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NOVEMBER 26, 2025
Dear Fourth District Constituent,
Happy Thanksgiving! Because of the holiday, I'm sharing this newsletter with you early this week. I’m grateful to be back in Minnesota to meet with constituents, enjoy the beauty of our first snow of the season, and celebrate Thanksgiving – even if I’m not so grateful for the longer lines and higher prices at the grocery store this year!
Thanksgiving is a cherished time, giving us the opportunity to pause and share our gratitude for the people around us. I'm grateful for the honor of representing you in Congress, and using my voice and my vote to advocate for Minnesota’s values. Thank you to the nearly 200,000 of you who have been sharing your stories in calls, emails, and letters throughout the year.
I'm grateful for your engagement and your encouragement, and I’m wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving as you gather with family, friends, and loved ones this week!
MINNESOTA UPDATE
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
Each November, our nation recognizes the ongoing contributions and resilience of the First Americans during Native American Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures of Native people across the United States and to honor the role that sovereign tribal governments play in making our country great. The eleven Ojibwe and Dakota nations in Minnesota are a vital part of our state’s heritage and our future. The new Tribal Flag Plaza on our state capitol grounds is a historic commitment to recognize the original governments of this land and the thriving nations they still represent.
Via Tim Evans for MPR News: Tribal flags for six of the 11 tribal nations of Minnesota who will be permanently recognized at the State Capitol grounds wave during the Tribal Flag Plaza flag-raising ceremony in Saint Paul.
It is an honor to collaborate with tribal leaders on issues including restoring trust land, upholding treaty rights to fish and gather, and on major national legislation to better meet our federal trust responsibility, uphold tribal sovereignty, and support Native families. Meeting the needs for health, education, public safety, and food security of Native Americans is our federal treaty commitment. As we near the end of this month that celebrates the heritage and resilience of our Native American brothers and sisters, we must carry forward the commitment to strengthen our nation-to-nation relationship, honor our treaty commitments, and ensure that tribal sovereignty is respected. Read my full statement here.
Standing With Minnesotans Amid Trump's Threats Against Our Somali Community
Late last Friday night, Donald Trump hurled ugly social media attacks against Minnesota’s Somali community. On Monday I joined elected leaders and Somali Minnesotans in the State Capitol rotunda to stand up for our Minnesota values and our vibrant immigrant communities. My message was clear: An attack against one of us is an attack on all of us. Click the video below to view my comments or click here to read my full remarks.
Recognizing World AIDS Day with Clare Housing Collaborative
On Monday, December 1st, we will recognize World AIDS Day, which honors the more than 40 million people around the world living with HIV, including one million living in the United States. This week, I appreciated the opportunity to meet with leaders from Clare Housing Collaborative, which creates and provides affordable supportive housing for people living with HIV.
Phoebe Trepp, Executive Director, Clare Housing; Congresswoman McCollum; Annie Handford, constituent; David Rosenbloom, constituent; and Madeleine Hammerlund, MN HIV Housing Systems Advocate, Clare Housing.
They shared part of a digital quilt display made by Clare Housing residents to honor and amplify the voices of Minnesotans living with HIV. My Saint Paul office will host this display through next week. Treatment and prevention are effective – and we cannot afford to roll back the lifesaving progress that we've made. While House Republicans’ appropriations bills makes deep cuts to HIV/AIDS programs and eliminates HIV/AIDS research and supports, I remain committed to ensuring that the United States does not back down in the fight against this disease.
Trump’s Tariffs are Increasing the Cost Everything, Including Thanksgiving Dinner
Donald Trump promised to lower costs on Day One. Instead, Americans have experienced rising prices, economic chaos, and uncertainty since the President took office. Meanwhile, he handed out permanent tax cuts for millionaires, billionaires, and large corporations while refusing to provide even a temporary extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits that help Americans afford their health care. While the President claims to put "America First," he gave a $40 BILLION handout to Argentina at a time when he and Republicans in Congress have stripped health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans who are struggling to pay for food, health care, housing, insurance, and heating for their homes. And Trump’s tariffs are taxes on Americans. We are literally paying the price of his taxes in higher costs for our Thanksgiving meals.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Medicare and MNsure Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment is underway through December 7th, 2025. 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.
Take the time to dive into what's covered. Plans may be more expensive and cover less.
Open enrollment through MNsure began November 1st and runs through January 15th, 2026. For coverage starting January 1, 2026, enroll by December 15th. Visit mnsure.org or call 651-539-2099 or 855-366-7873 to shop and compare health insurance plans for next year. As you sign up for a plan, prepare for sticker shock due to major cost increases caused by the Big Ugly Law. Look at plan options early so you can make the right decision for your health care needs. MNsure also provides free assistance and enrollment events across the state for anyone in need.
Visiting Washington, DC?
After a months-long closure, the White House visitors office recently announced they will offer White House holiday tours. Availability of tours is extremely limited. If you will be in Washington, DC for the holidays and would like to request one of these tours, please fill out this form. There is no guarantee that space will be available.
You can also request tours of the Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and the FBI Visitor Center with the link above. My staff is always happy to provide Capitol tours for constituents and arrange for these other tours.
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Thank you to everyone who's shared their health care stories with me. If you are impacted by Republicans' cuts to health care, food assistance, or other actions by the Trump administration and Congress, I want to hear about it. Please contact my office directly at (651) 224-9191 or click here to share your story.
Your voice matters and I humbly ask you to share your story with me. Your voice empowers my vote in Congress.
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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