DECEMBER 19, 2025

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Happy Hanukkah! I hope that the final weeks of 2025 bring joy, warmth, and quality time together with you and your loved ones.

The official 2025 U.S. House menorah photographed in the Rayburn room of the U.S. Capitol.

This week in Washington, four Republicans joined every Democrat on our discharge petition to force a vote on a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, which would help millions of Americans afford their health care. While it's a step in the right direction, it's too little, too late. To make matters worse, Speaker Johnson didn’t immediately schedule a vote on this legislation, which now has the support of 218 House members – a majority. Speaker Johnson sent the House home for the year early -- choosing to delay action until January 2026 – after the tax credits expire. This guarantees that millions of Americans will not be able to afford the health insurance they need next year. Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are still celebrating passage of their Big Ugly Law, which strips away health care and food assistance for millions of Americans to make room for massive, permanent tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and large corporations. Meanwhile Trump and Republicans refuse to take action to help millions of Americans afford their health care by extending these these tax credits.

While Americans face a growing health care crisis created by Republicans, we are receiving more troubling news about the economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau have released delayed jobs data for October and November that raised several concerns about the economy. The unemployment rate has risen to a four-year high of 4.6%, as the economy lost 41,000 jobs from October through November. Trump-induced federal job cuts and losses in manufacturing positions have impacted Black Americans in particular. These mass layoffs are rippling across the economy and have led to a surge in unemployment among Black Americans to 8.3%.

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

 

Talking on C-SPAN's Washington Journal

On Thursday morning, I spoke to Mimi Geerges on C-SPAN's Washington Journal program to discuss President Trump's address to the nation, the House vote on the discharge petition to enact a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, and the need for Congress to restrict President Trump's illegal military actions in Venezuela and the Caribbean. Click the preview below or watch the full segment on my YouTube Channel.

 

Mimi Geerges (left) interviewed Congresswoman McCollum (right) on Thursday morning to discuss the latest developments in Washington, D.C.

 

Voting to Restrict the Trump Administration's Illegal Military Activity near Venezuela in the Caribbean

On Wednesday, I voted in favor of two War Powers Resolutions to restrict the Trump Administration's illegal military actions in South America. The first resolution would direct the withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere. The second would direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress. Both measures failed as the majority of Republican voted to side with the Trump administration’s unauthorized actions.

 

The Trump Administration is engaged in a campaign of extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean, and it needs to end immediately. None of the Trump Administration’s military actions in the Caribbean or South America have been authorized by Congress, and both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have called on the administration to stop. I do not believe that engaging in military action in the Caribbean or conducting a regime change war in Venezuela is in the national security interests of the United States. If President Trump disagrees, then he must cease his unlawful actions, follow the Constitution, and ask Congress to formally authorize his military actions. Click here to read my full statement for the record.

 

Meeting with International Fund for Animal Welfare

This week I was pleased to welcome Danielle Kessler, Director of International Fund for Animal Welfare U.S., to my Washington, D.C. office. As one of the co-chairs of the bipartisan International Conservation Caucus, I’ve worked with IFAW for years on wildlife conservation, and they are vital partners in combating wildlife trafficking, preserving critical habitat, and supporting species recovery across the globe. They also do valuable work here at home to help communities save pets and wildlife displaced in natural disasters and to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife that has been injured, orphaned, or seized from traffickers.

 

From left to right: Danielle Kessler, IFAW US Director; Jenn Place, TGA; Congresswoman McCollum; Katie Seaberg, IFAW Campaign Associate; and Annie Toro, TGA.

House Republicans Vote to Fast-Track Fossil Fuel Projects
Over the last two weeks, my Republican colleagues have passed a slate of extreme, partisan permitting bills that would gut protections and fast-track fossil fuel projects, restrict communities’ ability to challenge harmful development, and undermine clean energy development. These bills do no exist in a vacuum. We are considering these bills in the wake of President Trump canceling over $7.5 billion in grants for 223 clean energy projects, including over $714 million in funding for Minnesota.

If Republicans want to have a serious discussion about permitting reform, then let’s talk about how President Trump is weaponizing the existing permitting process to freeze the approval of permits for onshore wind and solar projects, leaving thousands of megawatts of clean power in limbo at a time when demand for electricity is skyrocketing. If Republicans succeed in getting these bills signed into law and gutting protections for our communities and environment, it will mean that oil and gas companies have an easier pathway to polluting the land, air, and water we all rely on. You can read my full statements on these bills on my website. 

 

 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

 

DNR Purchases Northern Minnesota Forestland

Minnesotans just gained collective ownership of 16,000 acres of forest lands in the Northland thanks to the joint efforts of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Department of Natural Resources, and multiple counties. For years, I’ve worked with colleagues across the aisle with TNC on the original purchase of the Potlatch Corporation timber lands. Now, Minnesotans have stepped up to protect these lands and waters for future generations with support from the state's Legacy Outdoor Heritage Fund. Keeping these working forests in state hands will protect our economy, our clean water, our public recreation, and our environment.

State Representative Samakab Hussein Hosting Meeting on Community Safety

In recent weeks, masked, unidentified federal agents have carried out racially motivated stops and arrests on our streets, unlawfully targeting residents based on their appearance, including American citizens. The Trump administration’s actions have raised serious concerns about public safety and civil rights in our communities. In response to these outrageous, violent, and illegal actions against our neighbors, Representative Samakab Hussein will host a town hall meeting on Monday, December 22nd, from 6:30–7:30 PM at the Frogtown Community Center, 230 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN 55103. Pre-registration is not required, but capacity is limited.

 

Twin Cities Holiday Celebrations 

This weekend, come out and celebrate the vibrant holiday events around our East Metro communities at these family-friendly events:

• Union Depot European Christmas Market: This beautiful outdoor market in downtown Saint Paul hosts 70 vendors with offerings of Scandinavian, German, and Eastern European souvenirs, crafts, and ornaments. Entertainment includes live music, food, dancing, choirs, and carolers. Open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 21st. Learn more here.
• The City of Oakdale’s Winter Wonderland: The city of Oakdale is once again hosting its winter wonderland event this Saturday, December 20th at 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The Winter Wonderland offers a variety of winter activities for all ages at the Oakdale Nature Preserve and Discovery Center, including a visit with Santa, bonfire and s’mores, a petting zoo, face painting, and breakfast and lunch. Please plan ahead as parking is limited at the center. Learn more here.
• Stillwater's Furry Friends Weekend: On Saturday, December 20th at 10:00 AM until noon, the City of Stillwater will host a festive pet parade on the historic Main Street. Bring a fury friend in their festive outfit for a chance to win a grand prize. Activities include a festive photo booth for you and your companion, and a goodie bag for you and your little buddy. Learn more here.
• 3rd Annual Festival of Trees: The 3rd Annual Festival of Trees hosted by the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society is almost over. You and your loved ones can stroll and be immersed in the holiday spirit the decorated trees. Open on Saturday December 20th at 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Learn more here.
• Holiday Craft Party at Arlington Hills: The city of Saint Paul is hosting a holiday craft event on Saturday, December 20th at 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. A festive class for all ages, offering to teach you and loved ones how to make a garland, an ornament, and other creative holiday decorations to take home. Learn more here.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

MNsure Open Enrollment

Open enrollment through MNsure began November 1st and runs through January 15th, 2026. For coverage starting February 1, 2026, enroll by January 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 Curt Gray from Stillwater for sharing his story on his rising health care costs due to inaction from Donald Trump and Republicans.

 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 empowers my vote in Congress.
I encourage you to share your stories with me.

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