Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber Urge Navy to Name New Ship for the City of Duluth, in recognition of the USS Duluth
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) urged the U.S. Navy to name a new landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious ship in honor of the USS Duluth LPD-6, which was commissioned in 1965 and decommissioned in 2005 and originally named for the city of Duluth. “We write to urge you to consider naming a new LPD amphibious ship for the city of Duluth, Minnesota and in honor of the USS Duluth LPD-6, which was commissioned in 1965 and decommissioned in 2005. The USS Duluth served for nearly 40 years and, whatever her charge, she ably and nobly performed her motto ‘Fortiter in Re’ – Bold in Action…Her missions spanned from sailing to Vietnam in spring 1975 to support the evacuation of almost 9,000 people in Saigon, to operating as support for Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” the lawmakers wrote to U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “The USS Duluth LPD-6 is unique among ships in the way it has been embraced by the local community over the years. In 2014, the City of Duluth honored the ship and its crew with a permanent monument on the City’s waterfront, using the ship’s anchor as its centerpiece,” the lawmakers continued. “We urge you to consider naming a new LPD ship in honor of the stalwart and noble USS Duluth.” The USS Duluth received numerous awards and commendations for her service, including three Humanitarian Service Medals and the Coast Guard
Klobuchar, Smith, Grassley Statements on Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Rename Federal Building in Minneapolis After Senator Paul Wellstone
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released the statements below on the House passage of their bipartisan legislation to rename the Federal Building in Minneapolis the “Paul D. Wellstone Federal Building,” in honor of the legacy of the late Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN). The bill passed the Senate unanimously earlier this month and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “From his passionate advocacy for better mental health care to his leadership on civil rights, Paul Wellstone showed that public service is really about improving people’s lives,” said Klobuchar. “I’m proud that our bipartisan legislation to rename the Federal Building in Minneapolis in Paul’s honor will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. I can’t think of a better tribute to Paul’s legacy of service than a building where Minnesotans gather and get the assistance they need.” “Paul Wellstone had a profound impact on my life – and the lives of so many Minnesotans – as a public servant and as a friend,” said Smith. “From his work on mental health and campaign finance reform to his votes against the Iraq War, Senator Wellstone never wavered from his convictions or his commitment to improving the lives of working people. By naming this building after him, we hope to honor his legacy and years of service to Minnesota.” “It was an honor to work with and get to know Senator Wellstone. From neighboring states, we
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Presses Trump Administration to Ensure Federal Contractor Workers Receive Back Pay Amid Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/10/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—along with 33 of her fellow Senate Democrats—called on the Trump Administration to direct federal agencies to work with contractors to provide back pay to compensate contractor employees for wages lost during the current shutdown. While Sen. Smith is working on legislation to ensure low-wage federal contractor employees receive back pay, she and her colleagues are also urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to use existing authority to partner with federal contracting officers and use provisions to modify terms of contracts so employees receive lost wages. “Contract workers and their families
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Continued Fight to Secure Back Pay for Federal Contract Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/13/2019]—Tonight, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement highlighting the need to secure back pay for federal contractor employees who went without pay during the recent government shutdown. Sen. Smith expressed disappointment that reports indicate her bipartisan legislation is not included in the budget agreement to avoid another shutdown, but said she will keep fighting for these workers. “During the longest federal government shutdown in history, thousands of Americans who serve as contractors to the federal government lost over one month’s pay, through no fault of their own. These are people who work as security guards and clean office buildings, and work
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Introduce Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/16/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), along with her colleagues Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), introduced legislation to secure back pay for the federal contractor employees who continue to go without pay during the current government shutdown. The bill—the Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act—aims to help low-wage federal contractor employees—including janitorial, food, and security services workers—who have been furloughed or forced to accept reduced work hours as a result of the government shutdown. You can read a summary of the bill here, and you can
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, Colleagues Push to End Shutdown Citing Over 4 Million Who Rely on Affordable Housing Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/18/19]–Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), in a letter to President Trump signed by her and over 170 Members of Congress, emphasized the direct and immediate consequences of the shutdown on housing security for millions of households across the country. Both the short-term operations and long-term viability of affordable housing programs are dependent on Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) rental assistance initiatives. An estimated 2.2 million low-income households are among those at risk of eviction, including housing for thousands of veterans, seniors, and people living with disabilities. The letter was spearheaded by Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Rep.
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