John,
Members of Congress returned to Washington, D.C. this week with a very full schedule, including an extra legislative day. With over 25 floor votes on bills and resolutions from baby bottles to energy independence, here’s information on a few of them that impact our district.
I was proud to vote in favor of the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act because our veterans have earned every measure of support this country can provide. As inflation strains family budgets, the bill, which passed the House this week, ensures that disability compensation and survivor benefits keep pace with inflation so the men and women who served are not left behind. This is a straightforward and bipartisan fix that directly helps disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and children. Supporting those who sacrificed for our nation should always be bipartisan, and I’m glad to see this bill is headed to President Trump’s desk to become law. As your representative, I will continue fighting to ensure that Minnesota’s veterans receive the care, stability, and support they deserve.
I was pleased to support two important energy bills this week that strengthen America’s energy security and lower costs for families. The Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act removes outdated restrictions on natural gas exports so we can boost domestic production, support good-paying American jobs, and reduce our reliance on adversarial nations. I also voted for the Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act, which directs a comprehensive review of U.S. refinery capacity so we can increase domestic refining and stop depending on foreign petrochemicals. Together, these bills move us toward a stronger, more affordable, and more secure energy future. Minnesotans deserve an energy policy that puts America first and lowers costs.
President Trump’s announcement of new trade agreements with Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador proves that the administration can lower costs for American families without hurting our farmers and ranchers. I fought hard earlier this year to stop a plan that would have opened the door to increased Argentine beef imports, and I’m glad to see that the quota on Argentine beef stays in place. That’s important in western Minnesota because when Washington gets trade wrong, it’s our producers who pay the price. The administration is lowering tariffs on goods we don’t grow or raise here, like coffee, bananas, and cocoa, while protecting the markets our ranchers rely on. At the same time, the deal opens new doors for U.S. agriculture and rural manufacturing, with preferential access for U.S. goods like technology, chemicals, and veterinary and medical supplies. I appreciate that President Trump heard the message from farm country and from those of us who represent it: trade should expand opportunities for U.S. producers, not replace them.
