Civil Rights & Justice
As the House Appropriations Committee advanced all 12 appropriations bills to the House floor this week, President Trump denied Minnesota federal emergency assistance through The Stafford Act for recovery efforts following civil unrest and property destruction in the Twin Cities resulting from the killing of Mr. George Floyd.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today after corporate sponsors asked the Washington NFL team to change its harmful name and mascot:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) issued the following statement today:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) issued the following statement today:
"I am so grateful to all my constituents in St. Paul and in Ramsey County and Washington County who honored last night's curfew and stayed home. You created the space for St. Paul Police, State Troopers, and our Minnesota National Guard to keep our streets and communities safe and peaceful. We are a strong community that values the lives, livelihoods, and rights of all our families and residents. We must continue to stand united.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN-04) issued the following statement:
"We have reached an unprecedented moment in the history of our community and state. The protests seeking justice for George Floyd have been co-opted by extremists, anarchists, and organized agitators determined to loot, burn, and create chaos. St. Paul was attacked, family businesses destroyed, and our residents put in danger. Yesterday, I toured the destruction and was horrified. Despite the destruction, I am grateful there was no loss of life.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN-04) issued the following statement today after fires, looting, and damage to businesses took place overnight in St. Paul:
"Last night was horrible and tragic for St. Paul. The criminal looting and burning of small businesses has devastated neighborhoods and livelihoods while putting our first responders in danger. I am profoundly grateful to St. Paul firefighters and police for their courage and professionalism while under intense pressure.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN-04) issued a statement today following the violence in Minneapolis last night in the wake of the death of Mr. George Floyd while in police custody:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) issued the following statement today following media reports of the death of Mr. George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) and colleagues have introduced the Hmong and Lao Refugee Deportation Prohibition Act of 2020 to stop the Trump administration from deporting individuals to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (P.D.R.) for 72 months while individuals with Final Orders for Removal have their immigration cases reassessed. The Trump administration is currently negotiating with the Lao P.D.R. on a repatriation agreement that would deport at least 4,700 individuals to Laos.
As a Member of Congress and the vice-chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I believe defending human rights and freedom are foundational to our national security and our democracy. But the struggle to advance human rights and promote human dignity inevitably results in confronting entrenched forces determined to dehumanize, debase, and demonize individuals or entire populations to maintain dominance and an unjust status quo. Hate is used as a weapon to incite and silence dissent.