News from Representative Betty McCollum

February 9, 2023

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

This week marks a major step forward in protecting the Mighty Mississippi River. I am so excited to announce that I reintroduced bicameral legislation with our neighbor to the east Senator Tammy Baldwin to establish the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI)!

MRRRI is a non-regulatory regional initiative, similar to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, that will enable communities up and down the river corridor to take on projects that will improve drinking water quality, fight invasive species, become more resilient to flooding and other extreme weather events, and more.

From the headwaters to our community in Saint Paul and all the way down to the Mississippi Delta, together we are making progress to invest in our nation's iconic river and keep it mighty for the next generation.

Another Weak Week from the GOP Chaos Caucus

This week the House Republicans attempted a political stunt to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Sec. Mayorkas has not violated the law, let alone committed "high crimes and misdemeanors," which is the constitutional standard for impeachment. Ultimately, Republicans couldn't come up with the votes to pass their own sham bill. Read my statement here.

The House GOP also brought to the Floor a standalone Israel funding bill that failed to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza or provide urgently needed U.S. support for Ukraine. Their bill failed to address the full scope of the national security challenges we face as Americans.

We must get more humanitarian aid into Gaza, and we must provide more assistance to Ukraine. We can't ignore these challenges. We must lead. If we fail, the U.S. will face national security consequences around the world. Ultimately, this bill failed on the House Floor as well. Watch my speech on the House Floor ahead of the vote.

The bottom line: Extreme MAGA Republicans are too busy playing political games, creating chaos with their partisan stunts, and pushing a radical agenda to do anything to help meet the needs of Americans or our allies around the world.

Celebrating Black History Month

Every February, we commemorate Black History Month to celebrate and honor the history, stories, and contributions of Black Americans who are essential to the diverse tapestry of our nation. Black history is American history, and as we honor the legacies and achievements of generations past, we also must address injustices that continue to cause harm, and we must work together intentionally to end systemic racism.

Read my full statement on the work that remains as we reflect on the past and shape our future. I encourage everyone to visit blackhistorymonth.gov where the Library of Congress, National Archives, and more pay tribute to generations of African Americans, and find new stories from the Minnesota Historical Society's "Black History, Black Voices" compilation.