The Tiffany Telegram: June 24, 2022
Dear Friend,
It’s been a busy week in Washington. This week the Supreme Court released a number of opinions including the final version of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Today’s landmark ruling is a historic victory for human rights, this decision paves the way for us to protect all life.
The Second Amendment was also on the docket – both in the Court and on the Hill. While the Supreme Court upheld and protected our constitutional right to bear arms, Congress was simultaneously considering legislation to erode it.
America doesn’t have a gun problem. America has a crime problem.
Law-abiding Americans do not want more laws chipping away at the Second Amendment. They do not want to see their right to bear arms eliminated on the installment plan.
They want prosecutors to prosecute. They want the police to police. They want dangerous criminals off the streets, and behind bars.
My bill I introduced with Congresswoman Nicole Mailliotakis (NY-11) H.R. 7967, the Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act is a common-sense solution that would require prosecutors to report how often they follow through on holding criminals charged with violent crimes, like murder, rape, arson, crimes involving illegal guns, and motor vehicle theft, accountable. It also mandates disclosures on how often prosecutors secure convictions, whether those charged were already on probation or parole, and how many were released without bail.
Unfortunately, House Democrats blocked it from coming up for consideration.
Rather than taking up legislation to address the issues that are enabling the surge in violent crime gripping American communities, this week they pushed through yet another far-reaching gun control package, which will further reduce the rights of law-abiding Americans and their ability to protect themselves.
Thanks again for starting off your weekend with us! We hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the Tiffany Telegram – we’ll be back in two weeks with our next edition.
Sincerely,
Tom Tiffany
Member of Congress
Click here to watch my floor speech on the Senate gun control package.
American Dream come true
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a reception to honor Enes Freedom, a former NBA player and human rights activist who was born in Switzerland before immigrating to the U.S. from Turkey. He has been especially critical of Communist China, speaking out against Beijing’s shocking human rights violations and systematic genocide against religious minorities. With the Biden administration lifting tariffs on solar panels that are manufactured using Uyghur slave labor in Communist China, the issue has come into focus once again in a way that isn’t always widely reported. It was good to meet with Enes and acknowledge his efforts to amplify calls for freedom around the world.
Keep fighting the good fight, Enes!
Putting money back into the hands of taxpayers
While it’s not surprising that the Biden administration proposed a budget with the highest sustained levels of spending since World War II even with inflation at a 40-year high, the good news is my Republican colleagues and I have been working on alternative solutions to cut down on excessive spending, balance our budget, and prevent the world’s largest economy from President Biden’s self-destruction. This week, I joined members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) Budget and Spending Task Force to urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to endorse the fiscally responsible RSC Budget. As you and I know, more inflation-fueling spending is not the answer. Congress must assume responsibility for the power of the purse, reverse course, and get back to a budget surplus. The RSC budget does just that and more. It’s good for America and ensures American taxpayer dollars are not being thrown down the drain.
Click here to watch my floor speech.
The Left’s latest attack on Israel
You’d think that standing up for our closest ally in the terrorist-plagued Middle East should be a no brainer; however, with the “Squad” steering the wheel for the Democratic Party, the Biden administration is now signaling support for dividing Israel’s eternal capital. At the beginning of the month, the Biden administration announced that they would create a separate U.S. diplomatic office to the Palestinians in Jerusalem, reversing President Trump’s once in a generation work in the Middle East. Previously, the Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) was under the U.S. Ambassador to Israel’s reporting chain of command, but now, with the Left’s latest targeted attack on Israel, the Biden administration is creating a new U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs’ that will no longer report to the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Instead, they will report directly to Joe Biden’s corrupt State Department. Again, this is the same State Department that completely botched the entire Afghanistan withdrawal. It’s shameless, and this week I joined over 80 of my colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to reverse this disastrous decision. I stand with our ally, Israel, and I support those defending their homeland against terror-sponsored groups.
Just last month, I visited Israel where I expressed unequivocal support for one of our most important allies.
Committee Update
Natural Resources
Forum on energy
Today Republicans from both the Natural Resources Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee held a member forum titled “Skyrocketing Energy Costs Are Hurting Americans”. This gave an opportunity for members to hear directly from constituents back in their districts about the downstream effects that energy prices have had on people’s lives and businesses. I had the pleasure of having a witness from our district, who is an expert on transportation and commerce issues, to talk about how these high energy prices have drastically impacted his business. They are seeing the effects in not only the price of diesel, but everything from engine oil to tires and everything they use to keep their trucks up and running. Another aspect of this company is that they train new truckers, something our country is desperately short on right now. Many of his students have to sacrifice other expenses so that they can pay for the gas to drive themselves to training and now the tuition to train them has gone up as well. He shared a very important message along with all the other witnesses. You can watch the forum here.
Recent Legislation
Opening doors for workers
Across the country, record high inflation and work-discouraging government policies are keeping labor participation rates low. This has presented challenges for many small businesses. That’s why common-sense solutions that help remove barriers to small business are so important, and why I cosponsored the Flexibility for Workers Education Act, authored by my colleague Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-1). This bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 to allow businesses to offer workers voluntary skills and educational opportunities. For years the FLSA has required businesses to pay wages to workers that are taking voluntary skills classes, even though many of these opportunities occur outside of normal work hours. This has sometimes limited an employer’s ability to create these opportunities – which can hurt the growth potential and upward mobility of their workers. The Flexibility for Workers Education Act would treat these opportunities as the educational benefits they are. You can read the bill here.
District Update
Happy 100th Birthday
This past Saturday, John McMurry, a World War II veteran from Taylor County, celebrated his 100th birthday at VFW Post 5729. Our community wouldn’t be the same without heroes, like Mr. McMurry, from the Greatest Generation, and I am glad my district staff was able to send him a certificate of recognition for this lifetime milestone. I hope you will join me in wishing this local hero a very happy birthday and continued joy and good health. Happy birthday, Mr. Murray, thank you for your service, and God bless!
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.
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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
Bass Lake Author
Kristine Ochu has been nominated for 2022 Global Women of the Year for her book “Campfire Confessions.”
Relay for Life
The 2022 Relay for Life of St. Croix County raised over $60,000 to battle cancer this past weekend!
Cookout for Special Olympics
The Wausau Police Department held a cook-out in their parking lot to raise money and awareness and for the Special Olympics Torch Run!