Betty McCollum
U.S. House · MN-4 · Democrats · since 2025
alsoCandidate for U.S. House · MN-4
Biography
Overview
Betty McCollum is a Democrat representing Minnesota's 4th congressional district since 2001. She has served in Congress for over two decades, first running for the U.S. House after four terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Before politics, she worked as a high school social studies teacher and retail store manager. McCollum is the second woman elected to Congress from Minnesota and has been the dean of Minnesota's congressional delegation since 2021.
Career
McCollum has focused on environmental protection, including introducing the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act and amendments to support renewable energy. She has been an advocate for social security preservation, LGBTQ rights, and reproductive freedom. On international issues, she introduced the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living under Israeli Military Occupation Act in 2021. She has also worked on Native American programs and animal welfare issues during her tenure.
Prior political experience
McCollum first won election to Congress in 2000 after the previous representative decided not to seek reelection. She defeated her Republican opponent by 17 points, though independent candidate Tom Foley held her to 48% of the vote. Since then, she has been reelected nine times with no substantive opposition. Her 2014 and 2018 general election results show winning margins of 65.4% and 66.0% respectively, reflecting the heavily Democratic nature of her district.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Betty McCollum
No active campaigns target Betty McCollum right now.
Start a campaign targeting Betty McCollumOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2025–present | In progress | Betty McCollum | — |
| 12th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 11th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 10th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2019–2021 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 9th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 8th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2015–2017 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 7th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2013–2015 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 6th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2011–2013 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 5th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2009–2011 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 4th | U.S. House MN-4 | 2007–2009 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 3rd | U.S. House MN-4 | 2005–2007 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 2nd | U.S. House MN-4 | 2003–2005 | Term ended | Betty McCollum | Betty McCollum |
| 1st | U.S. House MN-4 | 2001–2003 | Term ended | — | Betty McCollum |
Committee assignments
- DefenseHouseRanking Member· 2025–present
- Interior, Environment, and Related AgenciesHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term7
- H.R. 8016
Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026
Mar 19, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7545
Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act
Feb 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5521
Peace Corps Volunteers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025
Sep 19, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5328
Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act of 2025
Sep 11, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 2976
Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act
Apr 21, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 2977
MRRRI Act
Apr 21, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 588
Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act
Jan 21, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8402
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to increase civics education programs, and for other purposes.
Apr 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8397
To protect Moms and babies against climate change, and for other purposes.
Apr 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8303
Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026
Apr 15, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8275
Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office Act
Apr 14, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8241
Power for the People Act of 2026
Apr 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8223
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimburse each State and local first responder agency for the cost of responding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and for other purposes.
Apr 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8076
PREDICT Act
Mar 25, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8055
Extending WIC for New Moms Act
Mar 24, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8031
GUARDRAILS Act
Mar 20, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7973
Momnibus Act
Mar 18, 2026IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House MN-4 | Won | 61.19% |
|