The Tiffany Telegram: March 18, 2022

Dear Friend,

March Madness officially kicked off this week – both on the court and on Capitol Hill.

It's no secret that one of President Biden's first priorities after taking office was to reduce American energy independence. He delivered on that promise by canceling the Keystone XL pipeline, cutting off leasing and permitting on federal lands, and implementing a stack of policy changes to discourage American energy production – and now the American people are paying the price – a record setting price of $4.33 a gallon on average.

You would think the pain Democrats have inflicted on Americans at the pump would make them pump the brakes instead of doubling down on the same failed policies that got us into this mess.

Unfortunately, you would be wrong.

Despite the turmoil in Eastern Europe, skyrocketing inflation, rise in violent crime, and tidal wave of illegal immigration pouring in across our southern border – House Democrats returned from their retreat urging President Biden to circumvent Congress and enact an executive order declaring a "national climate change emergency" that would further drive-up prices by banning oil drilling on federal lands.

While disappointing, this isn't surprising. Just last week an influential policymaker on the Natural Resources committee went on record in opposition to Made in America energy projects, which you can watch here. Not to mention the Biden administration's suggestion that if you can't afford their record setting gas prices you should just go out and buy a $56,000 electric vehicle.

In short, President Biden's green energy dreams are rapidly turning into a nightmare for American families. But I am committed to a different approach – one that will unleash American energy so that we can get back to being energy independent. That's why I will be holding a series of listening sessions next week around the district to discuss my solutions to our energy crisis – check out the dates and times listed below or on my website to see when I'll be heading to a county near you.

We hope you enjoy this week's edition of the Telegram and wanted to thank those of you who share our weekly update with your friends and neighbors.

Sincerely,





Tom Tiffany
Member of Congress

Rooting for Wisconsin to win it all. Go Badgers!

China throws temper tantrum at Tiffany-authored measure
Last year, Telegram readers may recall that I successfully attached an amendment to a government funding bill to help chip away at America's outdated and dishonest "One China" policy, which acknowledges China's claim of authority over its democratic neighbor, Taiwan. My "Honest Maps" amendment prohibited the State Department from spending any tax dollars to create, procure, or display any map that depicts Taiwan as part of Communist China's territory. My amendment survived the legislative process and was just signed into law by President Biden. A spokesman for China's communist dictatorship responded by throwing a temper tantrum and threatening the United States with "unbearable consequences," something Newsweek reported here as part of a larger article. This isn't the first time China's unelected rulers have made outrageous statements to try and intimidate Americans. You may recall that I called for the expulsion of China's ambassador after he suggested a military conflict with the United States. For too long, America's leaders have bowed to Beijing's bullying when it comes to foreign affairs, human rights abuses, and trade. It is time to end America's decades-long policy of asking Communist China for a permission slip to talk to our friends and allies. That's why I introduced legislation to normalize America's ties with Taiwan as part of my effort to "map" our way out of America's outdated and counterproductive China policy.

Making trade fair again
This week I joined lawmakers from both parties in supporting legislation to revoke the "Most Favored Nation" trade status of Russia and Belarus. While this effort was obviously driven by Russia's unprovoked and outrageous invasion of Ukraine (part of which was staged in Belarusian territory), I am hopeful that it kicks off a larger debate about American trade policy. Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the authority to "regulate commerce with foreign nations" – yet for many years, Congress has failed to do its job, ceding this power to the White House and international bureaucrats at the World Trade Organization. As a result, America's trade arrangements with other countries have often become lopsided, one-sided, and downright unfair. Two decades ago, for example, Congress granted Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Communist China – a regime notorious for the use of slave labor, intellectual property theft, and even genocide. Prior to PNTR, Congress had an opportunity to vote each year on continued U.S. trade with China. This gave lawmakers leverage to hold China accountable, and let the American people know exactly where their representatives stood. I believe this week's bipartisan vote is an important step forward – one that may provide a roadmap for restoring balance and fairness to U.S.-China trade. We'll have more to tell you about on that front in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Biden officials fear "mass migration event" as border crisis worsens
As Telegram readers know, the immigration crisis President Biden created has become steadily worse with each passing month. The record-breaking surge of illegal aliens crossing our southern border last year was a direct result of the Biden administration's decision to selectively halt enforcement of US immigration laws, and bring back the failed policy of catch-and-release. This week, after more than a year of putting out the welcome mat for illegal aliens – and apprehending and removing fewer migrants even as illegal border crossings skyrocketed (see the nearby chart), the White House finally seems to have realized that there might be a problem. On Thursday, administration officials conceded that America may be on the cusp of a "mass migration event". Americans, of course, have known this for a long time, as communities across the country have been facing a Biden-induced tidal wave of illegal immigration for the last 14 months. The good news is that the federal courts recently stepped in to reinstate the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which holds migrants on the other side of the border while they await processing rather than releasing them into the U.S. The bad news is that the Biden administration appears to be ignoring that ruling. I called on President Biden last year to bring back this highly-successful Trump-era policy several months ago, and remain committed to doing everything I can to bring an end to the chaos on our southern border.

Committee Update

Natural Resources
Tapping into American energy
On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues down on the House Floor to discuss the energy crisis. Unfortunately, when President Biden recently visited Superior, he didn't discuss it at all. Not one word about Line 5. Not one word about rebuilding the refinery. Not one word about the fertilizer supply concerns farmers face. Not one word about the proposed natural gas plant in Superior that would produce clean American electricity. All these things are crucial to our regional and national security and economic prosperity. I hope in the coming weeks and months the White House will recognize the pain their energy policies are inflicting on small businesses and working families and take steps to change course. You can check out my remarks here.

Judiciary
Un-FAIR Act
This week I joined several of my colleagues in speaking out against legislation designed to prohibit many pre-dispute arbitration agreements. Arbitration agreements enable parties to contract in advance on a process for resolving disputes that may arise in the future. They are also less expensive and faster than litigation. These agreements help to minimize hostility and disruptions to business. Unfortunately, this bill would sweep this important tool away, resulting in more lawsuits and litigation. Forcing everyone to go to court won't just delay justice, it will also impose additional costs and flood the courts with matters capable of resolution under arbitration. This legislation does not favor the American consumer, it favors trial lawyers. It is also another attempt by politicians to interfere with contracting rights. It is bad for Americans, and like so many of the mandates we've all faced in recent years, it is just another instance of government interfering with Americans' ability to make their own choices.

Click here or on the image above to watch my floor speech on the FAIR Act.

Recent Legislation

Non-Disclosure Order Fairness Act
This week I co-sponsored the bipartisan Non-Disclosure Order Fairness Act, introduced by my friend and colleague Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05). This common-sense bill would help protect the constitutional rights of Americans in the face of excessive government surveillance and data collection. As you know, the government can request your email and phone records from a third-party service provider, then follow the request with a "gag order" to block them from notifying you. Over the years we have seen this authority abused by officials to spy on their political opponents, and weaponize agencies against concerned parents. This bill would help ensure a meaningful check against government power. With the Biden administration's outrageous targeting of parents who attended school board meetings to ask questions about controversial classroom curriculum, reforms are badly needed to restrain some of government's worst impulses.

Upcoming Events

Coming Soon to a County Near You
I always value the opportunity to hear directly from folks back home, and next week on Thursday and Friday, I will be hosting six in-person listening sessions around Wisconsin's 7th District to discuss what's happening in Washington DC and to answer any questions you may have. I look forward to discussing problems and possible solutions with you at these in-person listening sessions. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact my Wausau office at (715) 298-9344. Hope to see you there!

Listening Sessions on Thursday, March 24, 2022:

Marathon County
Location: Dale's Weston Lanes
5902 Schofield Avenue
Weston, WI 54476
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am

Wood County
Location: Eagle's Club
1104 South Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am

St. Croix County
Location: Ready Randy's
1490 131st Street
New Richmond, WI 54017
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Listening Sessions on Friday, March 25, 2022:

Douglas County
Location: Elk's Lodge
1503 Belknap Street
Superior, WI 54880
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am

Ashland County
Location: AmericInn Hotel
3009 Lakeshore Drive, East
Ashland, WI 54806
Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm

Barron County
Location: UW Eau Claire – Barron County
Blue Hills Lecture Hall
1800 College Drive
Rice Lake, WI 54868
Time: 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Resources
As many begin to travel internationally again, the Department of State is available to assist with passport services. We recommend to apply at least six months before planned travel as routine service may take up to about 18 weeks. For more information, please visit travel.state.gov.

The USDA continues to make resources and assistance available to agricultural producers and working families to ensure access, safety and stability for food markets and supplies.

Small businesses can also apply for assistance through the Economic Injury and Disaster Loan program. This program provides economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue as a result of the pandemic.

If a friend forwarded you this newsletter, and you would like to receive it in the future, you can subscribe here for weekly updates and connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

As always, you are welcome to visit my website or to contact my offices in Washington, DC or Wisconsin, which remain open for service, if you have any questions or need assistance.

Good News from Wisconsin's 7th District

Wrestling Team State Champions

Congratulations to the Amery boys wrestling team for being named state champions for the second year in row!

March Madness

Good luck to the University of Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team as they take on the Colgate Raiders tonight at 8:50 CST! On Wisconsin!

Bantam Hockey State Champions

Earlier this month the Barron/Chetek Bantam hockey team won the state champions title. Congratulations!