112th Congress
Mr. Speaker, contrary to what Republicans have said on the floor, the Republican budget will impose new cuts on today's seniors. The Republican plan repeals the Affordable Care Act, which strengthens Medicare and reduces costs. For seniors on Medicare today, the Republican plan brings back the donut hole - forcing seniors to pay more for your prescription drugs. It repeals seniors' free annual checkup and gets rid of reforms to better manage their chronic conditions.
Mr. Speaker, despite reservations about certain aspects of this appropriations bill, I will vote in favor of funding the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. The process over the past year, that has led us to this vote, has been filled with missed opportunities, disappointments, and extreme political posturing. This compromise agreement is a success for President Obama who prevented a government shutdown and defended America's seniors, students, working families, and the fragile economic recovery.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Tonight, the Congressional Hunger Center honored Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) for her leadership in Congress on domestic and international hunger issues. Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) and Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA) – bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Hunger Center – presented Congresswoman McCollum with the award.
Good evening. It is such an honor to receive this very special award and the recognition of a community committed to ending hunger.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement on possibility of a government shutdown.
"Shutting down the federal government has been the Tea Party Republicans' goal since last November. Any temporary shutdown of the federal government can only be called a short-sighted, hollow victory for Tea Party extremism over common sense compromise. Their victory is a loss for the American people.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 37 – legislation introduced by the House Majority that would bar the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from enforcing the new rules on Net Neutrality that protect consumer freedom on the Internet.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose H.R. 910, the so-called Energy Tax Prevention Act. H.R. 910 would permanently ban the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from protecting human health and the environment by enforcing the Clean Air Act and confronting the threat of climate change.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC – As House Republicans once again fail to come to an agreement with Senate Democrats and President Obama, the country is facing a federal government shutdown, starting Saturday, April 9. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement.
[As prepared.]
Mr. Chair, my amendment will ensure that the Food and Drug Administration is adequately funded to protect our nation's food supply, prevent food-borne illnesses from happening, and properly investigate outbreaks when they do occur.
My home state of Minnesota has been impacted by 2 food recalls in the past few weeks, including tainted e. coli hazelnuts and salmonella-infected meat.
The number one focus for Congress must be to get Americans back to work and keep our economy moving forward. Reducing federal deficits is a necessary step to restore America's economic strength. The fastest way to shrink deficits is to grow the economy and get Americans back to work.