Dear John,

Before I get too into the weeds, I want to wish everyone a happy National Police Week! This week, we recognize the police officers in Minnesota and across the country who work day in and day out to keep our communities safe – and of course, we honor those we have lost in the line of duty. So to all of Minnesota’s brave law enforcement officers – and law enforcement families – thank you.  

Now, on to some ag-related business. This week, the House passed a bill allowing the year-round sale of E15! E15 is a fuel blend made of 85% gasoline and 15% ethanol. When you go to the gas station, it’s usually labeled as “Unleaded 88.” This is a big step forward for Minnesota’s corn growers, the ag economy and family farmers.  

Year-round E15 has been a priority of mine since I first came to Congress in 2019, and that’s why I led the charge to pass it through the House for the first time ever in 2022. Back then, farm country wasn’t doing great, but I think it’s safe to say our farmers and producers are worse off now under the Trump Administration’s Farmer-Last policies. 

President Trump’s reckless tariffs have shut corn and soybean farmers out of their largest export markets. Not to mention, the war in Iran has sent gas prices skyrocketing. Just last week, it cost me nearly $100 to fill up my Jeep. That’s unacceptable.  

At a time when Minnesotans need lower prices at the pump, E15 just makes sense. It’s homegrown, renewable and available. Overall, year-round E15 is a win for consumers and producers. Times are tough in farm country, but we'll take the wins where we can get them – and this is one. I hope the Senate does the right thing and sends this bill to the President’s desk to be signed into law.  

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

 
Bringing free school lunch to all 50 states  

As a mom of four, I know all too well that kids can't focus at school when they're hungry. At a time when grocery prices are through the roof and Republicans are hell-bent on slashing food assistance programs, free school meals bridge the gap for students across our country and ensure they are set up for success. This week, I introduced a bill with U.S.  Reps. Ilhan Omar and Betty McCollum and Senator Bernie Sanders to provide universal free school lunch to kids in all 50 states – no matter their income level or zip code. 

Getting private equity out of youth sports  

For years, massive private equity firms have been deliberately inflating the price of playing youth sports – raising costs for parents and effectively barring low-income kids from participating. Parents are already buckling under the sky-high cost of raising a family. The last thing they need is a private equity firm taking over their kids’ hockey league. 

I stood with my fellow co-chairs of the Monopoly Caucus Busters – as well as Senators Cory Booker and Chris Murphy – to send that message and push for our new legislation to keep private equity out of youth sports. 

Honoring late Sgt. Cory Slifko and the South Saint Paul PD 

This week, I met with the late Sgt. Cory Slifko’s family and the South Saint Paul Police Department to discuss how we can continue to support the police officers who keep our communities safe. 

Cory inspired my bill, which was signed into law in 2022, that extended death and disability benefits to officers lost as a result of suicide, disabled by PTSD or attempted suicide. Today, the Slifko family’s story is helping police families across America who have suffered the loss of a loved one. 

Behind the scenes: 

This week was the last week for our spring semester interns! To celebrate, my (talented) staff assistant baked them cookies. I might have snuck one or two while no one was looking...  

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress