The Tiffany Telegram: March 4, 2022
Dear Friend,
This week I attended President Biden's first State of the Union address where he reported on the first year of his administration and his plans for the future of the nation.
The President started out by condemning what Vladimir Putin is doing in Ukraine as he used his platform to speak directly to the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who pocket billions of dollars with the help of Putin's regime.
Like the President and most Americans, I condemn President Putin's invasion of Ukraine and support efforts to hold his regime accountable. However, if the President actually wants to defang the ability of the Russian government to threaten its neighbors, he needs to reverse the destructive policies he has put in place here at home that are making Americans poorer while enriching – and enabling – those very Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders he condemned.
Soon after taking office Biden declared that climate change was the "greatest threat" to America's national security in the coming years. He soon made it clear that one of his main priorities was to reduce American energy dominance. The president canceled the Keystone pipeline, cut off leasing and permitting on federal lands, and access to oil rich areas in Alaska.
These policy changes have, not surprisingly, led to significant increases in energy prices – weakened us at home, emboldened our adversaries abroad, and made the world far less safe as a result.
To make matters worse while the President was busy strangling American-energy producers at home he waived sanctions on the Russia-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline – increasing Moscow's leverage over European countries already heavily dependent on Russia and funding Putin's regime and his cronies in the process.
It's time that the President reevaluate and reverse his anti-American energy policies that have been put in place over the past year. Doing so would reduce prices at the pump and restore American national security.
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
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| Click here or on the image above to watch my State of the Union response |
Ukraine-born lawmaker speaks out on crisis
This week my colleague, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-5), spoke about the tragedy we've all been watching unfold in Ukraine. Rep. Spartz – who was born in Ukraine and still has family in the country – spoke this week at a press conference about the crisis. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine, and with those of you who have friends and family in the conflict zone. You can watch Rep. Spartz' comments here. The inconvenient truth is that developments in Ukraine are a consequence of failed policies here at home – policies that have made Americans poorer while enriching the Putin regime. As I mentioned, President Biden has handcuffed American energy producers and contributed to instability around the world. Restoring American credibility and respect on the world stage starts with getting our own house in order. I hope President Biden will change course so we can provide relief to American families – and enable America to once again negotiate internationally from a position of strength.
Former top U.S. diplomat calls for restoring US ties with Taiwan
This week, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Taiwan, one of the highest-ranking U.S. officials to do so in many years. During his visit he met with Taiwan's President Tsai-Ing wen, and called on the Biden administration to "do the right and obvious thing" and recognize Taiwan for what it is: an independent country. Telegram readers know that I have been calling for an end to the failed, Carter-era "One China Policy," and introduced legislation last year to restore formal U.S. diplomatic ties with Taiwan. My legislation now has more than 20 cosponsors, as more policymakers come to the realization that America's dishonest China policy is antiquated, dangerous and unfair. This week, in a show of solidarity with the U.S., Taiwan announced it would halt semiconductor exports to the Putin regime. So why does U.S. policy continue to treat Taiwan's democratic government the same way we treat totalitarian regimes like North Korea, Syria, and Iran from a diplomatic standpoint? The reality is that Taiwan is a friendly democratic nation, one that has never been part of Communist China's territory or under the control of its unelected rulers. It is time for Congress and the Biden administration to recognize that reality, and recognize Taiwan.
Follow the science polls
Late last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance that drastically changed from their previous recommendations. Up until last week the CDC previously recommended that more than 90 percent of Americans and 100 percent of public school students mask up indoors – now they suggest that only 29 percent of Americans and just 31 percent of public school students need to do so. The CDC, which Telegram readers may remember was recently accused of playing politics, made the changes to their guidance just in time for the President to be able to give his State of the Union address maskless and shake hands with members of Congress.
Committee Update
Natural Resources
Putting states back in the driver's seat on wolf management
Today more than a dozen of my colleagues joined me in sending a letter to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (AZ-03) and Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (AR-04) asking them to hold a hearing on my Managing Predators Act. As Telegram readers know, a California judge recently re-imposed federal restrictionson state management of the Gray Wolf, after the Trump administration de-listed the predators in 2020 due to overwhelming scientific evidencedocumenting a massive rebound in the animal's population. This isn't just an issue for Wisconsin. Rural communities around the country are facing the same challenges as a result of this unfortunate court ruling – which helps explain why lawmakers from so many other states joined me in this effort. For more than a year, my bill has been awaiting committee consideration. It's time we had the debate. You can read the letter we sent to Chairman Grijalva and Chairman Westerman here.
Recent Legislation
Freedom to Fly Maskless Act
This week I joined my colleague, Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05), in introducing legislation that would overturn federal mask mandates for those using public transportation and air travel. As we pointed out last week, it has been months since the heads of major air carriers admitted that masks do little if anything to protect airline passengers from Covid-19. Many state governors and mayors have also moved to scrap unnecessary mandates, and even the CDC loosened its guidelines on the topic last Friday. I hope Congress will quickly take up this legislation and pass it so that Americans can breathe a little easier – and make their own choices about whether they want to wear a mask.
Refueling America
We told you a little earlier about the energy policy challenges we face here at home that are contributing to dangerous developments abroad. That's why this week I joined several of my colleagues to introduce legislation that would help strengthen American energy security. The bill is titled the American Energy Independence From Russia Act, and it would require President Biden to develop an energy security plan within 30 days, approve the Keystone XL pipeline, and unleash U.S. oil and natural gas production to help offset Russian imports. You can learn more about what this bill would do here. I also signed on to a letter sent to President Biden that urges him to do away with his harmful energy policies and increase our domestic production. America has some of the world's most abundant oil and gas reserves. We can produce that energy safely and in an environmentally conscious way, and that's exactly what we should do. I also signed on to the Protecting American Energy Jobs Act, sponsored by my colleague Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-03), which would reverse many of the harmful energy policies imposed by the Biden administration. You can read more about what that bill does here.
Record of Service for Members of the Armed Forces Act
This week I was pleased to join my colleagues in co-sponsoring a House companion bill to the bipartisan, bicameral Record of Military Service for Members of the Armed Forces Act, which has been introduced in the Senate. This bill will make it easier for our National Guardsmen and Reserve forces to receive the benefits they've earned and deserve. Currently, members of the National Guard and Reserve Components do not receive a Certificate of Release or Discharge (commonly referred to as a DD-214), but instead get a Discharge Certificate that doesn't capture the same information regarding their service to our nation. This makes it difficult to get services, since the information they need is on different documents that are not standardized and in common use. This bill ensures that they receive the same document that our active-duty members receive, which meets Proof of Service requirements. This change will be instrumental in ensuring that our guardsmen and reservists have more efficient access to their benefits. The DD-214 form is often required by the VA, other benefits organizations, and private sector institutions to certify qualification for benefits after completion of service. It is key to proving military service and qualifying for a variety of veterans benefits, making a veteran's DD-214 form one of their most valuable documents. I was pleased to be a part of this effort to take care of our service members and continue to be extremely proud of all our brave men and women in uniform who defend our way of life.
District Update
Biden visits Twin Ports
You may have seen that President Biden visited Superior this week. He was in town touting his "infrastructure" bill and talking about American jobs. Unfortunately, truth is that his "green" agenda has eliminated thousands of good paying jobs in Wisconsin and across the country thanks to his cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Biden "infrastructure" bill also short-changes what most of us think of when we hear the word infrastructure (like roads and bridges) while pouring billions into "green energy" boondoggles and giveaways. We need to get back to making fiscally responsible investments in real infrastructure – the kind that creates jobs, cuts through traffic gridlock, enhances our national security, and brings down our energy bills. I was in Superior for President Biden's visit to offer my thoughts on the state of the economy, and how we can get things moving again.
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| Click here or on the image above to watch my full video on Biden's Superior visit |
The 48th year of the 2022 American Birkebeiner from Cable to Hayward
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
4x Wrestling Champions
Congratulations to Kole Marko of St. Croix Falls and Tanner Gerber of Cameron for gaining their fourth state champion titles at the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament!
Paralympics Curling Team
Good luck to Matt Thums this weekend as he competes with the 2022 U.S. Winter Paralympics curling team!
Mother of the Year
This week Lisa Witt of Hudson was named Wisconsin's Mother of the Year. Way to go!