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Quotes of the week

On the way to meet with a bunch of my fellow Navy SEALs and vets to show our strong, unified support for @PeteHegseth. He is the man we need at the Pentagon to bring back Peace through Strength.
U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, on X ahead of Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense. 

He’s totally unqualified, out of step with American values, and dangerous. His outdated views on women and far-right extremism have no place in 2025.
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, on X, before Hegseth’s confirmation hearing. 

This week’s news

— At his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Transportation this week, former Wisconsin Cong. Sean Duffy said he would like to get Boeing back on track, assuming it is implementing its safety plan. 

Duffy received many questions about various transportation issues from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation during his three-hour hearing yesterday morning. When asked about Boeing and aviation, Duffy said Boeing needs “tough love” to ensure “our skies are safe,” after a mid-air emergency with a Boeing plane last January. 

Overall, the committee was friendly to Duffy, commenting on the respect shown by eight of his nine children who joined him in the hearing room. And both Wisconsin senators backed Duffy to lead the department. 

“It is critical we have a Secretary of Transportation who understands Wisconsin’s needs and will help us keep families safe when they travel, businesses able to get their products on shelves on time, and keep our Made in Wisconsin economy moving forward,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said. “We haven’t always agreed, and I’m certain that will continue to be true, but at the end of the day, I am confident Sean is the right guy to help deliver for Wisconsin families, businesses, and workers.”

Duffy served in Congress as a Republican representing Wisconsin’s 7th district from 2011-2019, before resigning to take care of his youngest daughter. He was most recently co-host of the “Bottom Line” on Fox Business and was a lobbyist for the BGR Group. Before Congress, Duffy was a district attorney in Ashland County. 

Both Wisconsin senators introduced Duffy at his hearing, sharing their support for his appointment. 

“I am confident that Sean is the right person for this job in the upcoming administration,” Baldwin said, adding that she believed in his ability to do bipartisan work. 

And U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, spoke highly of Duffy’s experience and ability to serve as DOT secretary. 

“We are fortunate that he is willing to serve the public again, and I recommend him as secretary without reservation,” Johnson said. 

During his opening remarks, Duffy said he was honored to be before the committee, and humbled to be nominated for this position, describing his potential nomination as the “experience of a lifetime.” 

He outlined his priorities of road safety, efficient fund spending, aviation safety and innovation in transportation, highlighting his vision for a “golden age of travel.” 

“As secretary of transportation, I will work tirelessly to make travel in America more efficient, comfortable, and safe,” Duffy said. “Americans deserve to have travel experiences that make us proud.”

Members of the committee from both parties questioned Duffy on specific policies he would support if confirmed. Topics included electric vehicles, Boeing, energy efficiency, public transportation, road safety and pedestrian fatalities. 

Duffy emphasized he would work with members of the committee on their priorities. He was met with positive feedback from the committee. 

Baldwin asked Duffy about his commitment to her “Buy America” agenda, ensuring an increase in American products and workers, especially in the Department of Transportation. Duffy responded that he supported the concept and would have further discussions on the topic. 

Baldwin also asked him about accessibility on airplanes for people with disabilities and if he would be committed to promoting further accessibility. 

“Making sure that people who have disabilities have access to all modes of transportation, I think, is critically important,” Duffy responded, promising to work with Baldwin to make sure everyone has access to airplanes and other forms of transportation. 

If the committee approves Duffy, the nomination will go to the entire Senate. 

Dates for the approval have not yet been determined. 

— Wisconsin lawmakers praised news of a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Gaza less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. 

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Town of Vermont, said more work still needs to be done. 

“I’ve been calling for a ceasefire and a hostage release for more than a year, and I’m glad it is finally happening,” Pocan said yesterday on X. “To achieve lasting peace in the region, this deal must hold, and negotiations for a proper, two-state solution must begin in good faith.” 

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said this news was a “relief,” but also acknowledged the continued work ahead of the Congress and new administration. 

“We have to return every single hostage, end this war for good, and start down a path to lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. That work must begin now,” Baldwin said. 

Meanwhile, Republicans credited Trump’s leadership for the deal. 

“I am very glad to see that a ceasefire deal has been reached that includes the release of the hostages,” U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, R-De Pere, said in a statement. “There is no doubt that this deal is a direct result of President Trump assuming office in less than a week. I look forward to working with the President to rebuild our military and end unnecessary wars and conflicts across the globe.”

“President Trump hasn’t even taken office yet but has already demonstrated more effective leadership than President Biden ever did,” U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, said on X following the announcement. “This is what peace through strength looks like.”

— Wisconsin’s House delegation split along party lines this week as the chamber signed off on legislation that would ban transgender athletes from women’s and girls sports.

The House signed off 218-206 as two Dems joined all Republicans voting in supporting the bill.

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Town of Vermont, in a floor speech argued the measure put young girls at risk by exposing them to an invasive process to determine their sex.

“Does this mean hiring potential predators to peek at the private parts of kids in locker rooms? Now that sounds like an actual problem to me,” Pocan said. 

U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, R-De Pere, said the bill is “common sense.” 

“It is common sense that biological men have no place in women’s sports, locker rooms, or bathrooms and I look forward to seeing this bill be signed into law so we can settle this issue once and for all,” Wied said. 

The U.S. Senate would have to sign off on the legislation before it could go to the president. 

— James Skoufis, the New York state senator who’s launched a longshot bid to be the next DNC chairman, says while Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler “brings a certain skill set to this race,” he is offering a “major shakeup.”

“If you’ve been part of the apparatus for years, if not over a decade, you’re probably not as well suited as I am to be able to tell the status quo stakeholders, the D.C. consultant class and others, ‘No, we’re not doing it this way any longer,’” Skoufis told WISN’s “UpFront,” produced in partnership with WisPolitics. “We’re up to over 20 DNC members who are ranking my candidacy first. And every day, it seems like we’re getting more and more traction. I’m someone who represents a Trump plus-12 district. We need someone who knows how to win in tough places.”

Eight candidates participated in a DNC-organized forum Saturday. An expected 448 DNC members will vote Feb. 1 on a new chair.

“Ben Wikler, I’ve gotten to know him and the other candidates over the past little while, and he’s done an excellent job as state party chair,” Skoufis said. “He brings a certain skill set to this race. I just happen to bring a different skill set to this race, and I know how to go into every type of community, every type of meeting room and town hall, every type of media outlet. I was on Fox News Radio a couple weeks ago, and a lot of these places, these settings are traditionally uncomfortable for national Democrats to show up in.”

See more from the show here

Posts of the week

ICYMI

WSAW: Rep. Van Orden holds talks with frustrated Portage Co. farmers

WXOW: Sen. Baldwin introduces legislation to cut health care costs

NPR: Republican Sen. Ron Johnson says fire aid to California should come with conditions

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tom Barrett keeping his options open as he returns from ambassadorship

Spectrum News 1: Wisconsin Republicans against raising debt ceiling without spending cuts