Dear John,

Last week, the House of Representatives started the process of debating and voting on elements of the Republicans’ partisan budget bill – known as reconciliation.

In addition to cuts to Medicaid, the Republicans’ budget includes around $300 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In MN-02 alone, 37,000 people count on SNAP to help put food on the table. If this bill passes, it will be the single largest cut to an anti-hunger program in our history. 

As the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, I led my colleagues into the two-day markup this week ready to work. My Republican colleagues, however, did not. When their seats weren’t empty, they were silent. And their silence spoke for itself. 

They know how unpopular it is to cut $300 billion in food assistance from hungry seniors and children. That’s why they didn’t want to speak – because they didn’t want to be on the record defending this horrible bill. They even shut down the hearing early with 44 Democratic amendments left to debate. 

Instead of making basic food assistance programs work better for seniors, veterans and hungry children, my colleagues passed a bill through Committee on a party-line vote that increases bureaucratic red tape and pushes costs to already budget-challenged states. The process also risks fracturing the farm bill coalition — making the path to a full, five-year farm bill more difficult.  

If you want to hear more of my thoughts, you can watch my opening remarks during the House Agriculture Committee markup here. 

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

Honoring our law enforcement  

During National Police Week, I honored Burnsville’s fallen first responders—Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge and Adam Finseth—who lost their lives last year while working to keep our community safe.   
  
To all the fallen first responders and their families, we will never forget your bravery and sacrifice. 
  
You can view my speech on the House floor here.  

Protecting our public lands  

Every Minnesotan deserves access to outdoor spaces and public lands.  
  
This week, I met with the Trust for Public Land to discuss how we can leverage the investments we made through the Inflation Reduction Act to protect public lands for generations of Minnesotans to enjoy. 

Advocating for mental health  

Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts would put hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans at risk of losing care—including those who are struggling with mental health issues. This week, I met with NAMI MN to discuss how we can protect the vital coverage Minnesotans rely on.   

Behind the scenes:

This week, while I was in Washington, a member of my district staff participated in a ride-along with the Woodbury Police Department.  

Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our families safe, and it’s crucial that lawmakers and their staff understand the risks they take every day. That’s why I have a bill to require Members of Congress to participate in at least one ride-along per Congress. (I’ve done a bunch!) 

Thank you to the Woodbury Police Department for having my team, and for the work you do to keep our communities safe. 

Have a great weekend! 

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress