WATCH: New ad asks Rep. Van Orden to protect Social Security and stand up to big corporations

Wisconsinites speak out on Social Security as bills in Congress threaten their hard-earned benefits

Monday, February 19, 2024

LA CROSSE, Wis. – In a new ad from Opportunity Wisconsin, Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s constituents are speaking out about a proposal that could slash Social Security and Medicare benefits and asking the congressman to start standing up to big corporations.

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The ad features Joni and Andrew, who live in the Third Congressional District, discussing their experience paying into Social Security throughout their careers. They highlight a bill introduced by Van Orden last year which budget experts say could force programs like Social Security and Medicare to make drastic cuts. 

Republicans in Congress are also currently advancing a bill which would create a so-called “fiscal commission” that could fast-track cutting federal programs, including Social Security. Van Orden should oppose this plan.

“Wisconsinites work hard and expect Social Security to be there for them when they retire, but Congressman Van Orden’s plan would jeopardize these benefits for future generations,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “While proposing legislation that could result in harmful cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicare, Congressman Van Orden has continued to vote in favor of tax breaks for big corporations and the wealthiest Americans. It’s time for him to listen to his constituents and support economic policies that help them succeed.”

This digital ad will begin running today across the Third Congressional District and is part of a previously-announced seven-figure paid media campaign across the state.

Full Transcript:

Joni: I spent almost 30 years on my feet working hard at the factory. I paid into Social Security with every paycheck.

Andrew: I’ve been paying into Social Security since I was 16 years old. It blows my mind that Derrick Van Orden would make it harder for workers like me.

Joni: Derrick Van Orden’s plan would slash Medicare and Social Security. But Van Orden voted for huge tax breaks for corporations.

Andrew: It just doesn’t make sense to me. Derrick Van Orden should be helping us and not siding with large corporations.

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Valentine’s Day ads ask Rep. Bryan Steil: “Make us your valentine. Keep our health care costs low.”

New Opportunity Wisconsin print and digital ads highlight Steil’s votes to keep prescription drug prices high

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

KENOSHA, Wis. – This Valentine’s Day, Opportunity Wisconsin is asking Congressman Bryan Steil to keep health care costs low by opposing a bill to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions that are already saving Wisconsinites money. 

Full page newspaper ads are running across the First Congressional District this week, along with digital ads on local news sites. The ads also highlight Rep. Steil’s votes to keep prescription drug costs high. Steil voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped insulin costs at $35, established a cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare enrollees, and gave Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices. 
 

On Tuesday, Opportunity Wisconsin also made their appeal directly to Rep. Steil, delivering custom candy hearts to his office in Bristol that say “Keep Our Costs Low” and “Oppose H.R. 812.” 

“Congressman Steil has spent his time in Washington voting with Big Pharma companies, but this Valentine’s Day we hope he has a change of heart,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Today, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Wisconsinites have more money in their pockets and they’re able to access the affordable prescriptions they need. Repealing these successful reforms would be heartbreaking, which is why we’re asking Congressman Steil to do the right thing and work to keep our health care costs low instead.”

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Valentine’s Day ads ask Rep. Derrick Van Orden: “Make Wisconsin workers your valentine, not corporations”

New Opportunity Wisconsin print and digital ads tell Van Orden to lower costs for workers and hold corporations and wealthy tax cheats accountable

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

LA CROSSE, Wis. – This Valentine’s Day, Opportunity Wisconsin is asking Congressman Derrick Van Orden to lower costs for workers and hold corporations and wealthy tax cheats accountable in full page newspaper and digital ads across the Third Congressional District.

The ads highlight Rep. Van Orden’s previous votes to protect the ultra-rich and big corporations. Rep. Van Orden opposed the Inflation Reduction Act and voted to repeal funding which is already helping hold big corporations and wealthy tax cheats accountable. Van Orden’s vote would have made it easier for them to continue to avoid paying their fair share. Last year, Rep. Van Orden also voted to give a massive tax cut to big oil companies.

Now, there’s a bill in Congress, H.R. 812, that would fully repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, which would take away key provisions that are lowering costs and holding those at the top accountable. 

“We hope Congressman Van Orden will have a change of heart this Valentine’s Day and look out for Wisconsin workers,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “For too long, he has voted for tax breaks for big corporations and to make it easier for wealthy tax cheats to avoid paying their fair share. While we’ve made progress to lower costs and hold the ultra-rich accountable thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Republicans in Congress continue to propose a heartbreaking repeal of these reforms. We hope Congressman Van Orden will start putting his constituents first, not corporations.”

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ICYMI: New report details Wisconsinites’ prescription drug savings thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act

Department of Health and Human Services: “about 299,000 Wisconsinites will save an average of $475 per year on prescription drug costs”

Friday, February 9, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services details how Wisconsinites are already saving money on prescription drug costs thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.

According to the report, nearly 300,000 Wisconsinites will save an average of $475 a year on prescription drugs beginning next year. The report also details how Wisconsin’s 1.3 million Medicare recipients are already benefiting from the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions, including:

• Tens of thousands of Wisconsin seniors are already benefiting from the law’s cap on insulin costs and free vaccines

• In 2024, the changes to Medicare’s prescription drug benefit are expected to save about 234,000 Medicare Part D enrollees in Wisconsin a total of over $66 million.

• Nearly 32,000 Medicare Part B and Part D enrollees in Wisconsin would have saved an average of $628 per person in 2020 on their insulin costs under the Inflation Reduction Act.

• Over 81,000 Medicare Part D enrollees in Wisconsin would have saved an average of $80 in 2021 on their out-of-pocket costs for vaccines under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Beginning next year, the report also says the Inflation Reduction Act’s annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs is expected to save about 299,000 Medicare Part D enrollees in Wisconsin a total of nearly $142 million.
 

Click here to read the full report.

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: “Access to affordable prescription drugs shouldn’t be a luxury. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites are already able to keep more money in their pocket and afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy. As more provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act go into effect, including allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices, even more families across our state will benefit from this historic law.”

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Wisconsinites speak out on the importance of Social Security at roundtable discussions in La Crosse and Kenosha

As Congress advances a bill which could fast-track benefit cuts, community leaders discuss the need to protect Social Security for future generations

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – At recent roundtable discussions in La Crosse and Kenosha sponsored by Opportunity Wisconsin, Citizen Action Wisconsin, and For Our Future Wisconsin, seniors and community leaders demanded Congress oppose attempts to weaken Social Security.

As Congress advances a bill to create a so-called “fiscal commission,” which would create a fast-track process for cuts to programs including Social Security, Wisconsinites discussed the importance of the program and the difference it’s made for families across the state. Congressional Republicans have even suggested that they will attempt to include the commission in upcoming government funding packages. Roundtable participants also highlighted recent proposals in Congress which would have cut funding from the Social Security Administration, leading to longer wait times for benefits. 

Penny, La Crosse: “As a small business owner, and someone who worked my whole life raising two children as a single mom, I haven’t had the chance to put a lot away for retirement. But I’ve paid into Social Security, I’ve earned these benefits, and I’m fortunate to have them today. I’m very concerned about the future of this program and we need to make sure Congress doesn’t jeopardize these benefits.”

Jim, Kenosha: “We can’t afford cuts to Social Security, we need to keep it accessible for seniors like me who have earned it through their entire career. I started collecting Social Security a month after my 66th birthday. It has helped me afford retirement and live comfortably. We need to make sure future generations have the same opportunity, which means Congressman Steil needs to oppose any attempt to weaken Social Security benefits.”

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director: “Wisconsinites can see through this latest proposal for what it is: An attempt to make it easier for lawmakers to cut Social Security benefits without transparency, scrutiny, or accountability. If Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden want to support seniors and working families in their districts, they’ll speak out and vote against a fiscal commission that allows cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicare.” 

Last month the House Budget Committee advanced H.R. 5779, the Fiscal Commission Act of 2023. AARP and more than 100 organizations have also publicly opposed creating a fiscal commission, citing the potential for cuts to Social Security benefits.  During debate over the bill, Republicans even rejected amendments to remove Social Security and Medicare from cuts.

 

Kenosha area community members and leaders participate in a Social Security roundtable on Friday, February 2nd.

La Crosse area community members and leaders participate in a Social Security roundtable on Thursday, February 1st.

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This Groundhog Day, how many more weeks will Congress try to pass harmful cuts?

With the House only in session 10 days before the next government funding deadline, Reps. Steil and Van Orden must reject new attempts to pass cuts to critical programs

Friday, February 2, 2024

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – It’s Groundhog Day, and if the cycle of Republicans in Congress introducing spending packages laden with harmful cuts has gotten as repetitive as Bill Murray’s life in the 1993 classic, we’ve got bad news for you: There are just 10 legislative session days left before the next government funding deadline.

That’s right. Congress has spent months failing to pass spending packages, largely because House Republicans’ proposals have contained harmful cuts that would raise costs and jeopardize access to benefits for many Wisconsinites. With time running out to pass appropriations bills ahead of the March deadlines, it’s more important than ever that our Congressional delegation oppose proposals that include cuts to programs that working families depend on. 

“This is a familiar story by now: Republicans like Congressmen Steil and Van Orden vote for harmful cuts, the appropriations bills fail to pass through Congress, and we kick the can down the road. Groundhog Day is a perfect opportunity for our members of Congress to see the light and start fighting for the working families and seniors they represent. That means rejecting cuts that would make it tougher for their constituents to succeed, and starting to work on ways to lower prescription drug costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, and help families keep more money in their pockets,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “It’s time to break this cycle and finally support our neighbors across Wisconsin who expect their elected officials to look out for them.”

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President Biden visits Superior as more Americans are optimistic about the economy and relief from rising costs

President Biden and Democrats are investing in Wisconsin communities and making our state stronger thanks to funding Congressmen Bryan Steil, Tom Tiffany, and other Republicans opposed

Thursday, January 25, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit to Superior later today: 

“As Wisconsinites welcome President Biden back to the state today, they continue to see the success of policies that put working families first and make smart investments that strengthen our communities. From rebuilding bridges and roads to help grow our economy, to ensuring families and seniors are able to keep more money in their pockets thanks to lower health care and prescription drug costs, we’re better off today because of programs like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

“Wisconsinites remember that Reps. Bryan Steil, Tom Tiffany, and the rest of the state’s Republican delegation at the time voted against vital infrastructure funding that is essential to projects like the Blatnik Bridge replacement, connecting hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites with high-speed internet, and more. They’re also going to continue to demand that Republicans, including Congressman Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, reverse their opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act and reject attempts to repeal successful provisions, including the law’s cap on insulin and out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.”

President Biden’s visit to Wisconsin comes as recent surveys show Americans are more confident in the nation’s economy and relief from rising costs:

WALL STREET JOURNAL: “Americans Are Suddenly Upbeat About Economy. Sentiment Just Logged Its Biggest Jump in Decades.”

CNN: “Americans are feeling much better about the economy thanks to slowing inflation”

THE HILL: “Consumer sentiment hits highest level since 2021” 

AXIOS: “America's economic mood is improving fast, survey shows”

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ICYMI: Rep. Van Orden: “look at what we’ve accomplished. The answer is nothing.”

Congressman says the quiet part out loud as he reflects on his first year in office

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

LA CROSSE, Wis. – In case you missed it, Congressman Derrick Van Orden reflected on the work of the 118th Congress in Punchbowl News this morning. Revealing how he really feels about the record of Congressional Republicans after his first year in office, Van Orden said, “look at what we’ve accomplished. The answer is nothing.”

Van Orden’s comments come just weeks after Opportunity Wisconsin delivered a book filled with blank pages to the congressman’s La Crosse office highlighting his accomplishments for working families, or lack thereof, during his first year in office. 

“We appreciate that Congressman Van Orden apparently took time to read our book, reflect on his first year in Congress, and agree that he has failed to deliver anything for working families and seniors here in Wisconsin,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “The reality though, is that Van Orden has actually spent the past year embracing harmful cuts that would actually make it more difficult for his constituents to get ahead. While these bills thankfully weren’t signed into law, he voted to cut access to Social Security benefits, threatened nutrition assistance for Wisconsin children and families, and continued to prioritize big corporations and the wealthiest Americans. With Congress set to vote on government funding packages in the coming weeks, Rep. Van Orden will have the opportunity to finally reject harmful cuts that would jeopardize critical programs that working families rely on.”

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