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Klobuchar, Lummis, Smith, Mullin Bipartisan Legislation to Designate the Bald Eagle as the National Bird Passes Congress, Heads to the President’s Desk
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) announced their bipartisan legislation to designate the bald eagle as the National Bird of the United States has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate. It will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The bald eagle is a symbol of our country’s freedom and strength. In Minnesota, we know a thing or two about eagles: we are home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country as well as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “With the passage of our legislation, the bald eagle will now officially be recognized as our nation’s national bird.” “I am thrilled our bipartisan bill just passed the House,” said Sen. Lummis. “The bald eagle is an enduring symbol of American freedom and values, and thanks to bipartisan support, we are one step closer to officially designating the bald eagle as our national bird.” “The Bald Eagle has been a universally recognizable symbol of patriotism in this country for centuries, and they thrive in Minnesota because of our lakes and forestry,” said Sen. Smith. “I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation designating the Bald Eagle as the official bird of the United States and am excited to celebrate its passage out of the House.” “The bald eagle has long been a symbol of freedom and patriotism for our nation,” said Sen. Mullin. “It’s only fitting we officially designate the bald eagle
Major Senate Report Recommends Passage of U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation Addressing Amazon’s Mistreatment of Workers, Unjust Quota System
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Senate Labor Committee released a report endorsing Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) legislation to end dangerous quota systems at Amazon warehouses. The report detailed Amazon’s mistreatment of warehouse workers under the corporation’s productivity quota system. The report analyzed Amazon’s data and found that Amazon warehouses recorded over 30 percent more injuries than the warehousing industry average in 2023. More than two-thirds of Amazon’s warehouses have injury rates that exceed the industry average. Minnesota is home to five Amazon warehouses, which have previously been reported for mistreatment of its workers. The first listed solution in the report is bipartisan legislation spearheaded by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which would prohibit dangerous quota systems like Amazon’s, cited in Senate report. “This report highlights what we’ve already been hearing: Amazon’s quota system is pushing workers past their limits and is causing a high number of injuries among warehouse workers,” said Senator Smith. “The momentum to protect workers is growing. These big companies hold a lot of power. They are literally controlling the lives of workers minute by minute with their productivity metrics and quotas. We need to heed the calls of the report and pass the bipartisan Warehouse Worker Protection Act.” The bipartisan Warehouse Worker Protection Act would protect warehouse workers by prohibiting dangerous work speed quotas that lead to high rates of worker injuries. The legislation as re-introduced includes new enforcement authority for the Federal Trade Commission, as well as an exemption for small businesses. The legislation is cosponsored
Senators Smith, Rounds Unveil Major Bipartisan Package to Modernize and Update Rural Housing Programs
Washington [5.2.23] – This week, Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced significant bipartisan legislation to improve federal rural housing programs, cut red tape, and strengthen the supply of affordable housing. The legislation would represent the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms years. “Without a safe, affordable place to live, nothing else in your life works. Not your job, not your education, not your health,” said Senator Smith. “We know that the housing crisis is hurting communities across the country, and the problem is particularly acute in rural places. This legislation is the direct result of bipartisan hearings
Senator Smith Introduces Bill to Provide Financial Stability for College Students Faced With Unexpected Emergencies
Washington [5.1.23] – This week, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) reintroduced legislation to ensure college students are able to stay enrolled in school in the face of unexpected emergencies. For many students, paying for college requires carefully balancing student loan debts, jobs, and studies, which can be easily derailed by an unexpected costly event. The Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act would provide financial stability for students struggling to manage a sudden death in the family, car repair, medical bill or any number of financial emergencies that too often force students to drop out of school. The bill was introduced
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Metro Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Project
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured more than $239 million in federal funding for the Metro Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Project. These resources are provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and made possible by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was enacted in 2021 and championed by Klobuchar and Smith. Specifically, this investment will support the design and construction of this bus rapid transit line connecting downtown St. Paul to eastern Twin Cities suburbs. “Investments in public transit make it easier for Minnesotans to get to
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for St. Cloud Airport Infrastructure Improvements
Washington – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced nearly $500,000 in federal funding to replace outdated infrastructure at the St. Cloud Regional airport. The investment is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith helped pass. “Investments in our airport infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “By enabling the replacement of outdated equipment, this federal funding will help boost efficiency and improve safety for travelers at St. Cloud Regional Airport.” “The St. Cloud Regional airport is a key transportation hub and economic
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