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DECEMBER 12, 2025
Dear Fourth District Constituent,
Before the last election, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans promised the American people that they would lower the cost of living. They failed. They passed their “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which has now become a very Big Ugly Law, taking away health care and food assistance for millions of Americans and extending massive, permanent tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and large corporations at a time when many Minnesotans are already struggling to afford their lives. To make matters worse, President Trump's tariffs are increasing prices for everyone. Remember: Tariffs are taxes on American consumers, and they're paid for by all of us. Earlier this week, I addressed the high cost of living and affordability crisis — and Trump's claim that high prices are a "Democrat hoax" — in a video on my YouTube Channel.
In a video posted earlier this week, Congresswoman McCollum spoke about price increases that Americans are facing as they shop for popular holiday gifts.
WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE
Time is Running Out to Fix the Republican Health Care Crisis
On December 31st, Affordable Care Act tax credits that help millions of Americans afford their premiums will expire. At a time when families are already dealing with a high cost of living, thousands of Minnesotans will be forced to go uninsured or make enormous sacrifices just to make ends meet. Millions of people are already one diagnosis away from bankruptcy, and millions more will soon experience the stress of knowing their inadequate coverage may not cover an expensive treatment.
President Trump and Congressional Republicans have just four legislative days to fix the health care crisis they created or they will drive up health care costs and reduce coverage for all Americans. Every House Democrat has signed a discharge petition to force House Republicans to vote on legislation that will extend these Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years. If just four Republicans show some courage and join us, the House will be able to pass this vital extension and stop premiums from skyrocketing.
House Democrats Win Vote Reversing Trump Attacks on Workers’ Rights
This week, House Democrats successfully forced a vote to fight Donald Trump’s attacks on workers’ rights to collectively bargain for safety and fair wages – and we won!
Using a discharge petition, a handful of Republicans joined every Democrat to overcome Speaker Johnson’s opposition and force a vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2550). In March, President Trump issued an executive order that stripped collective bargaining rights from nearly one million federal workers. The Protect America’s Workforce Act reverses Trump’s action and restores collective bargaining rights and union protections to federal workers.
In the final vote, the bill passed 231-195 with the support of all Democrats and 20 Republicans. While this legislation faces an uncertain outcome in the Senate, House Democrats will continue to stand with America's federal workers to protect the hard-fought union rights for all.
Meeting With Norwegian Delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly
This week I had the opportunity to meet with members of the Norwegian Parliament during their visit for the semi-annual NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Washington, D.C. As co-chair of the Friends of Norway Caucus, it was great to speak with the delegation about the U.S.-Norwegian relationship, NATO support for Ukraine, and Arctic defense policy. Our two countries are celebrating a milestone, with this year marking the 200th anniversary of the first Norwegians to immigrate to the United States. Minnesota has a proud legacy of Norwegian lineage, myself included, and I welcome the opportunity to grow and support this partnership through my work in Congress.
 From left to right: Norwegian Labor Party politician Rune Bakervik, Norwegian Progress Party MP Tor Mikkel Wara, Norwegian Labor Party politician Sverre Myrli, Congresswoman McCollum, Norwegian Leader of the Opposition and Progress Party Sylvi Listhaug, Friends of Norway Caucus co-chair Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Norwegian Conservative Party Leader Trond Helleland.
Why I Voted No on the National Defense Authorization Act
This week the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for 2026 (NDAA), the annual piece of legislation that sets policy for the Department of Defense. I voted no on this NDAA because it authorizes $8 billion in additional defense spending above what the Trump administration has requested for this fiscal year. While some NDAA provisions are improved from a previous partisan Republican version that the House passed in September, I still have concerns that this bill supports the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard on the U.S. Southern Border and does not do nearly enough to reign in President Trump’s recent military strikes in the Caribbean and South America. You can read my statement on my no vote here.
Meeting with Minnesota Immunologists
I also had the opportunity to meet with members of the American Association of Immunologists this week during their visit to Washington, D.C. I caught up with Dr. Stephen Jameson, a resident of the Fourth Congressional District, and heard about the exciting work he is doing at the University of Minnesota surrounding the regulation of the immune system and immune responses. We also talked about the importance of Congressional support for biomedical research and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). My conversation with Dr. Jameson and his colleagues made clear that investing in cutting edge immunology research is not only important to solving complex medical questions, but also to our national security.
Congresswoman McCollum spoke with members of the American Association of Immunologists on Tuesday.
Meeting with Minnesota Independent Pharmacists
Saint Paul Corner Drug Pharmacist John Hoeschen and Andrew Russell of Elko New Market Family Pharmacy visited my office during their trip to Washington, D.C. on Thursday. John and Andrew were in Washington as members of the Minnesota Independent Pharmacists, to share their perspective on how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are increasing costs for patients, and how Congress can help make prescription drug pricing fairer and more affordable, including by passing the Pharmacists Fight Back Act.
Congresswoman McCollum with John Hoeschen (left) of Saint Paul Corner Drug and Andrew Russell (right) of Elko New Market Family Pharmacy
MINNESOTA UPDATE
New Federal Office Will Partner With Minnesota Start Ups
On Friday, I attended the launch of the Defense Innovation Unit’s latest OnRamp Hub located in Saint Paul. This federal office focuses on fostering U.S. innovation and manufacturing to support U.S. national end economic security. That includes working with start-ups and small businesses to advance commercial technologies. Our region’s small businesses and our academic institutes will have a better opportunity to work on dual-use technologies like clean energy microgrids, biotechnology, telehealth systems with both military and civilian applications, and much more. This new Hub will mean more business for innovative companies and new national security jobs in Minnesota.
Big Changes for the Saint Paul Fire Department
On Tuesday, Mayor Carter proclaimed December 9, 2025, as Chief Barton “Butch” Inks Day in honor of the Fire Chief’s retirement after more than 40 years of steadfast service to the City of Saint Paul, including 31 years dedicated to public safety as a firefighter and Chief of the Saint Paul Fire Department.
Congresswoman McCollum spoke with Chief Inks during a visit to the new Station 7 on Saint Paul's East Side.
Since his appointment as Fire Chief in 2019, Chief Inks has overseen a period of progress and modernization for one of Minnesota’s busiest urban fire and emergency service agencies. It was an honor to partner with Chief Inks to secure over $1.6 million in federal funding towards the complete rebuilding of Saint Paul Fire Station 7 on the East Side, replacing a nearly century-old facility in the city’s highest call-volume area.
Also this week, Fire Station 3 on West 7th Street was re-opened after it was closed in 2010 – the very station at which Butch Inks took his first call as a Saint Paul firefighter. The reopening of Station 3 will improve response times for the surrounding area and is the first time a station has been added in the city in 67 years.
I have deep respect and admiration for Chief Inks’ work and dedication to public service and am grateful for his service. As he retires, I wish him well, along with his wife Erica and their four children.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
MNsure Open Enrollment
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?
If you will be in Washington, DC for the Holiday, give our office a call at 202-225-6631 and we will arrange a Capitol Tour for your. I highly recommend checking out the Botanic Garden "Season's Greenings: Dino-Mite!" 2025 holiday exhibit, as well as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
After a months-long closure, the White House visitors office recently announced they again will offer tours. Availability of tours is extremely limited. If you will be in Washington, DC 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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