Dear John,

It’s been a busy last couple days in DC here. Earlier this week, we had a bipartisan deal on the table that would have kept our government funded and open – and House Republicans backed out last minute,
 
Republicans and Democrats must work together to ensure our government is funded. I’m ready to work with both my Republican and Democratic colleagues to get this done in bipartisan way.
 
This week I was honored to earn the support of my colleagues across the Democratic Caucus for Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture for the 119th Congress.
  
I look forward to leading my Democratic colleagues in the spirit of Minnesota’s Second District: that means not defaulting to the status quo of Washington.
 
It’s been a busy and difficult year for Minnesota’s family farmers. Our state experienced extreme weather patterns, from droughts to devastating flooding – and left many of our family farmers struggling to break even.
 
Getting them the support they need has been my top priority on the House Agriculture Committee. I’d like to share some of the bipartisan work we’ve been able to get done here with you.
 
I’ve been working hard to strengthen our domestic biofuels production and expand opportunities in these markets for Minnesota family farmers
 
For the first time, a four-corner agreement on the year-round sale of E15 was agreed to by House and Senate Republicans. I was proud to be a part of this agreement and am deeply disappointed that Speaker Johnson cut it from the government funding bill at the eleventh hour. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure we can get the year-round sale of E15 codified and signed into law.

I’ve also been working across the aisle to expand opportunities for new and beginning farmers to enter into the industry.
 
Last year, I introduced the bipartisan Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would increase the crop insurance definition of a beginning farmer from 5 years to 10 years.
 
By doing so, we would give new farmers and producers the stability and certainty they need to break into family farming, and continue to ensure their critical role in American agriculture.
 
I’ll also keep working across the aisle to ensure that the final Farm Bill will get Minnesota family farmers the support and resources they need.

This year the House Republicans passed a Farm Bill out of committee that just would not work for Minnesota farmers and ag producers. The bill de-prioritized traditionally midwestern crops and rolled back the climate-smart ag policies we championed in the Inflation Reduction Act.
 
The version of the bill that passed Committee had no path to being signed into law – and it didn’t even make it to the House floor because Republicans didn’t even have the votes to pass it.
 
I’m working to ensure the final Farm Bill will strengthen the farm safety net, ensure that new and beginning farmers can access the support they need to break into family farming, invest in climate-safe ag practices and lower food and energy costs for Minnesotans.
 
I look forward to another year serving on the House Agriculture Committee and I’ll always fight to do everything in my power to help Minnesota’s family farmers and uplift our rural communities.

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

Supporting businesses in MN-02
It was great to see Vern Kelley from Lakeville, the CEO of Kelley Fuels, while he was in DC.

Advocating for Minnesota’s family farmers
It was a busy year for Minnesota’s family farmers – and Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing and Farmers Union President Gary Wertish were both in my DC office this week to advocate for family farmers in our community.

Connecting with local news
Great to join Blois Olson on WCCO Radio’s Sunday Take to talk about the work I’m doing across the aisle to support Minnesota families.

Behind the Scenes with Rep. Craig:

I took some time to chat with my fall semester interns on Thursday. They do great work supporting my DC and Eagan offices, helping constituents with federal agencies, answering your phone calls and much more. I am so grateful for the work they’ve done for MN-02!

Wishing you all and your families a very joyful and safe holiday season!

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress