August 4, 2023

Dear John:

This week, I invited my colleagues from Washington to come out to Farmfest to hear directly from 7th District producers in a Farm Bill listening session. I was joined by Reps. Brad Finstad (MN-01), Pete Stauber, (MN-08), Angie Craig (MN-02), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Max Miller (OH-07), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06), and special guest House Agricultural Committee Chair GT Thompson (PA-15). It is vital that Congress hears from the American people about where we can help, and where it's best for us to step out of the way. The Minnesota ag community shared their priorities on what they think of the current Farm Bill and how Congress can improve on it this year, and my colleagues and I are excited to take their ideas back to D.C.

After the listening session, we got to walk around the grounds and catch up with producers directly. Thank you to everyone we met with for your hospitality to our out of state guests and for sharing your input with us. I assure you that the next Farm Bill will be made by farmers and for farmers.

PACT Act Benefits

Veterans who served between November 11, 1990 and October 1, 2013 may be eligible for enhanced benefits through the PACT Act, which I was proud to vote for last year. You can submit your claim at any time, but if you submit by August 9, you could receive benefits backdated to last year.

Visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MY-VA-411 to see if you qualify and to file for your benefits today!

PACT Act Key Components:

Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 era.
Improves the decision-making process for determining what medical conditions will be considered for presumptive status, making it easier for veterans to get their benefits.
Ensures every enrolled veteran will receive an initial toxic exposure screening and a follow-up screening every five years. Veterans who are not enrolled, but who are eligible to enroll, will have the opportunity to enroll and receive the screening.
Requires VA research on the morality of veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War; Post-9/11 veteran health trends; and veteran cancer rates.
Provides robust authority to VA to expand the workforce and meet the growing demand for benefits and services.
Authorizes construction of 31 new facilities across the country, providing greater access to VA health care.

A Voice for Rural America

I recently sat down with Western Caucus Chair Dan Newhouse (WA-4) and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) on the A Voice for Rural America podcast to talk all things trade. Take a listen!

Congressional App Challenge

Students from Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District are invited create and submit their own app for the annual Congressional App Challenge! The competition is open to all middle and high school students who meet eligibility requirements. Winners will be selected by panels of judges drawn from the local community and will be eligible to be featured on display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the Congressional App Challenge website. You can register for entry here.

Thank you for reading!

As always, my office is open and ready to serve constituents of Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District! Please do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Michelle Fischbach

Member of Congress

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fischbach.house.gov

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