Latest Releases
Smith, Klobuchar Celebrate Groundbreaking of Blatnik Bridge Replacement
Sens. Smith & Klobuchar secured federal funding to reconstruct the bridge connecting Duluth and Superior, WI DULUTH, MN — U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) celebrated the groundbreaking of the Blatnik Bridge replacement project, after they secured federal funding for the bridge from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and successfully pressed the administration to release the funding so construction on the project could begin. The Blatnik Bridge powers the regional economy with 33,000 vehicles crossing every day and $3.7 billion in goods transferred annually across the bridge between the Twin Ports. The reconstructed bridge is expected to be complete in 2031. “The Twin Ports are economic engines for the region, and that’s only possible because the Blatnik Bridge is there to move people and cargo between Duluth and Superior,” said Smith. “This new and improved bridge will pay dividends for the Northland and our entire state. I’m grateful not only to the union workers who will build this bridge, but to everyone in the region who will put up with some construction delays while this incredible feat of engineering is completed.” “For over 60 years, the Blatnik Bridge has connected commuters, businesses, and communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but it is in serious need of a replacement,” said Klobuchar. “A safe and reliable Blatnik Bridge is critical for Minnesota’s economic future and for people across our entire region. We fought to secure this funding and then fought to make sure it was released, and now we are finally
Smith, Klobuchar, Finstad Urge Trump Administration to Approve Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) and U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) urged the Trump Administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities in southeastern Minnesota that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding. If this disaster declaration is approved, the federal government will be able to provide disaster assistance for various recovery efforts. “We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance under the Stafford Act to assist our constituents recovering from severe storms and flash flooding. These natural disasters have caused significant damage, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal disaster assistance,” said the lawmakers. The lawmakers continued, “Time and time again, Minnesotans have stepped up to support their neighbors after natural disasters. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but rapid federal assistance will speed up this recovery effort. We strongly support Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance and ask that you grant its approval without delay.” Full text of the letter is available HERE and below: Dear Mr. President: We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance under the Stafford
Statement from U.S. Senator Tina Smith on the Supreme Court’s Decision to Strike Down President Trump’s Sweeping Tariffs
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s sweeping tariffs in a 6-3 decision: “These tariffs caused an entirely unnecessary and avoidable trade war that hurt a lot of Minnesotans. The President abused his power to make a complete mess of our trade systems, and regular people and small businesses paid the price, and I think the money collected from these illegal tariffs should go back into their pockets,” said Senator Smith. “American producers being hurt by trade cheats deserve serious remedies. Instead, the President wasted nearly a year on his futile
Klobuchar, Smith Call on ICE to Allow Access to Legal Counsel
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are calling on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to follow federal law and the Constitution by allowing people in detention to have access to legal counsel. Reports indicate that some of those detained, including at least one U.S. citizen, are being denied their constitutional right to access an attorney. “As you know the right to due process and the right to counsel are foundational constitutional guarantees enshrined in the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. ICE and all other federal law enforcement agencies are required to honor these constitutional rights, regardless of a
Klobuchar, Smith Urge DOJ to Reverse Decision and Allow Joint Investigation Into Fatal ICE Shooting
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are pressing the U.S. Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to coordinate with state and local law enforcement and allow for a joint investigation with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension into the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Klobuchar and Smith called for a thorough, objective, and impartial investigation, which requires full cooperation with state investigators and local authorities. “We write to express our serious concerns regarding reports that the Justice Department, including the Federal Bureau
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on ICE Killing of Minnesota Civilian
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after the killing of a Minnesota civilian at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis: “First, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, a mother, and a Twin Cities resident who was killed by ICE this morning. I can’t imagine the grief you are enduring. “Like so many Minnesotans, I am heartbroken and angry. It is incredibly scary when a United States citizen can be shot and killed in her car by federal law enforcement. And it is disgusting when
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