SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Just one week from tomorrow, funding for the federal government will expire unless Congress acts. Yet, the House Republican majority is still failing to advance bills necessary to keep the government open.

Yesterday, I was prepared—for the second time in two weeks—to lead my colleagues in debate about the Defense Appropriations bill, as the Ranking Member of that Subcommittee. But in another shocking and embarrassing Republican defeat, they failed to secure their own members’ votes required to consider the legislation. 

This not only a failure of leadership, it is a waste of precious time and taxpayer dollars. As the end of the fiscal year approaches on September 30, Republicans have squandered months pursuing a radical social agenda and a baseless, partisan impeachment inquiry into President Biden, which now greatly increases the risk of a full government shutdown—creating hardship and uncertainty for American families, workers, and businesses.

800,000 federal workers (including 17,000 in Minnesota) will be off the job or working without pay, essential food safety inspections will be halted, and Minnesotans with questions about their passports, Social Security, or Medicare benefits will be left in the dark, among other impacts.

Time and time again, Speaker McCarthy has enabled and empowered the extreme wing of his party, and it is failing the American people. The only viable solution is a bipartisan Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating temporarily while the House Republican majority gets its affairs in order.

Neighborhood Office Hours

The next Neighborhood Office Hours will be in Saint Paul on Tuesday, September 26, at Dayton’s Bluff Library from 10am-noon.

If you need assistance with a federal agency, you can stop by (or call our office to make an appointment) and my staff will determine how to help.

Learn more here.

Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Today President Biden announced the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. This will be the first of its kind to directly take on the epidemic of gun violence in America. The office will help fully implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act I voted for last Congress, and more effectively coordinate efforts across the country to save more lives. This is great news for keeping American families safe, and I applaud this action by the Biden-Harris administration.

More Free COVID-19 Tests 

Great news as we head into colder months: Starting Monday, you can order more free COVID-19 rapid tests via the USPS at www.COVIDtests.gov. Each order contains four individual tests and shipping will begin the week of Oct. 2, 2023.

Minnesota also has more tests available. Every home in Minnesota can order four tests once a month while supplies last (this is a correction from the number listed last week). 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