FEBRUARY 3, 2023

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

It’s been a big couple of weeks for the Boundary Waters! On Jan. 26, Sec. Deb Haaland signed a Public Land Order officially withdrawing more than 225,000 acres from mineral leasing – a move that will protect the Boundary Waters from the dangers of toxic sulfide-ore mining pollution and will preserve America’s most visited wilderness area for 20 years.

The freshwater in this area is pristine, and contamination from heavy metals and sulfuric acid from mine tailings would cause irreparable harm that would quickly spread through the Boundary Waters’ 1.1 million acres of interconnected lakes and streams. Once damaged, it cannot be restored.

I applaud Sec. Haaland for taking this enormous step in safeguarding the Boundary Waters. However, it could be reversed by another administration, which is why I reintroduced the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act this week to continue working to protect this national treasure in perpetuity.

Together, we’ll save these waters for generations to come. 

Appropriations Committee

It’s official: I am back to work on the House Appropriations Committee and looking forward to continue delivering for Minnesotans and all Americans by making strategic investments in our nation’s priorities. As the Ranking Democrat on the Defense Subcommittee, I’ll continue to invest resources in environmental remediation and combating climate change, as well as ensuring our U.S. service members have what they need to complete their missions and return safely home. My focus remains on keeping America safe, strong, and secure now and into the future.

I will also return to the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, prioritizing investments in Indian Country and protecting our clean air and water, our wilderness and public lands, and our nation’s natural treasures.

Read my full statement here.

Recently I convened the recipients of FY22 and FY23 Community Project Funding to celebrate and discuss the implementation of this federal funding.

Together, along with the Minnesota priorities I help fund through the regular Appropriations process, for the last two fiscal years I’ve been able to partner with local organizations to bring in $47 million for projects directly benefiting the Fourth District!

A New Extreme Majority Controls the U.S. House 

The American people elected each one of us to Congress to solve problems and improve lives. But instead of getting to work lowering costs or improving health care, House Republicans are using their month-old majority to cater to extreme MAGA priorities.

This week, I spoke out against two egregious resolutions they brought to the Floor.

As Minnesotans, we see Republicans’ removal of Rep. Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee for what it is: A petty political stunt that does nothing to help our constituents. Watch my Floor speech here in support of Rep. Omar.

And, Republicans brought to the Floor a resolution so poorly thrown together that it condemns socialism in all its forms—including important U.S. allies and friends that have mainstream socialist political parties, like Norway, Australia, and Sweden, among many others. Read my full Statement for the Congressional Record on why I voted no on H.Con.Res. 9.

The Violence Must Stop

Despite Republicans’ dismissal of bringing actual issues Americans care about up for a vote, there is work being done to help curb the scourge of gun violence amid recent mass shootings. I’m a cosponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban Act and Bipartisan Background Checks Act, both of which were recently reintroduced for this Congress.

We are not giving up on doing everything we can to keep our communities safe. 

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with your policy opinion or if you need help with a federal agency. Thank you for being an informed and engaged constituent.

Stay warm!

Sincerely,

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress