Assembly Republicans Block Opportunities to Vote on SB 23
MADISON, Wis. — Senate Bill 23, which would expand postpartum Medicaid eligibility for new moms to one year, was introduced on February 5th, 2025. Due to obstruction by Assembly Republicans, the Assembly has not brought up this proposal for 287 days despite having 73 cosponsors and having passed the State Senate 32-1. Under Assembly Rule 15, Assembly Democrats began the process to circulate a petition that would move the bill to the floor for a vote after getting 50 signatures from Assembly representatives.
Unfortunately, the Speaker and Majority Leader were inappropriately notified of the petition before the floor session. Speaker Vos then removed SB 23 from the Assembly Committee on Rules and moved it to the Assembly Committee on Organization, invalidating the prepared petition. Rep. Greta Neubauer released the following statement:
“Expanding postpartum coverage is a popular and bipartisan idea, but Assembly Republicans have blocked move after move to pass this bill.
“73 legislators on both sides of the aisle have signed on to Senate Bill 23, including 29 Assembly Republicans. But Robin Vos, his leadership team, and the Republican caucus continue to stand in the way of a vote on this bill. We began the withdrawal petition process to finally bring Senate Bill 23 to the Assembly floor and pass this important policy for Wisconsin’s moms and babies, but Vos made a procedural move to block it once again.
“Wisconsinites deserve action when it comes to widely popular policies like healthcare for new moms, and it is egregious that anybody would stand in the way of this critical policy becoming law. Given the broad support for this bill in every caucus in the State Capitol, Assembly Republicans must stand up to Robin Vos and demand a vote on SB 23 on the floor.
