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 By Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act (H.R. 4391) can be found here.
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Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) released the following statement in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound sympathy for the loss of life and destruction in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
Ten thousand people are feared to be dead. More than nine million people are estimated to have been affected, including 650,000 who have been displaced. In some of the hardest hit areas, the typhoon destroyed 70-80 percent of the structures in its path, severely hampering rescue and relief efforts for the millions in need.
St. Paul, MN – Congresswoman McCollum released the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day, which falls on Monday, November 11. On Veterans Day she will be speaking at the State of Minnesota Veterans Day program in Inver Grove Heights.
For Immediate Release: September 11, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement on the twelfth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) issued the following statement following President Barack Obama’s address the Nation on the subject of the Syrian regimes use of chemical weapons against civilian population and the need for a U.S. response:
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the staff, board, donors and volunteers of Books for Africa on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of this nonprofit organization based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Since its founding in 1988, Books for Africa has grown into the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent, having shipped over 27 million books to 48 countries. In 2012 alone, Books for Africa shipped more than 2.2 million books to 22 African countries.
McCollum Supports Strict Limits on Military Action in Response to Syrian Use of Chemical Weapons
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN04) announced her support for draft legislation authored by Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) authorizing President Obama to conduct limited military action in response to the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians.
On the eve on Rosh Hashanah, the start of the Jewish New Year and start to the High Holy Days, Congresswoman McCollum wished the Jewish community worldwide a happy holiday:
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.”