Appropriations & Budget
Crafting a federal budget that fosters economic opportunity, invests in the future, and upholds fiscal responsibility is one of Congress’ most important roles. As a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, I work every day to bring a common sense, Minnesota perspective to our federal budget.
As the Chair of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I have prioritized protecting clean air and water, wild lands, and our nation’s natural and cultural legacy for future generations. As Vice Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I work to ensure that our servicemen and women are the most skilled and best trained and equipped fighting force in the world.
More on Appropriations & Budget
Mr. Speaker, this week in Minnesota our state government is shutdown due to a budget crisis. I want to applaud Gov. Mark Dayton for negotiating in good faith, making productive compromises, and never forgetting the needs of Minnesotans, especially our most vulnerable citizens.
The Republicans controlling the Minnesota Legislature issue ultimatums and want to mortgage our state's future by cutting health, education, and law enforcement.
This amendment is simple: it cuts $124.8 million from the overall bill.
For all my colleagues who say they are committed to deficit reduction, this is your chance to prove it.
This amendment reduces government spending while protecting the Pentagon's national security mission by reducing the funding for military bands to the authorized level.
Currently, this bill and the Pentagon's budget includes a total of $324.8 million for 154 military bands and more than 5,000 full-time, professional military musicians.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly object to the Republican majority's mean-spirited $650 million cut to vulnerable women, infants and children. The Republican's Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations legislation, H.R. 2112, chooses to make this drastic reduction to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program at a time of economic crisis for millions of American families. WIC is a proven strategy to guarantee that lower-income expectant and breastfeeding mothers and their children up to five years of age receive nutritious food.
Please join Congresswoman McCollum's official Facebook page to stay informed on her activities in St. Paul and Washington, DC.
Please join Congresswoman McCollum's official Facebook page to stay informed on her activities in St. Paul and Washington, DC.
Please join Congresswoman McCollum's official Facebook page to stay informed on her activities in St. Paul and Washington, DC.
Mr. Speaker, despite reservations about certain aspects of this appropriations bill, I will vote in favor of funding the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. The process over the past year, that has led us to this vote, has been filled with missed opportunities, disappointments, and extreme political posturing. This compromise agreement is a success for President Obama who prevented a government shutdown and defended America's seniors, students, working families, and the fragile economic recovery.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – As House Republicans once again fail to come to an agreement with Senate Democrats and President Obama, the country is facing a federal government shutdown, starting Saturday, April 9. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement.
[As prepared.]
Mr. Chair, my amendment will ensure that the Food and Drug Administration is adequately funded to protect our nation's food supply, prevent food-borne illnesses from happening, and properly investigate outbreaks when they do occur.
My home state of Minnesota has been impacted by 2 food recalls in the past few weeks, including tainted e. coli hazelnuts and salmonella-infected meat.
Mr. Speaker, reauthorization and reform of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is long overdue, and critical to our nation's future. Between 2007 and 2010, the Democratic House Majority repeatedly passed FAA reauthorization legislation – with my strong support – to modernize America's outdated air traffic control system, improve airline safety for the traveling public, and create jobs by improving our nation's infrastructure. After years of negotiation, the Senate passed a bipartisan reauthorization bill in February 2011 that meets these criteria.