Senator Johnson Doubles Down on Hypocritical Opposition to COVID Relief for Wisconsin Families
Wisconsinites have been urging Johnson to change his position and support COVID relief, including $1,400 direct checks to struggling residents
MADISON, Wis.— Today Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after U.S. Senator Ron Johnson doubled down on his opposition to the COVID relief package, which passed the House early Saturday morning and is currently being considered by the Senate. In his comments, Senator Johnson bemoaned the amount of relief being provided to Wisconsin families and workers, saying, “This isn’t money we have.”
Meghan Roh, Program Director:
“It’s rich to hear Senator Johnson complain about cost when he had absolutely no issue voting for a massive tax giveaway just a few years ago. And speaking of rich, Senator Johnson’s wealthy corporate donors were some of the only people who benefitted from those tax breaks, while working Wisconsinites saw next-to-nothing. Now, when it comes to providing meaningful financial relief for Badger State residents devastated by COVID-19, Senator Johnson can’t seem to justify the expense. As the Senate considers critical relief legislation this week, we urge Senator Johnson to listen to Wisconsinites and support $1,400 direct checks, other urgent measures to help us get through this pandemic.”
Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a $1 million statewide TV ad campaign, featuring Wisconsin residents calling on Senator Johnson to support COVID relief checks. The campaign also included a full-page ad in Senator Johnson’s hometown newspaper, highlighting his hypocrisy.
The ad read, in part:
“Senator Johnson gave a boatload of tax breaks to his wealthy corporate donors. But he’s blocking badly needed COVID relief checks for the rest of us.”
A provision in the American Rescue Plan to send $1,400 checks to American families who need it most would give $7.8 billion to Wisconsin families, helping 4 million adults and 1.5 million children in the state.
Recent Press Releases by Opportunity Wisconsin
Senator Johnson Admits “Stand(ing) in the Way of Getting Checks to Everybody”
Apr 20th, 2021 by Opportunity WisconsinJohnson in a radio interview yesterday: “I get criticized brutally for wanting to stand in the way of getting checks to everybody.”
As CDC Says Vaccinated Wisconsinites Can Travel More Freely, New Report Finds WI to Receive $59M for Vaccine Distribution within Community Health Centers Alone
Apr 2nd, 2021 by Opportunity WisconsinA Surge of Vaccine Availability Has Led to More Travel Options and Protection for Badger State Residents
Surprising No One, Senator Johnson Votes Against Relief for Wisconsin Workers and Families
Mar 6th, 2021 by Opportunity WisconsinDespite Johnson’s Attempted Obstruction, Wisconsinites Will Soon Receive $1,400 Checks, More Vaccines, and Small Business Aid