JUNE 5, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

The days we long for have finally arrived in Minnesota. The sun sets later, students are celebrating the last day of school, gardeners are busy in their yards, and shoppers are flocking to farmers’ markets. The beauty of the season provides a much needed boost to Minnesotans after enduring the Trump administration’s punishing Operation Metro Surge invasion and occupation of our state. While we look with hopefulness at the changes around us, we know that President Trump’s chaos, corruption, and cruelty remain a threat to our communities and our country.
 
Trump’s policies, including his illegal war in Iran and his tariffs, are causing surges in the prices you pay for fuel, groceries, health care, housing, utilities, and more. Once again, he was asked by a reporter this week whether he's worried about skyrocketing oil prices. Trump’s response?  "No, I don’t worry about that, no," (CNBC).  It's no wonder why Americans give Trump the lowest net approval rating for any president in nearly two decades (The Economist).

You deserve a President and a Congress who listen to your concerns about rising costs – and act to do something about them. This week marked the fourth time I’ve voted to stop President Trump’s unconstitutional war of choice in Iran. In a break through, my fellow Democrats and I were  finally joined by four Republicans – a small number – but just enough to pass a resolution asserting Congress’s constitutional  War Powers authority. This vote is evidence that your voices matter.

Republicans may hold every lever of power, but my fellow House Democrats and I are still delivering for the people. House Democrats have repeatedly governed in the minority as if we’re in the majority to force Floor action and pass legislation.  We’ll continue to use every tool available to stop Trump’s war, bring prices back down for American families, and hold the Trump administration accountable. 

If you appreciate this newsletter, please share it with your family and friends. Follow my social media accounts: Twitter, Facebook, Threads, BlueSky, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on my work. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Appropriations Committee Update 

On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues for a hearing on the Interior, Environment appropriations bill for the next fiscal year (FY27). While I’m glad that this bill continues the nonpartisan support for upholding our tribal trust and treaty responsibilities, the legislation fails to make necessary investments to protect our air and water. The Republican proposal cuts the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by 20% and rubberstamps the dissolution of the EPA’s essential Office of Research and Development. The bill also cuts deeply into the National Park Service, the Historic Preservation Fund, and the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities. As we approach our country’s 250th anniversary, we need to be investing more, not less, in the very institutions that preserve our history and tell the story of the people who strive to make our nation a more perfect union.

The bill also includes 51 extreme Republican policy provisions that have no place in our appropriations process. During the markup, I spoke in support of an amendment to remove all of these provisions, one of which would  reinstate leases to build a toxic sulfide ore copper mine in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters. While Republicans prevailed in retaining these radical policies, I’ll keep fighting as the appropriations process moves forward to protect the Boundary Waters from toxic sulfide mining. Watch my remarks here:

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Celebrating Pride Month

This June, I join our LGBTQ+ community and allies in celebrating the progress that we've fought so hard to achieve: Marriage equality, workplace protections, and access to gender-affirming care, as well as the thousands of LGBTQ+ Americans who serve our nation as civil servants, diplomats, and service members.  

Generations of LGBTQ+ Americans have shown courage in their fight for freedom, respect, and equality. Every American deserves to pursue their dreams and to live, work, love, and raise a family free from discrimination. Since my first election to the Minnesota Legislature in 1992, and throughout my service in Congress, I’ve been fighting for equality and acceptance, and I'll never stop.  

Congresswoman McCollum celebrating the 2015 Supreme Court ruling affirming protections of equal rights for all under the law.

Summer Meal Programs Available for Children this Summer
As the school year wraps up and the summer break begins, students and families facing food insecurity can utilize the Summer Food Service Program to help fill nutrition gaps. Sites are available to all children and teens age 18 and under, and no registration is required, making it easy for families to access nutritious meals and snacks throughout the summer. 

To find a summer meal site near you:

• Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners to your phone or device. 
• Call the 211 Hotline. From a cell phone – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211; Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709; TTY: 651-291-8440.
• Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central Time.
• Text the USDA texting service: Text Summer Meals to 914-342-7744. Spanish speakers can text Verano to 914-342-7744.

Farmers' Markets are up and Running across the East Metro
Farmers’ market season is in full swing, providing a family-friendly space and offering fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts from passionate local growers and small businesses in our communities. Each neighborhood market has their own set schedule, location, and parking capacity. Some may partner with their city or local community group, so be sure to plan ahead before you visit. Most farmers’ markets are now able accept SNAP and SUN Bucks as a payment option, for more details and to find a farmers’ market near you visit the Minnesota Grown Directory.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

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