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OCTOBER 17, 2025
Dear Fourth District Constituent,
Republicans shut down the government 17 days ago because they refuse to negotiate with Democrats to lower health care costs for Americans. Since Republicans passed their Big Ugly Law on July 4th, the House has only been in session 20 days, and the House has not taken a single vote since September 19th. Meanwhile, House Democrats have been on duty in Washington, ready to reopen the government and take action to prevent the Republican health care crisis from getting worse.
Republicans have made more than 70 attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act since the moment it was signed into law in 2010. President Trump promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act when he was first elected in 2016, but never offered a plan to replace it. Despite Republicans’ failure to fully repeal the ACA, in 2017 Republicans managed to strike down a key provision of the law that made health care more affordable for Americans. As a direct result of Republicans’ actions, health care costs have risen for everyone.
In July, they rushed to pass the One Big Ugly Law, which cuts $1.5 trillion from health care and strips away health care for millions of Americans. The Republican law created permanent tax breaks for billionaires and giant corporations, but they refused to pass even temporary tax credits that make health care more affordable for millions of Americans. If Republicans get their way, MNsure expects premiums will increase by an average of 54% for nearly 90,000 Minnesotans, and over 19,000 will lose access to all financial help next year. These massive cost increases will make health care unaffordable for middle class families who are already struggling with the high cost of living from expensive groceries, gas, rent, insurance, and utilities.
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Thank you to everyone who's shared their health care story with me, including three Minnesotans I welcomed to my Saint Paul office last week to discuss the Republican health care crisis: Laura Kressin, Lauren Gaffney, and Dan Marshall. Watch a video of my conversation with them here. If you are impacted by Republicans' cuts to health care, I want to hear about it. Please contact my office directly at (651) 224-9191 or click here to share your story.
WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE
Hearing from Federal Workers Facing Challenges in the Republican Shutdown
This week, I met with leaders of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) who work at U.S. Customs and Immigration Services. They shared information about the challenges that federal employees are facing during the government shutdown, including being furloughed or working without pay. During our meeting, we discussed the need to end the Republican health care crisis and reopen the government to serve all Americans.
Adam Holly, AFGE Council 119 National President (left), Congresswoman McCollum (center), and Ruark Hotpp, National Vice President AFGE District 8 (right) met at Congresswoman McCollum's office on Wednesday.
We also discussed how the Trump administration is using the government shutdown to implement Project 2025 by firing federal employees and undermining their rights to collectively bargain for workplace safety and fair pay and benefits. Federal employees are searching for answers and need support from Congress – I stand with our public servants who deliver for the American people.
House Democrats Hear From Americans Impacted by the Republican Health Care Crisis
This week, House Democrats convened another hearing of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to hear from health care advocates from around the country. Witnesses provided to testimony about the chaos and uncertainty facing our health care system. I asked Jonna Higgins-Freese, a parent and advocate from Iowa City, and Jackie Bush Holcomb, a financial advisor, how Americans are expected to navigate the financial uncertainties of rising health care costs.
Without negotiations with the Republicans, Americans receiving health care from the Affordable Care Act will see their premiums skyrocket next year. We invited witnesses to testify to the chaos and uncertainty facing our health care system.
In the Season of Trick-or-Treat, Don't Be Fooled by Republicans Claiming they Support the Services that Americans Rely on
Republicans' health care crisis is now putting at risk vital services that help Minnesota families heat their homes and put food on their tables. Republicans’ refusal to work with Democrats to lower costs means that if the government shutdown continues into November, Minnesotans will no longer have access to SNAP, or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program known as LIHEAP. Nearly half a million Minnesota seniors, children, and working parents rely on SNAP to put food on their tables, and 125,000 Minnesotans rely on LIHEAP to heat their homes. Republicans are leaving Minnesota families out in the cold, all in the name of allowing health care premiums to soar. Republicans already cut 20,000 Minnesotans' access to SNAP when they passed their One Big Ugly Bill. Now they’re further threatening access to the programs people rely on to survive. This isn't new: In fact, President Trump proposed eliminating all funding for LIHEAP in his Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
MINNESOTA UPDATE
Meeting with MNsure CEO Libby Caulum & Minnesota Deputy Commerce Commissioner Julia Dreier
This week I also had a timely and important meeting with MNsure CEO Libby Caulum and Minnesota Department of Commerce Deputy Commissioner Julia Dreier to talk about what’s on everyone’s minds: the cost of health care. As open enrollment looms, insurers are setting their rates for next year, and as many of you have already realized, the price is going up – way up.
 Congresswoman McCollum (second from right) met with MNsure CEO Libby Caulum (center), Minnesota Department of Commerce Deputy Commissioner Julia Dreier (second from left), Pete Engler from MNsure (far left), and Sam Smith from the Department of Commerce (far right) on Friday.
This is because of the Trump administration's failure to renew the Affordable Care Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. President Trump and Republicans in Congress are saying that we have until December 31st to renew these credits, but that's not the truth. In my conversation with Libby and Julia, one thing was made clear: the time to act is now. If these tax credits are not renewed immediately, the entire individual insurance market will be impacted, and millions of Americans will be paying hundreds – if not thousands – more each year for coverage.
Democrats are ready to make this happen. We are here, in Washington, ready to negotiate with Republicans to save American’s health care. They must come to the table before it’s too late.
TLC for North Saint Paul’s William Sandberg Post Office
North Saint Paul residents shared concerns about the deteriorating condition of the North Saint Paul Post Office building during a recent visit to the community. I directed my staff to work with USPS leadership and local management to address the issue, and I’m pleased to share that prior to the shutdown, the facility received a much-needed refresh—bright new paint, improved signage, and an overall cleaner, more welcoming space for postal customers.
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Before and after photos taken at the North Saint Paul William Sandber Post Office demonstrate a cleaner, more welcoming post office with bright new white paint and improved signage.
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins This Week
Medicare Open Enrollment began on Wednesday and runs through December 7th, 2025. As you sign up for a plan, prepare for sticker shock due to major cost increases caused by the Big Ugly Law. Plans change, as do health needs, so it is important for Medicare beneficiaries to compare their 2026 plan options. Visit Medicare.gov, call Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) at 1-800-333-2433, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for free assistance.
Constituent Services Office Hours
In addition to serving constituents Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM at my Saint Paul office, my staff hosts 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, October 21st at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Visiting Washington, DC? Here's What's Still Open
My staff will continue work in both my Washington, DC and Saint Paul offices. I encourage you to still visit my Washington, DC office if you are in the Nation's Capitol in the near future. Please note that many things will be closed in Washington, D.C. during the government shutdown. This includes the Smithsonian Museums, which are closed for the duration of the shutdown. The Capitol Visitor Center is closed and tours are on pause until the end of the government shutdown.
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.
Park Closures in Minnesota due to the Government Shutdown
As Minnesota families hit the road for MEA break this weekend, my office has received questions about the impact of the Republican government shutdown on National Parks and Refuges, especially those in Minnesota. While some parks and refuges remain open with limited operations, many have reduced visit limits or closures to park facilities:
- Visitors to Voyageurs National Park can still access lakes and trails, but all visitor centers are closed and staff is extremely limited.
- The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness remains open to the public, but the ranger stations are closed. All permits will be self issued, and extra caution is necessary because there are no rangers.
- Closer to home, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is expected to remain open. However, rangers are not present.
- The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area park lands remain open, however, the visitor center is closed and the rangers are not working. The Mississippi Park Connection has canceled two upcoming events—The Big Sit on Saturday, October 11 and Hike with a Ranger: Fossil Day on Sunday, October 12.
- All activities to be held at indoor facilities at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge have been suspended. The We Are Water opening reception planned for Oct. 11 has been canceled. The Refuge's lands and trails remain open to visitors.
For more information on the status of other National Parks, read this article or visit nps.gov.
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
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