Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
2019 March for Life
Every year on January 22, pro-life advocates come together to participate in the March for Life. This event is held on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Gomez, and it is an opportunity to advocate for stronger protections and greater respect for life.
It’s an honor to stand with my colleagues as we hear the voices of the many Minnesotans who travel to the Capitol to demonstrate their commitment to pro-life values. I share these values and am grateful to everyone who participated for their advocacy.
Rules of the House
The House of Representatives operates under a set of rules that provide structure for all procedures of the House, including the committee structure and how bills are referred to committees. The rules can be changed as needed, and are generally adopted at the beginning of each new biennium.
Unfortunately, this biennium, the DFL House Majority has proposed rules changes that concentrate much of the authority for bill referrals with the Ways and Means Committee. These changes could potentially significantly reduce transparency and openness in government.
This new structure will make the process much more difficult for people to follow legislation that affects them. I want guarantees from the majority that the public will have sufficient notice before a bill hearing and adequate time to communicate with their legislators or travel to the Capitol to testify in person on the bills. Public participation and input is essential to the democratic process; any changes to the House Rules should serve to enhance this, not threaten it.
The Rules Committee will meet on Friday, January 25 to discuss these rules.
Letter to Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer
On Wednesday, I joined 41 of my colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer, urging them to work with President Trump and Congressional Republicans to end the shutdown. Federal workers and programs have already been suffering from this unnecessary shutdown for too long; it’s time to address border security and fund a border wall.
At the Capitol
With Theresia Gillie from Hallock, who was testifying before the House Agriculture Finance Committee.
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My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Dan