DECEMBER 27, 2024

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Happy Holidays

I hope you're enjoying quality time with your family and loved ones this holiday season. Whether you celebrated Christmas on Wednesday, or you're celebrating the second day of Kwanzaa today, or the third night of Hanukkah this evening, my thoughts are with you and your family and loved ones.

As we prepare to say farewell to 2024 next week, it’s a special time to reflect, remember, and celebrate those we’ve lost in the past year. It’s also a time to look ahead to the real challenges that we’ll face in 2025. The U.S. plays a vital role in uplifting the lives of children through our leadership and values – and this role must continue. Each day, I wake up thinking about what I can do to help create a world that’s more welcoming and peaceful for everyone, because our strength as a nation and a state has always come from individuals looking out for each other and supporting families, loved ones, and neighbors. As we prepare to welcome the new year, I wish all Minnesotans a peaceful and joyous season!

Visit to Saint Paul Fire Station 8
Earlier this week, Saint Paul Fire Chief Butch Inks welcomed me to Station 8 for coffee and conversation with firefighters and EMTs. We talked about the issues they’re seeing in the community and discussed how the federal government can support our local fire departments. I enjoyed our conversation and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that residents of Saint Paul and the entire East Metro have high-quality emergency services available when they need them. Our first responders risk their lives to protect us, and I’m incredibly grateful for their public service.

Congresswoman McCollum met with EMTs and firefighters, including Saint Paul Fire Chief Brian Inks, at Station 8 on Monday morning.

New Bipartisan Law Designating Bald Eagle as National Bird

The bald eagle is a quintessentially American symbol that symbolizes freedom, strength, and ambition. The bald eagle emblazons the quarter, the Congressional seal, and the Presidential seal — but it was not the official bird of the United States until this week. Thanks to Minnesotan Preston Cook who elevated this issue and brought it to the attention of Members of Congress, and the work of the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, America's bird has reached another new height in the American ethos. Not long ago, the bald eagle was listed on the endangered species list. This new law is not only a great celebration of a majestic national emblem — it's also a milestone in the remarkable recovery of this beloved species. 

The bald eagle is now the official bird of the United States.

MNsure Open Enrollment 
MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment for MNsure is currently underway, and will run through January 15th, 2025. This is the annual opportunity for Minnesotans to compare options, change plans, or sign up for coverage.

 

Thanks to Congressional Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration, Minnesotans who have coverage through MNsure can continue to save money on health insurance next year. Minnesotans who receive tax credits through MNsure will save an average of $6,700 on health insurance premiums next year because of enhanced federal subsidies that were part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Visit mnsure.org for more info, to compare plans, and get covered.

 

As always, please stay in touch: Voice your policy opinion, ask for help with a federal agency, or find all of my recent statements at mccollum.house.gov.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Betty McCollum
Member of Congress