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Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District spans the width of the entire southern metro area and contains all of Scott and Dakota Counties as well as the southeastern Minnesota counties of Goodhue and Wabasha. The 2nd District also includes the northern half of Rice County which includes the city of Northfield. South Washington County is the northeastern district line and contains the city of Cottage Grove. Most of the population of the district resides in Dakota and Scott counties, with Eagan, Burnsville, Lakeville, and Apple Valley as the largest cities in the district.

The suburban areas in the northern part of the district blend into the rural farmland in the south. The district’s economy is diversified, including agriculture, small businesses, and large corporations. Some of the largest employers in the district are Thomson Reuters, Blue Cross Blue Shield, 3M, CHS, Red Wing Shoes, and the tribes of Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux and Prairie Island.

Far too often, partisan bickering and petty politics dominate the headlines from Washington. It is my mission to meet in the district with constituents and discuss the issues important to them. It is an opportunity to listen and learn and take that knowledge to Washington. Whether it is constituent meetings or public forums with civic groups like Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs, or local officials such as City Councils or County Commissioners, I continue to meet with the Minnesotans I serve.

As frustrations of southeastern Minnesota communities reached an all-time high with the Highway 52 and Goodhue County 9 intersection, I organized a meeting with concerned citizens; stakeholders; and local, state, and federal transportation officials to bring everyone together in one room and convey to MnDOT, which is responsible for disbursing 92 percent of federal funds received by the state, the shared desire to make this intersection a top priority for the state of Minnesota. During the meeting, MnDOT unveiled a new solution – a modified overpass plan for 52 and CR 9 that would allow Goodhue County to later make the intersection a “full” or a “quadrant interchange” if funding becomes available. I was pleased everyone was able to work together at the local, county, state, and federal levels to find a solution Minnesotans deserve.

As a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, I always stands ready to assist Minnesota veterans. When the Pentagon threatened to drop more than 170,000 veterans, including 4,000 Minnesotans, from their TRICARE health coverage in 2013, I championed bipartisan legislation that would ensure these veterans could keep the health coverage they earned. My legislation to restore TRICARE benefits has passed the U.S House twice in both the 113th and 114th Congresses. In 2015, the legislation is part of the conference committee reconciling differences between the House and Senate Defense Authorizations. Also in 2015, I continued to protect the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for members of the Minnesota National Guard. I included provisions in the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to enhance, strengthen, and sustain the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for our returning service members. I championed the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program expanding it to the entire nation and ensures it is included in the defense bill each year so veterans and their families are prepared for a healthy reintegration following deployments around the globe. My Yellow Ribbon provision passed the House of Representatives in May 2015. I also remain committed to protecting victims of sexual assault in the military. In 2014, I introduced bipartisan legislation that became law to extend Special Victims Counsel (SVC) services to members of the National Guard and Reserve so they can receive support following a sexual assault. I also championed legislation that prohibited individuals convicted of rape and sexual assault from enlisting in the military. The provision became law and was signed by the President January 17, 2014.

I continually work to assist Minnesotans in a highly competitive and uncertain job market by hosting career and jobs fairs throughout the district. Normally, more than 700 Minnesotans attend my jobs fairs, which typically include more than 60 private-sector employers. I look forward to hosting another jobs fair in the future.

In Minnesota, I want to ensure constituents me and my office are here to help. Whether you need help processing a visa or passport, claiming your veterans benefits, or navigating the federal bureaucracy, constituents are encouraged to call my district office at (952) 808-1213, or visit one of the many “mobile offices” that visit communities in the 2nd District throughout the year. At “mobile offices,” district staff is on hand to answer questions and help constituents with any problems they may have experienced with federal agencies. The mobile office also allows constituents to register their thoughts on the important issues of the day.

Regardless of your issue, I am never more than a call or click away.