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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Food assistance benefits for 700,000 Wisconsin residents are set to end Saturday as the federal government shutdown continues with no resolution in sight. On day 29 of the shutdown, Republican U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden visited the Wisconsin State Capitol. He said states should fund SNAP benefits if the federal government will not. “I was raised in abject rural poverty,” Van Orden said. “We had to use food stamps.” Van Orden blamed Democrats for the shutdown. “Call Tammy Baldwin’s office,” Van Orden Said. “They could start the government up again today.” A spokesperson for Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin responded, “While Congressman Derrick Van Orden is on day 40 of his paid vacation, Senator Baldwin has been in Washington working with her colleagues to lower health care costs and reopen the government.” The spokesperson also pointed to the Trump Administration, writing, “Donald Trump has the power and money to fund food share.” On Tuesday, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul joined 22 other states in suing the Trump Administration to keep SNAP funding intact amid the shutdown. A Marquette Law School poll released on Wednesday reveals Wisconsin voters are divided on the responsibility for the shutdown. 38% blame Republicans in Congress, 33% blame Democrats and 28% say both parties are equally at fault. Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
