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.) released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s executive actions attacking immigrants and refugees:
“President Trump’s executive actions regarding refugees and immigrants, as well as sanctuary cities like St. Paul and Minneapolis, are a cruel and callous attack on at-risk and vulnerable people. They shamefully betray our values as Minnesotans and Americans.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is considering President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement on the DeVos nomination:
“Betsy DeVos, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, has a disturbing track record of attacking public education in America and funding an extremist agenda that weakens our public schools.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement regarding Friday’s presidential inauguration ceremony:
"President-elect Donald Trump's behavior and policy proposals before, during, and after the November 8 election is repugnant to the values on which the United States was built and that Minnesotans hold dear. I have faith in our Constitutional democracy and in the power of citizen action to stop Mr. Trump's dangerous agenda in the coming months and years.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which will be observed on Monday, January 16:
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is conducting confirmation hearings this week on President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of General John F. Kelly to be Secretary of Homeland Security. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) issued the following statement on the Kelly nomination:
"General John F. Kelly — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security — has a distinguished record of serving our country, including as Commander of the United States Southern Command.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is conducting confirmation hearings this week on President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to be Attorney General, the top law enforcement official and defender of civil rights in the United States. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) issued the following statement in opposition to the confirmation of Senator Sessions:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum released the following statement after being sworn-in to represent the families of Minnesota's Fourth District in the United States House of Representatives in the 115th Congress:
I was honored to be sworn in today as the 115th Congress convened in Washington. I am very grateful to the families of Minnesota’s Fourth District for giving me the opportunity to represent our shared values in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement after the United States Department of Justice announced plans for a “comprehensive review” of the St. Anthony Police Department:
“After the shooting of Philando Castile in July, I called for a full federal investigation by the Department of Justice to determine relevant facts and ensure accountability appropriate to those facts. Today’s announcement of a Department of Justice review of the St. Anthony Police Department is another step in securing the accountability our entire community deserves.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize residents of the historic Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota as the community comes together to seek hope and healing. Earlier this fall, it was an honor to join community leaders to break ground on a Rondo Commemorative Plaza as a first step toward reconciliation for this neighborhood that was torn apart during the construction of the National Interstate Highway System in the 1960s.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement after Ramsey County Attorney John Choi charged a St. Anthony Police Officer in the July shooting death of Philando Castile:
“After the shooting of Philando Castile in July, I called for a Justice Department investigation to establish the facts of this case and ensure appropriate accountability. With assistance from the Justice Department, County Attorney John Choi and state and local law enforcement have conducted a thorough and fair investigation.