Dear Friend,
This week, House Republicans took the first step to ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is implemented by passing a budget blueprint to kick-start the reconciliation process.
This is a broad framework that allows committees to begin developing legislation – it does not include specific policy details, despite what the mainstream media may claim.
The reconciliation process is how many of President Trump’s agenda items will move forward. This will help the Trump administration carry out mass deportations, prevent across-the-board tax hikes, cut wasteful spending, root out fraud, shore up our national security, and much more.
Now, I want to set the record straight on a few things.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is currently in place but is set to expire at the end of this year. If it is not extended, every American will see their taxes go up. The Child Tax Credit would be cut in half, and Wisconsinites in the Seventh District would face an average tax increase of $1,841 in 2026. You can see how this would impact you here.
That’s why I was so disappointed that every single House Democrat voted to raise taxes on all Americans this week. Instead of being honest with the American people, they chose to spread misinformation.
Social Security cannot be included in the reconciliation process. Even Democrats acknowledge this in their budget reconciliation explainer. Click here to see for yourself. Additionally, President Trump and Speaker Johnson have repeatedly stated that Medicare will not be touched.
When it comes to critical safety-net programs like Medicaid, Republicans are committed to preserving it for those who truly need it – disabled individuals, pregnant women, single mothers, and low-income children. Anyone claiming otherwise is simply lying, including Governor Tony Evers.
Instead of spreading falsehoods, he should focus on his own administration… where he’s pushing to replace the word “mother” with “inseminated person” in the state budget. The truth is that the word Medicaid isn’t even in the budget resolution framework. Click here to read the text yourself.
However, to ensure Medicaid remains available for those who depend on it, reforms are necessary. Democrats have allowed illegal aliens and able-bodied individuals who refuse to work to drain Medicaid resources meant for the most vulnerable.
For example, in 2024, California expanded Medicaid to cover illegal aliens between the ages of 26 and 49. This will cost taxpayers an estimated $9.5 billion this year alone. Additionally, able-bodied, working-age, childless adults should not be allowed to sit at home and collect Medicaid benefits. They should be required to work – something 80% of Wisconsinites supported in 2023.
With over half a trillion dollars in improper Medicaid payments over the past decade, common-sense reforms are also needed to eliminate fraud and waste. If we don’t act, this program will become unsustainable for our friends and neighbors who actually need it.
I will keep you updated as Congress works to deliver for you and put America First. The reconciliation process does not happen overnight, but it should be completed later this year.
Thanks 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
Click here to watch me explain how Republicans are protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Saving farmland from solar and wind subsidies
Last month, I held an in-person listening session in St. Croix County where many of you voiced your concerns about the solar facility that Xcel Energy plans to build. Area residents understandably fear that too much farmland is being converted, and I agree with you. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. has lost over 20 million acres of farmland since 2017. We can’t afford to keep sacrificing farmland for unreliable energy sources. Yesterday, I reintroduced the Future Agriculture Retention and Management Act to end taxpayer-funded subsidies for solar and wind development on agricultural land. My FARM Act would not prevent developers from building wind turbines or solar panels. However, it would prevent taxpayer giveaways from tipping the scales in favor of wind and solar projects at the expense of food production. According to a Treasury Department report, “green energy” subsidies, including wind and solar, will cost taxpayers $424.6 billion over the next decade. We must end these corporate boondoggle handouts and ensure farmland is protected for future generations. You can read more about this bill from Fox News here.
US-China trade isn’t “fair” or “normal”
Telegram readers know that for the last two Congresses, I’ve introduced legislation with my colleague Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) to revoke Beijing's preferential “Most Favored Nation” trade status and restore the checks and balances that existed before Congress granted this sweetheart deal more than two decades ago. One of the safeguards that was stripped away when that happened was an annual vote in Congress on U.S.-China trade. Backers of “free trade” with China promised that opening our markets to Chinese products would usher in a new era of prosperity here at home while paving the way for political freedom and an end to slave labor in China. But of course, that isn't what happened. Instead, unfair Chinese trade practices under so-called “Permanent Normal Trade Relations” have accelerated, enriching China’s rulers – making them more ruthless, more powerful, and more dangerous. Meanwhile, one of America’s chief “exports” to China has been U.S. manufacturing jobs. That must end, and it’s why last week, Rep. Smith, Rep. Andy Ogles (TN-05), and I re-introduced this bill. I’m optimistic that President Trump – unlike his predecessor – is serious about cracking down on China’s predatory trade practices. In fact, President Trump has already ordered his Commerce Secretary and Trade Representative to “assess legislative proposals” like ours that take aim at China’s special trade status. There is nothing “normal” about China's predatory behavior, and it is high time that America stopped enabling that behavior on a “permanent” basis. You can check out our bill here.
Banning fraudsters from receiving tax dollars
Small businesses in America are the backbone of our economy, and we owe it to them to protect programs designated to support their success. Unfortunately, that hasn’t always happened. During COVID, for example, we saw numerous people scheme to steal federal funds – even buying Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Bentleys with money that was supposed to help small businesses, and in 2023, a Small Business Administration (SBA) report confirmed that over $200 billion had been disbursed in potentially fraudulent loans related to COVID relief programs. Fraudsters, who illegally tap into these programs and steal money away from small businesses, deserve to be held accountable. That’s why this week the House passed the Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act to rein in waste, fraud, and abuse in these programs. This legislation passed on a bipartisan basis and ensures crooks are banned from ever receiving future financial assistance from the SBA.
Wisconsinites in Washington
This week, I had two great meetings with Wisconsinites in Washington. I was first able to meet with a group of ninth graders from D.C. Everest who were here on their annual trip to Washington, D.C. They asked me questions about my time in the state legislature, the reconciliation package, my goals in Congress, and more. We also discussed the path I took to go from being a small-town farm kid to a United States Congressman. After the meeting, my office was able to get them a tour of the U.S. Capitol. After this meeting, I had the honor of sitting down with two American heroes representing the Wisconsin American Legion. Dale and Karl were visiting D.C. to discuss the legion’s legislative priorities, such as veterans’ rehabilitation, employment, and education, as well as ensuring health care freedom. I hope you all enjoyed your time in our nation’s capital!
I enjoyed meeting with high schoolers from D.C. Everest this week on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Committee Update
Judiciary
Securing our streets
During his presidency, Joe Biden openly declared that he wouldn’t arrest or expel illegal aliens convicted of drunk driving from the country. He even threatened to fire ICE agents if they attempted to do so. That’s why when an illegal alien like Jorge Sanchez was convicted of a DUI in 2023, he was simply released back onto our streets. Sadly, a year later, Steven Nasholm, a northern Wisconsin father of three daughters, was struck and killed by Sanchez who was, yet again, drunk while driving. This senseless and devastating death was completely avoidable. Sanchez should have never been in this country – or allowed to stay – and ultimately, Steven should have never been killed. This is why, during this week’s House Judiciary Committee markup, I spoke in support of legislation authored by Representative Barry Moore (AL-02), the Protect our Communities from DUIs Act. This bill would deport and make inadmissible any illegal aliens convicted of driving under the influence. Protecting our streets and communities begins with removing those who are here illegally, bringing justice to those who have harmed American citizens, and reversing the scourge of illegal immigration we have seen over the past four years. I look forward to continuing work with my colleagues to do just that.
Recent Legislation
Protecting our pipelines
On Tuesday, I joined Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-07) introducing legislation that would help protect our pipelines and energy security. The Protecting International Pipelines for Energy Security Act – or PIPES Act for short – would stop any President from unilaterally revoking permits for cross-border energy infrastructure, and instead require Congressional approval to do so. By restoring legislative oversight, this bill implements a check on future anti-energy presidents from shutting down pipelines that are crucial to the American people. A bill like this is important because we saw President Biden constantly attack American energy and its infrastructure during his four years in office, like shutting down Keystone XL through executive order. We must do everything we can to ensure vital pipeline projects, like Line 5, are protected from unilateral decisions like this in the future. I am committed to doing everything I have to protect access to plentiful, affordable, and reliable energy.
District Update
Beware of AI scams
With new technology comes new opportunities for scammers to steal your information, and I want to make sure you’re aware of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) scams. AI is capable of mimicking aspects of human thought and emotion while also replicating a person’s voice. Using this technology, scammers are targeting older folks who may already struggle with technology or not know about AI’s voice-cloning abilities to make them believe their loved ones have been hurt. Lori in Bloomer received a phone call from who she thought was her daughter claiming to have been in an accident and was going to go to jail if Lori didn’t bring her money. Lori was conned out of thousands of dollars, just to find out that her daughter was never in an accident – the scammers were using AI to clone her daughter’s voice. Be sure to warn your loved ones of these scams. You can read more about protecting yourself from AI here.
Photo of the week
As I mentioned last week, the 51st annual American Birkebeiner was completed last week. America's largest Nordic ski competition draws visitors from all 50 states and dozens of countries to northern Wisconsin. Jim, pictured below, finished his 46th Birkie this past Saturday. He is with Ernie St. Germaine, American Birkie founder, who is helping him take off his skis. Congratulations to all competitors who participated. If you have a favorite photo you’d like to share, email it to [email protected] with your name and location.
“46th Birkie” – Submitted by Jim from Neillsville
Resources
Leading up to the April 15th filing deadline, the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is offering in-person and online tax assistance to anyone – free of charge. to find the nearest in-person AARP Foundation Tax-Aide location or get started with your free online tax assistance . Taxpayers can also visit IRS.gov to get answers on any tax questions they may have. The tool is the quickest, most convenient way for taxpayers to have their questions answered.
Vacation is meant to be relaxing, so don’t let renewing or applying for your passport stress you out. The current processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, so we recommend getting this done as soon as possible. For more information, click here.
Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Wisconsin due to economic losses during the wet spring that occurred in April. Click here to see if you are eligible to apply.
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.
Follow Rep. Tiffany
 
|
