Keeping the Government Open

Like all Minnesotans, I was very relieved last Friday when we were able to reach a compromise on the federal budget for the rest of this fiscal year and avoid a government shutdown that would have disproportionately hurt our state. But now as we embark upon the budget process for the next fiscal year we have to engage in a very serious, honest, and substantive conversation about the best way to address our long-term debt without jeopardizing our fragile economic recovery or our long-term prosperity. I've already put forward several ideas on how to do this, which you can read about on my website.

Paying for Our Wars

Over the course of nine years, we’ve spent well over one trillion dollars on Iraq and Afghanistan, and we’ve had to borrow nearly every penny. We have to ensure that the deficits created by Iraq and Afghanistan remain exceptions in American history, which is why I’ve introduced legislation to require that the spending on new wars be paid for. My “Pay for War” resolution will ensure that future wars don’t make our deficit and debt problem worse and that Congress and American citizens must face the financial sacrifice of going to war. This will force us to decide whether another war is worth that sacrifice.

Fighting for Small Business

Small business owners across the country are threatened with the prospect of too much paperwork due to onerous 1099 reporting requirements that were scheduled to go into effect in 2012. These requirements would force businesses to file tax forms for business transactions above $600. That’s why I’m so glad the Senate voted this week to repeal this burdensome provision, leaving companies in Minnesota and across the country free to focus on creating jobs and expanding their businesses.

Replacing a Lost Medal

For years, Captain Dai Vinh has struggled to replace his lost Bronze Star medal, which he earned during the Vietnam War. Last month, Captain Vinh, who lives in Richfield, turned to my office for help, and after some diligent work by my staff I was able to present him with his lost medal in a ceremony with his family.

Captain Vinh originally earned the medal from the U.S. Army when he saved several American lives in a mortar attack in 1968. It was a privilege to meet Captain Vinh and present him with a replacement for the medal that he so honorably earned.