An email update from the office of U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach shared her recent accomplishments from 2023. The reflection highlighted the various acts she has supported for the 7th congressional district in Congress. Included in the email was also work that remains to be addressed in 2024.
A large part of Fischbach’s work involved building the next Farm Bill to be introduced in the upcoming legislative session. To do so, she toured Western Minnesota with a few of her colleagues.
This past summer, Fischbach brought colleagues Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo. 8th district, and Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson, R-Pa. 15th district, to tour Greater Minnesota.
The three congressional members attended a Western Caucus trip to southern Minnesota to “see the great things people are working on and also learn more about what rural communities need and the ways Congress can truly help the American people,” Fischbach said.
The three also attended a Ways and Means Field Hearing in Kimball, Minnesota, to talk about export markets. While there, they participated in a Farm Bill listening session hosted by Thompson in Redwood County, Minnesota at Farmfest.
During the listening session, farmers shared how they suffer when foreign trade partners do not honor their commitments. They also spoke of barriers to expanding into the beef export market.
“I assure you, House Republicans respect the people of rural America and understand how critical they are to the success of this nation,” Fischbach said.
During 2023, Fischbach supported the people of Minnesota’s 7th district and their values by introducing several pieces of legislation.
Some of the legislation included:
Protecting Rural Seniors Access to Cares Act
Law Enforcement Education Grant Program Act
Investing in Rural America Act
Health, Opportunity, Protecting Life, Education Act
When she introduced the Protecting Rural Senior Access to Care Act, Fischbach was aiming to push back against the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services. The CMS had issued a new rule to increase minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities.
The PRSAC Act is included in a bill gaining ground in the Senate and will be something Fischbach is looking forward to hitting the floor for voting in 2024.
The main goal will be to keep the CMS from implementing the new staffing standards until they prove it will not result in the closure of skilled nursing facilities, not harm patient access and not worsen workforce shortage issues.
The Law Enforcement Education Grant Program Act means to encourage the next generation to consider careers in law enforcement. The legislation was introduced to support departments across the nation facing staff shortages.
The bill will provide education grants for students pursuing their first degree in law enforcement or criminal-justice related field. A service agreement would accompany the grant.
The recipient would agree to serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for four years within an eight-year period of graduation. If graduates do not complete the service agreement, the grant would be converted into a loan.
Fischbach’s introduction of the Health, Opportunity, Protecting Life, Education, or HOPE, Act was to help support expectant mothers feel empowered.
The bill will help improve access to prenatal telehealth care while encouraging women to utilize pregnancy centers that assist with medical care, housing, childcare and parenting education.
Due to the HOPE Act, parents will be informed if their child is inquiring about having an abortion. Also, it will prohibit Planned Parenthood access to federal mandatory or discretionary funds unless it certifies that it will not perform or support other entities that do perform abortions.
To round out her 2023, Fischbach reflected on introducing the Investing on Rural America Act. The bill will attract private sector investment in facilities such as hospitals, childcare centers and senior care centers.
The move is to ensure younger generations see rural communities as home. Fischbach noted that Congress can achieve this by eliminating unnecessary regulatory barriers to capital investment.
Fischbach continues to see things through with the hope of strengthening rural communities in Minnesota.
