When in Willmar!

It was a pleasure to visit with the Willmar Area Chamber of Commerce last week to discuss how we can continue fostering a strong business environment in Willmar and throughout Greater Minnesota.

We discussed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and the benefits it provided to local businesses, including permanently securing the 199A Small Business Deduction, which prevents 55,000 of Minnesota's local businesses from facing crippling tax rates. We also highlighted the New Markets Tax Credit, which has already delivered over $620 million in investments to the 7th District. Beyond tax relief, we discussed my legislative efforts on the Investing in Rural America Act. 

By cutting bureaucratic red tape and empowering our Main Streets, we are ensuring that our rural communities remain competitive and a place where the next generation can find good-paying jobs.

While in Willmar, I also held a virtual meeting with police chiefs from across the district to discuss the critical importance of coordination between federal and local law enforcement. I have always been a supporter of law enforcement, and my goal is to ensure they have the information they need to keep our neighborhoods safe. While federal agencies have a legitimate mission to enforce our nation's laws, doing so without communicating with our local departments creates unnecessary operational hurdles for our officers on the ground. I am working hard to bridge this communication gap. By pushing for clear protocols and transparency, we can ensure that our local police are never left in the dark and can continue their vital work with the full support and clarity they deserve.

Healthcare in Hutchinson

I had a productive visit to Hutchinson Health Hospital, where we discussed the future of healthcare in Greater Minnesota. Ensuring our rural hospitals remain financially stable is a top priority, which is why I am closely monitoring the implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This initiative is set to bring over $193 million to Minnesota in 2026 alone. I am working hand-in-hand with the Minnesota Hospital Association to cut through the red tape and ensure our rural providers receive every dollar they deserve to keep their doors open and their care patient-centered.

I also had the opportunity to visit Birthright of Hutchinson, an incredible organization dedicated to providing free, confidential, and nonjudgmental support to expectant mothers in our community. From providing pregnancy testing and maternity items to connecting women with medical care and housing, Birthright is a lifeline for families in need. To ensure centers like this can continue their vital work, I am proud to share that my bill, H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, recently passed the House. My bill protects these centers from discrimination, ensuring that over 2,700 organizations nationwide can keep their doors open. We must protect the right of every woman to access the support she needs to care for her child at home and build a stable future.

The Fraud Investigation Continues

I am committed to ensuring that your tax dollars are protected and used for their intended purposes, which is why I recently joined my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee in demanding a total overhaul of the IRS’s oversight of the non-profit sector. The "Feeding Our Future" scandal was a heartbreaking betrayal of Minnesota taxpayers and the vulnerable children these programs were meant to serve. It is unacceptable that systemic failures at the federal level allowed such a massive theft of public funds to occur right here in our state.

Our investigation revealed a disturbing lack of communication: even after the IRS revoked Feeding Our Future’s tax-exempt status in 2020, the IRS failed to update its public systems for months, allowing the organization to continue receiving state approval and funding. With nearly 80 individuals prosecuted and deeply concerning reports that stolen funds may have reached terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab, we cannot afford this level of incompetence. I am fighting to reform these broken systems, hold corrupt organizations accountable, and ensure that the IRS finally prioritizes transparency and national security over bureaucracy.

You can read the full letter here. 

Community Project Funding 

I am thrilled to announce that I have secured over $9 million in federal funding for 11 critical infrastructure projects across Western Minnesota.

One of my top priorities is ensuring that your tax dollars get back to the district to improve our communities. These investments will guarantee the long-term viability of the rural way of life. Whether it’s ensuring everyone has clean drinking water or updating sanitation systems, these projects make a daily difference for our families and small towns.

Mobile Office Hours

My office is holding two mobile office hours in February.

On Thursday, February 12, my staff will be in Long Prairie from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Todd County Courthouse, 215 1st Ave S.

On Friday, February 13, they will be in Wadena from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Wadena City Library, 210 1st St SW. 

This is an opportunity for you to connect with my office, share your comments or concerns on policies, and ask questions. They can also help you with any issues you might be having with a federal agency. For questions regarding the mobile office hours, please contact my office at 320-403-6100.

What matters most to you?

Thank you for reading!

fischbach.house.gov

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