Wisconsin Assembly Tensions Flare as Republicans Race to Adjourn

Democrats vow to slow down proceedings to force votes on Medicaid expansion and breast cancer screening coverage

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Republican lawmakers in the Wisconsin Assembly are trying to wrap up business for the year this week, but Democrats are pushing back, vowing to slow down proceedings in order to force votes on two key healthcare bills - postpartum Medicaid expansion and 'Gail's Law' to expand insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings. The partisan standoff has led to heated exchanges on the Assembly floor as the two sides negotiate the final agenda.

Why it matters

The clash over the Assembly's adjournment timeline highlights the ongoing partisan tensions in Wisconsin politics, with Republicans eager to wrap up the legislative session and Democrats determined to secure votes on popular healthcare measures that have stalled in the past. The outcome could impact access to critical health services for low-income women and those at risk of breast cancer.

The details

Republican leaders in the Wisconsin Assembly announced plans last week to hold their final session day of 2026 on Thursday, aiming to vote on dozens of bills before adjourning. But Democrats, led by Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, have vowed to slow down proceedings by drafting amendments to every bill on the calendar in order to force votes on postpartum Medicaid expansion and Gail's Law. Both proposals have bipartisan support in the Senate but have failed to reach the Assembly floor previously, with Democrats blaming Assembly Speaker Robin Vos for opposing insurance mandates. The partisan standoff has led to heated exchanges on the Assembly floor, with Democrats accusing Republicans of prioritizing a rushed adjournment over passing popular healthcare measures.

  • The Wisconsin Assembly plans to hold its final session day of 2026 on Thursday, February 20.
  • On Tuesday, February 17, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers called on lawmakers to stay in session and pass the Medicaid expansion and Gail's Law bills in his State of the State address.

The players

Greta Neubauer

The Democratic Assembly Minority Leader who is leading the effort to slow down proceedings and force votes on the healthcare bills.

Robin Vos

The Republican Assembly Speaker who Democrats have blamed for opposing the insurance mandate bills.

Tony Evers

The Democratic Wisconsin Governor who has called on lawmakers to stay in session and pass the Medicaid expansion and Gail's Law bills.

Devin LeMahieu

The Republican Senate Majority Leader who has touted the Medicaid expansion and Gail's Law bills as priorities for the Senate GOP.

Tyler August

The Republican Assembly Majority Leader who says Republicans are having "ongoing conversations" about bringing the healthcare bills up for a vote.

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What they’re saying

“We have drafted amendments to every single bill on the calendar, and we are going to stop business in the legislature until we pass postpartum expansion of Medicaid and Gail's Law.”

— Greta Neubauer, Assembly Minority Leader (X)

“What does women's health have to do with amusement rides?”

— Kevin Petersen, Assembly Speaker Pro Tem (wpr.org)

“Well, we're talking about regulation here, and I'd like to talk about the regulation in regards to women's bodies and what we're allowed to do.”

— Lee Snodgrass, State Representative (wpr.org)

What’s next

Republican and Democratic leaders in the Wisconsin Assembly are expected to continue negotiations over the final agenda and whether to hold votes on the Medicaid expansion and Gail's Law bills before the chamber adjourns for the year on Thursday, February 20.

The takeaway

The partisan standoff in the Wisconsin Assembly underscores the deep political divisions in the state, with Republicans eager to wrap up the legislative session and Democrats determined to secure votes on key healthcare measures. The outcome could have significant implications for access to critical health services for low-income women and those at risk of breast cancer.