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Congresswoman Betty McCollum Commends Governor Walz’s Executive Order Banning Mining Near the Boundary Waters

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D), the Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement on Tuesday in response to Governor Tim Walz’s executive order banning mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA): 

“I commend Governor Walz’s bold leadership in issuing this executive order that protects the pristine waters of the Boundary Waters and its watershed, and honors our Tribal treaty obligations for generations to come. Now Congress needs to act to pass my legislation, the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act (H.R. 588) to provide a permanent federal protection for this national treasure. The Boundary Waters holds 20% of all the fresh water in the U.S. National Forest System — water so clean you can drink it. The danger of copper mining to our clean water is clear and overwhelming: 100% of copper mines have failed, leading to polluted water. The wildfires that have raged in the BWCA this summer remind us just how vulnerable this area is. That’s why I’ve worked for two decades to defend this special place, our nation’s most-visited wilderness, just as we protect our nation’s most coveted national parks —Yosemite, Zion, Acadia, and Glacier.”

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Representatives McCollum and Thompson Reintroduce Resolution to Recognize National Nonprofit Day

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) introduced a bipartisan resolution on Monday to designate August 17 as National Nonprofit Day, recognizing the 1.3 million nonprofit organizations and 12 million nonprofit employees in the U.S. who serve local, national, and international needs.

“Nonprofits are the backbone of our communities and our economy,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “They employ more than 12 million Americans — including 370,000 Minnesotans — and deliver the services families rely on every day, from food shelves to after-school programs to elder care. By officially recognizing National Nonprofit Day, we honor the people who show up for their neighbors and make sure this sector has the support it needs to keep doing that work.”

“Pennsylvania’s nonprofit organizations make up more than 15% of the Commonwealth’s workforce, which translates into positive investments in our communities,” Rep. Thompson said. “We have joined together to designate August 17 as National Nonprofit Day in order to honor the generosity and service of these great organizations.”

In addition to introducing this resolution recognizing National Nonprofit Day, Congresswoman McCollum has long worked in partnership with nonprofit organizations to strengthen the sector and its relationship with the federal government through the Nonprofit SEAT Act. The legislation is designed to facilitate mechanisms for nonprofits to have a more direct voice in policy decisions that affect their work and the communities they serve.

Read the text of the National Nonprofit Day resolution here.

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Congresswoman McCollum Statement on Servicemembers Aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

Congresswoman Betty McCollum: “President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are Failing American Servicemembers Aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln”

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on Friday amid reports of poor living conditions on board the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln because of the extended deployment of American servicemembers in the Arabian Sea. 

“I have been demanding answers from the Pentagon for weeks about the conditions not only on the U.S.S. Lincoln, but also the U.S.S. Ford,” said Ranking Member McCollum. “Once again, this week, I requested information from the Pentagon about the conditions aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln including how a food shortage, substandard sanitation, and no port time has led to low morale and a mental health crisis for some service members.

“Secretary Hegseth’s leadership of the Department of Defense has been nonexistent, and President Trump’s rudderless foreign policy has set our nation back severely. President Trump’s reckless decision to withdraw from the JCPOA, negotiated by President Obama, had an immediate destabilizing effect on the Middle East. In his second term, President Trump has managed to turn a bad situation into a dangerous one by starting a war without a strategy and declaring victory prematurely. Servicemembers have died. The Trump Administration has spent billions of dollars. The strait of Hormuz was once open; it is now effectively closed by Iran. This is not a success story. It is a failure of leadership.

“I am grateful for the service of all the women and men aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln, as well as all American servicemembers deployed in the Middle East and around the world, whether at sea or on land. Our great men and women in uniform make our nation proud.”

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Congresswoman McCollum Statement on Suspected Iranian Involvement in Attack on Minnesota’s Water Infrastructure

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

“Minnesota’s governments and businesses must prepare themselves to thwart further attacks by nation-states,” warns the Congresswoman

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on Thursday in response to reporting from the New York Times indicating that investigators suspect that Iranian hackers were behind the cyberattacks on dozens of Minnesota’s municipal water systems earlier this week:

“This incident demonstrates that Minnesota’s municipalities, businesses, and residents must be prepared not only to ward off cybersecurity threats from cybercriminals, but also from terrorist organizations and nation-states,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “It also shows the urgent need for the federal government to advance critical cybersecurity measures to protect small businesses, large enterprises, and local governments by providing state-of-the-art defensive measures to defend against malicious attacks by bad actors who intend to sow chaos and extract ransom. I have worked closely with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in partnership with Metro State University to ensure that our communities are prepared to protect themselves from these attacks, and I will continue to aggressively pursue funding and resources to support defensive measures for Minnesota’s businesses and municipalities.”

“Cybersecurity is inseparable from public safety. Although no contamination or public health impacts have been reported, this attack demonstrates the risks posed when malicious actors gain access to the operational technology that supports essential water and wastewater services,” said Faisal Kaleem, Director and Professor of Cybersecurity, Metro State University. “Minnesota’s communities need trained cybersecurity professionals, secure systems, affordable continuous monitoring, and strong partnerships among federal, state, local, and educational institutions. Metro State University is committed to helping build that resilience through education, workforce development, and partnerships that strengthen the critical infrastructure Minnesotans depend on every day.”

“As these attacks become increasingly common, leaders at every level of government are working tirelessly with academic and industry partners for our common defense in the cyber domain, improving information sharing, coordination and cyber talent development to detect and defend against elevated attacks,” said Army Maj. Gen. Stefanie Horvath, Minnesota National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General. “A united approach is just as important in the cyber domain as it is in the physical domain to defend against attacks.” 

Congresswoman McCollum has worked to provide federal resources for cybersecurity initiatives since 2021, when she served as the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. She believes that Minnesota must continue to work to take advantage of the opportunities provided by this federal funding. These attacks show the necessity of developing a strong workforce that includes cybersecurity professionals who will be able to support efforts to prevent and defend against cyberattacks.

Congresswoman McCollum has also worked closely with Metro State University in Saint Paul, which continues to be a key leader in this effort, and she has supported the expansion of Metro State’s cybersecurity education programs through Community Project Funding. Metro State University has also led the way in partnering with the Minnesota National Guard on cyber training initiatives, providing a model for how Minnesota’s public and private sectors can work with the cybersecurity professionals in the National Guard to defend our communities. Congresswoman McCollum will continue to support these efforts through her work in Congress to supply them with the resources required to protect Minnesotans. 

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Congresswoman Betty McCollum Introduces Bipartisan Disability Pride Month Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04), along with Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R, PA-15), re-introduced a bipartisan resolution today recognizing July as Disability Pride Month. This resolution highlights the importance of inclusion and increased accessibility for the disability community. The introduction of this resolution coincides with the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law, and serves as a reminder of the many accomplishments and contributions Americans with disabilities make to our country.

“Every July, we celebrate the resilience, talent, and leadership of Americans with disabilities,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “Yet the federal government still hasn’t formally recognized Disability Pride Month. This resolution is a reminder that recognition matters — and that we still have work to do to break down barriers, expand accessibility, and ensure disability rights are fully realized in law and in practice.”

This resolution was inspired by the advocacy of Gillette Children’s Hospital of Saint Paul, Minnesota and twenty national and state organizations, and was originally introduced by Congresswoman McCollum in 2022.

“Disability Pride Month, celebrated every July, is an opportunity for us to celebrate the amazing contributions of individuals living with disabilities,” Rep. Thompson said. “Prior to serving in Congress, I spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and licensed nursing home administrator. I know firsthand the positive impacts those living with disabilities have in their communities, and I am proud to champion their accomplishments.”

The resolution is co-sponsored by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA), Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr. (D-GA), Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy (D-NY), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Christian D. Menefee (D-TX), Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Emily Randall (D-WA), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

Read the text of the resolution here.

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WATER: Harder Announces $3 Million for Critical Repair Project at Tracy Pump Station

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

100+ year old pump station serves 6,500 acres of farmland, but pumps and generators are failing

Funding will help get pumps replaced, restore power reliability, and start project a year ahead of schedule

TRACY – Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced $3 million in federal funding that he secured for critical repairs to a century-old water pump station in Tracy. The Wicklund Cut Pump Station provides water to thousands of acres of farmland, but aging infrastructure is jeopardizing that mission. The funding will help get pumps replaced and restore power reliability, as well as start the project a year ahead of schedule.

The Wicklund Cut Pump Station is a lifeline for Valley water deliveries:

  • Operated by the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) and first built in 1918, the facility delivers water supplies through a series of pumps and canals to over 6,500 acres of farmland.
  • The facility’s original design life was 50 years, but since then, pumps are struggling to lift water 20 feet in the air and a primary power failure has forced the facility to run on backup generators.
  • Without a fix, this crisis will continue to grow worse and worse, threatening crucial water deliveries across the region.

“We cannot allow the Wicklund Cut Pump Station to fail,” said Rep. Harder. “Securing this funding is a crucial step towards getting repairs started ASAP, but we have more work to do to stop a shutoff from happening. I’m grateful for the hardworking team at the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District that keeps water flowing every single day, and I’m going to make sure that this project has the full support it needs from Washington.”

The restoration project will not only replace failing parts, but also support energy efficiency and water conservation, and help ensure water deliveries for both farmland and communities like Mountain House that depend on BBID for drinking water.

“This funding is a major step toward protecting reliable water deliveries for the farmers and communities we serve,” said BBID General Manager Ed Pattison. “We appreciate Congressman Harder’s leadership and support for this critical project, which will modernize aging infrastructure, improve efficiency and help ensure the Wicklund Cut Pump Station continues serving the region for generations to come.”

Harder was joined by elected officials from the City of Mountain House and representatives and staff from BBID.

ABOVE: Rendering of replacement pumps and new infrastructure

 

ABOVE: Harder tours the Wicklund Cut Pump Station and water infrastructure

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PHOTO RELEASE: Harder Helps Induct 5th Cohort of the UOP College Corps

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

100+ students signed up for community service in education, food insecurity, and environmental stewardship

Participants receive up to $10,000 in student financial assistance through the CaliforniansForAll program

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) joined students, faculty, parents, and University of the Pacific (UOP) leadership in a ceremony to induct the 5th Cohort of the UOP College Corps. Every year, UOP welcomes dozens of students into the volunteer program to support community service in education, food insecurity, and environmental stewardship.

“Students in College Corps ensure that our neighbors in need always have a helping hand, and we owe them a debt of gratitude,” said Rep. Harder. “But this program does so much more by giving students a once-in-a-lifetime service opportunity and a pathway to a debt-free education. Can’t wait to see all that these students go on to accomplish!”

First launched in 2022, the College Corps program offers up to $10,000 in student financial assistance to participants that complete 450 hours of community service during an academic year. Volunteers help tutor young students, partner with local food assistance drives, and lead outreach programs to encourage clean air and water practices. 

Harder was joined by UOP President Christopher Callahan and faculty, College Corps Director Dr. Dari Tran, local elected officials, community partners, and new members of the 5th Cohort and their families. 

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Rep. Jimmy Gomez Delivers Keynote Address to Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Rep. Jimmy Gomez Delivers Keynote Address to Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce

Gomez lays out vision for the next 50 years of economic growth and opportunity in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, August 18, 2026

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) delivered the keynote address to the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce as part of its Pancakes & Politics speaker series. During his keynote, Gomez pointed to Los Angeles’ role as host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make lasting investments in the region’s future. 

“Los Angeles has a unique opportunity to show the world what the future can look like.” said Gomez. “The World Cup just put us on the global stage. The Olympics and Paralympics are next. But I’m not thinking about a few weeks of competition. I’m thinking about the next 50 years. Better transit. Stronger infrastructure. More housing. More businesses starting and growing here. More people with a real shot at the middle class. That’s the legacy we should be building.” 

Rep. Gomez highlighted his work in Congress to address some of the biggest barriers facing Los Angeles families and businesses, including: 

  • Lowering housing and caregiving costs: Rep. Gomez hosted the first-ever national summits on the housing affordability and caregiving crises to bring together business leaders, advocates, labor, and policymakers around solutions to two of the fastest-growing costs facing working families. Gomez has also introduced legislation to expand homeownership and convert vacant and underutilized commercial space into housing. 

  • Protecting Los Angeles businesses from rising costs: As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Gomez has pushed back against President Trump’s arbitrary tariffs that increase input costs for businesses and raise prices for consumers. Gomez is a cosponsor of the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, which would reassert Congress’ constitutional authority over trade policy and prevent the President from unilaterally imposing arbitrary tariffs. 

  • Expanding opportunities for small businesses: Rep. Gomez introduced the Accelerating Small Business Growth Act to increase the share of federal infrastructure contracts awarded to small and disadvantaged businesses by 50 percent, helping minority-owned, and immigrant-owned businesses compete for federal investments. 

  • Building and retaining Los Angeles’ workforce: Rep. Gomez has pushed for greater federal investment in workforce development and fought efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle Job Corps. He has also advocated for affordable housing, child care, health care, and a more stable immigration system so Los Angeles businesses can attract and retain the workers they need. 

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s Pancakes & Politics is a long-running breakfast speaker series designed to connect business leaders with influential elected officials, government administrators, and other policy leaders. Since 2006, the program has featured prominent figures from local, state, and federal government and has provided an intimate setting for discussion of issues affecting the Los Angeles region, including transportation, education, homelessness, insurance, and economic development. 

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Huffman, Bennet, Colleagues Fight Against Rescission of Key Energy Leasing and Public Lands Protections

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

August 19, 2026

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led 39 colleagues to oppose the recent rescission of two key Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oil and gas rules on leasing and waste prevention. Their rollback will harm public lands, reduce community input, increase pollution, and raise taxpayer costs.

In the first letter, the lawmakers denounce the BLM’s proposal to rescind the 2024 Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule (the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule).

The 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule ensured that the concerns of states, Tribes, and local communities were included in decision-making and was a long-overdue correction to decades of BLM policies that favored oil and gas development over other uses and led to tens of thousands of dangerous abandoned wells that became the financial responsibility of taxpayers instead of the oil and gas companies. This rule had immense public support and established a balanced framework that saved taxpayer money, ensured multi-use management of public lands, and protected cultural resources and rural communities that depend on public lands. In this letter, the lawmakers ask that the administration specifically reconsider oil and gas bonding requirements; public participation, Tribal consultation, and landowner involvement; and leasing preference criteria.

“[…] BLM’s newly proposed rule threatens to dismantle this common-sense progress. We are deeply concerned that the proposed changes shift cleanup liabilities back to the public, restrict community and private landowner participation, and distort the balance required to manage America’s public lands responsibly,” wrote the lawmakers.

In addition to Huffman and Bennet, Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), as well as Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IlI.), Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) signed this letter.

In the second letter, the lawmakers outline their strong opposition to BLM’s proposal to overturn the 2024 Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation rule (the 2024 Waste Prevention Rule). The BLM’s reversal of this commonsense rule will increase pollution on public lands, reduce domestic energy supply, expose nearby communities to avoidable health risks, and waste publicly owned natural gas, costing Americans tens of millions in foregone revenue.

“We strongly urge BLM to reject this proposed rescission and maintain the 2024 Waste Prevention rule. The oil and gas resources on these lands belong to the American public and Tribal nations, and they deserve to benefit from the full value and benefits of responsible resource stewardship,” wrote the lawmakers.

In addition to Huffman and Bennet, Senators Luján, Angus King (I-Maine), Whitehouse, Hickenlooper, Wyden, Heinrich, Markey, Booker, and Merkley as well as Representatives Ansari, Bonamici, Brownley, Carbajal, Sean Casten (D-IlI.), Cohen, Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), DeGette, Dexter, Dingell, Grijalva, Hoyle, Jacobs, Krishnamoorthi, Magaziner, McCollum, Min, Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Neguse, Pallone, Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Randall, Scanlon, Simon, and Vargas signed the letter.

The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule is available HERE. The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Waste Prevention Rule is available HERE.

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Griffith Celebrates $1,415,000 for SWVA Nuclear Energy Project

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

In accordance with H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026., the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will deliver federal funds that U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) helped secure for Virginia’s Ninth District.

The following Ninth District project will receive funds from NIST: 

Project Name: Energy DELTA Lab – Utilization of Former Mine Lands for the Deployment of Advanced Nuclear Project

Recipient Name: Energy DELTA Lab, located in Wise, Virginia

Amount Received: $1,415,000

“Southwest Virginia is fertile ground for an energy renaissance. One project that will contribute to our region’s energy future is led by Energy DELTA Lab. That is why I am a proud advocate of this project, which I helped support by securing more than $1.4 million in federal funding.

“This NIST site assessment brings Energy DELTA Lab one step closer to carrying out its goals for an innovative and timely project.

“As someone who is a leading proponent of redeveloping former mine lands for new uses, I am excited to see Energy DELTA Lab advance nuclear energy solutions.”

BACKGROUND

The above community project funding request was submitted by Rep. Griffith for fiscal year 2026. 

Congressman Griffith’s statement on January approval of the above appropriations package can be found here.

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