Steil’s promises to lower costs and help seniors don’t hold up as Congress pushes measures that will raise costs and cut programs that support Wisconsinites to fund tax breaks for the rich
MADISON, Wis. – Earlier this month Congressman Bryan Steil visited with constituents across the 1st Congressional District. Despite promoting events as “listening sessions,” Steil’s own recap of the events shows he was more focused on hiding his own record and House Republicans’ plans to raise costs and cut successful programs.
While Steil was quick to run from his own record, his listening session failed to mention the top priority of House Republicans and President Trump: Extending tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations and cutting key programs to pay for it. New reporting by The New York Times yesterday detailed a list of cuts Republicans are considering, including cutting Medicaid benefits, slashing tax credits that lower the cost of Affordable Care Act coverage, and raising taxes for students and homeowners.
“Congressman Steil doesn’t seem to be listening to constituents, the facts about his own record, or what Republicans in Congress are saying,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “The truth is, Republicans are about to implement tariffs that will raise the prices of everyday items, like gas and groceries, stretching household budgets even thinner – and that’s just the beginning. Congressional Republicans are willing to put everything on the table in order to pay for an extension of tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations, whether that’s cutting Medicaid, nutrition assistance programs, or rolling back access to healthcare. It’s time for Bryan Steil to be honest about his legislative priorities and actually listen to his constituents, who want to see lower costs, not more tax breaks for billionaires.”
Here’s a look at what Steil said to constituents vs. his record and upcoming measures that Republicans are eager to enact:
Steil’s Claim: “I’ll continue working to bring down costs”
Reality: Steil has opposed legislation that has helped lower costs and has been silent on President Trump’s tariff proposals which would increase costs of gas, groceries, and more
President Trump has pledged to impose new tariffs on key trading partners in the coming days, which companies and economic experts have said will result in higher costs on everyday items like gas, groceries, clothing, and more. Steil has been silent on these proposed tariffs, and the possibility of Congress enacting them through legislation, despite the fact that his constituents will be forced to pay more of their hard-earned money just to put food on their tables.
Steil also talked about the importance of lowering energy costs, but failed to mention that he opposed the Inflation Reduction Act, which has already supported hundreds of millions of dollars in climate and energy projects across Wisconsin, helping families lower utility bills while strengthening our infrastructure.
Steil’s Claim: “I support Social Security and Medicare”
Reality: Steil has voted against lowering prescription drug costs and voted for legislation that would cut access to Social Security and Medicare benefits
When Bryan Steil has had the opportunity to support lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, he has refused. Today, monthly insulin prices are now capped at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries, thanks to a law, the Inflation Reduction Act, that Steil voted against. The Inflation Reduction Act also allowed Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices, lowering costs on many common prescriptions seniors depend on. During the last Congress, Steil also voted in favor of extreme plans which would have reduced access to Social Security and Medicare benefits, while giving more tax breaks to big corporations.