JULY 18, 2025

Late last night after another day of chaos in the House, the Republican Majority passed a bill that undercuts the safety of our communities and America’s national security by clawing back funding for public broadcasting and international development. I joined all my Democratic colleagues in voting NO! Republicans’ reckless action is called rescission. Why did Republicans bring this bill up? Because President Trump demanded it, despite the fact that Congress passed this funding on a bipartisan basis and Trump signed it into law a mere four months ago. Not only does rescission fail to make any logical sense – it hasn’t been done since 1992 – Republicans are surrendering to Trump the Congressional control of funding for the public good. This will hurt us both at home and abroad. 

At home, the bill defunds public broadcasting, which puts Americans at risk. Minnesota Public Radio doesn't just keep listeners informed on current events — their reporters are part of our emergency response background, providing real-time information to keep Minnesotans safe during emergencies and natural disasters. As extreme weather events increase in our state and across the country, Americans will have reduced access to critical life-saving information when they need it most. Overseas, Republicans’ action weakens American leadership by ending humanitarian partnerships like providing lifesaving food assistance for families and core nutrition services for children under five. This week, it was uncovered that the State Department is incinerating nearly 500 tons of emergency food that was already purchased to go to starving children. This horrifying waste and ineptitude will leave a void that will be filled by China and Russia.

 

Congresswoman McCollum and Senator Tina Smith led nearly 50 Members of Congress in a letter to the White House pushing back against a bill that would cut funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

 

The cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in this bill will seriously undermine the consistent programming and safety alerts that Americans rely on, especially as our country experiences increased instances of severe weather and climate shocks. These cuts will be felt all over the nation – but especially in rural communities, where small stations will be forced to close. I asked the Administration to withdraw this rescission and, if they go into effect, how they plan to fill the void left behind, especially in the areas of emergency alerting and local news reporting.

 

WASHINGTON, DC UPDATE

Leading Congressional Democrats in Opposition to Trump’s Defense Budget that Weakens Our National Security

Late Wednesday night, after a chaotic afternoon during which House Republicans broke their own record for longest vote in the history of the House of Representatives, I led House Democrats in opposition to the Defense Appropriations Act. This bill hurts military readiness, undermines Ukraine, attacks LGBTQ service members, and restricts access to reproductive care for women service members and their families.

On Friday morning, the House of Representatives passed the Defense Appropriations Act by a vote of 221-209. I voted no. For the first time in modern history, the Defense Appropriations Act was written without the submission of the President’s budget request – that makes this bill an incomplete product. The subcommittee had little insight into significant Administration priorities, such as Golden Dome, when this bill was written. Golden Dome is a concept of a plan – a vague idea that Congress must better understand if it is to become a realized strategic capability.

Standing up for Minnesota Values to Protect our Air, Water, and Public Lands

This week the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee got our first look at House Republicans' plans to strip funding from our environmental protections, our public lands, and our arts, humanities, and cultural institutions. I joined with all my Democratic colleagues on the subcommittee in voting against this disinvestment in our health and our communities. Republicans lined up to vote to:

• Cut the Environmental Protection Agency by 23%, which will shift the cost of clean water and drinking water infrastructure onto local communities and cut funding for scientific research offices that help protect public health from exposure to toxins like PFAS
• Slash funding for the management of our public lands and natural resources at the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Geological Survey
• Cut funding for the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities and the Smithsonian Museums in yet another blow to the cultural, civic, and artistic exchange of ideas that is vital to our democracy
• Create loopholes & incentives for fossil fuels and mining corporations to exploit our public lands, including rolling back protections for the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

This bill fails to care for our natural and cultural resources, it fails to confront the reality of climate change, and it fails to meet the needs of our communities and the American people.

Mass Layoffs at State Department Undermine America's National Security  

President Trump’s decision to eliminate over 1,300 positions at the State Department comes at a time when the world needs American leadership to be stronger, not weaker. America is most powerful when we fully employ the three Ds of national security – Development, Diplomacy, and Defense. Trump’s action comes just months after he illegally dismantled USAID and ended decades of bipartisan American leadership on preventing HIV/AIDS, ending starvation, and aiding child and maternal health. Now he is further weakening America’s ability to advance stability, peace, and prosperity through multilateral cooperation, which leaves our nation more vulnerable.

State Department employees applaud as their colleagues walk through the lobby of the State Department headquarters in the Harry S Truman Building, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Washington. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP via CNN)

On behalf of a grateful nation, I offer my sincere appreciation to the career diplomats whose work to advance American interests around the globe has been cut short by a shortsighted person who values personal loyalty over the national interest.

MINNESOTANS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Young Leaders from the Saint Paul Boys & Girls Club Visit Congress

On Wednesday, young leaders from the Boys & Girls Clubs participated in a fly-in to Washington, DC for the fourth annual Summit for America’s Youth. It was a pleasure to meet with them to discuss the issues that matter to them in our community, the significance of their Boys & Girls Club experience to their growth and development, and the essential importance of the Boys & Girls Club to youth well-being, workforce readiness, and academic success. Thanks to attendees Lamah Bility, CEO Terryl Brumm, Brianna C., Makenzie H., Marcus I., Koreena Moua, Lawrence Royden R., and Tim Schober for visiting my office to meet with me!

Congresswoman McCollum met with young Saint Paul leaders from the Boys & Girls club on Wednesday during their visit to Capitol Hill. 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Donald Trump is not being honest about eliminating taxes on Social Security
Hundreds of Minnesotans have contacted me with questions about misleading messages that were sent out by the Social Security Administration claiming that H.R. 1 (also knowns as the Big Ugly Bill) eliminates taxation of Social Security benefits.

I want to be crystal clear: H.R. 1 does not eliminate taxation of Social Security Benefits 

Because the bill included temporary changes to tax deductions for a subset of seniors, some falsely claim that it “effectively” eliminates Social Security benefit taxation. That is simply not true. About half of seniors—those with the lowest income—are unaffected by the deduction change. In addition, the bill’s changes only affect seniors age 65 and older, leaving out millions of younger retirees, disabled workers, and families with children who rely on Social Security. A subset of higher-income seniors, primarily those who are still working while receiving Social Security, do benefit from the changes in the bill and will pay taxes on a lower share of their overall income, unrelated to their Social Security benefits.

The Social Security Administration has a long tradition of providing clear and accurate information to Americans, regardless of who the president is. Yet, on July 3rd, before H.R. 1 was even signed into law, the Social Security Administration sent out an email falsely claiming that the bill eliminated taxation on Social Security benefits. It is deeply concerning that the Trump Administration has abused the public trust by using the Social Security Administration to provide misleading information in support of a partisan political agenda. Read my letter here.

How to Protect your Health and your Family Amid Wildfire Smoke

Over the past two weeks, Minnesotans have been dealing with unhealthy air pollution due to wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada. Here's what you can do to keep you and your family safe from the toxins carried in this polluted air:

• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Seal windows and doors; close fresh-air vents and switch HVAC to recirculate.
• Use high-efficiency filters (MERV 13+) in central air systems, or portable HEPA air purifiers in one or more rooms.
• Avoid indoor pollutants: no burning, smoking, frying, candles, vacuums, or aerosol sprays during smoke events.
• Create an indoor “clean room” with closed doors and filtered air for sleeping or when AQI is high.

• Wear a properly fitted NIOSH-approved respirator (N95/P100). Ensure a tight seal to filter smoke effectively.
• For children, standard respirators may not fit well—avoid exposure or choose masks specifically sized for kids.
• Reduce physical activity outdoors

Minnesota Welcomes the 2025 National Veterans Wheelchair Games
Let the games begin! Minnesota is hosting the 2025 National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which began on Thursday and run through July 22nd. For 44 years, the games have been the largest adaptive sports and rehabilitation event designed exclusively for U.S. veterans with disabilities. Featuring 22 adaptive events, including 11 Paralympic sports, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games highlight the many opportunities available to individuals living with disabilities both in competition and everyday life. A warm Minnesota welcome to all athletes and fans! For more information, visit: wheelchairgames.org. 

Free, Family-Friendly Summer Events in the East Metro

Rondo Days is back again and will be held this Saturday, July 19th from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, celebrating 43 years of bringing our communities together. It is a great time to celebrate Saint Paul's rich cultural diversity, listen to live music, enjoy great food, and learn about the contributions of Saint Paul’s Historic Rondo neighborhood. For more information on the event, visit: rondodays.net. 

Stillwater’s 91st Lumberjack Days will be held July 18-20, 2025. Stop by and celebrate our state’s fantastic tradition – complete with live music, a pancake breakfast, lumberjack demonstrations, and a parade on Sunday. For more information on the event, visit: lumberjackdays.com.

Office Hours

In addition to serving constituents Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, at my Saint Paul office, my staff holds neighborhood office hours at a variety of locations across the Fourth District. Members of my staff will be available to meet with constituents seeking casework assistance on Tuesday, July 22nd at 10am-12pm at the Woodbury City Hall, Birch Conference Room - 8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125. 

Thank You
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: 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