Legislative Update
Addressing Border Crisis
I joined other House Republicans today in calling on the Biden Administration and Governor Walz to address the border crisis. Recently, the Democrat governors of Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York sent a letter to President Biden and Congress urging them to pass a border security package. Unfortunately, Governor Walz, who chairs, the Democratic Governors Association, did not sign on to the letter.
The border crisis impacts every state, not just the ones along the southern border. The crisis is straining state, county, and local charitable human services resources, fentanyl is killing countless Minnesotans, and we need to do what we can as soon as possible to stop the catastrophe at the southern border.
Assisted Suicide Hearing
Yesterday, the Health Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill that would legalize assisted suicide in Minnesota. Under this bill, there would be no residency requirement, which would make Minnesota a magnet for assisted suicide. And while?the current bill restricts assisted suicide to individuals 18 or older, the Legislature has a long history of expanding a minor?s right to consent to healthcare. Nothing is stopping them from expanding assisted suicide to minors. Canada?s assisted suicide advocates want ?advanced minors? to have the ability to die by assisted suicide.
At least one Democrat legislator is on record opposes this bill. In a?2023 Star Tribune oped, Democrat Senator John Hoffman called assisted suicide ?dangerous? and raised concerns over consequences for vulnerable populations like people with disabilities. In his op-ed, Senator Hoffman says:
?The risk lies not in undervaluing personal autonomy for the few who currently want assisted suicide, but in?normalizing attitudes that prioritize convenience over compassion.?
This bill will have to go through the committee process during the upcoming session before it becomes law, so we will all have time in the coming weeks to make our voices heard on this issue. If you have thoughts or concerns with this bill, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Session begins February 12
The 2024 legislative session begins on February 12. I sit on the Health, Economic Development, and Commerce committees, and I anticipate a busy session. I always love hearing from constituents, so if you have thoughts or concerns about bills coming before the legislature, please call or email me!
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