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Dear Friend,
It’s been a busy few weeks in Washington, DC but thankfully I was able to come back to the district for a few days. Here’s what I’ve been up to:
Meeting with Students at Fair School Visit
I had a wonderful time visiting the bright young minds at FAIR School in Crystal! I had the chance to meet with a group of engaged 5th graders and talk about my role as a Congresswoman.
Their curiosity and insightful questions were truly impressive. I also met with 6th grade students working on a Community Schoolyard project with the Trust for Public Land. I can't wait to see the positive change these young people create!
Visiting Crystal Airport and Supporting Aviation Safety
This week, I had the opportunity to visit the air traffic control tower at Crystal Airport and witness the work of our controllers and technical staff. However, I also saw the staffing shortages and the need for updated resources they are facing as travel demands continue growing.
That's why I voted to pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024. This legislation provides critical funding to uphold the highest levels of aviation safety across the country. I’ll continue to work to ensure we have reliable, robust funding for aviation safety. I was also glad to support consumer protections within the bill that will require airlines to have policies to reimburse passengers for canceled or delayed flights.
Updating Constituents during the May Town Hall
We had an incredible turnout for our May town hall at Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis! I'm so grateful to every single person who took the time to come out, ask questions, and make their voices heard. I want to give a special thanks to Commissioner Angela Conley and Council Member Andrea Jenkins for being there and lending their perspectives. I'm honored to represent such an engaged district.
Indigenous Leaders’ Round Table
I had the privilege of hosting a roundtable with local Indigenous leaders and organizations here in the Twin Cities. It was a productive discussion about the priorities and challenges facing our Native American communities. I provided updates on my work to reform the Tribal court assessment process through the Tribal Court Support Act. This bill would require a review of the "one-size-fits-all" assessment approach and recommend ways to streamline it for new vs. existing Tribal courts.
The roundtable also allowed me to celebrate funding wins like the $850,000 for Little Earth housing rehabilitation, $3 million for the Minneapolis American Indian Center expansion, and $1 million for Native American Community Clinic renovations that I brought home. Most importantly, I listened to the leaders' ideas for better serving Native American communities.
Discussing Immigration at the Budget Committee Hearing
I had the opportunity to question immigration policy expert David Bier during a Budget Committee hearing. Mr. Bier provided crucial insights into the real costs and benefits of our immigration system. He confirmed that restricting legal pathways has significantly increased asylum claims, while policies facilitating legal entry have reduced illegal immigration. I remain committed to pushing for long-overdue, evidence-based immigration reforms.
Ed workforce Committee Hearing – Secretary of Education  Last week, I questioned Education Secretary Miguel Cardona during an Education and Workforce hearing. I pressed him on two crucial issues – the alarming rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia on college campuses, and the need to hold major student loan servicer MOHELA accountable.
With hate crimes and biased incidents increasing at disturbing rates, our institutions of higher education must foster inclusive, safe environments for all students. I also raised concerns about MOHELA, the student loan servicer contracted to manage many student loan borrowers' accounts. MOHELA has a troubling track record of misleading borrowers about their options and mismanaging accounts. Borrowers deserve better.
Congressional Progressive Caucus Press Conference
This week, I joined my colleagues from the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) for a press conference outlining our bold policy agenda. As Deputy Chair, I'm honored to work alongside Chair Pramila Jayapal, and CPC Whip Greg Casar, driving transformative change.
We celebrated major victories progressives helped secure like the Inflation Reduction Act's historic climate investments, financial relief for families during the pandemic, and President Biden's efforts to cancel student debt. These wins showed the impossible is possible when we organize and fight for the people's priorities.
In Solidarity,
Ilhan Omar
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