Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden is facing backlash after claiming that President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill won’t reduce Medicaid or food benefits. His statements contradict multiple analyses showing the bill cuts $1 trillion from those programs.
Speaking on a local podcast, Van Orden insisted that no one’s benefits would be touched. He told listeners that Democrats were “lying” about the proposed cuts. He encouraged constituents to call him if they saw even “a nickel” missing from their benefits.
However, the facts say otherwise. The House-passed bill reduces Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding to help finance $4 trillion in tax breaks—mostly for the wealthy.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates over 3 million Americans would lose some or all of their SNAP benefits. The Urban Institute projects that 1.5 million families would lose food assistance entirely or have it reduced. That includes 48,000 children who could be left without any food support.
Additionally, the bill is expected to remove health coverage for about 8 million people. Medicaid cuts would significantly impact seniors, children, and people with disabilities.
Van Orden’s own Wisconsin district would be hit hard. Around 152,900 residents rely on Medicaid, including 50,000 children and over 20,000 seniors. SNAP cuts could affect more than 24,000 adults and families in his area alone.
Despite this, Van Orden doubled down in another interview. He claimed the bill upheld Republican promises to protect programs like Medicare and Medicaid. He declared, “We did what we campaigned on,” while praising the bill’s passage.
Democrats swiftly pushed back. Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota condemned the bill’s impact on vulnerable families. As a former recipient of food assistance, she called the cuts “infuriating” and accused Republicans of sacrificing poor children’s meals for tax cuts.
Critics argue the bill represents the largest upward redistribution of wealth in U.S. history. The cuts directly contradict Republican promises to safeguard health and welfare programs.
Van Orden’s office has not responded to requests for clarification.
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