Tom Emmer

New Data Highlights Everyday Americans Winning Big from GOP’s Working Families Tax Cuts

Position: The release celebrates the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation signed into law in July 2025, highlighting Treasury data showing that 96% of tax filers receiving cuts earned less than $200,000 and that nearly 70% earned under $100,000. The congressman argues the law delivers significant relief to working families and criticizes state officials for blocking certain provisions.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) released the following statement after new data was released by the U.S. Department of Treasury showing how the Working Families Tax Cuts delivered historic tax relief for everyday, hardworking Americans. Notably, the data reports that 96% of filers receiving a tax cut this year earned less than $200,000, making clear Republicans’ signature tax bill is having a positive impact on working families. “This tax season, American workers and their families claimed $82 billion in individual relief directly from the Working Families Tax Cuts,” said Congressman Emmer. “This legislation is the single-greatest victory for working families in history! Thanks to House Republicans and President Trump, everyday Americans are keeping more of their hard-earned money. It’s a shame that Tim Walz and the DFL blocked many of these game-changing provisions from helping Minnesotans.” 2026 tax season facts and figures, courtesy of the Treasury Department: Nearly 70% of filers receiving a tax cut earned less than $100,000 Over 7.5 million filers claimed the No Tax on Tips provision Over 29 million filers claimed the No Tax on Overtime provision Over 35 million seniors claimed the Enhanced Deduction for Seniors Over 1.4 million filers claimed the No Tax on Car Loan Interest provision Nearly 40 million families claimed the enhanced Child Tax Credit Background: On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cuts into law, securing no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime, no taxes on Social Security, and no taxes on American-made car loans, among other provisions. Before this legislation was passed, taxes were set to increase by $5 trillion. Thanks to its passage, 97% of filers received a tax cut this year. Earlier this year, Tim Walz and Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party officials, sick with Trump Derangement Syndrome, blocked key provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts from going into effect - including no tax on tips and no tax on overtime provisions - for hardworking Minnesota families. ###

Whip Emmer: Tim Walz, DFL Block Life-Changing Tax Cuts for Minnesotans

Position: Whip Emmer opposes Governor Walz and the Minnesota DFL's decision to block state conformity with the federal Working Families Tax Cuts, arguing the state legislature failed to align state tax code with new federal provisions that would have provided tax relief to tipped workers, overtime workers, and families.

WASHINGTON – House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) released a statement following the conclusion of the 2026 Minnesota legislative session, during which Tim Walz and Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party officials blocked key provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts from going into effect for hardworking Minnesota families. “Tim Walz and the DFL just blocked historic tax relief for hardworking Minnesotans for one reason and one reason only: they are sick with Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Whip Emmer. “Tens of thousands of tipped and overtime workers in Minnesota stood to keep their hard-earned pay thanks to the Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts, but out-of-touch Leftists hate to see the American people win under President Trump’s leadership. Make no mistake, Tim Walz and the DFL just sacrificed the freedom, prosperity, and success of Minnesotans on the altar of their radical, far-left base.” Background: President Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cuts into law on July 4, 2025. The Minnesota legislature and Governor Tim Walz failed to conform the state tax code to match that of the new federal law, denying massive wins for Minnesotans. Minnesota families and workers were estimated to win big thanks to provisions within the Working Families Tax Cuts: A typical family with two children in Minnesota could have seen a higher take-home pay of about $7,700 to $11,100, thanks to the bill. Around 4% of the labor force in Minnesota is employed in occupations that would likely benefit from the no taxes on tips provision of the bill. Around 24% of all employees in Minnesota regularly work overtime and could benefit from the no tax on overtime provision of the bill. An even larger 62% of workers in Minnesota are in occupations that are likely eligible for overtime and could also benefit. ###

Emmer, Minnesota Republican Delegation Urge Walz to Support Funding for Outdated IT Systems Used by Minnesota Counties

Position: The Minnesota Republican delegation urges Governor Walz to fund updates to outdated state IT systems administering Medicaid and SNAP benefits, citing the need for efficient systems to comply with fraud-reduction requirements in the Working Families Tax Cut Act.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Emmer (MN-06), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) sent a letter urging Governor Tim Walz to provide funding to update Minnesota’s outdated systems for administering Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. “Just a few years ago, Minnesota had an $18 billion budget surplus. Instead of investing that surplus back into our communities, Walz wasted every penny of it on free healthcare, free driver’s licenses, and free college for illegal aliens. Now, Minnesota is facing a deficit in the near future,” said Congressman Emmer. “Walz has numerous options at his disposal to secure funding to update these ancient systems–whether through state funds or federal grants–but he would rather see our tax dollars go to illegal aliens and programs that are rife with fraud than to the counties that desperately need our support.” Background The state of Minnesota delegates the responsibility of administering Medicaid and SNAP benefits to its counties and is one of approximately twelve states that do so. Currently, the systems used in Minnesota are decades old. For example, MAXIS, the system used for SNAP, was built in 1989. There has been very little investment from the state to update the systems. There are multiple ways to acquire funding to update the systems, including state funding, federal matches, and federal grants. With the new requirements in the Working Families Tax Cut Act to cut out waste, fraud, and abuse in the programs, it is vital that counties are working on systems that are efficient and not prone to error. The Working Families Tax Cut Act, which became law on July 4, 2025, included changes to both Medicaid and SNAP to root out fraud and strengthen the programs’ integrity. Changes include work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP, Medicaid eligibility checks every six months, and penalizing states for high SNAP payment error rates. You can read the letter sent to Governor Walz in its entirety here. ###

Whip Emmer’s CBDC Ban Legislation Sent to Senate

Position: The release advocates for passage of HR 1919, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency directly or indirectly to individuals, arguing that CBDCs pose threats to privacy and financial freedom.

WASHINGTON - House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives successfully advanced his legislation, HR. 1919, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, to the U.S. Senate. The bill, which was first passed by the House in July 2025, has now been attached to the Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act and awaits consideration in the Senate. “House Republicans and President Trump recognize the threat a CBDC poses in the United States,” said Whip Emmer. “CBDCs stand against everything we love in this country - privacy, freedom, and free market competition. We must never allow this weaponized surveillance tool to be adopted here. The House has done its job; it’s time for the Senate to pass our CBDC ban.” Background: On July 17, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Emmer’s legislation by a vote of 219-210. Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies, a central bank digital currency (CBDC) is a digital form of sovereign currency that is designed and issued by a central government and transacts on a digital ledger that is controlled by that government. Fundamentally, a CBDC is government-controlled, programmable money that if developed without the privacy protections of cash, could give the federal government an unprecedented ability to surveil Americans’ financial transactions and suppress politically unpopular activity. The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act defends against this threat by prohibiting the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC directly to individuals, or indirectly through intermediaries, preventing the Fed from becoming a retail bank with access to individual citizens’ financial data. It makes clear that the Fed cannot use any CBDC to implement monetary policy, preventing it from using the technology to manipulate the American economy. Finally, it requires that Congress pass legislation authorizing any government-created digital dollar, safeguarding private sector innovation and any future development of digital cash. In January of 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology which prohibits federal agencies from establishing, issuing, or promoting CBDCs. The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act codifies this Executive Order and guarantees that future administrations are unable to weaponize the technology against the American people. ###

Emmer, Minnesota Republican Delegation Demand Walz Comply with Federal SNAP Data Requests Following Operation Cold Snap

Position: The Minnesota Republican delegation demands that Governor Walz comply with USDA requests for SNAP data to address fraud, arguing that the state's refusal to provide verification and enrollment data obstructs federal fraud investigations and jeopardizes federal program funding.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Emmer (MN-06) led Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) in demanding Governor Tim Walz comply with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) request for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) verification and enrollment data given the recent federal warrants served during Operation Cold Snap and charges served for SNAP fraud in Anoka County. “Governor Walz is putting Minnesota’s SNAP program at risk – all to protect fraudsters over law-abiding Minnesotans,” said Congressman Emmer. “Not only has Governor Walz refused to address the fraud, but his administration has obstructed our efforts to tackle it. If the state continues down this path, children, seniors, and vulnerable individuals could lose the benefits they rely on. We are thankful to President Trump and Secretary Rollins for their commitment to tackling fraud in Minnesota and holding Walz accountable.” On April 9, 2026, charges were filed against an Anoka County couple for public assistance fraud, after they received more than $860,000 in benefits, including SNAP benefits. The couple was not eligible and received the benefits due to false reporting and fraudulent filings. On April 16, agents from the USDA and Homeland Security Investigations executed criminal search warrants at multiple SNAP retail locations within the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area in an operation called Operation Cold Snap. In their search, they found instances of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards being exchanged for cash at discounted rates. Additionally, during Operation Cold Snap, federal agents served another 20 retailers with notices of alleged SNAP violations. If convicted, these retailers will be removed from the SNAP program and could face other penalties. The USDA has repeatedly requested the state’s SNAP verification and enrollment data for a variety of reasons, including fraud. Minnesota has refused to comply with this request, which is jeopardizing the state’s federal funding of this program. Background On May 6, 2025, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service sent a letter to state SNAP agencies requesting application, enrollment, recipient, and transaction data. As of December 1, 2025, 28 states have complied with USDA’s request. Minnesota is not one of those 28 states. On December 9, 2025, Congressman Emmer and the rest of Minnesota’s Republican Congressional delegation sent a letter to Governor Walz, demanding that his administration comply with the USDA’s request for SNAP recipient data. On December 16, 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins wrote a letter to Governor Walz directing Minnesota to be a part of a SNAP pilot program working to eliminate fraud and increase efficiency. Governor Walz proceeded to refuse to comply with the USDA’s directive. You can read the most recent letter in its entirety here. ###

Emmer Condemns MET Council’s DEI Practices

Position: Congressman Emmer opposes the Metropolitan Council's use of diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria in awarding transportation funding, arguing it violates federal merit-based funding requirements and conflicts with Trump administration guidelines.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Emmer sent a letter to the Metropolitan (MET) Council to express his opposition to the Council’s proposal to use Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in awarding transportation funding in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, including Carver and Anoka counties. The Metropolitan Council’s 2026 Federal Funding Solicitation Guidance includes a “Community Consideration” component when deciding which transportation project receives funding, including federal funds. This “Community Consideration” is DEI in disguise and appears to be in violation of federal guidelines that require funds to be awarded based on merit, not arbitrary DEI standards. Additionally, the MET Council declined a county’s request for the U.S. Department of Transportation to review the criteria to ensure federal compliance. “DEI should not be considered when determining funding for transportation projects,” said Congressman Emmer. “The MET Council’s 'Community Consideration’ is completely against the Trump administration’s federal guidelines and has the potential to put Minnesota’s federal funding in jeopardy.” Background The Metropolitan (MET) Council is a policy-making board of 17 members appointed by the governor. The Council oversees the planning of communities, housing, parks, transportation, wastewater, and water in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Their work covers 181 cities and townships and seven counties, including Anoka and Carver counties, which are a part of the Sixth Congressional District. The MET Council has supported the Northstar Commuter Rail Line and the Blue Line Light Rail Extension – two projects Congressman Emmer has vehemently opposed as irresponsible uses of taxpayer funds. Congressman Emmer and the rest of Minnesota’s Republican Congressional delegation have led the charge to oppose funding for these projects by sending letters to the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) in 2025 and 2026. With the MET Council’s long history of supporting wasteful projects and pushing a political agenda, Congressman Emmer is committed to sounding the alarm on their actions and holding the Council responsible. You can read the letter sent to the Metropolitan Council in its entirety here. ###

Emmer Meets with MSP Airport Air Traffic Control

ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Congressman Emmer toured the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) Control Tower and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made a commitment to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system, which Congress has made possible by providing $12.5 billion in the Working Families Tax Cut Act. Congressman Emmer was able to see firsthand where these investments will be going. “MSP is the region’s most important airport, and it was great to meet with the men and women of MSP Air Traffic Control,” said Congressman Emmer. “Thanks to our historic Working Families Tax Cut Act, MSP can modernize, address gaps, and keep flyers safe. We look forward to continuing our work with the Trump administration to support our air traffic controllers.” Background The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made it a priority to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system in order to enhance the safety and efficiency of our skies. In 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration found that more than a third of the nation's air traffic control systems are unsustainable. These critical updates include replacing outdated radar systems, telecommunication devices, and traffic tower controls, which can date as far back as the 1960s. Through the Working Families Tax Cut Act, Congressman Emmer has supported Secretary Duffy’s initiative by including $12.5 billion in funding to support airport modernization efforts. MSP is the 17th busiest airport for passengers and 21st busiest for aircraft operations in the United States, with the airport being Delta Air Lines’ second largest hub and the home of Sun Country Airlines. Additionally, MSP is a major employer in Minnesota, supporting or facilitating the employment of 93,350 individuals and contributing $21.3 billion to Minnesota’s economy. ###

Emmer Leads Minnesota Republican Delegation in Opposing Federal Funding of Transit Lines

Position: Congressman Emmer and the Minnesota Republican delegation oppose federal funding for the Blue Line Light Rail Extension and Northern Lights Express transit projects, arguing they represent wasteful spending with poor ridership projections and excessive costs that divert resources from more effective transportation investments.

WASHINGTON – On March 27, 2026, Congressman Emmer led the Minnesota Republican delegation in sending a letter to the leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) on eliminating federal funding for the Blue Line Light Rail Extension (Blue Line) and the Northern Lights Express (NLX). These are two unnecessary financial burdens that would be a complete misuse of taxpayer funds. “These transportation projects are not only unpopular, but also unsuccessful and a waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Congressman Emmer. “Minnesotans have real needs when it comes to transportation, but projects like these take funding away from projects that will improve road safety, decrease traffic, and keep up with Minnesota’s growing communities. We are committed to spending our tax dollars responsibly and making sure they go toward projects that will better Minnesota.” Background Congressman Emmer and the rest of Minnesota’s Republican delegation are committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. The combination of nominal ridership and huge capital cost makes these projects an irresponsible use of taxpayer funds. The Blue Line Light Rail Extension project, with a projected budget of $3.2 billion, has seen weekly ridership expectations continuously revised downward. For example, on the current Blue Line plans, the projected number of weekday riders was 27,000, but updated projections are less than half of that, at just 12,500. The project is expected to go over budget and its construction will cause serious traffic disruptions for Minnesota motorists. The Northern Lights Express commuter line, as proposed, would run from Duluth to St. Paul. With a price tag of $600 million, Minnesota taxpayers will be on the hook for significant costs. So far, $116 million of tax dollars have been allocated for this project. With the large balance remaining, the project will rely heavily on federal grants for its completion. Congressman Emmer led Minnesota’s Republican delegation in sending a similar letter in May of 2025, requesting that the THUD Subcommittee provide no funding for three transit projects, the Blue Line, the NLX, and the Northstar Commuter Rail. Eight months after the letter, the Northstar Commuter Rail project died. You can read this most recent letter in its entirety here. ###