Contact: Philip Shulman (philip.shulman@wisdems.org)
Johnson Puts His Own Interests First While Leaving Wisconsinites Behind
Madison, Wis. — Today, Ron Johnson will speak at the Milwaukee Press Club where he will have to dodge tough questions about why he has continually put his own political interests ahead of Wisconsinites and addressing the biggest challenges they’re facing.
“Ron Johnson has spent his time in the Senate doing what’s best for himself at the expense of hard working Wisconsinites,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Nellie Sires. “Johnson has a constituency of one: himself, and that’s more clear than ever as he’s spent the last few weeks criticizing needed COVID-19 relief for struggling Wisconsin families, and single handedly tried to stop legislation to bolster the state’s manufacturing sector and hold China accountable for their unfair cyber security and economic practices. Instead of doing what’s best for the Badger state, Johnson has focused on himself, giving himself and the ultra rich massive tax breaks.”
Given his abysmal record, it’s no surprise Johnson doesn’t want to talk about the issues Wisconsin voters care most about:
- Johnson is just one of a handful of senators opposing the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which would allocate billions of dollars for the manufacturing sector and technical training, an investment Wisconsin could use to create good paying jobs and support local communities, as well as hold China accountable for their unfair cyber security and economic practices and.
- Johnson voted against, blocked the passage of, and just yesterday said “I’d personally like to see the bill killed.”
- Johnson voted against the American Rescue Plan, standing against much needed support for small businesses, aid for Wisconsinites struggling to pay their bills due to the pandemic, and bolstering communities fighting to rebuild their economies.
- Johnson has repeatedly tried to strip health care coverage from roughly 185,000 Wisconsinites and take away critical protections for nearly 900,000 Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions.
- Johnson cast the deciding vote on the GOP’s 2017 tax bill—which drove up the deficit by nearly $2 trillion in exchange for billions in tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and giant corporations—and he even fought to amend the bill to include a special tax break for companies like the one he owned.
