| Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach gives an update from Washington, D.C., highlighting several visits to her office, including KROX’s own Chris Fee and the Minnesota Broadcasters Association. The update is below. It is currently Day 25 of the third Democrat government shutdown. While I joined my House Republican colleagues last week in voting to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Democrats continue to block funding. By holding this funding hostage, they are threatening our national security and sidelining agencies responsible for protecting our families and our borders. Our frontline personnel are being forced to operate at limited capacity during a time of heightened global threats. This shutdown compromises our ability to investigate human trafficking, defend our critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, and secure our communities. We must restore accountability, end this shutdown, and ensure our nation is protected. |
| Fighting Fraud Last week, I introduced the Federal Funds Whistleblower Protection Extension Act following a House Oversight Committee hearing that examined concerning reports of fraud and retaliation in Minnesota. During this hearing, testimony was presented detailing how, under the oversight of Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison, whistleblowers who reported the mismanagement of federal funds reportedly faced professional retaliation rather than support. It was confirmed during a previous hearing that there are currently no federal criminal penalties for state officials who silence those who report fraud. My bill ensures that any state or local official who knowingly retaliates against a whistleblower can face federal criminal penalties of up to five years in prison. I am committed to restoring accountability, and if Walz, Ellison, or anyone in their administrations knowingly retaliated against whistleblowers, they deserve jail time. You can read the full House Oversight report on Minnesota fraud here . |
| Peace Through Strength I recently joined my colleagues in passing a resolution to reaffirm that the Iranian regime is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. This resolution makes it clear that the United States will not negotiate with a regime that chants “Death to America.”I also voted no on H.Con.Res 38, the Iran War Powers Resolution, that would have limited the President and Commander-in-Chief’s ability to defend our nation. President Trump has acted in full accordance with decades of presidential precedent and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, notifying Congress and proactively communicating with House leadership before taking action. Tying the President’s hands while targeted operations are still occurring is a dangerous distraction that puts our military at risk. As Operation Epic Fury delivers a response to Iranian terrorism, I will continue to support the strength necessary to ensure our military can finish the mission and keep our country safe. I pray for the safety of the men and women in uniform as they carry out Operation Epic Fury. |
| Congressional Art Competition 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 submission deadline is 5 p.m. CT on Monday, April 20, 2026. For more information, please visit my website . |
DC Visitors!
Thank you to members of the Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for visiting to discuss our commitment to those who served. We talked about improving VA Community Care and my support for the Veterans’ ACCESS Act to streamline health care coordination. We also reviewed the FY26 MilConVA Appropriations bill, which fully funds veteran health care and mental health programs while protecting our veterans’ Second Amendment rights. I will continue to advocate for the support our veterans need and deserve!
I also met with the Minnesota Broadcasters Association to discuss the vital role local radio and television play in our communities. We discussed the importance of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which I have cosponsored to ensure all drivers have access to emergency alerts and local news, regardless of the vehicle they drive. We also touched on the Local Radio Freedom Act, a resolution I support to protect our local stations from additional burdensome royalties that could threaten their ability to broadcast to the public. Additionally, we reviewed the need for updated FCC broadcast ownership rules.
It was great to sit down with representatives from Minnesota’s credit unions to discuss how federal policy impacts their ability to serve members. We covered key pieces of legislation, including the Financial Reporting Threshold Modernization Act, which would update outdated reporting requirements to reflect modern transactions. I also heard their concerns regarding the Credit Card Competition Act and its potential impact on consumers. I remain committed to ensuring our local financial institutions have the flexibility they need to support our Main Street economy.
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