Civil Rights & Justice
Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum today introduced legislation to establish a special U.S. House committee to conduct oversight, ensure accountability, and report on sexual assault and abuse in the U.S. military. Responding to the on-going and ever growing problem of sexual violence and abuse committed by members of the military, the “Special Committee on Sexual Assault and Abuse in the Armed Forces” would focus congressional attention on necessary reforms to the Department of Defense’s prevention, prosecution, and victims’ services efforts.
(Washington, DC) – Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) today will sign into law a bill making it legal, effective August 1, 2013, for same-sex couples to be married in Minnesota. Under the new law, Minnesota will become the 12th state in the nation to allow same-sex marriages.
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) issued the following statement:
May 7, 2013
Washington, DC – Today, the Pentagon released the FY2012 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, showing the number of sexual assaults in the military increased more than 30 percent since 2010. According to the report, an estimated 26,000 service members were victims of unwanted sexual contact in 2012. This release follows Sunday’s arrest for sexual battery of Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, Chief of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response unit.
Congresswoman McCollum: Boston’s Nightmare is Over
Last Friday evening, law enforcement captured Boston bombings suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev. Early that morning, his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed during a shootout with police. Congresswoman McCollum immediately responded to the news.
Washington, DC – Tonight, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) responded to the news that law enforcement captured Boston bombings suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev. Earlier today, his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed.
For Immediate Release: April 18, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Senate Republicans blocked bipartisan legislation that would have expanded background checks on firearms sold over the Internet and at gun shows. The measure failed 54 to 46 – a mere six votes short of passage.
For Immediate Release: March 21, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman McCollum to Participate in Woodbury Town Hall Meeting
On Saturday, March 9, 2013, Congresswoman McCollum will join State Senator Susan Kent (53) and State Representatives Andrea Kieffer (53B) and JoAnn Ward (53A) for a Town Hall at Woodbury City Hall from 10 AM –11:30 AM. Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens and Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik will also be present for the discussion. Woodbury residents are welcome to attend to hear legislative updates and ask questions about federal, state, and local issues.
For Immediate Release: February 28, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S. 47) by a vote of 286 to 138. Eighty-seven Republicans and all 199 Democrats in the House supported the legislation.
For Immediate Release: February 28, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 (McCollum) maria.reppas@mail.house.gov