Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber, and Entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation Introduce Bill Naming Pengilly Post Office in Honor of First Lieutenant Richard A. Koski
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) announced new legislation to rename the Pengilly Post Office after First Lieutenant Richard A. Koski, a Pengilly resident who was killed in action at age 25 during the Vietnam War. First Lieutenant Koski was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and First Oak Leaf Cluster for battlefield valor. Pengilly resident Brian Walker, who was saved from drowning when he was a child by First Lieutenant Koski, worked with Klobuchar on the naming effort. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), along with Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “First Lieutenant Richard A. Koski has long been admired in Pengilly for his heroic actions both before and during his military service,” said Klobuchar. “By naming the Pengilly Post Office in his honor, we are paying tribute to his sacrifice and keeping his memory alive for generations to come.” “Lieutenant Koski was an American hero who we are proud to call Minnesotan,” said Smith. “He is remembered by those who knew him as a man of bravery and decency and has been recognized for his selfless service in the Vietnam War. By naming the Pengilly Post Office after him, we hope this building will serve as a reminder of his service to Minnesota and the United States.” “First Lieutenant Richard A. Koski is an American
Following Efforts from Klobuchar, Smith, and the Entire Minnesota Delegation, FEMA to Issue Additional Disaster Assistance for Individuals Impacted by Recent Flooding
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the delivery of Individual Assistance for Minnesotans affected by severe storms and flooding across 19 counties: Blue Earth, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Itasca, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Steele, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties. The Individual Assistance programs provide disaster survivors with access to a range of programs and services to aid in the recovery process, including financial assistance to eligible individuals and households. Damage assessments by federal, state, and local emergency management teams are ongoing, and FEMA may designate more counties and additional forms of assistance as damage is assessed. “The recent flooding inflicted serious damage across our state, and we must continue working together to recover,” said Klobuchar. “FEMA continues to be an active partner in the recovery effort so that our state can receive critical federal disaster relief funds. This latest round of assistance will ensure individual Minnesotans are supported as they rebuild.” “Minnesotans are still struggling with the aftermath of the severe flooding in June, and I appreciate the swift declaration from President Biden following our request for aid,” said Smith. “Minnesota continues to need help, and the federal government is answering. These expanded resources for individuals in more counties in Minnesota will make a huge difference as communities work to rebuild.” In June, Klobuchar and Smith led the entire bipartisan Minnesota congressional delegation in strongly urging President Biden to approve Minnesota’s request,
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Increased Funding Opportunity for Minnesota Infrastructure Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/02/22] — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (Both D-Minn.), announced the expansion of a popular program which helps fund local infrastructure projects. In 2021, the program (RAISE) funded 90 projects in 47 states, including two large projects in Minnesota. The $1.5 billion in available funding for 2022 represents a 50 percent increase compared to last year thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Senators Klobuchar and Smith helped pass in November 2021. “Investments in transportation infrastructure serve as down-payments on the economic well-being of our state and country,” said Senator Klobuchar. “RAISE
Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Help Veterans Get Care for Hearing Loss, Their Most Common Service-Related Health Issue
WASHINGTON [2.1.22] — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced legislation to reduce the red tape many veterans face when trying to get care for hearing loss as a result of their service—something many veterans say is an enormous burden despite being the most common service-connected ailment. Sen. Smith heard about this problem through her office’s veterans’ health care tour, which visited some 10 communities throughout Minnesota to hear what health challenges veterans are facing. “If you’ve served our country and experienced a health related issue because of it, it’s our job to take care of you. That’s the agreement
Banking Committee Member Sen. Tina Smith Says Attacks On Fed Nominees Are Part of Ugly GOP Playbook
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/31/22]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in support of President Biden’s Federal Reserve Nominees Sarah Bloom Raskin, Lisa Cook, and Philip Jefferson and called out her Republican colleagues for their ugly partisan attacks: “Sarah Bloom Raskin, Lisa Cook, and Philip Jefferson are highly qualified and dedicated public servants. Their experience, expertise, and perspective are much needed at the Federal Reserve as our nation navigates complicated economic times. “Republicans would have you believe differently, ignoring these nominees’ clear qualifications. They are again using the ugly GOP playbook that undermines women and people of color with partisan attacks
Klobuchar, Smith Urge Farmers to Sign Up for Grazing Loss Assistance Program Before Monday Deadline
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are reminding Minnesota livestock producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or wildfire in 2021 to enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Livestock Forage Program (LFP). Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2022. “Last year’s extreme drought and wildfires created enormous challenges for our state’s livestock producers,” said Klobuchar. “The Livestock Forage Program is available to help livestock producers as they continue to recover. I encourage all impacted producers to enroll now before the January 31 deadline.” “Widespread drought
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