October 16, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Diesel prices are sky high because of President Trump’s war of choice in Iran. In 2022, Congress banned the importation of Russian energy to the United States. That’s the law of the land. But this week, President Trump announced an illegal deal to allow the Russians to sell their diesel to the U.S. and global market. So who benefits from this deal? It won't be Americans paying high prices for diesel, because it will only reduce wholesale diesel prices by $1 to $2 per barrel, according to Goldman Sachs. This deal only accounts for about a week’s worth of U.S. diesel usage. The reality is that Trump’s scheme is a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin, because it will give Russia access to billions of U.S. dollars to replenish its supply of bombs to use on Ukraine.

Importing Russian diesel won’t bring down the price of gas here in the U.S. The best way to lower costs here at home is for President Trump to end his war in Iran. Congress must investigate his dirty deals and end the growing corruption of the Trump administration. Americans deserve nothing less. 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Hearing From Minnesotans About the Impact of Trump’s Cuts to Food Assistance 
I visited Hamline University this week to hear from people who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), county commissioners, state hunger experts, and non-profit leaders.  We discussed how President Trump’s cruel SNAP cuts in his Big Beautiful Bill Act affect people in their everyday lives.  That includes students who are struggling to pay tuition and Americans like Danna, a two-time cancer survivor, who relied on SNAP to access nutritious food.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act is one big ugly law that takes away SNAP from more than 17,000 Minnesotans and reduces benefits for another 19,000 Minnesotans. These Republican cuts to SNAP do not save taxpayer dollars. They were made to pay for massive, permanent tax giveaways to millionaires, billionaires, and the largest corporations. Minnesota counties that administer SNAP are being forced to raise property taxes or cut other social services to pay for President Trump’s Big Ugly Law. These budget cuts will result in over $30,000,000 in new administrative costs for our counties between now and December 2027.

In Congress, I’m working to restore respect and dignity for struggling families by reversing President Trump’s damaging cuts.   

Growing Minnesota Talent Pipeline for High-Tech Jobs
I joined business leaders, students, and faculty from the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas, and Metro State University to celebrate the launch of a program called Minnesota SCALE. Minnesota SCALE is a workforce development initiative focused on building homegrown talent here in Minnesota that can design and fabricate microelectronics, commonly referred to as semiconductors or chips. Microelectronics are an essential part of our daily lives; they power our computers, cell phones, televisions, and are even found in coffee makers and refrigerators. While the United States once led the world in microelectronics, we have fallen behind over recent decades. Most of the world’s microelectronics are produced in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, leaving the United States with less control over the critical technology that powers our lives. Building a capable workforce is a critical measure in restoring the United States’ dominance in microelectronics, and Minnesota SCALE is an important step in creating that workforce.  

Congresswoman McCollum gives remarks celebrating the launch of MN SCALE, a microelectronics workforce development program.

WASHINGTON DC UPDATE

Updated Iran War Casualties 
Last Friday, the administration quietly updated its casualty numbers from the Iran War, once again obscuring the true cost in lives. What was deemed a short conflict has become a conflagration that has plunged the region into chaos and driven oil prices up. We still do not have a proper accounting of how much the war is costing, let alone what the strategy is.  Our servicemembers in the region continue to be in harm’s way and they deserve nothing less than their full benefits and hazard pay.  President Trump must end this irresponsible and illegal war immediately. 

Ukraine and Starlink
This past week, as Russia unleashed dozens of ballistic missiles that left more than 600,000 Ukrainian civilians without power, President Trump and his crony, Elon Musk, shut off Starshield, a military version of Starlink, for Ukraine’s military. The President and his allies are intentionally limiting Ukraine’s ability to defend itself while Russia continues to attack civilian infrastructure. This recent setback comes after President Trump struck a deal with Russian President Putin to buy diesel, which is illegal, because the Iran War is driving up oil prices. Instead of giving a lopsided deal to Russia and limiting Ukraine's Starshield access, President Trump should end the Iran War to drive down oil prices.
 
Letter Opposing Legitimizing Burmese Military Junta at the United Nations 
As Co-Chair of the Congressional Burma Caucus, I co-authored a letter to Ambassador Mike Waltz, the United Nations (UN) Ambassador for the U.S. Mission. The letter urges Ambassador Waltz to continue to support the current Permanent Ambassador to the UN for Myanmar, U Kyaw Moe Tun, and to deny seating a Burmese military junta-appointed representative in their place. Even before the most recent 2021 military coup in Burma, the United States has long supported democracy, human rights, and accountability in Burma. Historically, the United States has been instrumental in denying the seating of the Burmese junta during the meeting of the UN Credentials Committee. It is my hope that the Trump administration will uphold this record by denying credentials for a junta-appointed representative and attempts to legitimize the Burmese military junta’s sham electoral process. Read our letter to Ambassador Waltz here.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Medicare Open Enrollment Started This Week 
Medicare Open Enrollment began on Thursday and runs through December 7th, 2026. Plans change, as do health needs, so it is important for Medicare beneficiaries to compare their 2027 plan options. The Trump administration ended a Medicare Part D program that provided more than $3 billion in premium relief to help make Part D medications affordable. More than a dozen Medicare Advantage plans from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Humana, Medica, and UnitedHealthcare are ending, so more than 320,000 Minnesotans enrolled in these plans need to find new coverage for next year. Visit Medicare.gov, call Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) at 1-800-333-2433 or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for free assistance and Medicare support.

Art in Saint Paul 

This weekend, head out around Saint Paul to check out our famous Art Crawl. The Saint Paul Art Crawl is the longest-running art crawl in the United States. With more than 300 artists representing 10 districts in Saint Paul, the Art Crawl stretches all over the city. Along with local artists, you can enjoy local food, live music, and dance. The Art Crawl begins today and goes until Sunday. Check out the different locations and read more here.

Early Voting for Fall Elections is Underway

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. 

New Tool for Preventing Scams From the Federal Trade Commission 

There are countless scams criminals attempt through texts, emails, calls, social media, and mail. Scams are often unexpected, urgent requests for you to pay or for your personal information. Here’s a tool from the Federal Trade Commission to prepare yourself when you may encounter scams – My Action Plan:  How I’ll Avoid a Scam.  You can download, print, and personalize your action plan. The worksheet includes advice on how to recognize a scam and space where you can list contact information for those whom you can reach out to about a scam – trusted friends and family members, as well as companies you do business with if you’re concerned there may be a problem with your account. To report a scam, go to the Federal Trade Commission.  

Accepting Entries for 2026 Congressional App Challenge
My office is now accepting applications for 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. 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. 

Coming up in November: U.S. Service Academy Nominations 
My office is still accepting applications for nominations to the U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2031 until Monday, November 2, 2026. Students interested in attending West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, or the Merchant Marine Academy must receive a congressional nomination to be considered. Students are encouraged to apply early and to also seek nominations from both U.S. Senators from Minnesota. Learn more and access the application here.

Apply for a Spring Internship in My Office
An internship in my office provides young people with valuable experience as they prepare for their professional careers. Interns have the opportunity to work with and assist all members of the staff, including legislative, administrative, outreach, and communications duties. Internships are available in both the Washington D.C. and Saint Paul offices.

Applicants should be highly motivated and enthusiastic, as there are far more applicants than available positions. Minnesota ties are strongly preferred and should be noted in the first paragraph of your cover letter. Interns are paid a stipend. In addition, my office is happy to work with your college or university to arrange for course credit. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and available hours. Students interested in a Washington, D.C. internship should email MN04admin@mail.house.gov. For Saint Paul internships, please email MN04DOScheduler@mail.house.gov. The deadline to apply for a spring internship is November 15, 2026. 

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