John,
It was a busy week in Washington as we passed three more spending bills, rolled back more regulations, and advanced pro-life policies that support women and families. Here are some other issues from this week that I want to highlight.
Once again, Minnesota is in the national spotlight for the wrong reasons. If Gov. Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey had enforced immigration laws from the start, ICE wouldn’t have to clean up their mess. The loss of life in Minneapolis is tragic, but federal officers should never be threatened or forced into split-second decisions because of reckless and dangerous rhetoric. I am proud to stand with ICE and those who put themselves in harm’s way to enforce our laws and keep our communities safe.
As a cosponsor of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, I’m thrilled that this commonsense, science-based legislation has now passed both the House and the Senate and is headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. For more than a decade, Washington’s one-size-fits-all nutrition rules took whole milk off school menus, ignoring science and the simple reality that kids were drinking less milk as a result. This law restores flexibility for schools to offer whole and 2% milk—options students actually choose—so children get more protein, calcium, and essential nutrients while reducing waste in cafeterias. This is especially important for kids who rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition. It also strengthens rural America by supporting dairy farmers who produce a wholesome, nutrient-dense product families trust. With President Trump set to sign this bill, we’re delivering a real win for children’s health, family farmers, and common sense.
The handling of Minnesota’s deer farming industry by Governor Tim Walz and state Democrats is another example of heavy-handed regulation that punishes lawful producers instead of pursuing balanced, workable solutions. Under legislation he signed, family-owned deer farms are effectively being regulated out of existence through expensive fencing mandates, license freezes, and forced depopulation—even when herds are healthy. That’s why I worked with my Minnesota Republican colleagues to bring this issue to the attention of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who rightfully called out Walz, saying his approach phases out an entire agricultural sector by government fiat. While protecting deer herds from chronic wasting disease is important, Walz chose mandates so extreme they eliminate livelihoods rather than partnering with farmers on science-based mitigation. In response, our deer farmers have taken their case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that Minnesota’s policy violates basic property rights and the freedom to pursue a lawful occupation. When the government decides winners and losers by regulation alone, things stop working. Minnesotans deserve policies that protect public health and respect rural families and not an administration that regulates first and answers questions later.
I’m proud to reintroduce the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women Act to make sure women facing unplanned or difficult pregnancies get real support. This bill allows states to use existing family assistance funds to support pregnancy resource centers that provide prenatal care, parenting education, counseling, and essentials like diapers and formula. These centers walk alongside women through unplanned pregnancies and the early years of motherhood, helping them build stable, healthy futures for their children. This approach strengthens community-based organizations with a proven track record of serving moms with compassion and dignity. The Biden administration tried to block states from supporting this work, even though it saves taxpayer dollars and improves outcomes for families. Being truly pro-life means supporting women before and after birth. This legislation puts that belief into action.
