Dear Friend,

Last week was a busy one in Washington. During the first legislative week of the new year, I introduced two new bills and further laid the foundation my legislative priorities for 2022.

The rest of Washington was busy, too. The latest inflation numbers released last Wednesday showed inflation rising to 7% in December. President Biden visited Capitol Hill twice as House and Senate Democrats continue their push to federalize our election system. And the Supreme Court struck down the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate on large employers, while preserving the mandate for health care workers.

There’s more in store this week, as Democrats consider historic changes to Senate rules, another COVID relief package begins to take shape, and legislation I’ve worked extensively on to recognize a legend of the great sport of hockey – Willie O’Ree – will get a vote in the House.

Read on for more of what’s we’ve been working on...

Standing up for Minnesota’s way of life

Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in a forum hosted by the Congressional Western Caucus entitled Minnesota Mining and American Potential: An Opportunity for a Brighter and More Secure Future. The event was attended by leaders from the Iron Range and focused on restoring the prosperity and national security provided by mining in Minnesota.

Click here to watch Congressman Emmer’s remarks at last week’s Western Caucus forum

Mining isn’t just a job for Minnesotans. The practice has sustained generations in the Iron Range for over a century. Today, critical minerals offer a chance to reinvigorate the region. Critical minerals are used in products we use every day, ranging from smartphones and batteries to flat-screen televisions and electric cars.

As innovation drives demand for critical minerals, Minnesotans stand ready to work. The federal government must step out of the way and allow our state to fulfill this need.

Defending financial privacy

There’s no question that financial innovation will has made digital transactions a part of the daily lives of millions of Americans. This is a great thing: Americans now have more access than ever before to financial products that can help them save, invest, and transact with the push of a button.

However, we must act now to ensure that while this financial innovation grows, our right to privacy is not eroded. Last week, I introduced legislation barring the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency, or CBDC, directly to individuals. This would prevent the fed from acting as a retail bank—and even more concerning, monitor every American’s financial data at the transaction level.

We must cultivate American financial innovation, and digital currencies will continue to become a part of our everyday lives. However, protecting our privacy is essential to keeping this technology free and open for generations to come.

You can read more about my bill here.

Connecting with community small business leaders

These last two years have been some of the most challenging for Minnesota’s small business owners and employees. Between dwindling workforce participation, inconsistent and confusing COVID-19 mandates, and skyrocketing wholesale prices, businesses are being forced to make impossible choices to stay afloat.

Congressman Emmer meets with Waconia Chamber of Commerce President Christine Fenner

I’m working to help our local businesses navigate this difficult time. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to meet with Waconia Chamber of Commerce President Christine Fenner. Christine and her team have seen the threat worker shortages pose to the future of our local economy and has been working around the clock to help businesses in the Waconia area stay afloat.

I’m grateful that Waconia has a strong advocate at the helm of their chamber, and I look forward to working closely with her as we weather this storm.

Until next week, if you are in need of assistance or would like to share your thoughts with me, please write me an e-mail here.

To keep up with what we’re doing in Washington, follow me on Twitter and Facebook for more updates!

Sincerely,