Investing in Rural America

Rural communities across the country are struggling to retain population, much less attract future generations. The good news is, there are ways Congress can support them. One way we can do that is by eliminating unnecessary regulatory barriers to capital investment, particularly on critical community facilities like hospitals, childcare centers, and senior care centers. This week, I was proud to reintroduce the Investing in Rural America Act to provide critical capital resources to rural communities through improvements to the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program.

This bill encourages investment in rural communities by: 

• Restoring and codifying farm credit institutions' eligibility to finance essential rural facilities in partnership with local lenders and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program,
• Placing explicit guardrails around Farm Credit Institution's (FCI's) authorities in financing essential community facilities, including a requirement to offer participation with at least one non-FCI lending institution on any potential project, and
• Requiring a report to Congress on the projects undertaken by FCIs, including the partnerships established between lending institutions for such projects.

I am proud of our strong, rural communities and it is an honor to represent them in Washington. Attracting private sector investment in key community facilities will strengthening our rural communities and encourage future generations to see them as home.

Calling for Swift Appointment of U.S. Attorney for Minnesota in Response to Fraud

Representatives Finstad, Stauber, and I sent a letter urging President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to swiftly appoint the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota, in light of the fraudulent activity that has taken place under Governor Walz’s administration.

"Minnesotans have rightfully lost faith in Governor Walz’s administration to provide necessary oversight and guardrails ensuring that their tax dollars are going to provide critical services to their communities.

In November, American citizens across our nation spoke and demanded accountability from their government. As the executive and legislative branches work to ensure that Americans' hard-earned tax dollars are being spent on policies that put America first, we urge you to swiftly appoint a United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota to provide crucial and necessary oversight, restoring confidence in programs that Minnesotans rely on."

This is following the Minnesota House Republican Caucus’ letter calling for a federal investigation into fraud at the state government level.

Read the full letter here. 

Emphasizing the Importance of Biofuels to EPA Administrator Zeldin

I joined nearly 30 of my colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to recently confirmed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. The letter emphasizes the important role of the American biofuels industry in maximizing energy abundance and affordability while encouraging the EPA to issue timely and science-driven guidance to fulfill the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

In part, the letter reads:

Steady growth in U.S. biofuel production means more American fuel in the marketplace and lower prices at the pump for hardworking families who have spent years suffering under high inflation. Homegrown fuels serve as a bulwark against price manipulation by foreign, state-owned oil exporters. They also promise to play a central role in fulfilling our vision for strengthening the farm economy, supporting domestic processing, and revitalizing rural communities.

You can read the full letter here.

Mobile Office Hours in Gaylord Feb. 26

My office is holding mobile office hours at the Gaylord Public Library on Wednesday, February 26, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. No appointment necessary!

If you have questions or feedback for my office, now is your chance to talk with my congressional staff directly. They can help you with issues such as passport processing, veterans’ needs, tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and also connect them with federal agencies (FEMA, the FSA, and more).

If you aren't able to make this one, keep an eye out for future mobile offices hours across the Seventh District. For any questions, please call my office at 320-403-6100.

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