Vukmir campaign: After Tomah VA scandal, Baldwin skipped 70% of committee hearings tasked with overseeing our veterans

Brookfield, Wis. –  After Senator Baldwin deliberately ignored the opioid crisis at the Tomah VA, she missed 70 percent of meetings of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, which is tasked with oversight of the VA. Then after being exposed for her mishandling of the Tomah VA, Baldwin quietly left the committee for another committee where she never attended hearings.

“Despite all the time she spends in DC, Senator Baldwin never shows up to work. She botched her handling of the opioid crisis at the Tomah VA, and then skipped 70% of meetings with the Government Affairs Committee, which handles oversight of the VA. After she quietly left the committee for political cover, she was assigned to Commerce where she missed 80% of the hearings,” said Leah Vukmir campaign manager Jess Ward. “To top it off, Baldwin has an atrocious attendance record for other committees, missing 60% of Appropriations hearings and 50% for the Health Committee. On the other hand, Leah is a nurse and military mom who has fought for our veterans and has been a key leader addressing the opioid epidemic, helping the 30 bills in Wisconsin’s HOPE Agenda become law.”

BACKGROUND …

From 2013 to 2016, Senator Baldwin missed at least 70 percent of eligible committee hearings for Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee.  (Congressional Hearings, U.S. Government Printing Office, Accessed 3/19/18)

In 2017, Baldwin Quietly Left The Senate Homeland Security Committee. “After all the photo-ops and press releases during her very public tenure on the committee charged with investigating alleged abuses at the Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has quietly stepped aside. The Madison Democrat who made every effort to appear out front of an opioid prescription scandal at the Tomah VA Medical Center – after she was accused of sitting on whistleblower information – has, without comment, left the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.” (M.D. Kittle, “Tammy Baldwin Quietly Leaves VA Investigative Oversight Committee,” Watchdog.org, 2/22/17)

In December 2016, Baldwin’s Announced She Would Be Serving On The Appropriations, Health, Education, Labor And Pensions, And Commerce, Science, And Transportation Committees, But Made No Mention Of Leaving The Homeland Security Committee.  “In December, Baldwin’s office sent out a press release announcing that she would continue to serve on the Appropriations and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committees. Baldwin also noted that she would join the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, considered a plum assignment. ‘I am proud to continue serving on Senate Appropriations and HELP Committees and I look forward to joining the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,’ the senator said. ‘Working on behalf of the people of Wisconsin on these committees will provide me with a great opportunity to continue focusing on issues important to our state.’ Nowhere in the statement does Baldwin mention her departure from Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, nor does she note her work on behalf of veterans’ issues. She has been silent about the matter since.” (M.D. Kittle, “Tammy Baldwin Quietly Leaves VA Investigative Oversight Committee,” Watchdog.org, 2/22/17)

Between January 2017 And August 2017, Baldwin Missed At Least 79 Percent Of Eligible Senate Commerce Committee Hearings. (Congressional Hearings, U.S. Government Printing Office, Accessed 8/27/18)

Between 2013 And March 2017, Baldwin Missed At Least 44 Percent Of Eligible Senate Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions Committee Hearings. (Congressional Hearings, U.S. Government Printing Office, Accessed 8/27/18)

Between 2015 And December 2017, Baldwin Missed At Least 58 Percent Of Eligible Senate Appropriations Committee Hearings. (Congressional Hearings, U.S. Government Printing Office, Accessed 8/27/18)

In Wisconsin, with Leah Vukmir’s help, 30 bills have been passed as part of the HOPE Agenda to help address the heroin and opioid crisis. (HOPE Agenda Legislation Website, State of Wisconsin, Accessed 10/3/18)