John,
Now that the Schumer shutdown has finally come to an end, I wanted to share a clear account of how we got here and the work Republicans were doing on behalf of our constituents while Democrats held our country hostage.
During Tuesday’s Rules Committee hearing, as I was simply recognizing Veterans Day and thanking the men and women who served, a Democrat congresswoman began talking over me. Moments later, as I laid out the basic facts of how we got into this mess—that Democrats voted against a clean bill to keep the government open, pay our troops, fund SNAP, and protect veterans’ benefits—she interrupted me again. It was undeniably disrespectful, but in a way, her outburst perfectly captured how Democrats approached this shutdown from start to finish: loud, dismissive, and determined to obstruct a straightforward solution that would have kept the government open. While Democrats were busy performing for TikTok, Republicans were doing the work our constituents expect. I spent the shutdown meeting with in-district stakeholders, holding a tele-town hall, joining a tax-reform roundtable in Alexandria, and keeping my offices fully open to help constituents with casework. Every day, my team and I were assisting Minnesotans in navigating the very agencies Democrats chose to close. The contrast couldn’t be clearer: Republicans fought to keep the government open; Democrats chose political theater and hostage-taking.
As mentioned, I joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber for a roundtable on pro-growth tax policy. Local business leaders shared firsthand how the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (aka the One Big Beautiful Bill) is helping them hire, expand, and keep more of their hard-earned revenue. I appreciated the chance to talk directly with employers about what’s working, what needs improvement, and how we can continue strengthening western Minnesota’s economy. Our small businesses and family-run companies are the engine of the 7th District, and meetings like this ensure their voices shape the policies coming out of Washington. I’m grateful to both Chambers and to all the local leaders who participated in a productive discussion about keeping our district competitive and thriving.
The shutdown’s end also brings long-overdue certainty to our farmers, families, and rural communities. By securing full-year funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, we’ve ensured that essential services like Farm Service Agency loans, conservation support, and rural development programs will be up and running without fear of another shutdown this year. The bill also extends critical farm bill programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program, so producers have stability heading into the next season. Importantly, SNAP benefits resumed within 24 hours, offering immediate relief to millions of low-income Americans and easing the pressure on local food banks across Minnesota. We also strengthened oversight of foreign-owned farmland and provided key resources to protect our agricultural economy. This is exactly the kind of responsible, pro-farmer governing Minnesotans deserve, and I am grateful we were able to get this done.
