Congressman Emmer supports women
In response to Karen Cyson’s seventh column ("Emmer's 'Midwest values' should include supporting women," Oct. 21) against Congressman Tom Emmer, we, the women who work for Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District and the Congressman, appreciate the opportunity to respond to the personal attacks and correct the factual inaccuracies made against him.
We respect everyone’s First Amendment right to voice opinions, but we were disappointed in Cyson’s misleading piece.
First, let us state the obvious: Congressman Emmer does not condone or support violence of any kind. This includes domestic violence against women.
Second, we appreciate the procedures of the U.S. House of Representatives are not straightforward. Allow us to clarify for Cyson’s sake, as well as her readers’, the vote she claims demonstrates Congressman Emmer’s lack of support for efforts to end violence against women.
Congressman Emmer voted YES on debate on H.R. 6157 (the Department of Defense Appropriations Act) to move the previous question, a procedural vote that happens regularly on the House floor to end formal debate and allow the legislative day to continue.
Cyson implies that ending formal debate on H.R. 6157 (which, to be abundantly clear, is not the Violence Against Women Act) ends all discussion on funding efforts to end violence against women. We respect misunderstanding of the rules, but that assertion is ludicrous.
Whether formal or informal, whether with other members in the halls of Congress or in meetings with Anna Marie’s Alliance (with whom the Congressman meets regularly), discussion to end violence against women, including funding for the Violence Against Women Act, is ongoing, and it’s one which Congressman Emmer supports and participates in constantly.
Further, Cyson is wrong when she asserts Congressman Emmer does not support financing programs to help women in violent situations. We encourage her to follow the Congressman’s work in this area more closely.
Congressman Emmer co-wrote the Abby Honold Act, a bill to fund efforts to train law enforcement on interview techniques for victims of sexual assault and trauma. (The Congressman is working with Senator Klobuchar and others on how to move the bill so that it has the best chance of becoming law. One of the vehicles in discussion is the Violence Against Women Act.)
Since his first days in Congress, Congressman Emmer has written letters to House appropriators requesting funding for specialized courts, like the Stearns County’s Domestic Violence Court, which address the underlying issues of abuse to create long-term safety and stability for victims.
Congressman Emmer has also been active in combating sex trafficking, a serious problem in Central Minnesota and across the country. (In 2016, the St. Cloud Times reported more than 200 prostitutes have worked in St. Cloud.)
He voted for the ‘Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act,’ which was just signed into law. Efforts like these have led to significantly less volume (between 60-80 percent) of online sex advertising in the U.S.
Lastly, and now we speak for ourselves, it is disheartening to see the shameful tactic of dividing women for an advantage at the ballot box.
It may interest the people of the Sixth Congressional District to know that Congressman Emmer employs more women than men. Further, our office has more women than men in top management roles.
We see the Congressman’s Midwest values play out on a personal level every single day: hard work, thoughtfulness, respect for others, teamwork and understanding.
We are certain false claims about Congressman Emmer’s beliefs and values will continue. We hope that as they are, constituents keep us in mind.
Stacy Morse, District Director; Barbara Harper, Casework Manager; Carly Atchison, Communications Director; Shelbie Rogers, Office/Schedule Manager; Abby Rime, Press Secretary; Catherine Lenz, Legislative Correspondent; Theresa Mayer, Staff Assistant; Alejandra Henriquez, Caseworker work with Congressman Tom Emmer.