Wisconsin commemorates Veterans’ Day 2026 by expressing our gratitude for the past contributions and sacrifices of our armed services veterans. And this year, we also look forward as the midterm election results could help put an end to nearly two decades of Republican lawmakers’ obstruction, including on issues impacting veterans.
Whether it’s (soon to be former) Congressman Derrick Van Orden saying he hoped for funding cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs, our entire Republican Congressional delegation voting to cut healthcare used by 1 in 10 veterans, or GOP state legislators blocking funding for unhoused veterans, Wisconsin Republicans have for years blocked policy measures meant to support those who served our country.
In 2025 alone, Republicans in Wisconsin voted against making needed improvements to King Veterans Home, blocked funding for veterans’ mental health, voted against expanding the veterans’ property tax credit, and blocked $2 million in funding to provide housing for veterans dealing with homelessness.
When given a chance to join Democrats in sufficiently funding these specific programs for veterans in our most recent state budget, Republicans on the budget committee like Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Shannon Zimmerman voted no. Both were voted out of office by Wisconsinites last Tuesday.
This wholesale rejection of the MAGA agenda means we will have new leaders with a mandate to put working people – not the ultra wealthy – first, and to get our government working for all of us, including recognizing and respecting the sacrifices of veterans.
In January, Wisconsin’s new leaders will be inaugurated and begin work on our next state budget. This time with progressive leadership. Call your state legislator today at 1-800-362-9472 and tell them we’re counting on them to deliver for Wisconsin veterans in the next legislative sssion.
