Dear Friend,

It’s always great to spend the Fourth of July in Minnesota. Our parades, picnics, and celebrations of our country are second to none. This week we have some exciting visits planned across the Sixth District, and I look forward to connecting with some of you in person before Congress returns for a busy July.

Looking ahead, we’re anticipating some developments on the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the bill that outlines our national security priorities for the coming year. As we learn more about this legislation in the coming days, I will continue to advocate for the responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.

Read on to hear about my work for this week…

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope you had a restful and celebratory Fourth of July holiday. The Fourth is not only an opportunity to spend time with friends and family, but also to reflect on the values we share as Americans: life, liberty, and the ability to pursue those two freedoms on our own terms. As always, we are forever indebted to the service men and women who have sacrificed so that we may be free.

Watch an Independence Day message from Congressman Emmer above.

Improving Student Mental Health

Our young people are facing a mental health crisis, made worse by COVID-related school closures and social isolation. According to the CDC, 37.1% of high school students experienced poor mental health during the pandemic, and 19.9% had considered suicide.

While there are government-supported resources for student mental health, it is essential that these programs are well-coordinated and provide clear guidance for parents, educators, and health care providers.

This week, I sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona requesting clarity on the Administration’s response to this crisis. Our letter asked Secretary Cardona about whether the Department of Education plans to coordinate with agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, and whether the Department of Education had considered factors like COVID and the rise of social media in their recommendations to schools.

Improving the quality of mental health in our schools will help ensure that our next generation can look forward to a healthier future, and there is more work to be done. I was encouraged by the House of Representative’s recent passage of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, which included key provisions of our effort to support young Americans suffering from mental illness. You can read more about that legislation here.

If you or a loved one are facing a mental health crisis, support is available. Call **CRISIS (**274747) from a cell phone or Text “MN” to 741741 to talk to a team of professionals who can help.

Investing in American Energy

If you took a trip to the lake during the Fourth of July weekend or went to visit friends and family, it will come as no surprise that gas prices are at record highs. Rising energy costs are driving up prices in every area of our economy, thanks to their impact on shipping and production.

The solution to these high prices is right in front of us: we must unleash the power of American energy independence. This means investing in an all-of-the-above energy approach—that means not only reopening oil and gas leasing, but also promoting domestic nuclear, solar, wind, and ethanol power sources.

Last week, I signed onto a resolution recognizing natural gas as an affordable and effective source of domestic energy. Natural gas heats two out of every three homes in Minnesota, and prioritizing this key energy source will help bring down major costs for households across our state. Recognizing the potential of American energy is not enough; we must continue to encourage domestic energy production in all its forms.

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,