{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"MN\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-announces-23-million-americorps-vista-projects-fourth-district", "McCollum Announces $2.3 Million to AmeriCorps VISTA projects in Fourth District", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) celebrated the announcement that $2,327,046 will be awarded to eight organizations in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District to fund AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) projects:\n\n\"Minnesota leads the way in volunteerism, and I'm proud of the positive impact AmeriCorps VISTAs have made in our neighborhoods,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"These federal funds willboost the capacity of eight fabulous local organizations to continue delivering vital services to strengthen our community \u2013 from increasing access to health care and nutrition, to supporting youth and improving literacy during this time of COVID. I'm proud to play an instrumental role in delivering these critical funds to our district as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nCreated in 1965, AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty in America. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time for one year at non-profit organizations, schools, or local government agencies, multiplying their impact and building their capacity to carry out essential projects. AmeriCorps has made 12 AmeriCorps VISTA awards to organizations in Minnesota during the past quarter with an approximate value of the investment of $3,556,785. As a result of their service, the AmeriCorps members supported by these awards are eligible for up to $1,283,939 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards.\n\nThe list of organizations receiving AmeriCorps VISTA grants in MN-04 is as follows:\n\nImage\n\nImage\n\nImage", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-urges-minnesota-leaders-prioritize-local-projects", "Representative Angie Craig Urges Minnesota Leaders to Prioritize Local Projects in the Second District with Federal Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Representative Angie Craig urged Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation Margaret Anderson Kelliher to direct federal funding authorized by Congress as part of the bipartisan infrastructure package toward local projects in the Second District. Craig, who worked closely with local leaders to identify the projects that would have the most immediate positive impact on communities throughout the Second District, argued that the funding of these projects would create good-paying local jobs, improve the region's infrastructure and satisfy local demands.\n\nIn November, Craig helped secure $6.8 billion in funding for infrastructure projects in Minnesota by helping to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.\n\n\"The projects I selected meet many of my communities' most urgent transportation needs, from Apple Valley to Wabasha. Completion of these projects will make our state safer, stronger, greener and more accessible,\" wrote Representative Craig. \"Local leaders have gone above and beyond to demonstrate deep and wide-ranging community support for these projects, and to ensure they are technically sound and integrated with long-term state and regional planning.\"\n\n\"My hope is that we can work together to include these projects on an amended State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or through other means and direct the IIJA's generational federal investment to these projects in a timely fashion,\" Craig continued.\n\nEarlier this year, Craig submitted requests for millions of dollars in federal funding in surface transportation reauthorization legislation for projects in Minnesota's Second Congressional District. Craig selected those proposals after working closely with local leaders to identify infrastructure projects like the realignment of Levee Road in Red Wing and the Dakota County Veterans Memorial Greenway Project which would have immediate, beneficial impacts on local communities throughout the Second District. This summer, Craig secured the inclusion of those eight local Member Designated Projects in the INVEST in America Act, a transformative five-year, $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill which passed the House, but was not advanced in the Senate. Alternatively, those projects are eligible to be funded through federal dollars made available to the state through the recently signed-into-law Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which directed $6.8 billion to Minnesota.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter and below.\n\nDear Governor Walz and Commissioner Anderson Kelliher,\n\nThank you for joining with me to discuss the benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at recent events back in Minnesota. Your support for this historic legislative achievement is truly appreciated, and I look forward to working with both of you to implement this vitally important law.\n\nWith the significant federal funding increases expected over the next five years for our roads, bridges, transit and trails I am writing to you today to ensure a group of projects I identified \u2013 along with my local stakeholders \u2013 earlier this year during the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Member Designated Project (MDP) process are prioritized for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding in Minnesota.\n\nThe projects I selected meet many of my communities' most urgent transportation needs, from Apple Valley to Wabasha. Completion of these projects will make our state safer, stronger, greener and more accessible. Local leaders have gone above and beyond to demonstrate deep and wide-ranging community support for these projects, and to ensure they are technically sound and integrated with long-term state and regional planning. All eight of these MDPs secured the backing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the full House of Representatives, which voted to approve them on July 1, 2021.\n\nMy hope is that we can work together to include these projects on an amended State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or through other means and direct the IIJA's generational federal investment to these projects in a timely fashion. I have provided a brief description and funding amount for each of the eight projects within my Congressional District. Please let me know if your Administration needs any additional federal resources or authorities to help advance these projects:\n\nMinnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Apple Valley Station Modernization Project - $800,000. Funding would be used to complete the modernization of the Apple Valley Transit Station (AVTS), including updated security and customer information technology and amenities at AVTS. Funds would also be used to develop a designated operator training lot that would also provide great benefit to Dakota County Technical College, which was recently highlighted by President Joe Biden. Through this second and final phase of the AVTS Modernization, MVTA seeks to improve upon the current state of safety and security features, customer amenities and create an effective space for new hire and refresher operator training.\n\nMVTA Burnsville Bus Garage Modernization Project - $2.4 million. Funding would be used to support the garage's north apron expansion and add-on state-of-good repair and expansion options that available funding has not been able to support to date. The success of MVTA transit service and its ability to serve its riders well is dependent upon the functionality of its bus garages where storage, maintenance, fueling, employee accommodations are provided. Securing funding for the final phase of the BBG Modernization would create benefits that reach the rapidly-growing communities in my Congressional District MVTA serves and beyond.\n\nDakota County Veterans Memorial Greenway Project - $5 million. The funding would be used to help the County construct a 5-mile paved route through exceptionally scenic Dakota County landscapes, including river views, woodlands, farmlands, parks and natural areas. It will be Minnesota's longest greenway dedicated to veterans, offering a safe and accessible outdoor space for veterans and other visitors to reflect in nature, celebrate the county's strong tradition of military service and unite in honor of all veterans. This will be Dakota County's first countywide veterans memorial and is expected to feature five to seven memorials along the greenway, including a large area for community gathering. The memorials will be designed and built in partnership with veterans' organizations. The greenway's accessibility features will welcome the county's more than 6,600 disabled veterans and other users with disabilities.\n\nA current route used by pedestrians and bicyclists between the county's most popular park and greenway poses at-grade conflicts with nearly 20,000 trucks and other vehicles daily on State Highway 3 and County Roads 71 and 73, and an additional 34,000 vehicles on State Highway 52. There also are conflicts with trains traveling on two active rail lines through Dakota County. The Veterans Memorial Greenway also will allow bicyclists to ride from St. Paul to Lebanon Hills on a safer route separate from a growing volume of road traffic. A well-designed greenway that thoughtfully commemorates our veterans will give people of all abilities opportunity to improve the quality of their lives and will enhance safety for pedestrian and bicyclists along the corridor.\n\nGoodhue County CSAH 2 Bridge 25501 Replacement Project - $640,000. The funding would be used to help the County replace Bridge 25501, which is located on a 'Major Collector' highway. The bridge was built in 1966 and has an average of 400 vehicles crossing it a day. The bridge's deck is a series of concrete open girders with a third of the deck's underside having exposed rebar. The bridge has steel columns holding up the middle of the bridge that are severely deteriorated resulting in a load posting that restricts the weight of vehicles crossing it. This bridge's condition is poor enough to meet Federal bridge funding requirements. A failure of the bridge would be a significant problem for the County and the family farmers and other users of the bridge in this rural area that are dependent on reliable infrastructure to get their products to market.\n\nCity of Lakeville/Dakota County I-35/CSAH 50 Interchange Project - $700,000. The funding would be used for preliminary engineering to determine the scope of corridor mobility and safety improvement needs. This will be used to guide final design for reconstruction of the interchange at I-35 and CSAH 50 in Lakeville, MN. It will also be used to complete corridor safety and mobility improvements in coordination with the pavement replacement project included in the Minnesota Department of Transportation 10-Year Capital Highway Improvement Program. The existing interchange is an interim configuration that does not have sufficient capacity, sight distance, or turn lanes resulting in delays and safety issues. This existing situation will continue to deteriorate as the City of Lakeville and the surrounding communities continue to grow at a rapid rate. Proceeding with this project at this time presents a unique opportunity to coordinate with a pavement preservation project that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has programmed at this location.\n\nCity of Red Wing Levee Road Realignment Project - $3.124 million. The funding would be used to realign Levee Road, a Federal-aid eligible Minor Collector located along the bank of the Mississippi River to add new efficiency, staging and fleeting capabilities for drivers delivering locally grown grain commodities to nearby Red Wing Grain, LLC for international export. The funding would also help establish a riverfront railroad quiet zone. Additionally, as a result of this realignment, a portion of the existing Mississippi River Trail (MRT) utilizing the Levee Road corridor will require relocation. The MRT is Minnesota's only state bicycle route designated by state statute and is designated U.S. Bicycle Route 45. The City has already received funding under the Title 23 Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) for a segment of adjacent MRT. Stormwater management infrastructure is also envisioned near the trail and would be similarly eligible for funding under 23 U.S.C \u00a7 133\n\nScott County US 169/TH 282/CH 9 Interchange Project - $2.3 million. As you are aware, the project was recently awarded an $8 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE Discretionary Grant. I had secured $2.3 million for the project to assist with right-of-way, engineering and environmental documentation. The project includes an interchange that will provide improved pedestrian and bike access to the residents of Jordan, a grade separation of the Union Pacific mainline rail crossing on CH 9 and improve mobility for freight and regional traffic on US 169 with reliable and safe access to US 169, for residents of Jordan and the surrounding area.\n\nCity of Wabasha MN Highway 60 Project - $3.975 million. Funding would be used to help the City with construction and realignment of MN Highway 60, which is a regional significant Minor Arterial and crosses the Mississippi River in the City of Wabasha. The other nearest bridge crossings are 32 miles in either direction. The current Highway 60 connection between the bridge and US Hwy 61 requires navigating 3 intersections with stop signs, travel through a residential neighborhood, and is seasonally restricted with high water, and has a vehicle height restriction.\n\nThank you again for your leadership for the State of Minnesota and for all of our constituents who rely on safe transportation in their daily lives.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-representatives-passes-combating-international-islamophobia-act", "House of Representatives Passes Combating International Islamophobia Act", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Omar and Rep. Jan Schakowsky's bill the Combating International Islamophobia Act, 219-212. Hours earlier, the Biden Administration announced the President's support for the legislation.\n\nThe bill requires the U.S. State Department to create a Special Envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia, and include state-sponsored Islamophobic violence and impunity in the Department's annual human rights reports. The creation of the Special Envoy will help policymakers better understand the interconnected, global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry, and will establish a comprehensive strategy for U.S. leadership in combatting Islamophobia worldwide.\n\n\"We are in the midst of a staggering of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination around the world,\" Rep. Omar said today in a floor speech. \"At rise its worst, it is Uyghurs in concentration camps in China and a genocide against the Rohingya in Burma. But those atrocities are part of a deeper fabric of violence against Muslims and impunity for violence against Muslims at a global level. In India, Prime Minister Modi's government has moved to strip citizenship from millions of Muslims and has occupied Kashmir. In Sri Lanka, anti-Muslim laws and violence have imposed terror on the community. In Hungary, Belarus, and Poland, politicians have stoked fear of Muslim refugees and immigrants. In New Zealand and Canada, white supremacist violence has targeted Muslims, including at their places of worship. Earlier this year, the United Nations commissioned a report and concluded that Islamophobia has reached \u2018epidemic proportions' and urged nations around the world to take all necessary measures to combat it. As a country that was founded on religious liberty, our leadership on international religious freedom depends on recognizing that Islamophobia is global in scope, and we must lead the global effort to address it. That's why Rep, Schakowsky and I have introduced this bill, to create a special envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia at the State Department.\"\n\n\"As a proud co-lead of the Combating International Islamophobia Act, I was thrilled to see it pass the House today,\" said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). \"In the U.S. alone, nearly 70 percent of American Muslims have reported personally experiencing anti-Muslim hate, bigotry, and even violence. This anti-Muslim hate isn't just confined to certain areas of the country or the globe. It happens everywhere \u2013 including in the halls of Congress. It is well past time for the U.S. to seriously examine and address anti-Muslim hate at home and abroad.\"\n\nThis year, the United States has seen over 500 documented complaints of anti-Muslim hate and bias. In a recent study conducted by CAIR, found 69% of respondents personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In a separate study conducted by the Othering and Belonging Institute, found 67% of Muslims personally experienced Islamophobia in their lifetimes. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred towards Muslims has risen to \"epidemic proportions.\"\n\nThere has been a staggering rise in incidents of violent Islamophobia incidents worldwide. Whether it is the atrocities being committed against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma, the crackdowns on Muslim populations in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees and other Muslims in Hungary and Poland, the acts of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, or the targeting of minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran\u2014the problem of Islamophobia is global in scope.\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is cosponsored by Reps Bass, Bowman, Carson, Correa, Dean, Dingell, Eshoo, Garc\u00eda (IL), Green (TX), Grijalva, Jacobs (CA), Jackson Lee, H. Johnson (GA), Jones, Kim (NJ), Lowenthal, C. Maloney, McGovern, Newman, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Pascrell, Payne, Phillips, Pocan, Pressley, Rush, Sires, Tlaib, Watson Coleman, Williams, Jayapal, Davis, Castro, Meeks, S\u00e1nchez, Quigley, Raskin, Evans, Lawrence, Trone, Blumenauer, Sarbanes, Chu, Ruppersberger, Malinowski, Wild, Schneider, Scott, Lieu, Sherman, Brown, McCollum, Johnson (TX), Degette and Neguse.\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is endorsed by the American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN), American Muslims for Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, Arizona Muslim Alliance, Center for Victims of Torture, Church World Service, Common Defense, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Human Rights First, ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ), IfNotNow, International Islamophobia Studies Research Association, Islamophobia Studies Center, Islamophobia Studies Journal, Jetpac Resource Center, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Libyan American Alliance, MPower Change, Muslim American Society, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Revolutionary Love Project, Secure Justice, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Together We Serve, U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, and Veterans For Peace.\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\nRep. Omar's full remarks on the House floor can be found here and below:\n\nMr. Speaker, we are in the midst of a staggering rise of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination around the world. At its worst, it is Uyghurs in concentration camps in China and a genocide against the Rohingya in Burma. But those atrocities are part of a deeper fabric of violence against Muslims and impunity for violence against Muslims at a global level. In India, Prime Minister Modi's government has moved to strip citizenship from millions of Muslims . In Sri Lanka, anti-Muslim laws and violence have imposed terror on the community. In Hungary, Belarus, and Poland, politicians have stoked fear of Muslim refugees and immigrants. In New Zealand and Canada, white supremacist violence has targeted Muslims, including at their places of worship.\n\nAnd of course we in the United States are not immune to this hatred. It is no secret that the previous President of the United States explicitly vowed a, quote, \"complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.\" But Trump, was simply taking advantage of a much deeper culture of Islamophobia that has existed for the past two decades\u2014from the Patriot Act, to the CVE program, to Abu Ghraib. None of these things are happening in isolation.\n\nWe must understand that these problems are interconnected. Earlier this year, the United Nations commissioned a report and concluded that Islamophobia has reached quote \u2013 \"epidemic proportions\" and urged nations around the world to take all necessary measures to combat it. As a country that was founded on religious liberty, our leadership on international religious freedom depends on recognizing that Islamophobia is global in scope, and we must lead the global effort to address it.\n\nThat's why Rep Schakowsky and I have introduced this bill, to create a special envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia at the State Department. The bill also adds violence and incitement targeted at Muslims to the Department's annual human rights report and international religious freedom report.\n\nThere are cynics who would rather see us divided on racial, ethnic, gender and religious lines, because it suits their political agenda. But I believe as Americans we should stand united against all forms of bigotry. In fact, this legislation is modeled on the special envoy to combat antisemitism, and I was proud to cosponsor and vote last Congress on legislation to elevate that envoy to a cabinet-level position. Because it is important that we live in a world where everyone is free of persecution based on their religious background or beliefs. And until everyone is free to practice their religion no one is.\n\nSo I want to thank the co-lead of this bill, a partner in justice, Jan Schakowsky, along with Chairman Meeks, Speaker Pelosi and the leadership team for their commitment to this legislation. I also want to thank the Council on American Islamic Relations for their advocacy on this, and all the groups, representing a cross-section of human rights, civil rights and faith coalitions, who fight for the religious rights of everyone around the world.\n\nThank you and I yield back.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-leads-introduction-legislation-improve-maternal", "Representative Angie Craig Leads Introduction of Legislation to Improve Maternal Health Care for Native Women", "2021-12-13", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN-02) led several of her colleagues in reintroducing the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution, which seeks to create and improve access for Indigenous women to comprehensive and culturally competent maternal health care and family planning services. The resolution would continue to shed light on the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women in the United States and help to address the critical need to reduce the tragically high rates of mortality and morbidity among American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women.\n\nCraig was joined in introducing the legislation by Representatives Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Kai Kahele (HI-02), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14). Last Congress, the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution was led by Representative Deb Haaland, who represented New Mexico's First Congressional District. Haaland now serves as the Secretary of Interior in the Biden Administration.\n\n\"In the United States, Native women face significantly higher rates of death or serious illness during childbirth, a heartbreaking statistic that the federal government must take urgent action to reverse,\" said Representative Craig. \"It's absolutely critical that we continue to shed light on this crisis and enact policy solutions that will ensure every woman in America has access to high-quality maternal health care and family planning services in their own communities. I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation and to carry on Secretary Haaland's incredible work to improve the lives of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women across this country.\"\n\n\"The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is, frankly, shameful \u2013 and the outcomes of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian mothers are consistently worse than other groups. We must call attention to this crisis and work as the federal government to uphold our trust responsibility,\" saidRepresentative Sharice Davids. \"I've introduced legislation to address the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women and I'm proud to join Representative Craig and my colleagues to further that goal today.\"\n\n\"Addressing the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women deserves our attention and focus in Congress,\" said Representative Betty McCollum, Vice Chair of the Native American Caucus. \"The federal government has unique trust and treaty responsibilities to provide high quality health care throughout Indian Country. For far too long, Native American women \u2013 especially those of child-bearing age \u2013 have been disproportionately impacted by the lack of these critical health care investments. Native American women experience higher rates of pregnancy-related complications like hypertension and diabetes and a greater risk of maternal mortality. Preventing these tragedies requires breaking down barriers to care and increasing access to culturally competent prenatal, delivery, and family planning services. I'm proud to join Rep. Craig in introducing the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution to draw attention to this crisis.\"\n\n\"For far too long, the health care needs of tribal communities have been overlooked and underfunded by the federal government, enabling more disease, suffering, and an unacceptable lack of quality, specialized care, especially maternal care and basic women's health needs,\" said Representative Tom O'Halleran. \"To that end, I am joining my colleagues today on this important legislative measure calling attention to the maternal health crisis among indigenous women in the United States. As the representative for Arizona's First Congressional District, in which 12 sovereign nations reside, I vow to continue my work to ensure that tribal families have access to high quality, affordable health care, especially maternal care.\"\n\n\"I am honored to join Congresswoman Craig to introduce this resolution recognizing and calling for action to address the Native American maternal mortality crisis,\" said Representative Lauren Underwood. \"I'm proud that my Momnibus package includes specific investments to save the lives of Native American mothers and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get these bills passed and signed into law.\"\n\nThe Native Women's Maternal Health resolution is supported by MomsRising, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the National Indian Health Board, the Prairie Island Indian Community and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.\n\n\"The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) thanks Representative Craig for introducing this Resolution that highlights the maternal health crisis facing Indigenous women. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women experience some of the highest rates of life-threatening maternal health complications in the nation. The lack of awareness of maternal health disparities in Indian Country continues to adversely impact access to necessary funding and health resources for comprehensive pre and postnatal care for all AI/AN women. The Resolution calls upon the federal government to uphold its Trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations by providing adequate health care, increasing funding, and prioritizing policies to remove barriers to culturally-appropriate maternal health care for AI/AN women.\"\n\n\"A critical component of the federal government's trust responsibility is the provision of health care services to Indigenous people. Indigenous women face heartbreakingly high mortality rates from pregnancy-related causes as a result of lack of access to adequate health care,\" said Johnny Johnson, President of the Prairie Island Tribal Council. \"The Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution calls on the federal government to honor its trust responsibility and provide urgently needed funding increases to ensure Indigenous women have access to high quality and culturally competent care. We thank Representative Craig for her work on this vital issue.\"\n\n\"Decent health care services for all Native Americans is a core trust obligation of the United States, and especially, for Native women who are threatened by some of the worst mortality rates while pregnant,\" said Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Secretary/Treasurer, Rebecca Crooks-Stratton. \"Congress should quickly pass Representative Angie Craig's resolution, because it will help Native women gain access to the quality health care they need and deserve.\"\n\nSpecifically, the Native Women's Maternal Health resolution would:\n\nAcknowledge the maternal health crisis that indigenous women disproportionately experience\n\nCall for policy prioritization of maternal health, prenatal care and comprehensive family planning services for Native women\n\nCall for appropriate funding increases for Native health care programs so indigenous women can access the services stated above\n\nRecognize the shortcomings of the federal government to uphold the trust responsibility provide Native Americans with adequate health care services\n\nIdentify the disproportional IHS spending deficit for Native Americans of - $5,678 per patient compared to federal health care spending nationally", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-foreign-affairs-committee-passes-combating-international-islamophobia", "House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Combating International Islamophobia Act", "2021-12-10", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Combating International Islamophobia Act on a party line vote. The bill will be voted on by the full House of Representatives this coming Tuesday, December 14th. The legislation, authored by Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) seeks to address the rise in incidents of Islamophobia worldwide. The bill requires the U.S. State Department to create a Special Envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia, and include state-sponsored Islamophobic violence and impunity in the Department's annual human rights reports. The creation of the Special Envoy will help policymakers better understand the interconnected, global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry. It will also establish a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in combatting Islamophobia worldwide.\n\n\"As the United Nations said this year, anti-Muslim hatred has reached epidemic proportions and every country must take action,\" said Rep. Omar. \"I am excited for the opportunity to bring forth legislation to address this crisis alongside Rep. Jan Schakowsky. I want to thank Chairman Meeks for taking this bill up in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. And we look forward to it passing this bill and sending it to the President's desk.\"\n\n\"I am pleased that the Combating International Islamophobia Act was marked up today and is swiftly moving through the House Foreign Affairs Committee,\" said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). \"I look forward to voting for it on the House floor. It is more urgent than ever that the U.S. do all it can to combat anti-Muslim hate. The creation of a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia is the first step to ensuring the U.S. dedicates the resources necessary to safeguard human rights and religious and cultural freedom around the world. We must also look inward as a nation and address this hatred at home, including in the halls of Congress. I look forward to continue working with my friend and colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar to ensure a safe and just world for all.\"\n\nThis year, the United States has seen over 500 documented complaints of anti-Muslim hate and bias. In a recent study conducted by CAIR, found 69% of respondents personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In a separate study conducted by the Othering and Belonging Institute, found 67% of Muslims personally experienced Islamophobia in their lifetimes. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred towards Muslims has risen to \"epidemic proportions.\"\n\nThere has been a staggering rise in incidents of violent Islamophobia incidents worldwide. Whether it is the atrocities being committed against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma, the crackdowns on Muslim populations in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees and other Muslims in Hungary and Poland, the acts of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, or the targeting of minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran\u2014the problem of Islamophobia is global in scope.\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is cosponsored by Reps Bass, Bowman, Carson, Correa, Dean, Dingell, Eshoo, Garc\u00eda (IL), Green (TX), Grijalva, Jacobs (CA), Jackson Lee, H. Johnson (GA), Jones, Kim (NJ), Lowenthal, C. Maloney, McGovern, Newman, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Pascrell, Payne, Phillips, Pocan, Pressley, Rush, Sires, Tlaib, Watson Coleman, Williams, Jayapal, Davis, Castro, Meeks, S\u00e1nchez, Quigley, Raskin, Evans, Lawrence, Trone, Blumenauer, Sarbanes, Chu, Ruppersberger, Malinowski, Wild, Schneider, Scott, Lieu, Sherman, Brown, McCollum, and Johnson (TX).\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is endorsed by the American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN), American Muslims for Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, Arizona Muslim Alliance, Center for Victims of Torture, Church World Service, Common Defense, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Human Rights First, ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ), IfNotNow, International Islamophobia Studies Research Association, Islamophobia Studies Center, Islamophobia Studies Journal, Jetpac Resource Center, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Libyan American Alliance, MPower Change, Muslim American Society, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Revolutionary Love Project, Secure Justice, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Together We Serve, U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, and Veterans For Peace.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-passes-amendment-house-protecting-democracy-package", "Rep. Omar Passes Amendment in House Protecting Democracy Package", "2021-12-09", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting Our Democracy Act, legislation to prevent presidential abuse, increase transparency and accountability measures between Congress and the Executive Branch, and protect our elections from foreign interference. The legislation passed includes an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to require the extension of whistleblower protections to executive branch interns and fellows.\n\n\"Today the House took much-needed steps to safeguard our democracy and signaled to the world that American democracy is worth fighting for,\" said Rep Omar. \"This legislation will restore our system of checks and balances, protect our elections, and bolster congressional oversight. I am glad our amendment was also included to extend whistleblower protections and protect those often left behind\u2014interns and fellows. As someone who survived civil conflict, I know personally that we should never take our democracy for granted. This bill is a critical step to preserve and protect our democracy.\"\n\nClick here for bill text.\n\nClick here for a fact sheet.\n\nClick herefor a section-by-section.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-call-house-leadership-deliver-supply-chain", "Representative Angie Craig Call on House Leadership to Deliver Supply Chain Solutions", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined more than 20 of her Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to House leadership calling for additional action on legislation that would ease supply chain bottlenecks and help lower costs for their constituents. As the winter holiday season approaches, the letter urges House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to turn the House's attention to passing additional legislation that will provide solutions to supply chain disruptions and complement the investments in infrastructure made in the bills already passed by their chamber.\n\nRepresentative Craig is a co-chair of the bipartisan supply chain caucus in Congress.\n\n\"It is imperative Congress acts to address the needs of the nation through additional action to specifically address the supply chain and resulting higher prices experienced by families across the country,\" wrote the members. \"We respectfully ask that the House swiftly considers the numerous bills written by our colleagues that will support domestic manufacturing and provide additional solutions to our supply chain crisis.\"\n\nThe letter was signed by Axne, Lee, Wild, Carolyn Bordeaux (GA-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Ed Case (HI-01), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Antonio Delgado (NY-19), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), John Garamendi (CA-03), Josh Harder (CA-10), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Scott Peters (CA-52), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), and Haley Stevens (MI-11).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found below:\n\nDecember 2, 2021\n\nSpeaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer,\n\nWe are concerned about the ongoing disruptions to our nation's supply chain, which are causing delays and increasing inflation for our constituents. We are pleased that the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has been signed into law by President Biden and encouraged by the continued work on the Build Back Better Act. These are key steps in addressing these supply chain problems and lowering costs for people, but Congress must do more. We urge additional action by the House of Representatives to further address the disruptions and higher costs our constituents are experiencing.\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented strain on our already crumbling infrastructure and changed consumer habits leading to severe transportation bottlenecks and backlogs at our nation's ports and rail yards. Online shopping, for example, increased 34% from 2019 to 2020, and that trend has continued this year. Decades of underinvestment in our infrastructure have diminished capacity and resiliency in our supply chain. Without investments, modernization, and reform, our transportation system will struggle to deal with the increased volume of goods moving through our ports. The lack of domestic capacity, industry consolidation, and the United States' longstanding trade imbalance has further exacerbated the effects of the pandemic. These issues have spiked shipping costs, with the cost of shipping a container between China and North America up 500% from pre-pandemic, created shortages and delays in numerous industries, significantly contributed to inflation, and have caused uncertainty for American consumers and exporters across our country. These costs of underinvestment are currently being felt by our constituents, and this Congress must take this issue seriously and act. While these price increases should slow and return to normal as these bottlenecks clear and the pandemic subsides, we must speed that process up while establishing supply chain structure for our future.\n\nWhile the bipartisan infrastructure deal is a historic and long overdue investment in our infrastructure and, along with the Build Back Better Act, will expand capacity and ease inflation concerns, many of our House colleagues have proposed additional legislation to address specific issues affecting our ports, trucking, ocean shipping, and domestic manufacturing. These bills will provide additional relief and investment in targeted areas, ensuring we recover from these disruptions as quickly as possible and have the capacity to grow our economy. Additionally, increased investments in domestic manufacturing will support good paying jobs here in the United States and further reduce international supply chain pressures.\n\nAs our constituents gather for the holiday season, it is imperative Congress acts to address the needs of the nation through additional action to specifically address the supply chain and resulting higher prices experienced by families across the country. We respectfully ask that the House swiftly considers the numerous bills written by our House colleagues that will support domestic manufacturing, agricultural exports, and provide additional solutions to our supply chain crisis.\n\nThank you for your attention to this letter, and we stand ready to continue to work with you on this critical issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-senators-klobuchar-and-smith-applaud-biden", "Representative Angie Craig, Senators Klobuchar and Smith Applaud Biden Administration\u2019s Support for Minnesota Dairy Producers", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith issued statements applauding the Biden Administration's approval of approximately $580 million in Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage payments, which will provide enhanced risk management to the small and medium-sized dairy farms still recovering from the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis. Earlier this year, Craig, Klobuchar and Smith to take this action on behalf of dairy producers in Minnesota and across the nation.\n\n\"Minnesota's hardworking dairy farmers \u2013 who are a critical part of our state's agricultural economy \u2013 deserve fair and equal access to the federal funds necessary to emerge through this unprecedented and ongoing crisis,\" said Representative Angie Craig. \"We are encouraged by the Biden Administration's announcement, which heeds our call to extend financial relief to the small and medium-sized dairy producers who are in greatest need of support at this time.\"\n\n\"Minnesota's dairy farmers are key to keeping our rural areas strong and protecting our nation's food supply,\" said Senator Klobuchar. \"I fought for this federal funding because it is crucial that they are able to recover from the pandemic and continue contributing to communities across the state. I'll keep working to ensure resources are distributed in a timely manner.\"\n\n\"Minnesota's dairy farmers play a vital economic role in Minnesota and across the country,\" said Senator Smith. \"Even before they were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, dairy farmers faced extremely tight margins, market uncertainty, and unfair trade practices. This funding will help get them back on their feet as we emerge from this pandemic. I'll continue fighting for relief for Minnesota agriculture.\"\n\nWith strong support from Representative Craig and Senators Klobuchar and Smith, Congress enacted the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to build on the Dairy Margin Coverage program enacted in the 2018 Farm Bill. The Supplemental DMC program will make additional payments to small and medium-sized dairy farms whose DMC production history is below five million pounds, but whose actual production has modestly increased since 2014. Eligible farmers will be paid on 75 percent of the difference between their 2019 actual milk production and their DMC production history. Producers must be enrolled in the DMC program to receive Supplemental DMC payments for a given year. Supplemental DMC will be retroactive to January 2021.\n\nCraig, Smith and Klobuchar were joined in their praise of the Biden Administration's announcement by Garrett Luthens, a Hutchinson, MN dairy farmer and Chairman of the Minnesota Milk Policy Committee as well as Steve Schlangen, a dairy farmer from Albany, Minnesota who serves as the Chairman of the American Milk Producers, Inc.\n\n\"Dairy farmers were affected in many different ways throughout the pandemic,\" said Garrett Luthens. \"Minnesota dairy farmers are thankful for the programs that became available. But those dairy farmers with under 200 cows who added family members or partners since 2014 were left behind. We fought for and thank Congress for finally making this right through the Dairy Margin Coverage Supplemental program. Our beginning and family dairy farms should not be at a disadvantage when it comes to risk management programs.\"\n\n\"The Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program will provide enhanced risk management for dairy farm families. This will help those who have modestly grown their herds over the last decade but have been unable to secure coverage on this additional production,\" said Steve Schlangen. \"Minnesota dairy farmers are grateful to Representative Craig and Senators Klobuchar and Smith for their advocacy in Congress and with USDA to bring the Supplemental DMC program to fruition.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-statement-president-joe-bidens-visit-minnesotas", "Representative Angie Craig Statement on President Joe Biden\u2019s Visit to Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Angie Craig released the following statement in advance of President Joseph Biden's visit to Minnesota's Second Congressional District:\n\n\"I'm honored to welcome President Biden to Minnesota's Second Congressional District to celebrate our once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure. This long-overdue legislation will create millions of good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced, create strong and sustainable economic growth in our local communities and rebuild Minnesota's crumbling roads and aging bridges \u2013 all while shoring up our national supply chain to bring down the cost of living for hardworking Americans. Today's event demonstrates that we're working tirelessly to make good on our promises, and that we're committed to working on a bipartisan basis to get it done.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-angie-craig-and-cindy-axne-lead-statement-biden-administration", "Representatives Angie Craig and Cindy Axne Lead Statement on Biden Administration Announcement on Renewable Volume Obligations", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig and Cindy Axne led a group of House colleagues in releasing the following statement on the Administration's announcement regarding proposed changes to Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Representatives Mark Pocan and Ron Kind joined Craig and Axne in releasing the statement.\n\n\"After months of unnecessary delay, we are glad that the EPA has released the long-overdue Renewable Volume Obligations. The 2022 number sets the biofuels industry on the right path moving forward. And the end of the abuse of Small Refinery Exemptions \u2013 which provide relief to oil companies at the expense of family farmers \u2013 is welcome news. These decisions will help lower prices at the pump for hardworking Americans and accelerate the positive role that biofuels can and must play in our effort to decarbonize the transportation sector, tackle climate change and drive economic growth across rural America.\n\nHowever, the proposed decision to retroactively lower the 2020 RVO target does not reflect a sufficient commitment to renewable fuels and family farmers. As we have emphasized in repeated conversations with the Administration, now is the time to invest in renewable biofuels and the communities they support \u2013 not to prioritize the interests of fossil fuel companies that continue to ignore the law of the RFS. We look forward to conversations about changing the proposed 2020 RVO number to better reflect the role biofuels must have in our clean energy economy.\"\n\nRepresentatives Craig, Axne and Pocan are all Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressional-progressive-caucus-leaders-urge-senate-block-weapons-sale-saudi", "Congressional Progressive Caucus Leaders Urge Senate to Block Weapons Sale to Saudi Arabia and End Yemen War", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Ilhan Omar (MN-05), whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement ahead of a Senate vote to block the sale of $650 million in Raytheon air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia:\n\n\"After nearly seven years of war and roughly a quarter of a million people killed, Saudi Arabia continues to relentlessly bomb Yemen and impose a crippling siege on the country, depriving millions of civilians of adequate food, fuel and medicine. The Senate must block this weapons sale and send a clear message to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman: Congress will not tolerate Saudi impunity as it commits war crimes and starves the people of Yemen.\n\n\"The world's largest humanitarian crisis is escalating. Last month, Saudi Arabia tightened its blockade on Yemen, permitting just 3 percent of the fuel the country needs into Yemen's major port. Saudi warplanes enforce a blockade on Yemen's airspace, threatening to shoot down commercial and humanitarian flights. This has almost completely halted medicine and medical supplies from entering the country, and has amounted to a death sentence for tens of thousands of Yemenis seeking lifesaving treatment abroad.\n\n\"In 2019, President Biden promised to end the war in Yemen, make the Saudis \u2018pay the price' for human rights abuses, and not \u2018sell more weapons to them.' But over the past year, while the Biden Administration has publicly urged an easing of Yemen's port restrictions, the U.S. has continued logistical support essential to the deadly Saudi aerial blockade on Yemen. As the Saudis disregard the administration's appeals and restrict fuel imports even further, this unconditional sale of air-to-air missiles threatens to greenlight Saudi conduct and empower Saudi Arabia's offensive military campaign collectively punishing tens of millions of civilians.\n\n\"We applaud the bipartisan effort to hold Saudi Arabia accountable and help bring the war in Yemen to an end, as well as the leadership of its cosponsors, Senators Sanders (I-VT), Leahy (D-VT), Merkley (D-OR), Markey (D-MA), Warren (D-MA), and Wyden (D-OR), who are working to recenter human rights in our foreign policy. We urge all Senators to pass this resolution of disapproval with a convincing majority so that the House can adopt the bill without delay.\"\n\nRepresentatives Omar and Jayapal, along with 10 other CPC Members, are sponsors of House Joint Resolution 63, a companion bill to Senate Joint Resolution 31 to disapprove of the proposed weapons sale.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-angie-craig-john-joyce-lead-call-gao-review-direct-consumer", "Representatives Angie Craig, John Joyce Lead Call for GAO Review of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising Practices for Medical Products", "2021-12-06", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and John Joyce (R-PA) led 17 of their colleagues in requesting a review of the regulation of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) advertising practices for prescription medical products. Over the past several years, an increasing number of companies are selling prescription products, such as contact lenses and orthodontics, directly to consumers. While these companies have the potential to increase convenience and lower costs, reports of poor quality or adverse events have raised concerns among consumers and health care providers.\n\nIn a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Craig, Joyce and their colleagues requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) perform a study on the current practices and regulation of this emerging market, which could inform future regulatory and legislative action if needed.\n\n\"Although selling prescription medical products directly to consumers can create lower costs and increase convenience, the practices of new DTC companies have raised concerns about the safety and regulation of this industry,\" wrote the Members. \"Doctors, former federal regulators and legal experts are concerned that these DTC companies are operating in a regulatory vacuum that could pose risks to public health.\"\n\n\"The rise of internet marketing and the push toward a DTC model of healthcare delivery represents a major change within our healthcare system. We are concerned that with the rapid growth of DTC advertising, appropriate regulatory oversight may be falling behind,\" the members continued.\n\nDirect-to-consumer prescription medical products are typically marketed via television, social media, and the internet advertising and represent a shift in healthcare delivery. Within the federal government, these companies are generally regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). However, neither agency has taken regulatory action against prominent DTC companies that sell prescription medical products that have received repeated consumer complaints about product quality and safety. The influence of companies like these has increased during the coronavirus pandemic and this model of DTC sales and marketing is representative of a broader trend in the healthcare industry. In their letter, the Representatives argued that more information is necessary to guide federal regulators and lawmakers as they consider actions to protect the health of American consumers.\n\nThe letter to Comptroller Dodaro was signed by Craig, Joyce and Representatives Cindy Axne (D-IA), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Brian Babin (R-TX), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-CA), Tom Cole (R-OK), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Ron Kind (D-WI), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), David B. McKinley (R-WV), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Lori Trahan (D-MA).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found\n\nDocument\n\nand is copied below:\n\nDecember 6, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Gene L. Dodaro\n\nComptroller General of the United States\n\nU.S. Government Accountability Office\n\n441 G Street, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20548\n\nDear Comptroller General Dodaro:\n\nWe write to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a study of the federal regulation of Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) advertising practices for prescription medical products. Within the federal government, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for protecting consumers and competition and has, for example, issued a Contact Lens rule to lay out consumers' rights to shop around when buying contact lenses. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the safety and efficacy of medical products and tracking adverse events related to medical products. Additionally, companies are required to submit promotional materials to the FDA for review once they are being used in the marketing of a drug and can take action if the agency finds that a drug advertisement or other promotion is false or misleading.\n\nIn recent years, there has been an increase in companies marketing prescription medical products directly to consumers via television, social media, and internet advertising. A previous survey of healthcare providers conducted by the FDA found DTC advertising presented both benefits and challenges to the doctor-patient relationship. While products advertised directly to consumers have the potential to increase convenience and lower costs to consumers, concerns have also been raised about reports of poor quality or adverse events related to these products. Additionally, some DTC products allow consumers to bypass evaluation or supervision by a healthcare provider entirely, which may be appropriate for some products and not for others. Two instances that provide an example of recent issues within this industry, having aroused repeated complaints and calls for each company to be investigated by the Federal Trade Commission and Food & Drug Administration:\n\nA mail-order orthodontics company that does not require typical in-person orthodontic visits faces allegations that they violated prescription labeling requirements established under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and endangered consumers by not taking sufficient diagnostic steps prior to selling their orthodontic aligners, which has the potential to lead to long-term dental damage.\n\nAn online distributor of contact lenses is accused of using older materials and switching prescribed lenses for other brands, which doctors allege affect the safety of the lenses. Advocacy groups and other complaints further allege that the company skirts existing prescription verification requirements under the FTC's Contact Lens Rule.\n\nThe rise of internet marketing and the push toward a DTC model of healthcare delivery represents a major change within our healthcare system. We are concerned that with the rapid growth of DTC advertising, appropriate regulatory oversight may be falling behind.\n\nA GAO study into the ongoing practices and current regulatory oversight by federal agencies of these activities would provide valuable insight to guide potential regulatory and legislative action, if needed, in the future.\n\nFor these reasons, we request that the GAO review the practice of DTC advertising of medical products to consumers. Specifically, we would like you to examine the following:\n\nWhat are the known advantages and concerns of marketing medical products that require prescriptions or other provider evaluation, such as contact lenses, directly to consumers?\n\nWhat actions are federal agencies, such as the FDA and the FTC, taking to address any identified concerns?\n\nAre there limitations to FDA or FTC's ability to enforce existing laws and regulations governing DTC advertising of prescription medical products and, if so, what are those limitations?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/chair-mccollum-s-floor-statement-fy-22-continuing-resolution", "Chair McCollum\u2019s Floor Statement on FY 22 Continuing Resolution", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today delivered the following remarks on the House Floor regarding the Fiscal Year 2022 Continuing Resolution to prevent a government shutdown and extend funding until February 18, 2022 \u2013 more than four months past the start of the fiscal year:\n\n\"Madam Speaker, we are here today to prevent the Republicans from shutting down the federal government tomorrow. Republicans in the U.S. Senate are holding the FY22 appropriations process hostage by refusing to do any work \u2013 let alone negotiate with Democrats. Rather than doing their job of funding the federal government, Senate Republicans want to kick the can down the road, wasting the first four and a half months of the fiscal year.\n\n\"As Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, it is clear that Republicans are undermining our national security. They are increasing waste and inefficiency. They are weakening our military readiness. And they are sending a signal to our troops and the millions of workers in the defense industry that their needs are not a priority.\n\n\"The American people should be sick and tired of hearing Republicans in Congress talk about how we need a stronger national defense, while doing everything in their power to weaken our national defense. This is a time of instability in the world. Russia is knocking on the doorstep of Ukraine. China is at the doorstep of Taiwan. There are serious national security threats in the world.\n\n\"When our adversaries look at Congress, they see Republicans playing political games, rather than investing in research and modernization. What kind of message does that send to our adversaries? What kind of message does that send to the men and women of our military, who we ask to do the toughest jobs while putting their lives on the line?\n\n\"I am voting for this Continuing Resolution to prevent a Republican shutdown. But I must say, while this CR is necessary, I find it to be an unacceptable outcome. I yield back the balance of my time.\"\n\nThe legislation, H.R. 6119, is expected to be considered in the House today. A detailed, section-by-section summary is here. The full text of the legislation is here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-legislation-restoring-equal-access-tribal-homelands-passes-us-house", "McCollum Legislation Restoring Equal Access to Tribal Homelands Passes U.S. House", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4352 to amend the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, reaffirming the authority of the Secretary of Interior to take land into trust for all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of the date of their recognition. In the 2009 Carcieri v. Salazar decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the only tribes federally recognized prior to 1934 could have land placed into trust. This decision created a discriminatory two-tier system for the Department of the Interior's fee-to-trust process, and has resulted in inequality, uncertainty, and costly litigation. Since the 2009 opinion, members in both chambers of Congress have introduced bipartisan legislation to restore the original intent of the Indian Reorganization Act.\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), who introduced H.R. 4352, released the following statement:\n\n\"Tribal Nations should not be discriminated against because of their date of federal recognition,\" McCollum said. \"That date has no bearing on their existence as sovereign nations \u2013 and so it should have no bearing on their right to reestablish their homelands. All federally recognized Tribal Nations must have the same right to place land into trust to support the needs of their communities and strengthen their self-governance. This bill affirms congressional intent that the Indian Reorganization Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to place land into trust for all federally recognized Tribal Nations, regardless of their date of recognition. As Members of Congress, it is our duty to honor the federal government's trust and treaty responsibilities, safeguard and empower Native American communities, and protect their treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources now and for generations to come. I thank my colleagues for joining me to finally fix this grave injustice.\"\n\nThe President of the National Congress of American Indians, Ms. Fawn Sharp, added:\n\n\"Carcieri has effectively created two classes of tribal nations, and has overburdened tribal, federal, and state resources by generating unnecessary conflict over the restoration and retention of tribal homelands and consequently impeded economic development. NCAI strongly urges Congress to end this turmoil by enacting a congressional fix to the Indian Reorganization Act which reaffirms the Secretary of the Interior's authority to restore tribal homelands for all federally recognized Tribal Nations.\"\n\nChief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation and the President of the United South and Eastern Tribes \u2013 USET \u2013 added his support, saying:\n\n\"Homelands are essential to exercising tribal government authority, protecting our cultural identity, and foundational to growing our economies. After decades of federal efforts to diminish our homelands, placing land into trust is a critical aspect of the federal government's trust and treaty obligations and righting these historical wrongs.\"\n\nChairman Tom Wooten of the Samish Indian Nation in Washington state supports this bill, saying:\n\n\"H.R. 4352 will help right past wrongs by the Department of the Interior and enable the Samish Indian Nation to move forward in reestablishing our homeland and rebuilding our community. In 2018, the Interior Department approved the Tribe's trust land application for 6.7 acres after an over 9-year process to complete a \u2018Carcieri' analysis. The Department's decision is tied up in endless litigation based upon \u2018Carcieri.' This bill will help stop frivolous litigation and ensure that no other tribe has to go through what we went through.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nFull text of H.R. 4352 can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-remarks-islamophobia", "Rep. Omar Remarks on Islamophobia", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "In case you missed it, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) provided remarks on Islamophobia yesterday at a press conference.\n\nYou can view the remarks below.\n\n\"Thank you all for being here. In the days following the tragic terror attacks of September 11th, a Muslim EMT with the New York Fire Department named Mohammad Salman Hamdani was reported missing. His mother Talat, desperate to find her son, appealed directly to the President of the United States for help. But instead of assistance or sympathy, she received suspicion. The CIA came to his family home and confiscated photos. The NYPD put up wanted flyers for him. Their Member of Congress interrogated them, saying Salman could be detained if found. The media swarmed their home, with one tabloid headline reading \"Missing or Hiding?\" under a photo of Salman. Six months later, Mohammad Salman Hamdani's remains and medical equipment were discovered at ground zero, Salman, it turned out, saw the smoke coming out of the towers and hurried to the scene to help victims on that tragic day. After 6 months, his name was finally cleared and he was recognized as the hero that he was. Not all of us are as heroic as Salman Hamdani, but nearly every Muslim American has experienced this type of suspicion in their lives.\n\n\"Five years later, when the first Muslim-American, Keith Ellison, was elected to Congress, his Republican colleagues sent a letter saying America needs to quote--\"wake up\" or else there will \"likely be many more Muslims elected to office.\" And he was told on live TV to quote\u2014 \"prove \u2026that you are not working with our enemies.\"\n\n\"My own experience was similar. When I first ran for public office, I was told I had to take off my hijab if I ever wanted to win. It was too Muslim, the thinking went. When I did win, my colleague Steve King claimed another member said of my hijab: \"Four pounds of c-4 under that would wipe out half of Congress.\n\n\"The truth is that Islamophobia pervades our culture, our politics and even policy decisions. Cable news hosts and leading politicians in the Republican Party routinely spout hateful rhetoric about a religion that includes a diverse group more than a billion peaceful worshippers worldwide. This includes falsely claiming Muslims want to replace the constitution and implement \"sharia law,\" portraying Muslims as inherently violent, suggesting that Muslim women are all oppressed, or that Muslims hate other religions.\n\n\"But the most pervasive is the constant suggestion that all Muslims are terrorists. So when a sitting Member of Congress calls a colleague a member of the \"jihad squad\" and falsified a story to suggest I want to blow up the Capitol, it is not just an attack on me, but on millions of Muslim-Americans across this country. We of course now know that this wasn't the first incident. In May, she said my colleagues and I are \"politicians with suicide belts strapped to their body.\" She asked if Congresswoman Tlaib and I \"need to register as foreign agents\" And today, we learned that she had fabricated a similar story about riding in an elevator with me, calling me and Rashida \"evil.\"\n\n\"I wish I could say the Congresswoman was an outlier, but I cannot. During his campaign for President, Donald Trump said\u2014and I quote\u2014 \"We have a problem in this country; it's called Muslims.\" He attacked Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of slain Muslim service member Humayam Khan. He explicitly promised to ban anyone of Muslim faith from the country, and then put forth a series of executive orders seeking to do just that.\n\n\"Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene, now a Member of Congress, came to my office in 2019 and harassed my staff, demanding that my colleague Rashida Tlaib and I retake our oaths of office on a Christian Bible. Just today, she called me \"Pro-Al-Qaeda\" \"Blood thirsty\" and an \"Apologist for Islamic Terrorists.\"\n\n\"We cannot pretend that this hate speech from leading politicians doesn't have real world consequences. The truth is that anti-Muslim hate is on the rise both here at home and around the world. This summer, we witnessed a deadly anti-Muslim attack wipe out three generations of a Muslim family in Canada. In 2019, a white supremacist opened fire at multiple mosques in New Zealand, killing over 50 people. The first half of this year alone saw over 500 incidents of anti-Muslim hate here in the U.S.\n\n\"I myself have reported hundreds of threats on my life, often triggered by Republican attacks on my faith. And this week once again saw another increase. Here is just one voicemail my office received yesterday.\n\n\"And I quote \u2013 \"We see you Muslim sand n-word bitch, we know what you're up to. You're all about taking over our country. Don't worry, there's plenty that will love the opportunity to take you off the face of this f-ing earth. Come get it. But you f-ing Muslim piece of shit. You jihadist. We know what you are. You're a f-ing traitor. You will not live much longer.\" End quote.\n\n\"This should not be a partisan issue. This is about our basic humanity, and fundamental rights of religious freedom enshrined in our Constitution. Yet while some members of the Republican Party have condemned this, to date, the Republican Party leadership has done nothing to hold their members accountable. It is time for the Republican Party to actually do something. To confront anti-Muslim hatred in its ranks and to hold those who perpetuate it accountable.\n\n\"I will close with this: It was never an option for me to take off my hijab to run. Because I know that when we proudly stand up for our values\u2014when we celebrate the diversity of this country, and the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, others stand with us. Thank you.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-conversation-rep-lauren-boebert", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on Conversation with Rep. Lauren Boebert", "2021-11-29", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar released the following statement after she spoke with Rep. Lauren Boebert.\n\n\"Today, I graciously accepted a call from Rep. Lauren Boebert in the hope of receiving a direct apology for falsely claiming she met me in an elevator, suggesting I was a terrorist, and for a history of anti-Muslim hate. Instead of apologizing for her Islamophobic comments and fabricated lies, Rep. Boebert refused to publicly acknowledge her hurtful and dangerous comments. She instead doubled down on her rhetoric and I decided to end the unproductive call.\n\n\"I believe in engaging with those we disagree with respectfully, but not when that disagreement is rooted in outright bigotry and hate.\n\n\"To date, the Republican Party leadership has done nothing to condemn and hold their own members accountable for repeated instances of anti-Muslim hate and harassment. This is not about one hateful statement or one politician; it is about a party that has mainstreamed bigotry and hatred. It is time for Republican Leader McCarthy to actually hold his party accountable.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nRep. Omar is subject to routine death threats and plots on her life, often responding to anti-Muslim rhetoric. Anti-Muslim hate is on the rise both here at home and around the world.\n\nIn 2019, a white supremacist opened fire at multiple mosques in New Zealand, killing over 50 people.\n\nThis summer, we witnessed a deadly anti-Muslim attack wipe out three generations of a Muslim family in Canada.\n\nThis year has seen over 500 incidents of hate in the U.S.\n\nThis included a sudden rise in anti-mosque incidents in May and June involving cases of vandalism and an attempted stabbing, and several physical assaults targeting Muslim women wearing hijabs.\n\nIn October, Rep. Omar introduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation to address the rise in incidents of Islamophobia worldwide that requires the State Department to create a Special Envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia.\n\nRep. Boebert has demonstrated a clear pattern for Islamophobic hate speech.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-urges-president-biden-tap-strategic-petroleum", "Representative Angie Craig Urges President Biden to Tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig and a group of her House Democratic colleagues sent a letter to President Biden urging him to tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and reinstate a ban on crude oil exports to bring down high gasoline and fuel prices in the United States. In the letter, Craig and her colleagues argued that a ban on oil exports coupled with a release from the SPR could boost domestic supplies and further lower energy prices for consumers.\n\n\"We write to express support for your actions to help Americans who are burdened with high gasoline and fuel prices. We know ensuring affordable and reliable energy is a top priority for your administration,\" wrote the Members. \"We must use all tools at our disposal to bring down gasoline prices in the short term\"\n\nThe members' letter follows outreach from Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who also called on the Biden Administration to take immediate action to address rising energy costs in the United States. Craig was joined in sending the letter by Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Cindy Axne (IA-03), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Katie Porter (CA-45), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07).\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter below.\n\nNovember 22, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Joseph R. Biden\n\nPresident\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write to express support for your actions to help Americans who are burdened with high gasoline and fuel prices. We know ensuring affordable and reliable energy is a top priority for your administration. We must use all tools at our disposal to bring down gasoline prices in the short term. We agree with Senator Reed and our other colleagues in the Senate that have called for a ban on crude oil exports and a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.\n\nThe price of oil is significantly affected by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC is manipulating gas prices by constraining supply so that it will not meet the increased demand. A ban on U.S. crude oil exports will boost domestic supply and put downward pressure on prices for American families. We also support using the additional funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program from the American Rescue Plan to help families with heating costs this winter.\n\nIn the medium and long term, we must achieve energy independence and price stability through climate smart investments. We appreciate that your Build Back Better agenda will save families an average of $500 a year on energy costs. Electrifying our cars, investing in public transit, and supporting electricity generation from renewables like solar, wind, and geothermal will reduce demand for gasoline, bring down the price at the pump, and provide long term stability. These investments will break our reliance on the boom-and-bust cycle of gas prices and put our country on track to meet our climate goals.\n\nThe investment in renewable energy will eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and ensure we win the competition for a clean energy future against our global competitors. We want the solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and batteries of the future made in America and not in China. We should not be importers but lead the world in clean energy jobs and products.\n\nWe respectfully ask that you give these options and others your full and fair consideration, consistent with applicable statutes and regulations to ensure affordable and reliable energy for American families. We look forward to working with you on this urgent issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-statement-house-passage-build-back-better-act", "Representative Angie Craig Statement on House Passage of the Build Back Better Act", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Angie Craig released the following statement following House passage of the Build Back Better Act.\n\n\"I'm pleased that the Build Back Better Act contains a number of my district's priorities to expand access and lower the cost of healthcare, invest in working families and provide support to rural communities and family farmers. I'm especially pleased that this bill is fully paid for and that all indications are that it will actually help reduce the deficit.\"\n\nThe specifics of those priorities include:\n\nExpand access and lower the cost of healthcare:\n\nEmpowers Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for certain drugs, caps out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs for seniors at $2,000 per year and caps the cost of insulin at $35 a month\n\nExtends through 2025 the enhanced premium tax credits in the ACA\n\nCloses the Medicaid coverage gap by providing access to affordable coverage in the ACA marketplace to millions of Americans who live in states that did not previously expand Medicaid\n\nCreates a federal reinsurance program \u2013 written by Craig \u2013 which would lower health care premiums for millions of Minnesotans who purchase through the ACA's individual market\n\nInvest in working families:\n\nEstablishes a paid family and medical leave program, providing four weeks of paid parental, family caregiving, and medical leave.\n\nProvides pre-K for three-and four-year-olds\n\nExtends the Child Tax Credit which will benefit 35 million middle-class American families and 146,000 children in the second district\n\nCaps the cost of child care at 7% of income for working families who make up to $270,000 annually in Minnesota\n\nSupport to rural communities and family farmers:\n\nInvests $1 billion in biofuels infrastructure\n\nExtends the biodiesel tax credit through 2026\n\nProvides nearly $1 billion for a Rural Partnership Program\n\nIncludes $2 billion for the Rural Energy for America Program", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-build-back-better-act", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on the Build Back Better Act", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after voting for the Build Back Better Act in the House.\n\n\"From the beginning of this process, progressives have put our votes on the line to deliver needed relief to our constituents in the Build Back Better Act, and today we got the opportunity to pass it out of the House.\n\n\"Minnesotans are facing the biggest housing affordability crisis in the country, a massive racial wealth and education gap, and a childcare affordability crisis. The Build Back Better Act is our opportunity to address this. Minnesotans spend an average of over $16,000 a year on childcare\u2014as much as they spend on mortgage payments\u2014and Build Back Better would address it. The Twin Cities has the worst housing shortage in the entire country\u2014and Build Back Better would create a housing acquisition fund to address it. We need good union jobs, and Build Back Better would invest in a civilian climate corps, and home health care workers paying fair wages. My constituents need the Build Back Better Act, and they can't wait any longer.\n\n\"Now it is on the Senate to act. Promises have never been enough. We need a vote in the Senate to deliver these investments to the American people as quickly as possible.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-presses-head-postal-service-harmful-changes-could", "Representative Angie Craig Presses Head of Postal Service on Harmful Changes that Could Lead to Holiday Shipping Delays", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig expressed concern with recent decisions made by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, which she argued could worsen conditions that are leaving millions of Americans concerned about mail and package delivery during peak holiday season.\n\nIn her letter, Craig questioned the efficacy of the Postal Service's recent rate increases for retail customers, which have not led to improved services or faster delivery times. She also criticized DeJoy's Delivering for America plan, which would impose strict cutbacks to the Postal Service \u2013 which would result in harmful delays and reduced services for millions of Americans, particularly those in rural America.\n\n\"Americans across the country are anxiously awaiting the holiday season to safely gather with friends and families after another trying year. They deserve to have all of their mail arrive on time - not only packages containing gifts or holiday goodies or cards, but also prescription drugs or business payments,\" wrote Representative Craig. \"I'm particularly concerned about the rural communities and constituents I represent. I'm thankful for our mail carriers and postal workers, but my constituents need to know their prescriptions or Social Security checks will be delivered on time or that the package they send their loved ones serving in the military overseas will arrive for the holidays.\"\n\nIn order to ensure that there will not be further costly delays for families in Minnesota, Craig requested that DeJoy provide updates on how the Postal Service was working to avoid delays, what changes may be needed to accommodate peak holiday shipping and what USPS's plans were to better serve customers and counteract recent failures.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter\n\nDocument\n\nand below.\n\nNovember 18, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Louis DeJoy\n\nPostmaster General\n\nUnited States Postal Service\n\n475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20260\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy,\n\nThe United States Postal Service is an integral part of our local communities. I write today to express concerns with mail and package delivery and learn from you about your plans for the 2021 holiday shipping season. As you know, we are already in the peak holiday season for USPS, which began on October 3rd.\n\nAmericans across the country are anxiously awaiting the holiday season to safely gather with friends and families after another trying year. They deserve to have all of their mail arrive on time - not only packages containing gifts or holiday goodies or cards, but also prescription drugs or business payments. I'm particularly concerned about the rural communities and constituents I represent. I'm thankful for our mail carriers and postal workers, but my constituents need to know their prescriptions or Social Security checks will be delivered on time or that the package they send their loved ones serving in the military overseas will arrive for the holidays.\n\nI believe that the 10 year Delivering for America plan will disproportionately hurt rural and elderly communities, as it delayed service standards by allowing up to five days for mail delivery and increased prices for postal customers.\n\nFurthermore, USPS noticed an unprecedented temporary rate increase for retail customers during the 2021 Peak Holiday Season, which went into effect on October 3, 2021. I've heard from constituents that are concerned about the increased costs not actually increasing delivery timeframes or service standards, with parcels still ending up severely delayed.\n\nI respectfully request your response to the following questions:\n\nHow is the USPS informing customers of mail by dates for the 2021 Holiday Season to avoid as many delays as possible?\n\nWill the holiday surcharges in effect from October 3, 2021-December 26, 2021 improve delivery times for customers?\n\nWhat are the adequate staffing levels needed to accommodate the 2021 Peak Holiday Season?\n\nThe USPS Acting Assistant Inspector General for Audit Melinda Perez recently testified to Congress that, \"insufficient capacity to handle the increase in parcels, sending parcels to the wrong facility, staffing shortages, and mail not being fully sorted when it arrived at the post office,\" were the root causes of nationwide service failures. What are USPS' plans to better serve customers and counteract these failures?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter, I look forward to receiving your response.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-votes-historic-human-infrastructure-bill-invest-america-s-future", "McCollum Votes for Historic Human Infrastructure Bill to Invest in America\u2019s Future", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today after voting to pass H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act:\n\n\"The bill House Democrats passed today will create transformative change in the lives of Minnesotans and all Americans. Making health care, child care, education, and housing more accessible and more affordable is essential for Minnesota families and businesses to thrive. I proudly voted for the Build Back Better Act to fix these gaps and make investments that will benefit not just individual families, but our entire nation.\n\n\"This bill will help combat the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs while also expanding access to quality health care. It will finally address the unmet needs of millions of Americans who seek care for a loved one. The pandemic has made it clear: there is a gaping hole in our economic system without support for caregiving. Families should not have to decide between caring for loved ones and maintaining steady employment.\n\n\"Finally, addressing the climate crisis is the challenge of our time, and this bill makes the largest investment in history to fight the worst climate impacts, improve community resilience, grow the clean energy economy, and show the next generation we care about making sure they inherit a habitable planet.\n\n\"No one making under $400,000 will pay more in taxes, but these investments will be fully paid for \u2013 by closing tax loopholes to ensure corporations and the wealthiest Americans finally pay their fair share. It's time to make the economy work for everyone, and not just those at the very top. As the Build Back Better Act heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration, I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass this bill and join us in investing in America's future.\"\n\nThis transformative package will:\n\nLower Health Care Costs: negotiating lower drug costs for seniors; halting Big Pharma's outrageous price hikes above inflation; and expanding the ACA to make coverage more affordable for those who buy insurance on their own.\n\nLower Child Care & Family Care Costs: expanding the basic promise of free schooling in America for the first time in 100 years with universal preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds; slashing families' child care costs; extending the landmark Biden Child Tax Credit; and expanding access to affordable home care for older adults and those with disabilities.\n\nThe Largest Investment to Combat Climate Crisis in History: cutting pollution, reducing energy costs, creating good paying jobs with a transformational investment to ensure America leads the clean energy economy.\n\nThe Build Back Better Act lowers costs and fights inflation because it is fully paid for by making big corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share. No one making under $400,000 will pay a penny more in taxes.\n\nFull text of H.R. 5376 can be found here. A fact sheet is available here. A summary of how the Build Back Better Act will impact Minnesota is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-presses-biden-administration-ensure-underserved", "Representative Angie Craig Presses Biden Administration to Ensure Underserved Communities Gain Access to Remote Work, Telehealth and Distance Learning", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig called on the Biden Administration to ensure the effective and appropriate implementation of a program designed to ensure that every American has access to high-quality and affordable broadband internet connection. The program, which was enacted by Congress as part of the American Rescue Plan, will provide $10 billion to state and tribal governments to ensure all communities can take part in remote work, telehealth and distance learning \u2013 all of which have become especially vital due to COVID-19.\n\nIn a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who has been charged with overseeing the Capital Projects Fund, Craig urged the Administration to ensure local communities were aware of the upcoming deadline for applications and to ensure that relevant federal agencies could assist with the approval and disbursement process.\n\n\"Getting this new program right is vitally important. As you are no doubt aware, too many people in the United States lack access to the quality, modern infrastructure needed over the last 19 months. Distance learning, telehealth and remote work all require reliable, accessible and affordable broadband,\" wrote Representative Craig.\n\n\"As a member of the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth tasked with representing the voices of this nation's family farmers and rural families, I see the urgent need for increased broadband and modern infrastructure investments every day,\" Craig continued. \"Too many of the people in my Congressional District and across rural America lack even rudimentary access to the internet.\"\n\nThe COVID-19 public health emergency reinforced the idea that communities without access to high-quality modern infrastructure, including broadband internet access, face impediments to fully participating in aspects of daily life, such as remote work, telehealth, and distance learning. The Department of Treasury launched the Capital Projects Fund to allow state and tribal governments to invest in capital assets that will help to meet their communities' critical needs \u2013 both in the short and long-term \u2013 with a key emphasis on investments in broadband infrastructure.\n\nFor a Capital Project to be an eligible use of funds, it must meet all of the following three criteria:\n\nThe Capital Project invests in capital assets designed to directly enable work, education, and health monitoring\n\nThe Capital Project is designed to address a critical need that resulted from or was made apparent or exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency\n\nThe Capital Project is designed to address a critical need of the community to be served by it\n\nIn addition to the above criteria, Treasury's guidance encourages recipients to invest funds in broadband infrastructure projects to address the digital divide exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and expand connectivity to underserved and unserved residents. Specifically, recipients are encouraged to prioritize projects designed to provide services to households and businesses that do not have access to a reliable connection, invest in middle-mile projects and fiber-optic infrastructure.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter and below.\n\nNovember 16, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Janet Yellen\n\nSecretary of Treasury\n\nU.S. Department of Treasury\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20220\n\nDear Secretary Yellen,\n\nThank you for releasing the recent guidance regarding the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) that was established as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.\n\nWith the deadline for States to request funding quickly approaching at year's end, I wanted to raise awareness of this deadline, especially for my Congressional District's potential recipients who stand to benefit from the nearly $181 million in funding available for the State of Minnesota. My goal is for these local communities to begin preparing ideas for eligible projects that would carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring in response to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in line with Congressional intent.\n\nWhile the State of Minnesota is the lead applicant for funding, subrecipients such as counties and cities \u2013 as well as non-profits and certain private entities \u2013 may be awarded funds. For example, Treasury notes that for Broadband Infrastructure Projects, Subrecipients may include \"co operatives, electric utilities, and other entities that build or operate broadband networks, including networks that are owned, operated by, or affiliated with local governments.\"\n\nIn addition to raising awareness about this funding opportunity, I am also writing to ensure that there is sufficient coordination between federal agencies prior to (or during) grant reviews. While Treasury was established as the lead federal agency in charge of the program, I would encourage you to ensure that at minimum, the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Labor are consulted. These agencies have substantial knowledge of issues facing communities looking to expand rural broadband, tackle remote and telehealth issues and improve workforce training.\n\nGetting this new program right is vitally important. As you are no doubt aware, too many people in the United States lack access to the quality, modern infrastructure needed over the last 19 months. Distance learning, telehealth and remote work all require reliable, accessible and affordable broadband. Need for strong broadband infrastructure will only increase as technology advances and employers seek to offer increased flexibility.\n\nAs a member of the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth tasked with representing the voices of this nation's family farmers and rural families, I see the urgent need for increased broadband and modern infrastructure investments every day. Too many of the people in my Congressional District and across rural America lack even rudimentary access to the internet.\n\nPassing the American Rescue Plan was a key step in ensuring a strong and swift recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and I sincerely appreciate the Biden Administration's significant efforts to support state and tribal governments throughout the pandemic.\n\nThank you for your consideration and dedicated work on behalf of the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-senator-tina-smith-announce-federal-grant-scott", "Representative Angie Craig, Senator Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant for Scott County US 169 Interchange Project", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig and U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $8 million in federal grant funding for the US 169 & Highway 282/County Highway 9 Interchange Project in Scott County. Earlier this year, the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant application was submitted by Scott County and their project partners, which include the City of Jordan and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Following the drafting and submission of the application, the project was championed in Washington by Representative Craig and Senator Smith.\n\nThe project, once completed, will replace the last signalized highway intersection within 50 miles of the Twin Cities with an interchange, creating a 75 mile stoplight free zone to improve a key interregional corridor in Minnesota that is essential for commuters, local residents and businesses' economic success and vitality in the project area and region.\n\n\"After years of hard work and advocacy, I am proud to announce that Scott County has been awarded $8 million for the US 169 Interchange project, which will create good paying jobs in Scott County, make our community safer and grow our economy by improving a critical economic corridor that connects Minnesota businesses with customers throughout the state and across the globe,\" said Representative Craig. \"The benefits of this project will ripple far beyond Scott County, particularly for rural portions of my district that rely on this corridor to transport their products and agricultural commodities to market. I am grateful for the tireless work of my local partners in Scott County, the City of Jordan and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, particularly Commissioner Barb Weckman Brekke, Mayor Mike Franklin and Highway 169 Corridor Coalition Chair Kevin Burkart.\"\n\n\"Today's news is a win not just for Scott County, but for the hundreds of thousands of hard working Minnesotans who rely on this corridor in their daily lives,\" said Senator Smith. \"I'm proud to fight for critical projects like this one that will make life better for so many Minnesotans and create good-paying jobs and economic growth.\"\n\nThis project will construct a grade-separated interchange at TH-282/County Highway 9 and a bridge over the Union Pacific rail line. The project also includes a roundabout, a multi-use path and underpass of US 169, floodway improvements, stormwater improvements, and frontage roads. Earlier this year, Craig wrote a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg advocating for the application's approval, arguing that the project would \"create jobs, improve multimodal safety conditions, increase freight mobility, advance connectivity, reduce travel times, congestion and related emissions in the region southwest of the Twin Cities.\"\n\nOn a typical day, more than 30,000 vehicles enter US Highway 169 and Trunk Highway 282/County State Aid Highway 9 to access local and regional employment centers. US 169 connects the Twin Cities and the upper Midwest's largest inland waterway grain facilities \u2013 the Ports of Savage \u2013 to other parts of Minnesota and the Midwest and is critical for connecting Minnesota businesses to both domestic and international markets. Sixty percent of Minnesota's Fortune 500 businesses are located near the corridor, and half of Minnesota's Fortune agricultural commodities are shipped through the US 169.\n\nThe project has received support from a diverse and bipartisan group of stakeholders including the US 169 Corridor Coalition, a transportation coalition that includes 11 cities, 4 counties, 3 townships, a regional development agency, and 7 affiliate members. It has also garnered support from businesses, residents, the Union Pacific (UP) railroad, the freight industry, and state and local agencies because of the safety and mobility benefits provided.\n\nSeveral local leaders, who have championed the US 169 interchange project for years, also celebrated the $8 million grant:\n\n\"We couldn't be more pleased that our Congressional representatives helped secure this funding,\" said Commissioner Barb Weckman Brekke, who represents the City of Jordan and its surrounding areas on the Scott County Board. \"Our residents, businesses, and visitors will certainly see the benefit of this investment for generations, and our partnership with the City has been absolutely invaluable in this effort.\"\n\n\"The City of Jordan is thrilled to receive this significant investment toward safety and efficiency for our residents and visitors. Highway 169 has evolved from a sleepy country highway to a major thoroughfare for commerce connecting our agricultural heartland with the ports of Savage and the Twin Cities marketplace. There shouldn't be a stop light in the middle of I-35, and 169 shouldn't have one in Jordan, either,\" said Jordan Mayor Mike Franklin. \"Thank you to our friends and allies in Scott County, Senator Pratt and Representative Albright, to Congresswoman Craig, and Senators Smith and Klobuchar for their advocacy and partnership. With this investment, we're much closer to getting this project done once and for all.\"\n\n\"Congresswoman Angie Craig has consistently been a champion of the Highway 169 Corridor,\" Kevin Burkart stated during a recent meeting. Burkart is a Prior Lake City Councilor and Chair of the Highway 169 Corridor Coalition. \"The Coalition advocates for safety, congestion reduction, and economic vitality along the 169 Corridor from I-694 to Mankato. The US 169 and TH 282 intersection in Jordan is the last signalized intersection located within this 75-mile stretch from Mankato to the northern Twin Cities. Congresswoman Craig has secured $8 million for this interchange project, making a dramatic improvement to the 169 Corridor in the western portion of her District. Our appreciation to Angie and her team is immeasurable. They have been with us each step of the way as we move forward with this mission critical intersection improvement.\"\n\n\"Improving public safety and enhancing the efficient movement of people and goods throughout this region have always been two of our most significant priorities,\" said Scott County Board Chair Jon Ulrich. \"This federal grant funding is essential to moving this project forward and helping us realize that goal.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-joins-rep-tlaibs-reintroduction-resolution-calling-government-action", "Rep. Omar Joins Rep. Tlaib's Reintroduction of Resolution Calling for Government Action to Mitigate Violence Against Women in Politics", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), along with Congresswomen Cori Bush (MO-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Jackie Speier (CA-14), introduced a House resolution recognizing that violence against women in politics is a global phenomenon and that more research should be conducted to examine its extent and effects in the United States. The resolution, endorsed by National Democratic Institute (NDI), also calls on the U.S. government to adopt policies that promote women's political participation and help mitigate violence against women in politics in the United States and abroad.\n\n\"\u2026women have been on the frontlines of social justice movements around the world and throughout our Nation's history\u2026[and]\u2026violence against women in politics is a specific, gendered phenomenon stemming from a resistance to women's increased political participation and intending to undermine women as political actors,\" portions of the resolution read.\n\nThe introduction comes after a Republican Congressman, Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-04), posted a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden. The video \u2013 which also spread hateful, false, xenophobic rhetoric about immigrants \u2013 was posted on the Congressman's official Instagram account using taxpayer funds allocated by the House of Representatives, in effect using taxpayer dollars to incite violence against elected officials.\n\nAccording to the 2018 Violence Against Women in Politics Report by UN Women and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, women of color appear to be disproportionately affected by it and risks of political engagement are likely higher for women of marginalized communities. A recent study of U.S. mayors, which found that female mayors are more likely than men to experience most types of violence and abuse, also indicates such incidents are not out of the ordinary for women in U.S. politics generally. Congresswoman Tlaib herself spoke on the House floor on the issue in March of 2020\u2014and it has only continued to gain international prominence since.\n\n\"Receiving constant death threats \u2013 including against my family \u2013 hasn't stopped me from speaking truth to power, but such hate and risk should not be the inherent cost of any woman participating in politics, regardless of her race, creed, sexual or gender identity, or any other defining quality of who she is,\" saidCongresswoman Tlaib. \"We so often hear the future is female\u2014and I introduce this resolution as a means of securing it. Our future is so much brighter if we can build a world in which women and nonbinary individuals are free to fight for their communities and serve in government without fear of violence and abuse.\"\n\n\"As women in politics\u2014and women of color\u2014we are all too familiar with the vitriol and constant threats of violence that come with claiming our rightful place in the world and a seat at the table of our democracy,\" said Congresswoman Pressley. \"But the relentless and misogynistic attempts to intimidate, debase and silence us because of our gender only strengthen our resolve in pursuit of equality and justice. We must never accept this violence as simply the cost of women's participation in civic and political life and must continue to raise awareness and root out these sexist attacks wherever they take place. I am proud to join Representative Tlaib in introducing this resolution, which recognizes violence against women in politics as the global crises that it is and affirms the rights of women everywhere to serve our communities in halls of power.\"\n\n\"I have received numerous death threats over the course of my nearly 40 years in office, including attacks that required me to be moved into protective custody as a widowed mother with two young children while wearing a bullet proof vest and those that have resulted in criminal prosecutions. I have seen too many of my friends and colleagues face the same threats, particularly women of color who are targeted with not just violent and misogynistic attacks, but racial slurs as well. The rhetoric we're seeing now, particularly from fellow Members of Congress, has ratcheted up to a level that I had never dreamed possible,\" said Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Co-Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus. \"It is truly horrifying, though it will not deter us from standing up, speaking out, and fighting for women in Congress, the workforce, and everywhere. We are not afraid and we will not back down.\"\n\n\"Women are subject to fear, intimidation, threats and, in some cases, violence, to deter them from participating in politics,\" said Congresswoman Omar. \"It is true here in the United States and around the world, and this phenomenon is especially acute for women from marginalized communities. The United States should be leading a global effort to increase women's participation in political life, and hold opponents of women's political rights accountable. I am proud to join my colleague Rep. Rashida Tlaib in doing just that.\"\n\n\"I'm proud to join Representative Tlaib in introducing this resolution to acknowledge what so many of us know all too well: violence against women is a systemic problem that also uniquely harms women in politics, especially women of color,\" said Congresswoman Cori Bush. \"Since coming to Congress, I have received countless death threats, endured endless microaggressions and frequent veiled attacks \u2014 even by my own colleagues. All of those have only strengthened my resolve. I am more committed than ever to ensure that women \u2014 Black women in particular \u2014 are not only empowered to join civic life, but are also protected when they do make the courageous decision to actively participate in political life.\"\n\nOrganizations who have led national and global efforts to address violence against women in politics, including The National Democratic Institute (NDI), welcomed the resolution's introduction.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-presses-house-leadership-support-small-businesses", "Representative Angie Craig Presses House Leadership to Support Small Businesses Still Struggling during COVID-19 Pandemic", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig pushed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to take immediate action to support small businesses in Minnesota and across the country that are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. In her letter, Representative Craig noted that small businesses account for 99.9% of all firms in the United States \u2013 and more than 60% of net job creation over the past 25 years. Arguing that small businesses make up the backbone of the American economy, Craig urged for expanding and extending relief programs targeting small business, specifically the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program.\n\n\"I'm hearing from small business owners across my district every single day about the struggles they have faced over the past year and a half. Businesses that have been around for generations are at-risk of permanent closure \u2013 and newly opened businesses are still struggling to get their feet underneath them,\" said Representative Craig. \"Congress has a duty to assist our struggling small businesses as they face continued restrictions, supply chain disruptions, reduced operating capacity, and the ongoing threat of surging COVID-19 cases.\n\nIn March, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan, which included $16 billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program and $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. However, those programs and several others were overwhelmed by demand, leaving thousands of businesses across the country without the financial support they deserve. Craig has repeatedly called for the replenishment of those funds and the extension of those programs to ensure that every struggling business can access the relief to which they are entitled.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter and below.\n\nNovember 15, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Steny Hoyer\n\nSpeaker Majority Leader\n\nU.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives\n\nWashington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515\n\nDear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer:\n\nThank you for your continued work on behalf of the American people. I write today to respectfully urge you to support our nation's small businesses, which are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, by passing a small business rescue package in any moving legislative vehicle.\n\nI'm hearing from small business owners across my district every single day about the struggles they have faced over the past year and a half. Businesses that have been around for generations are at-risk of permanent closure \u2013 and newly opened businesses are still struggling to get their feet underneath them. Congress has a duty to assist our struggling small businesses as they face continued restrictions, supply chain disruptions, reduced operating capacity, and the ongoing threat of surging COVID-19 cases.\n\nSmall businesses account for 99.9% of all firms in the United States. These businesses are responsible for 62% of net job creation over the last 25 years. They truly are the backbone of our economy and vital to our recovery.\n\nThough Congress has acted several times in a bipartisan manner, and the American Rescue Plan was a lifeline to many, we cannot risk more permanent closures which will only hinder job grown and destroy local economies.\n\nAs we move forward in the days and weeks ahead, I implore Congress to help our small businesses. We quickly saw just how necessary the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) was, but recent developments have also demonstrated exactly how much more help is needed for restaurants and bars due to over-subscription. More than 177,000 establishments applied for relief from the RRF \u2013 but never received support. Legislation to replenish the RRF has strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.\n\nFurthermore, we must do more to provide relief for small businesses that have been left out of prior programs. While we've enacted much needed rescue funding for a multitude of industries, there have been businesses ancillary to the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant that were unable to access these important funds. These businesses and their employees deserve our attention and support, especially as we approach the holiday season. We must be industry-neutral in our approach to relief.\n\nFinally, as you're aware, the House passed H.R.1490, the 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2021 by an overwhelming bipartisan majority over six months ago. This legislation would increase access to capital for small manufacturers by increasing the maximum loan size from $5.5 million to $6.5 million. This bill is primed for inclusion in any legislative package, and I urge its inclusion and swift passage by the Senate.\n\nI urge you to take swift action and thank you for your consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-introduces-joint-resolution-block-650-million-saudi-arms-sale", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Introduces Joint Resolution to Block $650 million Saudi Arms Sale", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) today introduced a joint resolution of disapproval to block the sale of $650 million worth of weapons from the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.\n\n\"It is simply unconscionable to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia while they continue to slaughter innocent people and starve millions in Yemen, kill and torture dissidents, and support modern-day slavery,\" Rep. Omar said. \"We should never be selling human rights abusers weapons, but we certainly should not be doing so in the midst of a humanitarian crisis they are responsible for. Congress has the authority to stop these sales, and we must exercise that power.\"\n\nThe sale comes as Saudi Arabia continues its offensive in Yemen, sparking the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. As of this year, more than 4 million people had been uprooted from their homes and more than 21 million are in dire need of assistance, including 11 million children.\n\nIf passed by the Senate, the joint resolution would prohibit the sale of $650 million missiles and other weapons, announced by the State Department just last week. The sale would include 280 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, along with 596 missile launchers, support equipment, spare parts, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, and technical support. The State Department says these are for air defense capabilities and is designed to replenish Saudi Arabia's existing inventory.\n\n\"The United States should not sell any weapons to Saudi Arabia or other abusive governments, period. Congress should block this and similar deals in the future,\" said Raed Jarrar, Advocacy Director for Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), the organization founded by Jamal Khashoggi. \"These air-to-air missiles could be used in offensive operations or they could be used to enforce the Saudi blockade, which humanitarian aid groups have identified as one of the reasons behind the prices of medicine being out of reach for millions of Yemenis. Rather than selling more weapons, the Biden Administration should compel Saudi Arabia to lift the blockade and end its war on Yemen.\"\n\nRep. Omar has been a leading advocate for Congressional oversight over arms sales and accountability for human rights in Saudi Arabia and around the world. Earlier this year, she called on the United States to act to end the blockade on Yemen. She met with White House officials in a classified briefing and joined hunger strikers outside the White House in protest. In July, she reintroduced the Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act to establish red lines Once a country is determined to have crossed those lines, it automatically triggers a prohibition on security aid of any kind.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-honor-veterans-day-1", "McCollum Statement in Honor of Veterans Day", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today ahead of tomorrow's commemoration of Veterans Day:\n\n\"On Veterans Day, we take time to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and to recognize their commitment, bravery, and sacrifices to protect the ideals and freedoms we cherish as Americans. We thank all who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and Space Force. They deserve the support of a grateful nation.\n\n\"As America's longest war came to an end this year, we owe a debt of gratitude to our newest veterans who served so valiantly in Afghanistan and Iraq. Our gratefulness must be reflected in our actions, and that's why I'm fighting to ensure the availability of high quality, affordable health care; educational and workforce development opportunities that lead to good-paying jobs; and housing for our veterans and their families. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the many mental health stresses it puts on families, we must work harder to provide the mental health care support and resources our veterans need. I'm proud of the work we've done in Congress to meet these obligations, and recognize there is much more to be done to fill the gaps.\n\n\"We also honor the sacrifices made at home by the families and loved ones of our service members. Our veterans and their families deserve support upon their return home and as they take on new challenges following military service. This Veterans Day, let us renew our commitment to our veterans and their families \u2013 and join me in honoring and remembering their service in defending the United States at home and abroad.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-joins-congressional-delegation-united-nations-climate-change", "McCollum Joins Congressional Delegation to United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow", "2021-11-08", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) joins a delegation led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or \"COP26,\" in Glasgow, Scotland on behalf of the United States House of Representatives. In Glasgow, the delegation will participate in bilateral meetings, panel discussions and other engagements with global leaders on top climate priorities, including the recent IPCC report, gender equity and public-private sector coordination on climate action.\n\n\"The climate crisis is the existential threat of our time, and America must continue to bring our boldest ambitions to the table to meet and beat our climate action goals,\" said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. \"Together with this outstanding, experienced and diverse delegation including Committee Chairs, Members of the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis and respected Members of Congress, I am honored to once again return to the United Nations Climate Change Conference to convey the strong commitment of the U.S. Congress in addressing this crisis and doing so in a way that puts justice and equity \u2013 particularly for indigenous communities \u2013 first.\"\n\n\"As the world faces \u2018Code Red for Humanity' because of the climate crisis, America has the great responsibility and opportunity to meet this moment. Led by President Biden and the Democratic Congress, we will do just that: advancing clean air and clean water for public health, creating good-paying green jobs and advancing our pre-eminence in green technologies, protecting our national security and leaving our children and grandchildren a healthier planet and a better future.\"\n\nThe Members of the delegation are:\n\nChairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair, House Committee on Energy and Commerce\n\nChairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Chair, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology\n\nChairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee\n\nChairman Ra\u00fal Grijalva (D-AZ), Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources\n\nChairwoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Chair, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis\n\nCongressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), House Committee on Ways and Means\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), House Committee on Appropriations\n\nCongresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), House Committee on Appropriations, House Agriculture Committee\n\nCongressman Bill Keating (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee,\n\nCongresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis\n\nCongresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House Select Committee on Climate Crisis\n\nCongressman Jared Huffman (D-CA), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure\n\nCongressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure\n\nCongressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Chair, United States Joint Economic Committee, House Committee on Ways and Means, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology\n\nCongressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA), House Committee on Ways and Means\n\nCongressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), House Committee on Appropriations\n\nCongressman Sean Casten (D-IL), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology\n\nCongresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis\n\nCongressman Mike Levin (D-CA), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources\n\nCongressman Joe Neguse (D-CO), House Select Committee on Climate Crisis, House Committee on Natural Resources\n\nCongresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), House Committee of Oversight and Reform, House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-votes-deliver-historic-infrastructure-bill-minnesota", "McCollum Votes to Deliver Historic Infrastructure Bill for Minnesota", "2021-11-06", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today after voting to pass the Senate amendment to H.R. 3684, the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA):\n\n\"Today House Democrats passed legislation to advance President Biden's Build Back Better agenda that invests in our families, our nation, and our future.\n\n\"The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act is a once-in-a-generation investment in our roads, bridges, and communities. It will help us maintain and improve our existing physical infrastructure, which Minnesotans know all too well is long overdue. It includes funding for clean energy innovation, electric vehicle infrastructure, transportation, and critical improvements to water infrastructure that will help protect public health. Today I voted to send this bill to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.\n\n\"Today House Democrats also took a key step to prepare for a vote on the final element of the Build Back Better agenda, the Build Back Better Act, which invests in American families and the human infrastructure they rely on. Our entire nation will benefit from making child care, health care, housing, and education more accessible and affordable. It also makes historic investments to combat the climate crisis for our state, our nation, and our planet. These investments will be fully paid for by closing tax loopholes to ensure the wealthiest Americans and corporations finally pay their fair share.\n\n\"The Democratic Build Back Better agenda will create transformative change in the lives of my fellow Minnesotans and all Americans. Rebuilding our physical infrastructure goes hand-in-hand with strengthening health care, child care, education, and climate resilience for Minnesota's families and businesses. Today we have made history with the investments in the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act \u2013 and we are committed to swiftly delivering on the human infrastructure investments in the Build Back Better Act.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, H.R. 3684) has now passed both chambers of Congress and is awaiting President Biden's signature. It will create good-paying jobs and invest in American workers and communities \u2013 rebuilding our infrastructure while helping rebuild the middle class. This package makes the largest federal investment in public transit ever, the largest federal investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system, and the largest investment in clean drinking water and waste water infrastructure in American history. It will increase our global competitiveness, and put the U.S. back on track to have world-class infrastructure once again.\n\nIn Minnesota, there are 661 bridges and nearly 5,000 miles of highway in poor condition. Minnesotans taking public transportation spend an extra 49.8% of their time commuting. Our state's drinking water infrastructure will require $7.5 billion in additional funding over the next 20 years. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill delivers on all of these issues and more.\n\nThe text of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, H.R. 3684) can be found here. A fact sheet prepared by the White House is available here.\n\nMore information on the Build Back Better Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omars-statement-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill", "Rep. Omar\u2019s Statement on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after voting \"no\" on the infrastructure bill.\n\n\"From the beginning, I have been clear that I would not be able to support the infrastructure bill without a vote on the Build Back Better Act. Passing the infrastructure bill without passing the Build Back Better Act first risks leaving behind childcare, paid leave, health care, climate action, housing, education, and a roadmap to citizenship.\n\n\"Right now, families across my district are struggling with the rising cost of childcare, the inability to get family leave to take care of their kids and deal with a medical emergency. The Build Back Better Act addresses it by creating a universal pre-k program, affordable childcare, and paid family and medical leave. In the Twin Cities, we have the worst housing shortage in the nation. The Build Back Better Act addresses it, by investing $150 billion in affordable housing. Minnesota is experiencing some of the fastest rising temperatures in the nation. The Build Back Better Act makes the boldest investment in history in the climate crisis\u2014investing in zero waste initiatives and creating jobs in the process. My community cannot wait any longer for these much-needed investments that will be delivered through the Build Back Better Act. I cannot in good conscience support the infrastructure bill without voting on the President's transformative agenda first.\"\n\n\"And for those reasons, I voted NO on the infrastructure package.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-omar-lieu-and-jacobs-reintroduce-bill-improve-house-oversight-arms-sales", "Reps. Omar, Lieu, and Jacobs Reintroduce Bill to Improve House Oversight of Arms Sales", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Arms Sale Oversight Act, which would align House procedure for reviewing major arms sales with existing Senate procedure under the Arms Export Control Act. The bill makes it possible for any House member to force debate on the House floor in the event that the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) does not debate a contested arms sale.\n\n\"Arms sales to foreign militaries are an instrument of U.S. foreign policy,\" said Rep. Lieu. \"Like our Senate colleagues, we as House members should have the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate and debate arms sales to make sure they are in our nation's best interest. However, current procedures often leave us in the dark. Arms sales with foreign countries are worthy of intense Congressional scrutiny, and House members shouldn't face roadblocks to doing our jobs. I'm pleased to reintroduce this legislation with Representatives Omar and Jacobs to make a simple fix that would strengthen Congress's ability to ensure this key foreign policy tool is being used appropriately and effectively.\"\n\n\"The State Department oversees about $170 billion in arms sales every year, including to some of the most egregious human rights abusers in the world,\" said Rep. Omar. \"This does nothing to further the cause of human rights, but does line the pockets of some of the largest war profiteers and weapons contractors. If we are serious about putting human rights at the center of our foreign policy, we need to stop arming human rights abusers, full stop. I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Ted Lieu's critical bill to provide more meaningful oversight over arms sales, and look forward to building a world free of arms sales and impunity for human rights abuses.\"\n\n\"We must make sure that our foreign policy is consistent with our values, including our arms sales,\" said Rep. Jacobs. \"I am proud to cosponsor Congressman Lieu's legislation, which strengthens congressional oversight and paves the way for closer consideration of human rights in our decision-making process.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-statement-deal-lower-prescription-drug-prices", "Representative Angie Craig Statement on Deal to Lower Prescription Drug Prices", "2021-11-02", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Angie Craig released the following statement following reports that Democrats had reached an agreement on lowering prescription drug costs, one of the final provisions negotiated as part of the Build Back Better Act in Congress.\n\n\"While we still need the legislative language, I am encouraged by the news that we've reached an agreement to lower prescription drug costs for seniors and families as part of the Build Back Better Act. This agreement would allow Medicare to negotiate some drug prices for the first time, penalize companies for outrageous price hikes and cap the amount of money seniors pay for their drugs.\n\nFor far too many years, lawmakers have buckled under pressure from Washington's special interests and failed to enact any prescription drug reforms. My sincere hope is that that changes with this agreement. Today, we have demonstrated to our constituents that we will not be intimidated \u2013 and that we will always prioritize the interests of the American people over the profits of Big Pharma. Our fight to ensure affordable health care is far from over \u2013 but this is an important step in the right direction and would represent a first win for the American people.\"\n\nThe drug pricing reforms announced this afternoon were not included in the original framework of the Build Back Better bill released last week. Over the weekend, Rep. Craig led a movement of swing district colleagues to pressure Nancy Pelosi and House leadership to fight in the bill to bring down the cost of drugs for hardworking Americans. In addition, earlier today, Representative Craig delivered a speech on the House floor urging her colleagues to support the inclusion of prescription drug pricing reform in the final text of the legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/frontline-democrats-press-house-leadership-include-prescription-drugs", "Frontline Democrats Press House Leadership to Include Prescription Drugs Provisions in Build Back Better Act", "2021-10-31", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN-02) led fourteen of her Democratic colleagues in writing a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer urging immediate action to address the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States. Prescription drug reform was not included in the original framework of the Build Back Better Act released last week. But Craig and her fellow majority-makers from the 2018 class are still fighting for its inclusion in the final legislative text, which is currently being negotiated in Washington. In their letter, the Members called on Leadership to stand up to Big Pharma and provide relief to the American people, who pay the highest drug prices in the world.\n\n\"As majority-makers in competitive districts, we promised our constituents that we would come to Washington to fight on their behalf for lower drug prices. We cannot turn back now on our promise to the American people,\" the lawmakers wrote.\n\n\"With the Build Back Better agenda, we have a perhaps once in a generation opportunity to change the status quo and make good on our promise that no one should have to choose between affording their prescription drugs or food or housing,\" the members continued. \"The public is on our side. Big Pharma is not.\"\n\nRepresentative Craig was joined in sending the letter by Representatives Colin Allred (TX-32), Cindy Axne (IA-03), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Josh Harder (CA-10), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Susie Lee (NV-03), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Susan Wild (PA-07).\n\nThe Members' effort to advance prescription drug reform is supported by a number of stakeholders dedicated to addressing the cost of prescription drugs for hardworking American families, including the AARP, Patients for Affordable Drugs Now and Lower Drug Prices Now.\n\n\"Lower drug prices are desperately needed and enormously popular, with 6 out of 7 voters in support,\" said Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, which has nearly 38 million members nationwide. \"It is a monumental mistake for Congress not to fix what's fundamentally unfair \u2013 that Americans pay three times more for medications than other countries pay. Our elected leaders promised to stand up to Big Pharma, and we thank Congresswoman Craig and the Members of Congress who are working to keep that promise. Voters 50+ are a major force in every election, and they need and expect Congress to act now.\"\n\n\"On behalf of patients all across this country, we want to thank Congresswoman Craig and these members of Congress who are going to the mat fighting to add Medicare negotiation to lower drug prices back into the Build Back Better plan,\" said David Mitchell, cancer patient and founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs Now. \"Medicare negotiation is supported by 90 percent of voters who are depending on Congress to deliver years of promises to provide relief to patients struggling to afford their prescription medications. These members know that the moment for action is now to enact meaningful reforms that will fix a rigged system and restore balance to ensure we get the innovation we need at prices we can afford. The fight is not over, and we are proud to stand with these members.\"\n\n\"Meaningful prescription drug reform to lower the price of prescription drugs for tens of millions of Americans is a critical missing element of the current Build Back Better framework,\" said Margarida Jorge, Campaign Director for Lower Drug Prices Now. \"Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get this done. To miss it would be both bad policy and bad politics. We are grateful for the leadership of the signers of this letter, and so many other champions in Congress, who understand the urgency of delivering on the long promised relief from sky high prescription drug prices. Now is the time to get this done.\"\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter and copied below.\n\nOctober 31, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Nancy Pelosi\n\nSpeaker\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nWashington, D.C., 20515\n\nThe Honorable Steny Hoyer\n\nMajority Leader\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nWashington, D.C., 20515\n\nDear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer:\n\nThank you for your leadership and continued efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs. As majority-makers in competitive districts, we promised our constituents that we would come to Washington to fight on their behalf for lower drug prices. We cannot turn back now on our promise to the American people. We urge you in the strongest terms possible to include legislative language in the Build Back Better Act that will be voted on by the full House to accomplish this.\n\nFor too long, the pharmaceutical industry has raked in extraordinary profits, while Americans routinely pay more than three times what people in other countries pay for the same medicines. As a country, we spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on prescription drugs, and yet our constituents must often choose between purchasing prescribed medications or putting food on the table. It is unacceptable that anyone in the wealthiest country in the world cannot access the medications they need to stay alive.\n\nWith two lobbyists per Member of Congress, we know that Big Pharma is deeply invested in the status quo. Our current system forbids Medicare from negotiating the prices it pays for prescription drugs. As a result, millions of Americans are forced to spend thousands of dollars a year on their medications \u2013 or go without.\n\nIn many cases, as with insulin, these medications have been on the market for decades. In 1991, a bottle of Humalog insulin cost $21. Today the average list price is over $300. That is inexcusable. In these instances, we are not paying for research and development. By allowing the cost of drugs like insulin to rise year after year, we are financing soaring executive salaries, stock buybacks and outrageous profit margins on the backs of our seniors.\n\nWith the Build Back Better agenda, we have a perhaps once in a generation opportunity to change the status quo and make good on our promise that no one should have to choose between affording their prescription drugs or food or housing. The public is on our side. Big Pharma is not.\n\nSoon, we must go back to our districts and explain what we've done in Washington to make our constituents' lives better. We ran on upsetting the status quo and lowering out-of-pocket costs for healthcare and prescription drugs. If we fail, we'll need to explain to them why we let Big Pharma win, why we let entrenched special interests take precedence over the American people.\n\nYou have dedicated your careers to lowering the cost of healthcare. We stand with you in your continued efforts. The moment is now. We must deliver on our promise to lower the amount of money our constituents pay for prescription drugs. We must demonstrate that we work for the American people and not the pharmaceutical industry. Our constituents are counting on us.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-issues-statement-following-white-house-meeting", "Representative Angie Craig Issues Statement following White House Meeting with President Biden on the Build Back Better Act", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representative Angie Craig released the following statement following her meeting at the White House, where Craig took part in the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Build Back Better Act with President Joe Biden, Director of the Domestic Policy Council Susan Rice and Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese \u2013 as well as other White House officials charged with enacting President Biden's economic agenda in Washington. Craig was invited to the White House alongside her fellow co-chairs of the Equality Caucus and leaders of the Congressional Tri-Caucus \u2013 composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).\n\n\"This afternoon, I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak directly with President Biden and to share my thoughts on the Build Back Better negotiations. In our meeting, I communicated my desire to prioritize provisions that would lower out-of-pocket health care costs for middle-class families, provide a substantial investment in rural communities and create good-paying jobs for hardworking Minnesotans. I also reiterated my support for extending the child tax credit and the Rural Partnership Program, which would empower local communities to grow and support family farmers.\n\nWhat I heard from the White House today was encouraging. Following our discussion, I am convinced that we are nearing a consensus on many outstanding provisions. And I'm more confident than ever that we'll be able to resolve our remaining differences and push this critical piece of legislation across the finish line. As we enter the final stages of these negotiations, I am focused on working with my colleagues to ensure that our final package delivers on our promises to the American people and provides long-overdue investments to working families in Minnesota and across the country.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-resolution-calls-us-house-condemn-israel-s-repressive-decision", "McCollum Resolution Calls on U.S. House to Condemn Israel\u2019s Repressive Decision to Designate  Six Prominent Palestinian Human Rights and Civil Society Groups as Terrorist Organizations", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced a resolution calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to condemn Israel's decision to designate as \"terrorist organizations\" six prominent Palestinian human rights and civil society groups working to defend the rights of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation. The decree signed last week by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has resulted in international condemnation as a repressive, anti-democratic act designed to silence organizations working to defend the rights of Palestinians. McCollum, author of H.R. 2590, Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, has worked for years on the legislation with one of the targeted groups, Defense for Children International \u2013 Palestine (DCI-P). DCI-P's legal advocacy for Palestinian children arrested, interrogated, abused, and imprisoned in the Israeli military court and detention system is vital to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable.\n\nThe McCollum resolution recognizes the important work of the six targeted Palestinian organizations, condemns the terrorist organization declaration by the Government of Israel, and calls upon the Biden administration to condemn Israeli actions to repress Palestinian society. McCollum released the following statement:\n\n\"When a government uses the label of terrorist as a weapon to silence the work of human rights organizations and advocates who courageously represent vulnerable people living in under military occupation, it is a sign of incredible weakness more aligned with an authoritarian regime than a healthy democracy,\" McCollum said. \"Israel's decision to brand these prominent Palestinian civil society groups as terrorist organizations exposes the truth that Israel's occupation is violent, immoral, and unjust, and that peaceful efforts to defend the rights of Palestinian children, women, farmers, or prisoners must be declared illegal. The U.S. invests billions of our taxpayer dollars to support Israel's security, not Israel's system of occupation and repression of Palestinians. It is incumbent upon Democrats in the U.S. House and the Biden administration to condemn this Israeli decision and draw a clear line that anti-democratic repression of Palestinian civil society is not tolerated.\"\n\n\"After years of delegitimization and disinformation campaigns have failed to silence our work, Israeli authorities now choose to escalate repressive tactics by labeling civil society organizations as terrorists,\" said Khaled Quzmar, General Director for Defense for Children International \u2013 Palestine. \"We are grateful once again for Congresswoman McCollum's bold leadership condemning this decision and we resolve to continue defending Palestinian children and exposing human rights violations inherent in Israel's military occupation of Palestinians.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe six prominent Palestinian human rights and civil society groups subject to the decree are as follows:\n\nDefense for Children International - Palestine\n\nInvestigates, documents, and exposes human rights violations against Palestinian children in Israeli military detention, who routinely undergo physical abuse and are frequently denied adequate access to a lawyer or their family.\n\nDCIP is the only Palestinian human rights organization specifically focused on children's rights.\n\nProvides legal services to children targeted by the Israeli occupation and its military court system.\n\nHolds both Israeli and Palestinian authorities accountable to universal human rights principles.\n\nAl-Haq\n\nAl-Haq is the leading Palestinian human rights organization pushing for accountability for Israeli crimes in the International Criminal Court (ICC).\n\nDocuments human rights violations in Palestine irrespective of the identity of the perpetrator.\n\nPrepares reports, studies, and papers to share with the international community.\n\nWorks with Palestinian organizations and the government to ensure that Palestinian law and policies abide by international human rights standards.\n\nAddameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Organization\n\nTracks detailed data on Israel's mass incarceration of Palestinian children, political prisoners and those imprisoned without charge or trial.\n\nTracks and raises awareness on conditions inside Israeli prisons that violate human rights.\n\nWorks to end torture of Palestinian prisoners; offers free legal aid to political prisoners, and educations the public on prisoners' rights.\n\nBisan Center for Research and Development\n\nServes as a community resource for research and development models for a besieged Palestinian society under Israel's illegal military occupation.\n\nWorks with low-income Palestinians to push for their socioeconomic rights.\n\nDevelops community youth programs.\n\nWorks to end violence against women through social campaigns, empowering grassroots groups, research, and media.\n\nThe Union of Agricultural Work Committees\n\nPromotes the rights of Palestinian farmers facing threats of land theft and violence under Israeli occupation.\n\nPromotes sustainable farming practices and works to achieve food security in Palestine.\n\nPushes for sovereignty over natural resources as the threat of climate change increases.\n\nThe Union of Palestinian Women's Committees\n\nWorks to empower Palestinian women through promoting participation and representation in civil society institutions.\n\nPushes against gender discrimination and encourages women to achieve economic independence.\n\nEducates young women about their rights.\n\nProvides psychological and legal support to women in need.\n\nRep. McCollum's House resolution joins a chorus of condemnation of Israel's actions:\n\nJ Street: \"J Street Condemns Israeli Defense Minister's Order Labeling Palestinian Human Rights Groups as Terrorist Organizations\"\n\nAmnesty International and Human Rights Watch joint statement: \"This appalling and unjust decision is an attack by the Israeli government on the international human rights movement.\"\n\nB'Tselem, Israeli human rights organization: \"The draconian \u2018terrorist' designation says nothing about the work of our Palestinian colleagues \u2013 but speaks volumes about the violence, brutality and arrogance the Israeli regime has been routinely employing against Palestinians for decades. Criminalizing human rights organizations is a cowardly act that is characteristic of oppressive authoritarian regimes. It must not be allowed to stand.\"\n\nHaaretz, leading Israeli newspaper, Editorial: \"The outlawing of human rights groups and persecution of humanitarian activists are quintessential characteristics of military regimes, in which democracy in its deepest sense is a dead letter\u2026We can only hope that in the absence of internal resistance, the harsh U.S. reprimand and request for clarifications will end this shameful move.\"\n\nUnited Nations Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner: \"This designation is a frontal attack on the Palestinian human rights movement, and on human rights everywhere. Silencing their voices is not what a democracy adhering to well-accepted human rights and humanitarian standards would do. We call upon the international community to defend the defenders.\"\n\nPalestinian Christian organizations: \"While reiterating the illegitimacy of this arbitrary decision and its grave implications to civil society organizations and human rights defenders, [we] call upon countries, the international community, partners and donors in general and international Christian institutions in particular, to reject and condemn this decision, prevent the Israeli occupation state from moving forward with these arbitrary and illegitimate practices in violation of international laws, to pressure Israel to revoke the decision; and to continue to support the right of Palestinians to justice, freedom, and dignity.\"\n\nMcCollum's resolution is supported by dozens of national and international groups, including Human Rights Watch. Original co-sponsors of the resolution are Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03), Rep. Andre Carson (IN-03), Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Rep. Marie Newman (IL-03), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), and Rep. Chuy Garcia (IL-04).\n\nThe text of the resolution can be found here.Rep. McCollum's prior statement can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/minnesota-delegation-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-honor-prince", "Minnesota Delegation Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Honor Prince with Congressional Gold Medal", "2021-10-25", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, the full Minnesota delegation in Congress introduced bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Prince Rogers Nelson. The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in the Senate and Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in the House.\n\nThe bill honors Prince for his \"legacy of musical achievement and\u2026 indelible mark on Minnesota and American culture.\"\n\n\"Like so many, I grew up with Prince's music. I was always proud to say he was from Minnesota,\"said Klobuchar.\"The world is a whole lot cooler because Prince was in it -- he touched our hearts, opened our minds, and made us want to dance. With this legislation, we honor his memory and contributions as a composer, performer, and music innovator. Purple reigns in Minnesota today and every day because of him.\"\n\n\"Prince is a Minnesota icon,\"said Omar.\"I remember when I first came to America being captivated by Prince's music and impact on the culture. He showed that it was okay to be a short, Black kid from Minneapolis and still change the world. He not only changed the arc of music history; he put Minneapolis on the map. Places like First Avenue, Uptown are landmarks because of Prince. I am proud to introduce this resolution to give Prince the recognition he deserves.\"\n\n\"Prince was a Minnesotan who left us far too early. He was an internationally-renowned artist, showman, and producer, who thrilled millions of people across the world with his visionary skills as a musician and cultivator of other artist's talent,\" said Smith. \"His complete body of work is still being recognized, as new discoveries remind us how important he still is as an artist. His Paisley Park gave life to a generation of other artists, who without him would not have realized their potential. His importance to American music cannot be measured, and the joy his music continues to bring to me and to millions of fans across the globe makes him an American treasure.\"\n\n\"Beloved by generations of Minnesotans and millions of fans around the world, Prince Rogers Nelson is the pride and joy of our great state,\"said Craig. \"His contributions to American culture are unique and timeless \u2013 and I couldn't be prouder to join the bipartisan effort to ensure that one of the finest musicians in history gets the recognition he deserves.\"\n\n\"Prince was the embodiment of what it means to be an artist. A risk-taking provocateur, he was a poet at the vanguard of the human experience, telling stories about getting through this thing called life,\" said Phillips. \"It is fitting to reserve one of the highest civilian honors to such a Minnesotan, and I proudly join my colleagues to award the Congressional Gold Medal to one of MN-03's most influential citizens.\"\n\n\"Minnesotans are incredibly proud of Prince, our beloved cultural icon and a true musical genius. His music left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of our state and our nation, and his legacy will continue to inspire new generations of musicians to dream big and embrace their inner artist,\" said McCollum.\n\nThe Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress. Only 163 have been awarded since 1776, the first going to George Washington.\n\nThe full Minnesota delegation serve as original cosponsors, including Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representatives Jim Hagedorn (R-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), and Pete Stauber (R-MN).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-cosponsors-recognizing-protection-motorsports-act", "Representative Angie Craig Cosponsors Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig cosponsored bipartisan legislation to clarify that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have a role in regulating modified motor vehicles used exclusively for racing. The legislation would ensure that dedicated race cars used at racetracks like the Elko Speedway are exempted from future regulations, which could impact competitive motorsports.\n\n\"The Elko Speedway is and other racetracks across the country are an important source of entertainment and jobs in Minnesota's Second Congressional District,\" said Representative Craig. \"While environmental protections like the Clean Air Act are critical for combating climate change, these rules were never intended to impact competitive motorsports \u2013 which are not a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. I'm proud to support this bipartisan legislation to defend the time-honored tradition of motorsports in the United States.\"\n\nConverting a motor vehicle into a race car is a significant part of American automotive heritage with the practice having played a large role in the foundation of NASCAR. Additionally, the specialty automotive industry employs over one million Americans. Companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell products that improve race vehicle performance are a large and growing part of our economy.\n\nThe Clean Air Act authorizes the EPA to regulate motor vehicles, but these regulations have never applied to race cars. In 1990, Congress affirmed this exemption when it authorized the EPA to regulate \"non-road vehicles\" and explicitly excluded any \"vehicle used solely for competition\" from the non-road definition. In early 2016, the EPA issued a proposed rule that would make it illegal for this practice to continue via the Clean Air Act even though Congress never intended for race cars to be subject to the Clean Air Act. While the proposed EPA regulation was withdrawn in April of 2016, the RPM Act would make permanent that race cars are exempt from EPA regulation via the Clean Air Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-designation-palestinian-civil-society-groups-terrorist", "McCollum Statement on Designation of Palestinian Civil Society Groups as Terrorist Organizations", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today after the Israeli Defense Ministry issued a military order declaring six Palestinian civil society organizations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to be \"terrorist organizations\":\n\n\"I condemn this action to shut down legitimate civil society organizations advocating for Palestinian human rights. This is nothing more than an attempt to silence supporters of Palestinian rights. It is anti-democratic, and contrary to the values expected of a U.S. ally. I urge the Biden administration to immediately call upon the Israeli government to reverse their decision and restore these organizations' ability to continue their important work. For years, I have worked with Defense for Children International \u2013 Palestine (DCIP) to protect the rights of Palestinian children who are imprisoned in Israeli military detention facilities. I trust and value DCIP's work advancing human rights. I stand with Amnesty International in challenging this decision.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/ahead-international-climate-conference-rep-omar-senators-markey-and-van-hollen", "Ahead of International Climate Conference, Rep. Omar, Senators Markey and Van Hollen Lead Bicameral Letter to President Biden Urging Bold Climate Action in Budget Reconciliation", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014In three weeks, President Joseph R. Biden will attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 26th Conference of Parties (COP26), where he will be expected to advocate for global climate cooperation, secure additional emission reduction commitments, and catalyze bold action from world leaders to prevent a global temperature rise greater than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Ahead of COP26, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) today led 6 Senate colleagues and 49 House colleagues in a bicameral letter to President Biden urging him to secure a deal on his Build Back Better agenda that maintains strong climate provisions. The lawmakers outlined a \"climate test\" for the reconciliation package, which includes the scientifically necessary emissions reduction goal of cutting climate pollution at least in half by 2030, while creating good union jobs and advancing environmental, racial, and economic justice.\n\n\"The climate crisis presents deadlines that are imposed on us by science -- deadlines that are rapidly passing us by,\" write the lawmakers in their letter. \"The COP26 summit could be the last opportunity for world leaders to take bold action before it is too late to secure a livable climate by limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We're facing an existential crisis, with American leadership, economic prosperity, and our very lives at stake.\"\n\nA copy of the letter can be found HERE.\n\nOther Senators signing the letter include Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)\n\nMembers of the House of Representatives signing the letter include Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Marie Newman (IL-03), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Peter Welch (D-VT), Karen Bass (CA-37), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44), Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Alma S. Adams, PhD. (NC-12), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Grace Meng (NY-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), John Larson (CT-01), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Mike Levin (CA-49), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Takano (CA-41), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Dina Titus (NV-03), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-04) and Nikema Williams (GA-05).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-introduces-resolution-honoring-100th-anniversary", "Representative Angie Craig Introduces Resolution Honoring the 100th Anniversary of Waterskiing", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced a bicameral resolution to honor the 100th anniversary of waterskiing, which was invented on Lake Pepin on July 2, 1922. The resolution, which was also introduced in the Senate by Senator Amy Klobuchar, encourages the United States Postal Service to design, print and distribute a new stamp honoring the upcoming anniversary \u2013 as well as Lake City's contribution to water sports.\n\n\"Nearly 100 years ago, Ralph and Ben Samuelson invented the sport of waterskiing \u2013 creating a favorite pastime for countless Minnesotans in the years since,\" said Representative Craig. \"Today, I am joining Mayor Mark Nichols and other proud residents of Lake City in calling on the United States Postal Service to honor the Samuelson brothers for their ingenious discovery \u2013 and to celebrate the generations of water skiers that have followed in their wake.\"\n\nEarlier this year, Lake City Mayor Mark Nichols and several Lake City residents submitted a proposal to the Postal Service's Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, arguing in favor of a new stamp honoring the 100th anniversary of waterskiing, which was invented on Lake Pepin on July 2, 1922. The Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee is a small advisory group appointed by the Postmaster General to select subjects for recommendation as future stamp issues.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-urges-health-human-services-secretary-address", "Representative Angie Craig Urges Health & Human Services Secretary to Address the Costly \u201cFamily Glitch\u201d in the Affordable Care Act", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig urged Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to take immediate action to address the \"family glitch\" in the Affordable Care Act's marketplace coverage \u2013 a step that could save millions of Americans \u2013 including 62,000 Minnesotans \u2013 thousands of dollars annually on their health insurance premiums. Craig has prioritized fixing the family glitch in the 117th Congress \u2013 which has resulted in some Minnesota families paying nearly a quarter of their household income on premiums \u2013 due to a longstanding gap in eligibility for the Affordable Care Act's subsidized marketplace coverage.\n\n\"I applaud the Administration's efforts to expand access to affordable coverage - extending the open enrollment period, expanding the Navigator program, and undoing the sabotage of the previous administration,\" wrote Representative Craig. \"Eliminating the family glitch is a straightforward step that would go a long way toward making health care more affordable for millions of families, including many in my district. I urge you to take swift action and thank you for your consideration.\"\n\nIn her letter addressed to Secretary Becerra, Craig urged the Department to take the necessary steps to resolve the family glitch \u2013 arguing that such a step would abide by President Biden's January executive order to protect and strengthen the ACA and ensure that high-quality health care is affordable and accessible for every American.\n\nThe family glitch originated from a 2013 Internal Revenue Service and Department of Treasury rule, which determined that families are ineligible for financial assistance if a family member is offered \"affordable\" employer coverage. In 2021, the affordability threshold is 9.83%, which means that an individual qualifies for subsidized marketplace coverage if their employer health insurance premiums exceed 9.83% of household income. However, this threshold does not take into account the cost of covering the rest of the household, which can make coverage prohibitively expensive for many families.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter\n\nDocument\n\nand copied below.\n\nOctober 21st, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Xavier Becerra\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of Health and Human Services\n\n200 Independence Avenue SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20201\n\nDear Secretary Becerra,\n\nThank you for your continued commitment to lowering the cost of health care and expanding access to high-quality health services. I write today about an issue that affects the cost of coverage for millions of hardworking American families, the so-called Affordable Care Act \"family glitch\". I urge the Department to coordinate with the Department of Treasury and take whatever action is under your authority to address the family glitch in line with the Affordable Care Act's intent to make health care more affordable.\n\nAs you know, the \"family glitch\" refers to a longstanding gap in eligibility for the Affordable Care Act's subsidized marketplace coverage. A family is ineligible for financial assistance if even a single family member is offered \"affordable\" employer coverage, even if the cost of covering the entire family is exorbitant.\n\nThe Affordable Care Act limited eligibility for financial assistance to those without access to coverage through other means, such as an employer. However, there is an exception for employer plans that are deemed unaffordable. The IRS determines affordability based on whether an employee's contribution to their yearly premium exceeds a certain threshold. In 2021, that threshold is 9.83%, which means that an individual qualifies for subsidies if the self-only portion of their employer-sponsored health plan premiums exceed 9.83% of household income. However, if the yearly premiums of the employee plus their dependents exceed the affordability threshold, but the employee's self-only contribution remains under 9.83%, then the family is ineligible for financial assistance.\n\nA recent analysis estimated that 5.1 million people fall into the family glitch, including 62,00 in my home state of Minnesota. In Minnesota, the average annual premium for an individual is $6,904 and the average annual family premium is $20,751. Under the glitch, a family with a household income of $85,000 would not qualify for premium tax credit assistance even if they paid the average family total, which would amount to more than 24% of their household income.\n\nFixing the family glitch would also align with the administration's commitment to lowering out-of-pocket health care costs. In January, President Biden issued an executive order formally stating that the administration's policy is to protect and strengthen the ACA and ensure that high-quality health care is affordable and accessible for every American. The EO directs agencies to review their internal policies related to the ACA to identify and address any barriers counter to the goal of making health care more affordable. Specifically, the EO calls attention to any \"policies or practices that may reduce the affordability of coverage or financial assistance for coverage, including for dependents.\" The family glitch represents one such barrier that could be addressed through administrative action.\n\nI applaud the Administration's efforts to expand access to affordable coverage - extending the open enrollment period, expanding the Navigator program, and undoing the sabotage of the previous administration. Eliminating the family glitch is a straightforward step that would go a long way toward making health care more affordable for millions of families, including many in my district. I urge you to take swift action and thank you for your consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-omar-schakowsky-introduce-combating-global-islamophobia-bill", "Reps Omar, Schakowsky Introduce Combating Global Islamophobia Bill", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation to address the rise in incidents of Islamophobia worldwide. The bill requires the State Department to create a Special Envoy for monitoring and combating Islamophobia, and include state-sponsored Islamophobic violence and impunity in the Department's annual human rights reports. The creation of the Special Envoy will help policymakers better understand the interconnected, global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry. It will also establish a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in combatting Islamophobia worldwide.\n\nThis year, the United States has seen over 500 documented complaints of anti-Muslim hate and bias. In a recent study conducted by CAIR, found 69% of respondents personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In a separate study conducted by the Othering and Belonging Institute, found 67% of Muslims personally experienced Islamophobia in their lifetimes. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred towards Muslims has risen to \"epidemic proportions.\"\n\nThere has been a staggering rise in incidents of violent Islamophobia incidents worldwide. Whether it is the atrocities being committed against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma, the crackdowns on Muslim populations in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees and other Muslims in Hungary and Poland, the acts of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, or the targeting of minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran\u2014the problem of Islamophobia is global in scope.\n\n\"We are seeing a rise in Islamophobia in nearly every corner of the globe,\" said Rep. Omar. \"In my home state of Minnesota, vandals spray-painted hate messages and a Nazi swastika on and near the Moorhead Fargo Islamic Center. These types of incidents are all too common for Muslims in the United States and beyond. As part of our commitment to international religious freedom and human rights, we must recognize Islamophobia and do all we can to eradicate it. That's why I'm proud to partner with Rep. Jan Schakowsky to create a special envoy to put an end to this bigotry.\"\n\n\"For over a decade we have seen increasing incidents of violent Islamophobia both in the U.S. and worldwide \u2013 from the genocide of the Rohingya in Burma, and Uyghurs in China, to the attacks on Muslim refugees in Canada and New Zealand,\" said Rep. Schakowsky. \"It is past time for the U.S. to establish a comprehensive plan for combating this hatred worldwide. I am proud to join my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, in introducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act. This critical legislation will create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia to ensure the U.S. dedicates the resources necessary to safeguard human rights and religious and cultural freedom around the world.\"\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is cosponsored by Reps Bass, Bowman, Carson, Correa, Dean, Dingell, Eshoo, Garc\u00eda (IL), Green (TX), Grijalva, Jacobs (CA), Jackson Lee, H. Johnson (GA), Jones, Kim (NJ), Lowenthal, C. Maloney, McGovern, Newman, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Pascrell, Payne, Phillips, Pocan, Pressley, Rush, Sires, Tlaib, Watson Coleman, and Williams.\n\n\"The rise of Islamophobic incidents in our nation and across the world is atrocious and concerning,\" said Rep. Maloney. \"New York City is one of the most diverse and welcoming cities in the world. And like New Yorkers of all faiths, our Muslim community contributes to the unique and rich cultural diversity for which New York City is universally known. Like every New Yorker, they deserve to live and work free from discrimination and harassment. It's up to all of us to stop and stand up to Islamophobia wherever and whenever we see it. I'm proud to cosponsor the Combatting International Islamophobia Act, which will allow my colleagues and I to better understand the global problem of anti-Muslim bigotry \u2013 and work towards strategies to end it.\"\n\n\"Tragically, we continue to see the growing threat of Islamophobia both in Illinois' 3rd Congressional District and around the world. As a global leader, the United States has a fundamental and moral obligation to take a stand against this rising danger and protect the religious freedoms, human rights and safety of all Muslims,\" said Rep. Newman. \"I'm proud to join Reps. Omar and Schakowsky in co-sponsoring the Combatting Global Islamophobia Act so that America can further live up to our values by leading the rest of the world in combatting bigotry, discrimination and hate against Muslims both domestically and across the globe.\"\n\n\"The rise in islamophobia around the world threatens our Muslim neighbors here in the United States,\" said Rep. Watson Coleman. \"My own state of New Jersey has seen school children chasing and harassing Muslim students, a teacher pulling a hijab from the head of a student, and a school showing Islamophobic dramatic films to \u2018teach' students about Islam. Fighting Islamophobia abroad will help us eliminate it here at home. I'm grateful to my colleagues Reps. Omar and Schakowsky for bringing this bill forward.\"\n\nThe Combating International Islamophobia Act is endorsed by American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN), American Muslims for Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, Arizona Muslim Alliance, Center for Victims of Torture, Church World Service, Common Defense, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Human Rights First, ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ), IfNotNow, International Islamophobia Studies Research Association, Islamophobia Studies Center, Islamophobia Studies Journal, Jetpac Resource Center, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Libyan American Alliance, MPower Change, Muslim American Society, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Oxfam America, Poligon Education Fund, Revolutionary Love Project, Secure Justice, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Together We Serve, U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, and Veterans For Peace.\n\n\"The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomes the introduction of Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Jan Schakowsky's Combating International Islamophobia Act \u2013 legislation to establish a special envoy office at the U.S. State Department to monitor and combat international Islamophobia,\" said Nihad Awad, National Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). \"While global Islamophobia, anti-Muslim state policies and hate incidents have increased for the past two decades, the American Muslim community has consistently called for the creation of a special envoy position to monitor and combat this rising tide of hate. Our nation needs better tools to combat Islamophobic state policies and violence in countries like China, India, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, the European Union, and elsewhere. Global Islamophobia is not only a threat to the safety and security of Muslims here and abroad, it is also a threat to international religious freedom and democratic principles. CAIR is calling on congressional leadership and the Biden-Harris administration to support the Combating International Islamophobia Act and make this special envoy position a reality.\"\n\n\"Just as it is necessary to have a special envoy to combat antisemitism, it is vitally important that the United States establish a Special Envoy to combat the scourge of Islamophobia,\" said Hadar Susskind, Americans for Peace Now's President and CEO. \"We stand in solidarity with Muslim victims of hatred and bigotry and we urge Congress to pass this important bill.\"\n\nFull text of the legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-commends-biden-administration-actions-protecting-boundary-waters", "McCollum Commends Biden Administration Actions Protecting Boundary Waters", "2021-10-20", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) commended the Biden administration for its announcement today that it will be completing a \"science-based environmental analysis\" of the potential impacts of mining within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The U.S. Forest Service has submitted a withdrawal application to the Bureau of Land Management, which manages the subsurface rights in the Superior National Forest. These actions will initiate the consideration of a 20-year withdrawal of 225,378 acres of federal lands and waters within the Rainy River Watershed from new mineral leasing.\n\nCongresswoman McCollum released the following statement:\n\n\"Today's action by the Biden administration is a welcome return to the science-based decision making that should govern the management of our public lands,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"After years of broken promises and ongoing obstruction of taxpayer-funded data from the prior administration, I am pleased that President Biden is committed to completing the necessary analysis to understand the impacts that sulfide-ore mining could have on this priceless reserve of fresh water, the biodiverse habitat it supports, and the economic livelihood of the surrounding community. All of us who care deeply about protecting the pristine Boundary Waters and its watershed for future generations look forward to seeing the results of this comprehensive study.\"\n\nAs noted in the USDA and DOI press release, only Congress can legislate a permanent mineral withdrawal. Congresswoman McCollum introduced H.R. 2794, the Boundary Waters Protection and Pollution Prevention Act, to permanently withdraw 234,328 acres of federal lands and waters from risky sulfide-ore copper mining. More information on the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-reports-human-trafficking-modern-slavery-libya", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on Reports of Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery in Libya", "2021-10-15", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement about reports of rampant abuse of migrants in Libyan detention centers.\n\n\"I am deeply disturbed by the latest reports of rampant abuse, torture, sexual violence and extortion of migrants in Libya, many from sub-Saharan Africa. Instead of welcoming the thousands of refugees fleeing violence and instability, the Libyan coast guard hands migrants over to militias, who systematically torture, rape, abuse and enslave them. Instead of welcoming refugees, the EU has sent $455 million to Libya since 2015. But much of that money has been diverted to militias and human traffickers.\n\n\"The U.S. needs a comprehensive strategy to address the ongoing human trafficking and modern day slavery crisis in Libya, and I was proud to author and pass legislation this year to require just this. That includes support for peaceful elections and the UN-recognized transitional government, full accountability for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and human rights abuses committed during the Civil War and the ongoing migrant crisis. It also includes living up to our moral responsibility to resettle those fleeing oppression around the world, including Africa. President Biden must follow through on his commitment to raise the refugee cap next year and once we do that, the rest of the world should follow.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/cpc-leadership-advocates-congress-protect-scope-build-back-better-act", "CPC Leadership Advocates Congress Protect the Scope of Build Back Better Act", "2021-10-14", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 The leadership of the Congressional Progressive Caucus continued their fight to protect the promise of the Build Back Better Act yesterday, advocating that the scope of programs be maintained in the negotiations over size.\n\nIn a letter to Speaker Pelosi, the 27 House members of the Caucus Executive Board argued that in attempts to decrease the overall cost of the Build Back Better Act, legislators lower the number of years funding is allocated for each program, rather than to trim the number of programs included. In the case for \"making the President's vision a reality,\" they write: \"Much has been made in recent weeks about the compromises necessary to enact this transformative agenda. We have been told that we can either adequately fund a small number of investments or legislate broadly, but only make a shallow, short-term impact. We would argue that this is a false choice.\"\n\nThe lawmakers highlight four arguments for their approach:\n\nTo make shorter, transformative investments: Making \"robust investments over a shorter window [will] help make the case for our party's ability to govern, and establish a track record of success that will pave the way for a long-term extension of benefits...We cannot pit childcare against housing, or paid leave against home- and community-based care.\"\n\nTo touch people's lives immediately: \"Where given an option, we should err on the side of structuring legislation so that benefits flow to the American people as quickly as possible, both to assist the Biden Recovery and to demonstrate our commitment to tangibly improving the lives of the American people.\"\n\nTo provide universal benefits to ensure lasting change: \"We strongly believe that this is the moment to demonstrate to the American people that regardless of geography, race, gender, or class, Democrats believe that everyone has a right to affordable child care, pre-K, clean water, and a community college education. We can choose to strengthen the bond Americans have to one another by proposing universal social insurance benefits that broadly benefit all Americans, or we can pursue complicated methods of means testing that the wealthy and powerful will use to divide us with false narratives about \u2018makers' and \u2018takers.'\"\n\nTo keep the President's commitment to racial equity: \"[The bill] addresses needs disproportionately felt by Black and Brown Americans, like housing, and corrects inequalities in fields of work that are primarily held by people of color, like home-based and elder care [and] addresses needs of thousands of undocumented individuals, many of whom have served as essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic who have long been vulnerable to discrimination, labor abuses and denial of equal protection under the law due to their immigration status. If we cut those programs, we reduce the broadly transformative power of this legislation, and we once again fall behind on our promises to ensure racial equity.\"\n\n\"This bill offers us a chance to fundamentally transform the relationship between the American people and their government,\" they conclude.\n\nSignatories of the letter include: Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Deputy Chair Rep. Katie Porter (CA-45), Whip Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05); Chairs Emeriti Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03), Rep. Barbara Lee (Ca-13), Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02); Vice Chairs Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Rep Joe Neguse (CO-02), Rep. Marie Newman (IL-03), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Rep. David Cicilline (RI-01), Rep. Jes\u00fas \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12); Deputy Whips Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Rep. Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Rep. Andy Levin (MI-09), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Adriano Espaillat; Special Order Hour Conveners Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03); and Executive Board Member at Large Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-announces-federal-funding-police-departments", "Representative Angie Craig Announces Federal Funding for Police Departments in Minnesota\u2019s Second Congressional District", "2021-10-13", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that the police departments from the cities of Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, and West St. Paul will receive more than $34,000 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Police departments in the Second District are able to use the grant funds to purchase equipment vital to keeping local communities safe.\n\n\"It's critical that our local police departments have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. I'm pleased that the Department of Justice has awarded these funds to several local police departments in the Second District \u2013 who can now expand their efforts to keep our communities safe and secure,\" said Representative Craig. \"In Congress, I'll keep working hard to secure funding for Minnesota law enforcement agencies so that they can stay focused on their jobs \u2013 keeping Minnesotans safe.\"\n\nWhile serving in Congress, Craig has voted several times to increase funding for local police departments. Craig is currently working with several departments in the Second District to secure additional federal grant dollars to increase hiring and improve training programs. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is named after Officer Edward Byrne, a New York City Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1988.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-young-introduce-legislation-prevent-disruption-critical-public", "McCollum, Young Introduce Legislation to Prevent Disruption of Critical Public Services for Tribal Nations", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) and Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) have introduced the Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act (IPAAA) to provide advance appropriations and avoid lapses in funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), which fund critical public services for tribal nations, including hospitals, schools, tribal justice services, and social services for children, families, and seniors. The legislation was developed in collaboration with tribal leaders, including the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), National Indian Health Board (NIHB), and the National Indian Education Association (NIEA).\n\nA government shutdown means entire systems that serve the health care, education, and community safety needs of Native communities are interrupted or that workers must stay on the job without pay \u2013 making Indian Country disproportionately at risk of harm from delays in annual appropriations. Advance appropriations is a budgetary solution that would protect the services provided by these agencies from future shutdowns. Moving federal Indian programs including BIA, BIE, and IHS to the advance appropriations process will protect these agencies and tribal governments from cash flow problems that regularly occur due to delays in the enactment of annual appropriations legislation.\n\n\"The federal government's inability to pass annual appropriations on time is a serious threat to the well-being of Native American communities,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"We must act to ensure that the federal funding critical to maintaining life, health, and safety services throughout Indian Country will not be interrupted by another shutdown. Advance appropriations is a necessary step for making good on our federal trust and treaty commitments to our Native American brothers and sisters.\"\n\n\"Alaska Native and American Indian communities have historically been shortchanged when it comes to receiving high-quality health care to meet their unique needs. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Native Americans especially hard, which makes providing certainty for health care funding even more important\" said Rep. Young. \"The goal of our legislative efforts is simple: enable Congress to appropriate funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) one fiscal year in advance. Advance appropriations have already proven to be successful at the VA. Chronic appropriations delays, piecemeal funding bills, and government shutdowns have hampered the ability of IHS, BIA, and BIE to deliver the health care and services our first peoples rely on. In the past few weeks, talk of a potential government shutdown once again caused unnecessary anxiety for Native communities across our country; very frankly, this is wrong. It is up to Congress to uphold the federal trust relationship with Native populations across the country, and I encourage my friends on both sides of the aisle to cosponsor this important legislation. I am grateful to my friend, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, for her continued partnership in this important cause.\"\n\nCompanion legislation has been introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.) in the U.S. Senate.\n\n\"Disruptions in federal funding due to shutdowns and Continuing Resolutions have an outsized impact on Tribal Nations and their communities. Advance appropriations for Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service accounts will provide needed certainty and security. The advanced funding will ensure that essential services such as healthcare and public safety will not cease to operate due to political impasse in Washington D.C. This bill makes fiscal sense for all and promotes restoration of the federal promises made to Tribal Nations,\" said National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Fawn Sharp.\n\n\"The National Indian Health Board supports Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act and applauds Senator Lujan of New Mexico for working with Tribes to secure stability in Tribal healthcare funding, a critical step toward fulfilling the United States' trust responsibility to Tribal Nations. The bill will authorize advance appropriations for Indian healthcare, a top priority for Indian Country, and require more transparency from the Indian Health Service. NIHB looks forward to continuing to work with Senator Luj\u00e1n to ensure this legislation enhances Indian healthcare funding for future generations,\" said Chief William Smith, National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Board of Directors Chair and Alaska Area Representative.\n\n\"Adopting advance appropriations for the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) would result in the ability for school administrators to continue school operations without wondering if \u2013 or when \u2013 they would have the necessary funding. Chronic delays in passing the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies budget each year make it very difficult for tribal educators and the BIE to adequately address the education needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. NIEA is pleased to endorse Senator Luj\u00e1n's bill which would require the Secretary of the Interior to consult with tribes as they develop their annual budget request to Congress,\" said National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Executive Director Diana Cournoyer, Oglala Sioux Tribe.\n\nIn addition to McCollum and Young, the legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.).\n\nIn addition to Heinrich and Luj\u00e1n, the Senate companion legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).\n\nA summary of the legislation is available HERE. Full text of the legislation is available HERE.\n\nThe Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.\n\nThe Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), an agency within the Department of the Interior, maintains government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes, and facilitates support for tribal people and tribal governments.\n\nThe Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), an agency within the Department of the Interior, is responsible for providing quality education opportunities for students at 183 elementary and secondary schools located on 64 reservations and 26 tribal colleges and universities across the U.S.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-indigenous-peoples-day", "McCollum Statement on Indigenous Peoples' Day", "2021-10-11", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day:\n\n\"Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the first people who lived in North America and their immeasurable value and contributions. As we celebrate these resilient and strong communities, we acknowledge the importance of the U.S. government upholding its trust and treaty obligations to tribal governments.\n\n\"I have signed on a cosponsor of legislation to formally establish Indigenous Peoples' Day as a federal holiday. Tribal nations experience disproportionate challenges due to broken promises from the federal government and a lack of proper consultation on decisions that impact tribal treaty rights.\n\n\"During the COVID-19 pandemic, tribes have experienced enormous losses \u2013 but they have also responded strongly, with high rates of vaccination to keep their communities safe. The federal government must do better to make good on its promises and support tribal communities. That is why I will soon be introducing the Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act, to ensure that vital services for tribal communities are not disrupted by government shutdowns or delayed appropriations.\n\n\"Today I join Governor Walz and all Minnesotans in honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day, and especially celebrate Minnesota's Ojibwe and Dakota nations.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-leads-letter-calling-biden-administration-release-student-debt", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Leads Letter Calling on Biden Administration to Release Student Debt Cancellation Memo", "2021-10-08", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) led a letter to President Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging the administration to release the memo to determine the extent of the administration's authority to broadly cancel student debt through administrative action.\n\n\"Decades ago, Congress voted to authorize the executive branch to cancel federal student loans. Federal student debt can be canceled with the \u2018flick of your pen,'\" the Members wrote. \"This authority is already being put to use, as it is currently being used to cancel the interest owed on all federally-held student loans. Now it is time for you to honor your campaign pledge and use this authority to cancel all student debt.\"\n\n\"The resumption of payments on federally-held student loans weighs heavily on tens of millions of borrowers. Forty-five million student debtors collectively owe $1.8 trillion of student debt, a sum almost equivalent to the $1.9 trillion the world's billionaires made in 2020 alone. While the rich have gotten richer, the economic harm of the pandemic has not subsided for ordinary Americans. Unemployment insurance has been cut off and millions are living under threat of eviction.\"\n\nIn April, the White House promised that this memo would be released in a matter of \"weeks.\" Over six months having passed since that then. With only four months left before the student loan moratorium expires, borrowers are anxiously awaiting the administration's actions. Making matters worse, one week ago over 16.5 million borrowers were dropped by their loan-services adding more confusion to the chaos.\n\nThe letter is also signed by Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat, Danny K. Davis, Jahana Hayes, Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nydia Velazquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Frederica S. Wilson, Jimmy Gomez, Pramila Jayapal, Earl Blumenauer, Al Green and Carolyn Maloney.\n\nRep. Omar has been a leading advocate for student loan forgiveness since she began serving in Congress. In 2019, she introduced the Student Debt Cancellation Act, to cancel all public and private student debt, alongside Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT). At the beginning of the pandemic, she and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MN) led legislation that provides immediate monthly payment relief for federal student loan borrowers, cancels at least $30,000 in outstanding student loan debt per borrower, and shields borrowers from any involuntary payments and garnishment during the public health crisis. In May of 2020, she led a letter calling for student loan debt cancellation of at least $30,000 per borrower in the next round of COVID-19 relief legislation. This past February, she joined United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) in calling on the President to cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt for Federal student loan borrowers\n\nYou can find the full letter here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Joseph R. Biden\n\nPresident of the United States\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nThe Honorable Miguel Cardona Secretary of Education\n\nU.S. Department of Education\n\n400 Maryland Ave. SW\n\nOctober 8, 2021\n\nDear President Biden and Secretary Cardona:\n\nWe write to urge the release to the public by October 22, 2021 the memo that the President requested from the Department of Education to determine the extent of the administration's authority to broadly cancel student debt through administrative action.\n\nOn April 1, 2021, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain said that this memo would be released in a matter of \"weeks.\" With over six months having passed since that interview and only four months of pandemic forbearance left, borrowers are anxiously awaiting the administration's actions. The time has come to release the memo and cancel student debt.\n\nDecades ago, Congress voted to authorize the executive branch to cancel federal student loans. Federal student debt can be canceled with the \"flick of your pen,\". This authority is already being put to use, as it is currently being used to cancel the interest owed on all federally-held student loans. Now it is time for you to honor your campaign pledge and use this authority to cancel all student debt.\n\nSeveral legal scholars, including those at the Project on Predatory Student Lending at the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School, and 80 members of the House and Senate confirm that the administration has the authority to broadly cancel student debt through section 432(a) of the Higher Education Act. Across the country city councils including Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C. Newark, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Los Angeles and others have passed resolutions calling on the President to use this authority to cancel student debt. It would be an exercise in legal gymnastics to suggest that the President had the authority to cancel the interest on student debt on his first day, but lacks the authority to cancel the principal on student debt moving forward.\n\nThe resumption of payments on federally-held student loans weighs heavily on tens of millions of borrowers. Forty-five million student debtors collectively owe $1.8 trillion of student debt, a sum almost equivalent to the $1.9 trillion the world's billionaires made in 2020 alone. While the rich have gotten richer, the economic harm of the pandemic has not subsided for ordinary Americans. Unemployment insurance has been cut off and millions are living under threat of eviction.\n\nIn the midst of an ongoing public health and economic emergency 16.5 million borrower accounts about to be transferred between student loan servicers \u2013 a transfer necessitated by patterns of gross misconduct and abuse by entities such as Navient and PHEAA. Any attempt to restart payments or remain silent on matters regarding debt cancellation will result in unnecessary confusion and harm.\n\nThe time has come to release the memo and deliver on your promise to cancel student debt. Doing so will benefit every citizen and support our communities. With a single signature, you can improve the economy, create new jobs, transform the lives of 45 million Americans, narrow the racial wealth gap, and maintain the trust of voters.\n\nWe must also recognize that student debt significantly reinforces inequality. Two thirds of all student debt is held by women, with Black women the most burdened of all. Twenty years after starting college the average white student owes 6% of what they originally borrowed, around $1,000, while the average Black student still owes 95%, around $18,500. Cancelling all student debt would narrow the racial wealth gap among young Americans by more than half.\n\nEven during times of economic normalcy, student debt is a policy failure. Turning student debt payments back on in the middle of a pandemic is an act of policy violence. Cancelling student debt is both the morally right and economically sound thing to do.\n\nSincerely,\n\nIlhan Omar\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-applauds-interior-department-selection-university-minnesota-lead", "McCollum Applauds Interior Department Selection of University of Minnesota to Lead Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) applauded the Department of the Interior's announcement today that the ninth and final Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) will be hosted at the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment. The CASC will operate in consortium with University of Wisconsin, the College of the Menominee Nation, the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Consortium, Michigan State University, Indiana University, the University of Illinois, and the Nature Conservancy. The center will cover Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri.\n\nRegional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) are funded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of Interior. These Centers are a partnership-driven program that teams scientific researchers with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to help fish, wildlife, waters, and lands across the country adapt to changing climatic conditions. The urgency to confront climate change is highlighted by today's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announcement that 23 previously endangered species have now been declared extinct. The disastrous implications of climate change on biodiversity cannot be overstated.\n\nDuring a perilous time in the previous Congress, when both the Trump White House and Republican-controlled U.S. Senate were led by climate deniers, McCollum succeeded in not only defending the centers but ensuring their full funding, and even increasing funding over the last two fiscal years. In FY 2020, McCollum inserted appropriations language to create the Midwest CASC, and today's announcement is the culmination of McCollum's efforts \u2013 putting the challenges of climate change in the hands of scientists and researchers, not partisan politicians.\n\nCongresswoman McCollum released the following statement:\n\n\"Confronting the consequences of climate change on the environment, biodiversity, and human health is the most significant scientific and policy challenge of this generation,\" McCollum said. \"Today's announcement puts the University of Minnesota at the forefront of this vital work for a region defined by the unique environment of the Great Lakes and the Upper Mississippi River. Our Minnesota communities know that climate change is already here, having suffered through a drought and dangerous air quality as a result of unprecedented wildfires this year. Ensuring our communities are able to adapt to a changing climate and avoid the worst impacts of climate change is incredibly important in the short-term. In my role as Chair of the House Appropriations Interior-Environment Subcommittee, I led an intense fight against the Trump administration's climate denial as it was determined to slash funding for these centers. Standing on the side of science, we not only fought back proposed cuts, but secured increased funding for this important work.\n\n\"Climate Adaptation Science Centers are designed to facilitate region-specific research and solutions. I'm thrilled that Interior Secretary Haaland has recognized the need for a center in the Midwest and the unique expertise the University of Minnesota will bring to this challenge. I look forward to continuing to work together with the Biden administration, the University of Minnesota, tribal leaders, and my colleagues in Congress to ensure this site has federal support and resources so that the best available science drives our decision-making in the fight against climate change.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nCongresswoman McCollum, in her leadership role on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, has successfully fought proposed cuts to CASC funding, increasing federal funds for the program and securing language directing the Department of Interior to establish a CASC in the Midwest to meet region-specific climate adaptation needs:\n\nThe FY 2020 Appropriations bill did not accept the president's funding reduction or realignment proposed in the budget request and provided $38,377,000, an increase of $13,042,000. The bill report recommended $4,000,000 to establish a Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center to focus on and address the threats to natural and human communities in Midwest states and develop a more tailored strategic science agenda.\n\nThe FY 2021 Appropriations bill once again rejected a proposed funding reduction and realignment of the Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and provided $41,335,000 in funding, which was $3,000,000 above the enacted level, to ensure all centers remained open, operational, and fully functional. In fiscal year 2020, Congress demonstrated support to continue and advance the operation of the national and all nine regional climate adaptation science centers, including standing up the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. The bill recommended no less than $4,000,000 go toward supporting the development of the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.\n\nThe Midwest CASC will support management and protection of land, water, and natural resources with actionable climate science, innovation and decision support tools. It will pay special attention to Tribal concerns and build off the unique and robust experience of Midwest Tribes with adaptation science and practice. This includes a fellowship program for graduate students and a summer research experience for undergraduates focused on Tribal participation. Another focus will be the interplay of natural resources, forestry, streams and wetlands, with agricultural and urban areas, land uses that are prominent in the Midwest. Climate adaptation is especially important for the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River Basin. The partnership will be effective immediately, with a formal ribbon cutting celebration planned on the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus later this fall.\n\nThe University of Minnesota already hosts nationally-recognized environmental programs and centers:\n\nMinnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center\n\nMinnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership\n\nMinnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center\n\nWater Resources Center", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-earns-wilson-center-award-congressional-service", "McCollum Earns Wilson Center Award for Congressional Service", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) was honored at the Woodrow Wilson Awards Monday as a recipient of the 2021 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Award for Congressional Service, releasing the following statement:\n\n\"I was honored to receive the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Award for Congressional Service, along with my colleague Senator Roger F. Wicker,\" McCollum said. \"I greatly value the work of The Wilson Center to embody a \u2018finer spirit of hope and achievement' and put it into action. Throughout my career in Congress, I have strived to reach across the aisle to work together to address global health challenges and ensure the power of American leadership drives positive change to improve people's lives. From securing a 10 percent set-aside for orphans and vulnerable children in the original President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) authorization, to my current work to reauthorize the Feed the Future program in response to global food insecurity, I'm proud that these significant achievements align with Woodrow Wilson's philosophy: that as public servants, we are here to enrich the world. I'm grateful for this recognition and look forward to continuing to work together with the Wilson Center and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to effect change.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Woodrow Wilson Awards are given to those individuals whose actions and accomplishments, either in their careers or through service, reflect President Woodrow Wilson's belief that \"there is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.\"\n\nCongresswoman McCollum's remarks can be viewed here. A written copy of the remarks is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-passage-women-s-health-protection-act", "McCollum Statement on Passage of Women\u2019s Health Protection Act", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement today after voting to pass H.R. 3755, the Women's Health Protection Act:\n\n\"It has been nearly 50 years since the Supreme Court confirmed the constitutional right to reproductive health care in the Roe v. Wade decision,\" McCollum said. \"Even though the majority of Americans recognize and support the importance of safe, accessible abortion, attacks on reproductive rights continue across the nation. As we watch Republican-controlled state legislatures pass increasingly restrictive measures, it is past time to solidify the right to abortion in federal law. I proudly voted for the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) to finally codify the protections established in Roe v. Wade. Despite Republican rhetoric, their extreme movement only seeks to deny women the fundamental liberty to make deeply personal decisions about their own reproductive lives. These decisions should remain between a patient and their doctor. Make no mistake: Stripping away women's rights to privacy is unacceptable, and with the passage of this bill, House Democrats are creating a legislative safeguard. I strongly urge the Senate to pass this bill immediately and stand up for accessible reproductive health care for all.\"\n\nAmid a dangerous assault on women's basic health freedoms \u2013 from state houses across the country to the U.S. Supreme Court \u2013 this landmark legislation enshrines into law the vital protections of Roe v. Wade and secures the right to reproductive care for all women across America. The Women's Health Protection Act codifies the constitutional right to abortion care as found in Roe and reaffirmed in many subsequent decisions for nearly half a century. It establishes the federal statutory right for health care providers to offer abortion care and the federal right for patients to receive that care, free from state restrictions. Enshrining these essential rights is also an issue of racial and economic justice, as restrictions on reproductive care disproportionately harm women of color and women from low-income communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-introduces-affordable-housing-opportunities-made-equitable-home", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Introduces Affordable Housing Opportunities Made Equitable (HOME) Act", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) today introduced the Affordable Housing Opportunities Made Equitable (HOME) Act, comprehensive legislation to tackle the affordable housing crisis that is threatening families in Minnesota and throughout America. Companion legislation was introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley.\n\n\"No one deserves to be thrown out of their home, especially in a country with over 600 billionaires, and some of the most extravagant wealth in the history of the world,\" said Rep. Omar. \"As we speak, people in my district and across the country are being forced to pay thousands of dollars in back-rent that they couldn't afford then and can't afford now. This is on top of the devastating affordable housing crisis that existsed before the pandemic. We need comprehensive legislation to address this. We need a national commitment to ensure that every American has a high-quality home they can afford. I am proud to partner with Senator Jeff Merkeley to tackle this crisis once and for all.\"\n\n\"The vision of this legislation is to create a decent home and a decent community for every family. Oregonians in every corner of our state are struggling under the crushing weight of our affordable housing crisis, and like so many other problems, America's housing emergency has only been made worse by the pandemic,\" said Sen. Merkley. \"This challenge affects all of us. No one should live in a country where human beings don't have a roof overhead, or are forced to choose between rent and filling a prescription or buying groceries. Enough is enough. It's time for Congress to put in place a comprehensive framework to ensure that everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home.\"\n\n\"More than ever, bold policies are needed to ensure that the lowest income and most marginalized people have a stable, affordable, accessible home,\" said Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. \"I applaud Representative Omar for her continued leadership and dedication in advocating for solutions to America's housing crisis, such as those included in the Making Affordable Housing Opportunities More Equitable Act. Congress should include robust funding for proven solutions in this bill \u2013 including rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund \u2013 in any budget reconciliation package to help end homelessness and housing poverty in the United States.\"\n\nAmong other provisions, the Affordable HOME Act includes:\n\n$70b in total for the Capital Fund: $70 billion in FY21 for the Public Housing Capital Fund to address the repairs backlog and also repeals the Fair Cloth amendment to ramp up the construction of additional public housing units by Public Housing Agencies\n\n$40b in total for the Housing Trust Fund: $40 billion in FY21 for the National Housing Trust Fund to build, rehabilitate, preserve, and operate affordable rental housing for extremely low-income people\n\n$10b in total for Federal Downpayment Aid: $1 billion per year from FY22-31 for grants to State Housing Finance agencies to establish new or strengthen existing direct down payment assistance\n\n$10b in total for Permanent Supportive Housing: $1 billion per year from FY22-31 for McKinney-Vento Homeless grants to support permanent supportive housing (PSH), including capital costs, rental subsidies, and services \u2013 the PSH model helps reduce chronic homelessness through the integration and coordination of affordable housing assistance with voluntary wraparound services\n\n$10b in total for the Development of Housing Co-ops: $1 billion per year from FY22-31 for HUD grants to localities and CDFIs to form, maintain, and develop shared equity homeownership entities like housing cooperatives & community land trusts", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-hr-5323-iron-dome-supplemental-appropriations-act", "McCollum Statement on H.R. 5323, the \u00a0Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act", "2021-09-23", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement today after the House passed H.R. 5323, the Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act:\n\n\"Iron Dome is an Israeli missile defense system paid for by the American people. Today's emergency bill appropriating up to $1 billion for Iron Dome was not requested by the Biden administration and it is in addition to the $500 million for Iron Dome and other Israeli missile defense programs already included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Appropriations bill. I authored that bill, which passed the Appropriations Committee in July.\n\n\"The funding in this emergency bill is limited to the replenishment of Iron Dome as a result of the May 2021 conflict with Hamas. While Iron Dome is critical to defending Jewish Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel, I have serious concerns as to whether these funds can even be expended with current Iron Dome production levels already at capacity. I continue to believe that additional funding for Iron Dome could have been worked out in a bipartisan conference committee at the end of the year, through the regular Appropriations process.\n\n\"While Iron Dome saves innocent Israeli lives from Hamas rockets, innocent Palestinians who live under military occupation are regularly killed by Israeli security forces. These Palestinians have no \u2018Iron Dome' to defend themselves against Israeli human rights abuses, and Congress ignores Israel's blatant violations of international humanitarian law, especially against Palestinian children. I voted to support today's bill because it is intended to save lives. I remain absolutely committed to continuing my work to advance peace, human rights, and security for the people of Palestine and the people of Israel.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-statement-national-defense-authorization-act-0", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act", "2021-09-23", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\"The pandemic has caused unimaginable harm for people in Minnesota and across the country. Thousands of Minnesotans in my district cannot afford to meet their basic needs. Now is not the time to spend billions of dollars to bolster our defense budget while millions of Americans remain housing and food insecure. I am shocked that this Congress continues to spend over $700 billion on wasteful weapons contracts and Pentagon waste, and then turns around and calls for cuts to programs that help the poor, the elderly and the sick. We should be investing in the American people, not in weapons manufacturers.\n\n\"Despite these insurmountable flaws, I was proud to introduce and pass amendments that uphold universal human rights and limit our global military presence.\n\n\"We have a moral responsibility to reduce our defense spending and create a budget that reflects our values. For those reasons, I oppose this bill.\"\n\nRep. Omar's amendments that passed in the NDAA include:\n\nOmar #62 \u2013 requires reporting on recent security assistance to Mali, Guinea, and Chad\n\nOmar #63 \u2013 adds reporting on human rights and civilian casualties to the Afghanistan Commission created by the bill\n\nOmar #781 \u2013 requires strategy on US policy towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo\n\nGarcia/Omar #765 \u2013 requires impact assessments on the humanitarian consequences of sanctions\n\nOmar #817 \u2013 requires a strategy for addressing root causes of human trafficking and slavery in Libya, and holds perpetrators accountable\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/minnesota-democrats-congress-introduce-resolutions-honoring-2020-olympic-and", "Minnesota Democrats in Congress Introduce Resolutions Honoring 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Athletes", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), joined by Reps. Angie Craig, Dean Phillips, and Ilhan Omar, and jointly with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, have introduced resolutions honoring the Minnesotans who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.\n\n\"Minnesota is so proud of our athletes who represented Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"The commitment, grit, determination, and sportsmanship these athletes displayed represented our state well on the global stage. The 17 Olympians and 15 Paralympians from Minnesota are an inspiration to us all \u2013 including the first Hmong American to represent Team USA and the many others who brought medals home amid COVID-19 concerns and other challenges. With H. Res. 625 and H.Res. 650, I offer my most sincere congratulations to you all!\"\n\n\"Minnesota has a long history of producing some of the most talented Olympians and Paralympians in the world, and this year was no exception,\" Sen. Klobuchar said. \"I am extremely proud of these Minnesota athletes and all the members of Team USA who represented our country. With these resolutions, we recognize their remarkable achievements.\"\n\n\"A heartfelt congratulations to every Minnesotan who competed in the Olympics and Paralympics,\" said Sen. Smith. \"You really put the best of our state on display during the games, all while overcoming the challenge of competing under the difficult circumstances that COVID-19 presented. Your talent, drive and hard work inspired all of us in Minnesota as we watched you compete. Congratulations to your families, friends and coaches who supported you along the way as well. I hope that you all feel the pride and joy we have for you.\"\n\n\"This summer, Olympians and Paralympians from Minnesota made us all proud as they competed in Tokyo as members of Team USA,\" said Rep. Craig. \"I'm honored to help introduce this resolution recognizing all of their remarkable achievements during the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games \u2013 and especially those of Second District athletes Josie Aslakson, Abby Baulek, Josh Cinnamo, Ben Goodrich, Payton Otterdahl, Ian Seidenfeld, Regan Smith, Patrick Sunderman and Mallory Weggemann.\"\n\n\"We are incredibly proud of the 17 Olympians and 15 Paralympians from Minnesota who represented Team USA this year,\" Rep. Phillips said. \"Despite the challenges they faced, with a global community grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, these athletes exhibited resilience and dedication without fail. I commend these remarkable young men and women for their hard work, and congratulate them for the medals they brought home. They will continue to inspire us all.\"\n\n\"I'm incredibly proud of the Minnesotans who represented our country on the world stage,\" said Rep. Omar. \"Every athlete displayed grace, determination, and resilience throughout the games in Tokyo. Their commitment and love for their sport served as an inspiration to all of us watching at home. I'm thrilled to join my colleagues to formally recognize Minnesota athletes for their achievements in the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.\"\n\nThe text of H.Res.625 can be found here. The text of H.Res.650 can be found here. More information on S.Res.370 can be found here. More information about S.Res.371 can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-passage-continuing-resolution-keep-government-open", "McCollum Statement on Passage of Continuing Resolution to Keep the Government Open", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement today after the House passed H.R. 5305, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act:\n\n\"Today, House Democrats passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through December 3, 2021, ensuring uninterrupted operations of the U.S. government. Disappointingly and somewhat shockingly, every House Republican voted to shut down the government. Because this bill included an increase in the debt ceiling to finance expenditures already incurred by the federal government, Republicans knowingly voted to default on the U.S. government's fiscal obligations \u2013 which would undoubtedly have catastrophic consequences for our economy and millions of American families.\n\n\"As our nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Democrats are united in supporting American families, by ensuring continued federal funding for education, health care, housing, public safety programs, public health protections, and more. Additionally, the climate crisis has exacerbated extreme weather events like Hurricane Ida, recent wildfires, severe droughts, and winter storms. This bill provides critical funding to help survivors, small businesses, and local communities \u2013 as well as $895 million for Navy and Air Force installation repairs related to these storms.\n\n\"This bill also provides funding to meet the humanitarian needs of Afghan evacuees who loyally assisted the United States during the war in Afghanistan. We must honor our commitments to them and to their families. By including an additional $6.3 billion in funding, we will continue to deliver humanitarian assistance to the region while also supporting temporary housing, security screening, and the long-term resettlement of Afghan evacuees here in the United States. I call on Senate Republicans to work with our Senate Democratic colleagues in passing this critical Continuing Resolution as swiftly as possible.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-leads-letter-calling-dhs-lift-trump-era-visa-sanctions", "Rep. Omar Leads Letter Calling on DHS to Lift Trump-Era Visa Sanctions", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Rep. Omar (D-MN) led a letter calling on the Biden Administration to end the continued implementation of visa sanctions enacted under President Trump. These sanctions have resulted in increased removals of refugees and asylum seekers from Africa and Southeast Asia.\n\n\"We write to express our deep concerns about the Department of Homeland Security's continued implementation of the 243(d) visa sanctions enacted under the Trump Administration, despite revocation of Executive Order 13768,\" the Members wrote. \"These sanctions have led to a significant increase in removals of African asylum seekers and Southeast Asian refugees between 2017 and 2020, and some sanctions, such as those on Laos, continue to serve as a backdoor immigration ban to the United States. We urge you to lift the sanctions against Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Eritrea, and Laos and conduct a full review of the remaining sanctions. The visa sanctions continue to harm refugees and asylum seekers in the United States by tearing families apart and forcing governments seeking to harm asylum seekers to repatriate those individuals.\"\n\nDuring the Trump Administration, the Department of Homeland Security escalated efforts to deport African and Southeast Asian immigrants by placing multiple visa sanctions on African and Southeast Asian countries. Of particular concern is the continued implementation of the visa sanctions on Laos which prevents the processing of all immigration visas for Hmong, Lao, and other Laotians seeking to immigrate to the United States and has prevented U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents from rightfully sponsoring their families to the United States.\n\nIn addition to arbitrarily keeping families separated through all our immigration channels, these sanctions have also separated and harmed families in the United States. Their implementation has resulted in increased removals of refugees and asylum seekers from Africa and Southeast Asia, with the sanction on Cambodia leading to a 258% increase in deportations of Cambodian refugees between 2017 and 2018.\n\nThe letter calls on Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken to lift the sanctions on Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Eritrea, and Laos and conduct a full review of all 243(d) visa sanctions.\n\nThe letter is signed by Reps. Bass, Sara Jacobs, Ocasio-Cortez, Clarke, Pressley and Jayapal, Lowenthal, Chu, Pocan, and Correa.\n\nThe letter is endorsed by African Communities Together, African Public Affairs Committee, Alianza Americas, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Laotian American National Alliance (LANA), Mai N. Moua Law Office, MN8 (previously Release MN8), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, Rising Voices, a project of Tides Advocacy, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA), Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Southeast Asian Freedom Network, The Advocates for Human Rights, The Advocates for Human Rights, UndocuBlack Network, Vietlead, Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-congress-must-act-create-pathway-citizenship-all-immigrants", "McCollum: Congress Must Act to Create a Pathway to Citizenship for All Immigrants", "2021-09-20", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate parliamentarian announced a path to citizenship cannot be included in the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package:\n\n\"The Senate Parliamentarian has issued a ruling stating that Democrats cannot include immigration reform provisions in the proposed budget reconciliation package. This decision is extremely disappointing. My office constantly works on immigration casework and I regularly hear from constituents, business leaders, and others who strongly support advancing comprehensive immigration reform. I am ready to vote today to pass immigration legislation that will meet the needs of immigrants, their families, and our economy. Congress needs to act to create a pathway to citizenship that keeps immigrant families and communities strong, safe, and contributing to our society.\n\n\"The reality is that Republicans in Congress would rather run political attack ads targeting immigrants than work with Democrats to pass immigration reform. Republicans across the country remain entrenched in their opposition to immigration reform and outright rejection of immigrants. The critical contributions immigrants make to our economy and society are denied by Republicans. With millions of jobs unfilled in all sectors of our economy, immigration reform is part of the solution that is consistently blocked by xenophobic Trump Republicans.\n\n\"Once again, the Senate filibuster is creating an artificial obstacle to addressing an urgent policy matter overwhelmingly supported by the American people. I urge business leaders, non-profits, and immigrant communities to hold Republicans accountable on this urgent matter. The time for action is now.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-submits-6-amendments-national-defense-budget", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Submits 6 Amendments for National Defense Budget", "2021-09-20", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced six amendments to the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The first amendment blocks the sale of F35s and other weapons to the UAE, a global human rights abuser. The second amendment requires reporting on recent security assistance to Mali, Guinea, and Chad. The third amendment adds reporting on human rights and civilian casualties to the Afghanistan Commission. The fourth amendment requires strategy on US policy towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The fifth amendment requires impact assessments on the humanitarian consequences of sanctions. The sixth amendment requires a strategy for addressing root causes of human trafficking and slavery in Libya, and holds perpetrators accountable.\n\nRep. Omar's bill language was also included in an amendment included in the State Authorization Bill introduced by Rep. Meeks and Rep. McCaul. The amendment codifies the Office of Global Criminal Justice. Rep. Malinowski also introduced an amendment that includes language previously introduced by Rep. Omar that sanctions Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and other Saudi officials involved in the Jamal Khashoggi murder.\n\n\"Our defense budget should reflect our values,\" said Rep. Omar. \"It's not moral to spend billions of dollars on endless wars that damage our reputation abroad and do not make us safer in the United States. We must center the needs of the American people, not write blank checks to appease defense contractors and special interests. I was proud to introduce amendments that will uphold universal human rights and limit our global military presence. I hope we can produce a defense budget that meets our national security needs and prioritizes the everyday needs of the American people.\"\n\nThe amendments introduced by Rep. Omar include:\n\nOmar #61\u2013 blocks the sale of F35s and other weapons to the UAE\n\nOmar #62\u2013 requires reporting on recent security assistance to Mali, Guinea, and Chad\n\nOmar #63\u2013 adds reporting on human rights and civilian casualties to the Afghanistan Commission created by the bill\n\nOmar #781\u2013 requires strategy on US policy towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo\n\nGarcia/Omar #765\u2013 requires impact assessments on the humanitarian consequences of sanctions\n\nOmar #817\u2013 requires a strategy for addressing root causes of human trafficking and slavery in Libya, and holds perpetrators accountable\n\nYou can view the full text of the amendments here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-pentagons-acknowledgement-error-deadly-drone-strike", "McCollum Statement on Pentagon's Acknowledgement of Error in Deadly Drone Strike", "2021-09-17", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (HAC-D), issued the following statement today:\n\n\"The Pentagon has acknowledged that the August 29, 2021 drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan that killed 10 people, including 7 children, was an error. In fact, it was an unacceptable catastrophic military failure. The target of the strike, Mr. Zemari Ahmadi, was a humanitarian worker employed by a U.S. aid organization, not an ISIS terrorist. The killing of Mr. Ahmadi and his family members was not an accident, it was deadly military malpractice.\n\n\"As Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am calling on President Biden and Secretary of Defense Austin to hold accountable the military officials responsible for ordering this drone strike and the deaths of an innocent Afghan family. Our military has the ability to use precise and overwhelming deadly force against our adversaries in the defense of our national security, but this power demands more than circumstantial assumptions when the consequences are life and death. This failure cannot be excused or justified by the \u2018fog of war.' Congress and the American people must demand accountability for the deaths of Mr. Ahmadi and his family.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-announces-fourth-district-small-businesses-receive-1441-million", "McCollum Announces Fourth District Small Businesses Receive $144.1 Million from American Rescue Plan Programs", "2021-09-14", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) announced today that the Small Business Administration has granted more than $144.1 million to restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District. Congresswoman McCollum voted to provide this funding through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), parts of the American Rescue Plan designed to help small businesses make up for lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nMore than $106 million was provided to 299 MN-04 businesses through the RRF. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides businesses funding according to their pandemic-related losses, up to $10 million per business.\n\n\"Restaurants have been some of the hardest hit businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic,\" McCollum said. \"This emergency funding has been critical in helping restaurant workers keep their jobs and owners stay afloat. I'm pleased to see so many of our local businesses were able to successfully utilize this program.\"\n\nAdditionally, $38.1 million has been awarded to 44 MN-04 businesses through the SVOG. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant provides theaters, museums, and performance businesses with up to 45% of their 2019 gross revenue, to a maximum of $10 million. The grant also reserved $2 billion for smaller businesses with 50 or fewer employees.\n\n\"The SVOG program has been critical in saving our venues and cultural institutions that are so important to the fabric of our communities,\" McCollum said. \"As we continue to recover and work to build back better, these programs ensure our nation's workers, entrepreneurs, business owners, and the local economies they support are not left behind.\"\n\nFunding from both programs can be used to pay for business expenses like payroll, rent, and utilities, as well as purchases of personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies.\n\nAs part of the American Rescue Plan, the $9.5 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created to support restaurants, bars, and other food venues. The SVOG was established by the bipartisan coronavirus emergency package in December 2020, and was expanded by the American Rescue Plan to a total of $16 billion.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-20th-anniversary-911", "McCollum Statement on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), the only member of the current Minnesota congressional delegation serving in Congress on September 11, 2001, released the following statement today ahead of tomorrow's 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack:\n\n\"On September 11, 2001, I could see the smoke rising from the Pentagon as my staff and I fled our Washington D.C. office. The horror of that morning in New York, at the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania is part of our history as Americans. It is impossible to reflect on this anniversary and not feel lingering anger, grief, and sadness.\n\n\"The thousands of victims of 9/11 were lost on that day in a moment, but the loved ones they left behind have spent 20 years mourning and adapting to their lives without family members, confidants, coworkers, and friends. After two decades, the pain of their loss does not go away. Today as a nation, we once again mourn with the families and remember the courage of the First Responders who risked their lives in hope of saving others.\n\n\"We must remain vigilant to the threats facing our nation, both foreign and domestic. Together let us look to the future with hope and resolve that we will embody the lessons that unified us in those fateful days, weeks, and months following 9/11 and stand together in the face of terror to defend our values: our commitment to freedom, our shared sense of purpose, and our pursuit of liberty and justice for all. That's what makes us Americans. We will defend against those who would seek to extinguish our ideals.\n\n\"May God bless the souls lost on September 11, 2001, and their families. Once again we extend our most profound gratitude to all the men and women who have served these two decades in the Armed Forces, the Intelligence Community, and law enforcement agencies who have sacrificed so much to keep the American people and our nation safe.\"\n\nCongresswoman McCollum will attend the 9/11 Day of Remembrance at the Minnesota State Capitol on Saturday, September 11. The event will be livestreamed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-passes-amendment-build-back-better-act-markup", "Rep. Omar Passes Amendment in Build Back Better Act Markup", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS \u2013 The House Committee on Education and Labor today passed its portion of the Build Back Better Act, which invests $761 billion to lower the cost of child care and education, help Americans secure good-paying jobs, and increase support for our nation's children. The bill includes two years of fully funded free community college, an increase in Pell Grants, DREAMER eligibility for federal student aid, and nutrition assistance increases for nearly 9 million children.\n\nThe final bill included an amendment Rep. Omar cosponsored with Reps. Sherrill, Jones, Bowman, and Jayapal to cap child care costs at 7 percent of a family's income, allowing all families to benefit from this program.\n\n\"This is a historic moment,\" said Rep. Omar. \"This portion of the Build Back Better Act makes historic investments in good-paying jobs, invests in our schools, helps tackle the climate crisis and for the first time invests in universal childcare. We have a once-in-a-generation to address our country's fundamental needs and I look forward to making this bill a reality.\"\n\nFor a fact sheet on the Committee's portion of the Build Back Better Act, click here.\n\nFor text of the Committee's print of the Build Back Better Act, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-labor-day-0", "McCollum Statement on Labor Day", "2021-09-03", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today ahead of Monday's observance of Labor Day:\n\n\"Labor Day is an opportunity to honor American workers, and to reflect on the success of America's Labor movement, which fought to establish bedrock values we often take for granted: the minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, and health and safety protections in the workplace. These milestones provide the very foundation of the American Dream, and were achieved through long and tireless organizing and collective bargaining efforts.\n\n\"Especially as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Labor Day is a time to reflect on the work still ahead of us in protecting workers and families. The pandemic made clear the existing disparities and weaknesses in our care economy \u2013 underscoring the need for us to invest in paid family leave, sick leave, universal child care, a living wage, and more. House Democrats expanded the Child Tax Credit within the American Rescue Plan, and these payments are already lifting children and families out of poverty across the nation.\n\n\"House Democrats have also put forth legislation to strengthen worker protections (the PRO Act), and made investments in frontline workers within the American Rescue Plan. As we work on legislation to advance President Biden's Build Back Better Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the priorities of American workers will be front and center as we look to this moment as an opportunity to rebuild our society and strengthen our economy.\n\n\"To the educators, working parents, the underemployed, those facing discrimination in the workplace, and those who want to be working but cannot, you have my commitment that I will keep fighting to restore the promise of opportunity for all our families. I stand united with you in this fight.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-bonamici-thompson-stefanik-desaulnier-comer-introduce-bipartisan", "McCollum, Bonamici, Thompson, Stefanik, DeSaulnier, Comer Introduce Bipartisan Update to Anti-Poverty Grant Program", "2021-09-02", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Glenn \"GT\" Thompson (R-PA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), and James Comer (R-KY) introduced bipartisan legislation to update the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.\n\nThe CSBG program supports more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies (CAAs), which have been providing holistic assistance to low-income communities across the country for more than 50 years. The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2021, H.R. 5129, will reauthorize this critical program for another decade and make overdue updates to further reduce poverty.\n\n\"The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act will allow urban, suburban, rural, and tribal communities across the country to provide a safety net for their neighbors and equip families with the resources needed to lift themselves out of poverty \u2013 especially important given the ongoing pandemic,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"Community Action Agencies meet people where they are to combat poverty, create opportunity, and support families. They make an incredible impact on the communities they serve, and by providing them sufficient resources, countless families across our nation will benefit.\"\n\n\"Community Action Agencies have been working tirelessly to reduce poverty in our communities for decades,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"Investing in these essential agencies will allow them to better meet the needs of our communities and lift even more families and individuals in NW Oregon and across the country out of poverty. This update is especially important now because the agencies have seen staggeringly high demand during the coronavirus pandemic. I'm pleased to continue the strong bipartisan tradition of supporting the Community Services Block Grant program by introducing this modernization bill.\"\n\n\"The Community Service Block Grant is the only federal program with the explicit goal of lifting Americans out of poverty and towards independence. Last reauthorized in 1998, CSBG requires some modernization to allow awarded organizations the ability to tap their full potential and better serve families and communities,\" said Congressman Glenn \"GT\" Thompson. \"CSBG has strong bipartisan support because of the great works it enables. With introduction of this bill, I am optimistic that we can work in a collaborative manner to ensure this reauthorization becomes a reality.\"\n\n\"CSBG funds are critical to supporting local agencies in the North Country working to tackle poverty issues, including combating the opioid epidemic, addressing education disparities, and fighting hunger,\" Congresswoman Stefanik said. \"Locally-driven solutions are at the core of this legislation, and I am proud to work to strengthen this program, so local organizations can continue their good work addressing poverty and expanding opportunity in the North Country.\"\n\n\"With inequality growing in the United States for the past several decades, it is time to confront this disparity head-on and give communities the resources they need,\" said Congressman DeSaulnier. \"I am proud to support the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act that will strengthen, expand, and provide greater funding for the only federal program with the principal goal of reducing poverty across the country.\"\n\n\"The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act will empower Americans to succeed economically by reauthorizing important investments in creating economic opportunity for our citizens,\" Congressman Comer said. \"As an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation and a representative for deserving Community Action Agencies across Kentucky, I'm proud to support the significant role these local organizations play in reducing poverty through workforce development, childcare services, and other evidence-based practices for lifting up local communities.\"\n\nCommunity Service Block Grants enable CAAs to be innovative, leverage public and private resources for their communities, and efficiently administer many programs\u2014including Head Start, LIHEAP, nutrition assistance, weatherization, job training, housing, and assistance for those experiencing homelessness.\n\n\"H.R. 5129 proves that Congress can come together in a bipartisan way and make positive change for communities,\" said David Bradley, CEO of the National Community Action Foundation. \"Congress relies on locally-based Community Action Agencies to help low-income individuals and communities address the real challenges of poverty every day. The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act will provide a strong foundation for these local agencies to continue their life-changing work and to be innovative in addressing 21st century needs, while maintaining the highest quality and accountability at all levels. Enactment of this bill will send a strong message that Congress cares and is prepared to act on behalf of low-income individuals and families in all communities across the country.\"\n\nUpdates to the CSBG program include:\n\nReauthorizing the CSBG Act for 10 years at an increased annual level of $1 billion for first five years\n\nPermanently raising income eligibility to 200 percent of the poverty line, as temporarily provided in the CARES Act\n\nPromoting innovation in the Community Action network through a federally administered Community Action Innovations Program, and requiring federal and state training and technical assistance to support developing and promoting evidence-based approaches to reducing poverty\n\nA fact sheet with more details about the CSBG Modernization Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-end-war-afghanistan", "McCollum Statement on End of War in Afghanistan", "2021-08-30", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today after the last U.S. military flight left Kabul, Afghanistan, bringing an end to America's longest war:\n\n\"It is August 31 in Afghanistan, and the war has now ended. Today, let us thank our U.S. military and diplomats for all those they were able to evacuate \u2013 American citizens and those who stood alongside our soldiers during this 20-year war, as well as our allies.\n\n\"The hard work continues for the Department of State to bring out the remaining American citizens, those who've helped our government, and Afghans who worked with NGOs and are now fearing for their lives. Homeland Security also has a large task ahead as they finish the processing for the thousands of refugees who have fled Afghanistan.\n\n\"Once again, we must remember and keep in our hearts all those who served so valiantly in Afghanistan. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-members-congress-minnesota-lawmakers-call-urgent-intervention", "Rep. Ilhan Omar, Members of Congress, Minnesota Lawmakers Call for Urgent Intervention Amidst Line 3 Construction", "2021-08-30", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), MN State Representative Heather Keeler (4A) and MN State Senator Mary Kunesh (DFL-41) led a letter today with over three dozen Members of Congress and state lawmakers to urge President Biden to intervene to protect Indigenous sovereignty amidst the construction of the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline in northern Minnesota. The letter comes after concerning violations of treaty rights by public agencies and private actors, ongoing violence against Indigenous women, and the catastrophic environmental impacts of the pipeline.\n\n\"When considering the extent of environmental, cultural, and social impacts on Indigenous people associated with Line 3 construction and its long-term climate impacts, we believe the federal government has a responsibility to uphold treaties and engage with Tribal nations on a government-to-government level,\" wrote the lawmakers. \"We look forward to receiving your response as soon as possible.\"\n\nLine 3 is a tar sands pipeline project that extends 340 miles through Tribal lands and untouched wetlands. Recently, state agencies and local law enforcement entities have taken steps that appear to be clear violations of Tribal rights including financial conflicts of interest. When completing reviews of the pipeline construction sites, Enbridge failed to include key stakeholders in the Tribal Cultural Resource Management survey team.\n\nThe letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Jamaal Bowman Ed.D., Steve Cohen, Adriano Espaillat, Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda, Jared Huffman, Mondaire Jones, Ro Khanna, Barbara Lee, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Alan Lowenthal, Betty McCollum, Jerrold Nadler, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib.\n\nThe letter was also signed by Minnesota Elected Officials Jim Carlson, Scott Dibble, Chris Eaton, Omar Fateh, Mary Kunesh, Jennifer McEwen, John Marty, Lindsey Port, Ann Rest, Patricia Torres Ray, Charles Wiger, Patty Acomb, Esther Agbaje, Jamie Becker-Finn, Kaela Jo Berg, Liz Boldon, Jim Davnie, Heather Edelson, Sandra Feist, and Cedrick Frazier, Mike Freiberg, Aisha Gomez, Rick Hansen, Jess Hanson, Hodan Hassan, Athena Hollins, Michael Howard, Frank Hornstein, Sydney Jordann, Fue Lee, Tina Liebling, Leon Lillie, Todd Lippert, Jamie Long, Sandra Masin, Carlos Mariani, Rena Moran, Kelly Morrison, Dave Pinto, Liz Reyer, Mohamud Noor, Samantha Vang, Jay Xiong, Ami Wazlawik, and Tou Xiong.\n\nThe full letter can be read here and below.\n\nAugust 30, 2021\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe are writing to ask for your urgent intervention to protect Indigenous sovereignty amidst the construction of the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline in northern Minnesota. In recent weeks, we have seen concerning violations of treaty rights by public agencies and private actors, ongoing violence against Indigenous women, and environmental impacts that will have long-lasting impacts on hunting, fishing, and wild rice gathering as we grapple with the climate crisis. We ask that the Department of Interior uphold the rights guaranteed to Indigenous people under federal treaties and fulfill Tribal requests for a government-to-government meeting concerning Line 3.[1]\n\nOver three-quarters of Minnesota is in a state of severe drought, with the areas impacted by Line 3 construction classified as severe to extreme.[2] The region has experienced multiple wildfires in recent weeks due the extraordinarily dry conditions[3], and some of Minnesota's most iconic waterfalls are the driest they've been in generations.[4] Statewide, we've witnessed record-breaking heatwaves throughout the summer.[5] These weather events are clear signs of the growing danger of climate change on every aspect of our lives. They also foreshadow the devastating impacts expected for wild rice and native ecosystems vital to Indigenous culture and protected under treaties.[6] In this context, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently allowed Enbridge to remove an additional 4.5 billion gallons of water from seasonal wetlands[7] during construction, without undergoing additional environmental review or assessment of impacts on treaty rights. When such massive environmental changes during construction are weighed alongside the long-term impacts of climate change driven by ongoing Line 3-related emissions, it appears clear that we are not upholding our obligations under treaties to preserve ecosystems that are economically and culturally vital to Indigenous nations.\n\nRelatedly, state agencies and local law enforcement entities have taken steps that appear to be clear violations of Tribal rights, as well as financial conflicts of interest. Earlier this year, the Minnesota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety attempted to \"evict\" a treaty camp, leading local law enforcement to arrive to the camp with police dogs in what many on the scene described as a show of intimidation.[8] While the state agencies rescinded their order, there continue to be arrests of Indigenous leaders who are acting under Tribal law.[9] Law enforcement entities in the region have received around $2 million from Enbridge to pay for police activity against water protectors, which has included staggering levels of violence, tear gas, and rubber bullets.[10] While Enbridge was required to pay these costs under project permits, leaders have noted they create a conflict of interest as law enforcement are incentivized to increase patrols and arrests surrounding pipeline construction. There have also been reports of federal surveillance by the Department of Homeland Security, raising additional concerns of the extent of law enforcement response.[11]\n\nAs law enforcement focuses on water protectors, the influx of temporary residents in the region has exacerbated the concerns of violence and health threats to local communities \u2013 and to Indigenous people in particular. In its 2020 report to the Minnesota Legislature, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force noted the risks on Indigenous women associated with Line 3 and other projects of this nature and predicted that construction would lead to more violence against Indigenous women. [12]\n\nLastly, Tribal leaders have highlighted that the cultural studies required under law were not adequate considering the diversity of Indigenous history and culture throughout the region.[13] When completing historical and cultural reviews of the sites, Enbridge did not include key stakeholders in the Tribal Cultural Resource Management survey team. The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and Red Lake Band of Chippewa challenged the cultural studies in court[14], but were unsuccessful in having their claims heard by the Minnesota Supreme Court.[15] There is no ongoing consultation \u2013 let alone consent \u2013 from allTribes in Minnesota.[16] We believe the federal government has a responsibility to review these concerns raised by sovereign Tribal nations.\n\nWhen considering the extent of environmental, cultural, and social impacts on Indigenous people associated with Line 3 construction and its long-term climate impacts, we believe the federal government has a responsibility to uphold treaties and engage with Tribal nations on a government-to-government level. We look forward to receiving your response as soon as possible.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-joins-letter-call-increase-united-states-refugee-admissions-programs", "Rep. Omar Joins Letter to Call for an Increase in United States Refugee Admissions Programs Cap as Afghanistan Crisis Continues", "2021-08-27", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) led a group of 66 members of Congress, including Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05), in calling on the Biden Administration to increase the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program cap to no less than 200,000 when President Biden issues his Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 before October 1st.\n\nIn Afghanistan\u00ad--where the Taliban has overthrown the Afghan government--Afghan allies of the U.S., women's rights activists, civil servants, and more are fleeing violence and persecution under Taliban rule. As Special Immigrant Visas continue to be processed, the lawmakers are urging the administration to increase the refugee cap to meet the massive humanitarian need.\n\n\"As the people of Afghanistan face an unfolding tragedy, the United States must open its doors to refugees fleeing the devastating consequences of a 20-year U.S. military occupation and 40 years of U.S.-fueled war,\" said the lawmakers.\"To ensure their safety, we urge you to increase the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program cap to no less than 200,000 when you issue your Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 before October 1st. We also urge you to expand humanitarian parole to provide refuge to vulnerable Afghans who are in grave danger following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.\n\nThe lawmakers continued,\"After decades of disastrous U.S. intervention in Afghanistan, one thing is clear: we have a moral responsibility to provide safe harbor and refuge for the Afghan people. Now, the growing humanitarian crisis is further exposing the horrific costs of our endless wars. The United States must do everything in its power to protect those who have borne the brunt of this decades-long conflict, especially Afghans who are at increased risk of persecution or death by the Taliban\u2026\"\n\n\"The urgent need to double down on our efforts to welcome and protect refugees is evidenced by the racist, virulent anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiment that exploded over the last decade \u2014 often as a result of U.S.-fueled wars \u2014 and was further heightened under the last administration and now with the evacuations occurring in Afghanistan\u2026\"\n\nThe Trump administration lowered refugee caps to a historic low of 15,000. During his campaign for President, Joe Biden committed to \"set the annual global refugee admissions cap to 125,000, and seek to raise it over time commensurate with our responsibility, our values, and the unprecedented global need.\" With the emerging threat to hundreds of thousands of Afghans now under Taliban rule, the lawmakers are calling on Biden to uphold that pledge and deliver a significant increase to refugee admissions.\n\n\"Mr. President, the time to act to save lives is now,\" the lawmakers concluded. \"We are ready to work with you to appropriate the necessary funds to be used for humanitarian needs and, specifically, as is necessary is used to ramp up the evacuation and processing of Afghans and others seeking refuge around the world.\"\n\nFor full text of the letter, click here or find below.\n\nFullLetterText\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nAs the people of Afghanistan face an unfolding tragedy, the United States must open its doors to refugees fleeing the devastating consequences of a 20-year U.S. military occupation and 40 years of U.S.-fueled war. To ensure their safety, we urge you to increase the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program cap to no less than 200,000 when you issue your Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 before October 1st. We also urge you to expand humanitarian parole to provide refuge to vulnerable Afghans who are in grave danger following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.\n\nAfter decades of disastrous U.S. intervention in Afghanistan, one thing is clear: we have a moral responsibility to provide safe harbor and refuge for the Afghan people. The U.S. war in Afghanistan has caused irreparable harm to Afghans as well as to the Americans who served there. Now, the growing humanitarian crisis is further exposing the horrific costs of our endless wars. The United States must do everything in its power to protect those who have borne the brunt of this decades-long conflict, especially Afghans who are at increased risk of persecution or death by the Taliban.\n\nIncreasing the U.S. Refugee Admissions Programs cap above 200,000 will mean that hundreds of thousands more people can escape danger to find greater security and hope in the United States. Beyond Afghanistan, refugee crises are also ongoing in other parts of the world \u2014 especially as political violence erupts in Ethiopia, Lebanon faces economic collapse, and Haiti grapples with yet another devastating earthquake following the assassination of its president. And as climate change accelerates, destroying homes and ruining crops, displacement is only on the rise. In the face of these overlapping crises, increased refugee protections are vital to ensuring that people can reach safety and rebuild their lives.\n\nIn the weeks before your FY22 Presidential Determination for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, there is an immediate need to provide refuge for Afghans. We appreciate your dedicated effort to expedite Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) for Afghans who have assisted the United States but it is imperative to focus on evacuation of all SIV applicants and the thousands of other vulnerable Afghans who now fear for their lives. We request that you provide humanitarian parole to the families of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents, SIV applicants and their families, as well as those who would have qualified for the Priority 2 program. Humanitarian parole must also be extended to other vulnerable groups in Afghanistan, including women's rights activists, human rights defenders, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and journalists.\n\nThe urgent need to double down on our efforts to welcome and protect refugees is evidenced by the racist, virulent anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiment that exploded over the last decade \u2014 often as a result of U.S.-fueled wars \u2014 and was further heightened under the last administration and now with the evacuations occurring in Afghanistan. To those questioning if it is really our responsibility to provide refuge for those fleeing conflict, persecution, or dire living conditions \u2014 yes, it is. In fact, it is not only our responsibility, but it is our greatest strength.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-kabul-terrorist-attack-killed-least-12-us-service-members", "McCollum Statement on Kabul Terrorist Attack that Killed at Least 12 U.S. Service Members", "2021-08-26", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today after the Pentagon confirmed at least 12 U.S. service members were killed and at least 15 wounded in an attack outside the Hamid-Karzai Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan:\n\n\"The attack that tragically killed 12 U.S. service members and numerous Afghan civilians demonstrates that Afghanistan, beyond the perimeter of the Kabul airport, is a state controlled by terrorists. With limited options to sustain the evacuation of Americans and allies, the Taliban must be held responsible for the well-being and immediate safe passage of all American citizens seeking evacuation. The Biden administration must deliver an unequivocal message to the Taliban that harm to any American citizen seeking evacuation will result in devastating military action.\n\n\"At this moment, every American service member, diplomat, and civilian operating at the Kabul airport are at grave risk. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, including the evacuation of U.S. citizens and allies, must be completed by the August 31 deadline.\n\n\"The death of our American service members in the effort to evacuate civilians is heartbreaking. Their lives and selfless action will always be remembered and honored.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-leads-letter-president-biden-pardon-daniel-hale", "Rep. Omar Leads Letter to President Biden to Pardon Daniel Hale", "2021-08-26", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) wrote a letter to President Biden today urging for the use of his executive authority to pardon Daniel Hale. In July, Daniel Hale was sentenced to 45 months for leaking information on the United States government's covert drone warfare program that provided important context in the public debate on surveillance and government misconduct.\n\nDaniel Hale previously served as an intelligence analyst in the Air Force, and after his service, became an outspoken critic of the drone program in which he had participated. His motivation, as outlined in a letter to the judge in his case, was profoundly moral.\n\n\"Mr. Hale's release of information related to the drone program did not put any individual in danger,\" wrote Rep. Omar. \"The information, while politically embarrassing to some, has shone a vital light on the legal and moral problems of the drone program and informed the public debate on an issue that has for too many years remained in the shadows. This information also provided concrete benefit to the legal efforts of Americans seeking to protect their Constitutional rights against secretive and arbitrary watchlisting practices.\n\n\"Finally, Mr. Hale pled guilty and took full responsibility for his actions. His motivation, as outlined in his deeply moving letter to the judge in his case, was profoundly moral. As you frequently say, the United States should lead not just by the example of our power but by the power of our example. I implore you to read Mr. Hale's letter to the judge in full, and I believe you will agree that he was motivated by the same thing. Acknowledging where we've gone wrong, and telling the truth about our shortcomings, is not only the right thing to do, but also an act of profound patriotism.\"\n\nYou can view the full letter below and here.\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nAugust 25, 2021\n\nI am writing to strongly encourage you to use your authority to pardon Daniel Everette Hale, who was sentenced to 45 months in prison on July 27, 2021, after pleading guilty to one count of violating the Espionage Act.\n\nMr. Hale served as an intelligence analyst in the Air Force, and after his service, became one of the most outspoken critics of the drone program in which he had participated. In doing so, he joined a proud American tradition of veterans advocating for peace after their service was complete.\n\nI take extremely seriously the prohibition on leaking classified information, but I believe there are several aspects of Mr. Hale's case that merit a full pardon.\n\nAlthough the investigation of Mr. Hale's leaks began under the Obama Administration, the Obama Department of Justice declined to prosecute him. It wasn't until 2019, under President Trump, that he was indicted. We are all well aware of the severe consequences of the Trump Administration's chilling crackdown on whistleblowers and other public servants who they deemed insufficiently loyal. I believe that the decision to prosecute Mr. Hale was motivated, at least in part, as a threat to other would-be whistleblowers.\n\nMr. Hale's release of information related to the drone program did not put any individual in danger. The information, while politically embarrassing to some, has shone a vital light on the legal and moral problems of the drone program and informed the public debate on an issue that has for too many years remained in the shadows. This information also provided concrete benefit to the legal efforts of Americans seeking to protect their Constitutional rights against secretive and arbitrary watchlisting practices.\n\nFinally, Mr. Hale pled guilty and took full responsibility for his actions. His motivation, as outlined in his deeply moving letter to the judge in his case, was profoundly moral. As you frequently say, the United States should lead not just by the example of our power but by the power of our example. I implore you to read Mr. Hale's letter to the judge in full, and I believe you will agree that he was motivated by the same thing. Acknowledging where we've gone wrong, and telling the truth about our shortcomings, is not only the right thing to do, but also an act of profound patriotism.\n\nThe legal question of Mr. Hale's guilt is settled, but the moral question remains open. I strongly believe that a full pardon, or at least a commutation of his sentence, is warranted. It is for precisely these cases, where the letter of the law does not capture the complex human judgments in difficult situations, that your pardon authority is at its most useful.\n\nI thank you for your consideration of this important matter, and I stand ready to continue the conversation. I look forward to your prompt response.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-house-passage-john-r-lewis-voting-rights-advancement-act", "McCollum Statement on House Passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "August 24, 2021\n\nH.R. 4 Strengthens the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Addressing Two Key Supreme Court Decisions that Weakened the Act and Unleashed Voter Suppression Laws\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today after voting to pass H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021:\n\n\"Minnesota prides itself in leading the way to make sure everyone can vote and every vote counts. At a time of unprecedented Republican-led attacks and threats to voting rights in state legislatures across the nation, urgent federal action is needed. If we are going to sustain and strengthen our democracy, Democrats in Congress and the American people need to stand up and defend it. I had the privilege of serving with Representative John Lewis in the U.S. House of Representatives. He marched the Edmund Pettus Bridge 56 years ago, and nearly died defending our right to vote. I proudly voted for H.R. 4 to uphold John Lewis's legacy and protect every American's fundamental right to vote.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nCongresswoman McCollum is a cosponsor of H.R. 4. The bill text can be found here. A fact sheet is available here.\n\nThis critical bill finally restores the full strength of the Voting Rights Act, after the disastrous Supreme Court decisions of Shelby County v. Holder in 2013 and Brnovich v. DNC in 2021.\n\nState lawmakers have introduced over 400 voter suppression bills in 49 states in the 2021 legislative session alone. At least 18 states enacted 30 laws that restrict access to the ballot, with many more on the way. The laws suppress the vote, as they make mail voting and early voting more difficult, reduce polling place availability, unleash a flurry of faulty voter purges, and increase barriers to the vote for Americans with disabilities, among other blatant suppression tactics. Under the VRA, these tactics would have been prevented from becoming law, but seven years ago, the Supreme Court gutted the heart of the Voting Rights Act \u2013 preclearance \u2013 in the Shelby v. Holder decision. Preclearance requires areas with a proven history of discrimination to preclear that any new change to their elections would not be discriminatory. Preclearance stopped thousands of discriminatory voter suppression laws for the first 50 years after passage of the VRA \u2013 but the Shelby decision unleashed a torrent of discriminatory laws.\n\nNow, with H.R. 4, the House is restoring preclearance with a new formula, which is ironclad constitutionally and which will make significant progress to restore the purpose of the VRA.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-voting-advance-budget-resolution-infrastructure-bill", "McCollum Statement on Voting to Advance Budget Resolution, Infrastructure Bill", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today after voting to approve the combined rule to consider together S.Con.Res. 14, the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022, and the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3684, to pave the way for consideration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.\n\n\"Today House Democrats have taken a key step to advance historic legislation to invest in both our physical and human infrastructure: in America's roads and bridges, and also in our health and caregiving systems, the weaknesses of which have become even more apparent during the pandemic. Today's vote starts the process for investing in building and sustaining a society with healthy families, strong communities, and a successful economy for all. Democrats are committed to improving people's lives. It is appalling that Republicans \u2013 who have always been willing to cut taxes for the richest few \u2013 refuse to join us in investing in the majority of Americans who will benefit from these bills.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Build Back Better plan will deliver more jobs, a fair and balanced tax system, and lower costs, doing so by making the wealthiest few and big corporations pay their fair share.\n\nThe historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would make life better for millions of Minnesotans, create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win the 21st century \u2013 while taking real action to fight the climate crisis. Democrats look forward to considering this legislation and making additional improvements to meet the needs of the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-and-senate-lawmakers-call-biden-administration-immediately-suspend-clean", "House and Senate Lawmakers Call on Biden Administration to Immediately Suspend Clean Water Act Permit for Line 3 Pipeline", "2021-08-23", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05) led a bicameral group of lawmakers today in urging the Biden administration to immediately suspend the Clean Water Act 404 permit for the Line 3 pipeline. Their letter \u2014 written to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jaime Pinkham \u2014 calls for a thorough review of the Trump administration's faulty permitting process and an environmental impact statement that fully considers the irreversible impact the pipeline will have on the environment, climate change, public health, nearby communities, and Tribal groups.\n\n\"The Army Corps of Engineers failed to consider significant information on the Line 3 tar sands pipeline's impacts, including the risk of oil spills, climate change impacts, and impacts on Indigenous peoples,\" said the lawmakers. \"The effects of construction of Line 3 on the land, water, and peoples that it affects are irreversible. We urge you to utilize the authority you have to immediately suspend the 404 permit for Line 3 in order to conduct a full federal EIS prior to any additional construction.\"\n\nThe lawmakers specifically assert that the Corps did not prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for Line 3 despite evidence that the project would have significant impacts. This includes failing to include almost no independent evaluation of the risk of oil spills despite the fact that Line 3's route crosses more than 225 lakes and rivers including the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The lawmakers also urged the Corps to examine how impacts from climate change will further exacerbate the environmental costs of oil spills. Additionally, they called for a full consultation process with Tribes on the effects of Line 3, which was omitted from the 2020 decision to issue the Clean Water Act 404 permit.\n\nThe Trump Administration aggressively expanded fossil fuel infrastructure projects and severely limited public scrutiny on those projects. In addition to weakening the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Trump Administration attempted to restrict the scope of the Clean Water Act, limit state and tribal authority under the Clean Water Act, and relax regulations on methane emissions from oil and gas wells.\n\nNEPA requires a comprehensive review of proposed federal projects. For pipeline projects, this includes oil spills, climate risks, and impacts on Tribes. NEPA also requires that the environmental review incorporate the concerns of local communities. If the agency finds that there will be a significant impact, it is then required to conduct the more stringent environmental impact statement (EIS) that carries with it more significant public comment requirements.\n\nThe letter is signed by U.S. Senators Merkley, Blumenthal, Leahy, Markey, Padilla, Sanders, Warren, and Wyden. It is also signed by U.S. Representatives Jayapal, Omar, Bass, Barrigan, Blumenauer, Bowman, Bush, Cleaver, Garcia, Connolly, Espaillat, Huffman, Jones, Khanna, Lee, Leger Fernandez, Maloney, Ocasio-Cortez, Pressley, Raskin, Tlaib, and Wilson.\n\nThe text of the letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-statement-situation-afghanistan", "Rep. Omar Statement on the Situation in Afghanistan", "2021-08-16", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement on the situation in Afghanistan.\n\n\"Like many of us, I have watched the immense human tragedy in Afghanistan in horror. My heart goes out to the Afghan people, especially the many Afghans who risked their lives for a safer, freer Afghanistan, as well the of countless Americans who served in this conflict, thousands of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.\n\n\"It has also, for me, been personally painful. I know what it's like to be the child in the family scrambling for safety in a war-torn country. I also know intimately the difference between making it out and not making it out. As with so many moments in this two-decade long conflict, I have not been able to read the news without seeing myself and my family, many years ago, desperately fleeing imminent violence in Somalia.\n\n\"Of course, the tragedy did not begin in the last couple of weeks. The hard truth about America's longest war is that for 20 years, we made promises we couldn't keep. The simple fact is that prolonging a war indefinitely would not have delivered a stable, peaceful Afghanistan. I agree with President Biden: an endless American military occupation of Afghanistan was unacceptable.\n\n\"War and conflict never produce peace and stability. Violence and militarism, even when cloaked in the language of humanitarianism, are fundamentally at odds with human flourishing and opportunity. Violence only produces trauma, trauma that can turn into anger, vengefulness and a continuing cycle of violence. That must be a lesson as we deal with conflicts around the world.\n\n\"There will be plenty of time for confronting the fundamental failures of our Afghanistan policy over the course of many decades and four presidencies. I hope we genuinely confront them, and reckon with them, rather than doubling down on obsolete talking points from 20 years ago that fail to account for the thousands of American lives cost and trillion-plus dollars spent. I hope we will learn from this, as painful as it is.\n\n\"In the meantime, the urgency of the moment before us now demands we marshal an international coalition to evacuate every Afghan citizen who is fleeing for their lives. This is an American responsibility, and it is also a NATO responsibility, and it is also a human responsibility. We must hold the airport in Kabul and lead a multinational airlift operation. We have the capacity, and we must find the will to get them out.\n\n\"There will also be Afghan human rights activists, and women, and civil society who choose to stay. We have an obligation to them, too. The President has been clear that the end of the war does not mean the end of our commitment to the Afghan people. We must begin to prove that with this airlift operation, and then I look forward to working with him to ensure that when the headlines and emotions of this deeply painful moment subside, we are still focused on the people to whom we owe an enormous amount.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-taliban-takeover-afghanistan", "McCollum Statement on Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan", "2021-08-15", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today after the Taliban's capture of Kabul, Afghanistan:\n\n\"With the Taliban's capture of Kabul, we are witnessing a human disaster for the Afghan people and the culmination of a two-decade bipartisan political and strategic failure of American leadership.\n\n\"Since 2001, successive American presidents, with the support of Republicans and Democrats in Congress, asked the Afghan people to trust America and work with America to build a new Afghanistan. Millions of Afghans believed us and committed their futures to this partnership. Their trust in America will now cost many of them their lives and certainly their freedom. Afghans who courageously stood with America to reject extremism and build a new Afghanistan are now alone, vulnerable, and will be subject to the Taliban's vengeful retribution. This is their worst nightmare come true. For an entire generation of Afghan women and girls who embraced access to education and human rights, they will almost certainly be cast back into the darkness of the Taliban's state-sponsored misogyny.\n\n\"After the September 11, 2001 attack on the U.S., President George W. Bush and Congress decided to take military action against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. A decision was also made to invest in supporting the Afghan people and build a new, modern nation. That difficult worked continued for nearly 20 years with successes and failures along the way. In 2019, the Trump administration invited the Taliban to the negotiating table, without the Afghan government represented, and believed they could reach an agreement the Taliban would honor. This set in motion the return of the Taliban. The Biden administration's decision to fully withdraw U.S. forces eliminated the final deterrent to the Taliban in light of their misplaced confidence in the capabilities of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.\n\n\"For the hundreds of thousands of American service members, diplomats, and civilians who bravely served in Afghanistan, the pain of this outcome will be raw. The selfless service and the sacrifices made by these American heroes must be honored and respected. The American people owe them all a debt of gratitude for answering the call to service and doing a difficult job when asked.\n\n\"Politicians and pundits will now start the blame game, but this dreadful outcome is not the fault of any one politician, leader, or administration. This is a whole of government failure in both Washington and Kabul. The Afghan people who trusted us will now be living with the consequences. Rather than blame, the Biden administration, Congress, and future American leaders \u2013 Democrats and Republicans \u2013 need to learn some very hard lessons and make sure such a devastating foreign policy failure never happens again.\n\n\"My thoughts are with all our fellow Americans who are desperately leaving Kabul and the Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen protecting them. My prayers are with the people of Afghanistan who are now alone under a Taliban regime. May God protect them.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressional-progressive-caucus-survey-shows-majority-respondents-will", "Congressional Progressive Caucus Survey Shows Majority of Respondents Will Withhold Support of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Without Reconciliation Package", "2021-08-10", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) announced today that a survey of its 96 members showed that a majority of respondents will not vote for a bipartisan infrastructure bill until the Senate passes a robust budget reconciliation bill to fund the rest of the American Jobs and Families Plans.\n\nThe survey asked whether members would commit to withholding a yes vote on the bipartisan infrastructure deal \u2014 Senate Amendment 2137 to H.R. 3684 \u2014 until the Senate has passed budget reconciliation legislation deemed acceptable by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The CPC shared the results in a letter to House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Schumer. \"A majority of respondents affirmed that they would withhold their votes in support of the bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives until the Senate adopted a robust reconciliation package,\" wrote Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Deputy Chair Rep. Katie Porter (CA-45), and Whip Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05).\n\n\"These results affirm the urgency of ensuring that the Senate's desire to pass a narrower bipartisan infrastructure agreement does not come at the expense of the full scope investments our communities need, want, and deserve,\" said Jayapal. \"Our Caucus is clear: the bipartisan bill will only be passed if a package of social, human, and climate infrastructure \u2014 reflecting long-standing Democratic priorities \u2014 is passed simultaneously through budget reconciliation. We know that Congressional Democrats are committed to delivering immediate and transformational improvements for the lives of the American people, and will hold firm to meet that promise.\"\n\nThe letter also urged leadership \"to continue coordinating closely between the two chambers, collaborating with the White House, and engaging with our caucus so that the reconciliation framework reflects our shared and long-standing investment priorities, and that the Senate first adopts this reconciliation package before any House consideration of bipartisan infrastructure legislation.\"\n\nThe Progressive Caucus first articulated its agenda for this infrastructure investment in a letter to Speaker Pelosi back in April. It detailed the members' five priorities: bold investments in affordable housing; a robust care economy including home-based care, universal child care, and paid leave; expanded Medicare by lowering the eligibility age and covering hearing, vision, and dental while lowering prescription drug prices; aggressive climate action including a fossil fuel free national clean energy standard and a Civilian Climate Corps; and a roadmap to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, essential workers, and farmworkers.\n\nThroughout the negotiation process, the CPC has reiterated its commitments to funding these priorities, and was the first to advocate for a simultaneous two-track process that uses bipartisan legislation and budget reconciliation to meet those goals. Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer both endorsed this strategy over the summer.\n\nThe letter can be found online here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-commissioner-reinhardt-celebrate-national-association-counties", "McCollum, Commissioner Reinhardt Celebrate National Association of Counties Endorsement of Mississippi River Restoration & Resilience Initiative", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) is pleased to announce the National Association of Counties (NACo) voted unanimously to endorse a resolution in support of the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) at its annual conference in July.\n\nRep. McCollum released the following statement:\n\n\"I am so grateful to Ramsey County Commissioner Reinhardt and the Association of Minnesota Counties for securing unanimous support for the MRRRI resolution at the National Association of Counties Annual Conference. MRRRI will secure federal grant opportunities up and down the river's corridor for counties to invest in the health and resilience of their communities, which will also benefit local economies. Federal, state, and local coordination is paramount to ensuring the initiative addresses the priorities of the communities most affected by flooding, runoff, pollution, and other risks to the river's health. I look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Reinhardt in advancing this collaborative effort to restore and strengthen the Mississippi River.\"\n\nRamsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Vice Chair of the NACo Resilient Counties Advisory Board, added:\n\n\"MRRRI is exactly the right approach to securing local participation in solving a national problem. The Mississippi River is vital to the health of the nation and every county along its 2,300-mile journey from the headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. I am honored that Congresswoman McCollum asked me to secure support for MRRRI from the National Association of Counties. This is exactly the type of partnership approach that local governments need to help us enhance river restoration, resilience projects, and program activities along the Mississippi River.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Mississippi River flows more than 2,300 miles through 10 states, and provides drinking water to more than 20 million people in 50 cities. The river supports more than 780 species of fish and wildlife and is a vital corridor for migratory birds. The Mississippi River also serves as a major shipping and transportation corridor and has a recreation-based economy that generates nearly $500 billion in annual revenue and employs more than 1.5 million people.\n\nCongresswoman McCollum introduced H.R. 4202 in June 2021 to formally authorize the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative.\n\nLearn about the impact of this legislation, endorsing organizations, and more at mccollum.house.gov/MRRRI.\n\nFind the text of the resolution passed unanimously by the National Association of Counties here (p. 32).\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/seventy-five-members-congress-call-immediate-closure-guantanamo-bay", "Seventy-Five Members of Congress Call for Immediate Closure of Guantanamo Bay", "2021-08-05", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013 Today, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Congressman David Price (D-NC), and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), along with more than 70 members of Congress, delivered a letter to President Biden calling for the immediate closure of the prison at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.\n\nClosing the facility has been a long stated goal for the U.S. government. During his 2008 campaign, former President Obama promised to permanently close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. However, at the time of his departure from office in 2017, the prison still held 55 detainees. Today, Guantanamo Bay is in increasing disrepair as its infrastructure deteriorates, posing an imminent health and safety risks to prisoners and guards alike. On February 12, the Biden administration launched a formal review of the prison at Guantanamo Bay with the intention of ultimately closing the facility. On July 19, 2021, the Biden administration transferred its first detainee out of Guantanamo Bay, who had previously been recommended for discharge in 2016, but was held under the Trump administration.\n\n\"We ask that as you take the steps necessary to finally close the prison, you act immediately to further reduce its population, ensure that the remaining detainees are treated humanely, and increase the transparency of military commission proceedings at Guantanamo,\" the Members write in a letter. \"The continued operation of the prison is a stain on our international reputation and undermines our ability to advocate for human rights and the rule of law. The halting pace of justice is painful for victims and survivors of terrorist attacks, including the bombing of the USS Cole and the September 11 attacks, which some of the detainees at Guantanamo are accused of planning or carrying out.\"\n\nThe letter is signed by 75 members of Congress, including Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC), Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Jamal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Andre Carson (D-Ill.), Joaquin Castro (D-Tex.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), David Cicilline (D-RI), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Rose DeLauro (D-Conn.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.), Veronica Escobar (D-Tex.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-Penn.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jesus \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (D-Ill.), Ra\u00fal Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.), Hank Johnson (D-Geor.), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Andy Levin (D-Mich.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), David Price (D-NC), Jamie Raskin (D-Mary.), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Linda S\u00e1nchez (D-Calif.), Mary Scanlon (D-Penn.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-Ver.), and John Yarmuth (D-Kent.).\n\nClick here to read the letter, or read the full text below:\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write in strong support of your stated goal to close the prison at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. We share your belief that after nearly two decades and tremendous expense, it is time to close the prison and seek prompt resolutions for the cases of the remaining detainees. We ask that as you take the steps necessary to finally close the prison, you act immediately to further reduce its population, ensure that the remaining detainees are treated humanely, and increase the transparency of military commission proceedings at the Guantanamo detention facility.\n\nThe prison at Guantanamo has held nearly 800 prisoners throughout its history but currently holds only 39 men, many aging and increasingly infirm. According to reports, the prison costs over $500 million per year to operate, at a staggering annual cost of $13 million per prisoner, over 350 times the cost of incarcerating a prisoner at a maximum-security facility in the United States. And after nearly two decades, and numerous efforts at reform, the military commission process remains dysfunctional.\n\nWe were pleased to see that White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed it is the \"intention\" of the Administration to close Guantanamo, which Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also confirmed in written answers during his confirmation process. We also understand that the National Security Council has begun a review of the status of the Guantanamo detention facility with the intention of closing it \u2013 a process that we support and welcome.\n\nThe continued operation of the prison is a stain on our international reputation and undermines our ability to advocate for human rights and the rule of law. The halting pace of justice is painful for victims and survivors of terrorist attacks, including the bombing of the USS Cole and the September 11 attacks, which some of the detainees at the Guantanamo detention facility are accused of planning or carrying out.\n\nWe recognize that closing the prison will take time, but we believe the time has come with your leadership. We believe that some detainees can and should be tried in our federal courts, which have demonstrated they can effectively, fairly, and quickly try terrorism cases. Other detainees should be repatriated to their home countries or settled in third countries with appropriate conditions and assurances for both their treatment and U.S. security.\n\nAs you seek to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, we urge you to consider three important priorities:\n\nFirst, we ask that the Administration prioritize further reducing the prison's population. We recommend that you analyze and expeditiously respond as you determine appropriate resolutions in the cases involving ten detainees who have been cleared for release by the Guantanamo Review Task Force or the Periodic Review Board, and yet remain at the prison: Toffiq al-Bihani , Sufyian Barhoumi , Ridah Bin Saleh Al-Yazidi , Muieen Adeen Al-Sattar, Said Salih Said Nashir , Saifullah Paracha, Abdul Rabbani, and Uthman Abdul al-Rahim Uthman. The first step in that process should be to immediately re-establish the office of the Special Envoy for Guantanamo Prison Closure at the State Department or create an analogous position.\n\nSecond, we have a responsibility to treat detainees at the Guantanamo prison humanely and make appropriate accommodations to provide for their medical care. Specifically, we are aware of concerns that the medical records of some detainees are not being made available to the detainees or their representatives in a timely fashion, purportedly based on the claim that the withheld records are classified in whole or in part. We are particularly concerned about claims, including by the Center for Victims of Torture and Physicians for Human Rights, that \"medical needs [of detainees] are subordinated to security functions.\" It is important that complete medical information be made available to detainees and their representatives in a timely fashion in a way that appropriately protects any legitimately classified information.\n\nFinally, we support providing greater transparency in the military commission process, a step that would further public understanding of the proceedings there and provide benefits to victims' families and others. Currently, to observe commission proceedings, journalists, human rights organizations, and victims' families must either travel to Guantanamo \u2013 which was difficult even prior to the pandemic \u2013 or watch on closed-circuit broadcasts available on a limited number of military bases. In 2019, the House passed a provision expressing the view of Congress that military commission judges should make proceedings available over the internet. This vote followed a 2019 report by the General Accountability Office that found no technical barriers to making these proceedings publicly available. Given the glacial pace of the commission process, we believe that transparency would be beneficial.\n\nThe prison at Guantanamo represents a fundamental betrayal of our values and our commitment as a country to the rule of law. You have our full support in your efforts to close the prison once and for all. We stand ready to work with you to remove impediments to closure, and we look forward to working closely with your administration to finally achieve that goal.\n\nSincerely,\n\nMembers of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-statement-cdc-decision-extend-eviction-moratorium", "Rep. Omar Statement on CDC Decision to Extend Eviction Moratorium", "2021-08-03", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after President Biden announced the CDC will extend the eviction moratorium.\n\n\"This new moratorium is lifechanging for millions of people on the brink of eviction. I am thankful to President Biden for his efforts to have the CDC extend the eviction moratorium for our most vulnerable. This win would not have been possible without the bold, steadfast leadership from Congresswoman Bush. I applaud her, and so many other Members of Congress and organizers who continued to push the Administration to act.\n\n\"While this new moratorium on evictions is welcome, this is just a start and will only provide a temporary solution to the mass eviction crisis. At the beginning of the pandemic, I introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act to permanently cancel all payments on rental homes and mortgages until the end of the pandemic and provide relief to small landlords who are also struggling due to Congress's inaction. We can already predict another housing crisis will occur, which is why it's so imperative we pass bold, long-term solutions.\n\n\"The bottom line is we have the House, Senate, and White House\u2014there are no excuses for our inability to act. We have the power to stop the next eviction crisis and must act now.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-introduces-guaranteed-income-bill-and-gdp-alternative-legislation", "Rep. Omar Introduces Guaranteed Income Bill and GDP Alternative Legislation", "2021-07-30", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar introduced the Sending Unconditional Payments to People Overcoming Resistances to Triumph (SUPPORT) Act and the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) Act, legislation designed to build a 21st century economy that is reflective of Americans' everyday needs. The bills will create a grant program to fund local income pilots and implement a national guaranteed income program and establish a new economic metric to measure well-being.\n\nThe Sending Unconditional Payments to People Overcoming Resistances to Triumph (SUPPORT) Act will create a guaranteed income program of up to $1,200 per month for adults, and $600 for kids, following pilot programs in localities nationwide. The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) Act will provide an alternative economic metric to supplement GDP calculations and revamp our economic policy lenses by including overlooked socioeconomic and environmental costs and benefits of economic productivity.\n\n\"Poverty is a choice. For too long we have prioritized endless growth while millions are homeless, hungry or without healthcare\" said Rep. Omar. \"The pandemic has laid bare these inequalities. We as a nation have the ability to make sure everyone has their basic needs like food, housing and healthcare met. Building off successful pilot programs in my home state of Minnesota, I am proud to introduce a guaranteed income that will put money directly into the pockets of Minnesotans, and introduce a holistic economic measure that will ensure our economy is centered on the long-term prosperity of Minnesotans and Americans everywhere. The world needs new economic indicators and economic policies that will prioritize and encourage truly sustainable and equitable development. It's time we become the leader in measuring and safeguarding our people's economic well-being, starting with both of these bills.\"\n\n\"Even during the better economic times that came before the Covid pandemic and recession, many Americans were struggling to avoid hunger or homelessness \u2013 in the wealthiest country on the planet,\" said Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA). \"Both of these bills would help us to Build Back Better! I also continue to advocate for other fairness measures like the Raise the Wage Act.\"\n\n\"It's crucial that we assess the economy based on how it serves working people, instead of on the profits of the largest corporations,\" said Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL). \"I am proud to cosponsor the GPI Act to ensure that we are accounting for economic justice in policymaking, and to provide crucial cash assistance to tackle the country's gross income divide. A strong economy does not just work for the wealthy and well-connected, it should work for everyone. I am thrilled to support legislation designed to do just that. \"\n\n\"We need a paradigm shift in how we measure and evaluate our economy,\" said Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). \"If my district, New York's 16th, was a country, it would have the 8th worst inequality in the world. Our barometers for economic success as well as our policies must be centered around meeting basic levels of care and dignity for all of our people. That is why I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of Rep. Omar's GPI Act and SUPPORT Act.\"\n\n\"Poverty is defined by a lack of material resources,\" said Darrick Hamilton, Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy at the New School. \"And we know the way to address poverty is to eliminate it. I am thrilled that Rep. Omar is introducing a bold proposal to fully tackle poverty in this country and ensure that people have their basic material needs met, modeled after proposals like \u2018A Guaranteed Income for the 21st Century' and others. This proposal would amount to a $14,400 income guarantee for adults and $7,200 for children, amounting to $43,200 for an average family of four. If we are going to tackle poverty and inequality in this country, we need bold solutions. And Rep. Omar has proposed just that.\"\n\n\"We applaud Representative Omar's leadership on this long overdue reform of how this nation measures economic progress and enthusiastically support the GPI Act of 2021,\" said John Talberth, Founder of the Center for Sustainable Economy. \"What's measured matters, and for too long the US has been measuring economic performance in a way that masks the staggering costs of inequality, crumbling infrastructure, deteriorating health, vanishing ecosystems and rapid climate change. We've been pursuing growth for its own sake without asking \u2018growth in what, for whom, and at what cost?' Instead of registering all growth as positive, the GPI can help identify what sectors need to grow to bring quality of life improvements for all and what sectors need to shrink or be replaced because the toll they exact on the rest of the economy is far too great.\"\n\nThe GPI Act is cosponsored by Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Dwight Evans, Pramila Jayapal, and Marie Newman. The bill is endorsed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON).\n\nThe SUPPORT Act is cosponsored by Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Dwight Evans, and Pramila Jayapal.The bill is endorsed by Economic Security Project, Jain Family Institute, National Coalition for the Homeless, and People's Policy Project.\n\nBoth bills are endorsed by the African Career Education & Resource, Inc., African Development Center, Black Women's Wealth Alliance, Center for Popular Democracy, Center for Sustainable Economy, Children's Defense Fund MN, Church World Service, Color of Change, Communities Organizing Power and Action for Latinxs (COPAL) MN, Demos, Equity and Transformation Chicago, FoodFarmsDemocracy.net, Friends of the Earth, Human Rights Watch, Institute for the Redemption of Money, Minnesota Young DFL, Our Revolution, Our Revolution-Twin Cities, Pax Christi USA, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Action Fund, Strong Economy For All Coalition, The Institute on Race and Political Economy, The Monarch Foundation, Universal Income Project, and Virginia Excels.\n\nYou can find a detailed one pager on the GPI Act here.\n\nYou can find a detailed one pager on the SUPPORT Act here.\n\nYou can read the full legislation on the GPI Act here.\n\nYou can read the full legislation on the SUPPORT Act here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-house-passage-seven-fy-2022-appropriations-bills", "McCollum Statement on House Passage of Seven FY 2022 Appropriations Bills", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "July 29, 2021\n\nH.R. 4502 creates good-paying jobs, grows opportunity, and supports the vulnerable\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released a statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4502, a package of seven Appropriations bills to fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2022.\n\nThe seven bills are Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Bill text and Committee reports are available here.\n\n\"Funding the federal government is essential to the ability to govern,\" McCollum said. \"House Democrats \u2013 without a single Republican vote \u2013 have passed these seven vital Appropriations bills to make major investments in keeping America strong, healthy, and successful. As the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are again threatening communities across America, the Appropriations Committee has set its sights on meeting the needs of American families and communities. Whether it is protecting the environment, creating good-paying jobs and expanding economic opportunities, or providing a lifeline for working families, Democrats are reflecting the priorities of the American people.\"\n\nMCCOLLUM PRIORITIES ACROSS H.R. 4502:\n\nInterior, Environment, and Related Agencies:\n\nThe 2022 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill includes $43.4 billion in regular appropriations, an increase of $7.3 billion \u2013 20.2 percent \u2013 above 2021.\n\nAs the Vice-Chair of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Congresswoman McCollum is proud the bill invests in:\n\nEnvironmental Protection:\n\nThe bill contains $11.34 billion for the EPA, with $4.17 billion for EPA's core science and environmental program work and $248 million for Environmental Justice activities \u2013 an increase of $235 million above the FY 21 level\n\nThe bill contains $642.7 million for Geographic Programs which help with restoration of nationally significant bodies of water like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), Chesapeake Bay, and Long Island Sound\n\nPublic Lands:\n\n$15.6 billion for the Department of the Interior, with $1.6 billion for the Bureau of Land Management, $1.9 billion for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and $3.5 billion for the National Park Service\n\nLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) \u2013 The bill allocates $900 million for land acquisition and support for state recreation programs\n\nClean and Safe Drinking Water: The bill will make communities safer and healthier by providing investments to ensure that all Americans have access to clean and safe drinking water:\n\n$3.23 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds\n\n$326.6 million for targeted grants for drinking water contaminants and wastewater treatment for lead, nitrates, and other health hazards\n\n$131 million for Brownfields cleanups\n\n$1.54 billion for Superfund, an increase of $331 million above the FY 21 level\n\n$61.8 million in funding for scientific and regulatory work on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), needed to establish drinking water and cleanup standards. This funding builds on the $49 million the EPA received in 2021\n\nUpholding federal commitments to our Native American brothers and sisters:\n\n$8.1 billion for the Indian Health Service, an increase of $1.8 billion above the FY 2021 enacted level\n\nIncludes $200.5 million for Urban Indian Health Programs, $137.8 million above the 2021 enacted level\n\n$4 billion for Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Office of the Special Trustee, an increase of $507 million above the FY 2021 enacted level\n\nArts and Humanities: The bill invests $201 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, an increase of $33.5 million above the 2021 enacted levels\n\nPolicy provisions that protect our environment now and for future generations:\n\nIncludes McCollum language in the bill (p. 724) prohibiting FY 22 funds from being spent to review or approve a mine plan within the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest. The proposed Twin Metals mine is footsteps from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and the leases are being actively contested in court\n\nInvests $82 million in the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers, and includes McCollum language (p. 41) highlighting the creation of the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center to help our region better understand and address the challenges of climate change\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 40) directing federal agencies to coordinate with state, local, and tribal stakeholders on a Mississippi River Science Forum to advance the goals of improving water quality, restoring habitat and natural systems, improving navigation, eliminating aquatic invasive species, and building local resilience to natural disasters\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 113) to support the U.S. Forest Service's Urban Connections Program, which engages diverse youth, interested citizens, urban leaders, interagency partners, and non-government organizations to create outdoor recreation opportunities\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 112) investing an additional $2 million to help with reforestation in communities impacted by Emerald Ash Borer, and directing the new Civilian Climate Corps to help foster the resilience, restoration, and sustainability of urban forests\n\nAgriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies:\n\nFor fiscal year 2022, the bill provides discretionary funding of $26.55 billion \u2013 a critical increase of $2.851 billion, more than 10 percent \u2013 above 2021. In total, the bill includes $196.7 billion for both discretionary programs funded on an annual basis and mandatory programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.\n\nAs a member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. McCollum is proud that the bill:\n\nTackles hunger and nutrition insecurity by expanding access to fruits and vegetables to 6.4 million people through WIC and ensuring 45 million people in SNAP-eligible families get the benefits they need. The bill also invests in the health of America's kids through Child Nutrition programs, like school meals - which are now the healthiest source of food consumed in the United States\n\nGrows opportunity and lifts up rural communities by increasing funding for rural broadband, connecting more communities to the internet through a program that last year got more than 100,000 people connected to the 21st century economy\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 77) bolstering broadband at Tribal Colleges and Universities\n\nRebuilds our public health and consumer safety infrastructure with increased funding to address maternal and infant nutrition, including resources for the \u2018Closer to Zero' initiative to reduce exposure to toxic elements in babies' and young children's food, emerging food-related chemical and toxicological issues, drug safety oversight, as well as providing additional resources for inspections, and drug and device supply chain monitoring and surveillance. The bill also invests in our public health infrastructure by modernizing FDA's data infrastructure to better ensure the safety and security of the food and medical supply chain\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 104) directing funding to continue educating the public on the dangers of harmful skin-lightening products, which disproportionately impact women of color\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with $347.4 million across USDA to address the impacts of climate change. These investments are aimed to tackle the climate crisis in farming and rural communities and include research to monitor, measure, and mitigate climate change, accelerate climate smart agriculture practices, reduce greenhouse gases, and advance clean energy technologies\n\nProvides important investments to ensure equitable participation in USDA programs. In total, the bill provides more funding than the request to advance racial justice, including increases for extension, research, and capacity grants at our 1890 land grants, 1994 land grants, and Hispanic serving institutions to help strengthen the pipeline for the future of agriculture. It also provides funding to improve outreach and program access to historically underserved communities and provides a healthy increase for USDA's Office of Civil Rights above the request\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 58) directing USDA to continue working with EPA on development of the Mississippi River Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (MRRRI). Also includes language directing the department to engage with the U.S. Geological Survey as they host the Mississippi River Science Forum and to contribute to the proceedings as a federal agency with relevant scientific expertise\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.7) expressing concern that 71% of Americans between the age of 17 and 24 years of age are ineligible for military service due to obesity, mental and other physical health issues, or substance abuse. The report encourages the Secretary to work with the Secretaries of Defense and HHS to help assist in communicating nutritional standards to state, local, and tribal governments for children attending early childhood programs and K\u201312 schools\n\nLabor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies:\n\nFor 2022, the LHHS bill provides $253.8 billion, an increase of $55.2 billion \u2013 28 percent \u2013 above 2021. With this historic increase, the legislation:\n\nCreates and sustains good-paying American jobs through investments in job training, apprenticeship programs, and worker protection\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.312) encouraging the coordination of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) and career and technical education (CTE) efforts at the federal, state, tribal and local level to prepare our national workforce for high-demand careers in manufacturing, engineering, and information technology\n\nGrows opportunity with transformative investments in education, including record funding for high-poverty schools and students with disabilities, and strong increases for programs that expand access to post-secondary education\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.315) to provide assistance to states and higher education institutions in providing mental health and academic support services to at-risk students due to the COVID-19 pandemic\n\nSupports middle class and working families with increased funding for child care and development programs, Head Start, and preschool development grants\n\nStrengthens lifesaving biomedical research with increased funding for the National Institutes of Health, including funding to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health\n\nBolsters our public health infrastructure with more resources for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for states and local governments to strengthen infrastructure and capacity\n\nAddresses our nation's most urgent health crises, including maternal health, mental health, gun violence, and opioid abuse, while making strides to reduce persistent and unacceptable health disparities\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.182) and $3 million for a new at-home drug deactivation and disposal demonstration and evaluation initiative\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p.93) supporting prevention efforts to address the increased rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and expanding access to essential services.\n\nAdvances equal treatment for women by increasing funding for the range of health services, including family planning, covered by Title X and repealing the discriminatory Hyde Amendment\n\nInvests in our federal trust and treaty responsibilities to provide for the health and education of Native Americans\n\nIncludes increases requested by McCollum for K-12 Indian Education, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Native language preservation, and the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country\n\nIncludes funding for McCollum Community Projects:\n\nFinishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest's Apprenticeship Pathways to Resolve Inequity for Access ($2 million)\n\nSt. Catherine University's Advancing Scientific Excellence Initiative ($800,000)\n\nEnergy and Water Development, and Related Agencies:\n\nFor 2022, the bill provides $53.226 billion, an increase of $1.474 billion above 2021.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nCreates tens of thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on deploying clean energy technologies and the green jobs of tomorrow in communities across the country\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with more than $14 billion of transformative investments in clean energy and science, which will help develop clean, affordable, and secure American energy\n\nRebuilds our nation's water infrastructure, critical to protecting communities from more frequent and severe storms and addressing the worsening drought\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 71) reminding the Army Corps of Engineers that the Upper St. Anthony Falls is a federal project eligible to compete for additional funding to address its deteriorating concrete wall\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 68) directing the Army Corps of Engineers to continue working with EPA on development of the Mississippi River Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (MRRRI). Also includes language directing the department to engage with the U.S. Geological Survey as they host the Mississippi River Science Forum and to contribute to the proceedings as a federal agency with relevant scientific expertise\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 97) in support of improving the coordination of federal efforts involved in growing and sustaining a robust national security workforce\n\nIncludes funding for a McCollum Community Project:\n\nDredging St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor ($500,000)\n\nFinancial Services and General Government:\n\nFor fiscal year 2022, the draft bill includes $29.1 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $4.8 billion over 2021.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nAssists small businesses and entrepreneurs through increased funding for the Small Business Administration and Community Development Financial Institutions\n\nProtects our democracy with Election Security Grants to ensure the integrity and safety of our elections\n\nRebuilds the Internal Revenue Service to finally crack down on big corporations and the wealthy who aren't paying their fair share and to provide better customer service to working families navigating the tax system\n\nSupports working and middle-class families by increasing funding for consumer protection activities at the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission\n\nConfronts the climate crisis by providing funding to start the transition of the Federal vehicle fleet to electric and zero emission vehicles\n\nIncludes McCollum-supported language (p. 96) protecting financial institutions that provide services to marijuana businesses, and supports updated guidance on federal agencies' consideration of potential employees' marijuana use\n\nIncludes funding for McCollum Community Projects:\n\nNeighborhood Development Center, St. Paul ($1 million)\n\nLocal Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Twin Cities Creative Placemaking, St. Paul ($1 million)\n\nMilitary Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies:\n\nThe 2022 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill provides $279.9 billion, an increase of $28.1 billion \u2013 more than 10 percent \u2013 above 2021. Of this amount, discretionary funding for programs such as veterans' health care and Military Construction totals $124.5 billion, an increase of $11.4 billion above 2021.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nSupports our veterans with investments in health care, including targeted investments that advance women's health, mental health, and homelessness assistance\n\nRebuilds our infrastructure with strong investments to construct critical facilities on military installations including family housing and child development centers, and build, repair, and retrofit Veterans Affairs facilities\n\nProtects our national security with investments to respond to the challenges posed by Russian and Chinese aggression\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with increased climate change and resiliency funding to help military installations adapt to rising sea levels and worsening natural disasters\n\nAddresses PFOA/PFOS contamination and funds environmental remediation efforts across current and previous DoD installations\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 54) to reinforce our commitment to our veterans who have been exposed to burn pits and other airborne hazards while deployed\n\nTransportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies:\n\nFor 2022, the bill provides funding of $84.1 billion, an increase of $8.7 billion \u2013 more than 11 percent \u2013 above 2021. This includes an increase of $6.8 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and $1.9 billion for the Department of Transportation. In total, the bill provides $162.6 billion in budgetary resources, an increase of $25.9 billion above 2021.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nCreates tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure with significant investments in airports, highways, transit, passenger rail, and port systems\n\nGrows opportunity through homeownership and rental assistance, including more than 125,000 new housing vouchers targeted to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and over 4,000 new units for seniors and persons with disabilities\n\nIncludes $10.6 billion for Community Planning and Development, including $3.7 billion for CDBG, $1.85 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and $50 million for a new down payment assistance program to help first-time, first-generation home buyers purchase a home\n\nIncludes language securing $29.2 billion for Tenant-based Rental Assistance to continue to serve more than 2.3 million very low- and extremely low-income households nationwide. This level of funding also includes $1 billion to expand housing assistance to more than 125,000 low-income families, including individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and survivors of domestic violence and veterans\n\nSupports the vulnerable with public housing safety, maintenance, and improvement investments, such as the remediation of lead paint and radon and installation of energy and water efficient systems\n\nPromotes safe transportation and housing with a skilled and growing workforce to conduct inspections, mitigate hazards, and study emerging threats and innovative solutions\n\nReduces emissions, increases resiliency, and addresses historical inequities in transportation and housing programs through targeted grants and investments\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 84) regarding addressing historical inequities in our nation's interstate highway system: \"The construction of our nation's interstate highway system was shaped by systemic racism. There are countless examples of interstate highways that were directly and purposefully routed through established minority communities, causing community upheaval, loss of homes and businesses, and deep psychological pain. The Committee encourages the Department of Transportation to address the systemic destruction of communities like these by prioritizing projects which reconnect neighborhoods cut off by historic investments in the interstate highway system and ensuring new projects increase opportunity, advance racial equity and environmental justice, and promote affordable access.\"\n\nIncludes funding for McCollum Community Projects:\n\nBruce Vento Trail ($1.3 million)\n\nCentral Greenway Regional Trail Improvements ($1 million)", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-passage-january-6-emergency-security-supplemental-funding", "McCollum Statement on Passage of January 6 Emergency Security Supplemental Funding Bill", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 3237, the Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act:\n\n\"On January 6, the National Guard was mobilized to protect the U.S. Capitol and defend our democracy from a violent insurrection,\" McCollum said. \"The Guard's mission lasted for five months \u2013 paid for by pulling forward funding that was scheduled to be spent in August and September. Though it took the Senate an additional two months to act, I am pleased that we have now passed a bill to provide the financial relief we owe the National Guard, that now heads to the president's desk for signature.\n\n\"Additionally, the supplemental provides funds for the Department of Defense and the Department of State to ensure the safety of translators and other Afghans and their families who provided vital assistance to the U.S. over the last 20 years. We have an obligation to these brave men and women, and this is the first step in a process to begin relocating our allies as our military departs the country.\n\n\"To the members of the U.S. Capitol Police, National Guard, and all those who responded to the attack on January 6: Thank you. Your bravery will not be forgotten.\"\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-passes-five-amendments-ten-community-projects-through-house", "Rep. Omar Passes Five Amendments, Ten Community Projects Through House", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar passed five amendments through the House of Representatives this week, along with ten community projects for Minnesota's 5th District.\n\nYou can view her floor speech on this here.\n\nThe provisions passed as part of the House Appropriations process, including the Seven-Bill Appropriations Minibus and the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (SFOPS).\n\n\"My priority as a Member of Congress has always been fighting to make life better for the families of Minnesota's 5th District, especially the most vulnerable,\" Rep. Omar said. \"I was proud to be able to take votes to deliver for my constituents today. Through the surface transportation and appropriations process, we have passed over $46 million in funding through the House for my district. Together, we have been able to pass multiple amendments that will move the needle on issues Minnesotans care about, from housing to education, economic development, First Amendment rights and more. It is also a reminder that we can propose bold solutions to the biggest challenges our country faces\u2014from the climate crisis to housing and healthcare affordability\u2014while also effectively securing amendments in major bills. That is what cogovernance on behalf of the 5th District looks like.\"\n\nThe amendments include a study on alternative measures of economic well-being, research into access to remittance payments to developing countries, preservation of public art related to civil rights protests, a study on the COVID-related economic barriers faced by manufactured homeowners and how federal housing assistance could better serve this population, and an amendment co-led with Rep. Pressley to study the impacts of discipline practices in K-12 remote education settings over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and a $5 million transfer to development assistance.\n\nAlong with Reps. Jayapal, Garcia and others, she also secured the issuance of over $2 trillion in Special Drawing Rights to help developing countries purchase much-needed imports of food, medicine, PPE, vaccines, and other essential goods. This would protect low-income countries from debt crises, balance-of-payments crises, and other economic hardships, as hunger and poverty have increased as the Delta variant's spread accelerates worldwide.\n\nThe bill also included all of Rep. Omar's community project funding requests. The projects include a $1 million investment in a food incubator at the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON), funding for a new Hennepin Healthcare Clinic on East Lake Street, skills training for clean energy careers, new workforce training in South Minneapolis, sprinkler updates for the Minnesota Public Housing Authority, funding for the Minneapolis American Indian Center, bike parks in Brooklyn Center, a new recreation and arts building in North Commons Park, updates to the Sabbathani community center, and funding for the Waadag Commons apartments in Seward.\n\nYou can view the Minibus amendments here, the SFOPS amendments here, and a full list below:\n\nMinibus:\n\n\u2022 Omar #134 an increase/decrease to encourage the Office of Macroeconomic Analysis to conduct a study on GPI and other alternate economic measures\n\n\u2022 Omar #135 an increase/decrease at FinCEN to encourage studying access to remittances to fragile countries and how shifts in remittance flows to non-banking channels is affecting Treasury's ability to monitor financial crimes and money transmitters' and charities' abilities to remit or transfer funds from the United States to such countries\n\n\u2022 Omar #170 an increase/decrease to ensure the NEA reserves grant funding for the preservation of public art related to civil rights protests\n\n\u2022 Omar #226 an increase/decrease to the Office of (10 Manufactured Housing Programs for the minutes) purposes of studying the COVID-related economic barriers faced by manufactured homeowners and how federal housing assistance could better serve this population\n\nSFOPS:\n\n\u2022 Omar #26 - $5m transfer from FMF to Development Assistance\n\nThe community projects include:\n\n1. NEON Food Entrepreneur Incubation Center - $1 million \u2013 Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n2. Brooklyn Center Health Initiative - $100k \u2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n3. Hennepin Healthcare East Lake Clinic Rebuild - $2 million \u2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n4. Skills Training for Clean Energy Careers - $1 million \u2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n5. Afro-LatinX Immigrant COVID-19 Workforce Re-Engagement - $1 million \u2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n6. Information about the project: Fire Protection Upgrades (Sprinklers) \u2013 $2 million \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n7. Minneapolis American Indian Center - $3 Million \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n8. North Commons Regional Vision - $2 Million \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n9. Sabathani Community Center Building Revitalization Project - $500k \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n10. Wadaag Commons - $1.8 Million \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-house-passage-fy-2022-legislative-branch-funding-bill", "McCollum Statement on House Passage of FY 2022 Legislative Branch Funding Bill", "2021-07-28", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released a statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4346, the FY 2022 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill:\n\n\"Today I voted for the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill to fund the U.S. House of Representatives, investing in the day-to-day operations and security of Congress to keep our democracy strong and vibrant and accessible to the people we serve,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"The investments in this bill make Congress more effective by increasing resources to recruit and retain a talented workforce that reflects the diverse tapestry of our nation. It also provides tools to make Congress more efficient by modernizing and updating technology. With these investments, Congress becomes more transparent by ensuring elected representatives and the committees they work on have access to objective data in developing budgets and legislation. This funding bill supports enhanced training and wellness opportunities for the U.S. Capitol Police following the January 6 attack. It also provides financial assistance to expand opportunities for more students of diverse backgrounds to seek internships in Congressional offices. This bill will help Congress better serve all of our constituents.\"\n\nFor fiscal year 2022, the bill appropriates a total of $4.802 billion, an increase of $581.9 million, or 13.8 percent over 2021.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nProtects our democracy with funding to make the U.S. Capitol and the Capitol complex more secure.\n\nProvides opportunities for enhanced training and wellness support for the Capitol Police, who were attacked on January 6\n\nStrengthens the work of the Legislative Branch in order to recruit and retain a talented and diverse workforce\n\nGrows opportunity by increasing funding for internships to support more interns who may not financially be able to take an unpaid position\n\nIncreases funding for the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, and the Congressional Research Service, which provides nonpartisan policy and legal analysis to Members of Congress and Congressional committees and provides information the public.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-statement-house-passage-fy-2022-state-and-foreign-operations-funding", "McCollum Statement on House Passage of FY 2022 State and Foreign Operations Funding Bill", "2021-07-28", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "July 28, 2021\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released a statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4373, the FY 2022 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill:\n\n\"This bill invests in global health, which will be especially important as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and seek to prevent future pandemics,\" McCollum said. \"Increased funding to improve child and maternal health, provide humanitarian assistance and reduce poverty, and protect wildlife and biodiversity amid the climate crisis are critical investments in our shared future. This bill will help create a more stable world for current and future generations.\"\n\nIn total, the bill provides $62.24 billion for diplomatic and development global humanitarian and national security priorities.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nSupports the world's most vulnerable with foreign assistance to meet urgent humanitarian needs, many of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and rebuilds the global public health infrastructure with a dramatic increase in funding for global health security to confront the current COVID-19 pandemic and prevent future pandemics:\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 50) securing $1.1 billion to help raise millions out of poverty by funding the Global Food Security Act, supporting Feed the Future's comprehensive approach to improve nutrition outcomes\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 48) ensuring 10% of funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is spent on supporting orphans and vulnerable children and reporting back on how that target is being met\n\nIncludes $225 million in aid for the West Bank and Gaza for community-based programs that provide for basic human needs, such as food, water, health, shelter, protection, education, and livelihoods, and that promote peace and development.\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 44) to strengthen global health systems\n\nAdvances women's rights by increasing funding for family planning, increasing United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) funding, and repealing restrictions on safe and legal abortion\n\nIncreases funding for USAID's Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program, which provides competitive grants to organizations like Books for Africa to ship goods overseas, and includes McCollum language (pg. 53) with a particular focus on educational materials\n\nUpholds the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty to protect shared international waters by including funding (pg. 32) requested by Rep. McCollum for the International Joint Commission to evaluate and monitor water quality in the Rainy River Drainage Basin to prevent violations of the treaty, and requiring reports back to Congress on the status of these efforts\n\nConfronts climate change with funding for global efforts to reduce emissions, including the Green Climate Fund\n\nIncludes McCollum language (p. 52) to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect biodiversity, and combat wildlife trafficking\n\nPromotes democracy with funding to support allies and partners of the United States, particularly to counter growing Chinese influence\n\nDirects the Department to ensure the safety of Afghans and their families who have provided valuable service to the U.S. and streamlining the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process\n\nThe text of the bill, H.R. 4373, is here. The Appropriations Committee's report accompanying the bill is here. A summary of the bill is here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-introduces-global-migration-agreement-act-and-stop-arming-human", "Rep. Omar Introduces the the Global Migration Agreement Act and Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act (SAHRAA)", "2021-07-27", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON -- Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) reintroduced the Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act (SAHRAA) and the Global Migration Agreement Act.\n\n\"I am a survivor of war, and I understand personally how it takes lives, shatters futures and tears apart families,\" Rep. Omar said. \"I also know the moral authority the United States carries on the world stage when we stand up for human rights. We have an opportunity to live up to these values, to ensure that no child lives through violent conflict like I did, and to mean what we say when it comes to championing human rights worldwide. That's why I am proud to introduce the Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act, to ensure that there are consequences to human rights abuses regardless of who commits them, and the Global Migration Agreement, to ensure that people displaced by conflict and climate change have a place to call home. America has led the world in standing up for human rights before. It's time for us to seize the mantle of leadership again.\"\n\nThe Global Migration Agreement Act lays out a long-term vision for American leadership on tackling the global migration crisis. It instructs the State Department and UN Ambassador to take the lead on creating a binding international migration agreement, and lays out the principles and rights on which such an agreement should be based. It acknowledges the insufficiency of current categories of forced displacement, the unfair burden taken on by countries like Sudan, Colombia, Niger, Jordan, and Bangladesh, and the particular vulnerability of women, girls, LGBT+ people, and other minorities. It also notes that every country has a role to play - the countries people are fleeing need to address root causes, the countries on the migrant trails need to have systems in place to protect vulnerable migrants, and countries where people arrive need to have plans for guaranteeing their human rights. You may read the full bill here.\n\nThe SAHRAA imposes universal human rights and humanitarian conditions on security cooperation with the United States. The bill establishes red lines based on internationally recognized gross violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law. It creates a bipartisan, independent commission modeled after the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that will be responsible for making recommendations about countries to list and delist under this law. Once a country is determined to have crossed those lines, it automatically triggers a prohibition on security aid of any kind, arms sales including those controlled by the Commerce Dept. (tear gas, etc.), and exchanges with U.S. law enforcement. At the same time, it requires the State Department to actively work with the country in question to enact transitional justice mechanisms for the victims. You may read the full bill here.\n\nPart of Rep. Omar's Pathway to Peace, the bills outline a bold progressive vision to rethink the country's approach to foreign policy by centering human rights, justice and peace as the pillars of America's engagement in the world, and making military action a last resort. The plan takes into account the experiences of people directly affected by conflict and the long-term consequences of U.S. militarism, acknowledges the damage done when we fail to live up to international human rights standards and is sincere about our values regardless of short-term political convenience.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-omar-bass-carson-tlaib-introduce-muslim-american-heritage-month", "Reps. Omar, Bass, Carson, Tlaib Introduce Muslim American Heritage Month Resolution", "2021-07-26", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Last week, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Rep. Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-IN), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize July as Muslim American Heritage Month, honoring their contributions throughout our country's history. The legislation was introduced after a constituent and local Los Angeles community organizer raised the idea of such a designation. Following introduction, the primary authors joined in issuing statements in support of the resolution.\n\n\"I'm proud to join my House colleagues in introducing this legislation to acknowledge and appreciate the numerous contributions and achievements of Muslim Americans \u2013 both throughout history and today,\" said Rep Bass (CA-37). \"We must also recognize and address the persistent discrimination and bigotry Muslim Americans have faced and continue to face in this country. This July, and all year long, we commit ourselves to combating prejudice and doing all we can to support Muslim American communities in California and across our nation.\n\n\"As a proud Muslim-American Member of Congress, I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution,\" said Rep. Andr\u00e9 Carson(IN-07). \"Muslim-Americans have played a major role in shaping our nation for centuries. This legacy is something we should celebrate and share. Designating July as Muslim-American Heritage Month is a wonderful opportunity to honor the trailblazers who came before us, thank the Muslim-Americans currently making history, and inspire the upcoming generations who will help lead our country into the future.\n\n\"Muslim Americans are an integral part of our nation's fabric,\" said Rep. Ilhan Omar(MN-05). \"As we continue to see an uptick in anti-Muslim hate, it is important we recognize the resiliency and accomplishments of Muslim Americans with a formal resolution. This resolution will provide an opportunity to foster religious tolerance nationwide and combat misinformation directed at the Muslim community.\"\n\n\"This resolution recognizes what millions of Muslim Americans like myself already know in our hearts \u2013 that we belong here and are a key part of what makes America,\" said Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13). \"The love and guidance we find in faith gives us the strength to push to make our country and our world a better place for all of us. Now more than ever it is important for Congress to recognize and honor the achievements, contributions and sacrifices of Muslim Americans in the face of rising anti-Muslim hate.\"\n\nThe full text of the newly introduced resolution can be read here.\n\nOriginal co-sponsors of H.Res. 541 include Congressman Carson, Congresswoman Omar, Congresswoman Tlaib, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51), Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), Congressman Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03), Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Congresswoman Marie Newman (IL-03), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY05), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-presses-administration-somalia-strategy", "Rep. Omar Presses Administration on Somalia Strategy", "2021-07-23", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "I am writing today to request more information on the airstrike that the United States carried out on July 20th, 2021, in Somalia. I know that your Administration is undergoing a review of the drone program, and I appreciate the seriousness with which you have approached the vexing legal, moral, and policy problem of the ongoing drone program.\n\nPublic reporting on Tuesday's strike indicates that the White House has rejected requests for other drone strikes in Somalia since you took office, but that AFRICOM assesses the White House didn't need to approve this strike because it was justified by \"collective self-defense.\"1\n\nAs you know, \"collective self-defense\" is a term with variable meanings in national and international law, and especially in the context of your ongoing review of airstrike authorities, its use merits further explanation in this case. This is also an important and timely matter since it seems suggestive of your Administration's broader approach to airstrikes in Somalia.\n\nI have been deeply engaged on this question throughout my time in Congress, not only focused on the legal merits of individual strikes, but on how our militarized counter-terrorism approach to Al-Shabaab fits into our overall strategy and policy towards Somalia. In that respect, it is noteworthy that this week also saw reporting on the family members of Somali civilians killed by airstrikes conducted under the Trump Administration being unable to contact U.S. authorities or receive the condolence payments for which Congress has repeatedly appropriated funds.2\n\nUnder the Trump Administration, airstrikes in Somalia increased dramatically with no apparent gains in either weakening Al-Shabaab, advancing Somali security and stability, or pursuing American interests in the region. On the contrary, the increase in strikes corresponded with an almost doubling of terrorist attacks on civilians committed by Al-Shabaab. It is critical that we realize we are not going to simply drone the Al-Shabaab problem to death, and that any kinetic action is part of a broader strategy focused first and foremost on the security of Somali people and the stability of the Somali state.\n\nI request a prompt response to the following questions. I am happy to make myself available for a classified briefing if necessary.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-omar-schakowsky-lead-letter-calling-creation-special-envoy-combat", "Reps. Omar, Schakowsky Lead Letter Calling for the Creation of Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia", "2021-07-21", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), along with 23 Members of Congress led a letter calling on Secretary of State, Antony Blinken to create a special envoy to combat Islamophobia. The letter addresses the rise in attacks against the Muslim community.\n\n\"Anti-Muslim hate is on the rise both here at home and around the world,\" Rep. Omar said. \"This year has seen over 500 incidents of hate in the U.S.\u2014and those are just the ones that have been reported. Last month, we witnessed a deadly attack wipe out three generations of a Muslim family in Canada. In countries around the world\u2014from China to India to Myanmar\u2014Muslim communities are being discriminated against. We must all stand united against this horrific rise in hate. I am proud to lead this letter with Congresswoman Schakowsky pursuing a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia, and am working legislation to formalize this position.\"\n\n\"Throughout the last decade we have seen an increase in violent Islamophobia around the globe \u2013 from the genocide of the Rohingya in Burma, and Uyghurs in China, to the attacks on Muslim refugees in Canada and New Zealand,\" said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). \"It is past time for the U.S. to establish a comprehensive plan for combatting this hatred worldwide, and that includes the creation of a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia. I am proud to join my friend and colleague Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in calling on the Administration to dedicate the resources necessary to ensure that human rights and religious and cultural freedom are respected around the world.\"\n\nThe letter calls for a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in combatting Islamophobia worldwide. The lawmakers are also asking Secretary Blinken to include state sponsored Islamophobic violence and impunity for Islamophobic violence in next year's annual human rights reports.\n\nThis letter comes after the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)'s new findings on the increase in anti-Muslim hate, including over 500 documented complaints in 2021 alone. This included a sudden rise in anti-mosque incidents in May and June involving cases of vandalism and an attempted stabbing, and several physical assaults targeting Muslim women wearing hijab (religious head covering). This also comes in the wake of a terror attack that killed three generations of a Canadian Muslim family in June\u2014and an increase in anti-Muslim repression around the world.\n\n\"As part of our commitment to international religious freedom and human rights, we must recognize Islamophobia as a pattern that is repeating in nearly every corner of the globe,\" the Members wrote. \"It is past time for the United States to stand firmly in favor of religious freedom for all, and to give the global problem of Islamophobia the attention and prioritization it deserves.\"\n\nThe letter was signed by Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Andr\u00e9 Carson, Karen Bass, Julia Brownley, Judy Chu, Emanuel Cleaver II, Steve Cohen, Mark DeSaulnier, Debbie Dingell, Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda, Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, Sara Jacobs, Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr., Mondaire Jones, Mike Levin, Alan Lowenthal, James P. McGovern, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Dean Phillips, Mark Pocan, Bobby L. Rush, Bradley Scott Schneider, and Adam Smith.\n\nA PDF of the letter can be found here and the full text of the letter is below.\n\nThe lawmakers will also hold a press conference on the letter that you can watch here.\n\nDear Secretary Blinken,\n\nJuly 20, 2021\n\nIn recent years, we have seen a dramatic increase in violent Islamophobia and the persecution of Muslims manifesting itself around the world. In its 2021 annual report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) identified three Countries of Particular Concern primarily for their treatment of Muslims. Several additional countries listed by USCIRF were identified as having patterns of mistreatment and human rights violations against either their entire Muslim populations or particular sects of Muslims. This includes several Muslim-majority countries.\n\nIn addition to state-sponsored policies of Islamophobia, we have seen a disturbing rise in incidents of Islamophobic violence committed by individuals connected to larger transnational white supremacist networks, including but by no means limited to the mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019 and the recent murder of a Muslim Canadian family in London, Ontario.\n\nAs part of our commitment to international religious freedom and human rights, we must recognize Islamophobia as a pattern that is repeating in nearly every corner of the globe. From the ongoing atrocity crimes being committed against Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma, to the significant restrictions on Muslim populations in India and Sri Lanka, to the stoking of Islamophobia by political actors that is leading to violence in North American and Europe, to the severe human rights violations against certain sects of Muslims in Pakistan and Bahrain, this is a genuinely global problem that the United States should tackle globally.\n\nFor this reason, we are writing to strongly urge you to appoint a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combatting Islamophobia, and to specifically include anti-Muslim violence per se in next year's annual human rights reports. It is past time for the United States to stand firmly in favor of religious freedom for all, and to give the global problem of Islamophobia the attention and prioritization it deserves.\n\nWe look forward to working together to pursue our shared values of religious freedom and human rights.\n\nSincerely,\n\nIlhan Omar\n\nJan Schakowsky\n\nRashida Tlaib\n\nAndr\u00e9 Carson\n\nKaren Bass\n\nJulia Brownley\n\nJudy Chu\n\nEmanuel Cleaver II\n\nSteve Cohen\n\nMark DeSaulnier\n\nDebbie Dingell\n\nJes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda\n\nRa\u00fal M. Grijalva\n\nSara Jacobs\n\nHenry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.\n\nMondaire Jones\n\nMike Levin\n\nAlan Lowenthal\n\nJames P. McGovern\n\nBill Pascrell, Jr.\n\nDean Phillips\n\nMark Pocan\n\nBobby L. Rush\n\nBradley Scott Schneider\n\nAdam Smith\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-and-house-appropriations-committee-democrats-approve-86-million", "McCollum and House Appropriations Committee Democrats Approve $86 Million for Priority Minnesota Projects", "2021-07-19", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, along with her Democratic colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee, have voted to advance dozens of priority community projects for Minnesota \u2013 totaling $86 million in federal funding. The community projects were requested by individual Democratic and Republican members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation.\n\n\"The Appropriations Committee is moving these critical bills forward to fund the federal government and at the same time, delivering for Minnesotans by investing in the priority needs of communities in districts represented by both Democrats and Republicans,\" McCollum said.\n\nAs the Dean of the Minnesota delegation and Minnesota's only member of the House Appropriations Committee, McCollum voted to approve all 12 fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills. Congressionally-directed projects were included in the appropriations bills for the first time since 2010.\n\nAll 10 requests from Rep. McCollum's office were included in the FY 2022 appropriations bills that have now been approved by the full Appropriations Committee, totaling $12 million to benefit Minnesota's Fourth District. More information here:\n\nTransportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill\n\nEnergy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Funding Bill\n\nCommerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Funding Bill\n\nLabor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Funding Bill\n\nFinancial Services and General Government Funding Bill\n\nRequests from Rep. Angie Craig's office (10), Rep. Tom Emmer's office (6), Rep. Ilhan Omar's office (10), Rep. Dean Phillips' office (10), and Rep. Pete Stauber's office (5) were also included in the Appropriations bills, which next head to the floor of the U.S. House for debate and approval:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-s-500000-community-project-request-st-paul-s-small-boat-harbor", "McCollum\u2019s $500,000 Community Project Request for St. Paul\u2019s Small Boat Harbor Included in Funding Bill", "2021-07-16", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2022 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Funding bill and report today, including a Community Project Funding (CPF) request made by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) to benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nProject: Dredging St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor ($500,000)\n\nProviding long overdue and critically needed dredging of the St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor, which will support and maintain effective emergency response services, and improve the overall poor conditions of the harbor. The St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor is on the lower end of Harriet Island in St. Paul, Minnesota. The natural fluctuations of both the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and subsequent silt buildup is of significant concern for not only the maritime operations of the St. Paul Fire Department, but for the overall safety of all those that travel its waterways. The Lower Harbor also provides a critical pool of affordable housing at a time when this resource is desperately needed.\n\n\"The St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor is a critical piece of our river infrastructure, and this funding for maintenance will ensure the Harbor can continue to be used by the St. Paul Fire Department for emergency response on and along the Mississippi River,\" Congresswoman McCollum said. \"I look forward to continuing to work to secure this funding and make this a reality.\"\n\n\"Federal funding for the Saint Paul Small Boat Harbor Project near Harriet Island will help maintain effective emergency response services and improve overall conditions of the harbor,\" said Ward 2 St. Paul City Councilmember Rebecca Noecker. \"Dredging the harbor is critically needed, and I look forward to continuing to work with Congresswoman McCollum on bringing these funds to our community.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nFor 2022, the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Funding Bill provides $53.226 billion, an increase of $1.474 billion above 2021. The legislation:\n\nCreates tens of thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on deploying clean energy technologies and the green jobs of tomorrow in communities across the country\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with more than $14 billion of transformative investments in clean energy and science, which will help develop clean, affordable, and secure American energy\n\nRebuilds our nation's water infrastructure, critical to protecting communities from more frequent and severe storms and addressing the worsening drought\n\nThe bill next heads to the floor of the U.S. House Floor for debate and approval.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-secures-38-million-community-projects-improve-regional-trails-and", "McCollum Secures $3.8 Million for Community Projects to Improve Regional Trails and Support New Americans", "2021-07-16", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2022 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill and report today, including two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) to benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District families by increasing access to the outdoors:\n\nProject: Bruce Vento Trail ($1,300,000)\n\nThis project request will provide final design and construction plans for a six-mile alternate regional trail alignment that is mainly outside of rail property on public land. These funds will also complete the last two undeveloped segments of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail from Buerkle Road to County Road J in the cities/township of Gem Lake, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Vadnais Heights in Ramsey County, Minnesota. Completing final design and construction documents will allow these last two segments to be shovel ready projects for implementation. This will complete a major gap in the Regional Bike Transportation Network and United States Bike Route 41 (USBR 41), provide critical connections to a proposed arterial bus rapid transit (BRT), and provide a multi-modal trail that does not exist today for pedestrian and bicycles in northern communities within Ramsey County.\n\nProject: Central Greenway Regional Trail Improvements ($1,000,000)\n\nThe Central Greenway Regional Trail project will improve the multiuse regional trail within Washington County, including new trail segments, pavement rehabilitation, and trailhead improvements. This project will provide improved regional and local pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to community destinations, improving accessibility, safety, and environmental conditions. Segments of the existing trail have passed their service life and are in need of pavement rehabilitation. New trail segments and trailheads are also needed to accommodate increased use and provide a safer experience for all.\n\n\"Federal funding to help complete the Bruce Vento Regional Trail through the Fourth District's northern communities will help connect bike commuters to critical transportation routes,\" Congresswoman McCollum said. \"Additionally, improvements to the Central Greenway Regional Trail will make it safer and more accessible for East Metro families to enjoy. Securing these projects in this funding bill is a critical first step in seeing these improvements come to fruition for the benefit of our community.\"\n\n\"We appreciate Rep. McCollum's efforts to secure funding for the Bruce Vento Trail Extension,\" said Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt. \"This popular trail provides transportation and recreation opportunities for people across the region and the extension will expand access in the northern part of the county. The federal partnership is key to making this happen and we are lucky to have Congresswoman McCollum fostering this investment in Ramsey County.\"\n\n\"Residents have shown they love our parks and trails. The Central Greenway project will help us connect communities and three premiere regional parks in Washington County, as well as foster lasing shifts toward equity and inclusion for all residents,\" said Washington County Board of Commissioners Chair Lisa Weik. \"We are grateful for the leadership and support of Representative McCollum to help make Washington County a great place to live, work, and play.\"\n\nCongresswoman McCollum secured funding for an additional community project in MN-04:\n\nProject: International Institute of Minnesota ($1,500,000)\n\nFounded in 1919, the International Institute of Minnesota helps New Americans successfully transition to new lives, build self-sufficiency and achieve economic independence. The Institute is recognized as a leader in programs for immigrants and refugees and is a national model for New American workforce development. To increase the number of New Americans served annually, as well as expand the number of career pathways for New Americans to pursue, the Institute is investing in a comprehensive renovation of its existing 18,000-square-foot-space and the addition of a 16,000+ square foot wing containing six new classrooms, interactive training labs, a welcoming and functional lobby and gathering spaces for clients and their families.\n\n\"International Institute of Minnesota's renovations will help more New Americans build successful futures \u2013 an effort I'm proud to support,\" Congresswoman McCollum said. \"I'll continue to work with the Institute to bring this funding to our community.\"\n\n\"This investment demonstrates Congresswoman McCollum's commitment to welcoming New Americans to Minnesota and building the workforce system in our state,\" said Jane Graupman, executive director of the International Institute of Minnesota. \"The Institute has been helping immigrants and refugees settle in Minnesota for over 100 years \u2013 contributing to the rich cultural diversity and economic prosperity that has fueled Minnesota's past and will catalyze our future.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nFor 2022, the T-HUD bill provides funding of $84.1 billion, an increase of $8.7 billion \u2013 more than 11 percent \u2013 above 2021. This includes an increase of $6.8 billion is for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and $1.9 billion for the Department of Transportation. In total, the bill provides $162.6 billion in budgetary resources, an increase of $25.9 billion above 2021. The legislation:\n\nCreates tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure with significant investments in airports, highways, transit, passenger rail, and port systems\n\nGrows opportunity through homeownership and rental assistance, including more than 125,000 new housing vouchers targeted to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and over 4,000 new units for seniors and persons with disabilities\n\nSupports the vulnerable with public housing safety, maintenance and improvement investments, such as the remediation of lead paint and radon and installation of energy and water efficient systems\n\nPromotes safe transportation and housing with a skilled and growing workforce to conduct inspections, mitigate hazards, and study emerging threats and innovative solutions\n\nReduces emissions, increases resiliency, and addresses historical inequities in transportation and housing programs through targeted grants and investments\n\nThe bill next heads to the floor of the U.S. House Floor for debate and approval.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-community-projects-totaling-29-million-public-safety-included-funding", "McCollum Community Projects Totaling $2.9 Million For Public Safety Included in Funding Bill", "2021-07-15", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill and report today, including two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) to benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nProject: Saint Paul Police Department Portable Radio Replacement ($2,000,000)\n\nThe replacement of 600 end-of-life police portable radios is necessary for the City of St. Paul to maintain the ability to effectively respond to public safety needs and sustain interoperable communications among the first responder network within the city and among mutual-aid communities. This project will assist with the most critical SPPD need: replacing 600 radios used by sworn officers to investigate, respond to, and prevent crime in the community. This federal funding would be partnered with additional funding procured by the City to sustain the communications necessary to protect and serve the community.\n\nProject: Ramsey County Community Violence Prevention Project ($900,000)\n\nMultiple-focused deterrence efforts must be made to proactively engage young people caught up in violence with robust resources, including 24/7 support delivered by trusted community members. The county envisions an effort co-led with our community, aligning City and County resources, to invest in dedicated staff capacity to advance this work, along with a community-based infrastructure of 24/7 support coaches and flexible funding to meet the immediate safety and wellness needs of people involved in serious violence.\n\n\"Bringing federal taxpayer dollars back into the Fourth District for projects that will boost our community safety needs will benefit our neighbors and our families,\" Congresswoman McCollum said. \"This funding will help ensure St. Paul Police officers have the equipment needed to communicate quickly and effectively in responding to emergencies. The Ramsey County Community Violence Prevention Project will employ a community-led effort and provide 24/7 support to help those involved in serious violence. I look forward to continuing to work with the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County to advance these projects in Congress.\"\n\n\"In an emergency, every second counts and communication is critically important,\" said St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell. \"Police radios help officers respond more quickly to people in need and share vital information that keeps our community and our first responders safe. Thanks to Rep. McCollum and the Commerce, Justice & Science Subcommittee, Saint Paul's guardians will have the best tools available as they work to protect the peace and maintain public safety in Minnesota's capital city.\"\n\n\"We commend Congresswoman McCollum for making it a high priority to help us address the uptick in gun violence and violent crime our community has been experiencing, like many others across our country, during the global pandemic and recognizing the need for comprehensive public health approaches to reduce the violence, said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. \"In partnership with our community, law enforcement, and City and County leaders, we will utilize this federal assistance to invest in proven ways to prevent and intervene in violent crime. We are grateful for Congresswoman McCollum's leadership and this critical step forward in reducing violence, engaging our community, and saving lives.\"\n\n\"The Community Violence Prevention Project, with its community-based focus, highlights Minnesota as a leader in working with our residents to reduce violence,\" said Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter. \"Successfully decreasing violence in our community through data-driven, evidence-based and focused deterrence strategies will benefit everyone who lives, works, and plays in Ramsey County. We are so thankful to Congresswoman McCollum for partnering in this important work.\"\n\nOverall, for FY 2022, the Commerce-Justice-Science funding bill provides $81.3 billion, an increase of $10.2 billion above the current 2021 funding level. The legislation:\n\nCreates good-paying American jobs with investments in economic development in distressed communities with support for small businesses, including small- and medium- sized American manufacturers\n\nSupports safer communities with funding for local law enforcement while bolstering police and criminal justice reform and expanding gun violence prevention efforts\n\nAddresses gender-based violence with strong increases for Violence Against Women Act prevention and prosecution programs, as well as efforts to reduce the backlog of unprocessed rape kits\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with strong funding for climate resilience and research at NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science Foundation\n\nThe bill next heads to the floor of the U.S. House Floor for debate and approval.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-secures-28-million-community-projects-boosting-local-workforce-funding", "McCollum Secures $2.8 Million for Community Projects Boosting Local Workforce in Funding Bill", "2021-07-15", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill and report today, including two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) to benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nProject: Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest's Apprenticeship Pathways to Resolve Inequity for Access ($2,000,000)\n\nExpanding a workforce pipeline of middle and high school students, high school graduates, and other young adult candidates for construction, manufacturing, and industrial Registered Apprenticeship programs through partnerships with community organizations, public and charter school educators, employers, associations, unions, and advocacy groups in order to target underserved populations in Minnesota's 4th district.\n\nProject: St. Catherine University's Advancing Scientific Excellence Initiative ($800,000)\n\nProviding critical technology and equipment upgrades to Mendel Hall, ready to execute upon receipt of funds, that will vastly enhance student learning and research experience for women undergraduate students in STEM fields. As a Minority Serving Institution whose student body is 94% women, 42% of whom identify as BIPOC, the university seeks to deliver premier education and training in the sciences to address the underrepresentation of women and people of color in STEM education and professions. These equipment and technological upgrades will support efforts to meet the growing demand both locally and nationally for diverse research teams to drive scientific innovation and discovery.\n\n\"This is a critical first step to bringing back federal taxpayer dollars to Minnesota's Fourth District to increase access to apprenticeships and STEAM-related careers throughout our community,\" Congresswoman McCollum said. \"These projects will expand workforce development opportunities to a wider range of communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest and St. Catherine University to continue advancing this funding.\"\n\n\"The funding secured by Congresswoman McCollum in the Labor Health and Human Services appropriations bill for Fiscal year 2022 will provide critical resources to support FTI-UM in building a sustainable pipeline of new candidates for registered apprenticeships,\" said Jeff Stark, District Council 82 and Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest's Board of Trustees Co-Chair. \"This project continues the expansion of a diversity driven workforce development project targeting underserved populations in Minnesota. 47.6% of FTIUM apprentices are women and/or people of color. The Congresswoman's leadership to secure funding builds on the school's success at providing equity to future career candidates and the ability to have sizeable impact on the underserved communities in the twin cities, Greater Minnesota, and Western Wisconsin. We look forward to our continued partnership with Congresswoman McCollum and are grateful for her investment in this critical project.\"\n\n\"Providing women access to an education in the sciences is vital to our world and why the sciences are a core part of a St. Catherine education,\" said President of St. Catherine University Becky Roloff. \"As one of only six women's institutions that is designated a minority serving institution, this project will prepare a diverse pipeline of women for impactful scientific careers and meets the growing demand for female professionals in STEM fields locally and nationally. We are thrilled that Representative McCollum shares our commitment to diverse women scientists and has included critical scientific equipment upgrades at St. Kate's as one of her Community Project Funding requests.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nFor 2022, the LHHS bill provides $253.8 billion, an increase of $55.2 billion \u2013 28 percent \u2013 above 2021. With this historic increase, the legislation:\n\nCreates and sustains good-paying American jobs through investments in job training, apprenticeship programs, and worker protection\n\nGrows opportunity with transformative investments in education, including record funding for high-poverty schools and students with disabilities, and strong increases for programs that expand access to post-secondary education\n\nSupports middle class and working families with increased funding for child care and development programs, Head Start, and preschool development grants\n\nStrengthens lifesaving biomedical research with increased funding for the National Institutes of Health, including funding to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health\n\nBolsters our public health infrastructure with more resources for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for states and local governments to strengthen infrastructure and capacity\n\nAddresses our nation's most urgent health crises, including maternal health, mental health, gun violence, and opioid abuse, while making strides to reduce persistent and unacceptable health disparities\n\nAdvances equal treatment for women by increasing funding for the range of health services, including family planning, covered by Title X and repealing the discriminatory Hyde Amendment\n\nThe bill next heads to the floor of the U.S. House Floor for debate and approval.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-ilhan-omar-applauds-governor-walz-decision-protecting-lgbtq-youth", "Rep. Ilhan Omar Applauds Governor Walz Decision Protecting LGBTQ+ Youth from Conversion Therapy", "2021-07-15", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014 Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement today after Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 21-25 to protect LGBTQ+ from the harmful practice of conversion therapy.\n\n\"I applaud Governor Walz for this decision, which will change the lives of so many LGBTQ+ kids. So-called \"conversion therapy\" practices are based on the false claim that being LGBTQ+ is a mental illness, hateful views have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades. The UN has likened this to torture.\n\n\"It was a honor to help carry this bill when I was in the Minnesota House of Representatives. And I am especially grateful for the advocacy of leaders like Minnesota Sen. Scott Dibble and Wil Bernstrom, who told me about the horror he went through with conversion therapy as a child.\n\n\"Wil's advocacy and the advocacy of so many brave young people have brought us to this moment. It's a proud day for Minnesota and hope the rest of the country follows suit.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-advances-over-14-million-funding-minnesotas-5th-district", "Rep. Omar Advances Over $14 Million in Funding for Minnesota\u2019s 5th District", "2021-07-14", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) advanced nine new community projects for Minnesota's 5th District this week through the House appropriations process. The projects include funding for a new Hennepin Healthcare Clinic on East Lake Street, skills training for clean energy careers, new workforce training in South Minneapolis, sprinkler updates for the Minnesota Public Housing Authority, funding for the Minneapolis American Indian Center, bike parks in Brooklyn Center, a new recreation and arts building in North Commons Park, updates to the Sabbathani community center, and funding for the Waadag Commons apartments in Seward.\n\nThis comes after Rep. Omar advanced over $30 million in transportation funding for her district last week, and announced an $1 million investment in food incubators at the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) last week, bringing the total funding for the 5th District to $46.9 million in the appropriations and surface transportation process.\n\n\"I believe in cogovernance,\" said Rep. Omar. \"Every day I fight to make sure that people from all corners of the 5th District have a shot at the American Dream. And this funding will go a long way to making that possible. The projects invest in the communities that were hit the hardest by both the pandemic and social unrest in the past year by addressing joblessness and housing insecurity. They also invest in the clean energy jobs of the future, and provide funding for updated sprinkler systems so that we can avoid deadly fires like the Cedar-Riverside high-rise fire of 2019. I will continue to fight to make sure Minnesotans have the resources they need to thrive.\"\n\nThe projects include:\n\n1. NEON Food Entrepreneur Incubation Center - $1 million \u2013 Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n2. Brooklyn Center Health Initiative - $100k \u2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n3. Hennepin Healthcare East Lake Clinic Rebuild - $2 million \u2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n4. Skills Training for Clean Energy Careers - $1 million \u2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n5. Afro-LatinX Immigrant COVID-19 Workforce Re-Engagement - $1 million \u2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n6. Information about the project: Fire Protection Upgrades (Sprinklers) \u2013 $2 million \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n7. Minneapolis American Indian Center - $3 Million \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n8. North Commons Regional Vision - $2 Million \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n9. Sabathani Community Center Building Revitalization Project - $500k \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.\n\n10. Wadaag Commons - $1.8 Million \u2013 Transportation, And Housing And Urban Development, And Related Agencies Subcommittee\n\nYou can find more information about the project here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/appropriations-committee-approves-fiscal-year-2022-defense-funding-bill", "Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Funding Bill", "2021-07-13", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2022 Defense bill on a 33-23 vote.\n\nFor 2022, the bill provides funding of $705.939 billion, a modest 1.4 percent increase over the current budget for 2021. This increase reflects President Biden's budget request and has been endorsed by the Secretary of Defense. In total, the bill provides overall funding of $706.453 billion in discretionary and mandatory funding. The legislation:\n\nProtects our national security, preserves our domestic advanced manufacturing base to support jobs and economic growth, and invests heavily in research and development with funding recommended by the Secretary of Defense\n\nSupports working families by providing a 2.7 percent pay raise to all 2.1 million uniformed U.S. service members and approximately 750,000 civilian Defense Department employees, and by requiring contractors to pay a $15 per hour minimum wage\n\nCloses the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, eliminates the Overseas Contingency Operations budget gimmick, and limits United States involvement in Yemen\n\nPromotes democracy by countering China with strong funding to protect a free and open Indo-Pacific\n\nProvides for the transport and safe passage of Afghans who have provided faithful and valuable service to the United States and who are under serious threat\n\nConfronts the climate crisis with historic investments for clean energy and climate adaptation to protect facilities, readiness, and global security\n\nAddresses gender-based violence with funding to tackle sexual assault in the military and directs DoD to address extremist ideologies, including white supremacy.\n\n\"Democrats have landed on a responsible funding level for the Department of Defense that maintains a strong national security posture today, while making important investments in modernization that will make us even stronger in the years to come,\" said Defense Subcommittee Chair Betty McCollum (D-MN-04). \"Across the country, millions of jobs are funded by this bill. These are jobs in all Congressional Districts \u2013 union jobs in industry, manufacturing, small businesses, as well as jobs in scientific research and academia. Whether in cyber, or advanced manufacturing, or clean energy or climate change \u2013 this bill will support a high-tech, high skilled workforce of the future. To be clear: this bill is about people, it is about quality of life, it is about American jobs, and it is about America's leadership role in the world.\"\n\n\"The Defense Appropriations bill provides resources requested by the Secretary of Defense to protect our national security, maintain a strong industrial base to support good paying jobs, and counter the rising threats from our adversaries, including China,\" Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. \"As it protects our nation, it also honors the soldiers and civilians who serve and support our nation's military by providing for them and their families. This includes strong funding to combat sexual assault in the military, a serious and pervasive problem that for too long has been overlooked by the Pentagon.\"\n\nThe following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:\n\nRep. McCollum \u2013 The manager's amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.\n\nRep. Lee #1 \u2013 This amendment repeals the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.\n\nRep. Lee #2 \u2013 This amendment repeals the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-omar-announces-1-million-community-project-funding-northside-economic", "Rep. Omar Announces $1 Million in Community Project Funding for Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON)", "2021-07-06", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Ilhan Omar", "O000173", "omar.house.gov", "omar", "https://omar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) today announced a $1 million community project funding proposal she advanced in the House appropriations process this year for the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON). NEON is a North Minneapolis nonprofit whose mission is to build wealth for low to moderate income entrepreneurs. Its vision is to transform North Minneapolis into a prosperous, visible, sustainable, and highly diverse multi-cultural community of entrepreneurs. And together, we can invest in the people of the Northside.\n\n\"Just yesterday, the House passed the surface transportation bill, which included over 30 million dollars in funding for light rail transit and BRT funding throughout the 5th District, including the Northside,\" Rep. Omar said. \"And today, I am very excited to announce one million dollars in community project funding for NEON, which my office successfully advanced in the Appropriations process\u2014and we expect to pass the House in the coming weeks and months. These funds will support the development of a Food Business Incubator for use by food entrepreneurs enrolled in NEON's Food Business Incubator Program, which served over food businesses in 2020 alone. Over 40% of NEON's 1,000 plus clients are food entrepreneurs who do not currently have access to affordable commercial kitchen space in Minneapolis.\n\n\"This access is crucial not only for ensuring the success of these entrepreneurs but also for providing much needed goods and services to the Northside community, which is the fifth largest food desert in the nation. I have experienced hunger myself. And I know how critical it is to make sure that people have healthy, reliable and affordable food options. The requested $1 million will support the development of a Food Business Incubator for use by food entrepreneurs enrolled in NEON's renowned Food Business Incubator Program, which served 540 food businesses in 2020. Founded in 2006, NEON exists to overcome systemic disinvestment in North Minneapolis by supporting the entrepreneurship of their clients who are 90% people of color and 80% African American. Over 40% of NEON's 1,000+ clients are food entrepreneurs who do not currently have access to affordable commercial kitchen space in Minneapolis - this access is crucial not only for ensuring the success of these entrepreneurs but also for providing much needed goods and services to the Northside community, which is the fifth largest food desert in the nation.\"\n\nThe funding will be included in the 2022 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. You can view all the community project funding here. The inclusion of this funding in the Appropriations Committee draft bill is the first step in the funding process. The bill then moves to the full Appropriations Committee, consideration on the House Floor, and the Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-secures-52-million-reconnect-rondo-part-house-democrats-invest-america", "McCollum Secures $5.2 Million for ReConnect Rondo As Part of House Democrats\u2019 INVEST in America Act", "2021-07-01", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) helped pass the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act, which includes three critical projects in St. Paul: $5.2 million in federal funding for ReConnect Rondo, $6.9 million for the Rice Street Revitalization Project, and $7.5 million for the Kellogg-Third Street Bridge. The $715 billion INVEST in America Act makes transformational investments in America's highways, roads, bridges, transit, rail, and water infrastructure to create jobs, modernize our infrastructure, ensure public safety, and reduce carbon pollution. 219 Democrats and two Republicans voted in favor of this bill, which is an important first step to realizing the vision President Biden and Vice President Harris have set for a major investment in modernizing America's infrastructure.\n\n\"Minnesotans have been waiting far too long for a major federal investment in the vital transportation infrastructure we all depend on every day, and with this bill, Democrats are delivering,\" Rep. McCollum said. \"By targeting funding for important projects in St. Paul like Rice Street and the Kellogg Bridge, I want to help our local government partners get started. And for St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood, more than $5 million in funding will start the process of reconnecting Rondo with MnDOT and healing a historic injustice that divided one of America's most vibrant Black communities with the construction of I-94. Democrats are leading with this federal funding from the INVEST in America Act to create opportunities for economic development and community revitalization. With this bill, we are on the right track to promote ReConnect Rondo's vision for a brighter future and create economic opportunity for all in the 21st century and beyond.\"\n\n\"Our ability to fully invest in a sustainable, multimodal, and safe transportation system for future generations depends on federal support,\" said Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher. \"We also know that we have work to do to repair the wrongs of the past and better serve our communities. The projects included in the INVEST in America Act will help MnDOT and our local partners deliver on these promises and we are grateful for the bipartisan support.\"\n\n\"Over the past year, the nation has developed a greater understanding of the harm done to Rondo, and more than 1200 other black communities across the country \u2013 but the question remains: how do we heal and, together, move forward?\" asked Mary K. Boyd, descendent of Rondo and board member for ReConnect Rondo. \"Here is our answer \u2013 with infrastructure funding, we can take a major step forward to build a bridge to better for future generations.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nCongresswoman McCollum successfully secured funding for three Member-Designated Projects within the INVEST in America Act to benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:\n\nReconnect Rondo, $5,200,000 - Funds to be used for planning phase to identify needs, issues and alternatives to determine critical elements, including equity in transportation outcomes (social, economic, environmental) allowing for important and necessary analysis and environmental screening; project management, area planning and design, project assessment, market research, financial evaluation, community outreach, restorative development modeling and redevelopment programming.\n\nRice Street Revitalization Project, $6,864,000 - The project includes final design, environmental documentation and construction of Rice Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Wheelock Parkway, located in the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. The Rice Street revitalization project prioritizes improving the following: Safety, Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities, traffic operations, and Environmental Justice.\n\nKellogg-Third Street Bridge, $7,500,000 - The project will reconstruct the Third Street Bridge from Broadway St to Mounds Blvd. The construction project will cost approximately $70 million and involves demolition of the current structure and reconstruction of piers, abutments, beams, bridge deck, railings, parapets and approach roadways. The Third Street Bridge is the proposed route for Gold Line BRT as it enters downtown Saint Paul, en route to the Union Depot transportation hub. The City will coordinate with its regional partners to improve traffic signal and intersection accommodations for BRT as part of this project.\n\nRead more on how the INVEST in America Act would:\n\nCreate Jobs and Restore Our Global Competitiveness\n\nInvest in Underserved, Low-Income, and Rural Communities\n\nTackle Climate Change\n\nIncrease Safety and Support Alternative Transportation\n\nAdditional Resources on the INVEST in America Act:\n\nFact Sheet\n\nFAQs\n\nFunding Highlights\n\nWebsite: https://transportation.house.gov/invest-in-america\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 209, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "MN", "p2": "2021"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MN&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 209, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MN&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 209, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MN&year=2021&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MN&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "MN", "label": "MN", "count": 209, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MN&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "2021", "label": "2021", "count": 209, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MN", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2021-07-01,https~3A~2F~2Fmccollum~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fmccollum-secures-52-million-reconnect-rondo-part-house-democrats-invest-america", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MN&year=2021&_next=2021-07-01%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fmccollum~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fmccollum-secures-52-million-reconnect-rondo-part-house-democrats-invest-america&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 183.76500718295574, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}