Dear John,

I hope you all had a great week!

Our district is home to thousands of family farms. And I know that the cold months an make summer feel a long way away – but during warmer months, our district is 40% covered in corn and soybeans. We have a strong biofuel sector here in the Second District, and the family farmers that support it need our support and recognition here in Washington.

I’ve always been focused on ensuring we are utilizing biofuels in a way that maximizes their potential. One area we’re looking at for the future is the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market – a market that is growing and evolving across our country.

So, this week, I wrote to the Biden Administration to make sure that biofuels are appropriately utilized in any future efforts to decarbonize the aviation industry. And on Wednesday, I asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in an Ag Committee hearing when we could expect the Administration to take the steps needed to get that done. You can watch us discuss the topic further here.

Biofuels drive economic growth, create good-paying jobs and strengthen economies across Greater Minnesota. It’s a smart move to invest and expand biofuel production in all sectors across our country – and I’ll keep pushing to make that happen.

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

Welcoming the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to DC

I was able to welcome recently-elected SMSC Chairman Cole Miller and members of the SMSC Business Council to DC to hear about the work they are all doing to support the health and education of SMSC members.

Chairman Miller and I also joined leaders from tribal communities across the country for a roundtable about how we can partner to better ensure they have reliable access to health care, support their local economies and preserve tribal culture.

Pushing for community health center investments

I had the opportunity to meet with the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers in DC on Wednesday to talk about a new bipartisan bill I am working on to expand our health care workforce.

It’s an honor to have such a strong partner in the work to make sure every Minnesotan can access the health care they need.

Connecting with Second District leaders

This week, I was able to meet with quite a number of Second District leaders here in DC – Washington County Commissioners Karla Bigham and Stan Karwoski and Deputy Administrator Dan Lucke, Dakota County Commissioners Joe Atkins, Mike Slavik and Mary Hamann-Roland and Scott County Commissioner Barb Weckman Brekke.

I’m looking forward to continuing our work together!

Partnering with AFGE

I met with AFGE locals from across our district to discuss how we can improve working conditions for every federal employee.

Thank you for your advocacy, and your dedication to the fight for fair pay and better working conditions.

Behind the scenes with Rep. Craig:

Well Wednesday was a busy Valentine’s day – but it was also my birthday! Thanks to so many of you for your thoughtful Happy Birthday messages! I got a surprise cake from my team in my morning staff meeting and got to spend the evening with some of my favorite colleagues at a Galentine’s Day event  – Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07) and Melanie Stansbury (NM-01)! And yes, there was more birthday cake.

Hope you all have an enjoyable weekend!

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress