Dear John,

Happy National Small Business Week! This week, we celebrated all the small businesses and small business owners that work hard to keep our economy moving and make the Second District home.
 
The small businesses in the Second District are the livelihoods, family traditions and economic engines that keep our communities on track. I know firsthand how much hard work goes into opening and running a successful business – before running for office, I helped build a company that started in someone’s garage into a $6 billion business.
 
So, when I got to Congress, I knew how important it was to do everything I could to support Minnesota’s small business owners. I’ve written bills to lower taxes on our small business owners – and I’m leading the charge to expand access to career and technical education programs so owners can recruit the talent needed to keep their business moving.

It’s absolutely critical to our economies and communities that our small businesses receive the support they need – and I’ll always fight to ensure that they do.

Here's what else I was up to this week:

Hosting a roundtable discussion with Second District small business leaders
In honor of Small Business Week, I hosted a roundtable discussion with several local Chamber of Commerce leaders and small business owners this week in the district. Our discussion touched on the challenges facing small business owners and the ways Congress can best ensure they have the support they need to start and run their business.

Helping law enforcement address concussions and traumatic brain injuries
Every day, our first responders put their lives on the line to help protect our communities – and we should be doing everything we can to ensure their safety and wellbeing. I joined my Republican colleague Rep. Dan Crenshaw on a bipartisan effort to ensure local law enforcement agencies have the ability to safely and effectively treat and address concussions and traumatic brain injuries suffered by first responders.

Tearing the paper ceiling
An expensive four-year college degree shouldn’t be the only way to a successful career in our country. Experience matters, work ethic matters. This week, I spent some time talking about the fact that a four-year degree will no longer be the default requirement to work in my congressional office.

Behind the scenes with Rep. Craig:

This week, I hosted my 53rd town hall since being elected to Congress – and this month’s telephone town hall had some behind the scenes challenges for me: our cat Sofie! Next time I should feed her before the town hall!

That’s it for me this week! I’m headed back to DC on Monday for a busy week of committee meetings, hearings and votes. I hope you all are able to enjoy a relaxing weekend with your friends and family.

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress