Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith, Finstad Resolution to Recognize Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Woman and Men’s Basketball Team Passes Senate
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced their resolution celebrating the Minnesota State University, Mankato Women’s and Men’s basketball teams’ winning the 2024 NCAA Division II Basketball National Championships passed the Senate. U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) led companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “One school, two national championships, and a chapter in the Minnesota sports history books,” said Klobuchar. “This resolution recognizes the hard work and incredible accomplishments of the Mankato Maverick Basketball teams during the 2024 season. Congratulations to the players, coaches, staff, administrators and fans on a great season!” “I am so proud to see both of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s basketball programs bring home the Division II trophies,” said Smith. “These student-athletes dedicate countless hours to become the best at what they do, and it is wonderful to see their hard work paying off on the national stage.” “Congratulations to both the women’s and men’s basketball teams at Minnesota State University, Mankato, who have embodied southern Minnesota through their perseverance, dedication, and teamwork,” said Finstad. “To celebrate this achievement, I am honored to introduce this resolution congratulating both teams on behalf of our community in Minnesota’s First District.” Full text of the resolution is available HERE and below: Whereas, on March 29, 2024, the Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the “women’s basketball team”) won the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the “NCAA”) Division II women’s basketball national championship game against the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers by a
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. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Farms Adopt Conservation, Climate Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/19/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith recently introduced bipartisan legislation to help farmers adopt conservation and climate practices to sustain their farms, boost bottom lines and protect the environment. The Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act, led by Sen. Smith and Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) would create a USDA competitive grant program to help farmers make these improvements. Sen. Smith said that universities will provide farmers who are participating in the grant program with individualized advice to help them meet their conservation goals. This unique partnership creates an opportunity for new research and ideas to be applied to farming operations. “Strong farm programs that encourage conservation and climate practices will help farmers maintain sustainable and productive operations well into the future,” said
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on the Passing of Vice President Walter Mondale
Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement on the passing of Vice President Walter Mondale: “I loved Walter Mondale and I’m not the only one. Mondale was a giant not only because of the positions he held—Minnesota Attorney General, U.S. Senator, Vice President, Democratic Presidential Candidate and Ambassador—but because of the work that he did. He provided his strong, compassionate, clear, and fearless voice to the world for over six decades, and he never stopped. Whether it was working with Marian Wright Edelman to lift children out of poverty, fighting to repair the damage of housing discrimination
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Bill to Help Lower Prescription Drug Costs to be Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. [4/15/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-Minn.) bipartisan legislation to help lower prescription drug costs is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law after passing the House on Wednesday, and passing the Senate in March. The Ensuring Innovation Act, led by Sen. Smith and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), will stop pharmaceutical manufacturers from claiming new innovations when they make insignificant modifications to their products in order to extend their monopolies and keep drug prices high for consumers. Right now, pharmaceutical companies engage in “evergreening,” which allows them to extend their patents for five years when they make minor, insignificant
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Presses U.S. State Department to Address Canadian Border Restrictions Hurting Travel to Minnesota’s Northwest Angle
WASHINGTON, D.C. [4/7/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) has repeatedly pressed Canadian officials on issues affecting the Minnesota’s Northwest Angle—which cannot be accessed by land without traveling briefly through Canada—and today, Sen. Smith is urging the U.S. State Department to address new Canadian restrictions that are hurting Minnesotans who own homes and businesses in the Northwest Angle. Currently, due to border restrictions recently enacted by Canada, Angle residents, tourists and business owners are required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test in order to travel through Canada to the Angle. But with limited PCR testing available in rural areas, Sen. Smith
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