FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2025
CONTACT: PRESS@OPPORTUNITYWISCONSIN.ORG
Republicans shut down federal government instead of lowering health care costs for working families
While families are already struggling with high costs due to Republican-backed tariffs, and face cuts to health care and SNAP benefits, a government shutdown could further damage our economy
MADISON, Wis. – Congressional Republicans, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, have forced a government shutdown, risking further economic damage instead of acting to lower health care costs for working families. As families already struggle with high costs thanks to costly tariffs, and face cuts to SNAP and Medicaid thanks to the Republican Tax Law, the government shutdown will make it even more difficult for Wisconsinites to get ahead.
"Republicans, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, would rather shut down the government than make sure working families across Wisconsin can afford health care," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "Wisconsin families are struggling with high costs from Republican tariffs,and face cuts to their health care and food assistance—and this shutdown will only make things worse. Republicans need to stop playing political games, support plans to reverse their harmful health care cuts and prevent costs from rising even more, and reopen the government immediately."
The government shutdown comes after Republicans refused to address massive health care cost increases or prevent health insurance costs from rising, even as Wisconsinites are already receiving notices of higher premiums ahead of the ACA open enrollment period beginning in November. Without an extension of health care tax credits, millions of Americans will see their premiums rise by an average of 75 percent.
Earlier this year, Congressional Republicans, including Steil and Van Orden, passed a tax law that ripped health care away from 110,000 Wisconsinites and made drastic cuts to SNAP – forcing costs higher on necessities for many Wisconsin families. At the same time, Republican-backed tariffs are forcing costs higher on groceries and everyday items.
The shutdown could force millions of Americans to go without paychecks, delay Social Security and access to vital services for veterans', cut off nutrition assistance for pregnant women and young children through WIC, and make it even harder for families already struggling with high costs from Republican policies to make ends meet.
Wisconsinites are speaking out against the Republican-led shutdown and highlighting the real harm it could cause:
"Republicans chose to shut down the government rather than stop a health care cost crisis they created in the first place," said Jennifer Weinstein from Kenosha. "As a former teacher who depends on disability benefits, I know how crucial federal programs are for families across Wisconsin. By shutting down the government, Republicans are making it harder for people to access the benefits and services they need, including Medicare and Social Security. It's time for them to reopen the government and stop health care cost increases before even more damage is done."
"No mother or child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, but Republicans have decided to shut down the government, which could take away food assistance from women and their young children," said Bobbi Schmidt from La Crosse. "This didn't have to happen. Republicans decided to make life difficult for vulnerable families, just because they don't want to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing. It's time for Republicans to get their priorities straight, reopen the government, and make sure health care is affordable."
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