Latest Releases
Statement from U.S. Senator Tina Smith After Voting Against Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after voting against confirming U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to lead the Department of Homeland Security after the firing of Former Secretary Kristi Noem. “Tonight I voted against the confirmation of Senator Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security because I do not have confidence that Senator Mullin will change the Trump Administration’s reckless, dangerous and illegal immigration enforcement activity,” said Senator Smith. “Minnesota has paid a heavy price from Operation Metro Surge, and it will take us a long time to recover. Two of our citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, have been killed. Families have been broken apart, with parents and children still held in Texas detainment centers. There has been a massive economic cost; businesses have gone under and thousands have lost their wages. Donald Trump can install a new face at DHS, but nothing will change if Stephen Miller and Donald Trump are intent on continuing these dangerous ICE tactics.” ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith on Release of Blatnik Bridge Replacement Funding
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after it was announced the U.S. Department of Transportation is releasing the funding necessary to begin construction to replace the Blatnik Bridge: “Any delay in the Blatnik Bridge replacement project would’ve been incredibly costly to Minnesota and Wisconsin, to the tune of millions of dollars,” said Senator Smith. “Releasing this funding now means this project can move forward on schedule – and Minnesota taxpayers won’t have to pay more for the same bridge. I’m grateful the Administration heeded our calls to release this money and I’m looking forward to seeing construction completed on time and within budget.” The announcement comes two weeks after Senator Smith joined Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Baldwin (D-WI) in pressing Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to give final approval and release the $1.05 billion grant. The Blatnik Bridge is a vital connection between Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, with over 33,000 vehicles passing through daily and 265,000 trucks transporting nearly $4 billion in goods annually. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Highway 5 in Carver County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to improve Highway 5. The resources, provided through USDOT’s Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, will widen the roadway from two to four lanes between Chanhassen and Victoria. “Rebuilding our infrastructure is critical for families, workers, and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “Highway 5 is a key route in Carver County, but it does not adequately serve the growing population, leading to safety hazards and traffic jams. This infrastructure project will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and create good jobs.”
Klobuchar, Smith, Fischbach, and Entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation’s Legislation to Rename Roseau Post Office in Honor of Floyd B. Olson Signed into Law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07) announced their legislation to rename the Roseau Post Office after Floyd B. Olson, the Roseau Postmaster of 25 years, has been signed into law. Mr. Olson served in the Army from 1952 to 1954 and was an active member of the Roseau County Historical Society Board, Roseau County Fair Board, Rose Free Lutheran Church Board & Men’s Club, and the Postmaster’s Association. Mr. Olson passed away in 2017, after decades of service to his community and country. “Floyd B. Olson was the Roseau Postmaster for
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Secure Disaster Relief for Minnesota Farmers, Families, and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN), ranking member and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that an expected $2 billion in agriculture disaster relief and farmer aid will soon be made available for Minnesota producers, small businesses, and families impacted by extreme storms and flooding last year. After record water levels across the state wreaked havoc on producers, small businesses and homeowners, both Senators worked to make sure the needs of Minnesota were addressed in the Congress’s comprehensive disaster aid package, the American Relief Act, 2025,which was passed and signed into law at the
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for South Broadway Avenue 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 $2,500,000 for the South Broadway Avenue project planning in Rochester. The grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will support the study, design, and engineering of a Complete Street and pedestrian and bike overpass along the approximate half-mile corridor on South Broadway Avenue between 4th Street SE and 9th Street SE. “Broadway Avenue is the main north-south access to downtown Rochester and this federal support will improve the safety of this major corridor,” said Klobuchar. “By building an overpass, we will make
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