Betty McCollum

Betty McCollum is a Democrat representing Minnesota's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. First elected in 2000 and taking office in January 2001, she made history as the second woman from Minnesota ever elected to Congress and is currently the Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation. Her legislative career began at the local level on the North St. Paul City Council (1987–1992), followed by four terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives (1993–2000), where she was elected Assistant Leader by her colleagues. Born in Minneapolis, McCollum graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a Bachelor of Science in social studies and education after earning an Associate of Arts from Inver Hills Community College. Before her career in public service, she worked as a high school social studies teacher and spent over two decades in retail sales and management. In the House, she holds a senior position on the Appropriations Committee, serving as the Ranking Member of the Defense Subcommittee, and has been a leader on the Global Health Caucus and the Congressional Native American Caucus. Throughout her tenure, McCollum has focused on environmental preservation, public education, and strengthening the federal government's trust responsibility to Native American tribes. Her accomplishments include securing significant federal funding for infrastructure projects in the Twin Cities and championing legislation to protect international human rights and global health. She is a lifelong resident of Minnesota and remains a prominent voice for the capital city of Saint Paul and surrounding areas.

McCollum's policy platform focuses on expanding social safety nets, environmental protection, and a human-rights-centered foreign policy. She is a strong advocate for universal healthcare and has consistently supported protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act. On economic issues, she emphasizes strategic investments in education, 21st-century infrastructure, and job creation, while opposing tariffs and advocating for a 'fair playing field' for workers. Her environmental record includes support for land and water conservation, specifically the restoration and resilience of the Mississippi River. In the realm of immigration, McCollum supports comprehensive reform, the admission of vetted refugees, and protections for immigrant communities against racial profiling. Her foreign policy positions are defined by support for international diplomacy and global health initiatives. She has notably advocated for the rights of Palestinian children and families, sponsoring legislation to ensure that U.S. security assistance is not used for the military detention or ill-treatment of minors. She also supports robust engagement with the United Nations and the use of foreign aid to alleviate global poverty and promote democracy.