Ron's week: Looking inside the mind of ISIS

Ron's Committee Hearings

As chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Ron tackled two major issues this week.  

Inside the Mind of ISIS: Understanding Its Goals and Ideology to Better Protect the Homeland

That was the title of Wednesday's hearing where witnesses told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee of the strategic importance of ISIS’ territorial control to its success. Witnesses also pointed out that even if ISIS attracts only a tiny fringe of the world’s Muslim population to its barbaric ideology, its potential adherents could number in the millions.

Ron talked later on CNN about what the committee heard from witnesses: “What attracts people? Is there a typical background that attracts someone to this ideology? And the answer is there is none. The diversity of people who have joined this fight, it makes it really difficult for us to really identify those and prevent it. … That’s why you get back to the main goal with ISIS is they have to be defeated.”

Click here to watch the interview.

Laying Out the Reality of the U.S. Postal Service

This hearing focused on understanding the financial realities facing the United States Postal Service. The Postal Service announced a $5.5 billion loss for fiscal year 2015, its ninth consecutive multibillion-dollar loss. These financial losses come despite earning nearly $70 billion with three consecutive years of revenue growth. The Postal Service brings in more revenue than Lowe’s, Disney, Coca Cola, Delta Airlines or McDonald’s.  Learn more here. 

Ron in Wisconsin 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Ron at Painting a Mural for MKL Day of Service

Ron vistited Milwaukee's Vincent High School on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to see City Year volunteers in action on a school beautification project. More than 40 businesses sent volunteers to participate, and Ron even got a chance to paint the UW-Oshkosh school logo!

Amazon's Kenosha Fulfillment Center

Ron got a fascinating tour of the 1-million-square-foot Amazon Fulfillment Center in Kenosha this week.  Here are some fun facts:  Fact #1: There are more than 10 miles of conveyor belts inside. Fact #2:  Amazon used enough steel in this center to build the Eiffel Tower twice!

Conservative Rating of 96%

Ron was given the Excellence Award from the American Conservative Union this week
for achieving a 96% ACU Rating score. 

Connect with Ron's Staff

Ron's staff is here to help you with federal issues at the following locations:  

Monday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Washburn Public Library, Greenwood Room
307 Washington Ave., Washburn

Tuesday, Jan. 26, noon – 1 p.m.
Citizens Connected Telephone Cooperative, Community Room
328 W. Main St., New Auburn

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center
29270 County Hwy. G, Ashland

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Fountain City Hall, Council Room
42 N. Main St., Fountain City

Thursday, Jan. 28, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Hawkins Village Hall
509 Main St., Hawkins

Thursday, Jan. 28, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
West Allis City Hall, Room 128
7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis 

Thursday, Jan. 28 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Siren Town Hall
24049 1st Ave. N., Siren

Friday, Jan. 29, 9 a.m. – noon  
Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery
N4063 Veterans Way, Spooner

Friday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Rib Lake Village Hall
655 Pearl St., Rib Lake

Friday, Jan. 29, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Hudson Area Library
700 1st St., Hudson