April 12, 2024

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

This week, the EPA made a major announcement: It has finalized the first-ever nationwide standards to limit PFAS in our drinking water. Reducing these 'forever chemicals' in our drinking water has been a high priority of mine in Congress, and this action is a major step to help protect the health and safety of our communities. 

In my work on the Appropriations Committee, I have secured more than half a billion dollars in federal defense funding to address PFAS, and I am proud to have voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which is also bringing in critical funding to help small and disadvantaged communities implement these standards. 

I am grateful for those in Minnesota like the Strande family, the Minnesota legislature, and the governor for their leadership on this issue. Working together, we will keep our communities safe.

Protecting Public Health and Animal Welfare

I sat down with KSTP investigative reporter Eric Rasmussen about animal welfare and safety concerns at SeaQuest in Roseville. If you haven't seen it, you can watch here. 

I have requested USDA Secretary Vilsack 

answer questions and investigate what's happening at SeaQuest, and I am also seeking additional action to ensure people, workers, and animals are protected. 

Earth Day Virtual Update

Join me for a special Virtual Update from Saint Paul next Friday, April 19 at 10:30am for an Earth Day conversation with two of Minnesota's foremost climate experts! I will also include a Washington update.

With special guests:

Take a coffee break and join us to learn about the action taken by Congress to address climate change, and how Minnesotans can take action this Earth Day. Space is limited, so to attend live, register here. A recording of the event will be available to watch at a later date.

Stay in touch: Voice your policy opinion, ask for help with a federal agency, or find all of my recent statements at mccollum.house.gov.

As always, thank you for being an informed and engaged constituent. 

Sincerely,

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress