SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

This week, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson canceled another day of votes and sent Members of Congress home early for 47 days – until after the November 3rd elections. Republicans have once again decided to walk away from the responsibility to govern. This time, their absence allows them to delay a vote to impeach Pete Hegseth on articles brought by one of their own members – Thomas Massie (R-KY). In fact, House Republicans have canceled 63 days of session this Congress. They’ve canceled 20% of scheduled days that we could have been addressing the growing cost of living crisis facing American families.  

Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill, President Trump’s reckless tariffs, and his unauthorized war of choice in Iran are driving up the cost of everything for you. Trump’s own hand-picked Federal Reserve Bank Chair said this week: “The plain fact is inflation is too high and has been for too long,” as he and the entire board unanimously voted to raise interest rates for the first time since 2023. These rising costs can be traced directly to the policies of President Trump and Congressional Republicans.

Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act also gives massive, permanent tax giveaways to millionaires, billionaires, and corporations – including tech giants for building massive data centers. Millions of hardworking families are losing access to health care and food assistance to partially pay for those tax breaks. Trump’s reckless trade wars have already cost the average American family more than $1,700, but despite their shortened session this week, Republicans had time to give Trump a sweeping expansion of his tariff powers.

You deserve a Congress that’s working for you. My fellow Democrats and I are fighting to lower the cost of housing, groceries, and gas and deliver high-quality, affordable health care for every American. We’re fighting to hold the Trump administration accountable for its growing corruption, end Trump’s reckless war of choice in Iran, protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, and stop the chaos and cruelty of the administration’s attacks on our communities through its immigration detention and deportation agenda. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Voting Against Expanded Presidential Tariff Powers for President Trump

This week the House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. I voted against the legislation, because it hands expanded tariff powers to President Trump.
 
While purporting to be a bill to sanction Russia, it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The bill is written so broadly that it passes sweeping tariff authority into law that could hit the majority of our trading partners. I refuse to give expanded tariff authority to a president that routinely wages reckless trade wars with our closest allies.  

The U.S. must implement enforceable sanctions against Russia to bring an end to their illegal and devastating war against Ukraine. This bill fails to mandate those penalties for Russia’s aggression. Instead, this legislation only directs the president to put sanctions on Russia if he chooses. I want sanctions on Russia, period, and President Trump already has the power to do so without this bill.

For a president who says he supports Ukraine, he has inexplicably delayed release of $400 million that Congress appropriated last spring to support Ukraine. President Trump must immediately release these funds that are so desperately needed to defend Ukraine from Russia’s aggression. 

Another Bipartisan House Vote to Rebuke President Trump for His Iran War
On Tuesday, a bipartisan House majority voted for a third time to rebuke President Trump’s unconstitutional war of choice in Iran. I voted for this resolution that would direct the President to remove our troops from the conflict and end this war. President Trump’s disastrous decision to take our nation to war in Iran continues to make everyday life more expensive for Americans, especially when it comes to fuel prices. These bipartisan votes taken by the House of Representatives are clear: End this war now.  

Ensuring AI Works for the American People, Not Against Them
Artificial intelligence is an incredibly powerful tool that is reshaping our economy and transforming our society, yet has the potential to cause great harm to our institutions and our communities if ungoverned. Congress has a duty to pass safeguards that ensure this technology works for the American people, not against them. That begins with holding A.I. companies accountable for the risks that their products pose to humanity.    

Sadly, Republicans are failing to act. They have ended a bipartisan task force on AI, undercutting progress to establish guardrails to protect the health, safety, and well-being of Americans. Because they have canceled session until after the November 3rd elections, they are preventing Congress from considering and taking timely action to ensure AI development is proceeding safely. I’m cosponsoring the Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act, which would repeal massive tax breaks for big tech that were passed by Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill so that more taxpayer dollars and incentives are not going to big tech companies with no strings attached. I also plan to support The Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act when it is introduced in the House to address the existential threat to humanity poised by super-intelligent AI agents who could conduct unauthorized attacks or subvert commands.  

Bipartisan Energy Rate Payers Protection Act Passes the House 
The House took an initial step toward shielding ratepayers from rising energy bills caused by the development of data centers. The bipartisan Rate Payers Protection Act ensures that Big Tech pays for the energy that their data centers consume. While this legislation is a step toward protecting communities, it is not nearly enough. Because Republicans brought this legislation under suspension of the rules, amendments were not allowed that could have addressed other important issues, including the need to protect our most valuable resource – our water.

Meeting With Minnesota Ojibwe Tribal Governments


Congresswoman McCollum with White Earth Chairman Fairbanks (right) and others

Leaders of Leech Lake and White Earth Bands of Ojibwe visited my office this week to discuss their priorities. We discussed the need for federal agencies to maintain meaningful consultations with tribal nations and for robust funding for tribal and rural roads. We also discussed how Indian Country can work to overcome roadblocks that the Trump administration is placing on communities. I remain committed to using my position on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to support our neighbors in Indian Country, and to hold this administration accountable when they don’t do the same.  

Congresswoman McCollum with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe District II Representative Steve White (left) and others

Working to Secure a Critical Material Supply Chain 

Securing a domestic critical mineral supply chain is essential for manufacturing clean energy technologies to help combat climate change. This week, I introduced the Critical Materials Future Act with Representative Van Epps, a Republican from Tennessee. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would establish a pilot program at the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects. 
  
For far too long, critical minerals extracted from our public lands have been shipped overseas for processing to be sold on the global market or bought back by American companies. That is not good stewardship of our natural resources, nor is it a good national security strategy. The Critical Materials Future Act will ensure that when we extract these resources, we also have the capacity to process them here at home. You can read the text of the bill here.

Hearing from Minnesota Veterans

Minnesota leaders from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) visited my office to discuss issues affecting veterans and their families. The VFW has been a strong voice for those who have served our nation, working tirelessly to ensure veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned. When our service members put on the uniform, our nation makes a commitment to stand by them. Keeping that commitment is a responsibility we all share. I am grateful to Minnesota’s veterans who continue to raise their voices and advocate for their fellow service members. Thank you for your service and continued advocacy. Minnesota hears you, and we will continue standing with you! 

Congresswoman McCollum with Barry Henriksen from the Saint Cloud VFW and Jim Tuorila from the White Bear Lake VFW.  

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Celebrating the Great Outdoors With Wilderness Inquiry

Living in Minnesota, we sometimes take for granted our ability to get outside and appreciate the great outdoors. For many youth and families, it’s not always so simple.  Last Saturday, I joined Wilderness Inquiry and Ann Bancroft to highlight the importance of being able to access the outdoors. Through my position on the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to continuing to fund programs that make it easier for everyone to have opportunities to get outside and appreciate our public lands. Wilderness Inquiry Programs like Canoemobile, which partners with the National Park Service and the National Forest Service, have served 22,000+ youth across our region, including getting over 650 kids into the Boundary Waters. The Military Family Outdoors Program brings our service members and their families to outdoor experiences in national parks and other public lands -- 10,000 last year alone!

Congresswoman McCollum with Ann Bancroft (left), Beth and David Finch and Erika Rivers, Director of Wilderness Inquiry. 

Selby Ave JAZZFEST 

Last Saturday, I joined the community in celebrating the 25th annual Selby Ave JazzFest — 25 years of recognizing and celebrating the arts, supporting local businesses, and creating a space for people of all ages to enjoy music and spend time with loved ones.

My office also heard directly from community members and constituents, listened about the issues affecting them and assisted with congressional inquiries to federal agencies. Thank you to Walker West Music Academy, the volunteers, artists, performers, and community members who continue to keep our communities in tune.

Congresswoman McCollum greets staff and volunteers at the Reconnect Rondo booth during the Selby Ave JazzFest

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Early Voting Begins Today in Minnesota 

Congresswoman McCollum discusses the different ways to vote by election day with a constituent in front of a voter outreach booth. 

Beginning today, Minnesotans can cast their absentee ballots for the November general election. For more information visit here. Minnesota has long been a national leader in voter turnout, and we know that our elections are safe and secure. It is important to check your voter registration and make a plan to vote by Election Day Tuesday, November 3rd. 

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.

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