November 16, 2023

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Thank you to everyone who was able to join me for my virtual update from Washington yesterday. If you missed it, you can watch the briefing on YouTube. I cover the latest updates on the status of federal funding and avoiding a government shutdown, and answer questions I have been receiving from constituents related to the Israel-Hamas War. 

This week, Republicans tried and failed to pass two more of their extreme federal funding bills for FY 24--the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education bill and the Commerce, Justice, Science bill. Republican leadership pulled them from consideration when they realized they did not have enough of their own votes to pass them. And while I maintain that Speaker Johnson's "laddered Continuing Resolution" approach is no way to responsibly fund the government for the long-term, I voted to avoid a government shutdown that would harm American families. Now, Speaker Johnson must get serious about a bipartisan path forward to fully fund the government after these short-term bills expire in January and February. 

Yesterday, my colleagues Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) joined me in sending a letter to the Biden administration asking them to take action to stop the violence to protect the rights of children in Gaza and Israel. With more than 4,500 children killed in just over a month, we ask the Biden administration to push for a regional ceasefire and clarity on the U.S. strategic objectives for achieving a peaceful future. You can read the full letter here, and find all of my recent public statements on the war along with resources and guidance for American citizens in the Middle East here.

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