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 – 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.
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-D) released the following statement regarding the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program that was reached over the weekend:
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.