Opinion Pieces

I have been fighting to get on the Ways and Means Committee for 14 years. Here’s why. Milwaukee Community Journal In 1996, I was a Wisconsin state senator and witnessed through tears as the gavel fell the end of welfare as we know it.  I filibustered on the floor until into the next morning. I had my say, but the Republicans had their final say. It was crushing to witness the… Read more »

The Milwaukee Independent Let’s talk about your federal income taxes. Specifically, the more complex tax code you now face and the lack of widespread benefits of the Republican tax cuts that were promised. Republicans continue to claim that the tax law changes benefit all Americans and boost the broader economy. However, the mounting evidence demonstrates the critics were right… Read more »

The Capital Times--On Sept. 13, 2018, my constituent Sylvia got into a devastating car accident on her way to work for the Internal Revenue Service. Read more »

The Hill - A year ago, when Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Cecile Kyenge spoke in Washington at a Capitol Hill event, she emphasized the European Union’s (EU) motto: “united in diversity.” Today we can see just how deeply challenged this principle is – not just among EU member states, but throughout the world. Read more »

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service - Waking up in the middle of the night to three missed calls from Vel Phillips wasn’t an unusual occurrence. If she wanted to talk to you, the time of day sure wasn’t going to stop her. Read more »

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Russia’s war in Ukraine often seems distant and removed. The lack of attention the conflict receives is frankly unsurprising considering our president’s special affinity for Russian President Putin. Read more »

NBC Think - The president's transgressions have done more to unify our country than any policy the administration has championed. Read more »

Huffington Post - I know Paul Ryan. Before he became Speaker of the House, we shared flights to and from the Capitol. We’ve sat through countless hearings and markups together. Despite our political differences, we respected each other. Read more »

NBC Think - Americans deserve a government that mirrors more than the Mayflower. Read more »

Mic - Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke went on conservative talk radio on Wednesday — in advance of any announcement from the Trump administration — to announce that he will be accepting a position as assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Partnership and Engagement. Read more »