One day after becoming the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan addressed reporters about her agenda for the coming year. She congratulated Democrats nationwide on what she called a “blue wave” and said she will work to keep President Trump in check.
New Senate Leadership
Flanagan said she supports replacing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer with new leadership, acknowledging his long service but arguing it is time for fresh direction. She expressed gratitude for Schumer’s contributions while emphasizing the need for a different voice at the helm of the Senate.
ICE Accountability and Border Security
During her victory speech, Flanagan pledged to “rip ICE apart,” a statement that drew strong applause. She later clarified that her Senate colleagues will develop concrete policy proposals on how to reform the agency. Flanagan described ICE as “completely broken” under President Trump, citing the deployment of 3,000 agents to Minnesota and two deaths she said occurred with no accountability. While supporting “secure borders,” she stressed that public safety must be the foundation of any immigration enforcement, insisting that due process be preserved.
Health‑Care Initiatives
Flanagan, a longtime advocate of Medicare for All, outlined several health‑care goals she hopes to pursue in the Senate. She will work to restore Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits cut by the administration’s recent budget package. Additionally, she aims to eliminate prior‑authorization requirements that force patients to navigate extensive paperwork before receiving prescribed treatments, a practice she described as causing “horror stories” and unnecessary out‑of‑pocket costs.
Committee Aspirations
Flanagan said she will seek assignments on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Appropriations; and Indian Affairs committees. Acknowledging she is a freshman, she noted she may not receive every seat she requests but will serve wherever placed.
Accountability Measures
While stopping short of calling for impeachment, Flanagan affirmed she will hold the Trump administration accountable, referencing a toolbox of oversight mechanisms. She indicated that Democrats must approach any impeachment effort carefully, and she will work with colleagues to determine appropriate actions.
Flanagan’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among Minnesota voters who, according to her, sent a “resounding” message for new direction and bold change. She highlighted that many of her campaign volunteers refused corporate PAC money, positioning themselves as directly answerable to constituents.
Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.
