The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
President Biden inherited a nation, an economy, and a democracy struggling to cope with the disasters of the Trump years. Despite massive headwinds and ceaseless opposition from ultra-MAGA Republicans, the Biden-Harris administration and its Democratic allies in Congress have delivered a historic string of wins for the American people – from landmark investments in infrastructure and increased funding for American manufacturing to an overhaul of our veteran health care system.
All across the country, working families are breathing a little easier because of the work President Biden and Democrats across the country are doing to bring down costs – even as Republicans like Ron Johnson try to stand in the way.
Most significantly, President Biden and Democrats took on special interests to deliver the Inflation Reduction Act – a historic piece of legislation that tackles some of the greatest problems facing our country. This law will lower costs on everything from life-saving prescription drugs and health care for seniors to home energy costs, all while requiring big corporations and the ultra-wealthy to pay more of their fair share of taxes.
The IRA delivers on President Biden’s promise to build an economy that finally works for working families. Climate activists, scientists, and economists have lauded the IRA as one of the most significant pieces of legislation in American history – one that will address the climate crisis and advance environmental justice while reducing the impact of inflation, growing the economy, and creating thousands of good-paying jobs.
For the first time – no thanks to the Republicans who voted against it – Medicare will have the power to negotiate drug prices and cap out-of-pocket costs, which will lower health care costs for the over one million Wisconsinites who rely on the life-saving program.
The legislation also builds on the Affordable Care Act, which will lock in lower health insurance costs and expand coverage for people across our state. This impact will be immediate and significant: 43,000 more Wisconsinites will have health insurance next year, and about 212,000 Wisconsinites with ACA coverage will save an average of about $1,080 annually.
The IRA also takes the most consequential action to address climate change in American history, setting the nation on track to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. One key plank of the strategy, making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible, will not only reduce climate emissions but will also lower rates of asthma in cities. Meanwhile, Wisconsin farmers will be rewarded for pursuing climate-smart agriculture practices.
While Wisconsin Democrats are working to cut costs for working families, Republicans continue to put partisan games over real progress. Ron Johnson’s biggest legislative “achievement” was a giant tax cut for the already rich, including himself and his biggest donors, paid for by the middle class. It’s no wonder why Johnson doesn’t like the Inflation Reduction Act, which has zero tax increases for families earning less than $400,000 a year. The IRA is fully paid for by asking the biggest corporations and ultra-wealthy to finally pay more of their fair share – and it will actually reduce the deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars.
The IRA is a big win for working families, and Americans know it. In the days and weeks after Democrats passed this bill, it quickly gained bipartisan support among voters. Yet, despite two in three Americans supporting the Inflation Reduction Act – including one-third of Republicans – the bill passed without the support of a single Wisconsin Republican in Congress.
Working in parallel to the IRA, Democrats in state offices across Wisconsin are working to lower costs and deliver for working families. Governor Evers recently announced a new plan to cut taxes for working families, veterans, and seniors, lower gas prices and cap insulin copays, and make caregiving and childcare more affordable.
Time and again, Republican politicians have proven that they care more about pandering to wealthy corporations than cutting costs for Wisconsin families. As election day in November approaches, Wisconsin voters are faced with a clear choice: Republican politicians who side with special interests at the expense of their constituents, or Democrats who are laser-focused on lowering costs and tackling inflation.
The first question in politics is this: who is on your side? Legislation, votes, and actions speak louder than words.
Voters in every corner of the state, from Eagle River to Beloit, will reject the GOP’s MAGA extremism at the ballot box – and feel the positive impact of electing Democrats in their own pocketbooks.
– Wikler is chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin
