Minnesota has a proud tradition of being at the forefront of helping to defend our national security. Elements of the Minnesota National Guard led the Allied invasion forces in North Africa and Italy during World War II, they dutifully protected our northern border during the Cold War, and they have been called upon time and again in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to provide warfighting support, medical evacuation, and transportation. Sen. Smith will carry this spirit of leadership and fight for principled national security policies that prudently employ our investments in personnel, technology, and partnerships with our allies for the benefits of our nation.
The U.S. military is the best in the world. However, as the recently released National Defense Review highlighted, the number of threats to our national security is growing. Terrorism, great power competition, and nuclear proliferation will not be easy national security challenges but the way forward is clear. We must continue to invest in personnel, technology, and the partnerships that have been so successful at ensuring our security.
It is also important to recognize that our national security is best served when the military is not our only tool. We must also make effective use of diplomacy and development. Diplomacy is essential if we are going to solve tough security challenges from the Middle East to China and North Korea – without dangerous military conflict. And fostering development is not only good for the communities where it happens – it is good for the U.S. because it promotes stability and prosperity and fosters alliances.
Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on President Biden’s Response to Russian Actions in Ukraine Senator Commends President Biden for his Decisive Leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/22/22]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement on President Biden’s response to Russian actions in Ukraine: “As we face the worst threat of war in Europe since World War II, President Biden has laid out a strong, comprehensive approach to Vladimir Putin’s indefensible violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and international law. “Under President Biden’s leadership, the United States and our NATO allies are united in opposing Russian aggression against a sovereign democratic nation. I support the Biden administration’s move to deter further brazen aggression by imposing punishing sanctions on Russia. By rallying our allies and working together with them, we are sending a clear message to Putin about the costs of continuing his illegal and unjustified invasion. “We should continue using all of the diplomatic, political, and financial tools available to end this crisis. I commend President Biden for his commitment to keeping U.S. troops out of Ukraine and continuing to leave open a path to diplomacy to resolve these issues without the terrible loss of life that will occur if Putin insists on pushing forward with his abhorrent plans.”
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Storming of U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/6/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement: “Today’s attacks on the U.S. Capitol and federal buildings strike at the core principle of our democracy, that the people decide who represents them. The seditionists were incited by the most destructive and anti-democratic President in our history. For too long, some political leaders, especially the President, have used their power and position to fuel distrust in our elections with no evidence and no purpose other than to advance their own personal political power. It’s despicable and runs counter to our oath of office, to protect the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic. “We will get through this day. I truly believe our democracy is resilient and can withstand this desperate coup attempt. But it’s a reminder of how hard we need to fight for our core principles, that no one is above the law and that in a democracy the people decide. “I am returning to the Senate tonight so we can complete the counting of the electoral votes, and so that the next duly elected President and Vice President, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, can take office on January 20th as the voters in this country decided.”
Sen. Tina Smith Calls on DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to Resign
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/18/18]–Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to resign amid families being cruelly separated at the border, which is a policy Sec. Nielsen oversees in her leadership role within the Trump Administration. This statement originally appeared on Sen. Tina Smith’s official Senate Facebook page. “’I expect to be held accountable…’ “That’s what Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told Senators during her confirmation hearing in November. “I agree. As a Senator, I take holding this administration accountable very seriously. I believe Secretary Nielsen has lost the credibility to lead DHS, and that
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Harmful Travel Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/26/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after the Supreme Court—in a 5-4 decision—upheld President Trump’s discriminatory travel ban. “Next week, our nation will celebrate the anniversary of our independence—a time when we reflect on the laws, history, and diverse groups of people who make up America. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court goes against the founding principles of our nation and defies our core beliefs,” said Sen. Smith. “This is not who we have been, and it’s not who we should be. We must keep working to help all people demand respect, freedom and dignity in
Sen. Tina Smith’s Measure to Support Military Readiness and Conservation Becomes Law
WASHINGTON, D.C [08/16/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-Minn.) bipartisan effort to fund military readiness and environmental conservation—also supported by her Minnesota colleague Sen. Amy Klobuchar—was recently signed into law by the President. The Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program helps military facilities across the country, including Minnesota’s Camp Ripley, manage and protect surrounding land to ensure community development does not impede our nation’s military training. Earlier this year, the Army considered reinterpreting the statute that defines a military installation to remove state-owned military facilities, meaning that state-owned National Guard facilities like Camp Ripley would have been unable to receive REPI
Klobuchar, Smith, Reed Call on Administration to Protect U.S. Troops and Families from Financial Fraud
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith joined Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and 46 other senators in calling on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to maintain financial protections for servicemembers and their families under the Military Lending Act (MLA). Recent reports have indicated that the Administration is planning to stop examining lenders for violations of the MLA. In their letter, the senators urged CFPB Acting Director Mick Mulvaney not to end its examinations of payday lenders and other financial institutions for MLA compliance, and to not undertake measures that risk leaving U.S. troops and their families vulnerable to exploitation.
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