Betty McCollum
Representative for Minnesota · Democratic · United States
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E719] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E719] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON.”
“She is survived by her wife, Jacquelyn Zita, and by countless friends, former colleagues, and Minnesotans whose lives were changed by her decades of service and advocacy. First elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 1980, Representative Clark went on to represent south Minneapolis for 19 terms.”
“She is survived by her wife, Jacquelyn Zita, and by countless friends, former colleagues, and Minnesotans whose lives were changed by her decades of service and advocacy. First elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 1980, Representative Clark went on to represent south Minneapolis for 19 terms.”
“When I was first elected to the Minnesota House, our offices were next door to each other, and we shared a fantastic Legislative Assistant. Together, we worked to pass landmark amendments adding sexual orientation protections to Minnesota's Human Rights Act, and in 2013 she authored the legislation that made Minnesota the 12th state to le…”
“When I was first elected to the Minnesota House, our offices were next door to each other, and we shared a fantastic Legislative Assistant. Together, we worked to pass landmark amendments adding sexual orientation protections to Minnesota's Human Rights Act, and in 2013 she authored the legislation that made Minnesota the 12th state to le…”
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“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E719] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for votes on the legislation being considered under suspension of the rules on July 20, 2026, due to a delayed flight. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 250, H.R. 4541, and YEA on Roll Call No. 251, H.R. 8823. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E719] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for votes on the legislation being considered under suspension of the rules on July 20, 2026, due to a delayed flight. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 250, H.R. 4541, and YEA on Roll Call No. 251, H.R. 8823. ____________________”
“Speaker, please join me in celebrating the remarkable life, dedicated service, and enduring legacy of former Minnesota legislator Karen Clark. ____________________”
“When I was first elected to the Minnesota House, our offices were next door to each other, and we shared a fantastic Legislative Assistant. Together, we worked to pass landmark amendments adding sexual orientation protections to Minnesota's Human Rights Act, and in 2013 she authored the legislation that made Minnesota the 12th state to legalize marriage equality. Karen was a constant, vocal champion for social justice, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and human rights--and she carried that fight with openness, kindness, and courage for nearly four decades in office, always working hardest for the people who needed it most. Karen has been an inspiration to me, and her legacy lives on in every Minnesotan whose life she made freer and safer. Mr.”
“Throughout her career, Karen believed that public service was about expanding opportunity, protecting dignity, and ensuring that every Minnesotan had the chance to thrive. Karen worked tirelessly to strengthen protections and opportunities for LGBTQ+ Minnesotans, but her sense of justice was expansive. She championed environmental justice, affordable housing, economic opportunity, public health, and strived to lift marginalized voices from all walks of life. Her trailblazing leadership earned national recognition in 2013, when President Barack Obama honored her as a Harvey Milk Champion of Change in recognition of her decades of advocacy and public service. It was an honor to call Karen Clark a friend, a colleague, and a mentor.”
“She is survived by her wife, Jacquelyn Zita, and by countless friends, former colleagues, and Minnesotans whose lives were changed by her decades of service and advocacy. First elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 1980, Representative Clark went on to represent south Minneapolis for 19 terms. At the time of her election, she became the first openly lesbian state legislator in the United States, helping to pave the way for generations of LGBTQ+ leaders to follow. Even before entering public office, Karen had dedicated her life to serving others as a public health nurse and OB/ GYN nurse practitioner with the Hennepin County Health Department. She earned her nursing degree from the College of St. Teresa in Winona and later earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E703] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF MINNESOTA STATE REPRESENTATIVE KAREN CLARK ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Monday, July 20, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary public servant, pioneering legislator, and tireless champion for equality, former Minnesota State Representative Karen Clark. Karen passed away on June 30, 2026, at the age of 80, following a brief illness.”
“Speaker, please join me in celebrating the remarkable life, dedicated service, and enduring legacy of former Minnesota legislator Karen Clark. ____________________”
“When I was first elected to the Minnesota House, our offices were next door to each other, and we shared a fantastic Legislative Assistant. Together, we worked to pass landmark amendments adding sexual orientation protections to Minnesota's Human Rights Act, and in 2013 she authored the legislation that made Minnesota the 12th state to legalize marriage equality. Karen was a constant, vocal champion for social justice, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and human rights--and she carried that fight with openness, kindness, and courage for nearly four decades in office, always working hardest for the people who needed it most. Karen has been an inspiration to me, and her legacy lives on in every Minnesotan whose life she made freer and safer. Mr.”
“Throughout her career, Karen believed that public service was about expanding opportunity, protecting dignity, and ensuring that every Minnesotan had the chance to thrive. Karen worked tirelessly to strengthen protections and opportunities for LGBTQ+ Minnesotans, but her sense of justice was expansive. She championed environmental justice, affordable housing, economic opportunity, public health, and strived to lift marginalized voices from all walks of life. Her trailblazing leadership earned national recognition in 2013, when President Barack Obama honored her as a Harvey Milk Champion of Change in recognition of her decades of advocacy and public service. It was an honor to call Karen Clark a friend, a colleague, and a mentor.”
“She is survived by her wife, Jacquelyn Zita, and by countless friends, former colleagues, and Minnesotans whose lives were changed by her decades of service and advocacy. First elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 1980, Representative Clark went on to represent south Minneapolis for 19 terms. At the time of her election, she became the first openly lesbian state legislator in the United States, helping to pave the way for generations of LGBTQ+ leaders to follow. Even before entering public office, Karen had dedicated her life to serving others as a public health nurse and OB/ GYN nurse practitioner with the Hennepin County Health Department. She earned her nursing degree from the College of St. Teresa in Winona and later earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E703] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF MINNESOTA STATE REPRESENTATIVE KAREN CLARK ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Monday, July 20, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary public servant, pioneering legislator, and tireless champion for equality, former Minnesota State Representative Karen Clark. Karen passed away on June 30, 2026, at the age of 80, following a brief illness.”
“These programs save lives, and they improve our national security in the process. We can and must do better. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this bill. ____________________”
“I am particularly heartbroken by what has happened to funding for global health initiatives, which used to be a source of bipartisan pride. Democrats and Republicans used to stand together and say: America saves lives, and we do it because it reflects our values. But this bill cuts $532 million from global health programs. Here is what will happen: fewer mothers will survive childbirth in sub-Saharan Africa. Fewer children will be vaccinated against highly contagious, dangerous diseases like tuberculosis--and we know that disease does not stop at any border. It means HIV clinics in Zambia, in Uganda, and in the Philippines shut their doors. Make no mistake--even if America disengages from the world, global problems will still land on our doorstep--they will just be harder to manage.”
“Massie, this amendment is just another way to carry out President Trump's isolationist agenda to limit and, in some cases completely cease, U.S. foreign assistance. With that, I would like to express my concerns with the underlying bill. It is deeply unfortunate that this legislation continues President Trump's retreat from strong American diplomacy in the world and supporting development assistance. We know what happens when America withdraws from the developing world: poverty, malnutrition, and disease take hold, transnational terrorism spreads, and our adversaries like Russia and China move in to fill the void. This bill is $2.7 billion dollars below last year. It is a staggering $12 billion below where the bill was two years ago. 20 percent. Gone. In two years.”
“Instead, the House is considering Mr. Massie's Amendment which would strike all $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing to Israel. I support the goal of Mr. Massie's Amendment to cut the same funding that has helped Israel commit human rights violations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. However, this amendment does nothing to limit the assistance we provide to Israel under the defense appropriations bill, nor does it condition future assistance that the U.S. is due to provide Israel under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between our two countries that is not set to expire until FY2028. I will vote present on Mr. Massie's Amendment as I have serious concerns with the way it is so broadly written. As drafted, other foreign assistance--including vital assistance to Palestinians--could be cut off as well. For Mr.”
“Before I address underlying issues with the base bill, I would like to address one amendment offered by Mr. Massie. I have long been a vocal opponent of the way the United States provides a blank check to Israel. For the last nine years, I have carried a bill, the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation, which would put limits on how all US assistance to Israel may be used. My bill would ensure that not one penny of taxpayer dollars is used to violate the human rights of Palestinian children. Further, I am a proud cosponsor of other legislation, like the Block the Bombs Act, that would place additional limits on U.S. assistance to Israel. These are the legislative proposals that the House should be taking up to condition assistance to Israel.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E699] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NATIONAL SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2027 ______ speech of HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8595, the Fiscal Year 2027 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. I opposed the bill when it was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee and urge my colleagues to join me in opposing the bill on the House Floor.”
“These programs save lives, and they improve our national security in the process. We can and must do better. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this bill. ____________________”
“I am particularly heartbroken by what has happened to funding for global health initiatives, which used to be a source of bipartisan pride. Democrats and Republicans used to stand together and say: America saves lives, and we do it because it reflects our values. But this bill cuts $532 million from global health programs. Here is what will happen: fewer mothers will survive childbirth in sub-Saharan Africa. Fewer children will be vaccinated against highly contagious, dangerous diseases like tuberculosis--and we know that disease does not stop at any border. It means HIV clinics in Zambia, in Uganda, and in the Philippines shut their doors. Make no mistake--even if America disengages from the world, global problems will still land on our doorstep--they will just be harder to manage.”
“Massie, this amendment is just another way to carry out President Trump's isolationist agenda to limit and, in some cases completely cease, U.S. foreign assistance. With that, I would like to express my concerns with the underlying bill. It is deeply unfortunate that this legislation continues President Trump's retreat from strong American diplomacy in the world and supporting development assistance. We know what happens when America withdraws from the developing world: poverty, malnutrition, and disease take hold, transnational terrorism spreads, and our adversaries like Russia and China move in to fill the void. This bill is $2.7 billion dollars below last year. It is a staggering $12 billion below where the bill was two years ago. 20 percent. Gone. In two years.”
“Instead, the House is considering Mr. Massie's Amendment which would strike all $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing to Israel. I support the goal of Mr. Massie's Amendment to cut the same funding that has helped Israel commit human rights violations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. However, this amendment does nothing to limit the assistance we provide to Israel under the defense appropriations bill, nor does it condition future assistance that the U.S. is due to provide Israel under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between our two countries that is not set to expire until FY2028. I will vote present on Mr. Massie's Amendment as I have serious concerns with the way it is so broadly written. As drafted, other foreign assistance--including vital assistance to Palestinians--could be cut off as well. For Mr.”
“Before I address underlying issues with the base bill, I would like to address one amendment offered by Mr. Massie. I have long been a vocal opponent of the way the United States provides a blank check to Israel. For the last nine years, I have carried a bill, the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation, which would put limits on how all US assistance to Israel may be used. My bill would ensure that not one penny of taxpayer dollars is used to violate the human rights of Palestinian children. Further, I am a proud cosponsor of other legislation, like the Block the Bombs Act, that would place additional limits on U.S. assistance to Israel. These are the legislative proposals that the House should be taking up to condition assistance to Israel.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E699] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NATIONAL SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2027 ______ speech of HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8595, the Fiscal Year 2027 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. I opposed the bill when it was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee and urge my colleagues to join me in opposing the bill on the House Floor.”
“I agree with those I have heard from; if age verification is required across all online platforms, it could create additional privacy concerns for our children and teens. However, the only age verification requirement that is mandated by the KIDS Act is for pornographic websites. For these websites, the bill does not require government identification to verify age. The bill also contains provisions to ensure data collected or used for age verification on pornographic websites complies with strict data minimization and security measures. ____________________”
“I have had real concerns with provisions in the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) that could harm members of my community. The version of KOSA that was included in the KIDS Act includes a major change that removes the ``duty of care'' provision. This provision could have been weaponized by President Trump's politically motivated Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has already made it its mission to attack gender-affirming care every chance it gets. Removing that provision from the final bill will safeguard against politically motivated censorship online. Additionally, I have heard from constituents expressing their concerns with online age verification that could be required by the KIDS Act.”
“7757, the KIDS Act, would safeguard minors from these harmful practices. The KIDS Act is a package of 14 online safety bills, including revised provisions from the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act, that would require social media companies to protect the personal data of our children and teens and prevent the promotion of harmful content like eating disorders and suicide. Specifically, the KIDS Act will mandate safeguards, parental tools, and policies to keep kids safe when using social media, video games, chatbots, and more. These safeguards will limit addictive design features, restrict sharing the geolocation of minors, limit adult users from communicating with minors, restrict personalized recommendation systems, and more.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E672] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SUPPORTING H.R. 7757, THE KIDS INTERNET AND DIGITAL SAFETY (KIDS) ACT ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Monday, July 13, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7757, the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, the first step towards delivering long-overdue privacy protections for children and teens online. Social media companies use mass data collection and algorithms to drive adults, teens, and children towards harmful content, misinformation, and targeted ads that line the profits of Big Tech companies. H.R.”
“Prior to the President's war of choice, Iran was an international pariah state. The Iranian regime was guilty of heinous crimes and human rights atrocities against its own people. But President Trump's war has allowed Iran to recast itself as a victim in the eyes of many around the world. Their regime is more hardline, emboldened to continue to disrupt security in the Middle East, and now have serious economic leverage over the United States and the world. The fault for this lies squarely with President Trump. ____________________”
“That includes insisting that Israel honor its ceasefire with Lebanon and cease and desist its use of U.S. munitions in that conflict. This is not what President Trump announced on June 14th. The President's new agreement with Iran is just a tenuous sixty-day extension of the existing ceasefire. It may result in an end to the U.S. naval blockade of Iran and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but that remains to be seen. Furthermore, the ceasefire extension announced by President Trump does nothing to resolve the most critical issues in this conflict, such as the status of the Iranian nuclear program, ballistic missile programs, frozen Iranian financial assets, or imposed U.S. sanctions. Without a resolution to these issues, long-term peace and stability in the region will remain out of reach.”
“When gas goes up, so does the price of everything else. We saw that reflected in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May report on inflation which showed prices increasing at the fastest rate in three years. The American people are paying every single day for a war that no one voted for and Congress has not authorized. Now, President Trump is attempting to negotiate with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was not closed prior to the start of the war. I welcome the international community's support for securing and maintaining the security of the Strait. I also support the ongoing ceasefire with Iran. But this ceasefire extension must lead to a tangible resolution to the war that provides for peace and long-term stability in the Middle East.”
“This will make the prospects for long-term peace with Iran more difficult. The war has failed to achieve other key military goals that the President laid out. First and foremost is the failure to eliminate or secure the Iranian nuclear program's strategic materials. Iran's nuclear program has not been destroyed, and the United States and our allies now have far less visibility into the program than we did while President Obama's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran was in effect. The war has also depleted U.S. stocks of critical munitions, creating a vulnerability for the U.S. military in other theaters. The war has also resulted in considerable economic disruptions in the United States and around the world. On average, gas prices have risen by over $1 per gallon since the [[Page E587]] start of the war.”
“Not only has the president's war of choice utterly failed to deliver on his own shifting military goals, it has cost the American people directly: increasing costs for many necessities like groceries, housing, health care, utilities, gasoline, and more. The war has also left the U.S. and the world in a more precarious geopolitical position. In the first hours of the war, President Trump spoke of eliminating the Iranian regime through U.S. military strikes and a popular uprising of the Iranian people. Not only did no popular uprising against the regime materialize, but President Trump's war has had the opposite effect on Iran. The Iranian regime is emboldened, and it is more tightly controlled by hardliners and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps than it was prior to the war.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E586-E587] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH IRAN ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Thursday, June 18, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, President Trump's reckless decision to take the United States to war with Iran without Congressional authorization has been a disastrous failure.”
“Prior to the President's war of choice, Iran was an international pariah state. The Iranian regime was guilty of heinous crimes and human rights atrocities against its own people. But President Trump's war has allowed Iran to recast itself as a victim in the eyes of many around the world. Their regime is more hardline, emboldened to continue to disrupt security in the Middle East, and now have serious economic leverage over the United States and the world. The fault for this lies squarely with President Trump. ____________________”
“That includes insisting that Israel honor its ceasefire with Lebanon and cease and desist its use of U.S. munitions in that conflict. This is not what President Trump announced on June 14th. The President's new agreement with Iran is just a tenuous sixty-day extension of the existing ceasefire. It may result in an end to the U.S. naval blockade of Iran and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but that remains to be seen. Furthermore, the ceasefire extension announced by President Trump does nothing to resolve the most critical issues in this conflict, such as the status of the Iranian nuclear program, ballistic missile programs, frozen Iranian financial assets, or imposed U.S. sanctions. Without a resolution to these issues, long-term peace and stability in the region will remain out of reach.”
“When gas goes up, so does the price of everything else. We saw that reflected in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May report on inflation which showed prices increasing at the fastest rate in three years. The American people are paying every single day for a war that no one voted for and Congress has not authorized. Now, President Trump is attempting to negotiate with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was not closed prior to the start of the war. I welcome the international community's support for securing and maintaining the security of the Strait. I also support the ongoing ceasefire with Iran. But this ceasefire extension must lead to a tangible resolution to the war that provides for peace and long-term stability in the Middle East.”
“This will make the prospects for long-term peace with Iran more difficult. The war has failed to achieve other key military goals that the President laid out. First and foremost is the failure to eliminate or secure the Iranian nuclear program's strategic materials. Iran's nuclear program has not been destroyed, and the United States and our allies now have far less visibility into the program than we did while President Obama's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran was in effect. The war has also depleted U.S. stocks of critical munitions, creating a vulnerability for the U.S. military in other theaters. The war has also resulted in considerable economic disruptions in the United States and around the world. On average, gas prices have risen by over $1 per gallon since the [[Page E587]] start of the war.”
“Not only has the president's war of choice utterly failed to deliver on his own shifting military goals, it has cost the American people directly: increasing costs for many necessities like groceries, housing, health care, utilities, gasoline, and more. The war has also left the U.S. and the world in a more precarious geopolitical position. In the first hours of the war, President Trump spoke of eliminating the Iranian regime through U.S. military strikes and a popular uprising of the Iranian people. Not only did no popular uprising against the regime materialize, but President Trump's war has had the opposite effect on Iran. The Iranian regime is emboldened, and it is more tightly controlled by hardliners and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps than it was prior to the war.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E586-E587] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH IRAN ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Thursday, June 18, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, President Trump's reckless decision to take the United States to war with Iran without Congressional authorization has been a disastrous failure.”