The Laken Riley Act

Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student in Georgia, who was tragically, heartbreakingly murdered while she was out for a run. Her killer was a man who crossed the border illegally, and had been previously detained for shoplifting before being released back into society. Laken's story is one of far too many that could have been prevented if this country had strong border security.

The Laken Riley Act would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take custody of illegal immigrants who commit theft-related crimes. This bill passed 251-170 in the House, with 37 Democrats joining every Republican in support. It is devastating this murder was able to take place, but I pray that this bill can prevent future loss of innocent life. 

I was honored to receive the YMCA Congressional Champion award for introducing the Investing in Rural America Act. This bill would strengthen rural communities like the ones in Minnesota's 7th District by attracting private sector investment to critical community facilities, like YMCA, encouraging future generations to see rural communities as a place to call home.

Protecting America's Seniors' Access to Care Act passes out of Ways and Means Committee

The nursing workforce shortage continues to impact nursing homes across Minnesota's 7th District. They are struggling to maintain their existing staffing levels and have an even harder time finding new staff to fill positions. 

But, the Biden Administration does not understand this problem, which comes as no surprise since they do not understand rural America. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released Biden’s one-size-fits-all staffing mandate for nursing homes, requiring nursing homes in rural America to hire thousands of new employees. The problem is, these employees do not exist. Not only that, but in a report commissioned by CMS itself, it was determined that there was "no single staffing level that would guarantee quality care."

This mandate would do nothing to solve the ongoing staffing crisis or improve care in nursing homes, but it would cost taxpayers $17 billion and likely force nursing homes to admit fewer residents or even close altogether, leaving residents in rural areas with no options or only with options that take them far away from their families and the lives they know.

I introduced the Protecting America's Seniors' Access to Care Act to prevent this rule from being implemented. It has the support of over 1,000 nursing home leaders and associations and this week, it passed out of the Ways and Means Committee in a 26-17 vote.

You can watch my full remarks to the Ways and Means Committee here.

Drought Disaster Assistance Deadline March 25

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing low-interest disaster loans for those impacted by the drought that began on July 18, 2023. The deadline to file for the federal working capital loans is March 25. Please visit the SBA website for more information.

While I was in Red Lake County, I met with county commissioners and staff and discussed many of the challenges facing the community and what Congress can do to support their work.

Art Competition

High school students from Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. This longstanding tradition is a wonderful opportunity for students from across the district to showcase their creativity and hard work. Winners will have their work on display in my Moorhead, Willmar, and Washington, D.C. offices and the first place winner will have their work hung in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be seen by thousands of visitors.

The deadline for submission is April 26th. For more information, please visit my website. 

Thank you to the City of Moorhead for sharing some of the projects you have going on with me. It was great to hear about the ways you are looking at making improvements for the city!

Now Accepting Summer Internship Applications

We are now accepting applications for our paid Summer internships in my D.C., Willmar, and Moorhead offices. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience working in Congress on things that matter to the 7th District and to America. Click here if you or someone you know may be interested!

Thanks for reading!

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