Dear John,

  
After Wednesday’s budget vote, I want to be clear. The budget proposal my Republican colleagues just passed will gut Medicaid and increase the cost of health care for tens of thousands of Minnesotans.   
 
The statistics are startling.  
  
13,000 of my constituents — our neighbors — who receive coverage under the Affordable Care Act would see their average premium go up by $2,100 per year. That’s a 58 percent increase.  
  
There are more than 100,000 people on Medicaid in Minnesota’s Second District alone, and every single one of them are at risk of losing their coverage under the Republican budget plans. That includes thousands of kids and seniors – and all to pay for a handout to CEOs and big corporations. I’m working to stop this from happening.  
  
I’m all for rooting out waste in our health care systems. In fact, I have a bipartisan bill to prevent wasteful Medicaid payments to those who have died. It’s a straightforward and commonsense reform. Have Medicaid cross-check social security death records routinely and update its files. Maybe Elon Musk’s tech team could work on that instead of looking at Americans’ tax information. 
  
Regardless, I voted no on this destructive budget proposal – because Minnesotans in every corner of our state deserve access to quality, affordable health care. And I’ll take on anyone who threatens to take that away.   
  
Here’s what else I was up to this week:
  
Meeting with Minnesota manufacturing leaders 
This week, I sat down with Fire Boss — an aviation leader from South St. Paul that’s manufacturing rapid response wildfire fighting technology. 
  
Fire Boss is part of Wipaire, a company that employs over 200 Minnesotans from Minnesota’s Second District. They’re about to officially manufacture their 200th Fire Boss firefighting plane! Take a look at this awesome model that I’m now proudly displaying in my office! 
 
 
 
Strengthening the ag economy 
I had the chance to meet with NASDA, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and speak at their conference to highlight the critical food and agriculture issues our communities face every day. I also sat down with the Agricultural Retailers Association to discuss how we can continue our work together to strengthen our nation’s food supply chain. 
 
 

 
I also had a great meeting with Canadian Minister of Ag Lawrence MacAulay about the importance of our nations’ partnership.  
 
 
 
Listening to those impacted by federal workforce cuts 
I’ll be the first to say that we need to work to make our government agencies work as effectively as possible – but these reckless across the board terminations are not the answer. 
  
I have heard from veterans working at the local VA who were terminated without warning and FAA techs who have lost their jobs at MSP. These are people who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities and keeping people safe. 
  
If you or a loved one have been impacted by federal workforce cuts, please reach out to my office and share your story. We have also compiled a guide for those considering their next career steps that you can access here. 
  
Behind the Scenes:
  
Last week was a special one because it was Valentine’s Day and my birthday! I am lucky to have some wonderful colleagues in Congress who never forget my special day, including Representative Katherine Clark, who sent these beautiful birthday flowers to my office in Eagan. What a good friend! 
 

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress