Evers backs Dems' approach to government shutdown

BROWN DEER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- At a stop in suburban Milwaukee Thursday, Oct. 2, Gov. Tony Evers said he agreed with the approach most Democrats in Congress were taking to a federal government shutdown now on its second day.

Evers was visiting Partners for Community Development in Brown Deer, a nonprofit focused on energy assistance. One of its primary tasks is renovating homes to make them more efficient. 

Officials with the group said they receive federal funding through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that is passed through the state. If the shutdown lasts for an extended period, Evers acknowledged the nonprofit could be among those that start to feel pain.

"Do I think it's gonna be serious if they don't get things done? I mean, these people right here could be shut down for a while," Evers told reporters. "I hope that doesn't happen."

Congressional Democrats have largely drawn a line on tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. Wisconsin Democrats in Washington, including Sen. Tammy Baldwin, have said extending those credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025, is a must.

That position has meant Democrats not providing enough votes to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to pass a spending plan in the Senate. Evers said he backs their stance.

"Absolutely. I mean, it should not be a big thing for Republicans to get by," Evers said. "There's all sorts of other things if [Republicans are] looking for cuts they can take a look at. There's nothing more important than your health."

Republicans have called for Democrats to pass an extension of funding at current levels, keeping the federal government open while negotiating on health care credits as part of a longer-term negotiation. 

GOP Rep. Glenn Grothman told CBS 58 Wednesday House Republicans had been briefed funding for the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) food assistance program could run out within a week or two.

"It'll just certainly be an inconvenience," Grothman said. "I certainly will probably give more money to the food banks, try to track that down on a personal level."

In a statement, the Hunger Task Force said it was in close contact with both the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) about any potential impacts on federal nutrition programs.

"Hunger Task Force's food supply is strong right now," the statement read. "And we're prepared to support our local pantry and meal program network in the event of any increased need resulting from disruptions to WIC or other program funding."

Evers said his administration is prepared to act if the shutdown lasts for weeks. He did not offer specifics as to what types of actions he would consider, only saying the use of state resources to provide aid for any impacts to people's physical health would be "low-hanging fruit."

"Very possible," he said when asked about possible executive actions. "I mean, there are some things that are so important that we just can't wait 'til December or January, so that might happen."

Evers told reporters be primarily blamed President Donald Trump for the shutdown, accusing the president of not acting with enough urgency to broker an agreement with Senate Democrats.

Evers pointed to a video Mr. Trump posted to social media earlier this week depicting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries with a sombrero, an apparent reference to the GOP claim Democrats are prioritizing health care for illegal immigrants.

There's no such measure in Dems' proposals, aside from reinstating an allowance of Medicaid usage in emergency rooms. An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation found less than 1% of Medicaid spending in 2023 went toward emergency care for illegal immigrants.

"To see the president responding to that with putting an AI thing out, one of the leaders of our country with a sombrero on? I mean, he's not taking it seriously," Evers said. "If you have time enough to do that, you're not doing your job."