Welcoming VA Secretary Collins to Mankato

Today, I hosted a roundtable discussion with Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, bringing together former service members and veteran advocates from across Minnesota’s First District. We owe it to the men and women who have served our country to take care of them when they leave service. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from some of southern Minnesota’s veterans about how I can best support them in Congress, especially when it comes to improving VA benefits and services systemwide.  

While in Mankato, I joined Secretary Collins for a tour of the Lyle C. Pearson Community-Based Outpatient VA Clinic and a discussion with VA healthcare leaders. By providing primary care and specialty health services, like mental health care and radiology, this clinic is an essential component to VA care in south-central Minnesota, and it was a great opportunity for Secretary Collins and I to see firsthand how they are supporting local veterans. 

We also had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Bravo Zulu House. As America’s first all-military sober home for veterans, Secretary Collins and I were able to hear about their work to help veterans achieve sobriety and provide immediate treatment for those battling PTSD and mental health challenges. 

Thank you, Secretary Collins, for joining us in the First District to learn more about the resources we have to offer for our veteran communities and discuss how we can continue to grow. 

Recognizing Our Next Generation of Leaders

We live in the greatest country in the world because of young leaders who are willing to put service before self to support and defend our freedom. This week, I announced my nomination of four southern Minnesota students to our nation’s prestigious service academies, all of whom have accepted appointments to their respective institutions. It is a privilege to nominate these outstanding students. I know Brady, Aidan, Evan, and Dayton will serve our nation well.

Brady Arneson, Minnesota Connections Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy

Aidan Moeller, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial Secondary School, U.S. Air Force Academy

Evan Jenkins, Rochester Century High School, U.S. Air Force Academy

Dayton Clobes, Mankato East High School, U.S. Military Academy 

Meeting With Minnesota Farm Bureau

It’s always great to meet with the Minnesota Farm Bureau and discuss how we can continue to deliver wins for farmers and rural communities across the First District. Since day one in Congress, I’ve been committed to delivering strong ag policy that is written by farmers, for farmers, and always appreciate hearing their insights. 

Serving YOU in Congress

It’s the honor of a lifetime to serve my southern Minnesota neighbors in Congress, and I’m always thrilled when my office can resolve issues for constituents. Recently, my casework team helped Joshua’s family get more than $22,000 back from the IRS.

My team is ready to help you work through an issue you may be having with a federal agency, help answer questions, resolve problems, and find resources. For more information on some of the issues we can help with, give my New Ulm office a call or visit my constituent services webpage here.

In the News

Washington Reporter: SCOOP: Republican Study Committee members on America’s 250th birthday and what comes next

KAAL-TV: Rochester Century student among Finstad's 2026 U.S. Service Academy Nominees

Mankato Free Press: East, LCWM grads receive academy appointments

As always, it is an honor to serve you in Congress. Please don't hesitate to contact my office if there is anything I can do to assist you. 

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