Dear Fourth District Constituent,

In just 100 days, Donald Trump’s actions are proving to be disastrous for Americans’ economic security.

Under President Trump, our economy is shrinking at a rate of 0.3% — the first contraction in three years. When he was elected just three months ago, our economy was growing at a rate of 2.4%. The S&P 500 is down 7.1% since he took office, threatening Americans’ retirement savings. And Trump’s chaotic tariff wars are ballooning the trade deficit, which has never been higher, despite his promises to eliminate it.

 

 

Many economists are forecasting that Trump's erratic tariff wars are steering us toward a recession. I sincerely hope that doesn't happen. But in order to avoid further economic harm, Donald Trump needs to stop the chaos.

Trump’s actions are directly impacting the lives of Minnesotans. This week a Saint Paul toy store joined a lawsuit against Trump’s tariff policy, because it’s devastating their business. The Trump Administration’s cuts to federal funding are threatening Minnesota's rural manufacturers, which the Star Tribune covered in a story earlier this week. Enterprise Minnesota, a manufacturing extension partnership program, is facing millions of dollars in cuts to grants that provide critical services for factories and rural suppliers across our state. As Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, I led a letter with my colleagues highlighting the impact this action will have on Minnesota’s small manufacturers.
 
In addition to targeting hardworking Minnesota businesses and families, President Trump and Elon Musk are slashing many other investments and partnerships that help our state thrive. Their drastic staff cuts to AmeriCorps are impacting communities across Minnesota. I’ve joined my Democratic colleagues on a letter standing up and supporting the critical work AmeriCorps does in collaboration with our communities.

President Trump has chosen to surround himself with more than a dozen billionaires who are his closest advisors in the White House, so it should come as no surprise that he’s putting the interests of Elon Musk and his mega-donors over the needs of middle class families.
 
Standing Up & Speaking Out In Solidarity With Americans Against Trump’s Actions
I’m using every tool I have to stand up for Minnesotans and to fight back against the policies of Musk and Trump that are jeopardizing our economic future and taking away the services that millions of Americans rely on. On Wednesday, I joined Senator Smith, Senator Klobuchar, and my Congressional Democratic colleagues on the steps of the United States Capitol for an event to stand in solidarity with Americans against the disastrous actions of President Trump’s first days in office. Donald Trump has broken countless promises that he made to the American people before taking office. He's failed to do anything to lower prices—prices are actually spiking due to his chaotic tariff wars. He promised an "economic boom like no other"—but the economy is rapidly shrinking and sinking, and taking middle class families with it. He promised efficiency and savings through DOGE, but billionaire Elon Musk has only ripped apart agencies and cut critical services that American’s rely on. He’s also failed to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as he promised to do on Day One.

 

 

I will continue to use my voice to oppose all Republican efforts to take away food, healthcare, and basic government services that Minnesotans rely on. I encourage you to speak up, too. When you use you voice, it empowers me to use mine. If you have a story to tell, click here to Share Your Story.

 

Addressing Trump Administration Chaos with U.S. Forest Service Chief
Republicans on the Appropriations Committee organized a discussion with Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz this week, but we met behind closed doors, because President Trump is weeks overdue on releasing his full budget.

At the Forest Service, grants are being frozen and contracts cancelled, because Musk’s DOGE has made hapless and indiscriminate cuts affecting staffing and services. Often these actions are based on rudimentary AI searches by DOGE interns, rather than thoughtful consideration of the benefit of the federal funding for our communities and forests. Key positions are empty because of freezes and buyouts that cut staff without any strategic goal. The chaotic USFS staff situation is why Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permit pick-up was shut down at the two busiest ranger stations this season, impacting 5,500 permit holders—an issue I raised with Chief Schultz.

I urge Republicans to bring Chief Schultz back for an on-the-record hearing after Musk and Trump issue their proposal to make massive cuts to our public land agencies and natural resource management. Minnesotans and all Americans who enjoy the great outdoors deserve to hear their Representatives ask questions of public officials in a public setting.

 

Protecting the CDFI Fund
On March 14^th, President Trump issued an Executive Order that could threaten the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. CDFIs drive economic development throughout the Twin Cities, Minnesota’s tribal nations, and rural Minnesota. Last month, I sent a letter to the Trump Administration raising concerns I’ve heard from community groups all over Minnesota in the days following this disastrous Executive Order, and demanding that they reverse course. When I send letters like this to the Trump Administration, I am putting them on notice for actions that will harm our community—and it’s working. Last week, I received a response from the Department of Treasury reaffirming their commitment to keep the CDFI Fund functioning, despite the President’s executive order. Please keep reaching out and sharing your concerns with me and I will continue to raise these concerns directly to the Trump Administration.  

Demanding Answers About the Arrest of Colombia University Student, Mohsen Mahdawi
I recently joined my fellow Democrats in signing a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, demanding answers about the unlawful detention of Mohsen Mahdawi. This week, the Trump Administration relented and freed Mohsen under pressure from Congressional Democrats and others who'd demanded justice. His release shows that our continuous pressure on the Trump Administration in public and in the courts is working.

Meeting with the President of the University of Minnesota
Amidst another chaotic week in Washington, I was glad to welcome University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham to my office this week, where we discussed the launch of the university's forthcoming National Security Research Institute (NSRI). The NSRI will serve as a national hub to drive partnerships on national security-related funding opportunities and will support defense healthcare and workforce development for advanced manufacturers. 

 

 

During our meeting, President Cunningham also mentioned the importance of federal grants for the University of Minnesota, many of which have been frozen by President Trump. Just this year, eleven grants from the Department of Education totaling nearly $2,000,000 set to be sent to the University of Minnesota have been cancelled.