JUNE 20, 2025

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

 

Minnesotans are devastated by the assassinations of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and the attempted murder of Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, and targeting of Senator Ann Rest and Representative Kristin Bahner. These are shocking and heinous act of targeted political violence against elected officials. They were clearly intended to instill fear in our communities.

Minnesota law enforcement personnel deserve our deep gratitude for their swift actions to apprehend the suspect. Minnesotans of all political backgrounds must unite to condemn this and all politically motivated acts of violence. In a democracy, we do not respond to acts of public policy with acts of violence motivated by extremism.

 

HONORING SPEAKER EMERITA MELISSA HORTMAN AND HER HUSBAND MARK 

 

Minnesota Congressional Delegation Speaks with One Voice to Condemn Political Violence
On Saturday, the entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation – both Democrats and Republicans – stood united to condemn the politically motivated violence against Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and Senator John Hoff and his wife Yvette:

“Today we speak with one voice to express our outrage, grief, and condemnation of this horrible attack on public servants. There is no place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence. We are praying for John and Yvette’s recovery and we grieve the loss of Melissa and Mark with their family, colleagues, and Minnesotans across the state. We are grateful for law enforcement’s swift response to the situation and continued efforts.”
Statement from Dean of the Minnesota Delegation Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN04), Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Tina Smith, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN01), Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN02), Congresswoman Kelly Morrison (MN03), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN05), Congressman Tom Emmer (MN06), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN07), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN08).

 

Melissa Hortman was a Friend

I first met Melissa Hortman in 1998 when we knocked doors together during her first campaign for public office. Back then, I was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and Melissa was a young, determined candidate running in a district that would be difficult for any Democrat to win — but she clearly shared our Minnesota values and demonstrated her ability to form a meaningful connection to her constituents.

She didn't win that race, or the next one, but six years later, in 2004 I was thrilled when she won a seat in the Minnesota House, and was delighted when she was elected Speaker of the House in 2019.

 

Congresswoman McCollum meeting with Speaker Hortman in the Speaker’s office in 2024 as they worked together on advancing federal/state partnerships.

Thanks to the work of Speaker Hortman, together with Governor Walz and DFL legislators during the 2023 legislative session, Minnesota’s students have free meals in school. Families have access to paid family leave. Women’s reproductive rights are protected. All Minnesota individuals and families are supported and protected – with no exceptions.

Melissa was the best of Minnesota. She cared about others, treated everyone with dignity and respect, and she knew how to listen and lead. As a public servant and as Speaker of the House, she left Minnesota better than she found it. I will miss her dearly.

As we mourn the loss of Melissa and Mark, our hearts are with their children, Sophie and Colin and entire family. We wish Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette a full recovery.

 

AT HOME IN MINNESOTA

 

Visiting Summer Youth Programs Programming at White Bear Lake Area High School

Congresswoman McCollum and Bridget Lehn (left in pink), Director of Nutrition Services at White Bear Lake Area Schools talking with nutrition staff and students at White Bear Lake Area High School.  

The House was not in session in Washington, so on Tuesday I had the opportunity to visit White Bear Lake Area High School to talk with students and faculty participating in summer activities. White Bear Lake Area Schools participate in the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) which provides free meals to children aged 18 and under in communities that meet certain eligibility requirements. These sites are typically located in schools, camps, parks, playgrounds, housing developments, community centers, churches, and other public spaces where children gather during the summer months. One benefit to students participating in summer activities—such as sports, music, or enrichment programs—is that nutritious meals and snacks can be easily accessed, ensuring that no child has to go hungry. Summer Food Service Program sites are open to anyone in the community under age 18—no registration or sign-up is required. To find an SFSP site near you:

• Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners to your phone or device.
• Call the 211 Hotline. From a cell phone – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440.
• Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available from Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Central Time.
• Text USDA to texting service. Text Summer Meals to 914-342-7744. Spanish speakers, text Verano to 914-342-7744.

Community Members Share Testimony About Impact of Trump/GOP Cuts on Minnesotans

Elon Musk may be out of the White House, but he and Donald Trump are still making cuts and creating chaos for Minnesotans through unlawful Executive Orders and DOGE, and through reconciliation and rescissions. 

On Wednesday, I convened a listening session to hear from community members about how these funding cuts are affecting the lives of Minnesota’s children, seniors, and families.

Click below to watch the listening session:

A panel of community members shared their testimony, including Kraig Gratke, Executive Director, Minnesota Head Start Association; Kendra Gagner, Policy Chair, Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties; Tony Sanneh, Founder, Sanneh Foundation; Dr. Marcie Myers, Professor in the Department of Biology at St. Catherine University; Dr. Kristine West, Professor in the Department of Economics at St. Catherine University; Eleanor Anderson, St. Catherine University undergraduate student; Ellen Reed, Executive Director, Mississippi Park Connection; Deidre Schmidt, President and CEO, Common Bond Communities; Carissa Dillon, Food Security Coordinator, Ramsey County; Janay Adams, SNAP recipient, and Kari Aanestad, Associate Director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. My thanks to all of you for sharing your testimony and your personal stories. 

I’m committed to making sure these stories can be told and to entering them into the Congressional Record. And I’m using every tool I have to oppose the Trump administration and Congressional Republican efforts to take away food, healthcare, and basic services that Minnesotans rely on.

Commemorating Juneteenth in Rondo 

Congresswoman McCollum Celebrating Juneteenth at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza with Norman “Speed” Rawlings (center) and Debbie Montgomery (right).

This week I celebrated Juneteenth with the community at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza. Juneteenth is a powerful reminder that freedom delayed is still an injustice. The work for racial equity is ongoing.  As we grieve the horrific political violence in our community this week, we must acknowledge the violence that led to the enslavement of Black Americans 400 years ago. We cannot allow this history to be erased. We must learn lessons from these hard truths. We must stop the cycle of political violence. We must commit to rebuilding our communities to promote healing and reconciliation. This work can only be done together. As we reflect this Juneteenth during one of the darkest moments in our state’s history, I find enduring hope in the words of Melissa and Mark Hortman’s children, Sophie and Colin – ‘Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.’”  

Congresswoman McCollum discussing the work of the Reconnect Rondo project with Keith Baker (right) of Reconnect Rondo.

WASHINGTON UPDATE
 
Tracking the Trump/Republican Reconciliation Bill (The One Big Beautiful Bill Act)
While the House was not in session this week, Senate Republicans worked nonstop to make the Big Ugly Bill even uglier. They added deeper cuts to health care and food aid that will hurt more Americans – all to give massive tax cuts to billionaires. What is their plan to pay for this? 16 million Americans will be pushed off their healthcare and $3 trillion added to our national debt. 

Whatever bad bill the Republican Senators send back to the House, I will be voting against it, and doing everything else in my power to oppose any efforts to cut the services that Minnesota families rely on.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge
Summer break is a great time to get to work on the 2025 Congressional App Challenge! Middle and high school students in the Fourth District with an interest for coding are encouraged to create and submit an app to solve a problem, or provide education or entertainment.  Learn more about the rules and important deadlines here.

Thank you to the hundreds of new subscribers to my weekly newsletter! This update is designed to provide timely information about my work in Washington and Minnesota, and to provide resources that can be helpful to you. As always, please stay in touch: Share your feedback on this newsletter, voice your policy opinion, ask for help with a federal agency, or find all of my recent statements

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