FEBRUARY 20, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

For more than ten weeks, Minnesotans have faced challenges unlike any we have experienced in our history. The Trump administration has invaded and occupied our communities. Minnesotans have responded by coming together to defend and support our neighbors. While it appears that this occupation may be winding down, the impact of this unlawful chaos, division, and assault on our community will be lasting. Physical and psychological scars will take years to heal. 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Minnesotans are showing the way forward. You are responding by uniting to repair this damage created by President Trump. Now we must invest our time and our efforts in one another to make our communities whole again. There are so many ways to chip in: You can volunteer at a food bank, contribute to organizations dedicated to defending our immigrant neighbors in the judicial system, or volunteer for mutual aid organizations. For a full list of nonprofits, mutual aid organizations, and contribution opportunities for schools, communities, and families in need of support visit Stand With Minnesota.

Showing Gratitude for Organizations Standing up and Delivering for our Communities

For the past two months, we have seen countless examples of Minnesotans rising to the moment to protect and support each other. Last Friday, I visited the Hmong American Partnership to express my deep gratitude to the staff and volunteers assembling and delivering boxes of essential household items and culturally specific foods to Hmong families impacted by Operation Metro Surge. Their work is a powerful reminder that our community’s true strength lies in how we show up for one another. Recently, I also paid a visit to El Burrito Mercado to support their Community Crisis Response effort that they are making in partnership with Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Saint Paul. If you or a loved one is experiencing food insecurity, visit here for information on resources around the East Metro.

Congresswoman McCollum joined volunteers at the Hmong American Partnership on Friday to support their work to deliver groceries and toiletries to impacted families. 

Minnesota Leading on Innovations in Manufacturing

On Tuesday, I attended a roundtable at the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub in Saint Paul to discuss how Minnesota and Michigan are partnering to advance additive manufacturing technology in our national security and commercial manufacturing sectors. It is exciting to see the University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas, and great Minnesota companies like PAR Systems working in a regional partnership with Michigan companies and universities to move this dual use technology and our economy forward.

Congresswoman McCollum meets with stakeholders at a roundtable in partnership with the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub in Saint Paul.

 
Opportunity for Public Comment on Saint Croix River

If you haven't already seen my messages on social media, I want to make sure you're aware that the public has until tomorrow, February 21st, to comment on the draft Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. This is the last opportunity for public comment. The Saint Croix River is one of the nation’s first Wild and Scenic Rivers, connecting communities across Minnesota and Wisconsin to wildlife and recreation. The draft plan from the National Park Service outlines how the river way will be managed in the years ahead, including proposed changes to improve camping and visitor use, improvements to access points and facilities, strategies to better protect water quality and sensitive habitat, and new approaches to monitoring ecological health and recreational impacts along the Saint Croix River and its tributary, the Namekagon River. This is the final opportunity to submit comments and help shape the future stewardship of these treasured rivers. I encourage those who live and recreate on the Saint Croix to weigh in before the Feb. 21 deadline. Comments can be submitted here.

Team USA Wins Gold in Women's Hockey at Milano-Cortina Games 

Congratulations to Team USA Women's Hockey on a stunning victory over Canada in the Olympic Final on Thursday! With eight players with ties to our state, Minnesotans played a critical role on this team. This year's roster included Minnesotans Lee Stecklein, Kelly Pannek, Grace Zumwinkle, Taylor Heise, and Rory Guilday, as well as University of Minnesota captain Abbey Murphy, and Kendall Coyne Schofield and Britta Curl-Salemme of the Minnesota Frost. Minnesota Olympians have now medaled in four events at the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games — more than many countries competing in the Winter Games. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Supreme Court Strikes Down President Trump's Tariff Authority
Today, the Supreme Court upheld the Constitution and Article I, which gives Congress the authority to set tariffs, and stops President Trump’s illegal and reckless attempt to impose his own import taxes. Trump’s tariffs have driven up prices for American families, small businesses, and farmers at a time when they are already feeling the crushing weight of higher costs on essential goods and services. I have signed onto numerous amicus briefs reaffirming that the power to impose tariffs belongs with Congress, not the President. The Supreme Court decision today correctly defends Congress’s Article I powers and reins in the President’s unlawful use of emergency authority.

Click here to read my full statement, and visit my YouTube channel to watch my latest video, where I discuss the President's response to the Supreme Court's decision. 

Holding Trump Administration Accountable for Pattern of Retribution Against Minnesotans

On Thursday, Congressman Jamie Raskin and I wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons seeking answers about the disturbing pattern of illegal and unconstitutional retaliation against Minnesotans’ lawful expression of their first amendment rights. 

Congresswoman McCollum and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons to express their concern over a pattern of illegal and unconstitutional retaliation against Minnesotans’ lawful expression of their first amendment rights. 

Congressman Raskin and I are asking for a full accounting from DHS of the decisions and timing that led to the enforcement actions against Minnesota businesses and institutions that have spoken out against Operation Metro Surge and stood up for our communities. Visit my website to read the full letter.

Department of Defense Must Answer for Airspace Closure in El Paso
Further reporting about the sudden closure of El Paso’s airspace last week raises many more questions about this dangerous failure of competence by the Trump administration that is undermining public trust and safety. Public reporting indicates that the cause of the Federal Aviation Administration’s flight restrictions was the use of a directed energy weapon operated by Customs and Border Protection but owned by the Department of Defense. Why is the Department of Defense (DoD) providing this lethal equipment to CBP without informing Congress? Congress deserves clear, immediate answers from the Administration on the chain of events that led to the FAA’s decision making. That includes an explanation on why senior administration officials publicly stated that the incident was related to drone incursions by Mexican drug cartels, information that appears to be untrue. Ultimately, if this was DoD technology, operated on a DoD installation, then Secretary Hegseth is directly responsible for the failure to notify the FAA and must answer to Congress for it. The American people deserve answers.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

The IRS is Now Accepting 2025 Federal Tax Returns

Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit is recommended by the IRS as the fastest and safest way to receive a refund. Eligible taxpayers can get help and file for free. For more information on filing federal tax returns, click here. For information about free tax preparation, click here. If you plan to use a tax professional to prepare and file your tax returns, the IRS encourages you to review tips for choosing a tax preparer. Be careful to avoid tax scams and people impersonating the IRS. Here are some tips to avoid scams.

Ramsey County Library – Maplewood is host to multiple free tax assistance sessions by AARP on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. through April 14th. Call ahead to make an appointment. Preference will be given to seniors and those living on fixed incomes, more info here.

Beware of Fraudulent “Social Security Statement” Emails that are not from Social Security
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is warning about a surge in government imposter scam emails falsely claiming to provide your Social Security Statement. The scam emails may use official-looking logos, colors, language, and formatting to appear authentic and deceive people into clicking links or downloading attachments. Once clicked, the links could install malware or lead victims to fake websites to steal their personal and financial information. To avoid this trap, don’t tap or click on a link in an unsolicited email, respond, or provide personal information. To access your Social Security account online, type in ssa.gov/myaccount  For more information on Social Security–related scams or to report suspected fraud, visit ssa.gov/scam.

Minnesota Heating Assistance

Struggling to pay your heating bill this winter? See if you qualify for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program. Homeowners and renters both qualify and are eligible based on household size and income. Applications must be received by May 31, 2026. For more information visit this link or call the Minnesota Department of Commerce at 800-657-3710.

Know your Rights
As you continue to protest peacefully, I wanted to share some valuable resources that Attorney General Ellison has put together. The Know Your Rights with ICE page provides information so that Minnesota organizations—like hospitals, shelters, and houses of worship—can continue to provide safe and welcoming environments for everyone they serve. You can also report incidents using the Federal Action Reporting Form. 

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

If you are impacted by the actions of the Trump Administration or Republicans' cuts to health care, food assistance, I want to hear about it. Please contact my office directly at (651) 224-9191 or click here to share your story. 

Your voice matters and empowers my vote in Congress.
I encourage you to share your stories with me.

Thank You
Thank you to the hundreds of new subscribers to my weekly newsletter! This update is designed to provide timely information about my work in Washington and Minnesota, and to provide resources that can be helpful to you. As always, please stay in touch: Voice your policy opinion, ask for help with a federal agency, or find all of my recent statements at mccollum.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress