(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by the Congressman Tom Emmer team).

I hope you had a chance to enjoy a break in the heat and spend some time with your family on Father’s Day. As the father of seven, bringing the family together and spending time under one roof is always a treat.

This was my first Father’s Day without the man who I admired most, the original Tom Emmer. He was a loving father, grandfather, husband, and mentor. We lost him last August, but I am grateful to have had such a wonderful dad. 

As we head back to Washington for votes after a weekend with family, read on to learn about what we’re working on and what’s to come…

Federal Land Grab

So far, President Biden’s time in office has focused on one overarching theme: expand the size and scope of government. If forcing $1.9 trillion in new, partisan spending through Congress wasn’t enough, the Biden Administration is now attempting to advance its “Conserving 30% of America’s Land and Waters by 2030” initiative – better known as “30x30”.

The 30x30 initiative seeks to “preserve or conserve” 30% of all lands and waters in the U.S. by 2030 – including private lands! This initiative could threaten the livelihoods of thousands living in greater Minnesota who work in farming, agriculture, ranching, mining, and recreation. If fully implemented, 30x30 will take 681 million acres of land and water and put it under the control of the federal government.

Land management efforts should reside with the American people. This effort is an affront to the hardworking Americans who pour their heart and soul into caring for our natural resources. They use the land to feed and fuel our communities and nation. As such, I joined with my colleagues in the Minnesota delegation to send a letter to President Biden expressing serious concerns over the 30x30 program. 

For generations, Minnesotans have shown they are the best stewards of our lands and resources. I intend to fight in Congress to ensure that remains the case.

Financial Technology

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I’ve become increasingly involved in discussions regarding the development of a U.S. digital dollar. Last Congress, as the ranking member of the Financial Technology Task Force, I led a hearing on the issue.

I recently spoke with Caitlin Reilly of CQ Roll Call to share my concerns about the Chinese government’s development of the digital yuan and the United States’ slow, lackluster response. 

The U.S. dollar is the reserve currency, but the longer we wait to adopt a cryptocurrency that maintains privacy, the more threatening the digital yuan could become. Which is why the Fed needs to have a little bit more of a jump when it comes to this.

Our currency should really reflect our American values. Not just freedom, but privacy, openness and permissionless entrepreneurship, meaning we don’t have to go ask our government if we’re going to be able to participate.

Until next week.