Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Local Leaders Highlight Federal Government Shutdown Impacts to Community

MILWAUKEE – Today at the Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Building, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley joined Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and local leaders and stakeholders to raise awareness around the negative impacts of the ongoing federal government shutdown – now the second longest in U.S. history – on Milwaukee County and Wisconsin residents and families.

“Milwaukee County is strong and resilient, but the health and wellbeing of our residents and families should never be casualties of political fights in Washington,” said County Executive Crowley. “Until this federal shutdown ends, we will do what we always do: look out for our neighbors and step up to help in times of need. I’m grateful to all our community partners and encourage every resident who is able to join us in caring for our community.”

Beginning November 1, recipients of Wisconsin FoodShare assistance are in danger losing critical food assistance. This delay in FoodShare payments will leave more than 230,000 Milwaukee County residents uncertain about how they will put food on the table for their families and children, with no clear end in sight.

Additionally, Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, causing health care premiums to double or triple as the Open Enrollment period begins November 1. These tax credits were introduced in 2021 and later extended through the end of 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), increasing the amount of financial assistance available to enrollees. In Milwaukee County alone, more than 51,000 residents depend on ACA Marketplace coverage and would face unaffordable healthcare premiums if the credits end.

Also, if the government shutdown continues into December, Section 8 housing benefits will also be at risk. Without this federal assistance, Milwaukee County DHHS Housing Services may not have the funds it needs to pay its federally mandated portion of rent costs, placing a huge financial burden on both vulnerable tenants and small-scale landlords.

“I have been clear as day: no one wins in a shutdown. Republicans and Donald Trump need to finally come to the table to end this shutdown and lower health care costs for families,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin. “Wisconsin families just want to live a comfortable life where they can put food on the table, afford their health care and monthly bills, and not have Washington politics butting into their life. While Wisconsin’s House Republicans are on day 42 of a paid vacation and President Trump is just coming home from another foreign trip, Wisconsinites are going to wake up tomorrow to find their health care premiums are skyrocketing and food assistance is being taken from them. Enough is enough.”

Across the county and state, leaders are working together to identify creative solutions to support one another as they navigate this tumultuous time. Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee have teamed up to host a unified Milwaukee County/City Food Drive, in partnership with NourishMKE and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. The food drive will continue until FoodShare benefits are restored. Bins to donate non-perishable foods will be placed throughout Milwaukee at the following locations:

• Milwaukee County Courthouse – 901 N. 9th St.
• Milwaukee City Hall – 200 E. Wells St.
• Marcia P. Coggs Health & Human Services Center – 1230 W. Cherry St.
• King Community Center – 1531 W. Vliet St.
• Kosciuszko Community Center – 2201 S. 7th St.
• Northwest Health Center – 7630 W. Mill Rd.
• South Side Health Center – 1639 S. 23rd St.
• Keenan Health Center – 3200 N. 36th St.
• Hillview – 1615 S. 22nd St.
• Zeidler Municipal Building – 841 N. Broadway
• Fiserv Forum – 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave.
• Mason Temple Church – 6058 N. 35th St.
• All Milwaukee Public Schools
• All Milwaukee Police Department districts
• All City of Milwaukee Public Library branches

Residents who would prefer to contribute financially can donate online to NourishMKE or Feeding America. More information on the food drive, as well as resources for residents who are experiencing food insecurity, is available online at county.milwaukee.gov/FoodAssistance.

“This hunger crisis did not have to happen. The Trump administration is purposefully withholding $5 billion in contingency funding, so they can inflict maximum pain and hardship on the American people,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore. “Unlike what Republicans claim, this won’t only hurt my district, but their constituents throughout Wisconsin, including rural areas. SNAP is a lifeline, not a political weapon.”

“I am grateful to so many people who have stepped up to help our neighbors so that hunger does not rule the day. I know people have been generous as both cash and food donations have been coming in,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “Donations and food drives are a temporary fix. We need resolution to this shutdown so that the federal government can resume the important work we ask of it.”

Finally, federal government employees who work in Milwaukee County to provide services for local residents are being impacted due to the ongoing shutdown. Many federal employees have been furloughed from their jobs or are working without a paycheck. At Mitchell International Airport, federal TSA and FAA employees continue to work without pay to keep travelers safe. The VA Regional Benefits Office in Milwaukee is currently closed to the public due to furloughed employees. And federal representatives from FEMA and the SBA who have been in Milwaukee for months are now working without a paycheck so they can continue helping residents recover from the August storms. The livelihoods of dedicated public servants and working families in Milwaukee County are at stake if the federal government cannot come to the table and end this shutdown.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.