The Tiffany Telegram: February 5, 2022
Dear Friend,
This week, Congress reconvened to consider yet another massive spending bill – this one in the neighborhood of more than $300 billion.
Speaker Pelosi has billed the legislation as a package needed to better compete with China – but as has often been the case this Congress, the bill is a hodgepodge of special interest spending provisions and ideological policy riders, many of which have little or nothing to do with China or US competitiveness. In fact, a lot of them are simply recycled elements of President Biden's big spending "Build Back Better" plan that the Senate has already rejected.
In addition to billions in more taxpayer funding for controversial items like the United Nations Climate Fund and yet even more "green energy" spending, obscure riders related to "aquaculture," divisive mandates related to "racial diversity," and even a measure that would put Wisconsin mink farmers out of business (more on that later).
None of these have anything to do with countering China's unfair trade practices, military threats, or rampant human rights abuses. They are just the latest example of big government, Washington, DC logrolling.
But there's more.
On top of these special interest provisions, multiple immigration-related items were tucked into the bill as well. These carve outs would significantly expand immigration levels at a time when America's border is wide open, and our country is already being flooded with illegal migrants from around the globe. These measures aren't just bad for American workers, they could potentially open the door further to increased Chinese espionage and poorly vetted foreigners entering our country – making an already catastrophic immigration crisis even worse.
You would think that confronting the growing China threat and improving American competitiveness would be something that members of both political parties could agree on. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. That important goal took a back seat this week to more pork-barrel spending, more identity politics, more green energy handouts, and more immigration.
We've got more to tell you about in this edition of the Telegram and appreciate you starting off your weekend with us.
Sincerely,
Tom Tiffany
Member of Congress
Missed opportunity on China
We just told you about the so-called "China" bill the House passed this week. As Telegram readers know, I remain deeply concerned about the rising threat Communist China poses to our national and economic security. This week I filed several amendments in the hopes of making this bill better. Last week we told you about the outrageous statements of China's ambassador to the US, who threatened military action against America. One of the amendments I filed called on President Biden to revoke his diplomatic credentials and kick him out . I also filed an amendment with my colleague, Rep. Scott Perry designed to end China's "most favored nation" trade status, which has inflicted so much damage on our manufacturing sector, and subject China trade to an annual congressional vote. A third measure I co-filed with Rep. Michelle Steel sought to normalize U.S. ties with Taiwan and end America's failed "One China Policy" (you may recall I introduced a bill to do this last year – which now has more than 20 cosponsors). Unfortunately, the Democrat-controlled Rules Committee refused to allow a vote on these amendments. Lawmakers filed more than 600 amendments to this bill, hoping for a say on the finished product. You can check out some of the others that I and others submitted here. Unfortunately, only 12 amendment votes were allowed during consideration of the bill – a real missed opportunity.
Your tax dollars at work: Flights, cash cards and lawyers for illegal aliens?
For months, I have been sounding the alarm on the Biden administration's dangerous immigration policies. From our wide-open southern border and a return to the failed "catch and release" policies of the past, to allowing tens of thousands of often poorly vetted Afghan evacuees into our country and sticking local communities with the human and financial costs, the last year has been a disaster across the board. In recent months, I've raised questions about the role of non-profit groups, resettlement groups, and the role of the UN-affiliated International Organization for Migration in financing the movement of migrants into and around the US. I've cosponsored bills to make sure taxpayers aren't picking up the tab for things like migrants' plane tickets, expenses and even legal costs (more on that later) Uncontrolled immigration is a threat to our national security, our economic security, and Americans' job security – and it is making every state a border state. I am committed to supporting efforts to secure our border, enforce our laws, and make sure America's immigration policies are in the best interest of America.
What do mink have to do with China?
We told you earlier about an effort by some in Congress to use a so-called "China" bill as a vehicle for unrelated policy initiatives. One of those that caught a ride on that bill this week was a measure to effectively ban commercial mink farming. This is a sneak attack on American producers, who create jobs and create goods for our country – one that specifically targets our state. Wisconsin is the nation's top producer of mink, but if this amendment becomes law, it will cripple this vibrant industry. Putting working people in the agriculture sector out of business doesn't help with American competitiveness. That's why I spoke out against this amendment on the floor, and I voted against it. I plan to work closely with our two US senators to try and stop this job-killing measure.
The DOJ "Domestic Terror Unit"
This week I joined my colleagues in signing a letter to Attorney General Garland and FBI Director Wray, expressing grave concern over the establishment of a new domestic terrorism unit at the Biden Department of Justice – something that seems to have more to do with targeting the administration's critics than terrorism. Something we've seen plenty of examples of in recent years. Most recently, Attorney General Merrick Garland directed the FBI to take aim at concerned parents after the National School Board Association likened them to "domestic terrorists."I've questioned the Attorney General about this outrageous effort directly in the past, and will continue to fight Department of Justice overreach – and hold agenda-driven bureaucrats accountable.
Even softer on crime?
This week we learned that Attorney General Garland and the Biden Justice Department asked for reduced sentences for rioters arrested during the summer of 2020. Those violent riots caused dozens of deaths, along with widespread cases of assault, arson, looting, and property damage – and communities across the country are still dealing with the aftermath. This is not a situation unique to the federal government in Washington DC. We have seen similar disappointing steps taken by local district attorneys across the country. We told you recently, for example, about the spike in "OId West" style train robberies taking place in California – something that is occurring with more and more frequency thanks to the failure of local and federal officials to prosecute the perpetrators. More recently, city officials in Milwaukee blamed skyrocketing car thefts on car manufacturers – who they suggest are making cars that are "too easy to steal" (while ignoring the fact that just 2% of these cases are prosecuted). This isn't rocket science. When criminals know that laws aren't enforced, they commit more crimes. It's time to stop treating law abiding citizens like the crooks – and time to put the criminals behind bars.
Free lawyers for illegal aliens?
The Biden administration's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) recently announced the so-called "Legal Access at the Border" program. This White House initiative – like so many before it – will encourage even more illegal immigration by spending public funds to help illegal aliens exploit loopholes in immigration law. This program is especially troubling because of the Biden administration's flat refusal to enforce so many of our immigration laws. The White House has also refused to effectively enforce President Trump's highly successful "Remain in Mexico" program. In fact, In December, the Department of Homeland Security simply released more than 55,000 illegal aliens into the interior of the United States. Instead of spending your money to help illegal migrants "lawyer up," the Biden administration should get to work apprehending, prosecuting, and removing illegal aliens from the country.
Natural Resources
Critical minerals
Yesterday my colleagues and I on the Natural Resources Committee sent a letter to Biden Interior Secretary Deb Haaland highlighting our concerns about certain critical minerals being left off the draft list of critical minerals. Due to instability in Kazakhstan and Russia, stable supplies of these minerals could be less reliable. Kazakhstan is the world's largest producer of uranium, and Russia is a major producer of helium, so the ongoing security situation with both nations highlights the importance of developing these important resources at home. The U.S. relies on foreign imports for 97% of its uranium demand, and the Federal Helium Reserve is being closed. To make sure we have what we need, it is important to increase domestic production. There is a direct relationship between national security and mineral supply chains, so we should take direct action before another security situation in a foreign nation puts American supply chains at further risk.
House Judiciary
Music industry hearing
This week we held a full Judiciary Committee hearing to debate changing our copyright laws with regard to the music industry. Over the course of 60 years or so, how music is consumed and delivered has changed. The current marketplace is one where radio stations and record labels can and do come together to strike deals for music licensing. These type of free market interactions would not occur under the American Music Fairness Act as the government set price would be the floor to one party and the ceiling to the other. There would simply be no economic incentive for both parties to engage in free market negotiations. In our district, most of the broadcasters will suffer with an added tax, and the inability to negotiate independently. The radio industry was hit significantly hard during the pandemic. Businesses that advertise with radio were closed or forced to reduce advertising, resulting in significant revenue losses. Many stations lost 50% or more of revenue. According to Rolling Stone, Universal, Warner and Sony posted double digit profit margins during 2020 and 2021. The success of the labels has been fueled by revenue increases from on-demand streaming. This is a complex problem, and the government should be encouraging both sides to come to the table and negotiate instead of strong-arming small broadcasters to comply with the demands of the powerful music industry.
Keeping kids in class
As Telegram readers know, the pandemic and the school closures that followed took a significant toll on our children. In addition tofalling behind academically there was an almost 23% increase in emergency room visits for suicide attempts in children aged twelve to seventeen due to mental health issues that were exacerbated by lockdowns. That is a scenario we cannot afford to repeat this academic year. This week I signed on to Rep. Mark Green's Keep Schools Open Act, which requires states receiving federal education funding to remain open for in person instruction. The cost of keeping kids out of the classroom is far too great—we owe it to them to work together to maintain in-person instruction.
Medford High School Visit
This week, I visited Medford High School to speak with students in the Intellectual Properties class on vaccine mandates, emission controls for farmers, and inflation's effects on local businesses, among other hot-button issues with the sophomore class. I really enjoyed discussing current legislation with passionate students who are engaged on the issues!
Speaking to the Medford High School Intellectual Properties Class
Good Luck, Kevin!
Yesterday, I was honored to speak about Minocqua's own, Kevin Bolger, on the House floor. Kevin will compete in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as part of the USA cross country ski team. Best of luck to you and Team USA. Bring home the gold!
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Recognizing and congratulating Kevin Bolger on the House floor