Dear John,

What a week it’s been. I feel like I’ve been saying that a lot lately, but it’s true! Let’s start with the sweeping cuts to our government agencies that have been dominating the news.

Look, I’m not shy about the fact that we need to make government more efficient. That’s why I support cutting government spending that isn’t serving everyday Minnesotans – but that’s not what we’ve seen so far.

Across-the-board job cuts do nothing but threaten Minnesotans’ access to essential services and hinder critical programs that our neighbors rely on.

We learned this week that the VA is planning on letting go of 80,000 employees – many of them veterans serving veterans. This is mind-boggling. Not only will these cuts take good-paying jobs away from folks in our community, but they will jeopardize veterans’ access to benefits and care.

That’s why I'm supporting the Protect Veteran Jobs Act to defend our VA employees against reckless terminations and ensure our veterans get the benefits and care they have earned.

It has also been widely reported that the Administration intends to announce its plans to dismantle the Department of Education soon. This is a non-starter. I refuse to sit idly by while this Administration guts our public education system and takes life changing opportunities away from our kids.

Last month, I introduced a resolution expressing support for our public schools and condemning any actions that would defund public education or weaken or dismantle the Department of Education. I have always stood up for Minnesota’s educators and I will fight alongside them to protect our schools and ensure every Minnesota kid has access to a quality education.

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

Attending State of the Union:
For this year’s State of the Union address, I was joined by Denise Specht, President of Education Minnesota – the state’s largest teachers union. While the Administration prepares to gut the Department of Education, I’m standing with Minnesota’s teachers, parents and students.

If you haven’t had a chance to see it yet, you can watch a short video I posted with Denise shortly before the address below. We talked about the importance of fighting for our public schools and supporting Minnesota’s educators. Take a look at the link here! 

Speaking to the Association of Minnesota Counties – in DC!
This week, I spoke at the Association of Minnesota Counties’ annual legislative breakfast, to highlight our bipartisan work to deliver for Minnesota communities. I also had the chance to meet with County Commissioners from Dakota, Washington and Scott Counties – local leaders who work tirelessly to advocate for everyday Minnesotans.

Meeting with our European Trade Partners
I also met with the EU Ambassador to the US, Jovita Neliupšienė. We spoke about how to strengthen trade and diplomatic relations across the Atlantic – meaning lasting relationships with our EU allies, and more money in the pockets of farmers and small businesses back home.

Visiting Local Businesses
Back in Minnesota today, I had a great visit with Hearth & Home Technologies in Lakeville. As tariffs threaten to increase costs for our country’s small and local businesses, we talked about the importance of continuing to invest in home-grown operations that are fueling our economy and creating good-paying jobs here in Minnesota.

I also stopped by yum! Kitchen and Bakery – a local business in Woodbury to grab a bite and chat to owners Patti and Robbie about the need to lower costs for small business owners, including the cost of eggs.

Behind the scenes:

Denise and I snapped a quick photo as we traveled on the Capitol subway to the State of the Union. Thanks for joining me, Denise!

Have a great weekend.

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress