With a government shutdown likely averted, House Republicans continue to push funding bills with harmful cuts for education, Social Security access, and more
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement following House passage of a continuing resolution that funds the federal government while setting new deadlines in January and February to pass funding bills:
“After weeks of gridlock caused by Republicans in Congress and their insistence of pushing harmful cuts that will raise costs and threaten programs Wisconsinites depend on, they’ve kicked the can down the road once again. This continuing resolution will only give Republicans more time to insist on cuts to important programs that Wisconsinites rely on. Republicans in Congress have already introduced plans to make it harder for seniors to access Social Security and Medicare benefits, slash education funding that eliminates early childhood education slots and teaching positions, and help wealthy and corporate tax cheats avoid paying their fair share. With weeks until the next funding deadline, it’s critical that Congressmen Steil and Van Orden vote against these cuts and find solutions to support Wisconsin families, seniors, and children.”
Background on today’s continuing resolution vote and additional appropriations bills:
Today’s continuing resolution sets two potential dates for a government shutdown if appropriations bills aren’t passed, with some appropriations due by January 19th and the rest required by February 2nd.
Wisconsin Republicans have already voted for appropriations bills that include harmful cuts that will raise costs and negatively impact Wisconsinites.
Last month, House Republicans, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, voted in favor of the Republican-backed Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. This bill cuts billions in energy efficiency programs, which would lead to increased energy costs for Wisconsin families who are already dealing with rising costs. Additionally, the bill strips funding that helps save thousands of energy industry jobs across the nation.
Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden also voted in favor of an Interior and Environment appropriations bill which would slash funding for improved water quality programs and force the EPA to cut programs that support job creation.
During government funding negotiations in September, Steil and Van Orden voted for an extreme continuing resolution which included cuts to nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children. This proposal would have also threatened access to Social Security and forced cuts to rural health care access across the nation.
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