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MARCH 28, 2025
Dear Fourth District Constituent,
At the start of the week, we learned that the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, CIA Director, Director of National Intelligence, National Security Advisor, and White House Chief of Staff shared military operational plans in a chat on an open-source commercial messaging app. In all, eighteen of the senior-most members of the Trump administration national security team participated in this chat. How did we learn about this national security breach? Trump officials accidentally included Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, who raised alarm about this massive breach through his thoughtful and factual reporting.
The Department of Defense specifically prohibits DoD personnel from using Signal and other apps to share non-public information. Secretary Hegseth shared detailed information in the Signal chat about an impending military strike — a clear and obvious violation of his own department's policy. This information in the hands of adversaries would certainly put American lives at risk.
Several of these officials served in the military, including Vice President Vance, Secretary Hegseth, Director Gabbard, and Mr. Waltz. If any of them had released classified information while wearing the uniform, accountability would have been swift and severe. Yet as members of the Trump Administration, they’ve faced no accountability whatsoever.
President Trump’s national security team clearly broke laws designed to protect the American people, including mishandling classified information and failing to preserve federal government records in accordance with the Presidential Records Act. The Trump Administration has broken the trust of the American people, especially the dedicated women and men of the Intelligence Community and those who serve in the military who were put in harm’s way.
We cannot have one set of rules for the Secretary and another set of rules for everyone else. Republicans in Congress must immediately issue subpoenas, hold hearings, and investigate this reckless conduct.
Republicans’ House Floor Agenda Fails to Address the Affordability Crisis
This week, instead of addressing the concerns of American families about the high cost of living, House Republicans are wasting their time legislating the energy efficiency of appliances that will increase energy costs for small business owners and consumers. Republicans brought two bills to the House this week to disapprove energy efficiency standards for walk-in freezers and coolers and commercial refrigerators and freezers. I voted no on H.J. Res. 75 and H.J. Res 24 because they would undo these commonsense, cost-saving standards and would bar the Department of Energy from ever revisiting these energy efficiency standards in the future.
Vietnam War Veterans Day
Tomorrow, March 29th, is Vietnam War Veterans Day. 52 years ago tomorrow, the United States Military Assistant Command Vietnam was disestablished, and the last U.S. Combat troops departed Vietnam. On this day, we honor and remember all those who served our nation during the Vietnam War.
Last weekend, I had the privilege of honoring Minnesota Vietnam War Era Veterans with a congressional Pin Presentation.
Protecting Community Development for Financial Institutions Fund
On March 14th, President Trump issued an Executive Order that could threaten the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. Today, I sent a letter to the Trump administration demanding that they reverse course and expressing the concerns I’ve heard from CDFIs all over Minnesota about the negative impacts on our small businesses and communities that will result from this Executive Order. CDFIs drive economic development throughout the Twin Cities, Minnesota’s tribal nations, and rural Minnesota, and I will continue to defend this essential access to capital for our community.
Gold Line
Over the weekend, I spoke at the grand opening ceremony for the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Line system connecting Woodbury to downtown Saint Paul. This exciting new transit system will provide reliable, safe, high-speed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service for our East Metro communities using a dedicated lane for the buses.
 Congresswoman McCollum Speaks at the Gold Line Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Gold Line BRT was completed on time and under budget. Thanks to the strong leadership of local officials and the constant cooperation between local, state, and federal government, this service is already up and running on the originally-planned timeline.
Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes Impact Week
Tribal leaders from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan made the journey to Washington D.C. this week to emphasize the importance of our federal government meeting our trust and treaty responsibilities to tribal nations. I am honored to count many MAST leaders, past and present, among my mentors and partners in strengthening our nation-to-nation relationship. As we spoke together this week, I committed to continuing my efforts to support tribal sovereignty and encouraged them to make sure the Trump Administration and Members of Congress hear about the challenges they are facing and the needs of their communities. Failing to deliver on our treaty obligations—including health care, education, and public safety for Native Americans—is a violation of a sacred trust.
Congresswoman McCollum stands with Tribal leaders from across the Midwest at MAST.
Avoid Social Security Scams
Elon Musk and Donald Trump are illegally dismantling Social Security. Their cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and closure of offices are illegal and are already harming Americans. There has also been increased confusion, scams and concerns about Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This week my office received questions about the need to prove your identity with Social Security based on the changes made by Elon Musk’s DOGE.
According to the SSA, “People will continue to receive their benefits and on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove identity. The public does not need to contact Social Security unless they need to change direct deposit information and cannot do it online” with a personal my Social Security account.
For more information about proving your identity with Social Security go to Social Security’s website dedicated to this specific issue. If you need to call Social Security, their phone number is 1-800-772-1213. If you have problems after going to Social Security’s website or calling Social Security, please let my office know. Elon Musk’s DOGE policies at Social Security are changing on a daily basis and are difficult for us to keep up with as well.
Know Your Rights at Airports and Border Crossings
In recent weeks, I have been shocked by videos depicting plain-clothes officers arresting legal U.S. residents without first identifying themselves and stating the reason for the arrest. The Trump Administration's egregious violations of the 1st and 4th amendments should be concerning to all of us, which is why it's more important than ever to know your rights when interacting with federal authorities.
Help Congress Fight Back by Sharing Your Story
If the recent layoffs and funding freezes made by the Trump Administration have impacted you or someone you know personally, I want to hear how these actions have affected you. House Democrats are challenging Trump and Musk in Congress, in the courts, and in our communities. By sharing your personal stories, I will be better able to fight to protect you. I strongly encourage you to Share Your Story.
Thank you to my constituents who have already shared their stories through this webpage. I wanted to highlight Dr. Megan Craft, who is a university Professor studying disease transmission. Dr. Craft worries that the illegal cuts to congressional appropriated research programs leave the United State open to other pandemics. I want to assure Dr. Craft and all my constituents that I will continue to fight to get the illegal funding freezes reversed.
Taxes Due on April 15
As always, please 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
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