JULY 31, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

It's been a busy week of news in both Minnesota and in Washington. We learned that the Trump Administration plans to end a subsidy program that helped reduce costs for Medicare prescription drug plans. Multiple Minnesota municipalities were targeted in a cyberattack, and President Trump blamed Minnesota for it. More on that later.

The House has entered its summer district work period as the long list of unfinished business for the American people grows in Washington. Most notably, Republicans have failed to take any action to help Americans afford the rising cost of living and have abandoned efforts to seek a bipartisan agreement to fully fund the government for the next fiscal year. Instead, as the government funding deadline looms, Republicans chose to rush through a partisan temporary funding bill just three days before they adjourned for the month, along with a bill to provide President Trump an additional $67 billion in borrowed money for his war of choice in Iran.  Republicans also forced a vote on a partisan stock trading bill that fails to stop the insider trading by officials in the executive branch and Members of Congress. They also used this bill to pass parts of the president’s legislation that would disenfranchise millions of voters (the SAVE Act).

Here in Minnesota, normal summer activities like camp drop-offs, lake trips, long evenings outside are again being disrupted by wildfires and smoke—including massive fires in the Boundary Waters. While conditions have recently improved, fires and dangerous air quality have sent campers home early, severely impacted northern Minnesota businesses that depend on tourism, darkened skies,and periodically blanketed our entire region with thick smoke. 

Heavy smoke from a fire hangs in the air over Birch Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on July 15 near Ely, Minnesota. (Anthony Soufflé/Minnesota Star Tribune/Getty Images)

Here's what makes it worse: we learned Saturday from the Washington Post that the Trump administration’s DOGE slow walked a $10 million grant meant to thin roughly 4,000 acres of dense, drought-stressed forest at high risk of burning. The money failed to arrive in time. Most of that thinning work never happened. Some of those same acres are on fire right now.

This Tuesday as we celebrated World Conservation Day, I noted that our national treasures like the Boundary Waters, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Bears Ears face a dual threat of climate change and attacks from the Trump Administration. We must remain committed to conservation to ensure future generations inherit a world that is just as beautiful and wild as the one we were given.

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. 

Advancing Security Cooperation with NATO Allies

As part of my oversight responsibilities as the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, earlier this week I traveled with a congressional delegation to Estonia, Latvia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Our delegation reviewed U.S. military and allied defense postures in the Baltic States, discussed security cooperation issues at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, and spoke with our allies about how the United States can continue to work to deter Russian threats in Europe and defend our shared democratic values.

From left to right: Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA), Rep. Franklin (R-GA), Rep. Calvert (R-CA), Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, Rep. McCollum, Rep. Ellzey (R-TX), Rep. Rutherford (R-FL).

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Suspected Iranian Cyberattack Impacts 30 Minnesota Municipal Water Systems 

This incident demonstrates that Minnesota’s municipalities, businesses, and residents must be prepared not only to ward off cybersecurity threats from cybercriminals, but also from terrorist organizations and nation-states. It also shows the urgent need for the federal government to advance critical cybersecurity measures to protect small businesses, large enterprises, and local governments by providing state-of-the-art defensive measures to defend against malicious attacks by bad actors who intend to sow chaos and extract ransom. I have worked closely with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in partnership with Metro State University to ensure that our communities are prepared to protect themselves from these attacks. Unfortunately, House Republicans are advancing a funding bill for next year that follow’s the president’s proposal to cut CISA – by $250 million. I will continue to aggressively pursue funding and resources to support defensive measures for Minnesota’s businesses and municipalities. Click here to read my full statement. 

VA Opens Women's Health Care Clinic at MPLS Medical Center

Women veterans achieved a long-awaited milestone in equitable care as the new Women's Health Clinic opened at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. This 13,000-square-foot space brings primary care, gynecology, mental health services, physical therapy, pharmacy access, social work, nutrition counseling, and navigation services under one roof, with private entrances designed for women. From preventive care like pap smears and mammograms to mental health and trauma-related support, women veterans can now get expert, compassionate care in one trusted place. To those who served: your care matters, and you shouldn't have to wait for it.

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

My Bill to Defend the Mississippi River is Introduced in the Senate

On Tuesday, Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced my bill, H.R. 2977, that will establish the Mississippi River Resilience and Restoration Initiative (MRRRI). This initiative will coordinate efforts on conservation and environmental restoration along the entire river corridor and open up grant opportunities for state and local governments, tribes, and nonprofit organizations. The Mississippi River plays a vital role in all our lives. I’m so glad to have a partner like Senator Baldwin in this fight with me to ensure the river remains a healthy and thriving resource for generations to come. Learn more about my bill here.

Re-introducing My Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize July as Disability Pride Month 

Every July, we celebrate the resilience, talent, and leadership of Americans with disabilities. But the federal government doesn’t officially recognize Disability Pride Month. This week, it was my honor to work with Congressman Glenn ("GT") Thompson (R-PA) to introduce a resolution recognizing July as Disability Pride Month — because all Americans deserve to participate, contribute, and be included. Click here to read our full statement. 

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Service Academy Virtual Information Briefing on August 13th
My office will host a virtual Service Academy Information Briefing on August 13 at 11 AM for students interested in pursuing an appointment to a U.S. Service Academy. The session will cover the nomination process, application timelines, and key details for prospective applicants. Students may RSVP directly to my Service Academy Coordinator at sterling.meriweather@mail.house.gov. More information, including nomination requirements, is available on the nominations page on my website.

Coming up in October: Congressional App Challenge

My office is excited to participate in the 2026 Congressional App Challenge! The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition in which middle and high school students in the Fourth District can create an application or "app" for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, or other devices. The competition is meant to inspire students and spark their creativity and potentially explore what careers in the STEAM field look like.

Students of all coding skill levels are encouraged to participate. Eligible participants must attend a school in the Fourth District or live within the district. Learn more about the rules and important deadlines here. Students who plan to participate may register online, and must submit their final app to CongressionalAppChallenge.us by October 26th, 2026 at 12:00 pm ET.  Note: Apps created after October 30th, 2025 are eligible for entry to the 2026 App Challenge.

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