url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-11252020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 11/25/2020,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Turkey Mount from Rep. Peterson's Washington, D.C. office being prepared for shipment back to Minnesota Dear Friends, This week, I would like to simply send you my wishes for a happy Thanksgiving Day. I am grateful to the constituents of Minnesota's Seventh District for entrusting me to hold this office for the last 30 years. It has been an honor to serve as your Representative in Washington, D.C. and I am thankful to all those I've met, worked with, and assisted. This year's celebrations will be different as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we can still reflect on all that we have to be grateful for and do what we can to stay safe and end this pandemic together. My hope is that your list of things to be thankful for is a long and happy one. From my family and office staff, happy Thanksgiving and have a safe holiday season. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Serving the 7th The bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp in order to create economic opportunities for farmers. Minnesota farmers appreciate the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts in implementing the Interim Rule on Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program. However, there are still hurdles in place for Minnesota farmers to fully realize the economic benefits of growing hemp. I joined Minnesota Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN-2), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4) and Senator Tina Smith in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Perdue, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Vought, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Hahn, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Administrator Shea, urging them to provide clarity on hemp rules. In order to create a more stable market for hemp farmers and ease the concerns of investors, the USDA, the DEA, the FDA, and the OMB need to work together and issue federal guidelines that will benefit rather than punish farmers for factors that are out of their control. Read the full letter here. COVID-19 Updates & Resources Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise in Minnesota. VisitCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)for the most up to date information on the Coronavirus Pandemic. To get regular COVID-19 email updates, including announcements of new community testing events, subscribe toCOVID-19 Updates. COVID-19 Community Testing There are four free COVID-19 Community Testing sites throughout the Seventh District offered by the Minnesota Department of Health. Crookston Armory 1801 University Ave Crookston, MN 56716 December 1-5, 9-11, 16-19, 21-22, 28-30, 12 - 6 p.m. Crookston Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment Hutchinson Armory 1200 Adams St SE Hutchinson, MN 55350 November 30, 12 - 6 p.m. December 1-4, 9, 11-12, 15-17, 21-22, 28-30, 12 - 6 p.m. No appointment necessary Morris Armory 722 Iowa Ave Morris, MN 56267 December 1-5, 9-11, 16-19, 21-22, 28-30, 12 - 6 p.m. Morris Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment Wadena Armory 517 Jefferson St N Wadena, MN 56482 December 1-5, 9-11, 16-19, 21-22, 28-30, 12 - 6 p.m. Wadena Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment COVID-19 Community Saliva Testing There are several COVID-19 saliva testing sites across Minnesota offered by the Minnesota Department of Health. All sites will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving and Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 for Christmas. See COVID-19 Test at Home for information on free at-home saliva testing for people in select areas. Moorhead Former Thomas Edison Elementary School 1110 S. 14th Street Moorhead, MN 56560 Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center 10 Fourth Ave South St. Cloud, MN 56301 Wednesday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Parking in the west surface lot next to the Convention Center is available to those being tested. Look for the COVID-19 testing parking signs. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health Newsstand Jennie-O Turkey Float in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade The construction of the Jennie-O Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float. Photo courtesy of Jennie-O Turkey Store Congratulations to Jennie-O for making its inaugural appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. For the first time, the annual holiday parade will feature a giant float sponsored by the Willmar-based Jennie-O Turkey Store, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Measuring 36 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 24 feet tall, the float will include feathers, glitter, a crew of dancers, and a celebrity singer. Dubbed the Big Turkey Spectacular, the Jennie-O float is making its debut appearance in the parade as part of a three-year commitment by Jennie-O. Click here to read more here. National Law Enforcement Museum Virtual Classes for Students Photo courtesy of the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum In the time of virtual learning, the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum is providing a variety of online courses for students of all ages. Topics include Forensic Pathology, Changes in Law Enforcement Technology, Careers in Law Enforcement, STEM in Law Enforcement, and Fingerprints & Impressions. These courses provide interactive lessons led by museum educators to explore law enforcement and museum artifacts. For more information on courses, click here. MNsure & Medicare Open Enrollment Photo courtesy of the MNsure COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Minnesota, make sure you and your family are covered no matter what happens. MNsure open enrollment is open until December 22, 2020. For more information and to enroll, visit MNsure.org. The Medicare open enrollment period is open until December 7, 2020. Medicare beneficiaries can review their coverage choices during this time and compare plans. Go to Medicare.gov for more information. This Week in History Photo courtesy of Lake of the Woods County This week in history, on November 28, 1922, the Lake of the Woods County was established. In November of 1922, voters from the Lake of the Woods area cast their vote to separate from Beltrami County. Residents were dissatisfied with the services they had been receiving from Beltrami County and constituents found it was difficult to travel to the county seat, leading to their separation and the formation of Minnesota's youngest county. Today, the county attractions are much the same as they were when pioneers settled - fishing, hunting, forest, water, clean air and spacious land. Get away from it all to leave automobiles, trains and other symbols of our restless civilization far behind in favor of the quiet restful beauty of unspoiled natures. - Official 1962 Forest Service guide folder",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-unveils-legislation-expand-crp-50-million-acres,Peterson Unveils Legislation to Expand CRP to 50 Million Acres,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC In a press conference Thursday, Representative Collin Peterson, Chair of the House Ag Committee,announced the introduction of H.R. 8843, which makes an additional 25 million acres available over the next five years for general signup under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Instead of a cap, the bill establishes a minimum floor of 50 million CRP acres nationwide. CRP incentivizes farmers to remove sensitive land from agricultural production and plant cover to enhance wildlife habitat and provide other natural resource benefits, Peterson told reporters. CRP has a decades-long track record of engaging farmers in the effort to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and create wildlife habitat. In addition to the increase in acreage, the bill will help CRP prioritize those applications that promote soil health and carbon sequestration, Peterson added. Applications for the enrollment of land on which deep-rooted perennials will be planted will also be prioritized. Peterson pointed to the importance of CRP in helping farmers and landowners meet environmental quality goals. Land enrolled in the program has helped to keep billion of tons of soil from eroding and sequestered millions of tons of carbon, he said. It has improved wildlife and pollinator habitat, and it has provided benefits to farmers through rental payments and drawing hunters and other recreationists, which in turn makes its way through rural economies. This is a good bill that uses a successful, existing program to pay farmers to store carbon we don't need a whole new regime we have CRP.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-peterson-thompson-and-comer-push-leadership-delay-ligado-application,"Reps. Peterson, Thompson and Comer Push Leadership to Delay Ligado Application",2020-11-24,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S.Representatives Collin Peterson (D-MN), Glenn GT' Thompson (R-PA), and James Comer (R-KY)sent aletterto House Leadership and the Appropriations Committeerequesting language delaying implementation of the April 2020 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Order granting Ligado's application to deploy a terrestrial nationwide network to provide 5G services. In July, the Congressmenexpressed serious concernssurrounding the FCC's decision, questioning the reliability of GPS for millions of Americans, especially the farmers and ranchers who rely on this technology each and every day for precision agriculture. There is no room for error when discussing safety and reliability of service for GPS signals. Aviation, agriculture, and other vital industries rely on consistent signal quality,"" saidRep. Peterson. ""Safety and national security issues remain unresolved under the current order, which is why it is vital that we delay Ligado's 5G deployment. ""Investments in 5G and GPS are critically important to the American economy, especially the agriculture industry,"" saidRep. Thompson. ""However, the Ligado decision will have negative impacts on GPS and satellite communications, hindering reliability and slowing progress on current and future innovation of this technology. I urge my colleagues in Leadership and on the Appropriations Committee to delay this harmful implementation."" Our farmers are vitally important to providing the food supply for America and the world, and a reliable GPS network is critical to precision agriculture, saidRep. Comer. I understand the importance of improving telecommunications operations, especially for advancing rural economies. But critical tools like GPS technology must not be disrupted, as our farmers are essential workers who must have the tools they need to do their jobs. It is our responsibility as policymakers to fight to ensure that federal agency decisions do not negatively impact Americans' livelihoods. It is my hope that this language to delay implementation of the Ligado order will be addressed in a year-end appropriations package. The FCC's ill-advised decision on the Ligado matter risks serious negative impacts to the communication of real-time environmental data from satellites that are a primary tool by the American Weather Enterprise in the creation and timely dissemination of accurate weather forecasts and severe weather warnings, saidJonathan Porter, Vice-President and General Manager, AccuWeather, Inc. Any degradation in these communications will endanger critical economic and societal benefits for weather-sensitive businesses from family farms to large corporations and reduce the ability for people to stay safe during severe weather. GPS is critical to precision agriculture applications that deliver centimeter level accuracy that enables farmers to maximize crop yields while lowering costs and environmental impact,"" saidDale Leibach, spokesperson for the Keep GPS Working Coalition. ""The FCC's decision represents a sweeping governmental and regulatory assault on farmers who are already facing unprecedented challenges including severe weather, low commodity prices, and supply chain vulnerability as a result of COVID-19. The order must be stopped, and Congressman Thompson and Chairman Peterson have been relentless champions for farmers in the effort to reverse the FCC's decision. ""GPS technology is a key component to precision agriculture, a sustainable practice that benefits both farmers and the environment, saidDennis Slater, President of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The recent Ligado decision will hinder these hardworking Americans from being able to properly utilize the tractors, combines, harvesters, and other modernized equipment we manufacture. We urge House leadership to include language to delay Ligado implementation. Farmers are already struggling due to the pandemic, natural disasters, and other factors. Let's not add to their economic pain."" Protecting the public interest and our economic security requires defending and protecting critical GPS, satellite communications services, aviation navigation equipment and essential weather apparatus. But Ligado's reckless venture puts that at risk,"" saidJordan Hassin, Director, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, and Industry Affairs for Iridium Communications. ""As more users of services in the L Band discover the threat Ligado presents to their livelihoods, more of our policymakers are recognizing that they need to demand this threat be addressed either in the NDAA or in an end of year spending package. This is not just a defense issue. We are grateful to the leaders of the Agriculture Committee for adding their voices to the call for a change to the FCC's misguided and destructive decision."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-11162020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 11/16/2020,2020-11-20,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"First day of deer hunting in CARIBOU Dear Friends, Veterans Day is a day to thank and honor the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. As of 2018, there are nearly 18 million veterans in the United States who have served in various wars to protect and defend our freedom. Thank you, veterans, for your commitment and service to the United States. The Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project is one step closer to construction. Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources recently approved the remaining permits and licenses for the project and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also gave its approval on the 401 Water Quality Certification. The Line 3 replacement will have a significant economic impact for Western Minnesota, and I am happy to see the project moving forward. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Thank You Veterans Wednesday, November 11, was Veterans Day, a day to thank and honor all those who have served in the United States armed forces to protect and defend our democracy. I hope you were able to take a moment to acknowledge military veterans in your community for their dedication to protecting our national security and values. As a former National Guardsman, I know the risks and sacrifices our men and women in uniform make. Thank you for your service! Click here to watch my Veterans Day video. Line 3 Replacement Project Update The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) approved the remaining 8 of 10 permits and licenses for the Line 3 Replacement Project last week. This is a good sign that moves the project closer to construction. The proposal has met or exceeded all requirements of the DNR, and I am confident Enbridge will meet the requirements to secure the remaining state and federal approvals. In addition to the action by the DNR, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced its approval of the 401 Water Quality Certification, which clears the way for a determination from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding federal permits. The Line 3 Replacement will add an additional $35 million in property tax revenue for rural communities in Northern Minnesota and create more than 6,500 jobs in the state over two-years. COVID-19 Updates & Resources Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Governor Tim Walz has issued a new Executive Order, tightening restrictions on indoor and outdoor activities. Per the Executive Order, social gatherings in private homes are limited to 10 people (indoors or outdoors) and may involve no more than three households. For bars and restaurants, the total restaurant capacity will be capped at 150 people, including both inside and outside settings, and may not exceed 50% of the establishment's total capacity. Dine-in service is closed between 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Bar counter service for all establishments will be closed for seating and service and people must remain seated. Let's all do our part to end this pandemic together. COVID-19 Community Testing Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise in Minnesota. Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up to date information on the Coronavirus Pandemic. To get regular COVID-19 email updates, including announcements of new community testing events, subscribe to COVID-19 Updates. There are four free COVID-19 Community Testing sites throughout the Seventh District offered by the Minnesota Department of Health. Crookston Armory 1801 University Ave Crookston, MN 56716 November 16-18, 23-24, 12 - 6 p.m. December 1-5, 9-11, 16-19, 21-22, 28-30, 12 - 6 p.m. Crookston Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment Hutchinson Armory 1200 Adams St SE Hutchinson, MN 55350 November 30, 12 - 6 p.m. December 1-4, 9, 11-12, 15-17, 21-22, 28-30, 12 - 6 p.m. No appointment necessary Morris Armory 722 Iowa Ave Morris, MN 56267 November 18-20, 23-24, 12 - 6 p.m. December 1-5, 9-11, 16-19, 21-22, 28-30, 12 - 6 p.m. Morris Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment Wadena Armory 517 Jefferson St N Wadena, MN 56482 November 17-19, 23-24, 12 - 6 p.m. December 1-5, 9-11, 16-19, 21-22, 28-30, 12 - 6 p.m. Wadena Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment COVID-19 Community Saliva Testing There are several COVID-19 saliva testing sites across Minnesota offered by the Minnesota Department of Health. All sites will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving and Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 for Christmas. See COVID-19 Test at Home for information on free at-home saliva testing for people in select areas. Moorhead Former Thomas Edison Elementary School 1110 S. 14th Street Moorhead, MN 56560 Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center 10 Fourth Ave South St. Cloud, MN 56301 Wednesday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Parking in the west surface lot next to the Convention Center is available to those being tested. Look for the COVID-19 testing parking signs. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health Newsstand American Education Week Photo courtesy of the National Education Association November 1620, 2020 is American Education Week. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed what classrooms and learning look like. Thank you to everyone involved in our education systems for adapting and rising to the challenge during this difficult time. Hemp Growing in Minnesota Online applications are now open for anyone wishing to grow or process hemp in Minnesota in 2021. Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2021, and a license is good for the 2021 calendar year. For more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. EIP Deadline Reminder As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, we must ensure all qualified individuals receive economic relief for hardships faced during the pandemic. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) encourages non-filers to apply for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP). If you did not file a 2019 federal tax return, did not get an Economic Impact Payment, or did not register for an Economic Impact Payment already, you may qualify for an EIP. Use the IRS Non-Filers Tool by November 21 to register for an EIP. MNsure & Medicare Open Enrollment Photo courtesy of the MNsure The open enrollment period for Medicare and MNsure is now open. During this time of uncertainty, make sure you and your family are covered. MNsure open enrollment is open until December 22, 2020. For more information and to enroll, visit MNsure.org. The Medicare open enrollment period is open until December 7, 2020. Medicare beneficiaries can review their coverage choices during this time and compare coverage and plans. Go to Medicare.gov for more information. This Week in History Photo courtesy of the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism This week in history, on November 19, 1855, the city of Hutchinson was founded. The Hutchinson family were singers and toured the United States, giving concerts of popular and patriotic songs from 1841 until the end of the Civil War. The family was originally from New Hampshire but heard about Minnesota from a friend. The Hutchinson brothers chose to settle on a hill overlooking what is now considered the Crow River. They later wrote thirteen articles of agreement for the town, setting aside land for schools, the Humanities Church, and even space for parks, making the park system in Hutchinson the second oldest in the nation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-joins-smith-craig-and-mccollum-urge-federal-agencies-provide-clarity,"Peterson joins Smith, Craig and McCollum to Urge Federal Agencies to Provide Clarity on Hemp Rules",2020-11-18,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) -Representative Collin Peterson today jointed U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN 2), and Betty McCollum (D-MN 4) incalling on the leaders of four federal agencies to streamline hemp rules. Currently, contradictory federal guidelines are leading to uncertainty in the market and preventing Minnesota farmers and Tribes from fully reaping the economic benefits of growing hemp. The bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp in order to create economic opportunities for farmers. Minnesota farmers appreciate the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts in implementing the Interim Rule on Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program. However, despite the Interim Rule there are still hurdles in place for Minnesota farmers to fully realize the economic benefits of growing hemp, wrote the lawmakers in their letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Sen. Smith and Reps. Craig, McCollum and Peterson go on to identify some of the inconsistencies that need to be addressed: The federal regulatory framework has proven to be inconsistent. For example, the USDA's rule stated that farmers will be held accountable facing possible revoking of their licenses if their crops test above a .5 percent THC level three times in a five year period. Despite this somewhat onerous and arbitrary level, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) instituted their own rule saying that exceeding .3 percent THC level deems the crop a controlled substance. The burdensome competing rules don't allow for remediation if the crop tests above the deemed inappropriate levels. Farmers should not be penalized for plants that they intended to grow as hemp, but for any number of reasons, the final THC numbers exceeded the arbitrary 0.3% THC level. At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on CBD is still pending at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which adds even more uncertainty to the marketplace. You can access a copy of the letter here or below: Secretary Sonny Perdue The Honorable Russell T. Vought U.S. Department of Agriculture Director, Office of Management and Budget 1400 Independence Avenue SW 725 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20250 Washington, DC 20503 Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. The Honorable Timothy J. Shea U.S. Food and Drug Administration Acting Administrator White Oak Campus U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue 8701 Morrissette Drive Silver Spring, MD 20903 Springfield, VA 22152 Dear Secretary Perdue, Director Vought, Commissioner Hahn, and Acting Administrator Shea: The bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp in order to create economic opportunities for farmers. Minnesota farmers appreciate the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts in implementing the Interim Rule on Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program. However, despite the Interim Rule there are still hurdles in place for Minnesota farmers to fully realize the economic benefits of growing hemp. While many states and tribes are still awaiting approval for their hemp programs from the USDA, the state of Minnesota, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, and the Lower Sioux Indian Community have all had their applications approved. Interest in growing hemp remains high among farmers. The Minnesota Industrial Hemp Pilot grew from four licensed growers in 2016 to 467 licensed growers in 2020. Despite this interest, farmers face a lack of certitude due to unclear and contradicting federal efforts. This has resulted in fewer hemp acres in Minnesota being planted from 2019 to 2020. In 2019, 7353 acres of hemp were planted. In 2020, that number dropped to 5809 acres. The federal regulatory framework has proven to be inconsistent. For example, the USDA's rule stated that farmers will be held accountable facing possible revoking of their licenses if their crops test above a .5 percent THC level three times in a five year period. Despite this somewhat onerous and arbitrary level, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) instituted their own rule saying that exceeding .3 percent THC level deems the crop a controlled substance. The burdensome competing rules don't allow for remediation if the crop tests above the deemed inappropriate levels. Farmers should not be penalized for plants that they intended to grow as hemp, but for any number of reasons, the final THC numbers exceeded the arbitrary 0.3% THC level. At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on CBD is still pending at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which adds even more uncertainty to the marketplace. Lack of clarity has resulted in under-investments in growing and processing from banks and hemp production companies. In order to create a more stable market for hemp farmers and ease the concerns of investors, the USDA, the DEA, the FDA, and the OMB need to work together and issue federal guidelines that will benefit farmers rather than punish farmers for factors that are out of their control. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-11102020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 11/10/2020,2020-11-16,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Fall afternoon in HALLOCK Dear Friends, While the election is over, the 116th Congress has unfinished work to be done. We need to pass a government funding bill and hopefully secure assistance for Coronavirus relief. I've received calls from constituents throughout the Seventh District asking for my support on Line 3 and I contacted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an update on the project. I encouraged them to review the findings of Minnesota's state agencies and issue the permits needed to continue with the replacement. The Enbridge Line 3 replacement will have a significant economic impact in Western Minnesota. It is worth noting that even as passions ran high throughout the country, millions of Americans were able to peacefully choose their political leaders. I have been honored to be a part of this great system of self-governance and to have been entrusted with the great responsibility of representing the people of Western Minnesota for all these years. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Serving the 7th Line 3 Replacement Permitting I called Colonel Karl Jansen of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to get an update on the permitting process and emphasize my support for the Line 3 Replacement Project. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is expected to sign off on their review of the project in the coming weeks that will be used by the Army Corps for their consideration of permits. I encouraged Colonel Jansen to quickly review MPCA's findings and issue the relevant permits so the project may move forward. The Line 3 Replacement will provide an economic boost for western Minnesota and I look forward to seeing the project move forward in Minnesota. Questionnaire Results In last week's questionnaire, I asked if you think the United States has done enough to deter foreign adversaries from interfering in our elections, this is what you said. I also asked which recent Administration would be the strongest in deterring foreign interference in our elections, this is what you said. COVID-19 Updates & Resources Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise in Minnesota, visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up to date information on the Coronavirus Pandemic. To get regular COVID-19 email updates, including announcements of new community testing events, subscribe to COVID-19 Updates. COVID-19 Community Testing Morris Armory722 Iowa AveMorris, MN 56267 Monday, November 9, 12 - 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, 12 - 6 p.m. Morris Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment COVID-19 Community Saliva Testing Moorhead Former Thomas Edison Elementary School1110 S. 14th StreetMoorhead, MN 56560 Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center 10 Fourth Ave South St. Cloud, MN 56301 Wednesday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health Parking in the west surface lot next to the Convention Center is available to those being tested. Look for the COVID-19 testing parking signs. Newsstand Minnesota Biofuel Update In 2007, Minnesota adopted the Next Generation Energy Act, which set a goal to replace 30% of the state's petroleum with biofuels by 2025. To meet its carbon emissions reduction target, the Governor's Council on Biofuels recently recommended Minnesota should adopt a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) program and accelerate the state's move toward 15% ethanol content in gasoline (E15). The Council on Biofuels also recommended that all new fuel storage and delivery systems be compatible with E25 within 18 months. Since 1997, Minnesota was the first state to require biofuel blends and has the possibility of becoming the first state to implement an E15 standard. According to Rep. Jeanne Poppe, Chairwoman of the Minnesota House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division, nine out of ten cars can use E15. Veterans History Project 20 Year Anniversary Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project The Library of Congress Veterans History Project is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and will host a series of virtual events through its Facebook page. Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000 in order to collect, preserve, and make remembrances of United States war veterans accessible so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. This week's events: Tuesday, November 10 Old Glory Kimberley Mitchell, Operation Song, 8 p.m. Thursday, November 12 Organizational Benefits to Collaborating with VHP, Panel Discussion, 12 p.m. A group of renowned liaisons discuss how they engage with their communities to ensure their local veteran and Gold Star family members' contributions are not forgotten. Friday, November 13 Precious Pearl Kim Mitchell, Operation Song, 7 p.m. Saturday, November 14 Volunteering to Make History, Panel Discussion, 12 p.m. A compelling panel of students and professionals share their experiences, best practices, and what the Veterans History Project has meant to them. National EIP Registration Day Photo courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Today is National EIP Registration Day. To ensure all qualified individuals receive economic relief, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) set National EIP Registration Day to encourage non-filers to apply for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP). If you did not file a 2019 federal tax return, did not get an Economic Impact Payment, or did not register for an Economic Impact Payment already, you may qualify for an EIP. Use the IRS Non-Filers Tool by November 21 to register for an EIP. MNsure & Medicare Open Enrollment Reminder The MNsure and Medicare open enrollment period is now open for coverage beginning in 2021. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urges Medicare beneficiaries to review their coverage choices during the open enrollment period and compare coverage options to choose which health and prescription drug plans best meet their health needs in 2021. Medicare open enrollment is open until December 7, 2020. Go to Medicare.gov for more information. MNsure open enrollment is open until December 22, 2020. All plans sold through MNsure include comprehensive coverage so your family is covered, no matter what the future may hold. For more information and to enroll, visit MNsure.org. This Week in History President Eisenhower signing H.R. 7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954. Photo courtesy of The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs On Wednesday, November 11, we remember and give thanks to all those who have served in our military to protect the United States and our democracy. While the Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I in 1919, fighting ceased between Allied nations and Germany seven months prior on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. One year later, on November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson commemorated the first Armistice Day. It wasn't until 1954 when President Dwight Eisenhower signed H.R. 7786 changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day, a day dedicated to world peace and to honor veterans on the 11th day of November each year. Woodrow Wilson said, ""To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations"". Be sure to give thanks to our veterans this Wednesday.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-applauds-permit-progress-line-3,Peterson Applauds Permit Progress on Line 3,2020-11-12,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Detroit Lakes, Minn.) - Today, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources granted the remaining eight of 10 required permits, licenses and approvals for the proposed Enbridge Line 3 pipeline replacement project. The DNR made decisions granting two prior approvals on Oct. 19.The need for the project and the pipeline construction route were decided by the PUC in 2018 and reaffirmed as recently as June of this year. Line 3 is a 1,097-mile crude oil pipeline constructed in the 1960s that extends from Edmonton, Alberta to Superior, Wisconsin. Enbridge has replaced sections of Line 3 in Wisconsin and Canada and has been pursuing permits to replace sections in Minnesota since 2014. DNR's approval of the remaining permits a good sign for the Line 3 replacement project, Peterson said. The project has met or exceeded all requirements of the DNR and I am confident Enbridge will meet the requirements to secure the remaining state and federal approvals. Replacing the existing Line 3 will ensure the integrity of the pipeline and generate significant economic activity across northern Minnesota. In addition to the action by the DNR, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced approvals the 401 Water Quality Certification, which clears the way for a determination from the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding federal permits. Peterson noted the project will add an additional $35 million in property tax revenue for rural communities in Northern Minnesota. Additionally, it brings $2 billion in private infrastructure investment to Minnesota and more than 6,500 jobs the state over two-years. These are good paying jobs, and 4,000 will be union jobs. Pipelines are among the safest and most efficient methods of transporting fuel. A replacement will significantly improve Line 3's environmental footprint and integrity with the installation of state-of-the-art technologies. The existing pipeline needs to be replaced, and a modern replacement also significantly lowers the risk of a spill, and it means fewer heavy oil trucks and railroad tanker cars rolling through towns. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-statement-2020-election,Peterson Statement on 2020 Election,2020-11-04,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Collin Peterson issued the following statement regarding the results of the 2020 election: ""I'd like to thank the people of the Seventh District for their support over the years. Serving them in Washington DC has been a great honor, and I respect their decision to move in a different direction. We ran a strong and positive campaign, but with the President winning this district by 30 points again, and the millions in outside money that was spent to attack me, the partisan tilt of this district was just too much to overcome."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-1122020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 11/2/2020,2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Groundbreaking ceremony for the Ag Innovation Campus in CROOKSTON Dear Friends, I traveled to Thief River Falls to visit the Pennington County Justice Center. I spoke with County officials and presented the Board with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol for their new facility. On Thursday, I participated in a town hall meeting with members of the Association of Mature American Citizens on various issues facing western Minnesota. I shared some of my ideas for improving rural healthcare and my support for social security. After years of efforts and litigation, the Administration has a new rule that returns decisions about the management of the gray wolf population to the states. For years I advocated on behalf of livestock producers and sportsmen in the district who would directly benefit from the delisting of gray wolves and I am pleased with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision. COVID-19 is still a real danger and it is ripping through our region with record high daily numbers of new cases being reported. I was contacted about a crisis situation facing the McIntosh Senior Living facility and am doing what I can to see they get assistance, but I know more support is needed. We need the Senate to act on a COVID relief bill. They haven't done so since April, and a lot has happened since then. We've had more cases and we also know a lot more about the situation. These assisted living facilities shouldn't have to go through this alone, and they need the full support of the federal government. The CARES Act was a good step, but that was this past spring, and now we're headed into fall and winter, and we need to be ready for what's coming. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Pennington County's New Justice Center Presenting American Flag flown over the United States Capitol to Board Chairman Tveitbakk I met with the Pennington County Board to present a new American Flag that was flown over the United States Capitol for their recently re-developed county justice center. Darryl Tveitbakk, Board Chairman, and other board members walked me through their facility. The new addition contains a 90-inmate jail, county court rooms, judge chambers, law and record library, and other office facilities with the latest technology. Town Hall Meeting On Thursday, the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) hosted a virtual town hall where I answered questions from AMAC members in the 7th district. We discussed COVID-19, social security, healthcare, and other issues that are important to seniors. AMAC has about 7,000 members in western Minnesota so I was glad to have the chance to hear from them and answer their questions. Gray Wolf Recovery in Minnesota Tracking gray wolves on a pasture in Northern Minnesota June 2020 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final rule returning management of gray wolf populations to the States. Federal protections under the Endangered Species Act restored strong gray wolf populations years ago and this rule appropriately returns the authority to manage wolf populations and prevent livestock losses to State governments. For years, I have called for this change on behalf of livestock owners and rural communities in Minnesota. This announcement is welcome by agriculture and sportsmen alike: Mike Landuyt, President Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association - ""The Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association is excited for the announcement of the delisting of the Gray Wolf. Under the management of the Department of Natural Resources and continued support from Congressman Peterson, the Gray Wolf has successfully exceeded recovery population numbers. The management of the Gray Wolf is now in the hands of state officials who can best manage the population to benefit beef and livestock producers, as well as Gray Wolf habitat in our state. Thank you, Representative Peterson, for listening to our members' needs and leading this effort."" Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau President - ""Chairman Peterson has tirelessly advocated on behalf of farmers and ranchers to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. Minnesota Farm Bureau appreciates the leadership of the Chairman to make sure that this issue stayed at the forefront and solutions are found to return the management of gray wolves back to the states. Today's announcement by the federal government is great news for farmers and ranchers in Minnesota. Gary Wertish, President of Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) - ""I want to thank Chairman Peterson for his work to delist the grey wolf in Minnesota. It's important for Minnesota Farmers Union, because many of our family farmer members have lost livestock to wolves. This hurts farmers' bottom line and also often takes an emotional toll, to see an animal you care for get taken and feel like you can't do much about it. It's good to see the administration following Chairman Peterson's lead in returning management to the state."" John Dvorak, Past President of the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers, Past ASI Region III Director - ""The Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers are thankful for this long overdue news on delisting gray wolves. Thank you to Congressman Peterson for his leadership and diligence on this important issue for the sheep and cattle industries in Minnesota and across the country."" Craig Engwall, Executive Director, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association - ""MDHA is pleased that the Fish and Wildlife Service has delisted the gray wolf again and greatly appreciates the efforts of Congressmen Peterson and Stauber in returning wolf management to Minnesota. The wolf has met all recovery goals in Minnesota for decades and Minnesota DNR has shown that it can responsibly manage a wolf season. It is now time for DNR to begin the planning process for implementing a wolf season in 2021."" Gray wolf populations have exceeded federal recovery goals, and state management will only improve the relationship between wolves, wildlife, and people. Minnesota successfully managed its wolves when the Obama Administration delisted the gray wolf in 2011. That rule was unfortunately struck down in 2014 by a legal challenge brought before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In June, I joined federal wildlife officials to search for wolves that killed six calves on a pasture in Northern Minnesota. It can often be difficult to get compensation for cattle that have been killed by wolves. When evaluating livestock losses like these, I think we should trust farmers more and base the decision on whether to offset farmers' losses on their word and the evidence at hand. Click here to read more about the delisting of the gray wolf. Ag Innovation Campus groundbreaking in Crookston Agriculture leaders and elected officials at the Ag Innovation Campus groundbreaking ceremony In 2019, the Minnesota Legislature approved $5 million toward the Ag Innovation Campus (AIC) and it was signed by Governor Walz. The 67,000-square-foot soybean crushing facility in Crookston will allow universities, commodity groups, and private developers access to affordable processing that aims to lower costs while also promoting the growth of value-added products. In the last 20 years, soybean production has increased more than 300% in Northwest Minnesota and the AIC will be a great addition to our booming district. The Ag Innovation Center is projected to be in operation in October 2021. For more information contact AIC director Drew Lyon at 507-995-9495 or email him at (dlyon@mnsoybean.com). Questionnaire Results In last week's questionnaire, South Korea (pop. 51.6 million) reported a fraction of the Coronavirus deaths as North Dakota (760 thousand) yet South Korea has a 194% difference in population. I asked if you think our Federal Administration should be studying best practices of countries like South Korea which had and controlled Coronavirus outbreaks, this is what you said. I also asked for your thoughts on mask usage. The University of Washington projects that by mid-January, 359,493 Americans will have died from the Coronavirus. The University of Washington's model also projects that 52,000 fewer deaths would happen by Inauguration Day on January 20th if we can achieve 95% mask usage in public places (as has been done in Singapore). I asked if you think Americans could match the mask usage rate of Singapore, this is what you said. COVID-19 Updates & Resources Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise in Minnesota, visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up to date information on the Coronavirus Pandemic. The MDH has also announced that Minnesotans in two dozen counties or tribal nations are now able to order a free at-home saliva test. For more information, visit COVID-19 Test at Home. COVID-19 Community Testing Fergus Falls Armory 421 E Cecil Ave Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Wednesday, November 4: 2 - 6 p.m. Thursday, November 5: 12 - 6 p.m. Fergus Falls Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment Pipestone Armory 421 2nd Ave SW Pipestone, MN 56164 Wednesday, November 4: 2 - 6 p.m. Thursday, November 5: 12 - 6 p.m. Pipestone Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment COVID-19 Community Saliva Testing Moorhead Former Thomas Edison Elementary School 1110 S. 14th Street Moorhead, MN 56560 Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center 10 Fourth Ave South St. Cloud, MN 56301 Wednesday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health Parking in the west surface lot next to the Convention Center is available to those being tested. Look for the COVID-19 testing parking signs. Safe Voting Tomorrow is Election Day, protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, maintaining at least six feet apart from others, and if possible, vote at off-peak times, such as mid-morning. The risk of voting in person is comparable to going to the grocery store. If you requested an absentee ballot and have not sent it back yet, you can drop it off in-person at your local county election office or nearest ballot drop-off location. If you mailed your absentee ballot back, track your ballot to ensure it has been counted. Visit Safe Voting: COVID-19 for more information. Click here for more information on Election Day voting. Newsstand Five Tips for MN Business: SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Photo courtesy of the Small Business Association The Small Business Association (SBA) released five tips that Minnesota small business owners should know about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. Minnesota has over 102,00 forgivable PPP loans valued at approximately $11.3 billion, learn how PPP loan forgiveness can help your small business. 1. PPP loan forgiveness is applied for through a lender, not the SBA. Borrowers can download PPP loan forgiveness applications from SBA's website and then submit it with the required information to the lender that provided them with a forgivable PPP loan. Lenders have up to 60 days to review a PPP loan forgiveness application and the SBA has up to 90 days to review the forgiveness application once it's received from the lender. The SBA remits the amount forgiven to the lender, who must process the forgiveness payment before notifying the PPP borrower of the amount. 2. Approximately 69% of Minnesota's PPP borrowers are eligible for a simplified PPP loan forgiveness application that can take as little as 15 minutes to complete. 3. Businesses still need to document PPP loan money was spent on eligible expenses. Since a key part of forgiveness for PPP loans is using the money for eligible expenses, borrowers need to provide documentation, including verification of payroll and non-payroll expenses, with the forgiveness application as required by the CARES Act. 4.The SBA has already started remittance to lenders. The SBA began approving PPP loan forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to lenders for PPP borrowers on Oct. 2, 2020. 5. Help is available for the forgiveness process and recovery plans. To ease small businesses through the forgiveness process and empower them to confidently move their business forward, the SBA has set up a recovery hub at www.sba.gov/recovery with essential details, resiliency tips and connections to local assistance. SBA's Resource Partner Network which includes Minnesota Small Business Development Centers, SCORE Mentors, Women's Business Centers, and the Veterans Business Outreach Center also provides one-on-one business advising and technical assistance to small businesses at no- or low-cost. IRS Dependent EIP Reminder The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has extended the deadline to file for a $500 Economic Impact Payment (EIP) for qualifying dependents. Use the IRS Non-Filers Tool before Saturday, November 21 to receive an EIP. This includes federal beneficiaries who already received an EIP but did not receive a supplemental $500 payment for qualifying children. Deadline to request: Saturday, November 21, 2:00 p.m. CT. MNsure Open Enrollment Photo courtesy of MNsure The MNsure open enrollment period is now open for 2021 coverage. Act now, open enrollment runs November 1 through December 22 for coverage beginning on January 1, 2021. Nearly 66,000 Minnesotans in the Seventh District benefited directly from the Affordable Care Act. All plans sold through MNsure include comprehensive coverage so your family is covered, no matter what the future may hold. Go to MNsure.org for more information. Library of Congress: Through a Glass Darkly Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Discover what the Library of Congress has to offer from your own home. Virtually explore the Rare Book and Special Collection Division's Through a Glass Darkly: Frederick Hockley, Harry Houdini, and the Quest for Knowledge. Learn more about the differing lives of oculist, Frederick Hockley, and spiritual skeptic, Harry Houdini, and their quest for knowledge and truth. Event details: Virtual Event Link Thursday, November 12, 2020, 2:00 p.m. CT Meeting number (access code): 199 974 0579 Meeting password: Houdini@LC-123 Join by phone @ +1-510-210-8882 WebEx Virtual Room will open 15 minutes prior to start time This Week in History Photo courtesy of the Farmers' Almanac In January 1845, Congress mandated a uniform date for Election Day as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. But why Tuesday? And why November? During the late 19th century, most worked as farmers in rural areas. Busy in the spring with planting, harvest in the fall, and travel difficulty in the winter months, left early November as the best time of year for most voters. Congress chose the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November so there was no interference with church on Sunday and market day for farmers on Wednesday. With Election Day on a Tuesday, rural voters had Monday to travel to their polling place. Remember the history of this civic holiday as you vote this year! Views from the 7th Chilly morning at Maple Lake near MENTOR",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-applauds-rule-delist-gray-wolves,Peterson Applauds Rule to Delist Gray Wolves,2020-10-29,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final rule returning the management of gray wolf populations to the States. This final rule delists the gray wolf from federal protections under the Endangered Species Act, giving state governments the authority to manage gray wolf populations and prevent livestock losses in accordance with state law. I applaud the Fish and Wildlife Service for this final rule that delists the gray wolf in the lower 48 states, Rep. CollinPeterson said. Federal protections restored healthy gray wolf populations years ago, and this rule appropriately returns the management of gray wolves to the states. For years, I have called for this change on behalf of livestock owners and rural communities in Minnesota. This final rule allows Minnesota to set rules and protections for gray wolves that are more responsive to the needs of local communities. Mike Landuyt, President Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association - The Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association is excited for the announcement of the delisting of the Gray Wolf. Under the management of the Department of Natural Resources and continued support from Congressman Peterson, the Gray Wolf has successfully exceeded recovery population numbers. The management of the Gray Wolf is now in the hands of state officials who can best manage the population to benefit beef and livestock producers, as well as Gray Wolf habitat in our state. Thank you, Representative Peterson, for listening to our members' needs and leading this effort. Kevin Paap,Minnesota Farm Bureau President -Chairman Peterson has tirelessly advocated on behalf of farmers and ranchers to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. Minnesota Farm Bureau appreciates the leadership of the Chairman to make sure that this issue stayed at the forefront and solutions are found to return the management of gray wolves back to the states. Today's announcement by the federal government is great news for farmers and ranchers in Minnesota. Gary Wertish, President of Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) - I want to thank Chairman Peterson for his work to delist the grey wolf in Minnesota. It's important for Minnesota Farmers Union, because many of our family farmer members have lost livestock to wolves. This hurts farmers' bottom line and also often takes an emotional toll, to see an animal you care for get taken and feel like you can't do much about it. It's good to see the administration following Chairman Peterson's lead in returning management to the state. John Dvorak, Past President of the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers, Past ASI Region III Director - The Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers are thankful for this long overdue news on delisting gray wolves. Thank you to Congressman Peterson for his leadership and diligence on this important issue for the sheep and cattle industries in Minnesota and across the country. Craig Engwall, Executive Director, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association - ""MDHA is pleased that the Fish and Wildlife Service has delisted the gray wolf again and greatly appreciates the efforts of Congressmen Peterson and Stauber in returning wolf management to Minnesota. The wolf has met all recovery goals in Minnesota for decades and Minnesota DNR has shown that it can responsibly manage a wolf season. It is now time for DNR to begin the planning process for implementing a wolf season in 2021."" Congressman Collin Peterson has advocated for returning gray wolves to state management by introducing the bipartisanH.R. 4494, the Gray Wolf State Management Act that would delist the gray wolf in the WesternGreat Lakes Region, and H.R. 6035, the American Wild Game and Livestock Protection Act that would delist the gray wolf in the lower 48 states and protect the delisting from judicial review. The Administration's final rule delisting wolves in the lower 48 is similar to the text of H.R. 6053, which is cosponsored by Representatives Bishop (R-UT), Johnson (R-SD), and McAdams (D-UT). In June 2020, Congressman Peterson joined federal wildlife officials to search for wolves that killed six calves on a pasture in Northern Minnesota. Gray wolves (C. Lupus) in Minnesota were first protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1974 when the Minnesota gray wolf population of about 1,000 wolves was the only major U.S. population outside of Alaska. Today, more than 4,400 wolves inhabit northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, greatly exceeding the federal recovery criteria set by the FWS in 1992. Separate populations have also been reestablished in the Northern Rocky Mountains and the southwestern United States. The gray wolf in Minnesota was delisted by the Obama Administration in 2011, until the delisting was invalidated in 2014 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. During that time, the State of Minnesota managed its wolf population using procedures established by the state legislature in 2000.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-10262020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 10/26/2020,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Legislator of the Year Leather Vest Dear Friends, I met with Gary Goracke, the Legislative Director for the American Bikers for Awareness, Training, & Education (ABATE) of Minnesota to discuss important issues with bikers. Through my work on the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, I have advocated for the motorcycle community and I am honored to be named Legislator of the Year by ABATE Minnesota. Small businesses across the country are hurting which is why I co-sponsored H.R. 7777, the Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act which would provide automatic forgiveness to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under $150,000. When grass seed producers in the Seventh District reached out to me for assistance with Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments, I took their concerns to Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue, highlighting the need to provide assistance to these specific producers who have been affected by the pandemic. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District American Bikers for Awareness, Training, & Education Legislator of the Year Meeting with Gary Goracke Legislative Director for ABATE of Minnesota As a Member of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, I have been proud to champion issues important to bikers, including advocating for H.Res. 255, a resolution encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement. I'm honored to have been named Legislator of the Year by the Minnesota American Bikers for Awareness, Training, & Education of Minnesota (ABATE). Gary Goracke, of Villard, MN, Legislative Director for ABATE of Minnesota, Inc., recently presented me with this leather vest. Chairman's Corner COVID Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers I continue to hear from producers who have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. While the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) has helped many producers, farmers of certain products are still waiting for help. I sent a letter encouraging Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to provide assistance to grass seed producers who have been affected by the pandemic. As negotiations for additional relief continue, I am fighting to secure relief for our ethanol industry and for folks that had to depopulate livestock when processing plants shut down. It is important that we learn from this experience to prevent similar disruptions from happening again in the future. Working with Local Governments to Address Issues with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service My office briefed county officials from across the district to discuss my bills to address local issues with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). I introduced H.R. 8521, the Landowner Easement Rights Act that would give landowners the ability to renegotiate or buy out of FWS easements and set a 50-year limit on new conservation easements. I also introduced H.R. 8618, the Local Government Taxpayer Fairness Act to allow local governments to collect property taxes on any new land acquired by FWS. Lost property tax revenues and FWS's slow response to maintenance requests has made conservation projects weigh on our local governments. I appreciate the feedback of local leaders, and I will continue fighting to ensure FWS projects do not come at the expense of schools, police and other essential services. Looking Forward with AURI Leaders from the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) briefed my office on their future plans last week. They discussed AURI's areas of focus and their efforts to help farmers and food processors get more out of the commodities they produce. They provided an overview of their 2020 COVID Resiliency Survey that gathered input on the effect the pandemic has had on the agricultural supply chains. AURI is a great source of agricultural innovation and I look forward to hearing more about their work. Legislative Update H.R. 7777 Paycheck Protection H.R. 7777, the Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act will provide an automatic forgiveness to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under $150,000. Applicants must submit a one-page form with specified expenditure and demographic information. Small business owners and constituents around the Seventh District have asked for my support which is why I am proud to co-sponsor H.R. 7777, the Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act. Read the full bill text here. Redwood County Board of Commissioners Videoconference with the Redwood County Board of Commissioners and Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs representatives Members of my staff joined a virtual meeting with the Redwood County Board of Commissioners and representatives of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss the timeline for construction of the new Veterans Cemetery near Redwood Falls. The goal is to have the cemetery open by Veterans Day 2023 to serve over 22,000 veterans and their families. Veterans from the area asked for my assistance during a town hall in March 2019, and I will continue to work on this issue until the cemetery construction is complete. Click here to read the full press release. Questionnaire Results With COVID-19 cases on the rise, I asked you how important you think instituting a national testing and tracing program should be relative to other priorities facing the country? This is what you said. In last week's questionnaire, I asked if you think the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) should be required to pay full local property taxes on the land they acquire? This is what you said. I have heard from many constituents who need another round of economic relief. In last week's questionnaire, I also asked you what size package do you support? This is what you said. Valley Senior Services: Not-for-Profit of the Year Since 1971, Valley Senior Services (VSS) has assisted local seniors in a variety of ways. From fostering friendships, reducing malnutrition and isolation, providing transportation, and managing the local Meals on Wheels program, Valley Senior Services has had a tremendous impact on the community. They also help their clients by connecting them to the resources they need, VSS assisted nearly 400 seniors enroll in Medicare Part D and served more than 250,000 meals across six North Dakota counties in 2019. The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce has awarded Valley Senior Services with the Not-For-Profit of the Year. I am grateful to their staff, volunteers, and supporters for providing care for our seniors and treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Read the full article in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce Blog. National Co-op Month The electric co-ops say rain or shine, day or night, we're here for you and this month we celebrate their hard work during National Co-op Month. The community of Oklee, Minnesota is getting a new substation to replace the 70-year-old one that will be retired. Minnesota and Red Lake Electric crews worked hard to complete it this fall. The existing Oklee substation had reached the end of its useful life and needed to be rebuilt. The new substation will serve Oklee and Red Lake Electric long into the future. A Co-op's mission is to enrich the lives of their members and serve the long-term interests of their local communities and members. My thanks go out to all the Co-ops and their Members that keep our rural areas alive and the lights on. COVID-19 Updates & Resources Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise in Minnesota and with the holiday season approaching, now is the time to work together toward beating this pandemic. Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up to date information on the Coronavirus Pandemic and Protect Yourself & Others: COVID-19 for more information on what you can do to help. The 2020 General Election is nearly one week away. If you have not already voted, the Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging voters to stay safe through voting alternatives. The MDH suggests voting by mail and dropping ballots off at a ballot drop-off location are the safest methods. If you plan to vote in person on election day, wear a mask, try your best to avoid crowds, and stay at least six feet away from other if waiting in line. For more information, see Safe Voting: COVID-19. COVID-19 Free Saliva Community Testing: Moorhead Area Former Thomas Edison Elementary School 1110 S. 14th Street Moorhead, MN 56560 Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 - 7 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sign up for an appointment or learn more atCOVID-19 Community Saliva Testing. The MDH has also announced that Minnesotans in two dozen counties or tribal nations are now able to order a free at-home saliva test. For more information, visitCOVID-19 Test at Home. Newsstand MNsure Open Enrollment The 2021 MNsure open enrollment period will begin November 1 and will stay open through December 22. Nearly 66,000 Minnesotans in the Seventh District benefited directly from the Affordable Care Act, make sure you and your family are covered by signing-up for MNsure. Go to MNsure.org for more information. Medicare Open Enrollment The 2021 Medicare open enrollment is now open until December 7, 2020. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urges Medicare beneficiaries to review their coverage choices during the open enrollment period. Medicare beneficiaries can compare coverage options and choose which health and prescription drug plans that best meet their health needs in 2021. The redesigned Medicare Plan Finder makes it easier for beneficiaries to: Compare pricing between Original Medicare, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies; Compare coverage options on their smartphones and tablets; Compare up to three drug plans or three Medicare Advantage plans side-by-side; Get plan costs and benefits, including which MedicareAdvantage plans offer extra benefits; Build a personal drug list and find Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that best meets their needs. Go to Medicare.gov for more information. National EIP Registration Day To ensure all qualified individuals receive economic relief, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) set Tuesday, November 10th as National EIP Registration Day to encourage non-filers to apply for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP). If you did not file a 2019 federal tax return, did not get an Economic Impact Payment, or did not register for an Economic Impact Payment already, you may qualify for an EIP. Use the IRS Non-Filers Tool before the November 21 deadline. FEMA 10 Tips for CyberSafety Photo courtesy of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency This month is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released ten tips to protect yourself against potential cyber attacks. The following are things you can do now before a cyber attack occurs: Use strong passwords that are 12 characters or longer. Use upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Use a password manager. Use a stronger authentication such as a PIN or password that only you would know. Consider using a separate device that can receive a code or uses a biometric scan (e.g. fingerprint scanner). Watch for suspicious activity that asks you to do something right away, offers something that sounds too good to be true or needs your personal information. Think before you click. Check your account statements and credit reports regularly. Use secure Internet communications. Use sites that use HTTPS if you will access or provide any personal information. Do not use sites with invalid certificates. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that creates a secure connection. Use antivirus solutions, malware and firewalls to block threats. Regularly back up your files in an encrypted file or encrypted file storage device. Limit the personal information you share online. Change privacy settings and do not use location features. Protect your home network by changing the administrative and WiFi passwords regularly. When configuring your router, choose the WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) setting, which is the strongest encryption option. For more tips and resources to reduce risks, visit the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. This Week in History Photo courtesy of the National Park Service This week in history, on October 28th, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated as a gift of friendship from France to the people of the United States. To many Americans, the 151-foot tall Lady Liberty is a symbol of freedom, hope, and liberty. Views from the 7th Snowy day in FERGUS FALLS It may have come earlier than expected but nothing beats the look of fresh snow in the Seventh District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-10192020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 10/19/2020,2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Wheat field in the Seventh District Dear Friends, Two years ago, I made a promise that I would serve on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs so Minnesota Veterans would have a voice. Since that time, I have made veterans issues a top priority through the appropriations process and have fought for projects in the district and throughout the state that will benefit veterans and their families. As part of this work, I am very proud to announce that I was able to secure federal funding for the Veterans Cemetery in Redwood County which will serve over 22,000 veterans. Veterans from the area asked for my assistance to get this project done at a town hall meeting on veterans' issues I hosted in March 2019, and I will continue to work on it until it is built. Local communities continue to tell me about how excessive Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) land acquisitions are straining the local tax base. When the FWS takes productive land off the tax rolls it takes money away from schools, police, and other critical services leading to higher taxes for everyone else. I introduced a bill with Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) which would force the FWS to pay full property taxes on any new land they acquire, and stop them from buying any new land if they fall behind on their payments to local governments. FWS has been defunding our rural communities, and this bill would stop it. At a time when seniors have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus, the Social Security Administration announced the second-lowest Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security beneficiaries. Social Security is a lifeline to millions of seniors and I am supporting emergency legislation that would grant a 3% COLA increase. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Redwood County Cemetery Speaking with Veterans For over a decade, advocates have been fighting for the Redwood County Veterans Cemetery, and this month, the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notified the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) of their plans to award a $5.9 million grant to establish a State Veterans Cemetery in Redwood County. I joined the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs so I could better assist veterans on projects like this. I'm honored that I could help in the effort to get federal funding for this important project. It is very important to me that those who have served our nation are honored throughout their lives and are laid to rest with the respect and appreciation they deserve. Read what veterans have to say about the project and a timeline of steps to secure this federal award NCA grant here. Chairman's Corner Trade Discussions with United Kingdom Officials Videoconference with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and United Kingdom officials The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) invited agriculture leaders from across the state to a meeting with trade officials from the United Kingdom last week. The UK officials shared their perspective on the negotiations for a new trade agreement with the United States and I stated my support for a strong trade deal that improves market access for America's farmers and ranchers. There are difficult issues on both sides that will need to be addressed before a deal is reached, and I will do what I can to make sure the end product is good for our producers. I appreciate Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and his team at MDA for putting this meeting together. Trade is about relationships and meetings like this one help move negotiations in the right direction. Fish and Wildlife Service Compensation to Local Governments When the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) acquires new land, that land is taken off of the local tax rolls, reducing property tax revenues local governments use to fund schools, police and other essential services. I introduced the Local Government Taxpayer Fairness Act with Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) to require the Fish and Wildlife Service to pay full property taxes on new land they acquire, and stop them from buying land if they fall behind on their payments. Current programs compensating local government for FWS lands have fallen short in recent years and this legislation will ensure worthy conservation projects do not come at the expense of local taxpayers. Multi-County Farmers Union Meeting Wheat field in the Seventh District I was happy to address the Minnesota Farmers Union Multi-County meeting on Sunday, October 11th on Zoom. The Farmers Union members from Red Lake, Pennington, Marshall, Roseau, and Kittson counties held their first multi-county meeting. I was able to bring them up to date on some of the negotiations taking place in Washington, D.C. Farmers need to regain the agreed volume of ethanol that is used in gasoline by not allowing the EPA to issue so many waivers to large oil companies. Stepping up in the Seventh Photo courtesy of the Pipestone County Star On October 8th, a field in Northeast Jasper caught fire when an employee, operating a stalk chopper, hit a rock causing a spark to turn into flames. Local fire departments in Jasper, Pipestone, and Edgerton as well as near-by farmers, rushed to create a fire break to stop the spread. Jasper Fire Chief, Jeff Leslie, said the department had responded to various other fires before responding to this field. Luckily, no one was injured, however, ten acres of corn stalks were burned. The field owner described the experience as humbling to see local farmers and firefighters respond so quickly. In times of distress, farmers and emergency responders are quick to think on their feet in order to prevent damage in the Seventh District. Read the full article here in the Pipestone County Star. Legislative Update Emergency Legislation for Social Security COLA Increase The Social Security Administration recently announced a 1.3% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security beneficiaries. This is the second-lowest COLA ever granted. Between the years of 1999-2009, the average COLA increase was 3%. Seniors have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic as they've spent more money on food, deliveries, pharmaceuticals, personal protection equipment, and utilities. A 1.3% increase is not enough for our seniors, which is why I cosponsored emergency legislation to grant a 3% COLA increase for 2021. Now more than ever, it's important to make sure Social Security remains strong for the current and future generations of beneficiaries. For most individuals receiving Social Security, you may view your Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) notice online through your personal Social Security account. Log-in or create an account here. To read more about COLA and how it is calculated, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. Questionnaire Results Back in August, 62% of newsletter respondents said they didn't think the economy would recover without a Coronavirus vaccine. In last week's questionnaire, I asked how you felt about the process to guarantee a vaccine is safe once it is approved, this is what you said: In June, I asked how you felt about the Coronavirus in the United States. In the questionnaire last week, I asked for your thoughts again on the Coronavirus and which statement you felt was most accurate, here is what you said: Earlier this Spring, I asked for your thoughts on the guidance from the federal government for how Americans should best deal with the Coronavirus. In last week's questionnaire, I asked again if you think the guidance from the federal government for how Americans should best deal with the coronavirus has been clear and effective, here is what you said: COVID-19 Updates & Resources Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) For the most up to date information on COVID-19, visit the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This pandemic challenges our best efforts to stay healthy and safe. If my office can be helpful, please contact my office at 202-225-2165. Free COVID-19 Community Saliva Testing in Moorhead: Former Thomas Edison Elementary School 1110 S. 14th Street Moorhead, MN 56560 Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12:00 -- 7:00 PM Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 AM -- 4:00 PM Testing begins Saturday, October 17. Click here to schedule an appointment. Free three-day COVID-19 Community Testing in Crookston & Montevideo: Crookston Sports Center 801 Fisher Avenue Crookston, MN 56716 October 20 22, 12:00 6:00 PM Montevideo Community Center 550 1st Street South Montevideo, MN 56265 October 20 22, 12:00 6:00 PM Visit COVID-19 Community Testing to sign up for an appointment or learn more. Contact Tracing: If you've dined in at a restaurant lately, you've probably filled out your contact information. This information is used to contact patrons if a positive COVID-19 case was present at the same time. If a positive COVID-19 case were to arise in your community, make sure to answer telephone calls from public health contact tracers. See Tracing COVID-19 for more information. Newsstand Halloween Safety in the Seventh Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Halloween is right around the corner, protect your kids and grandkids by following the recommended tips from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for a safe Halloween and holiday season. There are still ways to enjoy fall festivities without putting yourself and others in harm's way. Carve or decorate pumpkins, have a candy scavenger hunt with your kids around the house, visit an apple orchard or find your way through a corn maze. Click here for safe Halloween activities. If you plan to trick-or-treat, avoid direct contact, and give treats to kids outdoors if possible. Try this: set up a station outside with individually bagged treats for children to take. Make sure to wash your hands before handling goodies and wear a mask. If you are going door to door, make sure to sanitize often. For more information, see Safe Holiday Celebrations during COVID-19. SBA PPP Forgiveness Since its implementation, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has provided critical economic relief for American small businesses. The PPP has supported more than 51 million jobs, provided 5.2 million loans, totaling $525 billion in relief. The Small Business Association (SBA) released a simpler loan forgiveness application for PPP loans at or under $50,000. To ease the burden on PPP lenders, the SBA and Treasury are allowing lenders to process applications faster. Visit the SBA Paycheck Protection Program Relief for more information. Department of Commerce SPRINT Challenge Photo courtesy of the U.S. Economic Development Administration The Department of Commerce recently announced a new grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Scaling Pandemic Resilience Through Innovation and Technology (SPRINT) Challenge. Through the CARES Act, there is $25 million in available funds, with a $750,000 cap per award. The SPRINT Challenge funding will support organizations with the creation, development, and implementation of technology-based economic development. For more information about this opportunity or how to apply, reach out to your local regional development commission who works with the EDA regularly. To find the regional development commission serving your community go to www.mado.org Grant application deadline: Thursday, December 3. This Week in History Photo courtesy of MinnPost, The New York Times, and Trek Earth This week in history, the Treaty of 1818 was signed on October 20, 1818, setting the Northern boundary of the United States from the Lake of the Woods in Minnesota along the Rocky Mountains at the forty-ninth parallel. The boundary was previously set during the Treaty of Paris in 1783, extending from Lake of the Woods to the Mississippi River. However, at the time, officials did not realize the Mississippi River was further South and could not reach the boundary line. The Treaty of 1818 created a pene-enclave, which would include the Northwest Angle as territory of the United States. Apart from Alaska, the Northwest Angle is the only part of the United States that lies north of the forty-ninth parallel. I have heard from many constituents with land in the Northwest Angle who are unable to travel through Canada due to COVID-19. I joined Representative DelBene (D-WA), in writing a letter to the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, asking to provide flexibility to Americans traveling to the Northwest Angle to visit family or tend to property.Read the full letter here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-smith-gosar-introduce-local-government-taxpayer-fairness-act,"Peterson, Smith, Gosar Introduce Local Government Taxpayer Fairness Act",2020-10-16,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, DC) - Today, Representatives Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Adrian Smith (R-NE) andCongressional Western Caucus ChairmanPaul Gosar (R-AZ),introduced the bipartisan Local Government Taxpayer Fairness Act that would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to pay local property taxes like a private landowner on land acquired by the agency following the enactment of the legislation. The Fish and Wildlife Service continues to squeeze taxpayers in rural communities each time they take productive land off the tax rolls. My bill will ensure that worthy conservation projects don't come at the expense of rural schools, police and other essential services. said Peterson. The Fish and Wildlife Service already owns more land than it can manage, and the agency should prioritize using newLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) funds to improve wildlife habitat on its current landholdings. If the agency must acquire more land it needs to fully compensate struggling townships and counties. Over a fourth of the land in the United States is owned and managed by the federal government,"" said Smith. ""This bill encourages the federal government to maintain these lands and provide proper stewardship rather than overextending resources and buying more land without local communities getting proper compensation. For too long thePayments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program has shortchanged our communities, while I believe we should move to a permanent PILT program, fixing local payments is critical. Too often the lack of payment by federal agencies leave our communities short changed to meet the needs of our schools, police and emergency services. I am proud to join my friend today in moving to protect local communities and promote conservation, said Gosar. ""Federal Payments In Lieu of Taxes help counties provide essential services that support untaxable federal public lands, including emergency response, search and rescue, fire prevention and infrastructure maintenance, said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. Unfortunately, newly acquired National Wildlife Refuge lands are not eligible for Payments In Lieu of Taxes, placing undue burdens on counties and local taxpayers. The Local Government Taxpayer Fairness Act will help public lands counties stabilize their budgets and improve essential service delivery to residents and visitors alike. We applaud Congressman Peterson for sponsoring this bill and hope to see Congress pass it swiftly. Counties across the state of Minnesota depend on federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to make up for lost property tax base due to federal land holdings. For some Minnesota counties, the federal government owns more than 50% of the entire county's available land. While counties are grateful for Congress' support of PILT payments, it is important to note that there is no guarantee that these payments match the true value of the land and require constant legislative attention just to keep up with inflation.AMC is appreciative and supportive of Rep. Peterson's efforts to create fairness and dependability surrounding the loss of revenue due to federal land holdings. Without a dependable tax base, rural communities are faced with levy pressures, reductions in services, andthreats to community viability. BACKGROUND Under current law, federal land management agencies like the Fish and Wildlife Service are not eligible for taxation by state or local governments. As federal agencies acquire land, local units of government lose the annual property tax revenue that would be generated if the land was privately owned. This loss of revenue shifts the tax burden onto local taxpayers who must cover any local budget shortcomings. Existing federal programs designed to compensate local governments for federal land holdings either do not apply to Fish and Wildlife Service land, or have been underfunded in recent years. Because of this, local governments with Fish and Wildlife Service land in their jurisdiction do not receive revenues equivalent to what private landowners would pay in property taxes. In August, the Great American Outdoors Act was enacted, providing permanent full funding of $900 million annually for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This funding can be used by land management agencies to better maintain land, but also to acquire additional federal land. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a principal source of funding for land acquisitions by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Local Government Taxpayer Fairness Act would give local governments the ability to treat the Fish and Wildlife Service like a private landowner for tax purposes on any lands acquired after the bill is enacted. Local governments would have the option to send an annual tax bill to the Department of Interior for payment. If the Department does not make all payments within one year, the agency will be prohibited from acquiring additional land until all payments have been made. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-applauds-federal-grant-redwood-county-veterans-cemetery,Peterson Applauds Federal Grant for Redwood County Veterans Cemetery,2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, DC) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has announced a $5.9 million grant for the creation of the State Veterans Cemetery in Redwood County. Representative Collin Peterson applauds the decision that would serve more than 22,000 veterans, their spouses and eligible family members. As a veteran of the National Guard and a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Peterson has worked on the federal level to secure this award. It is very important to me that those who have served our nation are honored throughout their lives and are laid to rest with the respect and appreciation they deserve, Peterson said. It's taken over 10 years of relentless advocacy by many people and groups to get to this point. I'm honored that I could help in the effort to get federal funding for this important project. Peterson added, I remain committed to supporting our veterans and prioritizing projects like this and the veterans homes proposed for Minnesota. It's why I sought my seat on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. When veterans asked for Congressman Peterson's support at a March 2019 town hall in Redwood County, Peterson made this project a priority at the federal level. He raised the project at Veterans' Affairs Committee hearings with Secretary Wilkie, and advocated for the project in meetings with the VA Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves and Veterans Cemetery Grant Program Director George Eisenbach. The Congressman made federal funding for programs that serve veterans his top priority in the appropriations process. Acceptance of this NCA grant opportunity begins a year-long process in design, planning and hopefully the final award of the grant dollars to MDVA at the start of federal fiscal year 2022, which begins October 1, 2021. MDVA is working with Redwood County officials to confirm the state's ownership of the property as a first step. There have been hurdles at all levels throughout the decade-long process to get funding for this Veterans Cemetery. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs deferred prior opportunities to move this project forward with the National Cemetery Administration, and the White House previously chose to not fund this project as well. Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke: We appreciate the NCA's support in expanding the State Veterans Cemeteries in Minnesota. This grant funding is an important first step in making this new cemetery a reality. Curt Hermanson, VFW State Commander: We thank Representative Peterson for cutting through bureaucratic red tape to secure the much needed funding for the new veterans cemetery in Redwood Falls. This accomplishment is important for veterans and their families throughout the entire south west Minnesota area. Mark Dvorak, American Legion Department of Minnesota Commander:The time is now to fund the Redwood Falls Veterans Cemetery. This community has an outstanding track record of supporting veterans and their families. Meanwhile, expansions to other cemeteries, rather than new ones, have been funded. The need for a veterans cemetery in this part of Minnesota is necessary, and expanding far-away cemeteries won't cut it. We are grateful to U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson for his work on this matter. Dustin Hunter, Redwood County Veterans Service Officer:It is great to know that the 22,198 unserved Veterans in SW MN are going to have the Benefit of this vital Veteran's Cemetery. Some Veterans have lost hope over the process but now that hope, has changed to cheers. Lisa Klenk, MACVSO, Sibley County Veterans Service Officer:""Having a Veteran Cemetery in southwest Minnesota enables Veterans families the opportunity to visit their loved ones resting place more frequently."" This will also give families more options for their Veterans resting place."" Greg Peterson, President of the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers:We are jubilant of news from the National Cemetery Administration to partner with the MN Department in Veterans Affairs in placing a Veterans Cemetery in South Western Minnesota. The majestic landscape of the Minnesota River Valley nearby Redwood Falls is the perfect location for our noble and valiant Veterans to rest in perpetuity with their brothers and sisters in arms. We eagerly look forward to the groundbreaking in 2021 and certainly the cemetery's completion and dedication thereafter. Veterans who wish to be buried there should consider completing a pre-registration to determine their eligibility. People should call 1-888-LinkVet (1-888-546-5838) or find their Service Officer at www.macvso.org A long path to securing the Redwood County Veterans Cemetery Award: Advocates have been fighting for over a decade for the Redwood County Veterans Cemetery before funds were finally secured. Between 2009 and 2012, the state deferred three federal funding opportunities for the project. During this time, other veterans cemeteries in Minnesota were funded and built (Preston opened in 2015 and Duluth in 2018). Local project sponsors never gave up. January 2019 Congressman Peterson secures a waiver to join the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs so that Minnesota has a committee representative for veterans March 2019 Congressman Peterson hosted a series of Town Hall for veterans. During the town hall meeting in Redwood Falls the status of Redwood County Cemetery's grant application is raised, and veterans request Congressman Peterson's assistance to get the project built. March 2019 Peterson's office follows up by working with House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC) to rush a request with National Cemetery Administration (NCA) NCA replies with info on how their priority lists work and shares information about the history of the project, including deferments. April 2019 Congressman Peterson sets up a meeting with Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves to discuss the Redwood Cemetery and the National Cemetery Administration. The Undersecretary has the responsibility for signing off the Priority List for which projects get funded. A future meeting is set up. June 2019 Peterson's office receives a briefing with Veterans Cemetery Grant Program Director George Eisenbach. July 11, 2019 Congressman Peterson meets with VA Under Secretary Reeves asking for his assistance to ensure that this project is prioritized for limited federal funding. A key takeaway from the meeting is the need to improve communication between all parties to ensure that deadlines are met, the project is best positioned for favorable consideration, and the project falls within the funding cap to be eligible. The deadline for the proposal submission is August 15, 2019 for consideration in the next fiscal year. July-Sept 2019 Peterson's office seeks additional information from Program Director George Eisenbach about the target project number for the Redwood Cemetery and communicate with county and state officials. September 2019 Congressman Peterson speaks at dedication of Fargo National Cemetery on the importance of honoring our veterans. September 10, 2019 Congressman Peterson provides an official Statement for the Record for the HVAC Member Day Hearing on the importance of funding for Veteran homes and cemeteries (attached). October 2019 Peterson's office seeks update from the Program Director on status of FY20 priority list. Veterans Day 2019 Congressman Peterson shares his priorities for veterans including the Redwood Cemetery at the Committee's Member Day Statement. November 2019 During a Vietnam Veteran Pin delivery, Congressman Peterson asks VA about the status of Redwood. NCA follows up later with a briefing. They are not clear about if Redwood received an award. December 2019 In response to request for clarity, VA sends program directors' info. January 2020 Peterson office seeks update from Program Director and learn that the Redwood Cemetery was not funded. Peterson's office holds planning session with the House Appropriations Committee on Peterson's veterans' priorities including the Redwood Cemetery. February 2020 - Congressman Peterson drafts Op-Ed: Delays in Redwood Veterans Cemetery are unacceptable. February 2020 - Congressman Peterson submits questions at the Budget Hearing with VA Secretary Wilkie covering the priority list for state veterans homes and the need for additional federal resources in order complete the Redwood Cemetery. March 2020 - Congressman Peterson makes Veterans Cemetery funding one of his top priorities in the Appropriations process and requests bumping up funding from $45 million to $70 million given the number has been stagnant for many years while our veterans are aging. August October 2020: Redwood County reaches out to Peterson's office for an update on their project. His office connects with the Program Director on its timeline and prospects. The State shares that on August 5, 2020 they had requested an increase for Redwood County proposal in the amount of $9.9 million (up from recommended $5.99 mil). Peterson office follows up with the Program Director again and VA Congressional Affairs on questions about project's position on the priority ranking list. October 2020 The State officially received a Grant Opportunity to build the Redwood Cemetery and accepts the federal funding. The House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a full committee hearing with VA Secretary Robert Wilkie titled U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2021. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-welcomes-announcement-crp-payments-producers,Peterson Welcomes Announcement of CRP Payments to Producers,2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON (October 15, 2020) Representative Collin C. Peterson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement that USDA will issue $1.68 billion in payments to farmers through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) as part of the Department's implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill: When penciling out a balance sheet, ag producers and landowners count on payments from CRP and other programs they're enrolled in to pay property taxes and input costs. With all the uncertainty in the farm economy right now, it's imperative that these payments show up on time. I'm glad that USDA has committed to getting this money out the door while we're operating under a continuing resolution. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-10122020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 10/12/2020,2020-10-13,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Happy National Farmers Day Sugar Beet Cart in (EAST GRAND FORKS) Dear Friends, Sugar beet harvest has been in full swing this past week and has even finished up for some farmers in the Seventh District. Dairy Margin Coverage sign-up begins October 13. While working on the 2018 Farm Bill, I fought for dairies by establishing the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) to provide dairy operations with risk management coverage. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is an important tool in fighting the Coronavirus, but the United States is still lacking in supply, which is why I cosponsored the MAKE PPE Act in Congress. This bill will encourage American manufacturers to make necessary supplies including PPE and create a strategy to distribute protective equipment nationally. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Chairman's Corner Signup for 2021 Dairy Margin Coverage Begins Oct. 13th Dairy farmers may sign-up for 2021 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office from October 13th to December 11th, 2020. Any producer that has already signed up for five years does not need to apply again. The DMC program was established in the 2018 Farm Bill to provide dairy operations with risk management coverage that pays producers when the difference (the margin) between the national price of milk and the average cost of feed falls below a certain coverage. I worked for years to establish a program for dairies in the Farm Bill and I encourage dairy producers to sign up for DMC. Dairies are an important part of the economy in Western Minnesota and I am an advocate for them as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. I am honored to have been named the 2020 Legislator of the Year by the Minnesota Milk Producers Association in September. Click here for more information on the Dairy Margin Coverage Program. The MAKE PPE Act In a previous newsletter questionnaire, I asked you about manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the United States. 94.1% of you said that you support a federal strategy to encourage domestic manufacturing of critical products. I agree and have cosponsored the MAKE PPE Act which would encourage American manufacturing companies to start making PPE and other necessary supplies in the United States and create a federal strategy for distributing them during a national emergency such as a pandemic. I know how important it is for our economy to invest in American-made products and have the necessary tools to prepare for an emergency. Protecting Regional Sports Networks The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the 2020 baseball, basketball, and hockey seasons. And now, Minnesota sports fans could lose access to their beloved home state teams, as Fox regional sports networks could be dropped from Hulu. I sent a letter to Disney and Sinclair Broadcasting urging an agreement to ensure Minnesotans can retain access to regional sports networks. Local sports are a beloved tradition and provide a safe avenue for folks across our state to support one another. My letter encourages the two companies to work together to keep Minnesota sports teams on your TV. Read the full letter here. Stepping up in the Seventh Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Homeland Security & Emergency Management Fifteen Minnesota firefighters returned home last week after helping fight wildfires in Oregon. The volunteers were from departments across Minnesota, including the Seventh District communities of Bemidji and Fisher. The crews caravanned from Fergus Falls across the country with nine vehicles, including four large engines and a giant tender that can carry 2,000 gallons of water. You can always count on Minnesotans to lend a helping hand. Read the full article here. Legislative Update I recently took a number of actions in support of our veterans after hearing from the Minnesota VFW a couple of weeks ago. One issue they brought to my attention was the problem of toxic exposure at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan, where many service members were deployed after 9/11 en route to Afghanistan. I signed on to H.R. 5957, the K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020, to direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study regarding toxic exposure by members of the Armed Forces deployed to K2, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry regarding such exposure, and for other purposes. I raised this issue with the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Takano and made sure he was aware of the impact to Minnesota veterans and my interest in this issue. I also made sure my staff connected with the office of Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), the co-sponsor of H.R.5957. Because of that connection, I learned about a letter that Rep. Green was leading to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conferees asking them to retain a K2-related provision in the final conference agreement, and I signed on to that as well. I appreciate hearing from my constituents on the issues that impact them, and I was happy to take these actions in support of our Minnesota veterans. Questionnaire Results Over 213,000 lives have been lost due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). In last week's questionnaire, I asked if you thought people in your area act with the proper amount of respect for the virus. Here is what you said: Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act The House of Representatives passed the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act on September 25th, including many provisions to help our economy become more sustainable. The bill takes practical steps to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and makes investments in new technologies to increase energy efficiency in different parts of the economy. I have met with Citizens Climate Lobby members from Western Minnesota on many occasions and was happy to support this legislation that addresses some of their priorities. 2020 Commanders Task Force Meeting From left to right top to bottom: Ben Johnson -- MN Department of Veterans Affairs, Alejandra Henriquez Congressman Emmer's Office, Rolli Olson Congressman Phillips' Office, Jerry Kyser UVLC, Alex Schueller Senator Smith's office, Tommy Johnson VFW, Bob Dettmer Minnesota State Rep, Greg Swanholm Senator Klobuchar's Office,Minnesota Department of Veterans AffairsCommissioner Herke. My Military and Veteran's outreach staff Meg Louwagie attended the 2020 Minnesota Commanders Task Force Meeting. Meg, along with representatives of other House and Senate offices, gave updates on the current work our offices are doing for Veterans. Representatives on the call included the Veterans of Foreign Wars, United Veterans Legislative Council, Minnesota County Veterans, Minnesota County Veteran Service Officers, as well as Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Herke. CODEL Breakfast Briefing Minnesota National Guard Congressional Staff Briefing My staff attended the Congressional Staff Briefing with the Minnesota National Guard. The briefing discussed several topics including, C130 Strategic Overview, Civil Disturbance Summary, Minnesota National Guard Deployment information, and their current legislative priorities. RiverView Health Building Project The new RiverView Health building The RiverView Health Building Project is nearing the finish line with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week. This project, called RiverView 2020, was a plan for a new hospital and clinic for delivering healthcare services in the Crookston area. The $51 million proposal consists of an 80,000 square-foot, two-story building to replace RiverView's current hospital and clinic. The upper level of the building consists of the Inpatient Unit with 18 universal patient rooms, three labor and delivery rooms, and four family suites. Every room has a private bathroom and a large floor plan to allow caregivers and patients adequate space. The ground floor is home to all three of RiverView's current Crookston Clinics consolidated into one large clinic. The new clinic has 48 exam rooms, four procedure rooms, and four consultation rooms. The project also includes a lobby cafe, relocated gift shop, and an 80-occupant training and conference center. The new facility is scheduled to open on Oct. 25. My congratulations go out to the Crookston Community on the completion of their new hospital and clinic. COVID-19 Updates & Resources Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) We're almost halfway through October and with Halloween quickly approaching, it's time to start thinking about how to have safe holiday celebrations during COVID-19. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) knows Halloween may look different this year so they've created a list of ideas and resources to promote a safe holiday season. Visit the MDH Safe Holiday Celebrations during COVID-19 webpage for more information. With the 2020 General Election less than 25 days away, MDH has put together tips and resources for safe voting during COVID-19. MDH suggest to plan and prepare ahead of time, avoid crowds when you can, practice healthy behaviors, and consider other forms of voting like early in-person or by mail. For the most up-to-date information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) visit the Minnesota Department of Health. For information on Community Testing, click here. If you do get COVID-19, a case interviewer will want to learn more about who you've recently come in contact with. Use the MDH Tips to Remember Your COVID-19 Contacts (PDF)?to help jog your memory or keep track of who you may have been in contact with. Newsstand Congressional App Challenge Is your middle or high schooler interested in learning more about computer science and technology? There is only one week left to submit an original app to the Congressional App Challenge. Students can work individually or in teams to create a digital app. Submissions are reviewed and judged by a panel who will pick the winner for Minnesota's 7th District. This is the first year my office is hosting this competition and I look forward to reviewing the innovative creations from students of Western Minnesota. Visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.usfor more information and to apply. 2021 Capitol Hill Challenge Every year, public school students across the country participate in the Capitol Hill Challenge (CHC), an online education competition to promote financial literacy and an understanding of economics. In teams, students manage a $100,000 online portfolio including bonds, mutual funds, cash, and investments. This hypothetical situation allows students to learn basic workplace skills, strengthen their critical thinking, and improve personal financial behavior. The top ten teams will win prizes and the opportunity to connect with economic, business, and government leaders. The Capitol Hill Challenge is open to middle and high schoolers in the Seventh District. This year, up to two students can participate from each Congressional District. If you are interested in participating, please contact Chelsea.Cornett@mail.house.gov. For more information about the 2021 Capitol Hill Challenge, please contact CapitolHill@sifma.org Extended EIP Deadline On Monday, the Internal Revenue Service announced that it has extended the deadline to file for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP). If you did not file a 2019 federal tax return, did not get an Economic Impact Payment, or did not register for an Economic Impact Payment already, you may qualify for an EIP and are encouraged to file before Saturday, November 21, 2020. Register and file as soon as possible using the IRS Non-Filers Tool before November 21. Social Security Updates Sign up for Medicare Part B: You can now sign up for Medicare Part B online. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and would like to enroll in Part B during the Special Enrollment Period, visit the Medicare Part B webpage. You can also complete Form CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B) and Form CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information) online. Make sure to state when you want Part B coverage to begin in the remarks section of the CMS-40B form or online application. Social Security Spouses' Benefits: Planning ahead and knowing about your social security benefits will help you plan your financial future. Visit the Social Security Administration's Retirement Benefits page for useful information and benefit planners. Now more than ever, women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit towards monthly retirement income. Yet on average, women tend to face greater economic challenges during retirement than men. The Social Security Administration has compiled specific information on retirement benefits for women. If you've worked and paid taxes into the Social Security system for at least 10 years, and have earned a minimum of 40 work credits, you may be eligible for your own benefits. Visit the Social Security for Women page and the What Every Woman Should Know publication. Social Security for Veterans and Active Duty Military Members: Social Security is a crucial resource for military members and families. If you are or know a wounded veteran, please visit the Social Security Wounded Warriors webpage. This Week in History Photo Courtesy of the Washington Farm Bureau. October 12th marks National Famers Day, a day to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work that goes into feeding and fueling America. The United States Department of Agriculture's 2017 Census of Agriculture estimates there are nearly two million farms in the United States with over three million producers. The agriculture industry is an integral part of our country's economic development; from raw materials and international trade to sourcing our food supply and providing employment opportunities, the industry provides us with so much, and today we give thanks. Happy National Farmers Day to my fellow farmers and ranchers in the Seventh District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/seventh-district-fuel-retailers-receive-biofuel-infrastructure-grants,Seventh District Fuel Retailers Receive Biofuel Infrastructure Grants,2020-10-08,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, DC) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it is awarding sixgrants totaling nearly $1.9 million dollars to fuel retailers in Minnesota through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Grants will be used to expand sales of ethanol and biodiesel by investing in compatible fuel dispensers and storage tanks at local fueling stations. USDA utilized funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to deliver HBIIP. Recipients in the 7th Congressional District include: Northdale Oil Inc. West Central Petroleum Services, Inc. Northdale Oil Inc. will use the grant to replace 16 dispensers at fueling stations in Bemidji, Clearbrook and East Grand Forks. Meanwhile, West Central Petroleum Services, Inc. will replace nine dispensers at their Parkers Prairie fueling station. These investments will increase annual ethanol sales by 1.4 million gallons in the 7th district alone. Rep. Collin Peterson said. A lack of compatible infrastructure is a major hurdle to expanding ethanol sales and these investments will go a long way to increase consumer access to higher blended fuels. Congressman Peterson is a co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress who advocate for homegrown renewable fuel policies that boost farmer incomes and reduce dependence on foreign oil. He is also the sponsor of theRenewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act of 2019, a bill which provides certainty to the biofuels industry by setting an annual deadline for small refinery exemption applications and bringing transparency to the process. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-1052020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 10/5/2020,2020-10-06,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Sugar Beet Field at Sunset in HALSTAD Dear Friends, The House of Representatives passed 214-207 the HEROES Act 2.0 on Thursday, October 1. I voted no on this bill because small businesses, restaurants, resorts, farmers, and families need relief from the hardships they face due to COVID-19. We need to focus on the issues that are most pressing to our constituents and I will only support a package that is realistic and will help those who need it most. Members of the House Agriculture Committee hosted a briefing on the history and current role of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), an important part of the agriculture safety net. Members had an opportunity to learn more about the way it operates and how it supports agriculture prices and farm revenues. I also participated in the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry hearing where members discussed the challenges and successes of conservation programs in 2020. During the hearing, I expressed the concerns I've heard from producers in Western Minnesota regarding access to conservation programs. The USDA should ensure producers can find the best program for their farm and assist during the sign-up process. I traveled to Frazee last week to visit with Mayor Ken Miosek as the city works to secure a new location for their Post Office. Having access to the United States Postal Service is critical to rural communities. I have been working for years with farmers who have been given the runaround by the Fish and Wildlife Service about conservation easements on their property. To help them, I have introduced the Landowner Easement Rights Act with Representative Kelly Armstrong (R-SD) to limit the term of conservation easements from the Department of Interior to 50 years while also giving current owners of conservation easements the option to renegotiate or buy out, once the easement has been in effect for 50 years. The Fish and Wildlife Service has been totally out of control and my bill would give landowners a chance to get out from underneath the thumb of the federal government. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District New Post Office for Frazee Visiting with Mayor Ken Miosek Recently, I traveled to Frazee to visit with Mayor Ken Miosek about the city's efforts to secure a new location for their Post Office. I know how difficult these projects can be but also know how important they are to the community. Frazee has a good plan and I look forward to visiting next summer when it's complete. In the meantime, my staff continue to work with city officials and the United States Postal Service on a strategy for a smooth transition. Chairman's Corner Speaking to members of the House Committee on Agriculture I brought members of the House Committee on Agriculture together for a briefing on the history and current role of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The Committee heard presentations from the Congressional Research Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture about the CCC and had the opportunity to ask questions. The CCC's primary purpose is to support agricultural prices and farm revenues, and funds have been directed to a wide range of programs over the years. Recently, trade assistance through the Market Facilitation Program and pandemic relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program have utilized CCC funds. The CCC is an important part of the agriculture safety net and this briefing gave Members an opportunity to learn more about the way it operates. Speaking at the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry Hearing On Thursday, the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing to discuss the challenges and successes of conservation programs in 2020. The Subcommittee heard from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Kevin Norton, academics and representatives of conservation organizations. I used my time to ask Chief Norton about concerns producers in Western Minnesota have raised regarding access to USDA conservation programs. The Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program are important tools that help farmers conserve natural resources and soil health. The agency should ensure that producers can find the best program for their farm and help them get signed up if they are eligible. Landowner Easement Rights Act I introduced the bipartisan H.R. 8521, the Landowner Easement Rights Act with Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND). This legislation would limit the term of conservation easements from the Department of Interior to 50 years and give current owners of conservation easements an option to renegotiate or buy out once the easement has been in effect for 50 years. It would also give owners of Fish and Wildlife easements that were created without corresponding maps in the 60s and 70s an immediate opportunity to renegotiate or buy out. Dozens of landowners have contacted my office frustrated with the way permanent easements affect their use of land and this bill would give producers a way out while still giving landowners options for long-term conservation agreements. Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau President: The Chairman continues to fight for common-sense solutions for Minnesota's farmers and that work continues through his legislation to address ongoing issues with Conservation Easements. Minnesota Farm Bureau appreciates his leadership in finding solutions to help landowners address current issues with previous easements and providing clear guidelines for the future. Minnesota Farm Bureau strongly supports this bill. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Jamie Beyer: On behalf of Minnesota's nearly 28,000 soybean farmers, we applaud Congressman Peterson and Rep. Armstrong for introducing this bipartisan legislation that aims to ease burdens on landowners for future generations. Permanent easements jeopardize future food and fuel production, and farmers need the ability to recover land if and when conditions change. It is our most valuable and limited resource, and the conservation easements end up being a vault that can never be opened. This legislation would be a big step in the right direction for Minnesota family farmers. Click here for more information about the Landowner Easement Rights Act. Service Academy Night Virtual Service Academy Night Service Academy Coordinator, Meg Louwagie, hosted a Virtual Service Academy Night on Thursday. There were 47 participants including Representatives from the United States Air Force Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy as well as Air Force Academy ROTC and the United States Coast Guard Academy. Applications for Service Academy nominations are due October 30, 2020. Please visit the Academy Application Packet on my website for more information and to apply. If you have any questions, please contact Meg.Louwagie@mail.house.gov. Minnesota Military & Veteran Exchange The Twin Cities Military and Veteran Exchange Videoconference My staff aide Meg Louwagie participated in the Minnesota Military & Veteran Exchange (MNME) Zoom meeting to discuss Veteran issues and the Experience 2020 event that is a rallying event for all MN Military-Connected currently serving, prior service, Veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters. Free sessions include healthcare, Veterans benefits, economic stability, social connection, and more. Experience 2020 will be held virtually on October 29, 2020, from 9:30 am 5:00 pm. If you are interested in attending, please register here. Celebrating the Retirement of Wilfred Roos It has been seven years since the University of Minnesota initiated the pairing of German cities with Warren, Morris, Duluth, Rochester and Elk River for collaboration on environmental stewardship. Last week, the Mayors and City Administrators of the Minnesota cities joined a Zoom conference celebrating the retirement of Mayor Wilfred Roos of Saerbeck, Germany. Saerbeck is a midsized town (population 7,200) in northwest Germany known for its enthusiastic approach to environmental sustainability. This includes the school with its solar system on the roof, to city-owned wind turbines and solar panels on the sides of former WWII German bunkers. They also generate gas from nearby farm silage piles and garbage to operate electric generators. The Mayors of Rochester, Duluth, Morris, along with City Administrators of Warren and Morris gave Mayor Roos glowing compliments for his environmental work and his collaboration over the last few years. Questionnaire Results In last week's questionnaire, I asked whether you thought it is the responsibility of the states or the federal government to control the cross border spread of infectious diseases like the Coronavirus, here is what you said: I also put your Congressional trivia skills to the test when I asked how many Representatives or Senators from Minnesota have Chaired the House or Senate Committees on Agriculture since Minnesota became a state in 1858. Here is what you said: The correct answer is one. I am proud to serve as the only Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from Minnesota and I will continue to fight for farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture industry. COVID-19 Updates & Resources Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Just like any other year, the Influenza (Flu) with be around this fall and winter but this year both the flu and COVID-19 will be circulating. You can protect yourself and others by getting a flu vaccine. To prevent the spread of the flu and COVID-19, stay home if you feel sick, clean frequently touched surfaces, wear a mask, cover your cough, and maintain six feet distance from others. For the most up to date information regarding COVID-19, visit: MDH Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 Testing Recommendations for Long-term Care Facilities (PDF). COVID-19 Community Testing The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will be providing safe and free COVID-19 testing at the Willmar Armory this week. For more information or to sign up for an appointment, visit the MDH COVID-19 Community Testing. Willmar Armory 614 Highway 71 Service Road Willmar, MN 56201 - Tuesday, October 6, 12 - 6 p.m. - Wednesday, October 7, 12 - 6 p.m. - Thursday, October 8, 12 - 6 p.m. Blood Donations Needed Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Blood donations have been low due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and social distancing measures. Blood banks are still in need of donations and are asking healthy people to donate. To prevent the spread, donation centers are taking additional measures like spacing out donation beds and appointments. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the American Red Cross: Blood Services or Memorial Blood Centers: Coronavirus and Blood Donations. Newsstand Minnesota Board on Aging Grant Funds Photo courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association Helpline The Minnesota Board on Aging awarded grant funds to twelve communities in Minnesota. Bemidji $114,348, Park Rapids $49,569, and Wadena $49,257 received funding for increased awareness of dementia, to connect caregivers and to identify evidence-based staff training. The grant-funded projects will support people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The Board on Aging estimates a nearly 25% increase in diagnoses by 2025. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, said Susan Mezzenga, Chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging. Timely diagnoses using appropriate tools is key to treatment and support. An estimated 97,000 Minnesotans over age 65 have Alzheimer's disease. That number is projected to increase by 24% to 120,000 by 2025. Alzheimer's poses an array of challenges-emotional, medical, financial and social - to family members of those with the disease. Seventy percent of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are cared for in their homes; 75% of that care is given by family, friends and neighbors, according to the U. S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment. As our society ages and our senior population grows, we need to invest in healthcare and medical research for our elders. Questions about the Grant Awards can be directed to the Minnesota Board on Aging, 651-431-4395 Alzheimer's Association Helpline, 800-272-3900 Winter Farmers' Market Cost-Share Program Minnesota farmers' markets who are looking to ensure vendors and customers comply with social distancing and sanitary guidelines during the upcoming winter market season are encouraged to apply for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Safe at the Farmers' Market Cost-Share program. Approximately $10,000 will be available in total. Eligible markets may be reimbursed up to $300 for the purchase of equipment that will help markets comply with the Guidance for Minnesota Farmers Markets and Vendors. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, applications are being accepted through December 15, 2020 or until all funds have been awarded. For more information and to apply online, visit MDA's Safe at the Winter Farmers' Market Cost-Share web page. Manufacturing Week Governor Tim Walz proclaimed October 1-7th as Manufacturing Week. Manufacturing plays a large role in Minnesota's economy. Last year, the manufacturing industry added $52.7 billion to the state's economy making it the second-largest industry in Minnesota. The industry also employs nearly 324,000 jobs, accounting for 13% of all private-sector jobs statewide. Some counties in the Seventh Congressional District, like Roseau county, manufacturing makes up almost 60% of their total employment. Last year, 190 businesses participated in Manufacturing Week. Learn how you can participate in Manufacturing Week here. Find out more about this year's tours on theStatewide Tour of Manufacturing website. Employers can learn abouttraining opportunitiesthroughCareerForceand can visit DEED'sManufacturing Week web sectionfor help with planning events. VA Digitization of Archived Vietnam-era Deck Logs With help from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently digitized declassified deck logs in order to process benefit claims faster for eligible Vietnam Veterans. To establish presumption to herbicide exposure for disability benefits, deck logs from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard contain useful information to validate claims from Blue Water Navy Veterans who may have served in offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam. VA digital images of deck logs are available in the National Archives Catalog. Veterans, dependents and surviving spouses may contact approved Veterans Service Organizations for assistance in filing a claim. Learn more about Agent Orange or call 800-827-1000 for more information. EIP Deadline Reminder The deadline to file for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is approaching quickly. If you don't normally file taxes, you may be eligible for an EIP. Individuals who are low-income workers, experiencing homelessness, independent students, or do not have a bank account are encouraged to file applications for an EIP. If you have a dependent under 17 and didn't receive a $500 EIP earlier this year, use the Non-Filer tool on the IRS website by September 30 to provide information on your qualifying child. For adult non-filers, the deadline to file and claim an EIP is October 15. For more information visit, IRS.gov/coronavirus or IRS.gov/eipnonfiler. Congressional App Challenge There are two weeks left to apply for the Congressional App Challenge. This nationwide challenge is open to middle and high school students in Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District. The Congressional App Challenge encourages students to learn coding while inspiring them to pursue careers in technology and computer science. I am a member of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) caucus, which is why I am proud to host this competition and look forward to seeing the entries from students throughout Minnesota's Seventh District. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 19, 2020. To find more information or to submit your app, visit: http://www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us This Week in History Photo courtesy ofKijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin First Nation This week in history, on October 10, 2016, Governor Mark Dayton signed a proclamation declaring this date to be the first state-wide Indigenous Peoples' Day, celebrated in place of Columbus Day. This year, Indigenous People's Day will take place on Monday, October 12th.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-armstrong-introduce-landowner-easement-rights-act,"Peterson, Armstrong Introduce Landowner Easement Rights Act",2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Today, Representatives Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) introduced the Landowner Easement Rights Act that would place a 50 year limit on conservation easements under the Department of Interior and give owners of existing easements the option to renegotiate, renew, or buy out of the easement. Following the passage of the Wetlands Loan Act in 1963, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) began rapidly acquiring permanent easements without taking time to create corresponding maps. The agency resumed the mapping of easements in 1976. In January 2020, the agency started the process of mapping easements without maps, creating disputes over the easement boundaries with current landowners. The Fish and Wildlife Service is totally out of control. In the 60s and 70s farmers were given a few hundred dollars to put conservation easements on land that was often too wet to farm, Peterson said. Now the FWS is using these easements without maps to harass farmers and prevent them from farming land that is outside of the original easement. My bill would put an end to FWS permanent easements and give landowners a chance to get out from underneath the thumb of the federal government. This bill would allow long-term conservation projects to continue, while offering landowners a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reevaluate the terms of the agreement. This would be especially helpful for landowners in Western Minnesota who have disputed the location of unmapped easements created on their property more than four decades ago. Upon passage of this act, owners of permanent easements established prior to 1977 without a corresponding map would have the option to renegotiate and renew an easement for a maximum term of 50 years,or buy the easement back from the Department of Interior. Owners of other permanent conservation easements would have the opportunity to renew or remove the easement once it has been in place for 50 years. In 2019, Congressman Collin Peterson invited the Deputy Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service to Western Minnesota to hear the concerns of landowners directly. His Congressional office has assisted dozens of landowners with FWS easement cases. This legislation continues Congressman Collin Peterson's efforts to hold federal land management agencies accountable by ensuring they provide fair treatment and compensation to local communities. Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau President: The Chairman continues to fight for common sense solutions for Minnesota's farmers and that work continues through his legislation to address ongoing issues with Conservation Easements. Minnesota Farm Bureau appreciates his leadership in finding solutions to help landowners address current issues with previous easements and providing clear guidelines for the future. Minnesota Farm Bureau strongly supports this bill. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Jamie Beyer: On behalf of Minnesota's nearly 28,000 soybean farmers, we applaud Congressman Peterson and Rep. Armstrong for introducing this bipartisan legislation that aims to ease burdens on land owners for future generations. Permanent easements jeopardize future food and fuel production, and farmers need the ability to recover land if and when conditions change. It is our most valuable and limited resource, and the conservation easements end up being a vault that can never be opened. This legislation would be a big step in the right direction for Minnesota family farmers. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-9282020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 9/28/2020,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Sunrise over fields in MORRIS Dear Friends, Fall harvest is underway in the Seventh District and as a reminder, please be extra cautious with the additional farm equipment and trucks on the road. The House passed a short-term government funding bill that I supported after securing a provision that will ensure farm safety net and conservation payments go out to farmers on time. The House also passed H.R. 4447 which included a modified version of my bill, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Integrity Act. This bill stops the EPA from undermining the RFS targets that support corn farmers, ethanol producers, and our rural economy. This week the House of Representatives is considering another Coronavirus relief package to provide support to hard-hit businesses. The House last passed a comprehensive bill on May 15th, but the Senate didn't consider that or any other bill. Hopefully, if the House passes a more targeted bill, the language that I am working on for agriculture producers and small businesses will see action in the Senate and be signed into law. While the House doesn't have a say in how Supreme Court vacancies will be filled, I am concerned that future Administrations of either party could be encouraged to pack the court' with political allies by increasing the number of justices. I introduced a bipartisan Constitutional Amendment that would set the number of justices at nine and prevent a judicial arms race that would undermine the independence of our judicial system. I recently spoke at a virtual ceremony to celebrate the agreement between nine Midwest community colleges and the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to support hands-on learning in topics such as soil health, cover crops, and no-till. As National Suicide Awareness Month comes to an end, the work to provide care and services to our Veterans does not. I met with Minnesota VFW members to discuss legislation addressing several veterans' issues, including mental health services and suicide prevention. I am also proud to co-sponsor a House Resolution designating September 25, 2020, as Disabled American Veterans Day. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Legislation Discussion with the Minnesota VFW Videoconference with the Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) I met virtually this week with the Minnesota VFW to discuss legislation addressing several veterans' issues, including mental health/veterans suicide prevention, women veteran's health care, transparency for veterans' claims, and toxic exposure. We also talked about the importance of Vet Centers and the crucial services they provide to veterans and their families. We discussed efforts to increase outreach and access to these services in Minnesota. Virtual U.S. Service Academy Information Night This Thursday, October 1 at 5:30 p.m., I am hosting a virtual information night for students interested in applying for a nomination to a United States Service Academy. We will welcome guest speakers from the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Air Force ROTC, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Naval Academy. We'll discuss programs, opportunities, and life at the academies, as well as the application and the Congressional nomination process. This session is open to anyone interested in attending a military academy. Join virtually using the information below: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 958 5874 4584 One tap mobile +16699006833,,95858744584# US (San Jose) +12532158782,,95858744584# US (Tacoma) Chairman's Corner Speaking with Keith Olander, director of AgCentric and the Central Lakes College (CLC) Ag & Energy Center I was honored to speak at a virtual ceremony celebrating an agreement between USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and nine Midwest Community Colleges to support hands-on student learning. Central Lakes College (CLC) of Staples is one of the institutions included in the agreement. CLC has done a good job to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills related to soil health, cover crops, and no till. This agreement will help them to share resources, knowledge, and expertise with students, college faculty, producers, and NRCS employees. Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry Chair Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing focused on wildfire response and recovery efforts. The Subcommittee heard from USDA's Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry John Phipps. Deputy Chief Phipps told members about the unprecedented challenges the Forest Service is facing with wildfires this year. High temperatures, low humidity, and historic winds over the last few weeks intensified wildfires along the West Coast and is forcing the agency to send significant resources to the region. Members of the Subcommittee used their time to discuss the immediate needs of the agency and what needs to be done to protect communities from wildfires in the future. House Advances Provisions of Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which includes my bill, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Integrity Act. The provisions of my bill set an annual deadline for oil refiners to submit a petition for an exemption from RFS blending requirements, ensuring that any waivers do not undermine the blending requirements required by law. My bill also requiresEnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) to publicly release the name of refiners requesting a waiver, the number of gallons requested to be waived, and the number of gallons of biofuel that will not be blended as a result of the waiver. This is an important step that moves us closer to holding the Environmental Protection Agency accountable for its reckless use of small refinery waivers. Since 2016, the EPA has granted 85 waivers with little transparency, reducing demand for biofuel by roughly four billion gallons. Preserving an Independent Supreme Court With the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, much attention has been focused on the Senate as they consider the President's nomination to the Supreme Court. Our nation's highest court is an important part of our country's system of checks and balances and it is vital that Americans preserve its independence. That is why I introduced a bipartisan constitutional amendment that would permanently set the number of Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court at nine. I worry that partisan attempts to change the size of the court will set off a judicial arms race which will further divide our country. If one party succeeds in expanding the Court and filling the seats with political allies, the next party to hold a majority may choose to do the same in retaliation. My amendment will preserve the integrity of the Court and permanently protect Americans from these dangerous proposals. Questionnaire Results The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported the United States has surpassed over 200,000 deaths due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). If we had the same death rate as Canada, we would have over 100,000 fewer deaths. In last week's questionnaire, based on a PEW survey of the public in 13 countries, the median response was that 37% believed China had done a good job dealing with the Coronavirus outbreak compared to only 15% for the United States. Based on those survey results, I asked if you thought this view by our allies impacts our ability to work with them to constrain the growing threat from China. Here is what you said: Red Lake Nation EDA Investment Award The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded the Red Lake Band of Chippewa funding to cover construction costs to renovate and create the tribe's Adaawe Wigamig Business Incubation Center in Beltrami County. There is a need for small business support and entrepreneurship in the Seventh District and this facility will help build community, promote innovation, strengthen employment opportunities in rural areas, and support economic diversification. Through a competitive process, the EDA awards grants based on eligibility, availability of funds, and merit of the applicant. The projected cost of this project is $3,376,765 and the EDA awarded $3,161,976. Congratulations to Red Lake Nation on their investment award - this project is estimated to create 271 jobs, save 87 jobs, and leverage $7.2 million in private investment. Farmers Need Markets for Their Crops Ethanol Production Price Slides during Videoconferences Ethanol production is down significantly due to waivers exempting the petroleum industry from using ethanol and the downturn in the economy. Two agricultural conferences were hosted last week, the virtual roundtable session on Resiliency and Innovation in Biofuels and the 2020 Post-Wheat Harvest and Pre-Row Crop Harvest Marketing Strategies virtual seminar. The slides above show what is happening in ethanol production which is why I have fought to get rid of those exemptions for petroleum waivers. Ethanol is a great market for our corn, and it helps support better corn prices. Drones and Public Works Meeting Videoconference with the American Public Works Association (APWA) My staff aide, Meg Louwagie, took part in a virtual meeting with APWA in cooperation with House Public Works and Infrastructure Caucus for a Drones and Public Works meeting. Discussions included: - How to regulate the changing technology and privacy issues - How drones play an important part in disaster response with geotagging and state stamps - The struggle between FAA and local control regarding visual line of site rules and length of flights - The use of drones in unmanned traffic management and bat and bridge inspections Fargo VA Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Local leaders and officials at the Fargo VA ribbon cutting ceremony On Friday, my staff attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the area's first Veterans Community Resource and Referral Center in Fargo. I hold firmly to the idea that we have an obligation to care for the men and women who have served in our military. The mental health and well-being of our Veterans is paramount, that is why I co-sponsored the Veteran Treatment Court Act of 2019, which was signed into law in July. This will establish the Veteran Treatment Court Program in the Office of Justice Programs, providing coordinated technical assistance to veteran advocates and local officials to help them stand up and expand treatment court programs. I also support the Fargo VA's desire for a Fischer House. 340B Health Videoconference with Minnesota hospital and health care system representatives On Wednesday, representatives from Minnesota hospitals and health care systems that participate in the 340B drug pricing program visited with my staff aide Rebekah Solem. This included folks from Essentia Health, St. Gabriel's Hospital, Avera Health Center, Children's Hospitals & Clinics, Hennepin Healthcare System, and Hennepin County Medical Center. The group thanked me for my consistent support for the 340B program and talked about how they use their savings from the program to help those they serve such as charity care for low-income patients. COVID-19 Updates & Resources The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will provide safe and free on-site COVID-19 testing in four counties within the seventh district with outbreaks, increasing positive cases, or accessibility barriers to testing sites. Sign up for an appointment or learn more at MDH COVID-19 Community Testing. Beltrami County: Bemidji Armory 1430 23rd Street NW Bemidji, MN 56601 - Tuesday, September 29, 12 - 6 p.m. - Wednesday, September 30, 12 - 6 p.m. - Thursday, October 1, 12 - 6 p.m. Lyon County: Red Baron Arena and Expo Center 1651 Victory Dr Marshall, MN 56258 - Tuesday, September 29, 12 - 6 p.m. - Wednesday, September 30, 12 - 6 p.m. - Thursday, October 1, 12 6 p.m. Clay County: Moorhead Armory 1002 15th Avenue N Moorhead, MN 56560 - Tuesday, September 29, 12 - 6 p.m. - Wednesday, September 30, 12 - 6 p.m. - Thursday, October 1, 12 - 6 p.m. Pennington County: Huck Olson Civic Center 501 Brooks Ave Thief River Falls, MN 56701 - Tuesday, September 29, 12 - 6 p.m. - Wednesday, September 30, 12 - 6 p.m. - Thursday, October 1, 12 - 6 p.m. Newsstand IRS EIP Material & Deadlines The IRS estimates there are nine million non-filers who may qualify to receive an Economic Impact Payment (EIP). If you don't normally file taxes, you may be eligible for an EIP. Individuals who are low-income workers, experiencing homelessness, independent students, or do not have a bank account are encouraged to file for an EIP. If you have a dependent under 17 and didn't receive a $500 EIP earlier this year, use the Non-Filer tool on the IRS website by September 30 to provide information on your qualifying child. For adult non-filers, the deadline to file and claim an EIP is October 15. For more information visit, IRS.gov/coronavirus or IRS.gov/eipnonfiler. IRS Resources for Drought-Stricken Farmers & Ranchers If you are a farmer or rancher and were forced to sell your livestock due to drought, you may qualify for an additional year to replace the livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales. To qualify, those must be in an application region or county that is eligible for federal assistance. For more information on eligibility and to apply, visit the IRS Website. MDA Grant Money for Wolf Attack Prevention on Livestock To help prevent wolf attacks, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will award a total of $60,000 through the Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grants which are now available to Minnesota livestock producers. To qualify, producers must be within Minnesota's wolf range or on property determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture to be affected by wolf-livestock conflicts. Applications are due January 15, 2021. The grant funding will reimburse the costs of approved practices to prevent livestock attacks. Eligible expenses for the grant program will include any or all of the following items: - Purchase of guard animals - Veterinary costs for guard animals - Installation of wolf-barriers which may include pens, fladry and fencing - Installation of wolf-deterring lights and alarms - Calving or lambing shelters - Other measures demonstrated to effectively reduce wolf-livestock conflicts Find more information and the application on MDA Wolf Grants. MDA Grants Available for Crop Research The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $1,000,000 in total for crop research projects that improve the quality, quantity, and value of agricultural products in Minnesota. If you are a Minnesota-based organization with agricultural research capabilities, you may qualify for a grant with a maximum award of $250,000 per project lasting up to three years. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 24, 2020. According to the MDA, preference will be given to projects with: - Research on crops that have limited access to other research funds; and - Outreach to underserved agricultural producers such as: - Racial and ethnic communities including Native American tribal communities. - Rural communities with limited economic opportunities. Visit the AGRI Crop Research Grantson the MDA website for more information and to apply. Congressional App Challenge There is still time to apply to the Congressional App Challenge! Students in Minnesota's 7th District can participate in this nationwide event that challenges students to work individually or in teams to create an app. Apps will be judged by a panel who will pick the winner for Minnesota's 7th District. As technology continues to innovate, it's important to inspire students to explore careers in STEM through hands-on learning. As a member of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) caucus, I'm proud to host this competition and excited to showcase Western Minnesota students' work. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 19. Learn how students can participate in the challenge and attend educational webinars by visiting http://www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us Smithsonian To Reopen Two Museums On Friday, the Smithsonian reopened the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of the American Indian to the public with new health and safety guidelines. In addition to reduced days and hours of operation, visitors will need to reserve free timed entry passes and wear a mask. If you are planning a trip to Washington, D.C., and are interested in a tour, fill out my office's tour request form. While many attractions remain closed, the White House recently resumed their self-guided tours and other attractions have re-opened with restrictions. Currently, the following locations have reopened to the public: the National Zoo, the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, Smithsonian Gardens, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery. Reserve timed entry passes This Week in History Photo courtesy of WCCO While the cool air moved in quickly, we're not experiencing below zero temperatures just yet. This week in history, on September 30, 1930, the Big Falls area reported Minnesota's lowest temperature in September at 10 F. Enjoy the fresh air without a jacket while you can! Views from the 7th Minnesota Seventh District Fishing Normally, we think of Fall as the time to pick up things, clean the windows, rake the leaves, and prepare for winter. However, Fall is a great time to celebrate the fruits of your garden, sit on the deck and finally put away the bug spray. Another often overlooked Fall activity is fishing. Here in the 7th Congressional District, we have some of the best fishing lakes and streams in the state.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-katko-capito-cardin-bill-cut-red-tape-around-eda-funds-heads-president,"Peterson, Katko, Capito, Cardin Bill to Cut Red Tape Around EDA Funds Heads to Presidents Desk",2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representatives Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and John Katko (R-N.Y.) along with SenatorsShelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), today applauded the House of Representatives' passage of their bill, the Reinvigorating Lending for the Future (RLF) Act of 2020,legislation to reduce barriers to lending for recipients of capitalization grants through the U.S. Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund Program. The bill now heads to President Donald J. Trump's desk for his signature. The Reinvigorating Lending for the Future Act is needed now more than ever as communities work to rebuild our rural economies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Representative Peterson. This bipartisan legislation requires no additional funding, it just creates more flexibility for regional economic development. Ultimately this legislation returns decision making to the local units of government, eliminates unnecessary reporting and is just good common sense. Access to working capital is critical for small businesses right now, particularly those in rural areas and those recovering from coronavirus. This bipartisan bill works to address that issue and the red tape surrounding dispersing aid, Senator Capito said. I'm proud to have joined with Senator Cardin on this legislation, and I appreciate Representatives Peterson and Katko sponsoring it in the House. I look forward to President Trump signing it into law soon. EDA's revolving loan fund program has been an important resource for supporting business development in communities grappling with economic hardship. I have been pleased to see such bipartisan support for the program, said Senator Cardin. Our bill will enhance the revolving loan fund program's effectiveness by empowering the economic development professionals who manage these RLFs to devote more of their time and expertise assisting the businesses and communities they serve. I'm proud to announce the passage of theReinvigorating Lending for the Future (RLF) Act of2020, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will allow more Central New York businesses to access funding through the EDA's Revolving Loan Fund Program. At a timewhenour community continues to face significant financial uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this legislation takesimportant stepsto remove red tape that can often hinder a business's ability to receive loans through this program. Working with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, I will continue to promote economic development in underserved areas and ensure programs like the Revolving Loan Fund Program are responsive to our community's evolving needs, said Representative Katko. BACKGROUND: Under current policy, fund recipients must keep up with burdensome reporting requirements that discourage operators from utilizing the Revolving Loan Fund Program to its maximum potential while straining EDA resources. By responsibly vacating the federal interest for those funds made to revolving loan fund operators with a demonstrated track record of success, the RLF Act will promote lending to businesses and create jobs. Joe McKinney, Executive Director, National Association of Development Organizations: ""The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's Revolving Loan Fund program provides working capital to small businesses and has proven particularly essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. The passage of the Reinvigorating Lending for the Future (RLF) Act of 2020 will further enhance the efficiency and impact of this important regional development lending program, will support COVID-19 economic recovery efforts, and will help small businesses survive and thrive."" Dawn Hegland, Executive Director Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission: ""As a constituent and an economic development professional serving a rural five county area in western Minnesota, I am delighted to hear about the reduction of regulatory burdens associated with the EDA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program's reporting. The Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission's RLF was started in 1980. During these forty years, 133 loans totaling over $7.2 million dollars have been lent out to our region's business and industry. Requiring RLF operators like us to continue reporting long after the lifespan of the loan is an unnecessarily burdensome requirement. In an office of only nine staff, time is a valuable resource at the UMVRDC and the existing reporting in perpetuity uses up valuable time that could be spent working with new borrowers. I am thrilled to see such commonsense legislation that can make a difference throughout our region and across the nation."" Marie Dranttel, Region Nine Development Commission: ""As treasurer of the Region Nine Development Commission and a member of the Commission's Revolving Loan Fund Committee, I can assure you that lifting the perpetual reporting requirement for EDA-funded revolving loans offers several improvements in effectiveness while maintaining the integrity and intent of the program. Specifically, we will be able to focus efforts more pointedly on reaching new business clients instead of on paperwork, which affords more time to build new economic development program. Additionally, lifting this unduly burdensome reporting requirement will accelerate the pace at which we can align lending programs to the unique conditions of our region."" Alexander Weego, Chairperson Region Five Development Commission: ""We have revolved our funds at least nine times since the federal government capitalized our RLF. The savings of time spent to meet the EDA reporting protocols offers our Regional Development Commission an opportunity to invest in additional business technical assistance which is at an all-time high need and is a better investment of our quality staff time. The EDA reporting is redundant to our annual audit reporting and limit our lending flexibility. Defederalization would allow us to quickly lend to industries hardest hit by economic shifts. We are proud of our ability to serve Central MN with the needed access to capital and thank you for helping us make the best use of all the resources/tools we have available to serve our region."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-approves-provisions-petersons-renewable-fuel-standard-integrity-act,House Approves Provisions of Peterson's Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act,2020-09-24,2020,2020-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington D.C.) Today the House of Representative passed H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, that includes the provisions of Congressman Collin C. Peterson's Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act. Since 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved 85 small refinery exemptions, reducing demand for renewable fuels like corn ethanol and biodiesel by roughly 4 billion gallons. The House passage of H.R. 4447 moves us closer to holding EPA accountable for its reckless use of small refinery waivers,"" Peterson said. ""EPA has granted dozens of waivers in recent years and has refused to share details of their justification with Congress and the public. The waivers undermine the blending requirements required by law and harms rural communities that produce biofuels. The provisions of my bill will force EPA to publicly release details of these waiver petitions. H.R. 4447, Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act sets an annual deadline for refiners to request exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard and requires EPA to publicly release the name of refiners requesting a waiver, the number of gallons requested to be waived, and the number of gallons of biofuel that will not be blended as a result of the waiver. These provisions mirror the provisions of Congressman Peterson's H.R. 3006, the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act, while addressing business confidentiality concerns raised by members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Congressman Peterson is a co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress who advocate for homegrown renewable fuel policies that boost farmer incomes and reduce dependence on foreign oil. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-riggleman-introduce-amendment-permanently-set-size-supreme-court,"Peterson, Riggleman Introduce Amendment to Permanently Set Size of Supreme Court",2020-09-24,2020,2020-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Today Representatives Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) and Denver Riggleman (R-VA) introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to permanently set the number of U.S. Supreme Court Justices at nine. The proposed amendment states: ""The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine Justices. The Supreme Court is an important part of our country's system of checks and balances, and it is vital that we preserve its independence, said Peterson. I worry that partisan attempts to change the size of the court will set off a judicial arms race which will further divide our country. If one party succeeds in packing the Court, the next party to hold a majority may choose to do the same in retaliation. My amendment will preserve the integrity of the Court and permanently protect Americans from these dangerous proposals. The independence and non-partisan nature of the Supreme Court of the United States is a core aspect of American government,"" said Riggleman. ""I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation that keeps the number of Supreme Court Justices at nineand ensures partisan desires to ""pack the court"" won't result in a Court that has been undermined by politics. Currently, the number of Supreme Court Justices is set by Congress through statute. Lawmakers have changed the number of Justices several times throughout the nation's history, and last modified the size of the Court in 1869 when Congress raised the number of Justices from seven to nine. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-9142020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 9/14/2020,2020-09-21,2020,2020-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Speaking with Kevin Richard Shores in DETROIT LAKES Dear Friends, The House of Representatives is in session this week and I am in Washington, D.C. pushing the priorities of the residents, farmers, and small business owners of Minnesota's 7th District. I was honored to receive the Minnesota Milk Producers Association's Legislator of the Year Award for my work to help dairy farmers and the industry. As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I collaborated with members of the committee on reauthorizing the Women Veterans Task Force and reviewed 31 bills, 25 related to suicide prevention among Veterans. I met with Kevin Richard Shores, a Gulf War Veteran who is traveling 270 miles by wheelchair to raise awareness for Gulf War Illness/Syndrome. I met with plant managers from the Green Plains ethanol plant in Fergus Falls to discuss the issues their industry is facing and joined a virtual roundtable with members from the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute on renewable energy and innovation in biofuels. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Legislator of the Year Award Accepting the Legislator of the Year award from theMinnesota Milk Producers Association Iwas honored to receive the Legislator of the Year Award from the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Association Executive Director Lucas Sjostrom said that they usually select a state legislator for this award but noted that no one has worked harder for the dairy industry over the past year than Rep. Collin Peterson. The presentation was held at the Sand Hill Dairy of Perham. Minnesota Milk Producers Association Board Members who participated include Bob Dombeck, the owner of Sandhill Dairy, Marin Bozic, Tom Beringer, and Steve Schlangen. Read more about the dairy award. HVAC Business Meeting and Legislative Hearing Videoconference with the House Veterans' Affairs Committee On Thursday, I participated in the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Business Meeting where we reauthorized the Women Veterans Task Force for the remainder of the 116th Congress. We also held a Full Committee Legislative Hearing to review 31 bills within our jurisdiction. The vast majority of these bills dealt with veteran mental health care and preventing and reducing veteran suicide. Each day, 17 veterans, reservists, and National Guard members die by suicide. This issue has been the top priority of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee this Congress. While we all share the goal of suicide prevention, there are a number of different ideas out there on how to accomplish it. This hearing was a chance to hear from Members and witnesses including Veteran Service Organization representatives and mental health experts on these ideas for how we can work to increase access to veteran mental health care and prevent veteran suicide. 20th Anniversary Wheelchair Ride Across Minnesota Discussing issues facing Gulf War Veterans with Kevin Richard Shores in DETROIT LAKES I spoke with Kevin Richard Shores NeSe on Friday as part of his 20th wheelchair ride across Minnesota to raise awareness for Gulf War Illness/Syndrome. Shores is traveling from Moorhead to the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul for a total of 270 miles to bring attention to the cause. We met in Veterans Memorial Park in Detroit Lakes, where we discussed issues facing Golf War veterans over a cup of coffee. His first ride in 2000 took 11 days but he believes this trip will be much faster thanks to his new wheelchair. For more information on his journey, visit Roll4US.com. Chairman's Corner Green Plains Ethanol in Fergus Falls Meeting with plant managers at the Green Plains ethanol plant in FERGUS FALLS Ivisited the Green Plains ethanol plant in Fergus Falls to see the plant and discuss the industry with plant managers last week. The plant is an important employer within the community and adds value to the corn grown by area farmers. Unfortunately, disruptions from the pandemic have created many challenges for biofuels producers and others in agriculture. I am fighting to secure federal resources to help folks weather these difficult conditions, and I will ensure our agriculture community is included in any new relief legislation. AURI Renewable Energy Roundtable Videoconference with the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI) During my visit to the Green Plains plant, I joined the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and their Renewable Energy Roundtable partners for a virtual event focusing on Resiliency and Innovation in Biofuels. I updated attendees on the status of coronavirus relief legislation and other issues affecting biofuel producers. We discussed the Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard, the ongoing trade negotiations with Brazil, and the prospects of securing greater access for ethanol. I encourage the Administration to fight for our ethanol producers and restore the tariff-free ethanol trade that existed between the two countries from 2012 to 2017. Advocating for Red Lake Nation Fisheries I joined Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith in urging congressional appropriators to clarify the eligibility of Red Lake Nation Fisheries for future pandemic assistance. The CARES Act included $300 million to assist Tribal, subsistence, commercial, and charter fisheries that were economically impacted by the pandemic. In delivering the program, however, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) chose to limit eligibility to fisheries in coastal states. Congress intended to provide assistance to fisheries across the nation, and the agency should not have left out freshwater fisheries. The fishery is an important part of the Red Lake community and Appropriators should clarify their eligibility in future legislation. Read our letter here. Optometry Day TOP: Beth Coleman-Jensen (Executive Director, Minnesota Optometric Association), Rebekah Solem (staff aide) BOTTOM: Dr. Lauren Haverly, O.D. ST. PAUL, Dr. Randy Kempfer, O.D. FERGUS FALLS Minnesota optometrists with the American Optometric Association participated in a virtual Optometry Day on Thursday, meeting with my staff over Zoom to discuss a number of issues impacting eye doctors. The group thanked me for my support of their legislative priorities, including H.R. 3975, the Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act. This bipartisan bill would update the law related to the sale of contact lenses to ensure patients can upload their prescriptions online to make purchases. It also eliminates the use of robocalls in the prescription verification process. The Minnesota delegation also discussed the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses and expressed appreciation for my support of programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program which are helping folks get by during the pandemic. Questionnaire Results Last week I asked, do you think that International Commissions should dictate new standards that would require Minnesota communities to make expensive upgrades? Here is what you said: Newsstand Rural Finance Authority Low-Interest Rate Loans Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Rural Finance Authority (RFA) offers a variety of low-interest loans for farmers and recently cut 1.75% off five of their loan categories. The picture above shows the current interest rates available to Minnesota farmers to aid the impacts of COVID-19. The RFA has invested over $270 million in 2,959 participants to date, visit the Department of Agriculture RFA to find more information on types of loans, if you qualify, and deadlines to apply. IRS Non-filers EIP Beginning September 24th, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send letters to American's who do not file federal income tax but may be eligible for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP). If you receive this letter or if do not file federal income tax and have not received an EIP, use the non-filers tool on IRS.gov. The registration deadline for non-filers is October 15th. For more details, see IRS news release IR-2020-203, or in Spanish, IR-2020-203SP. Track the status of your payment using the Get My Payment tool. VA Influenza Immunization Clinic Throughout September and October, the Fargo Veteran Affairs' Health Care System will host several free drive-through flu vaccine clinics for Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. To receive your free influenza immunization, wear a mask, bring your Veteran ID card, and wear a short sleeve shirt for easy administration. If you've experienced COVID-19 symptoms, call the Fargo VA at 701-239-3700 before visiting. Fargo, ND VA Medical Center (2101 Elm St. N): Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 7, 15, & 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bemidji, MN VA Clinic (1217 Anne St.): Oct. 2, 15, and 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fergus Falls, MN VA Clinic (1839 Park St. N): Oct. 5, 9, and 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Grafton, ND VA Clinic (1319 11th St. W): Oct. 9, 16, and 30 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Grand Forks, ND VA Clinic (3221 32nd Ave. S, Suite 700): Oct. 2, 7, and 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call the Fargo VA HCS Public Affairs office at 701-239-3724. For questions on eligibility, call 1-800-410-9723, ext 3429 This Week in History Photo courtesy of the Minnesota North Stars Twenty-five years ago, on September 16, 1995, Henry Charles Boucha of Warroad was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Not only did he play for the 1972 U.S. Olympic team, but he also played professional hockey for the Minnesota North Stars and Detroit Red Wings. Following his hockey career, he returned to Warroad and served as the coordinator of the Indian Education Department in Warroad Public Schools. Boucha now lives in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and continues to work in American Indian education.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-9212020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 9/21/2020,2020-09-21,2020,2020-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Beautiful fall colors in ERSKINE The Fall Equinox begins September 22nd Dear Friends, It continues to be busy as the Administration rolls out additional agriculture support payments and I work to ensure that funding I worked to pass for agriculture and rural communities in May gets across the finish line. I attended the National Farmers Union fly-in and the Minnesota Farmers Union virtual meetings and discussed the need for additional pandemic relief and resources. I also met with leaders from the Minnesota Pork Producers Association to discuss how hard their industry has been affected and what Congress needs to do moving forward. I spoke at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' virtual Congressional Reception on my bipartisan bill, H.R. 1379, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA). I also visited with members of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and virtually participated in the House Veteran Affairs' Committee meeting where we considered five bills including the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020 (Veterans COMPACT Act). The House Agriculture Committee hosted a ceremony for the unveiling of a portrait of Representative Michael Conaway of Texas, former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. The portrait was inducted into the House of Representatives' art collection and I was happy to join members of both parties to celebrate with Congressman Conaway. Since the House Committee on Agriculture was created on May 3, 1820, Texas has been home to five Chairman, while Minnesota has had only one. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Representative Conaway Portrait Ceremony Portrait unveiling ceremony in the House Agriculture Committee Hearing Room On Tuesday, a portrait of Representative Michael Conaway (R-TX), former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, was unveiled and welcomed into the House of Representatives' art collection. I joined fellow committee members in the House Agriculture Committee hearing room to reminisce on all the hard work Representative Conaway has done in the Committee. During his remarks, Representative Conaway mentioned he was humbled for the experience as Chairman of witnessing the hard work of Americans to feed, clothe and fuel the world and used it to help fight for America's farmers, ranchers and the entire agriculture industry in the decisions that affect their lives and future generations. I look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan fashion with my colleagues to better serve the agriculture industry and the people of Minnesota's Seventh District. American Society of Plastic Surgeons The American Society of Plastic Surgeons' virtual Congressional Reception I was honored to speak on my bill, H.R. 1379, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' virtual Congressional Reception. This morning event kicked off their virtual Advocacy Day, where the group lobbied in support of the passage of my bill in more than 50 virtual meetings that day. H.R. 1379 seeks to eliminate the problem of unfair coverage denials by ensuring that kids born with congenital anomalies or birth defects such as cleft palate or ectodermal dysplasias can get medically necessary treatments. This bipartisan bill has strong support with 310 cosponsors and passed out of the Energy & Commerce Committee on voice vote. I am continuing to fight to get this bill passed and appreciate the endorsement and support of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.an mental health care and prevent veteran suicide. HVAC Hearing on VA's Medical Supply Chain House Veterans' Affairs Committee meeting On Thursday, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a Full Committee Markup to consider legislation within the Committee's jurisdiction. The Committee voted on five bills including the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020 (Veterans COMPACT Act), which included provisions related to veteran suicide prevention, such as VA police crisis intervention training, as well as improving care and services for women veterans. Other bills included the VA FOIA Reform Act of 2020, the Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2020, Veteran's Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act, and a bill to extend certain employment and reemployment rights to members of the National Guard who perform State active duty. All of these bills received strong bipartisan support, and we reported them out of the Committee and to the House on voice vote. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce On Thursday, I met with chamber members from throughout the Seventh District for their virtual fly-in event. I provided an update on Congressional issues and took questions from participants. We talked about the need for more workers in manufacturing, protecting businesses and addressing the next COVID package. I'm proud to have a membership in several local Chambers across the district and always enjoy visiting with Chamber members virtually or in person. Chairman's Corner Haying and Grazing on Prevent Plant Acres Poor planting conditions this spring and meat processing disruptions from the pandemic have intensified concerns that there will be livestock feed shortages in Northwestern Minnesota this fall. USDA is allowing producers in North Dakota and South Dakota counties to hay and graze cover crops planted on prevented planting acres without penalty starting on September 1st instead of November 1st. Counties in Minnesota faced similar conditions to those faced in the Dakotas, so I sent a letter to USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey asking him to clarify why Minnesota counties were not given the same flexibility. Click here to read my letter to Under Secretary Northey. National Farmers Union Virtual Fly-In I spoke to Farmers Union Members from across the country during their Fall Virtual Legislative Fly-In. We discussed the need for additional resources to address the pandemic's effects on livestock producers and the biofuels industry, the importance of broadband access for rural communities, and other pressing issues in agriculture. Producers across the nation are still facing the effects of the pandemic and Congress should pass another bill that includes the essentials needed to weather the pandemic, not unrelated spending on partisan projects. Minnesota Farmers Union Videoconference with the Minnesota Farmers Union I spoke with Minnesota Farmers Union members about ongoing negotiations for COVID-19 relief legislation and other issues of interest for Minnesota farmers. We discussed the need for more small meat processors and ways to give livestock producers more marketing options. We discussed concerns with inspection and labeling of foreign agriculture products and the need to ensure appropriate labeling of imported products. It is important that Americans know where and how their food is made and I will continue working to ensure imported products are properly labeled and inspected. Minnesota Pork Producers Association I met leaders from the Minnesota Pork Producers Association virtually last week. Hog and turkey producers were among the hardest hit by the meat processing disruptions that occurred early on in the pandemic and we discussed what Congress needs to do to address that impact and what needs to be done to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future. We discussed the importance of keeping African Swine Fever and other foreign animal diseases out of the country, and negotiations for reauthorizing Mandatory Price Reporting. Polk County Annual Farmers Union Meeting Elaine and Allen Torpet, Judy Moen, Polk County Farmers Union President and Bryan Klabunde, Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President The Polk County Annual Farmers Union Meeting honored two long time members who contributed many years of building their communities and helping the youth understand the importance of rural life. Allen and Elaine Torpet from Fertile, Minnesota and Kenneth Pazdernik from Ada, Minnesota. Elaine Torpet talked about the leadership training she received and how she used it to testify before a Congressional Committee on healthcare issues. Mrs. Torpet said, the most important thing were the people we met and the friends we made. EPA Denies Dozens of Retroactive Refinery Waivers The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) denied dozens of petitions for retroactive small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard last Monday. In recent years, the EPA has granted an increasing number of SREs that reduce demand for biofuels like corn ethanol and biodiesel. I am glad the Administration came around and finally closed the door on the use of retroactive waivers. Unfortunately, significant damage has already been done to the ethanol industry and corn prices are still lagging from the billions of gallons of ethanol that have already been waived by EPA. The Administration now needs to follow through on its promise to be strong on ethanol and ensure the lost gallons are accounted for, and that blending requirements for conventional ethanol do not fall below the 15 billion gallons they are promised in the Renewable Fuel Standard law. Questionnaire Results In last week's questionnaireI asked, to what degree do you see the public healthcare crisis and the economic crisis being linked? Here is what you said: Based on the new reporting from Bob Woodward, which indicated that the Administration was downplaying the severity of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the early days of the outbreak, I asked what you thought about the information you have received from the federal government about the Coronavirus. Here is what you said: Newsstand Congressional App Challenge This is the first year my office is hosting the Congressional App Challenge. The Challenge is a nationwide event that students in Minnesota's 7th District can participate in. Students can choose to work individually or in teams to create an app. Apps will be judged by a panel who will pick the winner for Minnesota's 7th District. As a member of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) caucus, I'm proud to host this competition and excited to showcase Western Minnesota students' work. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 19. Learn how students can participate in the challenge and attend educational webinars by visiting www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us. National Small Business Week The Small Business Association will host their annual National Small Business Week from September 22nd-24th to recognize all the contributions made by small businesses and small business owners. This year, the Small Business Association honored two residents of Northwest Minnesota. Congratulations to the 2020 Minnesota Veteran's Business Champions of the year, Sean Richards and Joe Lyons. Richards and Lyons are engineers for the American Crystal Sugar Factory in Moorhead and are dedicated to helping Veterans achieve the American dream. For more information or to register for National Small Business Week, go to: www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week. Extended Deadline: IRS Dependent EIP The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has extended the deadline for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients to enter their qualified dependent's information to receive the $500 Economic Impact Payments (EIP). The deadline is Wednesday, September 30 and applies to those who: Receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits, or SSI payments; Did not file a 2019 or 2018 tax return; Have a qualifying child under age 17; and Did not already enter information in the IRS' Non-Filer Tool for themselves and at least one child. Visit the IRS website for more information and to apply. VA Natural Disasters Debt Relief The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced it had extended debt relief to Veterans impacted by natural disasters through the suspension of debt collection for up to 90 days or extending repayment terms on preexisting VA debts. To request assistance for financial debt relief, contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648. This Week in History Photo courtesy of The Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs and The Minnesota Historical Society On September 26, 1992, the Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated and placed on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds to honor all those who served our country during the Vietnam war. Views from the 7th ERSKINE, MINNESOTA September 22nd isthe beginning of Fall which means the crisp weather has officially arrived. Fall is one of the favorite seasons for many because of the changing colors, the decline of insects, and the pleasant temperatures. It is a good time to get out and enjoy the outdoors.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/newletter-archive/rep-petersons-newsletter-and-questionnaire-982020,Rep. Peterson's Newsletter and Questionnaire 9/8/2020,2020-09-21,2020,2020-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Courtesy of KVRR Speaking at Moorhead's Bluestem Amphitheater about the Save Our Stages Act Dear Friends, I hope you enjoyed a relaxing Labor Day weekend; a day to recognize the labor movement and American workers. This week I discussed issues facing our farmers with the Land Stewardship Project and toured Ogema's Indian Health Service Clinic with Senator Tina Smith. Our ethanol producers are hurting, and I urged the Administration to keep up pressure on Brazil to drop the 20 percent tariff they placed on American biofuels starting in 2017. I also joined Senator Klobuchar and other local leaders at the Bluestem Amphitheater in Moorhead to share my support of the Save Our Stages Act, which would create a Small Business Administration Grant program for independent music venues affected by COVID-19. As a musician, I know how important these venues are to the industry, as well as the communities where they are located. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Spirit of Enterprise Award I joined a virtual presentation by the Marshall Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in recognition of my receiving the Spirit of Enterprise Award. U.S. Chamber representative Ethan Hellier explained that the award is given to Representatives and Senators who support pro-growth policies and show bipartisan leadership. I was able to visit with business leaders from throughout the area and share why I believe it's so important to work with both parties. You can't get anything done in Congress without bipartisan support and I find that when you try, you can find lots of places where we can agree on things to make things better for the country and the Seventh District. You can view the conversation here. Chairman's Corner Land Stewardship Project I visited with leaders of the Land Stewardship Project last week to discuss issues affecting family farms in Minnesota, and agriculture's role in conservation. I heard from young and beginning farmers about their experience with farm programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program and Dairy Margin Coverage. Members told me about the innovative conservation practices and crops they have adopted on their farm, and their ideas for future programs. We also spoke about meat processing shortages in rural Minnesota and options to support small processors. My bill, the RAMP-UPAct, would provide grants to local meat processors to help cover the costs of coming under USDA inspection. USDA inspection allows processors to sell their products across state lines, giving farmers access to new markets and making them more competitive with larger USDA inspected processors. Tour of Indian Health Service (IHS) Clinic in Ogema I joined Senator Tina Smith and the White Earth Tribal Council for a tour of the Indian Health Service Clinic in Ogema. We discussed the importance of the clinic to the White Earth community and the Tribal response to the pandemic. It is vital that our Tribal Nations have the resources they need to provide care to their members and I appreciated the invitation to tour the clinic. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Top: Noah Stanford (along with his mom Gina Stanford, not pictured), Ann Nerland Bottom: Rebekah Solem (staff aide), Jodi Schaap My staff aide Rebekah Solem met with Minnesota advocates with JDRF, a nonprofit group in support of funding research on Type 1 Diabetes. The group thanked me for my support of the Special Diabetes Program and urged Congress to renew the program for a longer period of time. The advocates also talked about the need to reduce the cost of insulin and asked to include loan forgiveness for mid-sized nonprofits, such as JDRF, in the next COVID-19 relief package. Questionnaire Results Last week, I asked you a variety of questions related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Here is what you said: Do you know someone that has tested positive for the Coronavirus? Do you know someone that has died from the Coronavirus? Abbott has said that they could produce 50 million rapid at home' Coronavirus tests by October that cost $5 a test. Do you support a federal government investment in rapid tests (results take 15 minutes) so millions of people who may not have symptoms can be tested? If the federal government acquires tests, how should those tests be distributed? There were many other thoughts and ideas expressed for how to distribute these tests such as only allowing health professionals to distribute how they see fit, giving them to area hospitals and schools to administer, or making tests voluntary rather than mandated by your employer or school. COVID-19 Updates & Resources The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued new updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With schools and classes starting up again, MDH is offering free saliva testing for teachers, school staff, and childcare center employees. Visit Safe Learning Plan for 2020-2021 School Year for more information. Governor Tim Walz recently signed two next Executive Orders related to COVID-19. Executive Order 20-85 would give higher education institutions the flexibility to hold classes or activities in-person if consistent with other industries. Executive Order 20-86 grants flexibility to waive in-person meetings, the ability to vote remote for director elections, and more for cooperatives and cooperative associations. For more information, see Executive Orders from Governor Walz. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, visitCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Newsstand Ethanol Exports to Brazil Face Uncertain Future The Government of Brazil allowed their tariff rate quota for American ethanol to expire on August 31st, meaning that all U.S. ethanol exports to Brazil now face a 20 percent tariff. Our farmers have faced the brunt of trade conflicts in recent years this move by Brazil is more bad news. I encourage the Administration to continue working with Brazilian officials to restore the tariff-free ethanol trade that existed between the U.S. and Canada from 2012 to 2017. I joined 19 Members of Congress in urging U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to restore free ethanol trade with Brazil on August 20th. Click here to read the letter. VA Suicide Prevention Month September is Suicide Prevention Month. This year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is rolling out their Be There Campaign to remind Veterans and their families that small acts of kindness can really make a difference during these difficult times. The campaign provides ideas and resources to better support Veterans when it's needed most. For more information and resources visit BeThereForVeterans.com. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, receive free and confidential support through the Veterans Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. Experience 2020 On October 29, 2020, the Minnesota Military and Veteran Exchange will host Experience 2020, a virtual event to commemorate all Minnesotans with prior or current service, Veterans, their families, supporters, and caregivers. Throughout the event, various free educational sessions will be available for individuals and organizations working to better support the Minnesota military. Sessions include healthcare, Veterans benefits, economic stability, social connection, and more. For more information, click here. To register, click here. SBA Management Series Minnesota's Small Business Association (SBA) office is holding free virtual trainings throughout the rest of the year to help small businesses and entrepreneurs understand business basics to better plan for and manage their small business. Subjects include understanding organizational types, building credit, banking services, and record-keeping, managing cash flow, and more. For more information and to register, click here. SBA for Rural Small Businesses The 7th district is home to many local small businesses and is integral to our district's community and economy. The Small Business Association (SBA) has now created a page specifically devoted to rural businesses and provides resources to help businesses recover from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic effects. Click here for resources and more information. Sustainable Agriculture Project Grants The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers and local nonprofits and educational organizations to apply for a Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration (SustAg) Grant to pilot new sustainable agriculture techniques. MDA has $200,000 in available grants to test new ideas. Farmers will be given priority. To apply, submit a grant application by 4 p.m. Thursday, December 10, 2020. For more information and to apply, click here. This Week in History On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed. While it is well known for ending the Revolutionary War and British control, the Treaty of Paris was also the first step towards creating Minnesota's Northwest Angle. To read more about how the Northwest Angle came about, visit: Earth Observatory.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://collinpeterson.house.gov/media/press-releases/peterson-weighs-second-cfap-program-usda,Peterson Weighs in on Second CFAP Program from USDA,2020-09-21,2020,2020-09,Democrat,Senate,MN,Collin Peterson,P000258,collinpeterson.house.gov,,,legacy,"(WASHINGTON, DC) Congressman Collin Peterson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee,responded Saturday to the introduction of the second Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, citing progress for several different groups of farmers, but work yet to be done to help all producers impacted by the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.There are some good things in this second CFAP plan, and the Secretary should be commended for simplifying the application process for specialty crop growers and making sure livestock producers, like the turkey growers in my district, have what they need. It also expands the program to all classes of wheat and makes sure most commodities left out in the first round receive some support, Peterson said. And while this version of CFAP takes those good steps, there is some frustration over the participation rate among some sectors, including specialty crop producers.I still want to see help for the ethanol industry that has been hurt by the drop in fuel demand, textile mills that are helping create COVID medical supplies, pork and poultry producers that had to depopulate as a result of plant closures, and contract growers who have faced loss of income, added Peterson. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z