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STATEMENT By Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN)

“CHANGE THE MASCOT PRESS CONFERENCE”

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Over the past year and a half, our campaign to Change the Mascot of the Washington NFL franchise has grown into a movement. And for that I want to thank the Oneida Nation and NCAI for their tremendous leadership.

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) issued the following statement on the 13^th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States:

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act (H.R. 5078). This Republican legislation prevents the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers from developing a clear definition of navigable waters of the United States with the intent to impede action on protecting water resources. EPA requires a clear definition to continue implementing the Clean Water Act, which safeguards wetlands and tributaries in the United States.

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) was informed this week that the National Guard Bureau is facing a $101 million budget shortfall as the September 30^th end of the federal fiscal year approaches. The Minnesota National Guard will be forced to reduce personnel and training expenditures by $3.6 million to help solve this budget problem. All state and territorial Army National Guard units have also been asked to delay drills until the end of September.

Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement in response:

Washington, DC – On Monday we celebrate Labor Day. It is a day to reflect and honor the hard-working men and women in all walks of life, across our country, who keep our nation strong, our economy growing, and are building a better future for the next generation of Americans.

This Labor Day is also a time to redouble our efforts to extend greater justice in the workplace – ensuring women receive equal pay for equal work, a fair minimum wage, and paid sick leave for all workers.

Washington, DC – President Obama has authorized targeted military airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to protect American officials in northern Iraq, as well as Kurds, Christians, and Yazidis, a religious minority under siege by ISIS. The President also authorized a humanitarian mission to airdrop food and water for the Yazidis, which began yesterday. This morning, the Pentagon announced that the U.S. Air Force had conducted limited military strikes against ISIS militants in northern Iraq.

Washington, DC – In response to media requests for comment, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) issued the following statement regarding an August 1, 2014, letter from University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler. The letter addressed the impending visit of the Washington NFL franchise to TCF Bank Stadium to play the Minnesota Vikings.

Washington, DC – Yesterday, the National Guard announced that it would be ending its $32 million annual sponsorship of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., as well as ending their $12 million contract with IndyCar driver Graham Rahal. In addition to NASCAR and IndyCar, the Pentagon’s professional sports marketing efforts have wasted more than $1 billion of taxpayer funds on professional fishing, motocross, World Wrestling Entertainment, and cage fighting since the program’s inception.