Local advocates joined around 500 people from more than 30 states to stand up for tax fairness and tell their lawmakers about how devastating cuts to vital programs will impact their families
Washington, DC (April 11, 2025) – This week, Wisconsinites traveled to Washington DC to meet with their Congressional delegation and join Fair Share America for a rally at the US Capitol to say NO more tax breaks for billionaires and corporations.
The budget resolution adopted yesterday would cut vital programs to fund the additional tax cuts for billionaires and corporations that would impact Wisconsin by placing 1.4 million at risk of losing access to Medicaid, 15,308 kids at risk of being kicked out of Head Start, and take food off of the table of the 705,400 WI residents who rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families.
ICYMI, read more on how constituents made their voices heard in DC this week:
Wisconsin Examiner: As U.S. House GOP adopts budget, protesters rally against Medicaid reductions, tax cuts
- Hundreds demonstrated outside the U.S. Capitol Thursday, urging congressional Republicans to rethink cutting programs vital to millions of Americans as a way to help extend President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.
- The previously scheduled rally, organized by the advocacy coalition Fair Share America, occurred less than an hour after House Republicans, by a narrow margin, adopted a budget resolution that paves the way for negotiations on deep spending cuts as Congress works on an extension of the 2017 tax law.
- The advocates, who flew and bused in from 30 states to rally and meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, say the cuts would be devastating for low-income Americans who rely on government health care, nutrition and early education programs, among other benefits.
- “This is personal to so many of us, and many of you are here from all over the country, Utah, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan,” Fair Share America Executive Director Kristen Crowell told the crowd. “This is a national movement where we are the people we’ve been waiting for.” Lawmakers “need to look us in the eye while they do harm,” Crowell said.
- Grassroots advocates and community leaders with Opportunity Wisconsin traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with their members of Congress and ask them to oppose devastating cuts that will raise costs and make it harder for Wisconsin families and communities to succeed. Participants also joined Fair Share America for a rally in front of the Capitol, calling out the continued push by President Trump and Republicans in Congress to give new tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations instead of delivering relief to those who need it most.
- Oliver Winn, Eau Claire: “We’re in Washington D.C. because we’re tired of Republicans in Congress coming after programs that help our most vulnerable family members and neighbors succeed – all in an effort to give more to those who are well-off. Whether it’s making sure healthcare programs are affordable and accessible or protecting access to nutrition assistance to ensure everyone is able to put food on their table, it’s time for our elected officials to fight with us, not stand by while programs his constituents depend on are torn down. During our meeting yesterday, Congressman Van Orden made a commitment to me that he would not make cuts to these critical programs. As a Medicaid beneficiary who also relies on SNAP, his track record leaves me skeptical that he will follow through on that commitment and we will continue to hold him accountable as this process moves forward.”
- LuAnn Bird, Hales Corner: “My family is already witnessing what happens when Republicans in Congress refuse to stand up to harmful cuts. My paralyzed husband put his life on the line in Vietnam. He is completely bed bound now and he depends on the VA to keep him alive. All of his spinal cord doctors and nurses were offered a buyout with no guarantee that their jobs would be there in the future. Now his life is on the line again but this time from the Trump administration. Even more Wisconsinites will suffer unless Congressman Steil starts standing up for us and opposes even more devastating cuts while supporting tax breaks for the wealthy. It’s time for Congress to get back to the basics and fight for our working families, seniors, and veterans.”
- Dr. Donn Dexter, Eau Claire: “I’ve spent more than three decades as a doctor working to keep patients healthy and thriving. That’s a mission that becomes even harder as Congress cuts programs like Medicaid and cuts back on lifesaving research that has the power to transform how we treat and prevent diseases. These shortsighted cuts are dangerous and detrimental to public health. It’s time for Congress to protect access to affordable medical care, not raise costs and shutter successful programs.”
