Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the March for Life rally at the Minnesota State Capitol. It was incredibly energizing to see so many Minnesotans, all from different backgrounds and walks of life, willing to brave the cold and stand side-by-side in defense of life.

I believe that life is a gift and must be defended. For me, a pro-life father of four, a huge part of my story is my son, Isaac. Isaac was born with Down syndrome, and I know that with our love and support, he is capable of moving mountains.

Now imagine what kind of world we would be living in if every child were given the same chance to reach their potential. The world would be much better, and our collective future would be much brighter. That’s why I am proud to help lead the effort on Capitol Hill to ensure every life is protected.

We have a long road ahead of us, but after addressing a crowd so committed to spreading our pro-life message with love and compassion, I am hopeful that we will someday see life at every stage defended under the law.

Unified in the fight against sex trafficking

Sex trafficking has no place in our society, yet it occurs in every corner of Minnesota. During my 23 years as a law enforcement officer, the cases that always shook me to the core were the sex trafficking cases.

Upon my arrival to Congress, I made it my priority to help eliminate these heinous crimes and ensure that criminals who choose to exploit others have been brought to justice.

The issue of sex trafficking is complex, and I believe that if we are truly to end sexual exploitation, officials from the federal, state, and local levels must all collaborate to find solutions that best fit their communities. That’s why I co-hosted a sex trafficking forum in Grand Rapids last week with Support Within Reach Sexual Violence Center and had the chance to hear different perspectives on how to combat sex trafficking.

Protecting student athletes from concussions

During my time as hockey player and coach, I came to understand that concussions are a serious injury that can have grave repercussions down the road if they are not properly addressed.

I believe it is especially important that we protect student athletes from concussions, as their brains are still developing, and these injuries can threaten their mental health and ability to perform in school.

We have an obligation to protect our kids, which is why I helped introduce the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act. This legislation would require states to develop concussion guidelines for schools to follow as well as ensure that students who have concussions receive the appropriate academic support.

As a former athlete, father, and Member of Congress, I remain committed to ensuring the health of future generations and will continue to work until this bipartisan legislation makes its way to the President’s desk.

Caring for Vietnam veterans

Many Vietnam veterans have long suffered from health problems, but because the VA has not formally recognized the connection between many illnesses and Agent Orange exposure, countless veterans continue to go without the care they deserve.

That’s why, last week, I helped introduce the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act. This legislation would add Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, hypertension and hyperthyroidism to the VA’s list of presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

It is up to us to care for our service members once they return home and nothing is more disheartening than hearing that one of these heroes has been denied or made to wait for the care they have earned.

I am hopeful that this legislation will quickly pass the House and Senate so that veterans can finally access the healthcare and disability benefits they rightfully deserve.