CONGRESSWOMAN McCOLLUM OFFERS AMENDMENT TO STUDY FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF OPERATION METRO SURGE ON MINNESOTA’S SMALL BUSINESSES

This week, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee marked up the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) funding bill, ultimately passing the legislation by a party-line vote of 34-28. Congresswoman McCollum voted no on the bill because it cuts funding for the Small Business Administration and ends the IRS direct free file program - benefitting billionaires and large corporations at the expense of working families and small businesses struggling to keep up with rising costs. Republicans even rejected opportunities to improve the bill, voting down provisions to protect vote by mail, protect the free file program, and curtail the President's demolition of history like the Wilbur J. Cohen building in Washington, D.C. - known as the Sistine Chapel of the New Deal.

During the markup on Tuesday evening, the committee considered an amendment offered by Congresswoman McCollum that would study the financial impact of increased federal immigration enforcement on Minnesota's small businesses. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 31-26. Visit Congresswoman McCollum's YouTube Channel to watch her remarks on the amendment.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum issued the following statement:

"In Saint Paul, it's estimated that businesses lost more than $16 million during each week of Operation Metro Surge. That's a total of over $128 million in losses for the two months of Operation Metro Surge-just in the City of Saint Paul. In the Fourth District, small businesses anchor our main streets from Saint Paul to White Bear Lake and Stillwater. Small business owners and workers I've spoken to are seeking help to rebuild after Operation Metro Surge. Sadly, majority Republicans are choosing to ignore the lasting damage caused to our communities by the administration's months-long invasion and occupation of our state."