On the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, Rep. Steil’s constituents are met with a locked door

Opportunity Wisconsin and grassroots advocates find office closed as Rep. Steil is only willing to help Racine County constituents for just two hours a week

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

RACINE, Wis. – Visiting Congressman Bryan Steil’s Racine office to mark the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, his constituents were met with a locked door and a message that the congressman’s staff is only available two hours a week in the district’s most populated county. 

Grassroots advocates joined Opportunity Wisconsin, For Our Future WI, and Citizen Action Wisconsin to deliver 475 suckers to Rep. Steil’s office, representing the $475 on average that many Wisconsinites will save thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s annual cap on out-of-pocket drug costs. Instead of being able to deliver the message to Rep. Steil that the Inflation Reduction Act is a success, they were met with a locked door and sign indicating that constituent services are only available two hours each week.

Below are remarks delivered by participants outside of the Racine County Courthouse following the attempted visit to Rep. Steil’s office: 

Cierra Chesir, Opportunity Wisconsin Regional Lead: “We’re here today to mark the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act and to remind Wisconsinites that Congressman Steil opposed this bill and the relief it has already delivered to working families and seniors in our state. To every Medicare beneficiary who is saving money thanks to the IRA’s cap on insulin costs or the new cap on annual out-of-pocket drug costs – Congressman Steil opposed that relief. To the hundreds of Wisconsinites who are now employed because of the IRA’s investments in clean energy infrastructure and manufacturing – Congressman Steil voted against those jobs. And to the working families who are starting to see relief rising costs – Congressman Steil voted to against this relief.”

Daniel Joglar, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional, For Our Future WI: “While the IRA is working, it’s still under attack by Republicans in Congress and big drug companies who want to see it fail. They want to roll back the improvements it made to Medicare, once again prohibiting Medicare from negotiating for lower drug prices. We need a member of Congress who will stand up to big pharma and fight for lower prescription drug prices. Congressman Steil also voted for an extreme plan, the Default on America Act, that would’ve forced drastic cuts onto programs from education to health care for veterans. This bill also would’ve repealed many of the IRA’s provisions that are helping crack down on wealthy tax cheats and corporations who refuse to pay their fair share.”

Kat Klawes, Southeast Wisconsin Organizer, Citizen Action Wisconsin: “The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has made historic investments to address climate change and contains the most sweeping health care reforms in a decade. These are on a national scale that would reduce the budget deficit by $300 billion. The act also provides near-immediate, tangible benefits for American families by lowering costs for home energy, new vehicles, health coverage, and prescription drugs.”

Photos from today's event: 

Advocates prepare to deliver 475 suckers to Rep. Bryan Steil’s Racine office representing the $475 in annual savings many Wisconsinites will see thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s annual cap on out-of-pocket drug costs.

Rep. Steil’s office in Racine County, the 1st District’s most populous county, is only open to the public for two hours each week.

One year later, the Inflation Reduction Act is already making Wisconsin stronger

Communities, working families, and seniors are already benefiting from the law, which was opposed by Wisconsin’s Republican Congressional delegation

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – On the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, Wisconsinites are already benefiting from new investments in communities and seeing lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs. Despite the law’s success, Wisconsin’s Republican congressional delegation continues to oppose the law and have stood by as the pharmaceutical industry tries to dismantle its most important provisions.

Here are some of the ways the Inflation Reduction Act is already succeeding in Wisconsin: 
 

• Lower Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs: The Inflation Reduction Act is delivering lower prescription drug prices and health insurance premiums for thousands of Wisconsin families. Many Wisconsinites will save an average of $475 on the life-saving medication that they need thanks to the IRA’s cap on annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Thanks to the new cap on insulin prices for Medicare recipients, recent data shows more Wisconsinites are already filling prescriptions as medication becomes more affordable.
  

• New Good-Paying Jobs for Wisconsin: The Inflation Reduction Act’s investments in clean energy are also supporting new manufacturing and other jobs across Wisconsin, with recent announcements already showing the state’s potential to manufacture clean energy infrastructure. Reports show at least 500 new jobs have already been created in Wisconsin during the first year that the law has been in effect. The Inflation Reduction Act’s historic tax credits will ensure these products are made in the United States and support good-paying jobs here in Wisconsin.
  

• Fighting Rising Costs: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act and President Biden’s economic agenda, inflation is lower than it was a year ago, providing relief to families as they continue to deal with rising costs.

While Wisconsinites are clearly benefiting from the Inflation Reduction Act and recent polling shows the law is overwhelmingly popular nationally, Republicans in Congress continue to threaten its success. Wisconsin’s Republican congressional delegation—including Reps. Bryan Steil, Derrick Van Orden, and Tom Tiffany—all oppose the law and have failed to condemn attempts by the pharmaceutical industry to roll back its improvements to Medicare coverage. The delegation also voted for the “Default on America Act” earlier this year which would’ve repealed additional portions of the Inflation Reduction Act to crack down on wealthy tax cheats who don’t pay their fair share in taxes. 

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: “Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress, the Inflation Reduction Act is already delivering relief to Wisconsin families. Today, thousands of Wisconsinites are paying less for prescription drugs and health care premiums, and investments from the program are creating jobs and supporting new industries here in Wisconsin. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to stop trying to tear down the progress we’ve made and support policies like the Inflation Reduction Act that deliver for our state.” 
 

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Opportunity Wisconsin statement on President Biden’s visit to Milwaukee

Inflation Reduction Act saving Wisconsinites hundreds of dollars, investing $2.9 billion in Wisconsin’s infrastructure 

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit to Milwaukee later today: 

“Policies that put working families first make our state stronger and give Wisconsinites the best opportunity to succeed. That’s why we’re excited to welcome President Biden back to Wisconsin and highlight his administration’s success. President Biden has invested in our communities, seniors, and workers to make sure our economic recovery brings everyone along, and it’s working. Today, thousands more Wisconsin seniors are able to afford the prescription drugs they need, while many of our cities and towns are benefiting from real investments to improve infrastructure and create more good-paying jobs. Instead of trying to roll back these successful programs, Republicans in Congress should work with President Biden to support working families here in Wisconsin.”

Recent data shows that 298,750 Wisconsinites will save an average of $474 thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s annual cap on out-of-pocket health care costs, and more than 181,000 Wisconsinites are already saving an average of $531 on monthly health insurance premiums thanks to the law.

The president’s economic plan has also resulted in more than $2.9 billion in federal funding for infrastructure projects in the state, including funding to improve roads, bridges, access to clean drinking water, and more affordable high-speed internet access. 

Republicans in Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation opposed the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, despite the critical investments both are making in the state.

In June, thanks to Wisconsin’s continued economic recovery, the state set a record for the highest number of people employed in history and unemployment remains at historically low levels. 
 

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ICYMI: Rep. Bryan Steil attacks Opportunity Wisconsin, but doesn’t deny support for plan to raise the Social Security retirement age

Steil’s weekly newsletter claims he’s trying to protect retirement benefits, while the Republican Study Committee budget would slash them and make retirement more difficult

Monday, August 14, 2023

RACINE, Wis. – It seems that one thing has been on the top of Congressman Bryan Steil’s agenda during the August recess – running from his record on Social Security and Medicare. After misleading constituents at listening sessions and on social media, Steil used his official Congressional newsletter last week to admit that he’s watched Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest TV ad, but didn’t deny his support for an extreme budget proposal that slashes benefits for working families and seniors.

In his newsletter on Friday, Congressman Steil wrote: 
 

“Opportunity Wisconsin” is up to the old political game of running negative ads trying to scare seniors about cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Scare tactics are nothing new to Wisconsin TV viewers. They are trying to mislead you. I oppose cutting benefits for our seniors. While there are those that want to risk your financial security with reckless spending, I’m part of the effort to control spending to protect your retirement. We proved that we could reduce wasteful spending in Washington. We did this while protecting Social Security, Medicare and veterans.

While he runs from his record, Congressman Steil forgot to mention a few facts about his record that he must realize are unpopular:
 

• Rep. Steil is a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released its recommendation for the 2024 federal budget. The group’s proposal would raise the Social Security age and make drastic changes to Medicare, jeopardizing retirement security for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin seniors. 
  

• Rep. Steil also voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which made improvements to Medicare coverage, including capping insulin costs at $35 per month, giving the program the ability to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices, and forcing drug companies to pay rebates when they raise certain drug prices higher than the rate of inflation.
  

• In May, Rep. Steil also voted for the “Default on America Act,” an extreme plan that pushed the nation to the brink of defaulting on our obligations for the first time in history. This plan included drastic cuts to federal programs, including cuts to medical care for veterans and increased wait times for Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: “Congressman Steil has a clear record on Social Security and Medicare, and he owes his constituents an honest answer for why he has stood by extreme plans that would slash benefits. While we appreciate that he’s taken time to watch our TV ad, we’d rather he use his free time to find solutions that actually support working families and seniors in the 1st Congressional District.”

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On 88th anniversary of Social Security, Wisconsin Republicans are plotting to slash benefits and raise the retirement age

Reps. Bryan Steil and Tom Tiffany are members of the Republican Study Committee, which proposed a budget that jeopardizes retirement security for many Wisconsin seniors

Monday, August 14, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – As Social Security marks 88 years since being signed into law, extreme proposals from Republicans in Congress would jeopardize benefits for Wisconsin seniors.

Earlier this year, the Republican Study Committee released their proposal for the 2024 federal budget which would slash Medicare benefits and make drastic changes to Social Security, including raising the retirement age. Congressman Tom Tiffany helped author the budget and Congressman Bryan Steil is a member of the committee that proposed it. 

Another plan introduced by Congressman Derrick Van Orden earlier this year, and featured in Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest ad, would also slash benefits and make it more difficult for seniors to retire.

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh: “Wisconsinites have paid into Social Security their entire career with the expectation that these benefits will be there when they choose to retire. Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress continue to propose drastic changes that would threaten these benefits and make it more difficult for Wisconsin seniors to retire. Every member of Wisconsin’s Republican congressional delegation owes their constituents an answer about where they stand on these extreme proposals. It’s time for Congress to find ways to strengthen Social Security benefits, not propose new ways to weaken them.”

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New ad highlights Rep. Van Orden’s plan to slash Social Security and Medicare

WATCH: “I always looked forward to retirement, Derrick Van Orden should not be able to take that away.”

Thursday, August 10, 2023

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Ahead of the 88th anniversary of Social Security next week, a new ad from Opportunity Wisconsin highlights Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s support for a plan that would slash benefits and jeopardize retirement security for Wisconsin seniors.

Click here to watch the ad

“Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites depend on Social Security to pay their bills and retire with the financial security they’ve earned, but Congressman Derrick Van Orden voted to slash those benefits and make retirement more difficult,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Instead of working to slash benefits that working families have paid into their entire career, Rep. Van Orden needs to start fighting for families and seniors in the Third Congressional District.”

The new ad features Joni, a retired factory worker from Adams, Wisconsin, who depends on Social Security benefits to pay her bills and make ends meet in retirement. Like many Wisconsinites who have paid into Social Security throughout their career, she depends on these payments to afford her home, car, and other essentials.

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

Full Transcript:

JONI: I worked in a factory as a machine operator for almost 30 years. You would go home tired, your feet would hurt. It was a long day. I paid into Social Security with every paycheck. Derrick Van Orden’s plan would slash Medicare and Social Security. Social Security pays the majority of my bills. If I were to lose Social Security, I probably wouldn’t be able to afford my home or my car. I always looked forward to retirement, Derrick Van Orden should not be able to take that away.

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Congressional Republicans’ debt limit extremism leads to US credit rating downgrade as new federal funding deadline approaches

Fitch Ratings: “repeated debt-limit political standoffs and last-minute resolutions have eroded confidence in fiscal management.”

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – Months after Congressional Republicans, including Reps. Bryan Steil, Derrick Van Orden, and Tom Tiffany risked our economic recovery by pushing the country to the brink of default, Fitch Ratings cited the weaponization of debt limit negotiations as a key factor in their decision to lower the credit rating of the United States.

In April, Wisconsin’s Republican congressmen all voted for the “Default on America Act,” a devastating plan that would have forced the United States to default for the first time in history unless massive cuts were made to programs including health care, food assistance, and even care for veterans. Fitch pointed to the politicization of debt limit negotiations as a key factor in their decision to downgrade the nation’s credit rating, writing, “the repeated debt-limit political standoffs and last-minute resolutions have eroded confidence in fiscal management.”

While President Biden successfully negotiated an agreement to avoid a fiscal disaster earlier this year, Congress will face a tight deadline to avoid a government shutdown when they reconvene next month. If Congressional Republicans once again refuse to negotiate and fail to pass next year’s federal budget by September 30th, the federal government could shut down, jeopardizing our economy as it continues to recover.

“Republicans in Congress have already done enough damage to our economy by forcing their extreme agenda at all costs, even pushing us to the brink of default,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “When Congress reconvenes next month, it’s critical that they pass a budget that funds the federal government without jeopardizing the programs and services that working families in Wisconsin depend on.”
 

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Fact Check: Rep. Bryan Steil hides his record on Social Security and Medicare at Kenosha listening session

Congressman refuses to tell constituents the truth about an extreme plan to cut benefits and raise the Social Security retirement age

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

KENOSHA, Wis. – Congressman Bryan Steil is focused on one thing during the August Congressional recess: Misleading his constituents about his real record on Social Security and Medicare.

According to the Kenosha News, Rep. Steil told constituents last week, “There was this big push to try to scare people that what conservatives were doing was going to cut Medicare and Social Security. Not true. We didn’t cut it. And I’m here to tell you, I’m not going to cut it.”

Unfortunately, Rep. Steil is hiding the facts about his own record. Steil didn’t tell his constituents that he’s a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released an extreme budget proposal that would make major changes to Social Security and Medicare. If passed, the budget would raise the Social Security retirement age and cut Medicare and Medicaid benefits for many Wisconsinites.

He also failed to mention that the Republican Study Committee’s budget would repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s improvements to Medicare’s prescription drug coverage, including a $35 monthly cap on insulin costs, allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices, and forcing big pharmaceutical companies to pay rebates when they increase prices higher than the rate of inflation.

“Congressman Steil’s record of supporting cuts to Social Security and Medicare is clear and his constituents aren’t going to be fooled by his empty promises,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Instead of misleading the people he’s supposed to represent, Congressman Steil should tell the truth about this extreme budget and explain why he continues to choose the side of big drug companies instead of working families and seniors here in Wisconsin.”
 

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