JANUARY 23, 2026

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

We have all watched in horror as the Trump administration has directed incompetent federal agents to Minnesota to act with brutality and impunity across our community. The Trump administration’s violent, cruel, and lawless attacks on our neighbors must end.

Liam Ramos, a five year old boy, was detained by ICE and transported to Texas.

On Tuesday, federal agents stalked and detained a 5-year-old Minnesota boy in his own driveway. Then agents used him as 'bait' to lure his family, despite the fact that the family has a pending asylum case and no orders for deportation. At least 3 other children were detained by federal agents within the same school district. In another incident, agents rear-ended a car with two teenagers inside, then detained both of them as observers watched. 

Last Sunday, Americans were horrified to see a Saint Paul Hmong elder who is a U.S. citizen being forcibly dragged out of his home in front of a frightened child. In reporting today, it’s clear that federal agents acted on erroneous information, because one of the individuals they sought has been in prison since 2024. Another named individual lives far outside of Minnesota. A 23-year-old Saint Paul woman and U.S. resident bravely shared her story of two days in federal detention during which she was shackled by her wrists and ankles, called a racial slur, and suffered a concussion and a seizure. All of these incidents are growing evidence of the Trump administration’s failed immigration policy being implemented by an incompetent, out of control, and cruel Department of Homeland Security. 

Congresswoman McCollum spoke in strong opposition to DHS funding during a speech Thursday on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

On Thursday, I voted NO on the bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security. Not one penny of taxpayer dollars should go to DHS while the Trump administration is denying people their Constitutional rights, including due process.   

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has weaponized the federal government against our communities and must be held accountable. That is why I am a co-sponsor of H.Res. 996, Impeaching Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors. The Department of Homeland Security must suspend their dangerous and illegal actions in our state immediately.

WASHINGTON, D.C. UPDATE

House Passes Bills to Fund the Government 
On Thursday, the House also passed a three-bill package that included vital funding to keep the government funded. Furthermore, thanks to the perseverance of my Democratic colleagues, this legislation protects funding for Democratic priorities, reasserts Congress’s power to direct funding for the American people, and rejects Republicans’ divisive policy changes. I am proud that after the chaos of last year, including the Trump government shutdown – the longest in U.S. history – we passed bipartisan appropriations bills. These compromise bills included constraints on the President and OMB Director Russ Vought's ability to illegally move appropriated money. 

In the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS-Ed) appropriations bill Democrats secured big wins for our public health, our workforce, and our communities. This bill provides a $400 million increase to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a $1.7 billion increase to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and a $364 million increase to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), rebuking the deep cuts made to these agencies in the Republican House bill. 

The FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill provides necessary funding to house our neighbors, build more affordable housing, and keep our skies safe. The agreement safeguards the Continuum of Care program from Trump administration attacks. Further, the bill would ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration can hire 2,500 new air traffic controller trainees to keep our skies safe.

I am proud that the Defense Appropriations Act reaffirmed our commitment to the 32 NATO allies and included NO money for operations in Venezuela. This bill also provides our service members with the training and equipment necessary to complete their missions and come home safely. It prioritizes our military families by including a 3.8 percent pay increase. Importantly, the bill includes $1.27 billion for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. I am also pleased that the bill includes robust funding for environmental remediation efforts, including research on PFAS destruction technology.

While these bills were not written perfectly, I am thankful that we were able to come together in a bipartisan manner to protect the American people from President Trump’s most divisive cuts and prevent a government shutdown.

House Republicans Pass Partisan Bill to Open BWCA Watershed to Toxic Mining 

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is our nation’s most-visited wilderness area, and its headwaters should be protected from toxic sulfide-ore mining. Instead of protecting this national treasure, the House Republican majority voted this week to put one of the largest reserves of freshwater in the world directly in the path of inevitable acid mine drainage. This bill now goes to the Senate. Should the Senate Republican majority take up and pass this resolution, it will overturn protections that are rooted in scientific evidence and strong public support.

On Wednesday, I spoke on the House Floor in strong opposition to this bill.

Congresswoman McCollum spoke in opposition to Congressman Pete Stauber's legislation to remove protections for the BWCA.

This fight is not over. I continue to work to stop this damaging bill, and to pass my own legislation to permanently protect the BWCA — the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act. 

MINNESOTA UPDATE

Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Roseville
On Monday morning, I had the pleasure to join community members in the freezing cold at Roseville’s Materion Park for a dormant season seeding of native plants as an act of service to honor the legacy of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through service and community building, we remember Dr. King’s dream of justice and dignity for all and his lasting impact that continues to inspire us all. The City of Roseville’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts a natural resources volunteer event on the third Saturday of every month. Look for future volunteer opportunities here. 

Roseville’s Parks and Recreation staff coordinates seeding routes with volunteers and Congresswoman McCollum

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. 

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Cold Weather Postpones I-94 Closure Until Feb. 6-8
The planed weekend closure for the weekend (Jan. 23-25) of I-94 has been postponed again due to anticipated frigid temperatures and snowy weather expected this weekend. 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