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Legislative Updates from Washington, DC
Continuing to Advocate for Medicaid
Late last Wednesday night, Congressional Republicans voted to pass a bill that cut over $700 billion dollars from Medicaid. More than 1.4 million Minnesotans – including 650,000 children – get their health insurance through Medicaid.
Ever since conservatives shared their plan to gut our healthcare systems with their budget, I’ve worked to amplify the fact that their proposed cuts will hurt not just those who rely directly on Medicaid, but all Minnesotans and all Americans. I continued to do that throughout the two nights before the final vote.
Minnesota hospitals have made it clear that these cuts to Medicaid wouldn’t just rip health care away from millions of Americans – it would also cause hospitals to cut services or close down entirely.
To prevent this, I introduced an amendment to the Republican budget simply saying that the Republicans’ proposed budget that includes cuts to Medicaid cannot take effect until an independent study confirms they will not result in hospital closures or reductions in services.
With my fellow Democratic doctors, I also took to the House floor on Tuesday to highlight how these cuts would only worsen America’s maternal health crisis. You can watch my full floor speech here.
I also joined the Democratic Women’s Caucus on the House floor and told the story of Alicia, a Minnesota mother whose daughter gets essential health care coverage through Medicaid. You can watch my full floor speech here.
I had the pleasure of meeting Alicia when I joined her for a virtual press conference to highlight how important Medicaid is to Minnesotan families.
These cuts have now passed the House – but there is still time for the Senate to save Medicaid for millions of Americans. I will keep fighting, advocating, and doing everything I can to protect Medicaid.
Taking Your Stories to Congress
At our last town hall, we invited constituents to come early, gather with neighbors, and share what they’re concerned about and what they’re fighting for—from saving Medicaid and protecting Social Security to supporting our veterans and funding the NIH.
I brought those stories with me to Washington – and last week, I made sure that anyone who walks by my office can see who and what I’m fighting for – straight from the constituents of Minnesota’s Third District.
The U.S. House of Representatives is the People’s House – and I’m here to make sure your voices are heard every single day.
Protecting the Boundary Waters
Last week, Congressional Republicans snuck a provision that would open the Boundary Waters to toxic sulfide-ore copper mining into their budget. I stood on the House floor to express my opposition to this provision and make it clear that our pristine Boundary Waters must be protected. You can watch my full floor speech here.
Strengthening Pathways to Policing
Police departments across the country are facing recruitment challenges – which is why I introduced the bipartisan Pathways to Policing Act with my colleague, Representative Brad Finstad. This bill, which would allocate $500 million to law enforcement agencies to strengthen recruitment and training programs, is endorsed by law enforcement agencies like the Minnesota Peace and Police Officer Association (MPPOA), the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA), the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).
Recognizing Sue Abderholden
I was proud to honor Executive Director Sue Abderholden of National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota with a Congressional Record for her 24 years of tireless advocacy for mental health and people living with mental illness. Minnesota is a better place because of her leadership!
Demanding Answers for the VA
As a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the wife of an Army combat veteran, I am deeply concerned about the Trump Administration and Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs Doug Collins’ plans to fire over 80,000 VA workers. When I met with frontline VA workers at the Minneapolis VA recently, one medical provider told me, “I question whether the Secretary actually cares about veterans.”
I took this question to Secretary Collins, where I demanded answers about his plan to cut 15% of the VA workforce. You can watch our exchange here.
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