Last week, It was great to be back home in Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District. I virtually met our Angels in Adoption honorees and conducted a town hall with our important and essential health care workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic at Allina Health. I also introduced legislation to protect your retirement savings and investments.

Retirement Savings

Recently, I introduced the Retirement Inflation Protection Act (RIPA) to support aging Americans as they prepare for the financial planning necessary to have a safe and secure retirement.

We have faced uncertainty this year, and long-term retirement savings has long served as a financial safety net that takes a lifetime to build. When we look to plan for the future, we may not know what will come our way. But the government should never be a barrier to your financial success or stability.

Under current law, retiring Americans are being hit with a big tax bill right when they need those savings most. My legislation will eliminate the tax on investment gains that are solely due to inflation, giving Americans the financial security to retire on their own terms.

I am dedicated to supporting our aging Americans who have responsibly and diligently saved for retirement.

Frontline Health

Care Workers

I joined employees of Allina Health for a virtual town hall. I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with the health care workers and employees of Allina Health who have sacrificed so much during this COVID-19 outbreak.

It was an honor to thank them for being on the frontlines of this outbreak. Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District is lucky to have the Buffalo Hospital, one of Allina’s outstanding facilities in our community. It was recently and deservedly added to the list of top 20 small community hospitals in the nation!

In some respects, life may seem like it’s returning to normal. However, the health care field will never be the same following this outbreak. I am dedicated to providing flexibility for hospitals, which is why I joined my colleagues on letters to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services asking for extended flexibilities to combat this virus, including for state Medicaid and Basic Health Programs, as well as telehealth.

Telehealth has been a huge asset in our fight against COVID-19. These services should continue because they are bringing the elderly, those at higher risk from exposure to COVID-19, and other vulnerable individuals the health care services they need. I’ll continue advocating for their expansion and extension, even after we eradicate this virus. I have also specifically advocated for the extension of telehealth services regarding mental health crises.

Health care facilities have experienced the virus’ impact day in and day out, and I will always work to ensure they have the supplies and support needed.

Forgiving PPP Loans

The COVID-19 crisis has hit our small businesses hard, and I have always supported the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loans to businesses in order to continue to pay their employees. The program was successful, but despite the help it offered, clarity and a reduced paperwork burden is also needed by employers who received these loans.

I joined 60 of my colleagues by signing a letter urging the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration to implement a streamlined loan forgiveness process for all Paycheck Protection Program loans equaling up to $150,000. This will allow for paychecks for employees and reduced burdens on our small businesses.

Cybersecurity

As more of our lives have migrated online during this pandemic, it is more important than ever to be vigilant about your cybersecurity and the safety of your children and your families online.

As a nation, we recently saw headlines of other nations trying to steal data on our COVID-19 research, and cyber attacks will continue to become a reality as we integrate our lives, our work, and our routines online.

Financial Technology

I joined the Innovative Payments Association (IPA) for a virtual fireside chat to discuss my work on the Financial Services Committee.

Recently, at a hearing of for the House Financial Task Force on Financial Technology, I suggested that the Financial Services Committee should elevate the Task Force to a subcommittee in the 117th Congress. I shared this with the members of IPA and explained that more attention to financial technology should be happening, and education for Members is sorely needed.

Fintech stands to create tremendous opportunities for a stronger financial future for millions previously excluded by our system.  We have the opportunity to empower the individual and improve our financial system, which can help give these people a credit history and build up a financial future for millions who have been underserved.