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
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.) previewed President Donald Trump's Address to a Joint Session of Congress in a post on Medium:
At four town hall meetings last week in St. Paul, I heard a clear message from my constituents: the State of our Union is anxious.
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 President Donald Trump’s comments that he can “live with” a one-state "solution" in which Israel permanently controls all Palestinian territory and ends the prospect of an independent Palestinian state existing in peace and security with Israel:
“President Donald Trump’s comments abandoning a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians are a gift to extremists who reject a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
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.) released the following statement about President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor Michael Flynn:
“In December, President Obama imposed sanctions on Russia for its attacks on our democracy during the 2016 presidential election. It has now been publicly reported that President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser Michael Flynn communicated with Russian officials about those sanctions and may have suggested sanctions could be lifted once Mr. Trump took office.
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.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) was today approved by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to serve a second term as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) today co-sponsored the Protect the National Security Council from Political Interference Act, which would negate President Donald Trump’s memorandum appointing Stephen Bannon, chief White House strategist and former Breitbart Executive Editor, to the National Security Council Principals Committee. The bill also urges President Trump to ensure that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence have a standing invitation to attend all National Security Council Principals Committee meetings.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) joined House and Senate Democrats and a crowd of thousands on the steps of the Supreme Court on Monday night speaking out against President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees, discriminating against Muslim immigrants, and targeting Muslim Americans.