FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
New tariffs on pharmaceuticals, trucks, and furniture will drive up costs for small businesses and families as Republicans shut down government to avoid lowering health care costs
After shutting down the government to avoid lowering health care costs, Republicans are set to implement new widespread tariffs that will hurt our economy even more
MADISON, Wis. – Republicans shut down the federal government because they refused to reverse Medicaid cuts or lower health care costs for Wisconsin working families. Now, even with the government shut down, Republicans are continuing to implement and collect tariff revenues that force higher costs on Wisconsin families and small businesses.
Last week, President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on heavy-duty trucks, furniture including kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, and even a new 100% tariff on pharmaceutical products. New reports also suggest the administration is considering dramatic new tariffs on electronic devices manufactured overseas.
The Trump Administration announced that tariff revenue would continue to be collected while the government is shuttered. That means families and small businesses will continue to face higher costs for everyday items, and could also face increased health care costs, reduced access to Social Security benefits, and uncertainty over critical federal programs as the shutdown drags on.
Wisconsin Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden have voted repeatedly to protect Trump's tariffs while also voting for the Republican Tax Law that forced massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Steil and Van Orden joined Republicans in forcing a government shutdown by refusing to prevent health care costs from increasing for millions of working families.
"Republicans just shut down the government because they refused to reverse Medicaid cuts or stop health care costs from skyrocketing for Wisconsin families," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "Now they're continuing to implement and collect tariffs that will drive costs even higher on everything from kitchen cabinets to prescription drugs. The government may be shut down, but Republicans are still finding ways to hurt small businesses and working families while protecting tax breaks for billionaires. Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden need to vote to roll back these job-killing tariffs and reopen the government by reversing Medicaid cuts and lowering health care costs for Wisconsin families."
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