News from Representative Betty McCollum

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AUGUST 15, 2025

 

Dear Fourth District Constituent,
 
Thank you for being an engaged constituent. In addition to reading my weekly newsletter, you are also speaking out at levels that are unprecedented.  Since January, more than 150,000 of you have reached out to my office directly.  In just seven months, my office has received more calls, letters, and emails than I’ve ever received in a full year! Hundreds of you are contacting my office each day, thousands per week, and tens of thousands per month -- calling out the illegal and unconstitutional actions by Elon Musk and Donald Trump to cut funding for our communities and hand out massive tax breaks to billionaires.  While House Republicans are cheering on Trump and his team, my fellow Democrats and I are fighting back!  Your ideas, feedback, and support empower me to use my voice and my vote as I represent you and Minnesota’s values in Washington. Thank you for using your voice to elevate the issues and values that matter to you.  I look forward to your continued calls, emails, and letters!
 
INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
 
Advancing National Security and Defense Cooperation with our Danish Allies
This week, I traveled with a bipartisan delegation of my House colleagues to Denmark to meet with officials there about the security and economic relationship between our two nations. The country is playing a critical role not only the security of Europe, but in the Arctic as well. Denmark is also at the forefront of the biotechnology revolution, and our delegation discussed their best practices on bio-industrial manufacturing and how this technology can advance our shared national security and economic priorities.

As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I am working to support federal investments in our U.S. biotechnology manufacturing sector, which will play an important role in the defense of our nation. Here in Minnesota, a Department of Defense partnership called BioMADE has announced its first in the nation pilot-scale biotechnology manufacturing facility in Maple Grove. This facility will ensure that Minnesota leads our nation in homegrown biotechnology manufacturing by providing the opportunity for Minnesota companies to test and scale commercial biotechnology.
 
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A bipartisan delegation of Members of Congress including Congresswoman McCollum met with the Danish Ambassador to the United States in Copenhagen this week. 
 
MINNESOTA UPDATE
 
Criminal Cyberattack on Saint Paul Renews Urgency for Improved Cyber Defenses

We have learned that the recent cyberattack on the City of Saint Paul was the work of a criminal ransomware operation known as Interlock. I am grateful for the work of state officials, the Minnesota National Guard and federal law enforcement officials who have responded to this cyberattack, and are working to track down the criminals responsible.

As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I know that every day cyberattacks threaten not only our government, but also our community businesses, academic and health care institutions, energy systems, and other critical infrastructure, even democracy itself. Russian hackers have even targeted our Minnesota election systems – trying to access voter registration data, and ultimately impact the outcome of our elections. We know that they will continue to do this – and defending ourselves and our way of life is not an option. It’s a requirement.

We must invest not only in the cyber tools we need to protect our data, but the workforce needed to utilize those tools and keep us safe from these threats. That is why in Congress, I have been committed to providing necessary resources to the Department of Defense to maintain our national security workforce development pipelines. Defense and Intelligence Services have a mandate to keep us safe and empower a national security cyber force – both military and civilian – that can meet this challenge.

Our own Metropolitan State University is a leader in cybersecurity. They have leveraged defense department funding I’ve secured to help train a new generation of cybersecurity professionals to meet the needs of Minnesota and our nation’s cybersecurity -- providing expertise in cybersecurity education to a unique and diverse student population. And their connections across Minnesota provide opportunities for a cyber workforce initiative that will help produce the cyber professionals of the future. That is what we need to ensure our national security, but also to protect our businesses, hospitals, universities, financial institutions, and every individual connected to the internet.

We must  harden our community’s defenses against cyber criminals. We don’t have the luxury of waiting for the next cyberattack.
 
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St. Paul City Hall. (Andy Rathbun / Pioneer Press)
 
While the attack against the City of Saint Paul cannot be reversed, we can all learn from it. All of us have a responsibility to maintain good internet hygiene. Here's what you can do to defend your personal data from being stolen: 
  • Use strong passwords and update them regularly
  • Do not share your passwords
  • Keep software updated at all times
  • Enable two-factor authentication for all accounts
  • Exercise caution before clicking unknown links
  • Back up important data
  • Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) 
Pollinator Garden Enhancing Our Community  
Earlier this month I met with youth members of the East Side Boys & Girls club about the importance of creating green spaces and encouraging pollinators through native plantings. With funding provided by Ramsey and Washington County watershed districts, the East Side Club was able to cultivate a beautiful green space to memorialize community loss, support healing, and raise hope. Through the efforts of youth members and staff the garden continues to offer a valuable space for pollinators to thrive and a space for community to reflect, heal, and grow.
 
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Congresswoman McCollum discusses the importance of pollinators with constituents. 
 
Happy 90th Birthday to Social Security!
On Thursday, we celebrated the 90th anniversary of Social Security. Thanks to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Democrats, Social Security provides economic security for Americans with disabilities, seniors, and survivors. In Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District, there are over 126,000 Social Security recipients. Including over 100,000 retirees, 12,000 disabled workers, nearly 5,000 survivors, more than 7,000 children, and over 2,000 spouses. 
 
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We can't take Social Security for granted. Today, Social Security faces its biggest threat ever — from Republicans seeking to privatize it. My fellow Democrats and I are committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security – now and for the future.  
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

President Trump Deploys National Guard in Washington, D.C.
On January 6, 2021, President Trump refused to call out the National Guard when his violent supporters laid siege on the U.S. Capitol. During this dangerous vacuum of leadership, Washington, D.C. Mayor Bowser stepped in to direct the D.C. Metropolitan Police to provide critical back-up for the U.S. Capitol Police. Their actions saved lives and limited injuries as they restored order and rescued those trapped inside the Capitol. It is entirely fair to wonder what Trump would have done if he were in control of the Metropolitan Police Department then.

ImageNational Guard troops deployed on Aug. 14, 2025, at the National Mall in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

The fact that Trump has chosen this moment to federalize law enforcement in our Nation’s Capital, when violent crime is at a three-decade low, demonstrates this is a political game to him. But it’s far worse – it’s a dangerous escalation towards authoritarianism intended to distract from his incompetent mismanagement of tariffs, health care, and the economy during his first 200 days as President. Just like his useless deployment of the Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles earlier this year, this is also a colossal waste taxpayer resources.

My Washington, D.C. Office is Always Open to You and Your Family
If you are planning a trip out to our Nation's Capitol, remember you can request tours through my office. My staff can lead you on a tour of the U.S. Capitol, you can sign up for a self-guided tour of the Library of Congress, and you can request a lecture in the Supreme Court Chamber. Read more about tours here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: White House tours have been canceled for September. The White House has not informed us about the status of tours later in the year.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Highway Closures
Heads up drivers, there will be more road closures across the Twin Cities this weekend. I-94 will be closed between I-35W and Minnesota Highway 280 from Friday through Monday. Read more about the I-94 road closures here

 

Check Your Passport Expiration if you Plan to Travel Internationally

If you have upcoming international travel, be sure to check your passport expiration date. Some countries require several months validity to enter. Learn about your destination’s entry requirements here. If your travel plans are within the U.S., REAL ID is now required to avoid delays at the TSA checkpoint. Learn more about accepted IDs here.

 

Service Academy Nominations
My office is now accepting applications for nominations to the U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2030. Students interested in attending West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, or the Merchant Marine Academy must receive a congressional nomination to be considered. The deadline to submit a completed application packet is Monday, November 3, 2025. Students are encouraged to apply early and to also seek nominations from both U.S. Senators from Minnesota. Learn more and access the application here.

 

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,

 

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Betty McCollum
Member of Congress

 


 
   
Washington D.C. Office
2426 Rayburn
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6631
St. Paul Office
661 LaSalle St. Suite #110
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114
Phone: (651) 224-9191
Fax: (651) 224-3056
   

 

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