DECEMBER 5, 2025

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Since long before statehood, Minnesota has been the homeland of the Dakota and Anishinaabe people. Today, their 11 sovereign Minnesota Tribes ensure the well-being of American Indian citizens throughout the state. Minnesota is also the proud home of hundreds of thousands of immigrants. In the early 1800s, migrants from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Ireland flocked to Minnesota seeking farmland and economic opportunity. Decades later, immigrants from other parts of Europe sought safety and opportunity through mining, manufacturing, farming, and more — literally building the state we now enjoy. Following the Vietnam War, Minnesota became the new home of thousands of Hmong and Lao veterans who served alongside American troops during the Secret War in Laos.

Three decades ago, Minnesota began welcoming Somali refugees fleeing violence at the start of the Somali civil war. In the years since, Somali immigrants and their children have made tremendous contributions to our state. This week, Minnesotans rallied together as Donald Trump directed vile attacks at our state and our immigrant communities. Somali Americans are a valued part of our community. President Trump calling fellow human beings “garbage” is not only beneath the Oval Office but calls into question Trump’s capacity to serve all Americans. His ugly attacks on the Somali community do not reflect the views of our state, nor the reality of the contributions Somalis make every day. They are elected officials at the federal, state and local levels. They are business leaders, teachers, nurses, ride share drivers, neighbors, and friends. We will not be divided. We are One Minnesota.

 

WASHINGTON, DC UPDATE

 

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting 

Every year, the United Stated Capitol welcomes a tree from a National Forest across the country to stand on the West Lawn during the Christmas season, highlighting the bounty of our public lands and bringing light to the darkest month of the year. This year, a beautiful red fir called “Silver Belle” was brought from the Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada to stand at the head of the national mall overlooking the Capitol and the Washington Monument. Silver Belle stands 53 feet tall and is decorated with over 5,000 handmade ornaments from the people of Nevada.

 

Silver Belle, the U.S. Capitol's Christmas tree for the year 2025, stands at the base of the U.S. Capitol on the West Lawn.

 

Advancing Mental Health Equality with NAMI Minnesota

National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI) is a source of education, support, and advocacy for people living with mental illness and for their loved ones. It was a pleasure to welcome their new Executive Director Marcus Schmit to my office for a meeting this Wednesday.

 

Congresswoman McCollum met with NAMI Executive Director Marcus Schmit on Wednesday. 

 

We discussed the need to build a better mental health system for all in Minnesota and extending tax credits for Obamacare plans to make health care—which includes mental health care—more affordable. NAMI is also working to champion federal legislation to install suicide prevention nets and barriers on our bridges and structures, and to help meet the needs for mental health services in our communities with peer support specialists, and I am a proud cosponsor of those efforts.

 

Meeting with the Minnesota Catholic Conference 

On Thursday, I met with Jason Adkins, Executive Director and General Counsel of Minnesota Catholic Conference. We talked about our shared priority of ensuring every American has access to safe, affordable housing — a goal which will require our country to build millions of new housing units across the nation. Mr. Adkins also mentioned the importance of reducing administrative delays for religious workers' visas.

 

Jason Adkins, Executive Director and General Counsel of Minnesota Catholic Conference, visits with Congresswoman McCollum during a visit to her Washington, DC office. 

 

 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

 

Businesses are Raising Prices due to Tariffs

This year, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress delivered more than $1 TRILLION in permanent tax breaks for them and their millionaire and billionaire friends in their Big Ugly Law. Meanwhile, Middle Class Americans and small business owners are struggling under the weight of Trump’s reckless and chaotic tariffs. Remember: Tariffs are taxes, and they're paid by all of us.

 

 

A new study conducted by Harvard researchers confirmed what many of us knew all along: Businesses that are impacted most by tariffs are raising the price of their products and cutting job openings. Like many of you, I've experienced these higher prices at the grocery store, at the coffee shop, and when I'm shopping at Target. 

 

Constituent Service Office Hours 

In addition to serving constituents Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM at my Saint Paul office, my staff hosts neighborhood office hours at a variety of locations across the Fourth District. Members of my staff will be available to meet with constituents seeking casework assistance on Tuesday, December 9th at 10AM-12PM at Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN 55113. 

 

Family-Friendly Fun in the East Metro this Weekend 

Come out and celebrate the holiday season this weekend at family-friendly events here in the East Metro! Union Depot will be a hub for holiday events held through December 21st, including the European Christmas Market and North Pole Express. Click here to view a full list of events at Union Depot. In addition to events taking place at Union Depot, the city of Mounds View will host a community meal and world cultures day event to celebrate its diverse populations and provide a bridge between the city staff and residents to foster open dialogue and community trust. The event will take place on Monday, December 8th at 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Mermaid Entertainment Center.

 

 

NEWS YOU CAN USE

 

Medicare and MNsure Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment is underway through this Sunday December 7th, 2025. Plans change, as do health needs, so it is important for Medicare beneficiaries to compare their 2026 plan options. Visit Medicare.gov, call Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) at 1-800-333-2433, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for free assistance.

Take the time to dive into what's covered. Plans may be more expensive and cover less.

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? 
After a months-long closure, the White House visitors office recently announced they will offer White House holiday tours. Availability of tours is extremely limited. If you will be in Washington, DC for the holidays 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