Defense & National Security
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.
More on Defense & National Security
St. Paul, MN – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN04) issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s request for Congressional authorization for military action in response to the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
“Without final legislative language to consider it is impossible for me to commit at this time to support or oppose President Obama’s request for Congressional authorization for military action targeting the Syrian regime.”
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2013
Contact: Matthew Hilgart, (202) 579-4905; matthew.hilgart@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum issued the following statement in anticipation of the White House response to the use of chemical weapons against civilians by the Syrian regime.
For Immediate Release: August 19, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Mr. Speaker, last week The Hill published a column entitled “Don’t force an irresponsible vote on Iran sanctions.” The column started with the following two sentences: “The House of Representatives is under pressure to vote on a new Iran sanctions bill, H.R. 850, before members leave town for August recess. Scheduling such a vote would be irresponsible and highly counterproductive to U.S. strategy on Iran.”
Mr. Speaker, in the world’s poorest countries, nearly one billion people struggle with hunger every day. Chronic food insecurity limits a child’s ability to grow and to learn.
Across Africa and Asia, hard-working farmers need help producing enough food to feed their families throughout the year. Many of these farmers are women. In fact, it is estimated that 80 percent of these agricultural workers are women.
For Immediate Release: July 25, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas (McCollum) (202) 225-6631
Saint Paul, MN. — On Tuesday, June 11th, Congresswoman McCollum hosted Vietnam-era Army Veteran and Army Reservist Russell (Russ) Omdahl in her District Office for a military service medals presentation. Army Reserve Ambassador James A. Lundell, who is also a retired Colonel, presided over the ceremony and presented Mr. Omdahl with the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Reserve Component Achievement Medal. Congresswoman McCollum’s staff was instrumental in assisting Mr. Omdahl in obtaining his medals and full service records.
June 13th, 2013
Mr. Speaker,
For Immediate Release: June 14, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 / maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed that I must rise in opposition to H.R. 1960, the FY14 Defense Authorization Act. America’s men and women in uniform deserve, and Congress must pass, legislation that provides them with the resources they need to preserve our national security. Unfortunately, this bill does not reflect the range of 21st-Century threats the United States must prepare for, nor does it reflect the urgent fiscal crisis this Congress must address. What this $638 billion defense bill does reflect, however, are misplaced priorities.