Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden must oppose Republican tax bill and reject devastating cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
 

Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden must oppose Republican tax bill and reject devastating cuts

GOP-backed tax bill includes massive cuts to SNAP and Medicaid to pay for new tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations


MADISON, Wis. – As early as today, Congress may vote on the Republican-backed tax bill, which includes massive cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other successful programs. 

While making devastating cuts that will reduce services and gut critical programs that help children,  veterans, and seniors access food, medical care, and other basic necessities, the bill also includes new tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and big corporations that are already well off. Recent reporting highlights how harmful this bill would be for lower-income families who will be forced to pay more out-of-pocket as programs are reduced or eliminated.

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement ahead of the vote, urging Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden to oppose the bill:

“Instead of strengthening Medicaid, lowering the cost of groceries, or delivering relief to working families, this bill forces devastating cuts onto working families, veterans, and seniors just so billionaires and big corporations can have new tax breaks they don’t need. Congressmen Steil and Van Orden must oppose this bill and these devastating cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and so many programs that help their constituents succeed. Working families, veterans, and seniors are the heart of communities across Wisconsin. Making it harder for them to put food on the table or access the healthcare they need is wrong – it’s time for Steil and Van Orden to stand with their constituents and vote no.”
 

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Senator Tammy Baldwin joins local leaders and Head Start advocates to celebrate the program’s 60th anniversary and call out Republican attempts to cut successful programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025

CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org


Senator Tammy Baldwin joins local leaders and Head Start advocates to celebrate the program’s 60th anniversary and call out Republican attempts to cut successful programs

Head Start has helped generations of Wisconsin kids access a quality education and succeed

MADISON, Wis. – Yesterday, Senator Tammy Baldwin, State Representative Lisa Subeck, and advocates for Wisconsin children and families joined a virtual press call marking the 60th anniversary of Head Start and recognizing the impact the program has had on generations of Wisconsin kids. 

Senator Baldwin and participants on the call shared the profound impact that Head Start has had on Wisconsin kids and families, and the opportunity it has created in communities across the state. In recent months, Head Start has been targeted by the Trump administration—in addition to Republican cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and countless successful programs that support working families. Just this week, House Republicans have been advancing a plan that would rip health care and food stamps from thousands of Wisconsinites just to give more tax handouts to corporations and the wealthy.


In Wisconsin alone, Head Start programs have struggled to keep their doors open thanks to federal support being cut in half. The Trump Administration has also proposed eliminating Head Start entirely, has mass-fired Head Start staff, and gutted the offices that help ensure high-quality child care is available for thousands of children and families across the country.

Senator Tammy Baldwin: “For 15,000 families in Wisconsin, Head Start has been a lifeline allowing them to access childcare so that they can go to work or go to school. However, that lifeline is in jeopardy. Just one week into President Trump's administration, Head Start programs in Wisconsin were thrown into chaos. Suddenly, they couldn't access grant funding that they were guaranteed, and that forced one Head Start in Waukesha, Wisconsin to temporarily close, leaving 250 families and 350 children without any care. And I think it's worth dwelling on that very quick moment, 250 families were left out to dry without any child care because of this administration's cruelty and incompetence.”

State Representative Lisa Subek: “We have a system now that is teetering on the edge on child care. Families can't get the childcare they need, and if they can get it, they can't afford it. Head Start is filling a critical piece of that equation, and if funding for Head Start goes away, those are kids and families in our communities who are going to lose their childcare, and those are employers who will lose their employees. So we have to turn this path around. I know that Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, two of our congressmen, have been beating the drums about cutting back programs like SNAP that provide healthy food for families in need. Programs like Head Start that serve our most vulnerable families have been successfully doing that for 60 years now.”

Meghan Roh, Program Director, Opportunity Wisconsin: “Congress is debating disastrous cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that help working families and seniors here in Wisconsin succeed just to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden have backed a Republican budget blueprint which will force trillions in cuts to programs. If they’re successful, they’ll cut these programs, add more bureaucratic red tape to make them harder to access, and Wisconsinites will pay the price. Just this week the House Agriculture Committee, which Congressman Van Orden is a member of, advanced a reconciliation bill that includes cuts to SNAP, a program that helps so many families and children in our state put food on the table. These massive cuts serve the same purpose as undermining the Head Start program: to take food, health care, education, and other vital resources from working people just to give more tax handouts to the rich.

Sondra Goldschein, Executive Director, Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy: “When the Trump administration froze Head Start funding earlier this year, as Senator Baldwin said it forced programs to suspend services for working families here in Wisconsin and across the country, and Senator Baldwin was at the front demanding that the administration restore funding. When they imposed a mass firing of Head Start employees who are responsible, among many things, for ensuring that Head Start programs operate safely, Senator Baldwin called for the immediate reinstatement of all Head Start staff. She has a long commitment of advocating for this program, including in 2023 when she was instrumental in passing a bill that provided a $1 billion increase for child care and early learning programs, which included Head Start. We are very lucky and appreciative of her leadership in the Senate right now, which is so critical, as Republicans and President Trump have made it their mission to dismantle Head Start.”

Jennie Mauer, Executive Director, Wisconsin Head Start Association: “If this program was eliminated, we'd be really undercutting our economy. And we know that families, they're getting those wraparound supports that get families connected to things like Medicaid. Over 80% of our Head Start families are accessing health care through Medicaid, and it would really be disastrous if these cuts went through. So not only are families getting connected to those needed supports and services, but while their families are working, Head Start families and Head Start kids are getting ready for school. They're getting the support and encouragement they need to be successful today and to be successful for the future.”

Brenda Mateo, Head Start Advocate and Former Head Start Parent: “I then enrolled my daughter in 2022 in the Head Start 3K program. I was a single mom, and I was raising her, and I didn't have the extra support. Head Start provided her a safe, nurturing environment and allowed her to excel and thrive, and she truly was like the other parent with me. I would not be where I am without that.”

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Congressman Van Orden must reject cuts to SNAP as Agriculture Committee begins markup of budget proposal tonight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
 

Congressman Van Orden must reject cuts to SNAP as Agriculture Committee begins markup of budget proposal tonight

Van Orden can still reverse course and vote against cuts that will raise costs and take food off his constituents’ table


MADISON, Wis. – Ahead of the House Agriculture Committee’s scheduled markup of their budget proposal this evening, Republicans in Congress and committee members like Rep. Derrick Van Orden have an opportunity to reject the bill’s disastrous cuts to SNAP. 

According to an analysis of the package, Republicans on the committee are seeking to cut $290 billion from SNAP – nearly 30 percent of the program – in order to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. With massive funding cuts and new bureaucratic red tape, seniors, children, and families are at risk of losing the benefits that help them put food on the table. Wisconsin farmers have also spoken out on the proposed SNAP cuts and how they could jeopardize benefits for 71,000 Wisconsinites. These cuts are a result of Republicans and the Trump administration’s all-out push for new tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations. With markup set to begin this evening, committee members still have an opportunity to reject these cuts and protect nutrition assistance programs.

“If these cuts become a reality, tens of thousands of Wisconsin families are at risk and would be left with more uncertainty about whether they can put food on their table—especially when the tariffs that Congressman Van Orden voted to support are raising prices across the board for working families. These cuts would be devastating to families and children who are only able to afford groceries thanks to SNAP,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “The main reason these cuts are even on the table is because Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration won’t back down from new tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Billionaires don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, but Wisconsin families will if these cuts pass. Congressman Van Orden needs to keep his word and reject these cuts during the committee markup that starts tonight .”
 

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ICYMI: Rep. Van Orden tried to have it both ways on SNAP and Medicaid cuts he voted to advance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org


ICYMI: Rep. Van Orden tried to have it both ways on SNAP and Medicaid cuts he voted to advance

Van Orden voted for a Republican budget blueprint that mandates drastic cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and more


MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, Congressman Derrick Van Orden is trying to have it both ways and hide the fact that the Republican budget blueprint he voted to advance will force harmful cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and more. 

While Van Orden continues to claim he opposes cuts to benefits, the Wisconsin Examiner exposed his hypocrisy. As a result of the budget resolution backed by Van Orden, he and his colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee are meeting next week to make massive cuts to SNAP to pay for new tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations as part of Republicans’ tax package. Thankfully, it’s not too late for him to reverse course and vote no on these dangerous cuts next week.

“Congressman Van Orden can’t erase his vote that paved the way for dangerous cuts that will slash Medicaid, SNAP, and more,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “These cuts would raise costs on Wisconsin families by cutting critical programs that help them succeed, all while giving tax breaks to the ultra-rich who are already well-off. Congressman Van Orden and Republicans in Congress need to reject these cuts and work to protect Wisconsinites’ benefits.”

Wisconsin Examiner: Van Orden opposes SNAP cuts after voting for Republican budget blueprint

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) has said he’s opposed to Republican efforts to make changes to the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, even though he voted for the Republican-authored federal budget blueprint that calls for more than $200 billion in cuts to programs including SNAP. 

. . .

Van Orden sits on the House Agriculture Committee, which oversees SNAP. The committee has been considering a proposal that would, for the first time, pass some of the cost of operating the program on to the states while also adding work requirements and implementing methods to limit future increases to benefits. 

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100 Days Later: Congressmen Van Orden and Steil Continue To Back Trump-Backed Cuts and Policies That Are Raising Prices for Working Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025
CONTACT: PRESS@OPPORTUNITYWISCONSIN.ORG


100 Days Later: Congressmen Van Orden and Steil Continue To Back Trump-Backed Cuts and Policies That Are Raising Prices for Working Families


MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement marking the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term:

“Over the past 100 days Wisconsin working families have continued to ask President Trump and Republicans in Congress to focus on policies that lower prices and give them the resources they need to succeed. Instead, Trump and Republicans like Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil have doubled down on harmful cuts to hard-earned benefits—like Medicaid and SNAP— in an all-out effort to secure new tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations. From tariffs that are raising costs on everyday items and crushing small businesses to a disastrous budget outline that will force cuts to health care, food assistance, and more, Wisconsin working families and seniors are facing high prices with fewer resources and more uncertainty about the future. From La Crosse to Racine, we’ve hosted events where Wisconsinites have spoken out in record numbers to demand better from their elected officials. Some even traveled all the way to Washington, D.C. to make their voices heard. Over the next 100 days, we urge Van Orden and Steil to reject harmful cuts to health care and food assistance to pay for tax handouts to the rich and support working families instead.”

Over the past 100 days, Wisconsinites have joined Opportunity Wisconsin in speaking out against these harmful cuts and devastating policies, including:


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TUESDAY: Congressman Mark Pocan joins La Crosse town hall meeting as Congressman Derrick Van Orden continues to dodge in-person town halls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org


TUESDAY: Congressman Mark Pocan joins La Crosse town hall meeting as Congressman Derrick Van Orden continues to dodge in-person town halls

Pocan will answer questions about harmful cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security and more as Republicans in Congress continue to advance cuts in order to fund tax breaks for the ultra-rich


LA CROSSE, Wis. – On Tuesday, Congressman Mark Pocan will join an in-person town hall meeting in La Crosse, hosted by Opportunity Wisconsin and a coalition of grassroots groups, to answer questions from Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s constituents as their own member of Congress continues to dodge in-person town hall meetings. Van Orden was also invited to attend by Opportunity Wisconsin grassroots leaders, but declined to even accept the invitation. 

“We’re grateful that Congressman Pocan is willing to have an open and direct conversation with Wisconsinites about the harmful cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and more that Republicans in Congress continue to pursue just to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and corporations,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Many families across the state are worried about how these devastating cuts would make everyday life more difficult by cutting services and increasing costs. We hope Congressman Van Orden changes his mind and is also willing to show up and have an honest conversation with the people he’s supposed to represent.”

The town hall will take place on Tuesday, April 22nd, beginning at 5:00 PM. Members of the public can RSVP online to attend.

THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TOWN HALL WITH REP. MARK POCAN

WHO
Congressman Mark Pocan
Opportunity Wisconsin
Main Street Alliance
Climate Power
Protect Our Care
Working Families Power
Family Friendly Wisconsin
Committee to Protect Health Care

WHEN
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
5 - 7 PM

WHERE
Cappella Performing Arts Center
721 King St, La Crosse, WI

RSVP
Media interested in attending should RSVP to press@opportunitywisconsin.org. 

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TAX DAY: Reps. Steil and Van Orden must start prioritizing working Wisconsin families over tax breaks for the ultra-rich

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org


TAX DAY: Reps. Steil and Van Orden must start prioritizing working Wisconsin families over tax breaks for the ultra-rich

Wisconsinites file taxes today just after Republicans in Congress approved budget resolution that paves the way for devastating cuts to Medicaid and other critical programs in order to pay for new tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations
 

MADISON, WI – As Wisconsinites file their tax returns today, many big corporations and the wealthiest Americans are poised to strike it rich if Representatives Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden get their way.

On the heels of meeting with Rep. Van Orden in Washington, DC last week, Eau Claire community members gathered on Tax Day to highlight how the Republican tax plan benefits the wealthy at the expense of working families.

Last week, Congressional Republicans advanced a budget resolution that paves the way for $1.5 trillion in cuts in order to pay for new tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has previously said the plan would force cuts to Medicaid or Medicare and other essential programs. Wisconsin’s entire Republican congressional delegation, including Reps. Van Orden and Steil, voted in favor of the resolution.

“Wisconsinites work hard, play by the rules, and pay their fair share. But too many big corporations and the ultra-rich get to play by a different set of rules that let them off the hook when it comes to paying their fair share of taxes, costing us trillions and forcing working families to pick up the slack,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Wisconsinites are already paying the price as extreme cuts by Elon Musk’s DOGE are eroding access to services our families and communities depend on. Now, Congress is set to inflict even more damage by advancing a budget resolution that will force disastrous cuts to programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and more – just so they can fund massive tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations. If Congressmen Steil and Van Orden want to help Wisconsin families succeed, rejecting these devastating cuts is the right thing to do.”

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Steil and Van Orden constituents visit Washington D.C. to demand congressmen fight for working families over tax breaks for the ultra-rich

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org


Steil and Van Orden constituents visit Washington D.C. to demand congressmen fight for working families over tax breaks for the ultra-rich

Visit comes after Congress approves budget resolution that will force devastating cuts to Medicaid and other critical programs in order to pay for new tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations


WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Wisconsinites from the 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts visited Washington D.C. to ask their members of Congress directly to prioritize working families and seniors instead of continuing an all-out push to cut programs they depend on.

Grassroots advocates and community leaders with Opportunity Wisconsin traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with their members of Congress and ask them to oppose devastating cuts that will raise costs and make it harder for Wisconsin families and communities to succeed. Participants also joined Fair Share America for a rally in front of the Capitol, calling out the continued push by President Trump and Republicans in Congress to give new tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations instead of delivering relief to those who need it most.

Yesterday, Congressional Republicans advanced a budget resolution, which will force $1.5 trillion in cuts, a move the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office previously said would force cuts to Medicaid and other essential programs. Wisconsin’s entire Republican congressional delegation, including Reps. Van Orden and Steil, voted in favor of the resolution.

Wisconsinites visiting Washington D.C. spoke out against yesterday’s vote for dangerous cuts to programs:

Oliver Winn, Eau Claire: “We’re in Washington D.C. because we’re tired of Republicans in Congress coming after programs that help our most vulnerable family members and neighbors succeed – all in an effort to give more to those who are well-off. Whether it’s making sure healthcare programs are affordable and accessible or protecting access to nutrition assistance to ensure everyone is able to put food on their table, it’s time for our elected officials to fight with us, not stand by while programs his constituents depend on are torn down. During our meeting yesterday, Congressman Van Orden made a commitment to me that he would not make cuts to these critical programs. As a Medicaid beneficiary who also relies on SNAP, his track record leaves me skeptical that he will follow through on that commitment and we will continue to hold him accountable as this process moves forward.”

LuAnn Bird, Hales Corner: “My family is already witnessing what happens when Republicans in Congress refuse to stand up to harmful cuts. My paralyzed husband put his life on the line in Vietnam.  He is completely bed bound now and he depends on the VA to keep him alive. All of his spinal cord doctors and nurses were offered a buyout with no guarantee that their jobs would be there in the future. Now his life is on the line again but this time from the Trump administration. Even more Wisconsinites will suffer unless Congressman Steil starts standing up for us and opposes even more devastating cuts while supporting tax breaks for the wealthy.  It's time for Congress to get back to the basics and fight for our working families, seniors, and veterans.”

Dr. Donn Dexter, Eau Claire: “I’ve spent more than three decades as a doctor working to keep patients healthy and thriving. That’s a mission that becomes even harder as Congress cuts programs like Medicaid and cuts back on lifesaving research that has the power to transform how we treat and prevent diseases. These shortsighted cuts are dangerous and detrimental to public health. It’s time for Congress to protect access to affordable medical care, not raise costs and shutter successful programs.”

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