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June 14, 2024
Dear Fourth District Constituent,
Republicans’ extremism dominated the agenda of the House of Representatives again this week, from a baseless contempt resolution against the Attorney General, to upsetting more than six decades of bipartisanship on the annual defense policy by attaching their anti-choice, anti-freedom partisan poison pills.
Additionally, the Appropriations Committee met to debate five federal funding bills, including the annual funding bill for the Department of Defense. Sadly, Republicans continued to push forward bills with damaging cuts and extreme policy positions.
My fellow House Democrats and I are focused instead on fighting for reproductive freedom, our national security, and hardworking American taxpayers.
Washington Update
Defense Appropriations Mark Up
I have the honor of serving as the senior Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee with the responsibility to allocate annual funding for the Department of Defense. This week, I led Democrats in opposing the Republican written Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Act during the committee markup of this legislation. Like last year, Republicans have written legislation that prioritizes extremist right-wing social policy views over the well-being of our service members and the security of our nation. These provisions are similar to riders that Republicans are forcing onto other funding bills. These extremist policies are divisive and harmful to the readiness of our military. Republicans even include a provision to restrict basic reproductive health care access for our service members and their families. This is simply outrageous. Our military families deserve better than legislation that caters to MAGA extremists over the readiness of our national defense. I will continue to fight against these harmful provisions and improve this critical national security legislation so it can get the bipartisan support it needs to become law. See my full opening remarks from committee and remarks on an amendment to strike extreme social riders in the bill.
President Biden moves to shield Americans from long-term harm of high medical costs
The Biden administration announced important new protections for Americans with medical debt. I fully support this effort by the President, and am cosponsor of H.R. 6003, The Medical Debt Relief Act. This act codifies the administrations work to protect patients from the long-term financial harms of high medical costs. Creditors would not be allowed to consider medical debt in decisions on extending credit, and medical debt would not appear on credit reports.
Extremist Majority on Supreme Court Overturns Ban on Deadly Bump Stocks
In a 6-3 vote, the extremist majority on the Supreme Court struck down the ban on gun bump stocks which had been put in place following the deadliest mass shooting in US history at a Las Vegas concert where killed 58 people and more than 500 were injured in just 10 minutes. These devices turn semi-automatic guns into weapons of war, which are illegal under current statue. Guns with bump stocks have no place in our communities. The Republicans must allow a vote on H.R. 396 Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2023, of which I am a cosponsor.
Minnesota State Chancellor and others visit DC
Minnesota State’s Chancellor Olson visited D.C. this week sharing the impressive work these higher education institutions do to serve their diverse student population. It’s and honor to represent Metro State, St. Paul College, and Century College in our district, and partner with them as they meet the needs of their students and Minnesota’s workforce!
 It was a pleasure to meet White Bear Lake resident Nicholas Fletcher and his Grandmother Ellen Chamberlain in my Washington, DC office today. Nicholas' Grandfather, Charles Chamberlain, was the Congressman for Michigan's 6th Congressional District from 1957-1974. Ellen and Nicholas spent the week in DC visiting the White House, Capitol, and other sites, on a trip to learn more about our Country and its history.
AT HOME IN MINNESOTA
Happy Women Veterans Day!
This past Wednesday we celebrated the 76th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, signed into law by President Truman on June 12th, 1948. The law enabled women to serve within the U.S. Armed forces as permanent and regular members. Even before the act became the law of the land the role of women was vital in our military’s success. From support and logistics roles, to nursing and production. The contributions of women in the U.S. Armed Forces have helped shape our military into a more effective and inclusive force. Thank you to all those women past and present, who have served our nation with bravery & distinction.
USS Oklahoma Sailor reinterred
This Wednesday the remains of U.S. Navy Fire Controlman 3rd Class William Fred Gusie who perished on December 7th, 1941 while serving on the USS Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor were reinterred. Gusie, 19 years old, was born in Stillwater, MN and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Gusie was serving as a Fire Controlman 3rd Class at the time of his death. He was buried with full honors in a private ceremony at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Minnesota commemorates the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War
This week Minnesota commemorates the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War holding a three-day event and veterans’ resource fair hosted by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and Mall of America. The fair will end on Saturday June 15th, the events include historical displays from the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum and screenings of Vietnam War documentaries. Thank you to the Vietnam Veterans who served our country with commitment and courage, as well as their families, and America’s allies.
More this week:
Minnesota announces Summer EBT, a new food program that helps provides families $120 per eligible child for the summer period. Families may be eligible if their child attends a school that offers National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and their household income meets requirements for free or reduced-price school meals. See more here
Minnesota announces online shopping pilot program with Hy-Vee for families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program. Families can now use their WIC card to shop from the comfort of their home at eligible Hy-Vee stores.
Six-years ago a little raccoon made a daring effort to scale up the UBS Tower in St. Paul. After two days without food or water, the raccoon was lured and safely rescued but not before making its way into our hearts.
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
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