ICYMI: Baldwin Wraps Up Week 2 of the “Ending Chaos, Lowering Costs” Tour

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) wrapped up the second week of her “ Ending Chaos, Lowering Costs ” statewide tour with stops in Wausau, Green Bay, Monona, Waterloo, and the Twin Ports to meet with Wisconsinites and discuss how she is fighting to end the high costs and chaos that Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump have caused and her work to support our Made in Wisconsin economy. In Wausau, Senator Baldwin visited a Head Start center to highlight the chaos that President Trump has created for Wisconsin parents and childcare providers. Senator Baldwin talked with staff about how the Trump Administration’s latest attacks on Head Start will gut quality standards and jeopardize funding for the program. Since the start of 2025, the Trump Administration has leveled attacks on Head Start, including trying to eliminate the program that serves nearly 800,000 children and families, including over 16,000 Wisconsin children. Senator Baldwin is a staunch supporter of Head Start and worked to include an $85 million increase for the program in last year’s budget. In Green Bay and Monona , Senator Baldwin visited American Tent, Renegade Plastics, and Fraboni’s to discuss how President Trump’s trade war and his illegal war in Iran are driving up costs for Wisconsin small businesses and their customers. In the Twin Ports, Senator Baldwin celebrated a key investment she secured for our Made in Wisconsin economy, joining Wisconsin and Minnesota leaders to break ground on the new Blatnik Bridge. Senator Baldwin supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and fought to deliver $1 billion in federal funding for the project. In Waterloo, Senator Baldwin toured Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese to celebrate the launch of a new product and highlight a program she created and successfully funds annually to support small- and mid-sized dairy businesses. In the 2018 Farm Bill, she created the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, which has supported 600 small and mid-sized dairy businesses, including Crave Brothers, with grants to improve efficiencies, build capacity, and find new markets. Senator Baldwin’s tour of Wisconsin comes as Senator Baldwin released a brand-new report last week showing that, from the ongoing trade war, war in Iran, and chaos, Congressional Republicans and President Trump are costing Wisconsin families more than $3,300 for everyday essentials like housing, gas, and groceries. Key findings from this report can be found below: Wisconsin Families Spending $3,300+: As of June 2026, the average household in Wisconsin has had to spend more than $3,300 more on goods and services under President Trump, including $794 more on housing costs such as rent and mortgages, $310 more for groceries, and $120 more for electricity. Back-to-School Essential Cost 20% More : As the cost of essentials like lunch boxes, notepad paper, index cards, and tissues has increased by 20% or more, nearly half of parents say they are cutting back on other household expenses to make room for back-to-school shopping. Additionally, packing lunches will cost families more than $3,800 this school year, up nearly $400 from last year. Wisconsinites Spent $1 billion More on Gas : Wisconsinites have spent an estimated $1 billion more on gas. Nationwide, 75% of Americans believe that they have faced hardships due to the rising costs of gas. Farmers Spend 73% More on Diesel : Wisconsin farmers spent $43,800,000 or 73.6% more, on diesel fuel during this year’s planting season than they did last year. Read the full report here . ###