U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany talks Biden, Refugee Act and more

By: Kaitlyn Doolittle 

Wisconsin Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany hosted a listening session on Thursday, Jan. 25, at American Legion Post 80 in New Richmond, where he presented a timeline of the ongoing investigation of President Joe Biden family’s involvement with “financial transactions that were flagged as suspicious activity.” Then, Tiffany answered the audience’s questions regarding the investigation and a variety of other national and state concerns. 

House Republicans first launched the investigation, which began on Jan. 11, 2023, to determine the background behind the transactions flagged as suspicious.

Though the House voted to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden in December of 2023, the Associated Press also reported that there is a lingering concern among the Republican party that the investigation thus far has yet to produce evidence of Biden’s misconduct. And as reported by Reuters, if the House votes to impeach the president (as of now it’s just an inquiry) the Senate would then have to vote to convict him on the charges by a two-thirds vote — where Democrats hold a 51-49 majority.

The investigation

Tiffany’s presentation included different forms of foreign money coming into the Biden family and President Joe Biden’s potential involvement. 

“It is unusual. That's somebody who had no experience in the oil industry at all. And all of a sudden [Hunter Biden] gets a check for $5 million from Ukrainian oil,” Tiffany said. 

House Republicans created a timeline, which can be found on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability website.

In December, Hunter Biden defied close door testimony with Oversight Committee Chairman Comer. ABC News reported that Hunter Biden, along with other family members and associates, will progress with the closed-door deposition on Feb. 28, following his initial subpoena resists the impeachment inquiry on Joe Biden.

“I think it has to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt he's innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “I do think we should go through the process that you see that's going on here. To make sure that the American people are aware of what happened.”

Refugees in St. Croix County

The St. Croix County Administration held a public forum on a resolution that aimed to oppose the Refugee Act of 1980 throughout St. Croix County. 

Supervisor Bob Long motioned to postpone the resolution indefinitely, saying they need more information before coming to a decision. So as of now, the Refugee Act — created to provide for effective refugee resettlement and to assist in economic self-sufficiency after arrival in the U.S. — will continue. 

Supervisor Lisa Lind had requested that the resolution be considered, and the resolution states objection “to the placement of refugees through primary resettlement within St. Croix County.”

At the Jan. 16 meeting, Tiffany called in to express his support for the resolution and at the Jan. 25 listening session, Tiffany talked more extensively about his issues surrounding the refugee resettlement process. 

“And it isn't so much that I oppose the Refugee Act of 1980. I want the federal government to comply with the Refugee Act of 1980. Because it requires consultation and coordination,” he said. “I think there's just a lot of red flags up at this point. Time to take a pause. And let's make sure that the process is being done appropriately.”

Wisconsin wolf conservation 

Asked about his stance on the wolf population, Tiffany replied that they belong in their landscape, “But like any other wildlife population, they must be controlled,” he said. 

Recently, according to PBS Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill that mandates a wolf population limit. The bill has yet to be approved or vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers. 

The bill is in response to testimonies that claim the wolf population is harming farm livestock, which sparks debate among conservationists and their concern with overhunting. 

Currently, the wolf population stands at around 1,200 wolves. As reported by PBS Wisconsin, Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance filed a lawsuit accusing DNR board members of violating open meetings law in the run-up to adoption, not considering the dangers of overhunting wolves and allowing unverified accounts of wolf aggression to influence the plan. 

Tiffany’s other remarks:

• Tiffany emphasized the importance of choice, competition and transparency in regards to healthcare. “We are not transparent enough with our healthcare system.” 

• Tiffany emphasized the need to secure the border and fix the legal immigration system to benefit Americans, rather than simply reducing the number of people coming into the country illegally.

• Tiffany praised Florida’s efficient election and criticized California who “don’t know who wins the races until three or four weeks later.” 

Tiffany will be up for re-election for Wisconsin’s Seventh congressional district this coming November. More information on Tiffany’s recent voting and legislation history can be found on his website, tiffany.house.gov. 

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