Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Lummis, Smith, Mullin Bipartisan Legislation to Designate the Bald Eagle as the National Bird Passes Congress, Heads to the President’s Desk
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) announced their bipartisan legislation to designate the bald eagle as the National Bird of the United States has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate. It will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The bald eagle is a symbol of our country’s freedom and strength. In Minnesota, we know a thing or two about eagles: we are home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country as well as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “With the passage of our legislation, the bald eagle will now officially be recognized as our nation’s national bird.” “I am thrilled our bipartisan bill just passed the House,” said Sen. Lummis. “The bald eagle is an enduring symbol of American freedom and values, and thanks to bipartisan support, we are one step closer to officially designating the bald eagle as our national bird.” “The Bald Eagle has been a universally recognizable symbol of patriotism in this country for centuries, and they thrive in Minnesota because of our lakes and forestry,” said Sen. Smith. “I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation designating the Bald Eagle as the official bird of the United States and am excited to celebrate its passage out of the House.” “The bald eagle has long been a symbol of freedom and patriotism for our nation,” said Sen. Mullin. “It’s only fitting we officially designate the bald eagle
Major Senate Report Recommends Passage of U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation Addressing Amazon’s Mistreatment of Workers, Unjust Quota System
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Senate Labor Committee released a report endorsing Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) legislation to end dangerous quota systems at Amazon warehouses. The report detailed Amazon’s mistreatment of warehouse workers under the corporation’s productivity quota system. The report analyzed Amazon’s data and found that Amazon warehouses recorded over 30 percent more injuries than the warehousing industry average in 2023. More than two-thirds of Amazon’s warehouses have injury rates that exceed the industry average. Minnesota is home to five Amazon warehouses, which have previously been reported for mistreatment of its workers. The first listed solution in the report is bipartisan legislation spearheaded by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which would prohibit dangerous quota systems like Amazon’s, cited in Senate report. “This report highlights what we’ve already been hearing: Amazon’s quota system is pushing workers past their limits and is causing a high number of injuries among warehouse workers,” said Senator Smith. “The momentum to protect workers is growing. These big companies hold a lot of power. They are literally controlling the lives of workers minute by minute with their productivity metrics and quotas. We need to heed the calls of the report and pass the bipartisan Warehouse Worker Protection Act.” The bipartisan Warehouse Worker Protection Act would protect warehouse workers by prohibiting dangerous work speed quotas that lead to high rates of worker injuries. The legislation as re-introduced includes new enforcement authority for the Federal Trade Commission, as well as an exemption for small businesses. The legislation is cosponsored
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Bemidji Regional Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $95,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Bemidji Regional Airport. The airport will use the money to reconfigure and expand the security checkpoint. “Investments in our airports serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve the travel experience at the Bemidji Regional Airport by expanding the passenger security checkpoint.” “The Bemidji Regional airport is a key transportation hub and economic driver for
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $21,300,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The airport will use the money to improve passenger boarding bridges, rehabilitate roofs, and increase energy efficiency. “Investments in our airports serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve the travel experience and energy efficiency of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport while also creating good paying jobs.” “The Minneapolis-St. Paul
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Glencoe Municipal Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $712,500 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Glencoe Municipal Airport. The airport will use the money to design and construct a new general aviation terminal. This project will replace an existing facility outdated that was constructed in 1970. “Investments in our airports serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve the travel experience at the Glencoe Municipal Airport by supporting the construction
U.S Senator Tina Smith Applauds Biden Administration’s Rule Implementing Senate-Passed Pension Relief Stopping Drastic Cuts for Over 22,000 Minnesotans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/6/22]— Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) celebrated a key step in implementing pension relief funding to reverse pension cuts for thousands of Minnesotans who earned pensions through union jobs. The latest rule, issued by the federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, marks the completion of multiemployer pension system fixes which will bolster the solvency of the multiemployer pension system and prevent drastic cuts to pensions. The multiemployer pension relief package included in the American Rescue Plan stems from Sen. Smith’s push to help the more than 1 million workers and retirees nationwide—including more than 22,000 Minnesotans—who had been facing deep cuts