The Tiffany Telegram: May 13, 2022
Dear Friend,
Last week, a draft Supreme Court opinion was leaked to the media – one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the nation’s highest court. While the identity of the leaker is still unknown, it appears that the breach came from within the Court in what many are calling a last-ditch effort by a rogue law clerk turned political operative to intimidate the justices into changing their vote.
Not long after the draft was leaked left-wing advocates began their doxxing campaign against conservative Supreme Court justices – posting their home addresses in hopes that the mob of protestors gathered on their front lawn would pressure them to flip.
You would think President Biden and his Attorney General who once condemned parents at school board meetings expressing their concerns by stating, “Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values,” would also defend our nation's justices.
Unfortunately, you would be wrong.
Our commander-in-chief has remained silent – despite the fact that harassing a justice by picketing or parading outside of their home is a federal offense, particularly if the intent is to intimidate or influence their decision.
The liberal brushfire that ignited after the opinion was leaked wasn’t contained to just Washington – last weekend a Christian pro-life organization in Madison was fire-bombed with Molotov cocktails.
Jane’s Revenge, the group that took credit for the attack, proudly proclaimed that if abortions weren’t “safe” then pro-life supporters weren’t either. They issued another threat this week that their attacks would continue unless all pro-life groups close within thirty days.
As I’ve said before, threatening violence and destruction when you don’t get your way is wrong, and when you allow one group to get away with it, it encourages others to follow their lead. This week I sent letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding he takes action and upholds the rule of law by protecting our Supreme Court justices and investigating the domestic terrorism being committed by left-wing extremists.
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
Another $40 billion in foreign aid?
This week I voted against sending another $40 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine. I did so because I believe it is irresponsible for the federal government to continue shelling out billions to finance an overseas war at a time when far too many of our friends are watching their paychecks get wiped out by record gas prices and the worst inflation in decades. To be clear, I strongly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That is why I have supported measures to punish Russian oligarchs and choke off Moscow’s access to markets and capital. In fact, I have personally been sanctioned by the Kremlin for doing so. Cutting off Vladimir Putin’s access to cash is one thing – but asking Americans to underwrite an open-ended European conflict is quite another. I simply cannot support donating tens of billions in foreign aid month after month while American families struggle to pay their bills here at home. Congress already approved more than $13 billion in Ukrainian assistance in March, and American taxpayers are already the largest donors to the current conflict in Ukraine. Some analysts have suggested that these massive levels of aid are severely depleting our own munitions stockpiles – and that it could take “months or years” to replenish them. If the last two decades have taught us anything, it is that it’s always much easier to get our country into a foreign conflict than it is to get out. Intervening in an overseas military engagement – whether through the direct deployment of US personnel or the provision of vast amounts of military assistance – is among the most serious decisions an American leader can make. It’s a step that should only be taken when clear, vital national security interests of the United States are at stake.
A record-breaking president (for all the wrong reasons)
As Telegram readers know, President Biden has been breaking records for all the wrong reasons – highest inflation in 40 years, most border apprehensions in over two decades, and record-high fertilizer prices. And on top of that, he is even managing to break his own records. Just this week, gas prices topped an all-time high yet again, at $4.43. That breaks the record high from earlier this year when gas prices surpassed $4.37. Instead of taking action to bring down prices, the Biden administration continues to cancel oil and gas lease sales and tap into our Strategic Petroleum Reserves, which is only supposed to be used during times of a national emergency, to address the self-inflicted energy crisis his own policies created. My Republican colleagues and I have offered numerous solutions to curb the prices at the pump that are crippling Americans when driving to work, dropping their kids off at school, and shopping for groceries. Sadly, the Biden administration continues to turn a blind eye. In fact, the White House would rather tell struggling Americans to buy $55,000 electric cars and consider importing oil and gas from terrorists rather than tapping into Made in America energy here at home.
Soft-on-crime policies claim more victims
It seems like every week, we hear of communities terrorized by repeat offenders who are given a break by prosecutors who are, pro-criminal, anti-victim, and anti-law enforcement. If you recall, Hannah Tubbs, a transgender person, was recently convicted for molesting a young girl inside a bathroom. Soft-on-crime Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon sentenced this criminal to two years at a juvenile facility rather than transferring the case to an adult court – this despite Tubbs having a lengthy criminal record. Now, Tubbs has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to a 2019 robbery. Closer to home in Madison, an appointee of Governor Tony Evers approved the parole of Douglas Balsewicz, who has served just 25 years of an 80-year sentence for murdering his wife in front of her two young children. Sadly, stories like this have become all too common in recent years. Americans expect our justice system to defend the rights of victims and hold criminals – and pro-criminal prosecutors – accountable for their actions – and I am committed to doing everything I can to make that happen.
CDC: Overdue check-up
Last week we told you how under President Biden the Center for Disease Control (CDC) paid a private company with a shady past, SafeGraph, $420,000 to spy on the movements of Americans’ during the pandemic. They tracked and analyzed data from 20 million cell phone users a day to keep tabs on who complied with lockdowns – monitoring curfews, visits with friends, and even trips to church. I believe the CDC’s decision to conduct surveillance on Americans is not only wrong, but also a gross violation of the Fourth Amendment. That’s why this week I joined my colleague Rep. Jody Hice (GA-10) on a letter to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky demanding answers on their decision to violate the rights of millions of Americans. In light of this and all of the other concerning reports related to the CDCs lack of transparency Minority Whip Steve Scalise (LA-1) called for an immediate hearing to oversee the CDC and examine options to rein in the rogue agency.
National Police Week
Despite an increase in attacks in recent years on our brave law enforcement officers, each day, our heroes in blue suit up to keep us, our children, and our communities safe. We all feel a lot safer because of their selfless sacrifice in protecting the lives of others before their own. Let's take time during National Police Week, May 11th through May 17th, to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and reaffirm our commitment to policies that support those who courageously wear the badge. Not just this week, but every week, we Back the Blue!
Thank you to these selfless heroes, whose service is invaluable to our community.
Committee Update
Made in America minerals
On Thursday the Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on legislation that would “reform” the Mining Law of 1872, but the changes proposed by some lawmakers would only make it harder to mine in America. The ironic part of all this is that the Biden administration is making a push towards more renewable energy – yet every action they take seems designed to limit our ability to access the critical minerals that renewable energy technologies rely on. By doing so, we are setting the table to become even more reliant on nations like China and countries in Africa that use slave labor or child labor to mine these materials. We should be doing everything we can to make mining easier in America, not finding new ways to impose more restrictions, reams of red tape and higher costs on American miners. You can see some of my remarks on the topic here.
District Update
Marshfield's Small Business of the Year
This week, the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Scotty’s Pizza and Chicken as Marshfield’s Small Business of the Year. Scotty’s Pizza and Chicken has been a staple in our community for more than 35 years, and I congratulate them on this outstanding accomplishment.
Upcoming Events
Need help with a federal agency?
Ensuring veterans, everyday Americans, and seniors are receiving the benefits and services they are entitled to is one of my top priorities. On Tuesday, May 17th, a member of my staff will be at the Florence Natural Resources Center from 10 AM to 12 PM to assist constituents with federal matters concerning Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Medicare, passports, and more. However, if you cannot make it to these mobile office hours, don’t worry as my district office in Wausau stands ready to help you. Give them a call today at (715) 298-9344 if you are needing assistance with a federal agency or have any further questions.
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.
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
Teacher of the Year
Lakeland Union High School librarian, Peg Billing, and Superior High School teacher, Lori Danz, were both named 2023 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year!
K9 Foundation Donation
Kaylee Langham has been selling chicken eggs for four years to raise money for the Sawyer County K9 Foundation. She was able to donate $333 and give Oscar and Axel pig ears!
Olympic Skier Returns Home
Kevin Bolger, U.S. Olympic cross-county skier, was met with a welcome home party when he returned to Minocqua. Welcome home Kevin – you’ve made us all proud!