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March 16, 2025
Dear Friend:
This week, House Republicans voted to fully fund the government with a clean Continuing Resolution, or CR. I want to be very clear about what is and is not included in this legislation, because many people seem to be trying to scare the American people by misleading them. This bill upholds the responsibility to our veterans and ensures full funding for their healthcare benefits. It includes the largest pay raise for junior enlisted troops in over 40 years. It supports federal wildland firefighters and increases funding for air traffic control priorities. It includes an addition $6 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund to treat veterans who have experienced service-related exposure to toxic substances. It does not cut grants for law enforcement and it does not cut spending on family assistance programs. In fact, it increases spending for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (better known as the WIC Program) by $500 million.
Even with this additional funding, it will cost less than last year. Not by gutting programs, as my colleagues have so wrongfully claimed, but by making sure we are not double-funding projects from Fiscal Year 2024. It's that simple.
House Democrats voted against all of these things and voted to shut down the government. A shutdown would have meant mean small businesses cannot get federal loans, national parks would close, and assistance programs for families would quickly run out. Why would they vote to allow that to happen?
Sensibly, the Senate passed this legislation, averting a government shutdown. You can watch my remarks on the floor here.
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The Seventh District is the Home of Hockey
This week, on the House Floor, I recognized the astounding hockey players across western Minnesota. The East Grand Forks Green Wave defeated St. Cloud Cathedral 2-1 in overtime for the Class 1A championship. The Moorhead Spuds, led by Mr. Hockey Mason Kraft, beat Stillwater 7-6 for their first 2A Championship. And, the Warroad Lady Warriors made their hometown proud by playing in their fourth consecutive championship game and finished the season as section champions for the tenth straight year in a row. You have all made your families and communities so proud. |
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Preserving Social Security Benefits
I was very excited when President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act in his final days in office last year. This law will allow civil servants like teachers, police officers, and firefighters who receive a "non-covered pension", to begin receiving Social Security backpay. This just makes sense. Why would the government decrease benefits for these people who dedicate their lives to serving their communities?
However, I was shocked when the Social Security Administration (SSA) wrote to the Ways and Means Committee in January that it estimated it would take 1,000 work years to process and send out these payments!
But, since that letter was sent in January, Donald Trump has taken office, and his Administration has embraced automation and technology and yes, streamlining government efficiencies. Now, the SSA has said they have already sent more than 71% of all back payments to the 3.2 million people impacted by this new law. The fact is that fraud and waste exist across the government, and that includes in the SSA. And the work that the Department of Government Efficiency has already taken almost 1,000 years off of the waiting time for these Social Security recipients.
Do not let false reporting scare you. THIS is DOGE at work. And it is already helping the American people. |
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Calling All High School Artists!
I encourage high school students from Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. This longstanding, non-partisan tradition is a wonderful opportunity for students from across the district to showcase their creativity and hard work. Winners will have their work on display in my Moorhead, Willmar, and Washington, D.C. offices, and the first place winner will have their work hung in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be seen by members of Congress, staff, and thousands of visitors from across the world.
The deadline for submission is April 16th. For more information, please visit my website. |
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Thanks for stopping by!
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The Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association represents the 100+ municipal electric and natural gas utilities across the state and I enjoyed talking about permitting reform, workforce incentives, and more with their group.
The American Legion Department of Minnesota visited my office while they were in Washington, and I really appreciated sitting down with them to discuss their priorities for veterans, such as modernizing health records, community care, and veterans' appeals.
It was great talking to representatives from Meeker, Lac Qui Parle, Stearns, and Scott Counties and hearing more about healthcare services in their counties and the MNCHOICES Program, which helps individuals access long-term services and healthcare support.
Thank you to the VFW for taking the time to meet with me, for the productive conversation about exploring new PTSD treatments and the GUARD VA Benefits Act, and for the update on the implementation of the PACT Act for our veterans.
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It was great to see the Minnesota Broadcasters and their representatives from all over Minnesota when they came to D.C. to talk about their priorities, including the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, the Local Radio Freedom Act, and advertising deductibility.
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Mobile Office Hours - Pipestone and Park Rapids
My office has two Mobile Office Hours coming up!
On Tuesday, March 25, from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, you can meet with my staff at the Meinders Community Library in Pipestone. And on Thursday, April 3, from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM, you can meet with them at the Park Rapids Area Library at 210 1st St. W. 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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What matters most to you?
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Thank you for reading!
As always, my office is open and ready to serve constituents of Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District! Please do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Michelle Fischbach
Member of Congress
Please do not reply to this email, the mailbox is not monitored. To comment further please click here.
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