease sales and coal leasing on federal lands. Increasing domestic energy production will increase energy supply and help address rising consumer demand.

The bill also eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse in energy subsidies that were passed during the Biden administration, saving taxpayers over $550 billion. For example, the bill repeals the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit, a program that provided a $7,500 subsidy for the purchase of an electric vehicle. 

These measures will help unleash American energy, strengthen our energy independence, and provide reliable, affordable energy for working families. 

Supporting Wisconsin Workers

Today, I visited the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades to discuss ways we can support Wisconsin workers and families. We need strong workforce development programs in Wisconsin to support Wisconsin families. I am working to make that a reality.

Here to Help

During the ongoing government shutdown, my office is open and here to help.

Feel free to contact my office if you have any questions, want to share an opinion, or are having trouble with a federal agency. 

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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