Wednesday, January 6, 2021
MADISON, Wis.— This evening Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after U.S. Senator Ron Johnson refused to bear any responsibility for today’s violent chaos in our nation’s capital. This comes after weeks of Senator Johnson peddling dangerous election and public health conspiracy theories, and months—even years—of blind and alarming loyalty to a President who time-and-time again has sought to undermine our democracy and the will of Wisconsin voters.
After refusing to acknowledge November's election results, last week Senator Johnson claimed a "large percentage of the population don't view this election as legitimate" and declared he was “not going to do what Democrats and many in the media want us to do, which is just shut up, sweep all of this under the rug and move on.” These statements came after an October interview where Senator Johnson said, “Our country as we know it will not be recognizable if Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer gain power...They will never relinquish power if they get it, we cannot let them get it.”
Meghan Roh, Program Director:
“Whether it’s denying working Wisconsinites emergency economic support, promulgating unproven and dangerous COVID treatments, or perpetuating alarming conspiracy theories originating in the darkest corners of society, Ron Johnson continues to put political power over the people of Wisconsin—and this is all in just the past few weeks. Today will forever be remembered as one of our nation’s darkest days and we will not forget the role Ron Johnson played in the attempt to undermine the will of the people in a desperate attempt to hold onto power he does not deserve.”
Last month, Senator Johnson rejected $1,200 in direct emergency payments to Americans citing the impact on America’s deficit. During his floor remarks, Senator Johnson failed to mention his support for the 2017 tax cuts which not only exploded the deficit by over $1 trillion, but also personally enriched the millionaire Senator. Just days prior, Senator Johnson chaired a COVID-19 hearing touting “fringe science” and putting the voices of “quacks over his constituents.”
Finally, after yet another alarming hearing—this time giving a platform to the same conspiracy theories echoed by today’s terrorists in the Capital—Senator Johnson announced his intent to object to the will of voters as Congress prepared to certify the election results.
In a stinging editorial published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel before today’s events unfolded, authors wrote, “Johnson has joined a defeated candidate who is trying to nullify the voices of American voters while propagating baseless conspiracy theories about voting irregularities. He has violated his oath of office and in doing so, Johnson has forfeited his right to represent the people of Wisconsin.”
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About Opportunity Wisconsin
Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies that put the wealthy few first and leave the rest of us behind. Together, we’re demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites. To learn more about Opportunity Wisconsin, visitOpportunityWisconsin.org or stay connected on Twitter at@OpportunityWI and on Facebook atFacebook.com/OpportunityWI.