Betty Louise McCollum is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 4th congressional district since 2001. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), she represents a district centered on St. Paul, Minnesota's capital city. McCollum is the second woman elected to Congress from Minnesota (after Coya Knutson) and has been the dean of Minnesota's congressional delegation since 2021. Before entering Congress, she served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001, where she focused on education, environmental protection, and social services. Prior to her legislative career, McCollum worked as a parks and recreation supervisor in South St. Paul and as a legislative assistant.

McCollum is a long-time advocate for Native American rights, including efforts to change sports team names deemed offensive, such as the Washington Redskins (now Commanders). She has introduced legislation like the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and supported initiatives for child welfare, international human rights, and conservation. Her work extends to foreign policy, particularly supporting peace efforts in the Middle East and aid to Palestinian children. McCollum's legislative record emphasizes progressive priorities, including gun control, LGBTQ+ rights, and opposition to nuclear weapons proliferation.

Born and raised in South St. Paul, McCollum has deep roots in Minnesota's working-class communities. She graduated from the College of St. Catherine (now St. Catherine University) with a degree in education and has maintained a focus on community service throughout her career. As of 2023, she continues to serve in Congress, known for her bipartisan approach on select issues while remaining a steadfast voice for her constituents. She serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. McCollum has been a leading voice against U.S. military aid to Israel being used in ways that violate Palestinian human rights, introducing the "Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act" (often called the "McCollum Bill"). She is also co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus.