Do Our Representatives Think of Home?

This letter to the editor, by Pam Fricke, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on July 31, 2025.

Do our representatives think of home? Now that the U.S. House of Representatives has adjourned, I wonder whether U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden will return home to Wisconsin to touch base with their constituents. We’d certainly like to hear from them. I think we all have a few questions.

I wonder why they supported adjourning to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files? After all, President Donald Trump made a campaign promise to release the files. Do they think that folks in the Congressional Districts 7 and 3 don’t care if leaders partied with a known pedophile? Do they consider leaders above the law? Do they not care about the hundreds of young girls who were coerced to work for Epstein?

I wonder why they supported the “big beautiful bill” and if they realize how many folks in western and northern Wisconsin depend on Badgercare for their health insurance. For Tiffany, about 15% of the population relies on Badgercare, or 25% of those under the age of 19. For Van Orden, those numbers are slightly higher, 15.5% of the population and 25.5% of those under the age of 19. And your party says it’s the one that cares about children.

I wonder what they think of ICE’s migrant roundups? Were any actual criminals captured and deported or are they only singling out children, grandparents and farm workers? Do they understand that migrants work in our dairy and turkey farms, which contributes to their district’s economy?

I have lots of questions. I’m guessing you, fellow HSO readers, have more about grocery prices, special ed, healthcare, prescription costs, public broadcasting and more.

Maybe the biggest question is: Are Rep. Tiffany and Rep. Van Orden working for us, the voters and taxpayers or are they only enriching themselves and the billionaires?