MARCH 6, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Over the weekend, President Trump chose to take our nation to war with Iran. This military action was launched without Congressional approval and with no imminent threat posed by Iran to the United States.
 
Just last week, President Trump stood before the American people and delivered his State of the Union Address. If he knew there was a clear and present danger to the United States, he should have come to Congress to request an Authorization for Use of Military Force, just as President Bush did before the Iraq War. President Trump failed to do so, which is an affront to our Constitution and the American people.

One thing we can all agree on as Americans is that we are grateful for those who volunteer to serve in our military. I am praying for the safe return of all those who serve in uniform. 

Tomorrow, I will attend the dignified transfer of the six service members who were killed in a retaliatory strike by Iran, including Sergeant First Class Nicole M. Amor of White Bear Lake. Their service to our nation will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with their families, for the safety of all our men and women in uniform serving overseas, and for those in the region who now find themselves in danger because of President Trump’s reckless, unlawful, and unnecessary decision to go to war.

Congresswoman McCollum was among a group of lawmakers who held a bipartisan moment of silence to honor six American service members who were killed in Kuwait. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Congressional Republicans Subpoena Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison for Oversight Testimony
This week, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee brought Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison to testify to Congress for the second time. Rather than addressing the health care and affordability crises they created for the American people, President Trump and Republicans in Congress continue to target Minnesota in an unprecedented campaign of retribution and incompetence aimed at attacking our way of life and dividing our neighbors.

Left: Congresswoman McCollum listens to testimony from Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison at a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Right: Governor Walz, Attorney General Ellison, and Rev. Mariah Tollgaard, Senior Pastor at Hamline Church United Methodist, take an oath ahead of their testimony. 

Instead of conducting any real oversight, Congressional Republicans are complicit with the Trump administration’s political attacks on Minnesotans, Governor Walz, Attorney General Ellison, Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and her widow – casting blame on everyone except those who trampled on Americans’ civil rights and due process during the occupation of Minnesota. In the face of this unprecedented assault on our state, Minnesotans have responded by coming together to support one another. We are Minnesota Strong. Click here to read my full statement. 

Opposing President Trump’s War in Iran
Yesterday, I voted YES on a War Powers resolution that would rein in President Trump's military actions in the Middle East. President Trump has taken our nation to war in violation of the War Powers Act and the Constitution. He knows his actions are unconstitutional, because the administration’s own justification for this unlawful war shifts by the hour. Click here to read my full statement. 

Opposing the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

On Thursday, I voted NO on Republicans' bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. This legislation does absolutely nothing to address the dangerous and illegal activity from ICE and Border Patrol agents that we have seen around the country and Minnesotans experienced firsthand during Operation Metro Surge. Click the link below to watch my full remarks on YouTube. 

Congresswoman McCollum spoke against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill during a speech on the House floor on Thursday.

President Trump Fires Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem 

Kristi Noem is the most inept, incompetent, and dishonorable leader in the history of the Department of Homeland Security. Her short tenure leaves behind an agency marred by corruption and distrust, and her legacy will be the violence DHS has inflicted on Americans. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, masked ICE and Border Patrol agents killed two Minnesotans, violently assaulted our neighbors, and racially profiled Minnesotans on a mass scale. Minnesotans will never forget the terror and chaos that Kristi Noem unleashed upon our state. Firing her is just the first step to ending the lawlessness at DHS. It's Congress' responsibility to rein in an out-of-control department and rebuild agencies that respect the civil and constitutional rights of the American people.

Meeting with Leaders from the American Legion Department of Minnesota
On Monday, I had the opportunity to meet with leadership of the Minnesota Department of the American Legion. The American Legion works tirelessly to protect the benefits our veterans have earned through their sacrifice of service. These benefits are a solemn promise our government makes to those who answered the nation’s call. We must continue working together to ensure that promise is upheld. Thank you to the veterans who continue to advocate on behalf of their fellow service members. Your voices matter!

Congresswoman McCollum met with the leaders of the Minnesota Department of the American Legion on Monday. 

Welcoming Como Park High School Students to Washington, D.C.

Thank you to the 20 Como Park High School seniors who visited my office on Tuesday for a thoughtful discussion – it was a bright spot in my week! Students and their teacher, Eric Erickson, were visiting D.C. as part of their study of the U.S. Government through a University of Minnesota - College in the Schools class. It was a pleasure to speak with the future leaders of our country during their visit to our nation's capital. 

Congresswoman McCollum met with Como Park High School students from Eric Erickson's U.S. government class.

Meeting with J Street Leaders

It was great meet with Minnesota representatives from J Street in my office this week to discuss my new legislation, The Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act. We also discussed the President’s reckless war in Iran, the heartbreaking humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and how the rise in antisemitism impacts the lives of Jewish Minnesotans. It's gratifying to work with J Street to advance peace and prosperity in the Middle East and here at home, and I look forward to continuing this important work together.

 
J Street representatives share a word with Congresswoman McCollum during their meeting on Tuesday.

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Visiting Alan Page Elementary School in Maplewood

Our children deserve to be safe at school, at home, and in our community. On Monday morning, I visited Justice Alan Page Elementary School in Maplewood to thank the dedicated faculty members who have been volunteering in shifts to monitor students’ daily drop-off and pick-up during Operation Metro Surge, helping distribute food to impacted families, and stepping up in countless other ways to ensure students feel secure, supported, and free to focus on simply being kids.

Congresswoman McCollum met with the faculty and staff of Justice Alan Page Elementary School during a visit on Monday morning in Maplewood. 

Joining Community Iftar Dinner
On Monday I had the honor of joining the Annual Iftar Dinner at the Minnesota National Guard Armory as our Muslim community broke their fast with state policymakers from both sides of the aisle, members of our multi-faith community, and military. For Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan is marked by fasting, prayer, community, and family. It is a time for spiritual renewal, reflection and unity. We broke bread in celebration as a community, deepening our bonds and understanding.

Oregonians Share Solidarity (and Postcards) With Minnesotans!

Thank you to Jamie and Marion Kreisman of Saint Paul for stopping by my District Office recently to uplift our community and deliver beautiful handmade postcards from community members in eastern Oregon. We’re grateful for your support of Minnesotans in the midst of Operation Metro Surge!

2026 Paralympic Games Begin

The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open today in Milano-Cortina. Of the 72 Team USA athletes, Minnesota is sending eight, the largest number of any state. I'm especially proud of the athletes from Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional District, including returning Paralympian Nordic skiers Max Nelson of Grant and Sydney Peterson of Lake Elmo. Approximately 665 athletes are competing in 79 medal events across six sports: Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboarding, and wheelchair curling. Go Team USA!

Let's Play Hockey!

Minnesota’s proud hockey tradition is on full display this weekend as the 2026 Minnesota Boys’ High School Hockey State Tournament continues at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, leading up to the championship on Saturday. Tune in to watch these semifinal games this evening:

• 6:00 PM: Minnetonka versus Rosemount
• 8:00 PM: Moorhead versus Edina

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Deadline for Student Entries for Congressional Art Competition is April 10th
The 2026 Congressional Art Competition is officially underway! I invite all high school students who live or attend school in the Fourth Congressional District to submit an entry. All entries will be displayed in the Atrium Gallery of the Schmidt Artist Lofts as part of the 2026 Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl, April 17-19, 2026. The winning entry from the Fourth District will be displayed as part of a national exhibit in the U.S. Capitol. Entries by the runners-up will be displayed in my congressional offices in Saint Paul and in Washington, D.C. For more details, visit my website.

Update for U.S. Citizens Stranded in the Middle East

Hundreds of thousands of Americans, including my own constituents, are stranded across the Middle East as a result of President Trump's reckless decision to wage war against Iran. The Trump administration is failing its obligation to help our fellow Americans return to safety. If you or a family member is stuck in the Middle East because of the war, please call my office at 651-224-9191 or contact me here.

I-94 Public Comment Period 

I want to make sure you're aware that the public has until Monday, March 23rd, to comment on two environmental review and scoping documents for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Rethinking I-94 study. Comments can be submitted here. As you may know, Rethinking I-94 is an effort to engage the communities who live, work, and recreate along the I-94 corridor between I-35 E in Saint Paul and Highway 55 in Minneapolis, and study ways to improve safety, mobility, and connectivity. 

Free Tax Filing Assistance Sessions in Maplewood

Free tax assistance sessions are being held at the Maplewood Library and hosted 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.

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.

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.

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