SEPTEMBER 12, 2025

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

 

Donald Trump ran for his second term promising to lower prices on day one of his presidency. Instead, costs are going up for Americans, because of Trump and Republicans’ Big Ugly Law, which strips food assistance and health care away from millions of Americans to give away massive tax breaks for their millionaire and billionaire donors. Trump’s chaotic tariffs are wreaking havoc in the job market, harming Minnesota’s agriculture market, and prices are spiking for everything from groceries to clothing to utility bills. Last month’s economic data was so bad that President Trump lashed out by firing the messenger – the head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This month’s BLS report was even worse. 

 

Trump and Republicans in Congress have chosen this path, and they claim a mandate to go their own way. But we are now just days before funding for the federal government expires on September 30. As of this week, House Republicans have finally passed all twelve of their government funding bills out of the Appropriations Committee, which I serve on. But all twelve bills were loaded with so many partisan provisions that they passed with only Republican votes. That's why Republicans have only been able to pass three of them when they came for votes before the full House of Representatives, and none of them have been signed into law. Republicans have refused to reach out to Democrats to discuss how they plan to keep our government open for the American people and avoid a shutdown. Republicans are failing all Americans by going it alone.

Let me be clear, a Republican government shutdown would be disastrous. That’s why I’ve been calling on my Republican colleagues to sit down with Democrats to negotiate bipartisan government funding legislation that protects the health, safety, and economic well-being of all Minnesotans. But I will not support partisan Republican-only spending bills that take health care, food assistance, and other critical services away from the American people. 

House Democrats have a simple message for the American people: You deserve better. We're going to fight hard to lower the high cost of living. We're going to fight hard to fix our broken healthcare system. And we're working hard to clean up corruption so we can return to being a country of the people, by the people, and for the people.

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

 

Congress has a Moral Obligation to End the Epidemic of Gun Violence

I join all Americans in mourning the devastating gun violence that took place on Wednesday. At Evergreen High School in Colorado, two students were injured while at school — just two weeks after the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. My heart goes out to those who have been wounded. Students shouldn’t have to live in fear of a shooting taking place in their school. Congress must act to pass common-sense gun safety laws now, and I'm a proud co-sponsor of numerous bills that would prevent and reduce gun deaths in America.

 

I'm also heartbroken by the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during his appearance at Utah Valley University. While we don't yet know the motivations of the gunman who killed Mr. Kirk, this is yet another case in which a person with intentions to kill a high-profile political figure was able to obtain a gun and exact violence on another person. Like all of you, I am deeply concerned about the recent spike in political violence in the United States.

 

 

There was a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer; rioters stormed the Capitol on January 6th and planted pipe bombs at the DNC and RNC; a criminal broke into the home of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and violently assaulted her husband Paul; there were multiple assassination attempts against Donald Trump when he was running for office; Minnesota is still mourning the death of Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, while Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette recover from numerous gunshot wounds; and this week, Charlie Kirk was murdered.

 

Political violence is always wrong. Political violence harms all of us. Political violence is not the way we settle our disagreements with one another. In a democracy, we settle our disputes at the ballot box.

 

Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Theft of Catalytic Converters

This week, Congressman Jim Baird and I re-introduced the PART Act, a common-sense bipartisan solution to crack down on catalytic converter theft and provide police with the tools they need to get justice. The violence surrounding catalytic converter theft has been devastating—even costing the life of one of our neighbors in Saint Paul. It seems like everybody has a personal connection to a catalytic converter theft. Replacing a stolen catalytic converter can cost thousands of dollars. Sometimes, your car is totaled.  It's time for this to end. Auto dealers are a prime target for catalytic converter theft. That’s why I am proud to have partnered with the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) to craft this vital piece of legislation that will make our communities safer.
 
Congresswoman McCollum spoke with Scott Lambert, President of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA), during a meeting with MADA earlier this week.
 
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of meeting with MADA during their visit to Washington, DC. Learn more about the PART Act here.

 

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill Markup

This week the House Appropriations Committee marked up the final two appropriations bills drafted by the House Republican Majority. The first bill we considered was the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill.

 

House Republicans used this legislation to make devastating cuts to education, child care, health care, and health research. They outlawed research on preventing injuries and mortality from gun violence and doubled down on their decision to pull funding for high-quality, free children’s programming by eliminating funding for Ready-to-Learn. Republicans also zeroed-out funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, depriving Americans of trustworthy emergency communications - especially in rural areas. Once again, House Republicans also used this bill to attack women's reproductive health.

 

During her opening remarks in the Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman McCollum drew attention to the drastic cuts Republicans made to education funding in their Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

 

We have the capability to keep our families healthy, safe, and thriving with the investments we make in this bill. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues do not share that goal. I voted against it along with all of my Democratic colleagues on the Appropriations Committee.

 

Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill Markup

On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee marked up the final appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026: The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill. I voted NO because the bill undermines our federal law enforcement by cutting both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and the FBI. It cuts juvenile justice intervention grants aimed at preventing youth from getting caught in the cycle of violence. Additionally, this legislation makes a 20% cut to the National Science Foundation.

 

Democrats prevented one dangerous provision from making it into the bill – with the help of a few courageous Republicans, we defeated an amendment that would have legalized untraceable 3D-printed weapons known as ghost guns. 

 

Meeting with Members of the Minnesota Farmers Union

On Tuesday, I met with members of the Minnesota Farmers Union, including President Gary Wertish and my former colleague Ted Winter, to discuss the state of the farm economy, the Farm Bill, and the challenges facing farmers in Minnesota, including the effect of Trump’s tariffs on Minnesota agriculture markets. Trump policies are making already challenging times much more difficult. 

 

Members of the Minnesota Farmer's Union pose for a photo with Congresswoman McCollum.

 

Meeting with Veterans from Minnesota VFW

It was an honor to meet with veterans from the VFW in Minnesota, whose continued service and advocacy are vital to our communities and our nation. As the daughter of a WWII veteran and a mother who dedicated her career to the public sector, I was raised with a deep respect for selfless service—values that continue to guide my work in Congress.

 

Congresswoman McCollum (center) met with Minnesota Veterans Barry Henriksen (left) and Dr. Jim Tuorila (right).

 

I remain committed to advancing legislation that improves the quality of life, health care and support systems for our veterans and military families. Their sacrifice deserves not only our gratitude, but our unwavering support and action.

 

 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

 

Inkit Opens New Office, Creating 50+ New High-Paying Tech Jobs in Saint Paul

Inkit is a remarkable tech company, and they’re making major investments in Saint Paul. On Friday, I was happy to attend the ribbon cutting for Inkit's new office. Inkit serves federal agencies, banks, healthcare services, legal offices, utilities, and more with a platform that allows users to securely create, edit, and share electronic documents. 

Inkit CEO Michael McCarthy, Natalie Donoghue (center), and Congresswoman McCollum (second from right) cut the ribbon at Inkit's new Saint Paul headquarters on Friday in Saint Anthony Park.

The applications for using this technology in the federal government are exciting — Inkit already meets the highest federal security standards for protecting unclassified information and sensitive data. Inkit expects to create 50 new high-paying tech jobs in Saint Paul, reinforcing our community’s role in expanding Minnesota’s tech sector and advancing technology for government modernization and national security. Congrats, Inkit!

 
Free, Family-Friendly Fun in the East Metro this Weekend
This weekend, come out and celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity of our East Metro communities at these free, family-friendly events:

WEEKEND PREVIEW & MINNESOTA FALL ACTIVITIES UPDATE

Selby Ave JazzFest
Selby Ave JazzFest is happening this weekend in Saint Paul — a free, family‑friendly celebration of jazz, community, food, and culture. The main festival day is Saturday, September 13, from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM at Selby & Milton. In addition to music, there will be food vendors, an artisan marketplace, kids’ activities (face painting, crafts, etc.), and even classes at Walker West Music Academy. More information here.

CLUES' Fiesta Latina
On Saturday, September 13, CLUES’ annual Fiesta Latina is back again for another year of community celebration, health awareness, and offering our communities cultural enrichment through art and food. American life is immeasurably richer thanks to our Latino communities. With National Hispanic Heritage Month just around the corner, this year’s Fiesta Latina couldn’t come soon enough. Learn more here.

Mounds View Tribute Park Dedication
On Saturday, the City of Mounds View will dedicate its new Tribute Park at the Mounds View City Hall. This park honors and memorializes our first responders, veterans, and service members, and Mounds View residents lost in the tornado of 1965, the 1986 pipeline explosion, and the collapse of the I-35W bridge in 2007. This park is a place for families, friends, and neighbors to remember and reflect, and it is a testament to the healing power of community. The dedication ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 13, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Mounds View City Hall Park. More information about the park can be found here.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trump’s Big Ugly Law Leaves Minnesotans Facing Higher Health Care Costs
Health insurance is going to be more expensive for Americans starting next year unless Congress and President Trump take action. Congressional Democrats and President Biden strengthened the Affordable Care Act by making health insurance more affordable and accessible for Americans for the past four years. Because the Big Ugly Law failed to include this provision, the enhanced and expanded premium tax credits for those who purchase insurance through the health insurance marketplace are expiring at the end of 2025. I am cosponsoring the Health Care Affordability Act (H.R. 247), which would permanently expand these tax credits, so that they would not expire at the end of the year.

The latest MNsure Bulletin provides further information about what this means for Minnesotans, especially those who use our state’s marketplace – MNsure. The MNsure Bulletin also explains some other Trump Administration policies that are making it harder for people to access health insurance through MNsure. None of these changes are Making America Healthy Again.

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 indefinitely because President Trump wants to begin construction on his new $200 million ballroom as soon as possible.

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.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge
You still have the chance to enter and submit an app to 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
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