Dear John,

This week, the House received the Senate version of the federal recissions package – a bill drafted by the President and Republicans in Congress that takes a sledgehammer to public media. 

The recissions package will cut $1.1 billion from public media nationally, and $17 million in Minnesota alone – devastating the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting provides federal dollars to 16 media organizations in Minnesota – including MPR News, which is projected to see $5.1 million in funding cuts.  

And it doesn’t stop there. Public media is more than just news – it’s “Curious George” and other educational TV programs for children, and it’s critical emergency and natural disaster alerts in our communities. Many of the folks who will be hit hardest by these cuts are those in rural Minnesota, where local media has dried up and natural disasters are on the rise.  

My Republican colleagues campaigned on the promise of cutting “waste, fraud and abuse,” but instead, they are going after organizations that provide essential services to middle-class Minnesotans. Taking educational resources away from children and making it difficult for rural Minnesotans to access life-saving information is a callous and dangerous mistake.  

That’s why I voted no on this package -- because Minnesotans deserve access to high-quality public broadcasting. Folks, I won’t stop fighting for resources like these that make Minnesotans safer, smarter and more informed. Not now, not ever. 

Here’s what else I’ve been up to this week:

Fighting Big Tech  

Too many fentanyl overdoses happen because of drugs sold on social media. It’s time we hold social media companies accountable for the trafficking that occurs on their platforms.  

I’m proud to reintroduce my bill that requires social media companies to report drug trafficking to authorities, curbs the sale of illicit drugs and keeps Minnesotans safe online. 

You can read more about my bill here. 

Supporting special ed programs  

Special education programs ensure every child has a chance to succeed – both in and out of the classroom. 

I met with MN special education leaders about the challenges they’re facing, and how we can continue working to support special ed teachers and paraprofessionals in our state. 

Meeting our future ag leaders  

I also met with Minnesota’s FFA State Officer Team this week. These young leaders are the future of Minnesota agriculture. 

Investing in renewable fuels  

It was great to stop by the Renewable Fuel Association Board of Directors meeting!  

I’m proud to continue working alongside groups like these to lower prices at the pump and support Minnesota’s family farmers and rural communities. 

Behind the scenes:

This week, I played in the Congressional Women’s Softball game – where women in Congress (both Republicans and Democrats) teamed up against the press to raise money for breast cancer research. Congress won 5-3! And I walked away with a couple of hits and an RBI.   

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress