Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the employees and many fans of Pearson's Candy Company, the 117-year old candy producer which has been making its iconic Nut Goodie and Salted Nut Roll candies at its manufacturing facility in Saint Paul since 1957. Last month, Pearson's announced that it will be closing its West Seventh Street Saint Paul factory at the end of September, eliminating approximately 80 jobs. Founded in 1909 by P. Edward Pearson and his brothers, Pearson's Candy Company introduced its famous Nut Goodie in 1912. Featuring maple nougat, roasted peanuts, and a milk-chocolate coating, the Nut Goodie was a hit and has been enjoyed for generations. In 1933, during the depths of the Great Depression, Pearson's debuted the Salted Nut Roll. Its vanilla nougat center, caramel layer, and salted peanut coating gave people something sweet yet filling for only 5 cents. In 1957, production moved to the current location on West Seventh Street in Saint Paul, where the beloved treats have been produced ever since. Sadly, Pearson's Candy Company has now announced that its Saint Paul factory will end production and close its doors at the end of September, leaving about 80 employees without their jobs. The layoffs will affect positions across production, maintenance, quality control, shipping, and management. Jobs being eliminated include candy makers, packers, maintenance mechanics, boiler operators, machine operators, quality control technicians, HVAC technicians, shipping and receiving clerks, production managers, and the IT manager. While Pearson's parent company, Promise Confections, has stated that production of these iconic products will continue elsewhere, the closure marks the end of more than a century of candy manufacturing in Minnesota and will leave about 80 Saint Paul workers without jobs. In my role as a United States Representative, I have often purchased Pearson's candies to share at special events, including with visitors, ambassadors, and dignitaries from around the world. I have lost count of how many times someone has tried one and immediately asked for another--a small testament to the enduring appeal of this Minnesota- made treat. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the Pearson's Candy Company's 117-year history of candy production in Minnesota, nearly seven decades of Nut Goodie and Salted Nut Roll production on Saint Paul's West Seventh Street, and the generations of workers and families who produced these iconic Minnesota treats.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4795, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2025. This bill would condition federal funding based on a university's choices regarding investments, procurement, partnerships, and other institutional activities in Israel and the West Bank. Peaceful dissent and the protesting of injustice are the right of all Americans guaranteed by the Constitution. It is called freedom of speech. H.R. 4795 would infringe on that right to free speech. In a political environment where the President of the United States is canceling federal grants for academic institutions that do not align with his views or his policies, H.R. 4795 would give President Trump one more tool to infringe on that right to free speech and retaliate against our colleges and universities where he sees fit. My Republican colleagues are advancing this bill to punish academic institutions that divest from Israeli companies or end partnerships with Israeli universities. But this bill will not punish the institutions. It will punish the students at those institutions who rely on federal student loans or Pell Grants to afford college. In my District and across the country, many low- and middle- income students rely on financial aid to afford a college education. Congress should be working to make higher education more affordable for students, not less affordable. Rather than considering H.R. 4795, the House should take up legislation that would actually protect students on college campuses and condemn all forms of hate. Threats, harassment, and hate based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or any other identity have no place in our communities, on our college campuses, or in our society. But this bill does not even attempt to address the recent rise in antisemitism, nor does it address the rise in Islamophobia. Instead, it does real harm to Jewish students by conflating antisemitism with criticism of the state of Israel. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the distinguished career of Minnesota State Senator Sandy Pappas on the occasion of her retirement after 42 years of public service in the Minnesota Legislature. First elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1984 and to the Minnesota Senate in 1990, Senator Pappas has dedicated more than four decades to serving the people of Minnesota, especially the residents of her district in Saint Paul. During her 42 years of legislative service, Senator Pappas has made lasting contributions on issues including education, health care, workers' rights, women's economic security, public safety, transportation, pensions, and economic and social equity. She has chaired the Senate Capital Investment Committee, the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, the Senate State and Local Government Committee, the Senate Higher Education Committee, and the Senate Education Committee. From 2013 to 2016, she served as President of the Minnesota Senate, a testament to the trust placed in her by her colleagues. The Senator's legislative accomplishments have touched the lives of so many Minnesotans. She was instrumental in advancing the Minnesota DREAM Act, the Women's Economic Security Act, statewide Earned Sick and Safe Time, and the creation of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. She championed legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual assault and helped secure Minnesota's ban on child marriage. As a longtime leader on pensions, she helped strengthen retirement security for public employees. Senator Pappas has been a tireless champion for the city of Saint Paul and even ran for mayor in 1997. She helped secure state funding for projects throughout the city, including the Union Depot, the Minnesota Children's Museum, the Ordway, the Victoria Theater, Pedro Park, the North End Community Center, Reconnect Rondo, the reconstruction of the Third Street/Kellogg Bridge, and Shoreline reinforcements on the Mississippi River, Raspberry Island, Upper Landing and Harriet Island. In 2023, as chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee and chief author of the legislation, she helped deliver a historic $2.6 billion capital investment package supporting critical infrastructure for communities across Minnesota. Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Senator Pappas has devoted considerable time and energy to public policy and community service. In 2011, she co-founded Forward Global Women, a nonprofit organization that convenes and trains women leaders from Middle Eastern and North African countries and the United States to step into public leadership positions and build the next generation of women peacemakers. She also taught public policy at Metropolitan State University for 20 years. She earned her bachelor's degree in public policy from Metropolitan State University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government as a Bush Fellow. Throughout her career, Senator Pappas has exemplified a steadfast commitment to public service, human rights, equality, and expanding opportunities for women to lead. It has been an honor to know and work with Senator Pappas. When I was first elected to the Minnesota House in 1992, Sandy was already a force in the state legislature. Over the years, our paths took us in different directions. I eventually went to Congress, while Sandy continued her work in the Minnesota Senate. But we never stopped working together because we both care deeply about the communities we have the privilege to represent. I had the pleasure of working with her on many projects for Saint Paul that brought together local, state, and federal government, including the historic Union Depot. Her legislative expertise, dedication to Saint Paul, and commitment to public service have made her a trusted partner and friend. She leaves public service having made Saint Paul and Minnesota stronger. I am grateful for Sandy's friendship and for all she has done for our communities. I wish her, her husband Neal, their three children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren all the best in this next chapter. Mr. Speaker, please join me in this well-deserved tribute to Senator Sandy Pappas on the occasion of her retirement after 42 years of distinguished public service in the Minnesota Legislature.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this continuing resolution, and I thank the chair and the ranking member for bringing it to the floor for us to have a vote on. Congress knows that CRs are not the way to fund the Federal Government. They are ineffective. They are inefficient in so many ways. Yet, we must keep the Federal Government operating because Americans deserve the certainty that the government services they rely on will be there for them. I also wish to state that I am very proud that this bill for the CR does not have any funding that the President requested in his supplemental for the war in Iran, which was his war of choice. There is no money in this that the President had been requesting in supplementals. President Trump's disastrous tariffs on allies like Canada, his unlawful war in Iran, they are all driving up the costs for Americans, and the President fails to address the rising cost of living. When the President fails to do so, Congress cannot. Congress cannot let a government shutdown happen, too. It puts more burden on our families. Our constituents simply cannot afford it. They deserve so much better. Senate Republicans also let the American people down by failing to release any of their 12 appropriations bills for next year. I am proud that the House moved forward in its work. As I said, the House has done its job. It has advanced all 12 appropriations bills through the committee. I might not agree with the bills in their totality, but it was a framework to get to conference and to get the job done on time. Again, I thank the chair and ranking member for working together to make that happen. As I urge my Senate colleagues to complete their work, to get it done. Let's get to the negotiation table. I encourage my colleagues to vote for the CR so we can have a bipartisan funding package that truly invests in the needs of the American people.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and legacy of The Honorable Kay Granger of Texas. Representative Granger was a trailblazer. She was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Texas and the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. During her tenure as the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, she also made history as part of the first all-female four-corners of Appropriations leadership. Her legacy will be measured both by the historic barriers she broke and the many bipartisan agreements she led. I had the privilege of serving alongside Chairwoman Granger on the Appropriations Committee for many years, including during her time leading the Defense Subcommittee. Kay was a fierce advocate for our men and women in uniform. She understood that funding the Department of Defense was a direct commitment to the servicemembers and their families who sacrifice so much for our country. Over nearly three decades in this body, Kay Granger's career was defined by a rare combination of conviction and civility. She fought hard for her principles and for the people of Fort Worth and North Texas, but she never lost sight of the fact that the Appropriations Committee has long prided itself on working across the aisle to keep the government funded and functioning. Even though we frequently did not agree politically, I admired her commitment to the taxpayers and the institution. Kay Granger will be remembered in the history of this institution as a dedicated public servant and a pioneering leader. On behalf of my constituents and my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, I extend my deepest condolences to Representative Granger's family, friends, and her constituents.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nina Ozlu Tunceli on the occasion of her retirement. For more than three decades, Nina has been one of the most tireless and effective advocates for the arts in America. Nina understands something fundamental: not only do the arts enrich our lives, they are also a key component of vibrant, economically strong communities. Since 1993, Nina has served as Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs at Americans for the Arts, and since 2004, as the founding Executive Director of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund. In that time, she built a network of 450,000 grassroots activists, built relationships with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, and made the case that support for the arts is not a partisan issue--it is an American one. Nina has helped secure some of the most consequential arts policy wins of the past thirty years. In 2009, she led the ``Arts = Jobs'' campaign, which secured $50 million in federal support for the arts in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. During the pandemic, she helped secure critical relief for artists and arts organizations through the CARES Act, the Economic Aid Act, and the American Rescue Plan. Then, Nina established Zoom Office Hours with Nina where she devoted time to personally walking artists and small arts organizations through how to access that essential aid. She built the National Arts Advocacy Day into a Capitol Hill institution. Through ArtsVote, Nina ensured that voters across the country understood what was at stake for the arts in every election. I had the privilege of working with Nina throughout my time in Congress, especially during my leadership of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Nina has been a constant, trusted partner in the subcommittee's work to fund the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Nina provided the subcommittee with data and brought with her the voices of artists and arts organizations from every corner of the country. That partnership made our subcommittee's work stronger, and it strengthened the case for federal arts funding. Mr. Speaker, a career like Nina's isn't just measured in legislation passed or funding secured. It's measured in the local arts agencies still standing, the artists who kept working through moments of crisis, and the generation of advocates she trained and inspired along the way. On behalf of everyone who has ever benefited from a stronger, more visible case for the arts in this country, I want to thank Nina Ozlu Tunceli for 30 years of extraordinary service. I wish her the very best in her retirement.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 7008, the so- called Stop Insider Trading Act. Let me be clear, this bill is not a stock trading ban. It does nothing to stop Members of Congress from profiting from their positions, and it says nothing about the President's own outrageous self-enrichment while in office. I was elected to represent my constituents' interests in Congress, not to abuse my position for personal profit. That is why I do not own or trade individual stocks, securities, commodities, or futures. Unfortunately, not all of my colleagues share that view, which is why Congress must act now to ban stock trading for Members of Congress. In 2012, I voted for the STOCK Act, which brought transparency to Members' stock trades. But transparency is not deterrence. The penalty for violating the STOCK Act is just $200. That is why I have routinely cosponsored real solutions not just for Congress, but for the executive branch as well. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 6731, the Restore Trust in Government Act. This bill would prohibit Presidents, Vice Presidents, Members of Congress, and their dependent children, spouses, and trustees from owning and trading individual stocks. This is the comprehensive reform that Congress should consider today to prohibit Members from profiting from their positions. Instead, we are considering H.R. 7008, which will do something else entirely. H.R. 7008 makes it harder for Americans to vote due to Republican maneuvering that inserts the SAVE America Act in this bill. This provision will pile new burdens on voters and election officials, override even the strictest state voter ID laws by tossing out documents like student IDs and hunting licenses, and effectively ends voting by mail. The bill is timed to take effect 90 days after enactment, landing implementation squarely in the middle of the midterm election after voting has already begun. Trust in Congress is at an all-time low. We will not rebuild it with a bill that dodges real stock trading reform while making it harder for Americans to vote. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and instead work to institute real accountability.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6955, the Main Street Capital Access Act. At a time when families are struggling with the cost of living, this bill could make it even worse. H.R. 6955 loosens guardrails on Wall Street banks that are already posting record profits. The bill would further weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agency Congress built to protect consumers from junk fees, medical debt abuses, and unfair debt collection, at the very moment financial scams are costing Americans tens of billions of dollars. And on top of that, it weakens community reinvestment and anti-discrimination protections. This package bundles 24 Republican bills with just 2 Democratic ones, and it is loaded with poison pills. One provision would even let Wells Fargo delay enforcement action against future harm. We can and must do better to protect our constituents, and the small banks that work to reinvest in our communities. Let me be clear, while I oppose this bill, I remain a strong supporter of our community banks and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and their ability to compete fairly with the Wall Street megabanks. That is why I supported real, bipartisan community bank reforms in the 21st Century Road to Housing Act. This bill is not that, nor is it the reform that our community banks and CDFIs need to better help our community. Instead, H.R. 6955 is dressed up as help for community banks, when it will mostly benefit Wall Street. I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring real reforms to the community banks that anchor our main streets. I urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 6955.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendments in en bloc No. 2 which would reauthorize the Defense Production Act for 5 years. This administration has shown exactly how it intends to use the Defense Production Act authorities, to preempt State and local law, to bypass Tribal consultation, and to take equity stakes in mining companies when it benefits the administration's allies and some family members. As a former State legislator, I am particularly concerned about the administration's weaponization of the Defense Production Act to override State and local laws, laws that are enacted to protect our communities. The Defense Production Act is an important tool for the Department of Defense to work with our industrial base to meet our national security needs, and it does not mean Congress should reauthorize sweeping emergency powers without real guardrails. We need language that protects Tribal consultation, prohibits the waiving of environmental law, and institutes strong oversight in anticorruption measures. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment. I thank the House for its patience with the issue I was having with my throat.

Ms. McCOLLUM

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.

Ms. McCOLLUM

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. 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. 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. 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. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the remarkable life, dedicated service, and enduring legacy of former Minnesota legislator Karen Clark.

Ms. McCOLLUM

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Ms. McCOLLUM

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. 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. 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. 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.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the distinguished life and career of Samuel L. Kaplan on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Sam Kaplan is a son of Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he was born and raised and graduated from Central High School. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota, earning both his undergraduate and law degrees with high distinction. While in law school, he served as President of the Minnesota Law Review, a preview of the exceptional legal career to come. In 1978, Sam co-founded the law firm Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A., where he built a long and distinguished career practicing corporate law for more than six decades and earning a reputation for legal excellence. He has advised businesses across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest on complex legal matters and has served on several corporate boards, including Piper Jaffray, where he was lead director. In addition to his legal work, Sam has been active in Minnesota civic and political life for many years, including as a leader within the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. He has supported numerous political campaigns and social justice causes, including serving in leadership roles for Senator Paul Wellstone's campaigns, as State co- chair for Senator John Kerry's 2004 Presidential campaign, and as a member of the National Finance Committee of Barack Obama's Presidential campaign. In 2009, Sam was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, a position he held until 2013. In this role, he worked to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the United States and Morocco. One of a very small number of American Jews to serve as U.S. Ambassador to a Muslim-majority nation. Sam traveled extensively across the country, engaging with everyday citizens, civil rights leaders, and government officials to build partnerships based on mutual respect. While visiting Morocco in 2013, I witnessed firsthand Sam's exceptional skill and distinction in representing the United States. His wife, Sylvia Kaplan, a beloved community leader, activist, renowned host, and talented chef, also brought impressive diplomatic skill to Morrocco, winning over the hearts of Moroccans and dignitaries from all around the world. Just as in Minnesota, guests at Sam and Sylvia's dining room table in Morocco received a home-cooked meal with friends old and new, along with robust and dynamic conversation. Their hospitality compares to none. In 2015, Sam played a key role in the effort to bring Major League Soccer and Minnesota United FC to Saint Paul's Hamline-Midway neighborhood, helping to bring home a project that has strengthened the city's economy and established a permanent home for Minnesota's vibrant soccer community and its passionate supporters. It is a privilege to know Sam and his wife, Sylvia, as trusted advisors and friends throughout my service in Congress. Sam's career reflects a lifelong commitment to law, public service, and civic engagement. His contributions have had a lasting impact on Minnesota and our Nation. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Samuel L. Kaplan in commemoration of his 90th birthday and in celebrating his extraordinary career of leadership and service to Minnesota and the United States.

Ms. McCOLLUM

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. 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. 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 start of the war. 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. 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. 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.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for votes on the legislation being considered under suspension of the rules on June 8, 2026, due to a delayed flight. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 208, the TRUE Accountability Act (H.R. 8466), and YEA on Roll Call No. 209, the Federal Fraud Prevention Workforce Training Act (H.R. 8428).

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies bill. Last year, Republicans forced through their now incredibly unpopular Big Beautiful Bill, which cut a historic number of Americans from food assistance benefits. This Agriculture appropriations bill is no different, continuing these same dangerous cuts that benefit the wealthy and well connected. Mr. Speaker, you may be wondering what my stake in agriculture is. Though Minnesota produces vast amounts of commodities like wheat, corn, soybeans, and sugar beets, just to name a few, my district is home to only a couple of great apple orchards and some small community farms. However, right down the street from my district office is the University of Minnesota Saint Paul campus, which is home to several vital agriculture programs. Programs like the Cereal Disease Lab, run by the Agricultural Research Service and housed on the university campus, conduct vital research into rare wheat diseases. The University of Minnesota's Veterinary program is also in Saint Paul, training the future workforce that will provide care for animals across our state. I am proud that these vital programs continue to be supported by this bill. However, the cuts made to assistance programs like WIC, and the lack of solutions to the SNAP cuts, are deeply worrisome. Minnesota administers SNAP at the county level, and I know that many of my colleagues--on both sides of the aisle--represent states that do the same. This bill does nothing to solve the immense administrative and program cost shifts enacted by the Big Beautiful Bill. Furthermore, this bill continues devastating cuts to WIC. The proposed funding level means that there will be women and children who are eligible for assistance but will not receive it. I have heard from my constituents about how much they depend on these funding streams, especially at a time when costs are rising across the board. Continuing to cut these programs will harm my constituents. Rural Minnesotans will also be harmed by the cuts in this bill. The ReConnect Broadband program, which helps connect rural Minnesotans across the state to reliable broadband service, is slashed by 20 percent. This bill also cuts important water and waste grants--the backbone of rural conservation efforts--that help rural communities access clean drinking water. Furthermore, the eight percent cut to the Natural Resources Conservation Service will limit farmers' ability to implement best conservation practices. If this bill as written were to be enacted into law, Minnesotans from my district to our most rural communities will see their costs rise. I hope that we can work together to improve this bill for the American people and reverse the devastating cuts proposed.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would ensure that Americans across the country have access to year-round E15. Minnesota is a leader in biofuels, and I stand in support of expanding E15 to all consumers, lowering the cost to fill their gas tanks. Currently, Minnesota and other states that want to sell year-round E15 must go through an EPA waiver system. Technological advancements of E15 have led to the waiver process being an unnecessary regulatory hurdle for states to jump through. This process has led to uncertainty for small fuel stations. These small fuel stations do not want to invest in E15 pumps if there is no certainty that they will be allowed to sell E15. Minnesota is a national leader for E15. We have 18 ethanol plants and produce over 1.4 billion gallons. This biofuel is sold at over 550 gas stations across Minnesota, a number that will surely rise with the passage of yearlong E15. Biofuel production has seen great advancement in the last twenty years. In the early 2000s, a gallon of ethanol might need 10-20 gallons of water to produce. Now, that number is closer to 2 gallons of water for every gallon of ethanol. Water discharge has decreased for all producers. Some biofuel producers in Minnesota have a completely closed loop, with zero discharge. Minnesota legislators worked hard to ensure that an increase in E15 production and consumption did not lead to increased environmental concerns. Other states should follow our lead as we head towards yearlong E15. At a time of increased energy costs, yearlong E15 is a commonsense policy. There are exciting new sources of fuel, like switchgrass, that should also be researched as alternatives to corn. I have supported efforts in the past to research the viability of alternate biofuel sources and would be interested in pursing that research again. We cannot rely on corn alone to produce the ethanol of the future.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and service of Saint Paul Police Officer Felicia D. Reilly, who died in March 2025 after she sustained life-altering injuries in the line of duty in 2010. It was an honor to meet with the family of Officer Reilly and a delegation from the Saint Paul Police Department today as they shared stories of her passion, courage, and empathy throughout her 17 years of service with the SPPD. After beginning her law enforcement career as the first female civilian jailer in Dakota County, she went on to serve the City of Saint Paul with assignments in Central District, Vice Unit, and the East Side District. Officer Reilly's daughter and husband shared her determination to make sure that women officers could embrace the strengths they brought to the job. She brought resourcefulness, integrity, and compassion to her service on the force. Felicia took on challenging details because that is where she could make the most difference for her community. On March 24, 2010, Officer Reilly responded to a 911 call involving a domestic threat. During the response, she was violently assaulted and sustained severe head injuries while arresting the individual. The traumatic brain injury she suffered led to serious lasting health complications, forcing her retirement. Felicia D. Reilly passed away from her injuries on March 1, 2025, and her name has now been added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial. This is to recognize the ultimate sacrifice that Officer Reilly and her family made. I extend my deepest condolences to Officer Reilly's family, friends, and community. Her heroic service will always be remembered and honored.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of an extraordinary man and revered community leader, Mr. Yusef Mgeni. Yusef passed away on April 7, 2026, at age 77, following a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife, Iva Jean Mgeni; his son, Victor Mgeni; and his daughter, Aisha Mgeni. Born Charles Anderson to parents Charles Crane Anderson, a shoe cobbler, and Theresa Agnes Baker Anderson, Yusef is a son of Saint Paul's Rondo neighborhood, a predominantly African American community, most of which was demolished to make way for Interstate 94 in the late 1950s. The grandnephew of former slave and civil rights leader Frederick McGhee, Minnesota's first Black attorney and founder of the state's first Black Catholic church, Yusef was keenly aware of and extremely proud of his lineage. In the early 1970s, Yusef changed his name from Charles Anderson to Yusef Mgeni in an African naming ceremony and later in a court of law. Yusef, a Yoruba name meaning ``God increases'' or ``a person seeking wisdom to benefit others,'' and Mgeni, a Swahili word meaning ``guest,'' ``visitor,'' or ``foreigner,'' were aptly chosen, foreshadowing the path that would define his life's work. Yusef graduated from Metropolitan State University in 1974 with a degree in journalism. He began producing programming for the University of Minnesota's radio station, KUOM, and later helped expand Minneapolis-based KMOJ, which began broadcasting in 1976 to serve Black residents of public housing in North Minneapolis. Over time, the station broadened its reach while continuing to provide community- centered programming led by Black residents. A brilliant historian, educator, community organizer, and activist, Yusef joined the Saint Paul NAACP in 1988, where he eventually became Vice President and Branch Parliamentarian. Yusef played a key role in landmark negotiations with the Saint Paul Police Department, resulting in a mediated agreement addressing racial profiling. Years later, Yusef successfully negotiated for body-worn cameras to be worn by officers, which became an amendment to this agreement. As a scholar and educator, Yusef was Director of the Office of Educational Equity for the Saint Paul Public Schools from 2006 to 2012. He was a champion for ethnic studies in Minnesota schools, believing that ethnic studies are American history and not a supplement to it--a way for everyone to see themselves reflected in what they are learning. Yusef's lifelong contributions to the Black community in Minnesota covered a wide swath, including his work with the African American Leadership Council, Saint Paul's Hallie Q. Brown Center, the Urban Coalition, the Saint Paul Urban League, the Sabathani Community Center, the Million Man March, and Saint Paul Strong. He was interviewed for the Rondo Neighborhood Oral History Project, preserved by the Minnesota Historical Society, in which he reflected on his life's work. Yusef was very special to me and to the constituents of Minnesota's 4th Congressional District. As a leader in Saint Paul's Black community and the Rondo neighborhood, Yusef reached out to me personally over the years, not only in his capacity as a local leader, but also as my neighbor. We were able to have many deep, valuable, and meaningful conversations about the history of the Rondo neighborhood and Saint Paul's Black community. I learned so much from those conversations, which repeatedly proved helpful to me in my work as a member of Congress. I fondly remember some of those conversations taking place on bitterly cold January mornings as we marched together in celebration of the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was my great honor and privilege to call Yusef a friend. He has been an inspiration to me, and his legacy will continue to inspire many for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the remarkable life and powerful work of Mr. Yusef Mgeni.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, on April 22, 2026, I was present at the House Appropriations Committee Full Committee markup of the FY2027 Financial Services and General Government bill. We were debating an amendment to authorize Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to work in the federal government when the vote on Ordering the Previous Question for H. Res. 1189 was called. This resulted in my absence from the House during one vote on April 22, 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 130, on Ordering the Previous Question.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I was in committee voting on DACA. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 130.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of my colleague, Representative Eliot Lance Engel of New York. Congressman Engel passed away on April 10, 2026, in New York City at the age of 79. My condolences are with his loved ones during this difficult time. Prior to his political career, Congressman Engel worked as a teacher and guidance counselor in the Bronx. Eliot and I often shared stories over our similar experiences as teachers of social studies. After teaching, he was elected to the New York State Assembly representing the 81st District. During his tenure in the New York State Assembly, he concurrently pursued his Juris Doctor at the New York Law School. In Congress, Congressman Engel was a dear colleague. I worked closely with him on issues related to foreign affairs, travelling around the world together from Iraq to India together. In his time in Congress, Congressman Engel played an instrumental role in passing key international development and humanitarian legislation such as the re- authorization of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which included his Stop Tuberculosis Now Act. He also championed efforts here in the United States and around the world to protect and expand LGBTQ+ rights. Congressman Engel was also a strong advocate for healthcare reform including the Affordable Care Act, and the Partnering to Improve Maternity Care Quality Act which improved maternity care both for mothers and newborns. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the life and work of Congressman Eliot Engel.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to restate my strong opposition to President Trump's unlawful and unconstitutional decision to order U.S. military strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. His actions have entered our Nation into war without any imminent threat posed by Iran to the United States and lacking necessary Congressional authorization. With each day, it becomes more apparent that President Trump's decision to go to war with Iran was a political choice, not a strategic necessity. It is also clear that he has no plan to account for the quickly rising costs for his war of choice. The President is now reportedly seeking $200 billion in supplemental funding from Congress for his war--an astounding amount that far surpasses the costs of the war that have been reported during the past four weeks. Additionally, Congress is still waiting for the administration to fully explain where it is spending the additional $150 billion in funding that the Pentagon received through the Republicans reconciliation package that cut taxes for billionaires at the expense of health care and food assistance programs. Congress also awaits the president's budget request for this year--which is nearly two months overdue. Let me be clear--I will not write blank checks to the Department of Defense. Here at home, Americans are also paying for this war through higher prices at the gas pump--prices that continue to rise as attacks expand to critical energy infrastructure and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The national average price is up by $1 more per gallon since the war began. When gas prices go up, so does the price of everything else. If the American people are being asked to pay for this war, then they deserve clear answers from President Trump on why he chose to attack Iran, what objectives justify continued military engagement, and what guardrails are in place to prevent a broader or protracted regional war. Unfortunately, the Trump administration's rationale for the strikes keeps shifting. First, it was about destroying Iran's nuclear program, despite declaring last June that Iran's nuclear facilities had been ``totally obliterated''--a claim Trump repeated in February. Then it was about regime change. Then we heard from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the reason to launch the war was because Israel was going to attack Iran first. When that rationale was retracted, Americans were told it was about destroying Iran's ballistic missiles and military industrial base. For America to be engaged in large scale conflict overseas for nearly a month--with no clarity for Congress or the American public about why--is shocking, unacceptable, and unprecedented in our history. In 2002, I was one of 133 members of the House of Representatives to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution. While I opposed that war from the beginning, President Bush did what President Trump has failed to do--follow the law and the Constitution and explain his rationale, albeit deeply flawed, for taking our Nation to war. There was a monthslong national debate about military action in Iraq, and Congress held hearings, debated the resolution, and voted to approve the operation before President Bush launched the first strikes on Iraq. With respect to Iran, President Trump has denied the American public and the Congress this same process that the Constitution requires. No one deserves answers more than our U.S. servicemembers and their families. At least 13 courageous service men and women who volunteered to serve their country have given their lives in this conflict, including my constituent, Master Sergeant Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. At least 200 others have been injured. Our U.S. servicemembers are serving with a profound sense of duty to our country. For this, all Americans should be grateful. For this, all Americans should be united to support them. The family members and loved ones of our brave troops are also enduring tremendous sacrifices that can never be repaid. For the selfless Americans who sacrificed their lives and bodies in service to our country, we must always remember them and always fulfill the promises we have made to our veterans and their families. By any measure, America's war in Iraq was a strategic and human tragedy that must not be repeated. As President Trump commits our Nation to another serious conflict in the Middle East, this time with Iran, the American people must not be fooled, not be driven by fear, and not yield to another expensive and painful war of choice. While I have clearly stated my disagreement with this war in Iran, I strongly believe that we must stand united in supporting U.S. servicemembers and their families. We pray that they complete their orders and return home safely and soon.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to S. 1383, the so- called SAVE America Act. This is yet another attempt from Republicans to nationalize elections and take power away from local communities. I already voted against an earlier version of this bill and I will continue to oppose it whenever it comes to the floor. This new version of the SAVE America Act is even more extreme. It would force every state to hand over their voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security, so that Kristi Noem can purge voters at will. Just weeks ago, Attorney General Bondi attempted to blackmail the state of Minnesota with a similar proposition--hand over the voter rolls and the ICE surge would end. Now, Republicans in the House are aiming for the same federal seizure of local voter rolls in every state of our Nation. This bill would also disenfranchise millions of women and other Americans through a federal takeover of state election administration. One out of four Americans--69 million women--would have to navigate barriers that should not be necessary to vote because they changed their last name after marriage. Republicans claim that this new version will ``fix'' this problem by adding in a provision about affidavits to prove identity. However, the bill remains vague, leaving the process up to the states. Regardless, millions of women would face additional burdensome steps to register to vote. I want to be clear; this bill is not simply a voter ID bill and labelling it as such is a trick to convince Americans of its intent. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Now, Republicans want to force every American to provide burdensome and expensive ``documentary proof of citizenship''--similar to what Minnesotans already rejected--in order to exercise their right to vote. Congress should be following Minnesota's lead and working to make it easier for Americans to vote, not putting up roadblocks. Congress should pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act that would reinstate many of the protections in the Civil Rights Act of 1965 that were undercut by the Supreme Court in their Shelby County v. Holder decision in 2013. The bill would expand automatic voter registration and allows for same day voter registration and protects against race- based discrimination at the ballot box. Democrats passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act through the House in 2021, but it was blocked by Republicans in the Senate. The House Republican majority in this Congress has continued to refuse to bring the bill back to the House Floor for a vote.