{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"MN\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-announces-winner-of-2021-congressional-app-challenge", "Emmer Announces Winner of 2021 Congressional App Challenge", "2021-12-31", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) announced his selection of the app Depression Revolution as winner of the Congressional App Challenge. The app was developed by Aryssa Trotter, a seventh-grader at Central Middle School in Norwood Young America.\n\nDepression Revolution is designed to connect Minnesotans suffering from mental illness with resources to help.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s students are learning in a world of rapidly-developing technology. For our next generation of innovators, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) skills are more important than ever,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cThe promise shown by the young coders and developers of Minnesota\u2019s Sixth Congressional District is impressive.\u201d Emmer continued, \u201cI am encouraged to see young people recognize the potential of technology to combat our nation\u2019s mental health crisis.\u201d\n\nDepression Revolution will be displayed in the United States Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives\u2019 website, House.gov. Aryssa has also earned an invitation to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is an initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the most prestigious prize in student computer science. Members of Congress can host district-wide contests for students in middle school and high school.\n\nThe Challenge accepts computer programs (or apps) written in any programming language, for any platform (desktop/PC, web, mobile, raspberry Pi, etc). To learn more about the competition, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/2021-year-end-wrap-up", "2021 Year End Wrap-up", "2021-12-27", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "This year, my office introduced nearly thirty bills and dozens of letters ranging from the hyper-local to the national. Some of the highlights include:\n\nA letter signed by more than 200 of my colleagues opposing efforts to spy on American\u2019s bank accounts.\n\nLegislation to fix our broken budget process and prevent future government shutdowns\n\nA bill to set clear and consistent regulations for crypto investors.\n\nAn amendment requiring an Inspector General\u2019s oversight in the distribution of $35 million in American Rescue Plan funding A letter urging Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall in support of the Minnesota Air National Guard\u2019s C-130 fleet. This effort led to the continuation of the 133rd Airlift Wing\u2019s mission in Minnesota.\n\nA bill to make the St. Cloud Police Department\u2019s hugely successful COP House program nationwide.\n\nIn addition to curbing reckless government spending, it is my goal to ensure as much taxpayer money as possible is allocated to projects in the Sixth District. My office also brings money back to the district through casework, which can help secure federal benefits or tax returns owed to constituents.\n\nSome highlights of my work to bring money back to CD6 include:\n\n$3.7 million in funding for the St. Cloud airport\n\nMore than $245,000 in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to build a new park in St. Francis.\n\n$19,022 in disability compensation for a veteran family from the Department of Veterans Affairs.\n\n$51,000 in owed Social Security disability payments for a constituent who had been waiting for months.\n\nSome of my office\u2019s most direct work to support Sixth District constituents is through our casework services. My dedicated casework team assists constituents in navigating their Veterans Administration and Social Security benefits, immigration concerns, tax issues and more. You can read more about their work and get help here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/a-christmas-message", "A Christmas Message", "2021-12-24", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "This has been a difficult year, and unfortunately, the holiday season has been no exception. Every part of celebrating has become more complicated, from heating our homes to having presents under the tree.\n\nFamilies are on track to pay $3,500 more for essentials just to keep pace with rising prices. That doesn\u2019t leave much wiggle room in household budgets for those extra expenses that pop up around the holidays, like gifts (wholesale prices are the highest on record), or a nicer cut of meat for Christmas dinner (beef prices are up 20% from last year alone). Even holiday traditions that many of us take for granted, like having a Christmas tree, have been thrown into flux by supply chain issues.\n\nAll these factors make for a more stressful holiday season, especially for parents trying to provide a memorable Christmas for their families. It\u2019s during times like these\u2014when finding that holiday spirit seems a little more difficult\u2014that I\u2019m reminded that Christmas should be a time of renewed faith in our family and community.\n\nAfter all, the holiday began with one divine gift: the idea that the Holy Spirit could be present with us here on Earth. It\u2019s present in our everyday acts of kindness and charity. I\u2019m so grateful for the men and women who have brought this spirit to life here in the Sixth District.\n\nOnce you notice them, it\u2019s hard to stop. Flipping through our local papers this week, I\u2019ve read about Agape Warriors Ministry, who will be serving 1,000 Christmas dinners at the east side VFW Post 4847 and delivering meals to groups like Quiet Oaks Hospice House. I have seen the success of Place of Hope, which this year increased its shelter capacity for those experiencing homelessness by 40-60%. I am inspired by the work of young people like St. Cloud Technical & Community College Leadership Club, who led a donation drive for the women and children who have found safety at Anna Marie\u2019s Alliance.\n\nIt\u2019s affirming to see our community standing together to lend support to our neighbors in these difficult times. I\u2019m hopeful that our nation will be able to correct the course on the difficulties we face. Until then, we can be proud that the spirit of the season is alive here at home.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-announces-23-million-americorps-vista-projects-fourth-district", "McCollum Announces $2.3 Million to AmeriCorps VISTA projects in Fourth District", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) celebrated the announcement that $2,327,046 will be awarded to eight organizations in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District to fund AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) projects:\n\n\"Minnesota leads the way in volunteerism, and I'm proud of the positive impact AmeriCorps VISTAs have made in our neighborhoods,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"These federal funds willboost the capacity of eight fabulous local organizations to continue delivering vital services to strengthen our community \u2013 from increasing access to health care and nutrition, to supporting youth and improving literacy during this time of COVID. I'm proud to play an instrumental role in delivering these critical funds to our district as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nCreated in 1965, AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty in America. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time for one year at non-profit organizations, schools, or local government agencies, multiplying their impact and building their capacity to carry out essential projects. AmeriCorps has made 12 AmeriCorps VISTA awards to organizations in Minnesota during the past quarter with an approximate value of the investment of $3,556,785. As a result of their service, the AmeriCorps members supported by these awards are eligible for up to $1,283,939 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards.\n\nThe list of organizations receiving AmeriCorps VISTA grants in MN-04 is as follows:\n\nImage\n\nImage\n\nImage", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-urges-minnesota-leaders-prioritize-local-projects", "Representative Angie Craig Urges Minnesota Leaders to Prioritize Local Projects in the Second District with Federal Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Representative Angie Craig urged Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation Margaret Anderson Kelliher to direct federal funding authorized by Congress as part of the bipartisan infrastructure package toward local projects in the Second District. Craig, who worked closely with local leaders to identify the projects that would have the most immediate positive impact on communities throughout the Second District, argued that the funding of these projects would create good-paying local jobs, improve the region's infrastructure and satisfy local demands.\n\nIn November, Craig helped secure $6.8 billion in funding for infrastructure projects in Minnesota by helping to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.\n\n\"The projects I selected meet many of my communities' most urgent transportation needs, from Apple Valley to Wabasha. Completion of these projects will make our state safer, stronger, greener and more accessible,\" wrote Representative Craig. \"Local leaders have gone above and beyond to demonstrate deep and wide-ranging community support for these projects, and to ensure they are technically sound and integrated with long-term state and regional planning.\"\n\n\"My hope is that we can work together to include these projects on an amended State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or through other means and direct the IIJA's generational federal investment to these projects in a timely fashion,\" Craig continued.\n\nEarlier this year, Craig submitted requests for millions of dollars in federal funding in surface transportation reauthorization legislation for projects in Minnesota's Second Congressional District. Craig selected those proposals after working closely with local leaders to identify infrastructure projects like the realignment of Levee Road in Red Wing and the Dakota County Veterans Memorial Greenway Project which would have immediate, beneficial impacts on local communities throughout the Second District. This summer, Craig secured the inclusion of those eight local Member Designated Projects in the INVEST in America Act, a transformative five-year, $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill which passed the House, but was not advanced in the Senate. Alternatively, those projects are eligible to be funded through federal dollars made available to the state through the recently signed-into-law Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which directed $6.8 billion to Minnesota.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter and below.\n\nDear Governor Walz and Commissioner Anderson Kelliher,\n\nThank you for joining with me to discuss the benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at recent events back in Minnesota. Your support for this historic legislative achievement is truly appreciated, and I look forward to working with both of you to implement this vitally important law.\n\nWith the significant federal funding increases expected over the next five years for our roads, bridges, transit and trails I am writing to you today to ensure a group of projects I identified \u2013 along with my local stakeholders \u2013 earlier this year during the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Member Designated Project (MDP) process are prioritized for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding in Minnesota.\n\nThe projects I selected meet many of my communities' most urgent transportation needs, from Apple Valley to Wabasha. Completion of these projects will make our state safer, stronger, greener and more accessible. Local leaders have gone above and beyond to demonstrate deep and wide-ranging community support for these projects, and to ensure they are technically sound and integrated with long-term state and regional planning. All eight of these MDPs secured the backing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the full House of Representatives, which voted to approve them on July 1, 2021.\n\nMy hope is that we can work together to include these projects on an amended State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or through other means and direct the IIJA's generational federal investment to these projects in a timely fashion. I have provided a brief description and funding amount for each of the eight projects within my Congressional District. Please let me know if your Administration needs any additional federal resources or authorities to help advance these projects:\n\nMinnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Apple Valley Station Modernization Project - $800,000. Funding would be used to complete the modernization of the Apple Valley Transit Station (AVTS), including updated security and customer information technology and amenities at AVTS. Funds would also be used to develop a designated operator training lot that would also provide great benefit to Dakota County Technical College, which was recently highlighted by President Joe Biden. Through this second and final phase of the AVTS Modernization, MVTA seeks to improve upon the current state of safety and security features, customer amenities and create an effective space for new hire and refresher operator training.\n\nMVTA Burnsville Bus Garage Modernization Project - $2.4 million. Funding would be used to support the garage's north apron expansion and add-on state-of-good repair and expansion options that available funding has not been able to support to date. The success of MVTA transit service and its ability to serve its riders well is dependent upon the functionality of its bus garages where storage, maintenance, fueling, employee accommodations are provided. Securing funding for the final phase of the BBG Modernization would create benefits that reach the rapidly-growing communities in my Congressional District MVTA serves and beyond.\n\nDakota County Veterans Memorial Greenway Project - $5 million. The funding would be used to help the County construct a 5-mile paved route through exceptionally scenic Dakota County landscapes, including river views, woodlands, farmlands, parks and natural areas. It will be Minnesota's longest greenway dedicated to veterans, offering a safe and accessible outdoor space for veterans and other visitors to reflect in nature, celebrate the county's strong tradition of military service and unite in honor of all veterans. This will be Dakota County's first countywide veterans memorial and is expected to feature five to seven memorials along the greenway, including a large area for community gathering. The memorials will be designed and built in partnership with veterans' organizations. The greenway's accessibility features will welcome the county's more than 6,600 disabled veterans and other users with disabilities.\n\nA current route used by pedestrians and bicyclists between the county's most popular park and greenway poses at-grade conflicts with nearly 20,000 trucks and other vehicles daily on State Highway 3 and County Roads 71 and 73, and an additional 34,000 vehicles on State Highway 52. There also are conflicts with trains traveling on two active rail lines through Dakota County. The Veterans Memorial Greenway also will allow bicyclists to ride from St. Paul to Lebanon Hills on a safer route separate from a growing volume of road traffic. A well-designed greenway that thoughtfully commemorates our veterans will give people of all abilities opportunity to improve the quality of their lives and will enhance safety for pedestrian and bicyclists along the corridor.\n\nGoodhue County CSAH 2 Bridge 25501 Replacement Project - $640,000. The funding would be used to help the County replace Bridge 25501, which is located on a 'Major Collector' highway. The bridge was built in 1966 and has an average of 400 vehicles crossing it a day. The bridge's deck is a series of concrete open girders with a third of the deck's underside having exposed rebar. The bridge has steel columns holding up the middle of the bridge that are severely deteriorated resulting in a load posting that restricts the weight of vehicles crossing it. This bridge's condition is poor enough to meet Federal bridge funding requirements. A failure of the bridge would be a significant problem for the County and the family farmers and other users of the bridge in this rural area that are dependent on reliable infrastructure to get their products to market.\n\nCity of Lakeville/Dakota County I-35/CSAH 50 Interchange Project - $700,000. The funding would be used for preliminary engineering to determine the scope of corridor mobility and safety improvement needs. This will be used to guide final design for reconstruction of the interchange at I-35 and CSAH 50 in Lakeville, MN. It will also be used to complete corridor safety and mobility improvements in coordination with the pavement replacement project included in the Minnesota Department of Transportation 10-Year Capital Highway Improvement Program. The existing interchange is an interim configuration that does not have sufficient capacity, sight distance, or turn lanes resulting in delays and safety issues. This existing situation will continue to deteriorate as the City of Lakeville and the surrounding communities continue to grow at a rapid rate. Proceeding with this project at this time presents a unique opportunity to coordinate with a pavement preservation project that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has programmed at this location.\n\nCity of Red Wing Levee Road Realignment Project - $3.124 million. The funding would be used to realign Levee Road, a Federal-aid eligible Minor Collector located along the bank of the Mississippi River to add new efficiency, staging and fleeting capabilities for drivers delivering locally grown grain commodities to nearby Red Wing Grain, LLC for international export. The funding would also help establish a riverfront railroad quiet zone. Additionally, as a result of this realignment, a portion of the existing Mississippi River Trail (MRT) utilizing the Levee Road corridor will require relocation. The MRT is Minnesota's only state bicycle route designated by state statute and is designated U.S. Bicycle Route 45. The City has already received funding under the Title 23 Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) for a segment of adjacent MRT. Stormwater management infrastructure is also envisioned near the trail and would be similarly eligible for funding under 23 U.S.C \u00a7 133\n\nScott County US 169/TH 282/CH 9 Interchange Project - $2.3 million. As you are aware, the project was recently awarded an $8 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE Discretionary Grant. I had secured $2.3 million for the project to assist with right-of-way, engineering and environmental documentation. The project includes an interchange that will provide improved pedestrian and bike access to the residents of Jordan, a grade separation of the Union Pacific mainline rail crossing on CH 9 and improve mobility for freight and regional traffic on US 169 with reliable and safe access to US 169, for residents of Jordan and the surrounding area.\n\nCity of Wabasha MN Highway 60 Project - $3.975 million. Funding would be used to help the City with construction and realignment of MN Highway 60, which is a regional significant Minor Arterial and crosses the Mississippi River in the City of Wabasha. The other nearest bridge crossings are 32 miles in either direction. The current Highway 60 connection between the bridge and US Hwy 61 requires navigating 3 intersections with stop signs, travel through a residential neighborhood, and is seasonally restricted with high water, and has a vehicle height restriction.\n\nThank you again for your leadership for the State of Minnesota and for all of our constituents who rely on safe transportation in their daily lives.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-representatives-passes-combating-international-islamophobia-act", "House of Representatives Passes Combating International Islamophobia Act", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Omar and Rep. Jan Schakowsky's bill the Combating International Islamophobia Act, 219-212. Hours earlier, the Biden Administration announced the President's support for the legislation.\n\nThe bill requires the U.S. State Department to create a Special Envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia, and include state-sponsored Islamophobic violence and impunity in the Department's annual human rights reports. The creation of the Special Envoy will help policymakers better understand the interconnected, global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry, and will establish a comprehensive strategy for U.S. leadership in combatting Islamophobia worldwide.\n\n\"We are in the midst of a staggering of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination around the world,\" Rep. Omar said today in a floor speech. \"At rise its worst, it is Uyghurs in concentration camps in China and a genocide against the Rohingya in Burma. But those atrocities are part of a deeper fabric of violence against Muslims and impunity for violence against Muslims at a global level. In India, Prime Minister Modi's government has moved to strip citizenship from millions of Muslims and has occupied Kashmir. In Sri Lanka, anti-Muslim laws and violence have imposed terror on the community. In Hungary, Belarus, and Poland, politicians have stoked fear of Muslim refugees and immigrants. In New Zealand and Canada, white supremacist violence has targeted Muslims, including at their places of worship. Earlier this year, the United Nations commissioned a report and concluded that Islamophobia has reached \u2018epidemic proportions' and urged nations around the world to take all necessary measures to combat it. As a country that was founded on religious liberty, our leadership on international religious freedom depends on recognizing that Islamophobia is global in scope, and we must lead the global effort to address it. That's why Rep, Schakowsky and I have introduced this bill, to create a special envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia at the State Department.\"\n\n\"As a proud co-lead of the Combating International Islamophobia Act, I was thrilled to see it pass the House today,\" said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). \"In the U.S. alone, nearly 70 percent of American Muslims have reported personally experiencing anti-Muslim hate, bigotry, and even violence. This anti-Muslim hate isn't just confined to certain areas of the country or the globe. It happens everywhere \u2013 including in the halls of Congress. It is well past time for the U.S. to seriously examine and address anti-Muslim hate at home and abroad.\"\n\nThis year, the United States has seen over 500 documented complaints of anti-Muslim hate and bias. In a recent study conducted by CAIR, found 69% of respondents personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In a separate study conducted by the Othering and Belonging Institute, found 67% of Muslims personally experienced Islamophobia in their lifetimes. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred towards Muslims has risen to \"epidemic proportions.\"\n\nThere has been a staggering rise in incidents of violent Islamophobia incidents worldwide. Whether it is the atrocities being committed against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma, the crackdowns on Muslim populations in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees and other Muslims in Hungary and Poland, the acts of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, or the targeting of minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran\u2014the problem of Islamophobia is global in scope.\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is cosponsored by Reps Bass, Bowman, Carson, Correa, Dean, Dingell, Eshoo, Garc\u00eda (IL), Green (TX), Grijalva, Jacobs (CA), Jackson Lee, H. Johnson (GA), Jones, Kim (NJ), Lowenthal, C. Maloney, McGovern, Newman, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Pascrell, Payne, Phillips, Pocan, Pressley, Rush, Sires, Tlaib, Watson Coleman, Williams, Jayapal, Davis, Castro, Meeks, S\u00e1nchez, Quigley, Raskin, Evans, Lawrence, Trone, Blumenauer, Sarbanes, Chu, Ruppersberger, Malinowski, Wild, Schneider, Scott, Lieu, Sherman, Brown, McCollum, Johnson (TX), Degette and Neguse.\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is endorsed by the American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN), American Muslims for Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, Arizona Muslim Alliance, Center for Victims of Torture, Church World Service, Common Defense, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Human Rights First, ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ), IfNotNow, International Islamophobia Studies Research Association, Islamophobia Studies Center, Islamophobia Studies Journal, Jetpac Resource Center, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Libyan American Alliance, MPower Change, Muslim American Society, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Revolutionary Love Project, Secure Justice, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Together We Serve, U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, and Veterans For Peace.\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\nRep. Omar's full remarks on the House floor can be found here and below:\n\nMr. Speaker, we are in the midst of a staggering rise of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination around the world. At its worst, it is Uyghurs in concentration camps in China and a genocide against the Rohingya in Burma. But those atrocities are part of a deeper fabric of violence against Muslims and impunity for violence against Muslims at a global level. In India, Prime Minister Modi's government has moved to strip citizenship from millions of Muslims . In Sri Lanka, anti-Muslim laws and violence have imposed terror on the community. In Hungary, Belarus, and Poland, politicians have stoked fear of Muslim refugees and immigrants. In New Zealand and Canada, white supremacist violence has targeted Muslims, including at their places of worship.\n\nAnd of course we in the United States are not immune to this hatred. It is no secret that the previous President of the United States explicitly vowed a, quote, \"complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.\" But Trump, was simply taking advantage of a much deeper culture of Islamophobia that has existed for the past two decades\u2014from the Patriot Act, to the CVE program, to Abu Ghraib. None of these things are happening in isolation.\n\nWe must understand that these problems are interconnected. Earlier this year, the United Nations commissioned a report and concluded that Islamophobia has reached quote \u2013 \"epidemic proportions\" and urged nations around the world to take all necessary measures to combat it. As a country that was founded on religious liberty, our leadership on international religious freedom depends on recognizing that Islamophobia is global in scope, and we must lead the global effort to address it.\n\nThat's why Rep Schakowsky and I have introduced this bill, to create a special envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia at the State Department. The bill also adds violence and incitement targeted at Muslims to the Department's annual human rights report and international religious freedom report.\n\nThere are cynics who would rather see us divided on racial, ethnic, gender and religious lines, because it suits their political agenda. But I believe as Americans we should stand united against all forms of bigotry. In fact, this legislation is modeled on the special envoy to combat antisemitism, and I was proud to cosponsor and vote last Congress on legislation to elevate that envoy to a cabinet-level position. Because it is important that we live in a world where everyone is free of persecution based on their religious background or beliefs. And until everyone is free to practice their religion no one is.\n\nSo I want to thank the co-lead of this bill, a partner in justice, Jan Schakowsky, along with Chairman Meeks, Speaker Pelosi and the leadership team for their commitment to this legislation. I also want to thank the Council on American Islamic Relations for their advocacy on this, and all the groups, representing a cross-section of human rights, civil rights and faith coalitions, who fight for the religious rights of everyone around the world.\n\nThank you and I yield back.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-leads-introduction-legislation-improve-maternal", "Representative Angie Craig Leads Introduction of Legislation to Improve Maternal Health Care for Native Women", "2021-12-13", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN-02) led several of her colleagues in reintroducing the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution, which seeks to create and improve access for Indigenous women to comprehensive and culturally competent maternal health care and family planning services. The resolution would continue to shed light on the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women in the United States and help to address the critical need to reduce the tragically high rates of mortality and morbidity among American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women.\n\nCraig was joined in introducing the legislation by Representatives Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Kai Kahele (HI-02), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14). Last Congress, the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution was led by Representative Deb Haaland, who represented New Mexico's First Congressional District. Haaland now serves as the Secretary of Interior in the Biden Administration.\n\n\"In the United States, Native women face significantly higher rates of death or serious illness during childbirth, a heartbreaking statistic that the federal government must take urgent action to reverse,\" said Representative Craig. \"It's absolutely critical that we continue to shed light on this crisis and enact policy solutions that will ensure every woman in America has access to high-quality maternal health care and family planning services in their own communities. I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation and to carry on Secretary Haaland's incredible work to improve the lives of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women across this country.\"\n\n\"The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is, frankly, shameful \u2013 and the outcomes of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian mothers are consistently worse than other groups. We must call attention to this crisis and work as the federal government to uphold our trust responsibility,\" saidRepresentative Sharice Davids. \"I've introduced legislation to address the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women and I'm proud to join Representative Craig and my colleagues to further that goal today.\"\n\n\"Addressing the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women deserves our attention and focus in Congress,\" said Representative Betty McCollum, Vice Chair of the Native American Caucus. \"The federal government has unique trust and treaty responsibilities to provide high quality health care throughout Indian Country. For far too long, Native American women \u2013 especially those of child-bearing age \u2013 have been disproportionately impacted by the lack of these critical health care investments. Native American women experience higher rates of pregnancy-related complications like hypertension and diabetes and a greater risk of maternal mortality. Preventing these tragedies requires breaking down barriers to care and increasing access to culturally competent prenatal, delivery, and family planning services. I'm proud to join Rep. Craig in introducing the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution to draw attention to this crisis.\"\n\n\"For far too long, the health care needs of tribal communities have been overlooked and underfunded by the federal government, enabling more disease, suffering, and an unacceptable lack of quality, specialized care, especially maternal care and basic women's health needs,\" said Representative Tom O'Halleran. \"To that end, I am joining my colleagues today on this important legislative measure calling attention to the maternal health crisis among indigenous women in the United States. As the representative for Arizona's First Congressional District, in which 12 sovereign nations reside, I vow to continue my work to ensure that tribal families have access to high quality, affordable health care, especially maternal care.\"\n\n\"I am honored to join Congresswoman Craig to introduce this resolution recognizing and calling for action to address the Native American maternal mortality crisis,\" said Representative Lauren Underwood. \"I'm proud that my Momnibus package includes specific investments to save the lives of Native American mothers and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get these bills passed and signed into law.\"\n\nThe Native Women's Maternal Health resolution is supported by MomsRising, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the National Indian Health Board, the Prairie Island Indian Community and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.\n\n\"The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) thanks Representative Craig for introducing this Resolution that highlights the maternal health crisis facing Indigenous women. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women experience some of the highest rates of life-threatening maternal health complications in the nation. The lack of awareness of maternal health disparities in Indian Country continues to adversely impact access to necessary funding and health resources for comprehensive pre and postnatal care for all AI/AN women. The Resolution calls upon the federal government to uphold its Trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations by providing adequate health care, increasing funding, and prioritizing policies to remove barriers to culturally-appropriate maternal health care for AI/AN women.\"\n\n\"A critical component of the federal government's trust responsibility is the provision of health care services to Indigenous people. Indigenous women face heartbreakingly high mortality rates from pregnancy-related causes as a result of lack of access to adequate health care,\" said Johnny Johnson, President of the Prairie Island Tribal Council. \"The Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution calls on the federal government to honor its trust responsibility and provide urgently needed funding increases to ensure Indigenous women have access to high quality and culturally competent care. We thank Representative Craig for her work on this vital issue.\"\n\n\"Decent health care services for all Native Americans is a core trust obligation of the United States, and especially, for Native women who are threatened by some of the worst mortality rates while pregnant,\" said Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Secretary/Treasurer, Rebecca Crooks-Stratton. \"Congress should quickly pass Representative Angie Craig's resolution, because it will help Native women gain access to the quality health care they need and deserve.\"\n\nSpecifically, the Native Women's Maternal Health resolution would:\n\nAcknowledge the maternal health crisis that indigenous women disproportionately experience\n\nCall for policy prioritization of maternal health, prenatal care and comprehensive family planning services for Native women\n\nCall for appropriate funding increases for Native health care programs so indigenous women can access the services stated above\n\nRecognize the shortcomings of the federal government to uphold the trust responsibility provide Native Americans with adequate health care services\n\nIdentify the disproportional IHS spending deficit for Native Americans of - $5,678 per patient compared to federal health care spending nationally", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-forest-service-do-not-cut-permits-entry-boundary-waters-canoe-area", "Stauber to Forest Service: Do Not Cut Permits for Entry to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area", "2021-12-13", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Upon learning that the Superior National Forest intends to make significant cuts to quotas for entry to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) penned a letter to the United States Forest Service demanding that they not cut permits citing the negative economic repercussions that this decision could have on the surrounding communities.\n\nOf this decision, Stauber stated, \"Following a record-breaking year, I am incredibly disappointed to learn that the Forest Service plans to cut permits for entry to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, especially since they did not consult those who would be most impacted in this decision: the residents of northeast Minnesota. Cutting permits could deprive up to 40,000 individuals from enjoying America's most visited wilderness, meaning that there will be fewer tanks of gas purchased in our gas stations, fewer lodging reservations, and less patronage of our restaurants. This is the last decision that should be made as my constituents continue to struggle with the impacts of the Biden Administration's inflation crisis. Many residents of Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District have built their livelihoods around the Boundary Waters, so the Forest Service must reconsider this incredibly harmful decision.\"\n\nRead Stauber's letter, HERE.\n\nEstimates from news reports and conversations with constituent stakeholders estimate a net loss of around 32 permits per day.\n\nStretched out across a five-month season for most cooperators, that amounts to roughly 4,800 permits per year. Permits can cover groups ranging from one person to parties of nine, meaning that cutting these permits could prohibit up to 40,000 from visiting the Boundary Waters.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-foreign-affairs-committee-passes-combating-international-islamophobia", "House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Combating International Islamophobia Act", "2021-12-10", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Combating International Islamophobia Act on a party line vote. The bill will be voted on by the full House of Representatives this coming Tuesday, December 14th. The legislation, authored by Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) seeks to address the rise in incidents of Islamophobia worldwide. The bill requires the U.S. State Department to create a Special Envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia, and include state-sponsored Islamophobic violence and impunity in the Department's annual human rights reports. The creation of the Special Envoy will help policymakers better understand the interconnected, global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry. It will also establish a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in combatting Islamophobia worldwide.\n\n\"As the United Nations said this year, anti-Muslim hatred has reached epidemic proportions and every country must take action,\" said Rep. Omar. \"I am excited for the opportunity to bring forth legislation to address this crisis alongside Rep. Jan Schakowsky. I want to thank Chairman Meeks for taking this bill up in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. And we look forward to it passing this bill and sending it to the President's desk.\"\n\n\"I am pleased that the Combating International Islamophobia Act was marked up today and is swiftly moving through the House Foreign Affairs Committee,\" said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). \"I look forward to voting for it on the House floor. It is more urgent than ever that the U.S. do all it can to combat anti-Muslim hate. The creation of a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia is the first step to ensuring the U.S. dedicates the resources necessary to safeguard human rights and religious and cultural freedom around the world. We must also look inward as a nation and address this hatred at home, including in the halls of Congress. I look forward to continue working with my friend and colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar to ensure a safe and just world for all.\"\n\nThis year, the United States has seen over 500 documented complaints of anti-Muslim hate and bias. In a recent study conducted by CAIR, found 69% of respondents personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In a separate study conducted by the Othering and Belonging Institute, found 67% of Muslims personally experienced Islamophobia in their lifetimes. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred towards Muslims has risen to \"epidemic proportions.\"\n\nThere has been a staggering rise in incidents of violent Islamophobia incidents worldwide. Whether it is the atrocities being committed against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma, the crackdowns on Muslim populations in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees and other Muslims in Hungary and Poland, the acts of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, or the targeting of minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran\u2014the problem of Islamophobia is global in scope.\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is cosponsored by Reps Bass, Bowman, Carson, Correa, Dean, Dingell, Eshoo, Garc\u00eda (IL), Green (TX), Grijalva, Jacobs (CA), Jackson Lee, H. Johnson (GA), Jones, Kim (NJ), Lowenthal, C. Maloney, McGovern, Newman, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Pascrell, Payne, Phillips, Pocan, Pressley, Rush, Sires, Tlaib, Watson Coleman, Williams, Jayapal, Davis, Castro, Meeks, S\u00e1nchez, Quigley, Raskin, Evans, Lawrence, Trone, Blumenauer, Sarbanes, Chu, Ruppersberger, Malinowski, Wild, Schneider, Scott, Lieu, Sherman, Brown, McCollum, and Johnson (TX).\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is endorsed by the American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN), American Muslims for Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, Arizona Muslim Alliance, Center for Victims of Torture, Church World Service, Common Defense, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Human Rights First, ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ), IfNotNow, International Islamophobia Studies Research Association, Islamophobia Studies Center, Islamophobia Studies Journal, Jetpac Resource Center, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Libyan American Alliance, MPower Change, Muslim American Society, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Revolutionary Love Project, Secure Justice, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Together We Serve, U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, and Veterans For Peace.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-passes-amendment-house-protecting-democracy-package", "Rep. Omar Passes Amendment in House Protecting Democracy Package", "2021-12-09", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting Our Democracy Act, legislation to prevent presidential abuse, increase transparency and accountability measures between Congress and the Executive Branch, and protect our elections from foreign interference. The legislation passed includes an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to require the extension of whistleblower protections to executive branch interns and fellows.\n\n\"Today the House took much-needed steps to safeguard our democracy and signaled to the world that American democracy is worth fighting for,\" said Rep Omar. \"This legislation will restore our system of checks and balances, protect our elections, and bolster congressional oversight. I am glad our amendment was also included to extend whistleblower protections and protect those often left behind\u2014interns and fellows. As someone who survived civil conflict, I know personally that we should never take our democracy for granted. This bill is a critical step to preserve and protect our democracy.\"\n\nClick here for bill text.\n\nClick here for a fact sheet.\n\nClick herefor a section-by-section.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-call-house-leadership-deliver-supply-chain", "Representative Angie Craig Call on House Leadership to Deliver Supply Chain Solutions", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined more than 20 of her Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to House leadership calling for additional action on legislation that would ease supply chain bottlenecks and help lower costs for their constituents. As the winter holiday season approaches, the letter urges House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to turn the House's attention to passing additional legislation that will provide solutions to supply chain disruptions and complement the investments in infrastructure made in the bills already passed by their chamber.\n\nRepresentative Craig is a co-chair of the bipartisan supply chain caucus in Congress.\n\n\"It is imperative Congress acts to address the needs of the nation through additional action to specifically address the supply chain and resulting higher prices experienced by families across the country,\" wrote the members. \"We respectfully ask that the House swiftly considers the numerous bills written by our colleagues that will support domestic manufacturing and provide additional solutions to our supply chain crisis.\"\n\nThe letter was signed by Axne, Lee, Wild, Carolyn Bordeaux (GA-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Ed Case (HI-01), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Antonio Delgado (NY-19), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), John Garamendi (CA-03), Josh Harder (CA-10), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Scott Peters (CA-52), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), and Haley Stevens (MI-11).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found below:\n\nDecember 2, 2021\n\nSpeaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer,\n\nWe are concerned about the ongoing disruptions to our nation's supply chain, which are causing delays and increasing inflation for our constituents. We are pleased that the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has been signed into law by President Biden and encouraged by the continued work on the Build Back Better Act. These are key steps in addressing these supply chain problems and lowering costs for people, but Congress must do more. We urge additional action by the House of Representatives to further address the disruptions and higher costs our constituents are experiencing.\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented strain on our already crumbling infrastructure and changed consumer habits leading to severe transportation bottlenecks and backlogs at our nation's ports and rail yards. Online shopping, for example, increased 34% from 2019 to 2020, and that trend has continued this year. Decades of underinvestment in our infrastructure have diminished capacity and resiliency in our supply chain. Without investments, modernization, and reform, our transportation system will struggle to deal with the increased volume of goods moving through our ports. The lack of domestic capacity, industry consolidation, and the United States' longstanding trade imbalance has further exacerbated the effects of the pandemic. These issues have spiked shipping costs, with the cost of shipping a container between China and North America up 500% from pre-pandemic, created shortages and delays in numerous industries, significantly contributed to inflation, and have caused uncertainty for American consumers and exporters across our country. These costs of underinvestment are currently being felt by our constituents, and this Congress must take this issue seriously and act. While these price increases should slow and return to normal as these bottlenecks clear and the pandemic subsides, we must speed that process up while establishing supply chain structure for our future.\n\nWhile the bipartisan infrastructure deal is a historic and long overdue investment in our infrastructure and, along with the Build Back Better Act, will expand capacity and ease inflation concerns, many of our House colleagues have proposed additional legislation to address specific issues affecting our ports, trucking, ocean shipping, and domestic manufacturing. These bills will provide additional relief and investment in targeted areas, ensuring we recover from these disruptions as quickly as possible and have the capacity to grow our economy. Additionally, increased investments in domestic manufacturing will support good paying jobs here in the United States and further reduce international supply chain pressures.\n\nAs our constituents gather for the holiday season, it is imperative Congress acts to address the needs of the nation through additional action to specifically address the supply chain and resulting higher prices experienced by families across the country. We respectfully ask that the House swiftly considers the numerous bills written by our House colleagues that will support domestic manufacturing, agricultural exports, and provide additional solutions to our supply chain crisis.\n\nThank you for your attention to this letter, and we stand ready to continue to work with you on this critical issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-senators-klobuchar-and-smith-applaud-biden", "Representative Angie Craig, Senators Klobuchar and Smith Applaud Biden Administration\u2019s Support for Minnesota Dairy Producers", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith issued statements applauding the Biden Administration's approval of approximately $580 million in Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage payments, which will provide enhanced risk management to the small and medium-sized dairy farms still recovering from the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis. Earlier this year, Craig, Klobuchar and Smith to take this action on behalf of dairy producers in Minnesota and across the nation.\n\n\"Minnesota's hardworking dairy farmers \u2013 who are a critical part of our state's agricultural economy \u2013 deserve fair and equal access to the federal funds necessary to emerge through this unprecedented and ongoing crisis,\" said Representative Angie Craig. \"We are encouraged by the Biden Administration's announcement, which heeds our call to extend financial relief to the small and medium-sized dairy producers who are in greatest need of support at this time.\"\n\n\"Minnesota's dairy farmers are key to keeping our rural areas strong and protecting our nation's food supply,\" said Senator Klobuchar. \"I fought for this federal funding because it is crucial that they are able to recover from the pandemic and continue contributing to communities across the state. I'll keep working to ensure resources are distributed in a timely manner.\"\n\n\"Minnesota's dairy farmers play a vital economic role in Minnesota and across the country,\" said Senator Smith. \"Even before they were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, dairy farmers faced extremely tight margins, market uncertainty, and unfair trade practices. This funding will help get them back on their feet as we emerge from this pandemic. I'll continue fighting for relief for Minnesota agriculture.\"\n\nWith strong support from Representative Craig and Senators Klobuchar and Smith, Congress enacted the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to build on the Dairy Margin Coverage program enacted in the 2018 Farm Bill. The Supplemental DMC program will make additional payments to small and medium-sized dairy farms whose DMC production history is below five million pounds, but whose actual production has modestly increased since 2014. Eligible farmers will be paid on 75 percent of the difference between their 2019 actual milk production and their DMC production history. Producers must be enrolled in the DMC program to receive Supplemental DMC payments for a given year. Supplemental DMC will be retroactive to January 2021.\n\nCraig, Smith and Klobuchar were joined in their praise of the Biden Administration's announcement by Garrett Luthens, a Hutchinson, MN dairy farmer and Chairman of the Minnesota Milk Policy Committee as well as Steve Schlangen, a dairy farmer from Albany, Minnesota who serves as the Chairman of the American Milk Producers, Inc.\n\n\"Dairy farmers were affected in many different ways throughout the pandemic,\" said Garrett Luthens. \"Minnesota dairy farmers are thankful for the programs that became available. But those dairy farmers with under 200 cows who added family members or partners since 2014 were left behind. We fought for and thank Congress for finally making this right through the Dairy Margin Coverage Supplemental program. Our beginning and family dairy farms should not be at a disadvantage when it comes to risk management programs.\"\n\n\"The Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program will provide enhanced risk management for dairy farm families. This will help those who have modestly grown their herds over the last decade but have been unable to secure coverage on this additional production,\" said Steve Schlangen. \"Minnesota dairy farmers are grateful to Representative Craig and Senators Klobuchar and Smith for their advocacy in Congress and with USDA to bring the Supplemental DMC program to fruition.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-statement-president-joe-bidens-visit-minnesotas", "Representative Angie Craig Statement on President Joe Biden\u2019s Visit to Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Angie Craig released the following statement in advance of President Joseph Biden's visit to Minnesota's Second Congressional District:\n\n\"I'm honored to welcome President Biden to Minnesota's Second Congressional District to celebrate our once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure. This long-overdue legislation will create millions of good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced, create strong and sustainable economic growth in our local communities and rebuild Minnesota's crumbling roads and aging bridges \u2013 all while shoring up our national supply chain to bring down the cost of living for hardworking Americans. Today's event demonstrates that we're working tirelessly to make good on our promises, and that we're committed to working on a bipartisan basis to get it done.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-angie-craig-and-cindy-axne-lead-statement-biden-administration", "Representatives Angie Craig and Cindy Axne Lead Statement on Biden Administration Announcement on Renewable Volume Obligations", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig and Cindy Axne led a group of House colleagues in releasing the following statement on the Administration's announcement regarding proposed changes to Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Representatives Mark Pocan and Ron Kind joined Craig and Axne in releasing the statement.\n\n\"After months of unnecessary delay, we are glad that the EPA has released the long-overdue Renewable Volume Obligations. The 2022 number sets the biofuels industry on the right path moving forward. And the end of the abuse of Small Refinery Exemptions \u2013 which provide relief to oil companies at the expense of family farmers \u2013 is welcome news. These decisions will help lower prices at the pump for hardworking Americans and accelerate the positive role that biofuels can and must play in our effort to decarbonize the transportation sector, tackle climate change and drive economic growth across rural America.\n\nHowever, the proposed decision to retroactively lower the 2020 RVO target does not reflect a sufficient commitment to renewable fuels and family farmers. As we have emphasized in repeated conversations with the Administration, now is the time to invest in renewable biofuels and the communities they support \u2013 not to prioritize the interests of fossil fuel companies that continue to ignore the law of the RFS. We look forward to conversations about changing the proposed 2020 RVO number to better reflect the role biofuels must have in our clean energy economy.\"\n\nRepresentatives Craig, Axne and Pocan are all Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressional-progressive-caucus-leaders-urge-senate-block-weapons-sale-saudi", "Congressional Progressive Caucus Leaders Urge Senate to Block Weapons Sale to Saudi Arabia and End Yemen War", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Ilhan Omar (MN-05), whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement ahead of a Senate vote to block the sale of $650 million in Raytheon air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia:\n\n\"After nearly seven years of war and roughly a quarter of a million people killed, Saudi Arabia continues to relentlessly bomb Yemen and impose a crippling siege on the country, depriving millions of civilians of adequate food, fuel and medicine. The Senate must block this weapons sale and send a clear message to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman: Congress will not tolerate Saudi impunity as it commits war crimes and starves the people of Yemen.\n\n\"The world's largest humanitarian crisis is escalating. Last month, Saudi Arabia tightened its blockade on Yemen, permitting just 3 percent of the fuel the country needs into Yemen's major port. Saudi warplanes enforce a blockade on Yemen's airspace, threatening to shoot down commercial and humanitarian flights. This has almost completely halted medicine and medical supplies from entering the country, and has amounted to a death sentence for tens of thousands of Yemenis seeking lifesaving treatment abroad.\n\n\"In 2019, President Biden promised to end the war in Yemen, make the Saudis \u2018pay the price' for human rights abuses, and not \u2018sell more weapons to them.' But over the past year, while the Biden Administration has publicly urged an easing of Yemen's port restrictions, the U.S. has continued logistical support essential to the deadly Saudi aerial blockade on Yemen. As the Saudis disregard the administration's appeals and restrict fuel imports even further, this unconditional sale of air-to-air missiles threatens to greenlight Saudi conduct and empower Saudi Arabia's offensive military campaign collectively punishing tens of millions of civilians.\n\n\"We applaud the bipartisan effort to hold Saudi Arabia accountable and help bring the war in Yemen to an end, as well as the leadership of its cosponsors, Senators Sanders (I-VT), Leahy (D-VT), Merkley (D-OR), Markey (D-MA), Warren (D-MA), and Wyden (D-OR), who are working to recenter human rights in our foreign policy. We urge all Senators to pass this resolution of disapproval with a convincing majority so that the House can adopt the bill without delay.\"\n\nRepresentatives Omar and Jayapal, along with 10 other CPC Members, are sponsors of House Joint Resolution 63, a companion bill to Senate Joint Resolution 31 to disapprove of the proposed weapons sale.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-angie-craig-john-joyce-lead-call-gao-review-direct-consumer", "Representatives Angie Craig, John Joyce Lead Call for GAO Review of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising Practices for Medical Products", "2021-12-06", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and John Joyce (R-PA) led 17 of their colleagues in requesting a review of the regulation of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) advertising practices for prescription medical products. Over the past several years, an increasing number of companies are selling prescription products, such as contact lenses and orthodontics, directly to consumers. While these companies have the potential to increase convenience and lower costs, reports of poor quality or adverse events have raised concerns among consumers and health care providers.\n\nIn a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Craig, Joyce and their colleagues requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) perform a study on the current practices and regulation of this emerging market, which could inform future regulatory and legislative action if needed.\n\n\"Although selling prescription medical products directly to consumers can create lower costs and increase convenience, the practices of new DTC companies have raised concerns about the safety and regulation of this industry,\" wrote the Members. \"Doctors, former federal regulators and legal experts are concerned that these DTC companies are operating in a regulatory vacuum that could pose risks to public health.\"\n\n\"The rise of internet marketing and the push toward a DTC model of healthcare delivery represents a major change within our healthcare system. We are concerned that with the rapid growth of DTC advertising, appropriate regulatory oversight may be falling behind,\" the members continued.\n\nDirect-to-consumer prescription medical products are typically marketed via television, social media, and the internet advertising and represent a shift in healthcare delivery. Within the federal government, these companies are generally regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). However, neither agency has taken regulatory action against prominent DTC companies that sell prescription medical products that have received repeated consumer complaints about product quality and safety. The influence of companies like these has increased during the coronavirus pandemic and this model of DTC sales and marketing is representative of a broader trend in the healthcare industry. In their letter, the Representatives argued that more information is necessary to guide federal regulators and lawmakers as they consider actions to protect the health of American consumers.\n\nThe letter to Comptroller Dodaro was signed by Craig, Joyce and Representatives Cindy Axne (D-IA), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Brian Babin (R-TX), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-CA), Tom Cole (R-OK), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Ron Kind (D-WI), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), David B. McKinley (R-WV), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Lori Trahan (D-MA).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found\n\nDocument\n\nand is copied below:\n\nDecember 6, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Gene L. Dodaro\n\nComptroller General of the United States\n\nU.S. Government Accountability Office\n\n441 G Street, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20548\n\nDear Comptroller General Dodaro:\n\nWe write to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a study of the federal regulation of Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) advertising practices for prescription medical products. Within the federal government, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for protecting consumers and competition and has, for example, issued a Contact Lens rule to lay out consumers' rights to shop around when buying contact lenses. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the safety and efficacy of medical products and tracking adverse events related to medical products. Additionally, companies are required to submit promotional materials to the FDA for review once they are being used in the marketing of a drug and can take action if the agency finds that a drug advertisement or other promotion is false or misleading.\n\nIn recent years, there has been an increase in companies marketing prescription medical products directly to consumers via television, social media, and internet advertising. A previous survey of healthcare providers conducted by the FDA found DTC advertising presented both benefits and challenges to the doctor-patient relationship. While products advertised directly to consumers have the potential to increase convenience and lower costs to consumers, concerns have also been raised about reports of poor quality or adverse events related to these products. Additionally, some DTC products allow consumers to bypass evaluation or supervision by a healthcare provider entirely, which may be appropriate for some products and not for others. Two instances that provide an example of recent issues within this industry, having aroused repeated complaints and calls for each company to be investigated by the Federal Trade Commission and Food & Drug Administration:\n\nA mail-order orthodontics company that does not require typical in-person orthodontic visits faces allegations that they violated prescription labeling requirements established under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and endangered consumers by not taking sufficient diagnostic steps prior to selling their orthodontic aligners, which has the potential to lead to long-term dental damage.\n\nAn online distributor of contact lenses is accused of using older materials and switching prescribed lenses for other brands, which doctors allege affect the safety of the lenses. Advocacy groups and other complaints further allege that the company skirts existing prescription verification requirements under the FTC's Contact Lens Rule.\n\nThe rise of internet marketing and the push toward a DTC model of healthcare delivery represents a major change within our healthcare system. We are concerned that with the rapid growth of DTC advertising, appropriate regulatory oversight may be falling behind.\n\nA GAO study into the ongoing practices and current regulatory oversight by federal agencies of these activities would provide valuable insight to guide potential regulatory and legislative action, if needed, in the future.\n\nFor these reasons, we request that the GAO review the practice of DTC advertising of medical products to consumers. Specifically, we would like you to examine the following:\n\nWhat are the known advantages and concerns of marketing medical products that require prescriptions or other provider evaluation, such as contact lenses, directly to consumers?\n\nWhat actions are federal agencies, such as the FDA and the FTC, taking to address any identified concerns?\n\nAre there limitations to FDA or FTC's ability to enforce existing laws and regulations governing DTC advertising of prescription medical products and, if so, what are those limitations?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-emmer-introduces-legislation-to-rename-the-avon-post-office-in-honor-of-minnesota-national-guardsman-kort-m-plantenberg", "Congressman Emmer Introduces Legislation to Rename the Avon Post Office in Honor of Minnesota National Guardsman Kort M. Plantenberg", "2021-12-05", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 On the second anniversary of the tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of three Minnesota National Guardsmen, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) announced he will be introducing legislation to rename the Avon post office in honor of Army National Guard Warrant Officer Candidate Kort M. Plantenberg.\n\nRepresentatives Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Angie Craig (MN-02), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Pete Stauber (MN-08) will be cosponsoring this legislation.\n\n\u201cKort embodied the very best of Minnesota\u201d Emmer said. \u201cI am proud to honor his legacy by creating a living memorial to him in the community he called home.\u201d\n\nLeft: Plantenberg in Kuwait, 2018 Right: Congressman Emmer honors the National Guardsmen, December 9, 2019\n\nWarrant Officer Candidate Plantenberg enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in 2016 as an aircraft electrician and served a nine-month deployment in Kuwait, where his unit provided aerial medical evacuation. Following his deployment, Plantenberg was hired as a federal technician UH60 mechanic at Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in St. Cloud.\n\nKort tragically lost his life alongside fellow Guardsman, Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers Jr. and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles P. Nord when their helicopter experienced a mid-flight mechanical failure near St. Cloud. Plantenberg was born in St. Cloud in 1991 and raised in Avon. He was a graduate of Albany Area High School and the University of Minnesota \u2013Duluth.\n\nCongresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) will be introducing legislation to rename post offices in honor of Rogers and Nord, both from the Seventh Congressional District.\n\n\u201cWhen people enter military service, it\u2019s as if they gained another family,\u201d said Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke of the Minnesota National Guard. \u201cTwo years ago, the Minnesota National Guard lost three of its family members and together, with their families, we have mourned their loss. We realize no words can help ease the loss of Warrant Officer Candidate Plantenberg , but we hope the family finds some comfort with the renaming of the post office to help preserve Kort's legacy.\u201d\n\nIn 2019, Congressman Emmer joined colleagues from the Minnesota delegation to memorialize the fallen National Guardsman on the House floor. Watch here.\n\nRead the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/12/congresswoman-michelle-fischbach-honors-fallen-mn-guardsmen", "Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach Honors Fallen MN Guardsmen", "2021-12-05", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 On December 5, 2019, three Minnesota National Guardsmen were tragically killed when their UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter experienced engine failure during their flight. In honor of their memory, Representatives Michelle Fischbach and Tom Emmer are proposing legislation to rename local post offices in their honor.\n\n\u201cToday marks the two year anniversary of the tragic UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crash that killed two of the 7th District\u2019s own, Charles P. Nord, James A. Rogers Jr., and their fellow brother in arms, Kort M. Plantenberg. This week, along with Congressman Emmer, I will be proposing bills to rename post offices in their honor,\u201d said Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, \u201cThis is a humbling day. These young men were taken far too soon, and every little bit we can do as a country to remember them and thank them, though it will never be enough, has value.\u201d\n\nChief Warrant Officer 2 Charles P. Nord was working on building a home in Perham with his wife Kaley, their daughter Lydia, and their unborn son Jack Charles. Shortly after graduating high school in 2007, he enlisted in the MN National Guard. He was selected to Warrant Officer training to qualify for helicopter flight school at Fort Rucker, AL, where he graduated with high honors. Nord and his family moved back to Minnesota where Charles found his calling as a medevac helicopter pilot. In addition to rising to Chief Warrant Officer 2, he was a crop sprayer at Bond Helicopter Service of Perham. He often said he landed his dream job. Friends and family remember him by his quick-witted humor, his ability to brighten anyone\u2019s day, and his incredible love for his family and friends.\n\nChief Warrant Officer 2 James Rogers, Jr. was an outgoing, charismatic young man. He attended Saint James High School and graduated from Saint Cloud State. He joined the MN National Guard in 2009 and went on to complete flight school training in Fort Rucker, AL. Throughout his time in the Guard, he was awarded several medals and ribbons including Army Achievement Medal and the Air Medal. Rogers had big plans. He wanted to go back to flight school to add fixed wing commercial aircraft to his skillset before going on to earn an MBA or Law degree. He had a large extended family, and loved spending time with them and his friends. Loved ones say he could always be counted on for a practical joke or a kind word just when you needed it most.\n\nMichelle Fischbach is a wife, mom, grandma, attorney, and the U.S. Representative for Minnesota\u2019s Seventh Congressional District. Get updates from Rep. Fischbach\u2019s congressional office on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/chair-mccollum-s-floor-statement-fy-22-continuing-resolution", "Chair McCollum\u2019s Floor Statement on FY 22 Continuing Resolution", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today delivered the following remarks on the House Floor regarding the Fiscal Year 2022 Continuing Resolution to prevent a government shutdown and extend funding until February 18, 2022 \u2013 more than four months past the start of the fiscal year:\n\n\"Madam Speaker, we are here today to prevent the Republicans from shutting down the federal government tomorrow. Republicans in the U.S. Senate are holding the FY22 appropriations process hostage by refusing to do any work \u2013 let alone negotiate with Democrats. Rather than doing their job of funding the federal government, Senate Republicans want to kick the can down the road, wasting the first four and a half months of the fiscal year.\n\n\"As Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, it is clear that Republicans are undermining our national security. They are increasing waste and inefficiency. They are weakening our military readiness. And they are sending a signal to our troops and the millions of workers in the defense industry that their needs are not a priority.\n\n\"The American people should be sick and tired of hearing Republicans in Congress talk about how we need a stronger national defense, while doing everything in their power to weaken our national defense. This is a time of instability in the world. Russia is knocking on the doorstep of Ukraine. China is at the doorstep of Taiwan. There are serious national security threats in the world.\n\n\"When our adversaries look at Congress, they see Republicans playing political games, rather than investing in research and modernization. What kind of message does that send to our adversaries? What kind of message does that send to the men and women of our military, who we ask to do the toughest jobs while putting their lives on the line?\n\n\"I am voting for this Continuing Resolution to prevent a Republican shutdown. But I must say, while this CR is necessary, I find it to be an unacceptable outcome. I yield back the balance of my time.\"\n\nThe legislation, H.R. 6119, is expected to be considered in the House today. A detailed, section-by-section summary is here. The full text of the legislation is here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-legislation-restoring-equal-access-tribal-homelands-passes-us-house", "McCollum Legislation Restoring Equal Access to Tribal Homelands Passes U.S. House", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4352 to amend the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, reaffirming the authority of the Secretary of Interior to take land into trust for all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of the date of their recognition. In the 2009 Carcieri v. Salazar decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the only tribes federally recognized prior to 1934 could have land placed into trust. This decision created a discriminatory two-tier system for the Department of the Interior's fee-to-trust process, and has resulted in inequality, uncertainty, and costly litigation. Since the 2009 opinion, members in both chambers of Congress have introduced bipartisan legislation to restore the original intent of the Indian Reorganization Act.\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), who introduced H.R. 4352, released the following statement:\n\n\"Tribal Nations should not be discriminated against because of their date of federal recognition,\" McCollum said. \"That date has no bearing on their existence as sovereign nations \u2013 and so it should have no bearing on their right to reestablish their homelands. All federally recognized Tribal Nations must have the same right to place land into trust to support the needs of their communities and strengthen their self-governance. This bill affirms congressional intent that the Indian Reorganization Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to place land into trust for all federally recognized Tribal Nations, regardless of their date of recognition. As Members of Congress, it is our duty to honor the federal government's trust and treaty responsibilities, safeguard and empower Native American communities, and protect their treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources now and for generations to come. I thank my colleagues for joining me to finally fix this grave injustice.\"\n\nThe President of the National Congress of American Indians, Ms. Fawn Sharp, added:\n\n\"Carcieri has effectively created two classes of tribal nations, and has overburdened tribal, federal, and state resources by generating unnecessary conflict over the restoration and retention of tribal homelands and consequently impeded economic development. NCAI strongly urges Congress to end this turmoil by enacting a congressional fix to the Indian Reorganization Act which reaffirms the Secretary of the Interior's authority to restore tribal homelands for all federally recognized Tribal Nations.\"\n\nChief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation and the President of the United South and Eastern Tribes \u2013 USET \u2013 added his support, saying:\n\n\"Homelands are essential to exercising tribal government authority, protecting our cultural identity, and foundational to growing our economies. After decades of federal efforts to diminish our homelands, placing land into trust is a critical aspect of the federal government's trust and treaty obligations and righting these historical wrongs.\"\n\nChairman Tom Wooten of the Samish Indian Nation in Washington state supports this bill, saying:\n\n\"H.R. 4352 will help right past wrongs by the Department of the Interior and enable the Samish Indian Nation to move forward in reestablishing our homeland and rebuilding our community. In 2018, the Interior Department approved the Tribe's trust land application for 6.7 acres after an over 9-year process to complete a \u2018Carcieri' analysis. The Department's decision is tied up in endless litigation based upon \u2018Carcieri.' This bill will help stop frivolous litigation and ensure that no other tribe has to go through what we went through.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nFull text of H.R. 4352 can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-remarks-islamophobia", "Rep. Omar Remarks on Islamophobia", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "In case you missed it, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) provided remarks on Islamophobia yesterday at a press conference.\n\nYou can view the remarks below.\n\n\"Thank you all for being here. In the days following the tragic terror attacks of September 11th, a Muslim EMT with the New York Fire Department named Mohammad Salman Hamdani was reported missing. His mother Talat, desperate to find her son, appealed directly to the President of the United States for help. But instead of assistance or sympathy, she received suspicion. The CIA came to his family home and confiscated photos. The NYPD put up wanted flyers for him. Their Member of Congress interrogated them, saying Salman could be detained if found. The media swarmed their home, with one tabloid headline reading \"Missing or Hiding?\" under a photo of Salman. Six months later, Mohammad Salman Hamdani's remains and medical equipment were discovered at ground zero, Salman, it turned out, saw the smoke coming out of the towers and hurried to the scene to help victims on that tragic day. After 6 months, his name was finally cleared and he was recognized as the hero that he was. Not all of us are as heroic as Salman Hamdani, but nearly every Muslim American has experienced this type of suspicion in their lives.\n\n\"Five years later, when the first Muslim-American, Keith Ellison, was elected to Congress, his Republican colleagues sent a letter saying America needs to quote--\"wake up\" or else there will \"likely be many more Muslims elected to office.\" And he was told on live TV to quote\u2014 \"prove \u2026that you are not working with our enemies.\"\n\n\"My own experience was similar. When I first ran for public office, I was told I had to take off my hijab if I ever wanted to win. It was too Muslim, the thinking went. When I did win, my colleague Steve King claimed another member said of my hijab: \"Four pounds of c-4 under that would wipe out half of Congress.\n\n\"The truth is that Islamophobia pervades our culture, our politics and even policy decisions. Cable news hosts and leading politicians in the Republican Party routinely spout hateful rhetoric about a religion that includes a diverse group more than a billion peaceful worshippers worldwide. This includes falsely claiming Muslims want to replace the constitution and implement \"sharia law,\" portraying Muslims as inherently violent, suggesting that Muslim women are all oppressed, or that Muslims hate other religions.\n\n\"But the most pervasive is the constant suggestion that all Muslims are terrorists. So when a sitting Member of Congress calls a colleague a member of the \"jihad squad\" and falsified a story to suggest I want to blow up the Capitol, it is not just an attack on me, but on millions of Muslim-Americans across this country. We of course now know that this wasn't the first incident. In May, she said my colleagues and I are \"politicians with suicide belts strapped to their body.\" She asked if Congresswoman Tlaib and I \"need to register as foreign agents\" And today, we learned that she had fabricated a similar story about riding in an elevator with me, calling me and Rashida \"evil.\"\n\n\"I wish I could say the Congresswoman was an outlier, but I cannot. During his campaign for President, Donald Trump said\u2014and I quote\u2014 \"We have a problem in this country; it's called Muslims.\" He attacked Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of slain Muslim service member Humayam Khan. He explicitly promised to ban anyone of Muslim faith from the country, and then put forth a series of executive orders seeking to do just that.\n\n\"Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene, now a Member of Congress, came to my office in 2019 and harassed my staff, demanding that my colleague Rashida Tlaib and I retake our oaths of office on a Christian Bible. Just today, she called me \"Pro-Al-Qaeda\" \"Blood thirsty\" and an \"Apologist for Islamic Terrorists.\"\n\n\"We cannot pretend that this hate speech from leading politicians doesn't have real world consequences. The truth is that anti-Muslim hate is on the rise both here at home and around the world. This summer, we witnessed a deadly anti-Muslim attack wipe out three generations of a Muslim family in Canada. In 2019, a white supremacist opened fire at multiple mosques in New Zealand, killing over 50 people. The first half of this year alone saw over 500 incidents of anti-Muslim hate here in the U.S.\n\n\"I myself have reported hundreds of threats on my life, often triggered by Republican attacks on my faith. And this week once again saw another increase. Here is just one voicemail my office received yesterday.\n\n\"And I quote \u2013 \"We see you Muslim sand n-word bitch, we know what you're up to. You're all about taking over our country. Don't worry, there's plenty that will love the opportunity to take you off the face of this f-ing earth. Come get it. But you f-ing Muslim piece of shit. You jihadist. We know what you are. You're a f-ing traitor. You will not live much longer.\" End quote.\n\n\"This should not be a partisan issue. This is about our basic humanity, and fundamental rights of religious freedom enshrined in our Constitution. Yet while some members of the Republican Party have condemned this, to date, the Republican Party leadership has done nothing to hold their members accountable. It is time for the Republican Party to actually do something. To confront anti-Muslim hatred in its ranks and to hold those who perpetuate it accountable.\n\n\"I will close with this: It was never an option for me to take off my hijab to run. Because I know that when we proudly stand up for our values\u2014when we celebrate the diversity of this country, and the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, others stand with us. Thank you.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-conversation-rep-lauren-boebert", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on Conversation with Rep. Lauren Boebert", "2021-11-29", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar released the following statement after she spoke with Rep. Lauren Boebert.\n\n\"Today, I graciously accepted a call from Rep. Lauren Boebert in the hope of receiving a direct apology for falsely claiming she met me in an elevator, suggesting I was a terrorist, and for a history of anti-Muslim hate. Instead of apologizing for her Islamophobic comments and fabricated lies, Rep. Boebert refused to publicly acknowledge her hurtful and dangerous comments. She instead doubled down on her rhetoric and I decided to end the unproductive call.\n\n\"I believe in engaging with those we disagree with respectfully, but not when that disagreement is rooted in outright bigotry and hate.\n\n\"To date, the Republican Party leadership has done nothing to condemn and hold their own members accountable for repeated instances of anti-Muslim hate and harassment. This is not about one hateful statement or one politician; it is about a party that has mainstreamed bigotry and hatred. It is time for Republican Leader McCarthy to actually hold his party accountable.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nRep. Omar is subject to routine death threats and plots on her life, often responding to anti-Muslim rhetoric. Anti-Muslim hate is on the rise both here at home and around the world.\n\nIn 2019, a white supremacist opened fire at multiple mosques in New Zealand, killing over 50 people.\n\nThis summer, we witnessed a deadly anti-Muslim attack wipe out three generations of a Muslim family in Canada.\n\nThis year has seen over 500 incidents of hate in the U.S.\n\nThis included a sudden rise in anti-mosque incidents in May and June involving cases of vandalism and an attempted stabbing, and several physical assaults targeting Muslim women wearing hijabs.\n\nIn October, Rep. Omar introduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation to address the rise in incidents of Islamophobia worldwide that requires the State Department to create a Special Envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia.\n\nRep. Boebert has demonstrated a clear pattern for Islamophobic hate speech.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/a-message-of-thanks", "A Message of Thanks", "2021-11-24", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "In my family, as I\u2019m sure in many of yours, Thanksgiving carries with it a number of traditions year after year. The same prayer before the same meal, the same jokes and the same stories told for decades. The traditions, like the people, are part of what makes Thanksgiving special.\n\nOver time, though, new faces have been added around the table. My wife, Jacquie, and I have welcomed seven wonderful children to liven up the Thanksgiving holiday over the years. One by one, they have started to bring their significant others with them to dinner. This year, there will be four generations of Emmer\u2019s together at our Thanksgiving table. I couldn\u2019t be more grateful.\n\nDespite the joys of gathering, this year has not been without its stresses. As American families sit down to their most expensive Thanksgiving dinner ever, rising costs across the board will stretch paychecks and make the holidays more challenging for everyone. Regardless, we still have so many reasons to be thankful. Rebounding from the unprecedented challenges brought on by COVID and drought conditions, Minnesota\u2019s farmers and ranchers continued to provide food and ensure our shelves are stocked. Our truck drivers and freight operators are working around the clock to keep us connected and our economy moving. And in every community, small businesses remain the pillar of growth and opportunity that reminds us of life before the pandemic and keep us optimistic for what lies ahead.\n\nWe must also never forget the sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform, who are the reason we are able to enjoy such a holiday. For all the old and new faces around the dinner table, there are over 1.4 million active-duty Americans who might not be able to share this holiday with their family. My sons Joe and Bill are currently serving in the Navy and Marine Corps, and Jacquie and I could not be prouder of the sacrifices they, like so many others, have chosen to make.\n\nSo, as we gather with family and friends, welcome new faces and tell old stories, please take a moment to thank our fellow Minnesotans who have kept our shelves stocked, our plates full and our country free. Everything we have, we owe to one another.\n\nFrom our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-urges-president-biden-tap-strategic-petroleum", "Representative Angie Craig Urges President Biden to Tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig and a group of her House Democratic colleagues sent a letter to President Biden urging him to tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and reinstate a ban on crude oil exports to bring down high gasoline and fuel prices in the United States. In the letter, Craig and her colleagues argued that a ban on oil exports coupled with a release from the SPR could boost domestic supplies and further lower energy prices for consumers.\n\n\"We write to express support for your actions to help Americans who are burdened with high gasoline and fuel prices. We know ensuring affordable and reliable energy is a top priority for your administration,\" wrote the Members. \"We must use all tools at our disposal to bring down gasoline prices in the short term\"\n\nThe members' letter follows outreach from Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who also called on the Biden Administration to take immediate action to address rising energy costs in the United States. Craig was joined in sending the letter by Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Cindy Axne (IA-03), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Katie Porter (CA-45), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07).\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter below.\n\nNovember 22, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Joseph R. Biden\n\nPresident\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write to express support for your actions to help Americans who are burdened with high gasoline and fuel prices. We know ensuring affordable and reliable energy is a top priority for your administration. We must use all tools at our disposal to bring down gasoline prices in the short term. We agree with Senator Reed and our other colleagues in the Senate that have called for a ban on crude oil exports and a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.\n\nThe price of oil is significantly affected by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC is manipulating gas prices by constraining supply so that it will not meet the increased demand. A ban on U.S. crude oil exports will boost domestic supply and put downward pressure on prices for American families. We also support using the additional funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program from the American Rescue Plan to help families with heating costs this winter.\n\nIn the medium and long term, we must achieve energy independence and price stability through climate smart investments. We appreciate that your Build Back Better agenda will save families an average of $500 a year on energy costs. Electrifying our cars, investing in public transit, and supporting electricity generation from renewables like solar, wind, and geothermal will reduce demand for gasoline, bring down the price at the pump, and provide long term stability. These investments will break our reliance on the boom-and-bust cycle of gas prices and put our country on track to meet our climate goals.\n\nThe investment in renewable energy will eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and ensure we win the competition for a clean energy future against our global competitors. We want the solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and batteries of the future made in America and not in China. We should not be importers but lead the world in clean energy jobs and products.\n\nWe respectfully ask that you give these options and others your full and fair consideration, consistent with applicable statutes and regulations to ensure affordable and reliable energy for American families. We look forward to working with you on this urgent issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/11/rep-fischbach-introduces-the-promoting-ties-with-taiwan-act", "Rep. Fischbach Introduces the Promoting Ties with Taiwan Act", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) and Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) introduced the Promoting Ties with Taiwan Act, a bipartisan bill that will encourage growth of relations between Taiwan and new international partners. The bill would require the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to help Taiwan foster new bonds of friendship and trading connections around the world to prevent Taiwan\u2019s isolation.\n\n\u201cTaiwan is a valued friend and an important trading partner for the United States. I\u2019m proud to propose concrete steps that our government can take towards encouraging similar relationships between Taiwan and other countries around the world,\u201d said Rep. Fischbach. \u201cI hope to see a cascade of new friendships for the Taiwanese founded on mutual respect and trade benefits.\u201d\n\n\u201cTaiwan is one of our leading partners in the Asia-Pacific. Our bill will deploy America\u2019s diplomatic strength to reduce the coercive influences designed to isolate Taiwan by requiring the State Department to help Taiwan foster closer relations with the rest of the world,\u201d said Rep. Peters. \u201cPeace in the Taiwan Strait is an enduring security interest for the United States, Taiwan, allies, and partners committed to a rules-based international order that promotes the prosperity and interests of all. It is an honor to help introduce this bipartisan legislation and I look forward to leading this effort with my colleagues.\"\n\n\"Taiwan's rapid economic growth and remarkable transition to democracy make it a global success story -- one that can serve as an example for other nations to emulate. Taiwan can help -- but is too often prevented from doing so by Communist China's relentless and irrational campaign of bullying and checkbook diplomacy,\" said Rep. Tiffany. \"This legislation is an important step toward helping Taiwan overcome those obstacles to share its expertise and it's goodwill around the world.\"\n\n\u201cI am proud to stand with my colleagues as an original co-sponsor of the Promoting Ties with Taiwan Act. A strong relationship between our two nations is imperative, as the United States remains one of Taiwan\u2019s largest trading partners,\u201d said Rep. Emmer. \u201cIt\u2019s time we develop a comprehensive strategy to support Taiwan, expand their global partnerships, and advance a more unified future with our allies.\u201d\n\n\u201cTaiwan is a beacon of freedom and democracy in East Asia and it\u2019s in America\u2019s best interest to grow Taiwan\u2019s partnerships with the international community. This important bill will help preserve and promote Taiwan\u2019s positive political, economic and cultural connections with other countries and international organizations,\u201d said Rep. Bacon.\n\n\u201cWe cannot wait any longer to do everything we can as a nation to bolster Taiwan,\u201d said Congressman Tim Ryan. \u201cChina gets more aggressive every single day, and this legislation will go a long way in helping Taiwan to engage on the world stage. I look forward to its swift passage and seeing it signed into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cTaiwan and the United States have enjoyed a special relationship for many years, including Kansas\u2019 Big First district,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cThe Promoting Ties with Taiwan Act will not only help build on this foundation that will improve our relationship, but will also help the Taiwanese people develop partnerships with allies around the world. I\u2019m proud to cosponsor this bill, and excited for Taiwan\u2019s future.\u201d\n\n\"The U.S. and Taiwan have long maintained a strong partnership. This bill takes steps to further integrate Taiwan into the international community to counter growing threats from the Chinese Communist Party,\" said Rep. Costa. \"Taiwan has much to contribute to the world. We must do what we can to counter Chinese efforts to erode self-determination and democracy for the people of Taiwan.\"\n\nFor more information, you can read the one-page summary here and the bill text here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/11/reps-fischbach-rice-meng-mast-luria-zeldin-lead-bipartisan-letter-in-support-of-israel-s-participation-in-visa-waiver-program", "Reps. Fischbach, Rice, Meng, Mast, Luria, Zeldin Lead Bipartisan Letter in Support of Israel\u2019s Participation in Visa Waiver Program", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013U.S. Representatives Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Grace Meng (NY-06), Brian Mast (FL-18), Elaine Luria (VA-02), and Lee Zeldin (NY-01) today sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in support of Israel\u2019s participation in U.S. Customs and Border Protection\u2019s (CBP) Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Israel is under consideration to be added to the program after it was discussed in a bilateral meeting between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in August.\n\nIn their letter, the Members urged the expeditious addition of Israel to the VWP and requested an update to Congress on the status of current negotiations. If accepted, Israel would join a group of allies who already benefit from participation in the program, including Australia, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, France, and Greece.\n\n\u201cIsrael\u2019s participation in this program would grow the U.S. economy, strengthen national security at each of our borders, and increase opportunities for people-to-people exchange, which bolsters our already unique bilateral relationship,\u201d the Members wrote in their letter.\n\nIn addition to Fischbach, Rice, Meng, Mast, Luria, and Zeldin, the letter was signed by the following 52 members of Congress: Auchincloss (MA-04), Bacon (NE-02), Banks (IN-03), Bilirakis (FL-12), Brown (MD-04), Budd (NC-13), Cammack (FL-03), Costa (CA-16), Craig (MN-02), Deutch (FL-22), Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Garbarino (NY-02), Gonzalez (OH-16), Gottheimer (NJ-05), Graves (LA-06), Griffith (VA-09), Jacobs (NY-27), Joyce (OH-14), Keller (PA-12), Kim (CA-39), Kustoff (TN-08), Lamb (PA-17), Mann (KS-01), Manning (NC-06), McKinley (WV-01), Meijer (MI-03), Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-02), Moolenaar (MI-04), Murphy (FL-07), Pallone Jr. (NJ-06), Panetta (CA-20), Phillips (MN-03), Quigley (IL-05), Reschenthaler (PA-14), Salazar (FL-27), Schrader (OR-05), Sherman (CA-30), Smith (NE-03), Smith (NJ-04), Strickland (WA-10), Suozzi (NY-03), Timmons (SC-04), Titus (NV-01), Torres (CA-35), Torres (NY-15), Trone (MD-06), Van Drew (NJ-02), Wagner (MO-02), Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Weber (TX-14), Wenstrup, D.P.M. (OH-02), and Wexton (VA-10).\n\nThe final letter can be found here, and the text can be found below:\n\nDear Secretary Blinken and Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nWe write to you in support of Israel\u2019s participation in U.S. Customs and Border Protection\u2019s (CBP) Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens and nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.\n\nWe are encouraged by Secretary Mayorkas\u2019 remarks last month confirming that Israel is in the \u201cpipeline\u201d to be added to the program. These remarks follow a bilateral meeting in August between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, where Israel\u2019s participation in the VWP was discussed.\n\nAccording to the U.S. Travel Association, visits from Israel to the United States averaged 418,000 people per year for three years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. Israeli travelers account for $1.2 billion in spending annually, with an average $4,000 in personal spending per trip.\n\nCBP\u2019s Visa Waiver Program allows expedited entry upon arrival to the United States for pre-approved, low-risk travelers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program. The VWP utilizes a risk-based, multi-layered approach to detect and prevent high-risk individuals from traveling to the United States and incorporates national-level risk assessments. Israel\u2019s participation in this program would grow the U.S. economy, strengthen national security at each of our borders, and increase opportunities for people-to-people exchange, which bolsters our already unique bilateral relationship.\n\nIsrael would join a group of forty other allies who benefit from participation in the Visa Waiver Program.\n\nWe know you share in the goal of ensuring that the benefits that the Visa Waiver Program promises to U.S. tourism, to our country\u2019s national security, and to the U.S.-Israel relationship are realized. We therefore urge you to expediently add Israel to the Visa Waiver Program, and provide an update to Congress on the status of the current negotiations.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###\n\nAs always, my office is open and ready to serve constituents of Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District! Please do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great weekend!\n\nMichelle Fischbach is a wife, mom, grandma, attorney, and the U.S. Representative for Minnesota\u2019s Seventh Congressional District. Get updates from Rep. Fischbach\u2019s congressional office on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-statement-house-passage-build-back-better-act", "Representative Angie Craig Statement on House Passage of the Build Back Better Act", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Angie Craig released the following statement following House passage of the Build Back Better Act.\n\n\"I'm pleased that the Build Back Better Act contains a number of my district's priorities to expand access and lower the cost of healthcare, invest in working families and provide support to rural communities and family farmers. I'm especially pleased that this bill is fully paid for and that all indications are that it will actually help reduce the deficit.\"\n\nThe specifics of those priorities include:\n\nExpand access and lower the cost of healthcare:\n\nEmpowers Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for certain drugs, caps out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs for seniors at $2,000 per year and caps the cost of insulin at $35 a month\n\nExtends through 2025 the enhanced premium tax credits in the ACA\n\nCloses the Medicaid coverage gap by providing access to affordable coverage in the ACA marketplace to millions of Americans who live in states that did not previously expand Medicaid\n\nCreates a federal reinsurance program \u2013 written by Craig \u2013 which would lower health care premiums for millions of Minnesotans who purchase through the ACA's individual market\n\nInvest in working families:\n\nEstablishes a paid family and medical leave program, providing four weeks of paid parental, family caregiving, and medical leave.\n\nProvides pre-K for three-and four-year-olds\n\nExtends the Child Tax Credit which will benefit 35 million middle-class American families and 146,000 children in the second district\n\nCaps the cost of child care at 7% of income for working families who make up to $270,000 annually in Minnesota\n\nSupport to rural communities and family farmers:\n\nInvests $1 billion in biofuels infrastructure\n\nExtends the biodiesel tax credit through 2026\n\nProvides nearly $1 billion for a Rural Partnership Program\n\nIncludes $2 billion for the Rural Energy for America Program", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-statement-on-hr-5376", "Emmer Statement on H.R. 5376", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, following the passage of H.R. 5376, Congressman Emmer issued the following statement:\n\n\"The Congressional Budget Office made clear that this multi-trillion-dollar spending bill adds hundreds of billions of dollars to our debt, adding to the inflationary pressures hurting every American household. This is not the time to be imposing new taxes and new mandates on our job creators, yet President Biden and Speaker Pelosi continue to push an out-of-touch agenda that will lead to higher prices and more government involvement in the lives of the American people.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/11/rep-fischbach-introduced-stop-the-grinch-act", "Rep. Fischbach introduced STOP the GRINCH Act", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "By Omri Nahmias\n\nA bipartisan group of House members sent a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, urging them to add Israel to the Visa Waiver Program.\n\nRepresentatives Lee Zeldin (R-New York), Kathleen Rice (D-New York), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minnesota), Grace Meng (D-New York), Brian Mast (R-Florida) and Elaine Luria (D-Virginia) spearheaded the letter, with an additional 52 members signing it.\n\n\u201cWe write to you in support of Israel\u2019s participation in US Customs and Border Protection\u2019s (CBP) Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens and nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa,\u201d the lawmakers wrote on Monday. \u201cWe are encouraged by Secretary Mayorkas\u2019s remarks last month confirming that Israel is in the \u2018pipeline\u2019 to be added to the program. These remarks follow a bilateral meeting in August between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, where Israel\u2019s participation in the VWP was discussed.\u201d\n\nAccording to the lawmakers, Israeli travelers account for $1.2 billion in spending annually, with an average of $4,000 in personal spending per trip.\n\n\u201cIsrael\u2019s participation in this program would grow the US economy, strengthen national security at each of our borders, and increase opportunities for people-to-people exchange, which bolsters our already unique bilateral relationship,\u201d the letter reads. \u201cWe know you share in the goal of ensuring that the benefits that the Visa Waiver Program promises to US tourism, to our country\u2019s national security, and to the US-Israel relationship are realized. We therefore urge you to expediently add Israel to the Visa Waiver Program and provide an update to Congress on the status of the current negotiations.\u201d\n\nInterior Minister Ayelet Shaked met with Mayorkas last week to discuss the visa waiver, and said afterward that the process to grant visa exemptions will not be finished before 2023.\n\n\u201cThere is a mutual desire for this to succeed,\u201d she said, and that the two decided to establish governmental teams to tackle the remaining challenges. The US team will visit Israel in January, and Shaked and Mayorkas will follow up once a month.\n\n\u201cWe agreed that a team of US officials will arrive in Israel in January to discuss additional details that need to be worked out,\u201d Shaked said. \u201cWe have two primary tasks: the first is to establish a system that would allow the US immigration officers to check if a certain person who seeks entry has a criminal record \u2013 the US could inquire about some 1,000 Israelis a year. It would require us to make some adjustments, such as a legislative change to allow the US to access our criminal records system.\u201d\n\nThe second task, she said, is to lower Israel\u2019s refusal rates to 3% by next September.\n\n\u201cThere are several things that can be done to meet this threshold,\u201d Shaked noted. \u201cFor example, we asked Mayorkas\u2019s team that if a person opens a visa application but ends up not submitting it, [that] it wouldn\u2019t count as a refusal. Today, such cases count as if a person who did not complete the form was rejected.\n\n\u201cAnother cause for refusal is the high volume of applicants in their early 20s. [Former ambassador to Washington] Gilad Erdan raised this issue in his meetings at the DHS, and explained that in Israel, many people in their 20s are going on a long trip after army service.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/11/rep-fischbach-votes-no-on-democrats-social-spending-bill", "Rep. Fischbach Votes NO on Democrats\u2019 Social Spending Bill", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.- Tonight, H.R. 5376, the Democrats\u2019 $1.7 trillion social spending bill, narrowly passed the House of Representatives. Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) released the following statement after voting against this legislation:\n\n\u201cThe spending in this bill will exacerbate already record-high inflation. It will increase tax audits on small businesses. It provides amnesty and payouts to illegal immigrants. It does not have Hyde Amendment protections included anywhere, directly acting against the of millions of Americans who do not want their tax dollars to fund abortions. And, the tax cuts in this bill will overwhelmingly favor the very wealthy, while middle-income households are likely to see an increase in their taxes. This bill is no what the country needs now and it proves how little regard Democrats in Washington have for the American people.\u201d\n\nAs always, my office is open and ready to serve constituents of Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District! Please do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great weekend!", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-build-back-better-act", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on the Build Back Better Act", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after voting for the Build Back Better Act in the House.\n\n\"From the beginning of this process, progressives have put our votes on the line to deliver needed relief to our constituents in the Build Back Better Act, and today we got the opportunity to pass it out of the House.\n\n\"Minnesotans are facing the biggest housing affordability crisis in the country, a massive racial wealth and education gap, and a childcare affordability crisis. The Build Back Better Act is our opportunity to address this. Minnesotans spend an average of over $16,000 a year on childcare\u2014as much as they spend on mortgage payments\u2014and Build Back Better would address it. The Twin Cities has the worst housing shortage in the entire country\u2014and Build Back Better would create a housing acquisition fund to address it. We need good union jobs, and Build Back Better would invest in a civilian climate corps, and home health care workers paying fair wages. My constituents need the Build Back Better Act, and they can't wait any longer.\n\n\"Now it is on the Senate to act. Promises have never been enough. We need a vote in the Senate to deliver these investments to the American people as quickly as possible.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-votes-no-biden-and-pelosi-s-multi-trillion-tax-and-spend-package", "Stauber Votes NO on Biden and Pelosi\u2019s Multi-Trillion Tax-and-Spend Package", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) made the following statement after voting against Democrats' multi-trillion tax-and-spend package:\n\n\"From skyrocketing inflation to severe supply chain disruptions, the United States of America is in a constant state of crisis due to the failed policies of the Biden Administration.\n\n\"Unfortunately, instead of working together to put this country back on the right path, Joe Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and their allies in Congress are doubling down on this failed agenda by pushing a tax-and-spend package that will fundamentally change America and make problems we are facing even worse.\n\n\"It's the content \u2013 not just the cost \u2013 of this legislation that is especially dangerous for American families and our economy. Some of the worst provisions included in this package would:\n\nImplement one of the largest tax increases in our nation's history.\n\nHire 87,000 new IRS agents to target ordinary Americans.\n\nPerpetuate labor shortages by eliminating work requirements to receive welfare benefits for able bodied adults \u2013 at a time when there are over 10.4 million job openings.\n\nImpede and ban domestic energy and mineral production, increasing our dependency on OPEC, China, and Russia.\n\nPermit the taxpayer funding of abortion.\n\nGive amnesty to illegal aliens, further incentivizing illegal immigration and worsening the border crisis.\n\n\"Make no mistake, this bill will hit working families the hardest by raising taxes and causing inflation to soar to new heights. While coastal elites might not notice more price hikes at the gas pump or checkout line, working families in Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District most certainly will. My constituents deserve better, which is why I voted NO.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-presses-head-postal-service-harmful-changes-could", "Representative Angie Craig Presses Head of Postal Service on Harmful Changes that Could Lead to Holiday Shipping Delays", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig expressed concern with recent decisions made by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, which she argued could worsen conditions that are leaving millions of Americans concerned about mail and package delivery during peak holiday season.\n\nIn her letter, Craig questioned the efficacy of the Postal Service's recent rate increases for retail customers, which have not led to improved services or faster delivery times. She also criticized DeJoy's Delivering for America plan, which would impose strict cutbacks to the Postal Service \u2013 which would result in harmful delays and reduced services for millions of Americans, particularly those in rural America.\n\n\"Americans across the country are anxiously awaiting the holiday season to safely gather with friends and families after another trying year. They deserve to have all of their mail arrive on time - not only packages containing gifts or holiday goodies or cards, but also prescription drugs or business payments,\" wrote Representative Craig. \"I'm particularly concerned about the rural communities and constituents I represent. I'm thankful for our mail carriers and postal workers, but my constituents need to know their prescriptions or Social Security checks will be delivered on time or that the package they send their loved ones serving in the military overseas will arrive for the holidays.\"\n\nIn order to ensure that there will not be further costly delays for families in Minnesota, Craig requested that DeJoy provide updates on how the Postal Service was working to avoid delays, what changes may be needed to accommodate peak holiday shipping and what USPS's plans were to better serve customers and counteract recent failures.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter\n\nDocument\n\nand below.\n\nNovember 18, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Louis DeJoy\n\nPostmaster General\n\nUnited States Postal Service\n\n475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20260\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy,\n\nThe United States Postal Service is an integral part of our local communities. I write today to express concerns with mail and package delivery and learn from you about your plans for the 2021 holiday shipping season. As you know, we are already in the peak holiday season for USPS, which began on October 3rd.\n\nAmericans across the country are anxiously awaiting the holiday season to safely gather with friends and families after another trying year. They deserve to have all of their mail arrive on time - not only packages containing gifts or holiday goodies or cards, but also prescription drugs or business payments. I'm particularly concerned about the rural communities and constituents I represent. I'm thankful for our mail carriers and postal workers, but my constituents need to know their prescriptions or Social Security checks will be delivered on time or that the package they send their loved ones serving in the military overseas will arrive for the holidays.\n\nI believe that the 10 year Delivering for America plan will disproportionately hurt rural and elderly communities, as it delayed service standards by allowing up to five days for mail delivery and increased prices for postal customers.\n\nFurthermore, USPS noticed an unprecedented temporary rate increase for retail customers during the 2021 Peak Holiday Season, which went into effect on October 3, 2021. I've heard from constituents that are concerned about the increased costs not actually increasing delivery timeframes or service standards, with parcels still ending up severely delayed.\n\nI respectfully request your response to the following questions:\n\nHow is the USPS informing customers of mail by dates for the 2021 Holiday Season to avoid as many delays as possible?\n\nWill the holiday surcharges in effect from October 3, 2021-December 26, 2021 improve delivery times for customers?\n\nWhat are the adequate staffing levels needed to accommodate the 2021 Peak Holiday Season?\n\nThe USPS Acting Assistant Inspector General for Audit Melinda Perez recently testified to Congress that, \"insufficient capacity to handle the increase in parcels, sending parcels to the wrong facility, staffing shortages, and mail not being fully sorted when it arrived at the post office,\" were the root causes of nationwide service failures. What are USPS' plans to better serve customers and counteract these failures?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter, I look forward to receiving your response.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-offers-resolution-honoring-national-rural-mental-health-day", "Emmer Offers Resolution Honoring National Rural Mental Health Day", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) offered a resolution expressing support for the designation of November 18, 2021, as \u201cNational Rural Mental Health Day.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Center for Health Statistics reported the 2017 suicide rate for the most rural counties was 1.8 times higher than the suicide rate for the most urban counties. Statistics like this should cause alarm and inspire action,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cCurrently, there is a chronic shortage of mental health professionals in rural communities, and residents must often travel long distances to receive the services they desperately need. Congress should be committed to addressing these health care shortages and ensuring every corner of America has the resources it needs,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nThe resolution raises awareness for our rural communities and commits the House of Representatives to the following initiatives:\n\ndesignating November 18, 2021, as National Rural Mental Health Day;\n\naddressing disparities in mental healthcare across the country, including in rural America; and\n\nmaintaining continued support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and other programs that aid struggling individuals in our rural communities.\n\nBackground:\n\nCongressman Emmer has long fought to secure mental health resources for rural Americans. In 2018, Congressman Emmer introduced the STRESS Act to address the lack of mental health resources available in rural areas, specifically individuals who work in agriculture, an industry that has long suffered from higher rates of depression and suicide.\n\nThe STRESS Act reauthorized the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), a program that was first created in 2008 but lapsed due to a lack of funding. The STRESS Act passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, renewing the FRSAN and moving America one step closer to addressing this crisis. Since then, Emmer has led the way to provide continued funding for this program in each appropriations cycle.\n\nIn addition, Congressman Emmer has advocated for telehealth services for rural communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth appointments became commonplace, proving especially successful for mental and behavioral health. Congressman Emmer urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to continue to offer telehealth services beyond the pandemic as a standard service for patients.\n\nCongressman Emmer also introduced the Grant Residency for Additional Doctors (GRAD) Act of 2021 to address the physician shortage facing rural and underserved America. This legislation would direct the Department of State to establish a dedicated staff position within the department to process J-1 visa applications during times of increased demand. A J-1 visa is a temporary, nonimmigrant visa that international medical students and physicians use to work in U.S.-based medical residency programs. By addressing delays in the J-1 visa process, foreign physicians can help to stave off the severe doctor shortage that America, especially rural America, is currently facing.\n\nTo read more about Congressman Emmer\u2019s work on health care, visit his website here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-votes-historic-human-infrastructure-bill-invest-america-s-future", "McCollum Votes for Historic Human Infrastructure Bill to Invest in America\u2019s Future", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today after voting to pass H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act:\n\n\"The bill House Democrats passed today will create transformative change in the lives of Minnesotans and all Americans. Making health care, child care, education, and housing more accessible and more affordable is essential for Minnesota families and businesses to thrive. I proudly voted for the Build Back Better Act to fix these gaps and make investments that will benefit not just individual families, but our entire nation.\n\n\"This bill will help combat the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs while also expanding access to quality health care. It will finally address the unmet needs of millions of Americans who seek care for a loved one. The pandemic has made it clear: there is a gaping hole in our economic system without support for caregiving. Families should not have to decide between caring for loved ones and maintaining steady employment.\n\n\"Finally, addressing the climate crisis is the challenge of our time, and this bill makes the largest investment in history to fight the worst climate impacts, improve community resilience, grow the clean energy economy, and show the next generation we care about making sure they inherit a habitable planet.\n\n\"No one making under $400,000 will pay more in taxes, but these investments will be fully paid for \u2013 by closing tax loopholes to ensure corporations and the wealthiest Americans finally pay their fair share. It's time to make the economy work for everyone, and not just those at the very top. As the Build Back Better Act heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration, I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass this bill and join us in investing in America's future.\"\n\nThis transformative package will:\n\nLower Health Care Costs: negotiating lower drug costs for seniors; halting Big Pharma's outrageous price hikes above inflation; and expanding the ACA to make coverage more affordable for those who buy insurance on their own.\n\nLower Child Care & Family Care Costs: expanding the basic promise of free schooling in America for the first time in 100 years with universal preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds; slashing families' child care costs; extending the landmark Biden Child Tax Credit; and expanding access to affordable home care for older adults and those with disabilities.\n\nThe Largest Investment to Combat Climate Crisis in History: cutting pollution, reducing energy costs, creating good paying jobs with a transformational investment to ensure America leads the clean energy economy.\n\nThe Build Back Better Act lowers costs and fights inflation because it is fully paid for by making big corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share. No one making under $400,000 will pay a penny more in taxes.\n\nFull text of H.R. 5376 can be found here. A fact sheet is available here. A summary of how the Build Back Better Act will impact Minnesota is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-and-bergman-introduce-house-resolution-expressing-support-role-great", "Stauber and Bergman Introduce House Resolution Expressing Support for the Role Great Lakes Shipping Can Play in Alleviating the Supply Chain Crisis", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) and Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) introduced a House Resolution expressing support for the Great Lakes shipping industry and the important role that this industry can play in alleviating President Biden's supply chain crisis.\n\nOf his Resolution, Stauber stated, \"Currently, scores of ships from around the world are waiting in waters off the coast of California, leaving shelves across the country bare and causing consumer prices to skyrocket. While top officials within the Biden White House dismiss this issue as a \u2018high class problem' and continue to ignore the matter, Americans from every walk of life are experiencing the supply chain crisis firsthand. As the Representative of the largest freshwater port in the world, I know the thousands of workers who make up the Great Lakes shipping industry can play a part in resolving this matter, which is why I am proud to introduce this House Resolution with Rep. Bergman today.\"\n\nBergman stated, \"Never underestimate the Great Lakes. With President Biden's supply chain crisis hitting home in every sense of the word, there is no better time than now to highlight the capacity of our Great Lakes ports and shipping industry. I'm introducing this resolution with Rep. Stauber, a fellow Great Lakes representative, because we know the hardworking men and women who drive Great Lakes shipping and support our local economies stand ready as an example of industry efficiency.\"\n\nSee a link to the resolution, HERE.\n\nThe Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system handles 160 million tons of cargo annually. While West Coast ports have experienced delays and a collapse of basic supply chain operations, Great Lakes ports over the same period have not experienced delays or backups.\n\nThe introduction of this Resolution comes one day before Congressman Stauber is set to host a supply chain roundtable, where one of the topics will center around the need to expand Great Lakes shipping to increase the importing and exporting of goods.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-presses-biden-administration-ensure-underserved", "Representative Angie Craig Presses Biden Administration to Ensure Underserved Communities Gain Access to Remote Work, Telehealth and Distance Learning", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig called on the Biden Administration to ensure the effective and appropriate implementation of a program designed to ensure that every American has access to high-quality and affordable broadband internet connection. The program, which was enacted by Congress as part of the American Rescue Plan, will provide $10 billion to state and tribal governments to ensure all communities can take part in remote work, telehealth and distance learning \u2013 all of which have become especially vital due to COVID-19.\n\nIn a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who has been charged with overseeing the Capital Projects Fund, Craig urged the Administration to ensure local communities were aware of the upcoming deadline for applications and to ensure that relevant federal agencies could assist with the approval and disbursement process.\n\n\"Getting this new program right is vitally important. As you are no doubt aware, too many people in the United States lack access to the quality, modern infrastructure needed over the last 19 months. Distance learning, telehealth and remote work all require reliable, accessible and affordable broadband,\" wrote Representative Craig.\n\n\"As a member of the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth tasked with representing the voices of this nation's family farmers and rural families, I see the urgent need for increased broadband and modern infrastructure investments every day,\" Craig continued. \"Too many of the people in my Congressional District and across rural America lack even rudimentary access to the internet.\"\n\nThe COVID-19 public health emergency reinforced the idea that communities without access to high-quality modern infrastructure, including broadband internet access, face impediments to fully participating in aspects of daily life, such as remote work, telehealth, and distance learning. The Department of Treasury launched the Capital Projects Fund to allow state and tribal governments to invest in capital assets that will help to meet their communities' critical needs \u2013 both in the short and long-term \u2013 with a key emphasis on investments in broadband infrastructure.\n\nFor a Capital Project to be an eligible use of funds, it must meet all of the following three criteria:\n\nThe Capital Project invests in capital assets designed to directly enable work, education, and health monitoring\n\nThe Capital Project is designed to address a critical need that resulted from or was made apparent or exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency\n\nThe Capital Project is designed to address a critical need of the community to be served by it\n\nIn addition to the above criteria, Treasury's guidance encourages recipients to invest funds in broadband infrastructure projects to address the digital divide exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and expand connectivity to underserved and unserved residents. Specifically, recipients are encouraged to prioritize projects designed to provide services to households and businesses that do not have access to a reliable connection, invest in middle-mile projects and fiber-optic infrastructure.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter and below.\n\nNovember 16, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Janet Yellen\n\nSecretary of Treasury\n\nU.S. Department of Treasury\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20220\n\nDear Secretary Yellen,\n\nThank you for releasing the recent guidance regarding the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) that was established as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.\n\nWith the deadline for States to request funding quickly approaching at year's end, I wanted to raise awareness of this deadline, especially for my Congressional District's potential recipients who stand to benefit from the nearly $181 million in funding available for the State of Minnesota. My goal is for these local communities to begin preparing ideas for eligible projects that would carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring in response to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in line with Congressional intent.\n\nWhile the State of Minnesota is the lead applicant for funding, subrecipients such as counties and cities \u2013 as well as non-profits and certain private entities \u2013 may be awarded funds. For example, Treasury notes that for Broadband Infrastructure Projects, Subrecipients may include \"co operatives, electric utilities, and other entities that build or operate broadband networks, including networks that are owned, operated by, or affiliated with local governments.\"\n\nIn addition to raising awareness about this funding opportunity, I am also writing to ensure that there is sufficient coordination between federal agencies prior to (or during) grant reviews. While Treasury was established as the lead federal agency in charge of the program, I would encourage you to ensure that at minimum, the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Labor are consulted. These agencies have substantial knowledge of issues facing communities looking to expand rural broadband, tackle remote and telehealth issues and improve workforce training.\n\nGetting this new program right is vitally important. As you are no doubt aware, too many people in the United States lack access to the quality, modern infrastructure needed over the last 19 months. Distance learning, telehealth and remote work all require reliable, accessible and affordable broadband. Need for strong broadband infrastructure will only increase as technology advances and employers seek to offer increased flexibility.\n\nAs a member of the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth tasked with representing the voices of this nation's family farmers and rural families, I see the urgent need for increased broadband and modern infrastructure investments every day. Too many of the people in my Congressional District and across rural America lack even rudimentary access to the internet.\n\nPassing the American Rescue Plan was a key step in ensuring a strong and swift recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and I sincerely appreciate the Biden Administration's significant efforts to support state and tribal governments throughout the pandemic.\n\nThank you for your consideration and dedicated work on behalf of the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-senator-tina-smith-announce-federal-grant-scott", "Representative Angie Craig, Senator Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant for Scott County US 169 Interchange Project", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig and U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $8 million in federal grant funding for the US 169 & Highway 282/County Highway 9 Interchange Project in Scott County. Earlier this year, the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant application was submitted by Scott County and their project partners, which include the City of Jordan and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Following the drafting and submission of the application, the project was championed in Washington by Representative Craig and Senator Smith.\n\nThe project, once completed, will replace the last signalized highway intersection within 50 miles of the Twin Cities with an interchange, creating a 75 mile stoplight free zone to improve a key interregional corridor in Minnesota that is essential for commuters, local residents and businesses' economic success and vitality in the project area and region.\n\n\"After years of hard work and advocacy, I am proud to announce that Scott County has been awarded $8 million for the US 169 Interchange project, which will create good paying jobs in Scott County, make our community safer and grow our economy by improving a critical economic corridor that connects Minnesota businesses with customers throughout the state and across the globe,\" said Representative Craig. \"The benefits of this project will ripple far beyond Scott County, particularly for rural portions of my district that rely on this corridor to transport their products and agricultural commodities to market. I am grateful for the tireless work of my local partners in Scott County, the City of Jordan and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, particularly Commissioner Barb Weckman Brekke, Mayor Mike Franklin and Highway 169 Corridor Coalition Chair Kevin Burkart.\"\n\n\"Today's news is a win not just for Scott County, but for the hundreds of thousands of hard working Minnesotans who rely on this corridor in their daily lives,\" said Senator Smith. \"I'm proud to fight for critical projects like this one that will make life better for so many Minnesotans and create good-paying jobs and economic growth.\"\n\nThis project will construct a grade-separated interchange at TH-282/County Highway 9 and a bridge over the Union Pacific rail line. The project also includes a roundabout, a multi-use path and underpass of US 169, floodway improvements, stormwater improvements, and frontage roads. Earlier this year, Craig wrote a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg advocating for the application's approval, arguing that the project would \"create jobs, improve multimodal safety conditions, increase freight mobility, advance connectivity, reduce travel times, congestion and related emissions in the region southwest of the Twin Cities.\"\n\nOn a typical day, more than 30,000 vehicles enter US Highway 169 and Trunk Highway 282/County State Aid Highway 9 to access local and regional employment centers. US 169 connects the Twin Cities and the upper Midwest's largest inland waterway grain facilities \u2013 the Ports of Savage \u2013 to other parts of Minnesota and the Midwest and is critical for connecting Minnesota businesses to both domestic and international markets. Sixty percent of Minnesota's Fortune 500 businesses are located near the corridor, and half of Minnesota's Fortune agricultural commodities are shipped through the US 169.\n\nThe project has received support from a diverse and bipartisan group of stakeholders including the US 169 Corridor Coalition, a transportation coalition that includes 11 cities, 4 counties, 3 townships, a regional development agency, and 7 affiliate members. It has also garnered support from businesses, residents, the Union Pacific (UP) railroad, the freight industry, and state and local agencies because of the safety and mobility benefits provided.\n\nSeveral local leaders, who have championed the US 169 interchange project for years, also celebrated the $8 million grant:\n\n\"We couldn't be more pleased that our Congressional representatives helped secure this funding,\" said Commissioner Barb Weckman Brekke, who represents the City of Jordan and its surrounding areas on the Scott County Board. \"Our residents, businesses, and visitors will certainly see the benefit of this investment for generations, and our partnership with the City has been absolutely invaluable in this effort.\"\n\n\"The City of Jordan is thrilled to receive this significant investment toward safety and efficiency for our residents and visitors. Highway 169 has evolved from a sleepy country highway to a major thoroughfare for commerce connecting our agricultural heartland with the ports of Savage and the Twin Cities marketplace. There shouldn't be a stop light in the middle of I-35, and 169 shouldn't have one in Jordan, either,\" said Jordan Mayor Mike Franklin. \"Thank you to our friends and allies in Scott County, Senator Pratt and Representative Albright, to Congresswoman Craig, and Senators Smith and Klobuchar for their advocacy and partnership. With this investment, we're much closer to getting this project done once and for all.\"\n\n\"Congresswoman Angie Craig has consistently been a champion of the Highway 169 Corridor,\" Kevin Burkart stated during a recent meeting. Burkart is a Prior Lake City Councilor and Chair of the Highway 169 Corridor Coalition. \"The Coalition advocates for safety, congestion reduction, and economic vitality along the 169 Corridor from I-694 to Mankato. The US 169 and TH 282 intersection in Jordan is the last signalized intersection located within this 75-mile stretch from Mankato to the northern Twin Cities. Congresswoman Craig has secured $8 million for this interchange project, making a dramatic improvement to the 169 Corridor in the western portion of her District. Our appreciation to Angie and her team is immeasurable. They have been with us each step of the way as we move forward with this mission critical intersection improvement.\"\n\n\"Improving public safety and enhancing the efficient movement of people and goods throughout this region have always been two of our most significant priorities,\" said Scott County Board Chair Jon Ulrich. \"This federal grant funding is essential to moving this project forward and helping us realize that goal.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-introduces-legislation-to-prioritize-mental-health-care-for-women-who-experience-pregnancy-loss", "Emmer Introduces Legislation to Prioritize Mental Health Care for Women Who Experience Pregnancy Loss", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) introduced legislation to intensify the National Institutes of Health\u2019s (NIH) focus on helping women cope with the loss of a child during pregnancy. The Pregnancy Loss Mental Health Research Act directs the NIH to prioritize resources and research into clinical mental health complications following a pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.\n\n\u201cThe loss of a child takes a terrible toll on the mental and emotional well-being of the mother. For those who experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, or an abortion, the pain and grief can be unimaginable. Of all the federal resources directed to the NIH each year for medical research, little is allocated to understand and identify treatment for mental health conditions following a pregnancy loss,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cAs thousands of women confront these tragic situations each year, it is important that we continue to better our understanding of the mental health complications and improve the delivery of treatment and care for those who are suffering,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nBackground:\n\nPregnancy loss can have severe and long-term effects on the mental and emotional well-being of a woman. What little study done at the federal level shows that symptoms of mental and emotional distress after a pregnancy loss can include depression, intense grief, substance abuse, sleep disturbances, and difficulty with relationships. As with any clinical health issue, additional research can unlock new ways to help individuals struggling to cope with the mental health challenges following the loss of a child.\n\nThe Pregnancy Loss Mental Health Research Act requires the National Institutes of Health to coordinate with other national research institutes to determine what care is needed for individuals who have experienced pregnancy loss. This includes:\n\nDeveloping improved screening and diagnostic techniques for women who may be more likely to experience severe mental health challenges following the loss of a child,\n\nDeveloping information and education programs for health care professionals and the public, and\n\nDirecting clinical research for the development and evaluation of new treatments.\n\nYou can read the text of the Pregnancy Loss Mental Health Research Act here.\n\nMultiple stakeholder groups have expressed support for the Pregnancy Loss Mental Health Research Act, including the Family Research Council.\n\n\u201cThe loss of an unborn child\u2014regardless of the circumstances surrounding the unborn child\u2019s death\u2014is always something to mourn. For too long, mothers and fathers of babies who have never taken a breath outside the womb have suffered in silence carrying a pain that is often brushed off by those who have not experienced it. Studying the mental health effects of the death of an unborn child is a step towards recognizing the humanity of the child and impact the child had on the world. Doing so will help parents cope with the suffering that accompanies the death of an unborn child.\u201d Mary Szoch, Director of the Center for Human Dignity, Family Research Council\n\nThe Pregnancy Loss Mental Health Research Act is a continuation of Congressman Emmer\u2019s efforts to direct mental health resources and assistance to areas of greatest need. In 2017, Congressman Emmer introduced the STRESS Act to improve the availability of mental health resources for Americans living in rural communities. He has also introduced the Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act to eliminate an arbitrary cap on mental health services, and the Behavioral Health Coordination and Communication Act to streamline the delivery of mental health services in the federal government.\n\nYou can read more about Congressman Emmer\u2019s work on mental health, here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-joins-rep-tlaibs-reintroduction-resolution-calling-government-action", "Rep. Omar Joins Rep. Tlaib's Reintroduction of Resolution Calling for Government Action to Mitigate Violence Against Women in Politics", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), along with Congresswomen Cori Bush (MO-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Jackie Speier (CA-14), introduced a House resolution recognizing that violence against women in politics is a global phenomenon and that more research should be conducted to examine its extent and effects in the United States. The resolution, endorsed by National Democratic Institute (NDI), also calls on the U.S. government to adopt policies that promote women's political participation and help mitigate violence against women in politics in the United States and abroad.\n\n\"\u2026women have been on the frontlines of social justice movements around the world and throughout our Nation's history\u2026[and]\u2026violence against women in politics is a specific, gendered phenomenon stemming from a resistance to women's increased political participation and intending to undermine women as political actors,\" portions of the resolution read.\n\nThe introduction comes after a Republican Congressman, Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-04), posted a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden. The video \u2013 which also spread hateful, false, xenophobic rhetoric about immigrants \u2013 was posted on the Congressman's official Instagram account using taxpayer funds allocated by the House of Representatives, in effect using taxpayer dollars to incite violence against elected officials.\n\nAccording to the 2018 Violence Against Women in Politics Report by UN Women and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, women of color appear to be disproportionately affected by it and risks of political engagement are likely higher for women of marginalized communities. A recent study of U.S. mayors, which found that female mayors are more likely than men to experience most types of violence and abuse, also indicates such incidents are not out of the ordinary for women in U.S. politics generally. Congresswoman Tlaib herself spoke on the House floor on the issue in March of 2020\u2014and it has only continued to gain international prominence since.\n\n\"Receiving constant death threats \u2013 including against my family \u2013 hasn't stopped me from speaking truth to power, but such hate and risk should not be the inherent cost of any woman participating in politics, regardless of her race, creed, sexual or gender identity, or any other defining quality of who she is,\" saidCongresswoman Tlaib. \"We so often hear the future is female\u2014and I introduce this resolution as a means of securing it. Our future is so much brighter if we can build a world in which women and nonbinary individuals are free to fight for their communities and serve in government without fear of violence and abuse.\"\n\n\"As women in politics\u2014and women of color\u2014we are all too familiar with the vitriol and constant threats of violence that come with claiming our rightful place in the world and a seat at the table of our democracy,\" said Congresswoman Pressley. \"But the relentless and misogynistic attempts to intimidate, debase and silence us because of our gender only strengthen our resolve in pursuit of equality and justice. We must never accept this violence as simply the cost of women's participation in civic and political life and must continue to raise awareness and root out these sexist attacks wherever they take place. I am proud to join Representative Tlaib in introducing this resolution, which recognizes violence against women in politics as the global crises that it is and affirms the rights of women everywhere to serve our communities in halls of power.\"\n\n\"I have received numerous death threats over the course of my nearly 40 years in office, including attacks that required me to be moved into protective custody as a widowed mother with two young children while wearing a bullet proof vest and those that have resulted in criminal prosecutions. I have seen too many of my friends and colleagues face the same threats, particularly women of color who are targeted with not just violent and misogynistic attacks, but racial slurs as well. The rhetoric we're seeing now, particularly from fellow Members of Congress, has ratcheted up to a level that I had never dreamed possible,\" said Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Co-Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus. \"It is truly horrifying, though it will not deter us from standing up, speaking out, and fighting for women in Congress, the workforce, and everywhere. We are not afraid and we will not back down.\"\n\n\"Women are subject to fear, intimidation, threats and, in some cases, violence, to deter them from participating in politics,\" said Congresswoman Omar. \"It is true here in the United States and around the world, and this phenomenon is especially acute for women from marginalized communities. The United States should be leading a global effort to increase women's participation in political life, and hold opponents of women's political rights accountable. I am proud to join my colleague Rep. Rashida Tlaib in doing just that.\"\n\n\"I'm proud to join Representative Tlaib in introducing this resolution to acknowledge what so many of us know all too well: violence against women is a systemic problem that also uniquely harms women in politics, especially women of color,\" said Congresswoman Cori Bush. \"Since coming to Congress, I have received countless death threats, endured endless microaggressions and frequent veiled attacks \u2014 even by my own colleagues. All of those have only strengthened my resolve. I am more committed than ever to ensure that women \u2014 Black women in particular \u2014 are not only empowered to join civic life, but are also protected when they do make the courageous decision to actively participate in political life.\"\n\nOrganizations who have led national and global efforts to address violence against women in politics, including The National Democratic Institute (NDI), welcomed the resolution's introduction.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-s-credit-union-governance-modernization-act-passes-committee", "Emmer\u2019s Credit Union Governance Modernization Act Passes Committee", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer\u2019s (MN-06) Credit Union Governance Modernization Act was adopted by the House Financial Services Committee by a unanimous vote. It now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives.\n\nThe Credit Union Governance Modernization Act (H.R. 2311) updates credit union practices and improves employee and member safety. Specifically, the legislation modifies the credit union member expulsion process while ensuring a fair procedure for reinstatement.\n\nCurrent law requires a federal credit union to hold a vote of its entire membership before it can expel a member who engages in egregious, dangerous, or illegal conduct. This can include physical damage to property, harassment, or threats. The Credit Union Governance Modernization Act broadens the ability to expel members for cause and streamlines the expulsion and reinstatement process.\n\n\u201cToday, the House Financial Services Committee took a step to improve the safety of credit unions across the nation. My home state of Minnesota has already taken steps to enact changes similar to what the Committee agreed upon today. It\u2019s critical we make credit unions safer for both employees and their members,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cOur community financial institutions are already facing difficulties navigating burdensome regulations as they support their local neighborhoods and businesses, and we need to take steps to make their vital work easier. This nonpartisan legislation will ensure our main street credit unions have the tools to succeed. I hope this legislation will advance past the House floor soon,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nRead the Credit Union Governance Modernization here. This bill is supported by the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the Credit Union National Association, the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions, and Public Citizen.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-presses-house-leadership-support-small-businesses", "Representative Angie Craig Presses House Leadership to Support Small Businesses Still Struggling during COVID-19 Pandemic", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig pushed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to take immediate action to support small businesses in Minnesota and across the country that are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. In her letter, Representative Craig noted that small businesses account for 99.9% of all firms in the United States \u2013 and more than 60% of net job creation over the past 25 years. Arguing that small businesses make up the backbone of the American economy, Craig urged for expanding and extending relief programs targeting small business, specifically the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program.\n\n\"I'm hearing from small business owners across my district every single day about the struggles they have faced over the past year and a half. Businesses that have been around for generations are at-risk of permanent closure \u2013 and newly opened businesses are still struggling to get their feet underneath them,\" said Representative Craig. \"Congress has a duty to assist our struggling small businesses as they face continued restrictions, supply chain disruptions, reduced operating capacity, and the ongoing threat of surging COVID-19 cases.\n\nIn March, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan, which included $16 billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program and $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. However, those programs and several others were overwhelmed by demand, leaving thousands of businesses across the country without the financial support they deserve. Craig has repeatedly called for the replenishment of those funds and the extension of those programs to ensure that every struggling business can access the relief to which they are entitled.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter and below.\n\nNovember 15, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Steny Hoyer\n\nSpeaker Majority Leader\n\nU.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives\n\nWashington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515\n\nDear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer:\n\nThank you for your continued work on behalf of the American people. I write today to respectfully urge you to support our nation's small businesses, which are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, by passing a small business rescue package in any moving legislative vehicle.\n\nI'm hearing from small business owners across my district every single day about the struggles they have faced over the past year and a half. Businesses that have been around for generations are at-risk of permanent closure \u2013 and newly opened businesses are still struggling to get their feet underneath them. Congress has a duty to assist our struggling small businesses as they face continued restrictions, supply chain disruptions, reduced operating capacity, and the ongoing threat of surging COVID-19 cases.\n\nSmall businesses account for 99.9% of all firms in the United States. These businesses are responsible for 62% of net job creation over the last 25 years. They truly are the backbone of our economy and vital to our recovery.\n\nThough Congress has acted several times in a bipartisan manner, and the American Rescue Plan was a lifeline to many, we cannot risk more permanent closures which will only hinder job grown and destroy local economies.\n\nAs we move forward in the days and weeks ahead, I implore Congress to help our small businesses. We quickly saw just how necessary the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) was, but recent developments have also demonstrated exactly how much more help is needed for restaurants and bars due to over-subscription. More than 177,000 establishments applied for relief from the RRF \u2013 but never received support. Legislation to replenish the RRF has strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.\n\nFurthermore, we must do more to provide relief for small businesses that have been left out of prior programs. While we've enacted much needed rescue funding for a multitude of industries, there have been businesses ancillary to the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant that were unable to access these important funds. These businesses and their employees deserve our attention and support, especially as we approach the holiday season. We must be industry-neutral in our approach to relief.\n\nFinally, as you're aware, the House passed H.R.1490, the 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2021 by an overwhelming bipartisan majority over six months ago. This legislation would increase access to capital for small manufacturers by increasing the maximum loan size from $5.5 million to $6.5 million. This bill is primed for inclusion in any legislative package, and I urge its inclusion and swift passage by the Senate.\n\nI urge you to take swift action and thank you for your consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-and-trone-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-restore-benefits-to-defrauded-veterans-and-their-families", "Emmer and Trone Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Restore Benefits to Defrauded Veterans and Their Families", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 On Friday, U.S. Representatives David Trone (MD-06) and Tom Emmer (MN-06) introduced legislation to ensure that veterans who fall victim to fraud receive proper reimbursement. Current law states that if a veteran passes away before their fraudulent case is resolved, their family can\u2019t seek reimbursement for the misused dollars. The Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act would allow families and beneficiaries of a deceased veteran to reclaim defrauded dollars.\n\n\u201cIt is unacceptable that when a defrauded veteran perishes before they are able to recover what was taken, those funds remain unreturned to the veteran\u2019s family or beneficiaries,\u201d said Rep. Emmer. \u201cCongress can and should ensure that in these unfortunate cases the funds are returned to a veteran\u2019s loved ones. This legislation will solve that problem while honoring our veterans and their sacrifices.\u201d\n\n\u201cI want to do everything I can to help veterans and their families who have experienced fraud,\u201d said Congressman Trone. \u201cFalling victim to fraud is bad enough, but what\u2019s even worse is when that money is never returned. These folks have sacrificed so much to serve their country honorably, the least we can do is ensure that their families are reimbursed for the benefits after they\u2019ve passed on.\u201d\n\nThe Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act was endorsed by The American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Wounded Warrior Project.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/11/rep-fischbach-proposes-legislation-renaming-two-post-offices-in-her-district", "Rep. Fischbach Proposes Legislation Renaming Two Post Offices in Her District", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Friday, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) led the entire Minnesota House delegation in introducing two bipartisan bills to rename post offices in the 7th Congressional District.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to have the support of the Minnesota delegation in renaming two post offices after local heroes,\u201d said Rep. Fischbach. \u201cThese bills would rename the Vergas Post Office after Jon Glawe, a veteran who dedicated 36 years to delivering mail in Vergas, taking over the route of his late father, and the Oklee Post Office for Coya Knutson in honor of the first female elected to Congress from Minnesota.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-and-tiffany-introduce-legislation-help-american-seniors-weather-biden", "Stauber and Tiffany Introduce Legislation to Help American Seniors Weather the Biden Inflation Crisis", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) and Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) introduced the Inflation Transparency for Seniors Act to provide American seniors with an inflation projection in order to help them better plan for their future. Specifically, this legislation will add the Congressional Budget Office's calculated inflation forecast to every Social Security Report.\n\nOf this legislation, Congressman Stauber stated, \"With inflation recently reaching a 31-year-high thanks to Biden's destructive economic policies, many Americans are left wondering how they should manage their personal finances. This is especially true for our seniors, many of whom live on a fixed income. America's seniors deserve better. By introducing legislation that will provide seniors with transparency on inflation projections, this legislation will not only help them better plan for their future, but it will also help hold any Administration accountable for enacting policies that place undue financial burden on the American people.\"\n\nCongressman Tiffany stated, \"The American people deserve transparency. With the Democrats' excessive spending fueling runaway inflation and impacting Americans' kitchen table budgets, the Inflation Transparency for Seniors Act will require the government to provide seniors with projections to gain a better understanding of the implications of big government socialist spending plans. Rising costs are burdening all Americans, especially those living on a fixed income.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Labor Department recently reported that during the month of October, consumer prices spiked at their fastest pace in more than thirty years.\n\nAs inflation reaches a 31-year-high, the Biden Administration has been pushing trillions more in spending that will cause this inflation crisis to worsen.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-introduces-joint-resolution-block-650-million-saudi-arms-sale", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Introduces Joint Resolution to Block $650 million Saudi Arms Sale", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) today introduced a joint resolution of disapproval to block the sale of $650 million worth of weapons from the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.\n\n\"It is simply unconscionable to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia while they continue to slaughter innocent people and starve millions in Yemen, kill and torture dissidents, and support modern-day slavery,\" Rep. Omar said. \"We should never be selling human rights abusers weapons, but we certainly should not be doing so in the midst of a humanitarian crisis they are responsible for. Congress has the authority to stop these sales, and we must exercise that power.\"\n\nThe sale comes as Saudi Arabia continues its offensive in Yemen, sparking the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. As of this year, more than 4 million people had been uprooted from their homes and more than 21 million are in dire need of assistance, including 11 million children.\n\nIf passed by the Senate, the joint resolution would prohibit the sale of $650 million missiles and other weapons, announced by the State Department just last week. The sale would include 280 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, along with 596 missile launchers, support equipment, spare parts, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, and technical support. The State Department says these are for air defense capabilities and is designed to replenish Saudi Arabia's existing inventory.\n\n\"The United States should not sell any weapons to Saudi Arabia or other abusive governments, period. Congress should block this and similar deals in the future,\" said Raed Jarrar, Advocacy Director for Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), the organization founded by Jamal Khashoggi. \"These air-to-air missiles could be used in offensive operations or they could be used to enforce the Saudi blockade, which humanitarian aid groups have identified as one of the reasons behind the prices of medicine being out of reach for millions of Yemenis. Rather than selling more weapons, the Biden Administration should compel Saudi Arabia to lift the blockade and end its war on Yemen.\"\n\nRep. Omar has been a leading advocate for Congressional oversight over arms sales and accountability for human rights in Saudi Arabia and around the world. Earlier this year, she called on the United States to act to end the blockade on Yemen. She met with White House officials in a classified briefing and joined hunger strikers outside the White House in protest. In July, she reintroduced the Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act to establish red lines Once a country is determined to have crossed those lines, it automatically triggers a prohibition on security aid of any kind.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-and-kuster-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-reduce-opioid-related-deaths", "Emmer and Kuster Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Reduce Opioid-Related Deaths", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "**This bipartisan legislation would modernize patient care in Medicare and Medicaid to better prevent opioid-related injury in hospitalized patients**\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Tom Emmer (R-MN) introduced the Inpatient Opioid Safety Act of 2021, legislation to improve patient safety, simplify care, and reduce preventable opioid-induced injury and death under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Though opioids are effective in managing pain, the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation warns that drug-induced respiratory depression after surgery is a serious patient safety risk. This bill would modernize how hospitalized patients receiving opioid medication are treated by requiring hospitals to use continuous physiologic monitoring.\n\nIt is estimated that 180,000 individuals experience opioid-related serious adverse events annually in the inpatient setting. While the number one reason for these adverse events is medication errors, improper monitoring is indicated as the second-leading cause of inpatient opioid morbidity. The bipartisan Inpatient Opioid Safety Act of 2021 seeks to change that and help save lives across America.\n\n\u201cBeyond the threat of addiction, opioid medications can cause serious complications for patients after surgery,\u201d said Rep. Annie Kuster. \u201cMillions of Americans rely on Medicaid and Medicare for treatment, and this bill would modernize post-operative care to prevent opioid-related injury and death. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation, and look forward to working across the aisle to get this over the finish line for patients across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn an inpatient setting, opioids remain the most commonly used form of pain management,\u201d said Rep. Tom Emmer. \u201cAs a result, drug-induced respiratory depression remains a serious safety risk for patients. With the addition of proper continuous patient monitoring, instances like this can easily be detected and avoided. This legislation will ensure patient safety comes first and reduce preventable tragedies from opioid-induced injuries and death.\u201d\n\n\u201cResearch done at Dartmouth-Hitchcock over many years has shown that patient harm and deaths caused by the administration of opioids in the hospital are preventable,\u201d said Dr. George Blike, Medical Director, Center for Surgical Innovation at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. \u201cI thank Representatives Kuster and Emmer for their on-going leadership to take critical steps to improve patient safety across the country.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-honor-veterans-day-1", "McCollum Statement in Honor of Veterans Day", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today ahead of tomorrow's commemoration of Veterans Day:\n\n\"On Veterans Day, we take time to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and to recognize their commitment, bravery, and sacrifices to protect the ideals and freedoms we cherish as Americans. We thank all who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and Space Force. They deserve the support of a grateful nation.\n\n\"As America's longest war came to an end this year, we owe a debt of gratitude to our newest veterans who served so valiantly in Afghanistan and Iraq. Our gratefulness must be reflected in our actions, and that's why I'm fighting to ensure the availability of high quality, affordable health care; educational and workforce development opportunities that lead to good-paying jobs; and housing for our veterans and their families. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the many mental health stresses it puts on families, we must work harder to provide the mental health care support and resources our veterans need. I'm proud of the work we've done in Congress to meet these obligations, and recognize there is much more to be done to fill the gaps.\n\n\"We also honor the sacrifices made at home by the families and loved ones of our service members. Our veterans and their families deserve support upon their return home and as they take on new challenges following military service. This Veterans Day, let us renew our commitment to our veterans and their families \u2013 and join me in honoring and remembering their service in defending the United States at home and abroad.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/ahead-veterans-day-stauber-introduces-bill-eliminate-tricare-enrollment-fees", "Ahead of Veterans Day, Stauber Introduces Bill to Eliminate TRICARE Enrollment Fees for American Heroes", "2021-11-09", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Days before Veterans Day, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) introduced the Restore TRICARE Select Act to eliminate or cap TRICARE enrollment fees that were placed on American veterans without much warning. Stauber introduced this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02).\n\nSpecifically, this legislation will completely eliminate the TRICARE Select enrollment fees for service members who retired prior to January 1, 2018 and were especially caught off-guard by these new fees. It also caps enrollment fees for veterans who retired after January 1, 2018.\n\nOf his legislation, Congressman Stauber stated, \"Despite promises made to America's heroes, President Obama signed legislation that enabled his Department of Defense to place burdensome enrollment fees on military retirees who signed up for TRICARE. This broken promise came as a surprise to American veterans as they were never required to pay for TRICARE before. That's why I am proud to join my colleague Jared Golden in introducing legislation to help correct this wrong and reinstate important healthcare protections for countless veterans.\"\n\nRead the bill text HERE.\n\nThe Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and the American Legion all support this legislation.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nTRICARE is a civilian network administered by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) that provides healthcare benefits to active-duty and retired service members, National Guard Reserve Members, and their families when services cannot be provided at a military treatment facility.\n\nDespite promises made to veterans, the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Obama approved a request from the DoD to implement enrollment fees for TRICARE Select -- $150 per individual and $300 per family.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-joins-congressional-delegation-united-nations-climate-change", "McCollum Joins Congressional Delegation to United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow", "2021-11-08", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) joins a delegation led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or \"COP26,\" in Glasgow, Scotland on behalf of the United States House of Representatives. In Glasgow, the delegation will participate in bilateral meetings, panel discussions and other engagements with global leaders on top climate priorities, including the recent IPCC report, gender equity and public-private sector coordination on climate action.\n\n\"The climate crisis is the existential threat of our time, and America must continue to bring our boldest ambitions to the table to meet and beat our climate action goals,\" said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. \"Together with this outstanding, experienced and diverse delegation including Committee Chairs, Members of the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis and respected Members of Congress, I am honored to once again return to the United Nations Climate Change Conference to convey the strong commitment of the U.S. Congress in addressing this crisis and doing so in a way that puts justice and equity \u2013 particularly for indigenous communities \u2013 first.\"\n\n\"As the world faces \u2018Code Red for Humanity' because of the climate crisis, America has the great responsibility and opportunity to meet this moment. Led by President Biden and the Democratic Congress, we will do just that: advancing clean air and clean water for public health, creating good-paying green jobs and advancing our pre-eminence in green technologies, protecting our national security and leaving our children and grandchildren a healthier planet and a better future.\"\n\nThe Members of the delegation are:\n\nChairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair, House Committee on Energy and Commerce\n\nChairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Chair, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology\n\nChairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee\n\nChairman Ra\u00fal Grijalva (D-AZ), Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources\n\nChairwoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Chair, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis\n\nCongressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), House Committee on Ways and Means\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), House Committee on Appropriations\n\nCongresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), House Committee on Appropriations, House Agriculture Committee\n\nCongressman Bill Keating (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee,\n\nCongresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis\n\nCongresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis\n\nCongressman Jared Huffman (D-CA), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure\n\nCongressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure\n\nCongressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Chair, United States Joint Economic Committee, House Committee on Ways and Means, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology\n\nCongressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA), House Committee on Ways and Means\n\nCongressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), House Committee on Appropriations\n\nCongressman Sean Casten (D-IL), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology\n\nCongresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis\n\nCongressman Mike Levin (D-CA), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources\n\nCongressman Joe Neguse (D-CO), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources\n\nCongresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), House Committee of Oversight and Reform, House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-votes-deliver-historic-infrastructure-bill-minnesota", "McCollum Votes to Deliver Historic Infrastructure Bill for Minnesota", "2021-11-06", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today after voting to pass the Senate amendment to H.R. 3684, the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA):\n\n\"Today House Democrats passed legislation to advance President Biden's Build Back Better agenda that invests in our families, our nation, and our future.\n\n\"The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act is a once-in-a-generation investment in our roads, bridges, and communities. It will help us maintain and improve our existing physical infrastructure, which Minnesotans know all too well is long overdue. It includes funding for clean energy innovation, electric vehicle infrastructure, transportation, and critical improvements to water infrastructure that will help protect public health. Today I voted to send this bill to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.\n\n\"Today House Democrats also took a key step to prepare for a vote on the final element of the Build Back Better agenda, the Build Back Better Act, which invests in American families and the human infrastructure they rely on. Our entire nation will benefit from making child care, health care, housing, and education more accessible and affordable. It also makes historic investments to combat the climate crisis for our state, our nation, and our planet. These investments will be fully paid for by closing tax loopholes to ensure the wealthiest Americans and corporations finally pay their fair share.\n\n\"The Democratic Build Back Better agenda will create transformative change in the lives of my fellow Minnesotans and all Americans. Rebuilding our physical infrastructure goes hand-in-hand with strengthening health care, child care, education, and climate resilience for Minnesota's families and businesses. Today we have made history with the investments in the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act \u2013 and we are committed to swiftly delivering on the human infrastructure investments in the Build Back Better Act.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, H.R. 3684) has now passed both chambers of Congress and is awaiting President Biden's signature. It will create good-paying jobs and invest in American workers and communities \u2013 rebuilding our infrastructure while helping rebuild the middle class. This package makes the largest federal investment in public transit ever, the largest federal investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system, and the largest investment in clean drinking water and waste water infrastructure in American history. It will increase our global competitiveness, and put the U.S. back on track to have world-class infrastructure once again.\n\nIn Minnesota, there are 661 bridges and nearly 5,000 miles of highway in poor condition. Minnesotans taking public transportation spend an extra 49.8% of their time commuting. Our state's drinking water infrastructure will require $7.5 billion in additional funding over the next 20 years. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill delivers on all of these issues and more.\n\nThe text of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, H.R. 3684) can be found here. A fact sheet prepared by the White House is available here.\n\nMore information on the Build Back Better Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omars-statement-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill", "Rep. Omar\u2019s Statement on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after voting \"no\" on the infrastructure bill.\n\n\"From the beginning, I have been clear that I would not be able to support the infrastructure bill without a vote on the Build Back Better Act. Passing the infrastructure bill without passing the Build Back Better Act first risks leaving behind childcare, paid leave, health care, climate action, housing, education, and a roadmap to citizenship.\n\n\"Right now, families across my district are struggling with the rising cost of childcare, the inability to get family leave to take care of their kids and deal with a medical emergency. The Build Back Better Act addresses it by creating a universal pre-k program, affordable childcare, and paid family and medical leave. In the Twin Cities, we have the worst housing shortage in the nation. The Build Back Better Act addresses it, by investing $150 billion in affordable housing. Minnesota is experiencing some of the fastest rising temperatures in the nation. The Build Back Better Act makes the boldest investment in history in the climate crisis\u2014investing in zero waste initiatives and creating jobs in the process. My community cannot wait any longer for these much-needed investments that will be delivered through the Build Back Better Act. I cannot in good conscience support the infrastructure bill without voting on the President's transformative agenda first.\"\n\n\"And for those reasons, I voted NO on the infrastructure package.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-opposes-pelosi-s-irresponsible-tax-and-spend-agenda", "Stauber Opposes Pelosi\u2019s Irresponsible Tax-and-Spend Agenda", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) made the following statement after voting against the Senate infrastructure bill, which is part of the Democrats' multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spend package:\n\n\"No one wants an infrastructure bill more than me, and I have long stated that it is important we return to regular order with a bicameral, bipartisan package that invests in traditional infrastructure projects, creates jobs, and spends taxpayer dollars wisely.\n\n\"Regrettably, Nancy Pelosi and other Democrat leaders made it abundantly clear that the $1.2 trillion Senate infrastructure bill is inextricably linked to their bloated multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spend package.\n\n\"I will not be complicit in paving a destructive and irreversible path towards socialism. This massive spending package is not about real infrastructure, and instead will make businesses less competitive, outsource jobs, saddle American families and future generations with more debt and higher taxes, send inflation soaring to greater heights, and completely devastate our economy.\n\n\"Make no mistake; a vote for this \"infrastructure\" package is a vote for the reckless multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spend spree. That's why I voted NO.\"\n\nThe non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Senate infrastructure bill will add almost $300 billion to the national debt.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-calls-for-reforms-to-federal-home-appraiser-regulations", "Emmer Calls for Reforms to Federal Home Appraiser Regulations", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) sent a letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Acting-Director Sandra Thompson urging her to reform the regulation of home appraisers in an effort to address growing backlogs in the homebuying process.\n\n\u201cOver the past 12 years, we have seen a 20% to 25% decline in the number of registered appraisers, causing homebuyers to face increasing wait times and inflated prices when seeking a home appraisal,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve the opportunity to buy a home without hidden costs. The FHFA should use their authority to update and improve the regulations pertaining to the appraiser industry in order to encourage more entrants into the profession, eliminate additional costs on homebuyers, and ultimately strengthen our economy,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has regulatory authority over the appraisal process. Representative Emmer\u2019s letter called on FHFA to consider the following reforms:\n\nReview the current efficacy of appraisal management company models, which often serve as unnecessary middlemen in the appraisal process and can drive-up costs for consumers.\n\nFurther evaluate alternatives to the traditional appraisal, including when and how automated valuations models (AVM), hybrid appraisals, desktop appraisals, and other valuation products could be used without causing undue harm to the stability of the real estate market.\n\nReassess the current minimum educational and professional standards for appraisers, such as the requirement appraisers hold a college degree, and suggest qualification alternatives to ensure the industry maintains necessary standards without imposing unnecessary barriers for new professional entrants.\n\nRead the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-omar-lieu-and-jacobs-reintroduce-bill-improve-house-oversight-arms-sales", "Reps. Omar, Lieu, and Jacobs Reintroduce Bill to Improve House Oversight of Arms Sales", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Arms Sale Oversight Act, which would align House procedure for reviewing major arms sales with existing Senate procedure under the Arms Export Control Act. The bill makes it possible for any House member to force debate on the House floor in the event that the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) does not debate a contested arms sale.\n\n\"Arms sales to foreign militaries are an instrument of U.S. foreign policy,\" said Rep. Lieu. \"Like our Senate colleagues, we as House members should have the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate and debate arms sales to make sure they are in our nation's best interest. However, current procedures often leave us in the dark. Arms sales with foreign countries are worthy of intense Congressional scrutiny, and House members shouldn't face roadblocks to doing our jobs. I'm pleased to reintroduce this legislation with Representatives Omar and Jacobs to make a simple fix that would strengthen Congress's ability to ensure this key foreign policy tool is being used appropriately and effectively.\"\n\n\"The State Department oversees about $170 billion in arms sales every year, including to some of the most egregious human rights abusers in the world,\" said Rep. Omar. \"This does nothing to further the cause of human rights, but does line the pockets of some of the largest war profiteers and weapons contractors. If we are serious about putting human rights at the center of our foreign policy, we need to stop arming human rights abusers, full stop. I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Ted Lieu's critical bill to provide more meaningful oversight over arms sales, and look forward to building a world free of arms sales and impunity for human rights abuses.\"\n\n\"We must make sure that our foreign policy is consistent with our values, including our arms sales,\" said Rep. Jacobs. \"I am proud to cosponsor Congressman Lieu's legislation, which strengthens congressional oversight and paves the way for closer consideration of human rights in our decision-making process.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-and-soto-advocate-for-the-trading-of-bitcoin-spot-etfs", "Emmer and Soto Advocate for the Trading of Bitcoin Spot ETFs", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) and Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) sent a bipartisan letter to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler questioning why, based on previous SEC-stated concerns, the SEC is comfortable allowing an exchange-traded fund (ETF) based on derivatives contracts to trade but not comfortable allowing a Bitcoin spot ETF to trade.\n\n\u201cThe SEC\u2019s approach to cryptocurrency regulation has been unacceptable. While the trading of Bitcoin futures ETFs is a great step forward for the millions of American investors who have been demanding regulatory clarity, it does not make sense that Bitcoin spot ETFs cannot also commence trading. As I am sure Chairman Gensler understands, Bitcoin futures are, by definition, a derivative of the underlying Bitcoin spot market,\u201d Congressman Emmer said.\n\n\u201cAmerican investors deserve consistency and choice. If the SEC cannot outline the perceived material difference in risk profiles, then they should allow ETFs based on spot Bitcoin to be traded. I look forward to Chairman Gensler\u2019s response to our concerns,\u201d Congressman Emmer concluded.\n\n\u201cCryptocurrency has proven to be a driver of economic growth in our society,\u201d said Congressman Soto. \u201cTherefore, it is crucial for us to clearly regulate it in order to maximize the potential benefits and mitigate any risks. It\u2019s important for us to come together to ensure that investors have consistency.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nLast month, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allowed trading to commence for two Bitcoin futures exchange-traded funds (ETF) that provide exposure to CME-traded Bitcoin futures.\n\nWhile this is a step forward for millions of Americans who are demanding access to simple ways to invest in Bitcoin, these products are potentially volatile in contrast with a Bitcoin spot ETF. They may also impose substantially higher fees on investors due to the impact of rolling futures contracts each month.\n\nUntil October, the SEC chose not to approve Bitcoin futures ETF and Bitcoin spot ETFs due to concerns about the spot markets potential for fraud and manipulation. The SEC stated numerous times that these concerns could be alleviated if either of the following are demonstrated:\n\nThe underlying Bitcoin market is resistant to fraud and manipulation\n\nA significant amount of trading happens on a regulated market.\n\nThe Bitcoin futures ETFs that commenced trading last week are based on CME Bitcoin futures contracts. The CFTC regulates the CME. Going further, over 90% of the CME Bitcoin futures pricing comes from Coinbase, Kraken, and Bitstamp \u2013 three spot Bitcoin exchanges.\n\nThe trading of Bitcoin futures ETFs, based on regulated futures contracts that are based largely on three spot markets, begs the question of what makes a Bitcoin spot ETF, that is based on the underlying asset, any different? Both products are based on the spot market.\n\nRead the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-statement-deal-lower-prescription-drug-prices", "Representative Angie Craig Statement on Deal to Lower Prescription Drug Prices", "2021-11-02", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Angie Craig released the following statement following reports that Democrats had reached an agreement on lowering prescription drug costs, one of the final provisions negotiated as part of the Build Back Better Act in Congress.\n\n\"While we still need the legislative language, I am encouraged by the news that we've reached an agreement to lower prescription drug costs for seniors and families as part of the Build Back Better Act. This agreement would allow Medicare to negotiate some drug prices for the first time, penalize companies for outrageous price hikes and cap the amount of money seniors pay for their drugs.\n\nFor far too many years, lawmakers have buckled under pressure from Washington's special interests and failed to enact any prescription drug reforms. My sincere hope is that that changes with this agreement. Today, we have demonstrated to our constituents that we will not be intimidated \u2013 and that we will always prioritize the interests of the American people over the profits of Big Pharma. Our fight to ensure affordable health care is far from over \u2013 but this is an important step in the right direction and would represent a first win for the American people.\"\n\nThe drug pricing reforms announced this afternoon were not included in the original framework of the Build Back Better bill released last week. Over the weekend, Rep. Craig led a movement of swing district colleagues to pressure Nancy Pelosi and House leadership to fight in the bill to bring down the cost of drugs for hardworking Americans. In addition, earlier today, Representative Craig delivered a speech on the House floor urging her colleagues to support the inclusion of prescription drug pricing reform in the final text of the legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-reintroduces-legislation-to-promote-capital-formation-on-main-street", "Emmer Reintroduces Legislation to Promote Capital Formation on Main Street", "2021-11-01", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) re-introduced the Main Street Growth Act, which would create jobs, improve capital formation, and encourage more early-stage Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).\n\n\u201cIt is critical that our capital market structure meets the needs of American companies, regardless of size or type. This legislation will make it easier for thousands of small and emerging growth companies \u2013 including over 100 in Minnesota - to go public, generating millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in revenue for the economy. I look forward to both sides of the aisle coming together to ensure that American entrepreneurs and workers can continue to succeed,\u201d added Emmer.\n\nAlthough our capital markets saw a historic rise in IPOs in 2020, participation in the IPO process overall has slowed dramatically over the last 20 years. The number of IPOs declined more than 63% from the 1990s to the 2000s and has stayed relatively flat through the 2010s. In addition, the number of small IPOs (under $100 million) has declined significantly.\n\nThe Main Street Growth Act will allow the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to provide for the creation of venture exchanges. These specialized securities exchanges will help small and emerging growth companies gain access to the capital they need to grow and succeed. The bill improves access to capital for emerging growth companies, which can help the economy rebound during this time, and bring many Americans back into the workforce.\n\nThis legislation was unanimously approved by the House Financial Services Committee and passed out of the House of Representatives during the 115th Congress. You can read the full text of the Main Street Growth Act here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/frontline-democrats-press-house-leadership-include-prescription-drugs", "Frontline Democrats Press House Leadership to Include Prescription Drugs Provisions in Build Back Better Act", "2021-10-31", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN-02) led fourteen of her Democratic colleagues in writing a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer urging immediate action to address the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States. Prescription drug reform was not included in the original framework of the Build Back Better Act released last week. But Craig and her fellow majority-makers from the 2018 class are still fighting for its inclusion in the final legislative text, which is currently being negotiated in Washington. In their letter, the Members called on Leadership to stand up to Big Pharma and provide relief to the American people, who pay the highest drug prices in the world.\n\n\"As majority-makers in competitive districts, we promised our constituents that we would come to Washington to fight on their behalf for lower drug prices. We cannot turn back now on our promise to the American people,\" the lawmakers wrote.\n\n\"With the Build Back Better agenda, we have a perhaps once in a generation opportunity to change the status quo and make good on our promise that no one should have to choose between affording their prescription drugs or food or housing,\" the members continued. \"The public is on our side. Big Pharma is not.\"\n\nRepresentative Craig was joined in sending the letter by Representatives Colin Allred (TX-32), Cindy Axne (IA-03), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Josh Harder (CA-10), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Susie Lee (NV-03), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Susan Wild (PA-07).\n\nThe Members' effort to advance prescription drug reform is supported by a number of stakeholders dedicated to addressing the cost of prescription drugs for hardworking American families, including the AARP, Patients for Affordable Drugs Now and Lower Drug Prices Now.\n\n\"Lower drug prices are desperately needed and enormously popular, with 6 out of 7 voters in support,\" said Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, which has nearly 38 million members nationwide. \"It is a monumental mistake for Congress not to fix what's fundamentally unfair \u2013 that Americans pay three times more for medications than other countries pay. Our elected leaders promised to stand up to Big Pharma, and we thank Congresswoman Craig and the Members of Congress who are working to keep that promise. Voters 50+ are a major force in every election, and they need and expect Congress to act now.\"\n\n\"On behalf of patients all across this country, we want to thank Congresswoman Craig and these members of Congress who are going to the mat fighting to add Medicare negotiation to lower drug prices back into the Build Back Better plan,\" said David Mitchell, cancer patient and founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs Now. \"Medicare negotiation is supported by 90 percent of voters who are depending on Congress to deliver years of promises to provide relief to patients struggling to afford their prescription medications. These members know that the moment for action is now to enact meaningful reforms that will fix a rigged system and restore balance to ensure we get the innovation we need at prices we can afford. The fight is not over, and we are proud to stand with these members.\"\n\n\"Meaningful prescription drug reform to lower the price of prescription drugs for tens of millions of Americans is a critical missing element of the current Build Back Better framework,\" said Margarida Jorge, Campaign Director for Lower Drug Prices Now. \"Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get this done. To miss it would be both bad policy and bad politics. We are grateful for the leadership of the signers of this letter, and so many other champions in Congress, who understand the urgency of delivering on the long promised relief from sky high prescription drug prices. Now is the time to get this done.\"\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter and copied below.\n\nOctober 31, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Nancy Pelosi\n\nSpeaker\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nWashington, D.C., 20515\n\nThe Honorable Steny Hoyer\n\nMajority Leader\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nWashington, D.C., 20515\n\nDear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer:\n\nThank you for your leadership and continued efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs. As majority-makers in competitive districts, we promised our constituents that we would come to Washington to fight on their behalf for lower drug prices. We cannot turn back now on our promise to the American people. We urge you in the strongest terms possible to include legislative language in the Build Back Better Act that will be voted on by the full House to accomplish this.\n\nFor too long, the pharmaceutical industry has raked in extraordinary profits, while Americans routinely pay more than three times what people in other countries pay for the same medicines. As a country, we spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on prescription drugs, and yet our constituents must often choose between purchasing prescribed medications or putting food on the table. It is unacceptable that anyone in the wealthiest country in the world cannot access the medications they need to stay alive.\n\nWith two lobbyists per Member of Congress, we know that Big Pharma is deeply invested in the status quo. Our current system forbids Medicare from negotiating the prices it pays for prescription drugs. As a result, millions of Americans are forced to spend thousands of dollars a year on their medications \u2013 or go without.\n\nIn many cases, as with insulin, these medications have been on the market for decades. In 1991, a bottle of Humalog insulin cost $21. Today the average list price is over $300. That is inexcusable. In these instances, we are not paying for research and development. By allowing the cost of drugs like insulin to rise year after year, we are financing soaring executive salaries, stock buybacks and outrageous profit margins on the backs of our seniors.\n\nWith the Build Back Better agenda, we have a perhaps once in a generation opportunity to change the status quo and make good on our promise that no one should have to choose between affording their prescription drugs or food or housing. The public is on our side. Big Pharma is not.\n\nSoon, we must go back to our districts and explain what we've done in Washington to make our constituents' lives better. We ran on upsetting the status quo and lowering out-of-pocket costs for healthcare and prescription drugs. If we fail, we'll need to explain to them why we let Big Pharma win, why we let entrenched special interests take precedence over the American people.\n\nYou have dedicated your careers to lowering the cost of healthcare. We stand with you in your continued efforts. The moment is now. We must deliver on our promise to lower the amount of money our constituents pay for prescription drugs. We must demonstrate that we work for the American people and not the pharmaceutical industry. Our constituents are counting on us.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-issues-statement-following-white-house-meeting", "Representative Angie Craig Issues Statement following White House Meeting with President Biden on the Build Back Better Act", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Angie Craig released the following statement following her meeting at the White House, where Craig took part in the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Build Back Better Act with President Joe Biden, Director of the Domestic Policy Council Susan Rice and Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese \u2013 as well as other White House officials charged with enacting President Biden's economic agenda in Washington. Craig was invited to the White House alongside her fellow co-chairs of the Equality Caucus and leaders of the Congressional Tri-Caucus \u2013 composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).\n\n\"This afternoon, I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak directly with President Biden and to share my thoughts on the Build Back Better negotiations. In our meeting, I communicated my desire to prioritize provisions that would lower out-of-pocket health care costs for middle-class families, provide a substantial investment in rural communities and create good-paying jobs for hardworking Minnesotans. I also reiterated my support for extending the child tax credit and the Rural Partnership Program, which would empower local communities to grow and support family farmers.\n\nWhat I heard from the White House today was encouraging. Following our discussion, I am convinced that we are nearing a consensus on many outstanding provisions. And I'm more confident than ever that we'll be able to resolve our remaining differences and push this critical piece of legislation across the finish line. As we enter the final stages of these negotiations, I am focused on working with my colleagues to ensure that our final package delivers on our promises to the American people and provides long-overdue investments to working families in Minnesota and across the country.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-urges-biden-administration-to-reconsider-action-that-jeopardizes-emergency-air-medical-transport-services", "Emmer Urges Biden Administration to Reconsider Action that Jeopardizes Emergency Air Medical Transport Services", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Walsh, and Department of the Treasury Secretary Yellen to express concern about implementation of the No Surprises Act, which could jeopardize emergency air medical transport services in Minnesota and throughout the nation.\n\n\u201cEmergency air medical transport is a necessary and life-saving service. Any threat to its availability could mean life or death for Americans across the country. The Biden Administration has set forth broad standards in their proposed coverage rule that will make the reimbursement process for air ambulatory services unpredictable and hinder the ability of companies, like Life Link III in Minnesota to offer these services to the American people,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cSpecifically, the lack of a credible database for these services to measure reimbursement rates will be catastrophic for the industry, leading to fewer emergency air medical transport services. In addition, individuals who require these services will be left navigating a cumbersome insurance claims process when coverage is inevitably denied for this life-saving service,\u201d Emmer continued.\n\n\u201cThis is truly unacceptable. I am urging the Biden Administration to revise this decision and ensure the rule respects the intent of Congress and preserves access to air emergency medical transport services,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nBackground:\n\nCongressman Emmer expressed concern with the recent release of the interim final rule (IFR) for Section 102 of the No Surprises Act. This rule could jeopardize emergency air medical transport services, like those provided by Life Link III in Minnesota.\n\nLife Link III was founded in 1985 as one of the first independent, non-profit medical consortiums in the country to transport critically ill patients by air. Today, Life Link III is the largest air medical consortium in the country, providing exclusive hospital-based specialty-team transport, for which it has been internationally recognized.\n\nCongressman Emmer is concerned Life Link III\u2019s services could be especially hindered by the IFR\u2019s changes to the qualifying payment amount (QPA), which establishes insurance reimbursement for air medical services.\n\nBased on the proposed rule, Congressman Emmer outlined the following concerns to the Biden Administration:\n\nIn 2023 and following years the QPA will be changed to rely on the median of 25% of claims paid. In situations where there is insufficient data to find a median, insurers will be able to use an eligible database to determine the QPA. However, there is currently no credible database with sufficient data specific to air ambulatory services.\n\nThe QPA does not include any single-case agreements, which often represent a significant number of contracts. This may skew the QPA downward and lead to increased disputes over payment disagreements.\n\nMost concerning for Americans is denied patients will be forced to navigate an insurer\u2019s appeals process to avoid full financial liability for these critical services.\n\nRead the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-resolution-calls-us-house-condemn-israel-s-repressive-decision", "McCollum Resolution Calls on U.S. House to Condemn Israel\u2019s Repressive Decision to Designate  Six Prominent Palestinian Human Rights and Civil Society Groups as Terrorist Organizations", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced a resolution calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to condemn Israel's decision to designate as \"terrorist organizations\" six prominent Palestinian human rights and civil society groups working to defend the rights of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation. The decree signed last week by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has resulted in international condemnation as a repressive, anti-democratic act designed to silence organizations working to defend the rights of Palestinians. McCollum, author of H.R. 2590, Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, has worked for years on the legislation with one of the targeted groups, Defense for Children International \u2013 Palestine (DCI-P). DCI-P's legal advocacy for Palestinian children arrested, interrogated, abused, and imprisoned in the Israeli military court and detention system is vital to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable.\n\nThe McCollum resolution recognizes the important work of the six targeted Palestinian organizations, condemns the terrorist organization declaration by the Government of Israel, and calls upon the Biden administration to condemn Israeli actions to repress Palestinian society. McCollum released the following statement:\n\n\"When a government uses the label of terrorist as a weapon to silence the work of human rights organizations and advocates who courageously represent vulnerable people living in under military occupation, it is a sign of incredible weakness more aligned with an authoritarian regime than a healthy democracy,\" McCollum said. \"Israel's decision to brand these prominent Palestinian civil society groups as terrorist organizations exposes the truth that Israel's occupation is violent, immoral, and unjust, and that peaceful efforts to defend the rights of Palestinian children, women, farmers, or prisoners must be declared illegal. The U.S. invests billions of our taxpayer dollars to support Israel's security, not Israel's system of occupation and repression of Palestinians. It is incumbent upon Democrats in the U.S. House and the Biden administration to condemn this Israeli decision and draw a clear line that anti-democratic repression of Palestinian civil society is not tolerated.\"\n\n\"After years of delegitimization and disinformation campaigns have failed to silence our work, Israeli authorities now choose to escalate repressive tactics by labeling civil society organizations as terrorists,\" said Khaled Quzmar, General Director for Defense for Children International \u2013 Palestine. \"We are grateful once again for Congresswoman McCollum's bold leadership condemning this decision and we resolve to continue defending Palestinian children and exposing human rights violations inherent in Israel's military occupation of Palestinians.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe six prominent Palestinian human rights and civil society groups subject to the decree are as follows:\n\nDefense for Children International - Palestine\n\nInvestigates, documents, and exposes human rights violations against Palestinian children in Israeli military detention, who routinely undergo physical abuse and are frequently denied adequate access to a lawyer or their family.\n\nDCIP is the only Palestinian human rights organization specifically focused on children's rights.\n\nProvides legal services to children targeted by the Israeli occupation and its military court system.\n\nHolds both Israeli and Palestinian authorities accountable to universal human rights principles.\n\nAl-Haq\n\nAl-Haq is the leading Palestinian human rights organization pushing for accountability for Israeli crimes in the International Criminal Court (ICC).\n\nDocuments human rights violations in Palestine irrespective of the identity of the perpetrator.\n\nPrepares reports, studies, and papers to share with the international community.\n\nWorks with Palestinian organizations and the government to ensure that Palestinian law and policies abide by international human rights standards.\n\nAddameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Organization\n\nTracks detailed data on Israel's mass incarceration of Palestinian children, political prisoners and those imprisoned without charge or trial.\n\nTracks and raises awareness on conditions inside Israeli prisons that violate human rights.\n\nWorks to end torture of Palestinian prisoners; offers free legal aid to political prisoners, and educations the public on prisoners' rights.\n\nBisan Center for Research and Development\n\nServes as a community resource for research and development models for a besieged Palestinian society under Israel's illegal military occupation.\n\nWorks with low-income Palestinians to push for their socioeconomic rights.\n\nDevelops community youth programs.\n\nWorks to end violence against women through social campaigns, empowering grassroots groups, research, and media.\n\nThe Union of Agricultural Work Committees\n\nPromotes the rights of Palestinian farmers facing threats of land theft and violence under Israeli occupation.\n\nPromotes sustainable farming practices and works to achieve food security in Palestine.\n\nPushes for sovereignty over natural resources as the threat of climate change increases.\n\nThe Union of Palestinian Women's Committees\n\nWorks to empower Palestinian women through promoting participation and representation in civil society institutions.\n\nPushes against gender discrimination and encourages women to achieve economic independence.\n\nEducates young women about their rights.\n\nProvides psychological and legal support to women in need.\n\nRep. McCollum's House resolution joins a chorus of condemnation of Israel's actions:\n\nJ Street: \"J Street Condemns Israeli Defense Minister's Order Labeling Palestinian Human Rights Groups as Terrorist Organizations\"\n\nAmnesty International and Human Rights Watch joint statement: \"This appalling and unjust decision is an attack by the Israeli government on the international human rights movement.\"\n\nB'Tselem, Israeli human rights organization: \"The draconian \u2018terrorist' designation says nothing about the work of our Palestinian colleagues \u2013 but speaks volumes about the violence, brutality and arrogance the Israeli regime has been routinely employing against Palestinians for decades. Criminalizing human rights organizations is a cowardly act that is characteristic of oppressive authoritarian regimes. It must not be allowed to stand.\"\n\nHaaretz, leading Israeli newspaper, Editorial: \"The outlawing of human rights groups and persecution of humanitarian activists are quintessential characteristics of military regimes, in which democracy in its deepest sense is a dead letter\u2026We can only hope that in the absence of internal resistance, the harsh U.S. reprimand and request for clarifications will end this shameful move.\"\n\nUnited Nations Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner: \"This designation is a frontal attack on the Palestinian human rights movement, and on human rights everywhere. Silencing their voices is not what a democracy adhering to well-accepted human rights and humanitarian standards would do. We call upon the international community to defend the defenders.\"\n\nPalestinian Christian organizations: \"While reiterating the illegitimacy of this arbitrary decision and its grave implications to civil society organizations and human rights defenders, [we] call upon countries, the international community, partners and donors in general and international Christian institutions in particular, to reject and condemn this decision, prevent the Israeli occupation state from moving forward with these arbitrary and illegitimate practices in violation of international laws, to pressure Israel to revoke the decision; and to continue to support the right of Palestinians to justice, freedom, and dignity.\"\n\nMcCollum's resolution is supported by dozens of national and international groups, including Human Rights Watch. Original co-sponsors of the resolution are Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03), Rep. Andre Carson (IN-03), Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Rep. Marie Newman (IL-03), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), and Rep. Chuy Garcia (IL-04).\n\nThe text of the resolution can be found here.Rep. McCollum's prior statement can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-stauber-joins-leader-mccarthy-congressional-representatives-and-industry", "ICYMI: Stauber Joins Leader McCarthy, Congressional Representatives, and Industry Stakeholders in Roundtable on Energy Crisis", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This week, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) joined Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Congressional colleagues, and industry stakeholders in a roundtable to discuss skyrocketing energy prices and how the Democrat reconciliation bill will only exacerbate this energy crisis.\n\nOn rising energy prices and Democrat policies, Stauber stated, \"The keep-it-in-the-ground mentality, it's strong and well-funded. We have to fight back because this is an attack on the middle class\u2026the middle class is going to pay more for gas at the pump.\"\n\nWhen Stauber was asked by a member of the press as to what American families can expect in the winter months, Stauber stated, \"Look at the price of natural gas. Many of our homes are heated by natural gas\u2026and prices are expected to jump by 54 percent. I mean that's several hundred dollars more a year. In my district, the average median income is 51,000 dollars a year. That's real money.\"\n\nImage\n\nWatch the full roundtable, HERE.\n\nDuring the Trump Administration, America was the world leader in oil and gas production, flooding the market with supply and keeping energy prices affordable.\n\nUnfortunately, through policies like the cancellation of Keystone, the ban on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands, and the ban on mining in northern Minnesota, the Biden Administration has eroded American energy production and eliminated American energy independence.\n\nDemocrats are now pushing a reconciliation package that would make this energy crisis permanent. Included in their massive reconciliation package is a moratorium on oil and gas production on federal lands.\n\nTheir plan will:\n\nEnact crushing new costs and fees on domestic producers.\n\nImpose a drilling moratorium on top of existing regulations.\n\nHalt efforts to develop copper and other minerals necessary for renewable energy and battery storage.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-applauds-investment-to-address-stress-in-farm-country", "Emmer Applauds Investment to Address Stress in Farm Country", "2021-10-27", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) announced their commitment to invest nearly $25 million dollars for 50 grants to support the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).\n\nCongressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) issued the following statement in response:\n\n\u201cWhen we reauthorized the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, we ensured that farm families and rural Americans would have access to mental health resources. However, the work doesn\u2019t end there, and our farmers have experienced increased stress due to supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 and a difficult harvest season because of the drought. Now more than ever, an increased investment in these resources is essential. The agriculture community faces incredible financial and emotional challenges through their work, but they should never suffer in silence without access to the care they need.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nDue to the nature of their work and the lack of mental health resources available in rural areas, individuals who work in agriculture suffer from higher rates of depression and suicide. The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) was first created in 2008, but it did not receive any funding and therefore lapsed.\n\nCongressman Emmer introduced the STRESS Act in 2018, which renewed FRSAN and brought attention to Americans in rural areas who lack access to mental health care. The STRESS Act language was included in the 2018 Farm Bill, and the program was reauthorized. Since then, Emmer has led the way to provide needed funding for this program to carry out its mission in each appropriations cycle.\n\nDue to the USDA\u2019s investment, a grant of $500,000 will be issued to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture\u2019s Bend, Don\u2019t Break project which aims to connect farmers and rural Minnesotans with resources to help reduce stress, anxiety, and crisis situations. The program supports mental health counseling, farm advocates, marriage retreats, and a 24/7 Farm & Rural Helpline.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-leads-letter-pelosi-and-schumer-demanding-they-stop-cepp-carbon-tax", "Stauber Leads Letter to Pelosi and Schumer Demanding They Stop the CEPP Carbon Tax", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) recently led a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer, demanding they listen to American middle class families, labor unions, and rural electric cooperatives by eliminating the Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP), or carbon tax, from reconciliation negotiations and any future consideration.\n\nCongressman Stauber stated, \"From soaring energy prices to failed supply chains, our nation is in a constant state of crisis thanks to the misguided policies of President Biden and Democrats in Congress. With a potential winter heating crisis around the corner, I urge Democrat leadership in Congress to refrain from doubling down on their failed agenda and smothering our electric grid with blanket mandates that will only exacerbate these problems and cost American families more.\n\nStauber continued, stating, \"We need a reliable and resilient energy grid that provides low-cost energy to American families. This can only be accomplished by supporting an all-of-the-above approach, not picking winners and losers from Washington, D.C.\"\n\nThe CEPP is a new take on old, failed carbon tax policies and corporate welfare. It caters to the far-left and international elites by unrealistically demanding we alter our energy grid in ten years with no thought to reliability or affordability.\n\nUltimately, it would amount to another tax on American families at a time when they can least afford it.\n\nRead the full letter, HERE.\n\nStauber was joined by 18 of his colleagues in the House in sending this letter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-introduces-legislation-to-protect-cfpb-whistleblowers", "Emmer Introduces Legislation to Protect CFPB Whistleblowers", "2021-10-25", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) introduced the CFPB Whistleblower Incentives and Protection Act to create a whistleblower program at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).\n\nCreated following passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010, the CFPB was given the power to regulate dozens of industries, including auto lenders, credit unions, community banks, student loan servicers, and more. In its short time as a new regulator, the CFPB has placed burden after burden on the financial services industry, making it harder for the American consumers they are obligated to protect to access the financial products and services they need to thrive.\n\nWhistleblowers have proven to be an effective means of exposing conduct within the CFPB that does not serve the American consumer. This legislation encourages whistleblower reporting by offering compensation and protection to whistleblowers, similar to what is done with other federal agencies and departments. Reports have found that financial rewards provide incentives for potential whistleblowers to come forward.\n\nSpecifically, the bill amends Dodd-Frank to provide compensation to whistleblowers and ensure their identities remain confidential. It also requires the CFPB to submit a report to Congress no later than October 30th each year detailing the awards granted to whistleblowers in the previous year.\n\n\u201cInstead of fear of retribution, retaliation, or financial ruin, whistleblowers should be supported as they come forward and help ensure the Bureau is protecting American consumers. This legislation is one small step to provide them with reasonable protections and compensation,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cThis common-sense fix would ensure that we fairly reward whistleblowers while also keeping our focus on being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Our efforts to reform the CFPB should put the American consumer first, and this legislation does that,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nRead the text of the CFPB Whistleblower Incentives and Protection Act here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/minnesota-delegation-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-honor-prince", "Minnesota Delegation Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Honor Prince with Congressional Gold Medal", "2021-10-25", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, the full Minnesota delegation in Congress introduced bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Prince Rogers Nelson. The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in the Senate and Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in the House.\n\nThe bill honors Prince for his \"legacy of musical achievement and\u2026 indelible mark on Minnesota and American culture.\"\n\n\"Like so many, I grew up with Prince's music. I was always proud to say he was from Minnesota,\"said Klobuchar.\"The world is a whole lot cooler because Prince was in it -- he touched our hearts, opened our minds, and made us want to dance. With this legislation, we honor his memory and contributions as a composer, performer, and music innovator. Purple reigns in Minnesota today and every day because of him.\"\n\n\"Prince is a Minnesota icon,\"said Omar.\"I remember when I first came to America being captivated by Prince's music and impact on the culture. He showed that it was okay to be a short, Black kid from Minneapolis and still change the world. He not only changed the arc of music history; he put Minneapolis on the map. Places like First Avenue, Uptown are landmarks because of Prince. I am proud to introduce this resolution to give Prince the recognition he deserves.\"\n\n\"Prince was a Minnesotan who left us far too early. He was an internationally-renowned artist, showman, and producer, who thrilled millions of people across the world with his visionary skills as a musician and cultivator of other artist's talent,\" said Smith. \"His complete body of work is still being recognized, as new discoveries remind us how important he still is as an artist. His Paisley Park gave life to a generation of other artists, who without him would not have realized their potential. His importance to American music cannot be measured, and the joy his music continues to bring to me and to millions of fans across the globe makes him an American treasure.\"\n\n\"Beloved by generations of Minnesotans and millions of fans around the world, Prince Rogers Nelson is the pride and joy of our great state,\"said Craig. \"His contributions to American culture are unique and timeless \u2013 and I couldn't be prouder to join the bipartisan effort to ensure that one of the finest musicians in history gets the recognition he deserves.\"\n\n\"Prince was the embodiment of what it means to be an artist. A risk-taking provocateur, he was a poet at the vanguard of the human experience, telling stories about getting through this thing called life,\" said Phillips. \"It is fitting to reserve one of the highest civilian honors to such a Minnesotan, and I proudly join my colleagues to award the Congressional Gold Medal to one of MN-03's most influential citizens.\"\n\n\"Minnesotans are incredibly proud of Prince, our beloved cultural icon and a true musical genius. His music left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of our state and our nation, and his legacy will continue to inspire new generations of musicians to dream big and embrace their inner artist,\" said McCollum.\n\nThe Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress. Only 163 have been awarded since 1776, the first going to George Washington.\n\nThe full Minnesota delegation serve as original cosponsors, including Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representatives Jim Hagedorn (R-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), and Pete Stauber (R-MN).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-cosponsors-recognizing-protection-motorsports-act", "Representative Angie Craig Cosponsors Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig cosponsored bipartisan legislation to clarify that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have a role in regulating modified motor vehicles used exclusively for racing. The legislation would ensure that dedicated race cars used at racetracks like the Elko Speedway are exempted from future regulations, which could impact competitive motorsports.\n\n\"The Elko Speedway is and other racetracks across the country are an important source of entertainment and jobs in Minnesota's Second Congressional District,\" said Representative Craig. \"While environmental protections like the Clean Air Act are critical for combating climate change, these rules were never intended to impact competitive motorsports \u2013 which are not a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. I'm proud to support this bipartisan legislation to defend the time-honored tradition of motorsports in the United States.\"\n\nConverting a motor vehicle into a race car is a significant part of American automotive heritage with the practice having played a large role in the foundation of NASCAR. Additionally, the specialty automotive industry employs over one million Americans. Companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell products that improve race vehicle performance are a large and growing part of our economy.\n\nThe Clean Air Act authorizes the EPA to regulate motor vehicles, but these regulations have never applied to race cars. In 1990, Congress affirmed this exemption when it authorized the EPA to regulate \"non-road vehicles\" and explicitly excluded any \"vehicle used solely for competition\" from the non-road definition. In early 2016, the EPA issued a proposed rule that would make it illegal for this practice to continue via the Clean Air Act even though Congress never intended for race cars to be subject to the Clean Air Act. While the proposed EPA regulation was withdrawn in April of 2016, the RPM Act would make permanent that race cars are exempt from EPA regulation via the Clean Air Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-designation-palestinian-civil-society-groups-terrorist", "McCollum Statement on Designation of Palestinian Civil Society Groups as Terrorist Organizations", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today after the Israeli Defense Ministry issued a military order declaring six Palestinian civil society organizations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to be \"terrorist organizations\":\n\n\"I condemn this action to shut down legitimate civil society organizations advocating for Palestinian human rights. This is nothing more than an attempt to silence supporters of Palestinian rights. It is anti-democratic, and contrary to the values expected of a U.S. ally. I urge the Biden administration to immediately call upon the Israeli government to reverse their decision and restore these organizations' ability to continue their important work. For years, I have worked with Defense for Children International \u2013 Palestine (DCIP) to protect the rights of Palestinian children who are imprisoned in Israeli military detention facilities. I trust and value DCIP's work advancing human rights. I stand with Amnesty International in challenging this decision.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/ahead-international-climate-conference-rep-omar-senators-markey-and-van-hollen", "Ahead of International Climate Conference, Rep. Omar, Senators Markey and Van Hollen Lead Bicameral Letter to President Biden Urging Bold Climate Action in Budget Reconciliation", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014In three weeks, President Joseph R. Biden will attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 26th Conference of Parties (COP26), where he will be expected to advocate for global climate cooperation, secure additional emission reduction commitments, and catalyze bold action from world leaders to prevent a global temperature rise greater than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Ahead of COP26, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) today led 6 Senate colleagues and 49 House colleagues in a bicameral letter to President Biden urging him to secure a deal on his Build Back Better agenda that maintains strong climate provisions. The lawmakers outlined a \"climate test\" for the reconciliation package, which includes the scientifically necessary emissions reduction goal of cutting climate pollution at least in half by 2030, while creating good union jobs and advancing environmental, racial, and economic justice.\n\n\"The climate crisis presents deadlines that are imposed on us by science -- deadlines that are rapidly passing us by,\" write the lawmakers in their letter. \"The COP26 summit could be the last opportunity for world leaders to take bold action before it is too late to secure a livable climate by limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We're facing an existential crisis, with American leadership, economic prosperity, and our very lives at stake.\"\n\nA copy of the letter can be found HERE.\n\nOther Senators signing the letter include Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)\n\nMembers of the House of Representatives signing the letter include Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Marie Newman (IL-03), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Peter Welch (D-VT), Karen Bass (CA-37), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44), Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Alma S. Adams, PhD. (NC-12), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Grace Meng (NY-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), John Larson (CT-01), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Mike Levin (CA-49), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Takano (CA-41), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Dina Titus (NV-03), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-04) and Nikema Williams (GA-05).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-introduces-resolution-honoring-100th-anniversary", "Representative Angie Craig Introduces Resolution Honoring the 100th Anniversary of Waterskiing", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced a bicameral resolution to honor the 100th anniversary of waterskiing, which was invented on Lake Pepin on July 2, 1922. The resolution, which was also introduced in the Senate by Senator Amy Klobuchar, encourages the United States Postal Service to design, print and distribute a new stamp honoring the upcoming anniversary \u2013 as well as Lake City's contribution to water sports.\n\n\"Nearly 100 years ago, Ralph and Ben Samuelson invented the sport of waterskiing \u2013 creating a favorite pastime for countless Minnesotans in the years since,\" said Representative Craig. \"Today, I am joining Mayor Mark Nichols and other proud residents of Lake City in calling on the United States Postal Service to honor the Samuelson brothers for their ingenious discovery \u2013 and to celebrate the generations of water skiers that have followed in their wake.\"\n\nEarlier this year, Lake City Mayor Mark Nichols and several Lake City residents submitted a proposal to the Postal Service's Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, arguing in favor of a new stamp honoring the 100th anniversary of waterskiing, which was invented on Lake Pepin on July 2, 1922. The Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee is a small advisory group appointed by the Postmaster General to select subjects for recommendation as future stamp issues.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-urges-health-human-services-secretary-address", "Representative Angie Craig Urges Health & Human Services Secretary to Address the Costly \u201cFamily Glitch\u201d in the Affordable Care Act", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig urged Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to take immediate action to address the \"family glitch\" in the Affordable Care Act's marketplace coverage \u2013 a step that could save millions of Americans \u2013 including 62,000 Minnesotans \u2013 thousands of dollars annually on their health insurance premiums. Craig has prioritized fixing the family glitch in the 117th Congress \u2013 which has resulted in some Minnesota families paying nearly a quarter of their household income on premiums \u2013 due to a longstanding gap in eligibility for the Affordable Care Act's subsidized marketplace coverage.\n\n\"I applaud the Administration's efforts to expand access to affordable coverage - extending the open enrollment period, expanding the Navigator program, and undoing the sabotage of the previous administration,\" wrote Representative Craig. \"Eliminating the family glitch is a straightforward step that would go a long way toward making health care more affordable for millions of families, including many in my district. I urge you to take swift action and thank you for your consideration.\"\n\nIn her letter addressed to Secretary Becerra, Craig urged the Department to take the necessary steps to resolve the family glitch \u2013 arguing that such a step would abide by President Biden's January executive order to protect and strengthen the ACA and ensure that high-quality health care is affordable and accessible for every American.\n\nThe family glitch originated from a 2013 Internal Revenue Service and Department of Treasury rule, which determined that families are ineligible for financial assistance if a family member is offered \"affordable\" employer coverage. In 2021, the affordability threshold is 9.83%, which means that an individual qualifies for subsidized marketplace coverage if their employer health insurance premiums exceed 9.83% of household income. However, this threshold does not take into account the cost of covering the rest of the household, which can make coverage prohibitively expensive for many families.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter\n\nDocument\n\nand copied below.\n\nOctober 21st, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Xavier Becerra\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of Health and Human Services\n\n200 Independence Avenue SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20201\n\nDear Secretary Becerra,\n\nThank you for your continued commitment to lowering the cost of health care and expanding access to high-quality health services. I write today about an issue that affects the cost of coverage for millions of hardworking American families, the so-called Affordable Care Act \"family glitch\". I urge the Department to coordinate with the Department of Treasury and take whatever action is under your authority to address the family glitch in line with the Affordable Care Act's intent to make health care more affordable.\n\nAs you know, the \"family glitch\" refers to a longstanding gap in eligibility for the Affordable Care Act's subsidized marketplace coverage. A family is ineligible for financial assistance if even a single family member is offered \"affordable\" employer coverage, even if the cost of covering the entire family is exorbitant.\n\nThe Affordable Care Act limited eligibility for financial assistance to those without access to coverage through other means, such as an employer. However, there is an exception for employer plans that are deemed unaffordable. The IRS determines affordability based on whether an employee's contribution to their yearly premium exceeds a certain threshold. In 2021, that threshold is 9.83%, which means that an individual qualifies for subsidies if the self-only portion of their employer-sponsored health plan premiums exceed 9.83% of household income. However, if the yearly premiums of the employee plus their dependents exceed the affordability threshold, but the employee's self-only contribution remains under 9.83%, then the family is ineligible for financial assistance.\n\nA recent analysis estimated that 5.1 million people fall into the family glitch, including 62,00 in my home state of Minnesota. In Minnesota, the average annual premium for an individual is $6,904 and the average annual family premium is $20,751. Under the glitch, a family with a household income of $85,000 would not qualify for premium tax credit assistance even if they paid the average family total, which would amount to more than 24% of their household income.\n\nFixing the family glitch would also align with the administration's commitment to lowering out-of-pocket health care costs. In January, President Biden issued an executive order formally stating that the administration's policy is to protect and strengthen the ACA and ensure that high-quality health care is affordable and accessible for every American. The EO directs agencies to review their internal policies related to the ACA to identify and address any barriers counter to the goal of making health care more affordable. Specifically, the EO calls attention to any \"policies or practices that may reduce the affordability of coverage or financial assistance for coverage, including for dependents.\" The family glitch represents one such barrier that could be addressed through administrative action.\n\nI applaud the Administration's efforts to expand access to affordable coverage - extending the open enrollment period, expanding the Navigator program, and undoing the sabotage of the previous administration. Eliminating the family glitch is a straightforward step that would go a long way toward making health care more affordable for millions of families, including many in my district. I urge you to take swift action and thank you for your consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-continues-push-to-protect-americans-financial-privacy", "Emmer Continues Push to Protect Americans' Financial Privacy", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) and 201 of his colleagues sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Yellen reasserting their concerns with the Administration\u2019s proposal to expand the data collected on Americans\u2019 bank accounts.\n\nIn response, Congressman Emmer issued the following statement,\n\n\u201cI am deeply disturbed by the continued efforts of the Biden Administration to expand IRS data collection on millions of Americans. When more than 100 Members of Congress voiced their objection to this proposal, Treasury\u2019s lackluster response demonstrated just how out-of-touch the Department is with the very real concerns of the American people.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver the last several months, Congressional offices have been inundated with messages from constituents concerned about the privacy implications associated with this proposal. The Administration\u2019s half-hearted attempt to mollify critics by suggesting they will simply increase the reporting threshold is dismissive and will still affect millions of Americans who do not want more of their personal data sent to the IRS as a means to pay for reconciliation.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nOn September 13th, Congressman Emmer led a letter with 142 of his colleagues expressing concern with the Administration\u2019s plan to require financial institutions and other financial services providers to report a range of new data points on accounts with annual gross inflows and outflows totaling more than $600 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).\n\nFollowing that letter, the Department of Treasury responded on September 29th attempting to justify their actions as an effort to \u201cclose the tax gap\u201d. However, they failed to address the privacy implications of their proposal. Recently, the Administration and the majorities in Congress have begun considering increasing the threshold from $600 to $10,000 (or an even higher amount). Arbitrarily increasing the threshold to $10,000, as most recently proposed, will still apply to individuals at every rung of the income ladder.\n\nRead Congressman Emmer\u2019s September 13th letter here.\n\nRead Congressman Emmer's October 21st letter here.\n\nCongressman Emmer has served on the House Financial Services Committee since 2015. He currently serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-omar-schakowsky-introduce-combating-global-islamophobia-bill", "Reps Omar, Schakowsky Introduce Combating Global Islamophobia Bill", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation to address the rise in incidents of Islamophobia worldwide. The bill requires the State Department to create a Special Envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia, and include state-sponsored Islamophobic violence and impunity in the Department's annual human rights reports. The creation of the Special Envoy will help policymakers better understand the interconnected, global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry. It will also establish a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in combatting Islamophobia worldwide.\n\nThis year, the United States has seen over 500 documented complaints of anti-Muslim hate and bias. In a recent study conducted by CAIR, found 69% of respondents personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In a separate study conducted by the Othering and Belonging Institute, found 67% of Muslims personally experienced Islamophobia in their lifetimes. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred towards Muslims has risen to \"epidemic proportions.\"\n\nThere has been a staggering rise in incidents of violent Islamophobia incidents worldwide. Whether it is the atrocities being committed against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma, the crackdowns on Muslim populations in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees and other Muslims in Hungary and Poland, the acts of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, or the targeting of minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran\u2014the problem of Islamophobia is global in scope.\n\n\"We are seeing a rise in Islamophobia in nearly every corner of the globe,\" said Rep. Omar. \"In my home state of Minnesota, vandals spray-painted hate messages and a Nazi swastika on and near the Moorhead Fargo Islamic Center. These types of incidents are all too common for Muslims in the United States and beyond. As part of our commitment to international religious freedom and human rights, we must recognize Islamophobia and do all we can to eradicate it. That's why I'm proud to partner with Rep. Jan Schakowsky to create a special envoy to put an end to this bigotry.\"\n\n\"For over a decade we have seen increasing incidents of violent Islamophobia both in the U.S. and worldwide \u2013 from the genocide of the Rohingya in Burma, and Uyghurs in China, to the attacks on Muslim refugees in Canada and New Zealand,\" said Rep. Schakowsky. \"It is past time for the U.S. to establish a comprehensive plan for combating this hatred worldwide. I am proud to join my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, in introducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act. This critical legislation will create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia to ensure the U.S. dedicates the resources necessary to safeguard human rights and religious and cultural freedom around the world.\"\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is cosponsored by Reps Bass, Bowman, Carson, Correa, Dean, Dingell, Eshoo, Garc\u00eda (IL), Green (TX), Grijalva, Jacobs (CA), Jackson Lee, H. Johnson (GA), Jones, Kim (NJ), Lowenthal, C. Maloney, McGovern, Newman, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Pascrell, Payne, Phillips, Pocan, Pressley, Rush, Sires, Tlaib, Watson Coleman, and Williams.\n\n\"The rise of Islamophobic incidents in our nation and across the world is atrocious and concerning,\" said Rep. Maloney. \"New York City is one of the most diverse and welcoming cities in the world. And like New Yorkers of all faiths, our Muslim community contributes to the unique and rich cultural diversity for which New York City is universally known. Like every New Yorker, they deserve to live and work free from discrimination and harassment. It's up to all of us to stop and stand up to Islamophobia wherever and whenever we see it. I'm proud to cosponsor the Combatting International Islamophobia Act, which will allow my colleagues and I to better understand the global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry \u2013 and work towards strategies to end it.\"\n\n\"Tragically, we continue to see the growing threat of Islamophobia both in Illinois' 3rd Congressional District and around the world. As a global leader, the United States has a fundamental and moral obligation to take a stand against this rising danger and protect the religious freedoms, human rights and safety of all Muslims,\" said Rep. Newman. \"I'm proud to join Reps. Omar and Schakowsky in co-sponsoring the Combatting Global Islamophobia Act so that America can further live up to our values by leading the rest of the world in combatting bigotry, discrimination and hate against Muslims both domestically and across the globe.\"\n\n\"The rise in islamophobia around the world threatens our Muslim neighbors here in the United States,\" said Rep. Watson Coleman. \"My own state of New Jersey has seen school children chasing and harassing Muslim students, a teacher pulling a hijab from the head of a student, and a school showing Islamophobic dramatic films to \u2018teach' students about Islam. Fighting Islamophobia abroad will help us eliminate it here at home. I'm grateful to my colleagues Reps. Omar and Schakowsky for bringing this bill forward.\"\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is endorsed by American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN), American Muslims for Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, Arizona Muslim Alliance, Center for Victims of Torture, Church World Service, Common Defense, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Human Rights First, ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ), IfNotNow, International Islamophobia Studies Research Association, Islamophobia Studies Center, Islamophobia Studies Journal, Jetpac Resource Center, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Libyan American Alliance, MPower Change, Muslim American Society, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Revolutionary Love Project, Secure Justice, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Together We Serve, U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, and Veterans For Peace.\n\n\"The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomes the introduction of Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Jan Schakowsky's Combating International Islamophobia Act \u2013 legislation to establish a special envoy office at the U.S. State Department to monitor and combat international Islamophobia,\" said Nihad Awad, National Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). \"While global Islamophobia, anti-Muslim state policies and hate incidents have increased for the past two decades, the American Muslim community has consistently called for the creation of a special envoy position to monitor and combat this rising tide of hate. Our nation needs better tools to combat Islamophobic state policies and violence in countries like China, India, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, the European Union, and elsewhere. Global Islamophobia is not only a threat to the safety and security of Muslims here and abroad, it is also a threat to international religious freedom and democratic principles. CAIR is calling on congressional leadership and the Biden-Harris administration to support the Combating International Islamophobia Act and make this special envoy position a reality.\"\n\n\"Just as it is necessary to have a special envoy to combat antisemitism, it is vitally important that the United States establish a Special Envoy to combat the scourge of Islamophobia,\" said Hadar Susskind, Americans for Peace Now's President and CEO. \"We stand in solidarity with Muslim victims of hatred and bigotry and we urge Congress to pass this important bill.\"\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-introduces-house-resolution-support-first-amendment-rights-parents", "Stauber Introduces House Resolution to Support First Amendment Rights of Parents at School Board Meetings", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Following the Biden Administration's weaponization of the Department of Justice to crack down on parents for exercising their First Amendment rights at school board meetings, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) introduced a House Resolution supporting the First Amendment rights of parents who wish to speak out on their child's education.\n\nOf this resolution, Stauber stated, \"As a parent, I am increasingly troubled by the Biden Administration's intent to paint parents who express concerns at school board meetings as domestic terrorists. Parents have a constitutionally-protected right to speak at school board meetings. This right is more important than ever with schools implementing critical race theory along with harmful mask and vaccine mandates. The Administration's approach is wrong. Parental rights matter, and Congress must demonstrate support for their First Amendment right to speak up.\"\n\n24 Members of Congress joined Stauber in introducing this resolution. Click HERE to read the full text of the resolution.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nAfter an interest group requested the Department of Justice label parents protesting at school board meetings as domestic terrorists, Attorney General Merrick Garland agreed by mobilizing the Justice Department.\n\nFour sitting members of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights condemned this action.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-commends-biden-administration-actions-protecting-boundary-waters", "McCollum Commends Biden Administration Actions Protecting Boundary Waters", "2021-10-20", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) commended the Biden administration for its announcement today that it will be completing a \"science-based environmental analysis\" of the potential impacts of mining within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The U.S. Forest Service has submitted a withdrawal application to the Bureau of Land Management, which manages the subsurface rights in the Superior National Forest. These actions will initiate the consideration of a 20-year withdrawal of 225,378 acres of federal lands and waters within the Rainy River Watershed from new mineral leasing.\n\nCongresswoman McCollum released the following statement:\n\n\"Today's action by the Biden administration is a welcome return to the science-based decision making that should govern the management of our public lands,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"After years of broken promises and ongoing obstruction of taxpayer-funded data from the prior administration, I am pleased that President Biden is committed to completing the necessary analysis to understand the impacts that sulfide-ore mining could have on this priceless reserve of fresh water, the biodiverse habitat it supports, and the economic livelihood of the surrounding community. All of us who care deeply about protecting the pristine Boundary Waters and its watershed for future generations look forward to seeing the results of this comprehensive study.\"\n\nAs noted in the USDA and DOI press release, only Congress can legislate a permanent mineral withdrawal. Congresswoman McCollum introduced H.R. 2794, the Boundary Waters Protection and Pollution Prevention Act, to permanently withdraw 234,328 acres of federal lands and waters from risky sulfide-ore copper mining. More information on the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-slams-biden-administration-s-broken-promise-minnesota-s-miners", "Stauber Slams Biden Administration\u2019s Broken Promise to Minnesota\u2019s Miners", "2021-10-20", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Upon receiving the news that the Biden Administration is putting forward a new political, partisan obstacle intended to ban mining in northern Minnesota, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) made the following statement slamming the decision:\n\n\"Quite simply, President Biden is putting politics over science.\n\n\"Nearly a year ago, candidate Joe Biden pledged to support Minnesota's miners in their mission to obtain good-paying mining jobs, bring economic prosperity to a region that desperately needs it, and secure America's critical mineral supply chain. Joe Biden has officially failed to uphold this promise.\n\n\"At the beginning of the year, I sent a letter to President Biden opposing Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary, citing concerns over her longstanding anti-mining position. Meanwhile, Biden also nominated Tom Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary, who is on the record for his opposition to mining. My concerns were met with silence from the President.\n\n\"To be clear, I not only place blame on this Administration, but am disappointed in our United States Senators and Democrat House members from Minnesota who have the President's ear and either stood silently by, or actively let these union jobs go up in smoke. They are complicit in this incredibly harmful decision. I'm concerned there will be more devastating decisions ahead.\n\n\"Today's announcement further proves that the Biden Administration and Democrats in Congress are incapable of doing what's right for union members and working families across northeast Minnesota.\n\n\"Rather than promoting the dignity of work, they're comfortable seeing Minnesota's union members and skilled workers sidelined. Instead of empowering Minnesotans to develop the minerals necessary for almost every sector of our economy under the strongest labor and environmental standards in the world, they are willing to rely on hostile nations that utilize child slave labor and terrible environmental practices. This decision is unacceptable on every level, and I will not stop until it has been reversed.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nIn 2016, with only days remaining in the Obama-Biden regime, the Administration initiated a political withdrawal intending to ban mining in northern Minnesota. President Trump responsibly ended this stunt, offering a fair process for the company to begin permitting the Twin Metals project.\n\nToday, President Biden reverted to the Obama-Biden scheme of using a political study to ban mining.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-reports-human-trafficking-modern-slavery-libya", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on Reports of Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery in Libya", "2021-10-15", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement about reports of rampant abuse of migrants in Libyan detention centers.\n\n\"I am deeply disturbed by the latest reports of rampant abuse, torture, sexual violence and extortion of migrants in Libya, many from sub-Saharan Africa. Instead of welcoming the thousands of refugees fleeing violence and instability, the Libyan coast guard hands migrants over to militias, who systematically torture, rape, abuse and enslave them. Instead of welcoming refugees, the EU has sent $455 million to Libya since 2015. But much of that money has been diverted to militias and human traffickers.\n\n\"The U.S. needs a comprehensive strategy to address the ongoing human trafficking and modern day slavery crisis in Libya, and I was proud to author and pass legislation this year to require just this. That includes support for peaceful elections and the UN-recognized transitional government, full accountability for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and human rights abuses committed during the Civil War and the ongoing migrant crisis. It also includes living up to our moral responsibility to resettle those fleeing oppression around the world, including Africa. President Biden must follow through on his commitment to raise the refugee cap next year and once we do that, the rest of the world should follow.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/cpc-leadership-advocates-congress-protect-scope-build-back-better-act", "CPC Leadership Advocates Congress Protect the Scope of Build Back Better Act", "2021-10-14", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 The leadership of the Congressional Progressive Caucus continued their fight to protect the promise of the Build Back Better Act yesterday, advocating that the scope of programs be maintained in the negotiations over size.\n\nIn a letter to Speaker Pelosi, the 27 House members of the Caucus Executive Board argued that in attempts to decrease the overall cost of the Build Back Better Act, legislators lower the number of years funding is allocated for each program, rather than to trim the number of programs included. In the case for \"making the President's vision a reality,\" they write: \"Much has been made in recent weeks about the compromises necessary to enact this transformative agenda. We have been told that we can either adequately fund a small number of investments or legislate broadly, but only make a shallow, short-term impact. We would argue that this is a false choice.\"\n\nThe lawmakers highlight four arguments for their approach:\n\nTo make shorter, transformative investments: Making \"robust investments over a shorter window [will] help make the case for our party's ability to govern, and establish a track record of success that will pave the way for a long-term extension of benefits...We cannot pit childcare against housing, or paid leave against home- and community-based care.\"\n\nTo touch people's lives immediately: \"Where given an option, we should err on the side of structuring legislation so that benefits flow to the American people as quickly as possible, both to assist the Biden Recovery and to demonstrate our commitment to tangibly improving the lives of the American people.\"\n\nTo provide universal benefits to ensure lasting change: \"We strongly believe that this is the moment to demonstrate to the American people that regardless of geography, race, gender, or class, Democrats believe that everyone has a right to affordable child care, pre-K, clean water, and a community college education. We can choose to strengthen the bond Americans have to one another by proposing universal social insurance benefits that broadly benefit all Americans, or we can pursue complicated methods of means testing that the wealthy and powerful will use to divide us with false narratives about \u2018makers' and \u2018takers.'\"\n\nTo keep the President's commitment to racial equity: \"[The bill] addresses needs disproportionately felt by Black and Brown Americans, like housing, and corrects inequalities in fields of work that are primarily held by people of color, like home-based and elder care [and] addresses needs of thousands of undocumented individuals, many of whom have served as essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic who have long been vulnerable to discrimination, labor abuses and denial of equal protection under the law due to their immigration status. If we cut those programs, we reduce the broadly transformative power of this legislation, and we once again fall behind on our promises to ensure racial equity.\"\n\n\"This bill offers us a chance to fundamentally transform the relationship between the American people and their government,\" they conclude.\n\nSignatories of the letter include: Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Deputy Chair Rep. Katie Porter (CA-45), Whip Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05); Chairs Emeriti Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03), Rep. Barbara Lee (Ca-13), Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02); Vice Chairs Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Rep Joe Neguse (CO-02), Rep. Marie Newman (IL-03), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Rep. David Cicilline (RI-01), Rep. Jes\u00fas \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12); Deputy Whips Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Rep. Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Rep. Andy Levin (MI-09), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Adriano Espaillat; Special Order Hour Conveners Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03); and Executive Board Member at Large Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-announces-federal-funding-police-departments", "Representative Angie Craig Announces Federal Funding for Police Departments in Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District", "2021-10-13", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that the police departments from the cities of Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, and West St. Paul will receive more than $34,000 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Police departments in the Second District are able to use the grant funds to purchase equipment vital to keeping local communities safe.\n\n\"It's critical that our local police departments have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. I'm pleased that the Department of Justice has awarded these funds to several local police departments in the Second District \u2013 who can now expand their efforts to keep our communities safe and secure,\" said Representative Craig. \"In Congress, I'll keep working hard to secure funding for Minnesota law enforcement agencies so that they can stay focused on their jobs \u2013 keeping Minnesotans safe.\"\n\nWhile serving in Congress, Craig has voted several times to increase funding for local police departments. Craig is currently working with several departments in the Second District to secure additional federal grant dollars to increase hiring and improve training programs. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is named after Officer Edward Byrne, a New York City Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1988.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/10/northern-border-to-reopen-next-month", "Northern Border to Reopen Next Month", "2021-10-13", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alexander Mayorkas released a letter today announcing that the U.S. will now allow fully vaccinated travelers from Canada to enter the U.S. over land. In response to the announcement, Representative Michelle Fischbach issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe letter acknowledges the importance of cross-border travel for the economies of border communities, but it\u2019s incredibly disheartening that it\u2019s happening so late in the year. I have been urging the Administration to open the Northern border since I took office in January. I am so glad these businesses - that have gone through two devastating tourist seasons - can finally start recovering. I look forward to welcoming Canadians back to Minnesota very soon.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-krishnamoorthi-davis-and-obernolte-introduce-legislation-to-inspire-the-next-generation-of-programmers", "Emmer, Krishnamoorthi, Davis, and Obernolte Introduce Legislation to Inspire the Next Generation of Programmers", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Congressman Danny Davis (IL-07), and Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-08) reintroduced the Advancing and Promoting Programming (APP) Act. This legislation is designed to help American innovators more easily access the tools and resources needed to create applications for web and mobile devices.\n\n\u201cFacilitating the development of the technology workforce is essential for a strong post-COVID recovery. The APP Act will help entrepreneurs and encourage innovation at a critical time. As the digital revolution continues, it's imperative we keep up with the changing times to improve our future success, and the APP Act will ensure we do just that. In order for the United States to remain competitive, we must encourage innovation and highlight the importance that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills will have on our future,\" said Emmer.\n\n\u201cThis is something I have been committed to since taking office, which is not only demonstrated through my work on the APP Act, but also with my office\u2019s participation in the Congressional App Challenge, a competition that encourages students to develop their own app,\" Emmer concluded.\n\n\u201cIn introducing the bipartisan APP Act, we are making a promise that American innovation and technology will continue to be at the forefront of the world economy for the next generation. Employment within the information technology (IT) sector is expected to grow by 13% by 2026, faster than in any other. The APP Act will help people gain the skills they need for those IT jobs through providing the tools necessary to learn how to develop applications and apply for grant funding to carry projects to fruition,\u201d Krishnamoorthi said.\n\n\u201cNot since the invention of the printing press has a technology transformed, democratized, and empowered a people like the development of the \u201capp\u201d which has placed powerful computing and communication tools into the hands of every individual worldwide. Because we have lived through, and immersed in, this great transformation we have come to almost take it for granted. If we are to realize the full potential of these tools, we must open the doors to all the underlying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to every member of our society. The APP Act is another significant step in that process,\u201d said Davis.\n\nThis legislation is supported by the App Association, in response to the bill\u2019s introduction, they issued the following statement of support: \u201cACT | The App Association proudly supports the introduction of the APP Act. The app economy represents $1.7 trillion of global commerce and employs 5.9 million Americans. However, more than 500,000 jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of highly skilled candidates. Budding developers from a wide variety of backgrounds encounter obstacles to joining the app economy, but the federal government can provide vast opportunities for them to solve problems with mobile software. The APP Act helps make federal resources for would-be developers accessible so that even those with little or no experience can find funding, training, and data resources to help them create digital solutions for everything from healthcare and manufacturing to entertainment. Additionally, the APP Act would centralize both the available opportunities for developers to make apps for federal agencies and the mobile apps that already exist. We thank Reps. Tom Emmer, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Danny Davis, and Jay Obernolte for their leadership with the APP Act and look forward to working with them to widen the path for young developers and enable the app economy to innovate and meet its growing demand.\u201d\n\nBackground on the APP Act:\n\nThe APP Act creates a centralized website to provide individuals and small businesses with the information they need to find sources of federal funding for the creation of apps. Federal funding for app design can be available in the form of grants, programs, and prizes but is often scattered across several websites\n\nThe APP Act will also create a platform where Americans are able to rate and comment on the different federal government apps and retire old or obsolete ones. Additionally, the APP Act will feature successful educational programs and non-profit resources that provide computer science education for the next generation of programmers.\n\nClick here to read the text of the Advancing and Promoting Programming Act.\n\nBackground on the Congressional App Challenge:\n\nEach year, Congressman Emmer's office participates in the Internet Education Foundation\u2019s Congressional App Challenge. In 2013, Congress established this challenge, recognizing that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills are becoming increasingly important to the economic success of the United States. People who are trained in these fields will be better equipped to find work and advance their careers in a world that is increasingly dominated by technology.\n\nThis competition invites high school students around the country to compete against their classmates in creating their own software application for mobile devices, better known as an app.\n\nTo learn about the Congressional App Challenge, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-young-introduce-legislation-prevent-disruption-critical-public", "McCollum, Young Introduce Legislation to Prevent Disruption of Critical Public Services for Tribal Nations", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) and Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) have introduced the Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act (IPAAA) to provide advance appropriations and avoid lapses in funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), which fund critical public services for tribal nations, including hospitals, schools, tribal justice services, and social services for children, families, and seniors. The legislation was developed in collaboration with tribal leaders, including the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), National Indian Health Board (NIHB), and the National Indian Education Association (NIEA).\n\nA government shutdown means entire systems that serve the health care, education, and community safety needs of Native communities are interrupted or that workers must stay on the job without pay \u2013 making Indian Country disproportionately at risk of harm from delays in annual appropriations. Advance appropriations is a budgetary solution that would protect the services provided by these agencies from future shutdowns. Moving federal Indian programs including BIA, BIE, and IHS to the advance appropriations process will protect these agencies and tribal governments from cash flow problems that regularly occur due to delays in the enactment of annual appropriations legislation.\n\n\"The federal government's inability to pass annual appropriations on time is a serious threat to the well-being of Native American communities,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"We must act to ensure that the federal funding critical to maintaining life, health, and safety services throughout Indian Country will not be interrupted by another shutdown. Advance appropriations is a necessary step for making good on our federal trust and treaty commitments to our Native American brothers and sisters.\"\n\n\"Alaska Native and American Indian communities have historically been shortchanged when it comes to receiving high-quality health care to meet their unique needs. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Native Americans especially hard, which makes providing certainty for health care funding even more important\" said Rep. Young. \"The goal of our legislative efforts is simple: enable Congress to appropriate funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) one fiscal year in advance. Advance appropriations have already proven to be successful at the VA. Chronic appropriations delays, piecemeal funding bills, and government shutdowns have hampered the ability of IHS, BIA, and BIE to deliver the health care and services our first peoples rely on. In the past few weeks, talk of a potential government shutdown once again caused unnecessary anxiety for Native communities across our country; very frankly, this is wrong. It is up to Congress to uphold the federal trust relationship with Native populations across the country, and I encourage my friends on both sides of the aisle to cosponsor this important legislation. I am grateful to my friend, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, for her continued partnership in this important cause.\"\n\nCompanion legislation has been introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.) in the U.S. Senate.\n\n\"Disruptions in federal funding due to shutdowns and Continuing Resolutions have an outsized impact on Tribal Nations and their communities. Advance appropriations for Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service accounts will provide needed certainty and security. The advanced funding will ensure that essential services such as healthcare and public safety will not cease to operate due to political impasse in Washington D.C. This bill makes fiscal sense for all and promotes restoration of the federal promises made to Tribal Nations,\" said National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Fawn Sharp.\n\n\"The National Indian Health Board supports Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act and applauds Senator Lujan of New Mexico for working with Tribes to secure stability in Tribal healthcare funding, a critical step toward fulfilling the United States' trust responsibility to Tribal Nations. The bill will authorize advance appropriations for Indian healthcare, a top priority for Indian Country, and require more transparency from the Indian Health Service. NIHB looks forward to continuing to work with Senator Luj\u00e1n to ensure this legislation enhances Indian healthcare funding for future generations,\" said Chief William Smith, National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Board of Directors Chair and Alaska Area Representative.\n\n\"Adopting advance appropriations for the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) would result in the ability for school administrators to continue school operations without wondering if \u2013 or when \u2013 they would have the necessary funding. Chronic delays in passing the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies budget each year make it very difficult for tribal educators and the BIE to adequately address the education needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. NIEA is pleased to endorse Senator Luj\u00e1n's bill which would require the Secretary of the Interior to consult with tribes as they develop their annual budget request to Congress,\" said National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Executive Director Diana Cournoyer, Oglala Sioux Tribe.\n\nIn addition to McCollum and Young, the legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.).\n\nIn addition to Heinrich and Luj\u00e1n, the Senate companion legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).\n\nA summary of the legislation is available HERE. Full text of the legislation is available HERE.\n\nThe Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.\n\nThe Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), an agency within the Department of the Interior, maintains government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes, and facilitates support for tribal people and tribal governments.\n\nThe Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), an agency within the Department of the Interior, is responsible for providing quality education opportunities for students at 183 elementary and secondary schools located on 64 reservations and 26 tribal colleges and universities across the U.S.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-votes-against-raising-debt-ceiling", "Stauber Votes Against Raising Debt Ceiling", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) voted against the Senate provision to raise the debt ceiling. Following the vote, Stauber made the following statement:\n\n\"Voting to raise the debt ceiling would enable President Biden and his allies in Congress to fund their $5.5 trillion tax and spend package, which is filled to the brim with pork. It is unacceptable that Democrats want to spend more money at this critical juncture instead of discussing pro-growth policies that will change the direction of our nearly $29 trillion in national debt.\n\n\"Democrats control the White House, Senate, and House \u2013 so if they want to spend trillions of dollars that we can't afford \u2013 then they can do so alone. When inflation soars to even greater heights and American families suffer as a result of their expensive policies, the blame will fall squarely upon their shoulders.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-indigenous-peoples-day", "McCollum Statement on Indigenous Peoples' Day", "2021-10-11", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day:\n\n\"Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the first people who lived in North America and their immeasurable value and contributions. As we celebrate these resilient and strong communities, we acknowledge the importance of the U.S. government upholding its trust and treaty obligations to tribal governments.\n\n\"I have signed on a cosponsor of legislation to formally establish Indigenous Peoples' Day as a federal holiday. Tribal nations experience disproportionate challenges due to broken promises from the federal government and a lack of proper consultation on decisions that impact tribal treaty rights.\n\n\"During the COVID-19 pandemic, tribes have experienced enormous losses \u2013 but they have also responded strongly, with high rates of vaccination to keep their communities safe. The federal government must do better to make good on its promises and support tribal communities. That is why I will soon be introducing the Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act, to ensure that vital services for tribal communities are not disrupted by government shutdowns or delayed appropriations.\n\n\"Today I join Governor Walz and all Minnesotans in honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day, and especially celebrate Minnesota's Ojibwe and Dakota nations.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/10/rep-fischbach-pushes-secretary-of-agriculture-on-emergency-haying-and-grazing-waiver", "Rep. Fischbach Pushes Secretary of Agriculture on Emergency Haying and Grazing Waiver", "2021-10-08", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Rep. Fischbach participated in a hearing where she had the opportunity to question Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about why the Department has not responded to several requests for emergency assistance needed due to the ongoing drought across Minnesota.\n\n\u201c\u2026You mention that producers have faced the possibility of having to liquidate herds due to the lack of availability or affordability of feed and forage from this summers\u2019 drought,\u201d said Congresswoman Fischbach. \u201cIn my district, this was not just a possibility, but a reality. Nearly all of my state has been in some kind of abnormally dry condition, and over three quarters in severe drought.\u201d\n\nIn July, the Congresswoman wrote a letter with Senator Klobuchar, signed by the Minnesota Delegation, urging Secretary Vilsack to grant an emergency waiver for haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in Minnesota prior to the primary nesting season. Secretary Vilsack did not authorize this and gave no explanation. Even more inexplicable, emergency haying was also disallowed as drought conditions worsened, something that the Secretary himself could not explain. Congresswoman Fischbach continued, saying \u201cI can\u2019t for the life of me figure out why a county\u2019s haying situation is suddenly in better shape, enough to lift this emergency authorization, as the drought conditions actually worsen. I will continue reaching out to the Department of Agriculture, and everyone else I can, until they listen to our farmers and grant the emergency waiver they need.\u201d\n\nThe full exchange between Congresswoman Fischbach and Secretary Vilsack can be found here.\n\nA list of federal and state drought resources available can be found on Congresswoman Fischbach\u2019s website.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-leads-letter-calling-biden-administration-release-student-debt", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Leads Letter Calling on Biden Administration to Release Student Debt Cancellation Memo", "2021-10-08", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) led a letter to President Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging the administration to release the memo to determine the extent of the administration's authority to broadly cancel student debt through administrative action.\n\n\"Decades ago, Congress voted to authorize the executive branch to cancel federal student loans. Federal student debt can be canceled with the \u2018flick of your pen,'\" the Members wrote. \"This authority is already being put to use, as it is currently being used to cancel the interest owed on all federally-held student loans. Now it is time for you to honor your campaign pledge and use this authority to cancel all student debt.\"\n\n\"The resumption of payments on federally-held student loans weighs heavily on tens of millions of borrowers. Forty-five million student debtors collectively owe $1.8 trillion of student debt, a sum almost equivalent to the $1.9 trillion the world's billionaires made in 2020 alone. While the rich have gotten richer, the economic harm of the pandemic has not subsided for ordinary Americans. Unemployment insurance has been cut off and millions are living under threat of eviction.\"\n\nIn April, the White House promised that this memo would be released in a matter of \"weeks.\" Over six months having passed since that then. With only four months left before the student loan moratorium expires, borrowers are anxiously awaiting the administration's actions. Making matters worse, one week ago over 16.5 million borrowers were dropped by their loan-services adding more confusion to the chaos.\n\nThe letter is also signed by Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat, Danny K. Davis, Jahana Hayes, Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nydia Velazquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Frederica S. Wilson, Jimmy Gomez, Pramila Jayapal, Earl Blumenauer, Al Green and Carolyn Maloney.\n\nRep. Omar has been a leading advocate for student loan forgiveness since she began serving in Congress. In 2019, she introduced the Student Debt Cancellation Act, to cancel all public and private student debt, alongside Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT). At the beginning of the pandemic, she and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MN) led legislation that provides immediate monthly payment relief for federal student loan borrowers, cancels at least $30,000 in outstanding student loan debt per borrower, and shields borrowers from any involuntary payments and garnishment during the public health crisis. In May of 2020, she led a letter calling for student loan debt cancellation of at least $30,000 per borrower in the next round of COVID-19 relief legislation. This past February, she joined United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) in calling on the President to cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt for Federal student loan borrowers\n\nYou can find the full letter here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Joseph R. Biden\n\nPresident of the United States\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nThe Honorable Miguel Cardona Secretary of Education\n\nU.S. Department of Education\n\n400 Maryland Ave. SW\n\nOctober 8, 2021\n\nDear President Biden and Secretary Cardona:\n\nWe write to urge the release to the public by October 22, 2021 the memo that the President requested from the Department of Education to determine the extent of the administration's authority to broadly cancel student debt through administrative action.\n\nOn April 1, 2021, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain said that this memo would be released in a matter of \"weeks.\" With over six months having passed since that interview and only four months of pandemic forbearance left, borrowers are anxiously awaiting the administration's actions. The time has come to release the memo and cancel student debt.\n\nDecades ago, Congress voted to authorize the executive branch to cancel federal student loans. Federal student debt can be canceled with the \"flick of your pen,\". This authority is already being put to use, as it is currently being used to cancel the interest owed on all federally-held student loans. Now it is time for you to honor your campaign pledge and use this authority to cancel all student debt.\n\nSeveral legal scholars, including those at the Project on Predatory Student Lending at the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School, and 80 members of the House and Senate confirm that the administration has the authority to broadly cancel student debt through section 432(a) of the Higher Education Act. Across the country city councils including Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C. Newark, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Los Angeles and others have passed resolutions calling on the President to use this authority to cancel student debt. It would be an exercise in legal gymnastics to suggest that the President had the authority to cancel the interest on student debt on his first day, but lacks the authority to cancel the principal on student debt moving forward.\n\nThe resumption of payments on federally-held student loans weighs heavily on tens of millions of borrowers. Forty-five million student debtors collectively owe $1.8 trillion of student debt, a sum almost equivalent to the $1.9 trillion the world's billionaires made in 2020 alone. While the rich have gotten richer, the economic harm of the pandemic has not subsided for ordinary Americans. Unemployment insurance has been cut off and millions are living under threat of eviction.\n\nIn the midst of an ongoing public health and economic emergency 16.5 million borrower accounts about to be transferred between student loan servicers \u2013 a transfer necessitated by patterns of gross misconduct and abuse by entities such as Navient and PHEAA. Any attempt to restart payments or remain silent on matters regarding debt cancellation will result in unnecessary confusion and harm.\n\nThe time has come to release the memo and deliver on your promise to cancel student debt. Doing so will benefit every citizen and support our communities. With a single signature, you can improve the economy, create new jobs, transform the lives of 45 million Americans, narrow the racial wealth gap, and maintain the trust of voters.\n\nWe must also recognize that student debt significantly reinforces inequality. Two thirds of all student debt is held by women, with Black women the most burdened of all. Twenty years after starting college the average white student owes 6% of what they originally borrowed, around $1,000, while the average Black student still owes 95%, around $18,500. Cancelling all student debt would narrow the racial wealth gap among young Americans by more than half.\n\nEven during times of economic normalcy, student debt is a policy failure. Turning student debt payments back on in the middle of a pandemic is an act of policy violence. Cancelling student debt is both the morally right and economically sound thing to do.\n\nSincerely,\n\nIlhan Omar\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-advocates-for-alternative-pain-management-options-to-address-the-opioid-epidemic", "Emmer Advocates for Alternative Pain Management Options to Address the Opioid Epidemic", "2021-10-07", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) continued his advocacy to fight the opioid epidemic in America.\n\nSpecifically, Congressman Emmer sent a letter to Tamara Syrek Jensen, the Director of the Coverage and Analysis Group for the Centers for Clinical Standards and Quality, and Dr. Stephen Boren, the Medical Director for National Government Services to express concern regarding the currently proposed local coverage determination (LCD) for epidural interventions and other non-opioid forms of pain-management.\n\n\u201cThe current proposal reduces the use of epidural injections to an unmanageably low level and fails to consider the previously-eligible patients in desperate need of pain management who depend on this procedure. Non-opioid relief choices are already limited and, for some patients, this option has been relied on for 25 years,\" said Emmer.\n\n\u201cThe opioid epidemic has devastated families and communities across this nation, and our government must support all available forms of non-opioid pain management for patients struggling with chronic pain. Changes must be made to the LCD before it is too late,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nIn accordance with evidence-based policies put forth by the Multi-jurisdictional Committee, an advisory committee tasked with analyzing the quality of evidence used to make a determination, Congressman Emmer strongly encouraged the following revisions to the LCD:\n\nProvide coverage for multiple procedures in the same session, when reasonable and necessary,\n\nExpand the greatly constricted inclusion criteria for indications and medical necessity,\n\nIncrease the number of procedures during the diagnostic or initial phase,\n\nAdd percutaneous adhesiolysis to the list of eligible procedures, which is designed to break up scarring in the epidural-site in order to relieve chronic low back and leg pain.\n\nRead the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/9/rep-fischbach-democrat-failures-to-fund-the-government-continue", "Rep. Fischbach: Democrat Failures to Fund the Government Continue", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on the Senate amendment to H.R. 5305, a bill to temporarily fund the government. In response, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cAs I\u2019ve said before, this bill highlights the Democrats\u2019 inability to perform the basic function of passing a budget and funding the government for a full fiscal year. This constitutionally mandated role is where Congress\u2019 focus and energy needs to be \u2013 not on pushing through hyper-partisan legislation that only serves to rally the radical Democratic base.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-sends-letter-to-protect-life-saving-medical-therapies-for-patients-in-need", "Emmer Sends Letter to Protect Life-Saving Medical Therapies for Patients in Need", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to express concern regarding both the outcome and process surrounding the Fiscal Year 2022 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule.\n\nSpecifically, the Congressman is concerned that the rule threatens to remove a critical therapy option known as laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for inoperable patients suffering from brain cancer and epilepsy. The process also failed to include stakeholder input, which sets a concerning precedent.\n\n\"Individuals facing the challenges of epilepsy, or the tragedy of an inoperable brain tumor deserve every opportunity to seek any care available. If access to LITT is terminated, patients across the nation will suffer,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\"LITT was developed in my home state of Minnesota, a place known for innovative medical technologies like the pacemaker, prosthetic heart valves, and more. We are proud of our contributions to the medical community, especially LITT, as it has become the last hope for many suffering from inoperable brain tumors and epilepsy. Limiting patient access to life-saving treatment is unconscionable. We deserve answers as to why this therapy is being threatened, and why there was not a standard public comment period,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nTo read Congressman Emmer\u2019s letter, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2021/9/line-3-replacement-project-set-to-be-fully-operational-friday", "Line 3 Replacement Project Set to be Fully Operational Friday", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Enbridge Inc. announced the completion of the Line 3 Replacement Project, which will be in service October 1. The new line replaced an existing line that was corroding and operating at half capacity. In preparation for this project, input was gathered from 71 public comment regulatory meetings and more than 3,500 community engagement meetings, making it the most studied pipeline project in Minnesota state history.\n\n\u201cThis is a monumental step for the health, safety, and livelihoods of the people that live and work along the 337-mile stretch of pipeline in Minnesota,\u201d said Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07). \u201cThe project was also the largest privately financed construction project in state history, supporting thousands of skilled labor jobs across northern Minnesota and millions in construction-related revenue to communities near the pipeline\u2019s route.\n\n\u201cI want to thank every single person involved in this historic project. You did the hard work of engaging with local communities and exceeded legal and regulatory requirements during the scientific review phase. You also faced near-constant attempts to block the project from urban environmentalists and liberal special interest groups. I commend you all for the time and energy you have invested. The state of Minnesota will benefit for decades to come because of your efforts.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-applauds-interior-department-selection-university-minnesota-lead", "McCollum Applauds Interior Department Selection of University of Minnesota to Lead Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) applauded the Department of the Interior's announcement today that the ninth and final Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) will be hosted at the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment. The CASC will operate in consortium with University of Wisconsin, the College of the Menominee Nation, the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Consortium, Michigan State University, Indiana University, the University of Illinois, and the Nature Conservancy. The center will cover Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri.\n\nRegional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) are funded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of Interior. These Centers are a partnership-driven program that teams scientific researchers with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to help fish, wildlife, waters, and lands across the country adapt to changing climatic conditions. The urgency to confront climate change is highlighted by today's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announcement that 23 previously endangered species have now been declared extinct. The disastrous implications of climate change on biodiversity cannot be overstated.\n\nDuring a perilous time in the previous Congress, when both the Trump White House and Republican-controlled U.S. Senate were led by climate deniers, McCollum succeeded in not only defending the centers but ensuring their full funding, and even increasing funding over the last two fiscal years. In FY 2020, McCollum inserted appropriations language to create the Midwest CASC, and today's announcement is the culmination of McCollum's efforts \u2013 putting the challenges of climate change in the hands of scientists and researchers, not partisan politicians.\n\nCongresswoman McCollum released the following statement:\n\n\"Confronting the consequences of climate change on the environment, biodiversity, and human health is the most significant scientific and policy challenge of this generation,\" McCollum said. \"Today's announcement puts the University of Minnesota at the forefront of this vital work for a region defined by the unique environment of the Great Lakes and the Upper Mississippi River. Our Minnesota communities know that climate change is already here, having suffered through a drought and dangerous air quality as a result of unprecedented wildfires this year. Ensuring our communities are able to adapt to a changing climate and avoid the worst impacts of climate change is incredibly important in the short-term. In my role as Chair of the House Appropriations Interior-Environment Subcommittee, I led an intense fight against the Trump administration's climate denial as it was determined to slash funding for these centers. Standing on the side of science, we not only fought back proposed cuts, but secured increased funding for this important work.\n\n\"Climate Adaptation Science Centers are designed to facilitate region-specific research and solutions. I'm thrilled that Interior Secretary Haaland has recognized the need for a center in the Midwest and the unique expertise the University of Minnesota will bring to this challenge. I look forward to continuing to work together with the Biden administration, the University of Minnesota, tribal leaders, and my colleagues in Congress to ensure this site has federal support and resources so that the best available science drives our decision-making in the fight against climate change.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nCongresswoman McCollum, in her leadership role on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, has successfully fought proposed cuts to CASC funding, increasing federal funds for the program and securing language directing the Department of Interior to establish a CASC in the Midwest to meet region-specific climate adaptation needs:\n\nThe FY 2020 Appropriations bill did not accept the president's funding reduction or realignment proposed in the budget request and provided $38,377,000, an increase of $13,042,000. The bill report recommended $4,000,000 to establish a Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center to focus on and address the threats to natural and human communities in Midwest states and develop a more tailored strategic science agenda.\n\nThe FY 2021 Appropriations bill once again rejected a proposed funding reduction and realignment of the Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and provided $41,335,000 in funding, which was $3,000,000 above the enacted level, to ensure all centers remained open, operational, and fully functional. In fiscal year 2020, Congress demonstrated support to continue and advance the operation of the national and all nine regional climate adaptation science centers, including standing up the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. The bill recommended no less than $4,000,000 go toward supporting the development of the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.\n\nThe Midwest CASC will support management and protection of land, water, and natural resources with actionable climate science, innovation and decision support tools. It will pay special attention to Tribal concerns and build off the unique and robust experience of Midwest Tribes with adaptation science and practice. This includes a fellowship program for graduate students and a summer research experience for undergraduates focused on Tribal participation. Another focus will be the interplay of natural resources, forestry, streams and wetlands, with agricultural and urban areas, land uses that are prominent in the Midwest. Climate adaptation is especially important for the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River Basin. The partnership will be effective immediately, with a formal ribbon cutting celebration planned on the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus later this fall.\n\nThe University of Minnesota already hosts nationally-recognized environmental programs and centers:\n\nMinnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center\n\nMinnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership\n\nMinnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center\n\nWater Resources Center", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-line-3-completion-major-win-every-minnesotan", "Stauber: Line 3 Completion a Major Win for Every Minnesotan", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) released the following statement celebrating the completion of the Line 3 Replacement Project and the establishment of an in-service date of October 1st.\n\n\"Line 3's completion is good news and a major accomplishment for our state. This would not have been possible without the hard work of the union members, contractors, and tribal members who successfully and safely managed its construction, as well as those who staunchly advocated for this replacement project. President Biden, several Congressional Progressives, and anti-jobs activists continue to do everything in their power to eliminate necessary energy projects, making the news of this project's completion especially uplifting. This is a win for every Minnesotan, and I am looking forward to seeing Line 3 positively impact our state's economy and environment for many years to come.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-announces-wright-county-town-hall", "Emmer Announces Wright County Town Hall", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Otsego, MN \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) announced that he will be holding a town hall in Wright County.\n\n\"My staff and I strive to be transparent, accountable, and most importantly \u2014 accessible. Town halls are a great way to facilitate this,\" said Emmer. \"If there is an issue or concern you hope to express \u2013 or want to know where I stand on an issue \u2013 please join me in Wright County on October 5th!\u201d\n\nDate: October 5, 2021\n\nTime: 7:00PM-8:00PM\n\nLocation: Montrose City Council Chambers\n\n200 Center Ave S,\n\nMontrose, MN 55363\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-urges-fed-chair-to-support-digital-asset-innovation", "Emmer Urges Fed Chair to Support Digital Asset Innovation", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) led a bipartisan letter with 6 of his colleagues to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. The letter highlights concern with Powell\u2019s statement that the biggest supporting argument for a Fed-issued digital currency is that it could eliminate the need for private sector innovation.\n\nSpecifically, Congressman Emmer asked,\n\nWhat steps is the Fed taking to coordinate with other federal regulators on the development of policy guidance for digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, and other critical related policy issues such as custody and accounting, to ensure the United States remains a leader in financial innovation?\n\nWhat steps is the Fed taking on its own or in coordination with regional Federal Reserve Banks to provide regulatory clarity to banks that wish to offer cryptocurrency or other digital asset custody to their customers?\n\nWhen does the Fed plan to release the discussion paper exploring the design of a United States central bank digital currency (CBDC) and does the Fed intend to highlight the importance of preserving a marketplace of private payment networks?\n\nSince cryptocurrency networks facilitate a myriad of applications, from decentralized identity to decentralized file storage, do you believe a CBDC would make such applications, and the cryptocurrencies that power them, obsolete?\n\n\u201cEmpowering individual Americans to become everyday investors should be our highest priority \u2013 decentralized digital assets provide that opportunity. The Federal Reserve must work to support domestic innovation,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s imperative that we get this right \u2013 or we risk losing the momentum of this technology altogether. Our government should never be in the business of thwarting innovation. I look forward to Chairman Powell\u2019s response, and to continue working together to develop the best regulatory framework that supports digital assets,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nRead Congressman Emmer\u2019s letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-earns-wilson-center-award-congressional-service", "McCollum Earns Wilson Center Award for Congressional Service", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) was honored at the Woodrow Wilson Awards Monday as a recipient of the 2021 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Award for Congressional Service, releasing the following statement:\n\n\"I was honored to receive the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Award for Congressional Service, along with my colleague Senator Roger F. Wicker,\" McCollum said. \"I greatly value the work of The Wilson Center to embody a \u2018finer spirit of hope and achievement' and put it into action. Throughout my career in Congress, I have strived to reach across the aisle to work together to address global health challenges and ensure the power of American leadership drives positive change to improve people's lives. From securing a 10 percent set-aside for orphans and vulnerable children in the original President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) authorization, to my current work to reauthorize the Feed the Future program in response to global food insecurity, I'm proud that these significant achievements align with Woodrow Wilson's philosophy: that as public servants, we are here to enrich the world. I'm grateful for this recognition and look forward to continuing to work together with the Wilson Center and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to effect change.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Woodrow Wilson Awards are given to those individuals whose actions and accomplishments, either in their careers or through service, reflect President Woodrow Wilson's belief that \"there is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.\"\n\nCongresswoman McCollum's remarks can be viewed here. A written copy of the remarks is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-announces-upcoming-service-academy-information-night", "Emmer Announces Upcoming Service Academy Information Night", "2021-09-27", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Otsego, MN \u2013 Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) announced today that his office will be hosting a Service Academy Night for individuals interested in applying for a nomination to one of our nation\u2019s service academies.\n\n\"Our service academies produce some of the most honorable young men and women that serve our nation, and I have the distinct honor of assisting them with the nomination process,\" said Emmer. \u201cThese young people make a bold commitment to our country, and they learn the skills and tools to become future leaders. I am proud to play a supportive part in their journey.\u201d\n\nThe meeting will give participants the opportunity to learn about the application process as well as the Congressional nomination process. Representatives from the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy will be available to answer any questions.\n\nTo learn more about Military Academy Nominations, click here.\n\nWhen: Monday, October 11, 2021, 6:00 PM CT\n\nWhere: St. Cloud Library, Mississippi Room,1300 W St Germain St, St Cloud, MN 56301\n\nFor more information, contact Alejandra Henriquez in our Otsego office at (763) 241-6848 or at Alejandra.Henriquez@mail.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-stauber-and-fischbach-urge-administration-to-provide-clarity-after-canada-border-closure", "Emmer, Stauber, and Fischbach Urge Administration to Provide Clarity After Canada Border Closure", "2021-09-27", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas requesting an immediate report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Congress with a plan for operationalizing new border procedures once reopened.\n\nPresident Biden extended the closure of land borders until October 21, at the earliest. Northern border states are especially impacted by the United States-Canada border closure. Currently, Customs and Border Protection does not appear to have a plan in place or the resources necessary to execute a safe reopening without causing tremendous delays at land ports of entry (LPOE). This is a major problem for members of the commercial trade sector, who need to know whether DHS will assign appropriate resources to maintain adequate levels of security and efficiency so that all LPOEs can operate successfully.\n\n\u201cThe closure of our northern border impacts Americans and Canadians alike, and the impact is especially felt by Minnesotans like those who live in the Northwest Angle. Between the halt to trade, the disruption to the tourism industry, and the separation of our citizens, this closure has been devastating,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cThe impact is impossible to quantify exactly, but prior to the pandemic, cross-border trade in goods totaled nearly $720 billion. In fact, 90 percent of the Canadian population lives within one hundred miles of the border, making Canada our country\u2019s largest inbound travel market. It\u2019s safe to say, our country has suffered because of this border closure,\u201d Emmer continued.\n\n\u201cThe ongoing closure of our northern border continues to have detrimental economic and social costs which grow every day the closure remains in place. Our LPOE checkpoints must reopen safely and efficiently, and DHS must be prepared for this eventuality,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\n\u201cBiden\u2019s continued border closure ignores science, logic, and the economic hardship of border communities across the country. From the Northwest Angle in my district all the way down to Marshall, I consistently hear from communities in Minnesota\u2019s 7th Congressional District about the need to more appropriately facilitate the travel of people, goods, and services with our state\u2019s closest trading partner. The Biden Administration has now inexplicably lifted the ban on travel for international visitors by air, while simultaneously extending the ban on travel by land, without reason. I call on President Biden to urgently respond to the needs of communities along the northern border and ensure land ports of entry are adequately resourced so regular commerce can return once again,\u201d said Fischbach.\n\n\u201cI was greatly disappointed when President Biden once again extended the restrictions on land travel from Canada. The border communities we represent are unfairly suffering as the Administration continues to prevent non-essential land travel all while allowing air travel. Hopefully, by requesting an operationalizing report on border procedures from the Department of Homeland Security, the Administration will recognize the error of their ways and end these restrictions in October,\u201d said Stauber.\n\nRead the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-emmer-and-hill-author-op-ed-on-china", "ICYMI: Emmer and Hill Author Op-Ed on China", "2021-09-27", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Representative Tom Emmer (MN-06) authored an opinion piece with his colleague Representative French Hill (AR-02) titled \u201cDon\u2019t Let China Rewrite the Rules for the Global Economy.\u201d The piece was featured in House Financial Services Committee Republican Leader Patrick McHenry\u2019s published editorial in Morning Consult. Read Congressman McHenry\u2019s piece in Morning Consult here.\n\nRead Congressman Emmer & Congressman Hill\u2019s piece below, or by clicking here.\n\n\u201cThe World Health Organization\u2019s (WHO) ineptitude in the early days of COVID-19 shed light on China\u2019s growing influence over international institutions. The decline of the WHO should serve as a warning as China seeks to expand its malign reach, particularly in economic governance at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the G20.\n\nThese are the organizations that shape the world\u2019s financial architecture, providing countries with lifelines during crises, setting conditions when they borrow, and monitoring the overall health of the global economy. China feels entitled to a greater say in how these organizations work. The U.S. must make it clear that they haven\u2019t earned it.\n\nChina is now the largest official creditor in the world, with its lending having increased from almost nothing in 1998 to an estimated $1.6 trillion in 2018. Chinese leaders have placed particular emphasis on financing infrastructure across the globe under their Belt and Road Initiative, which now encompasses around 3,000 projects with a value of nearly $4 trillion.\n\nBecause Beijing doesn\u2019t comply with international standards for lending terms that the U.S. and other major creditors have agreed to, the details of much of this financing remain murky. This intentional deception poses massive challenges to the work of the IMF and multilateral development banks, where America and its allies have traditionally been the top shareholders.\n\nWithout an understanding of countries\u2019 obligations to China, public and private creditors can\u2019t structure their loans effectively, allowing risk to form and metastasize unseen. At the same time, if creditors aren\u2019t aware of Beijing\u2019s own potential liabilities when China\u2019s borrowers\u2019 default, they may be blind to weaknesses in the world\u2019s second largest economy.\n\nThe U.S. once believed that encouragement by the U.S. and her allies of the Chinese government would convince it to see the error of its ways. Officials thought if China had arrived as an economic power, then boosting its weight in international bodies must follow, and it just might convince Beijing to behave more responsibly. In 2010, the Obama Administration signed off on a more than 50 percent increase to China\u2019s shareholding at the IMF, a move that the Fund hailed as better reflecting \u201cglobal realities.\u201d Five years later, the U.S. also allowed China\u2019s renminbi (RMB) to be added to the IMF\u2019s basket of elite currencies. This action handed Beijing a propaganda win even though the RMB still lagged the Canadian dollar and Australian dollar as an international reserve currency.\n\nWhatever good intentions may have led to this three-decades-long strategy, the following years have been one long reality check. In addition to the expansion of Belt and Road, China reapplied capital controls and dismissed the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development\u2019s (OECD) trade finance standards to subsidize its exporters.\n\nMost egregiously, the Chinese Communist Party defied international norms of behavior by assaulting Hong Kong\u2019s democracy, stonewalling inquiries into the origins of COVID-19, and carrying out genocide in Xinjiang.\n\nIt\u2019s masochistic to believe that a genocidal and expansionary Chinese Communist Party that rejects global rules is qualified to hold greater sway over international financial institutions. Having a voice in these institutions isn\u2019t about the size of a country\u2019s economy, it\u2019s about commitment to the values that serve as the foundation of multilateral cooperation.\n\nFor its part, the IMF is now considering additional changes to its shareholding, with a decision expected in 2023. China will argue that its voting weight should rise again, this time leapfrogging Japan to take second place behind the U.S. Not only should the U.S. veto this move, but it should also make any future increase for China at the IMF, the World Bank, and other lenders contingent on Beijing first adhering to multilateral credit standards.\n\nThere are reasons to be hopeful that the world may have had enough of China\u2019s behavior. In 2018, the U.S. led reforms at the World Bank that would reduce its assistance to China, an economy that now far exceeds the Bank\u2019s eligibility threshold. Last November, the Treasury Department and like-minded members of an international working group suspended negotiations on export credits, fed up after eight years of Beijing dragging its feet on issues like debt transparency. And despite China\u2019s creation of rivals to the IMF and World Bank, they haven\u2019t come close to displacing these U.S.-led institutions. A Chinese-led order will face hurdles as long as global public opinion of Beijing stays at or near historic lows.\n\nKeeping the pressure on China will be vital until it starts playing by the rules. The tarnished reputation of the WHO serves as a warning to guard against China\u2019s reverse Midas touch wherever possible. There will be times when cooperation with China is necessary, but that cooperation is only sustainable if it\u2019s based on shared values. It is up to China to prove it takes them seriously.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-passage-women-s-health-protection-act", "McCollum Statement on Passage of Women\u2019s Health Protection Act", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement today after voting to pass H.R. 3755, the Women's Health Protection Act:\n\n\"It has been nearly 50 years since the Supreme Court confirmed the constitutional right to reproductive health care in the Roe v. Wade decision,\" McCollum said. \"Even though the majority of Americans recognize and support the importance of safe, accessible abortion, attacks on reproductive rights continue across the nation. As we watch Republican-controlled state legislatures pass increasingly restrictive measures, it is past time to solidify the right to abortion in federal law. I proudly voted for the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) to finally codify the protections established in Roe v. Wade. Despite Republican rhetoric, their extreme movement only seeks to deny women the fundamental liberty to make deeply personal decisions about their own reproductive lives. These decisions should remain between a patient and their doctor. Make no mistake: Stripping away women's rights to privacy is unacceptable, and with the passage of this bill, House Democrats are creating a legislative safeguard. I strongly urge the Senate to pass this bill immediately and stand up for accessible reproductive health care for all.\"\n\nAmid a dangerous assault on women's basic health freedoms \u2013 from state houses across the country to the U.S. Supreme Court \u2013 this landmark legislation enshrines into law the vital protections of Roe v. Wade and secures the right to reproductive care for all women across America. The Women's Health Protection Act codifies the constitutional right to abortion care as found in Roe and reaffirmed in many subsequent decisions for nearly half a century. It establishes the federal statutory right for health care providers to offer abortion care and the federal right for patients to receive that care, free from state restrictions. Enshrining these essential rights is also an issue of racial and economic justice, as restrictions on reproductive care disproportionately harm women of color and women from low-income communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 454, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "MN", "p1": "2021"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 245, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 209, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 454, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "MN", "label": "MN", "count": 454, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "2021", "label": "2021", "count": 454, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2021-09-24,https~3A~2F~2Fmccollum~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fmccollum-statement-passage-women-s-health-protection-act", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021&_next=2021-09-24%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fmccollum~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fmccollum-statement-passage-women-s-health-protection-act&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 191.8645859695971, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}