Latest Newsletters
Fighting to Protect Minnesotans
The past several weeks have been especially challenging with mass shootings, such as the ones in Buffalo, NY as well as Uvalde, TX, and Tulsa, OK. I am angry and heartbroken, yet again. The murder of innocent children, hate crimes against the Black community, and mass shootings in hospitals are unconscionable, and I reject the notion that there is nothing we can do. No other country in the world experiences gun violence like we do here in the United States, and we need to do something to stop it. -Tina Smith Mass Shootings and the Need for Legislation to Prevent Gun Violence As we mourn the loss of innocent lives in Buffalo, New York, Uvalde, Texas, and Tulsa Oklahoma, it is evident that we need to enact commonsense gun safety legislation in this country. The House has already passed a bill that would require a background check for every gun purchase—something almost 90% of Americans support. It’s time for the Senate to pass this important legislation and send it to the President’s desk. There is no one law that will solve the mass shooting epidemic in this country, but we can save lives if we take action. It is time for us to make a change. Leaked Supreme Court Draft That Would Overturn Roe v. Wade As the only U.S. Senator to have worked at Planned Parenthood, I understand the need to protect a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her life, her health, and her body. For
A New Law to Modernize and Improve the Postal Service
I wanted to share some information on what we recently delivered on in the Senate: newly passed bipartisan legislation that will ensure the Postal Service maintains six-days of delivery per week—changes were under consideration—and puts the Postal Service on better financial footing after years of beleaguered budgets. It’s now headed to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law, and I’m proud to have cosponsored this legislation and helped get it over the finish line. Minnesotans and Americans across the country rely on the Postal Service—it’s how we get our medicine, Social Security checks and veterans benefits. And it’s also how many of us vote. Its services are so vital that it’s included in our Constitution. No matter where you live, you rely on the Postal Service. Yet, as you may know, the Postal Service has been plagued by unfair financial burdens. These challenges have made it hard to deliver reliable service, especially in the long run. I’ve been pushing in the Senate to ensure the USPS gets the stable footing it needs, so I’m proud we could deliver on this legislation. Reforming the Postal Service The bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act will modernize the USPS and make it more transparent, accountable, and financially stable. It’s also supported by Republicans and Democrats, postal workers, unions, and businesses. Here is what it will do: Ensure there are no cuts to delivery by permanently requiring the Postal Service to deliver six days per week. Save taxpayers $27 billion over the next decade
Working for Minnesota in Washington
I am lucky to represent you in Washington D.C. and to work every day in the United States Senate to make progress for Minnesotans. I’ll be honest, this can be a frustrating and divisive place. But it’s knowing that every win we have is for the people of Minnesota that continues to inspire me. These past months have been busy––but I am excited to give you an update on the work I’ve been doing in Washington. Working for a Cleaner Future I am working to advance a Clean Electricity Standard (CES) as part of the major budget package now being
Traveling Across Minnesota
August was a jam-packed month, and during the Senate’s annual August recess, I was able to travel to communities across the state and hear from Minnesotans about issues that matter to them most. These visits help inform my work in Washington, D.C. and will be valuable as the Senate returns this month to finish work on transformative budget legislation that will not only address the continuing economic fallout from the pandemic, but also rebuild our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, create jobs, cut taxes, lower costs for Minnesota working families, and address the urgent threat of climate change. Important Minnesota Events During August
Help Is On The Way
The American Rescue Plan Signed Into Law When President Biden signed into law the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP) this week, it was a bold and historic response to a devastating pandemic that – for more than a year – has upended the lives of people in Minnesota and across the country. The pandemic has taken more than 500,000 lives, strained our public health system, closed schools, and stolen millions of businesses and jobs. I strongly supported the American Rescue Plan after hearing from thousands of Minnesotans throughout this past year about the devastating toll the virus has had
A New President
On Wednesday, we inaugurated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to be President and Vice-President. I started the day feeling optimistic, worried, determined, excited and grateful. Optimistic that today was finally here. Worried in spite of myself that everything would go off without a hitch. Determined and excited about the work ahead, and just plain grateful that I could be here representing Minnesotans. We drove to my office in the Hart office building, passing through a check point with armed guards, fences and razor wire, and lots of National Guard troops. This was a stark reminder that, after the events of last week, we cannot
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