Wisconsin’s congressional delegation must reject radical GOP Tax Scam 2.0

Extreme GOP plan would extend massive handouts to the wealthiest and big corporations while leaving working families behind

Friday, June 16, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin is calling on Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to oppose a radical GOP tax plan that provides massive handouts to the wealthy and big corporations instead of helping working families succeed.

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: “In April, Congressmen Bryan Steil, Derrick Van Orden, and Tom Tiffany voted for an extreme plan that would’ve drastically cut services for Wisconsin seniors, veterans, and children. Now, Congressional Republicans are proposing a tax scam that will give billions of dollars to big corporations, the wealthiest Americans, and even foreign investors. This tax scam blows a hole in our deficit and doesn’t help everyday Americans succeed. Wisconsin’s Republican congressional delegation should immediately reject radical legislation and start fighting for the working families they represent.”

Earlier this week, portions of the GOP Tax Scam 2.0 were passed by the House Ways and Means Committee. The package includes expansions and extensions of provisions from the Trump-backed tax bill in 2017, which disproportionately benefited the wealthy and big corporations. Nonpartisan budget experts estimate the package will cost nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars over the next decade as a result of massive handouts to the most well-off individuals and big corporations.

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that the richest 1 percent of Americans would receive an average windfall of $16,550 each year – that’s nearly half the median income of an average Wisconsinite. Meanwhile, the poorest 20 percent of Americans would receive an average savings of only $40 a year. Even wealthy foreign citizens would benefit from this plan, with foreign investors who own stock in American companies receiving nearly $24 billion in savings next year alone if this plan is enacted.

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Mobile billboards hold Republican congressmen accountable during state convention for turning their backs on working people

Opportunity Wisconsin’s mobile billboards highlight Reps. Steil, Van Orden, Tiffany, and Gallagher’s votes against Wisconsin working families, seniors, and veterans

Friday, June 16, 2023

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin, a grassroots coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for working people, will highlight recent votes from Wisconsin’s Republican congressmen with mobile billboards outside the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s annual convention this weekend in La Crosse.

“Wisconsinites expect their elected officials to fight for working families, not big corporations and special interests,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Unfortunately, Republican Congressmen Derrick Van Orden, Mike Gallagher, Tom Tiffany, and Bryan Steil have taken countless votes that make it harder for Wisconsin families, veterans, and seniors to succeed in our state. Opportunity Wisconsin is committed to holding them accountable for these votes and working with Wisconsinites to demand better from their members of Congress.”

The billboards will circle the convention center and through downtown La Crosse on Friday, June 16th and Saturday, June 17th. Reporters interested in recording b-roll of the billboard truck or arranging an interview with Opportunity Wisconsin during the convention should email press@opportunitywisconsin.org to make arrangements.

The following images will rotate on the mobile billboard truck throughout the Republican convention:

Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Background on Rep. Van Orden’s Vote:

Rep. Derrick Van Orden voted for the “Default on America Act,” an extreme bill that would’ve made devastating cuts to programs that benefit seniors and veterans. According to a Politifact report, these cuts “could translate to 13 million fewer health care appointments for veterans and significant cuts to benefit payments, staffing, and clinic construction, according to the agency.” In addition to reducing funding for veterans, the “Default on America Act” would have threatened food assistance for Wisconsin seniors, women, and children. 

Rep. Mike Gallagher

Background on Rep. Mike Gallagher’s Vote:

Rep. Mike Gallagher voted for the “Default on America Act,” an extreme bill that would’ve made devastating cuts to programs that benefit seniors and veterans. According to a Politifact report, these cuts “could translate to 13 million fewer health care appointments for veterans and significant cuts to benefit payments, staffing, and clinic construction, according to the agency.” In addition to reducing funding for veterans, the “Default on America Act” would have eliminated at least 5,500 child care and preschool slots across Wisconsin, making it more difficult for families to access the child care services they need.

Rep. Tom Tiffany

Background on Rep. Tom Tiffany’s Vote:

Rep. Tom Tiffany voted for the “Default on America Act,” an extreme bill that would’ve made devastating cuts to programs that benefit seniors and veterans. According to a Politifact report, these cuts “could translate to 13 million fewer health care appointments for veterans and significant cuts to benefit payments, staffing, and clinic construction, according to the agency.”

Rep. Bryan Steil

Background on Rep. Bryan Steil’s Votes:

Rep. Steil voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which reduced health care and prescription drug costs for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites. The legislation included a cap on out-of-pocket prescription expenses for Medicare recipients, gave Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, and established a $35 monthly cap on insulin costs for seniors.

In addition to opposing the Inflation Reduction Act, Rep. Steil previously voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, a targeted piece of legislation designed to cap the cost of insulin at $35. While repeatedly voting against a cap on insulin costs, Steil received more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical industry.

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ICYMI: Inflation Reduction Act lowers copays for additional prescription drugs

“The Biden administration released on Friday the names of 43 prescription drugs that may have lower copays between July and September of this year for Medicare Part B recipients. The drugs, which range from blood thinners to antibiotics, are subject to reduced copays under the Inflation Reduction Act if their prices rise faster than the rate of inflation.”

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, the Inflation Reduction Act continues to lower prescription drug prices for thousands of Wisconsin Medicare Part B recipients. 

Last week, the Biden administration announced that 43 prescription drugs will have lower copays through at least the end of September. The reduced copays are a result of the Inflation Reduction Act’s drug pricing measure that requires pharmaceutical companies to pay a rebate to Medicare when drug prices increase more than the rate of inflation. 

Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act caps the cost of insulin at $35 for Medicare recipients and will allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. Wisconsin’s Republican Congressmen, including Bryan Steil, Mike Gallagher, and Tom Tiffany, voted against the bill. 

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: “The Inflation Reduction Act is working, and thousands of Wisconsinites are already seeing relief from high drug prices because of it. Wisconsinites expect their elected officials to find common sense solutions that lower costs for families and seniors while holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for exorbitant price increases that make it harder for people to access the care and treatment they need.”
 

Spectrum News: Biden admin. announces some drug copays will drop for Medicare recipients

[. . .]

The Biden administration released on Friday the names of 43 prescription drugs that may have lower copays between July and September of this year for Medicare Part B recipients

The drugs, which range from blood thinners to antibiotics, are subject to reduced copays under the Inflation Reduction Act if their prices rise faster than the rate of inflation

Medicare Part B is additional coverage Medicare recipients can pay for to cover diagnostic, ambulance, mental health, and outpatient prescription drug services

The price adjustments will kick in on July 1 and run through Sept. 30, but will be reevaluated each quarter

[. . .]

“The Medicare prescription drug inflation rebate program is strengthening Medicare by making prescription drugs affordable for millions of people and discouraging drug companies from increasing prices faster than inflation,” said Dr. Meena Seshamani, a deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, on a press call Thursday. “It's also protecting Medicare for the future. Inflation rebates are just one of the important tools we have to address rising drug costs.”

Pharmaceutical companies are required to pay a rebate to Medicare for drugs whose prices increase faster than the rate of inflation, but the government won’t invoice the companies for rebates owed through 2023 and 2024 until 2025.

Medicare Part B spending on drugs per recipient grew an average of 9.2% a year between 2008 and 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a new report released on Friday.

Starting in 2026, Medicare will be able to negotiate costs for some drugs for Part B recipients, though the negotiated prices won’t kick in until 2028.

[. . .]

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Kenosha parents, child care professionals, and local leaders call out Steil for default brinkmanship

Constituents highlight Rep. Bryan Steil’s recent support for devastating cuts to child care programs

Tiara Harvey speaks during a recent press conference hosted by Opportunity Wisconsin. She is joined by (L to R) Debbie Nehs, Assistant Director at Lakelands Little Learners, Ruth Dyson, and Cierra Chesir. 

Friday, June 2, 2023

KENOSHA, Wis. – Yesterday, Opportunity Wisconsin, For Our Future Wisconsin, Diaper Depot & More, and Family Friendly Wisconsin, along with Kenosha area child care professionals, parents, and community leaders, joined together to call on Congressman Bryan Steil to fight for working families instead of supporting the wealthy and corporate special interests. The event coincided with a diaper drive aimed at ensuring Kenosha-area families have access to these critical supplies as potential default threatened access to child care funding.  

Cierra Chesir, Opportunity Wisconsin Regional Lead: 
“The only reason Wisconsin workers and families have been brought to the brink of economic disaster is that politicians like Congressman Bryan Steil are doing the bidding of billionaires and big corporations instead of fighting for Wisconsin workers and families. He risked over 7,000 area jobs and critical funding for child care, all so that corporate special interests and billionaires could avoid paying their fair share in taxes. We’re calling on Congressman Steil to do the right thing, take on big corporations, and fight for the people he’s actually supposed to represent.”

Thursday's event came as Congressman Steil has been playing politics with the well-being of Wisconsin workers and families. With a potential default looming, Congressman Steil and his colleagues pushed forward with their extreme “Default on America Act,” which would strip nutrition food assistance from 24,000 women, infants, and children in the state and eliminate at least 5,500 preschool or child care slots in Wisconsin. 

Tiaria Harvey, Kenosha: 
“I’m a single mother of two who is working hard each and every day to provide for my kids. Due to the high costs of childcare, I have had to rely on government support to help make ends meet and ensure my kids are cared for while I’m at work. If that wasn’t enough - I heard about how our Congressman - Bryan Steil - recently voted to slash food assistance and childcare funding for folks here in southeast Wisconsin. It really makes you wonder if he has ever sat down across the table with single working moms like me, who are doing their best to get by. Honestly, I doubt it. All he seems to care about is the super-rich and big corporations who give him money in return for favors.”

Ruth Dyson, Kenosha City Council and CEO of Diaper Depot & More:
“Much of my life has revolved around service - serving God, serving the less fortunate, and serving others. Unfortunately, the only people Congressman Steil serves are the wealthy and well-connected. It’s shameful that he and his colleagues would play politics with the lives of the people he’s supposed to serve by pushing our country to the brink of economic disaster.”

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Grassroots coalition launches Kenosha diaper drive event to secure much-needed resources for the community

Opportunity Wisconsin and partner organizations announce drive as potential default threatens access to child care funding 

May 25, 2023

KENOSHA, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin and a grassroots coalition including For Our Future Wisconsin, Family Friendly Wisconsin, and Diaper Depot & More, have launched a diaper drive to help ensure Kenosha-area families have access to these critical supplies. 

“No family should have to worry about accessing the basic supplies they need to care for their children. We're excited about this opportunity to raise awareness of this important issue and encourage people to give back to those in need,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Especially in times of economic uncertainty, community organizations like Diaper Depot & More are essential to meeting the needs of our neighbors who need extra assistance.”

Starting today, through June 9th, donations to the Kenosha Diaper Drive can be dropped off at Lively Stone Church of God in Christ, 2327 63rd Street, Kenosha. Items in the highest demand are diapers sizes 5, 6, 7 and pullups of all sizes, as well as baby wipes and diaper rash cream. In addition to encouraging community donations, Opportunity Wisconsin will make a matching donation of up to $500 to Diaper Depot & More. 

The drive comes as House Republicans, including Rep. Bryan Steil, are supporting devastating cuts to child care programs. The extreme “Default on America Act,” which Rep. Steil voted for, could strip nutrition food assistance from 24,000 women, infants, and children in the state and eliminate at least 5,500 preschool or child care slots. 

Even more troubling, if House Republicans force the nation into default, benefits for thousands of families will be delayed and interest rates on credit card debt and auto and home loans will dramatically increase, leaving families with less money to afford essential items. Wisconsin families are counting on Rep. Steil to fight for them and expect him to stop pushing the nation toward default. 

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Fact Check: Rep. Bryan Steil tries and fails to hide his record of keeping drug prices high

Congressman responds to Opportunity Wisconsin ad campaign with misleading op-ed

May 23, 2023

RACINE, Wis. – Congressman Bryan Steil is feeling the pressure as his constituents join Opportunity Wisconsin in demanding that he fight for working families instead of the wealthy and big corporations. Over the weekend, Rep. Steil resorted to a misleading op-ed in the Kenosha News in an attempt to hide his repeated opposition to lowering costs for prescription drugs and other care that Wisconsinites depend on.

“Congressman Steil owes his constituents a real explanation for his repeated votes to keep insulin prices high while protecting the wealthy and big corporations, not a misleading op-ed that attempts to hide his actual record,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Congressman Steil’s constituents and our grassroots coalition will continue to hold him accountable for his record and ask him to finally do what’s right for Wisconsin families, seniors, and workers.”
 

FACT CHECK: Rep. Bryan Steil tries and fails to hide his record of keeping drug prices high

Steil’s Claim: “I am working every day to lower costs and protect you and your family.”

The Truth: Steil voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which reduced health care and drug costs. Rep. Steil voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which reduced health care and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The legislation included a cap on out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare recipients, gave Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, and established a $35 monthly cap on insulin prices for seniors.

The Truth: Rep. Steil recently voted for the disastrous “Default on America Act,” the extreme Republican plan that would make cuts to nearly every federal program and RAISE costs on food, health care, rent, energy, and child care. 

Steil’s Claim: “The ad claims that I do not support lower insulin prices. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

The Truth: Monthly insulin prices are now capped at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries, thanks to a bill that Rep. Steil voted against. Before the Inflation Reduction Act, many Wisconsinites were forced to pay hundreds of dollars a month for their insulin. Today, they have relief thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that Rep. Steil voted against.

The Truth: In the last two years, Steil has voted against capping the cost of insulin THREE times, and he’s taken more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical industry. Rep. Steil’s vote against the Inflation Reduction Act was only the latest example of his support for keeping insulin prices high. While repeatedly voting against a cap on insulin, Steil received more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical industry.

The Truth: In addition to opposing the Inflation Reduction Act, Rep. Steil previously voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, a bill designed to cap the cost of insulin at $35. Steil’s op-ed fails to explain why he opposed this targeted legislation which would’ve reduced the burden on Wisconsinites who rely on this life-saving medication.

Steil’s Claim: “In the past two years, I have voted against massive government spending bills that would increase costs.”

The Truth: Both the Build Back Better Act and the Inflation Reduction Act were paid for by closing loopholes and cracking down on tax evasion to make sure that the wealthy and big corporations are paying their fair share. At the same time, no family making under $400,000 per year will pay a penny more in taxes. 

The Truth: Rep. Steil voted multiple times to repeal funding that would give the IRS additional resources to crack down on wealthy and corporate tax cheats. The very first bill he voted to pass this year would slash $71 billion in IRS funding that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act to crack down on wealthy and corporate tax cheats. Repealing this funding could actually increase the deficit by nearly $115 billion.
 

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ICYMI: La Crosse Tribune highlights potential cuts to veterans’ medical care under Van Orden-backed default plan

“Nearly 44,000 veterans in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District — which covers much of western Wisconsin from Chippewa Falls to Platteville and Stevens Point — could be affected by across-the-board funding reductions in the House of Representatives’ spending bill.”

Monday, May 22, 2023

LA CROSSE, Wis. – In case you missed it, the La Crosse Tribune recently highlighted how devastating cuts in the “Default on America Act,” which Congressman Derrick Van Orden voted for, could reduce access to care for tens of thousands of veterans in the 3rd Congressional District. While the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and recent fact checks detail how devastating this plan could be for America’s veterans, Congressman Van Orden continues to mislead his constituents by falsely claiming that the bill does not cut funding for veterans’ benefits.

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: “Wisconsin veterans deserve a straight answer from Congressman Van Orden on why he voted for a devastating plan that could slash access to health care benefits and job training programs for those who have served their country. The ‘Default on America Act’ would make drastic across-the-board cuts that threaten these programs, in addition to education, food assistance for seniors, and more, while forcing the nation closer to default and protecting wealthy tax cheats.”
 

La Crosse Tribune: Proposed federal spending bill could lead to cuts in veterans’ medical care, benefits, job trainings

Fewer medical appointments and backlogged benefits could be a reality for veterans in the Coulee Region and nationwide, according to a report from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Nearly 44,000 veterans in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District — which covers much of western Wisconsin from Chippewa Falls to Platteville and Stevens Point — could be affected by across-the-board funding reductions in the House of Representatives’ spending bill.

The VA department released a fact sheet on how the House Republican spending bill would affect veterans’ operations for fiscal year 2024. The budgetary change will lead to staff reductions, fewer medical treatments and job training services, the fact sheet stated.

Congressional Republicans passed a spending bill that sets the fiscal year 2024 top line at $1.471 trillion, equal to the fiscal year 2022 level, while exempting defense spending from a reduction.

Under the assumption that funding for defense in 2024 will at least match the current baseline level of $885 billion, non-defense funding would total $586 billion, which is 22% lower than the currently enacted level of $756 billion.

Despite the claims from the department, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, supported the legislation and said on Twitter: “There are zero cuts for vets.”


[. . .]

Under the proposal, the Veterans Benefits Administration stated it would have to eliminate more than 6,000 staff, increasing the disability claims backlog by an estimated 134,000 claims.

“Forcing veterans and their surviving loved ones to wait longer for the benefits they have earned, including pensions, life insurance, GI Bill educational support and employment services,” the department stated.

More than 80,000 jobs would be cut from the Veterans’ Health Administration leading to 30 million fewer medical appointments for care, including wellness visits, cancer screenings, mental health services and substance use disorder treatment, the fact sheet stated.

The proposed spending reduction would mean 4,200 fewer veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness would receive job training, counseling and job readiness services provided through the Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program.

The proposal would eliminate funding for Housing Choice Vouchers for as many as 50,000 veterans, putting them at greater risk of homelessness, according to the fact sheet.

[. . . ]
 

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ICYMI: PolitiFact gives “Mostly False” to claim that House Republicans’ default plan doesn’t cut veterans’ benefits

Extreme Default on America Act: “could translate to 13 million fewer health care appointments for veterans and significant cuts to benefit payments, staffing, and clinic construction, according to the [VA].”

Monday, May 15, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, a recent PolitiFact gives a “Mostly False” rating to Republican claims that cuts to veterans’ benefits are not included in their extreme default plan, which Wisconsin’s Republican Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden voted for last month. 

Rep. Van Orden has repeatedly made similar false claims, even saying, “The Limit, Save, Grow Act DOES NOT cut veterans’ benefits.” In reality, the bill would force drastic spending cuts for nearly every federal program and threaten veterans’ access to the health care and benefits they earned. The bill also included cuts to education, housing and rental assistance for seniors, and other health care programs across the country. 

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: “Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden voted for a dangerous plan that would make it more difficult for our veterans to access the care and treatment they need. Wisconsinites expect their elected officials to fight for our families, seniors, and veterans, not leave them behind.”
 

PolitiFact: Republicans Vow Not to Cut Veterans’ Benefits. But the Legislation Suggests Otherwise.

House Republicans have set themselves a tough, if not impossible, task in attempting to use a standoff over the nation’s debt limit to cut federal spending to what it was in 2022.

[. . .]

And, because there is no specific language in the House-passed measure to exempt support for veterans’ programs, the VA assumed a full, 22% cut for fiscal year 2024 compared with 2023 funding and estimated reductions as high as $29.7 billion.

That could translate to 13 million fewer health care appointments for veterans and significant cuts to benefit payments, staffing, and clinic construction, according to the agency.

[. . .]

Drafting a slimmed-down budget that spares veterans is no easy task. Most notably, the VA represents one of the largest pieces of the pie in terms of discretionary spending, and, in the House-passed Limit, Save, Grow Act, no language was included to specifically protect it.

The House GOP plan does include a specific budget rescission for unspent covid relief funds. That translates to $2 billion coming from the VA. While Congress could restore that money in the future — and it is a relatively small portion of the VA budget — it would result in a reduction in spending for veterans as the proposal stands.

House Republicans like [House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Rep. Mike] Bost have said repeatedly they intend to protect this key constituency. But so far, such protections are not evident on paper.

We rate Bost’s statement as Mostly False.
 

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