SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

As Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I was prepared to fight back against the radical social agenda being forced on the American people in Republicans' FY 24 Defense funding bill on the House Floor this week. But after being reported out of the Rules Committee, the bill never made it to the House Floor for debate or a vote.

Even after conceding to demands from his conference's extreme MAGA wing, and agreeing to a baseless impeachment inquiry into President Biden, Speaker McCarthy still couldn’t get his fellow Republicans together to pass their own extreme Defense Appropriations bill. This bill was chock full of harmful, discriminatory policy riders that have no place in a federal funding bill: reversing the DoD's policy allowing service members to travel for basic reproductive health care, banning funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and ending funding for gender-affirming care. These riders signal to our all-volunteer military that many are not welcome. This would harm recruitment and retention efforts, at a time when we need the strongest force possible to combat worldwide threats.

Speaker McCarthy and his chaos caucus have thrown the House into crisis. Just 8 working days remain before funding for the federal government expires, and House Republicans have only passed 1 of the 12 bills required to fund the government. Their catastrophic meltdown has increased the risk of federal government shutdown, and demonstrates that Republicans are incapable of leading. With their inability to complete this fundamental responsibility of Congress, they are failing to meet the most basic needs of the American people and putting our national security at risk. 

With no discernable plan in place and time running out, Speaker McCarthy needs to stop appeasing extremists and begin working together with the White House and Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to pass a funding package that will keep the federal government open and working—not by using the Appropriations process as a vehicle for their extremism, but with bills that fund our nation's priorities.

New C-130s will be Located at MSP Air Station

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul Air Station (133rd Airlift Wing) has been chosen as one of four Air National Guard locations to receive the next C-130 aircraft upgrades! Minnesota elected officials worked in a bipartisan fashion on efforts to replace the decades-old C-130H aircraft with new C-130J aircraft. Upgrading the fleet will ensure that the 133rd Airlift Wing is able to continue carrying out critical missions to respond to challenges at home and abroad.

As Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee last Congress, I secured federal funding to make this a reality. Read the full announcement from our Minnesota delegation here.

Protect Against COVID and the Flu

Good news: The FDA and CDC have cleared the newest COVID shot, recommended for everyone six months and up. The vaccines should be available starting this week, and folks are also encouraged to get their seasonal flu shot (and RSV shot, for those eligible). 

And Minnesotans can order free rapid at-home COVID-19 tests. Every home in Minnesota can order eight tests once a month while supplies last. Even if you have ordered before, you can order again. Order tests here. 

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with your policy opinion or if you need help with a federal agency.

Thank you for being an informed and engaged constituent.

Sincerely,

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress