PBS Wisconsin Public Affairs

I'm Glenn Grothman. I'm running for reelection in Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District. It's been an honor to serve you. But 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us in Wisconsin and I'm eager to get our state back on track. First, we must ensure that we take the necessary steps with regard to COVID-19 so that we can return to normal. We need to continue to look at alternative treatments while we wait for a vaccine. I've been a champion actively promoting vitamin D, which will lower infection rates and severity as well as promoting alternative medicines. We need to be working to move our medical supply chains for masks, equipment, and medications back here in the United States, not China. Wisconsin manufacturers have already retooled to be creating millions of masks right here in Wisconsin. Second, we need to protect our healthcare. We need to ensure that the federal government doesn't take away our private health insurance plans and I've sponsored legislation to make sure that we continue to cover people with preexisting conditions. We must keep these two things in place when it comes to getting the care people need, and I'm willing to cross party lines to do it. I fought against Republican leadership in Congress when they wanted to get rid of the medical expense tax deduction. And I'll continue to oppose any effort by either party that would reduce access to care or raise the age for Social Security or Medicare. I've stood up to the drug companies to push biosimilar insulin products, which should reduce the cost and increase access for those people with diabetes. Third, I'm a strong supporter of our local law enforcement. We're blessed here in Wisconsin's 6th District to have some of the best and most professional men and women in uniform who are keeping us safe and keeping our correctional institutions safe. Most of their work goes unnoticed and I've done several ride-alongs with the local police across our district to see just exactly what their job entails. I have a lot of good Democrat friends, but every Democrat in Congress voted to make it easy for the criminals and prisoners to sue police, sheriffs, and correctional authorities. I stand with these professionals against more frivolous lawsuits. Fourth, we need to be creating economic conditions so that anyone who wants a job can find a good-paying one. Before COVID-19, Wisconsin was enjoying one of the best economic stretches in memory. We need to keep our middle-class taxes low, while ensuring that innovation and manufacturing jobs stay here in Wisconsin. I've made it a personal goal of mine to ensure as many people as possible participate in our economy. And that's why I've been a consistent supporter of work centers for people with disabilities, like RCS, Brooke Industries, Lakeside, and Ascend. I voted to undo the unfair trade deals that were negotiated by President Clinton and allowed to stay in effect, under Presidents Bush and Obama. These new deals will help our manufacturers and farmers. Fifth, I'm a staunch supporter of educational access. I wanna make sure that students are getting the education they need while staying within their financial means. I'm standing up to Republican leadership with Democrats to allow refinancing of student loans. I'm also a champion of our technical colleges. Not only do they help maintain our manufacturing base in Wisconsin and ensure that it remains one of the best in the world, but they also open the door to high quality, affordable education, frequently leading to higher wages than those people who go to a four-year college. Finally, we need to fix our immigration system. I've been to the border four times and talked to the brave men and women of the border patrol. We need to withhold foreign aid from countries that enable illegal immigration. Under President Trump's leadership, the border patrols told me we've gone from placing-- they've gone from placing 90,000 people in our country a month to under 3,000 people in our country a month. We want immigrants to come to our country, and I've been to the swearing in ceremonies for people that are coming here legally, but we also have to be committed to making sure that people do not come to our country illegally. Wisconsin 6th District is a wonderful place to live, and I try to be one of the most accessible Congressmen in the country. I make sure that I get around to safely meet and talk with as many people as possible and if reelected I will continue to be accessible and present in each one of our communities, working tirelessly for you. I ask for your vote. Thank you for listening to this message.