Washington Update
Congress Passes 3-Month Funding Bill
With less than a week until funding for the federal government was due to expire, the Republican Majority in the House finally allowed for a vote on a continuing resolution to extend government funding until December 20th. I voted for the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a bipartisan vote of 341-82, with the only NO votes coming from Republicans.
Congress should have never come this close to a shutdown. This happened because the Senate did not pass a single appropriations bill. And in the House, Republicans were only able to pass five of the twelve bills that fund our government. Why?
Because the House Republican Majority drafted hyper partisan bills that slash services to the American people and they were both too extreme for the few moderate Republicans still in Congress and not extreme enough for some MAGA Republicans.
Instead of working with Democrats to fund our government for the next fiscal year, Republicans have spent this entire year fighting amongst themselves. This is another example of the chaos and dysfunction that has plagued the House Republicans for this entire Congress. Now it’s time for Congress to get back to work on completing the Fiscal Year 2025 funding bills without extreme partisan poison-pill policy and cuts.
Virtual Update
Today in a virtual update, I spoke about the Continuing Resolution and other important issues, including the conflict in the Middle East, preventing a government shutdown, my new legislation–the CARE Act, and more.
Update from the Twin Cities
Polar Semiconductor
Thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration, a grant has been issued to a Minnesota company to expand U.S. production of microchips. The Commerce Department awarded Polar Semiconductor $123 million to expand their U.S. plant operations. This funding is just part of the over $52 billion federal funding going towards expanding domestic chip manufacturing.
Polar Semiconductor will use their grant to expand their already existing chip production in the Twin Cities. This is a vital investment in our region that will lead to more jobs and increased domestic supply of critical semiconductors.
Naming Opportunity for a Woman Veteran
The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is seeking nominations for naming the new Women’s Clinic to pay respect to Women Veterans for their valiant service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States. The naming committee is looking for veterans who were honorably discharged and who have a connection to the Minneapolis VA or the Midwest region it serves. If you know a veteran, living or deceased, who served her country and her community, the deadline for the VA to accept nominations is October 30, 2024. Read more here.
Early Voting in Minnesota
Early voting has begun in Minnesota! For more information on mail-in voting and early in-person voting, visit mnvotes.org. MPR News also has an overview of what to know.
Free Covid Tests are Back
Every household is again eligible for four free covid tests. Head to this website to fill out your name and address. The free Covid tests will begin shipping 9/30.
I-94 Closure this Weekend
If you plan on driving around town this weekend, take a look at these road closures. Part of eastbound I-94 will be closed between Hwy. 280 and Western Avenue. MnDOT will be working to make repairs throughout the closure.
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.
Sincerely,
Betty McCollum
Member of Congress
