Congresswoman Gwen Moore
U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) made the following statement after Wisconsin State Senate Republicans passed legislation that would strip Wisconsin’s public workers of most of their collective bargaining rights and allow an unelected appointee of Governor Walker to change Wisconsin’s low-income, disabled and senior health care programs with little legislative oversight:
“Last night, Wisconsin Republicans proved what we have been saying for a long time – Governor Walker’s desire to eviscerate collective bargaining in Wisconsin is about ideology not about the budget.
“We’ve already seen a lot of buyer’s remorse in Wisconsin. It’s no wonder that Governor Walker wants to move beyond this. But instead of negotiating in good faith with workers and listening to Wisconsinites, he rammed this through the State Senate with no debate.
“Over the years, Wisconsin’s state health care programs have been among the most successful in the country. In one action in the dark of night, Wisconsin Republicans have jeopardized the health of women, children, and our seniors. With Governor Walker in the driver’s seat, we can kiss goodbye the more than 30 years of bipartisan history in Wisconsin of protecting women’s health – ranging from breast exams to STD tests to birth control.
“He may think our memories are short, but we will not forget this. It’s despicable.”