Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Press the Administration on Potential Closure Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) wrote a letter demanding answers about a report that the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling may be closed and sold. This building houses essential services for veterans and military processing. In a letter to General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Stephen Ehikian, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM) Commander Colonel Frankie Cochiaosue, the Senators warned that shutting it down could disrupt services for veterans and harm military readiness. “The services provided in the Whipple building are essential federal services. In particular, the closure of the Whipple Building would jeopardize veterans’ services for thousands of Minnesota veterans. Veterans’ access to disability and pension benefits, employment and housing counseling, and memorial benefits would all be impacted,” wrote the Senators. In the letter, they also raised concerns that GSA has not followed its own requirements for public engagement and proper planning before offloading federal property. They demanded transparency on whether the federal government intends to close the building and what steps, if any, are being taken to ensure uninterrupted access to services. You can access full text of the letter here.
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Press Administration on Potential Closure of Indian Health Service Office in Bemidji
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) wrote a letter demanding answers about the potential termination of the Indian Health Service office lease in Bemidji. In a letter to General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Stephen Ehikian and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Senators highlighted the devastating impact this decision could have on the health and well-being of thousands of Native Americans across the region. “Thousands of members of federally recognized Tribal Nations receive healthcare within the Bemidji Area Office’s purview. This includes emergency care, substance use disorder treatment, mental healthcare, primary, specialty, and dental care, and much more. Without an operational Area Office, recipients of this care will face immediate disruptions in care and health consequences. It is unconscionable to risk the healthcare of children and families in this way,” wrote the Senators. The Bemidji Area Office is responsible for healthcare services for 34 Tribal Nations and 4 urban Indian health programs in 5 states. In the letter, Senators Smith and Klobuchar underscored that IHS services are provided under the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations and that any disruption in operations could jeopardize essential medical services. They demanded clarity on whether GSA intends to terminate the lease and if so, what plans exist to prevent service disruptions. You can access full text of the letter here.
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Reconstruct Highway 197 in Bemidji
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $18 million in federal funding to reconstruct Highway 197. Specifically, the grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will help enable critical safety and mobility improvements to the highway. “Investments in our infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help make critical infrastructure improvements that will bolster the safety and mobility of one of Bemidji’s busiest routes, making it easier for Minnesotans to access work, school, and other
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Construct 6th Street Bridge in Rochester
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $19.9 million in federal funding, provided through USDOT’s RAISE grant program, to help construct the new 6th Street Bridge in Rochester. This new bridge will help spur economic growth in downtown Rochester by alleviating traffic congestion, improving connectivity, and boosting safety and accessibility. “Investments in our infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will enable the long-discussed construction of the 6th Street Bridge, which will strengthen downtown Rochester’s
Senators Klobuchar, Smith and Rep. Craig Announce Applications Set to Open for Internet Expansion Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8.9.22] – This week, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, and Representative Angie Craig (all D-MN) announced that the ReConnect Program, aimed at expanding high-speed internet access in rural communities, will begin accepting Round 4 applications on September 6th. The program, which received new funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that Klobuchar, Smith and Craig helped pass earlier this year, will invest more than $1 billion to increase access to high-speed internet in small towns across the nation. “In 2022, we should be able to deliver high-speed internet to every community in our country, regardless
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Celebrates the Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement celebrating the passage of the historic Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: “This is a historic bill that meets the moment. It fights inflation and reduces the federal deficit. It’s takes on the climate emergency, creates a clean energy future and spurs domestic clean energy production. It lowers prescription drug costs, and makes health care more affordable for millions of families. And, it requires big corporations making a billion or more in profits to finally pay their fair share in taxes. “Make no mistake: This legislation represents the most significant action
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