OCTOBER 27, 2023

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

In the midst of an international crisis and with the federal government only temporarily funded, House Republicans went 22 days without a Speaker of the House, grinding all business to a halt and preventing the legislative body from serving the American people. On Wednesday, House Republicans chose to stick with MAGA extremism for their fifth nominee for Speaker since January, and elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA). Speaker Johnson was a leading architect of former President Trump’s plot to overturn the 2020 election, and has spent his career denigrating rights for women and the LGBTQ+ community, and has worked to make severe and drastic cuts to Social Security and Medicare. 

Only three weeks remain until the federal government is again at risk of shutting down.  Instead of taking steps to advance funding bills that can pass both the House and the Senate and be signed into law, the new speaker spent his first hours advancing a partisan Energy and Water Appropriations bill that makes energy costs more expensive for American consumers. The bill also contains many extreme discriminatory social policy riders that have no place in a bill that funds energy and water projects. 

Israel-Hamas War

With a Speaker in place, legislative business resumed this week. I voted for H.Res.711 condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks. I voted yes to clearly and unequivocally condemn the heinous attacks targeting civilians that are clear violations of international law. 

In the weeks since the Oct. 7 attacks, much has happened in this conflict, and I have urged President Biden to negotiate an immediate ceasefire. A ceasefire with all parties that has the support of the international community is necessary to avoid the loss of more innocent civilian lives. 

Additionally, I continue to urge the Biden administration to work to ensure the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. Millions of Palestinians are suffering, lacking food, clean water, and fuel, with devastating consequences. International laws and human rights must respected--everywhere--even and especially during times of war. 

You can find all of my recent public statements on the Israel-Hamas war here. Resources and guidance for American citizens in the Middle East can be found here.

Tragedy in Maine

It was devastating to learn that at least 18 people were killed by a mass shooter in Lewiston, Maine, this week. I am keeping the entire community in my prayers. 

There have been 567 mass shootings this year. We must do more to end gun violence. Republicans have focused on the fact that the Maine suspect was recently sent for mental health treatment. This overlooks the core causes of gun violence in our country and only risks further stigmatization of those with mental illness. The crisis of gun violence requires multiple policy changes to stop the easy access to guns by individuals intent on committing acts of violence. I have voted over and over to ban assault weapons, impose background checks, and limit access to firearms, but Republicans in Congress and the gun lobby are blocking and obstructing common sense gun safety provisions at every step.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance with a federal agency or to voice your policy opinion. For the privacy and safety visitors and staff, Congresswoman McCollum’s Saint Paul Office is currently open by appointment only to constituents. Please call 651-224-9191 to schedule an appointment. Thank you for being an informed and engaged constituent.

Sincerely,

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress