Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Celebrate Grants to Repair Flood Damage Across Chippewa and Superior National Forests
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced two grants to the U.S. Forest Service to repair the transportation infrastructure in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan that was damaged due to significant flooding and high temperature spikes in the region. “Minnesotans are still dealing with the aftermath of severe flooding and extreme heat, and the damage to our transportation infrastructure in the Chippewa National Forest and the Superior National Forest has been significant,” said Klobuchar. “That’s why I fought for this funding to help rebuild and make sure people who live, work, and enjoy spending time in and around our National Forests can continue to do so safely.” “Minnesotans are still struggling in the aftermath of flooding across our state, and every level of government is needed for our communities to recover,” said Senator Smith. “I have made it a priority to get funding for our damaged infrastructure to help rebuild after the flooding, and these resources for the Forest Service will make a big difference for the Minnesotans who live, work and recreate in and around our National Forests.” The first grant was awarded to the U.S. Forest Service because of significant flooding that resulted in damage to the transportation infrastructure in the Chippewa National Forest and the Superior National Forest in Minnesota, the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin, and the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan. The second grant was awarded because of high temperature spikes as much as 26 degrees above normal in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan that resulted in flood damage to the transportation infrastructure in the National Forests. The grants
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Celebrate Grant to Repair Road Damage in Nicollet County
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a grant to repair damage done by a landslide in Nicollet County in June of 2020. The landslide occurred because of saturated soils in the riverbed combined with depleted water levels in the Minnesota River, causing damage to county road systems. The grant will reimburse the Minnesota Department of Transportation as they finish construction to stabilize the roads and the riverbanks to make the area safer and more accessible. “We’ve seen firsthand the disruptive impact of landslides and other natural disasters in Nicollet County, and how important it is for everyone to work together to rebuild,” said Klobuchar. “That’s why I fought for this funding—it means we can complete the critical work of stabilizing our roads and riverbanks, making sure they’re safe for everyone.” “Natural disasters can turn families’ worlds upside down, especially for the commuters, farmers, and students that travel across the state every day,” said Senator Smith. “When natural disasters strike, it’s important that we respond at every level of government. We’ve been fighting to secure federal funding to fix the road damage caused by the landslide, and this investment will go a long way to helping restore the roads to a stable and reliable condition for residents in Nicollet County.” The grant comes from the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, which helps communities repair roads damaged by natural disasters. In December 2024, Senators Klobuchar and Smith supported emergency supplemental funding for this program to address the backlog of roads in
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Funding to Upgrade, Relocate Duluth International Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced she helped secure funding for Duluth International Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower relocation project. The $10 million in funding will support relocating the non-standard tower currently at the airport, a tower which was commissioned in 1963. The airport coordinates over 67,000 arrivals/departures per year, contributes over $700 million to northern Minnesota’s economy, and supports over 6,000 jobs in the area. “The Duluth International Airport provides critical service to northern Minnesota, from commercial service to cargo, military and medical flights, yet it’s operating with a 70-year-old tower – the third oldest in the nation,” said Senator Smith. “This investment will make DLH safer and
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Expansion of Terminal 2 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) announced federal funding for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to expand Terminal 2. The project will add two new gates to the terminal’s north side, Gates H15 and H16. The funding comes from President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation, which Senators Klobuchar and Smith helped pass. “Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is among the busiest airports in the country and supports tens of thousands of jobs,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will enable the airport to continue serving the Twin Cities area, improve the travel experience for
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce STEM Education Funding for Minnesota Tribal Colleges and Universities
WASHINGTON [2/14/2024] – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs and Education Committees, and Amy Klobuchar (both D-Minn.) announced funding for White Earth Tribal and Community College and Red Lake Nation College to expand their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. The funding comes from the National Science Foundation and is part of a larger project to promote education and careers in STEM for Indigenous students. “STEM education has never been more important as the demand for STEM-trained employees has soared,” said Senator Smith. “This funding will provide accessible pathways for Native students to pursue higher education and serve their communities – all while integrating Tribal cultural heritage
Following Amendment Push, Smith, Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz & Colleagues Welcome New National Security Memorandum to Ensure U.S. Security Assistance is Used in Line with International Law
The memorandum, modeled off of Senators’ amendment, also requires all countries that receive U.S. security assistance to facilitate U.S.-supported humanitarian aid and creates robust reporting requirements to Congress WASHINGTON – Friday, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and their colleagues welcomed a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) released by the Biden Administration Thursday aimed at ensuring all U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law, including international humanitarian law. The NSM is modeled off of the Senators’ amendment to ensure U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law. Additional cosponsors
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