Human Services
In Minnesota, we lend a helping hand to our neighbors and those in need. Vulnerable children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities depend on assistance to help pay their heating bills, weatherize their homes, purchase prescriptions, and provide food for their families.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I strongly support critical funding for economic assistance programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and Head Start. I oppose proposals to cut these vital lifelines; we must not balance the budget on the backs of vulnerable children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Republican-majority U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance a budget that instructs Congress to make massive cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and other programs Americans rely on, while adding $14 Trillion in new debt over the decade. Congresswoman McCollum (MN-04) joined all Democrats and two Republicans in voting no on the measure.
Following the vote, Congresswoman Betty McCollum released the following statement:
Mr. Speaker, this week the House will consider two bills that aim to fix problems within Social Security law, H.R. 82 and H.R 5342. I rise in support of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act. This legislation takes a necessary and long-overdue step forward in improving Social Security and ensuring that retirees across America have access to their hard-earned benefits.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to a slate of Republican bills offered this week that will do more harm than good in defending the United States’ interests from the Chinese Communist Party.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill.
This legislation houses some of the most important diplomacy, development, and defense initiatives for the United States and the world at-large. The programs that are funded through this bill serve some of the neediest populations in the world, helping millions of people gain access to clean water, safe shelter, nutritious food, and democracy development.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) visited the Hallie Q. Brown food shelf today and lauded Governor Walz’s decision to distribute $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to seven food banks in Minnesota ahead of the holiday season:
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5894, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill before us today is unprecedented in many unfortunate ways. This bill makes devastating cuts across some of our most vital government agencies; it decimates education spending, abandons low-income workers and college students, stifles medical innovation, and harms women’s health.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), along with U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AL) have introduced the bipartisan Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Respect Act of 2023 (S. 1800; H.R. 3946). This legislation reauthorizes programs to help individuals and families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) have introduced the Nonprofit SEAT Act (H.R. 3245) to strengthen the nonprofit sector and its relationship with the federal government. The legislation will improve access to data about the nonprofit sector, and leverage the mission, knowledge, and impact of thousands of nonprofits to work together more effectively in pursuit of shared goals.