Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, and Governor Tim Walz Announce Major Federal Funding for Reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Governor Tim Walz (D) announced a $1.05 billion federal grant to replace the Blatnik Bridge, which connects Duluth to Superior. The Blatnik Bridge opened in 1961 and has reached the end of its useful life. Bridge users experience lane closures and other disruptions multiple times each year due to inspections and maintenance work. This new bridge will be safer and boost the regional economy, as the Blatnik Bridge is integral to helping transport Minnesota goods for export to global markets. “For over 60 years, the Blatnik Bridge has connected commuters, businesses, and communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but it’s in serious need of a replacement,” said Klobuchar. “The significant federal grant we secured for the Blatnik Bridge replacement project will bolster safety and reliability for the thousands of people who use this bridge every day.” “The Blatnik Bridge is not only an essential connector for commuters in the Upper Midwest region—our national economy depends on this Bridge to deliver goods and services and for proper functioning of national supply chains,” said Smith. “Without this funding, the Blatnik Bridge would soon become unsafe, and thanks to President Biden and Minnesota Democrats in Congress, we finally have the necessary resources to make the bridge safer, more reliable, and more efficient.” “This is big news for Minnesota. This investment will make it possible for Minnesota and Wisconsin to rebuild a critical connection between our states that will foster regional economic growth, strengthen our national supply
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz Amendment Requiring the Use of U.S. Supplemental Aid Comply with U.S., International Law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) announced growing momentum around their amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security supplemental are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict. The amendment is now supported by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.). These Senators add their support to the group of over a dozen Senators who initially cosponsored the amendment: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The Senators’ amendment also requires that the president report to the Congress on whether countries receiving military equipment paid for by American taxpayers meet that test and whether the use of U.S-supplied weapons comports with established presidential directives on arms transfers and Defense Department policies for reducing harm to civilians. And it would buttress current law that prohibits U.S. security assistance to any country that prevents or restricts U.S. humanitarian assistance to those in need, subject to a presidential waiver. The amendment does not apply to funds for air defense systems or other systems that the president determines will be used for strictly defensive purposes. “I am pleased to see growing momentum behind our effort to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used by our
In Senate Hearing, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Calls Administration’s RFS Policy “a Bait and Switch,” Urges Deputy Secretary to Stand up for Farmers
WASHINGTON, DC [10/17/19]— Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) pressed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky about the Administration’s policy on the amount of corn-based ethanol and other renewable fuels blended into the nation’s gasoline supply. Sen. Smith, who has long urged expanded use of renewables, said that a strong renewable fuels standard is critically important to Minnesota corn and soybean farmers and is key to job creation in many rural communities. Her questioning came in response to President Trump’s announcement two weeks ago that he would take steps to make up for the abuse of small refinery waivers, which have allowed oil refineries to avoid using
U.S. Senators Tina Smith & Lisa Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Tribal Energy Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/16/2019]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the bipartisan Tribal Energy Reauthorization Act (TERA), which would update eligibility requirements for energy project grants and encourage more locally and regionally based partnerships when providing technical assistance to tribes. Sens. Smith and Murkowski—both members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee—said the legislation would reauthorize and improve the Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (OIE). The bill reauthorizes OIE and the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TELGP) through 2030. “We need to work with people in local communities—those who are closest to the work—in order to
Klobuchar, Smith Announce $22 Million Loan for Electric Infrastructure Improvements Across Rural Minnesota
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Meeker Cooperative Light & Power a $22,000,000 rural electric infrastructure loan. “This rural electric investment will connect and energize miles of infrastructure in Meeker, Wright, Stearns, McLeod, Kandiyohi, and Renville counties to help our entire state’s economy thrive for many years to come,” Klobuchar said. “Projects like this not only boost the economy, but also support good-paying jobs and maintain the services Minnesotans rely on.” “Rural homes, businesses, schools, airports and hospitals all need reliable electricity, and improving our electric grid is
U.S. Senators Klobuchar and Smith: Over $1 Million Awarded to Organizations that Help People from Diverse Backgrounds in Minnesota Participate in Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/9/2019]— U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that more than $1 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding has been awarded to organizations that help people from diverse backgrounds in Minnesota participate in agriculture. This funding will support the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), which helps immigrant and Latino farmers in Minnesota overcome barriers to growth. It will also support the American Indian Higher Ed Consortium (AIHEC) to engage students in agriculture at tribal colleges and universities—including the four in Minnesota—and improve Native American farmers and ranchers’ agricultural practices. The senators said that this funding is available to qualifying organizations through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and
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