Opportunity Wisconsin hosts town hall; WI SoS, Godlewski attends, Congressman Van Orden does not
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – A group in Western Wisconsin is sharing their concerns regarding changes at the federal level. Opportunity Wisconsin organized a town hall, saying they invited Congressman Derrick Van Orden, but he didn't attend. However, constituents did get a chance to speak with Wisconsin Secretary of State, Sarah Godlewski, who was also a special guest.
Concerns about federal funding cuts to the Department of Education, Farming, Medicare and Medicaid were most mentioned. Many speakers shared their frustration with Van Orden not attending, and in response, they all lined up to share stories and say what they would have asked the Congressman if he attended. Godlewski explains, 'Well, the people of Eau Claire and the people of the third CD deserve answers when a representative votes on a bill to cut 1.5 trillion dollars and this money is going to impact essential services that western Wisconsinites rely on.'
Attendee, Dr. Abby Nou, said, 'He says well they're not, the budget is not meaning that we're going to cut Medicare or Medicaid, well I'd like to see that in writing that he's going to oppose any bill that cuts funding.'
Another unidentified, attendee, said, 'My question for Mr. Van Orden is where are you? And how can your constituents reach you?'
While Congressman Van Orden was not in attendance at today's event, he held a virtual town hall the same afternoon. To explain why he is hosting virtual town halls, as opposed to in-person events, he explained, 'The reason we're doing this in this format is because George Soros is funding groups of people to go around the country to disrupt republican town halls, and that is just disrespectful to you, and I'm not going to allow those folks to do that.'
Van Orden says he plans to hold another virtual town hall next week.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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