Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Catherine Cortez Masto Introduce Legislation Protecting Children Harmed by ICE Actions Against Their Parents
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children Act. The legislation would protect children affected by immigration enforcement actions or proceedings against their parents. According to a 2019 analysis, there are 7.2 million children of noncitizen parents in the United States. “The images of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos in his bunny hat after preschool are seared into the minds of Minnesotans. Using children as pawns to detain their parents is morally repugnant,” said Senator Smith. “This bill would put common-sense moral safeguards in place to protect children from ICE agents’ brutal tactics. Children are our most precious gift and needlessly traumatizing them in service of this Administration’s mass deportation campaign is beneath this nation’s morals.” “President Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his immigration agenda is targeting hardworking immigrants instead,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Innocent kids across the United States have been caught in the crossfire as their parents become targets of his Administration’s cruel immigration enforcement efforts. We must pass the HELP for Separated Children Act to require immigrant families be treated with dignity and to protect the rights of the most vulnerable among us.” “Coloradans must be assured that ICE is subject to the same common-sense practices we expect from well-functioning local law enforcement, especially when it comes to the best interests of children,” said Senator Bennet. “The HELP for Separated Children Act will bring dignity back to families and ensure proper safeguards are in place to hold ICE accountable. We cannot allow the Trump
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Seeks Answers on Hegseth’s Role in Dismantling Military’s Civilian Harm Prevention Guard Rails in Advance of Iran War
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined nine senators in seeking answers on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s role in weakening civilian harm prevention programs and the catastrophic civilian impacts of President Trump’s war in Iran. Since the start of President Trump’s illegal war in Iran, attacks on civilian infrastructure have led to more than 1,700 civilian deaths, along with strikes on more than 20 schools and a dozen health care facilities. “The high human toll of this war reflects the administration’s broader disregard for the strategic, legal, and moral imperative to minimize civilian harm.,” wrote the lawmakers. “We call on the administration to immediately end the war in Iran and fully restore Congressionally authorized programs and staffing to mitigate civilian harm.” “We are concerned that these were all preventable tragedies…This is a concerning pattern and raises questions about whether the administration is upholding international law and the laws of war,” wrote the senators. The Senators called on DoD to answer questions about reported attacks on two separate elementary schools in Iran that killed more than 170 people, most of them children. Prior to the war, Secretary Hegseth made deep cuts to the military’s civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) programs, fired personnel at DoD’s Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, and slashed CHMR staff at the U.S. combatant commands “by more than 90 percent.” All the cuts were reportedly made over the objections of veterans organizations and top military officials, including admirals, generals, and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We are
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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