Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith, Craig Introduce Resolution Honoring Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, Adam Finseth, and Adam Medlicott
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) announced they introduced a resolution to honor Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth who were killed in the line of duty, and Sergeant Adam Medlicott who was injured and hospitalized. In addition, the resolution recognizes law enforcement and first responders in Minnesota and across the country for their dedication to protecting and serving their communities. Craig leads the resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives which is also co-sponsored by U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), and Pete Stauber (R-MN). “Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, and Sergeant Adam Medlicott are heroes who selflessly responded to the call for help,” said Klobuchar. “This resolution honors their bravery and recognizes the dedication of our country’s law enforcement and first responders.” “Since I heard the news, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the sacrifices made by the first responders who lost their lives, officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, and about Sergeant Adam Medlicott as he recovers from his injuries,” said Smith. “Every day they left their families and put their lives on the line to go to work and protect the Burnsville community. I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. This resolution can’t take away their pain and grief but is one
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Colleagues Call on Israeli Ambassador Herzog to Accelerate Aid Delivery and Ensure Safety for Aid Workers
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) in sending a letter to Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, on the imperative of urgently providing humanitarian aid in Gaza. The letter highlights specific steps that Ambassador Herzog and the Israeli government should take to ensure that aid reaches Gaza and to protect aid workers. “Since October 7, nearly 30,000 people have been killed in Israel’s counterattack on Gaza. While many were Hamas terrorists, a significant number were innocent civilians. Further, at least 1.7 million Palestinians have been internally displaced in Gaza. They have need for clean water, food, medical support, and humanitarian aid. Starvation and widespread disease in Gaza are imminent,” wrote the four U.S. Senators. “We believe that the future path to peace, security and stability will be enhanced dramatically by facilitating the delivery of essentials for survival to the Palestinian people whose fate is imperiled,” the Senators conclude. The letter outlines four actions Israel should take to accelerate aid delivery into Gaza and assist the safety of aid workers, including: Text of the letter follows: Dear Ambassador Herzog: We unequivocally condemn Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israel October 7, 2023, and hope that all the hostages return home safely. We support Israel’s right and obligation to pursue the Hamas terrorists who planned and carried out the October 7 attack and deem the prospect of Hamas retaining military control of Gaza unacceptable. We also believe, there is an urgent need to provide
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and James Lankford Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Health Care Resources for Urban Indian Health Organizations Amid Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/07/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced bipartisan legislation to boost health resources for urban Indian health organizations as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forces many to grapple with financial hardship and even close operations. The Coverage for Urban Indian Health Providers Act, also co-sponsored Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), would amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to create parity within the Indian Health System (ITU system). The ITU system is made up of the Indian Health Service, Tribal health programs, and urban Indian organizations (UIOs). UIOs provide culturally competent care for the over 70 percent of American Indians and Alaska
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Joni Ernst Lead Bipartisan Push Urging Administration to Protect Biofuels and Reject Legality of Waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/07/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led a bipartisan effort with Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in urging the Trump Administration to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and reject requests for the RFS to be waived. In a bipartisan letter to the president, Sens. Smith, Ernst, Grassley and Stabenow—along with 22 other senators including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)—outlined the importance of upholding the RFS, especially during COVID-19, which has already caused harm to the biofuels community. Sens. Smith and her colleges also underscored the detrimental impacts a waiver would have on employment, farmers, food security,
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Back Legislation to Significantly Expand National Service Programs to Improve COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/07/20]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) are backing legislation to significantly expand national service programs as the country works to respond and recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act, led by U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) would fund 750,000 national service positions over a three-year response and recovery period, in part to meet the projected need for as many as 300,000 public health workers. The bill would also expand partnerships between AmeriCorps and federal health agencies and increase the AmeriCorps living allowance to ensure all Americans can step up to serve regardless of their financial circumstances.
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Funding to Expand Biofuel Infrastructure Program and Renewable Fuels
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide over $100 million in competitive grants to expand the availability and sale of renewable fuels. Funding is made available through the USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). “This funding will help ensure that more Americans will have access to higher blends of biofuels like E15 and E85, which will reduce carbon emissions, save them money at the pump, and boost local economies across Minnesota and the country,” Klobuchar said. “I will continue working to ensure farmers and renewable fuel producers receive
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