JANUARY 10, 2024

Dear Fourth District Constituent,

Over the past week, we've seen a stark contrast between the capable leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration during the past four years and a glimpse of the bumpy course ahead. On Sunday, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed by President Biden. This law eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision & Government Pension Offset to ensure that firefighters, teachers, police officers, and other public sector employees receive the full Social Security benefits to which they are entitled. In other words: More money in the pockets of Americans in retirement. The SSA website has further information for those directly affected.

At the same time, President-elect Trump held a rambling press conference at his golf resort in Florida where he threatened our allies, proposed taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal by force, and belittled our neighbors to the north. Canada is our closest ally and our greatest trading partner. Minnesotans know that Canadians are only our adversaries at the hockey rink. Donald Trump’s disrespect for the people of Canada weakens our strongest alliance and emboldens our adversaries who wish us harm.

Delivering for Our Communities

This morning, I announced over $145 Million in federal grants for Minnesota through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The announcement included nine grants that aim to improve mobility, connectivity, and sustainability of transportation options in the Twin Cities metro area.

Funding for ReConnect Rondo

Among these grants is a $2 million award for ReConnect Rondo’s Community Land Bridge project. The community-led vision to reunite Rondo after years of separation caused by the construction of I-94 is what drives this project forward.  By reconnecting the Rondo neighborhood after years of separation, we can begin the process of reconciling the harm wrought on generations of Minnesotans who live in this community as well as those who were displaced from it. Read more about this grant in the Star Tribune.

Federal Support for Amtrak Borealis

Additionally, I secured a $38 million grant to maintain service for the Amtrak Borealis passenger rail line over the next six years.

The Amtrak Borealis intercity passenger rail line between Saint Paul and Chicago has attracted scores of passengers, with ridership surpassing 100,000 in just the first five months.

The popularity of the Borealis is undeniable. There’s been a groundswell of public interest in it, and I’m glad that the Department of Transportation is responding by doubling down on their investment in it. Folks in the Midwest are looking for a reliable and efficient way to get to big cities and regional centers, and the intercity passenger rail service offered by the Borealis does an excellent job of meeting that demand. Read more about the grant in the Star Tribune.

Election Certification

On Monday, I fulfilled my constitutional duty to certify the results of a free and fair election, even though the outcome wasn't what I'd hoped for or worked for. Our nation’s long-held tradition of facilitating a peaceful transition of power resumed without drama, just as it should, because there are no election deniers on the Democratic side of the aisle.

Congresswoman McCollum applauds Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries during his speech addressing the 119th Congress following the certification of the 2024 Presidential election.

Remembering President Jimmy Carter

This week, we honored the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and during his funeral on Thursday. The loss of President Carter has weighed heavily on me. Like many Americans, I remain deeply inspired by the former President's leadership on human rights, climate change, housing, and income inequality. A kind and decent man who showed deep compassion for those less fortunate, his life was an outstanding model of true public service to our nation and to the world.  For that, our entire nation is grateful.

Former President Jimmy Carter lay in state at the U.S. Capitol rotunda on Wednesday.

Don't Miss MNsure's January 15 Deadline for Open Enrollment
MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment for MNsure is currently underway and it ends very soon: 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 in 2025. Minnesotans who receive tax credits through MNsure will save an average of $6,700 on health insurance premiums this 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.

 

Neighborhood Office Hours
In addition to serving constituents Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, in my St. Paul office, my staff holds neighborhood office hours at a variety of locations across the Fourth District. The next neighborhood office hours will take place in Saint Paul on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Rondo Community Library in Meeting Room A from 10:00 AM until noon. If you need assistance with a federal agency, you can stop by or call my office to make an appointment. My staff and I are here to serve you, and we are happy to help you with any issues you may have that involve a federal agency. For more information, visit my website. 

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