GREEN BAY, WI — State Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D–Green Bay) is urging colleagues in Madison to choose action over symbolism by fully funding Wisconsin’s homeless veteran shelters and supporting long-term services through the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP).

During Assembly debate on a bill dictating which flags municipalities can fly, Rivera-Wagner offered an amendment—backed by Republicans and Democrats—that would instead invest in keeping shelters open. He also highlighted his own legislation, Senate Bill 385, which would provide VHRP with $900,000 in 2025-26 and $1.05 million in 2026-27 to deliver mental health, substance use, and housing support for veterans.

“In Green Bay alone, too many veterans are at risk of losing the basic dignity of a roof over their heads,” said Rep. Rivera-Wagner. “Patriotism is not about restricting which flags our city can fly—it’s about honoring the men and women who carried that flag into battle by making sure they come home to shelter, not the streets.”

Rivera-Wagner, connected the issue to his own story: “As someone who knew homelessness as a child, I know no one should face that—especially not those who gave their country their all.”

He concluded: “Green Bay shows what patriotism looks like when we take care of those who took care of us. That’s why I introduced SB 385—because real patriotism means investing in veterans’ recovery and housing, not playing politics with flags.”