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 – 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.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631
Washington, DC – This week, Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Dave Reichert (R-WA), Aaron Schock (R-IL) led a coalition of 81 Members, urging President Barack Obama to support U.S. leadership on global nutrition and food security efforts at the upcoming Nutrition for Growth summit.
“It was an honor to receive in my office President Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Secretary General of the POLISARIO Front. The Sahrawi people deserve the right to self-determination in their homeland of Western Sahara and I will continue to work to ensure the U.S. is doing everything possible to protect their democratic and human rights.” -- Representative Betty McCollum
Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum today introduced legislation to establish a special U.S. House committee to conduct oversight, ensure accountability, and report on sexual assault and abuse in the U.S. military. Responding to the on-going and ever growing problem of sexual violence and abuse committed by members of the military, the “Special Committee on Sexual Assault and Abuse in the Armed Forces” would focus congressional attention on necessary reforms to the Department of Defense’s prevention, prosecution, and victims’ services efforts.
For Immediate Release: March 21, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman McCollum to Participate in Woodbury Town Hall Meeting
On Saturday, March 9, 2013, Congresswoman McCollum will join State Senator Susan Kent (53) and State Representatives Andrea Kieffer (53B) and JoAnn Ward (53A) for a Town Hall at Woodbury City Hall from 10 AM –11:30 AM. Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens and Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik will also be present for the discussion. Woodbury residents are welcome to attend to hear legislative updates and ask questions about federal, state, and local issues.
For Immediate Release: February 28, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 (McCollum) maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 21, 2013) - Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., and several policy makers traveled with the global poverty-fighting organization CARE on a Learning Tour to South Sudan and Tanzania to better understand the challenges and solutions to food security and nutrition in each country.
For Immediate Release: February 17, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
For Immediate Release: February 12, 2013
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Tonight, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following response to President Obama’s State of the Union address.