A Quick Update
On Wisconsin
Class 60 of the Joseph Project kicked off in Milwaukee this week at Greater Praise Church of God in Christ. Eighteen participants completed a week-long class of interpersonal skills, interview skills and financial well-being. They will be interviewing with local companies for full-time positions. Classes are open to any constituents genuinely looking for employment opportunities, regardless of background.
On the Hill
Johnson votes to confirm Kavanaugh to Supreme Court
On Saturday, the Senate voted to confirm Judge Kavanaugh's nomination for the role of associate justice on the Supreme Court. Prior to casting his vote in support of the nomination, Senator Johnson said, "The presumption of innocence is the backbone principle to America's system of justice. By all accounts, Judge Kavanaugh is a highly qualified jurist and has led an exemplary adult life as a husband, father and member of his church and community. The uncorroborated allegations against him as a youth - revealed only at the end of the confirmation process - do not overcome the presumption of innocence or detract from Judge Kavanaugh's lifetime of dedicated public service. That is why, having reviewed his lifetime of achievement - and having spent an additional five hours reviewing the supplemental FBI report - I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court."
Senate passes Johnson bills
A key bill sponsored by Senator Johnson was included in the final Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill passed by the Senate this week. The Preventing Emerging Threats Act ensures the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have the necessary authority to protect important buildings and sites when a security risk is posed by an unauthorized drone. "By including the Preventing Emerging Threats Act in the FAA reauthorization bill, Congress has provided law enforcement authorization to counter the malign use of drones. This is a necessary first step in addressing the growing threat posed by drones in the hands of terrorists and criminals," Senator Johnson said after the bill passed.
In addition to the FAA package, the Senate also passed the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act. Senator Johnson led the effort in the Senate to pass CISA, which would rename the Department of Homeland Security's National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and would streamline functions.
Medicaid maximization schemes
Continuing his oversight to root out waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid, Senator Johnson sent a letterto Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma and a letterto Comptroller General Gene Dodaro of the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The letters seek information about state Medicaid funding schemes that may be costing federal taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars or more.
"At a time of rising federal deficits and increased federal Medicaid spending, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should closely scrutinize these schemes," Senator Johnson wrote to Administrator Verma.
Making Government Function
The Senate continued to process executive branch nominations, including positions in the Consumer Protection Safety Commission. Senator Johnson also introduced a bill to amend the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to improve the orderly transfer of executive power. The bill is currently in Senator Johnson's committee, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Coming Up
The Senate continues to work through executive branch nominations. Senators will also consider appropriations bills, the opioids package conference report, and a water infrastructure bill.
