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Dear Friend,

Our veterans deserve safe, stable housing when they return from service. Too many veterans continue quiet battles back home. In Minnesota, we have made great strides to end veteran homelessness by working with organizations like the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. But our work is ongoing. That's why I recently secured $750,000 in federal funding to build veteran housing for the unhoused veterans in Robbinsdale. It's been an honor to work with local leaders on this important project. Seeing it come to fruition will be incredibly rewarding. You can learn more here. 

Voting to Keep the Government Open
This week I voted to keep the government open. I am proud that Democrats were able to once again bail out the right and narrowly avoid a government shutdown. This two-step plan only extends funding until January 19 for some priorities like military construction, veterans affairs, and housing. The rest of the government would be funded only until February 2.

Sadly, conservatives continue to threaten massive cuts—including everything from defunding climate action and affordable housing to extreme anti-abortion amendments—in order to fully fund the government. The American people deserve better. It’s time to fully fund the government.

Calling for a Ceasefire alongside Rabbis

I stood alongside Congressional colleagues and Rabbis from Minnesota and across the country to call for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. The tragic loss of innocent lives, especially children, in this conflict is heartbreaking. Families in Gaza are being devastated by the ongoing bombardment.

Around the world, calls are mounting for Israeli President Netanyahu to end the violence. In times of crisis, America must be a force for peace. I remain committed to working with the administration and international partners to de-escalate tensions and restore calm. Diplomacy and open dialogue represent the only path forward to reduce suffering and establish lasting stability in the region. You can view my speech here.

Speaking at the Coalition of Labor Union Women Convention

Minneapolis. As I said at the convention, you get what you organize for. Unions put power into the hands of working people. We can thank union members for being the driving force behind positive changes in workplaces, like better wages worker safety, and a 40 hour work week. I'm continuing to push for policies that support workers, like raising the federal minimum wage to $17/hour. A job should lift you out of poverty, not trap you in it.

Every day, more workers are unionizing and demanding better treatment. I believe it's important to speak truth to power and support women's rights and workers' rights.

Attending the Amir Locke Documentary Screening

Last week, I joined Amir Locke's family for a screening of a powerful documentary honoring his life. Amir was tragically killed earlier in February 2022 when the Minneapolis Police Department executed a no-knock warrant and shot him seconds after entering the apartment he was staying at. He was just 22 years old. While we cannot bring Amir back, Congress can work to prevent future tragedies like his. That's why I've introduced the Amir Locke End Deadly No-Knock Warrants Act in Congress, which would significantly restrict no-knock warrants nationwide except in the most extreme circumstances. This legislation is a critical step towards ensuring justice for all and restricting the use of excessive force by police.

Honoring Veterans at the State of Minnesota Veterans Day Event

This weekend I joined Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith to commemorate Veterans Day. I will continue to fight to pass meaningful legislation like the Veterans’ Sentinel Act, which would create a pilot program focused on Veteran suicide prevention or the PACT Act — which allows Veterans who suffered toxic exposures access to earned benefits and healthcare. According to the VA, since enactment, over 1.1 million claims have been submitted and more than $2.4 billion in benefits awarded to Veterans and survivors. If you need assistance with this process, please contact my office. I will continue to advocate for Veterans so they have the resources they need.

Joining the Shiloh Cares Turkey Giveaway

My District Office staff visited the Shiloh Cares Food Shelf. Shiloh Cares is part of Change Starts with Community, a non-profit that is a community violence interventions and food program that uses food as a violence prevention tool. In the House appropriation government funding package I secured $1 million for Shiloh Cares Food Shelf to help thousands of families in Minnesota’s 5th District gain access to nutritious food. 

In Solidarity,

Ilhan Omar