Educators and parents speak out on Department of Education firings and Trump’s push to close the department entirely

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

Educators and parents speak out on Department of Education firings and Trump’s push to close the department entirely

Trump moves forward with education cuts to clear the way for major tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations

MADISON, Wis. – Yesterday the Trump administration announced massive staff cuts to the U.S. Department of Education in a continued push to close the department entirely. These cuts threaten support for public schools, job training programs, and educational opportunities here in Wisconsin. 

While Trump and Republicans in Congress are threatening public schools, they continue to push for massive tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations. This announcement, along with recent attempts to cut Medicaid and other successful programs, is part of an all-out push from Republicans to funnel money to those at the top while working families pay the price.

“Kids across Wisconsin depend on public schools and programs supported by the Department of Education. These cuts will make it tougher for students to succeed and put even more pressure on parents across Wisconsin, all to funnel trillions in new tax breaks to those at the top,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Republicans in Congress, including Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, need to stand up to this move and protect resources for Wisconsin public schools.”

In response to Trump’s announcement, Wisconsin parents and educators are speaking out:

“Gutting federal support for public schools, all to pay for more tax breaks for those who are already well off, is just wrong. We should be supporting our public schools and working to ensure that everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable, have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education in their community.” - Teddy Sullivan, teaching student from Spring Valley, Wisconsin

“As a former Head Start teacher, I’ve had the privilege to see so many students succeed thanks to a quality public education. Every kid in Wisconsin deserves that same chance to learn, grow, and thrive. Gutting the Department of Education will hurt our schools and threaten our economic success. Congress needs to stand up to President Trump and ensure Wisconsin students have the support they need.” - Gwen Firmin, a former teacher from Kenosha

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Reps. Steil and Van Orden vote for continuing resolution that threatens access to Social Security, food assistance, and more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

Reps. Steil and Van Orden vote for continuing resolution that threatens access to Social Security, food assistance, and more

GOP-backed spending plan opens floodgates for Trump and Republicans in Congress to gut key programs and keep levying price-raising tariffs

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement in response to Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden voting in favor of a Republican-backed plan yesterday which would jeopardize critical programs that support Wisconsinites while allowing Trump’s tariffs and trade war to go unchecked:

“Instead of passing a clean funding package, Republicans in Congress have voted in favor of a continuing resolution that allows dangerous funding cuts and gives President Trump and Elon Musk even more power to gut critical programs. Their plan gives a green light for the evictions of vulnerable families from housing, fails to protect access to Social Security benefits, and removes Congress’ power to block harmful cost-raising tariffs from going into effect. Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Byran Steil’s votes today show they’re unwilling to stand up to these devastating cuts and price hikes that will hurt the people they represent. Republicans in Congress are demanding cuts to successful programs and allowing more tariffs just to fund new tax breaks for big corporations and billionaires – it’s time for them to stand up for working families and seniors instead.”

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ICYMI: Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office confirms GOP budget resolution will force Medicaid or Medicare cuts despite Reps. Van Orden and Steil’s claims that programs won’t be cut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

ICYMI: Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office confirms GOP budget resolution will force Medicaid or Medicare cuts despite Reps. Van Orden and Steil’s claims that programs won’t be cut

Last week Congressmen Van Orden and Steil voted to green-light cuts to key programs that their constituents depend on

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed that the budget resolution passed by House Republicans last week will force cuts to Medicaid or Medicare in order to pay for more tax handouts for corporations and billionaires. 

Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil both voted for this budget resolution, despite more than 140,000 Wisconsinites in each district relying on Medicaid coverage. Both Steil and Van Orden falsely claimed last week that Medicaid would not be cut under the plan, a claim which has now been debunked by the CBO’s report.

“There were plenty of warnings ahead of last week’s vote that this budget resolution would force steep cuts to Medicaid and other critical programs that help Wisconsin families, yet Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden still voted for it,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Megahn Roh. “Now, we have proof that the Medicaid cuts in Republicans’ plan are real, and our members of Congress need to start fighting back. This budget plan will cut programs and raise costs on working families, all to give more tax breaks to those at the very top. It’s not too late for Steil and Van Orden to do the right thing and reverse course.”

Washington Post: GOP must cut Medicaid or Medicare to achieve budget goals, CBO finds
[3/5/25, By Jacob Bogage]

• Republicans in Congress cannot reach their goal of cutting at least $1.5 trillion in spending over the next 10 years for President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” on taxes and immigration unless they cut Medicaid or Medicare benefits, lawmakers’ nonpartisan bookkeeper reported Wednesday.
   

• Trump and the GOP are seeking to extend provisions of the president’s 2017 tax cut law — which would cost nearly $5 trillion — while also pushing hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending on border security, mass deportation campaigns and national defense investments
   

• But the House GOP’s budget, which passed last week in a hairline vote, asks the committee responsible for federal health-care spending to find at least $880 billion in savings over 10 years. And the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday that reducing costs that much won’t be possible without cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
   

• But eliminating fraud and adding new work requirements will probably fall well short of the GOP’s budget goals, according to the programs’ financial reports and nonpartisan projections. That has provoked anxiety among some lawmakers who represent large numbers of people who rely on Medicaid that cuts to the program that are on the horizon.

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Billboard and advertising blitz calls on Congressman Derrick Van Orden to hold in-person town halls with constituents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025

CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

Billboard and advertising blitz calls on Congressman Derrick Van Orden to hold in-person town halls with constituents

After dodging constituents last week, Van Orden has doubled down in recent days and continues to insult constituents who deserve answers from their congressman

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Mobile billboards, digital billboards, full-page newspaper ads, and digital ads from Opportunity Wisconsin are joining the chorus of Congressman Van Orden’s constituents who are demanding he hold in-person town hall meetings to answer their questions.

Last week Van Orden abruptly pulled the plug on a scheduled event with members of his staff, saying too many constituents were interested in joining the event to express their concerns about rising prices due to tariffs, funding cuts for Medicaid and SNAP, and more tax handouts for corporations and billionaires. In the days since, Van Orden has doubled down on avoiding his constituents by threatening to prosecute them for showing up uninvited and comparing constituents’ demands to tactics from “Nazi Germany.”

Mobile billboards traveled across the district last weekend, highlighting Van Orden’s avoidance of questions from the constituents he represents in Congress. Similarly branded “Missing: Have You Seen Our Congressman?” digital billboards also went live this week in high-traffic areas. Opportunity Wisconsin will also run full-page newspaper ads this week in key newspapers, with accompanying digital ads.

Opportunity Wisconsin has also launched www.WhereIsDVO.com, where constituents can sign a petition asking their congressman to hold town hall meetings.

Similar creative is appearing across the Third District on mobile billboards, digital billboards in high-traffic areas, newspaper ads, and targeted digital ads

Congressman Van Orden’s avoidance of tough questions comes after Republicans in Congress gave a green light to massive cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs last week. Van Orden joined Republicans in passing a budget resolution which will force $1.5 trillion in cuts, including cuts to these successful and crucial programs. These cuts, along with newly enacted tariffs on key trading partners, are all designed to fund new tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations, while leaving working families with little relief.

“Congressman Van Orden apparently doesn’t want to explain why he supports cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and so many popular programs that his constituents rely on,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “While other Wisconsin Republicans are willing to face their constituents and explain their positions, Derrick Van Orden has refused. He hasn’t just refused, he has threatened constituents, thrown outrageous insults, and doubled down. We’re joining his constituents in demanding that he reverse course, hold open, in-person meetings with the people he represents, and explain his positions on cutting essential funding that his constituents rely on, tariffs that are raising already high prices on groceries and gas, and more tax handouts to corporations and billionaires.”

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New tariffs will raise prices and threaten Wisconsin’s economy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025

CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

New tariffs will raise prices and threaten Wisconsin’s economy

As new tariffs go into effect today, farmers, small businesses, and working families will pay the price

MADISON, Wis. – As new tariffs go into effect against key trading partners China, Mexico, and Canada today, some as high as 25 percent, Wisconsin working families, small businesses, and farmers will pay the price as costs increase and markets for U.S. exports are restricted. President Trump’s announcement yesterday triggered retaliatory tariffs from China and Canada, including new tariffs on U.S. agriculture exports, which are vital to Wisconsin’s economy. 

Statement from Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: 

“Tariffs as high as 25 percent on key trading partners won’t make our economy stronger or help Wisconsin families succeed, it will do the opposite. President Trump’s announcement means working families will pay more for necessities, including groceries, clothing, and gas, and our farmers and the agriculture industry are going to be squeezed even more, just so that Trump and congressional Republicans can pay for more massive tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations.  With so much economic uncertainty, it shouldn’t be difficult for Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil to speak out against this chaos and the harm these tariffs are doing to the people they represent. It’s time for them to use their voice and stand up to President Trump so we can focus on economic policies that help our state succeed instead of fall behind.”

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Steil and Van Orden back budget resolution with steep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025

CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

Steil and Van Orden back budget resolution with steep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and more

House Republican budget resolution passes, including cuts to programs Wisconsinites depend on

MADISON, Wis. – Tonight, Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil voted in favor of a budget resolution that green-lights serious cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs. With their support, the budget process will move forward in Congress and President Trump has joined Republicans in Congress in demanding massive cuts in order to pay for new tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations.

“By supporting this resolution, Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil are giving a green light to devastating cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs their constituents depend on,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “These cuts will force vulnerable families to pay more for groceries and health care, all to give corporations and billionaires more tax breaks they don’t need. It’s time for Van Orden, Steil, and Republicans in Congress to reverse course and stop these cuts before they do real damage to our economy, communities, and families.”

Earlier this week, NBC News reported on the devastating cuts included in this proposal: “The House’s budget blueprint for a tax, energy and immigration package, which the Budget Committee advanced last week, calls for at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. That includes $880 billion in spending cuts from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has Medicaid in its jurisdiction, and $230 billion from the House Agriculture Committee, which oversees SNAP.”

Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites already use Medicaid and SNAP to receive care and put food on their table. With cuts to these programs and others, Wisconsin families will be forced to pay more out-of-pocket for everyday necessities.

Potential Impact Of Medicaid and SNAP Cuts By The Numbers:

• WI-01: 

• 143,955 covered by Medicaid/CHIP

• $1.8 billion potential funding loss in the district

• 37,790 households participating in SNAP

• WI-03:

• 140,131 covered by Medicaid/CHIP

• $1.75 billion potential funding loss in the district

• 34,393 households participating in SNAP

[SOURCES: Center for American Progress, USDA]

During House Recess, Opportunity Wisconsin, along with other grassroots groups and 35 constituents, gathered at Congressman Bryan Steil’s St. Francis office to demand he oppose these massive Medicaid cuts and more tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. 

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Statement on House Republican Budget Resolution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025

CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

Statement on House Republican Budget Resolution

Resolution with dangerous cuts to SNAP and Medicaid set to be voted on by the full Congress as early as today

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement on House Republicans’ budget resolution, which advanced out of the Rules Committee last night and could be voted on by members as early as today:

“The Republican budget resolution would be devastating for Wisconsin families who rely on Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs, while delivering more tax breaks to those at the top. If it’s enacted, this plan will force steep cuts and force Wisconsinites to pay more out of their own pockets, including the 1.2 million people enrolled in Medicaid – 300,000 of which are kids. During House Recess, Opportunity Wisconsin, along with other grassroots groups and 35 constituents, gathered at Congressman Bryan Steil’s St. Francis office to demand he oppose these massive Medicaid cuts and more tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. 

“Wisconsin’s Republican congressmen, including Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil, have an opportunity to vote against this budget plan and send a clear message that these devastating cuts are off the table.”

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TOMORROW: Will Van Orden defend harmful cuts to agriculture or duck tough questions from Wisconsin farmers?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025

CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

TOMORROW: Will Van Orden defend harmful cuts to agriculture or duck tough questions from Wisconsin farmers?

While proposed SNAP cuts, tariffs, and cuts to agriculture programs raise farmers’ concerns, Van Orden has continued to back President Trump’s policies

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Tomorrow, Congressman Derrick Van Orden has an opportunity to hear directly from working Wisconsin farmers about the challenges facing them because of proposed cuts to SNAP benefits, new tariffs that increase their costs, and reckless cuts that threaten the nation’s response to the avian flu outbreak. One question remains: Will he show up?

Congressman Mark Pocan has confirmed he will attend Friday’s meeting with members of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and state legislators.

In recent weeks, Republicans have floated major cuts to nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, while farmers have been stuck with millions of dollars in bills following President Trump’s surprise cuts to federal grant and loan programs. President Trump and Republicans have also continued to pursue tariffs as high as 25 percent on key trading partners, which will raise costs of groceries and restrict export markets for American agricultural products. And recently the Trump administration admitted to firing key USDA personnel working to contain the avian flu outbreak.

Last week Van Orden visited an Eau Claire food bank where he told reporters he was surprised to hear how many members of the community relied on this resource, but declined to mention that recent Republican proposals have threatened the success of these programs.

At an Eau Claire Food Pantry, Van Orden expressed surprise at how many local families depend on the services they provide.

Here are questions Congressman Van Orden needs to answer if he refuses to meet directly with Wisconsin farmers: 

• Will you commit to opposing any cuts to SNAP as part of budget negotiations?

• Do you support tariffs as high as 25 percent on key trading partners even though they will increase grocery prices and limit export markets for agricultural products?

• Does he stand by the Trump administration’s decision to fire USDA personnel working to contain the avian flu outbreak?

• Will he continue to support new tax breaks for big corporations instead of relief for working families, seniors, and family farmers?

"Wisconsin's economy depends on supporting family farmers, our agricultural industry, and rural communities. As drastic cuts and reckless proposals threaten to drive up costs and make it harder for farmers and farm families to succeed, Congressman Van Orden owes it to his constituents to tell them where he stands,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “We hope he takes this opportunity to meet with them and that he starts speaking out against these harmful cuts that will hurt Wisconsin’s economy.”

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