U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum spoke to dozens of Macalester students and community members on April 15.

McCollum, who represents the fourth congressional district that includes St Paul and some surrounding suburbs, spoke for approximately 20 minutes before fielding questions from the audience.

In her speech, McCollum outlined her voting record and position on higher education, the war in Iraq, balancing the budget and the role of the U.S. in international affairs.

Though McCollum did not require that the questions asked of her be about higher education, she returned to the topic frequently. McCollum said she supported the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act which deals with grants and loan repay ment. The act provides federal money to current college students, higher education institutions and high school programs. McCollum also said that she was concerned with the current state of Pell Grants, which are declining in value with inflation and rising tuition costs.

McCollum challenged Minnesota legislators to examine funding of higher education as more students enter college and apply for state-funded financial aid.

“There weren’t as many students [in the past] fighting for literally crumbs and scraps,” McCollum said. “The state needs to reinvest in higher education.”

McCollum spoke candidly about the Bush administration, distinguishing between her votes and the administration’s policy positions. She also emphasized the importance of civic participation in the upcoming presidential election.

“[The Bush administration is] undoing bipartisan, truly bipartisan measures,” McCollum said. “I used to feel confident that no matter who you voted for, Democrat or Republican, the environment would be a priority. That is no longer the case.”

“She made several good points about education and student issues, but she emphasized that the Democrats can’t achieve much progress without a majority in Congress, and especially without control of the White House,” Braham Ketcham ’04 said. “When pressed on other topics, she made it clear that we need to work to end Republicans’ monopoly on power in Washington, because the current leaders simply ignore dissenting views.”

McCollum also argued that the United States must have international interests beyond the war in Iraq and the war on terror.

“We have done nothing, nothing to get money over [to Africa] for the treatment of AIDS,” McCollum said. “Every day, thousands of people are dying, hundreds of children becoming orphans. I am very angry that we haven’t kept our promise on that.”

Audience questions covered issues such as climate change, the reauthorization of the Patriot Act and the Dream Act. McCollum is a co-signer of the Dream Act, which allows children of undocumented workers to go to a state college at in-state tuition levels provided they meet certain criteria.

“Congresswoman McCollum was very well versed on the issues,” Mollie Gabrys ’06 said. “She handled the questions well and was able to quote legislation. I was impressed by how she presented herself.”

The crowd, which met the majority of McCollum’s comments with nods and agreement, posed specific questions on some of McCollum’s votes, including the normalization of trade relations with Laos.

One question challenged McCollum’s support for trade relations with Laos, despite its poor human rights record. McCollum pointed to the section of the bill that outlines rules on child labor, prison labor, unionization and religious freedom. She also cited Laotians and Hmong that support trade relations.

McCollum also said that Laos is currently the only country with which the United States has diplomatic relations but does not have normalized trade relations.

Throughout her speech and responses, McCollum assured the audience that she was listening and that she would use their responses to enact change in Washington.

“Your voice will be taken to Washington,” McCollum said. “I want to do the best job I can under these difficult circumstances. I am committed to taking your views back.”