(Editor’s Note: The following column was submitted by Rep. Tom Emmer.)
Last week, work in the House of Representatives stalled as Democrats failed to decouple the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill from the $3.5 trillion “reconciliation package.” I have always been a firm supporter of infrastructure investment – especially in the Sixth District. However, funding for roads and bridges should not be held hostage as part of an effort to pass trillions in new spending on social programs.
As Democrats continue to fight internally over their priorities, the truth is that passing roughly $5 trillion in combined new spending is untenable. It would include the largest tax increase in American history and will undoubtedly lead to higher inflation. In addition, the Democrats’ push for even more spending comes at a time when we are set to hit the federal debt limit Oct. 18th.
The debt limit or “Debt Ceiling” is the Congressionally authorized amount of money that the U.S. Treasury can borrow in order to pay our debts. Restoring fiscal control to government has always been one of my top priorities, which is why I have opposed every debt ceiling increase since coming to Congress because they have never been accompanied by a plan to curb spending or decrease our debt.
As our national debt approaches $30 trillion and core inflation hits a 30-year high, we must find a way to rein in government spending, reduce prices, and return our country back to a course of fiscal sanity.
Town Hall in Montrose
Town halls have always been a great way for me to hear directly the issues you care about most. Tuesday, I hosted an in-person town hall in Montrose in the City Council Chambers located at the Community Center.
I enjoyed spending the evening discussing the issues we face.
Fighting for Working Minnesotans
Last week we received great news: Line 3 has become fully operational! This thousand-mile pipeline has connected oil fields in Canada with refineries throughout the Midwest since the 1960s. For years it’s been in need of repair. Now, Minnesota workers have successfully built 330 miles of rerouted replacement pipeline to meet our nation’s demand for fuel.
This project has provided thousands of good paying union jobs and economic prosperity to communities throughout northern Minnesota. After six years of review, stakeholder engagement, and local input, the pipeline project is finally operational, taking America one step closer towards energy independence and providing a safe and reliable energy source for consumers.
Despite this great news, we cannot rest when it comes to ensuring local management of our land. Last week the Senate approved the confirmation of one of its most controversial nominees, Tracy Stone-Manning for Director of the Bureau of Land Management. This means Director Stone-Manning is now responsible for overseeing the activity on all federal lands and totaling nearly one-eighth of the country’s landmass.
I have been vocally opposed to the nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning. Prior to her confirmation in the Senate, I sent a letter to my colleagues asking they deny her confirmation due to my concerns about her past involvement with radical environmentalists.
When it comes to land management, I believe local communities know best how to manage their own land, rather than the federal government. I’ll continue to push back against federal government overreach and out-of-touch bureaucrats in Washington imposing their views on the American people.
