St. Paul Reporter

Rep. Betty McCollum, an experienced legislator representing Minnesota’s 4th district since 2001, recently shared her views on social media concerning issues ranging from animal welfare to fiscal policy. McCollum, a graduate of St. Catherine University, has been a U.S. Congress member since succeeding Bruce Vento.

On April 9, McCollum expressed gratitude towards Como and other Minnesota zoos for rescuing animals mistreated by SeaQuest in Roseville. She emphasized her ongoing commitment to animal protection, stating, "Thanks to Como and other Minnesota zoos, animals mistreated by SeaQuest in Roseville have been safely relocated to new homes. I am committed to protecting cold blooded animals by working to update the Animal Welfare Act."

Later that day, McCollum criticized the Republican budget proposal, highlighting significant financial concerns. She detailed the fiscal implications, stating, "The Republicans' fiscally irresponsible budget includes: $7 trillion in tax cuts for the rich, paid for with debt, Up to $880 billion in Medicaid cuts, Up to $230 billion in cuts to food assistance, $14 trillion in new debt over the decade."

On April 10, McCollum further elaborated on the budget concerns, emphasizing the magnitude of national debt projected by the Republican proposal. She tweeted, "The House Republican budget adds $14 TRILLION in new debt over the decade. To put that in context: That’s more than DOUBLE the amount that the entire federal government spends annually! I voted NO."

Betty McCollum, born in Minneapolis in 1954 and now residing in Saint Paul, has notably shaped her legislative career on platforms that advocate for both effective animal welfare legislation and sound fiscal responsibility.