Protecting Life
We must protect the unborn, who have the fundamental right to life, and defend the sanctity of innocent human life at all stages. As the co-chair of the House pro-life caucus I have continued to fight for policies that defend life, working to stop federal funding for abortion and supporting protections for the most vulnerable. And will continue standing up to efforts by the radical left to promote infanticide and taxpayer-funded abortions.
We have achieved significant wins, but there is so much work still to do to change hearts and minds to understand that the pro-life community strives to protect the mother and the child. We are all made in the image of the Creator, and I will always support legislation that protects human life at all stages.
Scorecard: Michelle has a lifetime voting record of 100% with National Right to Life.
Defending the Second Amendment
We must defend our right to keep and bear arms. The United States Constitution is unambiguous: our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Period. I have will stood up to efforts by the radical left to abolish the Second Amendment and confiscate guns from law-abiding citizens. I will continue to defend the Constitutional right and vote to protect the right of every lawful gun owner in the United States to keep America free.
Scorecard: Michelle has a lifetime “A” rating with the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America.
Securing Our Borders
We must continue to secure and strengthen our borders and ensure they cannot be opened as was done by the Biden administration. I continue to stand up to efforts by the radical left to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and promote open borders and sanctuary cities. We need to work with law enforcement officials to restore the rule of law and order, andsupport ICE agents as they remove unlawful entrants and violent gang members from our county to keep America safe.
Defending Religious Liberty
Religious liberty is the cornerstone of our Republic. Government should never be able to compel you to violate your religious beliefs or convictions in the workplace nor take away parental decision making in healthcare, education or athletics. I will always stand against efforts to undermine the free exercise of religious beliefs.
Supporting Our Farmers
Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our economy in western Minnesota. Too often our farmers and ranchers face unnecessary challenges that hamper their ability to bring their goods to the market. I have worked to support efforts to secure good trade deals for our farmers, rebuild outdated infrastructure to create greater rural prosperity, and invest in workforce development programs that prepare our workers for the jobs of tomorrow. I opposed the Green New Deal initiatives, which are effectively an attack on rural America, and continue to support our farmers and agricultural community.
Fiscal Responsibility
I carried the “Zero Based Budgeting” Bill while in the Minnesota State Senate, and brought that same philosophy to Washington, D.C. With Zero Based Budgeting, the budget would start from ZERO rather than the current approach of adjusting up or down from existing spending levels. Each department would need to justify the effectiveness of their programs in order to continue to receive funding for them. We need to understand better, not only for transparency but for accountability, what’s in the sprawling federal budget because Washington has a spending problem.
Honoring Our Veterans
We must honor our commitment to the brave men and women of our United States military, who make great sacrifices to protect our country and keep America safe. While serving, we must make sure they have the tools they need to complete their mission. After serving, our veterans deserve to be welcomed home with honor by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that puts them and their families first. In congress, I have co-sponsored bills and worked to have legislation to increase support for veterans.
Backing the Blue
The vast majority of law enforcement officers take their duty to serve and protect, not just as a job, but as a commitment to our communities. Law enforcement officers encounter everything from violent crimes to teaching children about community safety. They deserve our respect and support through programs to help recruit new officers and provide appropriate training and equipment. I have and will continue to work in congress to protect our officers and reduce the criminal threats they face.
Fixing Our Broken Healthcare System
We must fix our broken health care system to give American families better access to high-quality, affordable health care plans. Obamacare was a disaster that took important health care choices away from millions of Americans, and has doubled healthcare costs for families, despite its misleading name. I have and will continue to work to protect the promises we have made to our seniors and pass patient-centered reforms that increase competition and lower costs, without sacrificing protections for individuals with preexisting conditions.