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June 28, 2024
Dear Fourth District Constituent,
 This week, I led Democrats on the House floor in opposing the Republican written Defense Appropriations bill for the next fiscal year. Instead of offering a bipartisan Defense funding bill that supports all our service members and their families and our national security, Majority Republicans have chosen to load this legislation with extreme, divisive MAGA social policy riders. The result is a bill that divides Americans, rather than uniting us. The bill even restricts reproductive health access for military families who live in states that have enacted abortion bans. As the lead Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will keep fighting to remove these awful MAGA provisions because our service members and their families deserve better. Read and view my opening statement.
WASHINGTON UPDATE
Congressional Art Competition
 This Thursday, I celebrated the winners of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Each year, every congressional district picks one piece of art to represent their district in the halls of the Capitol. I had the pleasure to meet with our District's winner Karin Hoyt, and her mother Jenni, before the celebration. I want to congratulate everyone who entered the competition for their amazing artwork.
League of Women Voters
 I also met with The League of Women Voters Saint Paul, who were in town for their Biennial Convention. We spoke about the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. I was an original co-sponsor of this bill--that passed the House, but not the Senate in 2021. The Supreme Court invalidated portions of the 1965 voting Rights Act in 2013. The John Lewis Voting rights act restored and expanded those protections. We also discussed other issues that matter to the League of Women Voters, like redistricting reform, the Equal Rights Amendment, and Climate change. I want to thank these women for meeting with me this week, and for their advocacy for voting rights.
Dobbs Anniversary
Two years ago this week, the Conservative majority on the Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision taking away a constitutional right from the American people. Now more than 27 million women of reproductive age live in a state with an abortion ban. Extreme Republicans in Congress plan to go even further to criminalize reproductive health care, outlaw contraception and advance a nationwide abortion ban. Democrats are fighting back against these extreme attacks on reproductive health care and have introduced legislation to establish federal protections of reproductive freedom. It’s up to Congress to act to protect these rights.
I have fought for decades to protect access to legal, safe, and comprehensive reproductive health care. I’ll continue to defend reproductive rights on the federal level, because everyone deserves access to care where they live.
AT HOME IN MINNESOTA
River Flooding
The St. Croix and Mississippi rivers are expected to reach historic levels of flooding this weekend. Please stay safe this weekend! Our state has already seen record levels of flooding throughout the state. The state's DNR is updating the latest precipitation totals and resulting impact on stream flows, you can find that here.
The City of St. Paul has declared a state of local emergency due to flooding of the Mississippi River. The National Weather Service estimates water levels along downtown St. Paul will crest to 20.80ft. The city’s parks and recreations department has announced the temporary closure of several parkland areas, facilities and trails. See here for more information and closed locations. Keep up to date on flooding news and road closures here.
The City of Stillwater has closed the Stillwater Lift Bridge and has postponed their annual Fourth of July celebrations, parks along the St. Croix River are currently underwater. Stay up to date on St. Croix River water levels here.
I joined with the entire Minnesotan delegation to urge the Biden Administration to approve Minnesotans request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding. Minnesotans are stronger together and have already helped neighbors throughout the state in recent days and weeks.
More this Week:
- Find Fourth of July events and celebration across the metro area here.
- The State of Minnesota will reopen its rebate application for e-bikes on July 2nd. Information on eligibility and terms here.
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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