Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, and Rep. Michelle Fischbach Announce Grant for Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07) announced a grant from the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) for the expansion of the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. The cemetery serves more than 59,000 Veterans and their eligible family members and the $1,368,100 grant will fund 1,080 columbarium vaults, update landscaping, and improve irrigation. “It’s on all of us to remember fallen service members and to honor their memories,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will go towards upgrading the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls so families can continue to have a peaceful and dignified place to pay their respects.” “The servicemembers who make such enormous sacrifices for our country deserve our utmost respect,” said Senator Smith. “This grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs will make much-needed improvements to the final resting place for thousands of veterans from our state so they can rest with the honor they deserve.” “This grant is going to mean so much to the thousands of veterans and their families who are laid to rest or paying respects to loved ones in Little Falls,” said Rep. Fischbach. “We can never thank our veterans enough, but this is one small way to show our gratitude for the sacrifices so many have made for this nation.” Part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the VCGP has provided more than $1 billion to establish, expand, improve, and maintain 122 state, territorial and tribal Veterans cemeteries since its inception in 1978. ###
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber, and Entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation Introduce Bill Naming Pengilly Post Office in Honor of First Lieutenant Richard A. Koski
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) announced new legislation to rename the Pengilly Post Office after First Lieutenant Richard A. Koski, a Pengilly resident who was killed in action at age 25 during the Vietnam War. First Lieutenant Koski was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and First Oak Leaf Cluster for battlefield valor. Pengilly resident Brian Walker, who was saved from drowning when he was a child by First Lieutenant Koski, worked with Klobuchar on the naming effort. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), along with Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “First Lieutenant Richard A. Koski has long been admired in Pengilly for his heroic actions both before and during his military service,” said Klobuchar. “By naming the Pengilly Post Office in his honor, we are paying tribute to his sacrifice and keeping his memory alive for generations to come.” “Lieutenant Koski was an American hero who we are proud to call Minnesotan,” said Smith. “He is remembered by those who knew him as a man of bravery and decency and has been recognized for his selfless service in the Vietnam War. By naming the Pengilly Post Office after him, we hope this building will serve as a reminder of his service to Minnesota and the United States.” “First Lieutenant Richard A. Koski is an American
Following Urging from Klobuchar, Smith, USDA Announces Additional Coronavirus Relief Funding for Livestock and Poultry Producers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced today that producers in Minnesota and across the country hit hard by the pandemic can apply for federal relief funds before September 17. The two Senators, both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, pressed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in June to expedite and prioritize relief for farmers, livestock producers, biofuel processors, and timber harvesters and haulers. “The coronavirus pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for agriculture workers and rural communities across Minnesota,” said Klobuchar. “This relief will help ensure our farmers and businesses have the resources they need to keep our supply chain
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Say $4 Million Federal Grant Will Deploy More Electric Buses in Metro Area
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/22/21]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that Minnesota’s Metro Transit has been awarded $4,190,839 to add more electric buses to its fleet. This U.S. Department of Transportation grant will help purchase buses that have larger battery capacity, allowing them to complete routes more easily. The senators said that the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Electric busses will reduce the sector’s carbon footprint and improve air quality. “Investments in clean transportation infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic and environmental well-being of our state and
Collins, Smith Announce $200 Million Now Available to Help Loggers, Timber Haulers Facing COVID-19 Economic Crisis
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that $200 million is now available for logging and log hauling businesses that have been seriously impacted by the pandemic. Eligible members of the logging industry can apply on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website HERE. The funding was provided through the Loggers Relief Act, which Senators Collins and Smith co-authored last year. They secured $200 million for logger relief in the final COVID-19 relief package that was signed into law in December. Following the bill’s passage, the Senators led efforts to push USDA to expedite the distribution of this
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: Too Many Americans Still Being Charged for COVID Tests that Should Be Free
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/21/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said people in Minnesota and across the country are still being charged up to thousands of dollars for COVID-19 tests that – by law – should be free, and she introduced legislation to help ensure Americans aren’t stuck with surprise bills when they get a test. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) is a cosponsor of the bill. As part of a COVID-19 relief package in 2020, Congress enacted Sen. Smith’s measure to require public health programs and private insurers to cover the cost of coronavirus tests. The law also protects the uninsured from being charged. Despite
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