Wisconsinites speak out on the importance of Social Security at roundtable discussions in La Crosse and Kenosha

As Congress advances a bill which could fast-track benefit cuts, community leaders discuss the need to protect Social Security for future generations

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – At recent roundtable discussions in La Crosse and Kenosha sponsored by Opportunity Wisconsin, Citizen Action Wisconsin, and For Our Future Wisconsin, seniors and community leaders demanded Congress oppose attempts to weaken Social Security.

As Congress advances a bill to create a so-called “fiscal commission,” which would create a fast-track process for cuts to programs including Social Security, Wisconsinites discussed the importance of the program and the difference it’s made for families across the state. Congressional Republicans have even suggested that they will attempt to include the commission in upcoming government funding packages. Roundtable participants also highlighted recent proposals in Congress which would have cut funding from the Social Security Administration, leading to longer wait times for benefits. 

Penny, La Crosse: “As a small business owner, and someone who worked my whole life raising two children as a single mom, I haven’t had the chance to put a lot away for retirement. But I’ve paid into Social Security, I’ve earned these benefits, and I’m fortunate to have them today. I’m very concerned about the future of this program and we need to make sure Congress doesn’t jeopardize these benefits.”

Jim, Kenosha: “We can’t afford cuts to Social Security, we need to keep it accessible for seniors like me who have earned it through their entire career. I started collecting Social Security a month after my 66th birthday. It has helped me afford retirement and live comfortably. We need to make sure future generations have the same opportunity, which means Congressman Steil needs to oppose any attempt to weaken Social Security benefits.”

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director: “Wisconsinites can see through this latest proposal for what it is: An attempt to make it easier for lawmakers to cut Social Security benefits without transparency, scrutiny, or accountability. If Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden want to support seniors and working families in their districts, they’ll speak out and vote against a fiscal commission that allows cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicare.” 

Last month the House Budget Committee advanced H.R. 5779, the Fiscal Commission Act of 2023. AARP and more than 100 organizations have also publicly opposed creating a fiscal commission, citing the potential for cuts to Social Security benefits.  During debate over the bill, Republicans even rejected amendments to remove Social Security and Medicare from cuts.

 

Kenosha area community members and leaders participate in a Social Security roundtable on Friday, February 2nd.

La Crosse area community members and leaders participate in a Social Security roundtable on Thursday, February 1st.



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This Groundhog Day, how many more weeks will Congress try to pass harmful cuts?

With the House only in session 10 days before the next government funding deadline, Reps. Steil and Van Orden must reject new attempts to pass cuts to critical programs

Friday, February 2, 2024

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – It’s Groundhog Day, and if the cycle of Republicans in Congress introducing spending packages laden with harmful cuts has gotten as repetitive as Bill Murray’s life in the 1993 classic, we’ve got bad news for you: There are just 10 legislative session days left before the next government funding deadline.

That’s right. Congress has spent months failing to pass spending packages, largely because House Republicans’ proposals have contained harmful cuts that would raise costs and jeopardize access to benefits for many Wisconsinites. With time running out to pass appropriations bills ahead of the March deadlines, it’s more important than ever that our Congressional delegation oppose proposals that include cuts to programs that working families depend on. 

“This is a familiar story by now: Republicans like Congressmen Steil and Van Orden vote for harmful cuts, the appropriations bills fail to pass through Congress, and we kick the can down the road. Groundhog Day is a perfect opportunity for our members of Congress to see the light and start fighting for the working families and seniors they represent. That means rejecting cuts that would make it tougher for their constituents to succeed, and starting to work on ways to lower prescription drug costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, and help families keep more money in their pockets,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “It’s time to break this cycle and finally support our neighbors across Wisconsin who expect their elected officials to look out for them.”


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President Biden visits Superior as more Americans are optimistic about the economy and relief from rising costs

President Biden and Democrats are investing in Wisconsin communities and making our state stronger thanks to funding Congressmen Bryan Steil, Tom Tiffany, and other Republicans opposed

Thursday, January 25, 2024

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

“As Wisconsinites welcome President Biden back to the state today, they continue to see the success of policies that put working families first and make smart investments that strengthen our communities. From rebuilding bridges and roads to help grow our economy, to ensuring families and seniors are able to keep more money in their pockets thanks to lower health care and prescription drug costs, we’re better off today because of programs like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

“Wisconsinites remember that Reps. Bryan Steil, Tom Tiffany, and the rest of the state’s Republican delegation at the time voted against vital infrastructure funding that is essential to projects like the Blatnik Bridge replacement, connecting hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites with high-speed internet, and more. They’re also going to continue to demand that Republicans, including Congressman Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, reverse their opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act and reject attempts to repeal successful provisions, including the law’s cap on insulin and out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.”

President Biden’s visit to Wisconsin comes as recent surveys show Americans are more confident in the nation’s economy and relief from rising costs:

WALL STREET JOURNAL: “Americans Are Suddenly Upbeat About Economy. Sentiment Just Logged Its Biggest Jump in Decades.”

CNN: “Americans are feeling much better about the economy thanks to slowing inflation”

THE HILL: “Consumer sentiment hits highest level since 2021” 

AXIOS: “America's economic mood is improving fast, survey shows”


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ICYMI: Rep. Van Orden: “look at what we’ve accomplished. The answer is nothing.”

Congressman says the quiet part out loud as he reflects on his first year in office

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

LA CROSSE, Wis. – In case you missed it, Congressman Derrick Van Orden reflected on the work of the 118th Congress in Punchbowl News this morning. Revealing how he really feels about the record of Congressional Republicans after his first year in office, Van Orden said, “look at what we’ve accomplished. The answer is nothing.”

Van Orden’s comments come just weeks after Opportunity Wisconsin delivered a book filled with blank pages to the congressman’s La Crosse office highlighting his accomplishments for working families, or lack thereof, during his first year in office. 

“We appreciate that Congressman Van Orden apparently took time to read our book, reflect on his first year in Congress, and agree that he has failed to deliver anything for working families and seniors here in Wisconsin,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “The reality though, is that Van Orden has actually spent the past year embracing harmful cuts that would actually make it more difficult for his constituents to get ahead. While these bills thankfully weren’t signed into law, he voted to cut access to Social Security benefits, threatened nutrition assistance for Wisconsin children and families, and continued to prioritize big corporations and the wealthiest Americans. With Congress set to vote on government funding packages in the coming weeks, Rep. Van Orden will have the opportunity to finally reject harmful cuts that would jeopardize critical programs that working families rely on.”

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Statement on passage of new continuing resolution

As Republicans continue to delay funding packages, Wisconsinites must demand no cuts to crucial programs

Thursday, January 18, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement following House passage of the latest continuing resolution which sets new government funding deadlines in March:

“With yet another extension in government funding deadlines, Republicans in Congress like Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden have an opportunity to finally stand up and reject harmful cuts to programs their constituents depend on. Ahead of a similar deadline last fall, both Steil and Van Orden voted to raise costs for Wisconsin families by gutting food assistance programs for children, their mothers, and seniors. They’ve also voted for funding packages that cut access to Social Security benefits, threaten teaching positions, reduce child care access, and more. With six weeks left to pass additional appropriations bills and keep the government open, Republicans have an opportunity to start fighting for working families and seniors. Wisconsinites are watching and we expect Congressmen Steil and Van Orden to oppose harmful cuts that jeopardize important programs, raise costs, and make it harder for families to succeed.”
 

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WATCH: New ads highlight Reps. Steil and Van Orden working against families and seniors, while pushing for handouts to big corporations

Opportunity Wisconsin kicks off 2024 with continued seven-figure paid media campaign asking Wisconsin Congressmen to fight for their constituents and oppose harmful policies

Wednesday, January 10, 2023

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin, a grassroots coalition advocating for policies that support working families and seniors in the state, has launched two new ads calling on Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden to oppose harmful policies instead of voting to support large corporations.

“Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden need to start fighting for working families here in Wisconsin, not prioritizing tax breaks for large corporations and the wealthiest Americans,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “As they return to Washington this week, and with critical government funding deadlines just weeks away, it’s crucial that our congressmen oppose harmful cuts that will hurt Wisconsin families, our seniors, and weaken our economy.”

In Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, a new TV ad features Jim, a Navy veteran from Racine, who is concerned about Rep. Bryan Steil’s ties to a group pushing devastating cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Steil is a member of the extreme Republican Study Committee, which has proposed a federal budget which would cut $718 billion from Social Security, raise the retirement age, and more. 

Opportunity Wisconsin also released a new digital ad in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District highlighting Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s support for additional tax cuts for large corporations. Darin, a third generation dairy farmer from La Crosse, highlights the challenges facing family farmers in Wisconsin who play by the rules while Van Orden prioritizes large corporations instead. 

These ads are part of Opportunity Wisconsin’s previously-announced seven-figure paid media campaign across the state, which includes TV, digital, radio, and direct mail. Wisconsinites can view these ads and contact their members of Congress about these critical issues by visiting Opportunity Wisconsin’s advocacy hub here.

Full Transcript “Jim”:

I’m a U.S. Naval veteran and I worked as a millwright down the road here. I paid into Social Security and Medicare for 60 years. Bryan Steil is part of a group that wants to cut Social Security and Medicare, that would be devastating. And Bryan Steil is pushing huge tax breaks for wealthy corporations. I earned my Social Security and Medicare benefits. Not given, not entitled, earned. Bryan Steil has no business touching them.

Full Transcript “Darin”:

I was born and raised in farming, so I’m a third generation dairy farmer. You know, we’re seeing dairy farms go out of business every day here in the state of Wisconsin. Derrick Van Orden is not looking out for us. He voted for tax cuts for large corporations that don’t even need them. It’s not right that those of us that play by the rules get left behind. Derrick Van Orden shouldn’t be able to throw away our future while siding with large corporations. We deserve better.
 

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One Year Ago Today: Reps. Steil and Van Orden’s first vote in the 118th Congress to protect wealthy tax cheats by repealing key IRA provision

Steil and Van Orden have voted multiple times to repeal funding that has already helped recover $160 million in delinquent taxes from wealthy individuals and big corporations

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – One year ago today, Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden took their first of many votes in the 118th Congress in favor of repealing funding from the Inflation Reduction Act designed to hold wealthy tax cheats and big corporations accountable for not paying their fair share.

On January 9th, 2023 Congressional Republicans took one of their first votes of the year in favor of removing Inflation Reduction Act funding designed to increase enforcement and ensure those at the top pay their taxes. As of October of last year, these increased efforts had already recovered $160 million from wealthy tax evaders, including 175 delinquent tax cases for millionaires. This wasn’t the only vote Steil and Van Orden took to protect wealthy tax cheats last year. They voted to do so three more times, and several of House Republicans' appropriations bills would rescind this Inflation Reduction Act funding, too.

“While working families and small business owners pay their fair share and play by the rules, too many big corporations and wealthy individuals have refused to do the same,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Last year Congressmen Steil and Van Orden voted multiple times to make it easier for wealthy tax cheats to avoid paying what they owe. Wisconsinites believe in fairness, but Steil and Van Orden’s votes would let those at the top continue playing by a different set of rules, while the rest of us shoulder the burden. It’s time for our members of Congress to start fighting for working families instead of prioritizing the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.”


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One year after Rep. Derrick Van Orden sworn in, Opportunity Wisconsin delivers a record of his accomplishments to his office

Van Orden has failed to prioritize working families, seniors, and children during his first year in Congress, while voting for harmful cuts that would raise costs and make it harder for them to succeed

Friday, January 5, 2024

LA CROSSE, Wis. – As Congressman Derrick Van Orden approaches his one-year anniversary of being sworn in, Opportunity Wisconsin delivered a commemorative book – a nod to the traditional first wedding anniversary gift of paper – to Van Orden’s office highlighting what the congressman has delivered for working families and seniors in the Third Congressional District.

However, given Congressman Van Orden’s multiple votes in favor of harmful cuts to programs that families, seniors, and children depend on – and his continued support of the wealthiest Americans and big corporations – the pages of the book are blank. While failing to deliver for his constituents, he has voted in favor of legislation that would increase energy costs, strip funding that protects thousands of energy industry jobs, make it harder to hold wealthy tax cheats and corporations accountable for failing to pay taxes, and cut access to Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Opportunity Wisconsin also included a message to Van Orden, asking him, “In 2024, please start fighting for your constituents instead of voting for harmful cuts that jeopardize programs they depend on.”

 
Opportunity Wisconsin delivered this book to Van Orden’s La Crosse office today. Click here for an Instagram Reel showing the blank pages inside.
 


“This should be simple: Wisconsinites expect our members of Congress to do their jobs, look out for working families, and deliver results. Unfortunately, Congressman Van Orden has failed working families and seniors during his first year in office by voting against them and refusing to stand up to the wealthy and big corporations,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “In the New Year, we hope Rep. Van Orden will start fighting for the people he’s supposed to represent and support economic policies that help the Third Congressional District succeed.”

Although Van Orden has kicked off the New Year more than a thousand miles away from the Third Congressional District on the US-Mexico border, Congress is facing critical government funding deadlines when they return to Washington next week. Republicans in Congress have proposed a series of harmful cuts that are incorporated into spending proposals, which Van Orden has the opportunity to oppose when they come before the House in the coming weeks.


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