Michelle Fischbach U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 7th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Michelle Fischbach U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 7th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, who represents Minnesota’s 7th district in the U.S. Congress, has introduced new legislation aimed at increasing mallard duck populations and supporting hunters across the country. The bill, called the HEN Act, seeks to boost production of mallards by funding the construction and maintenance of hen houses.
“Hunting is a way of life in rural Minnesota, and sportsmen and women have a long history of being strong advocates for wildlife populations. Building hen houses is a non-intrusive, voluntary, and scientifically supported approach to revitalizing falling duck populations,” said Congresswoman Fischbach (MN-07). “I am proud to introduce the HEN Act, which will refocus funds to invest in additional hen houses in the Prairie Pothole Region. This will support the efforts of local sportsmen without creating additional, unnecessary regulatory burdens on our western Minnesota farmers.”
The proposed legislation authorizes $3.5 million per year over five years for competitive grants that would help build nearly 20,000 hen houses nationwide. These structures are expected to help produce tens of thousands more mallards throughout the United States.
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) expressed his support for the bill as well: “Waterfowl play an essential role in our wetland ecosystems, yet declining habitats, drought, and increased predation threaten their numbers. I’m glad to work with Rep. Fischbach on this bipartisan bill to boost waterfowl breeding in California and in the Prairie Pothole Region of the upper Midwest."
Fischbach has represented Minnesota’s 7th District since 2021 after replacing Collin Peterson that year (https://fischbach.house.gov/about). She previously served in the Minnesota Senate from 2017 to 2018 (https://fischbach.house.gov/about). Born in Woodbury, Minnesota in 1965, she currently resides in Regal (https://fischbach.house.gov/about). She holds a BA from St. Cloud State University and a JD from William Mitchell College of Law (https://fischbach.house.gov/about).
Alerts Sign-up