NEWS

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Virginia Subs Will Hit 2-A-Year Build Rate in 2030s, CNO Caudle Says

Mallory Shelbourne and Sam LaGrone, U.S. Naval Institute News

“Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), the subcommittee’s ranking member, voiced concern over the lack of a concept and schedule for the Trump-class battleship program, which the Navy wants to start buying in the Fiscal Year 2028 budget cycle. McCollum noted that the Navy is seeking $1 billion in advance procurement funding despite not having finalized a design for the battleship.”

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USDA in Minnesota, already hit hard by DOGE cuts, faces more lost jobs

By Christopher Vondracek, The Minnesota Star Tribune

“Minnesota’s Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat who represents the St. Paul area and serves on the House committee, has criticized the drawdown.

‘Cuts to conservation programs will limit our farmers’ ability to implement best practices in conservation to protect their land and all of our water,’ she said.”

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Key House Republicans press Hegseth, express skepticism on Pentagon budget

By Ellen Mitchell, The Hill

“The question of how the Pentagon will hit a historic $1.5 trillion budget was a concern on both sides of the aisle, with ranking member Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), opening the hearing by requesting that the administration provide a more detailed breakout of the costs of the Iran war and how the Pentagon would spend a significant budget increase.

Lawmakers have ‘asked several times for a complete update on ammunition levels, and it has not been provided,’ McCollum noted.

She also asked whether the administration had a plan B to scale back operations against Iran, but Hegseth declined to go into specifics.”

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Lawmakers look for new leverage points on Iran during Hegseth hearings

By Ali Vitali, MS NOW

“The demand — which belies a simmering impatience on the Hill for funding a war lawmakers never authorized — was echoed by Calvert’s Democratic counterpart, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., who demanded that Hegseth send lawmakers a war supplemental by early June.

And when McCollum asked if Hegseth had a ‘Plan B’ if Congress didn’t pass a war authorization, he said “we have a plan for all of that,” though he declined to provide specifics.”

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Hegseth faces bipartisan grilling about weapons drawdown during the Iran war

By Ben Finley, Konstantin Toropin, Bill Barrow, and Stephen Groves, Associated Press

“Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, the defense subcommittee’s ranking Democrat, pressed Hegseth on whether the military has a plan to draw down troops in the Middle East if Congress passes so-far-unsuccessful efforts to end the Iran war.”

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Hegseth, Caine encounter intense bipartisan frustration with Iran war

By Noah Robertson, The Washington Post

“Rep. Betty McCollum (Minnesota), the House panel’s top Democrat, said that lawmakers needed a comprehensive accounting of estimated losses, including to aircraft and other military equipment by June 11, given the panel’s schedule to markup its annual defense bill.”

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DOD says Iran war cost now roughly $29B 

By Tony Bertuca, Inside Defense

“Meanwhile, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), the subcommittee's ranking member, asked Hurst to send detailed war costs to lawmakers before June 11 as the panel needs it to mark up its fiscal year 2027 defense spending bill.

‘I know you're going to do your best,’ she said. ‘We'll take the homework assignment in pieces.’”

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Hegseth Is Facing a New Round of Questioning From Congress on the Iran War and More

By Ben Finley, Konstantin Toropin and Bill Barrow, Military.com

“Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, the subcommittee's ranking Democrat, asked for a breakdown of funding needs for the Iran war.

‘We’ve asked several times for a complete update on munitions levels, and it has not been provided,’ she said.

McCollum also pressed Hegseth on whether the U.S. military has a plan to draw down troops if Congress passes a war powers resolution to end the conflict.”

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Woodbury breaks ground on renovation of public safety center

By Talia McWright, Pioneer Press

“Burt said a lot of planning went into the project, not only in designing the remodel, but especially in securing funding. During Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, state legislators attended to support the efforts, as well as U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and former Woodbury resident and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who said they worked hard to support funding for the project at the federal level.”

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Higher fertilizer prices pressure Trump-loyal US farmers

By John T. Bennett, Roll Call

“Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat from farm-heavy Minnesota, said ‘the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has made energy prices go up globally, and it’s increased the cost of living,’ adding: ‘Everything from what my farmers are paying for fertilizer, to the fuel that they’re putting in their tractors as they go out to the field, let alone what everyday Americans are doing gassing up.’

‘The president says we can’t afford to help American families with daycare or funding of Medicaid or Medicare because we’re fighting wars,’ she said during an April 30 House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing. ‘Well, I strongly disagree with the president on this analysis.’”

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Sharing a Meal, Sharing a Moment

By Master Sgt. Amy Lovgren, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

“The event was well received by the Airmen’s family and friends. The program started with the posting of the colors by cadets from St. Thomas Academy and the singing of the national anthem by a volunteer. The event was attended by St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Rep. Betty McCollum.”

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Here’s what’s behind the US Army’s $2.1B R&D funding increase

By Daniel Terrill, Defense News

“During the Army’s congressional budget hearing, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, noted that while R&D spending is increasing, funding for financial management and audit readiness is declining.

McCollum said that although much of the budget is aimed at ‘applications, infrastructure, data and transport,’ it provides less detail on how those investments will be tracked. She added that the number of budget lines dedicated to auditing has been reduced from 41 to four.

‘It has an unintended consequence when you compress these activities to make it easier for the Army to move funds without keeping Congress involved,’ she said. ‘We might have a discussion about what you’re going to do, but without the lines, we don’t have the accountability for both of us.’”

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Finstad calls House-passed farm bill a win for Minnesota

By Noah Fish, Agweek

“In a statement following the vote, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., called the farm bill ‘three years late and still falls short for farmers and the American people,’ citing its codification of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cuts enacted through last year's reconciliation package.”

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Hot Dish: Gun bill clears first hurdle

By Sydney Kashiwagi, The Minnesota Star Tribune

The winners. Incumbent Reps. Tom Emmer, a Republican representing the 6th District, and Betty McCollum, a Democrat representing the 4th District, both won their respective party backings over the weekend.”

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Capitol View: Two weeks to the end

By Brian Bakst, Dana Ferguson and Cait Kelley, MPR News

“The dean of the Minnesota congressional delegation, Rep. Betty McCollum, won the DFL endorsement as she seeks a 14th term.”

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morning take | Fraud Plan from Klobuchar

By Blois Olson, morning take

ENDORSEMENTS: This weekend, DFLer Jake Johnson was endorsed in CD1, GOP state Sen. Eric Pratt was endorsed in CD2, DFL Rep. Betty McCollum was endorsed in CD4, GOP Rep. Tom Emmer was endorsed in CD6, and DFLer Trina Swanson was endorsed in CD8.”

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DFL Congressional District 4 Holds Endorsement Convention

By Minnesota DFL Party

“‘It’s an honor to serve the people of Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional district. I’m grateful that 4th Congressional district DFLers have once again placed their faith in me to keep fighting in Washington for our Minnesota values,’ said Congresswoman McCollum. ‘My voice and my vote will always be focused on defending our freedoms, opposing the MAGA attacks on our democracy, protecting our environment – especially the Boundary Waters – and holding the Trump administration accountable for the corruption, chaos and cruelty they are inflicting on the American people.’”

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