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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More on Civil Rights & Justice

McCollum Statement on House GOP Vote to Fund Trump’s Sham "Election Integrity Commission"

July 13, 2017 Press Release

“We should be strengthening our democracy by making it easier for our citizens to register and cast ballots. Today’s vote shows that President Trump and Republicans want to take us in the other direction."

House Appropriations Committee Adopts McCollum-Cole Amendment on Tribal Justice Funding

July 13, 2017 Press Release

The House Appropriations Committee today adopted an amendment offered by Representatives Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.) that protects tribal nations across the country from a drastic cut to their criminal and civil justice funds.

McCollum Proposes Amendment to Defund Trump’s Sham Election Commission

July 12, 2017 Press Release

“President Trump’s sham election commission exists to justify his outrageous falsehoods about ‘illegal voting’ and to further the Republican Party’s voter suppression agenda,” Congresswoman McCollum said. “This commission is an affront to our democracy and a waste of taxpayer dollars. The American people should not have to foot the bill to indulge President Trump’s Twitter rants and conspiracy theories.”

McCollum Statement on 2017 LGBT Pride Month

June 23, 2017 Press Release

Each June, we celebrate LGBT Pride Month. We honor the contributions of LGBT Americans, we recognize the activism and energy of LGBT leaders in holding the United States to its highest ideals, and we reflect on our ongoing work to forge a more just and inclusive country.

McCollum Statement on Verdict in Yanez Trial

June 16, 2017 Press Release

Many Minnesotans and Americans will be disappointed, heartbroken, and angry over today’s verdict. Every member of our community is entitled to their own opinion on the case — and the peaceful expression of those opinions is the cornerstone of our democracy. However, there are things we can all agree on. We must work together to build a stronger, more trusting relationship between our communities and our law enforcement. And we must truly confront racism and racial injustice in every facet of our society.

McCollum Statement on Hate Incidents at the Smithsonian

June 2, 2017 Press Release

I strongly condemn these incidents, which invoke the history of racially-motivated lynching in our nation that is very painful to millions of Americans. Intolerance is never acceptable anywhere, but targeting a museum that honors the struggles and achievements of African Americans with this type of racial hatred is particularly deplorable.

McCollum Statement on Appointment of Special Counsel to Lead Trump-Russia Investigation

May 17, 2017 Press Release

I commend the appointment of a special counsel to lead the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and Russian ties to President Donald Trump and his associates. This appointment proves that the investigation is extremely serious.

McCollum Signs Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Independent Commission to Investigate Trump-Russia Ties

May 17, 2017 Press Release

The discharge petition Congresswoman McCollum signed today would force a House vote on the Protecting Our Democracy Act (H.R. 356), bipartisan legislation that establishes an outside, independent commission to investigate the Trump-Russia scandal. Thus far, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) has refused to schedule a vote on the bipartisan bill and House Republicans have voted seven times to block its consideration in the House.

McCollum Statement on Reports President Trump Interfered in FBI Investigation

May 16, 2017 Press Release

In addition to empowering a special prosecutor and independent commission to investigate Trump, his associates, and their close ties to Russia, Congress should now issue subpoenas and conduct hearings into President Trump and his White House’s interference with the FBI's ongoing investigation.

McCollum Statement Commemorating 2017 Police Week

May 15, 2017 Statements For the Record

Today and throughout the year, I join my colleagues and all Americans as we honor our law enforcement officers and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our families and communities.