Betty Mccollum — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Minnesota, 2026

Representative Betty McCollum voted against H.R. 7148 and H.R. 7147, the Consolidated Appropriations Act and Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026. She opposes additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol until transparent oversight and constraints on force are established, citing alleged violations of Minnesotans' constitutional rights. McCollum advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, securing borders, and establishing a process for immigrants to earn legal status, along with the admission of vetted refugees. She also supports funding critical DHS functions like FEMA and cybersecurity.

“I cannot in good conscience support additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security at a time when ICE and Border Patrol agents are routinely violating Minnesotans’ constitutional rights. I will not vote for additional DHS funding until it includes transparent oversight, including joint investigations with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions, and puts constraints on the use of force by ICE and Border Patrol agents. — Betty McCollum, statement following vote on Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, February 3, 2026”

Congresswoman Betty McCollum opposes efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), weaken Medicaid, or endanger Medicare, emphasizing the need for affordable healthcare. She voted Nay on H.R. 6703, the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act," stating it fails to address affordability. McCollum supports creating a public option, addressing health disparities, lowering prescription drug costs, and ensuring access to mental and behavioral health services, proposing an amendment to enshrine a constitutional right to healthcare.

“In Congress, I strongly oppose efforts to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act, weaken Medicaid for vulnerable Americans, or endanger Medicare for seniors today and in the future. I strongly support creating a public option in our health care system, efforts to address health disparities, and policies that will address the rise of prescription drug costs. We must also do more to ensure all Americans have access to mental and behavioral health services. To fulfill our goal of a true universal health care system, I have proposed the America's Right to Health Care Amendment, which would enshrine a fundamental right to health care in our Constitution. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, statement following House vote on six-month continuing resolution, http://mccollum.house.gov/issues/health-care”

Betty McCollum is a strong supporter of action on climate change and serves on the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. She advocates for full funding for environmental protections and opposes efforts to weaken clean air, water, and conservation laws to protect public health. McCollum supports strategic investments in clean energy infrastructure, research, and education, rather than fossil fuels. She received an endorsement from the Sierra Club for her 2024 re-election.

“The environment—our air, our water, our land—is a sacred trust that we must protect and preserve for ourselves and future generations. Today, our planet is in peril because of climate change, which is already affecting Minnesotans and Americans. (Congresswoman Betty McCollum, mccollum.house.gov/issues/environment)”

Betty McCollum consistently opposes restrictive abortion legislation, voting against measures like the H.R. 4016 Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026 due to problematic reproductive healthcare riders. She also voted against the SAVE America Act (S. 1383), expressing concerns it could disenfranchise women. McCollum strongly opposes a national abortion ban and numerous bills that would limit reproductive access, emphasizing her commitment to defending women's reproductive freedom on the federal level.

““Now that places like Kansas are deciding to protect reproductive rights, extreme Republicans are proposing a national abortion ban to control women,” McCollum said. “We must keep fighting to #DefendWomensRights & reproductive rights.” (McCollum, Twitter, Sept. 13, 2022, via minnesotareformer.com)”

Betty McCollum opposed H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA). She cited concerns about efforts to diminish the achievements of minorities and women in the military. McCollum also supported war powers resolutions H. Con. Res. 61 and H. Con. Res. 64, aiming to limit presidential military actions without congressional authorization. Furthermore, she criticized President Trump’s rescissions package that defunded international development.

“As I told Secretary Hegseth last month, we have witnessed a deliberate effort by the Trump administration to silence and diminish the achievements of minorities and women in the military. Their dedication, heroism, and sacrifices, on behalf of our nation deserve recognition – not erasure. As a former history teacher, I know that acknowledging uncomfortable truths about our own history is the only way we move forward together. Since World War II, the Department of Defense has made great strides in building a military that is more reflective of the population of the nation it defends. That should be celebrated – not reversed. That is how we build a more perfect union – together. [...] I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026." - Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member McCollum Floor Remarks on 2026 Defense Bill (http://democrats-appropriations.house.gov/news/statements/ranking-member-mccollum-floor-remarks-2026-defense-bill)”

Representative Betty McCollum has consistently voted against legislation she believes would negatively impact education. She opposed H.R. 1048, stating it would place burdensome requirements on higher education institutions. Additionally, she strongly opposed H.R. 5894, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, arguing it would decimate education spending and harm low-income workers and college students. She also voted against H.J. Res 45, which sought to overturn the pause on federal student loan payments and block student debt relief.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5894, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill before us today is unprecedented in many unfortunate ways. This bill makes devastating cuts across some of our most vital government agencies; it decimates education spending, abandons low-income workers and college students, stifles medical innovation, and harms women’s health. (Betty McCollum, mccollum.house.gov/issues/education)”

Betty McCollum is a strong proponent of sensible gun violence prevention legislation. Her stance is aimed at ensuring the safety and security of families and communities.

“I am a strong proponent of sensible gun violence prevention legislation to keep our families and communities safe. (Congresswoman Betty McCollum, statement following a vote on H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, http://mccollum.house.gov/issues/civil-rights-justice)”