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Wisconsin’s new Voter ID law is slowly being rolled out during this summer’s recall elections.

Proponents have argued that the new law—one of the most restrictive in the country—will crack down on widespread voter fraud.

But the law will do no such thing, since evidence of widespread voter fraud simply doesn’t exist, according to an investigation by then-U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic, a Republican.

What the new law will do is suppress the votes cast by minority citizens, the elderly, students and the poor—voters who typically support Democrats, which is why it was passed without a single Democratic vote of support.

Even worse, the new Voter ID law—enthusiastically signed by Gov. Scott Walker, who had introduced a similar bill when he was a state representative—contradicts Wisconsin’s history.

Reversing its position, the state Department of Health Services has cleared the way for the City of Milwaukee and others to apply for federal grants totaling roughly $30 million over five years for public health initiatives to stop smoking, reduce obesity and promote healthier lifestyles.

The department’s support is required to apply for the grants.

Stephanie Smiley, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health Services, said that Gov. Scott Walker decided the state should support the grant applications after he received more details on the planned initiatives.

Dennis Smith, secretary of the department, had contended that the initiatives would duplicate services already being offered in Wisconsin and would not provide the needed letters of support.

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH) held a press conference on Capitol Hill today in opposition to the voter ID laws sweeping states across the country. The event featured statements from Reverend Jesse Jackson, the ACLU, the National Action Network, and other civil rights leaders, along with a host of congressional representatives.

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Rep. Corinne Brown (D-FL), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) were among the leaders who spoke out in strong opposition to photo ID requirements at the polls, emphasizing the laws’ disproportionate effect on the elderly, students, low-income communities, and people of color. This week, Rep. Fudge and twenty congressional representatives signed on to a letter addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder, requesting that the Department of Justice investigate the constitutionality of voter ID requirements, which could possibly violate the Voter Rights Act of 1965. As Campus Progress previously reported, on June 29 Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO) circulated a similar letter to AG Holder which was signed by 15 Senators.

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday marshaled a key constituency in her push to protect entitlements: women.

“We know firsthand the impact of changes in Medicare,” said Pelosi, flanked by 14 other Democratic women. “We know it because we are women and caregivers and we know it because of the people we represent. We know it because of the special interest we have taken in this bedrock of security for women and families in our country.”

Several lawmakers pointed out that women tend to live longer than men, and are usually the primary caregivers in families – making their dependency on key social programs that much more urgent.

WASHINGTON (MNI) – House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Tuesday said she is committed to a “balanced bipartisan approach” in dealing with Medicare and Social Security cuts, and that cutting benefits in these programs would have very negative effects on the nation’s elderly.

Pelosi and other Democratic congresswomen criticized Republican goals for Medicare and Social Security, saying they would hurt struggling communities like senior citizens and especially women.
“Without Social Security more than half of women over the age of 65 would fall into poverty,” Pelosi said at a news conference.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois), added that “women cannot afford cuts in their benefits,” and that “Social Security cuts should not even be on the table at this time.”
Schakowsy went on to add, “Republicans want to cut Medicare and Social Security and not touch the million and billionaires.”

The Milwaukee region should improve its transportation connections, consider a new air cargo facility near General Mitchell International Airport and work together as a region to take advantage of economic development potential near the airport, according to a new study presented Tuesday.

Milwaukee Aerotropolis Corp., a public-private partnership, held a presentation and press conference Tuesday about how to create an “aerotropolis” around the airport that will help attract businesses, jobs and investment to the south side of Milwaukee and the surrounding suburbs. The corporation is a joint effort of the Airport Gateway Business Association, eight municipalities surrounding the airport, Milwaukee County and the state.

MILWAUKEE — U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore is fighting against looming cuts to hunger programs.

Moore joined members of the Hunger Task Force to talk to a group of seniors at Northcott Neighborhood House on Thursday morning.

The congresswoman urged the crowd to contact Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Ron Johnson to stop them from passing an agriculture spending bill.

The measure would cut $38 million from the Stockbox program. Stock boxes are monthly food deliveries to low-income families.

The state is blocking plans by the Milwaukee Health Department and University Health Services in Madison to apply for federal grants that would provide about $27.5 million for health programs designed to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce chronic diseases such as diabetes.

Dennis Smith, secretary of the state Department of Health Services, contends that the programs would duplicate services already being offered in Wisconsin.
“Why are we asking for taxpayers’ money for stuff that we are already doing?” he asked. “How long have people been doing tobacco cessation, for heaven’s sake? This is stuff that goes on all the time.”

A bipartisan group of six Members of the House of Representatives today released a joint letter calling for a reduction in U.S. military spending by scaling back worldwide military commitments. The letter was signed by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Congressman John Campbell (R-CA), Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ), Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX).

The six Members will now circulate the letter in the House of Representatives, asking other Members to co-sign the letter before it is finalized and sent to the President as well as House and Senate leaders.