AUGUST 21, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

I want to start by thanking Governor Walz for taking action to protect the Boundary Waters. I know you were as glad as I was to learn on Monday morning that the national treasure that we all enjoy will be protected for future generations. 

The Boundary Waters holds 20% of all the fresh water in the U.S. National Forest System — water so clean you can drink it. The danger of copper mining to our clean water is clear and overwhelming, because 100% of copper mines have failed, leading to polluted water. Following the reversal of a mineral withdrawal earlier this year by President Trump and Congressional Republicans, the Boundary Waters faced its most severe threat to date. This week, Governor Walz took bold action to defend the BWCA by issuing an executive order protecting its pristine waters and its watershed, and honoring our Tribal treaty obligations for generations to come. I commend Governor Walz for his leadership. 

Now Congress needs to act to pass my legislation, the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act (H.R. 588) to provide a permanent federal protection for this national treasure. The wildfires that have raged in the BWCA this summer remind us just how vulnerable this area is. That’s why I’ve worked for two decades to defend this special place, our nation’s most-visited wilderness, just as we protect our nation’s most coveted national parks — Yosemite, Zion, Acadia, and Glacier.

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Celebrating 30 Years of Partnership between the Minnesota National Guard and Croatian Armed Forces
On Sunday I had the honor of joining the Minnesota National Guard, members of the Croatian Army, and Croatian dignitaries to celebrate 30 years of partnership and friendship between Minnesota and Croatia through the National Guard State Partnership Program. Since 1996, members of the Minnesota National Guard and the Armed Forces of Croatia have traveled for military exercises, professional and cultural exchanges, and specialized trainings. These efforts have strengthened military readiness and expanded capabilities in logistics, medicine, and cybersecurity.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Senator Amy Klobuchar are joined by four former Minnesota National Guard Adjutant Generals (Left to Right):  Major General Eugene R. Andreotti (Ret.); Lieutenant General Larry Shellito (Ret.); Lieutenant General Richard Nash (Ret.); Lieutenant General Jon Jensen [(Ret.) - also former Director of the U.S. Army National Guard)]; and current Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, Major General Shawn Manke.

Minnesota recently experienced cyberattacks on 30 municipal water systems in the state — our third major cyberattack in the last two years. Closer cooperation on security with allies like Croatia is helping to share expertise and strengthen capabilities to address these growing threats. Much like our 50-year-long partnership with Norway, the partnership between Minnesota and Croatia has also created lasting friendships, personal and cultural connections for generations to come.

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Introducing Bipartisan National Nonprofit Day Resolution 

Last year, Republicans pushed through $715 billion in cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. Some of my colleagues wrongly assumed nonprofits and faith groups could absorb the loss. They couldn't. Foundation giving covers only about 10% of federal funding to the sector — nowhere near enough. In Minnesota, where nonprofits are 13% of the workforce, even brief funding disruptions forced layoffs and service shutdowns.

Nonprofits are the backbone of our communities and our economy. They employ more than 12 million Americans, including 370,000 Minnesotans, and deliver services that families count on every day, from food shelves to elder care. That's why I introduced a bipartisan resolution designating August 17 as National Nonprofit Day. It honors the people who show up for their neighbors, and it signals that this sector needs real federal partnership to keep doing that work. Click here to learn more.

House Democrats Are Holding the Trump Administration Accountable

This week, my colleagues and I sent an oversight letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to demand he stop holding up renewable energy projects. Since being confirmed last year, Secretary Burgum has required that all decisions and actions related to renewable energy must be personally reviewed and approved by him. This unprecedented move has led to the systematic disadvantaging of wind and solar projects, while prioritizing fossil fuel development. Democrats secured language in last year’s Interior Appropriations bill that requires the Department of the Interior to report to Congress an update on pending reviews of energy projects every 60 days. Secretary Burgum has now missed three deadlines. Read our oversight letter here.

Congresswoman McCollum and her colleagues sent an oversight letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum demanding that he stops holding up renewable energy projects.

President Trump Plans to Rename an Aircraft Carrier After Himself

Eighty-five years ago, a young African American Sailor was told he was not qualified to operate the very weapon he would ultimately use to defend his fellow comrades. Doris Miller was a mess attendant aboard the USS West Virginia during Pearl Harbor. As an African American Sailor, the Navy’s discriminatory policies at the time did not permit him to train for combat roles. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Miller did not ask whether he was qualified or not. He carried wounded Sailors to safety and took control of an anti-aircraft machine gun to defend his ship and his fellow Americans. His courage earned him the Navy Cross, the Navy’s second-highest award for valor, making him the first African American to receive that award. In 2020, the Navy announced that an aircraft carrier would bear his name; the first carrier ever to be named after an African American. Now, the Trump Administration is reportedly considering taking that honor away. After everything Doris Miller overcame serving a country that did not treat him equally, removing his name from the aircraft carrier would be more than disrespectful, it would be discriminatory. Doris Miller earned his place in our Navy’s history through courage, service, and sacrifice. His name should remain on that ship!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Highway 280 Re-Opens Today! 

After months of detours and construction, Highway 280 from I-94 to Hwy 36/I-35W re-opens today, just in time for the State Fair! MnDOT Project Engineer Clay Roessler said the highway closure allowed construction crews to complete the job in just six months instead of several years. “I would encourage people to take 280 to see all the hard work that’s been put into this corridor,” Roessler told KSTP. “To see what your tax dollars have made.”

Major Disruptions Expected for Visitors to Washington, DC Through the End of August
Be prepared for flight disruptions, museum closures and major road closures, delays, and detours if you plan to visit Washington, DC for the remainder of August, because of President Trump’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix this weekend. Impacts are expected to continue for weeks following the race as crews dismantle the course and make repairs to infrastructure. You can find more information on the extensive disruptions in the Washingtonian and WTOP.

Check Your Passport Expiration Date & 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