Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, and Governor Tim Walz Announce Major Federal Funding for Reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Governor Tim Walz (D) announced a $1.05 billion federal grant to replace the Blatnik Bridge, which connects Duluth to Superior. The Blatnik Bridge opened in 1961 and has reached the end of its useful life. Bridge users experience lane closures and other disruptions multiple times each year due to inspections and maintenance work. This new bridge will be safer and boost the regional economy, as the Blatnik Bridge is integral to helping transport Minnesota goods for export to global markets. “For over 60 years, the Blatnik Bridge has connected commuters, businesses, and communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but it’s in serious need of a replacement,” said Klobuchar. “The significant federal grant we secured for the Blatnik Bridge replacement project will bolster safety and reliability for the thousands of people who use this bridge every day.” “The Blatnik Bridge is not only an essential connector for commuters in the Upper Midwest region—our national economy depends on this Bridge to deliver goods and services and for proper functioning of national supply chains,” said Smith. “Without this funding, the Blatnik Bridge would soon become unsafe, and thanks to President Biden and Minnesota Democrats in Congress, we finally have the necessary resources to make the bridge safer, more reliable, and more efficient.” “This is big news for Minnesota. This investment will make it possible for Minnesota and Wisconsin to rebuild a critical connection between our states that will foster regional economic growth, strengthen our national supply
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz Amendment Requiring the Use of U.S. Supplemental Aid Comply with U.S., International Law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) announced growing momentum around their amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security supplemental are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict. The amendment is now supported by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.). These Senators add their support to the group of over a dozen Senators who initially cosponsored the amendment: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The Senators’ amendment also requires that the president report to the Congress on whether countries receiving military equipment paid for by American taxpayers meet that test and whether the use of U.S-supplied weapons comports with established presidential directives on arms transfers and Defense Department policies for reducing harm to civilians. And it would buttress current law that prohibits U.S. security assistance to any country that prevents or restricts U.S. humanitarian assistance to those in need, subject to a presidential waiver. The amendment does not apply to funds for air defense systems or other systems that the president determines will be used for strictly defensive purposes. “I am pleased to see growing momentum behind our effort to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used by our
Klobuchar, Smith Announce over $5 Million in Funding for Rural Broadband Deployment in Harmony
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced over $5 million in funding provided to Harmony Telephone Company for rural broadband deployment in the Harmony area. The funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s ReConnect program will support high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will improve connectivity for rural Minnesota households. “Our 21st century economy demands 21st century infrastructure, and that will require investments in rural broadband,” Klobuchar said. “This critical funding will help connect more Minnesotans from Harmony and the surrounding area to high-speed internet. Continued investments in broadband will transform how we do business, provide medical
Smith, Portman Bipartisan Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands (RURAL) Act to be Signed Into Law
Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Senate passed the final FY 2020 funding bill that includes their bipartisan Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands (RURAL) Act to preserve jobs and encourage infrastructure development by expanding tax-exempt cooperative organizations’ access to government grants and assistance, including rural broadband grants and FEMA disaster relief. This legislation provides certainty for co-ops looking to utilize government resources to deliver critical services to their members, such as broader access to high-speed internet or repairs to the electrical grid. The legislation now heads to the president’s desk for signature. “I’m pleased that
Klobuchar, Smith Secure $180,000 in Funding for Animal Disease Preparedness and Response
WASHINGTON –U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced that they have secured $180,000 in grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for disease preparedness and response activities in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will receive $133,000 and the University of Minnesota will receive $47,000. “This critical funding will ensure that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and University of Minnesota will be able to continue their work researching and protecting U.S. animal health,” Klobuchar said. “Animal disease preparedness is an important part of ensuring that Minnesota’s farmers and ranchers can respond quickly to a potential disease outbreak. This
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Help Introduce Legislation to Protect Community Television
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/23/20]—This week, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) helped introduce the Protecting Community Television Act, which would ensure that community television operations continue to receive the resources they need to educate and inform viewers in the cities and towns where they operate. Currently, local governments are permitted to require—as part of cable franchise agreements—that cable companies meet demonstrated community needs by providing in-kind contributions that benefit schools, public safety buildings, as well as public, educational, and government (PEG) channels, also known as community television stations. However, last year the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to permit cable
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