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MAY 1, 2026
Dear Fourth District Constituent,
The House of Representatives continues to be completely dysfunctional under the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican majority.
Nearly two months ago, Democrats offered a bill to fund the TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and cyber defense at the Department of Homeland Security. Five weeks ago, the Senate unanimously passed that legislation, but Speaker Johnson refused to bring this bill to the House floor, and the DHS shutdown has continued. Yesterday, the Speaker finally brought the Democratic bill up for a vote on the House floor, and it passed overwhelmingly. So why did this take so long? Because President Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans are seeking $70 billion more for ICE and Border Patrol with zero accountability for their unconstitutional actions. This week they also forced through legislation that paves the way for a partisan budget reconciliation to accomplish that goal.
Our farmers need Congress to pass a Farm Bill. They also need relief from the high energy costs caused by President Trump's war in Iran and the high fertilizer costs that have resulted from the president's tariffs. Rather than working with Democrats to negotiate a bipartisan farm bill, Speaker Johnson and the House Republican majority chose to go it alone — passing a partisan Farm Bill that the Senate will not support.
As House Republicans are in chaos in Washington, the American people continue to bear the brunt of their failed agenda. This week, gas prices rose to their highest national average in four years ($4.39), and on Wednesday, a Pentagon official testified before Congress that the War in Iran has cost at least $25 billion to date. Republicans in Congress and President Trump would be wise to listen to the American people who are asking us to put an end to this costly war of choice that has never been authorized by Congress.
If you appreciate this newsletter, please share it with your family and friends. As always, the best way to stay up-to-date on my work in Congress is to follow my social media accounts: Twitter, Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Instagram, and YouTube.
WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE
Appropriations Committee Updates:
Questioning Trump EPA Administrator About Drastic Cuts to Protections for Clean Water
The Interior Appropriations Subcommittee is continuing to hold oversight hearings on the Trump administration’s budget proposals. Earlier in the week, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin was asked to defend Trump’s plan to cut the agency’s budget by 52%. That cut would be devastating for Minnesotans who rely on EPA’s partnership to protect our drinking water, support tribal treaty rights, and produce the scientific findings needed to help us regulate and clean up chemicals like PFAS and herbicides. I pressed administrator Zeldin on a range of important issues during this hearing — visit my YouTube Channel or click the link below to watch.
Congresswoman McCollum questioned EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin during a hearing of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on Monday.
Speaking Out Against Republican Cuts to Humanitarian Aid and Diplomacy
The House Appropriations Committee met this week to mark up the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations bill. This bill funds the State Department and critical humanitarian programming around the globe as well as our embassies and the diplomats who carry out their work. House Republicans yet again presented a bill that retreats from global engagement, chips away at American diplomacy, and leaves millions of people around the world at risk of disease, famine, poverty, and malnutrition. I spoke out against the cuts in this bill and voted against it, because when America retreats from global engagement, we lose credibility and the world becomes a more dangerous place. Click here to read my full statement.
Congresswoman McCollum delivered opening remarks on Republicans' Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations bill on Tuesday.
Rising in Opposition to Republicans’ Deep Cuts to Food Assistance and Conservation
On Wednesday, the appropriations committee met to mark up the Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture & FDA Appropriations bill. Farming is an important part of Minnesota's economy, and this bill impacts us and everyone else around the nation. Unfortunately, Republicans are using this legislation to codify $6 billion in cuts to SNAP nutrition assistance and conservation assistance for farmers. I voted no on this bill, but I'm hopeful that I can work together with my colleagues to restore this critical funding so I can support a better version of this bill in the future.
Congresswoman McCollum explained her opposition to Republicans' Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture & FDA Appropriations bill, which codifies $6 billion in cuts to SNAP nutrition assistance.
Later in the week, the Republican majority brought the Farm Bill to the House floor for a vote. The Republicans' farm bill came three years late and still falls short for farmers and the American people. Last year the Republicans forced through their incredibly unpopular Big Ugly Bill, which has so far kicked 3.4 million people off SNAP. This farm bill could have restored those cuts to SNAP but instead continued them. I'm disappointed that this farm bill fails to meet the moment. I hope we can continue working toward a farm bill that supports everyone. Click here to read my full statement.
Meeting with Greater Twin Cities United Way Representatives
I spoke with representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way who visited the Hill this week to talk about their work to support our community and how Congress can support them. United Way does incredible work to help Minnesotans thrive, with services ranging from parenting classes and housing assistance to culturally-specific food pantries and early childhood education.
From left to right: United Ways of Minnesota Executive Director Beni Westgor, Congresswoman McCollum, and Greater Twin Cities United Way's Senior Program Officer for Advocacy, Ivette Izea Martinez
Meeting with Minnesota Poetry Out Loud Champion Sofia Skuza Rivera
Sofia Skuza Rivera, a high school junior at Saint Paul Academy, competed in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C. this week. She placed within the top 12 in the National Semi-Finals. This is the second year in which Skuza Rivera won Minnesota’s Poetry Out Loud competition, advancing to the National Finals. Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation contest that is held in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Congresswoman McCollum speaks with Poetry Out Loud Minnesota Champion Sofia Skuza Rivera and her mother Jennifer.
Congress Votes for Temporary Reauthorization of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
On Thursday, Congress voted to temporarily extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) 702 authorization through June 12th. I am supportive of reforms to Section 702 to ensure that the civil liberties of American citizens are protected, and Congress must consider the merits of compromise legislation on FISA reform that the House and Senate are considering. However, the national security risks associated with allowing this authorization to lapse entirely are too grave. It is important that Congress have more time to understand the sensitive details of the program and find a prudent balance that respects individual liberty and protects our national security.
MINNESOTA UPDATE
My Office is Here to Help
My office is here to help you navigate federal agencies and get answers when you need them. My staff can assist with questions about student loans, Social Security, IRS concerns, Medicare and other healthcare programs, as well as SNAP, WIC, and energy assistance. We can also help with immigration cases, passports, housing issues, small business support, and problems with USPS delivery. In addition, my team provides support for federal employees, service members, and veterans, including benefits and records. If you’re experiencing difficulties with a federal program or agency, my staff is ready to step in and assist on your behalf. Visit my website for more information.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
SCAMMER ALERT:
Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Social Security or Inspector General Employees
Federal law enforcement agencies are warning about a rise in government imposter scams in which criminals pretend to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA), using fake social media profiles to try and gain your trust. Scammers may contact you through email, mail, phone, social media, or text. Remember: no real government employee will ever demand immediate payment or personal information or threaten legal action or arrest. To protect yourself: ignore unexpected messages claiming to be from SSA or SSA OIG; do not click links or download attachments from unsolicited messages. It's important to know that caller ID cannot be trusted because scammers can spoof government numbers. For more info, here’s SSA OIG’s press release. To report the scam, go to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, Federal Trade Commission, and OIG.
Long-term Highway Closure Continues
Highway 280 from I-94 to Hwy 36/I-35W is closed through late August for construction and maintenance work. Drivers should plan for detours and allow extra travel time, especially during peak hours, as traffic will be rerouted to nearby roads. For more information, visit MNDOT.
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.
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
If you are impacted by the actions of the Trump Administration or Republicans’ policies, including cuts to health care and 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
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