Foreign Affairs
As the world’s most powerful country, the United States has a responsibility to aggressively pursue initiatives that alleviate poverty, promote democracy and human rights, improve lives, and stabilize communities in the developing world. Accounting for only one percent of the overall federal budget, America’s modest commitment to foreign assistance and diplomacy supports proven strategies like long-term development, post-conflict reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance.
In Congress, I have worked to advance a robust American leadership role in advancing international development, global health, and human rights. As the co-chair of the Global Health Caucus, I have championed legislation to improve maternal and child health, combat global hunger and make key investments in agricultural development, and to protect young girls in developing countries from early and forced marriages. I strongly support the funding needed to meet our global commitments, improve lives, and ensure stability around the world.
Information and resources on my bill, Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act (H.R. 2407) can be found here.
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Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement in response to the announcement that members of the Minnesota National Guard Red Bull 34th Infantry Division Headquarters will be mobilized in the Spring of 2015 to provide command and control support for U.S. troops involved in Operation United Assistance supporting the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) response to the Ebola virus outbreak in Western Africa.
St. Paul, MN – As the deadly Ebola epidemic continues to spread in the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, devastating families and communities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today released new projections showing the potential for the epidemic to explode. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, the number of cases of Ebola could rise to as many as 1.4 million by January 2015 without immediate actions to contain the disease.
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) issued the following statement on the 13th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States:
Washington, DC – President Obama has authorized targeted military airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to protect American officials in northern Iraq, as well as Kurds, Christians, and Yazidis, a religious minority under siege by ISIS. The President also authorized a humanitarian mission to airdrop food and water for the Yazidis, which began yesterday. This morning, the Pentagon announced that the U.S. Air Force had conducted limited military strikes against ISIS militants in northern Iraq.
Washington, DC – Today, Minnesota native Shezanne Cassim was released from prison in the United Arab Emirates and is returning home to Minnesota after serving nine months in prison for posting a comedy video on YouTube. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) has been in touch with the Cassim family and worked with the State Department towards a resolution to this case. The State Department informed her that Shezzane Cassim was en route to Minnesota on a flight this morning.
Congresswoman McCollum released the following statement:
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) issued the following statement regarding the imprisonment of Mr. Shezanne Cassim of Woodbury, MN in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for posting a spoof YouTube video. At a time when Dubai is hosting an international film festival and was recently awarded the Expo 2020 World Fair, the imprisonment of an American and his friends for posting a satirical video on-line exposes the UAE’s intellectual repression and disdain for free speech.
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum released the following statement on former South African President Nelson Mandela, who passed away today at age 95:
“With the death of Nelson Mandela the world has lost an icon for justice and a true freedom fighter. President Mandela’s courage, determination, and profound sacrifice inspired not only Africans, but a global generation committed to abolishing apartheid. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the people of South Africa for their loss which is truly a loss for the human race.”
Washington, DC – Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement on World AIDS Day, Sunday December 1st.
“The AIDS epidemic has taken countless lives and millions of men and women around the world continue to live with this disease. There have been fantastic advancements in pursuit of a cure, thanks in large part to the work of advocates dedicated to ending this epidemic. Today, we remember those we have lost to this awful disease and honor the work of those continuing to fight for a cure.