Civil Rights & Justice
Protecting the civil rights of all Americans and keeping our families and communities safe is one of the most important responsibilities of government. We must continue the progress we have made in securing equality for all Americans, providing our law enforcement officers with the tools they need to keep Americans safe, and protecting civil liberties in all of our diverse communities.
In Congress, I have been a champion of legislation that guarantees equal rights to all Americans, including the LGBT community. I am a strong proponent of sensible gun violence prevention legislation to keep our families and communities safe. And, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked to provide police officers with the funding they need to do their jobs.
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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.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on Monday, January 20, 2020:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement after the passage of the national security minibus, H.R. 1158:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released a statement today after she and Rep. Dean Phillips (DFL-Minn.), alongside Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, announced bipartisan legislation to protect victims of stalking and domestic violence. H.R. 4705, the Safe at Home Act, will allow federal agencies to accept alternate addresses authorized by state law to protect the identity of those who fear for their safety. Minnesota and Missouri are two of 38 states with an existing ACP.