EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Wisconsinites continue to keep an eye on the federal government. It is day 9 of the shutdown as the U.S. Senate tried to get a stop gap bill passed. This comes as The Farm Bill expired.
The Farm Bill, also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act, helped with crop insurance, rural conservation and development. In general, it provided resources for farmers across the country.
The five year legislation was in its seventh year, having had two 1-year extensions.
Federal programs are also paralyzed at the moment given the government shutdown. A GOP-backed bill and democratic-backed bill both failed to get the majority to advance.
Congressman Derrick Van Orden casted blame on senate Democrats. The key issue holding up the bill from advancing is healthcare subsides.
“The House Republicans did our job. We passed the continuing resolution. This is completely on the Democrats in the Senate. And here’s something else. They’re saying this is about health care. The Democrats voted to have these Obamacare subsidies sunset. They did this to themselves,” said Rep. Van Orden.
He added he will keep an open line of communication with constituents as the situation unfolds.
“My offices are open. So I have a brick-and-mortar office in Eau Claire and one in LaCrosse and we’re open and we’re talking to constituents. We’re answering calls, explaining to people, you know, how the government actually works because it can be very confusing,” said Rep. Van Orden. “And I get it. I didn’t know any of this stuff. You know, you watch Schoolhouse Rocks a couple times as a kid and the actual civics, the block and tackling of government is very difficult.”