Vote on UW Missing-In-Action Project Funding Bill Delayed

GOP cites partial veto concerns as reason for postponing committee vote

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A bill that would provide $500,000 in annual funding for the University of Wisconsin's Missing-In-Action (MIA) Recovery and Identification project has been delayed in the state Assembly. Republican lawmakers cited concerns that Governor Tony Evers could use his partial veto power to alter the bill if it reaches his desk.

Why it matters

The UW MIA Recovery project works to identify and recover the remains of missing American service members, including over 1,500 from Wisconsin. Securing stable funding is crucial to the program's ability to continue this important work for military families seeking closure.

The details

The Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs committee was scheduled to vote on the bill on Wednesday, but committee chair Rep. William Penterman (R-Hustisford) announced it had been removed from the calendar. Penterman cited concerns within the Republican caucus about Evers potentially using his partial veto power on the bill.

  • The bill, AB 641, was introduced in the state legislature in February 2026.
  • The Assembly committee was scheduled to vote on the bill on February 5, 2026.
  • Governor Evers had previously proposed funding the UW MIA project in his 2025-27 state budget, but Republican lawmakers rejected that proposal.

The players

Rep. Christine Sinicki

A Democratic state representative from Milwaukee who is a co-author of the bill.

Sen. Dianne Hesselbein

The Democratic state Senate Minority Leader and co-author of the bill.

Gov. Tony Evers

The Democratic governor of Wisconsin, who has previously supported funding for the UW MIA project.

Rep. William Penterman

The Republican chair of the Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs committee, who postponed the committee vote on the bill.

Rep. Robin Vos

The Republican Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, who has been accused of blocking the bill.

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What they’re saying

“Many of you on this committee have come to me praising this program and tell me it's got to get done, but once again that is so disingenuous — you are showing these military families just how disingenuous your support of this bill is.”

— Rep. Christine Sinicki, Democratic state representative (wisconsinexaminer.com)

“I can't say enough how much this project means to families out there… We need to fund this so that every other family can have that same closure.”

— Rep. Maureen McCarville, Democratic state representative (wisconsinexaminer.com)

“We as a state have the opportunity to advance this piece of legislation, but unfortunately, petty politics and backroom politics has led to this being off the floor, and we are tired of the games. These games have real consequences. Every day, every year, every legislative session this does not pass is one next of kin or family member who can't bring that closure.”

— Adam Wallace, Wisconsin VFW Adjutant (wisconsinexaminer.com)

What’s next

The Assembly committee chair, Rep. William Penterman, said the bill 'just wasn't ready for primetime' and that the delay 'doesn't mean it's not going anywhere for the rest of the session.' However, the bill's co-author, Rep. Christine Sinicki, said she thinks this is likely the end of the line for the bill this session barring some change.

The takeaway

This delay highlights the ongoing partisan tensions in the Wisconsin legislature, with Republican lawmakers citing concerns about the governor's veto power as the reason for postponing the vote on a bill that has broad bipartisan support. The fate of the UW MIA Recovery project's funding now hangs in the balance, leaving military families waiting for closure.