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 Vice Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I support smart and strategic investments in our national defense that ensure our servicemen and women 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
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is considering President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement opposing the Pompeo nomination:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor about her opposition to the FY2017 Continuing Resolution:
Mr. Speaker, once again this Congress has abandoned its responsibility to provide a full year appropriation. Months of hard work were thrown away, pushing important funding decisions down the road.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement after the Washington Post reported that the Department of Defense discovered $125 billion in potential cost savings and then suppressed the disclosure of that information:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum today reminded young people in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District that the deadline to submit applications for nomination to U.S. Service Academies is at the close of business on Monday, November 7.
"It is my honor to nominate some of our community's outstanding young people for admission to our nation's service academies," McCollum said. "Admission to these institutions offers the opportunity to serve our country and receive a world-class education. I encourage all interested students to apply by Monday."
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) delivered remarks on national security at this morning’s House Democratic Caucus press conference with Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) and Vice Chairman Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.). Below are the Congresswoman’s remarks:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement after the terrorist attack in St. Cloud:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement after President Obama announced $90 million in funding for the clean-up of unexploded American ordnance in Laos:
On Monday, Congresswoman Betty McCollum attended Memorial Day ceremonies hosted by the American Legion Post 39 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Arthur O. Haukland Post 1350 at Lakeview and Evergreen Cemeteries in North St. Paul, as well as the Sailors Lost at Sea Memorial ceremony hosted by the Keep Zimmer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1782 in White Bear Lake.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) voted against the Military Construction-VA appropriations bill today and released the following statement:
“Republican leadership today abused their power and violated their professed principle of regular order in order to defeat an important amendment that would have protected LGBT Americans from discrimination. The arm twisting that Republican leadership undertook to force members to change their votes has no place in the House of Representatives.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum today voted against H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and released the following statement:
“Each year, the National Defense Authorization Act provides a framework for our armed forces in the fiscal year ahead. Crafting and considering this legislation is a serious matter, but House Republicans have instead chosen to intentionally violate last year’s Bipartisan Budget Act and abdicate this Congress’ solemn responsibility to sufficiently fund our troops.