The Tiffany Telegram: May 6, 2022

Dear Friend,

Just a few months into Biden's presidency he declared, "No amendment to the Constitution is absolute" while defending his authority to chip away at the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

But he didn't stop there. Biden's first year in office brought unconstitutional vaccine mandates, withholding information, the CDC spying on Americans (more on that later), and an attack on parents who spoke out against misguided classroom policies labeling them as "domestic terrorists".

And now he's coming for the First Amendment.

Late last week the Biden administration announced they were establishing something called a "Disinformation Governance Board" (DGB) – an Orwellian style "Ministry of Truth". This new Soviet-style directorate will be housed within the Homeland Security Department and will be responsible for policing free speech in America.

The creation of Biden's DGB came just days after it was announced that Twitter – which has been criticized for banning, suppressing, and blocking content of conservatives while playing defense for the left – was being sold and that the new owner is focused on making free speech a priority on the platform once again.

Not only has Biden's DGB been compared to George Orwell's 1984, it's also been drawing comparisons to Communist China's Central Propaganda Department and Ministry of Public Security, which is charged with monitoring and filtering the internet, punishing those who dissent with the government, and imposing a dystopian "social credit system."

Free speech is among our most fundamental rights and a vital component of the democratic process. The First Amendment protects Americans' right to speak freely about the policies and actions of government without fear of retribution, which is necessary for effectively participating in the marketplace of ideas and peacefully protesting when we disagree with the decisions being made by those in charge.

I will continue to fight against the Biden administration's attempt to chill and silence free speech, it is dangerous, unconstitutional, un-American, and needs to be dissolved. But more on that later.

Thanks again for starting off your weekend with us! We hope you enjoy this week's edition of the Tiffany Telegram.

Sincerely,





Tom Tiffany
Member of Congress

2022 Congressional Art Competition Winners
The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 and gives each congressional district the ability to have artwork crafted by young constituents displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building. I am always amazed by the artistic talent in Wisconsin's Seventh District, and this week, I was proud to announce the winners of my 2022 Congressional Art Competition, which can be viewed here. Thank you to all the talented students who submitted artwork, all our wonderful art teachers who helped make this competition possible, and the panel of local judges who picked this year's winners. All submissions from the 2022 Congressional Art Competition will be displayed at the Center for Visual Arts Loft Gallery in Wausau from May 6th through June 11th. Please visit their website for more information on gallery hours and location.

Congratulations to first place winner, Lilly Thao, for her piece titled Queen of Hearts. Her artwork will be displayed for one year in a walkway that leads to the U.S. Capitol.

CDC or Big Brother?
This week it came to light that under President Biden the Center for Disease Control (CDC) bought location data taken from tens of millions of U.S. phones to spy on Americans and track whether or not they complied with curfews and lockdowns during the pandemic. Because the CDC isn't supposed to spy on citizens, it spent $420,000 in taxpayer dollars to obtain the information from a third-party company. The company they bought the information from, SafeGraph, has a questionable history and has previously been accused of selling the personal data of Americans – which prompted their company being banned from several app stores and Google Play. The CDC's invasion of privacy is not only wrong, it's a gross violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Ministry of truth?
This week, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden's beleaguered Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, after he revealed the existence of the "Disinformation Governance Board," I mentioned earlier. As you may have heard, this "Ministry of Truth" is headed up by left-wing political operative Nina Jankowicz, who has herself promoted false narratives on several occasions. Ms. Jankowicz has continually promoted the long-ago discredited Steele Dossier and described Hunter Biden's infamous laptop as "a Trump campaign product." But Ms. Jankowicz isn't the only problem with this speech policing panel. The creation of this board underscores the Biden administration's troubling push to try and silence its' critics using the brute force of government power. Having worked with social media platforms in the past to shut down open public discussion on everything from critical race theory to what they've dubbed as vaccine disinformation, the White House is now attempting to take their campaign of censorship to a new level. This is wrong, it is dangerous, and it is unconstitutional. The answer to speech you disagree with is simple: More speech and vigorous debate. I am committed to fighting to preserve our Constitutional rights and oppose the abuses of this administration, and have cosponsored legislation to demolish this China-style social credit board.

Biden's one-two punch
At a time when Americans are already struggling with the highest inflation in 40 years thanks in large part to President Biden's reckless spending, the Federal Reserve's decision to try and manage this fiscal wildfire was to raise interest rates. As many of you know, higher interest rates make it harder for consumers to take out loans and buy homes, which in turn slows down the economy. Another adverse consequence, it will significantly increase the cost for us to pay down the $30 trillion debt our nation is buried in. As recession looms closer and closer, everyday Americans continue to bear the brunt of President Biden's self-inflicted pain in the form of skyrocketing gas prices, through-the-roof energy bills, and soaring grocery bills. On that latter point, one Biden administration official even seemed to suggest possible food shortages might be an "opportunity" to advance the White House's extreme "green" agenda.

Committee Update

Judiciary
Political interference at the Supreme Court
This week, we were confronted with troubling news about an intentional leak of a draft opinion from inside the Supreme Court in what appears to be the latest example of far-left progressives trying to intimidate the Supreme Court. In response, I joined several of my colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Garland and FBI Director Wray asking for an investigation and prosecution of the leaker. The damage caused by the person responsible for this unprecedented attack on our nation's independent judiciary cannot be overstated. Seeking to manipulate the constitutional interpretation process is dangerous. That's why we must find the person or people responsible – and ensure that they are held accountable for this malicious act. In addition to the leak, we've also seen reports of partisans disclosing the home addresses of the court's Republican appointees, plans by provocateurs to disrupt church services, and even a decision by Justice Samuel Alito to cancel a planned eventamid threats of violence. I will continue fighting for our rights, and to hold those who wish to subvert our system of government, accountable. Threatening violence when you don't get your way is wrong, and Americans on both sides of the political divide shouldn't be afraid to say so.

District Update

Recap: New Richmond Service Academy Day
I'm always inspired by the young leaders in Wisconsin's Seventh District who are seeking to serve a much greater cause than themselves, and this past Saturday, I held my first Service Academy Day of the year at the New Richmond American Legion. If you missed this event, don't worry. I will be hosting another Service Academy Day on Saturday, June 4th at the Richard I. Bong Veteran's Center in Superior. I hope to see you there!

A special thanks to all the parents and students who came out to hear from U.S. service academy representatives.

Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is important to make sure you are checking in on your family, friends, and neighbors. Thankfully, just last week, Wausau Police officers were able to spring into action and save a local teen's life. Tragically, however, that is not always the case as mental health issues have increased over the past few years. Together, we can make sure those struggling are not alone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 and offers free emotional support. Other local mental health resources can also be found here.

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

Medal of Honor
JoAnn Draeger of Wausau was honored as a Medal of HonorRecipient at the Never Forgotten Honor Flight Dinner for her work by raising thousands of dollars with the Never Forgotten Fund Raiser Golf Outing!

NFL Draft
Congratulations to Leo Chenal of Grantsburg for being drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs, and brother, John Chenal for being invited to the New York Jets rookie training!

Judge of the Year
Barron's Judge James Babler was named Judge of the Year by the State Bar of Wisconsin!