Screenshot from WKBT-TV's Tuesday broadcast

At a press conference Tuesday, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) justified his opposition to the government funding child care by saying it’s something people “need to consider” when they “decide” to become parents.

While visiting the Kwik Trip headquarters in La Crosse, Wis. as part of a statewide business tour, Johnson balked at the idea that the government should fund child care in order to get people back to work.

“People decide to have families and become parents, that’s something they need to consider when they make that choice,” Johnson said in response to a reporter’s question about some people’s lack of financial access to child care keeping them from rejoining the workforce.

“I’ve never really felt it was society’s responsibility to take care of other people’s children.”

Johnson then said the only thing society should be doing instead is providing access to jobs that can fund their own child care and keep down inflation. He also cited the national debt, currently at $29.9 trillion, as a reason why to not fund child care.

“If you’re proposing the government incur even more deficit spending to provide for child care for parents? I don’t see how that’s a solution at all,” Johnson told the reporter. “That’s just going to exacerbate the problem.”

A video of Johnson’s remarks, originally broadcast by WKBT-TV and then clipped by Heartland Signal, received wide condemnation on Twitter.

“Ron Johnson, who has spent his time in Washington doubling his multi-million dollar fortune by giving himself tax breaks, doesn’t care about Wisconsin’s working families or their children,” the official Wisconsin Democratic Party Twitter account tweeted in response to the video.

“I didn’t think Ron Johnson could sink any lower,” Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor and Democratic candidate for Johnson’s Senate seat, wrote in a tweet. “But not wanting to invest in our children? Even I’m surprised.”

“Children are a blessing and families are the building blocks that make up our communities,” Tom Nelson, Outagamie County Executive and another Democratic candidate for Johnson’s seat, wrote in a tweet. “We must support all families; not tear them down or denigrate parents, especially those of limited means. You really hit a new low Ron Johnson.”

“Our U.S. Senator should believe that it’s their job to take care of Wisconsin children,” Alex Lasry, Senior Vice President of the Milwaukee Bucks and another Democratic candidate for Johnson’s seat, responded in a tweet.

Johnson defended his comments in a quote retweet of the video.

“The Left wants the government to run the family. I believe the parents do.”

This article has been edited to include a reaction from Tom Nelson. (1/26)

Follow Austin on Twitter @AuLinfante