NEWS

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Bill in Congress would expand federal benefits to firefighters diagnosed with cancer

By Danny Spewak, KARE 11

“Klobuchar said Senate leadership is interested in passing the bill and that lawmakers will work to include the proposal in either a larger defense bill or another budget bill at the end of the calendar year. The bill also has broad bipartisan support in the U.S. House, including from Minnesota Democrats Rep. Angie Craig, Rep. Betty McCollum and Rep. Kelly Morrison and Republican Rep. Pete Stauber.”

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morning take | Will Suburban GOPers vote for gun control?

By Blois Olson, morning take

TRIBES: via a Rep. Betty McCollum press release, VERBATIM: ‘Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Co-Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Native American Caucus, [has] reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act (IPAAA) to authorize advance appropriations in order to avoid lapses in funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). These agencies fund critical public services for Tribal Nations, including hospitals, schools, law enforcement, and child welfare programs, among other services.’”

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DC Memo: Kirk shooting ignites partisan rancor in Washington

By Ana Radelat, MinnPost

“‘I hope there isn’t a shutdown and there shouldn’t be a shutdown,’ said Rep. Betty McCollum, D-4th District, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

But she said this about her Republican colleagues if there is a shutdown: ‘They own it.’”

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morning take | A Divided Country on 9/11

By Blois Olson, morning take

SCHOOLSHOOTING: Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Betty McCollum also shared thoughts on a school shooting in Colorado that happened at around the same time yesterday, with Walz simply saying ‘Enough.’ McCOLLUM: ‘My heart goes out to those who have been wounded. Students shouldn’t have to live in fear of a shooting taking place in their school. Congress must act to pass common-sense gun safety laws NOW!’”

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Minnesota mourners hold vigil as politicians condemn violence in wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination

By Star Tribune staff, The Minnesota Star Tribune

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., on X:

“I am disgusted and horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk that took place this afternoon in Utah. We must unite as a nation to condemn this and all political violence. Americans must come together to stop the epidemic of gun violence in the United States.”

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morning take | Walz Inches Closer to Running

By Blois Olson, morning take

CATALYTIC: via a Rep. Betty McCollum press release, VERBATIM: ‘Today, Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) [and] Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, re-introduced the Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act to curb the theft of catalytic converters. … [They] were also joined by Representatives [including] Angie Craig (D-MN). … The PART Act seeks to reduce catalytic converter thefts by allowing law enforcement officers to link stolen parts to the vehicle from which they originate by requiring new vehicles to have a unique identifying marker stamped onto the converter, [among other changes].’”

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5 takeaways on Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital

By Filip Timotija and Laura Kelly, The Hill

“‘I unequivocally condemn Israel’s attack on Qatar, a neutral nation that has mediated peace talks for nearly two years between Israel and Hamas,’ said Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. 

‘This unprovoked attack on the nation of Qatar is a flagrant violation of international law that harms prospects for peace between Israel and Hamas and jeopardizes the return of Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity.’”

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Governor Walz Urges Secretary Noem to Restore Public Safety Funding

By the Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

“[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to restore the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant, which was abruptly cancelled in July. The letter follows earlier appeals from Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and Minnesota’s congressional delegation, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Representatives Angie Craig, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, and Kelly Morrison.”

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Hot Dish: VP visits Annunciation in wake of shooting

By Sydney Kashiwagi, The Minnesota Star Tribune

Minnesota lawmakers chime in. GOP. Rep. Thomas Massie's petition that would force a vote on a bill to release the files is gaining traction in Congress. DFL Reps. Omar, Angie Craig and Betty McCollum all said they've signed on to Massie's petition, which needs 218 signatures to get around leadership to force a vote on the bill. “

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Opinion: Republican bill on energy and water works against Minnesota interests

By Betty McCollum, The Minnesota Star Tribune

“We don’t have the luxury of ignoring the very real effects of climate change happening around us — especially when they’re affecting our lives and livelihoods and our national security. Future generations will pay the highest costs of Republicans’ failure to act.”

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McConnell readies for battle to boost defense spending

By Ellen Mitchell, The Hill

“‘The fact is we did not have the president’s plan for his defense priorities when this bill was written,’ Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), ranking member on the Appropriations subcommittee for defense spending, said. ‘That makes this bill an incomplete product.’”

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Before Minnesota Shooting, a Program Aimed at Preventing Attacks Lost Federal Funding

By Chris Hippensteel and Orlando Mayorquín, The New York Times

“Earlier this month, Ms. Smith and five other Democratic members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation — Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representatives Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison — wrote to Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary, urging her to reverse the cuts, even though the department had said they were not subject to appeal.”

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DHS cut funding to mass shooting prevention programs in Minnesota before killings

By Audrey Ash and Curt Devine, CNN

“The cancelation of that grant ‘limits our state law enforcement from access to vital federal counterterrorism partners and resources and leaves Minnesota communities more vulnerable to violent attacks,’ said Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum, one of six Democratic lawmakers who sent a letter to DHS earlier this month imploring the agency to reinstate the grant to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.”

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Hot Dish: Kids killed in Annunciation shooting ID'd

By Allison Kite, The Minnesota Star Tribune

“Democratic U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum said she has supported an assault weapons ban throughout her time in Congress. ‘Semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines were designed to inflict maximum carnage on the battlefield. They do not belong in our communities,’ she said.”

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Walz, Trump order flags half-staff after Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

By Alex Derosier, Pioneer Press

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum

“‘My heart goes out to our neighbors in Minneapolis impacted by the horrific violence at Annunciation Catholic School this morning. I’m grateful for the swift response by first responders. All Minnesotans join as one in supporting the children, teachers, and their families,’ she said in a post on X, later adding: ‘It’s devastating to learn that innocent children were fired on as they sat in pews during mass. My heart breaks for the two children who were killed and for the 17 other victims injured. These children, teachers, and their families need our prayers and our full support.’”

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Trump, other political leaders react to Annunciation shooting

By Krystal Frasier, WCCO

"My heart goes out to our neighbors in Minneapolis impacted by the horrific violence at Annunciation Catholic School this morning," said Congresswoman Betty McCollum. "I'm grateful for the swift response by first responders. All Minnesotans join as one in supporting the children, teachers, and their families."

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