Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Funding Secured to Complete MSP Airport’s Concourse G Remodel
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced that the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport received the final funding amount necessary to complete the airport’s improvements to Concourse G. This grant, made possible through the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will expand the Terminal 1 building on Concourse G from Gates 8 –13 to include 5 new single use restrooms and 2 new multi-user restrooms, terminal passenger seating, and energy efficient spaces. “Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is among the busiest airports in the country and supports tens of thousands of jobs in our state,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This significant federal funding will enable the airport to fund the expansion of Terminal 1 to improve the travel experience for passengers and maintain its position as a top-ranking airport.” “MSP is a critical transportation hub and economic driver for communities across Minnesota. There’s a reason it’s been ranked the best airport in America so often, and we hope to keep it that way,” said Senator Smith. “The Concourse G upgrades have been years in the making. This investment will make sure MSP remains one of the best airports in the world and has the capacity to meet demand, and I’m proud to have supported the Biden-Harris Bipartisan infrastructure law to make this happen.” “We work hard to provide exceptional airport experiences for our travelers, and a big part of that is ensuring that MSP facilities keep pace with capacity demands while also meeting and exceeding expectations for quality and accessibility,” said Brian Ryks,
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Funding to Help Beginning, Emerging Farmers Access Farmland
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced funding for Renewing the Countryside’s Upper Midwest Farmland Access Hub Navigator Program to improve farmland access outcomes for all stages of beginning farmers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The Farmland Access Hub, in its seventh year, pairs land-seeking farmers with an advocate who can provide guidance and resources to help farmers on their land access journey and connect them with farmland owners hoping to transfer their land to new owners. They will use the nearly $750,000 in federal funding to expand their program. “The average age of a producer in the United States is 58, and in Minnesota it’s 57. And of course, this number increases every year. That in a nutshell is why we need to invest in the next generation of farmers, so this country’s agriculture production continues to work,” said Senator Smith. “This is a matter of national security, food security, and the strength and vitality of rural America. Agriculture is a driving force in America’s economy, and this grant will make sure our Ag economy is strong as the next generation of farmers takes over.” “Agriculture is the economic backbone of rural communities across our state, and we need to ensure the next generation of farmers receive the support they need to succeed,” said Senator Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, we’re taking a big step toward ensuring beginning farmers can access land to start and grow their businesses.” “We are excited
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Three Multi-Million Dollar RAISE Grants to Improve Minnesota’s Transportation Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/19/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced three multimillion dollar Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants that will fund critical transportation projects across the state. This funding is from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The RAISE grants will help fund safety and accessibility improvements along East 7th Street and Arcade Street in St. Paul, the U.S. Highway 169 and Highway 282 Interchange, and a Rondo Streets improvement study in St. Paul. “In order to build an economy that works for everyone, we must invest in crucial infrastructure,” said Sen. Smith. “I’m thrilled to announce this significant
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig Lead MN Members in Introducing Resolution to Designate November 17 as “National Butter Day”
WASHINGTON, D.C [11/17/21]— U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-Minn.) today introduced resolutions in both the House and Senate to designate November 17, 2021 as “National Butter Day.” The Members were joined by U.S. Representative Betty McCollum and U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach in introducing the Resolution. The three leads, all of whom serve on the Agriculture Committee, said that as a dairy state, Minnesota is a major butter producer and their resolution would promote the production of butter, not only in their state, but across the country. “Dairy producers play an important economic
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Senate Push to Preserve Special Education Funding Increases for Schools in Minnesota and Across the Country
WASHINGTON, D.C [11/16/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) pressed top Senate Appropriators to continue the recent increases in special education funding that have been critically important in helping educate students with disabilities in Minnesota and across the country. In a letter Tuesday, Sen. Smith, led a group of 12 key Senators in pressing Appropriations Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Vice Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) to maintain the $2.6 billion increase in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding proposed in both the House and Senate, as they work on end-of-the-year funding bills. The preservation of the increased IDEA funding
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Sees Historic, Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Signed into Law Monday at the White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/15/21]— Today at the White House U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) watched President Biden sign the historic, bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, saying the measure will deliver billions of dollars in long-overdue investments to Minnesota’s roads, bridges, broadband, water infrastructure and other areas of need. Sen. Smith, who helped push the bill through Congress, said the new law will jumpstart the economy and create jobs and economic development in rural, urban and suburban communities across Minnesota and around the nation. She said the new law shows Congress can get important things done in a bipartisan way. “Getting this