November 3, 2023

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

This week I participated in a Cybersecurity Roundtable with Metro State University about the threats that cyber-attacks pose to our communities, national security, and democracy. In my work in Congress, I am making strategic investments to support workforce development and community assistance to understand and counter these threats.

Bringing federal investments back home to the Fourth District benefits our community while also meeting critical national security needs. Read my full remarks from the session here.

Republicans' Partisan Supplemental Bill

President Biden sent Congress an urgent request for supplemental aid to help Ukraine and Israel defend themselves and to provide humanitarian aid where it's desperately needed. House Republicans ignored this request and this week passed a bill focused only on Israel with so-called offsets that actually cost taxpayers an additional $12.5 billion according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. I voted no because their partisan, ill-conceived legislation eliminated urgently-needed funding for Ukraine to continue defending its democracy against Russia's invasion, and eliminated humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza who are suffering without access to food, water, fuel, and safe shelter. This crisis requires immediate action to protect innocent civilians. 

This bad legislation stands no chance in the Senate, and President Biden has already said he will veto it. Instead of working in a bipartisan manner, Republicans are wasting more precious time during a global crisis. 

Read my full Statement for the Congressional Record here. You can find all of my recent public statements on the Israel-Hamas war along with resources and guidance for American citizens in the Middle East here.

Funding the Government 

The federal government has temporary funding in place through November 17. Instead of working to find a bipartisan path forward to avoid a shutdown, House Republicans are moving forward with harmful and discriminatory bills that cut funding for services Americans rely on.

I spoke on the House Floor about their FY 24 Interior-Environment bill, as a senior member of that House Appropriations Subcommittee. The extreme GOP bill makes devastating cuts that would severely impact our ability to combat climate change – affecting not only the health and safety of all our communities, but also putting the U.S. at a global disadvantage. 

Watch my remarks here. 

As we have all year, House Democrats continue to extend the hand of partnership to get things done for the American people – including by passing funding legislation that prevents a government shutdown, invests in working families, and keeps our nation safe.

While extreme MAGA Republicans attack our fundamental freedoms, House Democrats are standing firm to fight to defend our democracy, protect reproductive freedom, uphold LGBTQ+ rights, and strengthen – not slash – retirement security.

Health Insurance Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for 2024 health insurance has begun! Now through January 15, Minnesotans can shop and compare options, sign up for coverage, or change plans through MNsure, our state’s health insurance marketplace. Learn more and get assistance at mnsure.org.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance with a federal agency or to voice your policy opinion. Thank you for being an informed and engaged constituent.

Sincerely,

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress