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.
More on Civil Rights & Justice
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) spoke on the House Floor today against H.R. 985, the so-called Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act, a bill that makes it harder for asbestos victims to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable and that irretrievably releases the personal information of asbestos victims on the Internet. Congresswoman McCollum delivered the following remarks against H.R. 985:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s immigration order:
“President Donald Trump’s new executive order on immigration and refugees is nothing but a repackaged version of a bigoted policy that numerous federal courts already struck down.
“No matter what political spin President Trump and his administration put on this action, the facts are clear: it turns our backs on vulnerable refugee families, discriminates against Muslims, betrays our values as Americans, and embarrasses our country around the world.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum received the International Institute of Minnesota's Olga Zoltai Award for Service to New Americans on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at the Institute's International Women's Day Tea. The award, which honors distinguished service to New Americans, memorializes the life and work of Olga Zoltai. Congresswoman McCollum delivered the following remarks after receiving the award:
Thank you for this very, very special award, Kitty (Kitty Gogins, International Institute of Minnesota Board President and daughter of Olga Zoltai).
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement calling for President Donald Trump to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions:
“Attorney General Jeff Sessions deceived both his colleagues in the Senate and the American people about his contacts with the Russian government. Just over a month into his term, President Donald Trump’s entire administration has been engulfed in scandal over communications with Russian officials and misleading the public about them.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement in commemoration of Black History Month:
"Each February, we celebrate Black History Month. We recognize African Americans’ struggle for freedom and justice in our country and we honor the many contributions that African Americans have made to our culture. The National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened last fall, offers a long overdue recognition of the history and contributions of African Americans.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum made the following comments on President Donald Trump's new deportation policy:
"President Donald Trump's new deportation policy is the start of a war on immigrants. His policy abandons common-sense law enforcement and opens the door to abuse and racial profiling.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum shared the following op-ed on Medium and sent a similar letter to constituents:
Flynn Resignation Underscores Need for Full Investigation of Trump-Russia Ties
Republican silence begs the question: what are they covering up?
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement on the resignation of Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor:
“National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s resignation exposes a White House in chaos and makes it obvious that a full investigation of President Donald Trump’s close ties to the Russian government is in order.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, led a bipartisan group of House members writing to President Donald Trump on Wednesday urging him to exempt the Indian Health Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other agencies that serve the needs of Native communities from his federal hiring freeze.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) joined House Democrats and Gold Star Father Khizr Khan today to introduce the Freedom of Religion Act, which prohibits the use of religious litmus tests as a means to ban immigrants, refugees, and international visitors trying to enter the United States. The legislation would help overturn President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees, discriminating against Muslim immigrants, and targeting Muslim Americans.