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Good morning!

As I'm sure you agree, I am enjoying the warmer weather this week brought us. Although Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter, I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you have the chance to spend some time outside this weekend in above-freezing temperatures!

Continuing to Call for Help

It's no secret that Minnesota has a MASSIVE fraud problem, and we've been trying to sound the alarm for years. Thankfully, several Congressional committees, including the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Committee of the Judiciary, have taken note. They have invited individuals from Minnesota to share about the extent of the fraud, how long it has been going on, and how we initially found out about it. Last month, Reps. Robbins, Hudson, and Rarick testified in one hearing, with independent journalist Nick Shirley following just a few weeks after. This week, Senator Ted Cruz invited Rep. Robbins, David Hoch, AG Keith Ellison, Rep. Amy Klobuchar, and Governor Tim Walz. Unsurprisingly, Ellison, Klobuchar, and Walz declined to attend. Ellison was instead spotted at a press conference in MN denouncing a recent decision regarding "gender-affirming care" at Children's Minnesota, which I will dive into next. Their disregard for taking accountability for the fraud problem and making meaningful progress towards a resolution is all I need to see to know that they are not serious about stopping or fixing the problem.

The bottom line is: Republicans are serious about fixing the fraud! We have seen first hand how massive amounts of taxpayer dollars, funneled into fraudulent activity, is taking a toll on hardworking Minnesotans and their families. At an estimated $9 BILLION, with some sources calling this a conservative figure, the impact equates to $3,840 per Minnesotan household! I know many families in our district would be greatly benefitted by an additional ~4k in their pockets. 

As we continue to fight to make progress in stopping the fraud, I am thankful for our federal partners for shining a spotlight on MN and directing resources our way. I continue to look forward to the day when the fraudsters are held accountable and our programs are safeguarded from problems like these again.

Protecting our Children

Children’s Minnesota announced it will stop providing gender-affirming treatments for minors, pointing to growing federal pressure and updated guidance from major medical organizations. Both the American Medical Association and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have recently shifted their positions, saying irreversible gender-related surgeries for children should generally be delayed until adulthood. The plastic surgeons group also said there is not enough evidence to prove the benefits outweigh the risks for minors.

I released a statement supporting this decision and called it a step in the right direction to better protect kids. Medical decisions that permanently impact a child’s life should be handled with extreme caution and backed by clear, long-term evidence. I believe we have seen politics and ideology move faster than the science, and it is important that we return to the basic medical standard of putting patient safety first.

This has also been part of my work at the Capitol. I chief-authored legislation dealing with how gender-related care is handled in custody disputes and health coverage decisions. My focus has been simple. Put kids first, make sure parents are involved, and slow down irreversible medical decisions.

Meeting with the Lower Sioux Indian Community

I recently had the opportunity to meet with leaders from the Lower Sioux Indian Community at the Capitol in my role as Chair of the House Bonding Committee. I appreciated them making the trip to St. Paul to share more about the work they are doing and their vision for future investment in their community. Their request is for funding for the predesign and design stages in their pursuit of creating the first of its kind Dakota immersion public charter school for ages birth - grade 4. The school would be on native lands in MN, and would create 18 permanent jobs in the southwestern part of the state.

We had a productive conversation about the importance of supporting projects that strengthen local opportunities, preserve culture, and create long-term benefits for the region. I am grateful for their engagement in the bonding process and for the partnership they continue to build with the state as they plan for the future.

Please Contact Me

If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-3201 or [email protected] I would love to hear from you.

It’s an honor to represent the best!

2802 Centennial Office Building          658 Cedar Street                              Saint Paul, MN 55155 [email protected]
651.296.3201