This week, we celebrate “Made in America Week.”

Minnesota’s Sixth District is home to many small, medium and large businesses that manufacture their products right here in America. We have some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs in Minnesota, and I am proud of the work they do to support our communities, our economy, and our national security

Here’s a recap of what we accomplished last week...

FEMA Decision

July 2, 2020, Gov. Tim Walz submitted a request for a major disaster declaration because of extensive fire damage caused by recent civil unrest in the Twin Cities. Friday, July 10, that request was denied.

Following the murder of George Floyd, I was glad to see the U.S. Dept.  of Justice taking decisive action by initiating a federal civil rights investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. However, since federal funds were requested for the rebuild, I believed it was only prudent that the government conduct a federal review of the civil unrest that led to the destruction, in order to help Americans understand how almost half-a-billion dollars worth of damage was done before peace was restored.

The loss of livelihoods, and the lack of leadership during this time was unacceptable. To prevent future Governors, Mayors, and locally elected officials around the country from experiencing the same destruction we witnessed in Minneapolis and St. Paul, information and recommendations for how to avoid incidents like this in the future are necessary.

You can read my letter to President Trump on my website at www.emmer.house.gov.

PPP Assistance

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has $130 billion funds remaining to help businesses impacted by COVID-19. Following the passage of the PPP Flexibility Act, which I was proud to support, forgiveness is easier to qualify for.

Nonprofits and faith-based organizations, sole proprietors, independent contractors and those who are self-employed are qualified. At least 60% of the loan must be spent on payroll within 24 weeks of disbursement.

The new deadline to apply is August 8, 2020.

Crossings to Canada

I am a proud member of the Northern Border Caucus. As a Minnesotan, I am all too familiar with Minnesotans who travel between the United States and Canada for recreation, leisure and business - in fact, I’m one of them.

This Coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for Minnesotans who own homes in Canada to access their properties, or for the lucky few who own in the Northwest Angle, unable to cross Canada to access this special piece of Minnesota.

I recently signed on to a letter with 28 of my colleagues asking that the United States and Canada work together to develop guidance that prepares for reopening. With more than 400,000 people and over $1.6 billion in goods crossing the Northern Border daily through over 120 Ports of Entry, guidance must be made available.

Children’s Hospital

Our children’s hospitals do heroic work year-round, but the Coronavirus pandemic has made things more challenging than ever. Children’s hospitals were not covered by recent legislation aimed at helping fight the virus and keep Americans employed. As it currently stands, children’s hospitals stand to lose $1.1 billion, and could reach $10 billion by the fall.

Nation’s Heroes

This week we recognize Minnesota Atomic Veterans Day (Thursday). Atomic Veterans are a special and unique group of veterans who fought and made major sacrifices for this country.

I am committed to serving the needs of those who served our nation. Currently, my son Joey is a Midshipman at the Naval Academy and my son Bill is a United States Marine. These young men show me what servant leadership look like in practice and I know that those who came before them, and those who follow will carry on the spirit of service that our military has at it’s core value. Veterans and service members deserve our gratitude and support, and I will do everything I can to ensure they receive it.

Little Sisters of the Poor

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that The Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic charity, cannot be forced by the government under the Affordable Care Act to provide free contraception to their employees in violation of their religious beliefs.

The decision is a victory for religious freedom in the United States. No American should ever be compelled by the government to violate their religious beliefs, but that’s exactly what was happening to The Little Sisters of the Poor because of unconstitutional mandates in Obamacare.

For years, the nuns of the Little Sisters of the Poor have been torn from their mission to help the poor and elderly under threat of millions of dollars in fines. Last year, I co-signed an Amicus Brief urging the court to rule in favor of the Little Sisters of the Poor. I’m overjoyed by this ruling and look forward to continuing my work protecting the rights of all Americans to exercise their religious freedoms.