The Tiffany Telegram: September 18, 2020

September 18, 2020

Dear Friend,

Congress reconvened this week for legislative business. Unfortunately, the focus seemed to be more about activity and less about accomplishment. Senate Democrats blocked an effort to pass a limited coronavirus relief package that included additional Paycheck Protection Program funds and common-sense liability protection for hospitals, health-care workers, businesses, schools churches and non-profits as well as assistance for displaced workers. Instead of advancing this targeted and temporary effort to help American families, they chose to filibuster it.

This week several members participated in a discussion on the House floor to discuss the growing criminal violence, rioting and lawlessness that continues to grip far too many American communities and neighborhoods. Click the icon below to watch my floor speech on the topic.

In this edition of the Telegram we've got some updates for you on:

Restoring state authority over wolf management
Telegram readers know that I introduced legislation earlier this month to permanently remove the gray wolf from the list of federal endangered species and put decisions about wolf management back in the hands of state and local officials. This week several other lawmakers from Wisconsin and other states joined that effort, and we hope to enlist more support from both Democrats and Republicans in the coming days. I made the case for my bill this week in a Lakeland Times column that you can read here.

Battling the opioid crisis
On Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services awarded an additional $25 million to 80 different recipients across 36 states as part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). The announcement builds upon the August RCORP Awards reflecting a total fiscal year 2020 investment of nearly $115 million. The program is a multi-year initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) in high-risk rural communities. These grants are included as a part of President Trump's Rural Action Plan, which will help to expand the healthcare resources available to rural Americans such as increased broadband for telehealth capacity, innovative payment models for rural providers, and increased behavioral health services.

The Netflix "Cuties" controversy
Like most Americans, I was shocked and disappointed by the decision of online streaming giant Netflix to host the controversial movie "Cuties" on its platform this month. Lawmakers have been outspoken about the sexualization of children as young as eleven throughout the film. Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii labeled the film "child pornography" saying, "it would whet the appetite of pedophiles and help fuel the child trafficking trade." I joined 33 other lawmakers in sending a letter to Attorney General Barr this week recommending that he bring charges against Netflix Inc. for the distribution of child pornography within the film. You can read a copy of the letter here.

Bringing Broadband to Rural Wisconsin
Speaking of broadband, I remain committed to bridging the urban-rural technology divide. That's why this week I joined with other members in writing to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin requesting flexibility to use unspent funds from the CARES Act to be used for permanent broadband infrastructure in rural areas. Adequate and reliable broadband access is critical to ensuring that rural residents have access to online learning platforms, telehealth services, and the same opportunities for economic development and growth that people in big cities enjoy. You can read our letter here.

Tom visits the CWA Airport in Mosinee, WI.

Pushing back against Communist China
This year gave all of us a close-up look at the disastrous, real-life results of more than four decades of failed U.S.-China policy – a policy characterized by constant Chinese deception, rampant human rights abuses, unfair trade practices, widespread espionage, threats and regional bullying. But the origin of America's flawed approach to China did not begin in a Wuhan lab or wet market nine months ago. The seeds of our misguided relationship with China were planted in the 1970s when then-President Jimmy Carter recognized Communist China and cut off ties with America's long-time ally, Taiwan. This week I introduced a bill to end to America's failed "One China Policy," and seek closer ties with Taiwan. America doesn't need a permission slip from the Chinese politburo to talk to its friends and partners around the world, and now is the time for us to deepen our friendships and economic cooperation with other democratic nations.

Improving in-home health care
This week I threw my support behind the bipartisan "Protecting HOME Act," which would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to apply specified payment adjustments for durable medical equipment. In previous years, these reimbursement rates have been reduced by up to 50 percent. There is an urgent need for reform due to the growing need for at-home oxygen equipment to treat recovering COVID-19 patients. This is an issue that affects millions of Americans, especially those living in rural communities who sometimes lack easy access to a local hospital or urgent care facility and I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on advancing this common-sense legislation.

Funding for Great Lakes conservation
Stakeholders, community leaders and federal officials met at the University of Wisconsin-Superior's ballast water treatment facility last week to announce a multi-million dollar investment to assess the risk of the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes from ballast water, and to identify best practices for use by commercial vessels. This announcement was another example of the Trump Administration's commitment to working with local communities and job creators as a partner rather than working against them and acting as an obstacle. Environmental conservation and economic development are not mutually exclusive goals, and partnerships like this one show how we can cooperate to achieve both.

COVID-19 Update
This week we have experienced a slight uptick in cases throughout the district, however our hospitalization rates and fatality rates continue to remain among the lowest in the state. You may have seen an increase in our state numbers, which can largely be attributed to individuals in the 18-24 age group congregating on college campuses in areas such as Madison, Green Bay, and La Crosse. We want to emphasize that the data for rates of transmission and positive cases do not reflect the numbers that we are seeing in northern and western Wisconsin. Additionally, we are pleased to say that our district now has eleven different testing facilities, including the new Aspirus facilities in Medford, Langlade, and Rhinelander, as well as the Bayfield County Garage, the Forest County Highway Department and the Merrill Festival Grounds. We encourage you to utilize the DHS website to find the testing facility closest to you.

In case you missed it…
There was fun story this week out of Wausau about the annual "Tour de Briqs," in which "cyclists pedaled for a good cause, and got to enjoy some ice cream at the end." You can read more about how the sweet ride turned out here.

Upcoming Events
Join Congressman Tom Tiffany for Service Academy Day! Meet with representatives from West Point, Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, and ROTC. All ages welcome to attend.

Academy Day
Saturday, September 19, 2020 - 11:30am
1703 South 3rd Avenue
Wausau, WI 54401

My office will be holding mobile office hours to assist constituents across the district. An office representative will be available to answer questions and help constituents with casework. The next mobile office hours will be held in:

Mobile Office Hours: Amery, WI
Monday, September 21, 2020 - 10:30am
Amery Family Restaurant
418 Keller Ave S
Amery, WI 54001

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

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 will resume on Saturday, September 12th. Tours will be hosted on Friday and Saturday, 8:00 am to 11:00 am and tour size will be 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 is planning to provide an additional $13 billion in additional pandemic assistance for agricultural producers during his Thursday visit to Wisconsin. The USDA will begin 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.

And once again, remember to make sure that you and your family are counted in the census. Please be sure to visit 2020census.gov to learn more.

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

Issues:Congress