JULY 17, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

As Congress faces down a government funding deadline on September 30th, House Republicans still need to pass nine government funding bills, and reach bipartisan agreements with the Senate. Rather than working across the aisle to keep government open for the good of the American people, Republicans are bringing highly partisan bills to the House floor, including legislation this week that would have stripped benefits away from veterans. Republicans eventually cancelled a vote on this bill, but not before wasting precious time debating this flawed legislation.

President Trump is enabling a culture of corruption unlike anything we've seen before. We learned this week that a White House teleprompter operator won $100,000 by placing futures bets on a prediction market for what the president would say in speeches. Trump himself announced a paid product that will provide early access to his Truth Social statements, giving insiders the crucial extra seconds they need to make insider trades based on his official statements. It’s time for Congress to act on legislation I’ve cosponsored to make it illegal to bet on government actions and regulate prediction markets.

Republicans are desperately trying to cling to power to keep making themselves and their donors richer, while doing nothing to lower your costs, protect your voting rights, and hold cheaters accountable.

Trump Media announced on Wednesday that they will launch a back-end interface to give Wall Street quicker access to his market-moving Truth Social posts.

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

President Trump Resumes Iran War with Airstrikes and Closure of the Strait of Hormuz

This week, President Trump resumed high intensity U.S. military strikes on Iran as his tenuous ceasefire and negotiations to end the war collapsed. Trump is claiming the War Powers Act "timer" has restarted, giving him another 60 days before Congress must approve this action. This is false. The President's actions were unconstitutional when he first bombed Iran, and continue to be unconstitutional today.

I continue to stand in strong opposition to President Trump’s unlawful war with Iran and I believe that diplomacy is the only way forward. In fact, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have now voted in a bipartisan fashion to direct President Trump to end this war that the American people do not want. Further military action by the United States against Iran will not solve concerns about the Iran nuclear program or keep the Strait of Hormuz open. The only solution to this crisis is for the Trump administration to return to the negotiating table and work with the international community on a peaceful resolution to the conflict. 

House Republicans Pass Funding Bill That Retreats From American Diplomacy

This week, the House considered H.R. 8595, the Fiscal Year 2027 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. I voted no on the bill as it continues President Trump’s retreat from strong American diplomacy in the world and supporting development assistance. We know what happens when America withdraws from the developing world: poverty, malnutrition, and disease take hold, transnational terrorism spreads, and our adversaries like Russia and China move in to fill the void. This bill is $2.7 billion below last year. It is a staggering $12 billion below where the bill was two years ago. 20 percent. Gone. In two years. We can and must do better. 

House Votes on Massie Amendment to Limit U.S. Military Assistance to Israel 

On Tuesday, I voted present on an amendment offered by my colleague, Rep. Thomas Massie, that would limit U.S. assistance to Israel and I’d like to tell you why.

I have long been a vocal opponent of the way the United States provides a blank check to Israel. For the last nine years, I have carried a bill, the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation, which would place limits on how all U.S. assistance to Israel may be used. My bill would ensure that not one penny of taxpayer dollars is used to violate the human rights of Palestinian children. I'm also a cosponsor of other legislation, like the Block the Bombs Act, that would place additional limits on U.S. assistance to Israel. These are the legislative proposals that the House should be taking up to condition assistance to Israel.

Instead, the House Republican Majority brought forward an amendment offered by my colleague, Rep. Thomas Massie, which would strike all $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing to Israel. I support the goal of Mr. Massie’s amendment to cut the funding that has helped Israel commit human rights violations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. However, this amendment does nothing to limit the assistance we provide to Israel under the defense appropriations bill, nor does it condition future assistance that the U.S. is due to provide Israel. I voted present on Mr. Massie’s amendment as I have serious concerns with the way it is so broadly written. As drafted, other foreign assistance—including vital assistance to Palestinians—could be cut off as well. For Mr. Massie, this amendment is just another way to carry out President Trump’s isolationist agenda to limit and, in some cases, completely cease U.S. foreign assistance. Read my full statement on the bill here.

Trump Administration Opens Wild Habitats to Drilling and Mining 

Late last week, President Trump reversed decades of longstanding protections for endangered species, allowing drilling, mining, farming, and real estate development to happen in the habitats of endangered species. This is just the latest in a series of rollbacks of environmental regulations to benefit corporate interests like Big Oil and Gas companies and mining conglomerates. You can read more about this disastrous move in the New York Times. 

Meeting with The Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities 

A group of amazing young women from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities was in D.C. this week for the Summit for America’s Youth. They came to Congress to tell us about the impact that their clubs have made in their lives and the projects they’ve undertaken with the support of their Clubs. These young leaders are making a difference in their communities on the issues they are passionate about, from youth mental health to environmental cleanups. As the Twin Cities Clubs celebrate 100 years of supporting and empowering our communities, it was an honor to meet with these inspiring young people.

Rep. McCollum with young women from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. 

Meeting With Minnesota United Steelworkers District 11

It was great to catch up with members of the United Steelworkers District 11 and give my congratulations on a well-earned retirement to Bob Ryan! Thank you for all that you’ve done to advocate for the rights of workers and their families in Minnesota and across our nation. I’m proud to stand with USW in fighting for fair wages, workplace safety, retirement security, paid leave, and defending all the pro-worker policies that unions have helped deliver to American families. 

Congresswoman McCollum with United Steelworkers from Minnesota, including Bob Ryan, who is retiring. 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Wildfire Forces Boundary Waters Closure 

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness continues to be fully closed due to ongoing wildfires and dangerous fire conditions. I want to start by thanking the brave men and women in the Forest Service, and other first responders, who have bravely helped to evacuate the area. As of now, there are no casualties and this is thanks to their hard work. 

Like many of you, it has been painful to watch one of our national treasures burn. It is times like this that we are reminded of the imminent threat of climate change. The Boundary Waters has only fully closed three times in history, with two of those closures occurring in the last five years. With the heightened threat of climate change, extreme heat, and wildfires, it is imperative that the Forest Service end their diversion of resources away from the Superior National Forest. Now is not the time to close ranger stations, fire staff, and limit funding. These cost savings are even more painful when we see where the money is going — to fund tax cuts for the rich, and fund the illegal violent actions of ICE and CBP, who have killed another two people this past week. 

Wildfire photo taken by MPR Meteorologist Ben Cathey

Addressing the Izaak Walton League of America 2026 National Convention

This morning, I had the privilege of giving the keynote address at the Izaak Walton League of America 2026 National Convention happening here in Minnesota. It was inspiring to see hundreds of volunteers, outdoor educators, public lands advocates, hunters, anglers, and conservation partners from across the country living out this year’s theme: “Get It Done: Turning Passion Into Action.” I spoke about the urgent need to protect places like the Boundary Waters, which is once again being threatened by toxic mining, and the importance of restoring the Mississippi River. Since 1922, the League has shown what citizen-driven stewardship can achieve, safeguarding public lands, clean water, wildlife habitat, and access to the outdoors. I thanked attendees for their leadership and asked for their continued support as we work to defend our most treasured landscapes and ensure future generations inherit a world just as beautiful and wild as the one we were given.

Congresswoman McCollum addressed attendees of the Izaak Walton League of America 2026 National Convention.

Hamline-Midway Library to Re-open Tomorrow 

This Saturday, July 18, the new Hamline-Midway Library will celebrate its grand opening! Community members are invited to stop by from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1558 W. Minnehaha Avenue for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a variety of activities. Visitors can enjoy guided building tours, a scavenger hunt, a panel discussion with the public artists, music, ice cream, and activities for all ages. The new library will serve as a welcoming community space where people of all ages can gather, learn, and connect. Congratulations to everyone who helped bring this exciting new chapter to the Hamline-Midway neighborhood! More details can be found here.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Protect Yourself From Dangerous Air Quality
As wildfires burn in the BWCA and throughout Canada, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is constantly updating hazardous air quality alerts across the state as conditions change.  It’s important to monitor air quality alerts and limit your time outdoors. You can read more here. 

Summer Meal Programs Available for Children and Families

During the summer break, 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.

Planning to Visit Washington, D.C.? Contact my Office.

If you're planning a trip out to our Nation's Capital, remember you can request tours through my office. My staff can lead you on a tour of the U.S. Capitol, you can sign up for a self-guided tour of the Library of Congress, and you can request a lecture in the Supreme Court Chamber. Read more about tours here. Unfortunately, Congressional offices have been informed that public White House tours are again unavailable. At this time there is no further information available about when the White House will reopen to the public. 

Continuing Long-Term Highway Closure on Hwy 280

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. 

Be a “Smart Traveler” if You Are Going Abroad

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 security threats, natural disasters, or civil unrest. Also, 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. Remember: Domestic travelers need a REAL ID-compliant document to enter screening checkpoints. 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
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