Steil and Van Orden must vote no on Republican Tax Scam that rips healthcare away from Wisconsinites

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2025
CONTACT: PRESS@OPPORTUNITYWISCONSIN.ORG

Steil and Van Orden must vote no on Republican Tax Scam that rips healthcare away from Wisconsinites

The Senate version of the bill cuts Wisconsinites’ health care even more than the House version Steil and Van Orden voted for in May 

MADISON, Wis. – As the House begins debate on the Senate version of Republican Tax Scam today, Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil have an opportunity to stand up for their constituents by voting no on legislation that could rip health care coverage away from over 276,175  Wisconsinites, including seniors in nursing homes and children, all to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations.

In Wisconsin, the impacts of the Republican Tax Scam would be catastrophic: Over 276,000  Wisconsinites could lose vital health care coverage through cuts to Medicaid and thanks to changes to the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Wisconsin families, who are already struggling thanks to price increases from tariffs that Steil and Van Orden supported, could also be forced to pay over $400 more each year on their energy bills, risk taking on tens of thousands in medical debt, and insurance premiums for many families could skyrocket by as much as $1,200 per year under this Republican bill. Thousands of good-paying Wisconsin jobs are also at risk thanks to the bill’s reckless cuts to infrastructure projects, many of which are already underway.

Van Orden and Steil previously voted in favor of the House version of the Republican Tax Scam, which also included massive cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and cost-saving clean energy tax credits. The Senate version of the bill makes even more extreme cuts to health care, taking away coverage from even more Wisconsin families. 

"Congressmen Van Orden and Steil have a choice: stand with Wisconsin families who need access to health care and basic necessities, or prioritize new tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "This bill could rip health care coverage away from more than 276,000 Wisconsinites, including seniors and children, all so the ultra-wealthy can get even richer with new tax breaks. Wisconsinites value hard work, looking out for each other, and making our communities stronger; this bill does the exact opposite and needs to be rejected by our congressional delegation."

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ICYMI: Republican Tax Scam could saddle families with up to $22,800 in medical debt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2025 
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

ICYMI: Republican Tax Scam could saddle families with up to $22,800 in medical debt

CNBC: “Of the total estimated 16 million who could lose health coverage, that includes 7.8 million individuals on Medicaid and 8.2 million covered through the Affordable Care Act”

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, CNBC highlights a new report that reveals how the Republican Tax Scam could force Wisconsin families into crushing medical debt while stripping healthcare coverage from millions of Americans. The proposal, which Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden voted for in the House, could increase some families' medical debt by as much as $22,800 by forcing 16 million Americans off their health insurance.

"Republicans in Congress are once again showing their true priorities – massive tax breaks for billionaires and corporations paid for by taking food and healthcare from working families. Whether it’s raising costs or ripping healthcare coverage away, the Republican Tax Scam will make it tougher for families and seniors to succeed," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "With 16 million Americans forced off of their health insurance, many of our neighbors will have no choice but to take on massive debt just to access the medical procedures and care they need to live. Wisconsin families don’t deserve to be saddled with debt, just so those at the top can receive new tax breaks they don’t need."

CNBC: Health-care cuts in GOP's budget bill may add up to $22,800 in medical debt for some families: Report

• The Republican budget bill proposes $1.1 trillion in cuts to health care that target both Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage.
   

• The Congressional Budget Office, or CBO, a nonpartisan legislative scorekeeper, projected that about 11 million people would lose health-care coverage due to provisions in the bill passed by the House of Representatives if it’s enacted in its current form. The CBO estimated that an additional 4 million or so would lose insurance due to expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, which the bill doesn’t extend. Another 900,000 would lose coverage due to ACA rule changes the Trump administration proposed this spring.
   

• Of the total estimated 16 million who could lose health coverage, that includes 7.8 million individuals on Medicaid and 8.2 million covered through the Affordable Care Act, according to Third Way.
   

• Overall, medical debt would increase by $50 billion as a result of the budget bill changes — a 15% rise over today’s $340 billion in unpaid debts, according to Third Way.
   

• Without coverage, families may see their medical debts increase by as much as $22,800, according to Third Way’s report. About 87% of households that previously had no medical debt would accumulate an average of $22,800 in balances. Meanwhile, 13% of households may accumulate an additional average of $8,790 in medical debt on top of $13,490 in existing balances.

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Mobile billboard visits dairy breakfasts to call out Van Orden’s votes to cut SNAP and support tariffs, raising grocery costs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

Mobile billboard visits dairy breakfasts to call out Van Orden’s votes to cut SNAP and support tariffs, raising grocery costs

WEST SALEM & STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Over the weekend, Opportunity Wisconsin sent a mobile billboard to dairy breakfasts in West Salem and Stevens Point to thank Wisconsin farmers while calling out Congressman Derrick Van Orden for his recent votes that hurt Wisconsin farmers and working families and raise grocery costs all to pay for billionaire tax breaks.

Van Orden recently voted for the Republican Tax Scam, which includes massive cuts to SNAP, and to support cost-raising tariffs. Together, these policies would be a “double whammy” for Wisconsin families, seniors, veterans, and dairy farmers. They will slash the benefits that help Wisconsinites put food on the table and drive up grocery prices. This combination would also hit Wisconsin farmers’ bottom lines by reducing demand for the agricultural products they grow and sell. Republicans’ SNAP cuts and tariffs are intended to pay for new tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations who are already well-off.

The mobile billboards featured one slide with a thank you message for farmers and the other asking, “So why did [Rep. Van Orden] vote to slash farmers’ incomes and raise your grocery bills to pay for billionaire tax breaks?”:

The truck visited dairy breakfasts across Van Orden’s district on Saturday, appearing at the La Crosse County Interstate Fairgrounds in West Salem and at Dairy Days at Feltz's Dairy Store in Stevens Point.

"Wisconsin's dairy breakfasts are a celebration of our state's agricultural heritage and the hardworking farmers who feed our families," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "But instead of celebrating farmers and supporting working families here in Wisconsin, Congressman Derrick Van Orden voted for the devastating Republican Tax Scam that rips food away from hungry families by gutting SNAP, and has voted to support harmful tariffs that are raising the cost of food as well as the equipment and supplies our farmers need to succeed.”

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New 50% steel and aluminum tariffs take effect, threatening higher costs on everyday items, even Wisconsin beer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
 

New 50% steel and aluminum tariffs take effect, threatening higher costs on everyday items, even Wisconsin beer

MADISON, Wis. – Last week, President Trump doubled steel and aluminum tariffs to a staggering 50%, putting Wisconsin families at risk of paying higher prices for everyday items from beer to canned goods and cars. Congressman Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil voted to support Trump’s tariffs that are raising prices for Wisconsin families.

Even Wisconsin's craft beer industry could be particularly vulnerable to these tariff increases. According to a new report from the Brewers Association, aluminum tariffs could hit the industry particularly hard due to its reliance on aluminum cans. The group noted that even portions of domestically-produced cans include some material imported from Canada, which will force manufacturers to raise costs on breweries. Steel tariffs also threaten the industry, as most steel kegs used in the U.S. are manufactured in Europe, according to the group.

Trump’s new tariffs will have far-reaching consequences beyond beer. Prices could skyrocket on a wide range of everyday items and essentials, including other canned grocery items, building materials, cars, household appliances, and products manufactured across Wisconsin. One expert estimated that the latest increase could raise the cost of new vehicles by as much as $3,000 per vehicle. Food banks, who are also facing challenges from federal cuts and looming Republican-led cuts to SNAP, could also be disproportionately affected by the latest increase in tariffs due to their reliance on shelf-stable canned goods.

Wisconsin Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden have previously voted to protect Trump’s tariffs and voted for the Republican Tax Scam that will force massive cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs, which will also force working families to pay more out-of-pocket just to give more tax handouts to billionaires. 

"Wisconsin families are already struggling with the cost of living, doubling steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 percent will only make everyday items more expensive," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "These tariffs are a tax on small businesses and Wisconsin consumers who will be forced to pay at the grocery store and even their local bar – all while Republicans in Congress continue to push for new tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden need to demand President Trump roll back these tariffs and find solutions to lower costs for Wisconsin families and businesses."
 

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NEW: Rep. Van Orden admits his vote to cut SNAP will take food from Wisconsin kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

NEW: Rep. Van Orden admits his vote to cut SNAP will take food from Wisconsin kids

“The bill introduces new work requirements for SNAP and changes the dependent age from 18 to 7 . . . Van Orden explained children are supported until first grade."

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, Congressman Derrick Van Orden admitted that the Republican Tax Scam, which passed thanks to his deciding vote, will actually cut SNAP benefits for Wisconsin families with kids. 

In a recent interview with WQOW, Van Orden stood by his support for new bureaucratic requirements that could limit benefits to families with children. According to the report, “Van Orden explained children are supported until first grade.” Previously, Van Orden has falsely claimed the bill would not jeopardize SNAP or Medicaid benefits. 

“Congressman Van Orden has finally admitted what experts and nonpartisan officials have been saying for months: The bill he voted for will leave Wisconsin kids hungry thanks to massive cuts to SNAP,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Van Orden and Republicans in Congress are willing to sacrifice food for kids after first grade just to give new tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations who are already well-off. We expect our elected officials to look out for families and make sure they have the ability to succeed; this bill does the opposite.”

The bill makes massive cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs that help Wisconsin families, veterans, and seniors access basic necessities, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. The GOP Tax Scam, passed by Republicans in the House with Van Orden casting the deciding vote, makes massive cuts to the SNAP program. Under just one provision alone, 114,000 Wisconsinites, including families with children, seniors, and veterans, could lose access to food. In addition to taking food away from Wisconsinites, the state could be forced to come up with $315 million a year in SNAP costs, as estimated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. 

See more of Van Orden’s response and WQOW’s coverage below:

Transcript: “The bill also adds new work requirements to receive SNAP benefits. It also changes the dependent age for SNAP benefits. It changes them from 18 to 7 years old. I asked the congressman what the thought process was behind that change, he told me they wanted to make sure kids are taken care of up to first grade. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has said the state will lose more than 300 million dollars in food assistance. The state's Medicaid director has said these changes could cause 90,000 Wisconsinites to lose some or all assistance.

WQOW: Van Orden on SNAP, Medicaid, the 'Big Beautiful Bill' and town halls

• Currently, all benefit costs and half of the administration costs are covered by the federal government. Under the newly passed bill each state will now have to take on 5% of the benefit costs for SNAP and 75% of the administration costs.

• Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District voted in favor of the bill. Van Orden has been firm that he would not vote to cut Medicaid or SNAP benefits for anyone. 18 News asked him how the federal government not contributing as much to SNAP in this bill is not a cut.
  

• The bill introduces new work requirements for SNAP and changes the dependent age from 18 to 7. Someone caring for a child under 7 will not have the work requirements. 

• Van Orden explained children are supported until first grade.

• The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports that the state may lose over $300 million in food assistance under this bill.

• The state's Medicaid director warned that these changes could impact 90,000 Wisconsinites, potentially reducing or eliminating their assistance.

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ICYMI: Rep. Mark Pocan holds Eau Claire town hall to highlight Republican cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to pay for billionaire tax breaks backed by Rep. Van Orden

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
 

ICYMI: Rep. Mark Pocan holds Eau Claire town hall to highlight Republican cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to pay for billionaire tax breaks backed by Rep. Van Orden

Over 100 Third District residents joined Pocan and local leaders at the town hall as Van Orden continues to dodge in-person meetings following his vote for devastating cuts

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – While Congressman Derrick Van Orden once again refused to show up and face his constituents in person, Congressman Mark Pocan was joined Saturday by more than 100 people at a town hall meeting to discuss the GOP Tax Scam—which makes devastating cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and more to pay for corporate and billionaire tax handouts and is backed by Republicans in Congress including Van Orden.

Attendees raised serious concerns about the bill's massive cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs that help Wisconsin families, veterans, and seniors access basic necessities, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. The GOP Tax Scam, passed by Republicans in the House with Van Orden casting the deciding vote, makes massive cuts to the SNAP program. Under just one provision alone, 114,000 Wisconsinites, including families with children, seniors, and veterans, could lose access to food. In addition to taking food away from Wisconsinites, the state could be forced to come up with $315 million a year in SNAP costs, as estimated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. 

“Because of Congressman Van Orden’s deciding vote in favor of these devastating cuts, his constituents have serious questions about the future of Medicaid, SNAP, and successful programs that help Wisconsin families succeed. We’re grateful that Congressman Pocan was willing to have an open and direct conversation with Wisconsinites about what these harmful cuts will mean for them,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. 

WQOW: Rep. Pocan holds Eau Claire town hall in Rep. Van Orden's district

• Wisconsin Democratic Congressman Mark Pocan was in Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden's district Saturday holding a town hall in Eau Claire.
   

• The event was hosted by Opportunity Wisconsin. Van Orden was invited, but declined to attend.
   

• Pocan spoke to a crowd of about 100 people about President Trump's budget, the "Big Beautiful bill" passed by the House this month. Pocan focused on concerns over Medicaid and SNAP.
   

• Under the bill, the states would be required to take on 5% of the cost for SNAP benefits and 75% of administration costs. Currently the benefits are 100% funded by the federal government and states pay 50% of administration costs. The bill also adds new work requirements to qualify for benefits.
   

• The Wisconsin Department of Health Services estimates the state would lose $300 million dollars in food assistance under the bill.

WEAU: Eau Claire town hall discusses President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'

• Congressman Mark Pocan hosting a town hall meeting with constituents in Eau Claire. Addressing the U.S. House passing President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’.
   

• Jodi Emerson, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, explains how this impacts the state after hearing about the bill.
   

• “We’re seeing some really really fast things moving in Washington.“ she said ”At the state level, we’re trying to build the state budget right now, which is almost impossible when we don’t know what’s happening in D.C.”
   

• More than 100 people gathering to hear about the bill. Congressman Mark Pocan saying there’s little effort at bipartisanship.
   

• Pocan said “I think people are just really frustrated about what they can do, right. They don’t like the direction of Washington right now, they don’t like this bill that’s going to hurt people they know.”
   

• Shifting into healthcare and the areas the federal government will no longer fund if the bill is passed.
   

• “It will require a half a trillion dollar cut to Medicare. They defund Planned Parenthood, they effectively ban every Affordable Care Act insurance plan from covering abortion. They ban gender affirming care for all individuals on Medicaid in the ACA Exchange Plans. They rescind protections for nursing home residents that ensure adequate staffing.” Pocan said.

Leader-Telegram: Rep. Pocan hosts 'town hall' in Van Orden's district

• Pocan was critical of Van Orden voting for “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which passed 215-214. The budget proposal now moves on to the Senate for consideration. All six Republicans from Wisconsin in the U.S. House voted for it; Pocan voted against it. Democrats have been critical of the budget bill, saying it will cut funding for Medicaid while giving tax breaks to people earning $1 million or more.
   

• “It’s a big beautiful bill for billionaires,” Pocan told the crowd. “This bill is a huge debt-buster.”
   

• Pocan noted that the Congressional Budget Office, which is a non-partisan agency, has said the budget proposal would add $5 trillion to the national debt.
   

• Pocan noted that one of every three children in Wisconsin gets their health care through Medicaid, and that perhaps 28,000 state residents would lose their health care under this bill. The budget bill also would cut SNAP food share benefits, Pocan said. 

Wisconsin Examiner: Pocan holds town hall in Van Orden’s district, calls GOP budget the worst he’s ever seen

• Pocan focused on what President Dondald Trump (R) has called “the Big Beautiful Bill” that was recently passed by the House of Representatives, and which  Pocan called “the worst bill I’ve ever seen introduced by anyone, by any political party.”
   

• He chided Republican supporters for cutting  Medicaid benefits  for nearly 14 million Americans,  raising the premiums for the Affordable  Care Act (ACA), and cutting food assistance to 11 million mostly low-income children through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
   

• The Republican budget reconciliation package  also extends  tax cuts passed in 2017 for America’s top earners, resulting in a nearly $5 trillion national deficit over 10 years.
   

• A May 20 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of the GOP budget bill projects it would increase the national deficit by $3.8 trillion and decrease Medicaid spending by $698 billion and SNAP spending by $267 billion.
   

• A May 22 CBO projection notes the bill would reduce SNAP participation by “roughly 3.2 million people in an average month over the 2025–2034 period.”
   

• There are different projections on how many people would experience a Medicaid cut, with estimates ranging from 7.5 to 10 million.

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Massive SNAP and Medicaid cuts pass with the support of Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
 

Massive SNAP and Medicaid cuts pass with the support of Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden

GOP-backed tax bill advances new tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations, funded by cuts that will raise costs and gut critical programs

MADISON, Wis. – Today, Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden voted to pass the Republican-backed tax bill, which includes massive cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other successful programs while securing new tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. 

By reducing services and gutting critical programs that help children, veterans, and seniors access food, medical care, and other basic necessities, the bill creates new challenges as Wisconsinites continue to deal with rising costs and economic uncertainty because of tariffs. Recent reporting also 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.

With these cuts, in Wisconsin alone:

• 82,000 people could become uninsured 

• 83,000 Medicaid recipients could lose coverage

• 235,000 people could see healthcare premiums soar

“Congressmen Steil and Van Orden had every chance to reject cuts that will make the lives of their constituents more difficult, and they refused to do the right thing,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Forcing seniors, working families, and our most vulnerable neighbors to pay the price for massive tax breaks for those who are already well-off is wrong, and it’s not what Wisconsinites expect from their members of Congress.”

Constituents of Steil and Van Orden are also speaking out on today’s votes and the looming cuts to successful programs:

Oliver Winn, Eau Claire: “Last month I had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Van Orden at his office in Washington D.C., and he gave me his commitment that he would not make cuts to these critical programs. With his vote today, he has once again broken that promise. As a Medicaid beneficiary who also relies on SNAP, I’m deeply concerned about how these cuts are going to affect my ability to access the care and services I need. Giving tax breaks to billionaires with money taken from programs that make healthcare and food accessible is wrong and it’s not what we deserve from our Congressman.”

Amanda Bee, Ferryville: “This tax bill tells you everything you need to know about Congressman Van Orden’s priorities. Instead of rejecting unnecessary cuts that will raise costs on working families, seniors, and veterans, he doubled down on failed policies that give even more to those at the top, while families like mine pay the price.” 

Chelsey Myhre Foster, Coon Valley: “The cuts backed by Congressman Van Orden aren’t just wrong—they’re dangerous. They threaten to strip millions of Americans of health coverage and critical services at a time when we’re already facing a severe shortage of direct care workers and scarce support in rural communities. These cuts would make it even harder for families to access the lifesaving care they need and to meet basic needs like putting food on the table. That’s not just policy—it’s personal. It hurts our communities, our families, and our neighbors.”

Scott Hubanks, River Falls: “Billionaires don’t have to worry about affording their next meal or how they’ll cover medical bills, but that’s a reality that’s all too common for families across Wisconsin. But this tax bill puts the ultra-wealthy first, giving them more tax breaks and letting them avoid paying what they owe. Even worse, it pays for those tax breaks by targeting Medicaid, SNAP, and other successful programs that actually help people get ahead.”

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TOMORROW: Rep. Steil’s constituents host candlelight vigil at his office in opposition to GOP tax bill that guts Medicaid and SNAP to pay for more tax breaks for billionaires

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org, luann.bird@gmail.com

TOMORROW: Rep. Steil’s constituents host candlelight vigil at his office in opposition to GOP tax bill that guts Medicaid and SNAP to pay for more tax breaks for billionaires
 

SAINT FRANCIS, Wis. – Tomorrow night, constituents will gather at Congressman Bryan Steil’s office in Saint Francis to host a candlelight vigil in opposition to the GOP tax bill which could come up for a vote in the House as early as today. The bill forces devastating cuts to SNAP and Medicaid that would rip health care and food assistance from veterans, seniors, and working families to pay for more tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. 

The event is hosted by Birds on a Wire. According to founder LuAnn Bird, “We want to shine a light on the fact that Republicans in the House are planning to advance a 'Billionaires over Constituents Budget' that hurts the most vulnerable in our community while giving huge tax breaks to the wealthiest. And we want to shine a light on the fact that Republicans called a meeting last night at 1:00 am, in the dark of the night, to keep the public from knowing about these egregious cuts to keep the public from knowing what is in this bill.”

We hope Representative Steil will vote against this bill when it comes to the House floor later this week.”

The vigil is open to the public and those interested in attending may RSVP online here.

WHAT
Candlelight vigil with 1st Congressional District constituents

WHEN
Thursday, May 22, 2025
8:30 - 9:30 PM 

WHERE
3400 E Howard Avenue
Saint Francis, WI 53235

RSVP

Media interested in covering the event should RSVP to press@opportunitywisconsin.org

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