Full page ads urge Rep. Van Orden to reject extreme GOP tax plan

As congressional recess ends, Opportunity Wisconsin calls on Van Orden to fight for working families and reject GOP tax handouts for the wealthy and big businesses

Monday, July 10, 2023

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Full page ads featuring a new political cartoon are running across the 3rd Congressional District, urging Congressman Derrick Van Orden to reject an extreme Republican tax plan as Congress reconvenes this week. 

Ads in the La Crosse Tribune and Stevens Point Journal illustrate the massive windfall that the top income earners would receive under a new Republican proposal, while working families would see meager tax changes. The proposal would expand and extend many portions of the Trump-backed tax bill in 2017, which disproportionately benefited the wealthy and big corporations.

“Working families expect Congressman Van Orden to fight for them, but this tax plan doesn’t do that. Instead, Republicans in Congress want to extend a disastrous plan that increases our deficit while giving massive handouts to the wealthiest Americans and big corporations,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Giving more than $16,000 a year to those at the top, while barely giving working families enough for a tank of gas doesn’t add up. Congressman Van Orden should put his constituents first and reject this extreme plan.”

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 estimatesthat the richest 1 percent of Americans would receive an average windfall of $16,560 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. 

In addition to running full page ads across the district, Opportunity Wisconsin will deliver the political cartoon to Congressman Van Orden’s La Crosse office today at 10:00 AM. Members of the media who would like to cover the delivery and speak with Opportunity Wisconsin’s grassroots advocates should contact press@opportunitywisconsin.org.

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ICYMI: Child care provider highlights Rep. Tom Tiffany’s vote to cut access to care for Wisconsin families

“If Congressman Tiffany had his way and the ‘Default on America Act’ was signed into law, 24,000 women, infants, and children in our state would have lost access to the food assistance programs they depend on.”

June 29, 2023

BLOOMER, Wis. – In case you missed it, a local child care provider recently authored an op-ed highlighting Congressman Tom Tiffany’s vote in favor of the “Default on America Act,” which would have cut access to food assistance and child care programs for thousands of Wisconsinites. 

In April, Congressman Tiffany, along with Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, voted for the “Default on America Act,” the extreme Republican proposal to raise the debt limit only if drastic cuts were made to programs Wisconsinites depend on. In addition to jeopardizing assistance and care for working families, this bill would have forced cuts to education and veterans' health care benefits.

Tom Tiffany put child care at risk as he pushed us toward default

By: Caitlin Mitchell

Earlier this month our nation successfully avoided a historic default on our nation’s debt, but Congressman Tom Tiffany opposed it. His vote against the debt ceiling bill came solely because he did not get what he wanted: an extreme plan that would’ve been devastating for Wisconsin families and children.

I am the proud owner and operator of Spots & Stripes Early Learning Center, a quality childcare and early education center for infants through school-age kiddos. Since opening our doors in 2015, we have cared for nearly 500 children. We feel incredibly grateful for the community of families and staff that have made this possible. Working with this demographic every day, I understand the challenges the child care industry faces and the tough decisions facing Wisconsin families. It’s why I’m particularly concerned that Congressman Tiffany pushed us closer toward default – and an economic disaster – because he wanted to make additional cuts to child care and other essential programs.

In his statement following his vote, Congressman Tiffany made it clear that he wouldn’t support any compromise that would responsibly raise the debt ceiling. Instead, he preferred the provisions in the “Default on America Act,” which he previously voted for in April. This extreme deal would have been catastrophic for Wisconsin, especially our children. If Congressman Tiffany had his way and the “Default on America Act” was signed into law, 24,000 women, infants, and children in our state would have lost access to the food assistance programs they depend on. Additionally, at a time when so many families struggle to access child care, this plan would have slashed spots for at least 5,500 Wisconsin children.

I have always had a passion for children and the incredible things they’re capable of. We work tirelessly to provide a safe, warm, and interactive environment where they can be challenged to thrive. But even today we face insurmountable challenges in making these programs accessible. With staffing shortages and the lack of fundamental funding for child care programs, we haven’t been able to enroll new families for nearly a year.

The cuts that Congressman Tiffany continues to stand by would have been devastating. With decreased funding, programs like ours would be even more challenging for families to access, leaving families to wonder how they will provide even the most basic necessities for their children. Wisconsin families cannot be put in that position and Congressman Tiffany should recognize that.

We demand more from our elected officials. It is far past time Congressman Tiffany stand behind the people of Wisconsin and fight for us –not against us –in Congress.

–Mitchell is an advocate for Wisconsin families and children and is the owner of Spots & Stripes Early Learning Center in Bloomer, Wisconsin.

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Rep. Bryan Steil voted against funding for Wisconsin’s high-speed internet expansion

Steil voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will invest $1 billion in Wisconsin broadband projects

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

RACINE, Wis. – Yesterday the White House announced Wisconsin will receive $1 billion to connect more homes and businesses with high-speed internet access, funded by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Congressman Bryan Steil voted against. 

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement reminding Wisconsinites that Steil tried to prevent this investment in Wisconsin communities:

“This funding means more Wisconsinites will have access to reliable high-speed internet than ever before. These projects will make it easier for small businesses to succeed and for families to have the affordable and reliable access they deserve, regardless of where they are in our state. Wisconsinites won’t forget that Rep. Bryan Steil tried to stand in the way of this much-needed funding. If Rep. Steil had his way, this funding for high-speed internet expansion and so many critical infrastructure projects in the 1st Congressional District wouldn’t exist. We need elected officials to fight for working families and small businesses and make sure they have the tools they need to succeed.”

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New Opportunity Wisconsin ad highlights Rep. Van Orden’s support of big corporations over working families

As Republicans in Congress push for massive corporate tax breaks, Opportunity Wisconsin calls on Van Orden to prioritize working families

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest ad highlights Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s consistent support for big corporations over working families in the 3rd Congressional District. The new ad comes amid a renewed effort from Republicans in Congress to extend massive handouts to the wealthy and big corporations. 

“Congressman Van Orden has refused to stand with the working families he represents. Instead, he has been a consistent supporter of tax breaks for big corporations, refusing to make them pay their fair share,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Wisconsinites understand the values of hard work and fairness, but Rep. Van Orden has voted to make working families shoulder more of the burden while letting those at the top off the hook. Republicans in Congress want to pass even more tax breaks for the most well-off Americans and big businesses, but it’s time for Rep. Van Orden to do the right thing and start fighting for working families.”

The new ad features Tim, a dairy farmer in the 3rd Congressional District, who calls on Van Orden to fight for Wisconsin workers over big corporations, saying, “When you go to Washington, you’re supposed to support your people. Derrick Van Orden is not looking out for families like mine, he’s taking care of somebody else.” 

The ad will begin running on digital platforms in the 3rd Congressional District this week as part of Opportunity Wisconsin’s previously-announced seven-figure media buy across the state.

Click here to watch the ad

Full Transcript: 

Dairy farming is not easy. We work seven days a week. You sit there and milk cows for eight hours, ten hours a day. Sometimes you don’t get much sleep. Sometimes you’re just so doggone tired, but you still have to get the job done. 

So it feels like when the rich don’t pay their fair share, it all falls back on our back. Derrick Van Orden voted to give tax breaks to large corporations. I think they should pay their taxes just like we do. 

When you go to Washington, you’re supposed to support your people. Derrick Van Orden is not looking out for families like mine, he’s taking care of somebody else.

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One year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Wisconsin Republican Congressional delegation still opposes access to reproductive health care

Congressmen Steil, Van Orden, and Tiffany continue to stand in the way of essential care for Wisconsinites as 1849 criminal ban prevents abortion access with few exceptions

Friday, June 23, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – As we approach the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade tomorrow, Wisconsin’s Republican members of Congress have refused to work to restore access to essential reproductive health care services as the state’s 1849 criminal abortion ban has virtually eliminated access in the state.

“Wisconsinites should have the freedom to choose when they want to start a family, but Republicans like Congressmen Bryan Steil, Derrick Van Orden, and Tom Tiffany have refused to protect access to essential reproductive care, leaving Wisconsin women without that freedom,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Their refusal to protect abortion access at the federal level has left Wisconsin’s archaic 1849 abortion ban on the books, leaving Wisconsinites without the care they need and threatening doctors and nurses with jail time just for doing their job.”

In addition to making care unavailable to Wisconsinites, the state’s 1849 abortion ban is likely to exacerbate the state’s OB-GYN shortage as residency programs report a decline in enrollment due to the inability of residents to receive training in-state. That could lead to fewer appointments and higher health care costs for Wisconsinites for basic reproductive health care. Additional research shows that women who are denied access to abortion have higher rates of poverty and economic distress than those who have the freedom to decide when to start a family.

Since the state’s abortion ban – the oldest in the nation – went into effect last year, Wisconsin’s Republican members of Congress have continued to stand in opposition to reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade. Last year, Congressmen Steil and Tiffany voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have guaranteed abortion access and reproductive freedom at the federal level. Congressman Van Orden has also been outspoken against abortion access, even comparing abortion to genocide and voting for a bill that takes away families’ freedom to make their own medical decisions and threatens to put doctors in prison. 

“It’s time for Wisconsin’s members of Congress to do the right thing to protect reproductive freedom for Wisconsin families. Everyone in our state should have the right to make these deeply personal decisions and decide what’s best for them, without interference from politicians,” added Roh.
 

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Budget proposal from group including Rep. Steil would raise prescription drug prices, increase Social Security retirement age

Republican Study Committee’s budget would hurt Wisconsin seniors and working families

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

RACINE, Wis. – Last week the Republican Study Committee, which Congressman Bryan Steil is a part of, released their 2024 budget proposal that includes drastic rollbacks of protections that are already lowering the costs of prescription drugs for Wisconsin seniors. The proposed budget would also raise the Social Security retirement age. 

“Congressman Bryan Steil continues to stand in the way of what’s best for Wisconsin seniors and working families as he fights to keep prescription drug prices high,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Not only has he voted multiple times against lowering out-of-control drug prices, but Rep. Steil is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, which is promoting an extreme plan that would roll back protections and raise prescription prices. Wisconsinites expect their elected officials to work to lower costs and make life-saving medication more affordable, but Rep. Steil and Republicans in Congress would rather look out for big pharmaceutical companies and force us to pay more.”

The proposed budget could dramatically roll back protections recently signed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, including allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices and measures that are already delivering savings to consumers when drug prices rise faster than the rate of inflation. 

In addition to increasing prescription drug prices, the budget proposal also makes extreme changes to Social Security, including raising the retirement age to receive full benefits to 69.

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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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