EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Yesterday a packed room of Third District constituents showed up in Eau Claire with questions for Congressman Derrick Van Orden, who again dodged the opportunity to appear in-person and instead scheduled a competing registration-only virtual town hall where he took pre-screened questions instead.
Attendees showed up with important questions about proposed cuts to Medicaid, Social Security, education funding, and more, while Van Orden’s chair sat empty. Wisconsin Secretary of State and Eau Claire native Sarah Godlewski appeared as a special guest to hear the concerns of attendees and discuss these critical issues.
“Congressman Van Orden’s constituents deserve answers. Instead, they’ve been met with locked doors, canceled meetings, and insults lobbed at them from their congressman,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “It’s disappointing that Congressman Van Orden didn’t take this opportunity to meet with the people he’s supposed to represent and address the serious concerns they have about Medicaid, public education, Social Security, and so many other issues. We hope he’ll take time to listen to stories we collected at this event and work to help working families and seniors in his district succeed.”
Opportunity Wisconsin collected constituents’ questions at yesterday’s town hall and will share them with Van Orden’s office, along with a full recording of the event.
Here’s a look at what Van Orden’s constituents saw yesterday as their congressman refused to appear at the town hall:
“Constituents in the 3rd Congressional District attended a town hall meeting in Eau Claireeau claire. The organizers say they invited Representative Derrick Van Orden. Van Orden did not attend the event . . . Constituents shared their concerns about topics including funding cuts for farming, the Department of Education, and Medicare and Medicaid. [Eau Claire Doctor Abby Nou]: ‘I’m really concerned about the proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. I know the congressman has said that the budget that was approved doesn’t include those cuts, but looking at it I’m concerned that’s really the only thing that can be cut with the proposed legislation.’”
“Many speakers shared their frustration with Van Orden not attending, and in response they all lined up to share stories and say what they would have asked the congressman if he attended. [Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski]: ‘Well the people of Eau Claire and the people of the Third CD deserve answers when a representative votes on a bill to cut 1.5 trillion dollars and this money is going to impact essential services that western Wisconsinites rely on.’ [Attendee]: ‘He says well they’re not, the budget is not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid, well I’d like to see that in writing that he’s going to oppose any bill that cuts funding.’ [Attendee]: ‘My question for Mr. Van Orden is, where are you? and how can your constituents reach you?’”
“Well, the republican congressman, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin is dodging in-person town halls, including one today in Eau Claire. But that didn’t stop his constituents from showing up and demanding answers. [Attendee]: Elon Musk proposes to cut tens of thousands of jobs from the Veterans Administration. My question is, how is that going to improve services to veterans? [Attendee] I’m a college student here and I guessi guess my question for Derrick Van Orden is, will I have a future?”
