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Floor Speech

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Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I rise today to reflect on the last 100 days and the unimaginable amount of havoc and harm President Donald Trump has caused for Wisconsinites.

Now, while on the campaign trail and even once in office, the President made a staggering number of promises: promises to end wars on day one, promises to lower costs at the grocery store on day one, promises to make healthcare more affordable. And the list goes on and on and on.

Look, I was on the campaign trail and listening to Wisconsinites at the same time as Donald Trump was. And, truly, I get why he was making some of these promises. Wisconsin families were facing high prices. Workers felt like they were being ripped off by their big-corporation employers. Democracy felt broken, as voters' voices were drowned out by special-interest money, and people were sick and tired of endless wars. Mr. Trump claimed he had the solution.

Well, so far, he has broken these promises and literally betrayed the American people.

Here is the kicker: Donald Trump not only broke these promises, but many of the things he promised to fix he has actually made worse. Grocery bills are up, and I have yet to see even a concept of a healthcare plan, while Medicaid coverage for 1 million-plus Wisconsinites is on the chopping block to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. Wars are raging in Ukraine and Gaza. Billionaires and big corporations have a friend in the White House who has their backs. It is one of the greatest bait and switches of our time. And, at the end of the day, it is Wisconsin families who are paying the price.

For the last 100 days, I have heard from constituents in all 72 Wisconsin counties who fear what this administration's actions will mean for them and their families.

I have heard from farmers like Linda in Vernon County, who barely survived Donald Trump's first trade war. Family farmers like her are scared that they will be put out of business entirely as punishing tariffs and new trade wars jack up costs of fertilizer and farming equipment, while cutting off access to markets.

I have heard from folks like Renee in Milwaukee. Renee has stage IV breast cancer. Renee is scared that cuts to Medicaid will force her and her husband to choose between protecting their life savings--their retirement savings--or getting the lifesaving cancer care that she needs to stay alive.

I have heard from veterans like James in southeastern Wisconsin who are out of a job because Donald Trump fired them from the only place that they have ever felt like they belonged in civilian life: helping their fellow veterans at the VA.

I have heard from so many small businesses, like Lakefront Brewery. There was a local roofing contractor in Milwaukee, small retailers, and an auto parts seller in Milwaukee who are all considering: Do we have to raise our prices? Will our customers be able to afford our prices? Or do we have to lay off workers because President Trump's trade war is tightening their margins and making it harder to plan for the future?

I have heard from families from Ozaukee County on Wisconsin's east coast to the St. Croix Valley on our western side who have had their childcare or food assistance threatened because this President is choosing to prioritize tax breaks for his wealthy friends over working families.

Dairy farmers saw millions in funding that they were promised to grow their businesses frozen, and Alzheimer's researchers at Wisconsin's universities are making do with less because of arbitrary cuts that threaten the next breakthrough that would serve our loved ones. Seniors accessing their hard-earned Social Security benefits have fewer places to turn as field offices shutter and staff is let go.

Public schools in Milwaukee with children in them who have been exposed to lead paint in the schools have fewer resources because President Trump fired the very lead hazard experts they relied on at the CDC. Imagine that.

I hear it from constituents every day calling my office. Now, in ordinary times, my office would maybe get around 50 to 100 calls a day, but regularly, since January, we have passed 1,000 calls a day from Wisconsinites. There isn't a corner of our State that hasn't been impacted by this President's often illegal, sometimes unconstitutional overreach of his Presidential powers.

These Wisconsinites are not alone. Poll after poll is showing the same thing: This President is reaching historically low approval ratings. More Americans are giving him an F grade than any other grade.

It is hard to state all the ways that President Trump's second term is already impacting folks in Wisconsin. His actions have made things more expensive and the future far less certain, whether you are a Wisconsin farmer or small business owner, veteran, senior, or just a family looking to make ends meet.

In January, I said I would work with anyone to deliver for Wisconsin. I also promised that I would stand up to anyone who hurts Wisconsinites. Those things remain true, and right now our country is not on the right course. And Americans agree.

Wisconsinites want lower costs. Our veterans and farmers want to be respected and working families to have a fair shot. Donald Trump's chaos isn't delivering any of that, and it is about time Congress steps up and acts as a true check and balance on this President before it is too late for our economy, working families, and the future of our Nation.

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