Last week, I enjoyed visiting with Minnesotans from every corner of the Sixth District. We had some great meetings with local law enforcement and community lenders and worked through important discussions on issues like how best to deliver child care as our country continues to re-open.

Deringer Visit

Last week, I met with Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer. He oversees the third largest sheriff’s office in Minnesota and provides law enforcement services to Wright County, as well as 13 additional cities. 

We discussed my legislation, the Community OutPost (COP) Outreach and Engagement Act, which will improve communication and engagement between law enforcement and the communities they serve. By establishing a pilot program to promote the nationwide use of Community OutPosts, this bill will help law enforcement engage and build relationships with residents they serve.

Lake Central Bank

I also visited with Bryan Bruns of Lake Central Bank in Annandale to discuss his experiences as a lender under the Paycheck Protection Program. I was able to interact with some of the small businesses who were recipients of the loans. It was great to hear about how this program worked for them and what Congress can do to help these business reignite our economy.

Bryan is the President and CEO of Lake Central Bank in Annandale and he also serves as a member of my Financial Services Advisory Committee. This committee meets quarterly and consists of Minnesotans in the financial services industry. These advisory committee members and I both serve you, and they see how the legislation I am voting on in the House Financial Services Committee will directly impact you and your financial futures.

Child Care Providers

Sunday, July 26 is National Parents Day - a day to celebrate all of the caregivers who ensure our children have a stable and loving home.

These last few months have been challenging for families across the country, as schools were closed and working from home became the new-normal. Families with young children were especially pushed to their limits as child care facilities closed and parents were forced to juggle work with the development of their kids.

As parents to seven children, Jacquie and I are keenly aware of the balancing act that so many families continue to perform. That’s why I led a letter to House Leadership with 40 of my colleagues calling for additional, targeted support for child care to help stabilize the industry to ensure providers can continue to operate and that parents can return to work as our economy reopens. Child care facilities support the American workforce and right now, they need Congress’ support more than ever.

Main Street Growth

Last week, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship and Capital Markets held a hearing on my legislation, the Main Street Growth Act (H.R. 2899).

The Main Street Growth Act is a bill designed to encourage more early-stage Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) through the creation of specialized securities exchanges, better known as Venture Exchanges. Small and medium-sized companies sometimes decide against taking their business public because of the challenges they face in competing with companies that have a larger market capitalization. The Main Street Growth Act encourages the development of specialized stock exchanges or listing tiers designed to help small and emerging growth companies attract investors, compete in the marketplace and access the capital they need to grow.

Suicide Prevention

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission voted to finalize the rules that establish 9-8-8 as the new, nationwide, three-digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. 

This effort — led by Chairman Ajit Pai — is an important step towards making mental health services more easily accessible to individuals struggling with a mental health crisis. This vote requires all 9-8-8 calls to be directed to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

I am a proud co-sponsor of H.R.4194, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which began this effort. I am grateful to see their leadership on this important and historic move. A simplified three digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will help save lives.

If you or someone you know are in need or distress, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK).