Rep. Van Orden Goes to Scotland as Wisconsinites Struggle to Pay for Gas, Groceries, Utilities

Madison, WI – Rep. Derrick Van Orden has been spotted in Scotland during congressional recess, rather than heading back to his district. For months, Rep. Van Orden has declined to host a town hall, running away from his constituents. Unfortunately for him, Trump’s war in Iran is sending gas and diesel prices through the roof, making everything from airfare to groceries more expensive. This comes after Republicans voted to gut clean energy production, taking clean energy projects offline at a time when energy demand and utility costs are skyrocketing.

Here are just a few ways Wisconsinites are worse off thanks to Trump:

• In the past month, gas prices in Wisconsin have now surpassed $3.75, up from $2.75 a month ago.
• Since Trump took office, average household electricity costs in Wisconsin have increased by 4.8%.
• Wisconsin farmers are facing a 36% spike in fertilizer prices at the start of the growing season.
• A clean energy project in the state had its $30 million grant funding canceled.

Here are some questions Van Orden owes his constituents answers to:

• Why aren’t you in your district holding a town hall?
• What would you say to Wisconsinites who are struggling to pay for the rising cost of groceries, gas, and utilities?
• What’s your response to the majority of Wisconsinites who don’t support Trump’s war in Iran?
• Why haven’t you stood up against President Trump’s war on made-in-America clean energy in Wisconsin?

Republicans in Congress, like Derrick Van Orden, have voted to gut clean energy projects in their own districts that would have created jobs and protected Americans from global energy shocks. Meanwhile, Trump is bragging about making money off of the war and telling Americans to quit whining about soaring gas prices, leaving vulnerable Republicans scrambling to spin his disastrous economic agenda.

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.

Recent Press Releases by Climate Power

Mandela Barnes Proposes Utility Rate Freeze and to Build Out Clean Energy in Gubernatorial Platform

Mar 11th, 2026 by Climate Power

As utility bills skyrocket, Barnes joins a new wave of Democrats putting affordability and accountability at the center of their campaigns

Climate Power Release on Vance Visit to Wisconsin

Aug 27th, 2025 by Climate Power

JD Vance Tries to Sell Wisconsinites on Republican Rate Hike That’s Raising Energy Costs & Killing Jobs

Will Trump Continue to Abandon Wisconsin in the Face of Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat?

Aug 4th, 2025 by Climate Power

The Trump Administration is gutting essential emergency response and forecasting while Americans face mounting extreme weather events