MADISON, Wis. — As Donald Trump takes a wrecking ball to the federal government, tanks the economy, and raises prices on working families, Wisconsin Republicans have spent this month’s congressional recess playing hide-and-seek with their own constituents, skipping out on town halls and avoiding accountability for their disastrous agenda.
With Wisconsin Republicans like Derrick Van Orden, Bryan Steil, and Ron Johnson missing in action, farmers across Wisconsin are bracing for Trump’s tariffs to hit, Head Start programs are staring down closures, and Medicaid recipients are worrying about drastic cuts to their benefits.
“Not even halfway through the year, Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil have already reneged on their promise to lower costs and protect Medicaid from cuts—and now they’re hiding from their constituents to avoid accountability for their failures,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Deputy Communications Director Haley McCoy. “Wisconsin deserves better than to be ignored by our representatives. If Derrick Van Orden, Bryan Steil, and Ron Johnson won’t stand up for working Wisconsinites, they should get out of the way and let Wisconsin elect someone who will.”
Read more about the Wisconsin GOP’s disappearing act:
WCLO:“A chair reserved for U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil at a Janesville town hall Wednesday night will be empty. A group of local volunteers organized the event and invited Steil to participate. Edie Baran, one of the organizers, says Steil declined the invite. She says the volunteers hoped to give First District voters a chance to raise questions and concerns with their congressman.”
WXOW: “The event featured discussions on key issues facing residents of Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District. Congressman Mark Pocan addressed attendees’ concerns, while Sen. Bernie Sanders made an appearance via phone. Third Congressional District Rep. Derrick Van Orden was invited but did not attend. Constituents raised questions about budget cuts, Medicaid, and abortion.”
FOX6:“Grassroots North Shore hosted the town hall. Organizers with the left-leaning group said they invited Johnson, a Republican, to address constituents directly while the U.S. Senate is on recess. Across the country, Republican lawmakers have been criticized at town halls they’ve hosted over concerns about cuts to the federal workforce, deportation situations and tariffs.”
