Hold Tiffany accountable

To the Editor:

At a recent constituent listening session in Rhinelander, Congressman Tom Tiffany stated: “the American people want transparency and accountability” from politicians.

I agree.

One Marine veteran expressed concerns about the lengthy process veterans sickened by exposure to burn pits and Agent Orange endure before receiving medical treatment under the PACT Act. When I asked Tiffany why he voted against the PACT Act, despite the endorsement of every major veterans’ organization, Tiffany pointed at the Marine and said, “Because of the problems he brought up, we could see the VA workload would increase.” I then asked: “Did you offer any amendments to the PACT Act to improve it?” He said, “No, Nancy Pelosi wouldn’t allow any amendments.” That seemed odd so, that evening, I googled the PACT ACT and discovered numerous amendments were proffered, including one from Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-2) expanding the PACT Act’s availability to veterans from five to ten years after separation of service.

Tiffany’s words don’t ring true.

It’s Tiffany’s prerogative to vote against the PACT Act and the interests of our ill veterans, and it’s his prerogative not to amend the PACT Act to improve the process. However, it’s unacceptable for him to falsely claim Nancy Pelosi prevented him from amending the bill and thus implying it obligated him to vote against it.

That falsehood isn’t transparency, it’s obfuscation.

Now, it’s up to us to hold him accountable. Your vote matters, this November please cast it wisely. Our country and our veterans depend on it. 

Rick Plonsky

Harshaw