One year later, Reps. Steil and Van Orden still owe Wisconsinites answers about how they’ll fight for working families

Monday, May 20, 2024, Up North News

One year ago Opportunity Wisconsin launched our latest program aimed at holding Congressmen Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) and Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) accountable for their votes in Washington, DC and asking them to fight for working families here in Wisconsin. Since then, we’ve worked with so many passionate advocates and leaders across Wisconsin to hold events, organize, and highlight the importance of policies that help families and seniors succeed – but there are still questions Wisconsinites deserve answers to.

President Biden Wisconsin visit; highlights $3.3B Microsoft data center

Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Fox 6 News

President Biden has prioritized investments that are bolstering Wisconsin’s economy, creating jobs, and growing opportunities for Wisconsin workers. Whether it’s supporting developments like Microsoft’s expansion in Racine, or lowering the cost of health care and prescription drugs through legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden’s leadership has made our state stronger. 

"As he returns to Wisconsin today, Congress still has the opportunity to support the President’s next federal budget proposal. His plan includes tax cuts for working families and forces billionaires and big corporations to pay their fair share. By improving tax fairness, we can strengthen programs that support working families and seniors, including Medicare and Social Security. It’s time for Congressman Bryan Steil to work with President Biden and find common ground on policies that help Wisconsinites succeed."

State of the Union: FOX6's Jason Calvi questions White House brass

March 7, 2024, Fox 6 News

"Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress, Wisconsin’s working families and seniors are already seeing relief from rising costs, health care is more affordable, and critical investments are being made to strengthen our infrastructure and create good paying jobs. Tonight, we heard directly from President Biden about his vision for our country and the opportunity we have to support working families here in Wisconsin. It’s time for Republicans in Congress, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, to work with the president to lower costs, hold big corporations accountable, and protect the programs that are helping Wisconsinites succeed – including Medicare and Social Security."

Van Orden is silent on Republican plans to cut $50 billion from the Farm Bill

October 25, 2023, Up North News

“Wisconsin farmers and producers need a new Farm Bill and stability to be successful, but Congressman Derrick Van Orden doesn’t seem interested in helping them,” said Meghan Roh of the progressive advocacy group Opportunity Wisconsin. “Passing a new Farm Bill that supports family farmers in Wisconsin is essential for supporting our economy and giving working families the opportunity to succeed. It’s time for Rep. Van Orden to start fighting for Wisconsin’s farm families.”

Eau Claire leaders celebrate 58th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid

August 3, 2023 WEAU

At a news conference in Phoenix Park, local leaders joined Opportunity Wisconsin, For our Future Wisconsin, and Citizen Action Wisconsin to promote supporting Medicare and Medicaid into the future.

“We think it’s important that our elected officials know that we are watching, that we really depend on these programs and that we would like to see them continue to be strengthened as opposed to cut back and undercut at every opportunity to save a few pennies,” Reba Krueger with Opportunity Wisconsin said.

People were also celebrating the one year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, which helped strengthen the reach of Medicare.

Locals join push to support state funding for Medicaid and Medicare

August 3, 2023, WQOW

Efforts to cut funding for Medicaid and Medicare are happening across the country, but there's also an effort to keep funding afloat in the Chippewa Valley.

Thursday members of Opportunity Wisconsin, For Our Future WI, and Citizen Action Wisconsin gathered in Eau Claire's Phoenix Park to talk about the importance of supporting and strengthening both health care programs. They also celebrated the anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid becoming law 58 years ago this week.

Here’s Why 1 Million Wisconsin Seniors Will Soon See Lower Drug Costs

July 14, 2023, Up North News

President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act included a measure allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies in order to reduce the cost of prescriptions for Part D beneficiaries…

…The media event, organized by Protect Our Care and Opportunity Wisconsin, also included remarks from two Milwaukee-area retirees about the impact of having their prescription drug costs lowered.

WI Working Family Advocates Put Spotlight on Reps' Voting Records

June 3, 2023, Public News Service

… A new awareness campaign from a Wisconsin grassroots group calls into question the voting patterns of two members of the state's Congressional delegation.

Opportunity Wisconsin contends Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., are not putting the needs of their constituents first.

Meghan Roh, program director for Opportunity Wisconsin, said many Wisconsin families are still struggling with financial pressures, such as higher consumer costs. She feels their elected representatives need to be held accountable if their votes are seen as creating more barriers for household budgets.

Third District residents, action groups claim Rep. Van Orden's votes make him 'puppet' of corporations

May 5, 2023, WIZM

To drive home their claim that Rep. Derrick Van Orden is controlled by corporate interests, Opportunity Wisconsin and Climate Power unveiled a large puppet likeness of Van Orden at a news conference in Onalaska on Friday.

Opportunity Wisconsin says the Prairie du Chien Republican voted recently for tax breaks that would help corporations, while also voting to cut care for veterans and reduce food assistance programs for senior citizens.

In Kenosha demonstration, Wisconsin group calls on Rep. Steil to vote lower drug prices

May 5, 2023, Kenosha News

A group of Wisconsin activists, health care workers and seniors called on U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil to work on lowering health care costs for working families during a rally Thursday afternoon in Kenosha.

Individuals with the Opportunity Wisconsin coalition gathered in Library Park, 711 59th Place, where they criticized Steil’s record in Congress. Steil, R-Janesville, represents the state’s first congressional district, which includes Kenosha County.

They criticized Steil’s vote for Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, the Republican bill which would raise the debt limit and deeply cut spending over the next 10 years.