Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach

Rep. Fischbach's Office To Hold Mobile Office Hours in Browns Valley - May 15

Mon, 117 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Willmar, MN - Staff from the Office of Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach will be holding mobile office hours in Browns Valley at the Browns Valley Public Library (15 3rd St S.) on May 15, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

The congressional staff will be available to answer constituent questions and take feedback on policy issues. The Congresswoman’s office will also be able to assist constituents with issues such as passport processing, veterans’ needs, tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and connect them with federal agencies like FEMA, FSA, and more.

For any questions regarding the mobile office hours, please call the Congresswoman’s office at (202) 225-2165. For more information on Congresswoman Fischbach and her service on behalf of Western Minnesota, please visit fischbach.house.gov.

Emmer, Minnesota Republican Delegation Demand Walz Comply with Federal SNAP Data Requests Following Operation Cold Snap

Thu, 113 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Emmer (MN-06) led Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) in demanding Governor Tim Walz comply with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) request for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) verification and enrollment data given the recent federal warrants served during Operation Cold Snap and charges served for SNAP fraud in Anoka County.

“Governor Walz is putting Minnesota’s SNAP program at risk – all to protect fraudsters over law-abiding Minnesotans,” said Congressman Emmer. “Not only has Governor Walz refused to address the fraud, but his administration has obstructed our efforts to tackle it. If the state continues down this path, children, seniors, and vulnerable individuals could lose the benefits they rely on. We are thankful to President Trump and Secretary Rollins for their commitment to tackling fraud in Minnesota and holding Walz accountable.”

On April 9, 2026, charges were filed against an Anoka County couple for public assistance fraud, after they received more than $860,000 in benefits, including SNAP benefits. The couple was not eligible and received the benefits due to false reporting and fraudulent filings.

On April 16, agents from the USDA and Homeland Security Investigations executed criminal search warrants at multiple SNAP retail locations within the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area in an operation called Operation Cold Snap. In their search, they found instances of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards being exchanged for cash at discounted rates. Additionally, during Operation Cold Snap, federal agents served another 20 retailers with notices of alleged SNAP violations. If convicted, these retailers will be removed from the SNAP program and could face other penalties.

The USDA has repeatedly requested the state’s SNAP verification and enrollment data for a variety of reasons, including fraud. Minnesota has refused to comply with this request, which is jeopardizing the state’s federal funding of this program.

Background

On May 6, 2025, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service sent a letter to state SNAP agencies requesting application, enrollment, recipient, and transaction data. As of December 1, 2025, 28 states have complied with USDA’s request. Minnesota is not one of those 28 states.

On December 9, 2025, Congressman Emmer and the rest of Minnesota’s Republican Congressional delegation sent a letter to Governor Walz, demanding that his administration comply with the USDA’s request for SNAP recipient data.

On December 16, 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins wrote a letter to Governor Walz directing Minnesota to be a part of a SNAP pilot program working to eliminate fraud and increase efficiency. Governor Walz proceeded to refuse to comply with the USDA’s directive.

You can read the most recent letter in its entirety here.

Congressman David Kustoff Introduces the Small Business Tax Cut Act to Support Main Street

Thu, 113 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) introduced the Small Business Tax Cut Act (H.R. 8415). This legislation lowers taxes for millions of small businesses, farmers, and independent professionals by expanding the qualified business income deduction, also known as Section 199A. Reps. Greg Steube (FL-17), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Mike Carey (OH-15), Carol Miller (WV-1), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Blake Moore (UT-01) are original cosponsors.

“The Small Business Tax Cut Act sends a clear signal that Congress is serious about keeping Main Street competitive,” said Congressman David Kustoff. “Small businesses and family farms are central to West Tennessee's economy. By expanding the 199A deduction to 23 percent, we are giving local business owners the flexibility to hire more workers and invest in their operations.”

“I am proud to cosponsor the Small Business Tax Cut Act, which raises the section 199A deduction to 23 percent. By increasing the deduction, this bill directly supports small businesses and family farms in Western Minnesota by helping them secure the funds they need to hire more workers, increase wages, and upgrade their equipment. The Small Business Tax Cut helps keep our rural economies strong, so local employers can put their earnings back into their businesses and communities,” said Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach.

“West Virginia is built on the hard work of small businesses, manufacturers, and independent professionals who form the backbone of our communities. This is why this bill is so important. It keeps the focus on Main Street and ensures that our local job creators are not left behind. By strengthening and modernizing the small business deduction, this legislation gives entrepreneurs greater certainty and the ability to reinvest in their businesses so they can continue to serve their customers” said Congresswoman Carol Miller.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and the 199A Qualified Business Income Deduction has been one of the most successful tax policies to support them. I’m excited to introduce the Small Business Tax Cut Act to increase the deduction from 20% to 23% to allow Utah’s small businesses, farmers, and manufacturers to reinvest more of their income into their business. This will support new jobs and keep Utah’s economy thriving,” said Congressman Blake Moore.

“Upstate New York’s economy runs through Main Street,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.“The Small Business Tax Cut Act builds on the success of the 199A deduction by allowing small businesses to keep more of what they earn, invest in their workers, and plan for the future with certainty. By strengthening and expanding this deduction, we are giving Main Street businesses, family farms, and local employers the tools they need to grow, compete, and continue driving economic growth across Upstate New York and the nation.”

The Small Business Tax Cut Act includes reforms to enhance the QBI deduction and expand eligibility to more small businesses:

Raises the pass-through deduction rate from 20 to 23 percent so sole proprietors, partnerships, S-corporations, farms, and family-owned businesses can keep more of what they earn to reinvest in operations;
Modernizes the income thresholds and phaseouts to create a smoother, more predictable structure as businesses grow, replacing the sharp “benefit cliff” many face under current law;
Fixes the treatment of “specified service trades or businesses” (SSTBs)—including professions such as doctors, accountants, and consultants—so more local professionals can continue to benefit from the deduction as income rises;
Extends the deduction to qualifying interest dividends from business development companies (BDCs), which specialize in providing growth capital to small and midsize businesses that cannot access public markets or large-bank financing;
Updates the inflation rules, including moving the base year from 2018 to 2025, so the small business deduction keeps pace with today’s costs.

More than 90 percent of U.S. businesses are structured as pass-through entities, making the Section 199A deduction a central component of tax relief for Main Street employers. The bill has earned support from small business and agriculture leaders:

“SBE Council is pleased to endorse the ‘Small Business Tax Cut Act,’” said Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. “Small business owners continue to face various cost and competitive pressures. In SBE Council’s most recent ‘Check Up’ survey, 61% of small business owners reported positive cash-flow effects in 2025 from the ‘Working Families Tax Cuts Act,’ with the 20% small business deduction and lower personal tax rates cited as the most beneficial provisions contributing to improved financial performance. Strengthening the deduction will provide vital capital to help them navigate such pressures, and continue to invest and grow.”

“Since 2017, the Small Business Tax Deduction has been vital for small businesses to remain competitive and grow their businesses,” said Dylan Rosnick, Principal of Federal Government Relations at the National Federation of Independent Business. “Congress saw these benefits and made the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent through the Working Families Tax Cuts. Rep. Kustoff’s Small Business Tax Cut Act builds on this success and would provide 9 in 10 small businesses with tax cuts. The legislation would also expand the Small Business Tax Deduction to small businesses who are prevented from utilizing the deduction.”

“Tennessee Farm Bureau would like to thank Congressman Kustoff for introducing the Small Business Tax Cut Act,” said Kevin Hensley, Director of Public Policy for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. “Increasing the qualified business income (QBI) deduction would allow Tennessee farmers to keep more of their hard-earned income and invest in their operations.”

“On behalf of the S Corporation Association, I write to express our strong support for the Small Business Tax Cut Act,” said Brian Reardon, President of the S Corporation Association. “Pass-through businesses are the backbone of the American economy and S corporations are the backbone of the pass-through community. Raising the deduction to 23 percent would improve competitiveness for Main Street businesses by narrowing the effective tax-rate gap with larger C corporations. It would increase the after-tax cash flow of these businesses, allowing greater reinvestment in hiring, capital improvements, and business expansion.”

“The National Association of Home Builders commends Rep. Kustoff for introducing the Small Business Tax Cuts Act, legislation that would ease the tax burden for small businesses and many home building firms by increasing the Section 199A qualified business income deduction to 23 percent,” said Bill

Owens, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “This measure will help address the nation’s housing affordability crisis by enabling builders to invest more resources into multifamily rental construction, land development, and in building more single-family homes.”

“The Mortgage Bankers Association supports the Small Business Tax Cut Act, legislation that provides meaningful tax relief to America’s small businesses, including independent mortgage lenders, community banks, and mortgage brokers,” said Bill Killmer, SVP of Legislative and Political Affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association. “By strengthening the Section 199A deduction, this bill helps ensure small businesses continue to invest in their employees, technology, and local communities. At a time when housing affordability and access to credit remain critical challenges, this targeted tax relief will enhance the stability and competitiveness of small and mid-sized mortgage businesses that serve borrowers in every market.”

Rep. Kustoff continues to focus on policies that support small businesses and strengthen domestic production. He will continue working to advance these provisions as Congress moves into the next round of reconciliation.

These provisions were included in the House-passed version of the One Big Beautiful Bill and remain part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the small business deduction.

Read the full bill text here.

Year-round E15 supporters hopeful for amendment to farm bill

Thu, 113 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Supporters of year-round sales of gasoline containing a higher proportion of ethanol are optimistic after the introduction of a bipartisan amendment to the farm bill with support from both agriculture and fossil fuel state representatives.

The amendment would allow the year-round sale of E15, gasoline containing up to 15 percent ethanol. It also would make changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard’s Small Refinery Exemption Program, including revising the definition of a small refining company to specify that the 75,000 barrels per day cap applies to subsidiaries and affiliates of larger companies.

The House Rules Committee will meet Monday to consider a resolution governing floor debate for the farm bill. The committee can include in the rule setting debate for the bill language that simultaneously considers the amendment as adopted, or it can rule it in order to be voted on separately on the floor.

The amendment was submitted to the House Rules Committee by Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., and co-sponsored by Republicans Reps. Randy Feenstra of Iowa and Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma.

Bice and Feenstra co-chair the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council, which Republican leaders established in January to satisfy farm-state representatives after they tried to attach the E15 sales provision to an appropriations package.

The council had a deadline of Feb. 15 to release legislation and Feb 25 to vote on it, but ultimately blew past both deadlines.

President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have called for Congress to pass legislation allowing the year-round sale of E15. Supporters argue it would provide more certainty to farmers. While the EPA has issued a waiver each summer since 2022, legislation would eliminate the possibility a future administration might not issue it.

Groups that supported earlier efforts to allow the year-round sale of E15 applauded the amendment. The American Petroleum Institute, American Farm Bureau Federation, Renewable Fuels Association and nine other organizations signed on to a letter released Thursday that called on members of Congress to support the amendment.

“This amendment reflects a unique area of agreement across the fuel and agriculture supply chain,” the letter said. “While our industries do not always see eye to eye, we are united in the belief that these policy reforms provide needed certainty, preserve consumer choice, and support agriculture and energy economies alike.”

Although the amendment has some buy-in from the oil and gas industry, the midsize refineries raised objections earlier this year, arguing that while proposals have worked for larger oil companies, the RFS compliance costs could drive them out of business. The Fueling American Jobs Coalition, which represents independent refiners and workers, said the amendment did not address their concerns.

“It has been made abundantly clear that the ethanol industry has no interest in a year-round E-15 compromise that would rein in the volatile regulatory costs of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” the group said in a statement. “What remains unclear is why Congressional leaders formed the Rural Domestic Energy Council if they had no intention or interest in pursuing a commonsense compromise that would deliver year-round E-15 while protecting independent refiners.”

The RFS program also faces opposition from members of the House Freedom Caucus, who argue the program raises prices for consumers. Republican Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania both have introduced amendments to the farm bill to repeal the RFS.

Broad Coalition Urges Congress to Advance Year-Round E15, SRE Reforms in Farm Bill

Thu, 113 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

The American Petroleum Institute today issued the following statement from Vice President of Downstream Policy Will Hupman after a broad coalition urged Congress to include a bipartisan Farm Bill amendment led by Rep. Michelle Fischbach to allow year-round sales of E15 and provide targeted reforms to the Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) process under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“At a moment when households are feeling the sharp pressure of energy prices, this amendment is critical to promoting affordability, providing clarity for energy producers and fuel retailers, and strengthening America’s farmers,” said Hupman. “It brings long-overdue certainty and predictability to fuel markets and expands fuel choice for American consumers.”

In a letter to lawmakers, a diverse coalition of fuel refiners, ethanol producers, agriculture stakeholders and fuel retailers highlighted the amendment as a pragmatic, market-based solution that advances consumer choice, strengthens fuel supply and provides durable regulatory certainty.

“Maintaining access to E15 year-round empowers consumers at the pump with more options, particularly during periods of tight supply and high fuel costs, while allowing refiners and retailers to meet the demands of the market,” the organizations wrote.

The coalition emphasized that inconsistent application of the SRE process has created unnecessary volatility and undermined confidence across the fuels marketplace. Targeted reforms would help ensure exemptions are granted as Congress intended while improving predictability for all participants.

“A clear and consistent approach ensures that exemptions are applied as Congress intended, while avoiding uncertainty that can disrupt fuel markets, undermine compliance planning and create volatility for producers and consumers alike,” the organizations wrote.

The groups noted the combined reforms would support rural economies, encourage investment across the supply chain and help mitigate price pressures for consumers.

The coalition called on Congress to include the amendment in the final Farm Bill.

Michelle Fischbach: The land of 10,000 loopholes — ending the era of unchecked fraud in Minnesota

Thu, 113 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Minnesotans have always taken pride in our work ethic and our commitment to looking out for our neighbors. We pay our taxes with the understanding that those hard-earned dollars will be used to build our roads, defend our borders, and provide a hand up for the most vulnerable among us.

But lately, Minnesotans have watched in disbelief as hard-earned tax dollars have been treated like a playground for fraudulent activity. The scale of corruption is breathtaking. At least $9 billion in taxpayer money has been stolen from Minnesota’s social service programs under the watch of Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

This level of fraud is a betrayal of public trust and an indictment of Walz and Ellison’s leadership. Even more disturbing, investigations have revealed that millions of these defrauded dollars were sent overseas with some landing directly in the hands of terrorist organizations.

I have introduced the Defending Taxpayer Dollars Package, which includes three common-sense bills in Washington to do what state leadership has refused to do: protect your money and restore the rule of law.

First, we must end the culture of fear and retaliation that has allowed this corruption to grow. The “Walz-Ellison” method of management seems to be: see something, say something, get fired. While they were busy protecting their political narratives, the whistleblowers who tried to sound the alarm were blacklisted and silenced. My Federal Funds Whistleblower Protection Extension Act will end this reign of intimidation. It ensures that any state official, no matter how high their office, who knowingly retaliates against a whistleblower can face up to five years in federal prison. If state leadership will not hold bad actors accountable, federal law will.

Secondly, I introduced the Preventing the Repatriation of American Benefits Act. This bill is straightforward: if you are a non-citizen receiving federal benefits and you send more than $1,000 to a foreign country in a single year, you lose your welfare eligibility. American assistance is for people building a life here, not for subsidizing foreign economies.

Finally, we need to shine a light on the nonprofit actors in our immigration and welfare systems. These organizations have been able to facilitate immigration resettlement and provide welfare access with zero transparency. My third bill, the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act, requires tax-exempt organizations to disclose exactly how many non-citizens they are assisting with resettlement or relocation and how many of those immigrants they are helping to sign up for welfare benefits. I believe Western Minnesota deserves to know how these organizations are influencing our immigration and welfare landscape and how much of their money is being used to subsidize it.

The era of unchecked fraud in Minnesota must end. We cannot allow the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” to become the “Land of 10,000 Loopholes.” The Defending Taxpayer Dollars Package is a critical step toward ensuring that federal resources are used for their intended purpose: helping American families. It is time to put the American taxpayer first again.

Michelle Fischbach is a Republican who represents Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District.

Lawmakers submit amendments focused on E15, RFS for Farm Bill consideration

Wed, 112 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

The House Committee on Rules on April 16 announced lawmakers could submit amendments that will be considered for the 2026 Farm Bill through noon on April 22. Amendments focused on year-round E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard were among those offered for consideration. The Committee on Rules announced it could meet the week of April 27 to provide floor consideration of the Farm Bill.

The House Agriculture Committee on March 5 voted 34 to 17 to advance Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, or H.R. 7567, commonly known as the 2026 Farm Bill. The vote followed a two-day markup session that spanned roughly 25 hours.

Complex legislation, like the Farm Bill, is typically sent to the Rules Committee to establish specific terms of debate—or rules—before it reaches the House floor. Those rules determine when a bill is heard, how long it is debated, and which amendments are allowed.

The Rules Committee provided lawmakers with roughly one week to submit potential amendments for the 2026 Farm Bill. According to information published by the committee, more than 300 such amendments were submitted for consideration. Several of the amendments address E15.

A group of more than 20 lawmakers, led by Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., submitted an amendment that aims to enable year-round sales of E15. The amendment would also provide for additional reforms to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

RFA Applauds Bipartisan House Farm Bill Amendment Allowing Year-Round E15

Wed, 112 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

The Renewable Fuels Association today applauded the introduction of an amendment to the House farm bill that would permanently allow nationwide, year-round sales of E15. RFA thanked the House’s E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council and supporters on both sides of the aisle for their hard work to advance this critical legislation. The association is now urging House members of both parties to support the amendment—which was filed by Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) and several bipartisan co-sponsors—and ultimate passage of the farm bill.

“We greatly appreciate the efforts of council co-chairs Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and scores of other E15 supporters in both parties, to bring this much-needed legislative fix closer to the finish line,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This amendment would permanently allow for year-round, nationwide sales of lower-cost E15 at a time when American consumers are facing high gas prices and our nation’s farmers are in desperate need of new market opportunities. The amendment strikes the right balance for the many stakeholders who came to the table and engaged in good faith with the House council over the past several months, and we believe it is broadly supportable by agriculture, oil refining, biofuels, and fuel retail interests. We appreciate the council’s diligent efforts to find compromise and a path forward for the legislation. Now, we turn our attention to securing passage of the legislation, and we urge members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to work together to finally get this done.”

Earlier this year, President Trump called on both the House and Senate to pass year-round E15 legislation as quickly as possible and deliver it to his desk for signature.

The amendment offered today would finally apply the same gasoline volatility standards to E15 that are applied today to standard E10 gasoline. This would allow E15 to be sold year-round without interruption in conventional gasoline markets across the nation. In addition, it would streamline requirements for fuel marketers to demonstrate infrastructure compatibility. Finally, the legislation would make targeted reforms to the small refinery exemption program under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Click here for responses to frequently asked questions about E15.

Budzinski, Fischbach introduce bipartisan legislation to bolster biomanufacturing

Mon, 110 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Earlier in April, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) introduced the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act to strengthen the domestic supply chain and create new markets for American farmers by incentivizing the production of biobased chemicals and materials.

While the United States has made significant strides in biofuels, many other everyday products, from plastics to industrial chemicals, remain dependent on foreign petroleum. The legislation aims to bridge that gap by providing tax incentives for companies that use American-grown biomass to create renewable materials.

“From innovative materials to lifesaving therapies, the biomanufacturing industry is making breakthroughs every day,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “As the representative of America’s ‘Silicorn Valley’ in Central and Southern Illinois, I know how important it is to grow our country’s leadership in this expanding field. I’m proud to be leading a bipartisan effort alongside Congresswoman Fischbach to drive investments in biomanufacturing that will have wide-reaching benefits for farmers, rural economies, consumers, and the environment.”

“This legislation is a crucial step in supporting our farmers and manufacturers,” said Congresswoman Fischbach. “By providing tax incentives, we can drive investment into rural communities, reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products, and strengthen our national supply chain using American-grown resources.”

The Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act allows taxpayers to choose the incentive that best fits their business model:

Production Support: A tax credit of $0.10 per pound for renewable materials produced and sold, up to $10 million a year, or
Investment Support: A 30% investment tax credit to help offset the capital costs of constructing or retrofitting manufacturing plants

This legislation ensures that American businesses have the support they need to lead the world in renewable material production.

This legislation has significant support from outside groups:

“America’s farmers and innovators are uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of renewable materials and domestic manufacturing. This legislation helps unlock that potential by supporting investment in U.S. biomanufacturing facilities producing plant-based products from a range of agricultural commodities. These products reduce reliance on fossil resources, strengthen critical supply chains, and support vibrant rural economies,” said Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck. “By making it easier to scale biobased manufacturing here at home, Congress can ensure the United States leads the globe while making renewable materials, chemicals, and products more accessible and affordable for American consumers.”

“The U.S. corn refining industry plays a critical role in transforming American-grown crops into the ingredients and biobased materials that support food, agriculture, and a growing bioeconomy. This legislation recognizes the importance of domestic manufacturing and provides the certainty needed to invest in new technologies and facilities that expand the production of renewable chemicals and materials,” said Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode. “By strengthening U.S. supply chains and supporting innovation, Congress can help ensure America remains a global leader in biobased manufacturing while delivering economic benefits for farmers, workers, and communities across the country.”

“Illinois corn farmers are ready to lead in the next generation of American manufacturing, and this legislation from Congresswomen Budzinski and Fischbach is a critical step forward,” said Illinois farmer and IL Corn Growers Association President Mark Bunselmeyer. “By investing in biobased products and expanding access to biorefinery funding, we’re creating new markets for corn and strengthening rural economies. At a time of global instability, this effort also helps reduce reliance on petroleum-based products and strengthens our domestic energy and supply chain security. This is about more than fuel—it’s about turning homegrown corn into innovative products that drive jobs, sustainability, and long-term demand for agriculture.”

“Corn growers are very appreciative of Representatives Fischbach and Budzinski for introducing this legislation that will diversify demand for our farmers, strengthen rural economies and support domestic manufacturing. Boosting market opportunities for bioproducts made from agricultural feedstocks creates new revenue streams for growers of many different crops,” said National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower.

“This legislation offers an important opportunity to ensure American innovation leads to American economic development,” said Ag Bioeconomy Coalition Spokesperson Danielle Beck. “Providing robust ag bioeconomy infrastructure in the U.S. will create new jobs in rural communities, support farm income, and protect American national security. American agriculture leads the world in productivity and sustainability; it’s time we also lead the world in bioeconomy investment and innovation. We are grateful to Representatives Fischbach and Budzinski for their bipartisan leadership on behalf of rural America.”

Reps. Finstad, Fischbach introduce legislation requiring nonprofits to disclose aid provided to non-citizens

Mon, 110 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) introduced the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act, legislation which aims to increase transparency and accountability for tax-exempt organizations that assist non-citizens with resettlement or access to federally funded assistance programs.

The Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act clarifies the extent of nonprofit involvement in immigration related services by requiring nonprofits to report the total number of non-citizens they assist with resettlement or relocation, as well as how many individuals they help access taxpayer-funded benefit programs.

“In Minnesota, the seemingly endless fraud we’ve seen under Democrat leadership has put a spotlight on poor policies and failed oversight that have allowed bad actors to exploit our federally funded programs,” Finstad said. “Rep. Fischbach and I are leading the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act to help prevent further abuse of our taxpayer-funded programs by establishing clear reporting rules that will increase transparency regarding nonprofits that help resettle non-citizens and their role in enrolling them in federally funded assistance.”

"Hardworking Minnesotans have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of unchecked spending and the lack of oversight that invited massive fraud into our state," Fischbach said. "There is growing concern that nonprofits are putting taxpayers on the hook. This bill is about putting American taxpayers first and ensuring that any organization assisting in the resettlement and welfare of non-citizens provides transparency. We will not allow the exploitation of our system to be subsidized by the American taxpayer."

Republican lawmakers introduce bill requiring nonprofits to disclose number of noncitizens they assist

Mon, 110 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Two members of Congress have introduced a bill that would require refugee resettlement nonprofits to disclose key information about the total number of noncitizens they support.

Authored by Rep. Brad Finstad and Rep. Michelle Fischbach, the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act would require nonprofits to disclose how many noncitizens they assist with resettlement and accessing federally-funded programs

Finstad represents much of southern Minnesota, and Fischbach represents much of western Minnesota. Both lawmakers are Republicans.

“Rep. Fischbach and I are leading the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act to help prevent further abuse of our taxpayer-funded programs by establishing clear reporting rules that will increase transparency regarding nonprofits that help resettle non-citizens and their role in enrolling them in federally funded assistance,” he added.

In recent years, Minnesota has seen a massive wave of fraud in state-run, federally-funded programs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota has estimated that upwards of $9 billion could have been lost to fraud since 2018.

The overwhelming majority of those charged and convicted in Minnesota’s fraud saga are from the Somali community. Somalis first came to Minnesota as refugees in the 1990s.

Although the exact number is not known, tens of thousands of Somalis live in Minnesota and have become U.S. citizens. The Center for Immigration Studies recently found that Somalis use welfare programs at far greater rates than native Minnesotans.

In Minnesota, there are six resettlement organizations that have partnerships with the U.S. State Department. Those groups are Arrive Ministries, Catholic Charities, Minnesota Council of Churches, International Institute of Minnesota, and two Lutheran Social Services groups.

The resettlement organizations “are responsible to assist assigned persons with refugee status with basic needs and provide core services during the first 30-90 days after U.S. arrival,” which includes helping those refugees apply for public benefits.

“Hardworking Minnesotans have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of unchecked spending and the lack of oversight that invited massive fraud into our state,” Fischbach said in a statement.

“There is growing concern that nonprofits are putting taxpayers on the hook,” she added. “This bill is about putting American taxpayers first and ensuring that any organization assisting in the resettlement and welfare of non-citizens provides transparency. We will not allow the exploitation of our system to be subsidized by the American taxpayer.”

In a statement discussing current law on this subject, a spokesperson for Finstad’s office said nonprofits are already required to disclose governance details, nonprofit activities, and financial information via publicly-available tax forms.

However, the spokesperson said there is currently “no standardized requirement to report the number of non-citizens served, the types of resettlement or relocation assistance provided, and whether those individuals receive federal benefits.”

Reps. Fischbach, Finstad Introduce Legislation to Target Fraud in Nonprofit Immigrant Assistance Programs

Fri, 107 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) and Congressman Finstad (MN-01) introduced the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act to increase transparency into the activities of tax-exempt organizations. The bill would require nonprofits to disclose information about their facilitation of resettlement and welfare assistance for non-citizens in the United States.

Under the provisions of this Act, tax-exempt organizations would be required to report each year the total number of non-citizens assisted with resettlement or relocation activities, and how many of those non-citizens they assisted in accessing US welfare benefits.

"Hardworking Minnesotans have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of unchecked spending and the lack of oversight that invited massive fraud into our state," said Rep. Fischbach. "There is growing concern that nonprofits are putting taxpayers on the hook. This bill is about putting American taxpayers first and ensuring that any organization assisting in the resettlement and welfare of non-citizens provides transparency. We will not allow the exploitation of our system to be subsidized by the American taxpayer."

“In Minnesota, the seemingly endless fraud we’ve seen under Democrat leadership has put a spotlight on poor policies and failed oversight that have allowed bad actors to exploit our federally funded programs,” said Rep. Finstad. “Rep. Fischbach and I are leading the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act to help prevent further abuse of our taxpayer-funded programs by establishing clear reporting rules that will increase transparency regarding nonprofits that help resettle non-citizens and their role in enrolling them in federally funded assistance.”

By standardizing these reporting requirements, the Immigrant Resettlement & Welfare Abuse Prevention Act will provide the American public with a clearer understanding of how nonprofits influence the nation’s immigration and welfare landscape. To ensure accountability, the bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a comprehensive annual report to Congress that will show the scale of these resettlement efforts and their impact on welfare benefits.

Fischbach, Budzinski introduce bill creating tax incentives for biobased chemicals, materials

Mon, 103 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Reps. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., and Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., on March 27 introduced the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act, which aims to create tax incentives to support the production of biobased chemicals and materials.

The bill, H.R. 8137, was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means following its introduction. To date, no other lawmakers have signed on to cosponsor the legislation.

The bill would allow eligible taxpayers to claim a tax credit of 10 cents per pound of renewable materials produced and sold, up to $10 million per year. Alternatively, taxpayers could elect to claim a 30% investment tax credit to help offset the capital costs of constructing or retrofitting manufacturing plants.

Eligible biobased materials can be produced from eligible biomass using biological conversion, thermal conversion, catalytic conversion, chemical conversion or a combination thereof. The bill specifically prevents any product that is suitable for use as transportation fuel from claiming the credit. Products used to generate heat or electricity, products that are suitable for use as food or feed, and products that are co-processed with non-biomass materials are also ineligible for the credit. Language included in the legislation also requires eligible feedstock to be manufactured, produced, grown or extracted within the U.S.

In the case where multiple points in a supply chain may be eligible to claim the credit, the bill specifies that the qualified renewable material that first meets the requirements of the credit will be the only qualified renewable material eligible.

"This legislation is a crucial step in supporting our farmers and manufacturers," said Fischbach. "By providing tax incentives, we can drive investment into rural communities, reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products, and strengthen our national supply chain using American-grown resources."

“From innovative materials to lifesaving therapies, the biomanufacturing industry is making breakthroughs every day,” said Budzinski. “As the representative of America’s ‘Silicorn Valley’ in Central and Southern Illinois, I know how important it is to grow our country’s leadership in this expanding field. I’m proud to be leading a bipartisan effort alongside Congresswoman Fischbach to drive investments in biomanufacturing that will have wide-reaching benefits for farmers, rural economies, consumers, and the environment.”

This legislation has significant support from outside groups:

"Illinois corn farmers are ready to lead in the next generation of American manufacturing, and this legislation from Congresswomen Budzinski and Fischbach is a critical step forward,” said Illinois farmer and IL Corn Growers Association President, Mark Bunselmeyer. “By investing in biobased products and expanding access to biorefinery funding, we’re creating new markets for corn and strengthening rural economies. At a time of global instability, this effort also helps reduce reliance on petroleum-based products and strengthens our domestic energy and supply chain security. This is about more than fuel—it’s about turning homegrown corn into innovative products that drive jobs, sustainability, and long-term demand for agriculture."

"Corn growers are very appreciative of Representatives Fischbach and Budzinski for introducing this legislation that will diversify demand for our farmers, strengthen rural economies and support domestic manufacturing. Boosting market opportunities for bioproducts made from agricultural feedstocks creates new revenue streams for growers of many different crops,” Jed Bower - President, National Corn Growers Association.

Fischbach staff to hold mobile office hours in Canby - April 23

Fri, 100 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Willmar, MN --

Staff from the Office of Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach will be holding mobile office hours in Canby at the Canby City Hall in the Council Room (110 Oscar Ave N) on April 23, from 11:00AM to 2:00PM

For any questions regarding the mobile office hours, please call the Congresswoman’s office at 320-403-6100. For more information on Congresswoman Fischbach and her service on behalf of Western Minnesota, please visit fischbach.house.gov.

Fischbach staff to hold mobile office hours in Lake Benton - April 24

Fri, 100 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Willmar, MN -- Staff from the Office of Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach will be holding mobile office hours in Lake Benton at the Lake Benton Area Community & Event Center (114 S. Center St) on April 24, from 11:00AM to 2:00PM

Fischbach Introduces Legislation Cracking Down on Benefits Fraud

Tue, 97 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Washington, D.C. – Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach and Congressman Pete Stauber have introduced new legislation aimed at keeping federal benefit dollars in the United States.

The Preventing the Repatriation of American Benefits Act would revoke welfare eligibility for noncitizens who send more than $1,000 a year overseas.

The bill follows investigations into fraud across Minnesota social service programs, where at least nine billion taxpayer dollars were allegedly stolen, with some funds traced overseas, including to Al-Shabaab.

The Republican lawmakers say the measure closes loopholes and protects benefits for Americans.

A GOP Senator’s Fight For Life Continues On Capitol Hill

Tue, 97 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Taxpayers’ money once spent on funding abortions could now be permanently safeguarded for pregnancy centers to support women and families. The federal government grants more than $16 billion every year to support families, and soon that could include protecting life.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has reintroduced the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act to protect funding for pregnancy centers and provide critical support for families.

“Supporting women means ensuring they have real resources, real care, and real options,” Scott said. He said the bill will offer “guidance, support, and critical services, so no mother faces pregnancy or parenthood alone.”

The legislation was originally introduced during the Biden administration, when the former president funded abortion centers with federal grants administered through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. President Joe Biden introduced a spending rule that would block states from supporting pregnancy centers with funds from the program. Scott’s previous bill aimed to block that spending rule.

“Pregnancy resource centers have a long history of empowering women on their journey to motherhood, and it’s unconscionable that the Biden Health and Human Services Department attempted to undercut their funding,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a co-sponsor, said in a press release.

Scott and the co-sponsors have now expanded the legislation to ensure that money from Social Security and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program is safeguarded for pregnancy centers and community centers. The bill defines pregnancy centers as organizations that “support protecting the life of the mother and unborn child.”
The legislation not only promotes life but also supports families after birth. Grants would be allocated to community centers that offer family services such as “relationship counseling, prenatal and pregnancy education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, or other material supports.”
The legislation is supported by key players in the pro-life movement, including National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, March for Life Action, Students for Life Action, Concerned Women for America, and Family Policy Alliance.
The House passed companion legislation, introduced by Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., in January. Both the House-passed bill and the new Senate bill have been referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where Scott and co-sponsors Cornyn and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., all serve.

“Pregnancy resource centers play an important role in our communities,” Young said. “They provide critical care to women and families, including parenting education, counseling, and material support like diapers and baby supplies.”

Lawmakers want to block welfare recipients from sending cash abroad

Tue, 97 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

If the government can’t stop all of the welfare fraud, perhaps it can at least prevent the ill-gotten money from being sent overseas, according to two Republicans in Congress who announced new legislation Tuesday to block large remittances to foreign countries.

Reps. Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber, both of Minnesota, said they acted after seeing reports that scammers in their state’s migrant community siphoned billions of dollars out of welfare programs, then shipped the money abroad — including to terror group Al-Shabaab.

“Hard-earned Minnesota taxpayer dollars must help our own citizens, not foreign criminals,” Mr. Stauber said.

The new legislation would apply to noncitizens who take welfare and send more than $1,000 back to their home country annually. Their eligibility to collect welfare would be revoked.

Dollars sent back home by migrants are known as remittances. That money plays a large part in boosting economies in parts of the Western Hemisphere — particularly Central American nations.

Remittances also account for roughly 20% of Somalia’s gross domestic product, according to the World Bank. That comes from the larger Somali diaspora across the globe, though the U.S. is often cited as among the leading sources for the money.

Ms. Fischbach said Congress needs to ensure that taxpayer assistance remains in American communities.

“We are done watching our hard-earned money be sent overseas while the programs meant for our own citizens are gutted by fraud,” she said.

Minnesota has been under scrutiny since authorities revealed a massive scandal involving a pandemic-era food assistance program. Dozens of members of the Somali community in the Minneapolis area have been found guilty of taking money to provide meals, then never delivering the food.

The fraud is believed to total $300 million.

Then last year, scholars at the Manhattan Institute said money fraudulently obtained from welfare programs by members of the Somali community had flowed to Al-Shabaab, a designated terrorist organization under U.S. law.

That helped spark President Trump’s demand for immigration officers to surge into Minneapolis, and it prodded a crackdown on Minnesota’s handling of government assistance.

A federal judge let the Trump administration proceed on Monday with deferring more than $250 million in payments to Minnesota’s Medicaid program. Vice President J.D. Vance had announced the deferral in February, saying the state needed to get a better anti-fraud plan in place.

Mr. Vance said at the time the goal was to “turn the screws” on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

“You have people who are billing the government millions, tens of millions, billions of dollars in taxpayer dollars saying they’re providing a service, but there’s no follow-up to ensure they’re actually providing those services,” the vice president said.

Minnesota has since said it provided a fraud compliance plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The new legislation announced this week would apply to recipients of cash and in-kind welfare, including food stamps, Medicaid, housing assistance and unemployment insurance. Noncitizens who collect benefits would be required to certify that they are not sending more than the allowed $1,000 abroad.

Reps. Fischbach, Stauber Introduce Legislation to Prioritize American Taxpayer Funds, Restrict Foreign Remittances

Tue, 97 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Fischbach (MN-07) and Congressman Stauber (MN-08) introduced the Preventing the Repatriation of American Benefits Act in response to the fraud and national security threats exposed across Minnesota's social service programs.

This legislation is designed to ensure that federal assistance remains within the United States by restricting the amount of money noncitizens receiving federal benefits can send abroad. The bill revokes welfare eligibility for non-citizens who send more than $1,000 back to their country annually.

This comes in the wake of reports that at least $9 billion of American taxpayer dollars were siphoned off through fraud schemes in Minnesota. Investigations have revealed that millions of these defrauded dollars were sent overseas, including to the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist organization Al-Shabaab.

"We are done watching our hard-earned money be sent overseas while the programs meant for our own citizens are gutted by fraud," said Rep. Fischbach. "This bill puts a stop to the flow of American dollars out of our country. It is time we prioritize our own communities and ensure money meant for American assistance stays right here at home."

"It was deeply disturbing to learn that millions in stolen Minnesota welfare dollars were sent back to Somalia and landed in the hands of the terrorist group Al-Shabaab," said Rep. Stauber. "Hard-earned Minnesota taxpayer dollars must help our own citizens, not foreign criminals. I'm proud to co-author this legislation with Rep. Fischbach to put an end to the madness and ensure every dollar intended for American families stays in America."

By closing the loopholes that allowed fraud to flourish, this legislation ensures that federal assistance supports vulnerable individuals and families within the United States, rather than funding criminals abroad.

View the bill text here.

Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Expand US Plant-Based Biomanufacturing with Tax Incentives

Mon, 96 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

A new bill in the US House of Representatives is aiming to provide tax cuts to incentivise the production of bio-based chemicals and materials through plant-based crops.
In a bid to bolster demand for plant-based crops and strengthen the domestic infrastructure for planet-friendly products, two US Congresswomen have introduced a bill that would incentivise biomanufacturing with tax credits.
The legislation has been proposed in the House of Representatives by Nikki Budzinski, a Democrat representing Illinois, and Michelle Fischbach, a Republican from Minnesota. The goal is to end reliance on fossil fuels, particularly imported petroleum, by using homegrown biomass to create renewable materials and chemicals.
“This legislation is a crucial step in supporting our farmers and manufacturers,” said Fischbach. “By providing tax incentives, we can drive investment into rural communities, reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products, and strengthen our national supply chain using American-grown resources.”

Bill would provide tax cuts for investment and production

The Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act seeks to create new markets for farmers, help businesses become the leaders in the manufacturing of renewable materials, and introduce a wider range of sustainable products for consumers.
Taxpayers can choose the incentive that fits their business model best. The bill’s investment support approach would provide businesses with a 30% investment tax credit to help offset the capital costs of constructing or retrofitting manufacturing facilities.
Meanwhile, its production support model would offer a tax credit of 10 cents per lb of renewable materials produced and sold, up to $10M a year.
“This 30% investment tax credit would help alleviate some of the price pain points to build out the business. Then, once the business is in place, this bill would provide a production tax credit that’s worth 10 cents for every pound of product produced,” Budzinski told Brownfield Ag News.
“America’s farmers and innovators are uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of renewable materials and domestic manufacturing,” noted James Glueck, executive director of the Plant Based Products Council (PBPC).
“This legislation helps unlock that potential by supporting investment in US biomanufacturing facilities producing plant-based products from a range of agricultural commodities,” he added. “These products reduce reliance on fossil resources, strengthen critical supply chains, and support vibrant rural economies.”

US government looks to boost biomanufacturing

Boosting the local biomanufacturing sector has been a government priority for years. Former President Joe Biden had signed an executive order to advance this industry by prioritising R&D funding and streamlining regulation for novel foods. It led the Department of Defense to invest over $60M in 34 companies, including a host of alternative protein players.

While President Donald Trump rescinded that action upon returning to office last year, key members of his administration have continued to promote measures that would maintain the country’s biotech leadership.

Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has signalled his intention to “Make American Biotech Accelerate” and take back the edge from “foreign interests and large incumbents”. “We’re clearing the path to transform great science into real cures, at lower costs, and better health for the American people. Life science and biotech are at the heart of that,” he said last summer.

And this February, the US Departments of Agriculture and War signed an MoU to make agriculture a national security priority. It was an extension of a farm security plan that includes prioritising USDA funding for American-made technology, research and innovation, including biotechnology and biomanufacturing.

This latest bipartisan bill is an extension of the US’s biomanufacturing vision. “By making it easier to scale biobased manufacturing here at home, Congress can ensure the United States leads the globe while making renewable materials, chemicals, and products more accessible and affordable for American consumers,” said Glueck.

“Providing robust ag bioeconomy infrastructure in the US will create new jobs in rural communities, support farm income, and protect American national security,” noted Danielle Beck, a spokesperson for the Ag Bioeconomy Coalition and VP of government relations at PBPC. “American agriculture leads the world in productivity and sustainability; it’s time we also lead the world in bioeconomy investment and innovation.”