{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"MN\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-urges-postmaster-general-louis-dejoy-address-second", "Representative Angie Craig Urges Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to Address Second District Mail Issues", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BURNSVILLE, MN \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released a letter she wrote to Louis DeJoy, the United States Postmaster General, to urge action to address poor mail service in several Second District communities. In her letter, she highlighted the critical need to improve the post offices\u2019 service levels \u2013 and the impacts these conditions are having on Second District residents.\n\n\u201cI write to you today with great frustration regarding the state of mail delivery service across the Second Congressional District of Minnesota. My constituents have reported to me that they regularly go three to four days without receiving their mail; some have told me they haven\u2019t received mail since December 16, 2022 - now 2 weeks ago. I\u2019ve been told by local postal officials that a route would never go unserved for more than one day at a time, but it\u2019s clear that is simply not the case,\u201d wrote Representative Craig.\n\n\u201cOn November 5, I wrote to the USPS regarding the situation in Lakeville. On December 8, I held a call with the relevant USPS official for Minnesota, and yet still the poor delivery service has continued not just in Lakeville, but across the Second District. Short-staffing and increased holiday shipping volumes are understandable, but are beginning to sound like excuses. This no longer seems to be isolated to neighborhoods or even individual cities, but rather a larger issue across Minnesota,\u201d Representative Craig continued.\n\nRepresentative Craig encourages her constituents to contact her office if they are having any trouble navigating or accessing any federal agency, including their local post offices. For assistance, they should visit Representative Craig\u2019s website athttps://craig.house.gov/casework.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter below.\n\nDecember 30, 2022\n\nMr. Louis DeJoy\n\nPostmaster General\n\nUnited States Postal Service\n\n475 L\u2019Enfant Plaza SW, Room 10300\n\nWashington, D.C. 20260-1000\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy:\n\nI write to you today with great frustration regarding the state of mail delivery service across the Second Congressional District of Minnesota. My constituents have reported to me that they regularly go three to four days without receiving their mail; some have told me they haven\u2019t received mail since December 16, 2022 \u2013 now 2 weeks ago. I\u2019ve been told by local postal officials that a route would never go unserved for more than one day at a time, but it\u2019s clear that is simply not the case.\n\nThe United States Postal Service\u2019s creed reads, \u201cNeither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night,\u201d and yet seniors and veterans are going without medication, businesses are missing payments and families are not receiving packages from loved ones during the holiday season. This is entirely unacceptable.\n\nOn November 5, I wrote to the USPS regarding the situation in Lakeville. On December 8, I held a call with the relevant USPS official for Minnesota, and yet still the poor delivery service has continued not just in Lakeville, but across the Second District. Short-staffing and increased holiday shipping volumes are understandable, but are beginning to sound like excuses. This no longer seems to be isolated to neighborhoods or even individual cities, but rather a larger issue across Minnesota.\n\nMy constituents deserve answers and I request your response to the following questions:\n\nFor each post office in the Second District, since December 16, 2022, how many routes at each location went unserved and which day?\n\nFor each post office in the Second District, what are the current staffing shortages and how quickly will USPS be able to be fully staffed?\n\nWhich post offices in the Second District have had to deliver \u201cpackage only\u201d routes, which requires flats to go undelivered, and on which days?\n\nWhat power does the Postal Service hold to \u201csurge\u201d employees to necessary routes, and how can the hiring process be expedited to make the necessary deliveries on time?\n\nHow many packages, as of this letter, remain undelivered at each post office in the Second District?\n\nThank you for reviewing this letter and I look forward to your response on behalf of all Second District residents who deserve to have their medications, bills and packages arrive safely and on time.\n\nSincerely,\n\nAngie Craig\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craigs-legislation-rename-local-post-office-after-fallen", "Representative Angie Craig\u2019s Legislation to Rename Local Post Office After Fallen South St. Paul Police Officer Signed into Law", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig\u2019s bill to rename the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of fallen South St. Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak was signed into law. After only four months on the force, Officer Pavlak was killed by the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang during a robbery on August 30, 1933. To this day, he is the only South St. Paul Police Officer to have been killed in the line of duty. The bill was passed by the House and Senate earlier this month.\n\n\u201cIn 1933, Officer Pavlak lost his life in service to his community \u2013 and in the years since, many of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have continued building his legacy as they joined the ranks of the Minnesota law enforcement community,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cBy renaming the South St. Paul Post Office the Officer Leo Pavlak Post Office, we remember and honor the dedication and sacrifice of Officer Pavlak and his entire family. I\u2019m grateful to all my Minnesota colleagues, and especially Senator Klobuchar, who helped get this bill over the finish line.\u201d\n\nSince Officer Pavlak\u2019s death in 1933, four generations of Pavlaks have joined the ranks of Minnesota law enforcement. Robert Leo Pavlak Sr. followed in his father\u2019s footsteps, pursuing a career as a police officer in St. Paul. One of his grandsons, Robert, was a Ramsey County Deputy \u2013 while another one of his grandsons, David, was a St. Paul Police Officer. And finally, Officer Pavlak\u2019s great-grandsons, Luke and Ryan, have continued this legacy as police officers in the Twin Cities area.\n\nRepresentative Craig\u2019s bill is part of a bipartisan, bicameral effort to honor Officer Pavlak. Earlier this month, Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith led the passage of a companion bill through the Senate. The legislation is supported by Representatives Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber, as well as the Pavlak family and local leaders in South St. Paul.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-bill-renaming-akeley-post-office-wwii-veteran-signed-law", "Stauber Bill Renaming Akeley Post Office for WWII Veteran Signed Into Law", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Yesterday, Congressman Pete Stauber\u2019s (MN-08) legislation renaming the post office in Akeley, Minnesota, after Neal Kenneth Todd, a World War II veteran who perished in the attack on Pearl Harbor, was signed into law.\n\n\u201cHeroes like Neal Kenneth Todd exemplify American exceptionalism and are why this country continues to be the land of the free and home of the brave,\u201d said Congressman Stauber. \u201cI\u2019m proud to see my legislation be signed into law to make the renaming of the Akeley post office in Neal\u2019s name official to remind future generations of the sacrifices he and his generation made for our freedoms.\u201d\n\nNeal\u2019s remains were recently identified and returned home to Akeley, where he was finally laid to rest near his loved ones. Last year, Congressman Stauber had the honor of attending Neal\u2019s funeral and presenting his family with an American flag he had flown over the United States Capitol. The entire Minnesota delegation co-sponsored the bill upon its introduction in July 2021. The bill passed the House on December 1st and the Senate on December 20th.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nNeal Kenneth Todd joined the Navy in 1940 and was assigned to the USS Oklahoma as a Navy Fireman First Class. While stationed at Pearl Harbor, the ship was attacked by the Japanese air force on December 7, 1941. Neal's brother, Wesley Todd, was also serving on the USS Oklahoma during the bombing. Wesley was fortunate to escape the sinking ship, but Neal's fate was unknown to the Todd family for months. Neal was later pronounced dead and awarded the Purple Heart.\n\nHe is honored at the USS Oklahoma Memorial and Honolulu Memorial of the Courts of the Missing. The remains of Neal and other service members were recovered in the months following the attack but were not identified by the U.S. Department of Defense until a 2015 Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency project.\n\nOn February 11, 2021, Neal's remains were successfully matched to his family. He was reunited with his brother, Orville Staffenhagen, and sister, Karyn Stiffler in Akeley, Minnesota, on July 10, 2021. Neal was buried with full military honors next to his younger brother, Alfred Staffenhagen, Jr., who also served in the U.S. Navy, and his mother Irena.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-representative-angie-craig-secures-second-district-wins-years", "U.S. Representative Angie Craig Secures Second District Wins in this Year\u2019s Appropriations Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 23, 2022\n\nThe FY 2023 appropriations package includes more than $30 million in federal funding for 15 local projects championed by Representative Craig\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig helped pass annual government funding legislation that includes several key priorities designed to support working families and local communities in Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District.\n\nThe appropriations package, which passed the Senate earlier this week and is now heading to the President\u2019s desk for final approval, contained several of Representative Craig\u2019s priorities, including special education funding, federal grant dollars for local law enforcement agencies, humanitarian and security assistance for Ukraine and critical investments in local infrastructure and community projects across the Second District.\n\n\u201cToday, I was proud to support an appropriations package that will provide critical resources to strengthen, support and protect our communities both across the nation and world,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cI was especially pleased to see that this year\u2019s package included all 15 of my Community Project Funding submissions \u2013 and look forward to seeing the great benefit each of these projects will bring to the Second District.\u201d\n\nThe package includes funding for federal defense and non-defense spending, as well as several of Representative Craig\u2019s legislative priorities, including:\n\n$14.2 billion for funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an increase of $850 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level\n\n$1.72 billion for Career and Technical Education programs\n\n$770.8 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) and $662.9 million for COPS program grants to help local law enforcement fight crime and improve public safety - both significant increases above fiscal year 2022 enacted levels.\n\n$5 billion in mandatory funding for the Cost of Toxic Exposures Fund established in the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022\n\n$1.2 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA), an increase of $188 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level, to support investments in programs to help underserved entrepreneurs access capital and contracting opportunities\n\n$45 billion in emergency funding to defend the Ukrainian people and global democracy against Russia\u2019s ongoing attacks\n\nReport language that urges Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to develop a pilot program to incentivize the utilization of U.S.-manufactured generic and biosimilar medications\n\nModified version of Rep. Craig\u2019s Modernizing Therapeutic Equivalence Rating Determination Act, which will accelerate access to low-cost generic alternatives.\n\nRep. Craig\u2019s Enhanced Access to Affordable Medicines Act of 2022, which will save the health care system millions and increase access to generic medications\n\nModified version of Rep. Craig\u2019s PATCH Act, which would ensure that the U.S. health care system\u2019s cyber infrastructure remains safe and secure for American patients\n\nRep. Craig\u2019s Improved Mental Health Outcomes for Patients Act of 2022, which would reauthorize and improve SAMHSA programs for adult mental health, suicide prevention, and substance abuse\n\nToday\u2019s appropriations package includes funding for all 15 of Representative Craig\u2019s Community Project Funding submissions for Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District \u2013 totaling more than $30 million for projects in communities across Southeastern Minnesota, including:\n\n$3,000,000 for the City of Burnsville\u2019s Highway 13 & Nicollet Avenue Mobility Improvement Project\n\n$5,000,000 for the City of Cottage Grove\u2019s 80th Street Transportation and Infrastructure Project\n\n$750,000 for the City of Farmington\u2019s Rambling River Center and Exterior Plaza\n\n$632,150 for the City of Prior Lake\u2019s Trail Gap Construction Project\n\n$750,000 for the City of Shakopee Riverfront Cultural Corridor Project - Phase II\n\n$3,100,000 for the City of West St. Paul Smith/Dodd Intersection Realignment Project\n\n$5,040,000 for the Dakota County I35 & 50 Interchange Reconstruction Project\n\n$4,995,000 for the Dakota County Veterans Memorial Greenway Project\n\n$325,000 for Dakota County Sheriff\u2019s Electronic Crimes Unit Outreach and Program Expansion\n\n$750,000 for the City of Lakeville\u2019s Freight Rail Car Storage and Transload Facility\n\n$1,169,000 for the Prairie Island Indian Community\u2019s Tribal Homes Carbon Reduction and Safety Initiative\n\n$1,500,000 for the City of Shakopee\u2019s Regional Innovation Hub\n\n$750,000 for Scott County\u2019s Merriam Junction Regional Trail Improvement Project\n\n$84,000 for the Scott County Sheriff's Office Purchase of Rescue Technology and Equipment\n\n$2,500,000 for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community\u2019s Stormwater Reclamation PFAs Reduction Project\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2022/12/rep-fischbach-votes-no-on-democrat-spending-package", "Rep. Fischbach Votes No on Democrat Spending Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "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 passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2617, the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations package. Congresswoman Fischbach opposed the $1.7 trillion legislation.\n\n\"This legislation will do nothing to ease inflation, combat the crisis at the southern border, or stop the fentanyl epidemic plaguing this country,\u201d said Rep. Fischbach. \"Furthermore, Democrats had an entire year to pass bipartisan legislation. Instead, they waited until the last minute and worked mostly behind closed doors, skipping standard processes. With this amount of spending, it is unacceptable to handle the process so irresponsibly.\"\n\nThis appropriation bill provides government funding for Fiscal Year 2023.\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", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-successfully-secures-1193-million-local-arts-community-building", "McCollum Successfully Secures $11.93 Million for Local Arts, Community-Building Projects", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "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 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 conference agreement, paving the way for President Biden to sign it into law. The agreement includes funding for all 15 of Rep. McCollum's requested Community Projects that will directly benefit the Fourth District.\n\nWithin the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development portion of the agreement, McCollum secured $11.93 million across three projects to boost local arts and community-building projects in the Fourth District:\n\nProject: North End Community Center ($4,000,000)\n\nThis funding will help complete the construction of the North End Community Center and provide state-of-the-art amenities to encourage social and physical activities.\n\nProject: Playwrights' Center Renovation ($4,000,000)\n\nThis funding will be used for the redesign and renovation of the Playwrights' Center, which supports playwrights and promotes new plays to production at theaters across the country.\n\nProject: Ordway Center for Performing Arts Facilities Improvement ($3,930,000)\n\nThis funding will help replace the roof above the Ordway's Music Theater, upgrade its lighting infrastructure, and install LED light fixtures \u2013 so it can continue to provide opportunities to engage, entertain, and inspire our community.\n\n\"Minnesota's Fourth District is home to a thriving arts and humanities community,\" McCollum said. \"The Ordway and Playwrights' Center provide significant cultural value, and I'm proud to advance this federal funding that will help these institutions thrive. Additionally, the North End Community Center will be a fantastic space for young people to build community and engage in healthy and fulfilling activities.\"\n\n\"This investment in Playwrights' Center's future is an investment in not only the art of storytelling, but a public commitment to entrust artists to see our world forward together,\" said Playwrights' Center Producing Artistic Director Jeremy B. Cohen. Managing Director Robert Chelimsky added: \"We're grateful to Rep. McCollum for her deep support for this vibrant new home for Playwrights' Center, which we know will have a transformational impact on this corner of Saint Paul, and the larger national and international community.\"\n\n\"This funding would provide critical support for much-needed capital improvements at our venue, including replacing a roof that is past the end of its life and upgrading an aging lighting system,\" said Ordway President and CEO Chris Harrington. \"These funds would ensure that the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts continues to be a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient gathering place where everyone can experience the wonder of the performing arts.\"\n\n\"The North End Community Center will be a hub of activity and service in the most deeply diverse and statistically young community in Saint Paul,\" said Saint Paul City Council President and Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen. \"Representative McCollum has been a leading advocate for this state-of-the-art, eco-conscious, deal-changing investment in her district. The building design is forward-thinking with green construction and energy efficiency from the in-ground geothermal heat to the massive solar array on top. The design is unique also in its ability to orient toward sports that are traditionally dominated by girls and women; this flexibility makes it accessible and welcoming for more of the community, and creates a regional setting to host these sports' tournaments. We can't wait to start this major construction project in the North End!\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe 2023 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill provides funding of $87.3 billion, an increase of $6.3 billion \u2013 nearly 8 percent \u2013 above 2022.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nCreates and sustains tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure with significant investments in airports, highways, transit, passenger rail, and port systems\n\nGrows opportunity through homeownership and rental assistance, including more than 140,000 new housing vouchers targeted to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and approximately 5,600 new units for seniors and persons with disabilities\n\nSupports the vulnerable with public housing safety, maintenance, and improvement investments, such as the remediation of lead paint and radon and installation of energy and water efficient systems\n\nPromotes safe transportation and housing with a skilled and growing workforce to conduct inspections, mitigate hazards, and study emerging threats and innovative solutions\n\nIncludes more than $2.6 billion to reduce emissions, increase resiliency, and address historical inequities in transportation and housing programs\n\nRead Chair McCollum's full statement on final passage of the omnibus here.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-successfully-secures-22-million-energy-efficiency-upgrades-como-zoo", "McCollum Successfully Secures $2.2 Million for Energy Efficiency Upgrades at Como Zoo", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "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 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 conference agreement, and President Biden signed it into law. The agreement includes funding for all 15 of Rep. McCollum's requested Community Projects that will directly benefit the Fourth District.\n\nWithin the Energy and Water portion of the agreement, McCollum's CPF was included to bring in $2.2 million for energy efficiency at Como Zoo in St. Paul:\n\nProject: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Hydro Geothermal Heat Pump ($2,200,000)\n\nThis funding will be used by the City of Saint Paul to replace the zoo's inefficient natural gas steam boiler with a Hydro Geothermal Heat Pump (HGHP), a more energy efficient heating and cooling system. The proposed retrofit is expected to reduce emissions by up to 50%, lowering facility operating costs so more resources can be used to enhance programs that serve the community.\n\n\"Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is an invaluable institution that enriches our community,\" McCollum said. \"I'm proud to secure funding for this project to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and reallocate resources to better serve visitors and help meet the city's carbon neutrality goals.\"\n\n\"Renewable energy is vital to creating a sustainable and resilient future for our community,\" said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. \"This transition to geothermal at our Como Park Zoo and Conservatory will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and further our goal of becoming carbon neutral in our city by 2050.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe 2023 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies portion of the agreement provides $54.65 billion.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nHelps lower energy costs by strengthening America's energy independence.\n\nCreates tens of thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on deploying clean energy technologies and the green jobs of tomorrow in communities across the country.\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with more than $15.3 billion of transformative investments in clean energy and science, which will help develop clean, affordable, and secure American energy.\n\nRebuilds our nation's water infrastructure, critical to protecting communities from more frequent and severe storms and to addressing the worsening western drought.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 30) reminding the Army Corps of Engineers that the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam is a federal project that requires routine maintenance and that the disposition study continue to be at full federal expense.\n\nStrengthens our national security by providing for a safe and secure nuclear deterrent and protects our environment by funding legacy nuclear cleanup work.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 167) in support of improving the coordination of federal efforts involved in growing and sustaining a robust national security workforce.\n\nRead Chair McCollum's full statement on final passage of the omnibus here.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-successfully-secures-26-million-local-economic-development-projects", "McCollum Successfully Secures $2.6 Million for Local Economic Development Projects", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "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 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 conference agreement, paving the way for President Biden to sign it into law. The agreement includes funding for all 15 of Rep. McCollum's requested Community Projects that will directly benefit the Fourth District.\n\nWithin the Financial Services and General Government portion of the agreement, McCollum secured $2.6 million across two projects to boost economic success in the Fourth District:\n\nProject: Neighborhood Development Center Cybersecurity Information Center ($1,600,000)\n\nThe funding will be used, in partnership with Metro State University, to build out space as a cybersecurity information center to assist small neighborhood businesses, and launch a program for budding cybersecurity professionals to hone their skills.\n\nProject: Latino Economic Development Center Plaza del Sol ($1,000,000)\n\nThe funding will be used for the rehabilitation of Plaza del Sol, which would house at least eight small businesses on the East Side of St. Paul.\n\n\"Small businesses in St. Paul are the backbone of our community,\" McCollum said. \"By partnering with NDC, Metro State University, and LEDC to invest in their success and boost support for BIPOC-owned businesses, our entire community benefits.\"\n\n\"Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) and our Cybersecurity Information Center partner, Metropolitan State University, are so grateful for Representative McCollum's support of our Cybersecurity Information Center community project funding request,\" said Renay Dossman, President of NDC. \"This project would disrupt racial inequity in tech entrepreneurship and provide critical cybersecurity support to small neighborhood businesses by pairing primarily BIPOC graduates of Metro State's world-class cybersecurity program with NDC's proven small business support and access to capital in a well-equipped, enriching environment. We thank Representative McCollum for her vote of confidence in this innovative partnership.\"\n\n\"Thanks to Congresswoman Betty McCollum's intentional, strategic support, we are excited to be one critical step closer to revitalizing Plaza Del Sol,\" said Henry Jim\u00e9nez, Executive Director of the Latino Economic Development Center. \"Like Congresswoman McCollum, we believe in the importance of supporting the East Side of Saint Paul. This transformation of Plaza del Sol into a hub for economic development will help countless Latino businesses and other entrepreneurs in this community for years to come.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe 2023 Financial Services and General Government funding includes $27.6 billion in funding, an increase of $1.7 billion over fiscal year 2022.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nAssists small businesses and entrepreneurs through the Small Business Administration and Community Development Financial Institutions\n\nProtects our democracy with Election Security Grants to ensure the integrity and safety of our elections\n\nRebuilds the Internal Revenue Service to finally crack down on big corporations and the wealthy who are not paying their fair share and to provide better customer service to working families navigating the tax system\n\nSupports working and middle-class families by increasing funding for consumer protection activities at the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission\n\nConfronts the climate crisis by providing funding to start the transition of the Federal vehicle fleet to electric and zero emission vehicles\n\nRead Chair McCollum's full statement on final passage of the omnibus here.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-successfully-secures-36-million-local-community-safety-projects", "McCollum Successfully Secures $3.6 Million for Local Community Safety Projects", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "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 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 conference agreement, and President Biden signed it into law. The agreement includes funding for all 15 of Rep. McCollum's requested Community Projects that will directly benefit the Fourth District.\n\nWithin the Commerce-Justice-Science portion of the agreement, two of McCollum's CPFs were included, totaling $3.6 million to boost community safety in the East Metro:\n\nProject: Ramsey County Familiar Faces: Engaging Frequent Users of Emergency and Shelter Services ($2,000,000)\n\nThis project will address the frequent users of emergency services who have cycled in and out of shelters, jails, and hospitals, for whom a much more targeted approach is necessary to ensure their needs are met and resources are allocated effectively.\n\nProject: Washington County Sheriff Office Hybrid Patrol Vehicles and River Patrol Boats ($1,600,000)\n\nThis project will allow the Sheriff's Office to invest in the latest Hybrid vehicle technology to help reduce the fuel consumption and the impact the fleet has on the environment.\n\n\"I'm pleased to secure this critical funding for Ramsey County and Washington County,\" McCollum said. \"Working together on the federal and county levels, these projects will help keep people safe and supported, and reduce our environmental impact \u2013 benefiting all of us in our East Metro communities.\"\n\n\"We are so thankful to Congresswoman McCollum for advancing our Familiar Faces ask in the Community Projects funding,\" said Ramsey County Board Chair and Heading Home Ramsey Vice Chair Trista MatasCastillo. \"She understands this kind of creative, innovative approach can ensure our most frequent users of emergency services have the appropriate resources and community supports to help them stabilize and find sustainable housing solutions. We are pleased to work with her to move this pilot project forward. Her leadership and \u2018know-how' to get things done in D.C. makes a difference in our community.\"\n\n\"Rep. McCollum's support for the county is greatly appreciated and her leadership in Washington, D.C., makes a difference for the residents of Washington County,\" said Washington County Board Chair Wayne Johnson. \"The federal funds she secured allow the county to purchase state-of-the-art hybrid patrol vehicles for the Sheriff's Office, along with new river patrol boats. These improvements will have an impact on both public safety and the environment.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nFor 2023, the bill provides $84.2 billion, an increase of $6.1 billion \u2013 7.8 percent above the comparable 2022 level.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nSupports safer communities with substantial funding for Federal, State, and local law enforcement, including greatly expanding gun violence prevention efforts\n\nAddresses violence against women with significant increases for Violence Against Women Act prevention and prosecution programs, as well as efforts to reduce the backlog of unprocessed rape kits\n\nHelps create good-paying American jobs with investments in economic development in distressed communities, with support for small businesses, including small and medium-sized manufacturers\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with strong funding for climate resilience and research at NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Science Foundation, and increased funding for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of DOJ to help combat the climate crisis and advance environmental justice\n\nRead Chair McCollum's full statement on final passage of the omnibus here.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-successfully-secures-393-million-improve-east-metro-water", "McCollum Successfully Secures $3.93 Million to Improve East Metro Water Infrastructure", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "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 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 conference agreement, and President Biden signed it into law. The agreement includes funding for all 15 of Rep. McCollum's requested Community Projects that will directly benefit the Fourth District.\n\nWithin the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies portion of the agreement, McCollum secured $3.93 million across two projects to improve water quality in the East Metro:\n\nProject: City of Woodbury East Wellfield Manifold Pipe ($3,450,000)\n\nThis funding will be used to connect three municipal drinking water supply wells within the City of Woodbury to a single raw water line to facilitate subsequent connection to a water treatment facility addressing PFAS contamination in order to improve drinking water quality for residents.\n\nProject: City of Birchwood Village Sewer Lift Station Replacement ($480,000)\n\nThis funding will be used for the replacement of the City's current sewer lift station, which is subject to corrosion due to a neighboring community's water main break that flooded and damaged the station.\n\n\"These important projects will protect the safety of the public water supply and improve water quality in the East Metro,\" McCollum said. \"As Vice Chair of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I've worked hard to ensure that this bill makes important investments in healthy communities and clean air and water, and I'm proud to bring these dollars back to the Fourth District to make an impact here at home.\"\n\n\"We are grateful for the support from Congresswoman McCollum and her staff in making this a priority,\" said Woodbury Mayor Anne Burt. \"Connecting all of our water supply wells to a new water treatment plant to address PFAS is an expensive endeavor and the city cannot do it on its own. This money will help reduce the funding gap and financial burden placed on our residents.\"\n\n\"What a fantastic Christmas present for our little community,\" said Birchwood Village Mayor Mary Wingfield. \"Our lift station was flooded a few years ago. The damage it incurred is irreparable. With this new funding to help rebuild our main lift station, our residents as well as White Bear Lake will be protected for years to come.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nAs Vice Chair of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, Congresswoman McCollum has worked hard to secure funding for many priorities for the nation and for Minnesota. In total, the bill includes $38.9 billion in regular appropriations, an increase of $850 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. There is also an additional $1.6 billion of for wildfire preparedness and suppression activities.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nCreates good-paying American jobs through investments in renewable energy development, including offshore wind, and a national initiative to reclaim abandoned mines and cap orphan oil and gas wells.\n\nConfronts the climate crisis by expanding environmental enforcement efforts and launching a renewed focus on land and water conservation.\n\nSupports Native American families by investing in a strong and resilient Indian Country, including through education and health care programs, and honoring the federal government's trust and treaty responsibilities to tribal nations.\n\nDramatically expands environmental justice efforts to address unacceptable pollution in communities of color.\n\nRead Chair McCollum's full statement on final passage of the omnibus here.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-successfully-secures-45-million-local-health-equity-workforce-projects", "McCollum Successfully Secures $4.5 Million for Local Health, Equity, Workforce Projects", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "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 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 conference agreement, paving the way for President Biden to sign it into law. The agreement includes funding for all 15 of Rep. McCollum's requested Community Projects that will directly benefit the Fourth District.\n\nWithin the Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education portion of the agreement, McCollum secured $4.5 million across four local projects:\n\nProject: Gillette Specialty Healthcare Research Investigative Lab ($1,500,000)\n\nThe investigative lab will be used to conduct research related to assessment of motor control, movement disorders, spasticity, and pain, and would include a rehabilitation research and clinical care space needed to advance the development of biofeedback, robotics, and exoskeleton development.\n\nProject: Penumbra Positive Racial Identity Development for Youth Program ($1,000,000)\n\nThis funding will support the development, testing, and early implementation of Penumbra's PRIDE (Positive Racial Identity Development & Empowerment) curriculum, supporting children of all races as they learn about concepts and experiences of race, identity, and social justice at developmentally critical stages.\n\nProject: Sanneh Foundation Youth Workforce Development ($1,000,000)\n\nThis program combines career exploration with local employers, tangible work experience, social capital building developmental relationships, and Social and Emotional Learning into a comprehensive year-long youth workforce development program to help bridge the opportunity gap for young people in Minnesota.\n\nProject: Hamline University Pipers to Professionals Program ($1,000,000)\n\nThe funding will provide underserved students with wrap-around support services while they engage in a paid internship, to effectively promote student development for professional employment.\n\n\"Bringing federal taxpayer dollars to Minnesota's Fourth District for these projects will make a tangible, positive impact in our community,\" McCollum said. \"This funding will bolster our collective future \u2013 whether through medical developments to improve children's lives or bridging the gaps to offer more economic opportunities for historically-excluded communities \u2013 I'm proud of the progress that will be achieved right here at home.\"\n\n\"At Gillette Children's we lead in pediatric specialty care through innovation and care coordination,\" said Gillette Children's President and CEO Barbara Joers. \"Our providers and researchers are passionate about improving the lives of children living with complex healthcare needs and relentlessly pursue research to discover the newest and best evidence-based clinical care. Research is a crucial driver of how we advance diagnosis and treatment interventions for pediatric musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. This project will fund critical infrastructure to expand Gillette Children's research capacity and capabilities, positively impacting the lives of many children and their families.\"\n\n\"This funding will support the development of a racial healing curriculum for children of all races ages 2-22,\" said President of Penumbra Sarah Bellamy. \"Guiding young people along a journey of positive identity development, children will cultivate self-esteem, social-emotional and regulation skills, a deep sense of cultural pride, and belonging. We are eager to contribute Penumbra's unique arts-based expertise to support change work within the education sector for children and families in the State of Minnesota.\"\n\n\"The Sanneh Foundation is grateful to have champions like Congresswoman McCollum advocating to bring resources to our underserved communities,\" said Sanneh Foundation CEO Tony Sanneh. \"These investments in our youth set the foundation for our future workforce.\"\n\n\"Hamline University is thankful to Minnesota's congressional delegation for their dedicated work in securing funding for the Pipers to Professionals program,\" said Hamline President Fayneese Miller. \"We're especially grateful to Rep. McCollum for introducing the funding request in this year's bill. Thanks to her support, hundreds of Hamline students will be able to pursue internships without the undue stress of working multiple jobs or making financial sacrifices.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nFor 2023, the LHHS bill provides $226.8 billion, an increase of $15 billion \u20137.1 percent \u2013 above 2022.\n\nWith this historic increase, the legislation:\n\nCreates and sustains good-paying American jobs through investments in job training, apprenticeship programs, and worker protection\n\nGrows opportunity with major investments in education, including significant funding for high-poverty schools and students with disabilities, and strong increases for programs that expand access to post-secondary education\n\nBolsters our public health infrastructure with more resources for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for states and local governments to strengthen infrastructure and capacity\n\nStrengthens lifesaving biomedical research with increased funding for the National Institutes of Health, as well as increased funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health\n\nSupports middle class and working families with increased funding for child care, Head Start, and preschool development grants\n\nAdvances equal treatment for women by increasing funding for the range of health services, including family planning, covered by Title X and repealing the discriminatory Hyde Amendment\n\nAddresses our nation's most urgent health crises, including maternal health, mental health, gun violence, and substance misuse, while making strides to reduce persistent and unacceptable health disparities\n\nRead Chair McCollum's full statement on final passage of the omnibus here.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-successfully-secures-7-million-new-plant-disease-research-lab-st-paul", "McCollum Successfully Secures $7 Million for New Plant Disease Research Lab in St. Paul", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 23, 2022\n\nFY 2023 Omnibus Agreement Funds All MN-04 Community Projects\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 conference agreement, paving the way for President Biden to sign it into law. The agreement includes funding for all 15 of Rep. McCollum's requested Community Projects that will directly benefit the Fourth District.\n\nWithin the Agriculture-Rural Development-Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies portion of the agreement, McCollum secured $7 million for a Community Project Funding (CPF) request which will benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District and U.S. agriculture at large:\n\nProject: USDA Agricultural Research Service Cereal Disease Lab located on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota ($7,000,000)\n\nThis initial funding will help lay the groundwork for the planning and development of a new next generation laboratory facility that will make gains in addressing new and emerging pathogenic strains in important agricultural crops in order to mitigate risks to U.S. agriculture and our global food supply.\n\n\"The Agricultural Research Service's Cereal Disease Lab will be critical for Minnesota agriculture and our global food supply,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"I'm proud to secure funding to facilitate this important research to ensure sustainable and healthy crops.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe FY 23 Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill totals provides funding of $25.5 billion \u2013 a critical increase of $737 million, 3 percent\u2013 above 2022. In total, the bill includes $242 billion for both discretionary programs funded on an annual basis and mandatory programs such as SNAP.\n\nAs a member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. McCollum is proud that the bill:\n\nTackles hunger and nutrition insecurity by providing increased access to fruits and vegetables to 6.2 million people through WIC and ensuring 43.5 million people in SNAP-eligible families get the benefits they need. The bill also invests in the health of America's kids through Child Nutrition programs, like school meals, which are now the healthiest source of food consumed in the United States.\n\nRebuilds our public health infrastructure and strengthens the safety of our baby formula market with increased funding to address maternal and infant nutrition, including resources for the \u2018Closer to Zero' initiative to reduce exposure to toxic elements in babies' and young children's food, emerging food-related chemical and toxicological issues, drug safety oversight, as well as providing additional resources for in-person inspections of one of the largest foreign drug manufacturing countries, and drug and device supply chain monitoring and surveillance. The bill also invests in our public health infrastructure by modernizing FDA's data infrastructure to better ensure the safety and security of the food and medical supply chain.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.99) directing funding to continue educating the public on the dangers of harmful skin-lightening products, which disproportionately impact women of color\n\nInvests over $455 million for the expansion of broadband service to provide economic development opportunities and improved education and healthcare services. This includes $348 million for the ReConnect program. These significant investments in broadband reflect a commitment to enabling Americans in rural communities to access digital tools necessary to improve health, educational, and economic outcomes.\n\nProvides important investments to ensure equitable participation in USDA programs. In total, the bill provides more funding than the request to advance racial justice, including increases for extension, research, and capacity grants at our 1890 land grants, 1994 land grants, and Hispanic serving institutions to help strengthen the pipeline for the future of agriculture. It also provides funding to improve outreach and program access to historically underserved communities and provides a healthy increase for USDA's Office of Civil Rights above the request\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.26) supporting food security and climate adaptation, encouraging NIFA to seek out and support suitable non-profit ag-biotech research partners to engage in transgenic plant research that can deliver durable resistance to plant diseases, pests, and weeds, thus advancing USDA goals for food security and climate adaptation, and benefitting both producers and consumers of major crops.\n\nIncludes McCollum request (p.11) increasing the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program funding by $500,000 from FY22.\n\nRead Chair McCollum's full statement on final passage of the omnibus here.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-secures-24720224-local-projects-final-government-funding-package-0", "Rep. Omar Secures $24,720,224 For Local Projects in Final Government Funding Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) announced $24,720,224 in Community Project Funding for the 5th District of Minnesota was included in the final House-passed 2023 appropriations government funding package. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in the Fifth District.\n\n\u201cI am proud to have secured over $24 million in Community Project Funding that I know meets long overdue community needs in Minnesota\u2019s 5th District and builds on our previous success delivering $17 million to the district,\u201d Rep. Omarsaid. \u201cThese include investments in housing, healthcare, food access, the environment and community space. They were achieved with input from constituents throughout the Fifth District, built on a model of cogovernance. The investments create Minnesota jobs with better pay, make us safer, strengthen our communities, and help to tackle climate change. I\u2019m grateful to my Senators for being good partners in securing funding for our shared priorities\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom investing in infrastructure to expanding access to affordable housing, health care, and workforce development, these projects will help address key issues impacting Minnesotans on a daily basis,\u201d said Sen. Klobuchar. \u201cI am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure funding for these projects that will make our communities stronger and safer.\u201d\n\nRep. Omar championed and secured funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit Minnesota\u2019s 5th District residents. These include:\n\n\u00b7 $3,000,000 for the Avenues for Youth Housing and Headquarters\n\n\u00b7 $600,000 for the Birth Center Improvement\n\n\u00b7 $1,000,000 for the Cedar Riverside People's Center, Minneapolis, MN for facilities and equipment\n\n\u00b7 $2,856,224 for the Establishing Safe Refuge to South-Asian Diasporic Communities in Minnesota\n\n\u00b7 $514,000 for the Low Income Housing Improvements for Persons with Disabilities in Minneapolis, Golden Valley and St. Anthony\n\n\u00b7 $3,000,000 for the Multifamily Land Trust for Affordable Housing\n\n\u00b7 $1,000,000 for the Native American Community Clinic, Minneapolis, MN for facilities and equipment\n\n\u00b7 $1,000,000 for the New Facility for Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA)\n\n\u00b7 $1,000,000 for the Northside Food Access and Distribution Project\n\n\u00b7 $750,000 for the Northside Youth Greenhouse\n\n\u00b7 $3,000,000 for the Perspectives Inc., St. Louis Park, MN for facilities and equipment\n\n\u00b7 $750,000 for the Renovation of Snelling Motel to Affordable Housing for Veterans\n\n\u00b7 $2,500,000 for the Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments\n\n\u00b7 $750,000 for the Southside Village Boys Girls Club Expansion\n\n\u00b7 $3,000,000 for the Wood Lake Nature Center Building Project\n\nThe twelve-bill government funding package will create good-paying American jobs, grow opportunity for the middle class and small businesses, and provide a lifeline for working families. Taken together, the funding for Minnesota\u2019s 5th District and the funding increases for critical government programs will continue to reverse decades of disinvestment in our communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/chair-mccollum-delivers-minnesota-17-trillion-omnibus-appropriations-bill", "Chair McCollum Delivers for Minnesota as $1.7 Trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passes U.S. House", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 22, 2022\n\nFiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Includes $35 Million for 15 East Metro Projects\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, praised House colleagues for passing the critical omnibus appropriations package to fund the federal government for fiscal year 2023. Having also passed the U.S. Senate, the bill now goes to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. The omnibus appropriations legislation will fund the economic, educational, health care, and environmental priorities of the American people, as well as provide for the national defense and investments in humanitarian assistance, development, and democracy around the world.\n\nThe final appropriations conference agreement, H.R. 2617, provides $1.7 trillion in discretionary spending across the 12 appropriations bills, as well as $44.9 billion in critical aid to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for against Russia's war of aggression. Chair McCollum's portion of the omnibus bill represents a full 47% of the $1.7 trillion in spending.\n\nChair McCollum released the following statement following House passage:\n\n\"Having worked on this bill all year, this bill meets the critical needs of the federal government and the American people as we confront the most serious challenges facing our nation, both at home and abroad,\" Chair McCollum said. \"Keeping families, communities, and our country safe, healthy, strong, and prosperous is the focus of this bill.\n\n\"With regard to national security, my colleagues and I invested in our most important security asset \u2013 our service members and their families. At a time when Americans are struggling with higher prices, this bill includes a 4.6% pay raise and an 11% increase in housing and food allowances to help offset rising prices for military families. My defense bill also tackles the climate crises head on, by investing more than $2 billion in clean energy programs and climate adaptation to protect facilities, readiness, and global security. We invest over $39 billion in defense health and medical research programs, including more than $582 million for cancer research. This funding will save lives and make America healthier.\n\n\"My commitment to investing in innovation and the jobs of the future is a major focus of the bill. Included in the bill is $300 million for bioindustrial facilities to help spur the biomanufacturing economy that will develop the products of the future and establish domestic supply chains.\n\n\"Finally, the agreement provides additional military and humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian people in their fight to defend their democracy against Russian aggression.\n\n\"I am proud to support the men and women of the Armed Forces, as well as the millions of civilians who support our nation in public service and the industrial base. This bill will keep our nation strong.\"\n\nFor families and communities in Minnesota's East Metro, the conference agreement includes all 15 of Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding (CPF) requests totaling over $35 million.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. A summary of the disaster supplemental is here and a one-page fact sheet is here. A summary of the Ukraine supplemental is here.\n\nAcross the agreement, Congresswoman McCollum was successful in securing funding for priority issues impacting Minnesotans, including these highlights:\n\nInterior & Environment Appropriations:\n\nAs Vice Chair of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, Congresswoman McCollum has worked hard to secure funding for many priorities for the nation and for Minnesota. In total, the bill includes $38.9 billion in regular appropriations, an increase of $850 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. There is also an additional $1.6 billion of for wildfire preparedness and suppression activities.\n\nHighlights from this section:\n\nAs the lead sponsor of H.R. 5549, McCollum successfully secured advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to maintain funding through fiscal year 2024, protecting millions of Native Americans from health care uncertainties amid a federal shutdown. This provision honors the work of the late Rep. Don Young.\n\nIncludes McCollum language(p.94) encouraging EPA to consider establishing a Mississippi River National Program Office to develop Actionable Goals and an Action Plan to identify and prioritize projects and activities designed to protect and restore the ecological health and resilience of the Mississippi River.\n\nProvides $2 million for the National Forest Service to expand the successful Urban Connections program, opening up more opportunities for diverse youth and urban leaders to get involved in outdoor recreation and learn about the natural resources in their backyard.\n\nProvides $83.2 million for Climate Adaptation Science Centers, including the newest CASC located in St. Paul.\n\nIncludes $681.7 million for Geographic Programs which help with the restoration of nationally significant bodies of water, including increased funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).\n\nThe bill invests in the health, education, public safety, and other trust and treaty responsibilities throughout Indian Country, including a $327 million increase to the 2022 enacted level for the Indian Health Service, and a $299 million increase for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Office of the Special Trustee.\n\nProvides $90.4 million for the Urban Indian Health Program to support our trust and treaty obligations to provide accessible, culturally competent care to Native Americans in urban centers, including the Twin Cities.\n\nIncludes $40 million for Urban and Community Forestry, an increase of $4 million above 2022 levels.\n\nIncludes the highest-ever level of funding to the arts and humanities, with $207 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.\n\nProvides $10.1 billion for the EPA to confront the climate crisis and build resilience to climate change by expanding environmental enforcement efforts.\n\nIncludes $108 million for Environmental Justice activities for historically underserved communities overburdened by disproportionate impacts from pollution.\n\nThis section also includes two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman McCollum to directly benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nCity of Woodbury Drinking Water Treatment Facility ($3,450,000)\n\nThis funding will be used to connect to a new water treatment facility addressing PFAS contamination in order to improve drinking water quality for residents.\n\nCity of Birchwood Village Lift Station ($480,000)\n\nProviding Birchwood Village with funds for a modern sewer lift station to prevent contamination of lakes and public water supplies.\n\nLabor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies:\n\nFor 2023, the LHHS bill provides $226.8 billion, an increase of $15 billion \u20137.1 percent \u2013 above 2022.\n\nWith this historic increase, the legislation:\n\nCreates and sustains good-paying American jobs through investments in job training, apprenticeship programs, and worker protection.\n\nGrows opportunity with major investments in education, including significant funding for high-poverty schools and students with disabilities, and strong increases for programs that expand access to post-secondary education.\n\nBolsters our public health infrastructure with more resources for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for states and local governments to strengthen infrastructure and capacity.\n\nStrengthens lifesaving biomedical research with increased funding for the National Institutes of Health, as well as increased funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.\n\nSupports middle class and working families with increased funding for child care, Head Start, and preschool development grants.\n\nAdvances equal treatment for women by increasing funding for the range of health services, including family planning, covered by Title X and repealing the discriminatory Hyde Amendment.\n\nAddresses our nation's most urgent health crises, including maternal health, mental health, gun violence, and substance misuse, while making strides to reduce persistent and unacceptable health disparities.\n\nThis section also includes four Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman McCollum to benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nProject: Gillette Specialty Healthcare Research Investigative Lab ($1,500,000)\n\nThe investigative lab will be used to conduct research related to assessment of motor control, movement disorders, spasticity, and pain, and would include a rehabilitation research and clinical care space needed to advance the development of biofeedback, robotics, and exoskeleton development.\n\nProject: Penumbra Positive Racial Identity Development for Youth Program ($1,000,000)\n\nThis funding supports the development, testing, and early implementation of Penumbra's PRIDE (Positive Racial Identity Development & Empowerment) curriculum, supporting children of all races as they learn about concepts and experiences of race, identity, and social justice at developmentally critical stages.\n\nProject: Sanneh Foundation Youth Workforce Development ($1,000,000)\n\nThis program combines career exploration with local employers, tangible work experience, social capital building developmental relationships, and Social and Emotional Learning into a comprehensive year-long youth workforce development program to help bridge the opportunity gap for young people in Minnesota.\n\nProject: Hamline University Pipers to Professionals Program ($1,000,000)\n\nThis funding will be used to provide underserved students with wrap-around support services while they engage in a paid internship, to effectively promote student development for professional employment.\n\nAgriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies:\n\nThe FY 23 Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill totals provides funding of $25.5 billion \u2013 a critical increase of $737 million, 3 percent\u2013 above 2022. In total, the bill includes $242 billion for both discretionary programs funded on an annual basis and mandatory programs such as SNAP.\n\nAs a member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. McCollum is proud that the bill:\n\nRebuilds our public health infrastructure and strengthens the safety of our baby formula market with increased funding to address maternal and infant nutrition. The bill also invests in our public health infrastructure by modernizing FDA's data infrastructure to better ensure the safety and security of the food and medical supply chain.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.99) directing funding to continue educating the public on the dangers of harmful skin-lightening products, which disproportionately impact women of color.\n\nIncludes McCollum request (p.11) increasing the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program funding by $500,000 from FY 22.\n\nTackles hunger and nutrition insecurity by providing increased access to fruits and vegetables to 6.2 million people through WIC and ensuring 43.5 million people in SNAP-eligible families get the benefits they need. The bill also invests in the health of America's kids through child nutrition programs, like school meals, which are now the healthiest source of food consumed in the U.S.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.26) supporting food security and climate adaptation, encouraging NIFA to seek out and support suitable non-profit ag-biotech research partners to engage in transgenic plant research that can deliver durable resistance to plant diseases, pests, and weeds, thus advancing USDA goals for food security and climate adaptation, and benefitting both producers and consumers of major crops.\n\nThe legislation invests over $455 million for the expansion of broadband service to provide economic development opportunities and improved education and health care services. This includes $348 million for the ReConnect program. These significant investments in broadband reflect a commitment to enabling Americans in rural communities to access digital tools necessary to improve health, educational, and economic outcomes.\n\nProvides important investments to ensure equitable participation in USDA programs. In total, the bill provides more funding than the request to advance racial justice, including increases for extension, research, and capacity grants at our 1890 land grants, 1994 land grants, and Hispanic serving institutions to help strengthen the pipeline for the future of agriculture. It also provides funding to improve outreach and program access to historically underserved communities.\n\nThis section also includes a Community Project Funding (CPF) request made by Congresswoman McCollum to directly benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nProject: USDA Agricultural Research Service Cereal Disease Lab ($7,000,000)\n\nInvests in the planning and development of a new next generation laboratory facility that will make gains in addressing emerging pathogenic strains in important agricultural crops in order to mitigate risks to U.S. agriculture and our global food supply.\n\nEnergy and Water Development, and Related Agencies:\n\nThe 2023 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies funding bill provides $54.65 billion.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nRebuilds our nation's water infrastructure, critical to protecting communities from more frequent and severe storms and to addressing the worsening western drought\n\nIncludes McCollum language(p. 30) reminding the Army Corps of Engineers that the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam is a federal project that requires routine maintenance and that the disposition study continue to be at full federal expense.\n\nStrengthens our national security by providing for a safe and secure nuclear deterrent and protects our environment by funding legacy nuclear cleanup work\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 167) in support of improving the coordination of federal efforts involved in growing and sustaining a robust national security workforce.\n\nHelps lower energy costs by strengthening America's energy independence.\n\nCreates tens of thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on deploying clean energy technologies and the green jobs of tomorrow in communities across the country.\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with more than $15.3 billion of transformative investments in clean energy and science, which will help develop clean, affordable, and secure American energy.\n\nThis section also includes a Community Project Funding (CPF) request made by Congresswoman McCollum to directly benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nProject: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory ($2,200,000)\n\nThis funding would help to replace an inefficient natural gas steam boiler with a Hydro Geothermal Heat Pump, a more energy efficient heating and cooling system. it is expected to reduce emissions by up to 50%, lowering facility operating costs so more resources can be used to enhance programs that serve our community.\n\nTransportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies:\n\nThe 2023 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill provides funding of $87.3 billion, an increase of $6.3 billion \u2013 nearly 8 percent \u2013 above 2022.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nCreates and sustains tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure with significant investments in airports, highways, transit, passenger rail, and port systems.\n\nIncludes more than $2.6 billion to reduce emissions, increase resiliency, and address historical inequities in transportation and housing programs.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 45) regarding addressing historical inequities in our nation's interstate highway system, such as reconnecting the historic Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul. This language also encourages the Department of Transportation to provide clarity to the reconnecting communities pilot program, established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.\n\nGrows opportunity through homeownership and rental assistance, including more than 140,000 new housing vouchers targeted to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and approximately 5,600 new units for seniors and persons with disabilities.\n\nSupports the vulnerable with public housing safety, maintenance, and improvement investments, such as the remediation of lead paint and radon and installation of energy and water efficient systems.\n\nPromotes safe transportation and housing with a skilled and growing workforce to conduct inspections, mitigate hazards, and study emerging threats and innovative solutions.\n\nThis section also includes three Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman McCollum to directly benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nProject: Ordway Center for Performing Arts ($3,930,000)\n\nThis funding will be used to replace the roof above the Ordway's Music Theater, upgrade its lighting infrastructure, and install LED light fixtures so it can continue to provide opportunities to engage, entertain, and inspire our community.\n\nProject: The Playwrights' Center ($4,000,000)\n\nThis funding will be used for the redesign and renovation of the Playwrights' Center, which supports playwrights and promotes new plays to production at theaters across the country.\n\nProject: The North End Community Center ($4,000,000)\n\nThis funding will be used to complete construction of the North End Community Center on Rice Street in Saint Paul, which will be a community space with amenities that encourage and promote relationship building and physical activities.\n\nFinancial Services and General Government:\n\nThe 2023 Financial Services and General Government funding includes $27.6 billion in funding, an increase of $1.7 billion over fiscal year 2022.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 14) encouraging the Department of the Treasury to establish an Office of Tribal Affairs to improve the Department's outreach and capacity to respond to the needs of Native communities.\n\nAssists small businesses and entrepreneurs through the Small Business Administration and Community Development Financial Institutions.\n\nProtects our democracy with Election Security Grants to ensure the integrity and safety of our elections.\n\nRebuilds the Internal Revenue Service to finally crack down on big corporations and the wealthy who are not paying their fair share and to provide better customer service to working families navigating the tax system.\n\nSupports working and middle-class families by increasing funding for consumer protection activities at the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.\n\nConfronts the climate crisis by providing funding to start the transition of the Federal vehicle fleet to electric and zero-emission vehicles.\n\nThis section also includes two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman McCollum to directly benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nProject: Neighborhood Development Center ($1,6000,000)\n\nThis funding would be used, in partnership with Metro State University, to build out space as a cybersecurity information center to assist small neighborhood businesses, and launch a program for budding cybersecurity professionals to hone their skills.\n\nProject: Latino Economic Development Center Plaza del Sol ($1,000,000)\n\nThe funding will be used for the rehabilitation of Plaza del Sol, which would house at least eight small businesses on its first floor. Additionally, the commissary kitchen will be the launchpad for dozens of new Latino-owned small businesses annually.\n\nLegislative Branch:\n\nProvides $6.9 billion, a 16.5 percent increase, to secure the Capitol Complex, grow opportunity, and ensure Congress works better for the American people.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nProvides funding for extensive enhanced security measures within the budgets for the Sergeant at Arms (SAA), the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) and the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP).\n\nFulfills the security recommendations suggested by the Government Accountability Office and the Office of Inspector General after the January 6 insurrection.\n\nStrengthens and supports the USCP with $734.6 million to allow for the hiring of up to 2,126 sworn officers and 567 civilian members, bolster wellness support, increase transparency and diversity, and improve training.\n\nProvides $24.3 million for the House to join McCollum in finally offering paid internship opportunities, increasing diversity and opportunity for interns from working- and middle-class families and providing livable wages for interns.\n\nInvests $10 million in the House Modernization Initiatives Account to make Congress more effective, efficient, and transparent on behalf of the American people.\n\nCommerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies:\n\nFor 2023, the bill provides $84.2 billion, an increase of $6.1 billion \u2013 7.8 percent above the comparable 2022 level.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nHelps make our communities safer by:\n\nIncluding McCollum request (p.4) for a tribal set-aside within the DOJ's Crime Victims Fund (CVF) to better improve consultation with tribal partners to protect victims of violence in tribal communities.\n\nProviding resources for local law enforcement with $770.8 million for Byrne Justice Assistance grants and $662.9 million for COPS program grants.\n\nAddressing the gun violence epidemic with $95 million to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check system and $50 million for Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative.\n\nStanding up for civil rights, with $15 million for the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization + to ensure perpetrators of hate crimes are brought to justice.\n\nCreates good-paying American jobs by:\n\nProviding $11.2 billion for the Department of Commerce, an increase of $1.3 billion, with investments in economic development in distressed communities and support for small businesses, including small- and medium- sized American manufacturers.\n\nProviding $70 million for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) which helps business growth opportunities among minority-owned U.S. companies.\n\nAddresses gender-based violence by:\n\nProviding $700 million for Violence Against Women Act prevention and prosecution programs an increase of $67 million.\n\nIncluding $225 million to reduce the backlog of unprocessed rape kits and other DNA evidence.\n\nConfronts the climate crisis by:\n\nProviding $25.4 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion, for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with strong funding within this total for efforts to gain scientific knowledge about the Earth's changing climate.\n\nIncluding $6.8 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for climate research and mitigation efforts, improvements in weather forecasting, understanding sea level rise, supporting offshore wind energy, fisheries management, and STEM education.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.31) to research the harmful environmental impacts of harmful algal blooms in our waterways, including potential impacts on drinking water.\n\nThis section of the agreement also includes two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman McCollum to directly benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nFamiliar Faces: Engaging Frequent Users of Emergency/Shelter Services ($2,000,000)\n\nThis project will be geared toward frequent users of emergency services who have cycled in and out of shelters, jails, and hospitals, for whom a much more targeted approach is necessary to ensure their needs are met and resources are allocated effectively.\n\nWashington County Hybrid Patrol Vehicles and River Patrol Boats ($1,600,000)\n\nThis project will allow the Washington County Sheriff's Office to invest in the latest hybrid vehicle technology to help reduce the fuel consumption and the impact the fleet has on the environment. Robust and safe watercraft are necessary to perform safety patrols, search and rescue, critical infrastructure protection, and responding to emergencies.\n\nState, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs:\n\nProvides $59.7 billion to strengthen our alliances, support vulnerable people, bolster public health infrastructure, confront climate change, advance women's rights, and promote democracy.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.1558) securing more than $1 billion to help raise millions out of poverty by funding the Global Food Security Act, supporting Feed the Future's comprehensive approach to improve nutrition outcomes. This funding complements the soon-to-be-signed into law bill also authored by McCollum reauthorizing the program for an additional five years.\n\nIncludes McCollum language(p.33) to strengthen programs orphans and vulnerable children, including ensuring 10% of funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is spent on supporting orphans and vulnerable children and reporting back on how that target is being met.\n\nIncludes no less than $225 million in aid for the West Bank and Gaza (p.38) for community-based programs that provide for basic human needs, such as food, water, health, shelter, protection, education, transportation and livelihoods, and that promote peace and development.\n\nAdvances women's rights by increasing funding for family planning, increasing United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) funding, and repealing restrictions on safe and legal abortion.\n\nIncreases funding for USAID's Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program, which provides competitive grants to organizations like Books for Africa to ship goods overseas, and includesMcCollum language (p.52).\n\nIncludes McCollum-requested funding (p.95) to help mitigate the impacts of climate change that are impacting global stability and U.S. national security, include reforestation and grasslands restoration in the design and planning of environmental and food security activities, and support natural climate solutions and restoration for landscape regeneration.\n\nSupports the world's most vulnerable with foreign assistance to meet urgent humanitarian needs, many of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and rebuilds the global public health infrastructure with a dramatic increase in funding for global health security to confront the current COVID-19 pandemic and prevent future pandemics.\n\nPromotes democracy with funding to support allies and partners of the United States, particularly to counter growing Chinese influence.\n\nDirects the Department of State to ensure the safety of Afghans and their families who have provided valuable service to the U.S. and expediting the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process.\n\nHomeland Security:\n\nFor 2023, the Department of Homeland Security bill provides $86.5 billion.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nSecures our infrastructure and communities by:\n\nProtecting organizations at-risk of attack with $615 million for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI).\n\nIncludes $56 million McCollum request (p.88) to fund the Next Generation Warning system, improving the resiliency and security of public broadcasting networks and systems.\n\nIncreasing funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) by $313.5 million for a total of $2.9 billion to prevent cyberattacks, root out cyber intrusions, and protect critical infrastructure and communications systems.\n\nRespects the rights and dignity of immigrants by:\n\nProviding $31 million for new body worn cameras and video recording equipment for Border Patrol personnel.\n\nProhibiting DHS from placing pregnant women in restraints except in extraordinary circumstances.\n\nSupports disaster relief and response by:\n\nProviding $25.7 billion for FEMA to prepare for disaster response and recovery efforts.\n\nProviding $130 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.\n\nSecuring $800 million transferred from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for a new Shelter and Services Program for migrants encountered by DHS.\n\nMilitary Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies:\n\nThe fiscal year 2023 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill provides $322.7 billion, an increase of $38 billion \u2013 more than 13 percent \u2013 above fiscal year 2022. Of this amount, discretionary funding for programs such as veterans' health care and military construction totals $154.2 billion, an increase of $26.6 billion above fiscal year 2022.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nSupports our veterans with investments in health care, including targeted investments that advance women's health, mental health, and homelessness assistance.\n\nRebuilds our infrastructure with strong investments to construct critical facilities on military installations, including family housing and child development centers, and build, repair, and retrofit Veterans Affairs facilities.\n\nEnsures veterans receive the compensation and benefits that they have earned without unreasonable delays.\n\nProtects our national security with investments to respond to the challenges posed by Russian and Chinese aggression.\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with increased climate change and resiliency funding to help military installations adapt to rising sea levels and worsening natural disasters.\n\nResponds to natural disasters by providing funding for recovery and rebuilding of damaged installations.\n\nRemediates harmful substances and chemicals leaked into the land and water sources.\n\nThe appropriations bill also includes\u2014for the first time\u2014$5 billion in mandatory funding for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund established in the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022. In addition, the legislation includes $41 million in emergency funding to support recovery from Hurricanes Ian and Fiona.\n\nDefense:\n\nFor 2023, the bill provides $797.7 billion in discretionary spending, an increase of $69.3 billion above 2022.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nHelps military families with rising costs by providing a 4.6% military pay raise and an 11% increase to the Basic Allowance for Housing and Basic Allowance for Subsistence to offset the costs of food and housing.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.49) directing the Secretary of Defense and Service Secretaries to explore increasing procurement of bison meat from Indian tribes and tribal organizations, consistent with the Buy American Act.\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with over $2 billion in investments for clean energy and climate adaptation to protect facilities, readiness, and global security.\n\nProvides $39.2 billion for DoD medical research and health care programs, including $582.5 million for cancer research.\n\nIncludes $1.6 billion in funding for Environmental Restoration activities.\n\nThis includes over $250 million in funding for PFOS/PFOA cleanup and removal research.\n\nHelps Ukraine defend its democracy by providing $9.3 billion to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and continues American support for our NATO and European allies in the face of Russian aggression.\n\nProtects our national security by investing in our domestic advanced manufacturing base which will support American jobs and economic growth.\n\nThe text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 is available here. A list of bill highlights is here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is here. A summary of the disaster supplemental is here and a one-page fact sheet is here. A summary of the Ukraine supplemental is here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2022/12/fischbach-klobuchar-smith-legislation-to-rename-vergas-post-office-after-veteran-and-mail-carrier-jon-glawe-passes-senate", "Fischbach, Klobuchar, Smith, Legislation to Rename Vergas Post Office After Veteran and Mail Carrier Jon Glawe Passes Senate", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Legislation to rename the Vergas Post Office in honor of veteran and longtime mail carrier Jon Glawe has passed the Senate. Glawe, who passed away in 2016, spent 36 years working as a mail carrier in the Vergas community. The legislation was first introduced by Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), who led its passage through the House in September. The bill now goes to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cJon Glawe had the chance to travel the world in the U.S. Army, but ultimately, his heart was in Vergas, MN where he returned to marry his high school sweetheart and become a staple in his community,\u201d said Congresswoman Fischbach. \u201cHe ran a dairy farm, raised three children, and for 36 years he ran the postal route as his father had, often going above and beyond his duties, such as delivering necessities like medicine and food during snow storms. He loved his rural roots and his community loved him back. It was an honor to author this legislation and I am overjoyed to memorialize Jon in this way.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2022/12/legislation-to-rename-local-post-offices-in-honor-of-fallen-minnesota-guardsmen-passes-senate", "Legislation to Rename Local Post Offices in Honor of Fallen Minnesota Guardsmen Passes Senate", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Legislation to honor fallen Minnesota National Guardsmen, authored by Representatives Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) and Tom Emmer (MN-06) have now passed in the Senate after being introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN). The Avon Post Office is to be renamed in honor of Army National Guard Warrant Officer Candidate Kort M. Plantenberg; the Perham Post Office renamed in honor after Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Charles P. Nord; and the Winsted Post Office renamed in honor of Chief Warrant Officer James A. Rogers Jr. The bills now go to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\nThese three Minnesota National Guardsmen were tragically killed on December 5, 2019 when their UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter experienced engine failure during their flight.\n\n\u201cWe can never honor our fallen the way they truly deserve, but every step we can take is a meaningful one. Charles Nord and James Rogers of Minnesota\u2019s 7th District and Kort Plantenberg of the 6th District were deeply passionate about their service to this country and loved by their family and friends in their communities, who still gather together to share stories and memories\u201d said Congresswoman Fischbach. \u201cI am so pleased that with the passing of this legislation to rename the post offices in Perham, Winsted, and Avon we can take one small step to memorialize these three patriots the way they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cKort, James and Charles gave their lives in service of Minnesotans. We are proud to honor their legacy by creating a living memorial in the communities they called home,\u201d said Congressman Emmer.\n\n\u201cSergeant Plantenberg, Chief Warrant Officer Nord, and Chief Warrant Officer Rogers made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country,\u201d said Senator Klobuchar. \u201cBy renaming the Avon, Perham, and Winsted Post Offices in their honor, we will pay tribute to their legacies and help Minnesotans keep their memories alive for generations to come. Thank you to Representatives Emmer and Fischbach for leading this effort in the House.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-announces-winners-2022-congressional-app-challenge", "McCollum Announces Winners of 2022 Congressional App Challenge", "2022-12-20", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "On Monday, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) held a virtual event to congratulate Coolsjes and Riddhi Singhvi of Stillwater, Minnesota, for winning the 2022 Fourth Congressional District App Challenge. Their app, Smart Planner, was chosen by a panel of judges from the Fourth Congressional District. Designed to help users create and implement SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goals, the app allows users to track their progress through goal milestones, set reminders, schedule evaluations from mentors, and integrate rewards for achieving a goal.\n\nCoolsjes and Riddhi were inspired to create Smart Planner to give students a free resource to help them make the most of their education and plan for their future. As the winners of this year's competition, Coolsjes and Riddhi will have the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. for the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception, and to have their entry featured in a display at the U.S. Capitol.\n\nDuring the virtual event, Congresswoman McCollum also congratulated the second and third place winners of the App Challenge:\n\nAnna Baldauff, Tia Cyriac, Katherine Lengyel, and Alexa McKusick from Mahtomedi High School took second place with their app, Diversifi, which allows users to assess the gender equity of a public company's leadership; John Liu from Mounds View High School took third place with his app, MiniTax, an educational app to help teens or first-time taxpayers understand the importance and function of taxes in our society.\n\n\"It is a pleasure to congratulate Coolsjes and Riddhi Singhvi as the winners of the 2022 Fourth Congressional District App Challenge, and recognize the other finalists,\" Congresswoman McCollum said. \"This was the most competitive year yet, and my office and our panel of judges were blown away with the creativity and quality of entries! Students in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District excel in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), and that was apparent when viewing their impressive submissions. All students who entered should be extremely proud of their creativity and hard work. It is exciting to host this competition to foster the next generation of technology superstars.\"\n\nJudges for this year's competition were Ted Kozlowski and Eric Ebbesen. Ted Kozlowski is the Mayor of the City of Stillwater and founder and president of the DemandQuest Marketing Institute. A Silicon Valley veteran, Kozlowski is a seasoned technology sales and marketing executive. Eric Ebbesen is a brigade captain for Open Twin Cities, a local organization fostering an inclusive community of civic collaboration and championing open government and civic technology for positive social impact and civic engagement.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide STEAM competition where students create an application or \"app\" for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, or other devices. Fourth Congressional District middle and high school students are encouraged to enter next year's competition by submitting an app of their own creation by late October 2023.\n\nStudents and teachers can find more information about the competition at mccollum.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-applauds-senate-passage-her-post-office-bills-named-after-martin-olav", "Rep. Omar Applauds Senate Passage of Her Post Office Bills Named After Martin Olav Sabo,\u00a0Charles W. \u201cChuck\u201d Lindberg", "2022-12-20", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013Today, the Senate passed legislation authored by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to rename post office locations in Minnesota's 5th District after the late Representative Martin Olav Sabo and Charles W. \u201cChuck\u201d Lindberg. Rep. Sabo represented her current district, the 5th District of Minnesota, for nearly three decades. Lindberg was a highly decorated U.S. Marine Corps corporal who fought in World War II and was one of the marines who raised the first American flag over Iwo Jima. The bills will now advance to President Biden\u2019s desk where they are expected to be signed before the end of the year\n\n\"I am thrilled that the Senate was able to pass my bills honoring Rep. Martin Sabo and Chuck Lindberg,\u201d Rep. Omar said \u201cAs one of the marines who raised the first American flag over Iwo Jima, he dedicated his life to raising awareness of the first flag-raising and the sacrifices made by veterans throughout the war. Rep. Sabo built a career standing up for low-income families and the middle class throughout Minnesota. Together they represent the proud history of Minnesota\u2019s 5th District, I particularly want to thank Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith for their commitment to advancing these bills and continued partnership.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2022/12/rep-fischbach-on-dot-grant-for-moorhead-grade-separation-safety-mobility-and-livability-project", "Rep. Fischbach on DOT Grant for Moorhead Grade Separation, Safety, Mobility, and Livability Project", "2022-12-19", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - The Department of Transportation has awarded the city of Moorhead, MN $26,309,600 in federal funding for the Trunk Highway 10/75 Grade Separation, Safety, Mobility, and Livability project.\n\n\"These railroad crossings are congestion points for both rail and road traffic, causing delays and safety issues,\" said Rep. Fischbach (MN-07). \"This project is going to substantially improve local, regional, and national transportation, and I look forward to seeing all the ways it will benefit the Moorhead community.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-trump-betrayed-constitution-and-committed-crimes-against-american", "McCollum: Trump Betrayed Constitution and Committed Crimes Against the American People", "2022-12-19", "2022", "2022-12", "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 the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol referred Donald J. Trump to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution:\n\n\"The January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was an assault on Congress, our democracy, and the rule of law. The violent insurrection was intended to prevent the peaceful transfer of power to then President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, who were legitimately elected by the American people. One person above all others is responsible for the events of that horrible day: Donald J. Trump. As President of the United States, Mr. Trump had the power to dissuade the mob. He had the power to disperse the mob. He had the power to protect the Capitol and prevent the attack. Instead, President Trump inspired, incited, and sanctioned the attack, as well as its intent to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.\n\n\"President Trump's actions were a betrayal of his Constitutional duties and blatantly criminal. He not only desecrated the Constitution; that day he sanctioned and poured gasoline on the fire of a violent attack on American democracy.\n\n\"The Members of Congress and staff on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol have done our nation a great service by exposing the lies, darkness, and evil behind the events of that horrible day. After a detailed and profound investigation, the committee's decision to recommend that Donald Trump be charged with four federal crimes is historic, unprecedented, and a shameful indictment of the immoral and dangerous character of the former president. The committee's referral to the Justice Department calls for the prosecution of Mr. Trump for inciting an insurrection, obstructing an official proceeding of Congress, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and conspiracy to make false statements. Mr. Trump's criminal actions, his lies, and his disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law must be prosecuted and he must be held accountable.\n\n\"I commend Chairman Benny Thompson, Vice Chair Liz Cheney, all my colleagues who served on the select committee, and the professional staff. Their collective service to our nation is commendable and should be honored. The task of sifting through the events of one of the most horrible days in American history was surely painful, but finding the truth often is. The truth that was revealed by the select committee is that crimes were committed by a former President of the United States and those crimes should be prosecuted. I strongly support the select committee's referral and the esteemed place in history their work will hold for generations to come.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-releases-2022-progress-report-op-ed", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Releases 2022 Progress Report, Op-ed", "2022-12-19", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014 Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released a report of her accomplishments since she began her tenure in Congress, along with an end-of-year op-ed in the Star Tribune.\n\n\u201cFrom the start of his presidency, many political insiders doubted President Biden, the Democratic Party, and what we would be able to achieve in the first two years of his term,\u201d Rep. Omar wrote. \u201cWe were able to defy the odds and deliver transformative legislation that will provide meaningful change for Minnesotans across the 5th District. I always say, you get what you organize for. And together, we organized, mobilized, and delivered for Minnesotans and the American people.\n\n\u201cWe have leaned into our values and did not shy away from hard fights. As we start a new chapter with Republicans taking control of the House, we will need to be clear-eyed and organized in the term ahead. We will need to lead with progressive, people-first values at the forefront. Our work for a more equitable and just world continues. Onward!\u201d\n\nThe achievements include:\n\n8 bills and amendments passed into law\n\n60 bills and amendments passed the House floor\n\n126 bills and amendments introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives\n\n1257 bills cosponsored\n\n216,585 of constituent letters answered\n\n70 town halls and roundtables\n\n5800+ meeting with constituents\n\n2400+ constituent cases worked on\n\n$3,516,076,606 in federal grant money secured\n\nYou can view the full progress report graphic here.\n\nYou can view the op-ed here and below.\n\nOnward in 2023 with our fight for a more just world\n\nBy Ilhan Omar\n\nAs we close out 2022, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of what we have accomplished for the Fifth District in the past term.\n\nFrom the start of his presidency, many political insiders doubted President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, and what we would be able to achieve in the first two years of his term. We were able to defy the odds and deliver transformative legislation that will provide meaningful change for Minnesotans across the Fifth District. I always say, you get what you organize for. And together, we organized, mobilized and delivered for Minnesotans and the American people.\n\nOne of the most consequential pieces of legislation that Biden signed into law was the Inflation Reduction Act. With the climate crisis wreaking havoc on our communities, this was the largest climate bill ever, which will reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. The package also lowers the price of prescription drugs and makes health care more affordable for families and seniors \u2014 dramatically lowering out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare recipients and capping their monthly insulin costs at $35.\n\nOn top of that, it will drive over $6.6 billion of investment into Minnesota over the next decade. Every year for 10 years, our state will see an estimated 10,000 jobs added, $511 million in employee compensation, and nearly $1 billion in value added to the state economy.\n\nOne of the most rewarding parts about serving our community in Washington has been securing $17 million in federal funding for community projects across our district. This funding directly invests in communities that were hit the hardest by both the pandemic and social unrest, addressing joblessness, housing and food insecurity, access to health care and climate resiliency.\n\nAnother monumental accomplishment was the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which will invest in desperately needed mental health support, violence prevention and intervention, and services for victims of gun violence. As the whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I was able to negotiate major improvements to this bill to ensure funding was targeted to police departments with fewer than 125 officers, and to increase funding for training, accountability, and data collection. The House also passed the most significant gun safety legislation in over 30 years.\n\nAs inflation continues and food prices keep increasing, more Minnesota families are worrying about where their next meal will come from. At the start of the pandemic, our office wrote and passed the MEALS Act that provided nearly 30 million children with school meals. Now, this lifesaving program has been dramatically reduced. It's imperative that we collaborate on the local, state and federal level to feed our children.\n\nI am thrilled Gov. Tim Walz just announced he will push for universal school meals next year. On the federal level, I partnered with Sen. Tina Smith to reintroduce the No Shame at School Act on the federal level to prohibit schools from shaming children who are unable to pay for their meals. I also championed the Universal School Meals Program Act with Sen. Bernie Sanders to provide free meals to all our students. Eradicating child hunger will continue to be one of my top priorities.\n\nIn the face of an assault on reproductive rights by the far-right Supreme Court, the House passed legislation to codify Roe v. Wade into law. Controlling decisions about your own body is a basic human right. I won't stop fighting to protect reproductive freedom.\n\nFar too many young people are delaying major milestones such as homeownership, opening a business, getting married and starting a family because of student loan debt. The Biden administration's executive order to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt will benefit over 730,000 Minnesotans. As one of the lone voices in this fight to cancel student debt just a few years ago, I am thrilled that this issue has been a top priority for this administration. Although Republicans are fighting to block critical relief, I remain hopeful that student debt cancellation will withstand legal scrutiny at the Supreme Court next year.\n\nAll this progress happened because of you. Co-governance is at the center of our work every day. Your feedback has guided my work in Washington. I will strive to represent every individual of our district, regardless of who they love, how they pray, the color of their skin or their political views. This congressional seat will always belong to the people of the Fifth District. Together, we hosted 70 town halls and roundtables, passed eight bills and amendments into law, and secured millions of dollars for our district.\n\nWe have leaned into our values and did not shy away from hard fights. As we start a new chapter with Republicans taking control of the House, we will need to be clear-eyed and organized in the term ahead. We will need to lead with progressive, people-first values at the forefront.\n\nOur work for a more equitable and just world continues. Onward!", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/our-budget-process-is-broken", "Our budget process is broken", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "America\u2019s skyrocketing national debt has put our country on an unsustainable path that threatens the financial well-being of future generations. At present, our national debt stands at $31.4 trillion, which equates to $248,582 liability per taxpayer. If American families are expected to live within their means, we should expect no less from the federal government. The first step is addressing our broken budget process, which has for too long relied on stopgaps and shortcuts instead of careful funding solutions.\n\nThe Congressional Budget Act of 1974 laid out the congressional budget process, which encompasses all legislative activities on the budget resolution, appropriations and reconciliation bills, and all other budgetary legislation. Sadly, this process is rarely followed, and congressional leadership has often opted for a shortcut: the continuing resolution.\n\nA continuing resolution is meant to be a temporary spending bill that allows the federal government to continue operating at pre-existing funding levels. What was meant to be a fallback option has become a way of doing business. In fact, the federal government has operated under continuing resolutions in all but 3 of the last 46 years.\n\nCongress cannot continue to abdicate its responsibility. We have introduced legislation to address the broken budgeting process, the Government Shutdown Prevention Act. This bill, which has a companion in the Senate led by Senator Rand Paul, would avert a government shutdown in the event a spending agreement cannot be reached.\n\nHowever, this legislation does not allow legislators to continue to rely on continuing resolutions. Instead, the Government Shutdown Prevention Act will automatically reduce federal spending by 1% across the board, adding an additional percentage cut for every thirty days an agreement has not been reached. I have never been a big proponent of indiscriminate, across-the-board spending cuts as programs that operate efficiently are lumped in with spending on wasteful and duplicative accounts, however, our current trajectory is so unsustainable that something must be done to right the fiscal course of the country.\n\nThe American people deserve better. Our Government Shutdown Prevention Act is a chance to bring back responsible spending and restore fiscal sanity. My hope is that our new republican majority in the House of Representatives will give us an opportunity to advance this and other legislative proposals that will bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington and prevent us from further mortgaging the futures of our children and grandchildren.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-omar-smith-jayapal-and-clark-send-letter-biden-administration-calling", "Reps. Omar, Smith, Jayapal, and Clark Send Letter to Biden Administration Calling for Extension and Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Somalia", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013Today, Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-Minn), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.), led colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary Blinken and Secretary Mayorkas urging the administration to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia.\n\n\u201cSomalia is facing a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by protracted armed conflict. The security situation in Somalia remains extremely fraught, as Al-Shabaab continues to threaten the stability and safety of Somalia. Violence is rampant, with the highest number of recorded civilian casualties since 2017 according to the UN. An estimated 40 percent of the population, or 6.1 million people, are left hungry due to the drought and soaring inflation,\u201d the members wrote.\n\n\u201cA designation of TPS for Somalia is in line with U.S. commitments to the nation and its people,\u201d wrote the members. \u201cAn estimated 400 beneficiaries are on the verge of losing their work authorization and facing deportation if the administration fails to extend the designation. Deportation would not only threaten the safety of these individuals but would also have devastating consequences for U.S.-citizen children of Somali TPS holders. Parents would have to make the impossible choice of whether to leave their child behind in the U.S. or take them back to dangerous conditions in Somalia.\u201d\n\nThe designation of TPS for Somalia is set to expire on March 17, 2023, with a decision date on January 16, 2023. The members are requesting that the administration provides an 18-month extension and expand the protections to more recently arrived Somali individuals present in the U.S. by redesignating Somalia for TPS.\n\nThe letter was signed by: Adam Smith (WA-09), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Alma Adams (NC-12), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Cori Bush (MO-01), Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jes\u00fas Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Grace Meng (NY-06), Eleanor Norton (D.C.), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Linda S\u00e1nchez (CA-38), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), David Trone (MD-06), Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).\n\nA full copy of the letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-announces-minnesota-will-receive-42-million-bolster", "Representative Angie Craig Announces Minnesota will Receive $42 Million to Bolster Its Public Health Infrastructure", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "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 announced that the Minnesota Department of Health is set to receive $42.8 million through the Centers for Disease Control\u2019s (CDC) Public Health Infrastructure Grant. This grant will give the department an increased ability to meet their staffing and workforce needs, as well as ensure that Minnesota\u2019s public health infrastructure has access to the resources needed to safeguard public health.\n\nThis grant was funded in part through the American Rescue Plan, which Representative Craig helped pass last year.\n\n\u201cBy investing in our public health infrastructure, we are investing in our communities\u2019 safety and wellbeing. This federal funding will help our state\u2019s public health systems effectively address any staffing and workforce needs and ensure that our Minnesotans are able to access the care they need \u2013 and I know it will bring great benefit to communities across Minnesota,\u201d said Representative Craig.\n\nThis year, the CDC has provided $3.2 billion in funding through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant to help state, local and territorial jurisdictions across the United States strengthen their public health workforce and infrastructure. The federal funding will provide awards directly to state, local and territorial health departments to provide the people, resources and systems needed to promote and protect health in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2022/12/house-of-representatives-honors-fallen-mn-national-guardsmen", "House of Representatives Honors Fallen MN National Guardsmen", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the House passed legislation to remember the lives of three Minnesota National Guardsmen, Charles Nord, James Rogers, and Kort Miller, who were tragically killed on December 5, 2019, when their helicopter experienced engine failure.\n\n\u201cThese three men all had a true sense of service and patriotism,\u201d said Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07). \u201cThey were passionate about supporting their fellow servicemembers and defending our country, including a deployment to Kuwait where they were part of the aerial medical evacuation team. Today, they are greatly missed by their families and communities, and every step we can take to honor their memory is a meaningful one. I am honored to have introduced this legislation and look forward to its passage in the Senate.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Fischbach\u2019s remarks on the House Floor in support of the two post offices that honor the men from Minnesota's 7th District, Charles Nord of Perham and James Rogers of Winsted, can be found here. Congressman Tom Emmer sponsored the bill honoring Kort Plantenberg of Avon in the 6th District.\n\nNote: This press release has been edited to correct typing errors.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-representative-angie-craigs-legislation-rename-local-post-office", "House Passes Representative Angie Craig\u2019s Legislation to Rename Local Post Office After Fallen South St. Paul Police Officer", "2022-12-14", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Representative Angie Craig\u2019s bill to rename the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of fallen South St. Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak. After only four months on the force, Officer Pavlak was killed by the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang during a robbery on August 30, 1933. He is the only South St. Paul Police Officer to have been killed in the line of duty. The bill now heads to the Senate for passage.\n\nSince Officer Pavlak\u2019s death in 1933, four generations of Pavlaks have joined the ranks of Minnesota law enforcement. Robert Leo Pavlak Sr. followed in his father\u2019s footsteps, pursuing a career as a police officer in St. Paul. One of his grandsons, Robert, was a Ramsey County Deputy \u2013 while another one of his grandsons, David, was a St. Paul Police Officer. And finally, Officer Pavlak\u2019s great-grandsons, Luke and Ryan, have continued this legacy as police officers in the Twin Cities area.\n\nYesterday, Rep. Angie Craig spoke in favor of the bill on the House floor. Video of those remarks can be found here.\n\n\u201c89 years ago, South St. Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak lost his life protecting his community \u2013 and in the years since, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have continued building upon his legacy of service,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cI was proud to see this bill passed out of the House today \u2013 and I\u2019m calling on the Senate to pass this bill to help us recognize not only Officer Pavlak\u2019s service and dedication, but that of the entire Pavlak family.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur family is grateful that the U.S. House of Representatives passed this important bill, bringing us one step closer to renaming the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Leo Pavlak,\u201d said Bob Pavlak, the grandson of Officer Pavlak. \u201cThe renaming of this post office offers an important opportunity to honor the service and sacrifice of all law enforcement in our community. Our family would like to thank Representative Craig, South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke and former South St. Paul Police Chief Bill Messerich for their dedicated work to seeing this bill passed out of the House.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Craig\u2019s bill is part of a bipartisan, bicameral effort to honor Officer Pavlak. Earlier in June, Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Craig, Klobuchar and Smith were joined in introducing this legislation by their colleagues in the Minnesota delegation \u2013 Representatives Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber. The legislation is also supported by the Pavlak family and local leaders in South St. Paul.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-bill-to-rename-avon-post-office-in-honor-of-minnesota-national-guardsman-kort-m-plantenberg-passes-house", "Emmer Bill to Rename Avon Post Office in Honor of Minnesota National Guardsman Kort M. Plantenberg Passes House", "2022-12-14", "2022", "2022-12", "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) applauded the passage of his legislation to rename the Avon Post Office in honor of Army National Guard Warrant Officer Candidate Kort M. Plantenberg.\n\nIn 2019, Plantenberg lost his life alongside fellow Guardsmen 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.\n\nEmmer said, \u201cKort, James, and Charles gave their lives in service to Minnesotans, and we will never forget their sacrifice. We are proud that Kort\u2019s hometown will have a permanent reminder of his service.\u201d\n\nPlantenberg 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\nBackground:\n\nEmmer introduced legislation to rename the Avon Post Office in Plantenberg\u2019s honor in December 2021, two years after the accident. The bill was co-sponsored by every member of the Minnesota delegation, including the late Representative Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) and Representatives 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).\n\nRepresentative Fischbach\u2019s legislation to honor Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rogers and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nord with Post Offices in her district recently passed on the House floor.\n\nYou can watch Congressman Emmer speak on the House floor in support of the legislation here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-announces-jean-heyer-new-district-director", "Rep. Omar Announces Jean Heyer as New District Director", "2022-12-14", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS - Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) announced that Jean Heyer will join her team as District Director.\n\n\u201cI am thrilled to welcome Jean Heyer as our District Director,\u201d said Rep. Omar. \u201cJean started with Team Ilhan when I first ran for the statehouse and has a deep knowledge of communications, community relations, and constituent engagement, as well as valuable relationships throughout the 5th District. We\u2019re lucky to have Jean\u2019s experience and expertise as we seek to practice cogovernance, strengthen relationships and deliver for our constituents.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m honored to have the opportunity to lead Rep. Omar\u2019s district office,\u201d said Heyer. \u201cFrom the moment she announced her candidacy for the Minnesota statehouse, I have been inspired by the Congresswoman\u2019s personal strength, her commitment to the improving the lives of all community members and her willingness to fight for progressive causes. I intend to continue raising awareness about the Congresswoman\u2019s work in our district, provide support to the district office staff, connect with and serve our constituents, and partner with our state and local counterparts to ensure Minnesotans\u2019 basic needs are met. In the coming months, I will be meeting with constituents to hear directly about how we can best continue to serve them.\"\n\nJean has worked in Engagement Services at Hennepin County since 2019. She led the county's census campaign, which focused on reaching historically undercounted communities and resulted in the county's population count increasing by 11% and Minnesota retaining all eight of its congressional seats by a slim margin of just 26 people.\n\nIn addition to serving on the communications team for Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's campaigns since 2015, Jean has lent her communications expertise to other progressive candidates. She has worked in communications and engagement at a number of non-profit organizations, including Planned Parenthood and also OutFront Minnesota where she was involved with campaigns to win marriage equality for same-sex couples and pass the Safe School anti-bullying bill, which provides protections for LGBTQ+ students. Jean graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.\n\nJean\u2019s first day is January 5th.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-human-rights-ethiopia", "McCollum Statement on Human Rights in Ethiopia", "2022-12-12", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"In Congress, I have a long history of championing human rights around the world. This includes a longstanding effort to support human rights in Ethiopia. Ongoing violence in Ethiopia directly impacts Minnesota families with loved ones living in the East African country. I applaud the recent \u2018Pretoria' peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and leaders from Tigray, ending the bloody and cruel violence that left thousands of dead. By agreeing to disarm and work within the Ethiopian federal system, the leadership of Tigray have made an important step toward peace.\n\n\"Unfortunately, the ongoing violence between Ethiopia's armed forces and the Oromo Liberation Army continues with countless civilian lives being lost. The Ethiopian government's use of armed drones to attack civilians must be condemned. The Oromo Liberation Army's (OLA) past massacres of villagers must also be condemned as brutal atrocities. Peace in Ethiopia will only be achieved when the government and Oromo leaders cease the violence and enter a political dialogue that will disarm the OLA and ensure the government will respect the right of all Ethiopian citizens to live in peace and free from political repression.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-passes-charles-w-chuck-lindberg-post-office-renaming-bill", "Rep. Omar Passes Charles W. \"Chuck\" Lindberg Post Office Renaming Bill", "2022-12-12", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013Today, the House passed legislation authored by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to rename a post office location in Minneapolis, Minnesota after the late Charles W. \u201cChuck\u201d Lindberg. Lindberg was a highly decorated U.S. Marine Corps corporal who fought in World War II and was one of the marines who raised the first American flag over Iwo Jima (not to be confused with aviator Charles Lindbergh). Lindberg\u2019s military awards include the Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. He lived in Richfield, Minnesota for five decades until he passed away in 2007. He was laid to rest at for Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.\n\n\"I am glad the House passed my legislation to honor Charles W. Lindberg through the Post Office renaming process,\u201d said Rep. Omar. \u201cCharles served our country with distinction and honor during World War II. As one of the marines who raised the first American flag over Iwo Jima, he dedicated his life to raising awareness of the first flag-raising and the sacrifices made by veterans throughout the war. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker\u2019s \u2013 IBEW Local 292 \u2013 and had a JATC Electrical Training Center named in honor of him just weeks before he passed away. Mr. Lindberg lived in the town of Richfield in my district for 50 years and was laid to rest at for Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. I am pleased to know that will be honoring his legacy in this way.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-representative-angie-craig-secures-second-district-wins-2023-national", "U.S. Representative Angie Craig Secures Second District Wins in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)", "2022-12-09", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig voted to pass the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets the funding levels, expenditures and authorizations for the Department of Defense. This year\u2019s NDAA authorizes funding for a number of the priorities and initiatives that Representative Craig has long advocated for.\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA includes several projects and initiatives that will bring great benefit to the Second District,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cThe signing of this year\u2019s NDAA will increase our capacity to reduce water pollution in our communities, invest in Second District infrastructure and ensure that our service members are compensated in the way they deserve. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Craig\u2019s priorities and initiatives in this year\u2019s NDAA include:\n\nIncreasing Pay for U.S. Service Members:\n\nThe FY23 NDAA authorizes a 4.6% pay raise for military personnel, the largest increase that U.S. troops have received in 20 years.\n\nSupporting the National Guard:\n\nThe FY23 NDAA requires the Secretary of the Air Force to retain a minimum of 279 C-130 aircraft through 2026, ensuring that the Air National Guard has the capacity to carry out critical missions both domestically and overseas.\n\nAdditionally, it provides funding for the National Guard and Reserve Component Equipment Account.\n\nProtecting and Improving Water Infrastructure in the Second District:\n\nThe FY23 NDAA also includes various authorizing bills, including the Water Resources Development Act and Representative Craig\u2019s Local Water Protection Act.\n\nThe Local Water Protection Act, which has passed the House numerous times since 2019, reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)\u2019s Section 319 grant program at $200 million. This program provides funds for states and tribes to develop and implement programs for managing nonpoint source water pollution, or pollution from diffuse sources \u2013 including runoff from farms, managed forests and urban areas.\n\nContained within the Water Resources Development Act is Representative Craig\u2019s $33.4 million dollar authorization for water and wastewater infrastructure in the city of Northfield, Minnesota. The construction of a water treatment facility would help reduce the level of manganese in the drinking water to provide safe drinking water to all residents within Northfield.\n\nAdditionally, the FY23 NDAA includes the State Department Reauthorization Act, the Intelligence Authorization Act and the Coast Guard Authorization Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-blasts-wto-decision-steel-tariffs", "Stauber Blasts WTO Decision on Steel Tariffs", "2022-12-09", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) released the following statement condemning the World Trade Organization\u2019s (WTO) ruling against American steel tariffs.\n\n\u201cThe Section 232 Tariffs are the last remaining bulwark against China and Russia ruining northern Minnesota\u2019s economy by flooding our shores with cheap, dirty steel. The WTO is wrong, our steel supply chains are a strategic national security concern. Steel tariffs must remain in place. I will always fight for America\u2019s iron and steel supply chain, which starts with our miners on the Iron Range and processing facilities in Minnesota\u2019s Eighth District.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-representative-angie-craig-introduces-bipartisan-year-round-e15-legislation", "U.S. Representative Angie Craig Introduces Bipartisan Year-Round E15 Legislation with Unprecedented Industry and Family Farmer Support", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would enable the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10%, helping to lower fuel prices and improve stability and certainty in the U.S. fuel market. This bill is supported by the largest unified group of farming, biofuels and oil companies to date.\n\nRepresentative Craig\u2019s bill is the House companion to the Senate bill introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) in late November.\n\n\u201cE15 creates opportunities for our family farmers, supports economic growth in rural America and lowers prices at the pump for Minnesotans \u2013 and ensuring this cheaper, biofuel alternative is available year-round is a win-win for all those involved in its production,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have worked with Representative Smith on this bill to support our biofuel producers and farmers \u2013 and look forward to getting over the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cYear-round E15 is a win-win as it boosts American energy independence and ensures greater affordability and opportunity for consumers as well as producers,\u201d said Representative Smith. \u201cE15 benefits the agriculture, energy, and transportation sectors. There\u2019s no reason not to extend to E15 the same regulatory relief currently provided to E10, and I thank Senator Fischer for her leadership on this in the Senate and Rep. Craig for her partnership on our bill in the House.\u201d\n\nThe Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022 would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to ethanol blends above 10 percent to allow for the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. In addition, it would ensure consistency across the fuel markets and limit disruptions across the national fuel supply chain by prohibiting the removal of the 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol.\n\nIn the House, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Act is cosponsored by Representatives Cindy Axne (D-IA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Mike Flood (R-NE), James R. Baird (R-IN), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Jim Banks (R-IN), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Ashley Hinson (R-IA),Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Sam Graves (R-MO), Ken Buck (R-CO), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Ron Estes (R-KS), Tim Ryan (D-OH), James Comer (R-KY) and Jason Smith (R-MO).\n\nThe Senate companion to the bill is sponsored by the U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ben Sasse (R-ND) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).\n\nIn Congress, Representative Craig has championed the issue of year-round availability of E15. This past year, she pushed the Administration to extend the availability of E15 during the summer to provide American consumers with access to a cheaper biofuel alternative at their local gas station. Additionally, she is also the lead sponsor of the House-passed Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, which would permanently allow the summer sales of E15.\n\nBelow are statements in support of the Members\u2019 bipartisan legislation:\n\n\u201cExpanding access to E15 is a win-win-win for rural economies,\u201d said Gary Wertish, President of the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU). \u201cEthanol plants provide markets for family farmers and jobs in rural communities, and it costs less for consumers at the pump. Adding ethanol to gasoline also reduces toxic tailpipe emissions, which means we all breathe cleaner air. We appreciate Rep. Craig\u2019s leadership on this issue and are eager to see this legislation passed by the House and Senate and signed by President Biden.\u201d\n\n\u201cAchieving a national, permanent solution for E15 year-round is best done through Congress and we are enormously grateful for the leadership of Reps. Craig, Smith and other caucus leaders for introducing this legislation to clarify the statute ahead of the 2023 summer driving season,\u201d said Brian Jennings, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO. \u201cCutting the E15 red tape has been an urgent priority for our industry and this bill would help unleash the cost saving benefits greater access to higher ethanol blends offers to consumers and decarbonize our transportation sector.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to support the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022, introduced by Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE). Encouraging the use of biofuels year-round benefits consumers with an affordable, sustainable fuel option that leads to cleaner air. It also supports farmers in Minnesota by providing additional markets for their crops, and creating jobs for individuals across the state. We thank Rep. Craig for her continued leadership in support of long-term solutions for the increased use of biofuels,\u201d said Dan Glessing, President of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.\n\n\u201cMCGA thanks Reps. Angie Craig and Adrian Smith for introducing the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill removes an arcane barrier on full market access to lower-cost, lower-emission Unleaded 88 that has nothing to do with the safety and quality of the fuel. Unleaded 88 reduces emissions while saving drivers money at the pump, and we look forward to working with policymakers to ensure it\u2019s permanently available year-round nationwide,\u201d said Richard Syverson, President of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.\n\n\u201cWe applaud the work of Reps. Craig and Smith to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to the sale of higher ethanol blends. E15 offers retailers an opportunity to diversify fuel options and improve gasoline\u2019s emissions characteristics while lowering costs for consumers and enhancing America\u2019s energy security,\u201d said David Fialkov, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for National Association of Truck Stop Owners (NATSO), speaking on behalf of NATSO and SIGMA.\n\n\u201cAFBF applauds Reps. Craig and Smith for this common-sense, bipartisan solution to allow for the sale of year-round E15 that supports farmers, our rural communities, and our domestic energy industry. We welcome the consistency and stability this legislation provides to the marketplace that will drive additional fuel choices for American consumers,\u201d said Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.\n\n\u201cWe applaud Reps. Angie Craig and Adrian Smith, along with their bipartisan cosponsors, for introducing new legislation to keep higher ethanol blends accessible, saving consumer money at the pump and enhancing our energy security,\u201d said Tom Haag, President of National Corn Growers. \u201cThis bill provides a commonsense resolution to a long-standing outdated barrier to ensure drivers across the country continue to have year-round access to safe, low-cost, low-emission E15.\u201d\n\n\u201cNFU is thankful our congressional champions, including Rep. Angie Craig, have introduced a legislative fix to allow year-round sales of E15. We have long supported a move to higher level blends of ethanol and are pleased to work with a diverse coalition of petroleum, renewable fuel, and agriculture groups in support of this effort,\u201d said Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s ethanol producers, oil refiners, fuel retailers, equipment manufacturers, and farmers have all come together for the first time ever to support legislation that ensures American families can choose lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 at the pump every single day of the year,\u201d said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of Renewable Fuels Association. \u201cWe thank Reps. Craig, Smith, and other renewable fuel supporters in the House for introducing this bill to bring much-needed consistency and stability to the marketplace. This simple and straightforward solution will finally remove a burdensome and nonsensical barrier to broader deployment of cleaner, more affordable fuels. We are highly encouraged by the broad, diverse and bipartisan support that this effort is receiving, and we urge Congress to move quickly to adopt this commonsense legislation.\u201d\n\n\"E15 lowered fuel prices for American drivers by up to a dollar a gallon this past summer. Today, we applaud Reps. Craig and Smith for introducing this legislation that would make lower-cost, lower-carbon fuels like E15 available all year long,\u201d said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. \u201cNot only would a nationwide transition to E15 save consumers over $20 billion a year in annual fuel costs; it would support an additional 188,000 jobs, put an additional $36.3 billion in income back into the pockets of American households, and generate $66.3 billion for the U.S. GDP. We hope all of Congress acts quickly to advance this legislation and deliver a gift to American drivers ahead of the busy holiday travel season.\u201d\n\n\u201cAllowing for the nationwide sale of E-15 year-round is long overdue. The state of Nebraska is fortunate to have both Congressman Smith and Senator Fischer leading the bipartisan charge to make that happen. With the introduction of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act in both the House and the Senate, we are hopeful this issue will finally have the momentum it needs to become law,\u201d said Mark McHargue, President of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-representative-angie-craig-statement-house-passage-respect-marriage-act", "U.S. Representative Angie Craig Statement on House Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released the following statement on the House passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.\n\n\u201cIn the United States \u2013 the land of the free \u2013 no government, and certainly no politician, should be able to dictate what my marriage or family looks like,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cSo today, I voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that repeals DOMA and ensures that same-sex and interracial marriage is recognized in every state no matter what happens in the future from an activist Supreme Court.\u201d\n\nThe Respect for Marriage Act would:\n\nRepeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)\n\nProtect marriage equality under federal law by ensuring that people are considered married if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed\n\nProvide additional protections at the state level by prohibiting any person acting under state law from denying full faith and credit to an out of state marriage based on the sex, race, ethnicity or national origin of the people in the marriage\n\nRepresentative Craig is the first openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress from Minnesota and the first openly lesbian mother and grandmother in the history of the United States Congress. She is a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. Additionally, she is an original cosponsor of the Equality Act and the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act of 2021.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-national-defense-authorization-act-1", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\u201cThe annual pentagon spending bill now totals over $850 billion. That\u2019s more than $55 billion over what the President requested. It is unconscionable to spend a record-breaking amount on our defense budget while thousands of Minnesotans in my district struggle to make ends meet.\n\n\u201cPentagon spending now totals more than transportation, veterans, education, justice, international affairs, the environment, housing, science, space, job training, and employment combined. Our spending priorities should reflect our values. It is not moral to spend more money on a Pentagon budget than we spend on priorities that impact the daily lives of my constituents. We have a responsibility to reduce our exorbitant military budget and spend more money on housing, education, childcare, and healthcare.\n\n\u201cNot only does this legislation further fund endless wars, but it continues to harm our reputation around the world. It includes egregious funding to extend the failed War on Drugs mentality in Colombia that has led to some of the worst human rights abuses in the world. It also prohibits the closing of Guantanamo and removes all congressional provisions related to the war in Yemen.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s be clear: spending this much money on pentagon bloat does not make us safer. We can focus our energy on critical efforts\u2014like assisting the Ukrainian people in fighting off an illegal Russian invasion\u2014without spending over $850 billion on wasteful contracts. For these reasons, I oppose this bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-statement-being-elected-deputy-chair-congressional-progressive-caucus", "Rep. Omar Statement on Being Elected Deputy Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "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 today after being elected Deputy Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.\n\n\u201cIt has been an honor to serve as Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the past two terms, and I am thrilled to take on the challenge of serving our Caucus as Deputy Chair. I want to thank my friend and colleague, our current Deputy Chair Katie Porter, for her incredible leadership these past two years, along with our unwavering Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal.\n\n\u201cAs a Caucus, progressives have been able to shape some of the most consequential pieces of legislation in generations. It was the Progressive Caucus that advocated successfully for student debt cancellation. It was the Progressive Caucus that successfully pushed for massive public investments, unemployment insurance and direct survival checks in the American Rescue Plan. We put our bodies on the line to push for an extension of the eviction moratorium and to protest a corrupt Supreme Court\u2019s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. We were able to successfully advocate for commonsense gun safety legislation. And the advocacy of the CPC helped lead to the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower drug prices, create millions of good-paying jobs and create the most consequential reduction in carbon emissions in our country\u2019s history.\n\n\u201cIn the face of Republican threats to our democracy and our humanity, we will need to be clear-eyed and organized in the term ahead. We will need a legislative strategy to stop the most egregious cuts. We will need a messaging strategy that uses our bully pulpit to push back against their agenda. And we will need a political strategy to elect and reelect progressive champions.\n\n\u201cTo do that, we will need to lead with our values, to not shy away from the diversity, freedoms and ideals that make the unfinished project of the American Republic great. I vow to work closely with each and every Member of the Caucus to stand up for those values.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-votes-enshrine-marriage-equality-under-federal-law", "Rep. Omar Votes to Enshrine Marriage Equality Under Federal Law", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) voted to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden\u2019s desk. This landmark legislation takes several key steps to defend marriage equality: officially repealing the unconstitutional \u201cDefense of Marriage Act\u201d (DOMA), upholding couples\u2019 right to equal protection under federal law and requiring states to recognize valid out-of-state marriages.\n\n\u201cThe Respect for Marriage Act is a historic step forward in the fight for equality for all,\u201d said Rep. Omar. \u201cToday, I proudly voted to ensure the federal government never stands in the way of marrying the person you love. With the passage of this bill, we sent a clear signal that hate and bigotry should have no place in America.\u201d\n\nThe Respect for Marriage Act will take several steps to protect the inviolability of same-sex and interracial marriages:\n\n\u00b7 Repealing the \u201cDefense of Marriage Act\u201d: While the Supreme Court has effectively voided DOMA, this unconstitutional and discriminatory federal law still remains on the books. The Respect for Marriage Act will repeal this statute once and for all.\n\n\u00b7 Enshrining Marriage Equality Into Federal Law: This legislation will uphold married couples\u2019 right to equal protection in all areas covered under federal law, such as Social Security, tax filings and veterans\u2019 benefits.\n\n\u00b7 Barring Discrimination By State Officials: This legislation prohibits state officials from denying recognition of an out-of-state marriage on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.\n\nPreviously passed by the House earlier this year, the Respect for Marriage Act was amended and advanced by the Senate last week. With today\u2019s vote in the House, the final bill now heads to the President\u2019s desk for his signature.\n\nThe Respect for Marriage Act is strongly supported by leading advocacy organizations, including the ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Women\u2019s Law Center and PFLAG.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-announces-44-million-broadband-infrastructure", "Representative Angie Craig Announces $44 Million in Broadband Infrastructure Funding for Minnesota", "2022-12-06", "2022", "2022-12", "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 announced that Minnesota is set to receive $44 million in internet infrastructure funding through the Treasury Department\u2019s Capital Projects Fund. The Capital Projects Fund was launched to allow state and tribal governments to invest in projects that will help meet their communities\u2019 critical needs \u2013 both in the short and long-term \u2013 with a key emphasis on investments in bringing high speed internet to all communities.\n\nRepresentative Craig has led efforts to ensure that Minnesota receives the funding and resources necessary to improve access to rural communities. Last December, she wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging her to take action to ensure the effective and appropriate implementation of the Capital Projects Fund to ensure that every Minnesotan \u2013 especially those living in rural communities \u2013 has reliable access to broadband.\n\n\u201cMy constituents rely on access to high speed internet to make a living, stay connected to family and friends, get an education and access telehealth. In today\u2019s economy, the internet is not a luxury \u2013 it\u2019s critical infrastructure of the 21st century,\u201d said Representative Craig.\n\nLast week, the Treasury Department approved $44 million in funding for Minnesota to improve broadband access to 4,811 locations across the state under the American Rescue Plan\u2019s Capital Projects Fund. Minnesota\u2019s award will fund two additional broadband infrastructure programs: Minnesota\u2019s Line Extension program and the Low-Density Pilot Program \u2013 programs designed to improve broadband infrastructure in predominantly rural parts of the state that too often lack reliable access to high-speed internet.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-continues-push-postal-service-reform", "Representative Angie Craig Continues Push for Postal Service Reform", "2022-12-02", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Craig cosponsored the Ensuring Oversight Access at the Postal Service Act, which aims to enable additional congressional oversight of the United States Postal Service (USPS) by clarifying that Members of Congress may not be denied access to postal facilities for the official purpose of overseeing postal operations.\n\nThis summer, after hearing concerning reports from her constituents about the conditions found at the New Prague Post Office, Representative Craig requested a visit to the facility. However, USPS barred Representative Craig from visiting the Post Office to see those concerns first-hand. The Ensuring Oversight Access to the Postal Service Act would clarify that the Postal Service may not prevent or otherwise inhibit any Member of Congress from accessing or visiting any facility for official purposes.\n\n\u201cOver the past year, my constituents have faced an unacceptable level of difficulties as they simply try to send and receive mail. And to make matters worse, USPS has not engaged nearly enough with local communities to help resolve these issues,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cMy job is to represent our communities to ensure that USPS and its employees have the resources they need to do their job effectively. I need to understand the challenges first-hand in order to make progress in addressing the issues.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Craig has long advocated for postal reform in the Second District. In August, she hosted a listening session with New Prague elected officials and residents to discuss their concerns surrounding the conditions of the New Prague Post Office. And just last month, she filed an inquiry with USPS on behalf of Lakeville local elected officials and constituents who had faced inadequate postal service throughout the past year.\n\nRepresentative Craig encourages her constituents to contact her office if they are having any trouble navigating or accessing any federal agency, including their local post offices. For assistance, they should visit Representative Craig\u2019s website at https://craig.house.gov/casework.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-helps-secure-house-passage-bipartisan-legislation", "Representative Angie Craig Helps Secure House Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Support Veterans\u2019 Mental Health", "2022-12-02", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig helped secure the House passage of the bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act (CVSO) to help the Department of Veterans Affairs improve their veteran outreach and provide increased support to underserved veterans. This bill, which Craig cosponsored earlier this spring, would authorize $50 million annually for states to hire additional County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), who are most often the best resources to help veterans and their families understand the resources at their disposal, file benefit claims and access their benefits.\n\nCurrently, 21 states lack any sort of formal CVSO programming.\n\n\u201cOver the years, my office has worked closely with County Veteran Service Officers in the Second District to help our veterans and their families access the benefits they earned after their service,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cEvery veteran \u2013 no matter where they live \u2013 should be able to access their VA benefits with ease, and this bill will help make sure that they can.\u201d\n\nIf signed into law, the CVSO Act would authorize $50 million annually to expand the work of CVSOs or comparable entities. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will award grants to states to improve their outreach to veterans, assist in the development and submission of claims on behalf of veterans, hire additional CVSOs and train CVSOs. To receive funds, a state must submit an application including a detailed plan for the use of these funds, how they will meet underserved veterans\u2019 needs and other information.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/majority-whip-elect-tom-emmer-announces-chief-deputy-whip", "Majority Whip-Elect Tom Emmer Announces Chief Deputy Whip", "2022-12-02", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Majority Whip-elect Tom Emmer today announced Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) will serve as Chief Deputy Whip in the 118th Congress.\n\n\u201cNo one is more tenacious and determined than Guy, and his experience as a US Navy veteran is a vital addition to our leadership team. His reputation and relationships within the Republican conference speak volumes about his abilities. Guy will play a crucial role in House Republicans\u2019 fight to deliver on our commitments to the American people,\u201d said Whip-elect Tom Emmer.\n\n\u201cHouse Republicans have a tremendous opportunity to show voters we are capable of delivering on our promises and serving as a vital check on Joe Biden\u2019s disastrous agenda,\u201d added Reschenthaler. \u201cI want to thank Whip Emmer for the opportunity to serve in this role, and I couldn\u2019t be happier to get to work for the American people.\u201d\n\nBackground on Rep. Reschenthaler:\n\nGuy Reschenthaler represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 14th Congressional District, located in southwestern Pennsylvania. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, House Committee on Rules, and was selected to the China Task Force by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for the 117th Congress.\n\nPrior to Congress, Guy was elected Magisterial District Judge in 2013, won a seat in the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2015, and served his country in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps, volunteering for duty in Iraq. In Baghdad, Guy prosecuted nearly 100 terrorists, including some of Iraq\u2019s most dangerous terrorists. He also successfully defended a Navy SEAL falsely accused by the Obama Administration of mishandling the Butcher of Fallujah.\n\nWhile in Congress, Guy has successfully had legislation signed into law supporting America\u2019s police officers, sounded the alarm on EcoHealth Alliance\u2019s possible role in unleashing the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, and was twice selected as the Elected Leadership Committee Representative for his 116th congressional class.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-and-sen-warren-lead-letter-calling-regulators-improve-banking-access", "Rep. Omar and Sen. Warren Lead Letter Calling on Regulators to Improve Banking Access for Communities of Color", "2022-12-02", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today sent a letter to the heads of all U.S. banking regulators calling on them to improve banking access for immigrant communities and communities of color. The letter is co-lead by Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Joyce Beatty and co-signed by Sen. Bernard Sanders and Reps. Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda, Barbara Lee, Pramila Jayapal, Hank Johnson, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Mark Pocan, Jamaal Bowman, Debbie Dingell, Marie Newman, Jan Schakowsky, Katie Porter, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Andr\u00e9 Carson, Deborah Ross, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.\n\nSpecifically the letter asks all banking regulators (including the Treasury Department, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration) to update Congress on their work to modernize financial crimes compliance (BSA/AML/FCC) obligations and sanction regimes in order to protect and promote equitable banking access \u2013 both for historically marginalized communities and the charitable organizations that work with such communities. Discrimination against immigrant communities, communities of color and charities with real or perceived connections to sanctioned and fragile countries has long plagued the financial services industry. This has made it challenging to send remittances and other life-saving forms of financial assistance to countries with weak financial governance.\n\n\u201cCountless U.S. individuals, businesses, and charities have been victims of discriminatory policies and practices that appear to limit their access to financial services because of their religion or national origin,\u201d the Members wrote. \u201cDuring this pandemic, many diaspora communities and charitable organizations in our districts have still found it challenging to send remittances and other life-saving forms of financial assistance to countries with weak financial governance and that are subject to U.S. sanctions. It is undoubtedly in the national interest of the United States to ensure the transmission of such funds go through formal, regulated, and transparent channels. The federal government must step in to halt and reverse these discriminatory actions that are directly tied to federal restrictions.\u201d\n\n\u201cBanking as a charity/nonprofit and \u2018banking while Muslim\u2019 are not illegal and must stop being treated as such. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to amplify the voices of our constituents who feel powerless in the face of big banks and unaccountable regulators,\u201d the Members added. \u201cMany families and businesses across the country have felt the harsh impacts of our current sanctions and AML/BSA regimes for far too long, especially during this pandemic that has further disrupted formal transfer channels. We are advocating for a more inclusive financial system, and we reject that there is a binary choice between creating financial inclusion and protecting our financial system from abuse by illicit actors. These should be complementary goals.\u201d\n\nThese sanction challenges were highlighted by a recent class action lawsuit against Bank of America (BoA) regarding its treatment of a customer of Iranian origin. Filed on behalf of Mohammed Farshad Abdollah Nia, an immigrant from Iran and a permanent resident of the United States, the suit claims that his bank account was unjustly closed even though he followed BoA\u2019s policy regarding proof of residency, which it says is necessary to comply with U.S. sanctions. BoA still proceeded to close the account without prior verbal or written notice. BoA attempted to dismiss the case, but Judge Cynthia Bashant of the Southern District of California denied the motion. Judge Bashant noted that the allegations support a plausible inference of intentional discrimination from the bank. Whether or not the court ultimately finds that Bank of America engaged in unlawful discrimination based on national origin, it is clear to us that the bank\u2019s approach aimed to avoid, rather than manage, the risk of sanctions and BSA enforcement.\n\nYou can read the full letter here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Janet Yellen\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of the Treasury\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20220\n\nThe Honorable Martin J Gruenberg\n\nActing Chair\n\nFederal Deposit Insurance Corporation\n\n550 17th Street N.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20429\n\nThe Honorable Todd M. Harper\n\nChair\n\nNational Credit Union Administration\n\n1775 Duke Street\n\nAlexandria, VA 22314\n\nThe Honorable Michael J. Hsu\n\nActing Comptroller of the Currency\n\nOffice of the Comptroller of the Currency\n\n400 7th Street S.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20219\n\nThe Honorable Jerome H. Powell\n\nChair\n\nFederal Reserve Board\n\n20th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20551\n\nThe Honorable Himamauli Das\n\nActing Director\n\nFinancial Crimes Enforcement Network\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20220\n\nTo the Heads of U.S. Banking Regulators:\n\nWe write to request an update on your work to modernize sanction policies and anti-money laundering/financial crimes compliance (AML/FCC) obligations to protect and promote equitable banking access for Muslim Americans and immigrant communities. Countless U.S. individuals, businesses, and charities have been victims of discriminatory policies and practices that appear to limit their access to financial services because of their religion or national origin. During this pandemic, many diaspora communities and charitable organizations in our districts have still found it challenging to send remittances and other life-saving forms of financial assistance to countries with weak financial governance and that are subject to U.S. sanctions. It is undoubtedly in the national interest of the United States to ensure the transmission of such funds go through formal, regulated, and transparent channels. The federal government must step in to halt and reverse these discriminatory actions that are directly tied to federal restrictions.\n\nIn response to rules defined through the USA PATRIOT Act and other measures to strengthen the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), banks have been inclined to exclude participants from their financial systems. Partly as a reaction to these regulations and the aggressive, non-risk-based attitudes of bank examiners, financial institutions have increasingly engaged in the practice of \u201cde-risking,\u201d shutting out entire classes of individuals and organizations perceived to be unprofitable due to low revenue potential, high-cost for compliance, and high-risk in general. Many Muslim and Arab, Middle Eastern and South Asian Americans, simply because of their connections \u2013 real or perceived \u2013 have been systematically cut off from financial services.[1]\n\nAdditionally, the use of sanctions has dramatically escalated and in turn has also increased compliance obligations of U.S. and foreign financial institutions. Banks\u2019 interpretation of and reaction to U.S. sanctions can play an inhibiting role in banking access for individuals and organizations affiliated with certain sanctioned and conflict-impacted countries. For example, sanctions block financial institutions from servicing accounts of persons \u201cordinarily resident\u201d but not located in affected countries like Iran.[2] This vague formulation has left it up to banks to seek to determine which of their customers might be \u201cordinarily resident.\u201d Rather than engaging in a fact-based inquiry to determine how to serve customers who are located in the U.S. and entitled to access financial services, many banks opt for overcompliance, restricting or closing accounts indiscriminately, often with little to no notice, or pathways for redress.\n\nThese sanction challenges were illuminated by a recent class action lawsuit against Bank of America (BoA) regarding its treatment of a customer of Iranian origin. The class action was filed on behalf of Mohammed Farshad Abdollah Nia, an immigrant from Iran and a permanent resident of the United States.[3] Mr. Nia claims that his bank account was unjustly closed even though he followed BoA\u2019s policy regarding proof of residency, which it says is necessary to comply with U.S. sanctions. BoA still proceeded to close the account without prior verbal or written notice. BoA attempted to dismiss the case, but the Honorable Cynthia Bashant of the Southern District of California denied the motion. In her order, Judge Bashant noted that the allegations support a plausible inference of intentional discrimination from the bank.[4] Whether or not the court ultimately finds that Bank of America engaged in unlawful discrimination based on national origin, it is clear to us that the bank\u2019s approach aimed to avoid, rather than manage, the risk of sanctions and BSA enforcement.\n\nIn addition to encouraging ethnic and religious discrimination, the current interpretation and application of sanctions and AML/FCC regulations risk weakening our broader national security and humanitarian objectives. U.S.-based charities, crowd-funding platforms, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and non-profit organizations (NPOs) provide vital assistance to worthy causes both at home and abroad. These organizations play a crucial role in fighting conditions conducive to terrorism and reducing the appeal of terrorism by building social structures and increasing inter-community dialogue and understanding.[5] When charitable organizations do not have adequate financial access, they are forced to conduct transactions in unregulated channels, thereby creating increased security risks for these actors and undermining the very national security goals that AML/FCC regulations are designed to uphold.\n\nBanking as a charity/nonprofit and \u201cbanking while Muslim\u201d are not illegal and must stop being treated as such. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to amplify the voices of our constituents who feel powerless in the face of big banks and unaccountable regulators. Many families and businesses across the country have felt the harsh impacts of our current sanctions and AML/BSA regimes for far too long, especially during this pandemic that has further disrupted formal transfer channels. We are advocating for a more inclusive financial system, and we reject that there is a binary choice between creating financial inclusion and protecting our financial system from abuse by illicit actors. These should be complementary goals.\n\nWe request a response to these questions no later than 30 days after receiving this letter:\n\nWhat steps are all the banking regulators taking in your examinations of financial institutions to prevent discriminatory account closures and restrictions, especially of Muslim-affiliated organizations and other aid groups working in fragile countries?\n\nFor all banking regulators, what regulatory language or guidance has been considered and updated in the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) BSA/AML Examination Manual to deter financial institutions from over-enforcing U.S. sanctions?\n\nThe FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (see PL 116-283, Sec. 6215(c)) included provisions requiring the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to conduct an analysis on financial services de-risking and Treasury Department to develop and review a strategy to reduce de-risking. What is the timeline of the OCC analysis and Treasury report to Congress? How will you engage and incorporate stakeholder input?\n\nFor Treasury or the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the OCC and Federal Reserve, would the provision of a license authorization for U.S. persons to conduct personal banking transactions while in Iran and other high-risk countries reduce unnecessary and discriminatory account closures from U.S. financial institutions? (see GAO-22-104792 report, pg. 6)\n\nHas Treasury (or OFAC) considered appropriately defining \u201cordinarily resident\u201d in Iran and other sanctioned countries, and distinguishing that from an individual \u201cordinarily resident\u201d in the United States, in order to reduce ambiguity around sanction enforcement?\n\nWould the Treasury (or FinCEN), the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the OCC consider implementing guidance to examine, redesign, or limit the use of automated technologies, such as artificial intelligence software, by financial institutions to combat money laundering and terrorist financing that may be unfairly and erroneously scrutinizing individuals based on name, national heritage, race, or religion?\n\nWill Treasury propose any new plans to make sure that financial services providers in the charitable sector are not automatically assessed as carrying undue risk when charities demonstrate comprehensive approaches to risks and provide transparency of operations?\n\nIs Treasury considering establishing new models of risk-sharing or safe payment channels where private institutions are unwilling to serve the charitable sector?\n\nIt is in our shared interest that all persons in the U.S. are able to fully access and participate in our financial services system. It is an unjust and undue burden for certain immigrant communities to face financial access barriers. We stand ready to work with you and support both immediate and long-term solutions to improve banking access to developing countries in order to prevent humanitarian crises, increase global stability, and protect our national security.\n\nWhile we appreciate that AML/FCC/BSA regulations, unlawful discrimination against protected religious and national-origin groups, remittance access, and sanctions policy are distinct issue sets, they are often indistinguishable for communities unable to adequately access banking services. We look forward to your responses and to working together on these interrelated issues.\n\ncc: The Honorable Joseph Biden, President of the United States, The White House\n\nThe Honorable Anthony Blinken, Secretary, U.S. State Department\n\nThe Honorable Gary Gensler, Chair, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission\n\nThe Honorable Rohit Chopra, Chair, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\n\nThe Honorable Andrea Gacki, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control\n\nThe Honorable Brian Nelson, Undersecretary, Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence\n\n[1] See: \u201cU.S. Muslim Charities and the War on Terror: A Decade in Review.\u201d (2011). Charity and Security Network.; Eckert, Sue E., Kay Guinane and Andrea Hall. (2017). \u201cFinancial Access for U.S. Nonprofits.\u201d Charity and Security Network.; Gordon, Stuart and Sherine El Taraboulsi-McCarthy. (2018). \u201cCounter-terrorism, bank de-risking and humanitarian response: A Path Forward.\u201d (2018). Humanitarian Policy Group.; Government Accountability Office. (2018). \u201cRemittances to Fragile Countries: Treasury Should Assess Risks from Shifts to Non-Banking Channels.\u201d (GAO-18-313).; Government Accountability Office. (2021). \u201cBank Secrecy Act: Views on Proposals to Improve Banking Access for Entities Transferring Funds to High-Risk Countries.\u201d (GAO-22-104792).\n\n[2] \u201cOFAC Sanctioned Countries.\u201d (2022). Princeton University.\n\n[3] \u201cBank of America Faces Groundbreaking Class Action After Years of Discriminatory Practices.\u201d (2022). NIAC.\n\n[4] Ortega, Bruno. \u201cBank of America Discrimination Against Non-Citizens Class Action Lawsuit.\u201d (2022). Migliaccio\n\n& Rathod LLP.\n\n[5] \u201cTackling the Financing of Terrorism.\u201d (2009). United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-statement-epas-updated-renewable-fuel-standard", "Representative Angie Craig Statement on EPA\u2019s Updated Renewable Fuel Standard Volume Obligations", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "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 released the following statement on the 2023, 2024, 2025 renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):\n\n\u201cI was pleased to see that the EPA\u2019s new Renewable Fuel Standard Volume Obligations will steadily increase the presence of biofuels in the U.S. fuel market over the next three years. We\u2019ve seen that tapping the power of America\u2019s biofuel producers and our family farmers is a key component in helping us advance on many of our climate and energy priorities and stabilize our fuel market. So, I\u2019m grateful to the Administration \u2013 and especially EPA Administrator Regan \u2013 for recognizing the critical role that ethanol production plays in supporting our family farmers, lowering gas prices and increasing our energy independence.\n\n\u201cWe know that increasing the production of all biofuels is a critical step toward keeping our fuel market on the right track, so I will continue to evaluate the EPA\u2019s proposal to ensure that all of Minnesota\u2019s family farmers in the Second District are supported in the final product.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-leads-inquiry-into-boston-fed-led-cbdc-effort", "Emmer Leads Inquiry into Boston Fed-Led CBDC Effort", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "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), the Ranking Republican on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, led a letter with Ranking Member Patrick McHenry (NC-10) to Susan Collins, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, about \u201cProject Hamilton,\u201d an initiative to research the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).\n\nA central bank digital currency is a programmable digital currency issued from a federal reserve. If the CBDC is not crafted with the values of transparency in mind, the currency falls at risk to the financial privacy violations currently on display in China.\n\nIt has come to Congress\u2019s attention that some firms participating in Project Hamilton intend to use government resources from the project to design a CBDC with the intent to then sell those products to commercial banks.\n\nEmmer said, \u201cAny U.S. CBDC must be open, permissionless, and private.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe more we learn about the Boston Fed\u2019s work on Project Hamilton, the more we have become concerned with the lack of transparency, especially as it relates to their partnership with the private sector. The unfair advantage that some private companies could enjoy from this partnership and the failure to ensure the principles of privacy, sovereignty, and free markets should be concerning to every American,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nSpecifically, the letter asks about Project Hamilton\u2019s funding and engagement with the private sector as they seek to develop a CBDC. The letter also asks how the Fed plans to address concerns that many have regarding the dangers a CBDC could pose to financial privacy and financial freedom, which were the subject of over 65% of the letters in response to the Fed\u2019s January 2022 report on CBDCs.\n\nEmmer and McHenry were joined on the letter by House Financial Services Committee members Ann Wagner (MO-02), Ted Budd (NC-13), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Andy Barr (KY-06), French Hill (AR-02), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), and Warren Davidson (OH-08).\n\nBackground\n\nProject Hamilton is a collaboration between the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Digital Currency Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to research the potential development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the United States.\n\nEmmer has long expressed concern about the implementation of a U.S. CBDC. In January, Emmer introduced a bill to prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC directly to individuals. You can read more about that bill here.\n\nYou can read the letter in full here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-legislation-renaming-akeley-post-office-honor-neal-todd-passes-house", "Stauber Legislation Renaming Akeley Post Office in Honor of Neal Todd Passes House", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, legislation introduced by Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) to rename the Akeley, Minnesota, Post Office after Neal Kenneth Todd passed the House of Representatives. Neal was an Akeley native who perished during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and his remains were recently identified and returned home to Akeley, where he was finally laid to rest next to his family.\n\n\u201cWe can never forget the sacrifices made by heroes like Neal Kenneth Todd,\u201d said Congressman Stauber. \u201cAmericans like Neal are the reason that this nation is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. I\u2019m proud to lead this legislation that renames the Akeley Post Office in Neal\u2019s honor and look forward to its passage to remind future generations of his service in defense of our freedoms.\u201d\n\nLast year, Congressman Stauber had the honor of attending Neal\u2019s funeral and presenting his family with an American flag he had flown over the United States Capitol. The entire Minnesota delegation co-sponsored the bill upon its introduction in July 2021.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nNeal Kenneth Todd joined the Navy in 1940 and was assigned to the USS Oklahoma as a Navy Fireman First Class. While stationed at Pearl Harbor, the ship was attacked by the Japanese air force on December 7, 1941. Neal's brother, Wesley Todd, was also serving on the USS Oklahoma during the bombing. Wesley was fortunate to escape the sinking ship, but Neal's fate was unknown to the Todd family for months. Neal was later pronounced dead and awarded the Purple Heart.\n\nHe is honored at the USS Oklahoma Memorial and Honolulu Memorial of the Courts of the Missing. The remains of Neal and other service members were recovered in the months following the attack but were not identified by the U.S. Department of Defense until a 2015 Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency project.\n\nOn February 11, 2021, Neal's remains were successfully matched to his family. He was reunited with his brother, Orville Staffenhagen, and sister, Karyn Stiffler in Akeley, Minnesota on July 10, 2021. Neal was buried with full military honors next to his younger brother, Alfred Staffenhagen, Jr., who also served in the U.S. Navy, and his mother Irena.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/open-enrollment-continues-representative-angie-craig-encourages-minnesotans", "As Open Enrollment Continues, Representative Angie Craig Encourages Minnesotans to Take Advantage of New Health Care Savings", "2022-11-30", "2022", "2022-11", "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 encouraged all Minnesotans to visit MNsure.org to see if they or their family members are eligible to access health care savings in 2023. Eligible Minnesotans will save an average of $560/month, or $6,700/year, when they purchase health care coverage through MNsure.\n\n\u201cOver the past few months, we have taken significant steps to make health care more accessible and affordable. By passing the Inflation Reduction Act, we extended the ACA\u2019s tax credits to ensure that families didn\u2019t lose their health insurance. And after successfully pushing the administration to close the \u201cfamily glitch,\u201d we were able to save more than five million Americans thousands on their health insurance premiums,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cGiven these developments, I encourage all Minnesotans to check to see if they or their family are able to take advantage of these savings before December 15.\u201d\n\nThe Inflation Reduction Act \u2013 which Representative Craig helped pass this summer \u2013 extends the ACA\u2019s health insurance tax credits through 2025, making health insurance more affordable for the millions of people who are insured through the individual marketplace. Without the extension of these credits, approximately 3 million Americans could have lost their health insurance and more than 10 million Americans would have seen their premium tax credits reduced or eliminated.\n\nAdditionally, Representative Craig successfully led efforts to close the ACA\u2019s \u201cfamily glitch,\u201d saving more than five million Americans thousands on their health insurance premiums. In October, the administration issued the final rule to close the long-standing gap in coverage \u2013 and make health care more accessible and affordable for working families across the country.\n\nAll Minnesotans are encouraged to visit MNsure.org before December 15 to review coverage options and determine their eligibility for subsidized health care coverage beginning on January 1, 2023.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-celebrates-securing-amendment-seven-days-paid-sick-leave-railroad", "Rep. Omar Celebrates Securing Amendment on Seven Days of Paid Sick Leave for Railroad Workers", "2022-11-30", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after securing a vote on 7 days of sick leave for railroad workers.\n\n\u201cRailroad corporations are raking in record profits \u2014 over $20 billion last year alone.\n\n\u201cMeanwhile, their workers do not even have the basic protections of a single day of paid or unpaid sick time. In the face of these record profits, railroad workers have made a simple, dignified request for the basic protections of paid leave. And we in Congress need to listen to them.\n\n\u201cI was proud to work alongside Rep. Bowman to push for an amendment to a rail deal that would guarantee 7 days of paid leave to railroad workers, and am grateful to Chairman Peter DeFazio and House leadership for bringing this amendment to the House Floor.\n\n\u201cI will always stand with rail workers and workers around the world, and will do everything in my power to make sure their basic demands are not ignored.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-passes-martin-sabo-post-office-renaming-bill", "Rep. Omar Passes Martin Sabo Post Office Renaming Bill", "2022-11-30", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013Today, the House passed legislation authored by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to rename a post office location in Minneapolis, Minnesota after the late Representative Martin Olav Sabo, who represented her current district, the 5th District of Minnesota, for nearly three decades. The legislation garnered bipartisan support from the Minnesota Congressional delegation.\n\n\"Martin Sabo represented the people of Minnesota\u2019s 5th District with honor and distinction,\u201d said Rep. Omar. \u201cI am thrilled that the House passed my legislation to commemorate his legacy and advocacy as a dedicated public servant. He built a career standing up for low-income families and the middle class throughout Minnesota. Through the Post Office renaming process, future generations of Minnesotans will be aware of his lasting-legacy for the people of the 5th.\u201d\n\nYou can read details of the bill here and view Rep. Omar\u2019s remarks on the House floor here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-applauds-passage-of-justice-and-mental-health-collaboration-reauthorization-act", "Emmer Applauds Passage of Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act", "2022-11-29", "2022", "2022-11", "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 the passage of his Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act.\n\nEmmer said, \u201cWe must ensure our law enforcement officers have the resources they need when they are called upon to provide lifesaving assistance to those struggling with mental health and substance abuse crises.\n\n\u201cI applaud the passage of this legislation, which will support safer, healthier communities,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nThe bill centers suicide prevention as a key goal, increasing access to case management services and providing resources for law enforcement.\n\nBackground\n\nThe Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act will reauthorize for five years the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), a program that allows states and localities to develop programming that connects those with mental illness and substance abuse issues to evidence-based and comprehensive treatment within the criminal justice system.\n\nThe legislation provides for funding that may be used for the 9-8-8 Suicide Lifeline, which debuted in July. You can read more about Emmer\u2019s work to support the Lifeline here.\n\nCongressman Emmer, along with Representatives Steve Chabot (OH-1), Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) introduced the bill in June 2022. Companion legislation from Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) passed the Senate in the same month.\n\nYou can read the bill in full here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-kevin-mccarthy-threat", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on Kevin McCarthy Threat", "2022-11-21", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy threatened to strip her from her seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.\n\n\u201cFrom the moment I was elected, the Republican Party has made it their mission to use fear, xenophobia, Islamophobia and racism to target me on the House Floor and through millions of dollars of campaign ads.\n\n\u201cWhether it is Marjorie Taylor Greene holding a gun next to my head in campaign ads or Donald Trump threatening to \u2018send me back\u2019 to my country (despite the fact that I have been a proud citizen of the United States for more than 20 years), this constant stream of hate has led to hundreds of death threats and credible plots against me and my family.\n\n\u201cAt the same time, they have openly tolerated antisemitism, anti-Muslim hate and racism in their own party. Newly-elected Whip Tom Emmer said prominent Jewish Democrats 'essentially bought control of Congress.' And McCarthy himself accused Jewish Democrats of trying to 'buy elections.'\n\n\u201cInstead of doing anything to address the open hostility towards religious minorities in his party, McCarthy is now lifting up people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Emmer and so many others. If he cared about addressing the rise in hate, he would apologize and make sure others in his party apologized.\n\n\u201cMcCarthy\u2019s effort to repeatedly single me out for scorn and hatred\u2014including threatening to strip me from my committee\u2014does nothing to address the issues our constituents deal with. It does nothing to address inflation, healthcare, or solve the climate crisis.\n\n\u201cWhat it does is gin up fear and hate against Somali-Americans and anyone who shares my identity, and further divide us along racial and ethnic lines. It is a continuation of a sustained campaign against Muslim and African voices, people in his party have been trying to ban since Donald Trump first ran for office.\n\n\u201cI will not stop fighting for more equitable, more just and more humane policies. I will not stop advocating for peace and human rights around the world. And I will not stop fighting for an America that does not single out people based on their race or religion.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-committee-advances-representative-angie-craigs-legislation-rename-local", "House Committee Advances Representative Angie Craig\u2019s Legislation to Rename Local Post Office After Fallen South St. Paul Police Officer", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, the House Oversight Committee unanimously advanced U.S. Representative Angie Craig\u2019s bill to rename the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of fallen South St. Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak. After only four months on the force, Officer Pavlak was killed during a robbery on August 30, 1933. He is the only South St. Paul Police Officer to have been killed in the line of duty.\n\n\u201cOfficer Pavlak lost his life protecting his community \u2013 and since then, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren have continued building upon his legacy as they pursue careers in law enforcement themselves. This bill gives us a unique opportunity to honor the life, legacy and service of Officer Pavlak and his entire family,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled the House has advanced this important bill \u2013 and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get it over the finish line.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Craig\u2019s bill is part of a bipartisan, bicameral effort to honor Officer Pavlak. Earlier this month, Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Craig, Klobuchar and Smith were joined in introducing this legislation by their colleagues in the Minnesota delegation \u2013 Representatives Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber. The legislation is also supported by the Pavlak family and local leaders in South St. Paul.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-speaker-pelosi-s-announcement-she-will-not-seek-re-election", "McCollum Statement on Speaker Pelosi\u2019s Announcement That She Will Not Seek Re-Election to Democratic Leadership", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "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 Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she would not seek a leadership position in the next Congress:\n\n\"Nancy Pelosi has been an amazing Speaker of the House and will go down in history as one of our nation's most effective and influential Speakers. What makes Speaker Pelosi unique is not just her leadership during tumultuous times, but her integrity and her character. I first met Nancy Pelosi as a candidate for Congress in 2000. I admired her then, joining a House of Representatives made up of just 13 percent women. As the first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, her accomplishments are many: Her instrumental leadership in passing the Affordable Care Act, leading our caucus through the COVID-19 pandemic and all its uncertainties, and passing the largest infrastructure and climate change investments in our nation's history\u2014the list goes on and on. As we have worked together throughout the years on our shared priorities of expanding health care access, promoting human rights, and creating better, brighter futures for our children, our friendship has grown, and she remains a close friend and trusted partner in this work.\n\n\"I was asked to participate in congressional delegations Speaker Pelosi led, including a 2017 trip to India, Nepal, Germany, and Belgium, meeting the estimable Dalai Lama; to the 2021 COP26 global climate conference in Glasgow; and, as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, to the Munich Security Conference in early 2022 while Russia was gearing up to attack Ukraine. Speaker Pelosi's courage and fortitude in defending democracy both internationally and here at home has been unmatched. She took on the unconscionable and at times horrifying abuses of the Trump administration and never backed down in the face of that president's abhorrent threats to our democracy, including on January 6, 2021. Under her leadership, she shepherded the House through two impeachments, and entrusted me to lead impeachment proceedings on the House Floor on January 13, 2021 to hold the president accountable for his malfeasance in office.\n\n\"Nancy has always reminded us what's important, and how the votes we cast impact the people we serve. Above all, Speaker Pelosi has always been focused on working For the Children \u2013 keeping their interests top of mind throughout her decades of service. As she retires as Speaker, I'm so grateful for her legacy and I hope to continue to keep her ethos at the forefront of all we do in the 118th Congress and beyond. I offer my sincere thanks and congratulations, and I look forward to continuing to serve with her in Congress. This country would be a very different place if not for her strong leadership. Thank you, Speaker Pelosi!\"\n\nImage\n\nImage\n\nTop: Welcoming Speaker Pelosi to Minnesota's Fourth District in 2010 to tour the revitalized St. Paul Union Depot \u2013 a massive undertaking that had received $35 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding during the Obama administration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omars-statement-following-speaker-pelosis-decision-step-down-house", "Rep. Omar's Statement Following Speaker Pelosi's Decision to Step Down from House Democratic Leadership", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after Speaker Nancy Pelosi made an announcement to step down from House Democratic leadership in the next Congress.\n\n\"Four years ago, when I arrived in Washington to be sworn in to Congress, with many firsts next to my name, my father was beaming. It wasn\u2019t just that I was going to serve in the United States Congress, it was that I was serving with this Speaker of the House.\n\n\"Nancy Pelosi is a first among firsts\u2014the first woman to ever serve as Speaker of the House and the first to lead any party in any chamber of the U.S. Congress.\n\n\"One my great joys as a Member was traveling to Ghana with the Speaker in 2019 during the 400th anniversary of slavery in our country. As supporters of the President of the United States chanted calls of \u201csend her back,\u201d she invited me personally join her on this trip, to represent how far we have come as a country.\n\n\"It has been a deep honor to serve with her directly in the House\u2014to see her skills as a strategist, vote-counter and mentor up close, and to learn directly from her wisdom and experience. She has taught me how to hold your head up high and show up to do the work\u2014even when your life is at risk.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-omar-and-bowman-lead-letter-calling-biden-administration-support-loss", "Reps. Omar and Bowman Lead Letter Calling on Biden Administration to Support Loss & Damage Funding for Developing Countries at COP27", "2022-11-16", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "November 16, 2022\n\nThe Honorable John F. Kerry\n\nSpecial Presidential Envoy for Climate\n\nU.S. Department of State 2201 C Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20520\n\nDear Special Envoy Kerry,\n\nAs you know, the United States is the world\u2019s largest historical contributor to climate change. Yet as we\u2019ve seen with the historic flooding in Pakistan, the fourth consecutive drought in the Horn of Africa, the painfully slow recovery from hurricane damage in Central America, among many other examples, it is the Global South that disproportionately suffers the harms. We have both a moral and a strategic responsibility to provide comprehensive support for countries facing climate disaster, including debt forgiveness and reparations. While we work toward those crucial goals, there are also smaller but no less important mechanisms we should be supporting.\n\nOne specific step we urge you to take immediately is to throw the United States\u2019 support behind the establishment of a Loss & Damage Finance Facility under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the purpose of channeling new, grant-based public finance from developed to developing countries to help them recover from climate catastrophes.\n\nWe are encouraged that the Biden administration has accepted formal discussions of Loss & Damage at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27. We hope you will build on that commitment and continue engaging in good faith discussion to ensure the world\u2019s most vulnerable communities receive life-saving resources in times of crisis.\n\nAd hoc humanitarian assistance flows, insurance schemes, debt-based financing, and neglected existing funds under the UNFCCC are wholly insufficient to address the current reality in which countries are facing billions of dollars in loss and damage needs. A collaborative international effort is needed to make more high-quality, accessible, and fit-for-purpose financing available, especially to account for losses and damages caused by climate emergencies. Such financing must be supplementary to climate financing for mitigation and adaptation and should be unconditional public funding that does not deepen the debt crises faced by many vulnerable countries.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-elected-majority-whip", "Emmer Elected Majority Whip", "2022-11-15", "2022", "2022-11", "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) released the below statement following his election as Majority Whip for the 118th Congress:\n\nIt is an honor to be entrusted by my colleagues with the role of Majority Whip. Now the hard work begins. It\u2019s time to unite our conference and deliver on our promises to the American people.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-ocasio-cortez-omar-and-jesus-g-chuy-garcia-lead-letter-calling-president", "Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, and Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda Lead Letter Calling on President Bidn to Extend Marijuana Pardon to Immigrants", "2022-11-15", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Jes\u00fas G. \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda today led a letter to President Joe Biden asking his Administration to pardon allsimple marijuana possession offenses, regardless of immigration status, and prioritize decriminalizing and rescheduling marijuana and reopening the immigration cases of those who were deported for marijuana-related offenses.\n\nThey were joined by Reps. Bowman, Bush, Davis, Espaillat, Evans, Gomez, Barbara Lee, Newman, Norton, Schakowsky, Tlaib, Torres, Torries, Vargas, and Watson Coleman.\n\n\u201cWe write to commend you on your administration\u2019s decision to pardon thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law and to review how marijuana is classified in the United States,\u201d the Members wrote. \u201cThe decision is an essential step for our country\u2019s promise of justice for all. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the Administration pardon all simple marijuana possession offenses \u2013 regardless of immigration status.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor immigrants whose lives have been upended for simple marijuana possession, a pardon is only the first step in allowing them to rebuild their lives. That is why we also urge you to prioritize decriminalizing and descheduling marijuana and reopening the immigration cases of those who were deported for marijuana-related offenses. These actions would restore the lives and dignity of thousands of migrants who were deported for conduct that is now legal in varying capacities across 41 states,\u201d they added.\n\nOn October 6th, President Biden announced he was pardoning thousands of people convicted of simple marijuana possession. However, the pardon left thousands of immigrants vulnerable to the risk of deportation for simple marijuana possession.\n\nDeportation not only upends the lives of those deported but also their families and communities. A study conducted by Syracuse University found that \u2013 between 2003 and 2018 \u2013 over 45,000 people were deported nationwide for simple marijuana possession. Continuing to deport immigrants for simple marijuana possession will only exacerbate racial disparities, traumatize families and communities vital to this country's fabric, and create ineffective legal regimes at taxpayers' expense.\n\nYou can read 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 Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write to commend you on your administration\u2019s decision to pardon thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law and to review how marijuana is classified in the United States. The decision is an essential step for our country\u2019s promise of justice for all. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the Administration pardon all simple marijuana possession offenses \u2013 regardless of immigration status.\n\nUsing the power of the pardon is a constitutional imperative and a critical tool in rectifying the compounding racial injustices of draconian drug policies. However, continuing to deport immigrants for simple marijuana possession will only exacerbate racial disparities, traumatize families and communities vital to this country's fabric, and create ineffective legal regimes at taxpayers' expense. This is especially true given the racial disparities that exist for Black migrants. Not only are black individuals four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession, but a 2021 study found that Black immigrants in ICE detention were also more likely to be detained and up to six times as likely to be placed in solitary confinement.[1]\n\nSince becoming a crime in the 1970s, marijuana possession has upended too many lives, families, and communities for conduct many states no longer prohibit. Even in states that have legalized medicinal marijuana, non-citizens cannot receive medicinal marijuana without facing potential deportation.[2] A study conducted by Syracuse University found that, between 2003 and 2018, over 45,000 people were deported nationwide for simple marijuana possession.[3]\n\nAfter decades of the failed war on drugs and the countless lives and families it ruined, our country must begin repairing those harms. Granting pardons to all simple marijuana possession offenses \u2013 regardless of immigration status \u2013 demonstrates genuine compassion while ensuring that our country continues to mitigate the inhumane and ineffective drudge policies that have ravaged communities of color for so long.\n\nHowever, for immigrants whose lives have been upended for simple marijuana possession, a pardon is only the first step in allowing them to rebuild their lives. That is why we also urge you to prioritize decriminalizing and descheduling marijuana and reopening the immigration cases of those who were deported for marijuana-related offenses. These actions would restore the lives and dignity of thousands of migrants who were deported for conduct that is now legal in varying capacities across 41 states.[4] Additionally, following these actions would allow those same people to return to their families and lives in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-our-work-for-veterans-is-never-complete", "Emmer: \u201cOur work for veterans is never complete\u201d", "2022-11-10", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 This Veterans Day, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) re-emphasized his work to improve veterans\u2019 access to quality care and adequate benefits.\n\n\u201cWe have an obligation to the brave men and women who put themselves in harm\u2019s way to protect our freedoms. This means ensuring timely access to mental and primary health care services and financial benefits,\u201d Emmer said.\n\n\u201cOur work to ensure our veterans get the benefits and recognition they have earned is never complete, and we continue to demonstrate our commitment,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nEmmer\u2019s recent efforts include:\n\nCosponsoring the Major Richard Star Act, which will expand retiree compensation for veterans who were forced to cut their military careers short due to combat-related injuries, allowing them to collect the monthly benefits that they were previously denied;\n\nCosponsoring the Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to complete a five-year review of all deaths of veterans who died by suicide, examining both the mental health concerns these veterans faced and the VA response to this crisis.\n\nSince coming to Congress, Congressman Emmer has also:\n\nLed the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act, which will allow veteran families to recoup benefits lost to fraud;\n\nIntroduced the Same-Day Accountability for Veterans Enhancement (SAVE) Act, which will examine the effectiveness of same-day primary and mental health care in the VA health system.\n\nCosponsored the Patient Advocate Tracker Act, which will establish a tracking system for VA accountability. This bill was signed into law on September 16.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-honor-veterans-day-2", "McCollum Statement in Honor of Veterans Day", "2022-11-10", "2022", "2022-11", "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 ahead of tomorrow's observance of Veterans Day:\n\n\"On Veterans Day, we take time to recognize those who have served our nation in the U.S. Armed Forces. We honor 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, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. They deserve the support of a grateful nation, and that gratefulness must be reflected in our actions \u2013 that's why I'm working to expand the availability of high quality, affordable health care, educational and workforce training opportunities that lead to good-paying jobs, and affordable housing for veterans and their families. I'm proud of the investments we've made in Congress to meet these obligations, and recognize there is much more to be done to fill veterans' needs.\n\n\"We also honor the sacrifices made at home by the families and loved ones of our service members. As our veterans return home and take on new challenges following military service, know that my office stands ready to help. This Veterans Day, join me in honoring and remembering veterans' service in defending the United States at home and abroad.\"\n\nA livestream of tomorrow's 2022 State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program is planned. Additional Veterans Day events will take place in Stillwater and North St. Paul.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-pushes-resolve-postal-issues-lakeville-residents", "Representative Angie Craig Pushes to Resolve Postal Issues for Lakeville Residents", "2022-11-05", "2022", "2022-11", "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 released a letter she wrote to Tony Williams, the United States Postal Service\u2019s Minnesota and North Dakota District Manager, to express her concerns about services provided by the Lakeville Post Office. In her letter, she highlighted the critical need to improve the post office\u2019s inadequate delivery standards and poor customer service \u2013 and the impacts these inadequate conditions are having on Lakeville residents.\n\n\u201cResidents in certain neighborhoods have gone days, even weeks, without receiving their mail. This has led to medications for seniors being undelivered and bills arriving late, resulting in unfair and unnecessary fees for residents. Some routes are seemingly unserviced altogether. In some instances, package lockers have been damaged and inaccessible for postal service customers and calls to fix them have gone unanswered. I have also repeatedly heard from constituents of poor customer service within the post office itself,\u201d wrote Representative Craig.\n\n\u201cMy office has been working with your consumer affairs manager since October 12, 2022, to resolve a specific overbilling complaint after the customer themself was unable to seek a remedy from local USPS officials. We also filed a formal inquiry with your staff after numerous, continued complaints from residents and Lakeville Mayor Anderson on November 1, 2022. We are grateful for the Minnesota/North Dakota District staff\u2019s efforts,\u201d Representative Craig continued.\n\nRepresentative Craig encourages her constituents to contact her office if they are having any trouble navigating or accessing any federal agency, including their local post offices. For assistance, they should visit Representative Craig\u2019s website at https://craig.house.gov/casework.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter below.\n\nNovember 5, 2022\n\nTony Williams, District Manager, Minnesota/North Dakota District\n\nUnited States Postal Service\n\n100 S. 1ST Street Minneapolis,\n\nMN 55401-999\n\nDear Mr. Williams:\n\nFirst of all, thank you for your service to the U.S. Postal Service, especially during this busy election. I am writing on behalf of the numerous constituents and City of Lakeville officials concerned about service levels they are experiencing from the Lakeville Post Office.\n\nLakeville has experienced rapid population growth and business expansion over the last several years, and I fear that the postal service may not be expanding at the necessary rate. From July 2020 to July 2021 alone, Lakeville experienced a population growth rate of 3.8%, the fastest in Minnesota according to the Census Bureau. Furthermore, Lakeville is expected to reach a population of 85,000 as it continues to expand.\n\nResidents in certain neighborhoods have gone days, even weeks, without receiving their mail. This has led to medications for seniors being undelivered and bills arriving late, resulting in unfair and unnecessary fees for residents. Some routes are seemingly unserviced altogether. In some instances, package lockers have been damaged and inaccessible for postal service customers and calls to fix them have gone unanswered. I have repeatedly heard from constituents of poor customer service within the post office itself. One of the most egregious errors has a postal service customer being overcharged thousands of dollars. I am thankful for your staff\u2019s help in beginning to resolve this issue which never should have happened in the first place.\n\nMy office has been working with your consumer affairs manager since October 12, 2022 to resolve a specific overbilling complaint after the customer themself was unable to seek a remedy from local USPS officials. We also filed a formal inquiry with your staff after numerous, continued complaints from residents and Lakeville Mayor Anderson on November 1, 2022. We are grateful for the Minnesota/North Dakota District staff\u2019s efforts. Given that USPS is now in peak holiday shipping season, I feel the need to escalate these issues to your attention as well and request a formal response to the following questions:\n\nCan you confirm if Lakville\u2019s postal routes are still considered \u201crural\u201d for the purposes of USPS delivery systems? If so, what is the plan to reevaluate that designation given the rapid population growth?\n\nOn average, how many postal routes go unserved each day in Lakeville and how many postal service customers does that impact?\n\nWhat, if any, staffing shortages presently exist at the Lakeville Post Office and how is USPS and the Lakeville Post Office working to address them?\n\nThe Lakeville Post Office is one of 25,300 leased postal facilities across the country. The current lease expires August 31, 2024. What is the current USPS Facilities assessment of Lakeville\u2019s operating capacity and are other options being explored for facility space?\n\nCan USPS guarantee that every Lakeville resident who requested a mail-in ballot for the 2022 General Election, regardless of political party, will receive that ballot in time to cast it and have it collected in time to be counted in the 2022 General Election?\n\nThank you for reviewing this letter and I look forward to your response on behalf of all the 2nd District residents who deserve to have their medications, bills and packages arrive safely and on time.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-joins-npca-celebrating-national-parks-champion-bill-walter", "McCollum Joins NPCA in Celebrating National Parks Champion Bill Walter", "2022-11-04", "2022", "2022-11", "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 attending the National Parks Conservation Association's 20th Anniversary National Parks Champions Luncheon honoring NPCA Board Emeritus and Event Founder Bill Walter:\n\n\"Bill Walter has long been a champion of our national parks, and is deserving of this recognition by the NPCA,\" McCollum said. \"Bill's work was instrumental in protecting Voyageurs National Park, and I was proud to join him in 2013 on a visit to this northern Minnesota rustic oasis. Bill understands the indescribable value of spending time in Minnesota's great outdoors. His passion and commitment to protecting our public lands will help ensure they are available for future generations to enjoy. I'm honored to call Bill a friend, and congratulate him wholeheartedly on this achievement!\"\n\nCongresswoman McCollum with Bill Walter at Voyageurs National Park in 2013; At the November 3, 2022 NPCA Luncheon\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-saint-paul-police-department-celebrate-distribution-new-radios", "McCollum, Saint Paul Police Department Celebrate Distribution of New Radios Obtained Through Community Project Funding", "2022-11-04", "2022", "2022-11", "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 visiting the Radio Shop in Saint Paul, where members of the Saint Paul Police Department were receiving new portable radio equipment and training to help keep our community safe:\n\n\"Investing in our community's needs and securing federal resources to benefit Fourth District families is my top priority in Congress,\" Congresswoman McCollum said. \"Saint Paul Police officers now have the state-of-the-art communications equipment they need to quickly and effectively respond to emergencies. I'm pleased that I was able to secure the funds for this project, and I look forward to continuing to work together to keep our community safe.\"\n\n\"These new radios are paramount to effectively supporting our optimal response measures to maintain the safety and security of our residence,\" said Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. \"Thanks to Congresswoman McCollum's leadership to secure this funding, our officers are even better equipped to carry out their public safety mission for our Capital City.\"\n\n\"We're leading a public safety strategy that demands a high level of collaboration between all our public safety partners,\" said incoming Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry. \"These new radios allow us to share information with maximum efficiency to ensure we have the right people in the right place at the right time.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nCongresswoman McCollum worked with former Chief Todd Axtell and acting Chief Jeremy Ellison on a successful Community Project Funding (CPF) request to benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District by investing community safety.\n\nImage\n\nView additional photos here.\n\nProject: Saint Paul Police Department Portable Radio Replacement Project ($2,000,000)\n\nDescription: The replacement of 600 end-of-life police portable radios is necessary for the City of St. Paul to maintain the ability to effectively respond to public safety needs and sustain interoperable communications among the first responder network within the city and among mutual-aid communities. The City depends on 1,974 radios to provide public safety and services to residents, and 1,215 of those are used by the police department to perform its role in the City's Community First Public Safety strategy. Those radios, first procured in 2003, have been out of manufacturer's support since 2018 and reached their end of life and must be replaced to ensure compatibility with the State of Minnesota's P25 ARMER network. Full replacement of all of the City's radios would cost nearly $10 million, but this project will assist with most critical need in Saint Paul: replacing 600 radios used by sworn officers to investigate, respond to, and prevent crime in the community. This federal funding would be partnered with additional funding procured by the City to sustain the communications necessary to protect and serve the community.\n\nIn keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-receives-award-us-chamber-commerce", "Representative Angie Craig Receives Award from U.S. Chamber of Commerce", "2022-11-02", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BURNSVILLE, MN \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce\u2019s Advocate for American Business Award in honor of her work to support the business community across Minnesota and the United States. The award is given to Members of Congress who have built a strong record of advocating for pro-growth and pro-businesses policies.\n\nRepresentative Craig also received the award in 2020, which was formerly known as the Spirit of Enterprise Award.\n\n\u201cThe hardworking folks that make up the Second District\u2019s business community have faced immense challenges over the past 2 years. In Congress, I\u2019ve been fighting hard to ensure they have the resources and support needed to not just keep their lights on \u2013 but to grow and expand,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cI\u2019m honored to receive this award from the U.S. Chamber \u2013 and I look forward to continuing our partnership to support the businesses that keep our communities running.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to present Rep. Angie Craig with the US Chamber\u2019s Advocate for American Business Award,\u201d said John Kirchner, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Midwest Region Vice President. \u201cIn addition to being instrumental in the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill and the CHIPS Act, Rep. Craig was also a leader in helping 501(c)3 gain access to PPP funds during the pandemic. We are grateful for her hard work on these important business issues.\u201d\n\nIn Congress, Craig has long advocated for small businesses in Minnesota and across the country, which have accounted for more than 60% of net job creation over the past 25 years and represent more than 90% of employers in Minnesota\u2019s Second District. Earlier this year, Craig introduced the Small Business Tax Relief Act, which would cut the corporate tax rate from 21% to 18% for the first $400,000 of income for businesses earning less than $5 million per year. Last summer, Craig led more than 100 of her colleagues from both parties in pressing House leadership to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) program, which was designed to support the hardest hit restaurants, bars and eateries. Craig also invited Small Business Administrator Isabelle Guzman to Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District to meet with local small business owners and discuss how the federal government could best support their recovery. And in April, the House passed Craig\u2019s bipartisan SCORE for Small Business Act, a bill to reauthorize and improve training and support programs for beginning entrepreneurs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-top-house-republicans-press-sec-for-skirting-record-keeping-and-transparency-laws", "Emmer, Top House Republicans Press SEC for Skirting Record-Keeping and Transparency Laws", "2022-11-02", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Tom Emmer (R-MN), House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Patrick McHenry (R-NC), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-OH) and House Oversight and Reform Committee Ranking Member James Comer (R-KY) recently sent a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler denouncing the Biden Administration's inconsistency and hypocrisy of enforcing record-keeping laws, this time at the SEC. Recent reports suggest that SEC officials are using \"off-channel\" communications platforms, such as Signal, WhatsApp, Teams, and Zoom, for official business and without producing these records in response to open-record requests.\n\nExcerpts of the letter to Gensler:\n\n\"Recent reports suggest the SEC, under your leadership, is likewise failing to comply with federal record-keeping statutes. In particular, evidence uncovered during Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation suggests the SEC is failing to identify and produce records of official business conducted on non-email or 'off-channel' platforms, such as Signal, WhatsApp, Teams, and Zoom\u2014regardless of whether the communication took place on a personal or business device. As recounted by a FOIA litigator, the SEC is hiding its 'off-channel' communications with environmental activists, even though the communications qualify as federal records.\n\n\"While the SEC is failing to comply with federal transparency and record-keeping laws, the SEC is aggressively enforcing record-keeping laws on private businesses. The SEC recently charged 16 firms more than $1.1 billion combined for allegedly failing to maintain and preserve electronic communications. In a press release announcing the penalties, you ironically emphasized the importance of transparency, stating: 'Finance, ultimately, depends on trust. By failing to honor their record-keeping and books-and-records obligations, the market participants we have charged today have failed to maintain that trust.' The SEC's Director of Enforcement similarly intoned that record-keeping requirements are 'sacrosanct.'\"\n\nHouse Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Tom Emmer (R-MN) on the letter to Gensler:\n\n\"Chair Gensler's regime at the Securities and Exchange Commission has been characterized by regulatory hypocrisy and inconsistency. This is no different. The American people deserve transparency from their regulators, but time and time again, Chair Gensler refuses to practice what he preaches. It is inappropriate for SEC to target the private sector for failing to comply with record-keeping laws when the SEC itself is in violation of similar transparency laws. I'm proud to join Ranking Member Jordan, Ranking Member Comer, and Ranking Member McHenry in demanding accountability from Chair Gensler and the Securities and Exchange Commission.\"\n\nHouse Oversight and Reform Committee Ranking Member James Comer (R-KY) on the letter to Gensler:\n\n\"It appears the Biden Administration has rules for thee but not the SEC. Under Chair Gensler's watch, the SEC is skirting federal transparency and records laws while fining companies for doing the same. It\u2019s past time the Biden SEC engage in the transparency they claim is so important. This type of government hypocrisy undermines Americans\u2019 trust in our institutions and fails to deliver the transparency they deserve. Chair Gensler must provide answers to Congress and the American people.\"\n\nHouse Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Patrick McHenry (R-NC) on the letter to Gensler:\n\n\"This is yet another example of Chair Gensler's hypocritical mismanagement of the SEC. Chair Gensler is aggressively pursuing enforcement actions against companies who use off-channel communications while at the same time reportedly failing to comply with federal record keeping laws. Transparency and accountability at our federal agencies is essential\u2014especially at the SEC as it pursues an unprecedented number of rulemakings that could have profound impacts on our capital markets. House Republicans are demanding answers as we work to return accountability to DC bureaucrats and ensure Biden\u2019s regulators are held to the same standards they hold their regulated entities.\"\n\nRead the full letter to Gensler here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-announces-bill-harper-chief-staff-will-conclude-congressional-service", "McCollum Announces Bill Harper, Chief of Staff, Will Conclude Congressional Service After 22 Years", "2022-11-01", "2022", "2022-11", "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, announced today that her longtime chief of staff, Bill Harper, will end his congressional service on January 6, 2023. Harper began serving as chief of staff on January 3, 2001, Rep. McCollum's first day in Congress.\n\nCongresswoman McCollum released the following statement:\n\n\"Bill Harper is the consummate professional,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"He has dedicated his life to public service, and for the past 22 years Bill has been responsible for building and leading this congressional office. Harper's skills, vision, and leadership have helped shape everything my office has accomplished during these two decades, particularly my work on the Appropriations Committee.\n\n\"Bill has always prioritized the people we serve, focusing on making a positive impact for Minnesota families, communities, and businesses. Bill's efforts also made a remarkable difference in people's lives across the country and around the world \u2013 people we'll never know. That is the essence of Bill's public service. In the future, I know Bill will continue to make important contributions to Minnesota and our nation.\"\n\nPrior to serving in Congress, Harper managed McCollum's historic 2000 election victory when she became just the second woman elected to Congress in Minnesota history. Harper served five years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and Malawi. Early in Harper's career, he served as Chief of Staff to former Hennepin County Board Chair Mark Andrew, and as a personal assistant to former Minnesota Attorney General Hubert H. Humphrey, III.\n\nHarper will remain a political advisor to Rep. McCollum.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-honors-second-district-public-safety-heroes", "Representative Angie Craig Honors Second District Public Safety Heroes", "2022-10-27", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LAKEVILLE, MN \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Craig hosted a ceremony honoring members of local law enforcement and emergency response services for their work to keep the Second District safe. At the ceremony, she presented awards to South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke, West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon, Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie, Lakeville Police Chief Brad Paulson and other members of the Second District public safety workforce in honor of their dedicated service.\n\n\u201cEvery day, in the Second District \u2013 our law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs put their lives on the line to keep our families, schools and neighborhoods safe. And they do it all without expecting anything in return,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cSo today, we took a moment to thank them for their tireless dedication and make sure they receive the recognition and honor they most certainly deserve \u2013 because the Second District would not be the same without them.\n\nImage\n\nIn Congress, Representative Craig has made it a priority to increase support for police officers and their families and to ensure that local police departments have the funding they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Earlier this month, she secured thousands in federal funding for the West St. Paul and South St. Paul Police Departments to hire additional police officers and increase their community policing efforts.\n\nThis September, Representative Craig\u2019s bipartisanInvest to Protect Act passed the House to provide a new $60 million grant program for small and mid-sized police departments to invest in training, personnel support and mental health resources. Additionally, in August, Representative Craig's bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act, legislation that she helped introduce and pass after hearing the story of South St. Paul Police Sergeant Cory Slifko, was signed into law. This bill will ensure that officers can access disability benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder \u2013 and that families of officers who lost their lives to trauma-linked suicide can apply for the death benefits that they deserve.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-condemns-biden-administration-s-erosion-of-conservation-regulatory-standards", "Emmer Condemns Biden Administration\u2019s Erosion of Conservation Regulatory Standards", "2022-10-26", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressmen Tom Emmer (MN-06) and Cliff Bentz (OR-02) led a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland expressing their concern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) decision to eliminate a standard regulatory definition for critical habitats, indicating a shift to more partisan rulemaking. The letter was co-signed by House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), and Representative James Baird (IN-04).\n\nThe recent FWS decision to rescind the regulatory definition of \u201chabitat\u201d reverts the apolitical, transparent designation process to a subjective case-by-case review.\n\n\u201cA standardized regulatory approach creates certainty, optimizes efficiency, and minimizes political bias,\u201d said Emmer. \u201cWe owe it to our farmers, ranchers, miners, and every other American who makes their living off the land to bring back these standards.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Bentz said, \u201cSince its passage in 1973, the Endangered species act has ballooned in scope and authority, and we now find ourselves with a behemoth of a law that hinders farming, ranching, home building, construction\u2014just about every industry upon which this country relies. The Biden Administration chose to double down on the most heavy-handed interpretation of the law by rescinding the December 2020 definition of habitat. As a result, the agency has the ability to declare a critical habitat for a species just about anywhere. The Department of the Interior did just that in my district in 2012 when it designated a habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl that included 1.1 million acres that are not, and never have been, actual owl habitat. My colleagues and I are asking the Department of Interior to explain to the American people what legal and scientific basis, if any, guided the agency\u2019s decision to rescind the habitat definition rule.\u201d\n\nRanking Member Westerman said, \"The Biden administration\u2019s repeal of the Trump administration\u2019s ESA definition of habitat regulation is yet another example of how out of touch Democrats are with the needs of rural Americans. Many of the reforms put in place under former President Trump, like this one, were born out of input from local communities and the men and women most affected by the policies created in Washington. Yet by revoking this regulation, this administration has created uncertainty and once again opened the door for environmental groups to weaponize the ESA and use it to delay critical projects across the country. Furthermore, the Biden administration\u2019s actions are legally questionable, as the proposals aim to replace regulations that stem from a Supreme Court decision. Weaponization was never the purpose of the ESA, and we must bring it back to its original intent: protecting wildlife that's most at risk without crushing rural economies. Anything beyond that is nothing more than bureaucratic overreach and a giveaway to radical environmental interests. I support this letter and urge the administration to reinstate this rule.\u201d\n\n\u201cRather than placing our farmers, ranchers, and producers under the thumb of federal bureaucrats and weaponizing important laws like the Endangered Species Act, we should be empowering them to continue to contribute to our nation\u2019s economy, food security, and energy independence,\u201d said Chairman Newhouse. \u201cThe Biden Administration\u2019s decision to remove the regulatory definition of habitat to return it to a case-by-case review with no clear scientific basis creates additional uncertainty for producers in my district in Central Washington and in communities throughout the United States who are already facing overburdensome regulations. I am proud to join Representatives Emmer and Bentz in working to hold the Administration accountable and provide certainty for rural America.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Baird said, \u201cAs our producers and other landowners grapple with unprecedented challenges, they deserve clear guidance from federal agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s ambiguous, \u2018case by case\u2019 review of the definition of \u2018habitat\u2019 could be muddied by political motivations and slow walked, ultimately jeopardizing our producers\u2019 ability to maintain our food security, bolster domestic energy, and manage land appropriately. Our producers and landowners deserve clarity, which is why I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in demanding answers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nA \u201ccritical habitat\u201d is a habitat needed to support the recovery of one of the 1,300 species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.\n\nIn December 2020, the FWS issued a rule which established the definition of \u201chabitat.\u201d This, coupled with a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that determined critical habitats must be active habitats for endangered species, created a static regulatory standard for the designation of critical habitats. On June 23, FWS rescinded the 2020 rule, leaving the determination of critical habitats to the judgment of FWS. Under this new action, lands do not have to be current habitats for endangered species. Instead, they can be determined critical habitats merely by being potential habitats for these species.\n\nYou can read the letter in full here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-20th-anniversary-senator-paul-wellstone-s-passing", "McCollum Statement on the 20th Anniversary of Senator Paul Wellstone\u2019s Passing", "2022-10-25", "2022", "2022-10", "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 today on the 20th anniversary of the death of U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone:\n\n\"On a gray, rainy day in October 2002, Minnesota suffered the heartbreaking loss of Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, daughter Marcia, aides Tom and Will, and my dear friend Mary McEvoy in a tragic accident that remains one of the saddest moments in our state's history. After 20 years, Senator Wellstone's legacy endures: His passion, courage, and visionary leadership inspires many to do the work that justice requires. I will always remember his enthusiasm for the work he did and the way that he welcomed everyone to join him. It was such a privilege to know and work with Paul and Sheila. Today and every day, let's recommit to keep working for the world they envisioned: one in which all people's rights are respected, where workers are treated fairly, the environment is protected, and all people have access to health care and opportunities to thrive. Paul said it best: \u2018we all do better when we all do better.' Let's remember to stand up, keep fighting for a better future for all.\"\n\nImage", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-advocates-for-high-quality-diagnostic-care-for-medicare-beneficiaries", "Emmer Advocates for High-Quality Diagnostic Care for Medicare Beneficiaries", "2022-10-24", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressmen Tom Emmer (MN-06) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concerns about the delay of the appropriate use criteria (AUC) program implementation.\n\nThe AUC program would streamline the diagnostic imaging process for Medicare patients by directing providers to use additional support mechanisms before ordering imaging tests, like CT, PET, and MRI scans. This would prevent patients from undergoing duplicative or unnecessary imaging procedures.\n\n\u201cImaging services can be an invaluable diagnostic tool for patients suffering from everything from a fractured bone to cancer,\u201d said Emmer.\n\n\u201cWithout evidence-based guidance, providers are at risk of wasting precious time, money and resources on improper testing. The Biden Administration must stop dragging their feet and finally implement the AUC program,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nMinnesota is a global leader in medical technology. The industry employs more than 26,500 workers and generates an additional 41,500 jobs in Minnesota alone.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe AUC program was authorized as part of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act, more than eight years ago. In July, CMS announced that they were no longer committed to their previous implementation deadline of January 1, 2023 or the year following the cessation of the current COVID public health emergency. A new timeline for implementation has yet to be announced.\n\nAt least 10-15% of orders submitted for advanced imaging do not adhere to evidence-based guidance, costing Medicare hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Implementing the AUC program will improve the efficiency and efficacy of care available to Medicare patients.\n\nYou can read the letter in full here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omars-statement-dhs-designation-temporary-protected-status-ethiopia", "Rep. Omar\u2019s Statement on DHS Designation of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia", "2022-10-21", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Rep. Omar has been a longtime advocate for the people of Ethiopia, including a Temporary Protected Status designation. In September 2021, she co-led letter with Rep. Joe Neguse specifically asking the Administration to designate TPS for Ethiopia. This July, she co-led a letter with Rep. Sherman and Sen. Booker urging Administrator Power to prioritize additional steps to protect Ethiopian refugees who have fled into Sudan since the conflict began.\n\n\u201cI am glad the Biden Administration designated Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia today, allowing Ethiopians in the United States to remain and work in the U.S. for at least 18 months. Ethiopia is undergoing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Conflict and atrocities, combined with drought, flooding and dwindling food stocks are threatening the lives of more than 20 million people. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Along with a lack of fuel and communications blackouts, the violence has severely limited aid distribution. While these protections for Ethiopians currently in the United States are welcome, we must also do much more for the millions of people still in the region who have been displaced by this conflict.\n\n\u201cThere are more people living as refugees now than at any time since World War II, a number that is bound to soar ever higher as the climate crisis worsens. As a nation, we owe it to those fleeing oppression to guarantee protected status and to create a path to citizenship.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-secures-federal-funding-second-district-law", "Representative Angie Craig Secures Federal Funding for Second District Law Enforcement", "2022-10-20", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BURNSVILLE, MN \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig helped secure three-quarters of a million dollars in federal funding for the West St. Paul and South St. Paul Police Departments to address staffing shortages and increase their community policing efforts. Through the Department of Justice\u2019s COPS Hiring grant, West St. Paul requested and will receive $250,000 to hire 2 additional police officers and South St. Paul requested and will receive $500,000 to hire 4 additional police officers. This summer, Representative Craig wrote letters and advocated in support of both West St. Paul and South St. Paul\u2019s applications.\n\n\u201cMany of our police departments lack the resources needed to ensure their officers are able to do their jobs safely and effectively \u2013 and since the first day I took office, I have been focused on securing the funding needed to help with the growing needs of law enforcement in the Second District,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have worked with Chiefs Sturgeon and Wicke to obtain this funding which will give the West St. Paul and South St. Paul Police Departments the ability to expand the number of officers within their departments in support of their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe award of $500,000 from the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to the City of South St. Paul in support of the hiring of additional police officers is a much-needed boost to our community at a time when it is needed the most. This critical funding will allow us to make a targeted investment in coordinated response to mental health challenges in our community, while at the same time investing in community oriented policing strategies that further enhance transparency and trust in our public safety mission,\u201d said South St. Paul Police Chief Brian Wicke. \u201cRepresentative Craig has been a steadfast partner in our public safety efforts, and we are grateful for her support in our application for this much needed funding.\u201d\n\n\u201cTrust between the West St. Paul community and our department is the greatest tool we have in keeping our City safe. With the resources allocated to our department through the COPS Hiring Program Grant, the West St. Paul Police Department is able to hire two additional police officers,\u201d said West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon. \u201cThese officers will be integral in our efforts to maintain and expand trust between our staff and the residents, businesses, and visitors to our City as well as provide additional resources to respond to calls quickly and efficiently.\u201d\n\nIn Congress, Representative Craig has made it a priority to increase support for police officers and their families and to ensure that local police departments have the funding they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. This September, Representative Craig\u2019s bipartisanInvest to Protect Act passed the House to provide $60 million in grants for small and mid-sized police departments \u2013 which includes every department in the Second District \u2013 to invest in training, personnel support and mental health resources. In August, Representative Craig's bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act, legislation that she helped introduce and pass after hearing the story of South St. Paul Police Sergeant Cory Slifko, was signed into law. This bill will ensure that officers can access disability benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder \u2013 and that families of officers who lost their lives to trauma-linked suicide can apply for the death benefits that they deserve.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/fentanyl-is-devastating-communities-across-the-country", "Fentanyl is devastating communities across the country", "2022-10-19", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "There is no faster-growing threat to the health and safety of young Americans than the rise of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, and it is both highly addictive and easily deadly.\n\nIn 2021 for the first time, United States drug overdose deaths surpassed 100,000. According to the CDC, fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45. This is not an isolated crisis, fentanyl is impacting every community around the country and we can draw a straight line between the rise in deaths and the fentanyl coming across the southern border.\n\nLast month, law enforcement officers in Bloomington, Minnesota seized 108,000 fentanyl pills in what was described as likely \u201cthe largest fentanyl pill seizure in the Midwest.\u201d This amount of fentanyl had the potential to kill one-fifth of our state\u2019s population. While we are grateful that law enforcement officers were able to stop these drugs from hitting the streets, other communities are not so lucky.\n\nIn Congress, we are working with law enforcement and medical professionals to protect Americans vulnerable to fentanyl poisoning. Earlier this year, I sent a letter with 116 of my colleagues urging the Biden Administration act to address the flood of fentanyl produced in China and being smuggled across our southern border.\n\nWe are also working to curb the availability of legally prescribed opioids that are misused by 10.1 million Americans every year. By doing so, we can cut off a major pipeline to addiction\u2014as many as one in four patients receiving long-term opioid therapy struggles with addiction. I led a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf urging him to strengthen the FDA\u2019s proposed rules on opioid disposal. Safe opioid disposal saves lives by cutting off a key source of these dangerous drugs before they can end up in the wrong hands.\n\nWe must work together to protect Americans from the threats of addiction and substance abuse. I will continue to pursue common-sense solutions that attack this epidemic head-on, work to increase access to treatment options, and ultimately get these poisonous drugs off our streets.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-top-financial-services-energy-commerce-republicans-seek-answers-regarding-paypal-s-anti-free-speech-policy", "Emmer, Top Financial Services, Energy & Commerce Republicans Seek Answers Regarding PayPal\u2019s Anti-Free Speech Policy", "2022-10-18", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC\u2014 Today, House Financial Services Committee Ranking Republican Member of Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Tom Emmer (MN-06), House Financial Services Committee Republican Leader Patrick McHenry (NC-10), House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Representative Morgan Griffith (VA-09), sent a letter to PayPal President and CEO Dan Schulman. The Republican Leaders are seeking answers regarding the recently published, and later removed, changes to PayPal\u2019s Acceptable Use Policy that would stifle free speech.\n\nCongressman Emmer said, \u201cThe ability to transact without fear of retribution and political censorship is the foundation on which a free economy is built. We cannot afford to sacrifice these freedoms, and we must keep a close eye on any actions that erode them.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe now-rescinded penalties outlined in PayPal\u2019s Acceptable Use Policy were deeply concerning, and the American people deserve answers about how these decisions are made and whether their speech will be protected on this kind of platform,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nRead the letter to PayPal here or below:\n\n\u201cDear Mr. Schulman:\n\n\u201cThank you for the briefing provided to Minority staff of the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Financial Services (the Committees) on October 11, 2022. As a follow-up to the briefing, we write to request more information on the changes made to PayPal\u2019s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). On October 8, 2022, PayPal updated its AUP to prohibit users from transactions that \u2018involve the sending, posting or publication of any messages, content, or materials\u2019 that are objectionable as determined by \u2018PayPal\u2019s sole discretion.\u2019 A fine of $2,500 would be imposed on objectionable violations, including transactions that promote misinformation, or depict or promote criminal activity. Later that day, a PayPal spokesperson stated that the updated user agreement \u2018went out in error\u2019 and \u2018included incorrect information.\u2019 A copy of the since removed AUP is attached.\n\n\u201cAs a leading financial technology company, it is concerning that a user agreement that contemplates the restriction of free speech was uploaded and disseminated to PayPal users \u2013 even if in error. We understand your company is currently investigating this matter. Upon the conclusion of your investigation, we request that you provide a briefing for the Committees as soon as practicable. In addition, to assist the Committees in better understanding PayPal\u2019s processes for changing its AUP, please provide written answers to the following questions:\n\nWhere and with whom did the text of the October 8, 2022 AUP originate?\n\nWhat is PayPal\u2019s approval process for changes made to the AUP? Are there PayPal guidelines that document this process? If so, please share the guidelines related to the AUP.\n\nWho is authorized to make the changes?\n\nDid the text that was updated October 8, 2022 go through the typical approval process?\n\nWere the changes made to the AUP on October 8, 2022 ever contemplated within PayPal?\n\nHow and at what frequency is the AUP updated?\n\nWere any entities affected by the updated AUP issued October 8, 2022? If so, please list these entities.\n\nWhat are your internal control policies for making changes to PayPal\u2019s AUP?\n\nWhat is the notice requirement given to PayPal customers for an updated AUP?\n\nIs there any indication an external party updated the AUP? If not, how do you know?\n\nAre third-party contractors held to same internal protocols and standards as PayPal employees?\n\nWith respect to violations of the AUP, is a fined individual notified with specificity?\n\nIs there an appeals process for violations of the AUP? If so, what is it?\n\nIn the briefing you provided to the committees you indicated that the company was handling the investigation internally. Can you please provide the process for that investigation?\n\nWhat is the timeline of your investigation?\n\nHave any PayPal employees met with the Executive Branch regarding disinformation initiatives?\n\nIf so, please name the employees, their affiliations, and the dates of the meetings.\n\n\u201cPlease provide your response as soon as possible, but no later than Thursday, October 27, 2022. \u2026 \u201c\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/chair-mccollum-returns-security-fact-finding-mission-south-korea-japan", "Chair McCollum Returns from Security Fact Finding Mission to South Korea, Japan", "2022-10-15", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) traveled to South Korea and Japan this week in her role as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (HAC-D). She released the following statement today:\n\n\"As Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I traveled this week to South Korea and Japan to review the U.S. security posture in the Indo-Pacific region, visit with U.S. service members, and meet with South Korean and Japanese officials on how our nations can work together to protect our shared democratic values,\" Chair McCollum said. \"In South Korea, I visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Osan Air Base, and the U.S. Army Garrison-Humphreys where United Nations Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea work together to maintain peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. I was able to have discussions with U.S. service members about their missions, as well as review their facilities, and discuss quality of life issues \u2013 high priorities of mine as Defense Appropriations Chair. In Japan, I met with the leadership of U.S. Naval Forces Japan and the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and visited Yokota Air Base and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. I also met with members of the Japanese Diet (National Legislature) to discuss how the United States can strengthen bonds with our fellow democracies and engage on mutual U.S.-Japan security interests, including climate change. As we continue to focus on Russia's appalling invasion of Ukraine and European security issues, it is critically important that the United States remains fully engaged with our allies in the Indo-Pacific to ensure stability in the region.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-applauds-official-closure-family-glitch", "Representative Angie Craig Applauds Official Closure of the \u201cFamily Glitch\u201d", "2022-10-12", "2022", "2022-10", "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 applauded the Treasury Department\u2019s issuance of the final rule to close the Affordable Care Act\u2019s \u201cfamily glitch,\u201d an action that will bring down health care costs and expand access to affordable health care for 62,000 Minnesotans. Throughout the past year, Craig has publicly highlighted the story of the Savage-based Krueger family who, because of the \u201cfamily glitch,\u201d faced insurance premiums that cost more than 25% of their household income \u2013 a price that Craig argued was unsustainable for working families in this country.\n\n\u201cFor over a year, I have called on the Administration to close this costly glitch to provide some long-overdue relief to Minnesota families. I am thrilled that we were able to close this glitch once-and-for-all,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cThis is a huge step forward in making health care more accessible and affordable for all Minnesotans \u2013 and will provide desperately-needed relief to families like the Kruegers.\u201d\n\nIn Congress, Craig has long prioritized fixing the \u201cfamily glitch\u201d and lowering health care costs for working families. Last year, Craig publicly urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to address the issue. And, earlier this year, Craig helped introduce a bill to resolve the glitch through legislative action.\n\nThe family glitch originated from a 2013 Internal Revenue Service and Department of Treasury interpretation of the Affordable Care Act, which determined that families are ineligible for financial assistance if a family member is offered \u201caffordable\u201d employer coverage. The problem is that the IRS only takes into account the cost of the employee\u2019s coverage, not the family\u2019s. As long as the employee\u2019s share remains under the threshold set by the IRS each year, the coverage is deemed affordable. However, for some families like the Kruegers, the cost of covering the entire family far exceeds the IRS\u2019s definition of affordable, yet they are ineligible for tax credits.\n\nA recent analysis estimated that 5.1 million people nationwide are impacted by the family glitch, including 62,000 Minnesotans. 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\nThe change will take effect in time for this year\u2019s open enrollment season, which starts on November 1st. Minnesota families can go to www.mnsure.org to compare plans, determine their tax credit eligibility and enroll.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-secures-nearly-2-million-entrepreneurial", "Representative Angie Craig Secures Nearly $2 Million in Entrepreneurial Development Funding for Red Wing Ignite", "2022-10-07", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "RED WING, MN \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig helped secure nearly $2 million for Red Wing Ignite to expand their start-up and entrepreneurship support program. The funding will enable Red Wing Ignite to provide increased resources and support to entrepreneurs in underserved communities across Southeast Minnesota. In April, Representative Craig wrote a letter in support of Red Wing Ignite\u2019s application for the grant.\n\n\u201cIn every corner of the Second District, Minnesota\u2019s entrepreneurs work hard to build our communities,\u201d said Representative Angie Craig. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have worked with Red Wing Ignite to secure federal grant dollars and look forward to the benefit it will bring to emerging entrepreneurs across Southeast Minnesota.\u201d\n\nAs a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Representative Craig has worked to ensure entrepreneurs and small businesses across Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District have access to the resources they need to expand and thrive. The federal funding secured by Craig will help Red Wing Ignite expand their start-up and entrepreneurship support program across Southeast Minnesota. With this funding, the program will have an increased capacity to leverage their state-wide and local partnerships, address geographic dispersion of resources and increase opportunities for mentorship and workforce development education to support emerging entrepreneurs in underserved areas.\n\nA copy of Representative Craig\u2019s letter to the Economic Development Administration can be found copied below.\n\nApril 6, 2022\n\nUnited States Department of Commerce\n\nEconomic Development Administration\n\nBuild to Scale Program\n\nATTN: Assistant Secretary Alejandra Y. Castillo\n\n1401 Constitution Avenue NW\n\nSuite 71014\n\nWashington, DC 20230\n\nDear Assistant Secretary Castillo,\n\nI am writing in strong support of Red Wing Ignite\u2019s application for the Venture Challenge grant opportunity under the Economic Development Administration\u2019s Build to Scale Program. Red Wing Ignite\u2019s proposal, totaling $3,000,000, seeks to leverage state-wide and local partnerships, address geographic dispersion of entrepreneurs and resources, and increase opportunities for mentorship and workforce development education.\n\nAs a member of the House Committee on Small Business, I am working diligently to ensure entrepreneurs and small businesses across Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District have the necessary resources to expand and thrive.\n\nIn 2019, Red Wing Ignite was awarded the i6 Challenge Grant which allowed for an investment in regional workforce development, enhanced regional connectivity, and expanded programming. Since receiving this grant, Red Wing Ignite provided over 1,800 entrepreneurs with 1-on-1 technical assistance, launched the E1 (Entrepreneurs First) Collaborative with 15 partners across the state, and provided skills training to 77 students.\n\nRed Wing Ignite\u2019s growth and successful track record demonstrate the organization\u2019s dedication to investing in our future workforce. By leveraging infrastructure, building and broadening relationships, and instituting new programs for underserved entrepreneurs in Southeast Minnesota, Red Wing Ignite has become a model for rural regions.\n\nI fully support Red Wing Ignite\u2019s application for the Build to Scale Program\u2019s Venture Challenge grant. This opportunity will permit Red Wing Ignite to accelerate their work, further a commitment to rural economic development, and provide support to underserved communities seeking entrepreneurial assistance across Minnesota.\n\nThank you for your time and consideration.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-pushes-back-new-us-fish-and-wildlife-service-restrictions-state-led", "Stauber Pushes Back on New U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Restrictions on State-Led Conservation Plan", "2022-10-07", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) led a letter with GOP colleagues to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Director Martha Williams, urging the agency to stop restricting the Lakes States Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) for bat species that could devastate rural economies, and instead let our local experts manage our forests.\n\n\"State and local officials, and not the Federal government, understand how to manage their wildlife populations,\" said Congressman Stauber. \"New restrictions put forward by the USFWS are just another example of the Federal government stepping over local officials. The science is clear: the very bat species being targeted by these restrictions are not harmed by sustainable forest management, nor is there any connection to human involvement regarding their primary threat, a disease that healthy forest management has been proven to help mitigate.\n\n\"The only result we will see from these misguided restrictions is devastation to rural economies and local family logging businesses. My colleagues and I urge USFWS, state and local leaders and industry to work together on the Lakes States HCP and avoid adding restrictions that could be economically and ecologically harmful.\"\n\nJoining Congressman Stauber on the letter are Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Rep. John Moolenaar (MI-04), Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Rep. Brad Finstad (MN-01), Rep. Tom Emmer (MN-06), Rep. Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01), and Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04).\n\nStakeholder organizations supporting the letter include the American Loggers Council, Federal Forest Resource Coalition, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Forest Resources Association, Minnesota Forest Industries, Minnesota Timber Producers Association, Minnesota Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers.\n\nIn June, Congressman Stauber introduced the ESA Flexibility Act to grant landowners leeway and the USFWS flexibility when dealing with endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act, including the northern long-eared bat.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-leads-effort-to-end-covid-border-restrictions-with-canada", "Emmer Leads Effort to End COVID Border Restrictions with Canada", "2022-10-06", "2022", "2022-10", "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) joined Representative Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) and the other Republican members of the Minnesota delegation in a letter to President Biden urging an end to all COVID-related travel restrictions for Canadians visiting the United States.\n\nEmmer said, \u201cOngoing restrictions at our Canadian border are not supported by science or necessary for public health. They should have ended long ago.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day these unnecessary restrictions stay in place, Minnesota suffers. We must return to sanity and reinstate unobstructed travel across our northern border,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\n\"If the pandemic is 'over', as the president claims, there should be no reason for any pandemic-related travel restrictions,\" said Rep. Fischbach. \"Continuing these illogical regulations, especially after all our neighbors have lifted theirs, is at minimum irritating for travelers, and, at worst, a threat to our already hurting economy. It is time to remove all restrictions on travelers entering the United States.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Government of Canada ended all its COVID-related travel restrictions on October 1, 2022, but the United States has not reciprocated.\n\nCanada is Minnesota\u2019s closest trading partner, with cross-border trade valued at $720 billion prior to the pandemic.\n\nLast year, Emmer led a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas requesting a plan for ending COVID procedures at the Canadian border.\n\nYou can read Emmer\u2019s most recent letter in full here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2022/10/rep-fischbach-leads-letter-to-potus-to-urge-end-of-all-covid-related-travel-restrictions", "Rep. Fischbach leads letter to POTUS to urge end of all COVID-related travel restrictions", "2022-10-06", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Fischbach led a letter from the Minnesota Republican delegation to President Biden urging him to end all COVID-related travel restrictions, as the rest of North America has.\n\n\"If the pandemic is 'over', as the president claims, there should be no reason for any pandemic-related travel restrictions,\" said Rep. Fischbach. \"Continuing these illogical regulations, especially after all our neighbors have lifted theirs, is at minimum irritating for travelers, and, at worst, a threat to our already hurting economy. It is time to remove all restrictions on travelers entering the United States.\"\n\n\u201cOngoing restrictions at our Canadian border are not supported by science or necessary for public health. They should have ended long ago. Every day these unnecessary restrictions stay in place, Minnesota suffers. We must return to sanity and reinstate unobstructed travel across our northern border,\" said Congressman Emmer.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden said it himself, the pandemic is over. Our northern border communities are suffering as these unnecessary pandemic era restrictions are preventing Northland businesses from recovering and families from being reunited,\u201d said Rep. Stauber. \u201cIt is time for the United States to join the rest of the countries in North America and end these outdated policies.\u201d\n\n\"We are more than two and a half years since COVID was declared a pandemic, and the U.S. is still enforcing unnecessary testing requirements or requiring proof of vaccination at its international borders,\u201d said Rep. Finstad. \u201cThese restrictions are not only burdensome to travelers, but have had a direct impact on commerce between the U.S. and our closest trade partner, Canada, by disrupting the supply chain and fueling inflation for American consumers. It is time for the U.S. to join our neighbors and do what should have been done long ago: fully normalize our borders and get back to regular business.\"\n\nBackground: Last week, Canada lifted all COVID-related travel restrictions, leaving the U.S. as the only country left in North America to impose any pandemic-era restrictions on travel.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-statement-president-bidens-action-marijuana-offenses", "Rep. Omar Statement on President Biden's Action on Marijuana Offenses", "2022-10-06", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement today after President Biden announced a pardon of federal marijuana possession offenses, called on governors to do the same, and initiated the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.\n\n\u201cThis is a monumental decision, a sea change in a decades-long failed war on drugs that has disproportionately impacted communities of color. A pardon of thousands of people across this country who were charged with simple marijuana possession will repair families, bring communities back together and help countless people reenter the workforce. It is exactly the type of bold, courageous leadership we need in the presidency and President Biden deserves enormous credit for listening to the voices of advocates, formerly incarcerated individuals and communities whose lives have been upended by the failed war on drugs.\n\n\u201cI was proud to vote for and help pass a bill to fully decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, and will continue to push for humane drug policies that treat substance misuse as a public health issue.\n\n\u201cThe only way to repair the harm caused in communities across the country is to end the War on Drugs, and invest intentionally in education, housing, healthcare, and employment. This is a massive step in the right direction.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-announces-public-safety-funding-city-burnsville", "Representative Angie Craig Announces Public Safety Funding for the City of Burnsville", "2022-10-05", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BURNSVILLE, MN \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that the City of Burnsville will receive $36,113 from the Department of Justice to support the city\u2019s efforts to prevent and control crime. This grant funding is made possible through the U.S. Department of Justice\u2019s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which helps local governments support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions.\n\n\u201cNo one knows the day-to-day challenges facing our law enforcement officers better than our officers and local leaders. This grant will help ensure the City of Burnsville is able to access the resources and support it needs to address the unique challenges and obstacles facing its own forces,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cSupporting our local law enforcement is key to keeping our communities safe \u2013 and I\u2019m proud to be able to announce this critical funding today.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery city faces unique public safety challenges \u2013 and I\u2019m thrilled that Burnsville will be receiving this funding to ensure that we are able to take on these challenges in a safe and effective manner,\u201d said Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz. \u201cThis grant will increase our law enforcement\u2019s capacity to prevent and combat crime. I\u2019m grateful for Representative Craig\u2019s efforts to ensure Burnsville was able to secure this critical funding.\u201d\n\nLast year, Representative Craig voted to increase funding to the Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Grant Program by $190.5 million \u2013 a nearly 40% increase for this law enforcement-focused program from the previous fiscal year\u2019s enacted funding level. This increased investment was signed into law shortly thereafter.\n\nThe Edward Byrne Memorial 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. Last year, Representative Craig helped the cities of Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, and West St. Paul receive more than $34,000 in public safety funding through the program. Police departments in the Second District are able to use the grant funds to purchase equipment vital to keeping local communities safe.\n\nMore information about the Edward Byrne Memorial JAG program can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/without-financial-privacy-there-is-no-privacy", "Without Financial Privacy, There Is No Privacy", "2022-10-05", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "In today\u2019s economy, much of our economic activity is online. Payments are increasingly being sent via online banking and with mobile payment apps such as Venmo and PayPal. While we may feel like these new tools are helping us make gains in the areas of convenience and speed, the existence of this online record has led some in government to push for increased control and monitoring of our financial transactions. This should scare every single American.\n\nLast year, House Democrats introduced legislation requiring financial institutions provide the IRS with information on accounts with more than $600 in transactions per year. Recognizing the privacy and compliance implications that come with such a ludicrous proposal, I led a letter with 142 of my colleagues objecting to this extreme invasion of Americans' financial privacy.\n\nAs a result, the Biden Administration proposed raising the reporting requirement to $10,000 in transactions per year. The authors of this proposal refused to acknowledge that even this modified proposal would still impact nearly every single American. Fortunately, after leading a second letter with more than 200 Members of Congress joining in, the updated reporting thresholds were completely struck from the legislation.\n\nThe Department of Treasury and some of my fellow legislators in Congress claim these provisions were aimed at \u201cclosing the tax gap.\u201d We all know, however, that the IRS can barely protect and process the data it has under its control today. This new proposal was nothing more than yet another opportunity for the federal government to gain more insight into the financial transactions of every single American.\n\nAnother proposal that is equally as concerning is the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department\u2019s work to study the \u201cbenefits\u201d of a federally controlled, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). These CBDCs are digital currencies issued and backed by a government entity like the Fed which are centralized, controlled, and transacted on a permissioned blockchain.\n\nAs someone who believes strongly in the promise that blockchain and cryptocurrency hold for the future of finance, any Central Bank Digital Currency must be open, permissionless, and private. Any CBDC that fails to embody those three core principles will give central banks control over an individual\u2019s payment and financial activity, as well as the ability to monitor all transactions taking place on the blockchain.\n\nPermissioned CBDCs have already been introduced in countries like China and are currently being used to monitor and curtail the purchasing trends and behaviors of their citizens. This is not an Orwellian fiction; this is real, and it is happening today. To ensure this never happens in the United States, I have introduced legislation prohibiting the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC directly to individuals.\n\nA recent study from the CATO Institute found that 79% of Americans find it \u201cunreasonable\u201d for banks to share what you buy with the government, and I completely agree. There is no reason for the federal government to monitor law-abiding Americans\u2019 purchases. Without financial privacy, there is no privacy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-secures-nearly-1-million-rice-county-effectively", "Representative Angie Craig Secures Nearly $1 Million for Rice County to Effectively Address Opioid Issues", "2022-10-03", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Last week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig helped the Rice County Opioid Response Council secure nearly $1 million to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety and support access to treatment, recovery and harm reduction resources. In June, Representative Craig submitted a letter to the Department of Justice in support of Rice County Community Services' application for the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-based Program grant.\n\n\"I'm proud that the Department of Justice has approved nearly $1 million in funding for Rice County,\" said Representative Angie Craig. \"With this grant, the Rice County Opioid Response Council will be able to effectively address the opioid issues impacting our communities. I've been dogged in working with local leaders to secure this critical funding \u2013 and know it will bring tremendous benefits to residents all across Rice County.\"\n\nThe federal funding secured by Representative Craig will assist Rice County in implementing the Comprehensive Longitudinal Efforts Addressing Narcotic Use Proliferation (Project CLEANUP). Project CLEANUP proposes to implement evidence-based and targeted intervention programs to emphasize harm reduction, respond to illicit substance use and misuse and reduce overdose deaths. Overall, this project's initiatives will also promote public safety and support access to treatment and recovery in the community and local justice systems.\n\nA copy of Representative Craig's letter to the Department of Justice can be found here and copied below.\n\nJune 13, 2022\n\nUnited States Department of Justice\n\nBureau of Justice Assistance\n\nATTN: Director Karhlton F. Moore\n\n810 7th Street NW\n\nWashington, DC 20531\n\nDear Director Moore,\n\nI am writing in support of Rice County Community Services' application for the Fiscal Year 2022 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program grant. Their application is being submitted in partnership with the Rice County Opioid Response Council. The Rice County Opioid Response Council is comprised of local hospitals and clinics, non-profit organizations, public safety departments and county departments. The funding from this opportunity would assist Rice County in implementing the Comprehensive Longitudinal Efforts Addressing Narcotic Use Proliferation (Project CLEANUP).\n\nProject CLEANUP proposes to implement evidence-based and targeted intervention programs to emphasize harm reduction, respond to illicit substance use and misuse, and reduce overdose deaths. The project's initiatives will also promote public safety and support access to treatment and recovery in the community and local justice systems.\n\nProject CLEANUP will enable law enforcement to intervene earlier with those struggling with substance use disorders. This project seeks to utilize diversion tactics to shift to restorative practices. The project will use the tools of treatment, safe housing, and recovery support to improve outcomes. These support services will also include linguistically appropriate measures, placing a priority on the hiring of bilingual Recovery Coordinators.\n\nThe funding from the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program would permit Rice County to invest in Police Assisted Recovery and Deflection Programs (PARD), Pre-charge Adult Diversion Programs (PCAD) and additional recovery support services. PARD and PCAD programs aim to reduce the burden on justice systems and enhance recovery outcomes through the involvement of supportive services including treatment, risk mitigation and basic social services. This will lead to an improved likelihood of restoring those struggling with substance use to healthier and more productive lives.\n\nThe State of Minnesota has seen a major spike in substance abuse and overdose deaths over the past 20 years. In 2000, there were 54 reported opioid overdose deaths in Minnesota. This number jumped to 678 in the year 2020. The Rice County Opioid Response Council was founded in 2018 as a response to this increase.\n\nI fully support Rice County Community Services' application for the Fiscal Year 2022 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program grant. The implementation of Project CLEANUP will undoubtedly be a critical effort to assist in addressing the opioid epidemic across the State of Minnesota and beyond. This opportunity will permit Rice County to make a much-needed investment in law enforcement collaboration, recovery programs and general support services. I urge you to consider their application for this opportunity.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2022/9/rep-fischbach-leads-ranking-members-delegation-in-demanding-answers-on-feeding-our-future-fraud", "Rep. Fischbach leads Ranking Members, delegation in demanding answers on Feeding Our Future fraud", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Fischbach led the Minnesota Republican Delegation and Ranking Members Foxx, Thompson, and Comer in sending a letter to USDA requesting information regarding certain USDA meals programs and their administration in light of last week\u2019s unsealing of charges of alleged fraud at Feeding Our Future.\n\nLast week, the Department of Justice unsealed charges alleging roughly $250 million in CACFP and SFSP funds were fraudulently claimed by Feeding Our Future and numerous individuals connected with the organization. In total, 49 suspects have been charged in connection with the alleged fraud and may grow as the investigation continues.\n\n\u201cLast week\u2019s revelations make disturbing allegations of the integrity of programs meant to feed the hungry.\u201d Congresswoman Fischbach (R-MN) said, \u201cIt is critical that Congress conduct extensive oversight and ensure proper safeguards are in place to protect taxpayer funds from future fraud and abuse. Today\u2019s letter is an important step in bringing to light any potential points of exploitation in USDA meals programs.\u201d\n\nHouse Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-KY) said, \u201cThe Biden Administration must account for how it failed to protect taxpayer dollars intended to feed children during the pandemic from massive fraud. These fraudsters stole hundreds of millions from American taxpayers to fund their lavish lifestyles instead of providing meals for children in need. Americans deserve answers and accountability for this exploitation and gross mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere is far too much fraud and mismanagement going on in our federal agencies. The taxpayers deserve better. Republicans must stand in the gap between these federal programs, intent on throwing millions of dollars down the drain, and the taxpayers struggling to pay their bills. When programs do not work as intended\u2014there must be accountability. We cannot tolerate any more blame shirking from this administration, the buck stops here. We demand accountability for this massive waste,\u201d said Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC).\n\n\u201cThe allegations against Feeding Our Future are sickening and it is imperative we receive more information from USDA. I was eager to join the Minnesota delegation in demanding answers,\" said Glenn \u201cGT\u201d Thompson, Republican Leader of the House Committee on Agriculture (R-PA).\n\n\u201cFraud on this level is proof that exploitation is the norm for large-scale government spending, not the exception. Feeding Our Future stole from the pockets of every American taxpayer. We deserve answers and accountability,\" said Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN).\n\n\u201cI am disgusted by the news of the rampant fraud and abuse regarding Feeding Our Future,\u201d said Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN). \u201cCongress, Minnesotans and American taxpayers need clear answers now about the largest case of fraud in the nation with what was supposed to be COVID relief funding. This is a disgrace to our state and taxpayers deserve accountability.\u201d\n\n\"As a father, I find it reprehensible that taxpayer money intended for feeding the hungry, especially children and seniors, was deliberately misused at the expense of needy families right in our home state. We must investigate further the extent of this shameful fraud scheme and ensure strong oversight of all meal programs administered by the USDA\u2019s Food and Nutrition Service. These programs are intended to help meet the needs of the food-insecure throughout our communities and in order to ensure the success of these programs, we must hold those responsible for this widespread fraud accountable,\" said Congressman Finstad (R-MN).\n\nBackground: The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP) are United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded, state agency administered programs intended to provide reimbursement for meals to eligible individuals. States contract with entities who provide meals who then claim reimbursement for those meals. USDA provides the funding for these reimbursements while state agencies generally lead administrative duties, such as reimbursement of funds and oversight of meal sites. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is the designated state agency responsible for administering both CACFP and SFSP.\n\nFeeding Our Future was a nonprofit organization approved by MDE to be a sponsor of federal meals programs. Criminal charges unsealed last week allege that 48 people, including Feeding Our Future\u2019s leader, conspired to fraudulently claim $250 million in federal meals funds that were allegedly spent instead on luxury vehicles, real estate, and other unlawful purchases. You can read the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-schiff-introduce-khashoggi-act-protect-journalists", "McCollum, Schiff Introduce Khashoggi Act to Protect Journalists", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "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 introducing the Jamal Khashoggi Protection for Dissidents and Journalists Act of 2022 (H.R. 9064) in in the U.S. House with Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-28):\n\n\"The murder of U.S. resident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of the Saudi government was not only a gross human rights violation, but a brutal crime,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"It is imperative to send a signal to the Executive Branch and the world that Congress will not condone those countries that target dissidents of any kind, including journalists seeking to report the truth. Four years after this horrific event, I'm introducing this bill to demand the U.S. government imposes accountability and justice for those who would attack democratic voices, including a free and open press.\"\n\n\"Jamal Khashoggi dedicated his life to exposing corruption, injustice, and brutality \u2013 the very forces that tragically cut his life short, when he was killed by Saudi agents seeking to silence his voice and diminish the power of the free press,\" Rep. Schiff said. \"As co-chair of the Congressional Freedom of the Press Caucus, I have fought for years for legislation that would impose accountability for such heinous crimes and this bill will further those efforts. The United States must send a powerful message to those complicit in Khashoggi's murder, and to all foreign entities that systematically harass, suppress, and threaten dissidents and journalists: such anti-democratic attacks will be met with real, meaningful and punishing consequences.\"\n\n\"Four years after agents of the Saudi Government killed our founder Jamal Khashoggi, Rep McCollum is sending a clear message: we will not stop demanding justice for Jamal,\" said Raed Jarrar, Advocacy Director for Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN). \"We are proud to work with Congress to hold accountable those who killed Jamal Khashoggi and all other abusive governments who target dissidents.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nIn October 2018, longtime U.S. resident and Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered in the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. In February 2021, the U.S. State Department announced Accountability for the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi by establishing the Khashoggi Ban, a global visa restriction policy that authorizes the Secretary of State, under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, to impose visa restrictions on individuals acting on behalf of a foreign government, who are believed to have been directly engaged in serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities. Legislation is needed to codify these accountability measures into law to ensure any change in Presidential Administration or future Executive Action will not impact this policy.\n\nThe Jamal Khashoggi Protection for Dissidents and Journalists Act of 2022 (H.R. 9064) was introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA).\n\nThe text of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-passage-continuing-resolution", "McCollum Statement on Passage of Continuing Resolution", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement after the House passed the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023:\n\n\"I voted for the Continuing Resolution to keep the federal government operating through December 16 because Congress has a responsibility to provide the services Americans rely on,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"The bill also provides important support to the Ukrainian people in their fight for their democracy. The House has been waiting for months for the Senate to pass the 12 Appropriations bills to fully fund the government for Fiscal Year 2023. I urge my colleagues to come to the negotiating table to deliver a funding package that invests in the American people.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nDivisions A and B of the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023:\n\nExtend funding for vital federal agencies, including education, health, housing, and public safety programs, through December 16. This continued funding grows opportunity through early childhood education, invests in our schools and high-quality job training programs, provides critical nutrition assistance and affordable housing opportunities, secures our nation, and supports our veterans.\n\nFunding to help families and small businesses get back on their feet and rebuild from natural disasters while repairing damage to critical infrastructure.\n\nInclude language that allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to obligate up to the full year amount available under the continuing resolution for the Disaster Relief Fund if needed to respond to declared disasters such as Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and a severe storm, flooding, and landslides in Alaska.\n\nProvide $12.35 billion in assistance related to Ukraine, including training, equipment, weapons, logistics support, and direct financial support for the government of Ukraine.\n\nIn addition, the legislation carries authorizing divisions related to the Food and Drug Administration and other authorizing extensions.\n\nA detailed, section-by-section summary is here. The full text of the legislation is here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-statement-unanimous-staff-unionization-vote", "Rep. Omar Statement on Unanimous Staff Unionization Vote", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after workers in her office unanimously voted to form a union. Rep. Omar's office became one of the first to unionize, along with workers in the offices of Rep. Andy Levin and Rep. Ro Khanna.\n\n\u201cAs a former union member myself and someone who represents a union district in Minnesota, I am deeply proud of my staff for making their collective voices heard and voting to unionize,\" Rep. Omar said. \u201cUnions are the bedrock of the middle class. The labor movement helped get us the 40 hour work week, the weekend, and child labor laws. Every single worker deserves a union to represent them and fight for their wages, benefits, and basic workplace protections. It is long past time the United States Congress became a unionized workplace, and that includes my own staff. I am proud of all the people on my team who have played a leading role in the staff unionization effort. Solidarity forever.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are witnessing a monumental moment right now on Capitol Hill and in the labor movement that will go down in history. Congratulations to the brave staff in Congresswoman Omar\u2019s office for their landslide election victory. We look forward to working with former union member and labor champion, Congresswoman Omar,\u201d said the Congressional Workers Union.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-s-global-food-security-reauthorization-act-passes-house-bipartisan", "McCollum\u2019s Global Food Security Reauthorization Act Passes House; Bipartisan Bill Focuses on Reducing Global Hunger", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "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 House voted to pass the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2022 (H.R. 8446), bipartisan legislation McCollum introduced with Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), and HFAC Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX):\n\n\"The Global Food Security Act empowers smallholder farmers \u2013 especially women \u2013 with the tools needed to be more successful in producing food and earning income, increasing economic opportunities and alleviating poverty through strategic investments in the U.S. Government's Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative,\" said Rep. McCollum. \"I was proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to fight food insecurity around the world, especially as Russia's war on Ukraine has exacerbated the global food crisis. I'm glad to see this bill pass the House, and I'll keep working to ensure it is signed into the law as soon as possible.\"\n\n\"We cannot ignore what is the largest food crisis in modern history,\" said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who cited a recent report by the World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) declaring 2022 as a 'year of unprecedented hunger.'\n\n\"Our bill will help the weakest and most vulnerable who are dying or at great risk of death, by promoting food security, resilience and nutrition in developing nations consistent with U.S. national security interests. It will also help maximize the use of U.S. taxpayer dollars and insulate countries against instability attributable to food insecurity while greatly improving lives around the world.\"\n\n\"The House passage of the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act could not be more timely,\" Chairman Meeks said. \"With Russia's war on Ukraine exacerbating the global food security crisis, already worsened by COVID-19 caused supply-chain disruptions, the United States must redouble its efforts to combat global hunger. This legislation will reauthorize our flagship initiative promoting food security for another five years, helping community's cultivate sustainable and resilient food systems to drive economic growth.\"\n\n\"Globally, 50 million people across 45 countries are on the brink of famine,\" said Rep. McCaul. \"In Somalia, we are days away from an official famine declaration, and over 300,000 children are facing emergency starvation there as we speak. Yet, amidst this global crisis, we cannot lose focus on longer term investments in food security and agricultural-led economic growth. Ultimately, this bill builds the capacities of families and communities to provide for themselves. I hope the Senate quickly advances this legislation and I want to thank Senator Risch and Senator Casey for their leadership. Now is not the time to risk allowing key authorities to expire.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe text of H.R. 8446 can be found here. More information is available at mccollum.house.gov/GFSA.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-announces-service-academy-information-night", "Emmer Announces Service Academy Information Night", "2022-09-28", "2022", "2022-09", "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 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\u201cOur service academies produce some of the best and brightest young men and women that serve in our armed forces, and I am honored to assist them with the nomination process,\u201d said Emmer. \u201cThese young people make a lasting commitment to our country, and I am proud to play a small supporting role in their journey to become future leaders.\u201d\n\nThe meeting will give interested students 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 questions about the application and nomination process.\n\nLearn more about the military academy nomination process here.\n\nWhen: Tuesday, October 11th 6:00-7:00PM Central\n\nWhere: 13020 Orono Pkwy NW, Elk River, MN 55330 Great River Regional Library\n\nFor more information, call Emmer\u2019s Otsego office at (763) 241-6848 or email Alejandra.Henriquez@mail.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-announces-public-safety-funding-prairie-island", "Representative Angie Craig Announces Public Safety Funding for the Prairie Island Indian Community", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "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 announced that the Prairie Island Indian Community has been awarded $600,028 in federal funding through the Department of Justice's COPS Coordinating Tribal Assistance Program. The Coordinating Tribal Assistance Program allocates funding for American Indian and Alaska Native communities to meet the unique public safety challenges facing their communities, enhance law enforcement, bolster justice systems and serve crime victims.\n\n\"Every single community deserves access to the resources and support it needs to ensure the safety of its residents. So, I'm pleased to announce that the Prairie Island Indian Community has received this critical increase in public safety funding,\" said Representative Craig. \"The community faces unique public safety challenges \u2013 and this funding gives them the tools they need to handle them safely and effectively.\"\n\nThis year, the COPS Office has awarded $27.72 million to 47 Tribes to expand the implementation of community policing and meet the most serious needs of law enforcement in Tribal nations through a broadened comprehensive program. The funding can be used to hire or re-hire full-time career law enforcement officers and village public safety officers as well as to procure basic equipment, technology and training to assist in the initiation or enhancement of Tribal community policing efforts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-applauds-reduction-medicare-premiums", "Representative Angie Craig Applauds Reduction of Medicare Premiums", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "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 applauded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) announcement that Medicare beneficiaries will see their Part B premiums decrease in 2023. Earlier this year, Representative Craig led 30 of her colleagues in calling on CMS to revisit and reverse a significant hike in Medicare Part B premiums, which exacerbated financial hardships for millions of older Americans. Additionally, she has introduced legislation to help low-income seniors and individuals afford their Medicare prescription drug plans.\n\n\"I've repeatedly called on CMS to take decisive action to lower health care costs for American seniors. So I'm pleased that in 2023, American seniors will see their Medicare Part B premiums decrease for the first time in a decade,\" said Representative Craig. \"Reducing these premiums will help us put money right where it belongs \u2013 back in the pockets of America's seniors.\"\n\nSince assuming office, Representative Craig has worked to ensure that every American, no matter their zip code, income level or age, has access to high-quality affordable health care options. Earlier this summer, provisions of Representative Craig's Affordable Insulin Now Act were signed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, capping the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for those on Medicare at $35 per month along with provisions capping seniors' out-of-pocket prescription drugs costs at $2,000 per year. She has also fought to save millions of Americans thousands of dollars annually on their health insurance premiums by urging the administration to close the \u2018family glitch' and introducing legislation to lower premium costs on the individual marketplace by an estimated eight percent.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/a-preventable-food-supply-crisis", "A preventable food supply crisis", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "The August inflation numbers painted a grim picture for Americans on a budget. Food prices alone were up 11.4% since last year, the largest year-over-year increase in prices since 1979. Prices went up 13.5%. This is more bad news for working Americans struggling to make ends meet.\n\nWe know that every Minnesotan is feeling the pressure of these high prices. Eggs are up 39.6%, milk is up 25.6%, bread is up 16.2%, and food at workplaces and schools is up 23.7%. Sadly, this has led to Americans skipping meals and going hungry.\n\nUnfortunately, these price hikes could have been avoided. We can draw a straight line from the President and his party\u2019s reckless spending, their failure to listen to the needs of our agriculture industry, and their failure to adequately address supply chain failures to the historic inflationary pressures we are experiencing today. Recognizing these failures, we outlined simple and immediate actions the Administration should take to alleviate the rise in fertilizer prices. We led an effort to bring down input costs for farmers and stabilize our supply chain, and we voted against every single one of President Biden and Speaker Pelosi\u2019s multi-trillion-dollar, partisan, spending bills -the key driver of the inflation we are seeing.\n\nWe didn\u2019t stop at just a \u201cNo\u201d vote, we have also introduced legislation that offers practical solutions to rein in out-of-control spending. The Responsible Budget Targets Act will set achievable, practical budget targets for the federal government to meet on an annual basis. By doing so, we can balance our budget in just fifteen years without causing major disruptions to government services.\n\nThese commonsense solutions will have real positive impacts on Americans and their pocketbooks. We will continue to fight to lower costs for working Americans and ensure that no American goes hungry because of rising food costs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-klobuchar-lead-effort-to-improve-veteran-emergency-care", "Emmer, Klobuchar Lead Effort to Improve Veteran Emergency Care", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led the entire Minnesota delegation in a bicameral, bipartisan letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough urging to improve veterans\u2019 ability to receive emergency care.\n\n\u201cNo veteran should have to wonder how their medical bills will be paid. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for us, and it is unconscionable that they have been saddled with disparate medical costs to receive care when they need it most,\u201d Emmer said.\n\n\u201cWe must correct this oversight and remove this barrier to care,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nSpecifically, the letter asks VA Secretary McDonough to revise their existing rules to treat all emergency transport reimbursements the same way, regardless of a veteran\u2019s service-connected disability rating.\n\n\u201cWhen we ask our young men and women to defend our nation, we make a promise to be there for them when they return home. And that obligation includes ensuring our veterans have affordable access to the medical care and benefits they deserve,\u201d said Klobuchar. \u201cThat\u2019s why Representative Emmer, our entire Congressional delegation and I are urging the VA to prevent veterans from being charged for emergency ambulance transportation costs.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur veterans have sacrificed so much for our nation and they are the definition of American Exceptionalism,\u201d said Representative Pete Stauber (MN-08). \u201cIt\u2019s critical that they receive the benefits that they\u2019ve earned and deserve, and that includes fair coverage for medical transportation. I\u2019m proud to join the bipartisan group of my Minnesota colleagues to make sure our veterans are cared for at every step while receiving the care they need.\u201d\n\n\u201cVeterans in rural Minnesota do not always have the ability to go to VA medical facilities to receive urgent care treatment. Veterans who need emergency transportation to in-network, non-VA medical facilities should not be punished due to lack of access,\u201d said Representative Michelle Fischbach (MN-07). \u201cWe must ensure that veterans in rural Minnesota have access to the care they need and deserve. In order to do that, we have to make sure that emergency transportation to their nearest in-network provider is covered.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur veterans should receive the best standard of care possible,\u201d said Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05). \u201cIt\u2019s unacceptable that those who have served our country are currently paying absurd emergency transportation bills due to a bureaucratic processing issue. I\u2019m glad to join my colleagues in the Minnesota delegation in the call to fix this injustice and ensure our veterans receive coverage for medical transportation expenses.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Brad Finstad (MN-01) said, \u201cWe owe it to our veterans to give them the best care possible; so when our veterans seek care at the emergency room, they shouldn\u2019t be left to pay the bill for the ambulance ride. Requiring the VA to cover emergency medical transportation for emergency medical treatment is a commonsense fix that would eliminate a significant out-of-pocket cost for the men and women who have served our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cTransportation costs should never be a barrier to receiving emergency medical care, especially for the heroic men and women who have served this country in uniform. As a Gold Star Son, I firmly believe it is our responsibility to provide our veterans with the highest quality care and benefits available, without dealing with the headaches of determining what care is in-network, especially during a medical emergency. My team and I have heard the stories of veterans in my district who were left with a crushing and unexpected ambulance bill resulting from a life-altering medical crisis. It is time we addressed this loophole that has caused too many veterans to slip through the cracks, preventing them from receiving the coverage that they deserve under the MISSION Act,\u201d said Representative Dean Phillips (MN-03).\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s veterans have sacrificed a tremendous amount to protect us \u2013 and it\u2019s completely unacceptable to me that so many of our veterans are facing serious challenges accessing high-quality health care when they return home,\u201d said Representative Angie Craig (MN-02). \u201cToday, I am joining the rest of my colleagues from Minnesota in calling on the Veterans\u2019 Health Administration to ensure our veterans are covered throughout every aspect of emergency health care \u2013 from transportation to treatment.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder the VA Mission Act, which became law in 2018, emergency transportation and treatment at in-network, non-Veterans Health Administration facilities became eligible for reimbursement. However, the VA is currently processing emergency land or air ambulance service claims as beneficiary travel, which restricts coverage to veterans with a disability rating (that is, the designation given to the severity of a service-connected disability used to calculate how much disability compensation a veteran receives) of 30% or more.\n\nThis method of reimbursement has left a large group of veterans with burdensome unpaid emergency travel bills, at a time when emergency travel has risen nearly eighteen percent. Based on an audit conducted by the VA office of the Inspector General, 31 percent of denied or rejected non-VA emergency care claims were inappropriately processed.\n\nYou can read the letter in full here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-negotiates-major-public-safety-package", "Rep. Omar Negotiates Major Public Safety Package", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014This week, Rep. Omar (D-MN), Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, played a decisive role in negotiating a major public safety package that will invest in desperately needed mental health support, violence prevention and intervention, and services for victims of gun violence, including legislation from Reps. Porter, Horsford, Demings and Gottheimer.\n\n\u201cThe House took an important step this week in passing a public safety package that includes meaningful accountability, training and non-violent intervention for our communities,\u201d Rep. Omar said. \u201cAlong with Congressional Progressive Caucus leader Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Congressional Black Caucus Leaders Reps. Joyce Beatty and Hakeem Jeffries, I was proud to negotiate major improvements to the package, ensuring funding was targeted to police departments with fewer than 125 officers, increasing funding for training, accountability and data collection.\n\n\u201cI will continue to advocate for a holistic, evidence-based approach to keeping our communities safe, including funding for programs proven to reduce crime, like community policing and after-school programs, along with investments in education, good jobs, social services, and affordable housing will help reduce crime and keep our families and communities safe.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, Rep. Omar and negotiators narrowed the package to 4 bills that had the votes to pass, and secured changes to Invest and Protect Act of 2022, adding additional accountability to ensure that police departments in small cities and communities with fewer than 125 officers. This would apply to 14 out of 15 departments in in Minnesota's 5th District. Additionally, they secured critical accountability provisions, allowing DOJ to give preference to applicants who specify in their applications that grant amounts will be used for certain eligible activities, including de-escalation training, data collection, and evidence-based best practices on the use of lethal and nonlethal force. To ensure the efficacy of the training, the bill requires the Attorney General to, on an annual basis, evaluate the success of the training programs in reducing the incidence of use of force by each law enforcement agency.\n\nYou can read more on the bills below.\n\nH.R. 8542 \u2013 Mental Health Justice Act of 2022 (Rep. Porter \u2013 Energy and Commerce)\n\nThe bill creates an HHS grant program for states, Tribes, and local governments to hire, train, and dispatch mental health professionals when responding to 911 calls due to a mental health crisis and support connecting these people into appropriate care rather than incarceration.\n\nLink to fact sheet.\n\nH.R. 6448 \u2013 Invest and Protect Act of 2022 (Rep. Gottheimer \u2013 Judiciary)\n\nThe bill will help ensure that police departments in small towns and communities with fewer than 125 officers have the resources and training they need by creating a grant program to provide resources to these small law enforcement agencies for training, recruiting, and retaining officers and providing mental health resources to their officers.\n\nAdditionally, the bill includes critical accountability provisions, allowing DOJ to preference applicants who specify in their applications that grant amounts will be used for certain eligible activities, including de-escalation training, data collection, and evidence-based best practices and training on the use of lethal and nonlethal force. To ensure the efficacy of the training, the bill requires the Attorney General to, on an annual basis, evaluate the success of the training programs in reducing the incidence of use of force by each law enforcement agency.\n\nH.R. 4118 \u2013 Break the Cycle of Violence Act (Rep. Horsford \u2013 Judiciary)\n\nThe bill would authorize federal grants to communities for evidence-based community violence intervention and prevention programs designed to interrupt cycles of violence. It would create an Office of Community Violence Intervention at the Department of HHS to implement these programs and create a grant program at the Department of Labor to provide job training and work opportunities for youth in communities impacted by violence.\n\nLink to fact sheet.\n\nH.R. 5768 \u2013 VICTIM Act of 2022 (Rep. Demings \u2013 Judiciary)\n\nThe bill would establish a grant program at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies improve their clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings. The resources could also be used to help police address the needs of victims and their family members. This bill responds to the declining percentage of murder cases being solved by law enforcement agencies across the country by giving additional tools to help law enforcement agencies solve crimes.\n\nLink to fact sheet.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-announces-military-service-academy-day-students", "Stauber Announces Military Service Academy Day for Students", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) invites students and their parents to attend the annual Military Service Academy Day on Thursday, September 29th at the Proctor High School Auditorium. This informational event is designed to familiarize students who reside within Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District with the application and nomination processes for applying to each of the U.S. service academies.\n\n\"The service academy selection is extremely competitive, and Service Academy Days are the perfect chance for interested students to ask any questions about the application process and to learn more about the selection process,\" said Congressman Stauber. \"If you are interested in pursuing a role to serve in the United States Armed Forces, I strongly recommend attending the event at Proctor High School to receive additional information from representatives of the United States Air Force, Military, Naval, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Academies.\"\n\nEvent Details\n\nWho: Representatives from the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military, Coast Guard, and Naval Academies\n\nWhat: Military Service Academy Day\n\nWhen: Thursday, September 29, 2022\n\n6:30-8:30 pm\n\nWhere: Proctor High School Auditorium\n\n131 Ninth Avenue\n\nDoor #5\n\nDuluth, MN 55810", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-helps-pass-bipartisan-package-increase-funding-local", "Representative Angie Craig Helps Pass Bipartisan Package to Increase Funding for Local Law Enforcement Agencies", "2022-09-22", "2022", "2022-09", "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 helped pass a series of bipartisan, commonsense bills that would provide additional funding to invest in the hiring, retention, training and mental health resources for local law enforcement in Minnesota's Second Congressional District and across the country. The comprehensive legislative package contains 4 bills \u2013 including Craig's Invest to Protect Act \u2013 which are designed to ensure that local police departments have access to the resources they need to effectively combat rising crime rates and keep their communities safe from harm.\n\nThe package was brought to the House floor after Craig and more than 30 of her colleagues pressed House Leadership to prioritize public safety legislation.\n\n\"The first job of any government is ensuring public safety \u2013 and it's my belief that the best way to do that is to make sure that our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. These bills are an important step toward doing just that,\" said Representative Craig. \"I am especially proud to see that this package includes my bill, the Invest to Protect Act, which will help to effectively address the unique needs of our small and mid-sized police departments in the Second Congressional District and across the country.\"\n\nThe 4 bills included in the police funding package are:\n\nH.R. 6448, Representative Craig's Invest to Protect Act, which would provide $60 million in grants for small and mid-sized police departments to invest in training, personnel support and mental health resources. Police departments with forces of 125 officers or less \u2013 which represent more than 95% of police departments including every department in Minnesota's Second District \u2013 would be eligible to apply for grants under the legislation\n\nH.R. 1368, The Mental Health Justice Act, which would make it easier for state and local governments to send trained mental health professionals instead of police when 911 is called because an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis\n\nH.R. 4118,The Break the Cycle of Violence Act, which would provide federal grants to communities for evidence-informed community violence intervention and prevention programs designed to interrupt cycles of violence\n\nH.R. 5768, The VICTIM Act of 2022, which would establish a Department of Justice grant program to hire, train and retain detectives and victim services personnel to investigate shootings and support victims. The legislation would also help to clear the backlog of unsolved homicides.\n\nIn Congress, Representative Craig has made it a priority to increase support for police officers and their families and to ensure that local police departments have the funding they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Earlier this month, she introduced the Ride-along Resolution, which would require each Member of the House to participate in a ride-along with a law enforcement officer within their District during their first year in Congress. Last month, Representative Craig's bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act, legislation that she helped introduce and pass after hearing the story of South St. Paul Police Sergeant Cory Slifko, was signed into law. This bill will ensure that officers can access disability benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder \u2013 and that families of officers who lost their lives to trauma-linked suicide can apply for the death benefits that they deserve. She has worked hand-in-hand with local law enforcement leaders to draft and submit applications for federal grant dollars to support hiring, equipment and technology programs \u2013 including police departments in South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Burnsville and Inver Grove Heights.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-leads-35-colleagues-on-resolution-honoring-america-s-sportsmen-and-women", "Emmer Leads 35 Colleagues on Resolution Honoring America\u2019s Sportsmen and Women", "2022-09-22", "2022", "2022-09", "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) introduced a resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day. Emmer is a member of the Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Caucus.\n\n\u201cHunting and fishing are a part of America\u2019s heritage, one shared by generations of sportsmen and women,\u201d Emmer said, \u201c\n\n\u201cI am proud to lead this effort to honor the traditions of American hunters and anglers and recognize their contributions to conserving America\u2019s great outdoors,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nNational Hunting and Fishing Day was established in 1972 by President Richard Nixon. An estimated 27 percent of Americans participate in sportfishing, hunting or target shooting, and in a yearlong study by the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, recreationists contributed $156,900,000,000 to the United States economy.\n\n\u201cFor 50 years, National Hunting and Fishing Day has celebrated our time-honored traditions of hunting and fishing. This day also highlights the unmatched success of landmark conservation programs like the Dingell-Johnson Act and the Pittman-Robertson Act, a program that has secured 85 years of equity for sportsmen and women as America's original conservationists,\" said Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) President and CEO Jeff Crane. \"CSF extends our thanks to Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) Member Rep. Emmer for leading this resolution and the bipartisan members of the CSC who joined him in supporting America's 55 million sportsmen and women.\"\n\nDave Carlson, President of the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance said, \u201cThe Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance is so happy that the 50th Anniversary of the National Hunting and Fishing Day is being recognized by Congress. This is a day that hunters and anglers look forward to many months in advance and plan outings with family and friends to celebrate this day.\u201d\n\n\u201c85 years after our founding, Ducks Unlimited is proud to once again support and celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day in its 50th year,\u201d said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. \u201cNo one gives back to the outdoors more than sportsmen and women, and that\u2019s what makes the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation the most successful in the world. DU thanks Rep. Emmer for his resolution to honor this special 50th anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day in the House of Representatives.\u201d\n\nPheasants Forever and Quail Forever were also supporters of the resolution.\n\nThe resolution is available in its entirety here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-receives-excellence-award-women-s-college-coalition", "McCollum Receives Excellence Award from Women\u2019s College Coalition", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) joined all 33 women's college presidents today, including St. Catherine University President Becky Roloff, at a luncheon to receive the Excellence Award in honor of her work to empower and support women's colleges.\n\n\"I'm so pleased to receive this recognition from the Women's College Coalition today,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"The Fourth District is proud to be home to St. Catherine University. This year, we worked together to secure federal funding dedicated to St. Kate's Advancing Scientific Excellence Initiative to prepare a diverse bench of women for impactful careers in STEAM fields and beyond. The success of women and girls in Minnesota and across our country is essential to our future.\"\n\nAlongside Rep. McCollum, Reps. Rosa DeLauro, Barbara Lee, and Lucille Roybal-Allard received awards from the Women's College Coalition. The luncheon included remarks from WCC leadership, a meal and conversation. St. Catherine University President Becky Roloff presented Rep. McCollum with the WCC Excellence Award. Minnesota is home to two women's colleges, St. Catherine University and the College of St. Benedict.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/stauber-introduces-bill-streamline-mine-permitting-process-support-domestic", "Stauber Introduces Bill to Streamline Mine Permitting Process, Support Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Ranking Member of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, introduced the Permitting for Mining Needs (PERMIT-MN) Act. This legislation creates certainty for the mining community, limits frivolous litigation, and requires agency coordination across the Federal government.\n\n\"We are blessed with vast mineral wealth in northern Minnesota and across America,\" said Congressman Stauber. \"Our current permitting process fails to deliver our domestic resources and is abused by keep-it-in-the-ground activists who oppose mining solely on ideological grounds. The PERMIT-MN Act empowers our mining community nationwide. There is no justification to allow decades of litigation and permitting to get a legitimate mining project started. Let's pass my commonsense legislation and get shovels in the ground while protecting our environment.\"\n\nRanking Member Bruce Westerman of the House Natural Resources Committee, an original co-sponsor of the bill, added:\n\n\"It's time to face facts: our daily lives are irrevocably linked to minerals. There is no way around it. From EV batteries to dental imaging systems to the very device on which you're reading this, minerals are woven into the fabric of our society. Given this reality, it's imperative we shore up our supply chains to ensure our global adversaries can't establish a chokehold on our economy. We also need to radically overhaul our domestic permitting process, opening up access to mines across the country and showing the world how to produce these minerals in sustainable ways. Congressman Stauber has been a tireless advocate on these issues, using his firsthand experience with the Twin Metals mine in his district to showcase the growing need for these minerals. This legislation will speed up permitting timelines, fix holes in our supply chain, and more, resulting in an American economy that is stronger and safer than ever. I'm proud to join Congressman Stauber in this effort.\"\n\nThe Permitting for Mining Needs Act is supported by the National Mining Association, the American Exploration and Mining Association, and the Uranium Producers of America.\n\nMajor components of the bill include:\n\nSetting time limits to Federal environmental reviews to create certainty on permitting timelines.\n\nLimits frivolous last second litigation.\n\nAuthorizes memoranda of understating (MOUs) between project sponsors, states, and tribes at early stages and designates a lead agency to coordinate reviews to maximize efficiency.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-joins-minnesota-republicans-to-demand-biden-administration-address-impacts-of-30x30-plan", "Emmer Joins Minnesota Republicans to Demand Biden Administration Address Impacts of 30x30 Plan", "2022-09-16", "2022", "2022-09", "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) joined Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), in a letter to the Biden Administration demanding clear answers on the impacts of their 30x30 land grab on Minnesota.\n\n\u201cAfter over a year since the introduction of this federal land grab, it is unacceptable that the Biden Administration refuses to answer our concerns about the 30 x 30 initiative and provide clarity to the responsible stewards of our land \u2013 the thousands of Minnesotans who work in farming, agriculture, ranching, mining, and recreation,\u201d said Congressman Emmer. \u201cWe must allow Americans to care for their own lands, not jeopardize their way of life.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am concerned with the Biden Administration\u2019s 30x30 land grab plan, which threatens our way of life throughout all of the State of Minnesota,\u201d said Congressman Stauber. \u201cMy constituents live, work, and play in the outdoors, and I\u2019m concerned by this blanket policy initiated by D.C. bureaucrats without engagement from state and local officials. Our farmers, miners and loggers deserve to know how their livelihoods will be impacted, as do our recreators who enjoy exploring our great outdoors on their ATVs, motorboats and snowmobiles. We\u2019ve asked once before and we\u2019re asking again. I look forward to hearing clear answers from the Biden Administration soon.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt has been over a year since we asked the Biden Administration their intentions with their 30x30 plan, and we have yet to receive a response,\u201d said Congresswoman Fischbach. \u201cWe still do not know where this land will come from or how it will impact existing operations like the hundreds of farms across Minnesota\u2019s 7th district. I urge the Administration to respond to our inquiries in a timely manner.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-supported-bill-to-bring-child-sex-abusers-to-justice-passes-house", "Emmer-Supported Bill to Bring Child Sex Abusers to Justice Passes House", "2022-09-16", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Tom Emmer", "E000294", "emmer.house.gov", "emmer", "https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 This week, the Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act passed the House of Representatives with the support of Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06).\n\nOne in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. Additionally, 34% of people who sexually abuse a child are family members, often complicating the reporting and justice process.\n\nEmmer said, \u201cWhen the most vulnerable among us are victimized, they are too often forced to suffer in silence.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to join this effort to empower survivors and finally bring the perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice,\u201d Emmer concluded.\n\nBackground\n\nFederal civil law currently sets a statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases of either ten years after the discovery of abuse or until a victim turns 28 years old.\n\nThe Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act will remove this statute of limitations, allowing young victims of sexual abuse or exploitation to recover damages left unclaimed due to fear or shame.\n\nEmmer has been a longtime advocate for victims of sexual assault and abuse. In March of this year, Emmer\u2019s Abby Honold Act was signed into law. This bill provides federal funding for law enforcement to receive training in evidence-based, trauma-informed care. You can read more about the Abby Honold Act here.\n\nText of the Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 488, "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": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 313, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2022&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 175, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2022&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 488, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2022&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "MN", "label": "MN", "count": 488, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "2022", "label": "2022", "count": 488, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2022-09-16,https~3A~2F~2Femmer~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Femmer-supported-bill-to-bring-child-sex-abusers-to-justice-passes-house", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2022&_next=2022-09-16%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Femmer~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Femmer-supported-bill-to-bring-child-sex-abusers-to-justice-passes-house&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 209.36950598843396, "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"}