Brad Finstad currently represents Minnesota’s First Congressional District—Governor Tim Walz’s old job.  Unlike Walz, who was a real champion for southern Minnesota, Finstad uses his position mostly to say “NO” to legislation that is intended to help his constituents. 

For example, after being elected in 2022, Brad voted “NO” on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Locally, the IRA created clean energy projects in Minnesota — solar, wind, hydro and battery storage — that are estimated to create 10,382 jobs. The IRA expanded the REAP (Rural Energy for America Program), which helped Minnesota farms and small rural businesses install solar panels and other clean technologies to lower their energy bills and carbon footprint.  The IRA also gave Minnesotans tax breaks for home weatherization and clean energy upgrades. 

If things had been up to Brad, none of these benefits would have happened.  Luckily, the IRA passed without him. 

Brad also voted “NO” on the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that provides statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. We know that thousands of Minnesotans are in same-sex unions, and many people are in interracial marriages–the rate of interracial marriages nationally is 20%.  Luckily for these couples, despite Brad Finstad’s naysaying, the Respect for Marriage Act passed Congress. 

Brad said “NO” to the Lower Costs More Transparency Act, a bill that requires health care providers and insurers to disclose information about health care costs, and to the Mental Health Matters Act, a bill that requires federal actions to increase access to mental and behavioral health care.  Both bills passed in the House, no thanks to Brad.

Most recently, Brad voted against the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, which averted a government shutdown.  Government shutdowns affect many things Minnesotans rely on—the Federal Aviation Administration, the Veterans Administration, even the National Park Service.  Brad’s “NO” would have blocked emergency funding to FEMA, which is currently engaged in providing critical aid to victims of back-to-back hurricanes.  It also would have blocked funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which a lot of families in southern Minnesota depend on, and for Rural Housing Service’s Rental Assistance Program.  Luckily, other representatives did the work of caring for Brad’s district—they worked across the aisle to pass a continuing resolution that kept government running.

Sometimes it seems like all Brad can say is “NO.”  He voted against aid to Ukraine, against appliance efficiency standards, against expelling George Santos from Congress—he even voted against a bill to help rescue sea turtles.  As a recent editorial put it, “The list of things Mr. Finstad is against is long. Even though he is a sitting member of the Agriculture Committee, he has not managed to bring an agriculture bill to Congress. According to the Washington Examiner, Rep. Finstad is tied with two others for “Least Effective Member” of the House of Representatives.

( https://www.cnhinews.com/minnesota/article_3d3a32b4-5ac0-54e8-9ce0-1d076119a4bf.html)

Isn’t it time we were represented by someone who wants to actually accomplish something? 

Rachel Bohman, Brad’s DFL opponent, is deeply committed to the well-being of the people of southern Minnesota.  Make sure you vote for her on Nov. 5, so she can get to work voting for you!