The Tiffany Telegram: October 23, 2020
Dear Friend,
This week we saw more encouraging economic news as new jobless claims dropped to their lowest level since the beginning of the pandemic and continuing unemployment claims dropped by more than 1 million. This is a testament to the resilience of the American economy which was the strongest in modern history – thanks to landmark tax and regulatory reforms – before the coronavirus pandemic that originated in China fanned out across the globe. It is great to see more Americans getting back to work.
While the House conducted no legislative business this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States. It is unfortunate that Senate Democrats played politics by "boycotting" the vote on Judge Barrett's nomination (something we regrettably saw Democrats in our state legislature do a few years ago when they fled to Illinois in an attempt to grind legislative activity in Madison to a halt), and disappointing to see them insult such a well-qualified judicial nominee. The American people expect their representatives to show up for work, not engage in this kind of political theater.
In this week's Telegram…
- Ag groups endorse more state control over wolf management
- Defending the Second Amendment
- A "prime" opportunity for Wisconsin agriculture
- The Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Act
- Keeping our promises to veterans
- District COVID-19 update
Ag groups endorse more state control over wolf management
It was great to see the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, the Wisconsin Cattlemen, the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, the Wisconsin Farmers Union, the Wisconsin Pork Association, the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association announce their support for my bill to remove the gray wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species. Their endorsement of this bill underscores the broad-based support for this common-sense plan to put states and local communities back in the driver's seat when it comes to managing this dangerous predator. The letter of support from these groups reads, in part, "Wisconsin farmers are committed to the responsible management of our wolf population, but that goal cannot be achieved while the gray wolf remains on the federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife." I could not agree more. For further information about my effort, you can read a column I penned recently here.
Defending the Second Amendment
The individual right to keep and bear arms is a bedrock, founding principle of our Republic – and one I am 100 percent committed to defending. That's why this week I joined 100 of my colleagues in writing to Attorney General Bill Barr asking that recent changes to gun purchase processing practices do not impede the ability of law-abiding citizens wishing to exercise this fundamental right. You can read the full text of our letter here.
A "prime" opportunity for Wisconsin agriculture
Telegram readers know we are committed to expanding opportunities and support for Wisconsin agriculture. One such legislative effort I am supporting is passage of the bipartisan PRIME Act. This bill would make it easier for meat sold by Wisconsin producers to get their products into Wisconsin restaurants, grocery stores, and consumers without sometimes duplicative and cumbersome federal requirements. Cutting federal red tape in the agriculture industry will benefit both the producer and consumer without sacrificing quality or safety, and is another step we can take to help ensure a vibrant future for Wisconsin's critically important agriculture industry while putting more top-quality Wisconsin meat products on Wisconsin menus.
Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
This week I cosponsored the Pandemic, Preparedness, and Recovery Act, which would assemble a nine-member commission to make recommendations and propose future legislation for the modernization of federal regulations so we can more effectively and efficiently respond to pandemic situations. Currently, the Code of Federal Regulations contains more than 180,000 pages of byzantine rules and restrictions, many of which are duplicative or unnecessary – restrictions that can often hamper our ability to deal with emerging threats. The creation of this commission would allow for these regulations to be scrutinized by a bipartisan group who would then present a final set of recommendations in the form of a new bill following a 90-day period of research and review. Not only will this help our economy recover from future pandemic situations, it will help ensure a better, more streamlined roadmap to post-pandemic economic recovery.
Tom visits the Burnett Medical Center in Grantsburg, WI.
Keeping our promises to veterans
This week I signed on to the bipartisan K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act, which requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on toxic exposure experienced by the more than 10,000 American service members deployed at the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbekistan between 2001 and 2005. The United States established Camp Stronghold Freedom at the base in 2001 after the catastrophic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. With K2 situated within 100 miles of the Afghan border, American service members deployed to this former Soviet base to provide support to our mission in Afghanistan. Recent reports and declassified documents indicate that these service members were exposed to multiple toxic chemicals and radiological hazards. As more and more evidence is gathered, America's K2 veterans continue to report that they have been diagnosed with various health conditions related to this exposure – and are facing challenges in securing treatment and benefits for their service-connected disabilities. Completion of the Department of Defense study mandated by the House-passed Defense Authorization Act would mark a significant step towards ensuring that America's K2 veterans receive medical care and benefits that they deserve.
COVID Update
Cases throughout the state of Wisconsin are continuing to rise, with the majority of cases being contact traced in Winnebago, Rock, Outagamie, and Marathon counties. Currently the 7th Congressional district is experiencing the highest rates of positive cases in Marathon, Lincoln, Langlade, and Oneida counties. North Central region hospitals are currently at 84 percent of bed capacity and the Northwest region is currently at 70 percent of bed capacity. Providers in the region have assured us that they are prepared for any further surges that may occur and they have no concerns with current supplies of PPE. We are in communication with the White House and have requested more supplies be sent to facilities who are being strained with high demand for testing and in-patient services to help prepare for any future surges. In terms of community testing facilities, the state has opened a number of new testing facilities including one in Sawyer County and another in Oneida County that will remain open throughout the weekend. We encourage you to utilize the DHS website to find the closest testing site to you.
Additionally, we have been working hard to send a message to the CDC that measures for contact tracing ought to be right-sized so that students are not unnecessarily forced into distance learning. The CDC recently announced that they are collecting and analyzing data to work towards a condensed quarantine period for children who have been in contact with a positive case. Our office has already provided those alternative options to school systems in our own community and we hope that the CDC can continue moving towards options that make it easier to keep our children in the classroom.
In case you missed it…
Dan Barutha of Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua was named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week. You can read more about Dan's contributions to his team and the community here.
Upcoming Events
Please join the Marathon County VSO and staff, as they host the Veterans Day Resource Fair.
Veterans Day Resource Fair
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - 10:00am
Marathon County Historical Society
410 McIndoe Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Contactless Drive Up: Veterans Health and Resource Bag Pick up
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - 10:00am
212 River Drive
Wausau, WI 54403
Regional Assistance
In addition to my Wausau and Washington, DC offices, you can reach my staff located in various parts of the district by phone in the location most convenient to you (Note: These lines have 202 area codes as they are connected directly through the US House of Representatives system in Washington, DC):
Hayward: (202) 510-2790
P.O. Box 586
Hayward, WI 54843
Hudson: (202) 510-8993
Tomahawk: (202) 738-6508
White House Tours
White House tours resumed on Saturday, September 12th. Tours are hosted on Friday and Saturday, 8:00 am to 11:00 am and tour size is limited. Visit the website for more information or to schedule a tour.
Coronavirus Response Resources
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.
President Trump announced that the administration has provided an additional $13 billion in additional pandemic assistance for agricultural producers during a recent visit to Wisconsin. The USDA began accepting applications on September 21 for this new phase of coronavirus relief, which will assist farmers and ranchers who have been adversely affected by price instability, supply-chain problems and cost spikes. You can learn more about how this program applies to soybeans, dairy, corn, livestock and a variety of other agricultural products here.
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 sign up here, and don't forget to 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.
Sincerely,
Tom Tiffany
Member of Congress