Latest Releases
Smith, Klobuchar Celebrate Groundbreaking of Blatnik Bridge Replacement
Sens. Smith & Klobuchar secured federal funding to reconstruct the bridge connecting Duluth and Superior, WI DULUTH, MN — U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) celebrated the groundbreaking of the Blatnik Bridge replacement project, after they secured federal funding for the bridge from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and successfully pressed the administration to release the funding so construction on the project could begin. The Blatnik Bridge powers the regional economy with 33,000 vehicles crossing every day and $3.7 billion in goods transferred annually across the bridge between the Twin Ports. The reconstructed bridge is expected to be complete in 2031. “The Twin Ports are economic engines for the region, and that’s only possible because the Blatnik Bridge is there to move people and cargo between Duluth and Superior,” said Smith. “This new and improved bridge will pay dividends for the Northland and our entire state. I’m grateful not only to the union workers who will build this bridge, but to everyone in the region who will put up with some construction delays while this incredible feat of engineering is completed.” “For over 60 years, the Blatnik Bridge has connected commuters, businesses, and communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but it is in serious need of a replacement,” said Klobuchar. “A safe and reliable Blatnik Bridge is critical for Minnesota’s economic future and for people across our entire region. We fought to secure this funding and then fought to make sure it was released, and now we are finally
Smith, Klobuchar, Finstad Urge Trump Administration to Approve Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) and U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) urged the Trump Administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities in southeastern Minnesota that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding. If this disaster declaration is approved, the federal government will be able to provide disaster assistance for various recovery efforts. “We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance under the Stafford Act to assist our constituents recovering from severe storms and flash flooding. These natural disasters have caused significant damage, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal disaster assistance,” said the lawmakers. The lawmakers continued, “Time and time again, Minnesotans have stepped up to support their neighbors after natural disasters. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but rapid federal assistance will speed up this recovery effort. We strongly support Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance and ask that you grant its approval without delay.” Full text of the letter is available HERE and below: Dear Mr. President: We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance under the Stafford
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Attorney General Ellison’s Settlement with Nation’s Largest Landlord for Artificially Inflating Rental Prices
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), top Democrat on the Senate Housing Subcommittee, released the following statement after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a $7 million settlement with the nation’s largest landlord, Greystar, as part of his ongoing litigation against property management software company RealPage. “When everything is already so unaffordable, cheating by artificially inflating rent adds insult to injury. These corporate landlords will do anything to pad their pockets and that’s why I’m so appreciative of Attorney General Ellison’s work to bring accountability for Minnesota renters,” said Senator Smith. “I’m pushing legislation to ban these practices nationwide and empower
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Call for Senate Vote to Release the Epstein Files
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) have requested Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) immediately hold a floor vote on legislation to release the Epstein Files. Klobuchar and Smith requested that the Senate vote on the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed the House of Representatives with nearly unanimous bipartisan support (427-1) – enough to overcome a Presidential veto. “The victims of Jeffrey Epstein and the American people deserve answers, accountability and the truth. So far, they have only seen empty promises from President Trump and his Administration. Now that a majority of the
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Fight Against Trump Administration’s Cuts to Housing for Formerly Homeless Minnesotans
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) led 41 of her colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to immediately halt plans to cut housing funding for people who were previously homeless. 3,600 Minnesotans could lose their housing and be forced back into homelessness under the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to the Continuum of Care program. Minnesota received approximately $48 million in funding last year. Most of those funds are used to provide affordable housing with intensive, supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. The Senators requested that the Administration use existing authorities to renew grants and change course to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Tonight’s Vote on the Federal Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON – Tonight, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after voting against a continuing resolution to fund the federal government: “I will not support this bill that completely fails to help Americans afford their health care. Trump and Republicans more than doubled Americans’ health care premiums, and for 40 days they have refused to lift a finger to do a thing about it. In fact, they’ve made it worse by taking food away from kids. Allowing this to pass is a mistake.”
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