Defense & National Security
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Ensuring national security is one of the primary Constitutional responsibilities of Congress. In the 21st Century, America needs a flexible military that is able to confront emerging threats, such as terrorism, growing regional instability, the spread of nuclear weapons, and the emergence of cyber warfare.
As the Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I support smart and strategic investments in our national defense that ensure our service members are the most skilled and the best trained and equipped fighting force in the world. I am also focused on improving military health care, ending military sexual assault, and supporting international military-to-military cooperation to prevent conflicts.
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March 22, 2018
"By investing in critical priorities like education, election integrity, housing, infrastructure, public safety, opioid abuse prevention and treatment, and veterans’ health care, this legislation keeps Minnesota and our entire country safe, strong, and moving forward."
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March 13, 2018
“I served in the House with Mike Pompeo and I can think of few people more ill-suited to be Secretary of State. Mr. Pompeo has opposed international engagement, undermined the Iran nuclear agreement, and advocated for torture."
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, heard testimony from Minnesota community and nonprofit leaders about their budget and appropriations priorities at a public meeting in the Minnesota State Senate Office Building on Friday, March 9, 2018.
March 9, 2018
"Making smart investments in our families, communities, and security will pay far bigger returns than making dumb cuts that result in pain, divestment, and lost opportunities. Together, we can make critical investments that help every Minnesotan and American contribute and succeed."
March 6, 2018
Representatives Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.) introduced a three-year reauthorization of their Global Food Security Act, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to fighting hunger and poverty worldwide. The bipartisan Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 5129) ensures that the vital Feed the Future Initiative continues through 2021.
February 26, 2018
"Throughout my career in Congress I have felt an obligation to speak out and advance policies that reflect the best of American leadership in the world — from fighting HIV/AIDS, to improving food security for the world’s poorest, to efforts to prevent teenage girls into forced marriages."
February 9, 2018
“The severity of the Porter scandal demands President Trump to immediately fire White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Mr. Kelly has jeopardized national security by allowing his subordinate, White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter — who was never granted a permanent security clearance — to control the President of the United States’ most highly classified documents. Mr. Kelly empowered and defended a domestic abuser in a highly sensitive role despite evidence from the FBI that he could not receive a security clearance."
February 9, 2018
"My vote last night supports education, environmental protection, and public safety, prevents layoffs at our Community Health Centers, extends the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and devotes new resources to the opioid epidemic and veterans’ health care."
January 30, 2018
"The most basic fundamental responsibility of Congress is to provide adequate and timely funding for the entire federal government – both our national defense and our domestic priorities – for a full fiscal year. The fact that this bill is on the floor for a third time highlights the absolute failure of the Republican majority to advance a responsible budget process."
January 22, 2018
“Minnesotans get absolutely nothing from this 17-day stopgap spending bill that papers over the abject failure of President Trump and the Republican Congress to agree on a budget and pass appropriations bills. The Republican strategy of lurching from one continuing resolution to the next will continue to cause serious damage to our national security and erode the vital services that families, businesses, and communities depend upon."