Congresswoman Betty McCollum

President Trump told the American people that he wanted to be a dictator on day one. Now in office, he and his administration are making good on that promise with illegal and unconstitutional actions that directly threaten Americans’ economic, personal, and national security.

While Pres. Trump is fighting his illegal war in Iran, he wants Congress to spend $125 million to rename the Dept. of Defense to the “Dept. of War.” As families struggle to afford gas, groceries, health care, and housing, he is showing how out of touch he is with Americans.

Research shows climate change fueled larger Boundary Waters wildfires this summer. Minnesotans are tired of days of hazardous smoke-filled air and adverse health effects. Congress must act to stop the worst consequences of climate change - before it’s too late!

Saint Paul is a community where neighbors look out for one another. When someone goes above and beyond to protect public safety, it’s important to recognize it! We are grateful for the courageous actions by Ebro Ahmed to save school children and nearby pedestrians.

The Clean Air Act was created to protect Americans from pollution. Congress must investigate why Pres. Trump has issued more than 200 waivers to polluters that emit cancer-causing gases. Trump seems more concerned with his donors’ profits than our communities’ health.

If you’re enrolled in VA healthcare and have received care from a VA or in-network community provider within the past 24 months, you can receive a free flu and Covid-19 vaccination. Read more about this program and find a location near you:

Halloween is approaching and the Royal Oaks neighborhood in Woodbury has undertaken a spooky transformation! The Haunted Oaks is open to the public every evening until 9 pm through Halloween. Learn more about this festive neighborhood tradition here:

#MN04 middle and high schoolers: There is less than two days left to submit your app to the #CongressionalAppChallenge! Submissions are due Monday, October 26ths at 9:00 PM ET. For rules and more details visit below.

Congratulations to Saint Paul residents as they celebrate the newly built Kellogg-3rd Street Bridge. Thank you to everyone involved in making this vital connection between downtown and the East Side safe and accessible.

This week, a quick-thinking Saint Paul man acted to save the lives of 18 school children and nearby pedestrians when he saw a bus driver having a medical emergency. Thank you to Ebro Ahmed for your selfless act!

On Wednesday, I held a discussion with immunization leaders on recent changes to federal vaccine policy. Misinformation on vaccines is coming from the highest levels of our government, if you have questions, ask your physician, or ask your school nurse. Remember, it’s not too late to vaccinate!

A new report shows that Pres. Trump’s health care cuts are undoing years of progress, sending costs spiraling and limiting access for Americans. The most disastrous cuts from their One Big Beautiful Bill haven’t even gone into effect yet. Congress must act to stop these Republican cuts.

Pres. Trump wants to meet with Russian Pres. Putin and Chinese Pres. Xi to carve up Ukraine, which only rewards Russia’s illegal war against the country. Ukraine is a sovereign democracy, and Trump has no right bargain away its future to Russia.

The Trump admin is trying to erase parts of our nation they don’t like by ripping out signs at Acadia National Park explaining its significance to the Wabanaki people. National parks belong to all of us. Congress must hold this admin accountable for its insult to Native Americans.

Yesterday, Israel arrested peaceful volunteers protecting Palestinians harvesting olives in the West Bank. The detained included U.S. rabbis and a former NYC Comptroller. While volunteers have now been freed, Israel’s government must be held accountable for their drastic act.

Congratulations to the University of St. Thomas on opening the Center for Microgrid Research! This investment from the DoD will keep MN at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation by driving advanced dual-use research and supporting students with hands on experience.

Sec. Kennedy’s efforts to undercut vaccines are dangerous and causing real harm to Minnesotans. Today, I met with health leaders to hear how Trump administration changes to vaccine policy are impacting our state. Watch the full discussion here:

Reminder: In one hour, I’m leading a discussion with local health leaders on how recent changes to federal vaccine policy are impacting Minnesota. The discussion begins at 1 p.m., you can watch live here:

Pres. Trump is driving constant chaos to distract from his policy failures that are costing you every day. Trump’s illegal war in Iran, tariff taxes, and Big Beautiful Bill are raising the cost of health care, gas, groceries, housing, and more. Congress must act to stop it.

Pres. Trump and Elon Musk spent a week refusing to admit who’s blocking Starshield from Ukraine. Now it’s clear – Musk ordered it and Trump knew. Why is an unelected, unaccountable billionaire calling the shots on U.S. foreign policy? Americans and Congress deserve answers.

President Trump promised to lower your costs, but since he took office, the average household in Minnesota’s 4th District is paying $5,000 more for essentials like gas, housing, healthcare, and food. Republican policies are driving up costs and making life more difficult for Minnesotans.

Reminder: On Wed. at 1PM, I’m leading a discussion with local health leaders on how recent changes to federal vaccine policy are impacting Minnesota. Watch this discussion live:

Sec. Hegseth is preventing our European allies from transferring critical defensive missile interceptors to Ukraine which can defend against Russian missiles and drones. Blocking defensive munitions does nothing to stop this conflict, it only emboldens Putin’s aggression.

It’s flu season, and it’s more important than ever to keep yourself and your community safe with a yearly flu shot. On Wed. at 1PM, I’m meeting with health leaders to hear how recent changes to federal vaccine policy are impacting Minnesota. Watch this discussion live:

Pres. Trump's war in Iran and tariff taxes are driving up Minnesotan’s food costs, while his cuts to SNAP are leaving more families without access to food aid. Our community food shelves are being strained like never before as they work to keep families from going hungry.

“This literally is the first time I’ve heard of this” isn’t an acceptable response from J.D. Vance on the Trump admin’s failure to protect our servicemembers. Master Sgt. Nicole Amor and her family deserves answers. All of our fallen heroes, our wounded, and their families deserve far better.

President Trump’s record of chaos and incompetence now includes firing his new press secretary after only 5 days on the job. If he can’t vet basic qualifications for his own staff, how can anyone trust him to do anything to bring down the cost of living?

I stand with the people of Alberta and our Canadian allies following this weekend’s tragic fire at CFB Wainwright. The catastrophic fire resulted in the deaths of 4 Canadian servicemembers and injuries to 39 more. I’m grieving for the families, friends, and colleagues of our fallen Canadian allies.

There are nine days left to submit your app for the MN-04 Congressional App Challenge! The competition is open to all middle and high schoolers who attend a school or live in the Fourth District. To learn more visit below.

The Ramsey County Library – Maplewood is hosting a Cyber Hygiene & Everyday Cybersecurity event on Wednesday, October 21st at 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM to raise community awareness on cybersecurity and ways to keep personal information safe.

The 2026 Saint Paul Fall Art Crawl is happening now through October 18th! The Art Crawl is a free, citywide event allowing community members to explore studios, galleries, meet artists, watch live demos, and more. For events near you visit ⬇️

President Trump’s war of choice in Iran has left us with no choice but to pay a lot more at the gas pump. According to GasBuddy, for the first time ever, gas has been over $4/gal for 158 days.

I am devastated to hear about another senseless school shooting in Bend, Oregon. My heart is with the victims, their families, and their classmates. Congress must take action to end our nation’s gun violence epidemic.

60 years ago today, Pres. Johnson signed the National Historic Preservation Act into law, helping preserve our cultural heritage and protect Tribal Nations’ sacred places and ancestral lands. The work to preserve our history continues, and I’ll keep fighting for it in Congress.

New polling shows two-thirds of Minnesotans oppose mining near America’s most visited wilderness area. Congress needs to pass H.R. 588, my bill to permanently protect the Boundary Waters from efforts by Pres. Trump to open this fragile watershed to toxic copper-nickel mining.

The American people have spoken. For once Pres. Trump listened, and is stopping Sec. Hegseth’s disturbing plan to livestream the execution of Maj. Nidal Hasan. As I’ve said since his nomination, Hegseth is unfit to lead the Dept. of Defense. He shows us why every day.

Today, I heard how SNAP cuts in Pres. Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act are literally taking food off the tables of Minnesota seniors, children, and working parents. In Congress, I’m working to restore respect and dignity for struggling families by reversing these damaging cuts.

I join millions of Americans in wishing Pope Leo XIV a full and speedy recovery from his recently diagnosed lung cancer. I’m grateful to hear that his surgery was successful, and I am hopeful for his return to good health.

Tomorrow at 11AM I will host a discussion with SNAP beneficiaries, leaders from local government, non-profits, and campus food pantry staff to highlight how Trump’s cruel cuts to SNAP are impacting Minnesotans. Watch on my YouTube channel:

Pres. Trump’s illegal Russian diesel deal will fail to bring down prices. Congress banned Russian oil after the country invaded Ukraine in 2022. Diesel prices are sky high, because of Trump’s war of choice in Iran. If he wants to lower fuel prices, he should end his war.

This weekend, the Pentagon quietly raised the number of American servicemembers killed in the Iran War to 21 and wounded to 865. This outrageous distortion of the true consequences of Pres. Trump’s disastrous war must be fully investigated by Congress.

For years, Pres. Trump and MAGA Republicans have attacked Somali Americans, including Rep. Ilhan Omar. Trump’s use of federal law enforcement to escalate these attacks just 22 days before the Nov. 3 elections reeks of political intimidation designed to influence the election.

Today we honor those who were here before the United States and the State of Minnesota even existed. Their history must be told and recognized today for their environmental stewardship and their culture. Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!

Stillwater Public Library is hosting a Youth Mystery Writing Contest to showcase young writers ages 8-12. Award-winning author Rebecca Ansari will offer feedback on contestant submissions. Entries are due Friday, October 9th.

Pres. Trump’s Dept. of Homeland Security paid half a billion dollars for a private prison in Minnesota – even though it’s worth much less. Is it because its owners are mega donors to Trump and Republicans? Congress must investigate this deal to protect American taxpayers.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Recent cyberattacks of Minnesota water systems are a warning: we must stay vigilant and support communities and train more cyber professionals, through programs like Metro State’s Cyber Institute.

Thanks to Mr. Erickson’s Como Park Senior High class for inviting me for a great visit today about so many issues, including education, environment, and immigration! For 20 years, it’s been a pleasure to meet Mr. Erickson’s students in Washington, DC on their annual visits.