April 3, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

As we enter the fifth week of the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, it has become clear that President Trump’s decision to take our nation war with Iran was his choice, and his choice alone. President Trump called his war in Iran an excursion. It’s not. It’s a war. And it’s a strategic and diplomatic failure. President Trump failed to consult Congress or our allies, and he's now seeking two hundred billion dollars in supplemental funding from Congress for this war. Let me be clear: I will not write a blank check to this president. Earlier this week, I discussed the chaos President Trump has unleashed in the Middle East in a video address. Visit my YouTube Channel to watch the full video, or click the link below. Subscribe to my channel for the latest video updates.

Congresswoman McCollum discussed Trump's War in Iran during a video address earlier this week. 

This morning, President Trump released his initial budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 — two months late.

His outlined request lacks essential details required by Congress and contains $1.15 trillion in defense spending, an outrageous and unacceptable amount, especially when he and Congressional Republicans intend to make further cuts to critical services that Americans rely on at home. Our nation cannot be secure without investments in our country’s critical health care, education, nutrition, and infrastructure. Visit my website to read my full statement on the president's fiscal year 2027 budget request. 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

One Year From President Trump’s “Liberation Day,” Americans are Taxed By Higher Prices and Growing Uncertainty
Remember Liberation Day? One year ago this week, President Trump began a reckless and chaotic campaign imposing tariffs on every country across the world, including our close allies with whom we'd established favorable free trade agreements. Tariffs are taxes — and you pay for them on anything that has imported components or inputs – including food. 

U.S. import costs have skyrocketed in the year since Liberation Day (Source: Yale Budget Lab).

Here in Minnesota, for example, our farmers rely on Canadian fertilizer to grow their crops. With tariffs on Canadian goods, the cost of fertilizer is up 25%, farmers are forced to pay those costs to grow their crops, which are then passed on to you when you buy food and fuel. To make matters worse, President Trump's war in Iran has made fuel much more expensive. Just a month ago, gasoline was $2.98 per gallon. As of today, it's $4.08. Tariffs have added up to higher costs for you and your family. If President Trump really wants to liberate us, he should end his war on Iran and stop imposing tariffs on our allies and trading partners. On Thursday, I spoke about the economic destruction that's been caused by Trump's tariffs. Click below or visit my YouTube Channel to watch. 

Congresswoman McCollum addressed the economic damage that Americans have suffered after a full year of Trump's tariffs on our allies and global trading partners. 

Millions of Americans March at No Kings Rallies Across the Nation
Last Saturday, hundreds of thousands of patriotic Americans here in Minnesota joined millions across the nation, and around the world stood up to defend our rights and fight for our democracy at No Kings rallies. Minnesotans have suffered from the Trump administration’s cruelty, incompetence, and corruption. We reject the idea that anyone is above the law and the Constitution doesn’t apply to them. I stand united with Minnesotans in defending our values, our rights and our way of life.

Thousands attended No Kings Rallies in Saint Paul and more than 100 other communities across the state Saturday.

Community Celebration for Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her
Following the No Kings Rally in Saint Paul, I had the pleasure of joining our Hmong American community on Saturday at a community celebration Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, the first woman and first Asian American to lead our capital city.

Congresswoman McCollum and former SPPS school board member Kazoua Kong-Thao greet community members at Mayor Her’s Hmong community celebration.

Happy Easter & Passover

Whether you're celebrating Easter, Passover, or the arrival of spring, I'm hoping that this season offers renewal and hope to you and your loved ones. May this weekend bring peace and joy to our communities! 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

House Republicans Block Bipartisan Funding for TSA Agents and Disaster Relief, Fail to End Shutdown of DHS
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill for the second time to pay TSA agents and fund FEMA disaster relief, the Coast Guard, and cybersecurity protections. This is the same bill that Speaker Johnson refused to bring to the House floor last Friday, because it didn’t provide more funding for ICE or Border Patrol. Now, less than a week later, Speaker Johnson is flip-flopping and trying to herd House Republicans into supporting the bill.  His behavior is irresponsible, and this chaos is no way to govern.

Let me be clear: I will not vote for another dollar of funding for ICE or Border Security Operations until we have guarantees that their agents will stop violating Americans' rights and assaulting our communities and will start to comply with the same standards our local law enforcement follow. Democrats will not stop fighting for policy changes to bring essential oversight and accountability to ICE and Border Patrol. Speaker Johnson and House Republicans should bring the bipartisan funding bill for the rest of DHS to the floor now and stop the pain and suffering they are inflicting on federal workers and the American people.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Important Update for U.S. Citizens Traveling Abroad
Before traveling internationally, the State Department strongly recommends that people sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates from the U.S. embassy on any security threats, potential natural disasters or civil unrest. You can receive alerts for the duration of your choosing and unsubscribe at any time. It’s also important to check your destination’s entry requirements, including passport validation date and visa requirements. Many countries require your passport to be valid for 6 months beyond your travel dates.

As a reminder, to fly within the U.S., passengers need a REAL ID-compliant document to enter the screening checkpoint. More info here.

As April 15 Nears, 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.

The IRS started phasing out paper tax refund checks on Sept. 30, 2025. The safest and fastest way to receive your refund is by direct deposit. Include your bank account information on your tax return to avoid delays in receiving your refund. More information 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? 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.

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.

U.S. Service Academy Information Night at Mounds View High School 
Interested in applying to a US Service Academy? My office will be hosting an event at Mounds View High School on Tuesday, April 14th at 6:30 pm with Academy Representatives to discuss the programs, opportunities, and what life is like at the academies. There will also be discussions on the Congressional nomination process. Learn more here.

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.

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