John,
It’s been a busy week full of keeping our federal funding in check, holding elite liberal institutions in check, and supporting American energy, but I wanted to take a moment to update you on the important work we are doing to advance our America First agenda in Congress.
My Minnesotan Republican colleagues and I wrote a letter to the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee to limit or fully eliminate any federal funding for three projects in our state: the Northern Lights Express commuter line, Blue Line Rail Extension, and Northstar Commuter Rail. These projects are expensive, ineffective experiments in commuter transit. Northstar ridership has plummeted by nearly 90%, costs have skyrocketed, and yet they continue to demand more from taxpayers. The Blue Line extension, which was initially projected to cost $1.2 billion, has ballooned to over $3 billion and is years behind schedule. That’s why we’re calling on the subcommittee to exclude funding for these projects in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill. I look forward to working with them to include language that puts an end to this wasteful spending.
President Trump is moving to cancel all federal contracts and funding with Harvard University. While the administration had already frozen roughly $3.2 billion in grants and contracts, they are now seeking to cut an additional $100 million. This action comes after Harvard’s repeated failures: refusing to comply with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action, turning a blind eye to antisemitism, and their mismanagement of federal funds. I stand with President Trump on this matter. No university, especially a private institution, should take taxpayer dollars while ignoring laws and fostering antisemitism. It's time that we stop funding these elite, liberal institutions that defy federal laws and undermine our values.
I am proud to join the relaunched bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus because biofuels are a vital component of American energy. From E-15 and biodiesel to liquid fuels and sustainable aviation fuel, our nation has the resources to power the future right in our own backyard. Our caucus will champion policies that create jobs, save billions in energy costs, and uplift rural communities. Increasing biofuel use benefits everyone—at the pump, on the farm, and across the economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver on these important biofuel initiatives nationwide.
As always, thank you for your continued trust and support. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with anything.
