MAY 29, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

The House was out of session this week for a district work period. It's been a beautiful time to be Minnesota, beginning with Memorial Day observances on Monday. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with constituents and visit local small businesses who are increasingly concerned about their economic security. President Trump promised lower costs on day one of his presidency, but you’ve been sharing stories about the hardship caused by rising inflation. You are paying more for everything, especially gas, which costs an average $4.24 per gallon — 50% more than before Trump began the Iran War (NBC News). President Trump's War in Iran, tariffs, and the Big Ugly Law are driving up not just gas prices, but groceries, health care, utilities, housing, and more. Operation Metro Surge caused lasting harm to our local businesses, our economy and the budgets of our local communities.
With gas prices above $4.00 per gallon, Minnesotans are re-thinking their commutes, working from home, and struggling to get by.

Instead of working to bring down your cost of living, Trump has been busy rewarding himself and his loyalists. He’s now in the process of building a White House Ultimate Fighting Championship cage — in time for his 80th birthday. We’ve learned that he’s also working to coerce Treasury officials to print a new $250 bill with his face on it, even though it’s illegal to put a living president’s image on U.S. currency. Last week his administration devised a $1.8 billion tax-payer financed slush fund to reward MAGA loyalists and January 6th rioters who assaulted police officers.* This same deal gives Trump, his family, his businesses complete immunity for claims “whether presently known or unknown” not just by the IRS and the Treasury Department but also “other agencies or departments” of the U.S. government. The list goes on and on.

It’s clear that Americans will need a lot more 250 dollar bills to pay the rising costs for the Trump administration’s chaos, cruelty, and corruption. 

The Republican majority in Congress is failing in its constitutional duty to be a co-equal check and balance on an executive branch that is out of control.  Speaker Johnson can take a small step toward holding the president accountable by allowing a vote next week on a bipartisan resolution to withdraw American service members from hostilities with Iran.

*NOTE: On Friday afternoon, a federal judge for the Eastern District of Virginia issued a ruling temporarily blocking Trump’s$1.8 billion slush fund.

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MINNESOTA UPDATE

Honoring America's Fallen Service Members on Memorial Day

It was a privilege to join the White Bear Lake community in honoring our nation’s service members on Memorial Day as Minnesotans and others across the nation came together to remember our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. Our fallen service members and their families are more than patriots. They are heroes to whom we owe a debt that can never truly be repaid. We remember them not only as soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen, but as sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, friends and neighbors who gave everything in service to others. On Memorial Day, I reflected on our fallen heroes and the memory of those who never came home — including our neighbor, Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake. 

A battlefield cross stands next to a display of six fallen American service members who were killed in Kuwait, including Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake.

Hearing From Residents of Lexington Landing in Saint Paul
Thank you to residents of Lexington Landing in Saint Paul for welcoming me into their home for a thoughtful discussion about what’s happening here in Minnesota, developments in Washington, and events around the world. Residents asked thoughtful questions and shared concerns about protecting the environment, Operation Metro Surge, and the state of our democracy. We also discussed the chaos, cruelty, and corruption coming from President Trump — from his golden ballroom to ongoing threats to our democracy and to his $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded scheme to pay off the extremists who attacked our Capitol on January 6th. Our country faces serious challenges and I am always grateful to hear first-hand from constituents.

Congresswoman McCollum spoke with residents at Lexington Landing during a listening session in Saint Paul on Wednesday. 

Touring the Newly-Completed Renovation of Plaza del Sol Food Hall on Saint Paul's East Side
Plaza del Sol on Saint Paul’s East Side will soon re-open as a newly-renovated food hall with six vendors, a commissary kitchen, a community space, and an event center. I had the chance to visit on Wednesday afternoon to see the progress on the renovations, supported in part by a $1,000,000 grant I secured for the project in 2022. Plaza del Sol will help launch dozens of Latino-owned small businesses each year, but they’ve faced severe setbacks as a result of Operation Metro Surge. While renovations are ongoing, Plaza del Sol is still looking to fill five of the six food vendor stations. If you’re interested in applying, visit plazadelsolmn.org/contact.

Congresswoman McCollum meets with Alma Flores as Plaza del Sol continues renovations supported by a $1 million grant secured by Rep. McCollum. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Supporting Legislation to Block Construction of President Trump's 250-foot “Arch de Trump” 
This week, I co-sponsored legislation to block President Trump from constructing his 250-foot arch that would block the view of Arlington National Cemetery. As Americans came together to observe Memorial Day, Gold Star families from across the country flocked to Arlington National Cemetery this week to mourn their loved ones — our nation's heroes — who sacrificed everything so that all of us can live in freedom. The solemn rows of identical white grave markers at Arlington National Cemetery is a reminder of both the individual sacrifices of fallen American service members as well as the collective sacrifice that generations of Americans have made. It's visible from nearly a mile away. But if President Trump succeeds in constructing his "Triumphal Arch," it will obstruct this view. Instead of a somber reminder of the sacrifices of our nation's heroes, visitors will be greeted with a monument to President Trump's ego. Congress must stop this from happening. 

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Summer Reading Programs for Children and Young Adults

The school year is ending and summer is almost here! Saint Paul offers a wide range of summer programs that keep kids engaged, active, and learning all summer long. Through the Sprockets network, the City of Saint Paul makes it easy to find high-quality summer youth programs in your neighborhood. These programs provide safe, welcoming spaces where young people can build friendships, explore new interests, and continue growing outside the classroom. Click here to learn more and find a Saint Paul Youth Program.

WaterFest: Tomorrow at Phalen Regional Park! 

Check out WaterFest 2026 this Saturday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Phalen Regional Park in Saint Paul — A free, family-friendly celebration of our clean lakes and local waterways! This hands-on community festival features interactive exhibits, outdoor activities, wildlife education, and opportunities to learn how we can all protect and improve water quality in our neighborhoods. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors, connect with local environmental organizations, and learn about our lakes and rivers. Click here to learn more. 

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 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