|
Dear Friend,
Last week, House Republicans passed a budget resolution that would cut funding from essential services. There is nothing responsible about potentially cutting $880 billion from Medicaid, slashing Social Security and Medicare, and defunding programs that working families rely on—all while billionaires and corporations get even richer. Over 160,000 Minnesotans are at risk of losing their health care (Source) as a result of this Republican blueprint for American decline. I voted NO because I refuse to stand by while conservatives prioritize greed over the well-being of everyday Americans. I will continue fighting for a budget that works for the people, not just the wealthy few. Watch my speech on the House floor here.
Tax the Greedy Billionaires Press Conference
I stood alongside my colleagues at the Congressional Progressive Caucus Press Conference to speak out against the GOP budget resolution. Republicans pushed through a budget would potentially cut $880 billion from Medicaid, slashing SNAP, and other essential services. House Democrats demand an economy that works for all of us, not just the privileged few. Watch my speech here.
House Education and the Workforce Committee: “Unleashing America’s Workforce”
House Republicans held a hearing titled “Unleash America’s Workforce,” but these past few weeks of federal layoffs only show that their policies are abandoning workers. During the hearing, I made it clear that we need policies that protect workers, not ones that leave them vulnerable. With summer less than six months away, I touched on how businesses should not be allowed to put workers at risk by forcing them to work 8-hour shifts in extreme heat without breaks. The standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exist for a reason—to ensure that workers aren’t exploited because we cannot trust companies to regulate themselves. Every worker deserves the protection they need to do their job safely and with dignity. I will continue to fight for policies that prioritize the well-being of workers, not the profits of corporations. Watch here.
Meeting With Hennepin Healthcare
The GOP’s budget plan puts 164,149 Minnesotans (Source) in my district at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage—a devastating blow to our communities. This week, I met with Hennepin Healthcare to discuss the real-world consequences these cuts will have on families across our state. Medicaid is a lifeline for over 1 million Minnesotans (Source), and these cuts would make it even harder for our most vulnerable residents to access the care they need. I will continue to fight to protect Medicaid and ensure that every Minnesotan has access to the healthcare they deserve.
Parents In Community Action (PICA) Head Start School Visit
The Trump administration signed an executive order attempting to freeze federal funding, including grants, which would have shut off funding for dozens of Head Start programs across the country, threatening early childhood education for our most vulnerable kids. I visited PICA Head Start Training Center in Minneapolis to hear directly from educators about the devastating impact these cuts will have on students and families in our state. Congress must fight to protect Head Start and invest in our children’s future—not defund it.
February Town Hall
 Thank you to everyone who joined us for our February Town Hall in St. Louis Park! It was an opportunity to connect with over 100 constituents, hear your concerns, and discuss the issues that matter most to our community. A special thank you to St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed, State Representative Larry Kraft, and City Councilmembers Sue Budd and Paul Baudhuin for joining me and for your unwavering dedication to serving our neighbors.
At the Town Hall, I heard firsthand from federal workers who have lost their jobs due to the cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as well as university researchers who fear losing vital federal funding. Thank you for your commitment to standing together and making your voices heard. Watch here.
Presenting Congressional Record to John Croman
I was honored to present a Congressional Record to John Croman in honor of his career as a political reporter for 27 years with KARE 11. I am grateful for his dedication to bringing Minnesotans reliable, informative, and timely news. I spoke about John’s contributions to Minnesota on the House floor this week. Watch here.
Visiting Joyce Uptown Food Shelf
I recently had the privilege of meeting with Joyce Uptown Food Shelf Director Matthew Ayres to discuss how we can best support this essential organization as it continues to serve our communities. As Minneapolis’s oldest food shelf, Joyce Uptown provides crucial nutrition assistance to families in need. In 2024, they served a record-breaking 63,156 Minnesotans, and with rising demands expected in 2025, I’m working to ensure they have the resources they need to keep fighting hunger. At the federal level, I am committed to advocating for policies that help strengthen local food banks and support families facing food insecurity.
Minnesota African American Heritage museum & gallery
I had an incredible time visiting the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery to see their new Black History Month exhibit, The Black Vote. This powerful exhibit tells the story of Black Minnesotans' long and hard-fought struggle for the right to vote—highlighting the barriers they overcame and the continued fight to protect this fundamental right today. As a member of Congress, I have been proud to champion voting rights by co-sponsoring critical legislation like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore and strengthen key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the For the People Act, which expands access to the ballot box, curbs voter suppression, and tackles dark money in politics.
Visiting MSP Air Traffic Control
Air Traffic Controllers play a critical role in keeping our skies safe, but they are already stretched thin due to staffing shortages. Now, the Trump Administration has fired hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration employees who support safety inspectors and airport operations. I met with Air Traffic Controllers at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to hear firsthand how these reckless cuts are impacting aviation safety and what I can do to support them. Congress must invest in our aviation workforce—not undermine it—because safety should never be up for debate.
In Service,
Ilhan Omar
|
