MAY 22, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

President Trump promised to lower prices on day one of his presidency. However, since being elected, his focus remains on rewarding himself and his loyalists – at our expense. He passed a massive tax break law for billionaires that took away health care and food assistance for millions of Americans. He started an unconstitutional war in Iran and illegal tariff wars that have driven up the price of groceries, gas, health care, and utilities. 

This week the Trump administration’s corruption and chaos sank to new depths. The administration brokered a $1.8 billion tax-payer funded slush fund to reward MAGA loyalists and January 6th rioters who assaulted police officers. Trump escalated his push for Congress to approve $1 billion for his gilded ballroom. His self-appointed commission approved a $100 million arch in front of Arlington National Cemetery. We also learned that more than 3,700 stock trades were conducted on behalf of the president in the first few months of 2026 — a shocking volume that observers compare to a hedge fund rather than an individual (Bloomberg).

In service to President Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson cancelled a vote Thursday on a resolution that would have directed the president to begin withdrawing American forces from hostilities with Iran. Why? Because he knew that a bipartisan majority would vote to end President Trump's unconstitutional war in Iran. Speaker Johnson’s cowardly decision reflects a complete failure of leadership. This Republican Majority has chosen to do nothing to rein in President Trump, and have only enabled and empowered his out of control conduct at great cost to the American people.

How do we stop a president focused on his own self-interest at our expense? Congress must reclaim its Article I Constitutional responsibilities. It must act as a check on an out of control executive by holding hearings and passing legislation to ensure this behavior stops and never happens again.

Star Tribune Column: We Cannot Turn Away from Human Rights Abuses Against Palestinians
For more than a decade, I’ve worked to call out human rights abuses against Palestinians by the Israeli government. Recently, the New York Times published a stunning account by columnist Nicholas Kristof of pervasive sexual violence against Palestinian men, women, and children in Israeli detention facilities. Fourteen brave survivors described, in firsthand detail, rape, torture, and systemic degradation at the hands of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, settlers, and prison guards. The Israeli government called it blood libel. Much of Washington said nothing at all.

I will not remain silent while human rights abuses are committed using American resources. Click here to read my column in the Star Tribune. 

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 is to follow my social media accounts: Twitter, Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Instagram, and YouTube. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Appropriations Committee Updates

Committee Advances Partisan Bill That Fails to Invest in Critical Energy & Water Projects
On Wednesday, the House Appropriations committee marked up the FY2027 Energy & Water funding bill which funds vital agencies and programs that support U.S. energy independence and critical mineral and energy innovation. Unfortunately, the bill written by the Republican majority fails to invest in these vital needs.  The bill cuts $25 million from electricity and grid deployment programs and cuts $50 million from Department of Energy projects that the private sector does not have the capacity to advance on its own. Click the image below or visit my YouTube Channel to watch my opening remarks on the Energy & Water appropriations bill.

Congresswoman McCollum speaks in opposition to House Republicans' Fiscal Year 2027 Energy & Water Appropriations bill. 

Committee Marks up Bill Funding Legislative Branch Functions

Republicans slashed the Government Accountability Office's budget by 25% — an enormous blow to independent oversight of the federal government. The GAO is the nonpartisan Congressional watchdog — it monitors spending by the executive branch to ensure compliance with Congress' directives and ensures that programs are executed as intended. My colleagues and I turn to them for expert legal analysis, fraud identification, and detailed recommendations for improving government agencies. Republicans' decision to make a 25% cut to this critical nonpartisan agency meant I simply could not support this bill. Visit my YouTube Channel or click the image below to watch my remarks on this bill.

Congresswoman McCollum fiercely defended the Government Accountability Office in a speech during the markup on House Republicans' Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill. 

Republicans Introduce Inadequate Funding Bill for Interior & Environment Agencies
House Republicans released their Fiscal Year 2027 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. I spoke out against their funding cuts to critical resources for the EPA, our public lands and wildlife protections, and our cultural institutions like the Smithsonian. The only bright spot that I continue to celebrate on this subcommittee is the way we stand united in prioritizing our tribal trust and treaty responsibilities. We have a nonpartisan commitment to mending the broken promises our nation has made to Native Americans. Click the image below or visit my YouTube Channel to watch my full remarks.

Congresswoman McCollum praised a bipartisan commitment to honoring our nation's tribal trust and treaty obligations, but ultimately spoke in opposition to House Republicans' FY 2027 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, citing deep cuts to the EPA, public lands, and cultural institutions. 

Congress Passes Major Bipartisan Law to Improve Housing Affordability 

This week, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 396-13. This bill takes important first steps to make housing more affordable for all Americans, including limiting the ability of hedge funds and other institutions to buy up homes that would otherwise be available to families. This bill has widespread support and advances reforms we can all support. But at the same time, House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee introduced a funding bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development that makes it more difficult for families to afford a home. It guts the only federal block grant for building affordable housing, and cuts investments in housing counseling assistance for homebuyers, and legal assistance to help families avoid eviction. We need to be embracing nonpartisan solutions to America’s housing crisis, not advancing these partisan attacks on the pathways to homeownership that we have.

Meeting with Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists

I had the pleasure of meeting with physicians from the Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists this week. We talked about the challenges facing their workforce and how Congress can help. We discussed the importance of supporting small and local practices and holding insurers accountable for timely payments, as well as the need for Congress to robustly fund critical research at the National Institute of Health. 

Meagan King, John Greene, Jacob Eiler, Congresswoman McCollum, Kevin Jenner, Matt Larson, and Daniel Pollock.

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Congratulations, Grads!

All across Minnesota, students are graduating from high school, trade school, college, and graduate programs. As a former teacher, I want to take a moment to congratulate all of you on your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to pursuing your dreams by advancing your education. Take in this moment and enjoy it with your loved ones.

Memorial Day Events

Like many of you, I'll be attending Memorial Day observances around the East Metro this weekend to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Across the East Metro, there are several community events and opportunities to gather and remember our service members through parades, ceremonies, concerts, and family-friendly activities:
 
Memorial Day at Historic Fort Snelling

Monday, May 25 – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Historic Fort Snelling will host a full day of Memorial Day programming, including flag ceremonies, cannon firings, historic demonstrations, and live musical performances.

White Bear Lake Memorial Day Parade & Lost at Sea Service

Monday, May 25 - Parade begins at 9:30 AM
Parade from City Hall to Union Cemetery, followed by a memorial program and an afternoon “Lost at Sea” tribute at Veterans Park.
 
Mahtomedi Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony

Monday, May 25 - Parade at 9:00 AM, ceremony at 9:30 AM
The annual Mahtomedi Memorial Day Parade will begin at Mahtomedi High School and travel down Stillwater Road to Veterans Memorial Park, followed by a community remembrance ceremony and pancake breakfast hosted by the fire department.

Stillwater Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony

Monday, May 25 - 11:30 AM
The Stillwater Veterans Memorial will host a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen service members with wreath presentations, guest speakers, veteran participation, and a vintage aircraft flyover near the historic courthouse.

Woodbury Memorial Day Ceremony

Monday, May 25 - 11:00 AM
The City of Woodbury will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Woodbury Lions Veterans Memorial, featuring remarks from veterans and community leaders, patriotic music.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Weekend and Long-term Highway Closure Continue

Westbound I-94 will be closed between I-35E and Dale Street this weekend through Monday at 5 A.M. Eastbound I-94 will also be closed between I-35W and I-35E over the weekend. For detours & more info on the project visit here.

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 Information 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