=

May 31, 2024

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

This week is the beginning of Pride Month, and we recommit our support to each other and ensure we continue to work towards a nation where all people can live authentically themselves. Happy Pride Month!

Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

This week we also marked the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. On Wednesday, I traveled with a congressional delegation to France to celebrate and honor the heroes of D-Day and remember the great sacrifices made by the United States and Allied troops who fought and died at the Battle of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

As a Member of Congress and the daughter of a World War II veteran, I believe I have a duty to honor those who courageously served our country and gave their lives at the Battle of Normandy. I had the honor to spend time with Louis Brown during the 80th Anniversary of D-Day Commemoration. Mr. Brown served our country in the Red Ball Express convoy unit during World War II.

Being part of the 80th Anniversary commemoration in Normandy is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the Americans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the invasion of Normandy. Our country owes all veterans of this conflict a great debt for their service.

Washington Update

Appropriations Committee

Earlier in the week the House passed Republicans’ extreme 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies funding bill, continuing their failed 2024 mission to undercut the programs Americans depend on. I voted against this legislation, because it fails to honor our commitment to veterans, servicemembers, and their families.  It cuts military construction by $718 million and takes us closer to a national abortion ban.  This bill

• Worsens the quality of life for servicemembers and their families and hurts military readiness by cutting military construction $718 million below last year.
• Further limits women’s access to abortion, harming women veterans’ health.
  
• Leaves military installations, servicemembers, and their families vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and worsening natural disasters by failing to include dedicated Climate Change and Resilience funding and walking back on investments in Natural Disaster Recovery construction.
  
• Undermines the ability to keep guns out of the hands of those prohibited under Federal law from purchasing or possessing firearms.
  
• Repeats the same extreme MAGA Republican tactics as last year by including partisan culture war provisions that are unrelated to appropriations.

Generation Next

Members of Minnesota’s Education Partnership Coalition (EPC) visited my office this week to discuss their collective work to ensure all children and youth have the opportunity to succeed in our community. It was a pleasure to meet with John Fanning and Megan Jekot from Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood, Mikayla Smith from the Wilder Foundation, and Jeremiah Ellis from Generation Next, who used to work in my Saint Paul office!

AT HOME IN MINNESOTA 

Pride In MN 

Here in Minnesota, we remember the trailblazing efforts of figures like State Senator Allan Spear, the first openly gay member of the Minnesota Legislature and one of the few openly gay legislators in the United States. Sen. Allan Spear served as the President of the Minnesota Senate and played an important role in passing the 1993 Minnesota Human Rights Act, providing all Minnesotans protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

As folks come together to celebrate pride and remember those who fought and struggled for equality. Here are a few events happening in the Twin Cities and around the state. 

IRS Direct File

After a successful pilot, the IRS recently announced they are expanding and making permanent the new IRS Direct File program. Next year, eligible taxpayers nationwide will be able to file their federal tax returns directly with the IRS for free.

Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota 

The state’s DNR is offering incentives and special programs for Minnesotans to enjoy the outdoors. The DNR will host a Free Park Day on Saturday, June 8, which allows free entrance to all state parks and recreation areas in Minnesota. Most of the agency’s programs are free however, some do require pre-registration. Find state parks and programs near you here. 

Summer Travels
Traveling abroad soon? Certain countries require passports to be valid six months past your travel date.  Visit the U.S. State Department’s Country Information page where you can learn about your destination’s entry requirements, travel advisory level, banned items, and more. While there, save the contact information for the nearest U.S. Embassy and get travel tips from the State Department!

And as Minnesotans get outdoors, stay #WeatherReady with updates from the National Weather Service. 

Here are some good tips for catching the Northern Lights in Minnesota this summer!

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