{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"MN\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kare-11-minn-congressman-praises-cuba-policy-plans-trip", "KARE 11: Minn. congressman praises Cuba policy, plans trip", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ST. PAUL, Minn. - A Minnesota congressman who has long advocated for changes to the United States' Cuba policy says a decision to normalize relations with the island country is a \"monumental step\" in the right direction.\nDemocratic Rep. Rick Nolan praised Wednesday's announcement that the U.S. would re-establish diplomatic ties to Cuba. Nolan traveled to Cuba in 1977 during his first stint in Congress and was involved in a past deal to release U.S. prisoners held there.\nNolan says he hopes to travel to Cuba next year to meet with officials there.\nAnother Democratic member of the Minnesota delegation, Betty McCollum, described the announcement as \"a new beginning.\" She says she would continue working to end a U.S. trade embargo with Cuba. McCollum spent time in Cuba last summer.\nRepublican Rep. Michele Bachmann panned the move, telling Minnesota Public Radio that the U.S. shouldn't have changed its policy until Cuba changed its ways.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kbjr-us-house-and-senate-pass-bill-to-aid-grand-portage-chippewa-tribe", "KBJR: U.S. House and Senate pass bill to aid Grand Portage Chippewa tribe", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. (NNCNOW.com) --- Minnesota officials are one step closer to correcting an oversight for the Grand Portage Band of Cook County, Minn.\nU.S. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar along with the Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan have crafted a bill that is set to become law.\nThe bill, often referred to as a legislative fix, will correct the case that Grand Portage Band members were excluded from receiving the same benefits as the Bois Forte Band.\n\"This bill ensures that members of the Grand Portage Band will receive important benefits they are entitled to under the federal Treaty of 1854,\" Nolan said. \"It means a great deal to the Band and to our region, and I was pleased to work with Senators Klobuchar and Franken to get this done.\"\nThe bill passed the House back in November, and passed the Senate on Tuesday night. It is now heading to the President's desk.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kdal-nolan-praises-renewed-diplomatic-relations-with-cuba", "KDAL: Nolan Praises Renewed Diplomatic Relations WIth Cuba", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C, (KDAL) - Minnesota U-S Representative Rick Nolan is lauding President Obama's decision to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba along with an announcement of the release of U-S contractor Alan Gross after three years in a Cuban prison.\u00a0 As a member of congress in 1977, Nolan traveled to Cuba to personally negotiate the release of five U-S prisoners, held since the Bay of Pigs invasion, in a meeting with then President Fidel Castro.\u00a0 Nolan is hoping to travel to Cuba sometime in the next year to meet with officials and discuss potential trade opportunities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/pioneer-press-rick-nolan-on-new-relations-with-cuba-monumental-step", "Pioneer Press: Rick Nolan on new relations with Cuba: 'monumental step'", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Minnesota congressman who has long advocated for changes to the United States' Cuba policy says a decision to normalize relations with the island country is a \"monumental step\" in the right direction.\nDemocratic Rep. Rick Nolan praised Wednesday's announcement that the U.S. would re-establish diplomatic ties to Cuba. Nolan traveled to Cuba in 1977 during his first stint in Congress and was involved in a past deal to release U.S. prisoners held there.\nNolan says he hopes to travel to Cuba next year to meet with officials there.\nAnother Democratic member of the Minnesota delegation, Betty McCollum, described the announcement as \"a new beginning.\" She says she would continue working to end a U.S. trade embargo with Cuba. McCollum spent time in Cuba last summer.\nRepublican Rep. Michele Bachmann panned the move, telling Minnesota Public Radio that the U.S. shouldn't have changed its policy until Cuba changed its ways.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/star-tribune-how-to-build-a-new-future-for-american-indian-schools", "Star Tribune: How to build a new future for American Indian schools", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Obama had the right reaction after meeting Indian students during his trip to a North Dakota Indian reservation in June. Saying he and the first lady were \u201cshaken\u201d by the kids\u2019 pessimism about their futures, Obama returned home and took action.\nHe ordered his administration to \u201cfind new avenues of opportunity\u201d for Indian youths. He instructed every member of his Cabinet to \u201csit down with Native young people and hear firsthand about their lives.\u2019\u2019 The result of his agenda-setting came earlier this month when Obama announced a series of tribal youth initiatives at the White House Tribal Nations conference.\nThe speech was greeted with cheers. It should have been met with hard questions. The new initiatives, while welcome, are small steps that do nothing to address a critical educational hurdle on reservations: the ragged conditions of school buildings.\nOnline leadership networks, a \u201cyouth listening tour\u201d and a \u201cWhite House Tribal Youth Gathering\u201d are poor substitutes for the safe, modern school buildings that the 183-school Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) system desperately needs. About a third of the schools in this federally funded K-12 system, which serves about 50,000 of the nation\u2019s poorest students, have decrepit facilities.\nAn effort to help Indian youths that does not include an overhaul of these 63 BIE schools cannot be taken seriously. At least $1.3 billion is required for rebuilding or renovation. What\u2019s needed is a swift commitment to secure funding, not lightweight initiatives.\nBeginning Nov. 23, a Star Tribune Editorial Board series called \u201cSeparate and Unequal\u201d documented the shameful state of BIE school buildings across the nation, as well as the growing gap between them and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) schools, the other federally funded K-12 system.\nNorthern Minnesota\u2019s Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig High School is housed in a deteriorating pole barn. In Arizona, two BIE schools have been on a \u201cpriority waitlist\u201d for a decade. In South Dakota, BIE schools are overcrowded and have sections of buildings that have been closed off or condemned.\nAt the same time, Department of Defense schools, which serve children of military families and civilian defense employees, are in the midst of a $5 billion, decadelong project to rebuild 134 schools and set a new national design standard for the future.\nAt the White House Tribal Nations conference, U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell called the editorials \u201cpainful\u201d but \u201chelpful.\u201d\nJewell, whose Department of the Interior is the parent agency for BIE and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, deserves credit for recognizing the problems documented in the series. But now she needs to provide a concrete action plan to overhaul the schools \u2014 and a personal guarantee that she\u2019ll lobby Congress for the funding needed to launch a school construction surge like the DOD\u2019s. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan also needs to lend his considerable clout.\nAbout a week ago, Congress signaled strongly that it\u2019s willing to hear the case for improved BIE school funding with the passage of the continuing resolution/omnibus spending bill. Tucked inside the bill, thanks to a timely push by Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, was $20 million for BIE school replacement in 2015, nearly $17 million more than Jewell\u2019s agency requested. The legislation also directed Interior to replace its decade-old \u201cpriority construction\u201d list of schools.\nBut much more work needs to be done.\nAt the federal level:\n\u2022\u2009Minnesota\u2019s congressional delegation must take on the BIE school cause. McCollum, as well as Rep. Rick Nolan and Sen.\u00a0Al Franken, all Democrats, have long been champions of BIE schools. Powerful Republican Reps. John Kline and Erik Paulsen also need to convince their caucus that this is a worthy investment. Kline, as chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, especially could make a difference.\n\u2022\u2009Interior Department officials should tap the expertise of DOD school construction experts. The DOD staff is setting a new standard for school design and has experience managing a large rebuilding effort.\nAt the state level:\n\u2022\u2009Minnesota lawmakers must take the lead on building a new Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig high school. BIE school construction is a federal obligation, but federal action remains years, perhaps a decade, away. One BIE ranking of school construction needs indicated that 31 schools are ahead of the Bug school. State. Sen. Terri Bonoff\u2019s idea to form a new partnership with federal officials to finance a new Bug school also merits support.\n\u2022\u2009Gov.\u00a0Mark Dayton\u00a0should enlist Minnesota\u2019s nonprofit community to help build a new Bug school. The CEO of the influential Blandin Foundation has said that the organization is interested in getting involved and that covering the school\u2019s $27 million price tag is doable with the right partnerships.\nThe conditions at BIE schools are a national disgrace, one requiring immediate attention. Obama, Jewell and Congress cannot let the nation\u2019s two federally funded K-12 systems become one of haves and have-nots on their watch.\nAnd Minnesota, which has a long history of helping communities with immediate needs that outstrip available resources, shouldn\u2019t wait for Washington to help the Bug school. Swift action is needed to ensure that another generation of American Indian kids will not have to attend high school in a broken-down building.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/star-tribune-minnesota-rep-nolan-who-was-vocal-on-cuba-issue-praises-us-0", "Star Tribune: Minnesota Rep. Nolan who was vocal on Cuba issue praises US policy change, plans trip there", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ST. PAUL, Minn. \u2014 A Minnesota congressman who has long advocated for changes to the United States' Cuba policy says a decision to normalize relations with the island country is a \"monumental step\" in the right direction.\nDemocratic Rep. Rick Nolan praised Wednesday's announcement that the U.S. would re-establish diplomatic ties to Cuba. Nolan traveled to Cuba in 1977 during his first stint in Congress and was involved in a past deal to release U.S. prisoners held there.\nNolan says he hopes to travel to Cuba next year to meet with officials there.\nAnother Democratic member of the Minnesota delegation, Betty McCollum, described the announcement as \"a new beginning.\" She says she would continue working to end a U.S. trade embargo with Cuba. McCollum spent time in Cuba last summer.\nRepublican Rep.\u00a0Michele Bachmann\u00a0panned the move, telling Minnesota Public Radio that the U.S. shouldn't have changed its policy until Cuba changed its ways.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=43c4314a-b654-4bb0-aa28-9bca4cf86743", "YEAR IN REVIEW: Despite Widespread Congressional Gridlock, Klobuchar Passes Eight Bipartisan Bills Into Law in 2014", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan bills include measures to expand support services for victims of military sexual assault in the National Guard and Reserves, address propane shortages, fight the spread of invasive carp, improve breast cancer awareness, cut red tape for families who adopt, and boost tourism in Minnesota and across the country \r\n \nKlobuchar: This bipartisan progress should serve as a model for how to tackle challenges in 2015\u00a0\n \r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Despite widespread congressional gridlock over the past year, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced that she passed eight bipartisan bills into law in 2014 and said this progress should serve as a model for how to work together and get things done in the new Congress. The bipartisan bills Klobuchar passed include measures to expand support services for victims of military sexual assault, address propane shortages, fight the spread of invasive carp, improve breast cancer awareness, cut red tape for families who adopt, and boost tourism in Minnesota and across the country.\r\n\u201cDespite the partisanship and gridlock, Democrats and Republicans have managed to come together and pass bills that make progress for Minnesota and the country,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cHeading into the new Congress, we need to use these bipartisan successes as models for getting things done so that we can keep moving our country and economy forward.\u201d\r\nBelow is information on Klobuchar\u2019s bills that were signed into law in 2014:\r\nExpanding support services for victims of military sexual assault\r\nKlobuchar partnered with Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Rep. John Kline (R-MN) to pass bipartisan legislation to ensure the National Guard and Reserve\u2019s ability to assist victims of sexual assault. The Army has released a directive expanding important legal services to certain victims of military sexual assault, but the directive fails to cover Guard members who become victims of sexual assault outside of their drill weekend or military duty. The lawmakers\u2019 bipartisan bill ensures survivors of sexual assault receive support services if there is any connection between the crime and their service. The bill also requires the relevant service secretary to provide Special Victims Counsel to the member regardless of when the assault occurred.\r\nAddressing propane shortages\r\nKlobuchar\u2019s legislation with Senator John Thune (R-SD) to better address future propane and heating fuel shortages was signed into law this summer. The Senators\u2019 legislation allows governors greater autonomy when they declare emergencies, eliminating the need for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to declare that a disaster exists beyond the existing 30-day declarations that are available to governors. The legislation also requires the Energy Information Administration to provide early warnings to governors if the inventory of residential heating fuel (propane, natural gas, and home heating oil) falls below the most recent five-year average for more than three consecutive weeks.\r\nFighting the spread of invasive carp\r\nThis spring, Klobuchar\u2019s bipartisan provision to keep invasive carp out of Minnesota\u2019s waterways was signed into law as part of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). It will help fight the spread of invasive carp \u2013 also known as Asian carp \u2013 by closing the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock within one year. The bill was led by Senator Klobuchar in the Senate and Representative Keith Ellison in the House, and cosponsored by Senator Al Franken as well as Representatives Erik Paulsen, Tim Walz, and Rick Nolan.\r\nImproving breast cancer awareness\r\nKlobuchar\u2019s legislation with Senator David Vitter (R-LA) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) to increase breast cancer awareness among young women across the country passed this month. The bipartisan bill will extend the EARLY Act (Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act), which created an education and outreach campaign administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to highlight the breast cancer risks facing young women and empower young women with the tools they need to fight the disease.\r\nCutting red tape for families who adopt abroad\r\nKlobuchar passed bipartisan legislation she introduced with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) to help families who adopt abroad correct errors to birth certificates. Previously U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would not recognize state court orders to amend a child\u2019s birth date, forcing families to seek a correction from the adoptee\u2019s country of birth or have two official birth dates for their adopted child. The Accuracy for Adoptees Act authorizes USCIS to recognize state court orders and cut red tape for adoptive families.\r\nBoosting tourism to Minnesota and the U.S.\r\nKlobuchar worked with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) to pass bipartisan legislation they introduced to reauthorize Brand USA and help boost international tourism to the United States. The Senators\u2019 legislation reauthorizes Brand USA, a public-private partnership that enhances tourism in Minnesota and across the country by promoting international travel to the United States. In 2013, Brand USA generated 1.1 million additional international visitors who spent an estimated $3.4 billion, strengthening local businesses and stimulating economic growth.\r\nImproving the lives of patients with muscular dystrophy\r\nKlobuchar introduced and passed bipartisan legislation with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) to help improve the lives of patients with muscular dystrophy. The Senators\u2019 legislation will update and improve current law, the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research & Education (MD CARE) Act, which supports medical research and policies to improve treatments and quality of life for muscular dystrophy patients.\r\nGiving farmers a voice in EPA decisions\r\nThe 2014 Farm Bill included a provision Klobuchar pushed for to give farmers a greater say over regulations affecting agriculture. The provision is similar to legislation Klobuchar introduced to increase agriculture\u2019s presence on the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Science Advisory Board and creates a new Agriculture standing committee on the Science Advisory Board. The new standing committee will provide scientific advice on decisions that have a major impact on agriculture, as well as provide testimony to congressional committees when needed.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=6b596674-a00e-4085-a4b3-e53a308fbf6a", "Klobuchar, Franken Announce Judicial Selection Committee for Vacancy on Federal District Court", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators tap bipartisan group of distinguished Minnesota leaders to lead search\u00a0\n \r\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken announced the formation of a judicial selection committee to assist them in making a recommendation to the President to fill a vacancy on Minnesota\u2019s federal district court that was created by Chief Judge Michael J. Davis\u2019s decision to assume senior status.\u00a0Today Judge Davis sent a letter to President Obama announcing he would retire from regular active service as a United States District Court Judge in August of 2015 and continue to serve as a senior judge.\r\nThe Committee is co-chaired by Thomas Heffelfinger, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota under Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and current partner at Best & Flanagan, and R. Ann Huntrods, a partner at Briggs and Morgan and former head of that firm\u2019s employment law practice group. Committee members include Edward Toussaint, former Chief Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Distinguished Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs at William Mitchell College of Law; Lolita Ulloa, Managing Attorney, Victims Services Division in the Hennepin County Attorney\u2019s Office; Lisa Swenson, Managing Attorney, Third Judicial District Public Defender's Office; Mark Rubin, St. Louis County Attorney; and Yvonne Cheung Ho, former President and CEO of the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA).\r\nIn announcing the judicial selection committee, Senator Klobuchar said:\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis distinguished group of Minnesota leaders will help identify a person who will continue Minnesota\u2019s long tradition of quality federal judges.\r\n\u201cFederal judges are appointed for life, which makes it all the more critical that they are fair-minded, conscientious and even-handed.\u00a0 The Committee will be looking for a person of integrity with a first-rate legal mind, a wide breath of professional experience, and a fair judicial temperament.\u00a0\r\n\u201cChief Judge Davis made history as the first African-American to serve as a federal judge in Minnesota and he has served our state well for over 20 years as a federal judge and 10 years before that as a state court judge. We are lucky that we will still have the benefit of his service when he takes senior status. I\u2019m confident that with this committee\u2019s counsel we will find an outstanding Minnesotan who will carry on the fine work that Judge Davis has done for many years.\u201d\r\nSenator Franken said:\r\n\"I\u2019m so pleased that such a credentialed and impressive group of Minnesotans has agreed to help select a\u00a0candidate\u00a0for this position. The job of federal judge is an exceptionally important position that requires someone with a diverse record of experience and an unwavering commitment to fair and just application of the law. I have no doubt that this committee will help us\u00a0choose a\u00a0well-qualified Minnesotan for the post, and I look forward to seeing their recommendations.\"\r\n\"I also need to recognize\u00a0Judge Michael Davis, whose decision to take senior status after some 30 years on the bench is creating this vacancy. Judge Davis deserves an enormous amount of gratitude for his decades of service to Minnesota and to the court. He will no doubt be hard to replace.\"\r\nThose wishing to be considered for the position of Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota should submit a letter of interest and resume by Friday, January 9, 2015 to:\u00a0Co-Chairs Thomas Heffelfinger and R. Ann Huntrods, Judicial Selection Committee, Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar, 1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55415.\u00a0Materials may also be e-mailed to the Committee at mndcommittee@gmail.com. References will be requested at a later date during the interview process.\u00a0\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=59e0ccfb-375f-40d6-ac70-19ad81004df5", "Klobuchar Joins Iron Range Workers to Receive Award for Protecting Minnesotas Steel Industry from Unfair Trade Practices", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Alliance for American Manufacturing presented Klobuchar with the award to recognize her support in the Oil Country Tubular Goods trade case\u00a0\n \r\n \nAfter a major push from Klobuchar this summer, the International Trade Commission voted to impose penalties on Korean companies dumping steel products into the U.S.\u00a0\n \r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar joined Iron Range steelworkers to receive an award from the Alliance for American manufacturing recognizing her support in the Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) trade case. After a major push from Klobuchar this summer, the International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to impose penalties on Korean companies for dumping steel products into the United States.\r\n\u201cIt was an honor today to stand with Iron Range steel workers and receive this award.\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cMinnesota\u2019s workers are among the best in the world, but they need a fair shot at a level playing field. I will continue to work to fight unfair trade practices and protect Minnesota steelworker jobs.\u201d\r\nIn July, Klobuchar testified before the ITC to urge the agency to impose penalties on Korean firms to offset any gains they have achieved through illegal practices. The ITC\u2019s ruling will impose antidumping duties on steel Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) from South Korea, as well as India, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam.\r\nKlobuchar also previously joined a bipartisan coalition of Senators in sending a letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker urging the agency to thoroughly investigate allegations of Korean companies dumping steel in the United States and to take action against any unfair foreign competition. The letter came after the Department of Commerce initially determined that no dumping was occurring. \u00a0Following Klobuchar\u2019s action, the Department of Commerce determined that Korean companies are dumping steel Oil Country Tubular Goods into the United States and recommended that the ITC impose significant antidumping duties to help ensure the domestic industry can compete on a level playing field.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=db9de5c4-1bfc-494f-8f19-7954b8c2d383", "With Winter Temperatures Bearing Down on Minnesota, Klobuchar and Franken Urge Administration to Restore Funding for Critical Heating Assistance for Seniors and Families", "2014-12-22", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LIHEAP\u2019s current funding level is only able to serve 20 percent of eligible households, while those receiving assistance have seen their average support reduced by nearly $100 since 2010 \r\n \nIn a letter to the President, Klobuchar and Franken press the Administration to prioritize LHEAP funding in its upcoming budget proposal\u00a0\n \r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 With winter temperatures bearing down on Minnesota, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken urged the Administration to restore funding for critical heating assistance for seniors and families. LIHEAP\u2019s current funding level is only able to serve 20 percent of eligible households, while those receiving assistance have seen their average support reduced by nearly $100 since 2010. In a letter to the President, Klobuchar and Franken press the Administration to prioritize LHEAP funding in its upcoming budget proposal.\r\n\u201cDuring cold Minnesota winters, being able to heat your home isn\u2019t a luxury \u2013 it\u2019s a necessity,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cNo family should face the gut-wrenching choice between putting food on the table and keeping their kids warm. With winter temperatures bearing down on Minnesota, I\u2019m pressing the Administration to help ensure our families have the support they need to keep the heat turned on and stay warm and safe.\u201d\r\n\u201cLast winter\u2019s record-low temperatures reminded us just how important home heating assistance is to Minnesota families and seniors,\u201d Franken said. \u201cLIHEAP eases the burden for many Minnesotans who need help to heat their homes, without forcing them to sacrifice things like food or prescription medicine.\u201d\r\nSince taking office, Sens. Klobuchar and Franken have successfully fought to ensure that tens of millions of dollars in emergency LIHEAP\u00a0funding have\u00a0been\u00a0available to Minnesota families and seniors.\u00a0\r\nThe full text of the senators\u2019 letter is below.\r\nDear Mr. President,\r\nWe are writing to request that you prioritize the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in your Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 budget proposal by including no less than $4.7 billion for this program that provides critical support to our most vulnerable citizens.\r\nLIHEAP is the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with their energy bills, providing vital assistance during both the cold winter and hot summer months. LIHEAP households are among the most vulnerable in the country. According to the National Energy Assistance Director\u2019s Association, more than 90 percent of LIHEAP recipients have at least one household member who is a child, elderly, or disabled, and 20 percent of households include at least one veteran. For these households, LIHEAP funding has been a lifeline during challenging economic times. Access to affordable home energy is not a luxury.\u00a0 It is a matter of health and safety. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\nWe understand the ongoing discretionary budget challenges. However, we are deeply concerned that the number of households eligible for LIHEAP assistance continues to exceed available funding while the average cost of home heating is expected to remain unaffordable for millions of households nationwide. In fact, the current funding level is able to serve just 20 percent of the eligible population, and those who receive LIHEAP assistance have seen their average grant reduced by nearly $100 since 2010, from $520 in FY 2010 to $424 in FY 2014.\r\nAdditionally, the purchasing power of LIHEAP has declined in recent years. Since FY 2010, the average LIHEAP grant has fallen from about 60 percent to 44 percent of the cost of home heating. For households using delivered fuels, this decline is even more dramatic, covering just 18 percent of heating oil and propane costs. With the average LIHEAP grant estimated to cover less than half of the average home heating costs for a household this winter, many low-income families and seniors will struggle to pay for the basic necessity of home energy and will have fewer resources available to meet other essential needs.\r\nAs you finalize your FY 2016 budget request, we ask that you take into account the high demand for LIHEAP assistance. We urge you to reprioritize this program within your FY 2016 budget and restore funding to this program to a level no less than $4.7 billion.\r\nThank you for your attention to and consideration of this important request.\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-12192014", "Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/19/2014", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Collin Peterson", "P000258", "collinpeterson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friends,\nThe holiday season is a time of tradition and family, helping us to remember those things in life that are most important. As we share in laughter and cheer with loved ones, we extend our sincerest thanks to the men and women in uniform who allow us to enjoy the blessings we celebrate. This week, FSA educational seminars about the Farm Bill\u2019s risk management programs continued in Roseau, and I was there to see how implementation is going. I also attended the annual Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce agriculture event. Finally, as the New Year approaches, I would like to wish you the best this holiday season.\n\tSincerely,    Congressman Collin C. Peterson  Minnesota 7th District\n Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce \nI attended the annual Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce agriculture event at the Callaway Community Center on Wednesday. The event, led by Audubon farmer Bruce Hein, featured presentations on state planning and agriculture policy. I had the opportunity to address nearly 30 community leaders, elected officials, and farmers about the current efforts to implement the Farm Bill, and my reaffirmed my expectations to continue to work in a bipartisan manner on a number of these issues important to my constituents.\n Farm Bill Risk Management \nAs part of my commitment to overseeing the implementation of new Farm Bill, I joined around 250 farmers at a Minnesota Farm Service Agency and University of Minnesota Extension educational seminar in Roseau on Thursday. I was glad to see that the presentations were informative and helpful for the attendees, and I was able to gain first-hand knowledge of how USDA is helping\u00a0producers make decisions regarding new risk management programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. At the end, I was able to make some comments and take some questions and advice from the producers.\n Legislative Update \n Change in Cuba Policy \nThis week, the United States announced plans to reestablish diplomatic and commercial relations with Cuba. For more than 50 years, the United States has maintained a failed policy that has done nothing to help the Cuban people and has only hamstrung our own national interests. Cuba used to be one of our big agricultural markets before we cut off ties, and I believe these changes will help us get those markets back while helping the people who are struggling under the Communist government. A majority of these changes are something we've been trying to do since I introduced legislation to fix this a few years ago (the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act). I believe opening up travel and commerce will significantly help the Cuban people and their economy.\n 1914 Christmas Truce \nThe holidays are especially meaningful for service members and their families, particularly as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the World War I \u201cChristmas Truce.\u201d The Christmas Truce was a series of widespread ceasefires along the Western Front on Christmas Eve, 1914 that illustrated the communal essence of the holiday. Roughly 100,000 opposing British and German troops participated in the unofficial truce to exchange seasonal greetings, food, and souvenirs. Several of these meetings, which often included football matches, ended with caroling.\u00a0\nThis display of humanity during one of the world\u2019s largest conflicts has come to exemplify the meaning of the holidays, reminding us of the potential to find common ground and remember what is truly important.\n Visitors from the 7th \nRenee Rolling, Kathy Roth (Lake Crystal), DJ Rieder (OR), Diane Hanson (Grand Meadow), Amber Hanson (Director of Public Policy, MN Farm Bureau), Julie and Kevin Paap (President, MN Farm Bureau)\n\t  LaVonne Watts (VA), Angela Dahlberg (Richfield), Penny Dahlberg (ATWATER)\n  US Botanic Garden", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/with-the-help-of-a-congressman-castellanos-escapes-cuba", "The Rubicon: With the help of a congressman, Castellanos escapes Cuba and unites with family", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "While the United States is a nation comprised entirely of immigrants and descendents of immigrants, getting here is often more difficult than it\u2019s portrayed. \u00a0Upper School Spanish teacher Rolando Castellanos\u2019 story is a prime example of this. \u00a0Castellanos came to the United States from Cuba in the summer of 1978, when he was 26. \u00a0He then joined his family, who had immigrated to St. Cloud, Minnesota ten years previously. Castellanos and his family were fleeing political changes in Cuba, where communist dictator Fidel Castro instigated when he took power at midcentury. \u201cLiving in a communist country, you live under all sorts of restrictions that make life a little unpleasant,\u201d Castellanos said, \u201clike the lack of freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of movement\u2026They only allow one political party, and if an individual challenges the status quo, it is believed that there is something intrinsically wrong with the individual.\u201d Castellanos\u2019 parents and younger siblings left Cuba in 1968, but Rolando, the oldest, had to stay behind. \u00a0The Cuban government, in hopes of curbing emigration, had instated a law forbidding men of military age, from 15 to 27 years old, from leaving the country. \u00a0Before Castellanos reached the age where he could leave the country again, Cuba and America had entered their long-standing trade embargo, and Cuban immigration to the United States was cut off completely. \u00a0The policy \u201cmade that fear of not being able to reunite a very real one\u2026 the prospects of me leaving Cuba were very slim,\u201d Castellanos said. He stayed with his grandparents for the next several years. \u00a0\u201cI became a high school teacher, and I taught earth science in boarding school on a banana plantation.\u201d Castellanos\u2019 chance came in 1977, when his parents\u2019 representative, congressman Rick Nolan, was sent to Havana by President Carter with a collection of executives. \u00a0The mission was an attempt to improve relations between the United States and Cuba and to negotiate the release of the remaining American prisoners held in Cuba after the infamous 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. \u00a0Castellanos\u2019 parents contacted Nolan before he left to ask him to try and bring their son home. \u00a0Nolan agreed. \u00a0He later said that \u201che had two goals in Havana\u2026 get these Americans out of jail and get Rolandito to the U.S. to join his family,\u201d according to Castellanos. \u00a0Castro agreed, and gave the Cuban immigration department a personal order to find Castellanos and tell him he could leave. \u00a0The U.S. had recently opened its first consulate in Havana since 1960, and Castellanos was told to go there. \u00a0\u201cI was given an envelope\u2026to be opened only by immigration officials of the United States.\u201d \u00a0He then took a plane to Kingston, Jamaica, and then another to Miami, Florida. \u00a0Upon handing his envelop to immigration officials, he was taken to a back room to wait while they cleared him. \u00a0His was the first American visa given to a Cuban citizen since the beginning of the embargo. When he finally got to Minneapolis, Castellanos was greeted by his younger sister, who he\u2019d never met. \u00a0She was nine, and his parents had left Cuba before she was born. \u00a0\u201cAfter being apart for ten years, it was a process\u201d readjusting to family life. \u00a0But getting caught up with his family was only one of the difficulties Castellanos faced in his new home. \u00a0\u201cThe language was a big barrier, not only for surviving in the state but for communicating with my siblings,\u201d many of whom spoke primarily English. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t know any English back then. \u00a0Zero.\u201d Fortunately, Castellanos was a quick learner, and intensely focused. \u00a0\u201cLearning English became an obsession for me,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cI squeezed my brain to learn your crazy language.\u201d \u00a0On top of these challenges, Castellanos had to adjust to the climate. \u00a0Having spent his entire life in tropical Cuba, he\u2019d never seen snow, much less dealt with subzero temperatures. \u00a0\u201cMy first winter here was very interesting, what with the snow and the temperatures and what have you,\u201d he said. \u00a0But he stayed, and became a Spanish teacher at St. Paul Academy and Summit School eighteen years ago.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/progressive-caucus-statement-on-cuba-policy", "Progressive Caucus Statement on Cuba Policy", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) and CPC Peace and Security Task Force Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today after President Obama announced a new policy towards Cuba.\u00a0\n\u201cThe United States isolated Cuba for 53 years in a failed attempt to promote democracy and freedom. President Obama\u2019s new course recognizes our old approach towards Cuba didn\u2019t work.\n\u201cIsolating Cuba separated the people of Cuba and their Cuban-American family members, and impaired our ability to build constructive relationships in Latin America. By restarting diplomatic relations and establishing a new embassy, the U.S. can start conversations on issues like commerce and human rights that have been dormant between our nations for too long. We applaud President Obama for his bold new approach and welcome news that, for the first time, both the U.S. and Cuba will attend the Summit of the America\u2019s in 2015.\n\u201cThe president has laid out a promising path forward and now it is up to Congress to act. Congress must lift the trade embargo and normalize travel between our two nations, which are only 90 miles apart. The Congressional Progressive Caucus looks forward to working with President Obama and members of Congress who want to stabilize relations between the U.S. and Cuba.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3007", "After Press from Sens. Franken and Klobuchar, Minnesota Will See More Investments in Broadband Internet for Rural Schools and Libraries", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After pressure from U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced it will increase investments in high-speed broadband Internet connections for Minnesota, especially in rural communities. Last week, the FCC voted to bolster the E-rate program, which provides support to improve Internet access in schools and libraries.  Prior to the vote, Sens. Franken and Klobuchar pressed the Commission to raise the funding cap for the program. In a letter last week, the Senators told the FCC that high-speed Internet is particularly lacking in rural communities, and increasing investments in the E-rate program will allow rural schools in Minnesota and across the country to expand access to broadband.  \"Our rural communities cannot compete in the 21st century economy when nearly 30 percent of residents in Greater Minnesota don't have access to high-speed Internet,\" said Sen. Franken. \"That's why we pressed the FCC to increase support for bringing broadband to our rural communities. By increasing improving broadband access in our schools and libraries, we can go a long way to closing the digital divide and helping make Minnesota more competitive in the global marketplace.\" \"In today's 21st century economy, access to high-speed Internet is essential to compete in the global marketplace,\" Klobuchar said. \"This action will help improve broadband connections in schools and libraries across Minnesota, and I will continue pushing to ensure Minnesotans have access to broadband, regardless of where they live, so families can stay connected and businesses can remain competitive.\" Last week, the FCC voted to approve a $1.5 billion funding increase to the E-rate program. According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, expanding the E-rate program will help over an additional 2,000 schools and 350 libraries in Minnesota improve their access to high-speed broadband supported Wi-Fi.  You can read the full text of the Senators' letter to the FCC here or below.\u00a0\n \nDecember 10, 2014\nThe Honorable Thomas WheelerChairmanFederal Communications CommissionDear Chairman Wheeler:We write to encourage the Commission to approve the proposal to increase investment in the Universal Service Schools and Libraries Program, known as E-Rate. This proposal will help ensure students and education programs across Minnesota and the United States can benefit from high-speed broadband connection in our schools and libraries.  Since its establishment in 1997, the E-Rate program has helped schools and libraries make great strides in improving Internet connectivity. The percentage of classrooms connected to the Internet nationwide has grown from 14 percent when the program was first started to nearly 100 percent today. However, with increased emphasis on the integration of education and technology, the demand for high-speed Internet connections in schools and libraries is higher than ever before and is expected to grow. Nearly seven out of ten school districts across the nation report that not a single school in their district can currently meet high-speed Internet connectivity targets. The digital divide is particularly glaring when it comes to rural areas. This is a problem not just at schools, but in rural areas more generally. In Minnesota, nearly 30 percent of rural residents do not have access to broadband Internet, compared to less than one percent without broadband access in non-rural areas. While progress has been made to bridge this broadband access gap, one important step we can take is to remedy this problem at the many rural schools and libraries in need of high-speed broadband connections.  The E-Rate program is not keeping up with the demand for its services and is in need of reform. In Funding Year 2013-2014, schools and libraries applied for E-Rate funding in excess of $4.9 billion despite only $2.5 billion being available.  By increasing investment in the E-Rate program, numerous schools and libraries in remote areas will be able to improve connectivity and provide new technological resources for their communities. The availability of modern technologies in our classrooms and libraries is crucial to our success as a nation in the 21st century and beyond. Therefore, we support the proposal to increase the funding cap for the E-Rate program and urge the Commission to adopt this proposal. Thank you for your continued leadership on this important matter. Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3008", "Sens. Franken and Klobuchar, Rep. Nolans Bill to Fix Legislative Oversight for Grand Portage Band Set to Become Law", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A legislative fix proposed by U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), along with Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), is set to become law after passing both the House and Senate.\nThe bill resolves a legislative oversight that excluded members of the Grand Portage Band in Minnesota from receiving the same benefits as members of the Bois Forte Band. \"Getting this legislative misstep resolved is something that has needed to happen for a long time,\" said Sen. Franken. \"I'm glad that our bill will finally give the go ahead to put Grand Portage tribal members on the same footing as Bois Forte members, and I look forward to the President signing it into law.\"\n\"This commonsense fix has been a long time coming and will ensure that the Grand Portage Band has access to the same benefits as the Bois Forte Band, and I'm pleased the President is now set to sign this bill into law,\" said Sen. Klobuchar. \"This bill ensures that members of the Grand Portage Band will receive important benefits they are entitled to under the federal Treaty of 1854,\" said Rep Nolan. \"It means a great deal to the Band and to our region, and I was pleased to work with Senators Klobuchar and Franken to get this done.\"\nThe lawmakers' bill, which already passed in the House of Representatives, cleared the Senate late Tuesday night. Now it will be sent to the President's desk to be signed into law. You can read a copy of the bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/nolan-lauds-renewed-diplomatic-relations-with-cuba-release-of-prisoner", "Nolan Lauds Renewed Diplomatic Relations With Cuba, Release of Prisoner Alan Gross", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, DC) \u2013 U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today lauded President Obama\u2019s decision to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, along with the announcement that U.S. contractor Alan Gross has been freed by the Cuban government after three years in captivity.\nNolan received the news earlier today in a call from the White House.\nNolan, who as a Member of Congress traveled to Cuba in 1977 and personally negotiated the release of five U.S prisoners during an all night to early morning meeting with then President Fidel Castro, termed the decision to normalize relations with Cuba after 53 years of diplomatic estrangement \u201ca monumental step forward for both nations, allowing us to resume exports and trade, create more good paying jobs in the United States and move forward in our relationships with the entire Western Hemisphere.\u201d\nThe five U.S. prisoners Nolan helped free after they had languished in a Cuban prison for 17 years were the last to be held as part of the ill fated Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.\nNolan noted that as a positive gesture in conjunction with his agreement with Castro, an exchange program was established between the University of Minnesota and Havana Schools of Agriculture.\n\u201cAt the time, my visit and the exchange program between the U of M and Havana Schools of Agriculture was looked upon in many circles as an important step toward reconciliation between our two nations. Yet when I met with President Castro in Havana, he predicted it would take another thirty years for our two nations to resume normal diplomatic relations. I thought him overly pessimistic at the time, but he proved to be correct. This is tremendous news for our two nations, separated by only ninety miles of water, and most especially for almost two million Americans of Cuban descent who have longed to see this happen,\u201d Nolan continued.\nNolan, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, pointed out that \u201cUp until the trade embargo was instituted in 1961, Cuba was America\u2019s fourth largest agricultural trading partner \u2013 so this is especially good news for farmers in Minnesota and around the nation, as well as for our manufacturing and high technology industries that will soon enjoy access to new markets in a nation that hungers for U.S. products and services.\u201d\nNolan said he hopes to travel to Cuba sometime next year to meet with Cuban officials and discuss trade opportunities with top officials in Havana.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-statement-normalizing-us-cuba-relations", "McCollum Statement on Normalizing U.S.-Cuba Relations", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, President Barack Obama announced a new course for American relations with Cuba. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) released the following statement regarding that announcement:\n\u201cToday is a historic day that marks a new beginning in relations between the U.S. and Cuba.\u00a0 I congratulate President Obama for his efforts to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba and to begin easing the trade restrictions between our countries. I would also like to thank the President for his efforts to secure the release of USAID worker Alan Gross from prison in Cuba.\u00a0\n\u201cWhile traveling to Cuba this past summer, I saw the tremendous opportunities that exist between the people of our two countries to find common ground in pursuit of human rights, in the service of a democratic transformation and economically.\u00a0 The connections between the American people and the Cuban people are far stronger than any differences. Normalized diplomatic relations will allow us to focus on achieving our shared goals through cooperation and communication \u2013 a formula that has served the United States well in nations around the world.\n\u201cI will continue to work to end the trade embargo between our two countries as I have done since I came to Congress in 2001.\u00a0 Ending the embargo and normalizing trade relations is good for Minnesota businesses and good for the people of Cuba.\u00a0 It is my hope that the politics and politicians in South Florida who have held U.S.- Cuba relations hostage for decades will abandon their Cold War-era policies and join those of us seeking full diplomatic and economic engagement with the Cuban government and its people. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cToday\u2019s news is a fantastic step forward that is long overdue.\u00a0 President Obama\u2019s leadership on this issue has been extraordinary and will help us foster the expansion of human rights, security and democracy in the Western Hemisphere.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=971548b6-cca6-4c8c-9ef2-ebe294f2f7c5", "Klobuchar-Backed Bill to Help People with Disabilities Save for Future Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk to be Signed into Law", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Under current law, individuals with disabilities face barriers to finding and holding employment and living independently because their access to certain safety-net programs can be lost once they establish a minimum level of savings and income \r\n \nBill will establish new tax advantaged savings accounts to allow people with disabilities and their families to save for their futures and help cover important expenses like education, housing and wellness\u00a0 \r\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that a bipartisan bill she supported to help people with disabilities save for their future has passed the Senate and is now headed to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law. Under current law, individuals with disabilities face barriers to finding and holding employment and living independently because their access to certain safety-net programs can be lost once they establish a minimum level of savings and income. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act will establish new tax advantaged savings accounts to allow people with disabilities and their families to save for their futures and help cover important expenses like education, housing and wellness.\r\n\u201cWhen my daughter was born, she couldn\u2019t swallow for nearly two years and the doctors didn\u2019t know what was wrong with her. We were very fortunate in that it ended up being a temporary problem and she ultimately didn\u2019t have a disability. But those two years gave me a unique perspective on what families with disabilities go through every day,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cThis action will help achieve a better life for millions of Americans with disabilities across the country, and is a great example of the type of bipartisan, commonsense work we need to do more of in the year ahead.\u201d\r\nThe ABLE Act is supported by more than 70 organizations and health care professionals, including the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, the Brain Injury Association of America, Easter Seals, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the National Disability Institute, the National Down Syndrome Society, the National Federation of the Blind, and The ARC.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-abu-huraira-islamic-center", "Rep. Ellison Statement on Abu-Hurairah Islamic Center", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after U.S. Attorney Andy Luger and an official in the U.S. Attorney General\u2019s office announced a settlement that will allow an Islamic worship center to open in St. Anthony.\n\u201cI want to congratulate U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, Imam Abdirahman Omar, and Mayor Jerry Faust for coming together to reach today\u2019s important agreement.\u00a0 The Abu-Hurairah Islamic Center will be a valuable resource for St. Anthony Village, and for Muslim and non-Muslim Minnesotans alike.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=3006", "Star Tribune: \"Franken: Uber still has work to do to protect privacy\"", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Franken has long been an advocate of protecting consumer privacy, especially in light of new technologies. As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, he has recently expressed concerns about how the popular on-demand car services ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft handle sensitive information, like consumers' location data. Last month, Sen. Franken asked Uber how it handled allegations of misconduct, especially concerning its \"God View\" tool that allowed the company to track users, and pressing the company to be more transparent with its privacy policies. Uber responded on December 15th. The Star Tribune reports:\n \nOn Monday evening, Uber delivered a three-page letter about its privacy practices to Franken that he said fell far short of how he expects the company to handle critically private information\u2014including when and where customers take cars and how long the company hangs on to personal rider information.\"Uber has always had a strong culture of protecting rider information, and Uber prohibits employees from accessing rider personal information except for legitimate business purposes,\" the letter said.Franken said the vagueness of \"legitimate business purposes\" is a problem, and that Monday's letter did not assuage his concerns that private data about where people live and travel could get into the wrong hands.\"I am concerned about the surprising lack of detail in their response,\" Franken said. \"Geolocation data is sensitive data. It's where you go to church, it's where you go to the doctor, how you spent your weekend.\"\n \nTo read the full story, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=81bb825d-7e4a-4e89-93f6-3e3b44c7a4dd", "Klobuchar, Vitter Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Breast Cancer Awareness Among Young Women Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk to Be Signed Into Law", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan bill \u2013 which passed the House last week \u2013 would extend the EARLY Act, which created an education and outreach campaign administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to highlight the breast cancer risks facing young women and empower young women with the tools they need to fight this disease \r\n Every year, more than 26,000 women under the age of 45 are diagnosed with breast cancer \r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and David Vitter (R-LA) announced that their bipartisan legislation to increase breast cancer awareness among young women across the country has passed the Senate and now heads to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law. The bipartisan bill would extend the EARLY Act (Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act), which created an education and outreach campaign administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to highlight the breast cancer risks facing young women and empower young women with the tools they need to fight this disease. Every year, more than 26,000 women under the age of 45 are diagnosed with breast cancer. Companion legislation introduced by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Renee Ellmers (R-NC) passed the House last week.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019ve made enormous strides forward in the fight against breast cancer, but more work remains to ensure all women \u2013 and especially young women \u2013 have the tools and support they need to protect themselves from this disease,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cOur bipartisan bill will go a long way toward elevating breast cancer awareness and supporting critical research, and this action means this important legislation will now become law.\u201d\r\n\"My wife Wendy tragically lost her mother to breast cancer when she was just 6,\u201d Vitter said. \u201cHer loss serves as a continual reminder to our family, including our three daughters, of how important it is to raise awareness about breast cancer and increasing resources to fight the disease. Elevating breast cancer prevention and early detection, increasing research, and expanding access to care will help combat this disease that affects all of us.\"\r\nOver the last four years the CDC has already accomplished a number of objectives through the EARLY Act: identifying where the gaps exist in education and awareness among young women and health care providers about breast health; supporting young survivors through grants to organizations focused on helping these survivors cope with the many unique challenges they face, including fertility preservation, and long-term survivorship challenges; and implementing a targeted media campaign, including through innovative social media efforts, to reach women at the highest risks, including those at risk for cancers caused by genetic mutations.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3005", "Sen. Franken Releases Response from Uber on Data Privacy Policies", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After pressing the popular on-demand car service Uber to clarify its data privacy policies, today U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) released the company's response, which he said lacked detail and did not include answers to many of his questions. You can read Sen. Franken's original letter to Uber here and the company's response here.\nLast month, amid several troubling reports about Uber's data collection practices and possible misuse of consumers' data, Sen. Franken asked the company to clarify its privacy policies. He also asked Uber, which connects riders with drivers-for-hire using a GPS-based mobile app, to explain how widely it uses its so-called \"God View\" tool, which allows Uber to track riders' locations.\n\"I believe Americans have a fundamental right to privacy, and that right includes the ability to control who is getting your personal location information and who it's being shared with,\" said Sen. Franken. \"I recently pressed Uber to explain the scope, transparency, and enforceability of their privacy policies. While I'm pleased that they replied to my letter, I am concerned about the surprising lack of detail in their response. Quite frankly, they did not answer many of the questions I posed directly to them. Most importantly, it still remains unclear how Uber defines legitimate business purposes for accessing, retaining, and sharing customer data. I will continue pressing for answers to these questions.\"\nSen. Franken, Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, has long been an advocate of protecting consumers' privacy, especially in light of new technologies. Earlier this year he reintroduced his Location Privacy Protection Act, which would give consumers more control over their sensitive location information.\nYou can read Sen. Franken's original letter to Uber here and the company's response here.\nEarlier this month, Sen. Franken asked Lyft\u2014another car service company that uses a GPS-based mobile app\u2014to clarify its own privacy policies.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-rep-nolan-a-no-vote-on-spending-bill", "Mesabi Daily News: Rep. Nolan a no vote on spending bill", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Eighth District Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan was a \u201cno\u201d vote in the House on the $1.1 trillion spending bill Thursday evening. The measure passed by a single vote. If passed by the Senate next week, the bill will silence any talk of another government shutdown, at least for now.\n\tThe congressman joined a politically odd group in opposition \u2014 conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats.\n\n\t\u201cToday, I voted no because the bad outweighs the good in this $1.1 trillion measure that was negotiated by a few leaders behind closed doors and brought to a vote with no opportunity for open debate and amendment,\u201d Nolan said in a news release Thursday evening.\n\n\tThe congressman said his vote against the bill was based on these factors:\n\n\t\u2022 It allows Wall Street banks \u201cto once again engage in risky investments with federally-protected taxpayer dollars.\u201d\n\n\t\u2022 Campaign finance limits are raised.\n\n\t\u2022 It establishes procedures to reduce pension benefits for retired beneficiaries.\n\n\t\u2022 It continues to fund wars in the Middle East.\n\n\t\u201cMoreover, this bill \u2014 and the closed door process by which it was crafted \u2014 points to the urgent need to change the way we do politics in America through the comprehensive reforms included in my Restore Democracy Act.\n\n\t\u201cSupport is growing among Democrats and Republicans alike to reform our system of campaigns and elections and return the Congress to its traditional system of Regular Order. I pledge to redouble my efforts to lead that campaign the 114th Congress,\u201d Nolan said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/nolan-urges-itc-to-close-trade-loophole-allowing-china-and-taiwan-to", "Nolan Urges ITC to Close Trade Loophole Allowing China and Taiwan to Dump Solar Panels into the U.S. Market", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan Monday testified before the International Trade Commission (ITC) on behalf of the community of Mountain Iron, Mountain Iron, Minnesota company Silicon Energy and the solar panel manufacturing industry \u2013 urging the body to close a loophole in trade law that has spurred job losses in Minnesota and across the U.S. by allowing China and Taiwan to continue dumping cheap, unfairly traded solar panels into the U.S. marketplace.\nDespite earlier anti-dumping rulings by the ITC, the remaining loophole allows Chinese solar manufacturers to use Taiwanese cells in their products in order to circumvent U.S. trade duties. In 2013, U.S. imports of solar panels from China and Taiwan were valued at an estimated $1.5 billion and $656.8 million respectively.\nNolan, a former president of the Minnesota World Trade Center Corporation with wide ranging background in global import and export trade, told the Commission, \u201cU.S. innovation and efficiency started the world wide growth of solar, and will continue to fuel that growth so long as unfair trade practices are not allowed. But that is not what is happening in the solar manufacturing market in America.\u201d\n\u201cInstead, U.S. solar manufacturers have been devastated by China\u2019s buildup of massive amounts of state-sponsored solar capacity. This had led to a surge of dumped and subsidized imports from China causing an unprecedented price collapse in the U.S. market and tremendous injury to U.S. producers.\u201d\nNolan\u2019s testimony before the ITC Monday morning came on behalf of Silicon Energy, a solar panel producer with a manufacturing facility in Mountain Iron, MN. Silicon Energy is supporting an ongoing case brought by SolarWorld Industries America, Inc. to close the loophole and re-establish a level playing field for U.S. manufacturers who use American made cells in their solar products.\nNolan told the ITC Commissioners that in addition to the jobs lost and put at risk at Silicon Energy in Mountain Iron, unfair trade practices by China and Taiwan have driven more than 20 U.S. solar companies out of business, into bankruptcy, or into significant layoffs.\nIn lauding the Commission\u2019s earlier rulings to curb subsidized solar imports from China and Taiwan, the Minnesota Congressman noted that the current case has given U.S. producers reason for optimism. \u201cThe U.S. market has stabilized, allowing U.S. solar manufacturers to increase sales and reclaim some market share. American companies and American workers are second to none when they\u2019re allowed to operate in a fair and fully competitive marketplace.\u201d\nBut Nolan warned the Commission that if the China loophole is not eliminated, \u201cthe harm to the U.S. industry and its workers will continue and worsen.\u201d The Commission is scheduled to announce its final decision on or about December 16, 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/nolan-votes-no-to-11-trillion-government-funding-measure", "Nolan Votes NO to $1.1 Trillion Government Funding Measure", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.) \u2013 Citing serious problems with provisions pertaining to campaign funding limits, Wall Street excesses, pension protection and continued funding for wars in the Middle East, Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan today voted against the $1.1 trillion bill to fund most of the government through next year.\nFollowing the 219 to 206 vote to approve/disapprove the measure, Nolan issued the following statement:\n\u201cToday, I voted NO because the bad outweighs the good in this $1.1 trillion dollar measure that was negotiated by a few leaders behind closed doors and brought to a vote with no opportunity for open debate and amendment.\nI could not justify voting for an appropriations bill that:\n Allows Wall Street banks to once again engage in risky investments with federally-protected taxpayer dollars\n\t\t\u00a0\n\tRaises campaign finance limits for wealthy contributors\n\t\t\u00a0\n\tEstablishes procedures to reduce pension benefits for retired beneficiaries\n\t\t\u00a0\n\tAnd continues funding the wars in the Middle East while failing to include a shift from nation-building abroad to job-creating reinvestment in America\u2019s infrastructure\n Moreover, this bill \u2013 and the closed door process by which it was crafted \u2013 points to the urgent need to change the way we do politics in America through the comprehensive reforms included in my Restore Democracy Act. Support is growing among Democrats and Republicans alike to reform our system of campaigns and elections and return the Congress to its traditional system of Regular Order. I pledge to redouble my efforts to lead that campaign in the 114th Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-nolan-agreement-reached-for-lake-county-rural-broadband-project", "Rep. Nolan: Agreement Reached for Lake County Rural Broadband Project", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today congratulated Lake Connections and the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for reaching an agreement to continue construction for a major rural broadband project in northern Minnesota. Nolan - who sits on the Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development and Credit - was instrumental in this negotiation by facilitating communication between the two parties until a compromise was reached.\n\u201cAs a Member of Congress, I always welcome the opportunity to assist in negotiations between federal agencies and local businesses,\u201d Nolan said. \u201cI commend the local officials involved for their persistence and dedication in seeing this project through.\u201d\nThis week, Lake Connections also learned that they will receive $3.5 million from the FCC Rural Broadband Experiment.\nIn 2010, Lake County received $66.5 million in funding from the Broadband Initiatives Program to make high-speed broadband accessible to all its residents through construct of a fiber-optic network. Lake County is investing $3.5 million in this project.\n\u00a0\u201cThis is wonderful news for our rural communities in the Lake County area,\u201d Nolan said. \u201cThe funding will enhance internet accessibility in the region and promote good-paying jobs by putting families and small businesses in the area on the same playing field as big city companies when it comes to accessing information.\u201d\nWith this agreement, residents of Lake County and eastern St. Louis County will now be able to purchase High-Speed Internet, Digital TV, and Voice services at competitive rates.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3003", "Sen. Frankens Statement on Vote Against Spending Bill", "2014-12-13", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This evening, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) issued the following statement after voting against a comprehensive spending bill in the Senate that he said would strip away key Wall Street reform measures and further erode the nation's already broken campaign finance system.\n\"I didn't support this spending bill because Minnesotans deserve a government that helps make the economy work for the middle class and those aspiring to be in the middle class-not a government that puts U.S. taxpayers on the hook to bail out Wall Street,\" said Sen. Franken. \"This bill reverses important rules that were put in place after the 2008 financial crisis, putting tens of millions of Americans back at risk. And this bill further erodes our nation's campaign finance laws by giving wealthy individuals even greater influence in our election system. After closely studying the legislation, I could not in good conscience vote for it.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-12122014", "Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/12/2014", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Collin Peterson", "P000258", "collinpeterson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Union Station\nDear Friends,\nThis week marked the end of scheduled legislative business in the House during 113th Congress. Several decisions were made, including the passage of a spending bill that will fund the federal government through September 2015. It is important that the government gives thoughtful consideration to the allocation of taxpayer funds, but I was disappointed to see the inclusion of controversial policy provisions that could weaken our economy and threaten retirement security. The House also passed legislation that will help provide veterans with expanded access to medical care and suicide prevention resources. Finally, I advocated for the designation of the James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway to honor the memory of my close friend and colleague from the 8th District.\nSincerely,\nCongressman Collin C. Peterson  Minnesota 7th District\n Military Matters \n Clay Hunt SAV Act \nIn order to help stem the epidemic of veteran suicide, the House passed the Clay Hunt SAV Act. If it passes the Senate, this bill will expand veteran peer support and community outreach efforts. The act will also provide online mental health services for our veterans, of whom an estimated 22 commit suicide each day. Our veterans and their families have done so much for our country, and we need to do everything in our power to ensure they have the support needed when they return home.\n Veterans Choice Program \nThe Veterans Affairs Department issued temporary medical benefits to veterans this week, as part of the recently authorized Veterans Choice Program. This program, included in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, allows eligible veterans with service-related injuries access to non-VA health facilities if they have waited more than 30 days for an appointment at a VA medical center. Additional information about the Veteran Choice Program, including eligibility criteria and registration, is available online or at 1-866-606-8198.\u00a0\n Legislative Update \n House Omnibus Spending Bill \nThe House passed a $1.01 trillion spending bill Thursday night that would fund the federal government through September 2015. It is important for Congress to provide the funding for a substantial range of programs and activities, but Congress should not be recklessly legislating on last-minute funding bills. I opposed the bill because it weakens taxpayer protection and caters to Wall Street interests. The bill also expands the role of outside money in campaigns, and makes significant cuts to pensions - threatening the retirement security of Americans across the country.\n James L. Oberstar Memorial HighwayCongressman Oberstar \nThis week the House and Senate unanimously passed legislation to recognize former Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar, who passed away earlier this year. I spoke on the House floor in support of this legislation which would honor Rep. Oberstar's memory. Oberstar was a tireless advocate and made sure that the 8th District had a strong voice in Washington. The legacy of Jim Oberstar will live on in Minnesota and across the country for decades to come, and it is fitting to have a section of I-35 in the 8th District named in his memory.\n Propane Education and Research Act \nLast winter, western Minnesotans faced extremely cold temperatures. A variety of factors including a large, wet harvest followed by unseasonably cold weather conditions led to unusually high propane prices across the country. Many Minnesotans suddenly saw their propane costs spike in order to keep their homes warm. To better prepare for these types of price shocks, the House on Tuesday passed H.R. 5705, the Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act of 2014.\u00a0The next day, the Senate unanimously passed the bill, and it now awaits the President\u2019s signature.\u00a0The Act directs the Propane Education and Research Council to develop training programs for propane distributors and consumers on ways to better prepare for similar propane price spikes in the future. I look forward to seeing this signed by the President this year.\n House Supports Lock and Dam Investment \nOn Wednesday, the House easily passed legislation to support lock and dam construction and rehabilitation. A majority of our locks and dams have reached a concerning level of dilapidation. This important investment will ensure that our nation's infrastructure is reinvigorated and sustainable for generations to come, while also supporting the safe and efficient transport of goods to market on great waterways like the Mississippi River.\n Holiday Fire Safety \nWinter holidays are a time of celebration for many families across the country, but also a time of increased risk of fire. The FEMA U.S. Fire Administration has released home fire educational materials to help families safely cook holiday meals, display decorations, and use heat sources.\n County Courthouse Tour \n  Kittson County Courthouse 1924 / Present\nOffered for official use at no charge, court proceedings in Kittson County took place in the Hotel Hallock for nearly 15 years. The county\u2019s first case involved a yoke of stolen oxen. The term of court was completed in two days, after which the attorneys on both sides all went fishing. Other rented locations in Hallock served the same purpose until a formal courthouse was completed in 1896. The three-story brick building, which featured a Romanesque tower and battered-stone basement, was torn down after 70 years of use when the county\u2019s current courthouse was completed in 1965. The current courthouse is a low, one-story brick building, which gradually becomes a two-story building as the plot of land slopes downward.\n This Week in American History \n  National Guard \u201cFirst Muster,\u201d 1636\nThe first regiments of the United States National Guard were officially organized on December 13, 1636. As the original English settlements along the Eastern Seaboard began to expand west, citizens continued the practice of forming self-sufficient military units. This militia tradition, the foundation of the oldest military units in the United States, has proven critical to effective community, state, and national defense for nearly 400 years. Citizen-soldiers have courageously served in every major American military conflict since 1637, making the National Guard one of the oldest military service organizations in the world.\n Visitors from Minnesota \n  Jeff Pederson (Wadena)\n  Happy Holidays!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3002", "Sen. Franken Leads Bipartisan Effort to Increase Investments in Community Wind Projects", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is leading a bipartisan group of Senators in pressing the Obama Administration's top energy official to increase funding for community wind projects. In a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Sen. Franken, along with Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Tim Johnson (D-S. Dak.) urged the Department of Energy to increase investments in renewable energy technologies like distributed wind systems, which dispense power from turbines to homes, farms, schools, and businesses. You can read a copy of  the letter here or below. \"We are writing to express our strong support for distributed wind power systems, which generate clean energy, create jobs, and stimulate local economic development,\" wrote the Senators. Later they added, \"Distributed wind power systems, spanning a wide variety of applications across communities, businesses, and farms and ranches nationwide, clearly have the potential to contribute many gigawatts of electricity similar to other renewable technologies. Moreover, the distributed wind power industry appears to be at the threshold of rapid commercialization.\" Sen. Franken, who is Chairman of the Senate Energy Subcommittee, has been a strong advocate for clean energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and bio-based energy. He helped author the energy section of the Farm Bill, which will help produce jobs and growth in Minnesota's agriculture energy sector-including advanced biofuels, wind, and biomass energy. In 2012, Sen. Franken successfully pressed for an extension of the Wind Production Tax Credit. You can read the full text of the letter here or below.   \n \nDecember 11, 2014\nThe Honorable Ernest MonizSecretaryUnited States Department of EnergyDear Secretary Moniz:\nWe are writing to express our strong support for distributed wind power systems, which generate clean energy, create jobs, and stimulate local economic development. We hope that as the Department of Energy (DOE) allocates this year's renewable energy technology program funds, it will increase its investment in this important energy industry. As long-time supporters of renewable energy, we are encouraged by the significant progress that renewable energy systems are now making in our energy economy.  The rapid increase in wind power and solar energy capacity over the past several years is especially notable, confirming renewable energy's substantial and growing role in electric power generation for the nation.  We commend the DOE for the part that its renewable energy technology programs have played in enabling these successes.  DOE's wind and solar programs have made major contributions for these technologies across the full value chain spectrum, from basic and applied research to technology development, testing, systems development, applications analysis, and commercialization support.  We support continuation of strong federal renewable energy programs, especially in areas with significant potential for expanding our use of clean, renewable power systems.  In particular, we believe distributed wind power systems deserve sustained, and increased support.  Distributed wind power systems, spanning a wide variety of applications across communities, businesses, and farms and ranches nationwide, clearly have the potential to contribute many gigawatts of electricity similar to other renewable technologies.  Moreover, the distributed wind power industry appears to be at the threshold of rapid commercialization.  Increased DOE investments in such areas as cost-shared technology development and performance verification, permitting process improvements, interconnection processes, and financing options can lead to rapid acceleration in the deployment of distributed wind systems.  The result would be thousands of new jobs and increased local economic development across the nation.  This latter point is, we believe, especially noteworthy.  Distributed wind systems have exceptionally high domestic content-exceeding 90 percent-and the broadly dispersed nature of this technology, in terms of applications, manufacturers, and installers, means that the expansion of distributed wind will create jobs and stimulate local economies in nearly every region of the country.  Given these potential benefits, we urge the Department to provide at least $6.4 million to distributed wind as you plan the detailed allocations of renewable energy program funds for FY15.  DOE should also consider additional funding increases for distributed wind in the future commensurate with this technology's potential energy and economic benefits.   Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3004", "Sens. Franken and Klobuchar, Rep. Nolans Bill to Fix Grand Rapids Land Swap Issue Set to Become Law", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, a legislative fix proposed by U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), along with Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minn.) is set to become law after passing both the House and Senate. The bill gives the green light to the much-anticipated land transfer between the Grand Rapids School District and the federal government. The land swap, which the Grand Rapids community has long sought to settle, will result in the school district receiving a parcel of land near the Robert J. Elkington Middle School. In exchange, the school district will transfer a separate parcel of land to the federal government. \"Getting this land swap issue resolved is important to the Grand Rapids School District and to the entire community,\" said Sen. Franken. \"This has been an ongoing issue for many years and I'm glad our bill will finally give the go ahead to make this swap happen.\"  \"The community of Grand Rapids has been waiting a long time for this land transfer to finally be resolved,\" said Sen. Klobuchar. \"Our bill pushes it across the finish line and ensures the Grand Rapids School District will be able to use the land as it sees fit.\" \"This common sense land exchange bill will provide the Elkington Middle School with a new and safer place for students to be dropped off and picked up\" said Rep. Nolan. \"It was great to work with Senators Klobuchar and Franken to get this done for the Grand Rapids community.\" The lawmakers' bill, which already passed in the House of Representatives, cleared the Senate today. Now it will be sent to the President's desk to be signed into law. You can read a copy of the bill here and view a map of the land here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/ifalls-journal-nolan-sticks-to-his-guns", "IFalls Journal: Nolan sticks to his guns", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "It\u2019s easy to call for change when running for election to an office.\nIt\u2019s not so easy after the election to get those changes included in bills that could change the way America does business.\nKudos to U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan for sticking to his guns. He\u2019s sought to end what he\u2019s termed \u201cnation-building abroad\u201d and to instead use America\u2019s resources to reduce the deficit and create jobs at home. That theme was fundamental to his 2012 campaign the first time we interviewed him as he attempted to return to Congress. It\u2019s been a recurring theme throughout his first term and this year\u2019s reelection campaign.\nLast week, two amendments authored by Nolan that will move toward achieving that theme were included in the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act approved by the House.\nOne amendment stops any new money for major reconstruction in Afghanistan. Nolan has maintained Afghanistan construction projects have been a waste of taxpayer dollars. The U.S. has since 2002 spent more than $100 billion on projects there, with no accounting for where $60 billion of that money has gone, according to Nolan.\nUnder his amendment, none of the $66 billion in the defense bill\u2019s overseas contingency fund will be approved for Afghan military reconstruction. He notes money slated for nation-building abroad would fully fund the state of Minnesota for two years.\nThe other amendment requires certification of any new U.S. construction project in Afghanistan in excess of $1 million to be supervised by U.S. personnel with procedures in place to prevent fraud and abuse.\nNolan said this amendment assures the U.S. will not build anything in Afghanistan the U.S. can\u2019t inspect, audit and protect.\nIn supporting his contention, Nolan has pointed to a Washington Post report that tells of U.S. funds used to pay about 50,000 Iraqi soldiers who don\u2019t exist. Their salaries, according to the report, are collected by corrupt Iraqi Army leaders.\nHe also points to the increased Taliban activity in Afghanistan, the No. 1 \u201cnarco-state nation in the world,\u201d where about $725 million in construction projects fall outside U.S. inspection zones. Providing money for well-intended projects in a corrupt state that produces more heroin than the rest of the world combined is a prescription for fraud, according to Nolan.\nNolan deserves credit for never wavering from his beliefs and working hard to make the changes he believes will benefit America.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=1bcd170b-1dee-4261-a3e8-d197ffbbcbf8", "Klobuchar, Franken, Nolan Bill to Rename Portion of Interstate 35 in Memory of Congressman Jim Oberstar Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk to Be Signed into Law", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oberstar, who passed away May 3rd, was born in Chisholm and represented the people of Northern Minnesota for 36 years \r\n Lawmakers have also introduced a bill to rename the Chisolm Post Office after the former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; that bill passed the Senate last week \r\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with Representative Rick Nolan announced that their bill to rename a portion of Interstate 35 in memory of former Representative Jim Oberstar has passed the Senate and now heads to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law. Oberstar, who passed away May 3rd, was born in Chisholm and represented the people of Northern Minnesota for 36 years. The stretch of Interstate 35 from Forest Lake to Duluth will be named the \"James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway\".\r\n\u201cJim was a man of purpose who never stopped fighting for the people of northern Minnesota,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cHis fingerprints can be found on just about every major federally funded transportation project during the last five decades. Every American who drives our roads can thank Jim Oberstar, and today\u2019s action ensures that this highway will stand as a lasting tribute to his dedication and service.\u201d\r\n\u201cMy friend Jim Oberstar\u2014a consummate public servant and a remarkable man\u2014knew more about transportation than anyone in this country,\u201d Franken said. \u201cJim left an unparalleled legacy, in both Minnesota and all across the country, and it\u2019s only fitting to remember his name by marking this highway in his honor.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis is such a fitting tribute. From border to border and sea to shining sea, our interstate highway system is Jim Oberstar\u2019s lasting legacy for America,\u201d Nolan said. \u201cOver 36 years of service in Congress \u2013 and most especially as Chairman of the House Transportation Committee \u2013 no one worked harder to build and improve our infrastructure than Jim Oberstar. And soon, everyone who heads north on Highway I-35 from Forest Lake to Duluth will be reminded of his great contributions.\u201d\r\nThe lawmakers have also introduced a bill to rename the Chisolm Post Office after the former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. That legislation passed the Senate last week.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=2c679db6-aab3-4e9c-ad9f-ef9e3a71d727", "Klobuchar, Kline Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure National Guard and Reserves Ability to Assist Victims of Sexual Assault Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk to Be Signed Into Law", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Army has released a directive expanding important legal services to certain victims of military sexual assault, but the directive fails to cover Guard members who become victims of sexual assault outside of their drill weekend or military duty\u00a0\n \r\n \nThe bipartisan bill \u2013 which Klobuchar introduced in the Senate with Senator Kelly Ayotte and Kline introduced in the House \u2013 would ensure survivors of sexual assault receive support services if there is any connection between the crime and their service\u00a0 \r\nWashington, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative John Kline today announced that their bipartisan legislation to ensure the National Guard and Reserve\u2019s ability to assist victims of sexual assault passed the Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and now heads to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law. The Army has released a directive expanding important legal services to certain victims of military sexual assault, but the directive fails to cover Guard members who become victims of sexual assault outside of their drill weekend or military duty. The lawmakers\u2019 bipartisan bill \u2013 which Klobuchar introduced in the Senate with Senator Kelly Ayotte and Kline introduced in the House \u2013 would ensure survivors of sexual assault receive support services if there is any connection between the crime and their service. The bill would require the relevant service secretary to provide Special Victims Counsel to the member regardless of when the assault occurred.\r\n\u201cOur National Guard and Reserve members make enormous sacrifices to keep us safe,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cThis bipartisan bill will ensure that these servicemembers have access to the support and resources they need if they become victims of sexual assault, and today\u2019s action means this important legislation will now become law.\u201d\r\n\u201cOur Minnesota service members should not be impeded from seeking critical services in the aftermath of a sexual assault,\u201d said Kline, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Marines. \u201cThis legislation is a good example of what can happen when we roll up our sleeves and work in a bipartisan way on behalf of the constituents we serve. I was pleased to author legislation and work with Sen. Klobuchar to ensure our Guard members receive the same services available to other service members.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Sexual Assault provision of the National Defense Authorization Act will establish a new and important legal resource for victims,\u201d said Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard. \u201cCurrently, members of the National Guard who are sexually assaulted while not on duty cannot access special victims counsel services, which provide legal assistance. Under this new provision, specially-trained counsels will provide legal advice and representation to the victim.\u201d\r\nAfter the Army released its directive, Klobuchar and Kline led a letter signed by Minnesota\u2019s entire Congressional Delegation calling on the U.S. Army to ensure that the Minnesota National Guard can fully assist victims of sexual assault regardless of when the assault occurred. In a letter to Secretary of the Army John McHugh, Minnesota\u2019s congressional delegation raised concerns that the lack of clarity around the new directive could undermine the Minnesota National Guard\u2019s ability to effectively provide support services to survivors of sexual assaults.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-national-housing-trust-fund-and-capital-magnet", "Rep. Ellison Statement on National Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced it will fund the Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund.\n\u201cI am thrilled by the decision of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to implement the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and provide about $500 million a year or more to create affordable rental housing for thousands of extremely low-income families,\u201d Rep. Ellison said. \u201cWe currently have a shortage of 8 million units affordable for extremely low-income families. The Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund make major progress toward meeting this need. These will provide desperately needed revenue to offset recent spending cuts and the sequester that have left long wait lists for affordable housing in communities across the nation.\u201d\n\u201cFHFA Director Mel Watt and his team are to be commended for providing good news to the millions of families with uncertain housing and the tens of millions living in high-poverty neighborhoods,\u201d Rep. Ellison said.\n\u201cThe FHFA\u2019s decision to release funds to the NHTF is a major achievement for Congressman Ellison, housing advocates, developers and providers,\u201d Chip Halbach, Executive Director of Minnesota Housing Partnership, said. \u201cWith this funding, many homeless families and families in jeopardy of experiencing homelessness will be able to secure housing that is affordable to them.\u00a0 This is a day worth celebrating.\u201d\n\u201cFunding for the National Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund are critical elements in the nation\u2019s effort to rebuild housing opportunities in communities that suffered the most in the recent housing crisis,\u201d Frank Altman, President and CEO Community Reinvestment Fund, USA, said. \u00a0\u201cMany families are still struggling to obtain decent affordable housing, and we at Community Reinvestment Fund applaud the FHFA for its decision to capitalize the National Housing Trust Fund.\u201d\nRep. Ellison previously led a letter signed in July by 78 House Democrats urging funding of the Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund.\u00a0\nThe Funds receive a transfer of funds by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac based on their new business. This dedicated source of revenue enables the Housing Trust Fund to provide communities with funds to build, preserve, and rehabilitate rental homes that are affordable to families with incomes below about 30 percent of area median income -- about $24,000 in Minneapolis. The funds could be used for the real costs of building and managing affordable developments such as loans, equity investments, grants, interest rate subsidies, real property acquisition, site improvements, demolition, financing, operating costs to offset the low rents and reasonable administrative costs.\u00a0\nThe Capital Magnet Fund (CMF) awards grants to nonprofit housing organizations and community development financial institutions to develop affordable housing, economic development and community service projects. Before the previous FHFA Director suspended contributions, the CMF received $80 million which leveraged more than $1 billion in investments. Minnesota CDFIs such as Community Reinvestment Fund or Volunteers of America could receive investment funds to strengthen local economies.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2999", "Star Tribune: In wake of report, Sen. Franken calls torture immoral and ineffective", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Senate Intelligence Committee recently released a wide-ranging report detailing the CIA's interrogation program following the 9/11 attacks. The report included details of the brutal techniques used by interrogators and revealed that the CIA misled Congress, the White House, and the American the public about the program.\nThe Star Tribune reports:\n \nIn a statement, Franken calls the report \"a sobering reminder that torture is immoral, and it's not who we are.\"\nBut the Minnesota Democrat says not only is torture wrong, it's also ineffective. He says the report shows the CIA's tactics were not effective in producing the kind of accurate intelligence needed for national security.\nFranken concludes that the CIA \"has not been honest with Congress or the public.\"\n \nTo read the full story from the Star Tribune, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2997", "Sen. Franken Kicks Off Initiative to Make Rural Health Care a Top Priority", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), the new Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Rural Health Caucus, has kicked off a new initiative to identify the top health care needs of patients and providers in rural Minnesota and to find innovative ways to ensure top-quality care in rural communities. Last week, Sen Franken met with top Minnesota rural health policy experts at the University of Minnesota to begin to identify the unique issues facing rural communities, and to help ensure access to quality health care for rural residents. The meeting was the first in a series that he and his staff will hold in communities around the state. \"Patients and health providers in rural America have very different needs than their urban counterparts,\" said Sen. Franken. \"As the new Co-chair of the Rural Health Caucus, I will be meeting with health leaders across rural Minnesota in the coming weeks and months as part of my effort to make rural health care a top priority when the new Congress convenes next month.\" Starting in January, Sen. Franken's office will begin a \"Rural Health Tour\" by holding similar discussions in communities across the state. Earlier this year, Sen. Franken introduced the bipartisan Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act (R-HoPE) to support the efforts of rural health care delivery systems to provide innovative, sustainable health care solutions for patients in rural America. Specifically, the legislation would help provide access to hospitals, doctors, and ambulance services in rural areas. In 2013, Sen. Franken introduced the Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act to push the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make better use of its resources to ensure better access to health care for rural veterans. The measure included the use of non-VA health care, something that was part of the VA reform bill passed earlier this year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/duluth-news-tribune-eh-house-passes-measure-to-rename-highway-for-oberstar", "Duluth News Tribune: Eh?: House passes measure to rename highway for Oberstar", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A bill to rename portions of Interstate 35 in memory of longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Monday. The measure was backed by Klobuchar, U.S. Sen. Al Franken and U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, all Democrats from Minnesota.\nKlobuchar and Franken have introduced similar legislation in the Senate.\nOberstar, who died on May 3, was born in Chisholm and represented the residents of northern Minnesota for 36 years.\n\u201cJim never forgot his roots,\u201d Klobuchar said in a statement. \u201cHe took the fighting spirit of the people of northern Minnesota to Washington, and he used it to support critical transportation projects in our state. It\u2019s only fitting that one of our state\u2019s highways bear Jim\u2019s name as a lasting marker of his legacy of service, and today\u2019s action moves us one step closer to making that happen.\u201d\n\u00a0\u201cWhen Jim Oberstar passed away, he left a remarkable legacy \u2014 in Minnesota and all around the country,\u201d Franken said in a statement. \u201cBy the time Jim \u2014 a consummate public servant \u2014 rose to the chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, he knew more about transportation than anyone in this country.\n\u201cIt\u2019s fitting that these sections of highway ultimately be renamed in his honor.\u201d\nLawmakers also have introduced a bill to rename the Chisholm post office after the former chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; that bill passed the Senate last week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/duluth-news-tribune-lake-connections-broadband-network-receives-federal", "Duluth News Tribune: Lake Connections broadband network receives federal grant", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "One Wednesday \u2014 one day after the Lake County Board approved plans to finish work on a stalled broadband network \u2014 additional federal funding to support the project was announced. \u00a0\u00a0\nU.S. Rep. Rick Nolan issued a release stating that Lake Connections will receive $3.5 million from the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s Rural Broadband Experiment.\nThe award will come on top of $66.5 million in federal support that already has gone to Lake Connections, which is working to make high-speed broadband Internet service more accessible by constructing a fiber-optic network to serve residents of Lake and eastern St. Louis counties.\nThe project ground to a halt in August, when county officials voiced concerns that the network wouldn\u2019t be built on time or within budget. Federal money for the network stopped flowing as news of the project\u2019s uncertain future spread.\nBut on Tuesday, the Lake County Board voted 3-2 to commit the necessary local funding to complete the project \u2014 an estimated $15 million during the next five years.\nThe Lake County News Chronicle contributed to this report.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/duluth-news-tribune-readers-view-nolan-did-the-right-thing-on-keystone-vote", "Duluth News Tribune: Readers' view: Nolan did the right thing on Keystone vote", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, and the Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota applaud Congressman Rick Nolan for supporting the Keystone XL pipeline and for standing with middle-class construction workers and their families.\n\n\tThe Keystone XL pipeline is the most-vetted construction project in American history, having undergone five different Environmental Impact Statements and six years of careful evaluation. The U.S. House vote that took place Nov. 12 declared the environmental studies complete and approved the project for construction.\n\tPipelines are the safest way to transport energy products. They help alleviate congestion on our nation\u2019s highways and railroads, which have seen unprecedented increases in traffic leading to devastating delays for farmers, petroleum consumers and other commercial industries.\n\tThe claim that jobs provided by the Keystone XL pipeline would only be \u201ctemporary\u201d was offensive and devalued construction workers as highly skilled and safety-focused professionals. In our industry, you work as hard, safely and efficiently as you can in order to get the project completed on time and on budget. When one project is done, you move on to the next. People build successful careers this way, with access to health care, continuing education and secure retirements. They should be revered and valued as legitimate careers that are vital to American society.\n\tCongressman Nolan proved he is willing to put partisan politics aside and put Americans back to work. Along with 30 other Democrats who worked across the aisle, Rep. Nolan should be given credit for moving the nation forward.\n\tKeystone XL has been through rigorous review, and it is time to get this project started. It is time to keep America competitive in today\u2019s global economy and to put thousands of highly trained, union construction professionals to work.\n\tCraig Olson\n\tDuluth\n\tOlson is president of the Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council.\n\tGlen Johnson\n\tCannon Falls, Minn.\n\tJohnson is the business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49.\n\tDan Olson\n\tDuluth\n\tOlson is the business manager for the Laborers Union Local 1091.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/hometown-source-movement-made-to-name-portions-of-interstate-35-in-memory", "Hometown Source: Movement made to name portions of Interstate 35 in memory of Congressman Oberstar", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with Rep. Rick Nolan announced that their bill to rename portions of Highway 35 in memory of former Representative Jim Oberstar has passed the House.\nOberstar, who passed away May 3, was born in Chisholm and represented the people of Northern Minnesota for 36 years. Klobuchar and Franken have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\u201cBorn in Chisholm, Jim never forgot his roots,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cHe took the fighting spirit of the people of Northern Minnesota to Washington, and he used it to support critical transportation projects in our state. It\u2019s only fitting that one of our state\u2019s highways bear Jim\u2019s name as a lasting marker of his legacy of service, and today\u2019s action moves us one step closer to making that happen.\u201d\n\u201cWhen Jim Oberstar passed away, he left a remarkable legacy\u2014in Minnesota and all around the country,\u201d Franken said. \u201cBy the time Jim\u2014a consummate public servant\u2014rose to the Chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, he knew more about transportation than anyone in this country. It\u2019s fitting that these sections of highway ultimately be renamed in his honor.\u201d\n\u201cThrough recessions, budget deficits, gas shortages and challenges of every kind, Jim Oberstar never wavered in his support for the interstate highway system because he understood how vital it is to our ability to create good jobs and literally drive our economy forward,\u201d Nolan said.\nThe lawmakers have also introduced a bill to rename the Chisolm Post Office after the former chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. That legislation passed the Senate last week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kstp-bill-to-rename-hwy-35-in-northern-minn-after-late-former-congressman", "KSTP: Bill to Rename Hwy. 35 in Northern Minn. after Late Former Congressman Passes US House", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Portions of Highway 35 in Northern Minnesota will soon have a new name.\nBills to rename the highway in memory of former Rep. Jim Oberstar, who died in May, have made their way through Congress. The bill passed the U.S. House and one is being introduced in the U.S. Senate.\n\u201cBorn in Chisholm, Jim never forgot his roots,\u201d U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said. \u201cHe took the fighting spirit of the people of Northern Minnesota to Washington, and he used it to support critical transportation projects in our state. It\u2019s only fitting that one of our state\u2019s highways bear Jim\u2019s name as a lasting marker of his legacy of service, and today\u2019s action moves us one step closer to making that happen.\u201d\n\u201cWhen Jim Oberstar passed away, he left a remarkable legacy\u2014in Minnesota and all around the country,\u201d Sen. Al Franken said. \u201cBy the time Jim\u2014a consummate public servant\u2014rose to the Chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, he knew more about transportation than anyone in this country. It's fitting that these sections of highway ultimately be renamed in his honor.\u201d\n\u201cThrough recessions, budget deficits, gas shortages and challenges of every kind, Jim Oberstar never wavered in his support for the interstate highway system because he understood how vital it is to our ability to create good jobs and literally drive our economy forward,\u201d Rep. Rick Nolan said.\nThe lawmakers have also introduced a bill to rename the Chisolm Post Office after the former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The legislation passed the Senate last week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/lake-county-news-chronicle-lake-county-rus-reach-deal", "Lake County News Chronicle: Lake County, RUS reach deal", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After the Lake County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution last week pledging to obtain $15 million in financing for its broadband project, the federal agency largely funding the project has agreed to move forward and continue construction. Rep. Rick Nolan announced the agreement this morning in a press release.\nThe United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service has been withholding payments to the county since the county expressed concerns in August that it wouldn't be able to finish the project on time or within budget. Contractors stopped working in October as their bills went unpaid. The county has already put $6.25 million into the project, and plans to use bonds and cash reserves to fund the $15 million its pledged, though that will take future county board action.\u00a0\n\u201cAs a member of Congress, I always welcome the opportunity to assist in negotiations between federal agencies and local businesses,\u201d Nolan said in the press release. \u201cI commend the local officials involved for their persistence and dedication in seeing this project through.\u201d\nNolan also announced that Lake Connections has received $3.5 million from the Federal Communications Commission Rural Broadband Experiment, pending a post-selection review process. The county has also applied for $5 million from a new state grant fund created to help bring broadband to areas with slow or no service.\nThe new internet, voice and video network under the name Lake Connections stretches across Lake County and parts of St. Louis County and is being funded mainly by RUS under the Recovery Act Broadband Initiatives Program. The county received the $66 million grant and loan award in 2010 and has faced many delays on the project caused by changes in leadership, legal battles and opposition from private service providers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-lake-county-gets-funds-to-expand-broadband", "Mesabi Daily News: Lake County gets funds to expand broadband", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Lake County will received $3.5 million in federal funds for its broadband expansion. Eighth District U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan announced on Wednesday that Lake Connections and the USDA Rural Utilities Service have reached an agreement that will allow continuation of a major rural broadband project.\n\t\u201cAs a member of Congress, I always welcome the opportunity to assist in negotiations between federal agencies and local businesses,\u201d Nolan said. \u201cI commend the local officials involved for their persistence and dedication in seeing this project through.\u201d\n\n\tLake County received $66.5 million in 2010 from the Broadband Initiatives Program to make high-speed broadband accessible to all residents through a fiber-optic network.\n\n\tLake County and eastern St. Louis County residents will now be able to purchase high-speed Internet, digital TV and voice services at competitive prices.\n\n\t\u201cThe funding will enhance Internet accessibility in the region and promote good-paying jobs by putting families and small businesses in the area on the same playing field as big city companies when it comes to accessing information,\u201d Nolan said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-nolan-to-itc-close-solar-loophole", "Mesabi Daily News: Nolan to ITC: Close solar loophole", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan has gone to bat before the International Trade Commission for Minnesota\u2019s Silicon Energy, which has a solar panel plant in Mountain Iron. The 8th District congressman on Monday urged the ITC to close a trade law loophole that allows China and Taiwan to dump solar panels that circumvent trade duties into the U.S. marketplace.\n\t\u201cU.S. innovation and efficiency started the worldwide growth of solar, and will continue to fuel that growth so long as unfair trade practices are not allowed. But that is not what is happening in the solar manufacturing market in America that circumvent U.S. trade duties.\n\n\t\u201cInstead, U.S. solar manufacturers have been devastated by China\u2019s buildup of massive amounts of state-sponsored solar capacity. This has led to a surge of dumped and subsidized imports from China causing an unprecedented price collapse in the U.S. market and tremendous injury to U.S. producers,\u201d Nolan testified.\n\n\tThe congressman told ITC commissioners that the unfair trade practices by China and Taiwan have led to 20 U.S. solar companies closing their doors, going bankrupt or announcing significant layoffs.\n\n\tSilicon Energy is supporting an ongoing case brought by SolarWorld\n\n\tIndustries America, Inc., that would close the loophole and make it a more fair playing field for U.S. manufacturers that use American made cells in their solar products.\n\n\tNolan praised the commission\u2019s earlier rulings to cut down on solar imports from China and Taiwan.\n\n\t\u201cThe U.S. market has stabilized, allowing U.S. solar manufacturers to increase sales and reclaim some market share,\u201d Nolan testified.\n\n\tBut the congressman then warned that if the loophole is not closed, \u201cthe harm to the U.S. industry and its workers will continue and worsen.\u201d\n\n\tSilicon Energy, which has seen its workforce fluctuate from about 10 to 15 employees since it opened in 2011, also had a shutdown earlier this year because of defects in its product that forced them to be replaced under warranty.\n\n\tSilicon Energy, which has its corporate office in Washington state, received a $1.5 million seven-year forgivable loan at 3 percent from the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board in June 2010.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/pv-tech-itc-hearing-marks-beginning-of-end-to-us-china-trade-case", "PV Tech: ITC hearing marks beginning of end to US-China trade case", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Witnesses from SolarWorld, Trina, Yingli, SunEdison, Gintech and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) gave evidence in Washington on Monday as the US-China trade row approaches its conclusion.\nAn International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing today will see evidence for and against the imposition of anti-subsidy and anti-dumping duties as both sides debate whether Chinese imports have damaged the domestic US solar sector.\nThe Department of Commerce is expected on 16 December to make its final decision regarding punitive duties in the cases. Preliminary anti-subsidy duties of up to\u00a035% were announced in June and anti-dumping rates of up to 165% were revealed in July.\nHowever, if the ITC rules that no damage was done to the US industry, the DoC\u2019s final tariffs will not be imposed. The ITC is expected to give its verdict in January.\nThe draft witness list correct as of Thursday 4 December, show that the argument for duties had called witnesses from SolarWorld, Silicon Energy, US Senator for Oregon Ron Wyden and Congressman Rick Nolan (Rep-Mn.).\nThe argument against has called witnesses from the SEIA, a host of tier-one Chinese manufacturers, US firm SunEdison and a number of Taiwanese manufacturers.\nAfter duties were imposed on Chinese products in 2012, the latest case deals with Chinese products that used Taiwanese cells in order to sidestep the criteria in the prior case.\nSolarWorld Americas\u2019 president Mukesh Dulani told the hearing that despite some recent improvements for the US solar industry, its recovery was fragile.\n\u201cI have no doubt that the US industry\u2019s condition would immediately worsen again if final duties are not imposed,\u201d he said.\u00a0\nCongressman Nolan, whose state is home to module manufacturer Silicon Energy, said:\n\u201c\u2026It is possible that the future is very bright for the domestic solar industry. US solar demand is growing, and US producers are developing and making excellent products to meet that demand. However, your work today is critically important to this recovery.\u00a0 Without these cases, the harm to the US industry and its workers will continue and worsen.\u201d\nMaking the case against duties, Richard Wiener, of Sidley Austin, the firm representing Chinese manufacturers said:\u00a0\u201cIf SolarWorld succeeds, the burgeoning US solar industry will grind to a halt, because the domestic industry cannot satisfy US solar demand and because solar electricity would be uncompetitive at SolarWorld\u2019s desired prices. SolarWorld places in peril US climate change goals and 143,000 American solar jobs, all without benefiting US CS [crystalline silicon] PV manufacturers.\"\nA major pillar of the case regards the\u00a0\u2018scope\u2019 of the products involved. The origin of a module has previously been dictated by where the cell was produced. The latest investigation includes Taiwanese cells in an effort to stop Chinese firms from avoiding the 2012 duties on their products.\nSEIA VP for trade and competitiveness, John Smirnow, warned that adjusting this rule, as suggested by SolarWorld, could set a dangerous precedent. SolarWorld wants modules\u2019 origin to be determined by whichever country provided two out of the wafer, cell or module elements.\n\u201cUnfortunately, Commerce is seriously entertaining [SolarWorld\u2019s]\u2019s \u2018two out of three\u2019 proposition or something even more expansive. Two out of three is nothing more than a veiled attempt to circumvent US AD/CVD laws by folding separate and distinct products from multiple countries into a single investigation.\u00a0 It\u2019s wrong and it\u2019s a dangerous approach from a trade policy perspective.\u00a0\u00a0\nA further question mark hangs over the current case's process as a result of the alleged hacking of SolarWorld\u2019s computers by hackers with links to the Chinese People\u2019s Liberation Army. DoC, on request of SolarWorld, is still considering how to fold these allegations into the inquiry.\nIn an apparent nod to the\u00a0cyberhacking case, Senator Ron Wyden, of SolarWorld\u2019s home state of Oregon said: \u201cUS innovation and efficiency started the world-wide growth of solar and will continue to fuel that growth so long as unfair trade practices are fully addressed. Let us not allow the innovation economy to be undermined by innovative cheating on trade. Trade enforcement must keep pace with the times.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/wdsm-710-nolan-cut-off-new-money-for-afghanistan-reconstruction", "WDSM 710: Nolan: Cut Off New Money For Afghanistan Reconstruction", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Duluth, MN (KDAL) - Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan on Tuesday talked about the need cut-off all new money for major military reconstruction in Afghanistan. On the K-D-A-L\u2019s John Gilbert Show, Nolan said the much of the money meant for reconstruction projects disappeared, leaving them uncompleted or completely undone. The amendment passed the House last week.\u00a0 He adds that another of his amendments, to require all NEW U.S.-funded construction projects in Afghanistan in excess of $1 million be supervised by U.S. personnel with procedures to prevent fraud and abuse.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-mccollum-statement-consolidated-and-further-continuing-appropriations", "Congresswoman McCollum Statement on Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) released the following statement in advance of the vote on the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015:\n\u201cToday, funding for the federal government runs out if we do not pass an appropriations bill or a continuing resolution. I want to vote for a bipartisan appropriations bill that keeps our federal government running because there are a number of things included that I have worked hard to pass. However, I cannot vote for this omnibus bill. Republicans have corrupted the appropriations process by secretly inserting provisions that put Wall Street and billionaires ahead of the middle class.\n\u201cOur appropriations process should be about making our federal government work in a way that meets the needs of every American.\u00a0 We spend months debating various bills to determine how best to fund critical programs and services. Republican leadership is ignoring that process by inserting last-minute provisions that give their billionaire political donors a stronger voice in the political process and allow their allies on Wall Street to be bailed out by taxpayers.\u00a0 Billionaires already play an enormous role in our political process. Today, wealthy donors can give political party committees $97,200 per year.\u00a0 The provisions in this bill would raise that number to $777,000 per year.\u00a0 These provisions, which appeared suddenly in the bill overnight, would amplify the voices of a select, wealthy few and allow them to drown out the political influence of middle-class Americans.\u00a0 This is wrong.\n\u201cThe bill on the floor today would also put middle-class taxpayers back on the hook for abuses by Wall Street banks. In 2010, I helped pass a bill that would help limit abuses in financial institution and protect taxpayers from having to bail out banks.\u00a0 That bill included a provision entitled \u201cProhibition of Federal Government Bailouts of Swaps Entities.\u201d This provision made sure that federal taxpayers would not bailout banks selling credit swaps \u2013 one of the most volatile financial products.\u00a0 Republicans would eliminate that provision, and leave middle-class taxpayers on the hook for bailing out Wall Street again in the future. Then, after gutting language to protect taxpayers from the mistakes of banks, those wealthy bankers would be able to exert greater influence over our nation\u2019s elections and elected leaders. This combination is deeply destructive to our democracy.\n\u201cWe must pass a bill to keep our government funded.\u00a0 Giving greater influence to wealthy political donors and more lax restrictions to questionable financial practices has nothing to do with keeping our government open.\u00a0 These are policy provisions inserted into this bill in the middle of the night, in the hopes that the urgent need to fund our government might overshadow how harmful they are to our country.\u00a0\n\u201cMy job in the House of Representatives is to represent the best interests of the people of Minnesota.\u00a0 Supporting either of these provisions will benefit billionaires and will harm the people I was elected to serve. I will not support this bill as long as they are included.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/smithmccollum-global-food-security-act-2014-passes-house-bipartisan-vote", "Smith/McCollum Global Food Security Act of 2014 Passes House in Bipartisan Vote", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the United States House of Representatives voted to pass the Global Food Security Act of 2014, a bill which would take significant steps to fight hunger worldwide by empowering and supporting small-scale local farmers.\u00a0 Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) was the lead Democratic sponsor of the bill which was authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). With over 800 million people worldwide suffering from hunger, this critical investment will improve the health of millions, help to stabilize developing nations, and improve American security.\n\u201cWe cannot sit by and do nothing as 800 million hungry people suffer, parents are forced watch their children go hungry, and far too many die from malnutrition\u201d said Congresswoman McCollum. \u201cHuman dignity, decency, and our own national security demands that we support and sustain this important investment in agriculture development and nutrition.\n\u201cThis bill is about partnering with hardworking farmers \u2013 who are mostly women \u2013 to make them more successful. It helps provide access to the knowledge, tools, markets, and business opportunities they desperately need. Because when a woman farmer succeeds, her children and family are healthier and more likely to succeed.\u00a0\n\u201cI have seen the difference our investments in agriculture development and nutrition are having in developing nations. I have met women farmers who are feeding their families, sending their children to school, and investing in their communities.\u00a0 These investments have been proven to work, and I am glad that we were able to do more.\u201d\nH.R. 5656 passed with bipartisan support.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ellison-grijalva-statement-on-government-funding-deal", "Ellison, Grijalva Statement on Government Funding Deal", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON-Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), released the following statement ahead of a House Rules Committee hearing on a deal to partially fund the government through September of next year.\u00a0\n\u201cWe support a government funding bill that invests in creating jobs and American families. Unfortunately, the CROmnibus fails to do that. \u00a0\n\u201cRepublicans, who learned nothing from the financial crisis of 2008, included a provision that allows Wall Street to engage in some of the same risky practices that crashed the world economy. The short-term funding of the Department of Homeland Security sets up another government shutdown battle in February and is motivated by Republicans who refuse to fix our broken immigration system. \u00a0Continuing cuts to education and environmental protections while spending billions on endless wars is the wrong priority for American families. \u00a0Sneaking in last minute provisions, like turning our democracy into an auction house by raising campaign contributions, is the wrong way to govern.\u00a0\n\u201cRepublicans are once again using a potential crisis with the federal budget to hurt working families. The Progressive Caucus stands with the American people and opposes the bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2995", "Sen. Frankens Statement on Opposition to Treasury Department Nominee Antonio Weiss", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) issued the following statement on his opposition to Antonio Weiss, the Treasury Department's nominee to be Under Secretary for Domestic Finance:\n\"This position requires someone who understands how to make our economy work for the middle class and those aspiring to be in the middle class,\" said Sen. Franken. \"As such, I will not be supporting Mr. Weiss' nomination. I am troubled by his history working on international corporate mergers for a Bermuda-based investment firm, and his work on so-called inversion deals that allow corporations to change their address and avoid their US tax responsibilities. Wall Street's perspective is already well-represented in the Administration.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cpc-cbc-chc-and-capac-chairs-on-doj-s-revised-racial-profiling-guidance", "CPC, CBC, CHC and CAPAC Chairs on DOJs Revised Racial Profiling Guidance", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON-Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), along with Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH), Chair-Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Linda S\u00e1nchez (D-CA), and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Judy Chu (D-CA) released the following statements after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released revised racial profiling guidance for federal law enforcement.\u00a0\n\u201cJustice should be blind \u2013 the fact that law enforcement uses profiling at all is a blatant departure from the values we hold dear,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThe rules announced today will help close this gap in justice, and further validate what study after study has already shown: Profiling is bad law enforcement.\u00a0\n\u201cUnfortunately, loopholes in this rule that allow profiling to continue under certain circumstances only perpetuate a flawed policy, sowing distrust within targeted communities and leaving the American people less safe. We can and must close the door on all forms of profiling, not only with federal law enforcement, but all the way down to the local authorities that work day in and day out in our communities.\u201d\n\"The profiling rules the Department of Justice released today earns a grade of C for protecting the civil liberties of all Americans,\" Rep. Ellison said. \u201cIt does some good things and fails on others. For example, the Progressive Caucus has long urged the DOJ to issue guidance that prevents law enforcement from discriminating based on\u00a0national origin, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity. We are glad to see these groups included in the revised guidance. However, loopholes still exist. The FBI, TSA, and Customs and Border Patrol agents can still profile in the name of national security.\u00a0\n\u201cThe DOJ acknowledges discriminatory profiling is wrong and doesn\u2019t help prevent crime, so why should it be allowed in cases of national security? An articulable suspicion of a particular crime must be the basis for stopping people, not just race or assumptions about religion or national origin.\u00a0Our federal law enforcement agents should be required to uphold our basic Constitutional principles.\u00a0Profiling guidance from the DOJ should protect\u00a0all\u00a0Americans from being unjustly mapped, monitored, and targeted.\"\n\u201cWhile I commend the Administration and the Department of Justice for the new policy it released today to help curb racial profiling on the federal level, their guidance for local law enforcement falls short of preventing the next Michael Brown or Eric Garner tragedy,\u201d Rep. Fudge said. \u201cIt is imperative that they take the next step of establishing actual policy for all local police departments.\u00a0\n\"This next step - addressing profiling in our communities - is critical because it is the negative - and often deadly - interactions of black and brown people with local law enforcement that most affects the quality of life for Americans nationwide. Further, if our national leaders are earnestly seeking to stem the tide of unfair and inequitable profiling in our country, they must also move to extend the same dignity and protections to those at our southwest border as well.\u00a0\n\"Until all of these audiences are taken into consideration and protected equally, we will still have a long way to go to achieving the 'justice for all' ideal upon which our country was founded.\"\n\"The Department of Justice's updated guidance for federal law enforcement comes at a critical point in our nation\u2019s history. The new profiling guidelines for law enforcement are long overdue and a step in the right direction,\u201d Congresswoman Linda S\u00e1nchez said. \u201cWhile I welcome the Department's expansion of characteristics for protection, the exclusion of certain law enforcement is concerning.\u00a0 It is important that all law enforcement - from the federal level down to the local level - follow the newly released updated guidance on profiling. The Hispanic Caucus commends Attorney General Holder's leadership on this issue. We look forward to continue working with the Department of Justice to prevent unfair, discriminatory profiling practices across all communities.\"\u00a0\n\u201cUpdating the racial profiling guidance comes at a crucial time when communities of color are increasingly feeling that they are being treated differently by law enforcement and before the law,\u201d Rep. Chu said. \u201cThese changes are a positive step forward in that religion and national origin are included in the definition of profiling and that data collection and enhanced training will be required.\u00a0\n\u201cHowever, I still have serious concerns about the remaining loopholes for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection that permit continued use of biased-based profiling.\u00a0These entities would have a license to profile racial, religious and other minorities at our airports and borders under certain national security contexts. Law enforcement\u2019s practice to map entire communities based on their race, ethnicity or religion would be allowed to continue.\u00a0These gaps are very troublesome for the American Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian communities, who are increasingly subject to this type of surveillance. Our work is not done here. I will continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security to effectuate meaningful change and stronger protections for these communities.\u201d\nThe CPC, CBC, CHC, and CAPAC previously sent a letter to Attorney General Holder asking him to update discriminatory profiling guidelines so that a person\u2019s race, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation cannot make them a target for police.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ellison-grijalva-statement-on-cia-torture-report", "Ellison, Grijalva Statement on CIA Torture Report", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) released the 500 page executive summary of the CIA torture report, which chronicles the use of torture at secret facilities abroad by the CIA from late 2001 through January 2009.\n\u201cThe report released today describes torture policies that are contrary to American values and to our Constitution. The Bush administration\u2019s oversight failures tarnished our standing within the international community. The report proves that compromising our values as a nation will not make us any safer.\u00a0\n\u201cNo country should be allowed to violate human rights with impunity. We thank Senator Feinstein for releasing this report and for holding our nation accountable. We applaud President Obama\u2019s leadership in ending the use of torture when he came to office in 2009 and for supporting the release of the report.\u00a0\n\u201cNow that we know the extent of this dark chapter in our history, the work of reconciliation can begin. Seeing these crimes in the light of day is the only way we can ensure our nation never allows the use of torture again.\u201d\u00a0\nThe Progressive Caucus will always be committed to ending torture and has long called for the closing of the detention center at Guant\u00e1namo Bay. Most recently, the CPC sent a letter to President Obama requesting the release of video recordings to members of Congress reportedly showing Guant\u00e1namo Bay detainees who are being force-fed while on hunger-strike.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-testifies-in-senate-hearing-on-civil-and-human-rights", "Rep. Ellison Testifies in Senate Hearing on Civil and Human Rights", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) testified in front of Senate Judiciary Committee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human rights today during a hearing entitled \u201cThe State of Civil and Human Rights in the United States.\u201d The hearing was chaired by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. Ellison was joined by his colleagues Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL).\u00a0\nRep. Ellison\u2019s written testimony submitted for the record to the committee is below.\nLast week 15 year old Abdisamad Sheikh-Hussein was run over by a man in an SUV that had a bumper sticker that said \"Islam Is Worse Than Ebola\" on it. Discrimination and hate exist everywhere and we should shine a light on them.\u00a0 Today I\u2019d like to focus on state-sponsored violations of our civil rights and liberties and the context in which these violations occur.\u00a0\nWhy? Because the government\u2019s job is to promote the general welfare. Because we entrust our government with the right to protect and serve our communities, we expect more of them.\u00a0 Most of the time our public servants diligently uphold this social contract; but when the state fails it is all the more devastating and deserves our attention.\u00a0\nPresident Obama and Attorney General Holder have demonstrated leadership that has brought important reforms like the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the repeal of Don\u2019t Ask Don\u2019t Tell, and the Fair Sentencing Act. We still have a long way to go. \u00a0\nOur system of justice works for some, not all. This injustice takes place in a social and economic context.\u00a0 When Officer Wilson confronted Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson, the interaction didn\u2019t take place in a vacuum.\u00a0 Like many of our communities, Ferguson suffers from economic abandonment. \u00a0\nFerguson Missouri\u2019s unemployment is 13%, over double the national average. The number of low-income people in Ferguson doubled over the last 10 years.\u00a0 In 2012, almost all of Ferguson\u2019s neighborhoods had a poverty rate of over 20%, the threshold at which the negative effects of poverty emerge.\u00a0\nDo we respond to this with policies that create jobs, improve infrastructure, and promote education? No. We build more prisons and give our police weapons designed for a war zone. Our low income and minority communities are over-policed and under-protected.\nWe cannot continue to try to address our economic problems with criminal justice solutions. It isn\u2019t fair to our communities. It isn\u2019t fair to law enforcement. And it solves neither the criminal justice nor the economic justice problems.\nIf we only buy body cameras and don\u2019t address structural and economic inequality, we will find ourselves here again, year after year.\u00a0\nWe know we have an inequality problem when the CEO of Wal-mart makes over $12,000 per hour and the average Wal-mart employee makes $8.48, or when the CEO of McDonalds makes $9,200 an hour and the cashier makes $8.25. \u00a0\nI\u2019d also like to talk about another form of state sponsored discrimination \u2013 one that I have experienced myself.\u00a0\nIt isn\u2019t a secret that I have experience with the divisive rhetoric and fear-mongering that some public officials use to gain power. Many will recall the House\u00a0Committee on Homeland Security hearings to discuss the threat posed by Muslims in America.\u00a0 My request to broaden the hearing to include all forms of violent extremism was rejected.\u00a0\nNow, years later, public officials around the country continue to use\u00a0divisive rhetoric. A county commissioner in Coffee County, TN posted on his public Facebook page an image of a man holding a shotgun with the caption \u201cHow to Wink at a Muslim.\u201d A state senator in Oklahoma said that American Muslims are a \"cancer in our nation that needs cutting out.\" And in my own state of Minnesota, a GOP County chairman called Muslims parasites that should be fragged. To frag someone means to violently kill them.\u00a0\nThese are not rare occurrences. These examples demonstrate that these toxic views have spread.\u00a0\nThis type of bigotry is contrary to what we stand for as Americans, and when our public officials engage in it, it gives the American public a signal that it is ok to do the same.\u00a0 Public officials have an increased responsibility and when they begin to treat a particular group differently because of their faith, they should be called out and held accountable.\u00a0\nOur words matter.\u00a0\nBeyond changing the rhetoric, we have to change our policies.\u00a0\nShortly after he took office President Bush said that racial profiling is \u201cwrong, and we will end it in America.\u201d\u00a0 Over a decade later we still have bad policies on the books.\u00a0\nIn New York and many other US cities, Muslim communities are mapped, infiltrated, and surveilled simply because they are Muslim. The Departments of Homeland Security and Justice conduct extensive operations in Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian communities under the guise of countering violent extremism.\u00a0\nStudy after study has shown that acts of violent extremism in the United States are motivated by a variety of ideologies and that only a small percentage are committed by American Muslims. According to the FBI,\u00a0only 6% of acts of terrorism on American soil between 1980 and 2005 were committed by those Muslims. Yet, nearly all programming targeted towards countering violent extremism is geared towards Muslim communities. \u00a0\nI am not against surveillance. I am against surveillance without reasonable suspicion. We should not be singling out communities and harassing and spying on them without cause. Intelligence gathering should never be based on religion or race.\nIf you think this is just a \u201cMuslim problem\u201d \u2013 you\u2019re wrong. Local law enforcement, encouraged by the federal government, raid Latino communities and workplaces. There is FBI surveillance, without suspicion, of Chinese and Russian communities in the US.\u00a0\nAnd as we know, there is the routine practice of profiling African American young men. A young black man is 21 times more likely to be shot and killed by a police officer than his white counterpart.\u00a0\nAs the co-chair of the Progressive Caucus I have joined the chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus, The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and The Asian Pacific Caucus to urge the Department of Justice to issue revised profiling guidance that will help stop law enforcement from discriminating against our citizens based on their religion, national, origin, ethnicity, and sexuality. Yesterday the Department of Justice issued the revised guidance that expands protections for some, but allows the FBI, TSA, and Border Patrol to continue mapping, monitoring, and targeting Americans based on their religion or what they look like.\nWe should not continue to violate the civil liberties of our citizens in the name of national security. Discriminatory profiling is wrong. It doesn\u2019t help prevent crime. It creates a culture of fear and resentment within our communities. It is contrary to our core constitutional principles when federal dollars are spent perpetuating law-breaking activity like entrapment.\u00a0\nLastly, this isn\u2019t just about criminal and economic justice. It\u2019s about being able to choose who represents us. With the Supreme Court rulings in Citizens United, Shelby County, and McCutcheon it is becoming easier to buy an election and harder to vote in one. In the political marketplace of ideas, the voices of working Americans are drowned out by corporate money.\u00a0\nFurther, many states have found creative ways to keep minorities from voting. Voter ID laws, ending same-day registration and early-voting are all popular ways to make it harder to vote. Thirty-two states have voter ID laws that keep some 23 million Americans from voting. Those without photo ID are disproportionately low-income, disabled, minority, young, and older voters.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We need an enumerated right to vote in the Constitution. In Minnesota we have same day voting; every state should have it. We should be enacting policies that make it easier to vote, not harder.\u00a0\nWhen we talk about ways to stop inequality we can\u2019t have blinders on. This is about criminal justice, economic justice, and justice at the polls.\u00a0\nI\u2019d like to thank Senator Durbin for convening this hearing and for inviting me to participate.\u00a0\nI\u2019d also like to thank the distinguished Members and advocates that are testifying with me today. Their service and hard work have resulted in progress for civil and human rights in our country. \u00a0\u00a0\nWhile we have made some progress, there is still much to do. But we have reason to be hopeful.\nAmericans of every religion, race, and ethnicity are taking to the streets to demand change. People are angry. They are unsatisfied with the status quo. The only way to affect change is to keep organizing. The Civil Rights Movement didn\u2019t start or end when the Civil Rights Act was passed \u2013 it started with a small group of committed people demanding change.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=3000", "KSTP TV: Sen. Franken honors Jim Oberstars Legacy in Northern Minnesota", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, along with Congressman Rick Nolan, recently announced that their bill to honor long-time Congressman Jim Oberstar by naming portions of Highway 35 in Northern Minnesota after him has cleared the House. Before his passing, Congressman Oberstar-a passionate advocate for the people of Minnesota-served Minnesota's Eighth District for 36 years. KSTP reports:\n \nBills to rename the highway in memory of former Rep. Jim Oberstar, who died in May, have made their way through Congress. The bill passed the U.S. House and one is being introduced in the U.S. Senate. ...\"When Jim Oberstar passed away, he left a remarkable legacy-in Minnesota and all around the country,\" Sen. Al Franken said. \"By the time Jim-a consummate public servant-rose to the Chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, he knew more about transportation than anyone in this country. It's fitting that these sections of highway ultimately be renamed in his honor.\"\n \nAdditionally, a bill to rename the Chisholm Post Office after Congressman Oberstar passed the Senate last week. To read the full story from KSTP, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=3001", "West Central Tribune: Sen. Franken heads up rural health talk", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Franken, Co-Chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, has kicked off a new rural health initiative to identify the top health care needs of patients and providers in rural Minnesota and to discuss innovative ways to address those health issues in our rural communities. The West Central Tribune reported on the first in a series of discussions:\n \nPerhaps some rural hospitals could just provide emergency room services and drop full hospital services.\nMaybe medical schools could recruit more rural students and government could increase money available to forgive student loans to people who practice in rural areas.\nAnd it may be a good idea to stop paying medical providers just for performing medical procedures and, instead, pay them based on their success with patients.\nThose and other ideas were the beginning of a conversation U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., launched Friday with rural health experts as he tries to find fixes to a myriad of rural health care problems.\nFranken expects the discussions with health experts to last throughout his new six-year term. He has been named co-chairman of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.\n \nEarlier this year, Sen. Franken introduced comprehensive legislation to bolster rural health care delivery systems. He is also author of legislation that would help rural veterans get the care they need. To read the full article, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2994", "Sen. Franken Says Report Sobering Reminder that Torture is Immoral", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) issued the following statement after the release of the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on the CIA's interrogation program:\n\"This report is a sobering reminder that torture is immoral, and it's not who we are. We are a country that owns up to its own failures, and we need to ensure that this never happens again.\n\"Torture is torture, and it is wrong. But it's also ineffective. As this report demonstrates, the CIA's coercive tactics were not effective in producing the kinds of accurate intelligence we need to aid our national security interests. And the report documents ways that their use was counterproductive.\n\"I want to commend Sen. Dianne Feinstein and the staff of the Senate Intelligence Committee for their tenacious work in compiling this report, and for making certain that it saw the light of day. The CIA has not been honest with Congress or the public, and I believe the American people have a right to know what's done in their name.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/house-passes-nolan-defense-amendment-to-eliminate-funds-for-afghanistan", "House Passes Nolan Defense Amendment to Eliminate Funds for Afghanistan Infrastructure", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] The U.S. House today passed (300-119) the $585 billion bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act, including two amendments by U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan \u2013 one that cuts off all U.S. funds for the reconstruction in Afghanistan, and another that requires the Secretary of Defense to verify that any new Afghan construction project costing $1 million or more will be closely monitored by U.S. personnel to prevent fraud and abuse.\nThe Overseas Contingency Fund \u2013 the pool of money from which Afghanistan reconstruction funds are taken \u2013 constitutes a pipeline of about $66 billion \u2013 enough, Nolan pointed out, to fund the state of Minnesota for two years.\u00a0\n\u201cThese amendments are a huge step toward ending nation building abroad and using our tax dollars to help create good paying jobs here at home for people who will show up for work every day. We need to rebuild our own infrastructure \u2013 our roads, bridges, airports, harbors, schools and public buildings,\u201d Nolan said.\u00a0\nAdded Nolan: \u201cSince 2002, our government has spent more than $100 billion on construction and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, some $60 billion of which the Special Inspector General can not account for. Afghanistan has no reliable banking system. Fraud and abuse are rampant, with story after story of bails of cash disappearing into the hands of corrupt officials, warlords and criminals.\u201d\nNolan said some $725 million in ongoing Afghan construction projects currently fall outside U.S. inspection zones, and cannot be monitored.\u00a0 He pointed out that in 2009, U.S. government personnel in charge of auditing and inspecting reconstruction projects had access to more than 68 percent of the total area of Afghanistan. Today, that access has dwindled to less than 21 percent, and is shrinking rapidly as U.S. forces draw down and Taliban control continues to grow.\nThe bill now goes to the Senate for final consideration, probably next week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/klobuchar-franken-nolan-bill-to-rename-portions-of-highway-35-in-memory", "Klobuchar, Franken, Nolan Bill to Rename Portions of Highway 35 in Memory of Congressman Jim Oberstar Passes House", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with Representative Rick Nolan announced that their bill to rename portions of Highway 35 in memory of former Representative Jim Oberstar has passed the House. Oberstar, who passed away May 3rd, was born in Chisholm and represented the people of Northern Minnesota for 36 years. Klobuchar and Franken have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\u201cBorn in Chisholm, Jim never forgot his roots,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cHe took the fighting spirit of the people of Northern Minnesota to Washington, and he used it to support critical transportation projects in our state. It\u2019s only fitting that one of our state\u2019s highways bear Jim\u2019s name as a lasting marker of his legacy of service, and today\u2019s action moves us one step closer to making that happen.\u201d\n\u201cWhen Jim Oberstar passed away, he left a remarkable legacy\u2014in Minnesota and all around the country,\u201d Franken said. \u201cBy the time Jim\u2014a consummate public servant\u2014rose to the Chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, he knew more about transportation than anyone in this country. It's fitting that these sections of highway ultimately be renamed in his honor.\u201d\n\u201cThrough recessions, budget deficits, gas shortages and challenges of every kind, Jim Oberstar never wavered in his support for the interstate highway system because he understood how vital it is to our ability to create good jobs and literally drive our economy forward,\u201d Nolan said.\nThe lawmakers have also introduced a bill to rename the Chisolm Post Office after the former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. That legislation passed the Senate last week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/nolan-school-safety-measure-passes-house", "Nolan school safety measure passes House", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] A Nolan measure critical to school safety in Grand Rapids, MN, has passed the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 300 to 119.\nRep. Nolan\u2019s measure will enable the Robert J. Elkington Middle School in Grand Rapids to create a safer, more efficient system for the transportation of students by allowing a critical land exchange between the local school district and the federal government to move forward.\n\u201cThis land exchange will benefit parents, teachers, and middle-schoolers alike,\u201d said Nolan. \u201cThis measure has the ability to improve traffic flow at the school and make sure our students are picked up and dropped off safely. I\u2019m proud to help this common-sense land swap, ten years in the making, move forward.\u201d\nSchool District #318 (SD318) has tried for more than a decade to acquire the land around the old U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) building that is adjacent to the Robert J. Elkington Middle School, used as a radar base in the 1950s but now standing mostly unused. As the USGS land is federally-owned, it requires an act of Congress to permit the district to acquire the lot in exchange for land of similar value. Currently, the school\u2019s many buses and parental vehicles utilize the same drop-off and pick-up area; if the Nolan measure becomes law, the school will construct a new vehicle turnaround area on the former USGS site.\nAfter meeting with SD318 Superintendent Bruce Thomas on the issue, Rep. Nolan introduced his bill to allow the land exchange to move forward. Senators Franken and Klobuchar have introduced a similar measure in the Senate.\nThe Nolan measure, passed today as part of a larger package of amendments in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was originally a standalone bill (H.R.4220, the School District 318 Land Exchange Act).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/us-rep-rick-nolan-votes-to-support-coast-guard-funding", "U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan Votes to Support Coast Guard Funding", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today voted to support a bill \u2013 the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act \u2013 that will help the Coast Guard in Duluth continue its vital mission and support the Great Lakes domestic maritime economy.\nAmong other provisions, the bill supports military pay raises for Coast Guard service members at a level consistent with service members of the other Armed Forces, which Nolan says will benefit the mission of the Coast Guard Cutter ALDER.\nThe ALDER and its crew have a wide array of missions that benefit the Port of Duluth \u2212 including ice breaking, navigation, search and rescue, and law enforcement.\nAdditionally, the bill authorizes several actions to promote the U.S. maritime industry, improve maritime safety, clarify or extend existing regulatory authorities, and improve regulatory enforcement to support the domestic maritime economy - which generates annually over $100 billion in economic output and $11 billion in tax revenue.\n\u201cI was so pleased to vote yes on this bill to support the Coast Guard \u2013 especially our Coast Guard here in Duluth,\u201d Nolan said. \u201cThis funding will help ensure safe and efficient maritime transportation, which is crucial for supporting our local economy in the region.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=866647b5-6d34-4063-9c7e-f12655b4f8c9", "Klobuchar, Franken, Nolan Bill to Rename Portions of Highway 35 in Memory of Congressman Jim Oberstar Passes House", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oberstar, who passed away May 3rd, was born in Chisholm and represented the people of Northern Minnesota for 36 years \r\n Lawmakers have also introduced a bill to rename the Chisolm Post Office after the former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; that bill passed the Senate last week \r\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with Representative Rick Nolan announced that their bill to rename portions of Highway 35 in memory of former Representative Jim Oberstar has passed the House. Oberstar, who passed away May 3rd, was born in Chisholm and represented the people of Northern Minnesota for 36 years. Klobuchar and Franken have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\r\n\u201cBorn in Chisholm, Jim never forgot his roots,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cHe took the fighting spirit of the people of Northern Minnesota to Washington, and he used it to support critical transportation projects in our state. It\u2019s only fitting that one of our state\u2019s highways bear Jim\u2019s name as a lasting marker of his legacy of service, and today\u2019s action moves us one step closer to making that happen.\u201d\r\n\u201cWhen Jim Oberstar passed away, he left a remarkable legacy\u2014in Minnesota and all around the country,\u201d Franken said. \u201cBy the time Jim\u2014a consummate public servant\u2014rose to the Chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, he knew more about transportation than anyone in this country. It's fitting that these sections of highway ultimately be renamed in his honor.\u201d\r\n\u201cThrough recessions, budget deficits, gas shortages and challenges of every kind, Jim Oberstar never wavered in his support for the interstate highway system because he understood how vital it is to our ability to create good jobs and literally drive our economy forward,\u201d Nolan said.\r\nThe lawmakers have also introduced a bill to rename the Chisolm Post Office after the former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. That legislation passed the Senate last week.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-1252014", "Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/5/2014", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Collin Peterson", "P000258", "collinpeterson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2014 Capitol Christmas Tree\nDear Friends,\nFollowing the Thanksgiving holiday, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act and renewed more than 50 tax breaks including Section 179 deductions. I was happy to welcome the American Kennel Club to my new office in the Rayburn House Office Building, where we discussed canine health and well-being. I also joined my band mates to perform during this year\u2019s Congressional Rock and Roll Reception. Finally, USDA announced this week that it is extending the sign-up period for the Dairy Margin Protection Program. \nSincerely,\nCongressman Collin C. Peterson  Minnesota 7th District\n American Kennel Club \n  Sheila Goffe (Director of Government Relations, American Kennel Club)\nI was honored to receive the American Kennel Club\u2019s \u201cLegislator of the Year\u201d award from the organization\u2019s Director of Government Relations, Sheila Goffe, for my work on the 2014 Farm Bill as it impacts dogs. By designating attendance at animal fighting events as a felony, the Farm Bill strengthens federal animal safety policy and protects vulnerable canines. This award is given in recognition of \u201cexceptional leadership and dedication to ensuring the well-being of all dogs and defending the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders.\u201d\n 2014 Congressional Rock and Roll Reception \n  House Chaplain Patrick Conroy / Congressman Stephen Fincher (Bass), Former Congressman Kenny Hulshof (Drums), Manning Feraci (Guitar) / Greg Harris (President and CEO, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)\nOn Tuesday, the Rock and Roll Caucus, which I co-chair with Representative Marcia Fudge of Ohio, hosted its third annual Rock and Roll Reception. The event brings the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, memorabilia, and other industry representatives together for an evening of fun and celebration of a very American musical tradition. For the past few years, my band, the Second Amendments, has played the event. Many Representatives were out dancing, including fellow Minnesotan Representative Rick Nolan, and the night was fun for all. I look forward to the Rock and Roll Caucus remaining a strong and large body in the next Congress.\n Transition: 114th Congress \nIn preparation for the transition into the 114th Congress, my office in Washington has moved from its previous location to 2204 Rayburn House Office Building. For those who have visited my office before, we have moved one floor up in the same building. My office phone number is unchanged at (202) 225-2165 for any questions or concerns. I look forward to serving constituents and welcoming visitors from my new office in the new year.\n Legislative Update \n Section 179 Deduction \nOn Wednesday, the House passed a one-year renewal of more than 50 tax breaks that expired at the end of 2013, including higher Section 179 expensing levels. This section allows business owners and farmers to depreciate the cost of equipment in the year it was purchased. A comprehensive list of qualifying property is available for small business use.\n 2015 Defense Authorization \nThe House also passed the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation authorizes the budget authority of the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. Also included in the bill are provisions that include troop pay and benefits, military readiness, and cyber-security.\n Newsstand \n USDA Margin Protection Extension \nUSDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Thursday that the application deadline for enrollment in the dairy Margin Protection Program has been extended to December 19th, 2014. This voluntary program, established in the 2014 Farm Bill, helps farmers better manage risk and market volatility. Enrollment in the Dairy Margin Protection Program can be completed online.\n Build a Plane Aviation Design Challenge \nThe General Aviation Caucus, of which I am co-chair, often endorses educational and professional opportunities for aspiring aviators. This week, we highlight the third annual General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and Build a Plane Design Challenge. This free competition promotes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and is open to the first 100 schools to enroll. GAMA will provide the first 100 teachers to enter the competition with the \u201cFly to Learn\u201d curriculum, as well as complementary copies of classroom design software. More information regarding competition rules and registration is available here.\n Capitol Christmas Tree \nOn December 2, we gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to light the 2014 Capitol Christmas Tree. This year's tree comes to us from the Chippewa National Forest and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and is the subject of an upcoming documentary on Lakeland Public Television. The tree's journey from Minnesota to Washington was made possible by the charitable donations of time and money from generous organizations and everyday Minnesotans. 10,000 handmade ornaments from Minnesota schoolchildren illuminate the tree from dusk until 11:00 p.m. through January 1. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, it is an honor to have our state contribute to this great national tradition.\n County Courthouse Tour \n  Grant County Courthouse 1917/Present\nThe first Grant County Courthouse, a two-story structure in Elbow Lake, opened in 1878. Four rooms and a hallway occupied the first floor, and the second-floor courtroom was only accessible via an outside stairway. An 1884 remodeling project enlarged the courthouse and the stairwell was moved inside. The present courthouse was dedicated in 1906, and features a towering, segmented dome. The original fixtures, including the oak and marble interior and the muralled dome, remain intact.\n This Week in American History \n  Monument Completion, 1884 / Present\nWashington, DC workers placed a nine-inch aluminum apex atop the newly completed Washington Monument on December 6, 1884. As early as 1783, Congress decided that a simple statue of the city\u2019s namesake and nation\u2019s first president would not suffice. It wasn\u2019t until 1832, however, that a private Washington National Monument Society was formed to facilitate a design competition and select a monument for construction. The 555-foot Washington Monument, the tallest structure in the world at the time of completion, was built using 36,000 blocks of marble and granite. A 1910 city law restricted the height of new buildings to ensure that the monument will remain the tallest structure in the District of Columbia. For information regarding visits to the Washington Monument, please call my office at (202) 225-2165.\n Visitors from the 7th \n  Tara Greenley (MOORHEAD), Megan Kent (BENSON), Emily Skauge (MOORHEAD) \n  2014 Companion Tree Ornament", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-msp-airport-strike", "Rep. Ellison Statement on MSP Airport Strike", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MINNEAPOLIS\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after joining airport workers protesting for higher wages and a union at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.\n\u201cThe workers protesting today deserve a wage that supports their families. The airport we use to visit our families can\u2019t run without their hard work. In the heat of summer and the freezing cold of winter, these Minnesotans are there to make sure we get to where we\u2019re going safely. I applaud the workers for their courage and the unions for fighting to help workers get a seat at the negotiating table.\u00a0\n\u201cThe firing of Delta baggage handler Kip Hedges for organizing to raise wages for airport workers is wrong. Working Americans shouldn\u2019t be intimidated for joining together to demand better working conditions. \u00a0\n\u201cWorkers need to be able to support their families and organize to join a union. A wage increase isn\u2019t going to guarantee every Minnesotan working fulltime can make ends meet, but it\u2019s a start.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2998", "Bring Me The News: Sen. Franken Honor Fallen Officer by Renaming Cold Spring Post Office", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Franken honored fallen police officer Tommy Decker by helping pass legislation to rename the Cold Spring Post office after him. In November 2012, Officer Decker was tragically shot in the line of duty. Bring Me The News reports:\n \nThe bill naming the post office after Decker now only needs President Barack Obama's signature.\n\"Officer Decker gave his life while protecting his community of Cold Spring,\" Sen. Al Franken said when the bill was introduced over the summer, \"and although he continues to be missed dearly by family and friends, this gesture will serve as a lasting reminder of his life, his heroism, and his sacrifice.\"\n \nA piece of Hwy. 23 has also been named after Officer Decker. To read the full story from Bring Me The News, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/progressive-caucus-supports-striking-fast-food-workers", "Progressive Caucus Supports Striking Fast Food Workers", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2013 Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), along with Progressive Caucus members Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statements in support of workers striking today across the country for a living wage and collective bargaining rights.\u00a0\n\u201cIn the most prosperous nation on earth, the fact that people willing to work full time are not afforded the dignity of a livable wage is completely unacceptable,\u201d Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva said. \u201cAmerican taxpayers should not have to subsidize highly profitable corporations who refuse to pay employees enough to stay off of public assistance. We must recognize that growing out of the recession takes more than jobs \u2013 it takes income. It takes American workers having enough in their pockets to put food on their table, clothes on their back, and revenue back into our economy.\u201d\n\u201cToo many hardworking fast food workers don\u2019t make enough to live on while the company executives pocket $9,200 an hour,\u201d Rep. Keith Ellison said. \u201cEven after a year and a half of organizing, workers are continuing to march until they get a wage increase and the right to organize. States and cities around the country are standing with working families by increasing wages and Congress should follow their lead by raising the federal minimum wage now.\u201d\n\u201cThe federal minimum wage of $7.25 is a starvation wage,\u201d said Sen. Bernie Sanders. \u201cI applaud the fast-food workers all across the country who are striking today to raise the minimum wage to a living wage.\u00a0Nobody who works 40 hours a week should be living in poverty.\u201d\n\u201cWhen a growing number of workers are paid so little, it slows down the economy for everybody,\u201d said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. \u201cWhen workers cannot afford basics -- like groceries, rent, or transportation -- that reduces their purchasing power in their neighborhoods. Many workers are paid so little they qualify for food stamps and other public assistance. That is taxpayers' money that should be going to schools, roads, bridges, and other priorities. Higher pay will put more purchasing power into the hands of workers, so they can put more money back into their community, boost the economy, and create more good jobs.\u201d\n\u201cThe incomes of workers have continued to decline, year after year, in the richest nation in the history of the world. We know the reason \u2013 increases in wealth have been diverted to investors, even as the women and men whose labor allows our economy to function must work harder each year for less and less,\u201d Rep. Yvette Clarke said. \u201cWe share a responsibility to build an economy that rewards work, not inherited wealth, by mandating a living wage and investing in the development of each individual person. We have the ability to end income inequality and one of the ways that we can do that is by allowing all workers to unionize.\u00a0 Unions will help workers fight for a living wage; fight for paid sick leave; and fight for solid pensions. We need only the resolve to act.\u201d\n\u201cToday, I stand with the fast food workers and federal contract employees that are peacefully demanding a living wage and the right to collectively bargain. We need to turn up the street heat for a real living wage,\u201d said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. \u201cInstead of taxpayers subsidizing low-wage workers, companies need to pay a living wage and respect the right to collective bargaining. When families are able to earn more money and have a seat at the table, our economy grows.\u201d\u00a0\n\"There is no need to impoverish workers for the benefit of shareholders and CEOs,\u201d said Rep. Alan Grayson. \u201cEveryone who works full-time should make enough money to survive.\"\n\u00a0\u201cThese rallies are working \u2013 the President, the Department of Labor, and the federal contractors who employ these low-wage workers have been listening,\u201d\u00a0said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. \u201cRaising the minimum wage and incentivizing fair labor practices for federal contractors is the next logical step.\u00a0 These workers, who have the least, and the most to lose, have taken the lead.\u00a0 It\u2019s time for federal contractors to follow.\u201d\nThe Progressive Caucus has been advocating for higher wages and workers\u2019 right to organize for the past year.\u00a0 Specifically, the CPC has sent letters to the President asking him to sign a Good Jobs Executive Order and to raise the minimum wage for federal contract workers.\u00a0Just last month, the CPC sent another letter to the President asking him to finish the job he started by rewarding good contractors and guaranteeing workers\u2019 rights to collectively bargain through a Model Employer Executive Order.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-requests-transgender-awareness-training-for-minneapolis-and", "Rep. Ellison Requests Transgender Awareness Training for Minneapolis and Hennepin County", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) sent a letter yesterday to the Department of Justice requesting Transgender Law Enforcement Training for the Minneapolis Police Department and the Hennepin County Sherriff\u2019s Department. The program, announced in March by DOJ\u2019s Community Relations Service, trains local law enforcement to increase engagement and foster trust with transgender communities in their jurisdictions.\u00a0\nThe letter is below and a signed copy can be found here.\nDirector Grande H. Lum\nCommunity Relations Service\nDepartment of Justice\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\nDear Director Lum:\nI am writing to request Department of Justice (DOJ) Transgender Law Enforcement Training for my district and to urge your office to assist in improving the relationship between the Minneapolis transgender community and local law enforcement. Last month I had the opportunity to meet with transgender leaders in my district. Following a robust discussion, a consensus emerged that many transgender people are concerned about their interactions with law enforcement officials.\u00a0\nParticipants in the discussion raised concerns about racism and transphobia in the community, discrimination by law enforcement, and policies like misgendering while in prison that endangers transgender inmates. The case of CeCe McDonald was cited as a salient example of how interactions with law enforcement have created fear in the transgender community. The injustice associated with Ms. McDonald\u2019s case illustrates the necessity for transgender law enforcement training in Minneapolis.\u00a0\nThe transgender community faces pervasive discrimination. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs released a report that confirms what many in the transgender community know from firsthand experience; violence against the LGBT population has increased dramatically and transgender people suffer the highest proportion of violence from civilians and law enforcement. Discrimination from law enforcement has become so common that many transgender victims are too afraid to report incidents of violence.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Officials at the Minneapolis Police Department and the Hennepin County Sheriff\u2019s Office recognize the importance of addressing these concerns and have expressed their support for this training.\nAs you know, in March the Community Relations Service announced it would begin offering Transgender Law Enforcement Training for bureaus across the country. This is an important step towards making our transgender citizens safe. It is an important opportunity to build an environment of trust in our community. I encourage you to send a representative from the DOJ to meet with leaders in the Minneapolis transgender community and me to discuss the program and ways to foster inclusiveness. \u00a0\nI look forward to working with you, the LGBT community in Minnesota, and local law enforcement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-minnesota-high-school-league-decision-on-trans", "Rep. Ellison Statement on Minnesota High School League Decision on Trans Athletes", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after the Minnesota High School League approved a policy giving transgender student athletes the right to play on the sports teams that match their gender identity.\u00a0\n\u201cI applaud the Minnesota High School League\u2019s decision to pass a proposal that tells trans students in our community their identities matter just as much as everyone else\u2019s. At a time when so many transgender students are bullied and harassed in the schoolyard, the MSHSL\u2019s decision recognizes their dignity and humanity on and off the playing field. All trans students are asking for is to be treated as human beings and I stand with them.\n\u201cToo often when trans kids speak out, they\u2019re told that they\u2019re sick, or joking, or just plain wrong. Many of the people who opposed the MSHSL\u2019s policy suggested that trans students might threaten other students\u2019 safety. These depictions are bigoted and do not protect our students.\u00a0\n\u201cMinnesotans believe every person should be safe in our community. Our state is big enough for all of us to honestly express ourselves.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-vote-against-fy-2015-defense-spending-bill", "Rep. Ellison Statement on Vote Against FY 2015 Defense Spending Bill", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2015.\n\u201cThe taxpayer money spent in the defense bill passed today makes it harder for Congress to invest in affordable housing, access to education for working families, and job-creating projects to rebuild our roads and bridges.\n\u201cThe 2015 NDAA wastes billions on outdated weapons systems and refills a Pentagon slush fund at a time when Congress should invest to put Americans back to work. The bill continues the war in Afghanistan, ignores the need for Congress to authorize the use of military force in Iraq and Syria and keeps the status quo for prisoners held indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay.\n\u201cIf we're going to fight inequality, we must invest in our families--not a Pentagon wish list.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-talks-garner-brown-on-msnbc", "Rep. Ellison Talks Garner, Brown on MSNBC", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) joined MSNBC's Morning Joe this morning to talk about the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown and why the nationwide fast food protests happening today are critical to the fight for justice.\u00a0 You can watch the clip below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/ecm-post-revieew-commending-nolan-for-crossing-the-aisle", "ECM Post Revieew: Commending Nolan for crossing the aisle", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I am writing today to commend Congressman Rick Nolan for crossing the aisle to support the Keystone pipeline bill and the 44,000 good paying American jobs it will generate \u2013 plus billions of dollars in additional tax revenue communities will use to help build schools, roads, bridges, parks and public buildings.\nNolan voted no to an earlier Keystone bill that failed to include tough environmental protections and financial guarantees. This bipartisan bill is a big improvement, and Nolan\u2019s support proves once again that he is a real, common sense leader.\nGreg Combs\nNorth Branch", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/fox21-va-inspector-general-launches-investigation-into-hibbing-va-clinic", "FOX21: VA Inspector General Launches Investigation into Hibbing VA Clinic", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HIBBING, Minn. \u2013 The VA Office of Inspector General has announced it has launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct at the Hibbing VA Community Based Out-Patient Clinic (CBOC).\nClinic employees are accused of being ordered to backdate medical appointment dates, a practice known as schedule \"scrubbing.\"\nThe Hibbing Clinic is run by Sterling Medical, which manages at least four other VA CBOCs in Minnesota, including Mankato, St. James, and Ely.\nSterling has said the clinic never ordered its employees to backdate appointments.\u00a0\nSenators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representatives Tim Walz and Rick Nolan, called for an investigation after allegations of misconduct at the clinic surfaced back in November.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kbjr-bill-moving-through-congress-could-support-duluth-coast-guard", "KBJR: Bill moving through Congress could support Duluth Coast Guard", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- A bill making its way through U.S. Congress would ultimately result in more funding for the Coast Guard in Duluth.\nThe Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act would help the Coast Guard in Duluth better support the Great Lakes maritime economy.\nThe bill supports military pay raises for Coast Guard service members at a level consistent with service members of the other Armed Forces.\nRepresentative Rick Nolan says it will benefit the mission of the Coast Guard Cutter ALDER with ice breaking, navigation, search and rescue, and law enforcement.\nThe bill also authorizes actions to better promote the industry and improve safety.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kbjr-va-inspector-general-launches-investigation-into-hibbing-va", "KBJR: VA Inspector General launches investigation into Hibbing VA", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hibbing, MN (NNCNOW.com) - The Veterans Affairs Inspector General has launched an investigation into alleged misconduct at the Hibbing VA.\nThe allegation include employees being ordered to backdate medical appointment dates at the Community Based Out Patient Clinic.\nThe practice is known as schedule \"scrubbing.\"\nThe Hibbing clinic is run by Sterling Medical, which manages at least four other clinic in Minnesota, including one in Ely.\nUS Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with Representatives Rick Nolan and Tim Walz called for the investigation last month.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-inspector-general-to-investigate-hibbing-va", "Mesabi Daily News: Inspector General to investigate Hibbing VA", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 The Inspector General\u2019s Office will investigate the allegations of former Hibbing VA Clinic employees who have said they were ordered to backdate medical records at the facility, according to 8th District U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan. In addition, in a telephone interview with the Mesabi Daily News Wednesday afternoon, the Democratic congressman said the investigation will also consider allegations by the former employees of a hostile work environment.\n\t\u201cNone of the six women I talked with (a week ago in Mountain Iron) told me they had ever been interviewed. That\u2019s not an investigation if you don\u2019t talk to people who are making the allegations.\u201d\n\n\tNolan said he believes the investigation will be processed quickly by Washington standards. \u201cI\u2019m thinking months, not years,\u201d he said.\n\n\tThe former VA workers have said that they were required to backdate medical appointment schedules to make it appear that some veterans were being seen far sooner than when the appointments actually took place.\n\n\tIn addition, they also said there was a policy and attitude that put profits ahead of the wellbeing of veterans.\n\n\tThe Hibbing Clinic is run by Sterling Medical, which manages at least four other VA facilities in Minnesota, including Ely, Mankato, and St. James.\n\n\tThe allegations of backdating at the Hibbing clinic were originally reported by the StarTribune.\n\n\tNolan and Minnesota Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, asked Veterans Administration Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin in early November to look into the charges and report back to them at the earliest possible date.\n\n\tBut Nolan increased the pressure for an investigation following his meeting last week with the six former VA employees.\n\n\t\u201cMy request was that they (the former employees) be interviewed and others, if possible,\u201d Nolan said.\n\n\tThe congressman has praised those who have brought the allegations. \u201cIt takes courage to come forward.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/mpr-va-inspector-general-investigating-hibbing-clinic", "MPR: VA inspector general investigating Hibbing clinic", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General is investigating allegations of misconduct at a VA clinic in Hibbing.\nLast month, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Reps. Tim Walz and Rick Nolan asked the VA's inspector general to look into claims by some ex-employees that they were ordered to backdate appointment records to make waits appear shorter. The practice is known as schedule \"scrubbing.\"\nThe four Minnesota lawmakers said Wednesday the VA's inspector general has started an investigation. A spokeswoman for the inspector general's office tells the Star Tribune the announcement of the inquiry was a routine courtesy to the state's congressional delegation.\nCincinnati-based Sterling Medical Associates runs the clinic. Sterling has said the clinic never ordered its employees to backdate appointments.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/star-tribune-va-inspector-general-will-probe-allegations-of-misconduct-at", "Star Tribune: VA inspector general will probe allegations of misconduct at Hibbing clinic", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Veterans Affairs office of inspector general announced Wednesday that it has begun investigating alleged misconduct at a Hibbing VA outpatient clinic.\nNumerous former clinic workers have claimed they were ordered to manipulate the schedules for veterans\u2019 appointments to make it appear they were being seen within their desired appointment date when they were actually being seen as much as six to eight weeks out.\nThe allegations included the assertion that employees were ordered to backdate medical appointment dates, a practice known as schedule \u201cscrubbing.\u201d\nThe former employees maintain that the backdating orders stopped only in late April, when investigators found that the VA medical system, which serves almost 9 million veterans nationwide every year, was maintaining secret waiting lists and delivering insufficient care.\nA May report from the VA\u2019s inspector general described improper scheduling as \u201csystemic,\u201d and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki was forced to resign amid the controversy.\nThe Hibbing clinic is run by Cincinnati-based Sterling Medical, which manages at least four other VA community-based outpatient clinics in Minnesota, including Mankato, St. James and Ely.\nIn November, U.S. Sens.\u00a0Amy Klobuchar\u00a0and\u00a0Al Franken, and U.S. Reps. Tim Walz and Rick Nolan called for an investigation after allegations of misconduct at the clinic surfaced in reporting in the Star Tribune.\nNolan, who represents the Hibbing area in Congress, met with a group of the ex-workers in November.\nAfterward, Nolan called the accusations \u201cvery troubling\u201d and said he would speak with VA Secretary Bob McDonald about his concerns.\nThe\u00a0Minneapolis\u00a0VA has said it welcomes the probe. Sterling has said the clinic never ordered its employees to backdate appointments.\nThe inspector general is an independent investigative arm of the VA. A spokeswoman said the announcement that it was initiating an investigation was a routine courtesy to the state\u2019s congressional delegation.\nShe could not give an indication when the inquiry might conclude.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/wdio-northland-tree-lights-up-the-nations-capitol", "WDIO: Northland Tree Lights up the Nation's Capitol", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At the U.S. Capitol Tuesday night, a symbol of northern Minnesota lit up the sky.\nThis year's Capitol Christmas tree came from the Chippewa National Forest. Rep. Rick Nolan, Sen. Al Franken and Sen. Amy Klobuchar were all there to celebrate the lighting.\n\"We're so proud of this tree from the state of Minnesota,\" Klobuchar said at the ceremony. \"Where in the words of our unofficial poet laureate Garrison Keillor, a state where the women are strong, the men are good-looking\u2014right, Franken? And all the trees are above average.\"\nThe tree is 88 feet tall and traveled 2,000 miles to D.C. It was decorated by ornaments that were made by Minnesota children.\nThis is the first time in 20 years that Minnesota has provided the Capitol Christmas tree.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/wdio-office-of-inspector-general-to-investigate-hibbing-va-clinic", "WDIO: Office of Inspector General to Investigate Hibbing VA Clinic", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has agreed to investigate the Hibbing VA Clinic.\nRep. Tim Walz said Wednesday that the OIG\u00a0has initiated an investigation into the allegations of misconduct at the Community Based Out-Patient Clinic. The decision follows the urging of Walz, Rep. Rick Nolan, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Al Franken.\nThe former employees making the allegations said that Sterling Medical Associates, which manages the clinic, ordered employees to backdate records to make wait times for veterans appear shorter.\nCatherine Gromek\u00a0at the OIG said on Wednesday that the OIG will work diligently on investigating the allegations, and they will report out at the appropriate time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=03186ba4-e404-4e9f-b864-739641c16f13", "Klobuchar, Kline Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure National Guard and Reserves Ability to Assist Victims of Sexual Assault Passes House", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Army has released a directive expanding important legal services to certain victims of military sexual assault, but the directive fails to cover Guard members who become victims of sexual assault outside of their drill weekend or military duty\u00a0\n \r\n \nBipartisan bill \u2013 which Klobuchar introduced in the Senate with Senator Kelly Ayotte and Kline introduced in the House \u2013 would ensure survivors of sexual assault receive support services if there is any connection between the crime and their service\u00a0 \r\nWashington, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative John Kline today announced that their bipartisan legislation to ensure the National Guard and Reserve\u2019s ability to assist victims of sexual assault passed the House of Representatives as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Army has released a directive expanding important legal services to certain victims of military sexual assault, but the directive fails to cover Guard members who become victims of sexual assault outside of their drill weekend or military duty. The lawmakers\u2019 bipartisan bill \u2013 which Klobuchar introduced in the Senate with Senator Kelly Ayotte and Kline introduced in the House \u2013 would ensure survivors of sexual assault receive support services if there is any connection between the crime and their service. The bill would require the relevant service secretary to provide Special Victims Counsel to the member regardless of when the assault occurred.\r\n\u201cOur National Guard and Reserve members who put their lives on the line to keep us safe deserve to know that we have their backs in return,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cThis bipartisan bill will extend critical protections to Guard and Reserve members who become victims of sexual assault, and today\u2019s action moves us one step closer to getting this important bill signed into law.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe number of sexual assault victims among our sons and daughters in uniform is unacceptable and I remain committed to ensuring victims have access to the critical support they need and eliminating the scourge of sexual assault in our armed forces,\u201d said Kline, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps whose wife is a retired Army nurse. \u201cI was pleased to author legislation and work with Sen. Klobuchar to ensure our Guard members receive the same services available to other service members.\u201d\r\n\"The Sexual Assault provision of the National Defense Authorization Act will establish a new and important legal resource for victims,\u201d said Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard. \u201cCurrently, members of the National Guard who are sexually assaulted while not on duty cannot access special victims counsel services, which provide legal assistance. Under this new provision, specially-trained counsels will provide legal advice and representation to the victim.\"\r\nAfter the Army released its directive, Klobuchar and Kline led a letter signed by Minnesota\u2019s entire Congressional Delegation calling on the U.S. Army to ensure that the Minnesota National Guard can fully assist victims of sexual assault regardless of when the assault occurred. In a letter to Secretary of the Army John McHugh, Minnesota\u2019s congressional delegation raised concerns that the lack of clarity around the new directive could undermine the Minnesota National Guard\u2019s ability to effectively provide support services to survivors of sexual assaults.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-tax-extenders", "Rep. Ellison Statement on Tax Extenders", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after voting against a bill to extend tax provisions that expired in 2013 and 2014 until December 31st, 2014.\n\u201cThe bill passed today does little for working families, but lots for corporations already booking big profits. Too many Americans are working in jobs that don\u2019t sustain their families. Nearly 75% of the tax breaks in the package will make their struggle to attain the American Dream even tougher.\n\u201cThe bill is full of deficit-financed corporate giveaways that won\u2019t stimulate the economy or help working Americans. The bill retroactively restores the bonus depreciation tax break, which doesn\u2019t increase economic growth because it helps companies pay for equipment they\u2019ve already purchased. It also costs $1.49 billion. The active financing exemption allows companies to keep a huge amount of profits overseas and costs $5 billion. \u00a0The bill also provides tax breaks for motorsports tracks such as NASCAR ($33 million) and racehorses ($45 million).\n\u201cIf I could vote to support provisions in the bill that help low-income families and their communities, I would. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit creates 100,000 affordable housing units each year. The exclusion for mortgage debt forgiveness helps families selling underwater homes avoid a huge tax bill if the bank forgives the difference between their selling price and their original purchase price. The New Market Tax Credit encourages investments in low-income communities around the country. \u00a0\n\u201cBut the bad clearly outweighs the good in this bill. It also doesn\u2019t raise any revenue to fill the hole left by corporate tax breaks, which means Republicans will say we can\u2019t afford to renew unemployment insurance, expand Head Start or invest to rebuild our roads, schools and bridges.\n\u201cToday\u2019s package gives away too much to big business, while doing little to help working families make ends meet.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2992", "MPR: Franken focuses on Uber and Lyft privacy policies", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Franken has long been an advocate of protecting consumers privacy, especially in light of new technologies. As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, he has recently expressed concerns about how ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft handle sensitive information like consumers' location data.\nIn an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Sen. Franken said:\n \n\"I believe that Americans have a fundamental right to privacy, and that includes the ability to control who's getting your personal location information. And obviously they need to get that when they find you, pick you up, and take you where you're going, but how they store it and most importantly who it's shared with. And companies like Uber and Lyft, turns out that they aren't protecting their customers' data from internal misuse, and that's been happening. So I've asked these companies- I've written them letters for more information about their privacy and data policies and how they're being implemented.\"\n \nTo listen to the full story, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kstp-us-capitol-christmas-tree-lit-after-ceremony", "KSTP: US Capitol Christmas Tree Lit after Ceremony", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The nation\u2019s Capitol is shining a little brighter Tuesday \u2013 with a piece of Minnesota front and center.\nHouse Speaker John Boehner lit the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a white spruce from the Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota, on Tuesday evening. The tree completed the 2,000-mile journey to arrive at the Capitol on Monday, stopping in 30 communities along the way.\nMinnesotans have handcrafted thousands of ornaments, which are used to decorate the tree. The tree will be lit from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening through Jan. 1.\nSen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Al Franken, and Congressman Rick Nolan attended the tree lighting ceremony, which took place on the West Front lawn of the Capitol.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/minnpost-minnesota-grown-spruce-introduced-as-capitol-christmas-tree", "MinnPost: Minnesota-grown spruce introduced as Capitol Christmas Tree", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014\u00a0Sure, snow would have been more festive. But a very proud group of Minnesota lawmakers didn\u2019t let a light drizzle spoil the holiday spirit when they helped light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on Tuesday night.\nThe tree is an 88-foot white spruce harvested in Minnesota\u2019s Chippewa National Forest, making it the state\u2019s first Capitol Christmas tree since 1992. It was cut down in October and made a few ceremonial stops in Minnesota along its 2,000-mile journey before arriving in Washington last month.\nHouse Speaker John Boehner introduced the tree alongside Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Rep. Rick Nolan and a few other members of the delegation. The tree is decorated with 10,000 ornaments made by Minnesota students (a nod to the \u201cLand of 10,000 Lakes\u201d) \u00a0and Klobuchar made a Garrison Keillor joke (Minnesota: \u201cwhere all the trees are above average\u201d), so the tree got a proper Minnesota welcome to the West Front of the Capitol (drizzle \u2014 and tomorrow\u2019s 60 degree high temperature \u2014 notwithstanding).\nThe spruce is the second-tallest ever Capitol Christmas tree, which is fitting, Franken joked, for a state that produced two runner-up presidential candidates. Nolan hailed it as a non-partisan symbol at the end of another tough session of Congress.\u201cBy sharing this not-so-small part of Minnesota, we\u2019re letting everyone know about the natural beauty and cultural richness of our state,\u201d Klobuchar said. (Klobuchar is the senior ceremonial tree lighter in the Minnesota delegation, having flipped the switch for a Norwegian tree outside D.C.\u2019s Union Station on Monday night).\n\u201cWhat\u2019s really great about it is it\u2019s right smack dab here at the Capitol, but there\u2019s nothing remotely partisan about it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt reminds us we are all one nation, one people.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=fa433ba5-8f2a-490c-a67f-784944f4160f", "Klobuchar Calls on Takata to Immediately Issue Nationwide Recall of Defective Airbags Linked to Horrific Injuries in Minnesota and Across the Country", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Despite evidence that defective Takata airbags pose a risk outside of high absolute humidity areas, Takata has so far refused to comply with requests from federal transportation safety officials to expand its recall nationally\u00a0\n \r\n In a letter to Takata, Klobuchar urged the company to act immediately to address the threat the defective air bags pose to public safety and to ensure all vehicles with defective components are removed from the road \r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today called on Takata Corp. to immediately issue a nationwide recall of defective airbags that have been linked to a string of horrific injuries in Minnesota and across the country. Despite evidence that defective Takata air bags pose a risk outside of high absolute humidity areas, Takata has so far refused to comply with requests from federal transportation safety officials to expand its recall nationally. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave Takata a deadline of December 2, 2014 to expand the recall, but Takata still has not acted despite the deadline passing. In a letter to Takata, Klobuchar urged the company to act immediately to address the threat the defective air bags pose to public safety and to ensure all vehicles with defective components are removed from the road.\r\n\u201cThese defective air bags can transform a vehicle safety feature responsible for saving lives into a ticking time bomb that can injure or kill,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cWith more evidence surfacing about the danger of these air bags, it\u2019s stunning that the company is still refusing to take action to protect consumers. That\u2019s why I\u2019m calling on Takata to immediately expand its recall nationally to help get all vehicles with dangerous air bags off the road as quickly as possible and keep families safe.\u201d\r\nMrs. Shashi Chopra from North Oaks, Minnesota, was a passenger in a 2002 BMW that crashed, deploying a Takata airbag. The investigation surrounding the case remains open, but Mrs. Chopra was left permanently blind. The crash occurred in March 2013, yet the family was not informed about the defect until September 2014 as part of an expanded recall from 2013.\r\nDuring a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Klobuchar pressed a Takata executive, automakers, and a key federal transportation official over these dangerous air bags and urged them to do everything possible to protect consumers.\r\nThe full text of the letter is below.\r\nDear Mr. Higuchi:\r\nSince the November 20, 2014 Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing examining Takata air bag defects, new information has emerged that shines light on Takata\u00a0 Corp. and reveals more and more what appears to be its complete mishandling of the defective air bag inflators recall. Current recalls focused on high humidity regions are insufficient. I urge Takata Corp. to immediately expand its recall nationally to encompass all vehicles with potentially defective air bag inflators.\r\nOn November 26, 2014 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sent a letter to Takata Corp. requesting that it expand the current high humidity regional recall for driver's side air bag inflators nationwide by Tuesday, December 2. Despite evidence that driver\u2019s side air bag inflators pose a risk outside of high absolute humidity areas, Takata Corp. has thus far refused to expand the recall nationally. I strongly encourage Takata Corp. to act immediately to address this threat to public safety and ensure all vehicles with defective components are removed from the road.\u00a0\r\nDefective Takata air bag inflators transform a vehicle safety feature responsible for saving countless lives into a ticking time bomb ready to injure or kill. During the November 20, 2014 Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing, I shared the story of the Chopra family from North Oaks, Minnesota.\u00a0 In March 2013, Mrs. Shashi Chopra was traveling in the passenger seat of a 2002 BMW 325xi when it was involved in a crash that deployed a Takata air bag. The investigation surrounding this case remains open but Mrs. Chopra was left permanently blind.\u00a0\r\nIn addition to expanding the recall nationwide, I also urge Takata Corp. to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations of defective air bag components by NHTSA, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Senate, automobile manufacturers and any legal proceedings brought by victims or their families. We must ensure those responsible for any wrong-doing are held accountable, the necessary reforms to our nation\u2019s motor vehicle safety oversight regime are enacted, and any barriers to protecting public safety and providing for the strongest possible enforcement of motor vehicle safety laws are removed so that no one has to go through what Shashi Chopra has gone through. \u00a0\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2989", "Sen. Franken to Lyft: Explain Your Data Privacy Policies", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Al Franken", "F000457", "franken.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) asked Lyft\u2014a company that connects riders with drivers-for-hire using a GPS-based mobile app\u2014to explain its data privacy policies and to ensure that consumers' sensitive geolocation information is protected.\nIn a letter sent today, which you can read here or below, Sen. Franken asked the CEO of Lyft to explain the company's privacy policies, how those policies are being communicated to employees and affiliates as well as customers, and whether they are being appropriately enforced. At least one journalist has reported that her Lyft trip log was accessed on multiple occasions by Lyft executives without requesting her permission and without any apparent legitimate business purpose.  \"In recent weeks, there has been increased public awareness and concern about the ways in which self-described \u2018ridesharing' or transportation network companies treat the information entrusted to them by their customers, including sensitive geolocation data,\" wrote Sen. Franken in his letter. \"Consumers must be able to make informed decisions about whether and with whom they share personal information, and must be assured that when such information is shared that it will receive the utmost protection. In few places is the importance of this as apparent as with companies, such as Lyft, that employ new technologies and rely on the transmission of sensitive data.\" Late last month, Sen. Franken pressed the car service Uber to clarify its data collection practices. He also asked Uber to explain how widely it uses its so-called \"God View,\" which reportedly allows Uber's corporate employees to track riders' locations. In the wake of this, Lyft quietly changed its own privacy policy.   Sen. Franken has long been an advocate of protecting consumers' privacy, especially in light of new technologies. Earlier this year he reintroduced his Location Privacy Protection Act, which would ban so-called stalking apps once and for all and give consumers more control over their private location information. You can read Sen. Franken's letter to Lyft here or below.\nDecember 2, 2014\nMr. Logan Green  Chief Executive Officer  Lyft\nDear Mr. Green:  I am writing to inquire about Lyft's privacy policies. In recent weeks, there has been increased public awareness and concern about the ways in which self-described \"ridesharing\" or transportation network companies treat the information entrusted to them by their customers, including sensitive geolocation data. Consumers must be able to make informed decisions about whether and with whom they share personal information, and must be assured that when such information is shared it will receive the utmost protection. In few places is the importance of this as apparent as with companies, such as Lyft, that employ new technologies and rely on the transmission of sensitive data. I understand that Lyft has recently revised its internal policy regarding employees' and contractors' access to user data. Your spokesperson Erin Simpson has stated that \"new technical restrictions\" have been imposed to limit access to customer data to only those employees \"who need [the information] to do their jobs.\"[1] Because the privacy policy available on your website (https://www.lyft.com/privacy) does not discuss these restrictions, I am contacting you for more information. In particular, I am concerned that it remains unclear which categories of employees continue to have access to ride location data and the circumstances in which their use of that data is considered proper.  It is critically important that sound privacy policies are not only established but are also adequately communicated to employees and affiliates, as well as customers, and are appropriately enforced. I am particularly concerned about this in light of reports of past conduct suggesting inadequate regard among Lyft executives for customers' privacy. At least one journalist has reported that her trip log was accessed on multiple occasions by Lyft executives without requesting her permission and without any apparent legitimate business purpose. In light of these concerns, I respectfully request that you address the following questions:\n\u00a0\n \nYour spokesperson has stated that steps have been taken to restrict access to customers' data, including location data, to a subset of employees. To whom is access still available and what circumstances qualify as proper use of such data? Where do you provide this information to consumers?\u00a0\nBy accessing a journalist's trip data did executives violate past policies? If they did, to what do you attribute the failure? Under your current policies, is such conduct prohibited?\u00a0\nWhat training is provided to employees, as well as contractors and affiliates, to ensure that Lyft's current policies, as well as relevant state and federal laws, are being followed? How has this training been improved in light of recent developments?\nWhat mechanisms do you have in places to monitor for improper use of customer data by employees? Are customers informed if their information has been improperly accessed?\nYour spokesperson has suggested that abiding by restrictions on user data is a condition of employment. Under what circumstances would an employee face disciplinary action or termination for a violation of Lyft's privacy policies? Have any disciplinary actions been taken on this basis?\u00a0\nYour privacy policy states that \"to preserve the integrity of [Lyft's] databases,\" you retain customer's data indefinitely. Why is it necessary to retain trip information indefinitely? In particular, when an account is terminated, why isn't all related information deleted as soon as pending charges or other transactional disputes are resolved?\u00a0\nYour privacy policy states that you may disclose customers' personal information and demographic information (such as \"browsing history,\" \"searching history,\" and other \"ride transaction information\") on a \"non-anonymous basis\" to \"protect the interests\" of Lyft. What does this mean?\u00a0\nIn the same paragraph, the policy states that you may disclose all of this information to your \"subsidiary and parent companies and business, and other affiliated legal entities and businesses with whom [Lyft is] under common corporate control.\" Why aren't any limitations imposed on this sharing?\u00a0\nYour privacy policy also states that customer data may be shared with advertisers on an \"anonymous and aggregated basis.\" Why aren't customers asked to affirmatively consent to this use of their information? Are customers able to opt out of this information sharing?\nYour policy states that third parties offering or sponsoring products or services on the Lyft Platform need not comply with Lyft's privacy policy. What are some examples of such third parties?  Do you impose any minimum standards in evaluating the privacy policies of those parties?\u00a0\n \n  I would appreciate responses to these questions by December 31, 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=36f83ded-8ed5-48b0-8b29-93ba91ffaf5a", "Klobuchar, Bipartisan Group of Senators Host Forum on Collateral Consequences of Addiction", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators hosted a forum today in the U.S. Capitol entitled \u201cAddiction: Understanding the Science and Addressing Collateral Consequences.\u201d Klobuchar and Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) convened the forum, which featured panel discussions on the science of addiction and the ways in which current laws can create \u201ccollateral consequences\u201d for individuals in recovery by establishing barriers to education and employment.\r\n\u201cAs a former prosecutor, I\u2019ve seen firsthand the devastating consequences of drug addiction,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cFrom undermining education and employment to tearing apart families, addiction has far-reaching impacts that hurt communities across the country. We need to do everything we can to fight this growing epidemic, and I\u2019ll continue pushing efforts to expand the use of proven tools in the fight against addiction.\u201d\r\n\u201cIndividuals who have been convicted of drug crimes, have served their sentences, and have completed the path to recovery too often face additional penalties long after their release.\u00a0 From barriers to affordable housing and education, to limitations on employment options, these \u2018collateral consequences\u2019 can linger years after an individual has committed an offense,\u201d Whitehouse said.\u00a0 \u201cAs a whole, the collateral consequences of drug convictions impose costs not only on those directly affected, but on society as a whole.\u00a0 If education and employment are the best predictors of successful re-entry into society, we all pay the price of limiting their accessibility.\u201d\r\n\u201cThese forums are important because it gives us an opportunity to see firsthand what is working to reduce recidivism, drug abuse, and addiction in communities across the states we represent. Now we have to take what we\u2019ve learned and apply them here, to legislation coming out of Washington,\u201d said Portman.\r\n\u201cJust last week, I met with a New Hampshire family who tragically lost their 20-year-old daughter to a heroin overdose.\u00a0 Too many families in New Hampshire and across the country are finding themselves in the same place as this family,\u201d said Senator Ayotte.\u00a0 \u201cToday\u2019s bipartisan forum was an important opportunity to share insights and expertise as we look for the most effective ways to help our communities fight addiction and help individuals in recovery. We cannot arrest our way out of this problem \u2013 we need to take a multi-faceted approach that includes law enforcement, prevention, treatment, and education.\u201d\r\nIn September the Senators introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, along with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT).\u00a0 The bill would encourage states to adopt comprehensive responses to the nation\u2019s opioid abuse crisis, including steps designed to mitigate collateral consequences for drug offenders.\r\nIn addition to the Senators, speakers at the forum also included Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.\u00a0\r\nThe day\u2019s first panel discussion, \u201cUnderstanding the Science of Addiction,\u201d was moderated by Peter Palanca, COO of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) Illinois and featured Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Dr. A. Thomas McLellan, Chair of the Board and Co-Founder of the Treatment Research Institute.\r\nThe day\u2019s second panel discussion, \u201cAddressing Collateral Consequences of Addiction,\u201d was moderated by Carol McDaid from Faces and Voices of Recovery.\u00a0 Participants included Amy Solomon, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice\u2019s Office of Justice Programs; Gary C. Mohr, Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections; Bill Williams and Margot Head, New York residents whose son died from heroin use; Danielle Tarino, Public Health Advisor at the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration; and Linda Hurley, Director of Clinical Services and Chief Operating Officer at CODAC Behavioral Healthcare in Rhode Island.\r\nToday\u2019s event was the third in a series of bipartisan briefings looking at ways to better support addiction treatment and recovery.\u00a0 Earlier this summer, a briefing hosted by the Senators focused on Women and Addiction.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=e15757e1-bc0d-444b-8e12-c1b63f9006db", "Klobuchar Celebrates Minnesota Tree at U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This year\u2019s tree comes from the Chippewa National Forest in northern Minnesota and recently arrived at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol after completing a 2,000-mile cross-country journey\u00a0\n \r\n \nThe tree is decorated with thousands of ornaments that have been handcrafted by people from across Minnesota and was lit by Aaron Urban \u2013 a 10-year-old boy from Maryland who is battling brain cancer\u00a0\n \r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today celebrated the Minnesota tree at the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C. This year\u2019s tree comes from the Chippewa National Forest in northern Minnesota and recently arrived at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol after completing a 2,000-mile cross-country journey. The tree is decorated with thousands of ornaments that have been handcrafted by people from across Minnesota and was lit by Aaron Urban \u2013 a 10-year-old boy from Maryland who is battling brain cancer. This year, Make-A-Wish will be granting Aaron\u2019s wish to spend Christmas in New York City, with today\u2019s lighting ceremony serving as a lead up to that experience.\r\n\u201cThis tree will light up children\u2019s eyes and make all of the busy people who work in the Capitol stop \u2013 even just for a moment \u2013 and look up in wonder,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cThat is the magic of Christmas, and Minnesota is making it happen. This tree is a fitting representation of the natural beauty, hard work, talent, and sense of community that make our state so special.\u201d\r\nThe ceremony was free and open to members of the public. Over 100 members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe traveled by bus from Minnesota to Washington, D.C. to attend the tree lighting and other events surrounding the ceremony.\u00a0They will be taking tours of the Capitol, attending receptions honoring the tree, and hosting a drum and dance ceremony in front of the tree later this week.\u00a0\r\nIn October, Klobuchar spoke at the Capitol Christmas Tree cutting ceremony in the Chippewa National Forest. The tree was cut down by Jim Scheff, who is the owner of the Minnesota-based company Scheff Logging and Trucking and who was recently named Minnesota \u201cLogger of the Year.\u201d\r\nThe tree will be lit every night from dusk until 11:00pm through January 1, 2015.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/herald-review-tired-of-money-in-politics-negative-advertising-and-a-broken", "Herald Review: Tired of money in politics, negative advertising and a broken Congress?", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "To restore America\u2019s confidence in our elections and our government, it\u2019s imperative we change the way we do our politics.\nRegardless of your political views or the candidates you supported this year, I hope we can all agree on this: while campaigns are rough and tumble, partisan exercises \u2013 that\u2019s the nature of democracy \u2013 when campaign season is over, we need to put politics aside, embrace bipartisanship, and focus on the people\u2019s business. Otherwise, government will never be the effective, problem-solving instrument the Founders intended it to be.\n\n\tThe good news is that there is plenty of good will and desire for bipartisanship among Republicans and Democrats alike. Most voters would be pleasantly surprised to see how well we personally get along, and actually like each other.\n\n\n\tThe question is \u2013 how do we transform the idea of bipartisanship into reality, refocus away from endless fundraising, and start getting things done?\n\n\n\tIt\u2019s a two-part answer. First, we need to change the way we campaign by getting rid of outside money. And second, we need to change the way we govern by returning Congress to its own time tested rules of the road.\n\n\n\tMake no mistake. Campaigns are expensive and the pressure to raise money is intense. History demonstrates that the candidates who raise the most money usually get the most votes.\n\n\n\tThat said, negative campaigns financed by outside money and special interests are polluting our airwaves, degrading our candidates, corrupting our public policy, and diluting confidence in our elections system and our government.\n\n\n\tMinnesota\u2019s Eighth District was the national poster child \u2013 one of the most expensive Congressional races in the country. Some $14 million (Center for Responsive Politics) has already been documented \u2013 with considerably more yet to be reported. And nearly two-thirds of that money came from outside special interests.\n\n\n\tIf you watched any TV at all this fall, you know that most of that money was spent on negative advertising neither my opponent nor I could legally control or influence. Those ads made many voters angry and discouraged them from showing up at the polls.\n\n\n\tIt\u2019s little wonder that nationwide, only about a third of eligible voters turned out this year. Campaigns are becoming contests to see who can withstand the most mud. We can and must do better.\n\n\n\tHow? Well, the Constitution grants Congress the power to govern and reform the elections process. When Congress fails to do so \u2013 and it has \u2013 the courts step in. Witness the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s \u201cCitizens United\u201d decision that allowed this flood of unchecked and undocumented outside money into our campaigns by ruling that corporations are \u201cpeople\u201d and the money they contribute is \u201cfree speech.\u201d What nonsense.\n\n\n\tA number of us in Congress have introduced reform measures, any of which would help fix the system. Taken together, they would produce a true renaissance for our democracy. With that in mind, I\u2019ve put the best ideas together into a seven-point blueprint called the Restore Democracy Act. Here\u2019s what the plan would do:\n\n\n\t\u2022 Reverse the Supreme Court\u2019s Citizens United decision. Corporations are not people and money is not free speech. You shouldn\u2019t have to be rich or rely on wealthy special interests to run for Congress.\n\n\n\t\u2022 Implement a federal campaign financing system that combines public money with small donor contributions \u2013 returning control of our elections to regular people.\n\n\n\t\u2022 Prohibit campaign fundraising while Congress is in session - that\u2019s time for doing the people\u2019s business.\n\n\n\t\u2022 Limit the campaign season, as other western democracies do. Campaigns shouldn\u2019t last 365 days a year \u2013 every single year.\n\n\n\t\u2022 End \u201cgerrymandering\u201d that\u2019s made all but about 35 Congressional districts safe for incumbents. All 435 districts should be competitive.\n\n\n\t\u2022 Establish a nationwide online system of voter registration, and put an end to laws that suppress voting. Voter participation should always be encouraged.\n\n\n\t\u2022 And put Congress back to work, five days a week just like other people who have full-time jobs. We need that time to fully consider every bill, idea, and amendment through the regular committee process. By doing so, we can foster bipartisanship as we get to know one another better, and hammer out points of compromise and agreement.\n\n\n\tReform won\u2019t be quick or easy, but our democracy and the integrity of our political process demand that we keep driving forward until we get the job done.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kdal-nolan-talks-with-former-hibbing-va-clinic-employees", "KDAL: Nolan Talks WIth Former Hibbing VA Clinic Employees", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DULUTH, MN (KDAL) - Congressman Rick Nolan and State Senator Dave Tomassoni met privately on Monday with former employees of the Hibbing VA Clinic regarding allegations of orders to backdate medical appointment schedules to make it appear that some veterans were being seen far sooner than when the appointments actually took place.\u00a0 The former employees also complained of a hostile work environment during the meeting that took place in Mountain Iron.\u00a0 Nolan says the allegations are very troubling and Tomsassoni says they will share what they heard with the VA Secretary and Inspector General to get to the bottom of the situation.\u00a0 Earlier this month Nolan and Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar asked the VA Inspector General to look into the charges and report back to them.\u00a0 The Hibbing VA Clinic is currently being managed by a third party contractor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/star-tribune-elected-leaders-meet-with-hibbing-va-workers-over-scheduling", "Star Tribune: Elected leaders meet with Hibbing VA workers over scheduling concerns", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan and State Sen. Dave Tomassoni met privately with former employees of a Hibbing Veterans Affairs clinic to hear allegations that the ex-workers were ordered to backdate medical appointment schedules to make it appear that some veterans were being seen far sooner than when the appointments actually took place.\nNolan and Tomassoni, who both represent the area, met privately on Monday for about an hour with three former clinic employees in Mountain Iron, Minn., because they worried they would suffer retaliation for coming forward, Nolan\u2019s office said.\nThe former employees have also complained of a hostile work environment and a policy that they said put profits ahead of care. The clinic is currently being managed by third-party contractor Cincinnati-based Sterling Medical Associates.\nIn a statement, Nolan\u2019s office said the congressman will share their concerns with new VA Secretary Bob McDonald and the VA\u2019s Office of Inspector General, which already has been asked to investigate the claims by the former workers.\n\u201cThese allegations \u2014 that appointments were intentionally backdated, that their work environment has been hostile, and that profits are being put before the well-being of our veterans \u2014 are very troubling,\u201d Nolan said in a statement released by his office after the meeting. \u201cI will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this, and to making sure that all our veterans receive the excellent and timely care they have so valiantly earned.\u201d\nSix former workers, including clerks and nurses, have come forward to say they were pressured into manipulating appointments to make it appear veterans were being seen within a 14-day desired date, when, in fact, they were often scheduled six to eight weeks out.\nThe workers said the practice continued until April of this year, when a nationwide VA scheduling scandal came to light.\nThe VA and Sterling both say they welcome the Inspector General probe. Sterling has denied ever ordering workers to backdate appointments.\nAfter the allegations of backdating at the Hibbing clinic were reported in the Star Tribune, Nolan, Sens.\u00a0Al Franken\u00a0and\u00a0Amy Klobucharand Rep. Tim Walz asked VA Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin to look into the charges and report back to them at the earliest possible date.\nA spokesman for the Inspector General\u2019s office said the office does not comment on ongoing investigations.\nLast summer, Nolan held a veterans round table in Hibbing where veterans and family members complained of poor treatment by the Hibbing staff, delays in the approval of non-VA care, and concerns about their consistent access to prescription medications.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/wdio-rep-nolan-meets-with-former-hibbing-va-clinic-employees", "WDIO: Rep. Nolan Meets with Former Hibbing VA Clinic Employees", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Local lawmakers sat down with former employees of the Hibbing VA Clinic this week.\nRep. Rick Nolan and state Sen. Dave Tomassoni met privately with three former employees at an undisclosed location in Mt. Iron on Monday.\nThey were there to talk about allegations the ex-employees are making that they were asked to backdate records, making wait times for veterans appear shorter. They say this went on until late April.\nNolan said in a statement released after the meeting, \"It takes courage to come forward. I assured (the former employees) I will share what we heard today with the VA Secretary, the Inspector General and with my colleagues. I will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this, and to making sure that all our veterans receive the excellent and timely care they have so valiantly earned.\u201d\nNolan, Sen. Al Franken, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Tim Walz have all asked the VA Office \u00a0of the Inspector General to look into the charges.\nThe former employees declined to provide a statement after their meeting with Rep. Nolan.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=cf78b2e7-3d1e-4099-a515-19580ddad4c3", "Klobuchar Presents the Knight of the Legion of Honor Medal to World War II Veteran", "2014-11-30", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Private First Class Jim Carroll was given the highest decoration France can bestow on a foreign citizen for his service and sacrifice in Western Europe during World War II \r\n As a soldier in the 101st\u00a0Airborne Division, Private First Class Carroll jumped into Normandy (D-Day) and Holland as a paratrooper and fought in the Battle of the Bulge; Carroll has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal  \r\n \u00a0 \r\nMinneapolis, MN \u2013 Today U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar presented the Knight of the Legion of Honor Medal to Bloomington World War II veteran Jim Carroll. Private First Class Carroll was honored by the French government for his service and sacrifice in Western Europe during World War II. The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is the highest honor that France can present to those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France.\r\n\u201cToday we honored a true American hero who put his life on the line so we could live free,\u201d said Klobuchar. \u201cJim Carroll is a living symbol of our country\u2019s Greatest Generation who answered the call to serve and stood against tyranny helping to liberate France and its people.\u201d\r\nPrivate First Class Jim Carroll was born in Missouri on October 5, 1923 and entered military service with the United States Army shortly after the December 7th, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack. Serving with the 101st Airborne Division, nicknamed the \u201cScreaming Eagles,\u201d Private First Class Carroll parachuted into Normandy in the early morning hours of June 6th, 1944 (D-Day). Later in 1944, Carroll participated in Operation Market Garden in Holland and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, spending 30 days over Christmas in freezing temperatures in a foxhole surrounded by the German Army. Carroll has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal\r\nAfter the war, Carroll moved to Minnesota, working for 28 years as machine shop foreman and then a Bloomington school bus driver. He retired in 1999 at age 75 and has been active in the Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-11262014", "Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 11/26/2014", "2014-11-26", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Collin Peterson", "P000258", "collinpeterson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Mayflower Compact, US Capitol\nDear Friends,\nAs the Representative of the 7th District of Minnesota, I have the pleasure and honor to meet with countless Minnesotans who share their thoughts and ideas about how to make our state a better place to live. During this season as families and friends sit down to share food and stories\u2013 we can all be thankful for the contributions that so many Minnesotans make every day. From our farmers who produce a bountiful harvest to our dedicated service members and first responders who keep our communities safe, we have so much to be grateful for. In this spirit, I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! \u00a0\nSincerely,\n\n\tCongressman Collin C. Peterson  Minnesota 7th District\n 2014 National Thanksgiving Presentation \nEvery year since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented a turkey to the President to be pardoned for Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, two turkeys from Cooper Farms in Fort Recovery, Ohio, held a press conference at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel to answer questions about their upbringing prior to Wednesday\u2019s official presentation. According to National Turkey Federation Chairman Gary Cooper and his son Cole, who raised the birds, the turkeys are 20 weeks old and weigh approximately 49 pounds. In terms of musical preferences, the Cooper family said this year\u2019s turkeys preferred listening to country music, especially Kenny Chesney. There is a naming ceremony on Wednesday, and then one turkey will be selected to be presented to the President to be pardoned. After the presentation, the turkeys will go to live at Morven Park, a historic site that was once home to Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis.\u00a0\nLast year\u2019s turkeys, Caramel and Popcorn, were from the 7th District. Raised by former National Turkey Federation Chairman John Burkel (BADGER), they preferred pop music to the tune of Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Caramel and Popcorn also made their residence at Morven Park.\n 2014 Capitol Christmas Tree (Continued) \nWhen the Architect of the Capitol asked the US Forest Service to provide a Christmas tree to serve as the \u201cPeople\u2019s Tree\u201d in 1970, a tradition of holiday cooperation between the two organizations began. Each year, a different national forest is selected to provide the Capitol Christmas tree, with state forests providing companion trees for Washington offices. This year\u2019s tree, from the Chippewa National Forest, arrived with companion trees provided by the Minnesota Tree Growers Association. My office was happy to receive a tree, which arrived with handmade ornaments from children across the state. The base of the 7th District tree was constructed by Billy Nelson, an Eagle Scout from Bemidji, as part of his Scout Project. An official tree-lighting ceremony will take place on December 2 at 5:00 pm on the West Lawn of the Capitol.\n  Hunting Game, US Capitol", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-providing-overtime-pay-to-employees-working-on", "Rep. Ellison Statement on Providing Overtime Pay to Employees Working on Thanksgiving", "2014-11-26", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) and other Members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez asking the Department of Labor to encourage American businesses to provide overtime pay to employees working on Thanksgiving.\u00a0\n\"For most Americans, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to spend time with family and reflect on what we are most thankful for. But for many working people, Thanksgiving has become another day spent behind the cash register and on the sales floor. While some shoppers choose to go shopping on Thanksgiving, too many retail workers don't have a choice. They should be properly compensated for working on this holiday.\u00a0\n\"I am proud to support Rep. Steve Israel's letter to Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez requesting that the Department of Labor encourage American companies to ask for volunteers to work on Thanksgiving and to provide overtime pay to those who do work. On Thanksgiving Day, we can give thanks to working Americans by paying them fairly.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/editorials/tired-of-money-in-politics-negative-advertising-and-a-broken-congress-it-s", "Tired of Money in Politics, Negative Advertising and a Broken Congress? Its Time to Reform Our Campaigns  and the Way we Do Business", "2014-11-25", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "To restore America\u2019s confidence in our elections and our government, it\u2019s imperative that we change the way we do our politics.\nRegardless of your political views or the candidates you supported this year, I hope we can all agree on this: while campaigns are rough and tumble, partisan exercises \u2013 that\u2019s the nature of democracy \u2013 when campaign season is over, we need to put politics aside, embrace bipartisanship, and focus on the people\u2019s business. Otherwise, government will never be the effective, problem-solving instrument the Founders intended it to be.\nThe good news is that there is plenty of good will and desire for bipartisanship among Republicans and Democrats alike. Most voters would be pleasantly surprised to see how well we personally get along, and actually like each other.\nThe question is \u2013 how do we transform the idea of bipartisanship into reality, refocus away from endless fundraising, and start getting things done?\nIt\u2019s a two-part answer. First, we need to change the way we campaign by getting rid of outside money. And second, we need to change the way we govern by returning Congress to its own time tested rules of the road.\nMake no mistake. Campaigns are expensive and the pressure to raise money is intense. History demonstrates that the candidates who raise the most money usually get the most votes.\nThat said, negative campaigns financed by outside money and special interests are polluting our airwaves, degrading our candidates, corrupting our public policy and diluting confidence in our elections system and our government.\nMinnesota\u2019s Eighth District was the national poster child \u2013 one of the most expensive Congressional races in the country. Some $14 million (Center for Responsive Politics) has already been documented \u2013 with considerably more yet to be reported. And nearly two-thirds of that money came from outside special interests.\nIf you watched any TV at all this fall, you know that most of that money was spent on negative advertising neither my opponent nor I could legally control or influence. Those ads made many voters angry and discouraged them from showing up at the polls.\nIt\u2019s little wonder that nationwide, only about a third of eligible voters turned out this year. Campaigns are becoming contests to see who can withstand the most mud. We can and must do better.\nHow? Well, the Constitution grants Congress the power to govern and reform the elections process. When Congress fails to do so \u2013 and it has \u2013 the courts step in. Witness the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s \u201cCitizens United\u201d decision that allowed this flood of unchecked and undocumented outside money into our campaigns by ruling that corporations are \u201cpeople\u201d and the money they contribute is \u201cfree speech.\u201d What nonsense.\nA number of us in Congress have introduced reform measures, any of which would help fix the system. Taken together, they would produce a true renaissance for our democracy. With that in mind, I\u2019ve put the best ideas together into a seven-point blueprint called the Restore Democracy Act. Here\u2019s what the plan would do:\n Reverse the Supreme Court\u2019s Citizens United decision. Corporations are not people and money is not free speech. You shouldn\u2019t have to be rich or rely on wealthy special interests to run for Congress.\n\tImplement a federal campaign financing system that combines public money with small donor contributions \u2013 returning control of our elections to regular people.\n\tProhibit campaign fundraising while Congress is in session - that's time for doing the people\u2019s business.\n\tLimit the campaign season, as other western democracies do. Campaigns shouldn\u2019t last 365 days a year \u2013 every single year.\n\tEnd \u201cgerrymandering\u201d that\u2019s made all but about 35 Congressional districts safe for incumbents. All 435 districts should be competitive.\n\tEstablish a nationwide online system of voter registration, and put an end to laws that suppress voting. Voter participation should always be encouraged.\n\tAnd put Congress back to work, five days a week just like other people who have full time jobs. We need that time to fully consider every bill, idea and amendment through the regular committee process. By doing so, we can foster bipartisanship as we get to know one another better, and hammer out points of compromise and agreement.\n Reform won\u2019t be quick or easy, but our democracy and the integrity of our political process demand that we keep driving forward until we get the job done.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kbjr-rep-nolan-talks-infrastructure-on-iron-range", "KBJR: Rep. Nolan talks infrastructure on Iron Range", "2014-11-25", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chisholm, MN (NNCNOW.com) -- Representative Rick Nolan (D-8) sat down with Iron Range leaders on Monday to talk with them about important issues facing the Iron Range, one of which is infrastructure.\n\"You know as a congressmen you can make an impact either through legislation or through working with the various agencies,\" said Rep. Nolan.\nBack after being re\u2013elected to the 8th district, Rep. Nolan is working with the Iron Range officials to address the pressing problem of infrastructure that is not only being felt in Minnesota, but nation wide.\n\"Listening to people talk about what has happened to our highway infrastructure whether it's bridges or the roads themselves all over the country and just how there isn't the money going into maintaining what used to be the best highway infrastructure in the world, which is now, I think, 15th or 16th,\" said newly elected St. Louis County Board Member, Tom Rukavina.\nWith several infrastructure projects in the works, such as the reconstruction of highway 169 and the relocation of Highway\u00a053\u00a0Nolan said he is optimistic these projects will help address the problems.\n\"I'm confident we are going to have a decision on the 169 reroute in the coming weeks. I'm very happy about the E\u20132 selection for highway 53,\" said Rep. Nolan.\nAnother problem being felt in St. Louis County is the steep price tag for these projects.\nLast week, the County board unveiled a\u00a0plan\u00a0that would raise the sales tax by half a percent.\nHowever, Commissioner Rukavina says he would like to see the taconite tax credit go to road repairs.\n\"I think that we deserve more of the taconite tax credit money in St. Louis County because six of the seven mines and six of the seven plants are here in St. Louis County. St. Louis County residents are not getting their fair share.\" A share he says could put the Range farther along the road to financial recovery.\nA public hearing about the county's tax increase is scheduled at Hibbing City Hall on Tuesday, November 25 at 9:50 a.m. There will be another public hearing at the Hermantown Public Safety Building on Monday, December 1 at 5 p.m.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-hibbing-va-issue-addressed-in-private", "Mesabi Daily News: Hibbing VA issue addressed in private", "2014-11-25", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MOUNTAIN IRON \u2014 U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan and State Sen. Dave Tomassoni met privately today with former employees of the Hibbing VA Clinic, who have alleged that they were ordered to backdate medical records. The allegations are serious. The former VA workers have said that they were required to backdate medical appointment schedules to make it appear that some veterans were being seen far sooner than when the appointments actually took place.\n\tIn addition, they claim that employees have also complained of a hostile work environment, and a policy and attitude that put profits ahead of the wellbeing of veterans.\n\n\tNolan said the meeting was held at an undisclosed location to protect the former employees from retaliation for coming forward.\n\n\tThe congressman said he and staff have been closely monitoring the situation in Hibbing on an ongoing basis in consultation with county VA service personnel.\n\n\tThe allegations of backdating at the Hibbing clinic were originally reported by the StarTribune.\n\n\tEarlier this month, Nolan, along with Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, asked Veterans Administration Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin to look into the charges and report back to them at the earliest possible date.\n\n\t\u201cThese allegations \u2014 that appointments were intentionally backdated, that their work environment has been hostile, and that profits are being put before the wellbeing of our veterans \u2014 are very troubling. Senator Tomassoni and I appreciated the opportunity to hear personally from these former Hibbing VA clinic employees. It takes courage to come forward. I assured them I will share what we heard today with the VA Secretary, the Inspector General and with my colleagues,\u201d Rep. Nolan said following the meeting.\n\n\t\u201cI will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this, and to making sure that all our veterans receive the excellent and timely care they have so valiantly earned.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-nolan-meets-with-range-leaders", "Mesabi Daily News: Nolan meets with Range leaders", "2014-11-25", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CHISHOLM \u2014 U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan met with Iron Range leaders Monday in Chisholm for a candid discussion of challenges that will face the region during his next term.\nCurrent mayors or mayors-elect from Hibbing, Chisholm, Virginia, Buhl, Biwabik and Leonidas, as well as state representatives and county commissioners met for the lunch at Valentini\u2019s, which featured talk on mining, infrastructure and refocusing on the country\u2019s domestic issues.\n\n\tNolan thanked those in attendance for supporting him and offering ideas on what the region needs, and said having the backing of local authorities makes his job easier.\n\n\n\t\u201cLocal officials are the real unsung heroes in American government and politics,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re so close to their communities, they have serious responsibilities, and they don\u2019t get paid anything near the work and responsibilities they put in.\u201d\n\n\n\tThe thanks were sent right back at Nolan from most in attendance, with Hibbing Mayor Rick Cannata pointing to the Range Regional Airport expansion that Nolan helped secure funding for.\n\n\n\tCannata also said Nolan\u2019s insistence on requiring American-made steel in any Keystone XL pipeline was noted by labor groups. Nolan\u2019s provision didn\u2019t end up being included in legislation, which is still being discussed at the federal level.\n\n\n\t\u201cEven if it didn\u2019t have the provision with American-made steel, we want to thank you and we\u2019ll support you to the very end,\u201d he said.\n\n\n\tNolan said he\u2019d continue to work on the provision along with other measures, despite finding himself in the minority party in the house once again \u2014 the U.S. Senate will also be Republican controlled.\n\n\n\t\u201cA lot of people just assume well I\u2019m in the minority so it won\u2019t make any difference, but no, there are good men and women on the other side of the aisle and if you tell them you\u2019ve got something reasonable and you want to get it done, they\u2019ll frequently give you the chance,\u201d he said.\n\n\n\tFrom the east range, those in attendance mentioned Nolan\u2019s work on the Highway 53 project that was recently announced in Virginia, as well as the PolyMet project still in the review process.\n\n\n\tBoth projects fall under the categories of transportation and mining, which Nolan said will be among the most pressing priorities during his next term.\n\n\n\tThroughout the discussion Nolan said his office is open to any suggestions from the lawmakers, as their support and know-how of the region is invaluable. He said their help, along with his experience over the years, has left him bullish on his chances of helping the region in the next term.\n\n\n\t\u201cAfter 32 years in business and community service and government at every level from the township right up to the international level, I feel so much better prepared and so much more effective being able to get things done,\u201d he said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/members-of-the-house-support-extension-and-urge-congress-not-to-give-up", "Members of the House Support Extension and Urge Congress Not to Give Up on Diplomacy", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep Keith Ellison (D-MN), along with Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim McGovern (D-MA), David Price (D-NC), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Jim Moran (D-VA), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) released the following statements today after an agreement was reached for an extension on negotiations over Iran\u2019s nuclear program between the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Russia (P5+1) and Iran.\n\u201cToday's extension is evidence of how far the United States and Iran have come since these negotiations started,\u201d Rep. Ellison said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe investment in patient diplomacy made by both countries is yielding significant progress. Iran has already complied with the requirements in the Joint Plan of Action and reduced their capacity to build a nuclear weapon. We are closer than we have ever been to reaching a peaceful agreement and we can\u2019t give up now. I call on Congress to support President Obama, Secretary Kerry and the P5+1 negotiators to close this deal.\u201d\n\u201cThe current framework agreement with Iran is actively reducing Iran\u2019s nuclear program, delaying \u2018break out\u2019 capacity, and providing inspections and verification to prevent the advancement of their nuclear program,\u201d\u00a0said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. \u201cThis extension continues these important restrictions and safeguards while moving us toward a long-term deal that will support our national security and global peace. This extension creates the diplomatic space for that deal to be achieved.\u201d\n\u201cDiplomacy is the only viable path to prevent a nuclear Iran,\u201d said Congressman John Conyers, Jr. \u00a0\u201cAccording to a recent CNN poll, 76 percent of Americans support direct diplomacy\u00a0as part of a strategy to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Americans know that military confrontation\u2014the only alternative to diplomacy\u2014would be, in this instance, counterproductive and carry unacceptable costs in terms of lives and treasure. Congress must support President Obama's continuing efforts to obtain a strong and verifiable agreement to peacefully prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in the world's most volatile region.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cI know it's difficult to remain patient, but with a historic agreement within our reach, patience is required,\u201d Rep. Jim McGovern said.\u00a0 \u201cI believe it is far better to take a bit more time to get a strong verifiable agreement than to have no agreement or a weak one. I urge all sides to demonstrate the political will, flexibility and courage to get the job done, and done well. I will continue to follow this issue closely.\u201d\n\u201cI am encouraged by today's news from Vienna. This extension means that the negotiations will continue under the terms of the existing Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), which has verifiably frozen and rolled back Iran's nuclear program over the past year,\u201d said Representative Price. \u201cWhile I shared the administration's hope that the talks would yield a final agreement by now, the fact is that another extension is vastly preferable to a return to the pre-JPOA status quo -- or worse.\u00a0 Instead of rushing to declare the talks a failure -- or taking actions to derail them altogether -- my colleagues in Congress should do everything possible to support the continuation of negotiations and progress toward a final, comprehensive agreement.\u201d\n\u201cIt is welcome news that the U.S. and Iranian diplomats have agreed to stay at the negotiating table by extending talks,\u201d Rep. Hank Johnson said. \u201cWhile some of my colleagues have objected to negotiations with Iran, it must be noted that thanks to these historic diplomatic efforts the world is further from a nuclear-armed Iran, and the risk of an eventual war over this issue.\u00a0Now more than ever is the time to commit ourselves to diplomacy. We know the outcome of a rush to war. Too many hardline members and members-elect are already opposing a deal, emboldening hardliners in Iran.\u00a0 What the hardliners do not say, is that failure to reach a deal clears the path to war.\u201d\n\u201cDiplomacy takes time. I continue to believe that the benefits of an eventual agreement with Iran will be worth the wait. Congress must not undermine our negotiators with unwise legislative actions,\u201d Rep. Jim Moran said.\n\u201cWe have seen meaningful progress since the Joint Plan of Action was agreed to in November 2013,\u201d Rep. Jan Schakowsky said. \u201cUnder this plan, Iran has down blended and stopped production of 20% enriched uranium, halted work on its Arak hard water facility, and allowed daily inspections of its enrichment facilities.\u00a0 None of these achievements would be in place without the Joint Plan of Action, and we shouldn\u2019t abandon this progress today.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-ferguson-grand-jury-decision", "Rep. Ellison Statement on Ferguson Grand Jury Decision", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Keith Ellison", "E000288", "ellison.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after a grand jury announced they would not indict Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.\n\u201cOnce the news trucks have left St. Louis and the city of Ferguson is calm, a family will still be without their son,\u201d Rep. Ellison said. \u201cMichael Brown\u2019s family will always mourn the senseless shooting of their child - a shooting which should never have taken place. I understand the anger and fear that many in Ferguson and around the country must feel, but all must remain peaceful. Protest injustice, but do not meet violence with violence. I urge the federal government to continue its investigation of Michael Brown\u2019s shooting. The fight for equality is not over. We have tremendous work to do. But right now, my thoughts are with Michael\u2019s parents, whose son will not be coming home tonight.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 820, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "MN", "p2": "2014"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MN&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 819, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MN&year=2014&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 1, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MN&year=2014&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MN&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 820, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MN&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MN&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "MN", "label": "MN", "count": 820, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MN&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "2014", "label": "2014", "count": 820, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MN", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2014-11-24,http~3A~2F~2Fellison~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frep-ellison-statement-on-ferguson-grand-jury-decision", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MN&year=2014&_next=2014-11-24%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fellison~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frep-ellison-statement-on-ferguson-grand-jury-decision&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 260.74522780254483, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}