Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Major Federal Investment for SkyWater Technology’s Bloomington Manufacturing Facility
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Tina Smith (D-MN) and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that SkyWater Technology will receive up to $16 million in federal funding as part of the CHIPS and Science Act to upgrade their facility, increasing overall production capacity by approximately 30 percent. “If we want to continue leading the global economy, we must be a country that makes stuff, invents things, and exports to the world. This significant investment in SkyWater Technology will transform domestic semiconductor manufacturing,” said Klobuchar. “I’m proud to have worked with SkyWater Technology to secure the resources needed to ensure Minnesota remains at the forefront of technological innovation. This is good for our state’s workers and businesses.” “Modern life depends on semiconductor chips. Whether it’s your car, your coffeemaker, your medical devices, or the equipment that our National Guard members rely on,” said Senator Smith. “This investment in SkyWater will make sure these chips aren’t just made in America, it’ll make sure they’re made right here in Minnesota.” This federal funding will invest in cutting-edge technology to modernize and expand SkyWater’s Bloomington facility, improve its cybersecurity by upgrading its IT systems, and create new jobs in high-demand fields like engineering and manufacturing. Klobuchar and Smith voted to pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and boost American competitiveness and innovation. The CHIPS and Science Act is providing significant resources to: In June 2023, Klobuchar hosted a roundtable discussion and press conference at Normandale Community College in Bloomington
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Celebrate U.S. Trade Mission to Morocco
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) applauded that Minnesotan exporters are participating in a USDA agribusiness trade mission to Casablanca, Morocco, ending today. Morocco is the second-largest export market for U.S. agriculture in Africa. U.S. sales of farm and food products to the country topped $619 million last year. Representatives from the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Lamex Foods of Bloomington, Merus LLC of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association of Mankato, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are currently in Morocco to expand U.S. farm and food exports to their market and other West African markets. They are joined by representatives from nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture nationwide. “Minnesota’s participation in this trade mission to Morocco underscores our state’s commitment to expanding our agricultural exports and forging strong international partnerships,” said Klobuchar. “By connecting Minnesota agricultural producers with new buyers in Morocco and across West Africa, this mission will create opportunities to expand markets, strengthen our state’s economy, and support the farmers and businesses that keep Minnesota at the forefront of agriculture.” “Agricultural exports support farming in Minnesota and provide economic benefits to the state,” said Senator Smith. “This trade mission to Morocco is a great opportunity for Minnesota agribusinesses to cultivate new markets for their agriculture products.” Senator Smith, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has been a strong advocate for expanding agricultural market access globally. Earlier this year, she celebrated a USDA trade mission to Colombia, which Lamex Foods participated in. In April 2024, she
Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Help Veterans Get Care for Hearing Loss, Their Most Common Service-Related Health Issue
WASHINGTON [2.1.22] — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced legislation to reduce the red tape many veterans face when trying to get care for hearing loss as a result of their service—something many veterans say is an enormous burden despite being the most common service-connected ailment. Sen. Smith heard about this problem through her office’s veterans’ health care tour, which visited some 10 communities throughout Minnesota to hear what health challenges veterans are facing. “If you’ve served our country and experienced a health related issue because of it, it’s our job to take care of you. That’s the agreement
Banking Committee Member Sen. Tina Smith Says Attacks On Fed Nominees Are Part of Ugly GOP Playbook
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/31/22]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in support of President Biden’s Federal Reserve Nominees Sarah Bloom Raskin, Lisa Cook, and Philip Jefferson and called out her Republican colleagues for their ugly partisan attacks: “Sarah Bloom Raskin, Lisa Cook, and Philip Jefferson are highly qualified and dedicated public servants. Their experience, expertise, and perspective are much needed at the Federal Reserve as our nation navigates complicated economic times. “Republicans would have you believe differently, ignoring these nominees’ clear qualifications. They are again using the ugly GOP playbook that undermines women and people of color with partisan attacks
Klobuchar, Smith Urge Farmers to Sign Up for Grazing Loss Assistance Program Before Monday Deadline
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are reminding Minnesota livestock producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or wildfire in 2021 to enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Livestock Forage Program (LFP). Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2022. “Last year’s extreme drought and wildfires created enormous challenges for our state’s livestock producers,” said Klobuchar. “The Livestock Forage Program is available to help livestock producers as they continue to recover. I encourage all impacted producers to enroll now before the January 31 deadline.” “Widespread drought
Klobuchar, Smith Urge Farmers to Sign Up for the Conservation Reserve Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/28/22]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (Both D-Minn.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are reminding Minnesota agricultural producers and landowners to enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Applications will be accepted from January 31 to March 11 for the General CRP and from April 4 to May 13 for the Grassland CRP. “The Conservation Reserve Program protects critical natural resources and provides economic benefits for our rural communities,” Klobuchar said. “I have worked to increase the number of acres in CRP so farmers and landowners can continue to access the
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