JANUARY 16, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Minnesotans are under an invasion and occupation by President Trump's deployment of 3,000 ICE and DHS agents in our state. I'm so proud of our neighbors who are responding honorably by caring for one another and speaking out through peaceful protest. We must remain united in stopping the Trump Administration's actions that are aimed at sowing chaos and division.

At all levels of government, Democrats are taking action to defend our state from the Trump Administration's occupation of Minnesota. I stand with Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and other local officials, who on Monday took action to defend Minnesotans from President Trump's federal invasion of our state by suing the Department of Homeland Security to end DHS and ICE's illegal operations in Minnesota. In Washington, I'm also co-sponsoring articles of impeachment against Secretary Noem and speaking out about Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. Additionally, while it appears that a reported Department of Homeland Security plan for a detention facility in Woodbury may be off the table for now, I am continuing to demand answers about this inhumane plan.

Like many of you, I was also alarmed to learn that honorable career professionals in the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office are being pressured by the Trump administration to investigate the widow of Renee Good, rather than the ICE agent who fatally shot her. Renee Good, her family, and our state deserve justice through an impartial investigation free from interference from Trump. The mass resignations at the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's office are indicative of deeply concerning efforts by the Trump Administration to interfere in what should be an independent investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions into this killing.

Today, twenty-eight of my U.S. House Democratic colleagues, including Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig, Ranking Member Pramila Jayapal, and I co-hosted a field hearing, Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Deadly Assault on Minnesota, at the Minnesota Senate Building. Witnesses testified about trauma, family separation, and constitutional violations caused by the Trump administration’s immigration abuses.

I demand that DHS and ICE immediately cease all operations in Minnesota, allow local officials to focus on community safety, and conduct a full, transparent investigation into ICE’s conduct that is causing violence in our communities, constitutional violations, and the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by a federal agent.

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should be Fired or Impeached 

We all know that Trump will never fire Kristi Noem. That's why I support impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate for her obstruction of Congress and violation of the public trust. The appalling conduct at ICE and DHS starts with its leadership. Kristi Noem needs to go. Click here to read my full statement.

In addition to being an original co-sponsor of articles of impeachment against Secretary Noem, I also sent her a letter this week demanding answers about her department's plans to develop an ICE detention facility in Woodbury. You can read my full statement here.

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber Introduces Legislation that Poses an Enormous Threat to the Boundary Waters 

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is not only a national treasure — it's also our nation's most-visited wilderness area, welcoming visitors from around the globe to explore its pristine waters and untouched landscape. 

Last week, Congressman Pete Stauber — who represents Minnesota's Eighth Congressional district — introduced legislation under the Congressional Review Act that would rescind critical protections for the Boundary Waters instituted under the Obama and Biden Administrations. Stauber's dangerous bill ignores a scientific analysis that clearly demonstrates that toxic sulfide ore mining would permanently pollute the headwaters of the BWCA, which is home to one of the largest reserves of freshwater in the world and must be preserved for future generations. His legislation would sell out an American treasure to a foreign mining conglomerate which ships copper to China to be smelted and sold on the global market to the highest bidder.

We should leave no trace.

When I learned of this threat, I began taking action immediately by meeting with leaders in the effort to protect the BWCA to discuss how to defeat Representative Stauber's dangerous Congressional Review Act legislation that aims to overturn the BWCA mineral withdrawal. I will fight with every tool I have available to block this dangerous threat to the Boundary Waters.

Minnesota Association of Counties: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is Forcing Counties to Raise Property Taxes on Minnesotans

This week, I met with the Association of Minnesota Counties to discuss federal policy changes affecting Ramsey and Washington County, including President Trump’s weaponization of SNAP food assistance. Over 440,000 Minnesotans rely on the $6 dollars a day that SNAP provides to put nutritious food on their tables. In the meeting, we discussed the harm that changes to SNAP in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have on our community. This Big Ugly Law is already creating administrative headaches and hamstringing the budgets of all 87 Minnesota counties as they work to comply with President Trump’s changes to SNAP.

Meeting with Leaders from Serving our Troops 

On Wednesday, I met with members of Serving our Troops, an organization made up of Minnesota’s community, labor, and business leaders who have made it their mission to provide Minnesota’s service members with 12-ounce Mancini's steak and messages of support from our state as they are deployed r overseas. Since 2004, Serving our Troops has provided the Minnesota National Guard with sixteen delicious steak dinners from home on deployments to locations like: Iraq, Kuwait, and Kosovo. In 2026, they’ll work their magic once again and provide food and welcome messages to our Guard deployed in Djibouti. Thank you to everyone involved in Serving our Troops for your service to our citizen soldiers in uniform.

Congresswoman McCollum met with John Mancini, Pat Harris, Joe Fowler, Trinidad Uribe, Col. Kevin Olsen, and Steve Kelly, members of Serving our Troops on Wednesday.

Hosting Leaders from PAR Systems of Shoreview 

On Tuesday, I met with the leadership from PAR Systems, an advanced manufacturing company headquartered in Shoreview. PAR specializes in next-generation automated manufacturing processes, and they have built some truly incredible machines including the robotic nuclear cranes that worked to clean up the nuclear disasters at Fukushima in Japan and Chernobyl in Ukraine. From aerospace capabilities, to medical devices, and national security, PAR is leading the way when it comes to advanced manufacturing solutions and I am so proud to have them in our Congressional District.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum with PAR CEO Karla Leis and VP Pete Briguet.

House Committee Advances Bipartisan McCollum Legislation to Crack Down on Catalytic Converter Theft 

This week, the House Energy & Commerce committee met for a hearing on my bill, H.R. 5521, the PART Act. This bill is a common-sense bipartisan solution to crack down on catalytic converter theft and provide police with the tools they need to get justice. The violence surrounding catalytic converter theft has been devastating—even costing the life of one of our neighbors in Saint Paul. It seems like everybody has a personal connection to a catalytic converter theft. It's time for this to end. Auto dealers are a prime target for catalytic converter theft. That’s why I am proud to have partnered with the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) to craft this vital piece of legislation that will make our communities safer.

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Know Your Rights if Approached by an ICE or DHS Agent

Know your rights! As ICE and DHS agents patrol Minnesota streets, you have the right to speak out, blow whistles, and record video. If questioned, you have the right to remain silent and to speak to an attorney. Click here for more information.

Honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, we remind ourselves that his vision of justice and dignity for all was ingrained with a deep sense of community and action. Here is a list of community get-togethers and events around the east metro:

The state of Minnesota is celebrating its 40th anniversary of our state’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday celebrations – one of the longest running and largest MLK Jr. celebrations in the country. The state events are free to the public, however prior registration is required.

State Career Fair: Building Futures in Service 
Saturday, January 17th, 2026, 10am - 2pm

Location: St. Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102
 
Community March: Uniting Across Difference
Sunday, January 18th, 2026, 1pm - 4pm
Location: St. Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102
 
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration – also available via livestream here
Monday, January 19th, 2026, 10am - 12pm
Location: Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St Paul, MN 55102

On Monday January 19th Interfaith action of greater Saint Paul is partnering with faith-based organizations and non-profits across the state to host viewing events for General Mills and UNCF 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast. All host locations are free to the public, however prior registration is required. Learn more here.

On Monday January 19th the City of Roseville is hosting a community day of service with city staff and volunteer leaders in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. day. The event is open to the public, however prior registration is required. Learn more here.

Another I-94 Closure set for Jan. 23 -25
The area closed will include both Eastbound and Westbound lanes of I-94 between U.S. 52 and 61. There will be a staggered closing of both lanes, Westbound will be closed at 10:00 PM and Eastbound is set to close at 11:00 PM. For detours and more information check here. 

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Public Comment Period Open for I-94 Improvements

Now open until March 9th, MnDOT’s public comment period on Rethinking I-94 is a critical opportunity for community voices to help shape a more just future. I am proud to have secured federal funding to support the work of ReConnect Rondo, a community-led effort to reunite the Rondo neighborhood after decades of harm caused by the construction of I-94. Public participation is essential to ensure this re-imagining reconnects the neighborhood and supports housing, businesses, parks, cultural spaces, and long-term economic growth. Comments can be submitted through MN DOT’s project webpage, by mail, or at an upcoming in-person or virtual public meeting.

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