FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
TOMORROW: Will Van Orden defend harmful cuts to agriculture or duck tough questions from Wisconsin farmers?
While proposed SNAP cuts, tariffs, and cuts to agriculture programs raise farmers’ concerns, Van Orden has continued to back President Trump’s policies
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Tomorrow, Congressman Derrick Van Orden has an opportunity to hear directly from working Wisconsin farmers about the challenges facing them because of proposed cuts to SNAP benefits, new tariffs that increase their costs, and reckless cuts that threaten the nation’s response to the avian flu outbreak. One question remains: Will he show up?
Congressman Mark Pocan has confirmed he will attend Friday’s meeting with members of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and state legislators.
In recent weeks, Republicans have floated major cuts to nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, while farmers have been stuck with millions of dollars in bills following President Trump’s surprise cuts to federal grant and loan programs. President Trump and Republicans have also continued to pursue tariffs as high as 25 percent on key trading partners, which will raise costs of groceries and restrict export markets for American agricultural products. And recently the Trump administration admitted to firing key USDA personnel working to contain the avian flu outbreak.
Last week Van Orden visited an Eau Claire food bank where he told reporters he was surprised to hear how many members of the community relied on this resource, but declined to mention that recent Republican proposals have threatened the success of these programs.
At an Eau Claire Food Pantry, Van Orden expressed surprise at how many local families depend on the services they provide.
Here are questions Congressman Van Orden needs to answer if he refuses to meet directly with Wisconsin farmers:
Will you commit to opposing any cuts to SNAP as part of budget negotiations?
Do you support tariffs as high as 25 percent on key trading partners even though they will increase grocery prices and limit export markets for agricultural products?
Does he stand by the Trump administration’s decision to fire USDA personnel working to contain the avian flu outbreak?
Will he continue to support new tax breaks for big corporations instead of relief for working families, seniors, and family farmers?
"Wisconsin's economy depends on supporting family farmers, our agricultural industry, and rural communities. As drastic cuts and reckless proposals threaten to drive up costs and make it harder for farmers and farm families to succeed, Congressman Van Orden owes it to his constituents to tell them where he stands,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “We hope he takes this opportunity to meet with them and that he starts speaking out against these harmful cuts that will hurt Wisconsin’s economy.”
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