fbpx

News

CHAOS CAUCUS: JFC Republicans Silence Debate On Paid Family Leave

May 24, 2023

CHAOS CAUCUS: JFC Republicans Silence Debate On Paid Family Leave

MADISON, Wis. — During a meeting of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee yesterday, GOP members shut down debate on paid family leave, a policy supported by none other than Republican nominee for governor Tim Michels just last year. Rather than engage in an open discussion, Republicans instead literally silenced the debate by shutting off Rep. Evan Goyke’s microphone.

It’s no wonder JFC Republicans are trying to silence supporters of paid family leave—they know their position is out of touch with Wisconsinites. In a November poll, 73% of registered voters in Wisconsin supported creating a paid family leave program. Despite this widespread support, Republican politicians in the Legislature have rejected every attempt by Gov. Evers to institute a paid family leave program.

“It’s been clear that Republican politicians in the Legislature will do pretty much anything to avoid accountability for their unpopular positions, but literally silencing debate by turning off a microphone is a new low—even for them,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Communications Director Joe Oslund. “Paid family leave is vital for new parents and caregivers, and is supported by a broad majority of Wisconsinites, but the Republican chaos caucus would rather unplug microphones than debate it.”

###