Dear John,

  
This was the first District Work Period of the year, which meant that I got to spend the week back home in Minnesota’s Second District. I thought leaving Capitol Hill would mean getting away from all the craziness, but instead, much of the news cycle this week centered on the new Administration’s memo that outlined a freeze in federal funding for organizations and communities across America.  
  
It didn’t take long for the order to be challenged in the courts and the White House to walk back the memo, but even still, the immediate damage is real. I was notified by local police departments that critical Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants they received to hire more officers had been paused, and I heard from family farmers that their Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) funding was in jeopardy. Nonprofits and local authorities across the country received similar notices, sparking panic. On top of that, access to critical health care services was disrupted when Medicaid portals shut down in all 50 states. These sweeping, ill-thought-through freezes of funding already approved by Congress and signed into law are creating chaos and are unacceptable.   
  
As your representative in Congress, I am committed to getting you answers, and I am working with local entities to protect the federal funding that has already been allocated to our schools, family farms, first responders and others. 
 
Before I update you on what I was up to this week, I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those civilians and servicemembers who lost their lives in the tragic aviation accident on Wednesday night in Washington DC. I also want to acknowledge the brave search and rescue teams who responded immediately, diving into freezing water in an attempt to save lives.  
  
As someone who flies in and out of Reagan National Airport (DCA) almost every week, I know that route all too well, so this incident hits particularly close to home. The airspace surrounding DCA is one of the most congested in the country. This never should have happened, and I am going to demand answers. 
  
These are trying times, but please know that I’ve got your back. As your Congresswoman and as a fellow Minnesotan, I am grateful to every one of you. 
 

Here’s what else I was up to this week: 
 
Advocating for special education programs 

On Tuesday, I had my first meeting with my newly formed Special Education Advisory Board in Rosemount. I spoke with special educators, paraprofessionals and parents of students with special needs to discuss the greatest opportunities and challenges for Minnesota’s special education programs and how I can best support them as we advocate for special education programs across the state.  
  
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit the special education programs at Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights. What I saw blew me away. Superintendent Olson-Skog and the special educators in ISD 197 are doing an incredible job creating opportunities for students with special needs to grow and thrive.  

Touring 3M’s Cottage Grove plant 

I also had the chance to tour the 3M plant in Cottage Grove with CTO John Banowetz. It’s great to see 3M continue to innovate right here in the Second District. This plant is creating good-paying union jobs here in Washington County and beyond. 

Working with law enforcement to combat substance abuse disorder 

And on Thursday morning, I sat down with Scott County law enforcement leaders, local officials and health care professionals at the Scott County Jail to discuss how we can best combat the opioid epidemic in our communities and in our correctional facilities. We talked about the importance of overdose prevention efforts and mental health resources for those struggling with addiction. 

Sitting down with mayors, old and new 

Thursday afternoon, I had the opportunity to gather the Second District’s new mayors at Savage’s City Hall. We had a very productive conversation about federal funding opportunities for our cities and towns, and how we can work together to deliver for our shared constituents.  
  
Then, immediately following that meeting, I hosted a ceremony to celebrate Savage’s former mayor and my good friend Janet Williams. There, I presented her with the Congressional Record Citation I submitted in honor of her nearly 20 years of service to the Savage community. Thank you, Janet! 

Behind the scenes with Rep. Craig: 
  
One of the programs I visited at Two Rivers High School was a PE class, and when we walked in, the students were in the middle of a lively kickball game. It looked like they were having so much fun, I couldn’t just stand around and watch from the sidelines!  
  
Luckily, the kids were willing to give me a shot and I think I managed a pretty good kick, especially since I left my tennis shoes at home. Here’s a shot of me running around the bases. 

Have a great weekend!

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress