Jeanne Hendricks

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

I will co-sponsor legislation that will provide funding for police agencies that adopt and practice proactive, community-oriented and problem-solving oriented policing, which includes professional standards of hiring and promotions, a requirement to investigate reported acts of misconduct and take appropriate action to hold officers accountable and to provide body cameras, training, and professional career development. Learn more

Defense / Veterans

I will push for increasing funds to the VA and to hold the VA system to the highest of standards. I will work closely with our veteran service organizations to ensure that men and women who served our country have access to educational opportunities, employment, first-class healthcare, and rehabilitation. Learn more

Economy

I will support our farmers and promote regional tourism opportunities. Additionally, I will support legislation that encourages trade schools, creates jobs throughout the district, and supports and protects our labor unions and their members. Learn more

Education

I will support college and trade school tuition assistance for deserving students. I will back policies that allow our children to work and study hard. I will support college and trade school funding for those that serve honorably in our armed forces, and encourage the forgiveness of student loans for members of the military community. I will also support the extension of such student loan forgiveness to those that advance educational opportunity by choosing to teach in our least privileged schools. Learn more

I fully support the goals of Education Minnesota. It is important to a growing and thriving democracy that all citizens have access to a quality education, which will provide them with the social and professional skills they need for success. I believe that, with the right support, all students are capable of success regardless of their backgrounds. Learn more

Environment / Energy

One of the most significant hurdles to addressing climate change is the lobbying of big polluters and big fossil fuel companies. We need to work to reduce or all together eliminate the influence of those who continually put their profits over the health of our people. Climate deniers often cite the cost of transitioning to cleaner energy sources, but the cost of doing nothing will be much higher, both in dollars and in human suffering. Learn more

Government Reform

I stand with the vast majority of people in this country who wish to end the influence and domination of big money in politics and give voice to all Americans. Learn more

Guns

I support the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but recognize the need to protect our communities from violent criminals and those challenged by their mental health. I will introduce common-sense gun safety legislation that protects the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms; and creates and requires efficient universal background checks which include cross-checking with military databases prior to allowing purchases. Learn more

Legislation that creates enhanced penalties for violent crimes, requires that firearms be properly secured by owners, increases funding for mental health treatment and funding for studies to determine causes of violent crimes. Legislation to establish best practices to prevent violent crimes, funding for education and training programs to help prevent violent crimes; and sternly punishes criminals, not law-abiding citizens. Learn more

Healthcare

I strongly support implementing changes that will help the U.S. Control health care costs, while still achieving high-quality care and universal basic coverage for everyone. Whether we, as a nation, choose Medicare for All, the Affordable Care Act, or the public option, we need to be sure we achieve these goals. As one of the greatest nations in the world, we must take the lead on healthcare. We need to ensure that healthcare is available to everyone throughout the U.S. Learn more

Making healthcare available and affordable to all doesn’t mean there are facilities or even clinicians available to care for those needing care. This is especially true in our rural communities where healthcare providers are harder to access and mental health care professionals are too far away. We need to develop plans and strategies to ensure we have more safe modern facilities and trained staff to work in them. Learn more

Yearly increases of insurance premiums are putting quality care with low deductibles and low out-of-pocket expenses out of reach for many families in Minnesota. Learn more

Prescription drug prices have skyrocketed. I will work hard to find ways to lower these costs and make medications affordable for everyone who needs them. There are several ways to do this, including: encouraging price transparency, reforming patent laws, allowing Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate lower drug prices, and capping out-of-pocket costs. Learn more

Immigration

I will identify strategies that work to support citizens in the nations where those citizens believe it’s safer to travel hundreds or thousands of miles through dangerous terrain to seek a safer life for themselves or their families rather than remain in their homeland. I understand that political asylum is a valid reason to immigrate. America cannot be a true world leader if we turn our backs on those most in need at the greatest time of their need. Learn more

I will introduce legislation that creates a path to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), creates fair and reasonable immigration laws that do not overburden the taxpayers, secures our borders, but requires humane and decent treatment of all human beings, and regulates and controls immigration for those who seek the American way of life. Learn more

I will introduce and support legislation that keeps our borders secure, but creates a path for those who seek the American way of life and want to work to support our central Minnesota employers. Learn more

Social Services

We should work to enhance home care services that allow seniors to age in place, which is often more comfortable and cost-effective than institutional care. This includes access to medical care, personal care, and home modifications to accommodate their needs. Mental health services for seniors should also be improved, including access to telehealth services. Learn more

There are things we can do now to improve nursing homes in the U.S., providing better care and support for seniors and enhancing their quality of life. We should set staffing minimums to ensure adequate staffing. We should work to provide better pay and benefits to attract and retain qualified staff. We can also increase training programs in geriatrics and long-term care, to ensure staff are better equipped to handle common end-of-life symptoms and grief support. Learn more

I support legislation that would lift the income cap on Social Security so that everyone pays the same percentage of their income into the program. We should also look at reducing benefits for the wealthy that often have greater financial security and do not rely on Social Security benefits in retirement. Learn more

We must protect Social Security and Medicare and ensure that everyone in our country has access to quality health care and a secure retirement. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

I will be a U.S. Representative who listens to labor unions, champions Davis-Bacon prevailing wage legislation, and works hard to strengthen labor unions in Minnesota. I will work with Labor Union Leaders to bring about fair wages and to provide employment, economic opportunities, and safe working conditions. Learn more