FEBRUARY 6, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

This week I voted against continuing to fund the Department of Homeland Security without real oversight and constraints on ICE and Border Patrol. I cannot in good conscience support additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security at a time when ICE and Border Patrol agents are routinely violating Minnesotans’ constitutional rights. Minnesotans are being racially profiled on a mass scale, assaulted on the streets, and kidnapped from their homes. Peaceful demonstrators are being threatened and detained for exercising their First Amendment rights. Two American citizens were killed on our streets by DHS agents. This is not the America we learned about in civics class. This is the behavior of a dictatorship. We are One Minnesota. We will continue to stand up for our rights.

Visit my website to read my full press statement following the vote, as well as my statement for the record. 

Congresswoman McCollum voiced her strong opposition to funding for the Department of Homeland Security during a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Visit from University of Saint Thomas Students

On Tuesday, I met with Political Science and International Studies seniors from the University of St. Thomas, as well as their professor, Dr. Renee Buhr. The group traveled out to Washington, DC to give the students a better understanding of the career paths they could pursue after graduation. During our conversation, I shared what it’s like to work in a Congressional office, the unique perspective it offers on the legislative process, and how that experience can serve as a launching pad for a wide range of careers. I'm excited about the optimism and hope displayed by these future young leaders.

Congresswoman McCollum met with University of Saint Thomas students led by UST Professor Dr. Buhr on Tuesday.

Welcoming Minnesota's College and University Presidents to Washington, D.C. 

The higher education institutions in Minnesota’s 4th District play a vital role in our communities, and I was delighted to welcome the presidents of several private colleges and universities into my office during their D.C. visit this week. We discussed Congress’s bipartisan rejection of President Trump’s proposed cuts to student financial aid programs, and the risk that proposed federal regulations could pose to support for graduate students in fields like nursing and engineering. I could not be prouder of the diverse and collaborative network of higher education institutions I represent, and the work they are doing to support their students, our workforce, and our neighborhoods.

From left to right: Rob Vischer, President of the University of Saint Thomas; Brian Friedrich, President of Concordia University-Saint Paul; Mayme Hostetter, President of Hamline University; Suzanne Rivera, President of Macalester College; Congresswoman McCollum.

Meeting with University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham
University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham also visited my office on Tuesday to share updates about how the University is growing, including long-awaited upgrades planned for the Saint Paul campus. I'm working to secure federal funds to support these projects and other critical education and research at UMN.

Japanese Embassy's Congressional Minister Ken Ono 

On Wednesday, I had the honor of welcoming Japanese Congressional Minister Ken Ono from the Embassy of Japan to my DC office. During our meeting, we talked about the shared values of Japan and the United States, and strengthening our bilateral relationship. We also discussed the importance of our alliance as China shows increasing aggression in the region. I look forward to working with Minister Ono to continue strengthening the relationship between our two countries.

Congresswoman McCollum met with Congressional Minister Ken Ono from the Embassy of Japan this week in her Washington, DC office.

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Minnesota Welcomes Home 5-Year-Old Liam and His Father
This week a federal judge ordered the release of five-year-old Liam Ramos and his father Adrian from a Texas detention facility. I thank my colleague Joaquin Castro (D-TX) who assisted them and accompanied them on their flight back to Minnesota, where they have an active asylum case. Liam and his father should never have been detained and flown to Texas. Sadly, their fight is not over. On Friday the Trump administration filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for Liam and his family, according to their lawyer. I thank all of you who are loudly raising your voices to seek an end to the Trump administration's cruelty.   

Five-year-old Liam Ramos checks out the Delta airplane cockpit ahead of his flight back to Minnesota.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Know your Rights 

Thank you to Attorney General Ellison for his dedication to defending the rights of Minnesotans. As you continue to protest peacefully, I wanted to share some valuable resources that AG Ellison has put together. Here is the Know Your Rights with ICE page. This page provides informational so that Minnesota organizations—like hospitals, shelters, and houses of worship—can continue to provide safe and welcoming environments for everyone they serve. AG Ellison has also put together a Federal Action Reporting Form. Here, Minnesotans can report incidents or effects related to or caused by recent federal actions in Minnesota.

Black History Month Brings Free, Family-Friendly Events Across the East Metro
On Saturday, February 7th the African Museum, Arts & Cultural Center in the Little Africa Plaza will be a Black History Month Art Exhibition starting at 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Commemorating black history as a living and ongoing endeavor. Providing a meet and greet with African American artists whose work through painting, photography, and mixed media reflects on their varied lived experiences. Learn more here.

The Saint Paul Public Library is inviting the public to participate in their three- part event series commemorating 100-years of Black History commemorations in the U.S. Led by Black artists, historians, community leaders, and library staff sharing their knowledge in Black history, culture, and their lived experience. The first event is a Black History Month Doc-N-Dine featuring filmmaker and educator Mr. Derek Francis starting Thursday February 19, 2026. Learn more here.

Congratulations to Mahtomedi High School, whose theater department is competing in the MSHSL 2026 One Act Play State Festival. Find more information at MSHSL.

The IRS is Now Accepting 2025 Federal Tax Returns

Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit is recommended by the IRS as the fastest and safest way to receive a refund. Eligible taxpayers can get help and file for free. For more information on filing federal tax returns, click here. For information about free tax preparation, click here.

If you plan to use a tax professional to prepare and file your tax returns, the IRS encourages you to review tips for choosing a tax preparer.

Be careful to avoid tax scams and people impersonating the IRS. Here are some tips to avoid scams.

I-94 Closure Planned for February 6th-8th

Should weather permit, workers will begin work on February 6th to set beams for the new Kellogg Blvd/3rd Street bridge construction. The area closed will include both Eastbound and Westbound lanes. Westbound will be closed between Highway 61/Mounds Blvd. and Highway 52/Lafayette Freeway. Eastbound will be closed Highway 52/Lafayette Freeway to Highway 61. Both lanes will be closed at 10:00 PM. For detours and more information check here.  

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

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. 

If cuts to SNAP have left you or your family food insecure, click here for information on food shelves in the East Metro. 

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