Two Years Later, Van Orden Still Deceiving Public About Role in Capitol Insurrection


New footage shows Rep.-elect Derrick Van Orden lying about his whereabouts on January 6, 2021

Van Orden listed as “Chief Insurrectionist” in new MAGA Guidebook

Friday, January 6, 2023

MADISON, Wis.—Two years ago today, Representative-elect Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) breached a restricted area on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol as part of the January 6th insurrection, attempting to overturn the will of Wisconsin residents. Just yesterday, Van Orden was caught once again lying to a fellow veteran about his whereabouts on that day. Earlier this week, Van Orden was prominently featured in the new MAGA Guidebook for his role in the insurrection and his extremist policy positions that would hurt Wisconsin workers and families.    

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:
“Representative-elect Van Orden has yet to even take his oath of office, but has already failed residents of western Wisconsin by continuing to deny his role in the January 6th insurrection. Van Orden was elected to represent his entire district and yet he has pledged to carry the MAGA mantle with his extremist views and policy positions. Opportunity Wisconsin is calling on Rep.-elect Van Orden to put politics aside and commit to representing the people of Wisconsin when (if?) he is finally sworn into office.” 

According to the new MAGA Guidebook, Van Orden:

  • Breached police barricades at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th to “stand up for electoral integrity.”

  • Called COVID-19 relief a “disaster” and “wasteful,” but a non-profit he works with and a business he co-owned received hundreds of thousands of dollars in relief funding. 

  • Supports banning abortion even in cases of rape or incest and said that “life begins at conception” and the number of abortions in the U.S. amounts to “genocide.” 

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Wisconsin Seniors and Working Families Seeing Big Savings Thanks to Inflation Reduction Act

As of January 1, Wisconsinites are saving on essentials like prescription drugs, energy bills, and health care

Thursday, January 4, 2023

MADISON, Wis.—Thanks to President Biden and Congressional Democrats, as of January 1, 2023 Wisconsin seniors and working families are now saving big thanks to key programs in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that are now in effect.  These programs will save Wisconsinites money on essentials like prescription drugs, energy bills, and health care, giving folks in the Badger State, including seniors living on fixed incomes, more breathing room in their budgets. Unfortunately all Congressional Republicans, including Congressman Bryan Steil, voted against this historic law. 

 Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:
“Thanks to our elected leaders like President Joe Biden and Senator Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin seniors and working families now have a bit of breathing room in their budgets. The Inflation Reduction Act now provides serious savings on everything from prescription drugs to energy costs. While this landmark law is delivering for the Badger State, House Republicans have consistently stood in the way of lowering costs for hard working American people. We’re calling on Wisconsin Representatives Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden to put politics and corporate lobbyists aside to back these reforms that lower costs for Badger State families." 

Inflation Reduction Act provisions now in effect: 

  • Insulin Cap: The cost of insulin is capped at $35/month for seniors on Medicare. 

  • Free Adult Vaccines: All recommended vaccines for adults, like shingles, will be free of charge for seniors.

  • Prescription Drug Rebates: Drug manufacturers will need to pay rebates to Medicare if their price increases for certain drugs exceed inflation.

  • New Electric Vehicles: Families who buy a new EV made in the U.S. can get a tax rebate of up to $7,500.

  • Used Electric Vehicles: For the first time, families can get a tax rebate of up to $4,000 for buying a used electric vehicle.

  • Home Energy Upgrades: Families will get a 30% rebate for home energy improvements.

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On Trump Tax Law Anniversary, Wisconsin Workers and Families Still Waiting on Benefits

Opportunity Wisconsin calls on House Republicans to reject any attempt to make law permanent and instead support policies like the expanded Child Tax Credit

Monday, December 19, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Five years ago this Thursday, December 22, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law by President Donald Trump after receiving support from Representatives Mike Gallagher and Glenn Grothman, in addition to Senator Ron Johnson. As House Republicans prepare to take the majority next Congress, Opportunity Wisconsin is calling on Representatives Gallagher and Grothman, as well as Representatives Bryan Steil, Tom Tiffany, and Scott Fitzgerald to reject any attempts to extend provisions of the TCJA and instead focus on passing policies that support Wisconsin workers and families, such as the expanded Child Tax Credit. 
 
Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:
“Not only did House Republicans like Representatives Gallagher and Grothman support a tax scam that disproportionately benefits the wealthy, but it was done at the expense of working Wisconsinites. Meanwhile, Representatives Gallagher and Grothman, as well as Representatives Bryan Steil, Tom Tiffany, and Scott Fitzgerald continue to stand against laws to bring new, good-paying jobs to the state, bring down the costs of health care and prescription drugs, and cut taxes for families with children. We’re calling on our Congressional delegation to oppose any extension or expansion of the Trump tax scam and instead address the economic needs of their constituents by supporting proven policies like the expanded Child Tax Credit.”

This anniversary comes as Congressional Republicans are sharing plans to make permanent several provisions in the TCJA. Reports indicate they will also push for scrapping some of the law’s tax increases on corporations. Many economists have indicated this move would make inflation worse. In fact, economists have determined that a provision championed by Senator Johnson delivered an average of just $20 to middle-income families, while it was a boon of $25,700 to the wealthiest one percent. In April, Senator Johnson admitted that the tax loophole benefitted his family business and his wealthy donors.

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President Biden Signs Baldwin’s Historic Respect for Marriage Act into Law

Bipartisan bill becomes law despite WI Congressional Republicans’ refusal to support basic rights and freedoms for same-sex and interracial couples

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act into law during a White House ceremony celebrating the historic legislation which guarantees basic rights and freedoms for same-sex and interracial couples. Despite overwhelming support for the bill among Wisconsinites and bipartisan backing from Republicans in Congress, Representatives Scott Fitzgerald, Glenn Grothman, and Tom Tiffany recently joined Senator Ron Johnson in voting against the commonsense measure.  

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director: 
“Wisconsin families are incredibly lucky to have elected leaders like Senator Tammy Baldwin and President Biden fighting for their basic freedoms and rights. The bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act gives those in same-sex and interracial marriages the peace of mind and respect they deserve. It’s incredibly disappointing that Representatives Fitzgerald, Grothman, and Tiffany have sided with Senator Johnson’s outdated and out-of-touch position, putting extreme politics over the people of Wisconsin. We’re calling on these elected leaders to start working on behalf of the people they represent.”  

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Congressional Delegation Split on Respect for Marriage Act Vote

Representatives Fitzgerald, Grothman, and Tiffany join Senator Johnson in his refusal to support basic rights and freedoms for same-sex and interracial couples

Thursday, December 8, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, bringing the historic bill one step closer to becoming law. The bill guarantees basic rights and freedoms for same-sex and interracial couples. Despite overwhelming support for the bill among Wisconsinites and bipartisan backing from Republicans in Congress, Representatives Scott Fitzgerald, Glenn Grothman, and Tom Tiffany joined Senator Ron Johnson in voting against the commonsense measure.  

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director: 
“Wisconsin families are incredibly lucky to have elected leaders like Senator Tammy Baldwin fighting for their basic freedoms and rights. The bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act gives those in same-sex and interracial marriages the peace of mind and respect they deserve. It’s incredibly disappointing that Representatives Fitzgerald, Grothman, and Tiffany have sided with Senator Johnson’s outdated and out-of-touch position, putting extreme politics over the people of Wisconsin. We’re calling on these elected leaders to start working on behalf of the people they represent.”  

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Baldwin Passes Historic Bill Protecting Wisconsin Families

Respect for Marriage Act clears Senate despite Senator Johnson’s refusal to support basic rights and freedoms for same-sex and interracial couples

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today the U.S. Senate, led by Senator Tammy Baldwin, passed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, bringing the historic bill one step closer to becoming law. The bill guarantees basic rights and freedoms for same-sex and interracial couples. Despite overwhelming support for the bill among Wisconsinites and bipartisan backing from Republicans in Congress, Senator Ron Johnson today voted against the commonsense measure.  

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director: 
“Wisconsin families are incredibly lucky to have an elected leader like Senator Tammy Baldwin fighting for their basic freedoms and rights. The bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act gives those in same-sex and interracial marriages the peace of mind and respect they deserve. Once again, Senator Ron Johnson continues to put politics over the people of Wisconsin, voting against a bill that has seen broad, bipartisan support in Congress and across Wisconsin. When will Senator Johnson start doing his job and stop playing politics with our lives?”  

 

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Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Marks One Year of Benefitting the Badger State

To date, over $2.7 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced and is headed to Wisconsin with 160 specific projects identified for funding

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—One year ago today, President Joe Biden signed the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law. To date, over $2.7 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced and is headed to Wisconsin with 160 specific projects identified for funding. Over the past year, Opportunity Wisconsin has been traveling the state as part of their “Paving the Way” statewide tour, sharing how this historic law is benefitting the Badger State.   

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director: 
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a historic investment in our state, and will improve the quality of life we have in Wisconsin - whether we’re spending less on car repairs due to updated roads and bridges, having access to safe drinking water, or improved mass transit opportunities, this law is a once-in-a-generation investment in our state’s infrastructure and competitiveness. This law will also drive the creation of good-paying union jobs and grow the economy sustainably and equitably so that everyone in the Badger State gets ahead for decades to come.

“We would like to thank our elected leaders like Senator Tammy Baldwin for voting in favor of this law that will make historic investments in communities across the state. Additionally, we’re grateful to Governor Tony Evers, for putting these policies to work across the Badger State.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is benefitting the Badger State: 

  • Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, Wisconsin is set to receive more than $2.4 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports and over $150 million for clean water.

  • As of today, more than 279,000 households across the state are receiving affordable internet due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

  • By reaching communities all across Wisconsin – including rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law makes critical investments that will improve lives for Wisconsinites and position the state for success.

Learn more about how the law is a win for Wisconsin.

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On Trump Tax Law Anniversary, Wisconsin Workers and Families Still Waiting on Benefits

A loophole in the law championed by Senator Ron Johnson delivered an average of just $20 to middle-income families, while it was a boon of over $25,000 to the wealthiest one percent.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Five years ago today the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressional Republicans. President Donald Trump signed the law in December of that year, after Senator Ron Johnson pushed to include a loophole that benefited his own family's business and his wealthy donors. After the bill became law, Senator Johnson cashed out of the company for at least $5 million.

This anniversary comes as Congressional Republicans are sharing plans to make permanent several provisions in the TCJA. Reports indicate they will also push for scrapping some of the law’s tax increases on corporations. Many economists have indicated this move would make inflation worse.  

While Senator Johnson called his Trump tax loophole his “crowning achievement,” economists have determined that it delivered an average of just $20 to middle-income families, while it was a boon of $25,700 to the wealthiest one percent. In April, Senator Johnson admitted that the tax loophole benefitted his family business and his wealthy donors.  

Opportunity Wisconsin has spent over $9 million in TV, digital, mail, and radio since early 2021 to hold Senator Johnson accountable to his constituents for his legislative record and to demand he vote for policies that support Wisconsin residents.   

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:
“Not only did Senator Johnson push through a loophole in the Trump tax law that benefited his family’s business and disproportionately benefits the wealthy, including his mega donors, but it was done at the expense of working Wisconsinites. In fact, most low and middle-income Wisconsin residents will actually see tax hikes by 2027.

“Meanwhile, Senator Johnson continues to stand against laws to bring new, good-paying jobs to the state, bring down the costs of health care and prescription drugs, and cut taxes for families with children. We’re calling on Senator Johnson to oppose any extension or expansion of the Trump tax scam and address the economic needs of his constituents.”

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