¶ Overview
- The first vote Finstad took after being sworn into congress in August 2022 was against the Inflation Reduction Act, which allowed Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug costs and capped the cost of insulin for Medicare enrollees at $35 per month.
- In 2025, Finstad voted for Republicans reconciliation bill, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated would trigger more than $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, absent future congressional action.
- Finstad was a member of the Republican Study Committee, which has been a staunch advocate for raising the age at which seniors would be eligible to collect Social Security. The Committee claimed the age increase was essential for keeping Social Security solvent, ignoring that a higher retirement age would cut the median-wage retiree’s benefits by thousands of dollars every year. The Committee also advocated for switching to a “premium support” healthcare system with Medicare, which would raise health care costs for most beneficiaries.
¶ The First Thing Finstad Did In Congress Was Vote Against Lowering Prescription Drug Costs For Seniors
¶ The first Vote Finstad took in congress was to vote against lowering prescription drug costs for seniors
HEADLINE: "Finstad Sworn In On Another Contentious Day In Congress" [MinnPost, 8/12/22]
August 2022: The First Vote Finstad Took After Being Sworn Into Congress Was Against The Inflation Reduction Act. According to a press release from Rep. Brad Finstad, "Newly sworn-in U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (MN-01) today cast his first vote in Congress against the so-called ‘Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,’ more appropriately called the ‘Inflation Expansion Act.’ Finstad noted that the House Democrats’ bill does nothing to address the skyrocketing inflation Americans face daily and that the best and quickest way to address America’s inflation crisis is to rein in out-of-control government spending, the opposite approach from this bill. Among its egregious provisions, the bill includes $80 billion in funding to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to harass and intimidate American families, farmers, and small businesses and $3 billion for climate activists to protest and force Green New Deal policies on the American people." [Press Release – Rep. Brad Finstad, 8/12/22]
¶ 2022: Finstad Voted Against The Inflation Reduction Act, Which Included Provisions Aimed At Lowering Prescription Drug Costs For Millions Of Americans
2022: Finstad Voted Against The Inflation Reduction Act Of 2022, A Multi-Billion Package To Address Climate Resiliency, Taxes, And Health Care Costs. In August 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Finstad voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, “comprising a package of climate, tax and health care provisions.” The vote was on a motion to concur. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote 220-207, thus the bill was sent to President Biden for final signage. President Biden signed the bill and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 420, 8/12/22; Congressional Quarterly, 8/12/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5376]
- The Inflation Reduction Act Included A Cap On Out-Of-Pocket Costs For Seniors Enrolled In Medicare At $2,000 Annually. According to the Washington Post, “The prescription drug pricing reforms aim to help cut costs for seniors enrolled in Medicare. It caps their out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 annually, while allowing the U.S. government to negotiate the price of a small set of medicines beginning in 2026.” [Washington Post, 8/7/22]
- HEADLINE: “House Passes Bill Extending ACA Subsidies, Allowing Medicare Drug Price Negotiations” [Healthcare Dive, 8/15/22]
- The Inflation Reduction Act Required Pharmaceutical Companies To Pay Rebates To Health And Human Services If They Increase The Medicare Drug Prices Greater Than Inflation. According to The Washington Post, “Pharmaceutical giants, which forcefully opposed the bill, also would be required to pay ‘rebates’ to the federal government if they raise Medicare drug prices beyond the rate of inflation.” [The Washington Post, 8/7/22]
- HEADLINE: “Inflation Reduction Act Signed Into Law Will Cap Insulin Costs For Millions Of Americans” [Fox 13 News, 8/16/22]
¶ The Inflation Reduction Act Benefited More Than 118,000 Minnesota Medicare Enrollees Who Took Prescription Drugs Selected For Price Negotiation
More Than 118,000 Medicare Enrollees In Minnesota Took Prescription Drugs That Had Been Selected For Price Negotiation Made Possible By The Inflation Reduction Act.
[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Minnesota, Viewed 4/6/26]
¶ Finstad Voted To Make Major Cuts To Medicare And Was Part Of A Group That Wanted To Turn It Into A Voucher System
¶ 2025: Finstad Voted In Favor Of The House Republican budget Bill, which would trigger Major Cuts To Medicare absent future congressional action
May 2025: Finstad Voted For The FY 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill That Included $3.8 Trillion In Tax Cuts Offset By $1.5 Trillion In Spending Reductions To Programs Like Medicaid And The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In May 2025, Finstad voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the bill that would provide for approximately $3.8 trillion in net tax cuts and $321 billion in military, border enforcement and judiciary spending, offset by $1.5 trillion in spending reductions, as instructed in the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). It would raise the statutory debt limit by $4 trillion and provide for increased spending on defense and border security, spending cuts on social safety net programs, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It also includes a mix of tax breaks for businesses and individuals; tax increases on universities and foundations; and a phase-down of clean energy tax credits. […] It would reduce federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by requiring states to shoulder more of the cost, expand work requirements for SNAP, extend programs authorized under the 2018 farm bill, and prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture from increasing the cost of the Thrifty Food Program. As amended, it would cap state and local tax deductions at $40,000 for households with incomes below $500,000.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 215 to 214. [House Vote 145, 5/22/25; Congressional Quarterly, 5/22/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
July 2025: Finstad Voted For The Senate FY 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill That Extended $4 Trillion In Expiring Tax Cuts, Added New Tax Breaks, Appropriated $448 Billion In Defense, Border, And Immigration Enforcement Funding, Increased The SALT Deduction To $40,000, And Cut Medicaid And Other Social Programs To Offset The Costs. In July 2025, Finstad voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the bill that would permanently extend nearly $4 trillion in expiring individual and business tax cuts, create several new tax breaks and fund border and immigration enforcement and air traffic control upgrades. It would cut Medicaid and other safety net programs to partly offset the cost. Among other provisions, it would raise the statutory debt ceiling by $5 trillion and appropriate more than $448 billion in mandatory funding for Trump administration priorities and other needs, including $153 billion for defense, $89 billion for immigration enforcement, and $89.5 billion for border control and security. It also would increase the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000 annually for five years for households making up to $500,000 a year until 2030, when it would permanently revert to $10,000.” The House passed the bill by a vote of 218 to 214. [House Vote 190, 7/3/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/3/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
¶ Finstad Applauded The Passage Of The Republican Budget Bill
5/22/25: Finstad Called The Republican Budget Bill “Once-In-A-Generation Legislation” And Claimed It Secured A “Historic $1.6 Trillion In Savings.” According to a press release from Rep. Brad Finstad, “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: ‘Since my first day in Congress, I have worked to support policies that grow our economy, rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending, and let hardworking families keep more of their paychecks. The House’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ does exactly that. Not only does this once-in-a-generation legislation prevent the largest tax hike in our country’s history, it delivers what the American people voted for: a secure border, national security, energy dominance, and an end to government waste, fraud, and abuse.’ Rep. Finstad continued, ’For far too long, Washington has disrespected the hard-earned dollars of American taxpayers. This budget resolution secures a historic $1.6 trillion in savings, and quite simply, puts America – and Americans – first, which is why I was proud to cast a ‘yes’ vote on this legislation on behalf of southern Minnesota’s families, farmers, and small businesses.’” [Press Release – Rep. Brad Finstad, 5/22/25]
7/3/25: Finstad Said He Was “Proud” To Have Voted For The Final Version Of The Republican Budget Bill And Claimed It Secured Big Wins For Americans. According to a press release from Rep. Brad Finstad, “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) issued a statement after final passage of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. Congressman Finstad celebrated its passage, saying, ’This Republican majority was sent to Congress to change the failed policies of the last four years and move our country forward with policies that cut taxes, secure our borders, restore energy independence, and deliver peace through strength. The bill we voted on today secures those wins for southern Minnesotans and for the American people. ‘Importantly, this bill delivers meaningful and permanent tax relief for families and small businesses across the First District while also making government more accountable to taxpayers through much-needed checks on Washington’s waste, fraud, and abuse. I was proud to vote to get this done for the American people, ushering in the economic growth that puts American families first.’” [Press Release – Rep. Brad Finstad, 7/3/25]
¶ The Congressional Budget Office Estimated That The Republican Reconciliation Bill Would Trigger Nearly $500 Billion In Cuts To Medicare
HEADLINE: "Trump And GOP’s Tax Bill Would Force Cuts To Medicare, CBO Says" [Washington Post, 5/21/25]
Congressional Budget Office Estimated That The House Republican Reconciliation Bill Would Trigger Nearly $500 Billion In Cuts To Medicare. According to a letter the Congressional Budget Office sent to Rep. Brendan Boyle, "Today the Congressional Budget Office transmitted an estimate of the budgetary effects of the 2025 reconciliation bill, as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Budget on May 18, 2025. 1 CBO has not yet completed estimates of the effects of interactions among the titles of the legislation. This letter responds to your questions concerning the sequestration (the cancellation of budgetary resources) in accordance with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (S-PAYGO) that would occur if an enacted bill raised deficits by $2.3 trillion over 10 years. Under S-PAYGO, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required to maintain 5- and 10-year scorecards that it updates with the estimated cumulative changes in revenues and outlays generated by newly enacted legislation. […] The 4 percent maximum reduction in Medicare spending would apply to sequestration orders for years after 2026. If OMB ordered a sequestration of $230 billion for each year through 2034, the ordered reductions in Medicare spending would increase to about $75 billion in 2034 and would total roughly $490 billion over the 2027–2034 period." [Letter to Rep. Brendan Boyle – Congressional Budget Office, 5/20/25]
¶ Finstad Was A Member Of The Republican Study Committee, Which Supported turning Medicare into a voucher system
As Of January 2025, Finstad Was A Member Of The Republican Study Committee.
[Republican Study Committee Website via WayBack Machine, “Membership,” 1/2/25]
¶ The Republican Study Committee Budget Proposed Raising Health Care Costs For Seniors By Switching To A “Premium Support” System
The Republican Study Committee’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposed A “Premium Support” Model For Medicare Beneficiaries. According to the Republican Study Committee Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal, "The RSC budget would implement a premium support model where private, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans would compete with a federal Medicare plan (the ‘Fed Plan’) that would offer the traditional Medicare benefits received through Part A, B, and D. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans provide the same services as Medicare but are administered by private health insurance providers. Under this plan, Medicare’s trust funds would be merged into a singular fund that would be responsible for paying premium support subsidies to cover the vast majority of their premium costs. This new singular trust fund would be funded with revenues from existing payroll taxes, Part B premiums, and Part B and D cost sharing—which would help ensure continued traditional Medicare benefits remain available. This framework would ensure seniors, whether they choose a private plan or the Fed Plan, receive more affordable, high-quality coverage." [Republican Study Committee FY 2025 Budget Proposal, 3/20/24]
The Republican Study Committee’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Proposed A “Premium Support” Model For Medicare Beneficiaries. According to Roll Call, "The plan offered by the 175-member Republican Study Committee would gradually raise the age at which future retirees can start claiming full Social Security benefits from 67 to 69, a politically fraught proposal that’s all but certain to appear in Democratic campaign ads. The document also proposes a ‘premium support’ plan that would subsidize private insurance options that compete with traditional Medicare. That would be similar to budget plans proposed by Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., during his tenure in Congress that were panned by Democrats and some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump." [Roll Call, 6/14/23]
Republicans’ Proposal To Switch To A Medicare “Premium Support” System Would Result In Most Beneficiaries Paying More For Health Care Than They Do Under Current Laws. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priority, "Under premium support, Medicare would make a fixed-dollar payment (often called a voucher) for each beneficiary to defray part of the cost of health insurance — either through a private plan or a form of traditional Medicare. The beneficiary’s premium would equal the difference between the voucher amount and the cost of the plan that he or she selected. Premium support would apply to all new beneficiaries starting in 2024 and to any other beneficiaries who chose to participate. Unlike the current system, in which Part B premiums are generally the same for all beneficiaries, premiums under the House GOP plan would vary by region and by plan. Although the GOP plan lacks the details to assess its impact on beneficiaries, most beneficiaries enrolled in traditional Medicare would pay more than under current law, according to the Congressional Budget Office. " [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 7/26/16]
¶ Finstad Was A Member Of A Group That Wanted To Raise The Retirement Age
¶ Finstad Was A Member Of The Republican Study Committee, Which Supported raising the social security retirement age
As Of January 2025, Finstad Was A Member Of The Republican Study Committee.
[Republican Study Committee Website via WayBack Machine, “Membership,” 1/2/25]
¶ The Republican Study Committee Advocated For Raising The Social Security Retirement Age
The Republican Study Committee Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal Included “Modest Adjustments To The Retirement Age For Future Retirees To Account For Increases In Life Expectancy.” According to the Republican Study Committee Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal, “For instance, the RSC Budget would make modest changes to the primary insurance amount (PIA) benefit formula for individuals who are not near retirement and earn more than the wealthiest PIA benefit factor. It would also make modest adjustments to the retirement age for future retirees to account for increases in life expectancy. Finally, for these individuals, it would limit and phase out auxiliary benefits for high income earners.” [Republican Study Committee FY 2025 Budget Proposal, 3/20/24]
The Republican Study Committee Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Plan Included Raising The Age Of Eligibility For Social Security Benefits To 69. According to Roll Call, “The largest bloc of House conservatives offered up a fiscal blueprint Wednesday that promises to balance the federal budget in seven years, make GOP tax cuts permanent, and slash domestic spending. The plan offered by the 175-member Republican Study Committee would gradually raise the age at which future retirees can start claiming full Social Security benefits from 67 to 69, a politically fraught proposal that’s all but certain to appear in Democratic campaign ads. The document also proposes a ‘premium support’ plan that would subsidize private insurance options that compete with traditional Medicare. That would be similar to budget plans proposed by Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., during his tenure in Congress that were panned by Democrats and some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump.” [Roll Call, 6/14/23]
The Republican Study Committee Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Proposal Called For The “Gradual Increase Of The Normal Retirement Age.” According to the Republican Study Committee FY 2023 Budget, “This trend, which will continue to increase financial pressure on Social Security, is a result of the aging U.S. population. To partially address this issue, the full retirement was raised to 67 in 2022 for those born in 1960 and later. The Social Security Reform Act would simply continue the gradual increase of the normal retirement age that current law has set in motion at a rate of three months per year until it is increased by three years for those reaching age 62 in 2040, 18 years from now.” [Republican Study Committee Fiscal Year 2023 Budget via Wayback Machine, 8/5/22]
The Republican Study Committee Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Proposal Called To “Reform The Full Retirement Age To Track Life Expectancy.” According to a press release from the Republican Study Committee, “The RSC Budget puts Social Security on a permanent path to solvency without adjusting benefits for any Americans in or near retirement. It would: Increase the minimum benefit up to 40% of average wages for those that worked 40 years or more. • Reform the full retirement age to track life expectancy.” [Press Release – Republican Study Committee, Viewed 11/25/25]
The Republican Study Committee Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Proposal Included Phasing In “An Increase In Eligibility Age To 70” For Social Security. According to the Republican Study Committee FY 2020 Executive Summary, “MAKING SOCIAL SECURITY SOLVENT - without reform, will be depleted by 2035, cutting benefits by 25 percent • implements the Social Security Reform Act to achieve long-term sustainable solvency • phases in an increase of the eligibility age to 70 and indexes life expectancy to keep up with increases in longevity ” [Republican Study Committee, “RSC Budget FY 2020: Preserving American Freedom,” Viewed 11/25/25]
¶ more than 158,000 minnesotans in the 1st congressional district relied on social security benefits
2024: 158,838 Minnesotans In The 1st Congressional District Relied On Social Security Benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, in 2024, 158,838 Minnesotans in the 1st congressional district received Social Security benefits. [Social Security Administration, Minnesota, 2024]