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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For Immediate Release: August 29, 2013
Contact: Matthew Hilgart, (202) 579-4905; matthew.hilgart@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum issued the following statement in anticipation of the White House response to the use of chemical weapons against civilians by the Syrian regime.
For Immediate Release: August 19, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Top Ten of the GOP’s Worst Cuts in FY14 Interior, Environment Appropriations Bill
Washington— Last week, the Committee on House Administration approved the registration of the Congressional Western Sahara Caucus. The bipartisan caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Joseph R. Pitts (PA-16) and Betty McCollum (MN-04), was formed with the intent of highlighting the needs for self-determination and human rights monitoring for Western Sahara.
Washington, D.C. – Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Betty McCollum (D-MN) today introduced the Conservation Reform Act of 2013 to streamline existing U.S. resources for international conservation priorities. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate earlier this year by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tom Udall (D-NM).
Mr. Speaker, last week The Hill published a column entitled “Don’t force an irresponsible vote on Iran sanctions.” The column started with the following two sentences: “The House of Representatives is under pressure to vote on a new Iran sanctions bill, H.R. 850, before members leave town for August recess. Scheduling such a vote would be irresponsible and highly counterproductive to U.S. strategy on Iran.”
Mr. Speaker, in the world’s poorest countries, nearly one billion people struggle with hunger every day. Chronic food insecurity limits a child’s ability to grow and to learn.
Across Africa and Asia, hard-working farmers need help producing enough food to feed their families throughout the year. Many of these farmers are women. In fact, it is estimated that 80 percent of these agricultural workers are women.
For Immediate Release: July 25, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas (McCollum) (202) 225-6631
Saint Paul, MN. — On Tuesday, June 11th, Congresswoman McCollum hosted Vietnam-era Army Veteran and Army Reservist Russell (Russ) Omdahl in her District Office for a military service medals presentation. Army Reserve Ambassador James A. Lundell, who is also a retired Colonel, presided over the ceremony and presented Mr. Omdahl with the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Reserve Component Achievement Medal. Congresswoman McCollum’s staff was instrumental in assisting Mr. Omdahl in obtaining his medals and full service records.
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, was denied a vote on an amendment to the fiscal year 2014 defense appropriations bill to end funding for the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) program that kills targets with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. Committee members, both Republicans and Democrats, refused to support a motion calling for a vote on the amendment, effectively protecting the CIA’s lethal program from congressional accountability.