ICYMI: Van Orden promised to protect Medicaid, then voted for cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org 
 

ICYMI: Van Orden promised to protect Medicaid, then voted for cuts

One year later, the promise Van Orden made not to cut benefits is still broken

MADISON, Wis. — In case you missed it, the Capital Times published an op-ed today outlining how Congressman Van Orden broke his promise not to cut benefits for his constituents, and how a year later, it remains critical that these cuts are reversed.

In the op-ed, Kate Schanhofer, whose mom is a constituent of Van Orden’s, recounts her meeting with the congressman last April where he told participants that he wouldn’t cut any benefits. Weeks later, he voted for the Republican Tax Law, which included the largest cut to Medicaid in history. For families like Kate’s, Medicaid is critical affording care, and it’s more important than ever for Congress to reverse these cuts.

"Van Orden looked Wisconsin families in the eye and promised their benefits wouldn't be cut — he even put it in writing," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "Then he turned around and voted for the biggest Medicaid cuts in history to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Wisconsin families need our members of Congress to keep their word and restore these devastating cuts."

Capital Times: Opinion: Van Orden promised to protect Medicaid, then voted for cuts

• One year ago I went to Washington, D.C., to visit with U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden. He promised to protect benefits for constituents like my mom, who depends on Medicaid. And one year later, that promise is still broken, and things are getting worse.
   

• My mom has supported me in every way my entire life. So when I heard that Congress might cut Medicaid, which pays for my mom’s long-term care, it was my turn to go to bat for her. I had the opportunity to meet the congressman with a group of his constituents who shared similar concerns about looming federal cuts.
   

• After hearing us all out, Van Orden looked us in the eye and promised us that he wouldn't vote to cut benefits. This wasn't an off-handed remark. He took the time to make it look like the promise was genuine. He even put it in writing, signing a letter addressed to my mom promising to not cut her benefits — and even sealed the letter with his own monogrammed wax stamp.
   

• This wasn’t the only time he made this promise. Van Orden told constituents repeatedly that there would be no cuts to Medicaid. Last year, he said, "If you are an American citizen that is lawfully receiving benefits from the federal government, your benefits will not be cut by a nickel." He even accused Democrats of "fear-mongering" and insisted "there are no cuts to Medicaid."
   

• Then, just weeks later, he voted for the Republican tax law — legislation that included the largest Medicaid cut in American history — more than all previous Medicaid cuts in history combined.
   

• Derrick Van Orden needs to remember the real people, his constituents, behind Medicaid. Protecting Medicaid means standing up for our parents, our neighbors and our most vulnerable family members. For Van Orden, it means standing up for those he was elected to represent. Van Orden needs to fight to restore the Medicaid funding he voted to cut. He needs to prioritize health care for working families over tax breaks for billionaires.

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TARIFF TUESDAYS - APRIL 21, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
 

Your weekly update on how Trump’s tariff chaos is hitting Wisconsin families and small businesses — and what Congress is (not) doing about it.
 

THE REFUND YOU WON'T BE GETTING

This week, the Trump administration launched an online portal to refund money back from tariffs the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. There's just one catch: it's not for you.

The portal — known as CAPE, or Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries — allows companies that directly paid import taxes to apply for refunds on the $166 billion the government collected before the Supreme Court struck the tariffs down. Only the formal importer of record is eligible. Consumers who paid higher prices on imported products are not eligible to submit claims.

Wisconsin families absorbed thousands of dollars in higher prices over the past year — $1,744 on average — as businesses passed tariff costs straight to the checkout line. All while families have also dealt with Republican-backed cuts to benefits, and now are facing skyrocketing costs from their war with Iran. But businesses, not families, are now at the front of the line for refunds. 

And even for businesses, it's not simple. A Federal Reserve survey found 42% of small firms called rising tariff costs a primary financial concern, but smaller businesses, which operate on thin margins, often lack the legal resources to navigate the refund process, jeopardizing their ability to recoup the hundreds of thousands of dollars they lost. Only about 63% of affected import filings are covered in the first phase, and some refunds could take years to process.

And early reports from small businesses trying to navigate the system show technical glitches, long waits, and errors that are preventing them from filing their claims.

Corporations get a portal. Wisconsin families get nothing. And Congressmen Steil and Van Orden, who voted to keep these illegal tariffs in place, have said nothing about helping Wisconsinites recover the thousands they’ve spent.

"WE WILL NEVER GO BACK TO A ZERO-TARIFF WORLD"

If you were hoping the refund portal was a sign of relief to come, the Trump administration has a message for you. This week, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer traveled to Mexico City and reportedly told the auto and steel industries directly: "Tariffs are here to stay. President Trump likes them. We will never go back to a zero-tariff world."

Greer made the comments as part of discussions over the USMCA renegotiation, making clear that even a new trade deal won't mean the end of tariffs for Wisconsin manufacturers, farmers, and families. The current 10% global tariff is already in effect and the administration is signaling it wants more.

Van Orden and Steil have now been silent for 56 days since the new global tariff went into effect. It’s time for them to speak out and support an end to tariffs that are driving up costs for their constituents. 

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Wisconsin families continue paying more so billionaires can pay less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org 
 

Wisconsin families continue paying more so billionaires can pay less

Following Opportunity Wisconsin Tax Day events across the state, Van Orden and Steil still have nothing to show for their votes but higher costs for working families

MADISON, Wis. — As Wisconsin families filed their taxes yesterday, Opportunity Wisconsin held events across the state to highlight the real cost of the Republican Tax Law — a law that raises costs on working families while delivering massive tax breaks to billionaires and corporations. Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden both voted for that law, and today they doubled down, voting in favor of a House resolution to reaffirm their support for it — congratulating themselves for a law that is hurting the very families they were elected to represent.

"Wisconsin families are being asked to pay more so that billionaires can pay less — and Van Orden and Steil have nothing to show for their votes but higher costs and lost benefits," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "Across Wisconsin this week, we heard from working families who are struggling to afford health care, groceries, and everyday essentials because of the choices these congressmen made. It’s time for Congress to fight to lower costs, not force them even higher."

The Republican Tax Law included the largest cuts to Medicaid in history, the elimination of health care tax credits that Wisconsin families relied on to afford coverage, and deep cuts to food assistance, all to fund permanent tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy. 

In addition to supporting the Republican Tax Law, both Van Orden and Steil have supported Trump administration policies that are sending costs soaring. New tariffs continue to raise prices on everyday items, including groceries, and clothing, while the Republican war with Iran is costing billions of dollars and forcing gas prices up. 

Not surprisingly, new data out this week shows Americans aren’t feeling relief on their tax bills. Just 20 percent say they felt like they paid less this year, compared to 25 percent who said they paid more and 51 percent who said they paid about what they expected to.

Yesterday afternoon Wisconsinites in La Crosse, Eau Claire, and St. Francis joined together to demand Congress work to lower costs and ensure the ultra-rich pay their fair share:

New ad holds Van Orden accountable for voting to raise energy costs on Wisconsin families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org 
 

New ad holds Van Orden accountable for voting to raise energy costs on Wisconsin families

Opportunity Wisconsin and the League of Conservation Voters launch TV spot targeting Van Orden's votes to spike utility bills and skyrocket gas prices in WI-03

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Opportunity Wisconsin and the League of Conservation Voters today launched a new television ad holding Congressman Derrick Van Orden accountable for his votes raising energy costs on Wisconsin families and urging him to stop increasing our costs. The new spot, "Paying More," highlights Van Orden's votes to slash clean energy production, which has driven up electricity costs, and to support the Republican war in Iran that is causing gas prices to soar across the Third District.

Wisconsin families are feeling the squeeze. Utility bills jumped sharply at the start of this year, and gas prices have surged above $4 a gallon as the ongoing conflict in Iran continues to roil global energy markets. Van Orden's vote last year for the Republican Tax Law, which gutted clean energy investments, could raise electricity costs for Wisconsin households by $300 a year by 2035. 

"Wisconsin families are already paying more for groceries, health care, and everyday essentials, and now Van Orden's votes are making their energy bills even higher," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "He voted to strip away the clean energy investments that were keeping electricity costs down, and he voted to keep the Republican war in Iran going, which has sent gas prices through the roof. Wisconsin families deserve a congressman who fights to lower their costs, not one who keeps raising them."

“Congressional Republicans, like Representative Derrick Van Orden, broke their promise to lower energy costs,” said Sara Chieffo, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the League of Conservation Voters. “Instead of increasing access to affordable, clean energy, Congressional Republicans voted to kneecap the resources that can lower energy costs in order to prioritize the fossil fuel industry. Their constituents deserve to know who is responsible for their skyrocketing energy costs.”

Wisconsinites can see how electricity prices have changed in their area using a new interactive tool. In the Third Congressional District electricity bills have increased 3.9 percent since March 2025. 

"PAYING MORE" TRANSCRIPT:

ANNOUNCER: "We're all paying more. Utility bills are through the roof. Now… gas prices. And Congressman Derrick Van Orden is making it worse. Derrick Van Orden voted to slash clean energy production… raising energy costs. Electricity costs could go up three hundred dollars a year in Wisconsin. And Derrick Van Orden voted to support the war in Iran that's causing gas prices to skyrocket. Tell Congressman Derrick Van Orden: Stop raising energy costs."
 

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Opportunity Wisconsin: ICYMI: Republicans eye health care cuts to pay for Iran war

After voting for the largest Medicaid cuts in history, Steil and Van Orden’s colleagues are eyeing more reductions to help fund a $200 billion war bill

MADISON, Wis. — In case you missed it, Axios is reporting that House Republicans are looking at cutting federal health care spending to help pay for a budget bill containing as much as $200 billion to fund the Iran war and expanded ICE funding for immigration operations. 

“Wisconsin families are already getting squeezed from every direction. They’re facing higher costs from tariffs, cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and skyrocketing gas prices and rising costs from the Republican war in Iran,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Now Republicans in Congress want to cut health care even further to pay for a war Wisconsin families never asked for. Congressmen Steil and Van Orden need to get their priorities straight.”

This comes after Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden voted last year for the Republican Tax Law, which included the largest Medicaid cuts in history. Republicans in Congress have also refused to restore health care tax credits, which expired at the end of last year, forcing premiums to skyrocket for many Wisconsin families. Both Van Orden and Steil previously voted to block congressional oversight of the war with Iran.

Axios: GOP weighs health care moves to pay for Iran war

• “Republicans are considering reductions in federal health spending to help pay for a budget bill containing as much as $200 billion to fund the Iran war and immigration enforcement.
   

•  It would have the effect of cutting the subsidy amount that some enrollees receive, thereby increasing out-of-pocket premium costs, while saving the government over $30 billion.
   

• The driving force is the need to pay for the war in Iran and fund ICE, the latter of which triggered the partial government shutdown. Democrats oppose both, leaving Republicans ready to use the party-line process known as reconciliation to get around a Senate filibuster.
   

• Many Republicans want any bill to be fully paid for, which is where potential health care changes come in.

One year of Trump's tariffs: Wisconsin families are still paying the price as Van Orden and Steil vote for them

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
 

One year of Trump's tariffs: Wisconsin families are still paying the price as Van Orden and Steil vote for them

Wisconsin families have paid $1,744 in tariff costs over the past year — and will pay even more in 2026 — as congressional Republicans refuse to act

MADISON, Wis. — One year ago today, President Trump stood in the White House Rose Garden and announced sweeping tariffs on goods from countries around the world, setting off a year of rising costs for Wisconsin families and small businesses. Today, Opportunity Wisconsin is marking that anniversary by calling on Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden to stop the tariffs raising costs on their constituents and to fight to return the money already taken from Wisconsin families.

The past year has been a costly one. The average Wisconsin family paid $1,744 in tariff costs in 2025 — and with the new global tariffs now in effect, that figure is projected to climb to $2,510 in 2026 alone. While the Supreme Court struck down many of the original tariffs as illegal, Trump’s new tariffs immediately replaced them and prices for groceries and everyday items remain high.

Since last year Congressmen Steil and Van Orden voted multiple times for Trump’s tariffs, driving up costs for their own constituents. Both congressmen have remained silent on the new global tariffs hurting families and small businesses in Wisconsin.

Wisconsinites are speaking out on the impact of tariffs on the one-year anniversary.

“Congressman Steil voted for illegal tariffs that have made it harder for businesses like mine to succeed,” said Mike, the owner of a Kenosha barbershop. “One year later we’re paying more for products, my customers are coming in less frequently to save money, and there’s no end in sight. We need Bryan Steil and members of Congress to provide relief from high costs – that starts by voting to end these tariffs." 

“For the past year we've watched the price of groceries, appliances, and even clothing skyrocket because of costly and illegal tariffs. Wisconsin families are tired of watching prices continue to soar as our members of Congress continue to vote for tariffs and fail to stand up to President Trump,” said Sharon, from Eau Claire. “We've paid enough – it's time to end these tariffs and refund working people for what we've paid."

"Because of tariffs, we've decreased the amount of chocolate chips our chocolate chip cookies get. It sounds silly but when prices go up by 50% - if I were to keep the same amount of chocolate, I'd have to raise the cost a lot,” said Sarah, the owner of a La Crosse bakery. “And even when we don't charge more, customers have less to spend each visit. Over the past year, I've had almost the same number of orders but total sales has gone down by nearly 10%. I want our representatives to take small businesses into consideration and vote no on tariffs"

“Tariffs have slowed our growth, hurt wages and created overall uncertainty in our business,” added TJ, owner of Wonderstate Coffee in Viroqua.

New polling from the Marquette Law School underscores that Wisconsinites have had enough: 60 percent of Wisconsin voters oppose the administration's push to reimpose tariffs after the Supreme Court struck them down as illegal. The rising cost of living remains Wisconsin voters' top concern across party lines.

"One year in, Wisconsin families are tired of paying the price for illegal tariffs, and now they're being asked to pay even more," said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director. "Congressmen Steil and Van Orden voted for illegal tariffs while their constituents were struggling. Instead of fighting these tariffs, they gave tax breaks to billionaires and stuck Wisconsin families and small businesses with the bill. It's past time for them to stop the tariffs, give their constituents their money back, and start putting Wisconsin families first."

Steil and Van Orden can take action now by voting to refund the money Wisconsin families have paid through illegal tariffs and working to stop new tariffs that are continuing to raise costs. 

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TARIFF TUESDAYS - MARCH 31, 2026

Your weekly update on how Trump’s tariff chaos is hitting Wisconsin families and small businesses — and what Congress is (not) doing about it.
 

IN KENOSHA: Women Business Owners Sound the Alarm on Tariff Costs

Yesterday, Opportunity Wisconsin hosted a town hall in Kenosha with women-owned small business owners from across the First District to discuss how tariffs are driving up costs, threatening their livelihoods, and squeezing the customers they depend on. The message was clear: these aren't abstract trade debates — they're about whether businesses built by Wisconsin women can survive.

Congressman Bryan Steil voted multiple times to keep illegal tariffs in place and has stayed silent about the new 10% global tariff raising costs for his constituents. The small business owners in his district deserve a congressman who will speak out — and fight back.

ONE YEAR LATER: Wisconsinites are still paying the price for Trump’s tariffs

This Thursday, April 2nd, marks one year since President Trump stood in the White House Rose Garden and announced sweeping tariffs. One year later, the Supreme Court has struck those tariffs down as illegal, Wisconsin families are paying more for groceries and everyday essentials, and Congressmen Van Orden and Steil have refused to put a stop to it.

Here’s a look back at what Wisconsinites have said about these harmful tariffs nearly one year later:

"We're roasting half a million pounds of coffee a year and we employ 85 people. But these tariffs are crushing us. You're looking at $100,000 in tariffs right here. That's on top of all of our other supplies getting more expensive. We've had no choice but to raise prices. All I see are higher prices." — TJ, Wonderstate Coffee, Viroqua

"My famous lasagna … costs a fortune these days. Cheese should not be $9 in Wisconsin. Congressman Bryan Steil supported the tariffs that are raising our prices. We need to tell Bryan Steil to stop raising our costs." — Deb, Mt. Pleasant

"My sweet rice flour has gone up 53% in the last year, and tapioca starch has gone up 68%, unsweetened cocoa powder has gone up 43%, white premier chocolate has gone up 74%, chocolate chips have gone up 50%. That's significant." — Sarah, Omega Bakery, Holmen

"I've had growth for seven years straight. This past year, I would say my purchasing was down 30% from what it would have been. I directly blame that on tariffs and uncertainty."— Mike, Elite Tonewoods, West Salem

"With five kids, dinner time at our house can be a bit hectic. You wouldn't believe how much food we go through with five kids. It's not cheap. Nothing but love around that table, but the cost is almost too much to bear. These tariffs are driving grocery prices through the roof. Congressman Bryan Steil voted to support the tariffs that are raising our prices. I'm a firefighter and my wife is a nurse. We should be able to afford a family meal." — Joe, Kenosha firefighter

Wisconsin businesses and consumers paid approximately $3.5 billion in tariffs between March and December 2025 alone. The tariffs Trump announced on Liberation Day were eventually struck down by the Supreme Court, but new ones immediately replaced them, and costs haven't come down. One year in, Van Orden and Steil's answer to all of it is silence.

BY THE NUMBERS: Wisconsinites Have Had Enough

A new Marquette Law School Poll of Wisconsin voters, released last week, makes clear that Wisconsinites aren't buying what Van Orden and Steil are selling.

Sixty percent of those surveyed oppose the administration's push to reimpose tariffs after the Supreme Court struck them down as illegal, and more Wisconsinites say tariffs are hurting the economy and Wisconsin farmers than say they are helping. Meanwhile, the rising cost of living remains Wisconsin voters' top concern across party lines.

Read the poll results here

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ICYMI: On the ACA’s 16th anniversary Wisconsin mom describes “a very dark cloud” as costs spike thanks to Republicans in Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org

ICYMI: On the ACA’s 16th anniversary Wisconsin mom describes “a very dark cloud” as costs spike thanks to Republicans in Congress

“To see now the deterioration of this program, as well as many others, it is a very dark—a very dark—cloud”

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, Spectrum News highlighted how drastic increases in healthcare costs are threatening the success of the Affordable Care Act on its 16th anniversary this week. After Republicans in Congress allowed healthcare tax credits to expire at the end of last year, many families, like the one featured in this report, are paying more than double for coverage. 

New polling released last week found that nearly one in ten Americans were forced to forgo coverage amid rising costs while 55 percent of returning enrollees said they would need to cut back on spending in other areas to afford coverage. 

“Nearly 300,000 Wisconsinites depend on the Affordable Care Act to access the care they need. The ACA has been an incredible success and for over 16 years Wisconsin families have been able to use it to access healthcare without breaking the bank,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Now, Republicans in Congress like Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil are threatening the program’s success. At the same time Wisconsinites are being squeezed by higher costs from tariffs, skyrocketing gas prices from the Republican war in Iran, and cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, Republicans are also forcing premiums through the roof. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to restore healthcare tax credits and work to protect the Affordable Care Act, not rip it apart.”

Spectrum News: ‘A very dark cloud’: Wisconsin mom sees ACA premium more than double

• Phyllis Jaworski lives in Western Wisconsin, near the Minnesota border, with her husband and two teenage boys. They obtain their health insurance through an online marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
   

• Last year, she paid $800 a month for coverage. That ballooned to $1800 this year, after Republicans in Congress allowed enhanced subsidies to expire for people buying ACA coverage.
   

• “It is kind of an emotional piece, being like, ‘Wow, we just really can't afford what we've always thought we could,’” she said.
   

• Jaworski said she and her husband have cut back on subscriptions and look for sales at the grocery store. They’ve also weighed if they can afford extracurricular activities for their sons. They might seek scholarships, or ask their oldest son who’s working to contribute. He’s also getting his driver’s license soon, so their car insurance will go up.
   

• “This should be a time of excitement and stuff, and for us, it's actually kind of dread, right?” she said. “An additional $1,000 a month for the health insurance, and now I think it's like an additional $500 a year, or whatever it is, for the driver's insurance… It's hard.” 
   

• Monday marked 16 years since then-President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law.
   

• “To see now the deterioration of this program, as well as many others, it is a very dark—a very dark—cloud,” Jaworski said. “We felt very fortunate that it was an option when I left my job and lost our insurance… And it was just nice to think—to feel like—there was something that we could fall back on and rely on if we needed it.”
   

• In a social media post, Congressman Mark Pocan, D-Madison, wrote that tens of millions of Americans “received the coverage they needed, and insurers could no longer deny care for pre-existing conditions” when the ACA was signed into law. He added that he’s “committed to protecting the Affordable Care Act against GOP attacks and to fighting to bring the tax credits back!” 

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