Dear John,

This week, the annual defense bill – otherwise known as the National Defense Authorization Act – came to the floor for a vote.

While I appreciate my Democratic colleagues’ work over the past few months to strip an earlier version of this bill of some of its most concerning line items and implement key provisions, like a well-deserved pay raise for our troops, I am still deeply concerned that it abandons our country's LGBTQ+ veterans and servicemembers, immigrants and civil servants. 

   
Since day one of this Congress, House Republicans have rubber-stamped Trump’s dangerous agenda. In this bill, they included language that would expand the Trump Administration's authority to use the military to enforce immigration laws. Not only is this a blatant violation of due process, but it’s yet another attempt by this President to vilify immigrants to distract from his own disastrous policies.  

I will not stand idly by while President Trump enacts his anti-worker, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-veteran agenda and I will certainly not sign a blank check for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to continue putting our national security and servicemembers at risk. 

Just two weeks ago, the President threatened to hang six Members of Congress who reminded servicemembers that they have every right to disobey his unlawful orders. Threatening to execute lawmakers, blatantly disregarding the rule of law and weaponizing the DOJ are all grounds for impeachment. That’s why yesterday, I voted against a Republican effort to block beginning the impeachment process. Although Republicans were successful, I’m always going to do what’s right. And that means if someone commits an impeachable offense, I’m going to vote to impeach them.  

I won’t stop standing up for Minnesota’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community, servicemembers, immigrants and veterans. Not today, not ever.  

Here’s what else I was up to this week: 

Celebrating Eagan’s Firefighter of the Year 

Congratulations to Eric Purves, Eagan’s 2025 Firefighter of the Year!  

Eric, thank you for all you do. Your dedication to our community doesn’t go unnoticed. 

Strengthening MN-02's transportation infrastructure 

We worked in Congress to bring home $10,720,000 in federal funding for the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. 

This funding will add hybrid diesel buses to MVTA’s fleet and modernize the Burnsville Bus Garage. It’s projects like these that make our communities stronger, safer and more accessible for Minnesotans. 

Holding Big Pharma accountable  

I’m proud to support legislation to build on the progress we made through the Inflation Reduction Act – to make available the Medicare negotiated price of prescription drugs to EVERY American and hold Big Pharma accountable for price gouging Minnesotans. 

Here’s what it will do: 

• Extend IRA drug price negotiations to all Americans with private insurance 
• Stop drug companies from raising prices faster than inflation 
• More than double the number of prescription drugs selected for negotiation 

Behind the Scenes:

This week, the Capitol Christmas tree went up! It’s always fun to see the Capitol decorated for the holidays. This tree came all the way from Nevada. Although, I think one from Minnesota might have looked a little better...  

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress