ICYMI: Ahead of Nov. 17th funding deadline, Wisconsinites warn of negative outcomes if SNAP, Social Security administration, and other federal programs are cut

Wisconsinites are speaking out about devastating cuts backed by Wisconsin’s Republican congressional delegation

Monday, November 13, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, Wisconsinites are speaking out about devastating cuts backed by Wisconsin Republicans including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden. Republicans continue to embrace spending plans that would force seniors and working families to shoulder more of the burden, instead of working to build consensus as a potential government shutdown approaches later this week.

“Republicans including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden are once again willing to risk a government shutdown, just to push forward a devastating agenda that will raise costs and jeopardize programs that Wisconsinites depend on,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “It’s time for Congress to find a solution that funds the government without tearing down education, slashing access to Social Security, and forcing Wisconsinites to pay more out-of-pocket.”


WXPR: Wisconsinites warn of negative outcomes if federal programs are cut

Congress has one week to approve a new federal spending plan or risk a government shutdown, and some Wisconsinites are calling on lawmakers to keep working families and others in mind when weighing certain programs.

Congress recently approved a continuing resolution to keep the government running until mid-November. But with a new House Speaker in place come renewed concerns Republicans in the lower chamber will press for steep cuts before the latest deadline.

Jordan Anderson, a disability rights advocate from central Wisconsin, worries about accessing disability benefits through Social Security if his job status changes. It is even more pressing for those close to him.

"I have friends that are unable to work," Anderson explained. "They kind of depend on that one check that comes every month, and it's vital to have what they need to buy groceries."

Anderson also worries about water quality in his community, as the House passed an environmental appropriations package to cut spending by 35%. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., and Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., voted for the bill. The lawmakers did not respond to a request for comment, but generally, House GOP members have stressed the need to rein in spending.

Hard-right House members are pushing for cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under the Farm Bill reauthorization.

Linda Spaulding, a retired community college teacher from Kenosha, said lawmakers need to "read the room," and see how many working families are struggling to get by.

"You're trying to decide, 'Well, do I afford child care or can I afford food on the table?' What are you going to pick?" Spaulding asked.

Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, said it is important for the public to know House Republicans have floated cuts some might argue go beyond extreme.

"In the Labor/HHS/Education bill, the House Republicans called for an 80% cut to Title One education," Kogan pointed out. "Which is money that goes to poor school districts to make sure that they can hire teachers."

Lawmakers backing the idea say unspent COVID funding factors into their reasoning.

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As House Republicans pass government funding bills, Wisconsin families face higher housing and energy costs while wealthy tax cheats get another handout

After weeks of gridlock, Congressional Republicans and Speaker Mike Johnson are once again pushing a devastating and extreme agenda forward that hurts families, seniors, and children

Thursday, November 3, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – New Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Congressional Republicans have started pushing forward a dangerous agenda that will hurt Wisconsinites by raising costs while making it easier for wealthy tax cheats to avoid paying their fair share. Here’s a look at where things stand ahead of key government funding votes in the coming days:

• Last week House Republicans, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, voted in favor of the Republican-backed Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. This bill cuts billions in energy efficiency programs, which would lead to increased energy costs for Wisconsin families who are already dealing with rising costs. Additionally, the bill strips funding that has helped save thousands of energy industry jobs across the nation.

• Separately, Speaker Mike Johnson is once again leading the charge to protect wealthy tax cheats and corporations who refuse to pay their fair share of taxes, something Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden have voted repeatedly to do. Under the new proposal, billions would be cut from IRS programs designed to investigate the worst tax cheats who owe millions to the federal government. These programs are also lowering our deficit, with $160 million in back taxes recovered from millionaires this year alone.

• In the coming days, House Republicans are expected to vote on additional funding bills,  addressing transportation, housing, and the environment— many of which are expected to contain massive cuts to programs Wisconsinites depend upon. House Republicans, including Congressman Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, previously voted for a temporary funding plan which would’ve forced major cuts to nutrition assistance programs for women, infants, and children, while threatening access to Social Security and rural health care programs.

“Congressmen Byran Steil and Derrick Van Orden continue to support extreme cuts that will raise costs and jeopardize programs that working Wisconsinites and seniors depend on,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “While they have no problem asking middle class families to shoulder more of the burden, Republicans in Congress will move mountains to make it easier for wealthy tax cheats and big corporations to avoid paying their fair share. It’s time for Congress to get their priorities straight and put working families first.”

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ICYMI: “Van Orden is silent on Republican plans to cut $50 billion from the Farm Bill”

Up North News: Van Orden’s “relative silence in the face of a proposal for massive cuts to the next Farm Bill is getting increased attention.”

Thursday, October 26, 2023

LA CROSSE, Wis. – In case you missed it, Up North News detailed Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s silence on proposed cuts to the next Farm Bill as the legislation remains stalled in Congress. 

The Farm Bill, which expired at the end of September, is essential for giving farmers and producers the stability and security they need to plan for the years ahead. Republicans in Congress have proposed up to $50 billion in cuts, largely to conservation and nutrition programs that many farmers and families depend on. 

While negotiations remain stalled, Congressman Van Orden had been absent from Congress and missed critical votes, including yesterday’s vote to name Congressman Mike Johnson as the next Speaker of the House. 

“Congressman Derrick Van Orden isn’t doing his job, and Wisconsinites have noticed,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “It’s time for him to get to work and find solutions that help Wisconsin farm families and support our agricultural economy.”


Up North News: Van Orden is silent on Republican plans to cut $50 billion from the Farm Bill

Third District Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) landed a plum assignment when he took his seat in the US House earlier this year: a spot on the powerful House Agriculture Committee. But his relative silence in the face of a proposal for massive cuts to the next Farm Bill is getting increased attention.

“Wisconsin’s farmers need a champion more than ever,” dairy farmer Darin Von Ruden, president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, wrote in a CapTimes opinion column. “But so far Van Orden has failed to deliver anything other than empty slogans.”

Von Ruden criticized Van Orden for not proposing any amendments in the Farm Bill designed to help small farms stay healthy in the face of corporate practices that hurt prices for producers and consumers.

The Farm Bill is a major package of legislation renewed every five years that affects everything from school lunches and food assistance to market rules and environmental programs. There are also provisions about rural economic development, exports of American food, research, and food safety. Its size and scope are designed to encourage bipartisanship and cooperation between both rural and urban lawmakers.

But Republicans are calling for the removal of $50 billion that helps farmers and ranchers take part in two popular voluntary conservation projects: the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. These programs teach and incorporate practices on working farmland that protect water quality, soil health and animal habitats—and make farmland more resilient to the extreme storms and droughts that have come more frequently due to a changing climate.

There are also cuts proposed for rural economic development programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the latter of which not only prevents hunger among America’s low-income families, but serves a dual-purpose as farm support because the funds are used to purchase food.

Some of the money Republicans want to cut came through President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Politico was first to report on a letter signed by every Democratic member of the Agriculture Committee opposing the clawback of IRA funds for conservation and climate because “it would ultimately be a disservice to American farmers should these funds go elsewhere.”

“The climate-smart programs in the IRA are supported by more than 1,700 farm groups, companies, environmental advocates, leading economists, local elected officials and municipalities, and trade associations,” the Democrats wrote. 

“Wisconsin farmers and producers need a new Farm Bill and stability to be successful, but Congressman Derrick Van Orden doesn’t seem interested in helping them,” said Meghan Roh of the progressive advocacy group Opportunity Wisconsin. “Passing a new Farm Bill that supports family farmers in Wisconsin is essential for supporting our economy and giving working families the opportunity to succeed. It’s time for Rep. Van Orden to start fighting for Wisconsin’s farm families.”

Van Orden has been overseas for several days, leaving for Israel late last week for a trip he described as a fact-finding effort. He was the only Republican to miss Tuesday’s vote that chose Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) as the new Speaker of the House.

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Statement on Wisconsin Republicans’ support for Rep. Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House

Congressmen Steil and Van Orden back Johnson’s extreme record of support for raising costs, slashing Social Security and Medicare, and giving massive tax breaks the the wealthy and big corporations

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement in response to Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden’s support for Mike Johnson as the next Speaker of the House. Steil voted for Johnson’s election as Speaker this afternoon, and Van Orden tweeted his support while he was absent from today’s vote.

“Congressman Mike Johnson’s record in Congress illustrates the extreme agenda he will push for as Speaker of the House. Despite Rep. Johnson’s support for slashing Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax giveaways to big corporations and the wealthy, and votes to increase costs, Wisconsin Republicans including Congressmen Byran Steil and Derrick Van Orden are standing by him. By trusting Mike Johnson to lead the House, Steil and Van Orden are signing on to these disastrous policies and refusing to fight for working families, seniors, and children here in Wisconsin.”

Background on Congressman Mike Johnson’s record:

• Johnson chaired the extreme Republican Study Committee (RSC) in 2019-2021. Under his watch the RSC budget proposed raising the Social Security and Medicare eligibility age and slashing benefits for each program.

• In 2017 Johnson also voted for the FY 2018 RSC budget resolution, which called for increasing the Social Security Retirement age to 69 and making major changes to Medicare benefits. According to the Associated Press, “The 2018 House GOP budget reprises a controversial plan to turn Medicare into a voucher-like program for future retirees as well as the party’s efforts to repeal the ‘Obamacare’ health law.”

• Johnson voted for massive Trump-era tax handouts for big corporations and the wealthiest Americans and has co-sponsored legislation to make cuts permanent, which would balloon the nation’s deficit.

• Johnson has voted multiple times against lowering health care costs. Like Reps. Steil and Van Orden, he opposed the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped insulin costs at $35. Johnson also joined Rep. Steil in voting against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which was designed specifically to cap insulin costs.

• Last month Johnson, along with Reps. Steil and Van Orden, voted for a disastrous continuing resolution that would raise costs of housing, home heating, food, and health care. If passed, this resolution would have slashed food assistance programs for Wisconsin women, children, and seniors.

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Rep. Van Orden remains silent as Republicans propose $50 billion in Farm Bill cuts

With the Farm Bill expired, Wisconsin farmers are speaking out about Van Orden’s inaction

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden has failed to condemn a Republican proposal that includes $50 billion in cuts to the next version of the Farm Bill.

Van Orden, who serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, has failed to issue any statement on Farm Bill negotiations as Wisconsin farmers and producers are left without the ability to plan for the coming year. Under the latest Republican proposal, the next Farm Bill would include $50 billion in cuts and clawbacks, largely targeted at conservation and nutrition programs that farmers and families depend on. 

In a recent op-ed in the Cap Times, Darin Von Ruden, a third-generation Wisconsin dairy farmer, highlighted Rep. Van Orden’s record of ignoring the needs of Wisconsin farmers and inaction on a new Farm Bill. “We need a Farm Bill that looks out for smaller farmers and cracks down on the unwarranted expansion of the largest operations,” Von Ruden wrote. “The truth is, the greed and blind pursuit of capitalism is making it harder for producers here in the Third District. But despite raising these concerns with Van Orden’s office, he hasn’t included amendments to help small farms in the Farm Bill and hasn’t stood up to the big corporations who are using the current policies to put family farms out of business.”

“Wisconsin farmers and producers need a new Farm Bill and stability to be successful, but Congressman Derrick Van Orden doesn’t seem interested in helping them,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Passing a new Farm Bill that supports family farmers in Wisconsin is essential for supporting our economy and giving working families the opportunity to succeed. It’s time for Rep. Van Orden to start fighting for Wisconsin’s farm families.”

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Statement on Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s vote for Jim Jordan as Speaker of the House

Congressmen Van Orden and Jordan will work together to increase costs, jeopardize Social Security, and pass huge tax cuts for the rich and big corporations

October 17, 2023

LA CROSSE,  Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement in response to Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s vote for Jim Jordan as Speaker of the House: 

“Congressman Van Orden’s vote to elect Jim Jordan as the next Speaker of the House is a vote for a dangerous agenda that will hurt Wisconsin families and roll out the red carpet for the wealthy and big corporations. Congressmen Van Orden and Jordan are teaming up to advance disastrous policies including jeopardizing Social Security, giving massive handouts to those at the top, and raising costs for working families and seniors here in Wisconsin. Congressman Van Orden’s support for Jim Jordan shows he will continue to work against his constituents who have demanded better.”

Background on Congressman Jim Jordan’s record:

• Jordan voted to raise the Social Security Retirement age to 70 as part of the FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. 

• Jordan co-sponsored legislation which would make Trump-era tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations permanent, adding to our deficit and leaving working families behind.

• Earlier this year, Van Orden and Jordan voted to give a massive tax cut to big oil companies, which would’ve added to our deficit.

• Jordan voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which is already providing relief to Wisconsinites by capping insulin costs at $35 and investing in our communities. Van Orden also opposed the Inflation Reduction Act and voted to repeal IRS funding which is helping hold big corporations and wealthy tax cheats accountable.  

• Last month both Van Orden and Jordan voted for a disastrous continuing resolution that would raise costs of housing, home heating, food, and health care. If passed, this resolution would have slashed food assistance programs for Wisconsin women, children, and seniors.

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Statement on Rep. Bryan Steil’s vote for Jim Jordan as Speaker of the House

Congressmen Steil and Jordan will work together to increase costs, jeopardize Social Security, and pass huge tax cuts for the rich and big corporations

October 17, 2023

RACINE, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement in response to Congressman Bryan Steil’s vote for Jim Jordan as Speaker of the House: 

“Congressman Steil’s vote to elect Jim Jordan as the next Speaker of the House is a vote for a dangerous agenda that will hurt Wisconsin families and roll out the red carpet for the wealthy and big corporations. Congressmen Steil and Jordan are teaming up to advance disastrous policies including increasing the Social Security retirement age, extending Trump-era tax giveaways to those at the top, and raising costs for working families and seniors here in Wisconsin. Congressman Steil’s support for Jim Jordan shows he will continue to work against his constituents who have demanded better.”

Background on Congressman Jim Jordan’s record:

• Jordan voted to raise the Social Security Retirement age to 70 as part of the FY 2016 Republican Study Committee Budget Resolution. Steil is currently a member of the Republican Study Committee, which included an increase in the retirement age in its latest budget proposal.

• Steil and Jordan both co-sponsored legislation which would make Trump-era tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations permanent, adding to our deficit and leaving working families behind.

• Steil and Jordan both voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which is already providing relief to Wisconsinites by capping insulin costs at $35 and investing in our communities. 

• Last month both Steil and Jordan voted for a disastrous continuing resolution that would raise costs of housing, home heating, food, and health care. If passed, this resolution would have slashed food assistance programs for Wisconsin women, children, and seniors.

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Full page ad introduces cure for Rep. Bryan Steil’s ties to big pharmaceutical companies

October 12, 2023

“Taking UWORKFORUS will also result in: standing up to special interests and fighting for your constituents instead of protecting drug company profits.”

JANESVILLE, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin’s full page ad in The Janesville Gazette introduces UWORKFORUS, a fictional prescription drug that can cure Congressman Bryan Steil’s refusal to vote for lower prescription drug prices or stand up to big pharmaceutical companies.

Click here to access a high resolution version of the ad

The ad highlights Congressman Steil’s repeated votes against lowering prescription drug prices for Wisconsinites. Steil voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which successfully capped insulin prices at $35 per month for Medicare recipients and allowed Medicare to negotiate for lower prices on popular prescription drugs. Earlier this month, the White House announced that the makers of 10 commonly prescribed medications had agreed to take part in negotiations, which will lower costs for millions of Americans. 

In addition to voting against the Inflation Reduction Act, Rep. Steil also voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which was written specifically to cap insulin prices for everyone and provide relief to insulin users. 

While the ad touts UWORKFORUS as a solution “for fast-acting relief of Big Pharmatosis,” Rep. Steil may struggle to sever his relationship with big pharmaceutical companies. In fact, the pharmaceutical industry has contributed over $100,000 to Steil’s campaign, as he continues to vote to keep drug prices high.

Wisconsinites can remind Steil that he should fight for his constituents instead of protecting drug company profits by calling his office at (608) 752-4050.

Diana Tijani, a Kenosha senior who uses insulin, has spoken out against Rep. Steil’s votes, saying “I don’t think Wisconsinites should be forced to choose between making ends meet or putting food on the table and accessing the care and prescriptions they need, but if Rep. Steil had his way, that’s exactly the choice that many Wisconsinites would continue to face. It’s time for Rep. Steil to start fighting for his constituents and work to lower costs – we expect better.”

“The only real cure for Congressman Steil’s support of Big Pharma is for him to hear from his constituents and listen when they demand he fight for them instead,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Thankfully we’re already heading in the right direction thanks to Democrats who supported the Inflation Reduction Act, but it’s time for Congressman Steil to start working toward lower drug prices for Wisconsinites too.”

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