Press releases
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603 rows where chamber = "House", state = "MN" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending
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| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-1231 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/31 | 2013-12-31 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Mark Hartsell Library of Congress Christmas Tree Dear Friends, The 113th Congress will enter its second session on January 7th as 2013 comes to a close. Northland Community and Technical College will benefit from the Federal Aviation Administration’s recent decision to designate North Dakota as a test site for Unmanned Aerial Systems. The National Park Service is making national park entrance fees free for nine days next year, and Chippewa Forest will have a big role to play in next year’s Christmas celebrations. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District 2014 House Legislative Calendar Click here to view the tentative legislative calendar for 2014. Unmanned Aerial Systems This week the Federal Aviation Administration designated North Dakota as one of six test sites in the nation for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). This is also good news for northwest Minnesota and for Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls which offers a UAS maintenance-training program that was first in the nation. Thanks to the leadership team at Northland College, and all the other partners in the region who worked hard for many years to develop and implement this technology and the programs that are experiencing unprecedented growth, we will see this region as a leader in UAS. Click here to read a UAS article written by the Grand Forks Herald. National Park Service The National Park Service announced that entrance to America’s 401 national parks will be free to the public on nine days in 2014. Dates of free admission are: · January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day · February 15-17: Presidents Day weekend · April 19-20: National Park Week’s opening weekend · August 25: National Park Service’s 98th birthday · September 27: National Public Lands Day · November 11: Veterans Day According to National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis, more than 280 million people visit America’s national parks each year. “National parks not only protect and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=0fcf598a-e91b-42fb-9f5c-f2162f42e672 | Klobuchar Calls for Action to Crack Down on Cell Phone Thefts | 2013-12-30 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Nearly one-in-three robberies involve phone theft and consumers lose more than $30 billion each year to lost and stolen phones; in Minnesota, recent cell phone thefts at the Mall of America and the University of Minnesota have threatened public safety In a letter to wireless industry leaders, Klobuchar urges companies to take action to stem mobile device thefts by ensuring consumers have access to the most advanced security features such as a “kill switch” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today called on the wireless industry to take action to crack down on cell phone thefts. The thefts are becoming a growing problem across the country with nearly one-in-three robberies involving phone theft. It’s estimated that each year consumers lose more than $30 billion to lost or stolen phones. In Minnesota, recent cell phone thefts at the Mall of America and the University of Minnesota have threatened public safety. In a letter to wireless industry leaders, Klobuchar urged companies to take action to stem mobile device thefts by ensuring consumers have access to the most advanced security features, such as a “kill switch” that would deter criminals who intend to illegally resell the devices. “Mobile devices aren’t just telephones anymore – increasingly people’s livelihoods depend on them,” Klobuchar said. “That’s why we need to do more to crack down on criminals who are stealing and reselling these devices, costing consumers billions every year. The wireless industry needs to step up to the plate and address these thefts, and make sure consumers have the most advanced security technology at their fingertips.” Klobuchar is a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and chairs the Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, and has been a leader in standing up for consumers and boosting competition in the marketplace. She authored legislation—the Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act and the Wireless Consumer Choice Act—to strengthen consumer protections in the wireless industry, including looking at allowing consume… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=aced5d15-9019-4d4f-b09b-a5bfd63b93b7 | Klobuchar Statement on Shezanne Cassim | 2013-12-23 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar made the following statement regarding the decision by the United Arab Emirates to sentence Shezanne Cassim to a year in prison. “Keeping a young man in jail for a year for simply posting a video that meant no harm is outrageous, especially given the fact that the defendants from the United Arab Emirates appeared to get lighter sentences. The UAE holds itself out to be among the most tolerant and just nations in the region, but this sentence is unjust and unreasonable. I will continue to work with State Department and UAE officials as well as Shezanne’s family to make sure we get him home as soon as possible.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-1220 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/20 | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Snow in Swift Dear Friends, This week, a bill I sponsored to name the Fergus Falls Federal Courthouse after Judge Edward J. Devitt passed the Senate. Since my bill also passed the House of Representatives in late September, it now goes to the White House to be signed by the President. A groundbreaking ceremony for a rehabilitation center was held at the St. Cloud VA Health Care system, which will help to provide more excellent care to our nation’s veterans. In agriculture news, I spent a few extra days in Washington this week as we continued negotiations toward a deal on the farm bill. Finally, the Smithsonian is asking for personal stories from farmers across the nation about the experiences of farming and ranching. See below for more information. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Fergus Falls Courthouse Legislation I sponsored with Senator Amy Klobuchar to rename the federal courthouse in Fergus Falls after Judge Edward J. Devitt, the former chief judge of Minnesota’s federal district court, unanimously passed the Senate on Tuesday. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Formally confirmed in 1955, Devitt served as a federal judge for thirty seven years until his death at the age of 80, including twenty two years as chief judge. Judge Devitt was a distinguished jurist and it's fitting to honor him by naming the Fergus Falls building after him. Judge Devitt was popular among his colleagues, was a friend and role model to countless judges. Groundbreaking In the midst of some wintry conditions on Monday, the St. Cloud VA Health Care system, which benefits veterans living in the eastern areas of the 7th District, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Rehabilitation Center. The center will support residential and outpatient programs, an Independent Living Skills area, and advanced medical technology to provide higher-quality care to Veterans. Some of the expanded programs will be Physiatry, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2646 | Sens. Franken, Kirk Fighting to Expand Access to Affordable Cancer Treatments | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) took a key step toward ensuring access to the best cancer treatments for patients across the country by unveiling a bipartisan bill to end the unfair practice of allowing insurance companies to charge more for certain chemotherapy drugs. The Cancer Treatment Parity Act of 2013, authored and introduced by the Senators, would help give people battling cancer access to the treatments they need, when they need it. Nationwide, almost 14 million Americans are living with a cancer diagnosis, and more than 1.6 million new cases will be identified this year. But right now, many of these cancer patients can't access certain chemotherapy drugs because of misaligned insurance coverage policies that result in prohibitively high costs for some types of treatments. The Senators' new legislation would fix the coverage issue by requiring all private insurance plans to provide similar access to patient-administered cancer drugs, such as those in pill form, and physician-administered cancer drugs, such as IV chemotherapy treatments. "All cancer patients should have access to the treatment they need, when they need it," said Sen. Franken. "And insurance companies shouldn't be able to charge more for their cancer medication depending on whether it's a pill or comes from an IV. But unfortunately, that isn't always the case. Our bill builds on an already successful Minnesota law to help patients across the country afford the medication they need to battle this terrible disease." "This bill will build upon state laws, like the one Illinois passed last year, to ensure that oral chemotherapy for patients is more affordable," Sen. Kirk said. "Over 1 million Americans will be diagnosed this year with cancer, and the sooner we are able to level the playing field for treatment options, the sooner these Americans and their families can receive the best type of treatment available." To provide similar insurance coverage for all types of cancer medications, the Cancer Treatment Parity… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2647 | As Extreme Cold Hits Minnesota, Sens. Klobuchar & Franken Fight to Increase Critical Heating Assistance for Minnesota Seniors and Families | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) today pushed to increase critical heating assistance that helps Minnesota families and seniors get through cold winters. In a letter with a bipartisan coalition of their colleagues, the Senators called on the President to take into account the great need for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding in his upcoming budget priorities. LIHEAP is critical to supporting the most vulnerable households in Minnesota and across the country, but funding for the program has been slashed by more than 30 percent in recent years. "Access to affordable home heating is not a luxury--it is a matter of health and safety," said Sen. Klobuchar. "Families across Minnesota and the country rely on LIHEAP to heat their homes in these cold winter months. That's why we need to ensure that the program remains strong so that our most vulnerable citizens can continue to access the resources they need." "Anybody who's lived through a Minnesota winter knows that home heating is not a choice—it's a necessity," Sen. Franken said. "This assistance helps Minnesota families and seniors get through winter without having to forgo things like food or prescription medications in order to keep the heat on. I urge the President to make LIHEAP a greater priority." Since taking office, Sens. Klobuchar and Franken have successfully fought to ensure that tens of millions of dollars in emergency LIHEAP funding have been available to Minnesota families and seniors. The full text of the letter can be found here or below. December 20, 2013 President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, We are writing to request that you prioritize the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in your Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 budget proposal by including no less than $4.7 billion for this program that provides critical support to our most vulnerable citizens. LIHEAP is the main federal program that helps low-income households and sen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=0a0ed94a-8635-4aec-b0fa-e95be55a392b | Klobuchar, Blunt Bipartisan Bill to Help Families Who Adopt Abroad Correct Errors to Birth Certificates Passes Senate | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Currently, immigration services do not recognize state court orders to amend a child’s birth date, forcing families to seek a correction from the adoptee’s country of birth Senators’ legislation which would require immigration services to recognize state court orders and cut red tape for adoptive families now heads to House of Representatives Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) today announced that their bipartisan legislation to help families who adopt abroad correct errors to birth certificates passed the Senate. Currently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not recognize state court orders to amend a child’s birth date, forcing families to seek a correction from the adoptee’s country of birth or have two official birth dates for their adopted child. The Accuracy for Adoptees Act, which would authorize USCIS to recognize state court orders and cut red tape for adoptive families, will now head to the House of Representatives for a vote. Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and John Barasso (R-WY) are also original cosponsors of the bill. “Families have enough hoops to jump through when adopting internationally,” Klobuchar said. “We shouldn’t be adding to that red tape by placing extra burdens on those trying to get accurate personal records for their children. I am pleased that this bill has passed the Senate, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House to ensure that this common sense legislation become law.” “Every day, American families open up their homes and their hearts to children in need from all over the world,” Blunt said. “This bipartisan bill will make the transition easier for families and their adopted children by removing excessive red tape and ensuring the accuracy of their birth records.” "My child has been through more loss and grief in her first years than most of us will experience in a lifetime. For her to come here and be victimized by this process is shameful. I am so pro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=4f3a20c5-16c4-45fb-851e-6419c6598a92 | Klobuchar, Cornyn Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Seniors from Neglect and Abuse by Guardians Passes the Judiciary Committee | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Legislation would crack down on elder abuse by strengthening oversight and accountability for guardians and conservators Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) announced that their bipartisan legislation to help protect seniors from neglect and financial exploitation passed the Judiciary Committee, paving the way for a vote in the full Senate. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act would help crack down on elder abuse by strengthening oversight and accountability for guardians and conservators. The bill is similar to legislation the senators introduced last year. “Seniors deserve to live their lives safe from neglect and mistreatment and we need to do everything we can to help protect them from abuse,” Klobuchar said. “While most court-appointed guardians are professional, caring and law-abiding, there is mounting evidence that some guardians use their position of power to exploit seniors. This legislation would help increase accountability and oversight of guardians and protect those who are most vulnerable and I will continue to work to ensure the bill becomes law.” “No one, certainly not our eldest citizens, should be subjected to physical abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. It is my hope that we pass this bill and protect our vulnerable elderly citizens,” said Cornyn. The senators’ legislation would provide support to states to implement programs to increase oversight of guardians and conservators. Specifically, the bill makes state courts eligible for an already existing program designed to protect seniors. Under the program, state courts would be able to apply for funding to assess the handling of proceedings relating to guardian and conservators, and then make the necessary improvements to their practices. For example, the courts could conduct background checks on potential guardians and conservators, or implement an electronic filing system in order to better monitor and audit conservatorships and guardianships. The legislati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=83b20a0a-03e5-4976-bbf0-fb57a0971e20 | Klobuchar Provisions to Help Fight Sexual Assault in the Military Pass Senate, Head to Presidents Desk to be Signed Into Law | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Provisions would require automatic retention of sexual assault records, strengthen whistleblower protections and help stop repeat offenders Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s provisions to the National Defense Authorization Act to help fight sexual assault in the military passed the Senate and will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Klobuchar’s provisions would require automatic retention of sexual assault records, strengthen whistleblower protections and help stop repeat offenders. “Our men and women in the military put their lives on the line fighting for our country; we shouldn’t be asking them to fight against sexual assault as well,” Klobuchar said. “These provisions take some critical steps to help crack down on sexual assault and provide support to victims, and I will continue to work to ensure these crimes are eliminated from the ranks.” The National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 includes the following Klobuchar provisions to address sexual assault in the military: The bipartisan provision Klobuchar authored with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska that would require automatic retention of both restricted and unrestricted reports of sexual assault for 50 years. Klobuchar has worked hard over the years to ensure reports are made available to victims, and this legislation would be a decisive step in that effort. Current law only requires retention of restricted reports—when a servicemember chooses not to take legal action–at the request of the affected servicemember. Automatic retention of records will make it easier for servicemen and women who have been sexually assaulted to get VA benefits for assault-related ailments or to seek justice in the future. Legislation Klobuchar introduced with Senator McCaskill of Missouri to add sexual assault and related charges to the list of protected communications that can be investigated by the DOD Inspector General. This expanded whistleblower protection will help ensure that service members are able to rep… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2649 | In Senate Speech, Sen. Franken Pushes Ideas to Create Jobs and Strengthen Economy | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) went to the Senate floor to deliver a speech laying out his plan to spur job creation and strengthen the economy for middle-class families in Minnesota and across the country. Sen. Franken homed in on three areas that he believes are key to economic prosperity: strengthening the country's manufacturing sector by closing the skills gap-where jobs go unfilled because businesses can't find workers with the right skills-increasing the minimum wage for working families, and extending long-term unemployment benefits. As part of his continued efforts to help create jobs, Sen. Franken has introduced legislation to bring businesses and community colleges together to fill high-skilled, open jobs in the manufacturing, information technology, and health care fields. "We have millions of open jobs that can't be filled because of a skills shortage. And we know that these partnerships are the most direct way to fill those jobs," said Sen. Franken in his speech. "So what I'm proposing is a competitive grant program in a bill called the Community College to Career Fund Act. Under this program, businesses and community colleges would apply for grants based on how many jobs their partnership would create, what the value of the jobs would be to those hired and to the community, and how much skin do the businesses have in the game." Sen. Franken highlighted his plan to fight for an increase to the minimum wage and pointed to how it would directly help Minnesota's economy. "The minimum wage is supposed to help guarantee that if you work hard and play by the rules, you will at least have a roof over your head and you'll be able to put food on the table," continued Sen Franken. "However, today, because the minimum wage is too low, it is not doing what is supposed to do...If we increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10, it will affect 462,000 Minnesota workers over three years-that's 18 percent of Minnesota's workforce. And it will increase our state's GDP by almost $400 million dollars. This is … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/klobuchar-peterson-legislation-name-federal-courthouse-fergus-falls-after-former | Klobuchar, Peterson Legislation to Name Federal Courthouse in Fergus Falls After Former Minnesota Judge Passes Senate | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Collin Peterson’s legislation to rename the federal courthouse in Fergus Falls after Judge Edward J. Devitt, the former chief judge of Minnesota’s federal district court, passed the Senate. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Formally confirmed in 1955, Devitt served as a federal judge for thirty seven years until his death at the age of 80, including twenty two years as chief judge. “In his long service to the state of Minnesota, Judge Devitt exemplified the intelligence and integrity we expect of those who sit on the bench,” Klobuchar said. “Having grown up in East Grand Forks and being especially fond of the Red River valley, it is entirely appropriate that the courthouse in which he loved to preside will bear his name.” "Judge Devitt was a distinguished jurist and it's fitting to honor him by naming the Fergus Falls building after him," Peterson said. "Judge Devitt was popular among his colleagues, was a friend and role model to countless judges, and I'm pleased to help honor someone so deserving of this recognition." Beginning in 1983, the annual Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service Award has been presented by the America Judicature Society in recognition of “an exemplary career and has made significant contributions to the administration of justice, the advancement of the rule of the law and the improvement of society as a whole”. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2643 | Sen. Franken Backs Measure to Replace Military Pension Cuts | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Ahead of today's vote on the budget agreement, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) joined 15 of his colleagues in introducing legislation that would replace cuts to military pensions by closing a corporate tax loophole. Sen. Franken will vote to pass the budget bill in order to prevent another costly government shutdown, but believes strongly that Congress should work quickly to avoid cuts to military pensions, which don't go into effect until December 2015. "There are ways to reduce the deficit by making commonsense reductions to defense spending, but cutting military pensions isn't one of them," said Sen. Franken. "That's why I'm supporting this effort to replace cuts to military pensions by closing an indefensible and wasteful corporate tax loophole. Before this pension cut takes place two years from now, I will fight to restore this unwise cut to our veterans' pensions." The bipartisan budget agreement currently before the Senate makes approximately $6 billion in cuts to military pensions by reducing the cost-of-living adjustment for some future retirees, a concession made to Republican negotiators in order to secure an agreement. The Military Retirement Restoration Act would replace those cuts, scheduled to take effect in approximately two years, by closing a loophole in the tax code that allows companies managed and controlled in the United States to incorporate overseas in order to avoid paying U.S. taxes on their foreign income, raising approximately $6.6 billion over ten years. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) is also a cosponsor of the bill. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2644 | Sen. Franken?s Statement on Budget Compromise | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) made the following statement after the Senate agreed to a two-year budget deal. The bill is expected to be signed into law soon. You can download a video of Sen. Franken's statement on the budget agreement here. "I think this is a good step forward," said Sen. Franken. "Minnesotans don't want us to keep lurching from budget crisis to budget crisis, and passing this will prevent another costly government shutdown. "This deal means that businesses will have the stability and certainty they need to create jobs and strengthen our economy. And it allows us to return our focus to what we were sent here to do-educating our kids, creating a 21st century workforce, and putting people back to work. "I'm pleased we were finally able to break through the gridlock and reach this deal, even though, like any compromise, it has elements that I like, but also ones I don't like." While Sen. Franken has generally expressed support for the bipartisan budget agreement, he is disappointed that the bill makes approximately $6 billion in cuts to military pensions by reducing the cost-of-living adjustment for some future retirees, a concession made to Republican negotiators in order to secure an agreement. In response, Sen. Franken cosponsored the Military Retirement Restoration Act , which would replace those cuts-scheduled to take effect in approximately two years-by closing a loophole in the tax code that allows companies managed and controlled in the United States to incorporate overseas in order to avoid paying U.S. taxes on their foreign income, raising approximately $6.6 billion over ten years. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=54cd923e-0606-448d-aa02-c9fea63e1a61 | Klobuchar, Bipartisan Group of Senators Meet with EPA Administrator McCarthy to Call for Changes to the Proposed Renewable Fuel Standard 2014 Rule | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | The EPA’s proposed rule would lower the biofuel targets for 2014, discouraging investment in the biofuel industry, hurting jobs and rural communities across the state Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today led a bipartisan group of 16 senators to meet with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to urge changes to the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) 2014 rule. The EPA’s proposed rule would hurt the biofuels industry by lowering the biodiesel target below current industry production levels and reduce the conventional ethanol target by over a billion gallons, discouraging investment and hurting jobs and rural communities across the country. In addition to Senator Klobuchar, other attendees included Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Thune (R-SD), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Al Franken (D-MN), Dan Coats (R-IN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Deb Fischer (R-NE) ,and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). “The Renewable Fuels Standard has driven growth and innovation in the renewable fuels industry,” said Klobuchar. “At a time when the oil industry continues to receive billions in unnecessary subsidies, it simply does not make sense to create so much uncertainty in a sector that has helped reduce our dependence on foreign oil and is vital to our rural economy.” "Homegrown renewable energy is creating good Minnesota jobs while reducing our dependence on foreign oil," said Sen. Franken, who chairs the Energy Subcommittee. "Today, I urged the head of the EPA to rethink the Administration's shortsighted proposal to cut the renewable fuel standard because it undermines efforts to advance the next generation of renewable fuels. We need to find ways to expand our commitment to renewable energy, not pull back from it." The EPA’s proposed rule would set the biodiesel target at 1.28 billion gallons, which is below current industry production levels of arou… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=c854aceb-82e5-4fd9-ad69-ce9e35e19076 | Klobuchar, Peterson Legislation to Name Federal Courthouse in Fergus Falls After Former Minnesota Judge Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk to be Signed Into Law | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Collin Peterson’s legislation to rename the federal courthouse in Fergus Falls after Judge Edward J. Devitt, the former chief judge of Minnesota’s federal district court, passed the Senate. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Formally confirmed in 1955, Devitt served as a federal judge for thirty seven years until his death at the age of 80, including twenty two years as chief judge. “In his long service to the state of Minnesota, Judge Devitt exemplified the intelligence and integrity we expect of those who sit on the bench,” Klobuchar said. “Having grown up in East Grand Forks and being especially fond of the Red River valley, it is entirely appropriate that the courthouse in which he loved to preside will bear his name.” "Judge Devitt was a distinguished jurist and it's fitting to honor him by naming the Fergus Falls building after him," Peterson said. "Judge Devitt was popular among his colleagues, was a friend and role model to countless judges, and I'm pleased to help honor someone so deserving of this recognition." Beginning in 1983, the annual Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service Award has been presented by the America Judicature Society in recognition of “an exemplary career and has made significant contributions to the administration of justice, the advancement of the rule of the law and the improvement of society as a whole”. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2639 | WDAZ: Sen. Franken Pushing to Get the Farm Bill Over the Finish Line | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | As the end of the year approaches, Sen. Franken continued to press Congress to finally complete work on a five-year Farm Bill. He spoke with WDAZ TV about how he remains optimistic that Congress can get this important measure over the finish line: ... Senator Franken says a new farm bill will bring much-needed confidence to farmers in the Red River Valley. "Farmers in Minnesota, I can tell you not only want a 5 year bill they need a 5 year bill. They need the certainty that comes with a 5 year bill," said Franken. ... Sen. Franken wrote the energy section of the bill, which helps farmers and rural businesses reduce their energy costs, and worked very hard to get support for new farmers and ranchers who are just starting out. Sen. Franken successfully fought for the sugar program, which supports thousands of jobs and is so important to Minnesota's economy. Click here to read the whole story from WDAZ TV. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2641 | In Hearing, Sen. Franken Examines Americans' Right to Challenge Corporations in Court | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Witness after witness confirmed today during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, chaired by U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), that big corporations are denying consumers their right to challenge unfair practices in court and pointed to Sen. Franken's bill as a solution to restore workers', small businesses', and service members' access to justice. You can download video of Sen. Franken's opening statement here. "For several years, I've worked to return access to justice to consumers, workers, and small businesses in Minnesota," said Sen. Franken. "It's clear from today's hearing that we're at a point where big corporations can write their own rules and insulate themselves from liability for wrongdoing—this can't continue. We need to restore Americans' right to challenge unfair practices in court. I'll continue to push for passage of my bill to do just that." To restore Minnesotans' access to justice, Sen. Franken introduced the Arbitration Fairness Act, which would prohibit mandatory, pre-dispute arbitration in consumer, employment, civil rights, and antitrust cases. Mandatory arbitration is as big a problem in Minnesota as it is across the country. During the hearing, witness Vildan A. Teske—a Minnesota lawyer who represents Minnesota service members facing unfair practices by lenders—recounted the story of an active duty soldier whose mortgage lender falsified an affidavit and foreclosed on his house while he was serving in Iraq. The lender essentially got away with the foreclosure because the lender included a class action ban in the soldier's mortgage documents. You can watch the exchange here. Specifically, Sen. Franken's Arbitration Fairness Act does the following: Restores the original intent of the Federal Arbitration Act by clarifying the scope of its application. Amends the Federal Arbitration Act by adding a new chapter invalidating agreements that require the arbitration of employment, consumer, civil rights, or antitrust disputes made before the dispute arises. Restores the rights of workers, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=16df77c5-9eac-4d7c-a94b-041e6157ba4c | Klobuchar: Patent Trolls Hurt Small Businesses and Stifle Innovation | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | At Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on patent trolls, Klobuchar highlighted how certain bad actors abuse patent litigation to threaten innovative companies and extract settlements based on questionable claims Klobuchar, who chairs the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, is pushing legislation to help fight patent trolls by increasing transparency and cracking down on widespread frivolous demand letters Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today discussed how patent trolls hurt small businesses and stifle innovation. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing featuring business leaders and patent law experts, Klobuchar highlighted how certain bad actors abuse patent litigation to threaten companies and extract settlements based on questionable claims. Klobuchar, who chairs the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, also discussed legislation she is pushing to help fight patent trolls by increasing transparency in patent ownership, protecting customers who are sued for patent infringement, cracking down on the practice of sending of frivolous demand letters, and improving resources for small businesses that are targeted in patent infringement suits. “Patent trolls take advantage of loopholes in our patent law to extort small businesses and make a quick buck,” said Klobuchar. “The explosion of frivolous patent lawsuits punishes innovators and drives up costs for consumers, which is why we need legislation that will crack down on bad actors while preserving patent rights that are vital to innovation and competition.” Witnesses at today’s hearing included: John J. Dwyer, Jr., President & CEO, New England Federal Credit Union; Michael Makin, President & CEO, Printing Industries of America; Dana Rao, Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property Litigation, Adobe Systems, Inc; Philip S. Johnson, Senior Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, Johnson & Johnson; Steve Bossone, Ph.D., Vice Presi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=44f42de6-bf28-4a9d-b9ed-e5f7fad632e6 | Klobuchar, Manchin, Rockefeller, Coons, Schumer, McCaskill Introduce Silver Alert Bill to Help Locate Missing Seniors | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | System based on AMBER Alert is similar to program already in place in Minnesota, and is designed to locate missing adults with dementia Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) today introduced legislation to create a nationwide network for locating missing adults and senior citizens. The National Silver Alert Act would create a federal program modeled after the AMBER Alert and provide federal coordination and assistance to local and state law enforcement agencies, similar to a system currently in place in Minnesota. “As Alzheimer’s and dementia continue to affect too many Minnesotans, many seniors are at a high risk of ending up lost and in a dangerous situation,” Klobuchar said. “This legislation, which is similar to a program already in place in Minnesota, will help law enforcement across the country spread the word anytime a senior has gone missing and help improve the chances that tragedy is averted.” “The Silver Alert was put in place in West Virginia when I was Governor and has proven to be a positive and effective program since it started in 2009,” Senator Manchin said. “In West Virginia, we’ve been fortunate enough to need the system activated only a handful of times, and we have been very successful in returning those missing individuals home safely. As a proud member on the Special Committee on Aging, I encourage my colleagues to remember that America’s priorities should be based on our values, and keeping our promises to our seniors should be one of our highest priorities. Our seniors helped build and defend this nation, and we have an obligation to them that we must never break.” This legislation is supported by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Elder Justice Coalition, National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs’ Association. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2635 | Sen. Franken?s Health Reform Provision: Making Sure Premium Dollars Work for Consumers, Not Just Insurance Companies | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), author of one of the most significant cost-saving measures in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), released figures highlighting the benefits of the law, including his tough rule to ensure that Americans receive value for their premium dollars. If insurance companies don't meet the new standards established by the ACA, insurers have to send consumers a rebate. In 2012, more than 9,000 consumers in Minnesota benefited from an average rebate of approximately $300 per family. Because of Sen. Franken's Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) provision in the health reform law, insurance companies must spend at least 80-85 percent of premium dollars on medical care and efforts to improve the quality of care, instead of things like marketing and CEO salaries. In 2012, nearly 80 million consumers saved $3.4 billion upfront on their premiums because of Sen. Franken's rule, along with other ACA programs. And insurers sent 8.5 million enrollees an average rebate of approximately $100 per family. "Minnesotans' health care premium dollars shouldn't be spent on marketing or huge bonuses for executives-they should go toward paying for actual health care," said Sen. Franken. "Making sure we keep the cost of health care in check has been a top priority of mine since coming to the Senate. I'm very pleased that so many people in Minnesota and across the country are benefiting from the cost-saving measure I authored." The health care law also requires insurance companies to publicly post and justify any proposed rate increase of 10 percent or more. Across the country, insurers are withdrawing or decreasing proposed rate hikes, benefiting families as well the economy. Helping middle class families take advantage of the benefits of the health care law, such as making sure Minnesotans' premium dollars work for them and not just insurance companies, should be a top priority for lawmakers in Washington. Yet instead of working to fix the law, a minority in Congress has voted to repeal the health care law more than 40 ti… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2636 | Sen. Franken Announces Witness List for Tomorrow?s Hearing Examining Americans? Dwindling Right to Their Day in Court, Including a Minnesotan | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced witnesses that will testify during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing he will chair tomorrow on how recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, forcing consumers into mandatory arbitration, have eroded the ability of Americans to challenge unfair practices by corporations. Witnesses include Vildan A. Teske, a Minnesota lawyer who represents Minnesota service members who have faced unfair practices by lenders, and Alan Carlson, a small business owner and plaintiff in the Supreme Court Case American Express v. Italian Colors. You can read more about Ms. Teske here. A full witness list is included below. The hearing will also examine Sen. Franken's Arbitration Fairness Act (AFA), his legislation to restore Americans' right to justice by prohibiting mandatory, pre-dispute arbitration in consumer, employment, civil rights, and antitrust cases. "I've heard from Minnesotans that recent decisions by the Supreme Court have given big corporations the unbridled ability to deny small businesses and consumers their day in court, and something has to be done to stop it," said Sen. Franken. "This hearing will shed light on the need to restore justice and pass my legislation to make sure that military service members, consumers, and workers maintain their right to fight back when they aren't treated fairly." In American Express v. Italian Colors, the Supreme Court ruled that an arbitration agreement must be enforced even if it is so bad that it prevents a plaintiff from enforcing his federal rights. Italian Colors built upon the Supreme Court's 2010 decision in AT&T v. Concepcion, in which the Supreme Court upheld the use of class action waivers in arbitration agreements, thus making it nearly impossible for individuals to band together to redress wrongs committed by corporations. Witnesses that will testify tomorrow before the Senate Judiciary Committee include: Vildan Teske, Partner, Crowder, Teske, Katz, & Micko, PLLP, Minneapolis, MN Alan Carlson, Owner of Italian Color… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2637 | Klobuchar, Franken Press for Increasing Investments in Clean Energy | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) today pressed to increase investments in clean energy technologies to help support a 21st-century economy. In a letter to Senate leaders, Sens. Klobuchar and Franken—who is Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee—called on Congress to continue supporting key programs that spur investments in clean energy. In addition, the senators are pushing to expand these programs to help grow Minnesota's vibrant energy technology sector. "Renewable energy doesn't just create and support countless jobs across Minnesota, it is leading the way in reducing our dependence on foreign oil," said Sen. Klobuchar. "We need to continue to invest in the technologies that will help power our country." "Making investments in renewable energy technologies boosts the economy, creates jobs, and decreases our dependence on foreign oil," said Sen. Franken. "These programs will help Minnesota's clean energy sector thrive, while giving American businesses a leg up in a global economy—it's win-win." The letter, led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), pushes Congress to deploy, build, manage, and provide access to several tools to scale up the production of clean energy technologies. You can read the full text of the letter here. Sen. Klobuchar is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and has long supported an increased role for renewable fuels in the U.S energy supply. In the 2013 Farm Bill, Sen. Klobuchar worked to include an amendment in the Senate-passed Farm Bill to provide additional funds for the Rural Energy for America (REAP) program. Sen. Franken is a champion for increasing investments in clean energy technologies. As Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Sen. Franken focused his first hearing on energy efficiency. In June of this year, Sen. Franken introduced the Local Energy Supply and Resiliency Act to help businesses, communities, and nonprofits capture that waste heat for use in heating, cooling, and power generation. In addition, S… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2638 | Sen. Franken Presses to Open New Markets for Minnesota Pork Producers | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) told the top U.S. trade negotiator and the Secretary of Agriculture that a high priority in our nation's trade policy must be ending unfair foreign trade practices that prevent Minnesota pork producers from expanding exports. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, Sen. Franken urged them to push hard to remove unfair tariffs and other barriers, including during negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive, multi-country trade deal. Minnesota ranks second in the nation in the number of hogs raised and processed into meat products. Sen. Franken told the officials that Minnesota's pork industry produces billions of dollars in economic activity each year, and that exports are key to the industry's health and to jobs in the state. "Pork production is vital to Minnesota's economy, supporting over 20,000 jobs, many of which are tied to pork exports," said Sen. Franken. "Minnesota produces the best pork in the world, but when our trading partners erect unfair barriers to prevent us from selling it in their markets, that's unacceptable. I'm urging Secretary Vilsack and Trade Representative Froman to stand up for U.S. producers and work to remove these unfair trade barriers." You can read Sen. Franken's letter to Secretary Vilsack and Trade Representative Froman here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-1213 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/13 | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Snow in the 7th Dear Friends, This week, in the midst of negotiations with farm bill conferees, I spent some time talking to a number of farm broadcasters to keep everyone up to date on Farm Bill developments. I also met with leaders in the telecommunications, agriculture and business industries. While many members of Congress are heading home for the holiday recess, I will stay in Washington, D.C. to continue efforts to get the Farm Bill completed. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Farm Bill Update The Leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees continued to make progress on a five-year farm bill this week. The House has adjourned for the year, but we plan to keep working and it looks like we should be able to present a compromise to the farm bill conference committee in early January and bring the farm bill to a vote shortly thereafter. Farm Bill Negotiations Continue This week I discussed the farm bill negotiations with KFGO’s News & Views and MPR’s The Daily Circuit. I talked about the importance of ongoing farm bill negotiations and why we need to get the job done on a comprehensive, long-term deal. -KFGO interview (includes questions from constituents) -Minnesota Public Radio interview MN Telecom Alliance Board Members Vice-Chair Steve Katka (ALBANY), Chairman Jean Pauk, Mary Ehmke, Bob Olson, and President/CEO Brent J. Christensen. On Wednesday I spoke with members of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance. We discussed how the FCC should adopt more balanced policies for areas served by small rural telecom providers, like the 7th District, and embrace a more transparent rulemaking process. Rural consumers disproportionately pay higher rates for their telecom services due to the high cost of operation in those areas. We also discussed broadband deployment and how 75% of Minnesota households can access broadband of speeds of at least 10 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload. Cargill Dave Roesser and Audra Wendt Dave Roesser and Audra Wendt of … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=369baae4-a87f-47bb-9688-1e25d6eae6b9 | Klobuchar: Decision by Wireless Carriers to Allow Cell Phone Unlocking a Victory for Consumer Choice | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Wireless carriers voluntarily agreed to six principles aligned with the FCC’s proposal last month that will allow consumers to unlock their phones and tablets Earlier this year, Klobuchar introduced legislation that directed the FCC to take action on cell phone unlocking and helped lead to yesterday’s decision Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said that the decision by wireless carriers to allow cell phone unlocking is a victory for consumer choice. Wireless carriers voluntarily agreed to six principles aligned with the FCC’s proposal last month that will allow consumers to unlock their phones and tablets. Earlier this year, Klobuchar introduced the bipartisan Wireless Consumer Choice Act with Senators Lee and Blumenthal, which directed the FCC to take action on cell phone unlocking and helped lead to yesterday’s decision. “Once consumers have paid for a phone or tablet, and there is no reason they shouldn’t be able to change their service as they see fit,” said Klobuchar. “The decision by the wireless industry is a victory for consumer choice, and I will continue to work with consumers and the wireless industry to implement this plan and give consumers the freedom to choose the plan that best meets their needs while keeping their devices.” The wireless industry has agreed to create a standard that will: provide a clear, concise, and readily accessible policy on unlocking for both prepaid and postpaid devices; unlock mobile wireless devices for customers, former customers, and legitimate owners when the applicable service contract, installment plan, or ETF has been fulfilled; affirmatively notify customers when their devices are eligible for unlocking and/or automatically unlock devices when eligible, without an additional fee; process unlocking requests or provide an explanation of denial within two business days; and unlock devices for military personnel upon deployment. Companies will implement at least three of these principles within three months and the remainder within twelve months. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/vertical-farms-llc-grow-near-fergus-falls | Vertical Farms LLC to grow near Fergus Falls | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | (Washington, DC) -- Congressman Collin Peterson announced that USDA Rural Development will provide a $2.1 million loan guarantee to Great River Energy to provide financing to Vertical Farms Produce LLC for the purchase of equipment at their Fergus Falls facility. The project is expected to create 14 new jobs. "This is great news for Fergus Falls and for the region," Peterson said. "Value-added produce is making great strides in our rural communities along with the desire for local foods, and this will be a nice boost to the local economy." The project consists of Vertical Farms, LLC operating a year-round indoor growing and packaging facility using Artificial Light Vertical Stacking (ALVS) technology. The initial product will be lettuce, with expansion of the product mix to include herbs, spinach, strawberries and basil. Dale Didion, COO of Vertical Farms LLC, said that an outstanding group of people from the region who were focused on bringing business development to Fergus Falls should be commended for their efforts. "This is the first project of its kind in North America," Didion said. "Groups like Great River Energy, Lake Region Electric, West Central Initiative, the Fergus Falls EDC, along with Leigh Barry have been great to work with and are good people." USDA Rural Development has approved a 70 percent Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan for Great River Energy to fund the project. Additional funding partners include West Central Initiative, the Fergus Falls Port Authority, and the City of Fergus Falls. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=ac009b1d-51d1-4d1d-934f-f9c6e2d3aaeb | As Temperatures Plunge in Minnesota, Klobuchar Advocates for Funding to Help Ensure Accurate Weather Forecasting | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | At a Commerce Subcommittee Hearing, Klobuchar discussed the need to strengthen and modernize the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure they can make timely and accurate forecasts; the proposed budget agreement would reverse half of the cuts made by sequester in 2014 During the hearing, Senator Mark Begich of Alaska – whose father grew up in Minnesota – noted that today it was colder in northern Minnesota than it was above the Arctic Circle WASHINGTON, D.C. – As temperatures plunge to below zero across Minnesota, Klobuchar today advocated for more funding for accurate weather forecasting that is vital to saving lives. At a Commerce Subcommittee Hearing, Klobuchar discussed the need to strengthen and modernize the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure they can make timely and accurate forecasts. The proposed budget agreement would reverse half of the cuts made by sequester in 2014. During the hearing, Senator Mark Begich of Alaska – whose father grew up in Minnesota – noted that today it was colder in northern Minnesota than it was above the Arctic Circle. “In a state like Minnesota where winters can drop well below freezing, accurate weather forecasts aren’t just a matter of convenience – they’re a matter of life and death,” Klobuchar said. “It’s absolutely critical that organizations like the National Weather Service and NOAA have the tools and resources they need to do their job and minimize the impact of severe weather.” During the hearing, Klobuchar discussed efforts to improve emergency response and the effectiveness of disseminating weather alerts. The National Weather Service has Weather Forecast Offices in the Twin Cities and Duluth and NOAA has the North Central River Forecast Center in Chanhassen, all of which play an important role in providing warning for floods, tornadoes and winter storms. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=f36c52a4-a73c-4faf-9a1c-2c33d7b3cbed | Klobuchar Joins 99-Year-Old Minnesota Veteran at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC to Urge Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform to Allow DREAMers to Serve in the Military | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Joseph Medina is a 99-year old Minnesota veteran that came to the United States as a small child and found out he was undocumented when he entered in the military during World War II Earlier this year, the Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform which would allow DREAMers – young people who were brought to the U.S. as children – to legally serve in the military; under current rules undocumented immigrants are barred from enlisting Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today joined 99-year-old Minnesota veteran Joseph Medina for his visit to the World War II Memorial and called for comprehensive immigration reform that would allow DREAMers to serve in the military. Mr. Medina came to the United States as a small child and found out he was undocumented when he entered the military. Earlier this year, the Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform which would allow DREAMers – young people who were brought to the U.S. as children – to legally serve in the military; under current rules undocumented immigrants are barred from enlisting. Klobuchar and Medina were also joined at the memorial by two young Minnesota DREAMers – Karen Velez and Guillermo Illescas – who aspire to serve in the military. “Veterans like Joseph are a testament to the values of our country and an inspiration to a new generation of DREAMers,” Klobuchar said. “These kids were brought to the country as children, through no fault of their own, and Congress needs to pass comprehensive immigration reform so they can follow in the footsteps of the brave soldiers like Joseph and serve our country.” Joseph Medina’s family brought him to the U.S. from Mexico when he was a small child. His adopted parents had green cards to work and settled in Minnesota when he was five years old. In 1944, he entered the service and began military training. That was when he learned that he was undocumented. In order to serve, he had to go to Canada and then reenter the United States. He later became a citizen and was sent to the Pacific to join Ge… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2632 | Sen. Franken to Hold Hearing Examining Americans? Dwindling Right to Their Day in Court | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced that he will chair a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have eroded Americans' right to their day in court by ruling in favor of corporations who force consumers, workers, and small businesses into mandatory arbitration. The hearing will also examine Sen. Franken's Arbitration Fairness Act (AFA), his legislation to restore Americans' right to justice by prohibiting mandatory, pre-dispute arbitration in consumer, employment, civil rights, and antitrust cases. "I've heard from Minnesotans that recent decisions by the Supreme Court have given big corporations the unbridled ability to deny small businesses and consumers their day in court, and something has to be done to stop it," said Sen. Franken. "This hearing will shed light on the need to restore justice and pass my legislation to make sure that military service members, consumers, and workers maintain their right to fight back when they aren't treated fairly." In American Express v. Italian Colors, the Supreme Court ruled that an arbitration agreement must be enforced even if it is so bad that it prevents a plaintiff from enforcing his federal rights. Italian Colors built upon the Supreme Court's 2010 decision in AT&T v. Concepcion, in which the Supreme Court upheld the use of class action waivers in arbitration agreements, thus making it nearly impossible for individuals to band together to redress wrongs committed by corporations. WHO: Sen. Franken and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee WHAT: Hearing on Restoring Americans' Right to Their Day in Court WHEN: Tuesday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. EST WHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 226 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2633 | At Sen. Franken?s Urging, Administration Launches Investigation into Development of Health Care Website | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said that he is pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) heeded his call and launched an investigation into the development process of the health reform law's federal website, Healthcare.gov. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that she has asked the Inspector General of her agency to investigate and review the contracting process employed for the development of the federal health care website. "My number one concern is to make sure the Affordable Care Act works for the people of Minnesota," said Sen. Franken. "While I'm pleased that the Administration listened to my request and has agreed to investigate what went wrong with Healthcare.gov's development, I'm still not satisfied and I won't be until it's working for 100 percent of people, 100 percent of the time. "We need to keep moving forward and fix the things that aren't working, because we can't to go back to a time when half the bankruptcies in this country were linked to someone getting sick and someone with a pre-existing condition couldn't get health insurance." You can read Sen. Franken's letter to Secretary Sebelius here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2634 | Sen. Franken Recognized as Champion for Children | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) was honored by the bipartisan advocacy group First Focus Campaign for Children for his extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the well-being of children in Minnesota and across the country. Sen. Franken was selected as a 2013 Champion for Children for introducing, cosponsoring, and voting for legislation to meet the needs of children. In addition, the Campaign took into account Sen. Franken's efforts to gather support from his colleagues to improve the health, educational outcomes, and well-being of children. "One of the smartest things we can do for the future of our country is make investments in our kids," said Sen. Franken. "So we have to give our children the tools they need, like a great education, healthcare, and a safe home. Being recognized as a Champion for Children by First Focus is an honor and a reminder that we can't stop working until every child in Minnesota has the opportunity to thrive and succeed." You can read more about this year's "Champions for Children" honorees here. Sen. Franken has worked hard to improve the lives of children in Minnesota and around the country since coming to the Senate. Last month, he helped introduce legislation to strengthen child protection training programs and enhance child protection nationwide. In addition, he recently unveiled two bills to improve early childhood education. Another one of Sen. Franken's top priorities is to help meet the mental and emotional needs of our kids, and this year he introduced the Mental Health in Schools Act to do just that. His bill would help schools provide access to critical mental health services for kids who need them. Sen. Franken also added child protection measures to the Senate-passed immigration reform bill, including an amendment he championed to protect children whose parents have been caught up in immigration actions or who lack a parent or guardian. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-bipartisan-budget-agreement-compromise-deserves-broad-congressional-support | McCollum: Bipartisan Budget Agreement Is a Compromise that Deserves Broad Congressional Support | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) issued the following statement regarding the bipartisan budget conference committee compromise on the FY2014 and FY2015 federal budgets. “This budget agreement is a bipartisan compromise which puts the needs of the country ahead of the politics of shutdown and governing by crisis. Sequestration is blunted, cuts to mandatory programs that serve children, seniors, people with disabilities, and vulnerable families were avoided, and regular order in the appropriations process will be reestablished. All of this means stability for our military, the economy, and families. It has been hard finding common ground between progressive Democrats and Tea Party Republicans at the negotiating table. This deal is funded in part by a new airline passenger tax and squeezing more out of federal employees, which I don’t like. But it avoids the prospect of another government shutdown and brings rationality and stability back to the federal government. It has my strong support.” Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations Committee. She is Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. #### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=b55b132b-06f5-412a-9a74-8082eb8c95e0 | Klobuchar, Hoeven Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Spur Innovation and Competitiveness | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Innovate America Act would help cut red tape, target education, and increase exports to help America retain its competitive edge Legislation would fund 100 new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) schools; support scientific research; and help remove burdensome regulations for small and medium-sized businesses Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced bipartisan legislation that would help spur innovation and competitiveness in America’s economy. The Innovate America Act would help cut red tape, target successful education programs and promote U.S. exports in new markets and help America retain its competitive edge. “From the pacemaker to the Post-it Note, Minnesota has always led the way in creating the innovative products that fuel our economy,” Klobuchar said. “By cutting red tape for businesses and focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math education, this legislation ensures that our businesses can invest in research and our workers have the skills they need to thrive in today’s competitive global economy.” “The future of our nation and our ability to compete in a global economy will depend on solid STEM education, training and research,” Hoeven said. “This legislation will increase the number of STEM schools, strengthen the research and development tax credit and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, enabling them to partner with high schools and universities. North Dakota has consistently been ranked among the fastest growing states in the nation for STEM jobs. We need to apply that same principle across our country.” The Innovate America Act would also help increase the competitiveness of small-and medium-sized businesses by promoting and rewarding schools, technical colleges, and universities that focus on science, technology, engineering and math and removing red tape and reducing production costs for manufacturing businesses. The legislation is endorsed by the Council on Undergraduate Research and Computing in the Core… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2630 | Sen. Franken Pushes Bill to Help Reduce Bicyclist and Pedestrian Fatalities | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) continued his push to help protect Minnesota's large bicyclist and pedestrian community from accidents and fatalities by throwing his weight behind legislation to build on current transportation safety measures. The Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Bill, originally introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), seeks to address the rising rates of fatalities among bicyclist and walkers by requiring the Department of Transportation to set a specific reduction goal for non-motorized fatalities. States like Minnesota, where more than 11 percent of all traffic deaths involve bicyclists and pedestrians, would then set their own targets for reducing fatalities. "Minnesota has a growing number of people who walk or bike to get where they need to go, whether it's work, school, shops, or just to exercise," said Sen. Franken. "And as more people choose these transportation options, we need to design our transportation system to protect the safety of all its users. This bill will go a long way toward building on current protections and helping to reduce fatalities." The bill strengthens the safety requirements set by Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), passed last year by Congress and supported by Sen. Franken. MAP-21 developed a framework for updated, performance-based transportation funding and investments. To read a list of organizations that support the Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Bill, click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2631 | Sen. Franken Honored as Champion of Energy Efficiency Technology | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) was honored for his work on energy efficient technologies by the Combined Heat & Power Association. Sen. Franken has introduced legislation to help industries, universities, hospitals, and communities reduce their energy costs by giving them tools to deploy energy efficient technologies like combined heat and power-which captures energy that is otherwise wasted and puts it to use. Sen. Franken has highlighted combined heat and power's importance in multiple Senate Energy Committee hearings. The Combined Heat & Power Association brings together companies like General Electric, Cummins Power Generation, which is based in Minnesota, and others to help increase the deployment of combined heat and power and waste energy recovery systems to benefit the environment and the economy. Today in the United States, up to 35 percent of the total energy consumed is being lost from power plants, industrial facilities, and other buildings largely in the form of "waste heat." In June, Sen. Franken introduced the Local Energy Supply and Resiliency Act to help businesses, communities, and nonprofits capture that waste heat for use in heating, cooling, and power generation. You can read more about Sen. Franken's Local Energy Supply and Resiliency Act here. "Making investments in energy efficient technologies will boost the economy, create jobs, and decrease our dependency on foreign oil," said Sen. Franken. "The way we currently consume energy is not nearly as efficient as it could and should be. Capturing waste heat and putting it to good use is not just commonsense, it's a great way to save money and reduce emissions. I was honored to receive this award and will continue to do my best to champion job-creating, energy efficient technologies." Sen. Franken has long been a champion of increasing investments in energy efficiency technologies. As Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Sen. Franken focused his first hearing on energy efficiency.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-to-budget-conferees-24-billion-in-afghanistan-better-spent-in | Nolan to Budget Conferees: $24 Billion in Afghanistan Better Spent in Deficit Reduction and Reinvesting in American Infrastructure and Jobs | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | The United States should reallocate $24 billion from overseas military construction accounts to deficit reduction and domestic construction accounts, U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan said today. As the House and Senate grew closer today to reaching a budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2014, Congressman Nolan strongly urged Representative Paul Ryan and Senator Patty Murphy, respectively the Chairs of the House and Senate Budget Committees, to reallocate approximately $24 billion taxpayer dollars in the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) accounts that fund the nation building and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. The Congressman explained that his one-on-one meetings with the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), John F. Sopko, and a bipartisan group of members of Congress, have confirmed for him that these funds could be better spent in deficit reduction and improving American infrastructure, in order to spur domestic commerce and create many badly needed jobs at home. “America’s infrastructure is literally falling apart in many cases,” said Nolan. “Tens of thousands of dams, bridges, highways, and wastewater treatment facilities in critical and dangerous disrepair – not to mention our need to expand, upgrade, and modernize these facilities for future populations and the freight and passenger traffic of tomorrow.” Nolan added, “Some $60 billion taxpayer dollars have already been wasted on reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. Our experience with waste and corruption in that nation parallels what occurred in Iraq. Surely there are projects here in America more worthy of $24 billion U.S. taxpayer dollars.” At least $12.3 billion of appropriated, but not yet obligated, reconstruction funds are designated for Afghanistan. An additional $12 billion is requested is in the FY14 budget. The full text of the letter is here: Nolan Letter to Budget Conferees.pdf -30- 2447 Rayburn House Office Building – Washington, D.C. – 20515 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-united-arab-emirates-should-immediately-release-minnesotan-shezanne-cassim | McCollum: United Arab Emirates Should Immediately Release Minnesotan Shezanne Cassim from Jail | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) issued the following statement regarding the imprisonment of Mr. Shezanne Cassim of Woodbury, MN in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for posting a spoof YouTube video. At a time when Dubai is hosting an international film festival and was recently awarded the Expo 2020 World Fair, the imprisonment of an American and his friends for posting a satirical video on-line exposes the UAE’s intellectual repression and disdain for free speech. “It is appalling that Shezanne Cassim continues to be imprisoned in the UAE for the crime of posting an innocent video on YouTube. The authorities of the UAE should release him from prison immediately. This incident exposes the fact that intellectual freedom and free speech, which are basic human values, do not exist in the UAE regardless of how many Western businesses and American universities are seduced by petrol dollars to locate there.” “Americans in the UAE beware – your words and ideas can get you imprisoned indefinitely.” Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations Committee. She is Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. #### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=3d86d93e-d042-416d-9716-9b5c69669cd8 | As Winter Sets In, Klobuchar, Schumer, Casey Introduce Legislation to Help Prevent Deaths from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Bill would allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide support for public safety education and installment of safe and reliable carbon monoxide detectors Bill named after two young brothers from Kimball, MN who died from carbon monoxide poisoning Washington, D.C. – As winter sets in, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced legislation to help prevent deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. The Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, named for two young brothers from Kimball, MN who died from carbon monoxide poisoning, would allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide support for public safety education and to encourage installment of safe and reliable carbon monoxide detectors. “Preventing instances of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning requires the proper safeguards,” Klobuchar said. “This bill will help educate the public on how to avoid danger as well as ensure the installation of critical detectors, helping families in Minnesota and across the country prevent tragedy before it strikes.” “Carbon monoxide poisoning is an indiscriminant and stealthy killer, so we cannot remain silent about the danger it poses, especially when winter rolls in and oil and gas heaters are more heavily in use,” said Schumer. “That’s why our legislation steps up federal support for both public education and carbon monoxide detection, which will give American families the tools they need to detect carbon monoxide before it can cause harm.” “Pennsylvania has seen far too many accidental deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning,” Senator Casey said. “This is a commonsense approach that will help protect Pennsylvania families through increased awareness and the increased availability of monitors.” According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are over 400 deaths and 20,000 emergency room visits as a result of CO poisoning each year and the highest percentage of CO exposures occurs during the wint… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=76c2b6d6-8ad5-4e96-be55-2ab9b85240ef | On International Human Rights Day, Klobuchar Meets with U.S. Ambassador to the UAE and Urges Action on Cassim Case | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Shezzane Cassim, a University of Minnesota graduate, has been imprisoned in the UAE for eight months for posting a harmless video to YouTube Ambassador pledges to make the case his highest priority and is sending staff to visit Cassim to help ensure his safety Today Klobuchar’s staff also joined the Cassim family at an event in Minnesota to advocate for his release Washington, D.C. – On International Human Rights Day, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar met with U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Michael Corbin to urge action on the case of Shezzane Cassim, a University of Minnesota graduate who has been imprisoned in the UAE for eight months after posting a harmless video to YouTube. The Ambassador pledged to make the case his highest priority and is sending staff to visit Cassim to help ensure his safety. Today members of Klobuchar’s staff also joined the Cassim family at an event in Minnesota to advocate for his release. “The United Arab Emirates holds itself up as a place for Americans to come and work or get an education, and a number of our universities even have campuses in the country – it simply doesn’t make sense that this young man is in jail for posting a YouTube video. Today’s meeting was a positive step forward and I will continue to work with Shezzane’s family, the State Department, and UAE officials to ensure Shezzane is safe and justice is served.” Senator Klobuchar has been working with the Cassim family since April 2013. In addition to meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to the UAE, she has also spoken with the UAE Ambassador to the United States and led a Minnesota delegation letter to the UAE Ambassador to the United States urging him to look into the case. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2629 | Sen. Franken Working to Save Minnesota Students Money on College Textbooks | 2013-12-09 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | In an effort to tackle the rising costs of textbooks for college students in Minnesota, Sen. Franken recently introduced the Affordable College Textbook Act, which would expand open access textbooks by putting textbook resources online and help give students cheaper alternatives to expensive textbooks and supplies. In a letter to Minnesota Daily—the student newspaper of the University of Minnesota—several student body leaders endorsed the effort and thanked Sen. Franken for his legislation: ... "If passed, the bill would expand the use of open educational resources and provide a framework for sharing educational materials and best practices. This legislation will save students money by increasing the use of low-cost, high-quality materials in college classrooms. Franken deserves the praise of both students and educators for his work toward this goal. We hope Congress acts swiftly to pass this legislation. With the cost of higher education rising at unsustainable rates, students are facing unprecedented challenges in paying for college. Often seen as a peripheral cost in the past, the cost of textbooks is now front and center in the college affordability conversation. The cost of textbooks has become a barrier to academic success. College textbook prices skyrocketed by 82 percent between 2002 and 2012." Click here to read the Minnesota Daily Letter to the Editor Click here to read more about the Affordable College Textbook Act | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-126 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/6 | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Sun Dog in Fergus Dear Friends, This week winter arrived in the Seventh District with temperatures dropping well below freezing. In Washington on Wednesday I was joined by Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Minnesota State Legislators to discuss issues important to Minnesota. Dr. Robert Bosl, who for many years was the only physician in Starbuck, was named the 2013 National Country Doctor of the Year by Staff Care. The 34th Red Bull Infantry welcomes new incoming division commander Brig. Gen. Neal Loidolt on Saturday. In economic development news, the village of Big Elbow Lake broke ground on a new community center. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Farm Bill Update The four Agriculture Committee leaders met this week and made some good progress on farm bill negotiations. We're continuing discussions and I'm somewhat optimistic for this coming week. I am scheduled to discuss the farm bill with Joel Heitkamp on KFGO's News and Views on Monday. State Legislators Head to Capitol Hill State Legislators: Sen. Melissa Wicklund, Rep. Sandra Masin, Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, and Sen. Scott Dibble. Congresswoman Betty McCollum and I met with several MN state legislators on Wednesday to discuss issues affecting our state. We spoke about the Farm Bill Conference, the Water Resources Development Act Conference, the Budget Conference and the Marketplace Fairness Act. The meeting was organized as a part of the National Conference of State Legislators Fall Forum, which ran through Friday. We also had an opportunity to meet with State House Assistant Minority Leader Paul Torkelson while he was in Washington with the Conference. Starbuck Physician Named Doctor of the Year Congratulations to Dr. Robert Bosl of Starbuck, who was named 2013 Country Doctor of the Year. When the Starbuck Hospital closed in 2005, Dr. Bosl and his wife invested their savings to open a clinic in Starbuck. For many years he was the only physician there. Now, Dr. Bosl regularly travels forty miles round-trip to Stevens County M… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-to-mark-72nd-anniversary-of-pearl-harbor-attack-at-vets | Congressman to Mark 72nd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack at Vets Events in Gilbert, Hoyt Lakes, & Aurora | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Boatswain’s Mate First Class Arleigh Birk was just 21 years old and 4,028 miles away from his home in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, when he watched Japanese planes attack Pearl Harbor from his station on the USS Honolulu on Sunday, December 7, 1941. To mark the 72nd anniversary of the attack, Minnesota’s 8th District Congressman Rick Nolan will make a special presentation honoring Birk, now 93 years old, at Hoyt Lakes VFW Post 8144, with ceremonies set to begin at 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 7. Following Pearl Harbor, Birk was reassigned to the USS Denver where he remained in the Pacific Theatre until his discharge in February 1946. He and his wife of 67 years, Marion, still live in their family home in Hoyt Lakes. Prior to the stop in Hoyt Lakes, Nolan will attend a reception and recognition event for Veterans at the Gilbert VFW from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. He will wind up the day at the Aurora American Legion honoring Vets there between 4:15 and 5:00 PM. “Arleigh Birk – and all our Veterans and active military and their families – are true American heroes, and it is fitting we honor them on December seventh for their service and sacrifice to our great nation, as well as the cause of freedom everywhere,” Nolan said. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/klobuchar-nolan-legislation-to-cut-red-tape-for-small-aircraft | Klobuchar, Nolan Legislation to Cut Red Tape for Small Aircraft Manufacturers Signed Into Law | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | (WASHINGTON, D.C.) —U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Congressman Rick Nolan announced today that their legislation to cut red tape for small aircraft manufactures has been signed into law. The Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013 would modernize the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 23 certification process to improve safety, decrease costs and encourage innovation. “This is great news for small aircraft manufacturers like Cirrus in Duluth who shouldn’t have to suffer because of an outdated approval process,” said Klobuchar, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee. “This bill—now law—will help cut unnecessary red tape so that our manufacturers can continue to make the most advanced, innovative and safest planes in the world.” A member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Nolan noted that “At Cirrus in Duluth and throughout the small aircraft industry, this bipartisan legislation is all about jobs, and the unleashing of a whole new generation of the world’s safest, most technically advanced aircraft. Small aircraft manufacturers in America have been slowly choking over the past twenty years due to an outdated, unnecessarily lengthy approval process that increases the price of safety and technology upgrades by up to ten times. This bill—now law—gets to the root of the problem.” The Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013 establishes December 15, 2015 as the deadline for the implementation of the FAA’s Part 23 certification process modernization. Under current regulations, the cost of investing in new equipment is prohibitive due to outdated regulations. The law directs the FAA to implement the recommendations made by the Aviation Rulemaking Committee, composed of aviation authorities and industry representatives from around the world, to remove barriers to investing in new designs and increase the availability of lifesaving safety equipment for existing airplanes. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-mccollum%E2%80%99s-statement-death-nelson-mandela | Congresswoman McCollum’s Statement on the Death of Nelson Mandela | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum released the following statement on former South African President Nelson Mandela, who passed away today at age 95: “With the death of Nelson Mandela the world has lost an icon for justice and a true freedom fighter. President Mandela’s courage, determination, and profound sacrifice inspired not only Africans, but a global generation committed to abolishing apartheid. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the people of South Africa for their loss which is truly a loss for the human race.” Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations Committee. She is Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. #### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=d8199ca8-4aea-44d7-8d78-488052112da3 | Klobuchar Statement on the Passing of Nelson Mandela | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today issued the following statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela. “We lost a great man today. Nelson Mandela’s life is a powerful affirmation of the strength of the human spirit. With courage and compassion, even in the face of adversity and injustice, he not only changed his beloved South Africa, he transformed the world. As we mourn his loss and reflect on his legacy we are reminded that we all have the capacity to make the world a better place, and we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of justice, equality and peace.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/for-immediate-release-house-approves-nolan-bill-to-permit-long-awaited | House Approves Nolan Bill to Permit Long-Awaited Land Exchange Between Fond du Lac Band and Carlton County | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Carlton County would be permitted to go forward with a long-awaited land exchange under legislation passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill passed by voice vote. Minnesota’s Eighth District Congressman, Rick Nolan, authored the bill (H.R. 2650) in accordance with a federal requirement that Congress approve the exchange of freely-owned Tribal lands not held in trust. Minnesota Senator Al Franken is shepherding virtually identical legislation through the Senate. Under the agreement negotiated by the Band and Carlton County, approximately 3,200 acres currently owned by the county within the boundaries of the Fond du Lac Reservation will be returned to the Fond du Lac Band, in exchange for 1,451 acres of equal value the Band owns outside the Reservation. Speaking on the Floor of the House before today’s vote, Nolan explained that the agreement helps rectify a treaty broken long ago. “Despite the 1854 treaty that set aside 101,000 acres of land exclusively for the Fond du Lac Band Reservation, homesteaders and others were wrongly allowed to settle on this land – much of which was then later forfeited to the County for non-payment of taxes. The result today is a checkerboard of ownership that significantly limits both the Band’s and the County’s ability to effectively manage the lands they both control.” “The agreement provides space for the Band to construct much-needed housing for its 6,700 members, as well as for traditional hunting and gathering. It also opens up valuable new timber and forestry resources for Carlton County,” Nolan continued. H.R.2650 is modeled after statutes passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000 and 2004, allowing the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Minnesota and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota to accomplish similar transactions. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-mccollums-statement-world-aids-day-0 | Congresswoman McCollum's Statement on World AIDS Day | 2013-12-02 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement on World AIDS Day, Sunday December 1st. “The AIDS epidemic has taken countless lives and millions of men and women around the world continue to live with this disease. There have been fantastic advancements in pursuit of a cure, thanks in large part to the work of advocates dedicated to ending this epidemic. Today, we remember those we have lost to this awful disease and honor the work of those continuing to fight for a cure. “I am proud of my work in Congress to pass legislation that will help those affected by HIV/AIDS get the treatment they need. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage due to those with HIV/AIDS because of their pre-existing condition. Insurers cannot put a cap on the lifetime benefits that those struggling with HIV/AIDS can receive and Medicaid expansion will allow more people access to better care.” Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations Committee. She is Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. #### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-1127 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 11/27 | 2013-11-27 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | “Embarkation of the Pilgrims” U.S. Capitol Rotunda Dear Friends, In this time of Thanksgiving, I would like to express gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Minnesota's Seventh District. While there are a lot of challenges in Congress, I know I can always count on my constituents to let me know how I'm doing. Have a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Seventh District Turkeys Go to Washington The Burkel family raised two turkeys, Caramel and Popcorn, who took a ride (upper left) from their custom made house in Badger (upper right) to Washington, D.C. for their presidential pardon ceremony. The earliest tales of spared turkeys date back to Lincoln’s presidency. According to the story, his son Tad became quite attached to a turkey bound for the Christmas dining table. He begged his father to write a presidential pardon for his friend, and President Lincoln let the turkey live. The first president to actually offer a turkey pardon on Thanksgiving was President George H.W. Bush in 1989. After an official turkey receiving ceremony, President H.W. Bush pardoned a turkey unfortunately named Frying Pan. Since then, pardoning has become an annual Thanksgiving tradition at the White House. Here is the story of two turkeys from Badger and the family that raised them. Joni, Vanessa, John, Keith, Janet, Alex, Emily, and Jack Burkel (BADGER and GREENBUSH), and Janice and Brach Svoboda (BADGER) On Monday, the Burkel and Svoboda families visited my Washington office for a tour of the Capitol. Their family raised the two plump turkeys on their farm up in Badger to be pardoned by the President for this year’s Thanksgiving. They have been constantly training the turkeys to withstand all the attention due to their celebrity status as they make their way from Minnesota to the White House. The President met the Burkel family at the White House on Wednesday and determined which turkey, Caramel or Popcorn, will be officially pardoned. Regardless of which bir… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2628 | Sen. Franken?s Bipartisan Bill to Keep Medicine Safe for Minnesotans Signed into Law | 2013-11-27 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) issued the following statement after his bipartisan legislation to help keep medicine safe for patients and providers in Minnesota and across the country was signed into law by the President: "After working with a bipartisan coalition of my colleagues to get this bill passed, I'm glad to say that people in Minnesota and around the country will have greater peace of mind about the safety of their medicine," said Sen. Franken. "This law will go a long way in helping to prevent crises like last year's meningitis outbreak and help make drugs safer for Minnesotans. This is a commonsense fix that will help a lot of people." Last year, 64 American deaths and hundreds of infections were linked to a Massachusetts drug compounding facility that distributed a steroid contaminated with a fungus that causes meningitis to health care facilities in 20 states, including Minnesota. This law will seek to stop similar outbreaks and help prevent deaths related to contaminated medicines. In July, Sen. Franken and a bipartisan group of his Senate Health Committee colleagues introduced legislation to help ensure the safety of drug compounding, which includes the making, mixing, diluting, or combining of drugs for individual patients. In September, Senate Health Committee leaders and House health policy leaders reached an agreement on compromise legislation, which was passed by the House and then passed by the Senate last week. The bill clarifies the oversight responsibilities of the Food and Drug Administration over many higher-risk compounding facilities—called outsourcing facilities—and holds these facilities to high quality standards. Last year's meningitis outbreak alerted the nation that providers and patients need sources of safe compounded drugs. Following the outbreak, a bipartisan group of Senate Health Committee colleagues—led by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sen. Franken, and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)—developed legislation to help ensure that … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2627 | Rep. Ellison, Sen. Franken and Mayor Rybak Applaud HUD Announcement | 2013-11-25 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak applauded the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announcement today to retain the Minneapolis Multifamily housing office, which provides financing, mortgage insurance and operating assistance to a variety of multi-family apartments, nursing homes and manufactured home communities. "The announcement today guarantees Minneapolis will continue to be a national model for helping families find an affordable place to call home," Rep. Ellison said. "The decision to keep the Minneapolis Multifamily Housing office open is a huge victory for our city and for families who need rental housing options that include nursing homes, cooperatives, apartments and affordable housing for the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income families. "The Minneapolis Multifamily Housing office is one of the top loan producers in the country, building more than 6,000 units a year and helping families around the region find appropriate rental housing. It serves the needs of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. "Excellence is being rewarded. The people who run the Minneapolis Multifamily Housing office are the best at what they do. Keeping the Multifamily Housing office ensures Minneapolis will continue to be a leader in enabling us to provide more workforce housing and still meet the needs for affordable housing for the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income families. The decision to retain our high performing office will make our community more vital and equitable." "I'm glad that, after my urging, the Administration decided to keep the Minneapolis Multi-Family Field Office open to continue its work for the people of Minnesota," said Sen. Franken. "The Minneapolis office ranks among the top in the nation, and it simply made no sense to move those resources farther away from the people it serves." "I'm grateful that Secretary Donovan has recognized the important multifamily work that HUD's Minneapolis does, and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-mccollum%E2%80%99s-statement-iran-agreement | Congresswoman McCollum’s Statement on Iran Agreement | 2013-11-25 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-D) released the following statement regarding the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program that was reached over the weekend: “I applaud President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry, along with our international partners, for negotiating a significant step towards peacefully achieving a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran. With on-going sanctions in place, improved verification, and real accountability demanded from the Iran regime, this initial deal is a triumph for engagement and tough diplomacy. Getting to a comprehensive agreement will be difficult, but this deal allows Iran to demonstrate to the world that they reject the pursuit of nuclear weapons.” In July, the U.S. House passed additional tough sanctions on Iran (H.R. 850) despite opposition from the Obama Administration. Congresswoman McCollum was one of 20 members of Congress to vote against the legislation citing its potential to harm on-going diplomatic negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran. Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations Committee. She is Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. #### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-statement-international-day-elimination-violence-against-women | McCollum Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women | 2013-11-25 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) released the following statement in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: “Violence in all forms – emotional, physical, and financial – is a real fear for women of all ages, races, sexualities, and nationalities. It is unacceptable that one in three women worldwide will be the victim of violence in their lifetime. I am proud of my efforts in Congress to keep women safe, but we must do more. I will continue to fight for the rights and safety of all women in the fourth district, in Minnesota, and around the world.” Congresswoman McCollum was a proud supporter of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. She championed language included in the law to require the Administration to develop comprehensive strategy to address child marriage globally and ensure additional protections for Native American women. She also introduced legislation (H.Res. 213) calling for the creation of a Special Committee on Sexual Assault and Abuse in the Armed Forces to protect the women serving our country in the armed forces. Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations Committee. She is Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. #### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-1122 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 11/22 | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Delegation lunch Dear Friends, This week the Fargo and Minneapolis VA Health Care Systems were named two of the top performing medical facilities in the nation because of the high-quality care they provide for veterans. The Fargo VA Health Care System recently hired Director Lavonne Liversage to oversee its top-performing medical facilities. Economic development continues in the 7th District as Corval Group, an industrial general contractor based in St. Paul, opened up a brand new office in Hawley which brings new jobs to the region. Leaders in the House and Senate Agriculture Committees continue to meet, and we are working to find solutions and pass a five-year farm bill before the end of this year. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Farm Bill Update Leaders from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees met this week to try and reach a compromise on the farm bill. Unfortunately, those talks ended without an agreement. I believe it’s still possible to finish a bill this year but with the upcoming Thanksgiving recess and differing House and Senate work schedules for December, time is running out. The Committee Leaders will talk next week and I’ll continue looking for ways we can compromise and finally get a new farm bill signed into law. I discussed the status of the farm bill with Joel Heitkamp on KFGO Friday. Click here to listen to the interview. Military Matters VA Health Care Systems Serving 7th District Receive High-Quality Awards The Fargo and Minneapolis VA Health Care Systems have been named by the Department of Veterans Affairs as two of the top performing medical facilities in the nation. An independent panel reviewed all 151 VA medical facilities and named their top performers based on positive results for veteran patients. It is great to see two VA Health Care Systems that serve veterans in the 7th District being honored for their commitment to high-quality care. New Director of the Fargo VA Health Care System Director Lavonne Liversage The Fargo Veterans Aff… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=731b2678-2f6e-4709-a605-741b4e784991 | Klobuchar, Baldwin Join in Friendly Wager on This Weekend's Minnesota-Wisconsin Football Games | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Klobuchar, Baldwin Join in Friendly Wager on This Weekend's Minnesota-Wisconsin Football Games WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today joined in a friendly wager on this weekend’s Minnesota-Wisconsin football games. With the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers playing the University of Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday and the Minnesota Vikings playing the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the senators wagered Wisconsin bratwurst and cheese against a Minnesota Jennie-O turkey and wild rice – one dish for each game. “While I’m sure Senator Baldwin’s office would enjoy a Minnesota turkey and some Minnesota wild rice for Thanksgiving dinner, I’m looking forward to sampling some of the finest brats and cheese Wisconsin has to offer after cheering on the Gophers and Vikings this weekend,” Klobuchar said, noting that Minnesota is the number one turkey producer in the country. "When the Badgers and Packers beat the Gophers and Vikings like they always do, the turkey and wild rice will go wonderfully with some made in Wisconsin cranberry sauce," said Baldwin. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=newsletter&id=2624 | North Star Newsletter: Keeping Our Promises to Veterans and Their Families | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Skip to Content A- A+ TEXT-ONLY Home About Al Al's Biography Committee & Subcommittee Assignments Serving Minnesotans Minnesota People, Places, and Things … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=62919c89-7e19-43d3-95de-a17b7cb866f6 | Klobuchar, Franken Announce the President Has Nominated Andrew Luger to Be U.S. Attorney for Minnesota | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Klobuchar and Franken recommended Luger for the position in July Luger previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorney, is an experienced litigator, and was commended for his work reviewing the Metro Gang Strike Force Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken today announced that President Obama has nominated Andrew Luger to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota. Klobuchar and Franken recommended Luger for the position in July. Luger previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, is an experienced litigator, and was commended for his work reviewing the Metro Gang Strike Force. “Andy Luger is a dedicated public servant whose breadth of experience, strength of character, and commitment to justice make him a well-qualified candidate to serve as Minnesota’s next U.S. Attorney,” Klobuchar said. “Throughout his career he has proven to be a tireless advocate for the people of our state and I’m proud that President Obama has nominated him to this distinguished post.” "I’m very pleased that the President has chosen to nominate Andy Luger," said Sen. Franken. "Andy's invaluable experience serving in both the public and private sectors make him an exceptional candidate for the job. I believe the legal experience and know-how that Andy brings to the table will greatly benefit Minnesotans. I have no doubt he'll make an outstanding U.S. Attorney." In 2009, Luger was appointed by former Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Campion to lead the investigation of the Metro Gang Strike Force and uncovered a series of problems with the unit; he recommended the unit be permanently disbanded, and it was subsequently abolished. A Star Tribune editorial said that Luger’s review of the Strike Force made “smart recommendations about the Twin Cities’ next-generation gang-fighting strategy” and that his report included “welcome measures to begin the long process of rebuilding the public’s trust.”In 2008, Luger was also appointed by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to co-chair the review of law enforcement’… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=ff2b1981-896f-4832-af15-b5a596d04baf | Klobuchar, Collins Call On Congress To Make Fighting Alzheimer’s Disease An Urgent National Priority | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Senators introduce bipartisan Resolution calling for a doubling of research funding by 2015, with goal of effective treatments by 2025 In speeches on the Senate floor, Klobuchar and Collins discussed the groundbreaking work of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Washington, DC—Citing the devastating emotional and economic toll that Alzheimer’s disease takes on more than five million Americans and their families, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME) unveiled a bipartisan Senate Resolution declaring that the goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s by 2025 is an “urgent national priority.” The Resolution, which was introduced during Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, recognizes that dramatic increases in research funding are necessary to meet that goal and resolves that the Congress should strive to double the amount of funding the United States spends on Alzheimer’s research in 2015, as well as develop a plan to meet the target of $2 billion a year as recommended by the experts on the federal Alzheimer’s Advisory Council. “I’ve heard from countless Minnesotans about the pain and struggle of losing a loved one to this devastating disease,” said Klobuchar. “The emotional and financial toll Alzheimer’s takes on patients, their families, and our health care system is simply staggering and we can and must do more to address it. That’s why we’re making a commitment to tackle Alzheimer’s head-on by investing in research to develop more effective treatments—treatments that one day may lead to a cure.” “Like many families who have experienced the pain of Alzheimer’s, I know that there is no more helpless feeling than to watch the progression of this devastating disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the only cause of death among the top ten in our nation without a way to prevent it, cure it, or even slow its progression,” said Collins. Collins explained that if our nation fails to change the current trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease, our country will not only face a mounting public health … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-leads-bipartisan-effort-to-toughen-sex-trafficking-laws | Nolan Leads Bipartisan Effort to Toughen Sex Trafficking Laws | 2013-11-20 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Nolan addresses human rights activists and other members of Congress during an event Tuesday to raise awareness about domestic sex trafficking. (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Federal laws protecting children from sex traffickers and predators would be made much stronger under bipartisan legislation introduced yesterday by Minnesota’s Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan, Texas Republican Congressman Ted Poe, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, and a number of other members of the House and Senate. Nolan also joined Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Candice Miller (R-MI), and Kay Granger (R-TX) in introducing H.R.3530, the “Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.” “This bill would drive a stake into the heart of the sex-trafficking industry,” said Nolan. “It's about arresting, convicting, and punishing the predators who lure young girls into what amounts to slavery - as well as the troubled and often dangerous men who pay to victimize them further.” H.R.3530 would increase the maximum penalties for human trafficking-related offences, and would strengthen current federal law by allowing law enforcement to prosecute any person or entity that knowingly assists an organized crime enterprise in committing two or more acts of human trafficking. Current law only allows prosecution of those who directly participate. By doing so, law enforcement officials will be better able to target those predators who lure or kidnap young girls and boys, and to target the very source of the industry, Nolan added. The bill would also use existing funds to create a “Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund” at the Treasury, which the Attorney General can use to fund victims’ support programs, help state and local governments develop and implement programs to rescue victims, prosecute human traffickers, and help restore the lives of the young victims. Earlier that day, Rep. Nolan hosted an event focusing on domestic child sex trafficking with Senators Orrin Hatch (… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/code-talkers-receive-congressional-gold-medal-honor | Code Talkers Receive Congressional Gold Medal of Honor | 2013-11-20 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus, participated in a ceremony today that honored Native American code talkers with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. Medals were presented to members of 25 tribes today, and additional tribal nations will be honored as their medals are finalized. The Representatives released a joint statement in honor of the historic occasion: “Today we honor the great bravery and skill of Native American military heroes,” said Congressman Cole, who is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. “Over the course of American history, Native Americans have demonstrated outstanding valor on the battlefield, and today we remember the vital role they played as code talkers during World War I and World War II. These individuals embraced their cultural heritage and used it to prevent highly-sensitive wartime messages from being intercepted by the enemy. Because of their service and unique contributions, countless lives were saved and victory was claimed more quickly by the Allies. This ceremony inspires great pride in the Native American hearts, including my own. But for all Americans, it should serve as a reminder of true bravery and sacrifice.” “These American heroes are shining examples of the long and proud history of Native Americans’ military service to our country,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “Many Americans are familiar with the story of the Navajo code talkers, but today we recognize the contributions of veterans from 33 tribal nations, including Lakota and Ojibwe speakers. Using the languages of their people, these brave soldiers created unbreakable codes that aided in the Allied victory and saved the lives of many of their brothers-in-arms. Upon returning home, the service of the code talkers was kept secret to protect those programs. As a result, many loyal veterans faced the hardship of never being able to tell their families and communities the details of their valiant servic… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2621 | Klobuchar, Franken, Pryor, Boozman Introduce Bipartisan National Child Protection Training Act | 2013-11-19 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), Mark Pryor (D-AR), and John Boozman (R-AR) today introduced the National Child Protection Training Act, a bipartisan bill that seeks to improve child abuse training programs and enhance child protection nationwide. Their bill would build on the success of the National Child Protection Training Center's (NCPTC) facilities at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota and at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Arkansas. These centers have developed cutting-edge curricula, certification and degree programs, and classes for law students, medical students, and professionals to help improve child abuse training. "As a former prosecutor, I've seen firsthand how important it is for children and families to have the resources they need to escape the horrors of child abuse," Klobuchar said. "I have visited Winona State many times to see the good work their National Child Protection Training program is doing to put a stop to child abuse and give victims the support they deserve. This bill will help build on the success of the Winona State program at centers across the country and help make sure our childcare advocates have the tools and training they need to identify and prevent child abuse." "One of the best ways to help end child abuse is to spot the signs early, and making sure that those who work closely with children have the appropriate training is key," Franken said. "This bill takes an innovative, Minnesota-based program and expands on our success by giving professionals around the country who work with kids the tools they need to detect and prevent abuse." "As Arkansas's Attorney General, I saw first-hand the value of reliable leadership and high-quality training when it came to keeping our kids safe," Pryor said. "That's why I'm proud to sponsor this common-sense bill to ensure child advocates have the tools and resources they need to protect our kids. The National Child Protection Training Center in Bentonville has been a strong leader in … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2622 | Klobuchar, Franken, Bipartisan Group of 33 Senators Urge Colleagues to Support National Institutes of Health in Upcoming Budget Conference Negotiations | 2013-11-19 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with a bipartisan group of 33 senators today urged their colleagues to strongly support funding for the National Institutes of Health in upcoming budget conference negotiations. In a letter to Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions, the senators highlighted the important role NIH grants play in supporting medical research and innovation. "The NIH plays a vital role in supporting the latest research and treatments that are needed to fight debilitating diseases, and we shouldn't be playing politics when patients' lives are on the line," Klobuchar said. "We need to make sure the NIH can continue to support places like the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic so they can carry on their lifesaving missions." "Each year, the NIH helps Minnesota's academic and medical institutions make discoveries that benefit people across the entire world while creating high-quality jobs at home," said Franken. "We should be supporting critical medical advancements, not weakening the NIH's ability to improve the lives of Americans. As a member of the Senate Health Committee, I'm fighting to ensure that strong investments are made in medical research and innovation." Currently, the NIH is the largest source for medical research funding in the world, supporting research on cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, diabetes, mental health issues, among countless other conditions. However, federal investment in medical research has stagnated over the last decade, and as a result of sequestration, NIH funding was further slashed. The cuts will mean 700 fewer research grants, including, according to an article in the Star Tribune, potentially costing the University of Minnesota $50 million. The full text of the letter is below. Dear Chairman Murray and Ranking Member Sessions: As you begin the budget conference with your House counterparts, we ask that you maintain a strong commitment to funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH pla… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=24ef2238-4c0c-4de2-9994-ad81b7ca3567 | Klobuchar, Cornyn, Heitkamp, Kirk Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Sex Trafficking | 2013-11-19 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Legislation is modeled after Minnesota’s “Safe Harbor” laws that help make sure minors sold for sex aren’t prosecuted as defendants but are instead treated as victims Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), today introduced a comprehensive bipartisan bill to crack down on sex trafficking. The Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act (SETT) will give prosecutors the tools they need to tackle domestic minor sex trafficking and help make sure victims of these horrific crimes receive the support they need. The bill is modeled after Minnesota’s “safe harbor” laws which help ensure minors who are sold for sex aren’t prosecuted as defendants, but rather are treated as victims. “As a former prosecutor, I know how important it is to have policies in place that help victims break free from abuse,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “In Minnesota, we’ve already recognized that kids sold for sex need to be supported, not locked up in jail. This bill will help tackle sex trafficking head-on, using Minnesota’s ‘safe harbor’ laws as a model for the country while also improving coordination and focusing resources so that law enforcement can more effectively investigate and prosecute sex trafficking.” "I am proud to join in introducing legislation that will build upon the important steps we’ve taken to protect victims of trafficking and crack down on the criminals that perpetrate these heinous crimes,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Sadly, a number of cities in Texas have become hubs for human trafficking, and this bill will greatly assist law enforcement officials as they target and lock up predators, while also ensuring that victims receive the support they deserve." “As the former Attorney General of North Dakota, I understand the need to provide increased protection to victims of human trafficking so they see a way out of their situation, and a path forward for a better life,” said Sen. Heitkamp. “And just a few months ago, I held a hearing to bring about a larger di… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=7c938092-5f76-4867-9f48-44ad7b551d69 | Klobuchar, Franken, Pryor, Boozman Introduce Bipartisan National Child Protection Training Act | 2013-11-19 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | The bill would build on the success of the National Child Protection Training Center’s (NCPTC) facility at Winona State University WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), Mark Pryor (D-AR), and John Boozman (R-AR) today introduced the National Child Protection Training Act, a bipartisan bill that seeks to improve child abuse training programs and enhance child protection nationwide. Their bill would build on the success of the National Child Protection Training Center’s (NCPTC) facilities at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota and at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Arkansas. These centers have developed cutting-edge curricula, certification and degree programs, and classes for law students, medical students, and professionals to help improve child abuse training. “As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for children and families to have the resources they need to escape the horrors of child abuse,” Klobuchar said. “I have visited Winona State many times to see the good work their National Child Protection Training program is doing to put a stop to child abuse and give victims the support they deserve. This bill will help build on the success of the Winona State program at centers across the country and help make sure our childcare advocates have the tools and training they need to identify and prevent child abuse.” “One of the best ways to help end child abuse is to spot the signs early, and making sure that those who work closely with children have the appropriate training is key,” Franken said. “This bill takes an innovative, Minnesota-based program and expands on our success by giving professionals around the country who work with kids the tools they need to detect and prevent abuse." “As Arkansas’s Attorney General, I saw first-hand the value of reliable leadership and high-quality training when it came to keeping our kids safe,” Pryor said. “That’s why I’m proud to sponsor this common-sense bill to ensure child advo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=c3ed7755-4147-4bbe-ac1f-251b64702418 | Klobuchar, Bipartisan Group of Women Senators Push for Legislation to Crack Down on Military Sexual Assault | 2013-11-19 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | In a speech on the Senate floor, Klobuchar underscored the importance of passing the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes more than two dozen reforms to help fight sexual assault in the ranks The bill includes Klobuchar’s provisions aimed at tackling assault and supporting victims, including provisions that would require automatic retention of restricted and unrestricted reports, strengthen whistleblower protections and help prevent recidivism Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today joined a bipartisan group of women senators on the Senate floor to underscore the importance of passing the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 (NDAA) to help crack down on military sexual assault. The bill includes more than two dozen reforms to help fight sexual assault in the military. The bill includes several of Klobuchar’s provisions aimed at tackling assault and supporting victims, including provisions to require automatic retention of restricted and unrestricted reports, strengthen whistleblower protections and help prevent recidivism. “Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to protect our country, and too many of them continue to fall victim to sexual assault each year,” said Klobuchar. “That’s why the women senators – Democrats and Republicans alike – came together on the Senate floor today to make clear just how important it is to pass this legislation and address this crime.” The National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 includes the following Klobuchar provisions to address sexual assault in the military: The bipartisan provision Klobuchar authored with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska that would require automatic retention of both restricted and unrestricted reports of sexual assault for 50 years. Klobuchar has worked hard over the years to ensure reports are made available to victims, and this legislation would be a decisive step in that effort. Current law only requires retention of restricted reports—when a servicemember chooses not to take l… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=f8bfeae1-08af-4fd9-b836-67238382e67b | Klobuchar, Franken, Bipartisan Group of 33 Senators Urge Colleagues to Support National Institutes of Health in Upcoming Budget Conference Negotiations | 2013-11-19 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, senators highlighted the important role NIH grants play in supporting medical research and innovation Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with a bipartisan group of 33 senators today urged their colleagues to strongly support funding for the National Institutes of Health in upcoming budget conference negotiations. In a letter to Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions, the senators highlighted the important role NIH grants play in supporting medical research and innovation. “The NIH plays a vital role in supporting the latest research and treatments that are needed to fight debilitating diseases, and we shouldn’t be playing politics when patients’ lives are on the line,” Klobuchar said. “We need to make sure the NIH can continue to support places like the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic so they can carry on their lifesaving missions.” “Each year, the NIH helps Minnesota’s academic and medical institutions make discoveries that benefit people across the entire world while creating high-quality jobs at home,” said Franken. “We should be supporting critical medical advancements, not weakening the NIH’s ability to improve the lives of Americans. As a member of the Senate Health Committee, I’m fighting to ensure that strong investments are made in medical research and innovation.” Currently, the NIH is the largest source for medical research funding in the world, supporting research on cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, mental health issues, among countless other conditions. However, federal investment in medical research has stagnated over the last decade, and as a result of sequestration, NIH funding was further slashed. The cuts will mean 700 fewer research grants, including, according to an article in the Star Tribune, potentially costing the University of Minnesota $50 million. The full text of the letter is below. Dear Chairman Murray and Ranki… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2620 | Sen. Franken?s Bipartisan Bill to Keep Medicine Safe for Minnesotans Passes Senate; Will Soon Become Law | 2013-11-18 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken's (D-Minn.) bipartisan legislation to help keep medicine safe for patients and providers in Minnesota and across the country passed in the Senate and is now on its way to becoming law. The bill is expected to be signed by the President soon. Last year, 64 Americans died and hundreds more were infected after a Massachusetts drug compounding facility distributed a steroid contaminated with a fungus that causes meningitis to health care facilities in 20 states, including Minnesota. The legislation seeks to stop similar outbreaks and help prevent deaths related to contaminated medicines. "Minnesotans need to be able to trust that the medications they receive are safe, but unfortunately, that hasn't always been the case," said Sen. Franken. "Today, we took a huge step forward in solving that problem, and when this bipartisan legislation becomes law, people in Minnesota and around the country will have greater peace of mind about the safety of their medicine." In July, Sen. Franken and a bipartisan group of his Senate Health Committee colleagues introduced legislation to help ensure the safety of drug compounding, which includes the making, mixing, diluting, or combining of drugs for individual patients. In September, Senate Health Committee leaders and House health policy leaders reached an agreement on compromise legislation, which was passed by the House and was passed by the Senate today. The bill would clarify the oversight responsibilities of the Food and Drug Administration over many large-volume sterile facilities—called outsourcing facilities—and would hold these facilities to high quality standards. Last year's meningitis outbreak alerted the nation that providers and patients need sources of safe compounded drugs. Following the outbreak, a bipartisan group of Senate Health Committee colleagues-led by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sen. Franken, and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)—developed legislation to help ensure that quality compounded drugs… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/latest-update/climate-change-and-what-we-can-do-about-it | Climate Change and What We Can Do About It | 2013-11-18 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | The science is clear. The globe is getting warmer, the seas are rising higher, storms are becoming more frequent and intense, and the cost in dollars ($139 billion federal clean-up dollars in 2012) and in lives lost and damage is staggering. The question is, what can Americans and their public policymakers do about it? We examined climate change and its growing effects on our region and our planet, as well as some steps we can all take, in a public forum on climate change hosted by the University of Minnesota-Duluth's Masters of Advocacy and Political Leadership program and the Citizens Climate Lobby. I was joined by area climate and environmental scientists, and representatives from Minnesota's energy industry. In a lively give-and-take discussion, I told students, faculty, and activists from the Duluth area that in order to address crisis of climate change, we need to alter our tax and regulatory policies to give investors and entrepreneurs in alternative energy the same advantages we provide for fossil fuels. We need to assure our trade policies and trade agreements - specifically the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) now being negotiated in secret - are written to assure that all nations are held to the same high environmental standards as the United States. We need to assure that oil and gas are transported in the most environmentally-safe and carbon-neutral manner possible. And we need to hold every industry accountable to tough but achievable environmental standards to prevent harmful damage and degradation of our environment. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/white-earth-awarded-600000-energy-department-biomass-project | White Earth awarded $600,000 from Energy Department for biomass project | 2013-11-16 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | (Washington, DC) -- Congressman Collin Peterson announced that the White Earth Tribal Council has been awarded $642,899 from the U.S. Department of Energy to create a woody biomass-fueled boiler facility at the boiler room of the Tribe’s casino and hotel in Mahnomen, Minnesota. "The White Earth Tribe should be applauded for their efforts to improve energy efficiency and to create more jobs on the reservation," Peterson said. "Using sustainable biomass feedstock to heat the Shooting Star facility is a great way to save money and energy." The facility will be a 5 million BTU-per hour capacity boiler and will supply hot water heat the casino. Their existing boilers are 1992 vintage and are due for replacement. This action will offset approximately 60 percent of the casino’s current fossil fuel use of fuel oil and propane. The White Earth Tribal Council will match the award funding to complete the cost of the project. According to the tribe, this project integrates with the cultural, social and long-term energy goals of the Tribe and represents their efforts to put into practice environmentally sound, low impact, sustainable technologies that are not inconsistent with maintaining cultural traditions or depleting local natural resources while potentially creating new technology-based employment for tribal members. The environmental benefits and impacts from installation of this facility on the Reservation are: elimination of fossil fuel use at the Tribal casino, hotel and surrounding buildings as an energy source, reduced open burning of forest residuals, improved air quality due to reduced open burning, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions due to elimination of fossil fuels usage and diversion of crop and forest residues normally burned in the open, reduction in fossil fuels use. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-1115 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 11/15 | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friends, November is Native American Heritage Month. The 7th District has a strong presence of tribal nations, including White Earth, Red Lake, The Upper Sioux Indian Community and The Lower Sioux Indian Community. This week, White Earth Tribal Chairwoman Erma Vizenor presented me with a flag from the White Earth Nation. I had the honor to welcome Redwood County Veterans Service Officer Marty Caraway to my office to discuss how we can better serve veterans throughout the district. The VA recently announced that they will be offering a Dental Insurance Plan for all eligible Veterans beginning November 15th, and more information can be found below. Finally, Senators Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken, and I are continuing our focus to complete funding for the Roseau Flood Control Project. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District White Earth Tribal Nation Ron Valiant (Fmr. Exec. Dir.) and White Earth Tribal Chairwoman Erma Vizenor Chairwoman Vizenor presented me with a Tribal Nation flag that is now on display in my Washington, D.C. office. White Earth Reservation is located in Becker, Clearwater, and Mahnomen counties in north-central Minnesota. Created in 1867 by a treaty between the United States and the Mississippi Band of Chippewa Indians, it is one of seven Chippewa reservations in Minnesota. I proudly represent the White Earth Nation and all other sovereign nations located in the Seventh District. National Native American Heritage Month In 1990 President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution from Congress designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” With Thanksgiving approaching it is important to recognize the significant contributions that the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States. Similar proclamations, under various names including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month," have been issued each year since 1994. The National Museum of the American Indian in Washi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2619 | Austin Daily Herald: Franken Emphasizes Rural Veteran Health Care | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Franken met with Minnesota veterans in Austin, Minn. on Veterans Day to honor those who served and talk about what he is doing to get veterans the benefits they deserve—specifically increasing access to health care services for rural veterans. The Austin Daily Herald published an editorial about Sen. Franken's visit with rural veterans: ... We were pleased to see U.S. Sen. Al Franken call for more emphasis on rural veteran health care when he toured Austin on Monday. With slightly more than 22 million veterans in the U.S. in 2012, according to the American Legion, veterans make up a large population within the U.S. Yet they face many more struggles than the average American, and with unemployment more than three times the national average among veterans, we can only imagine the difficulties current and former veterans face in receiving health care courtesy of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. ... Sen. Franken reintroduced the bipartisan Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act that would give the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Rural Health the tools it needs to help veterans in rural communities get the care they need quickly and without traveling long distances. Click here to read the Austin Daily Herald's editorial. Click here for more information on the Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2615 | Senators Klobuchar, Franken Congratulate Lynx on WNBA Championship with Senate Resolution | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) marked another historic championship win by the Minnesota Lynx women's basketball team with a Senate Resolution congratulating the team. In the resolution passed Thursday, the senators recognized the work of the Lynx, who won their second Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship in three years. The resolution also recognizes the Twin Cities and state of Minnesota for their enthusiastic support for the team and women's professional basketball. "Once again, the Lynx have captured the WNBA title after a third consecutive trip to the Finals," Klobuchar said. "All of Minnesota should be proud of the players, coaches, and staff, whose hard work on and off the court has made them a dominant force in the league." "I congratulate the Lynx on their incredible post-season performance and on winning yet another WNBA Championship," said Sen. Franken. "The Lynx have proven twice now that they are the best of the best. Minnesota couldn't be happier for them and I look forward to watching them compete for many seasons to come." With a regular season record of 26-8, the Lynx went on to win every game in the 2013 WNBA playoffs. After defeating the Seattle Storm and the Phoenix Mercury, the Lynx faced the Atlanta Dream in the finals. This is the second WNBA Championship for the Minnesota Lynx in three years. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2616 | Murray, Franken, Blunt, Grassley Lead 28 Colleagues Urging Administration to Support American Biodiesel Industry | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Al Franken (D-MN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) led 28 of their Senate colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging the Obama Administration to support the American biodiesel industry in its upcoming 2014 regulatory proposal for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Current projections indicate that the industry will produce 1.7 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2014, continuing its pattern of exceeding annual RFS targets. In light of the this production estimate, the Senators urged the Administration to carefully consider its 2014 biodiesel targets, which, if decreased or left stagnant at 2013 levels, could cost thousands of American jobs and significantly impact confidence in industry investments. "Biodiesel has exceeded RFS targets in each year and is clearly poised to do so again in 2013. The industry has had impressive growth, going far beyond initial expectations just five years ago, and is supporting 62,160 jobs and nearly $17 billion in total economic impact. Biodiesel is improving our energy security by reducing our dependence on imported petroleum diesel, diversifying fuel supplies and creating competition in the fuels market," the Senators wrote. "Setting the 2014 biodiesel volume requirement at reduced levels could have severe impacts on the domestic biodiesel industry. Further, a continuation of 2013 levels paired with any reduction in advanced biofuels targets could similarly negatively impact the industry." The following Senators also signed on to the letter: Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Angus King (I-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Jon Tester (D-MT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tom Udall (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Susan Co… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2618 | Klobuchar, Franken, Peterson, Walz: Proposed Rule to Amend Renewable Fuel Standard Is Bad for Economy and Energy Security | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken and Representatives Tim Walz and Collin Peterson today issued the following statements on the proposed rule to amend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a proposed rule that would hurt the biofuels industry by lowering the biodiesel target below current industry production levels and reduce the conventional ethanol target over a billion gallons. This would be the first time the Renewable Fuel Standard would set lower targets than are currently being blended by refiners. "At a time when the oil industry continues to receive billions of dollars in unnecessary subsidies, this decision is wrong and I will urge the Administration to reconsider the proposed rule," said Klobuchar. "This would undercut the biofuels industry that is not only vital to our state's economy but also helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil." "Minnesota leads the country in homegrown jobs from renewable energy, and we need to continue on that path for the sake of our economy and our future," said Sen. Franken. "That's why I've been urging the Administration against slashing the RFS. This is not the time to send a signal that we're cutting back on biofuels. I will continue pushing to ensure a robust RFS and help keep this important industry growing." "The RFS is vital to rural America's economic strength. Today's proposal is very disappointing. A strong ethanol industry is necessary to advance the next generation of renewable fuels and reduce our dependence on foreign energy. It's important to remember that this is still a proposed rule. As the process moves forward I urge the EPA not to bow to the pressure from big oil and gas companies intent on repealing the RFS," House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson. "Ethanol and renewable energy production have been one of the bright spots in our economy here in southern Minnesota over the last decade," Walz said. "The proposed rule, if implemented, would weaken an emerging industry, hu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=30eb1e4f-68eb-468c-b9c6-73097ef8bdbb | Klobuchar, Franken, Peterson, Walz: Proposed Rule to Amend Renewable Fuel Standard Is Bad for Economy and Energy Security | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | The EPA today issued a proposed rule to lower the biofuel targets for 2014, discouraging investment in the biofuel industry, hurting jobs and rural communities across the state This would be the first time the Renewable Fuel Standard would be set lower targets than are currently being blended by refiners Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken and Representatives Tim Walz and Collin Peterson today issued the following statements on the proposed rule to amend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a proposed rule that would hurt the biofuels industry by lowering the biodiesel target below current industry production levels and reduce the conventional ethanol target over a billion gallons. This would be the first time the Renewable Fuel Standard would set lower targets than are currently being blended by refiners. “At a time when the oil industry continues to receive billions of dollars in unnecessary subsidies, this decision is wrong and I will urge the Administration to reconsider the proposed rule,” said Klobuchar. “This would undercut the biofuels industry that is not only vital to our state’s economy but also helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” “Minnesota leads the country in homegrown jobs from renewable energy, and we need to continue on that path for the sake of our economy and our future,” said Sen. Franken. “That’s why I've been urging the Administration against slashing the RFS. This is not the time to send a signal that we’re cutting back on biofuels. I will continue pushing to ensure a robust RFS and help keep this important industry growing.” “The RFS is vital to rural America’s economic strength. Today’s proposal is very disappointing. A strong ethanol industry is necessary to advance the next generation of renewable fuels and reduce our dependence on foreign energy. It’s important to remember that this is still a proposed rule. As the process moves forward I urge the EPA not to bow to the pressure from big oil and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/klobuchar-franken-peterson-push-move-forward-roseau-flood-control-project | Klobuchar, Franken, Peterson Push to Move Forward Roseau Flood Control Project | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/14/13]—U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) pushed for an increase in the authorized level of funding needed so that the Roseau flood control project may be completed should funding be provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The City of Roseau has secured funding for the non-federal share of the project, but without an increase in the authorization level the project will be delayed indefinitely. In a letter to the members of Congress negotiating the final version of the water infrastructure bills, Sens. Klobuchar, Franken, and Rep. Peterson asked that the final bill include an authorization to increase the level of federal funding necessary to finish the project in Roseau. In 2002, devastating flood waters inundated Roseau, destroying homes, businesses, and county and city buildings. The massive damage necessitated years of recovery to safeguard the community from further flood threats. Without this critical flood protection project, the city will remain vulnerable to another flood event. "The City of Roseau has secured their local match requirements but without an increase in authorization this project will be delayed indefinitely…The project is around 75% complete, yet it will provide no protection to Roseau until it is finished, and the community continues to live in fear of another disaster," the members said in the letter. "We commend you for your commitment to passing strong water resources legislation. We urge you to give the Army Corps the authority to finish the Roseau River Flood Control Project." You can read Sens. Klobuchar, Franken, and Rep. Peterson’s letter below: November 12, 2013 Dear Chairman Boxer, Chairman Shuster, Senator Vitter and Representative Rahall, We are writing to request inclusion of the Roseau River Flood Control Project located in Roseau, MN in the final version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2013. In June of 2002, the City of Roseau experienced a major flood that nearly wiped out th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2613 | Klobuchar, Franken, Peterson Push to Move Forward Roseau Flood Control Project | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) pushed for an increase in the authorized level of funding needed so that the Roseau flood control project may be completed should funding be provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The City of Roseau has secured funding for the non-federal share of the project, but without an increase in the authorization level the project will be delayed indefinitely. In a letter to the members of Congress negotiating the final version of the water infrastructure bills, Sens. Klobuchar, Franken, and Rep. Peterson asked that the final bill include an authorization to increase the level of federal funding necessary to finish the project in Roseau. In 2002, devastating flood waters inundated Roseau, destroying homes, businesses, and county and city buildings. The massive damage necessitated years of recovery to safeguard the community from further flood threats. Without this critical flood protection project, the city will remain vulnerable to another flood event. "The City of Roseau has secured their local match requirements but without an increase in authorization this project will be delayed indefinitely...The project is around 75% complete, yet it will provide no protection to Roseau until it is finished, and the community continues to live in fear of another disaster," the members said in the letter. "We commend you for your commitment to passing strong water resources legislation. We urge you to give the Army Corps the authority to finish the Roseau River Flood Control Project." You can read Sens. Klobuchar, Franken, and Rep. Peterson's letter below: November 12, 2013Dear Chairman Boxer, Chairman Shuster, Senator Vitter and Representative Rahall,We are writing to request inclusion of the Roseau River Flood Control Project located in Roseau, MN in the final version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2013. In June of 2002, the City of Roseau experienced a major flood that nearly wiped out the City. After receiving 12-… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2614 | Sen. Franken Tackles College Affordability with New Bill to Rein in Rising Textbook Costs | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) worked to tackle college affordability with the introduction of his bill to cut the costs of textbooks and a push to pass his bipartisan legislation that would help students understand exactly what college will cost before committing to a school. Sen. Franken introduced the Affordable College Textbook Act today with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to combat the rising expense of textbooks and supplies, which cost the average Minnesota student over $1,400 a year—$200 more than the national average. Sen. Franken's bill would expand the use of open access textbooks on college campuses, providing cheaper alternatives to expensive traditional textbooks and thereby lowering the overall cost of going to college. Read more about the Affordable College Textbook Act here. "In the fight to make college more affordable and accessible for Minnesota families, we can't overlook the rising costs of textbooks," said Sen. Franken. "I'm proud to introduce this bill because it will help provide cheaper alternatives to traditional textbooks and keep more money in students' pockets, where it belongs." Last year, the University of Minnesota created a new Open Academics Textbook catalog to help faculty and students find more affordable textbook options. The University of Minnesota's open access textbook initiative is the kind of program that could benefit from Sen. Franken's bill. Also today, Sen. Franken and his colleagues on the Senate Education Committee held their third hearing on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, focusing on simplifying the financial aid process. During the hearing several witnesses confirmed that Sen. Franken's Understanding the True Cost of College Act—which would create a universal financial aid form so students can make apples to apples comparisons of the costs of attending different schools—was necessary and would increase students' access to higher education. "Students in Minnesota graduate with the third highest average debt in the nation—nearly $30,000 each—… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-to-commissioner-zelle-south-route-safest-option-for-highway-169 | Nolan to Commissioner Zelle: South Route Safest Option for Highway 169 Eagles Nest Corridor | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The South Route option to rebuild the 5.7-mile Highway 169 Eagles Nest Corridor between Tower and Ely is the safest and best solution for that dangerous stretch of road, Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan told Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Commissioner Charlie Zelle in a meeting yesterday in Nolan’s Washington office. “The south option is clearly the route preferred by citizens, the one recommended by the Highway 169 Citizens Task Force, and in my view is undoubtedly the safest route,” Nolan said. Commissioner Zelle, who toured the area with Nolan earlier this year, and later participated in a joint public meeting at MnDOT Headquarters in Virginia, promised to factor strong support by Nolan, other public officials, and area citizens into the Department’s final decision. “I will continue to push for the south route at every level, and throughout the various bureaucracies involved in this project,” added Nolan, “as well as continue to prioritize the health and safety of the area’s residents and travelers.” In April of this year, Congressman Nolan sent a letter to Governor Mark Dayton, urging him to encourage MnDOT to complete the project using the Southern Route plan. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=1c421f7a-0b21-4014-98ec-5dd77514fc62 | Klobuchar: FCC Action on Cell Phone Unlocking Positive Step for Consumers | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | In letter to wireless carriers the FCC called on providers to agree to standards on allowing consumers to unlock their phones so they can switch providers while keeping their same device Earlier this year, Klobuchar introduced legislation that directed the FCC to take action on cell phone unlocking Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today said that the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) action on cell phone unlocking is a positive step forward for consumers. In a letter to wireless carriers, the FCC called on providers to work together and agree to standards on allowing consumers to unlock their phones so they can switch carriers while keeping their same device. The letter indicates that if the industry does not act voluntarily the FCC will regulate on this issue. Earlier this year, Klobuchar introduced the bipartisan Wireless Consumer Choice Act with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mike Lee (R-UT), which directed the FCC to take action on cell phone unlocking. “Mobile devices are vital tools for families and businesses across Minnesota and the country, and there is no reason they shouldn’t be able to change their service on phones that they have purchased,” said Klobuchar. “This letter to the wireless industry echoes Congressional calls for action, and I will continue to work to give consumers the freedom to choose the plan that best meets their needs.” The FCC letter calls for the wireless industry to agree to policy that: provides a clear, concise, and readily accessible policy on unlocking; unlock mobile wireless devices for customers, former customers, and legitimate owners when the applicable service contract, installment plan, or ETF has been fulfilled; affirmatively notify customers when their devices are eligible for unlocking and/or automatically unlock devices when eligible, without an additional fee; process unlocking requests or provide an explanation of denial within two business days; and unlock devices for military personnel upon deployment. Klobuchar is a me… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=44113a38-0c5e-4ada-aaad-e77f58dec5be | As Holiday Shopping Season Approaches, Klobuchar Holds Hearing on Price-Fixing Cartels That Drive Up Costs for Families | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | When companies illegally collude to set prices for their products, consumers lose hundreds of millions of dollars in higher costs Department of Justice has uncovered an extensive network of price-fixing cartels that are causing higher prices on everything from TVs to cars At the hearing, Klobuchar pressed Department of Justice and FBI officials on ways to effectively fight price fixing and protect consumers Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, chairman of the Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, held a hearing today to discuss efforts to crack down on price-fixing cartels that rip off consumers and hurt the economy. When companies illegally collude to set prices for their products, consumers lose hundreds of millions of dollars in higher costs. The Department of Justice has uncovered an extensive network of price-fixing cartels that are causing higher prices on everything from TVs to cars. At the hearing, Klobuchar pressed Department of Justice and FBI officials on ways to effectively fight price fixing and protect consumers. “As the holiday shopping season approaches, we need to make sure that businesses are competing to provide the best products at the lowest cost,” said Klobuchar. “When companies illegally collude to set higher prices for their products, it’s the consumer – and the economy – that loses. This hearing was an opportunity to take a close look at ways we can better fight these price-fixing cartels and protect families' pocketbooks.” Price fixing is when competitors illegally form a cartel to either set the price for their products, restrict production, or agree not to compete, in an effort to avoid the competitive pressures of the market. As a result of price fixing, consumers pay higher prices, competition suffers and innovation is stifled. In FY 2013, the Department of Justice Antitrust Division obtained $1.02 billion in criminal antitrust fines and charged 21 corporations and 34 individuals. One high profile case involved price fixing by manufacturers of LCD screens for TVs, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/ffhs-graduate-pontius-promoted-lieutenant-colonel | FFHS Graduate Pontius promoted to Lieutenant Colonel | 2013-11-13 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Collin Peterson recently had the honor of congratulating one of his former West Point nominees on an Army promotion. Jon Pontius, formerly of Fergus Falls, received an appointment to West Point in 1992. After more than twenty years of service at West Point and as an active duty soldier, Major Pontius was promoted to the new rank of Lieutenant Colonel. "Jon was my first military academy nomination after I was elected to Congress," Peterson said. "I know I speak for all of us in Minnesota's Seventh District when I say how proud I am of his service to our country." Pontius is stationed in Washington, DC, and works in the field of operations research. He was a standout track and football star at Fergus Falls High School, and then broke records in the high jump, decathlon and pentathlon at West Point. In 1997 he was NCAA Division I All-American in the decathlon. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2612 | At Hearing, Witnesses Underscore Need for Chairman Franken?s Transparency Surveillance Bill | 2013-11-13 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, held a hearing on his bill to help citizens hold the government accountable by increasing transparency over government surveillance of Americans. At the hearing, Chairman Franken—along with Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), a representative from Google, and a leading privacy expert—underscored the need for his legislation, which is considered the leading surveillance transparency bill in the Senate. You can download video from the hearing here and read Chairman Franken's opening statement as prepared for delivery here. Chairman Franken's hearing focused on the Surveillance Transparency Act of 2013, which he first introduced this past summer. At the end of last month, the bill was reintroduced with Sen. Heller. "This bill is urgently necessary. Americans understand that we need to give due weight to privacy, on the one hand, and national security, on the other," Chairman Franken said in his opening statement. "But Americans are also naturally suspicious of executive power. And when the government does things secretly, Americans tend to think that power is being abused. This is exactly the place where Congressional oversight is useful and necessary." Later, Chairman Franken continued: "My bill would permanently ensure that the American people have the information they need to reach an informed opinion about government surveillance. And it would protect American companies losing business from misconceptions about [their] role in these programs. I'm pleased to say that this bill is the leading transparency proposal in the Senate, supported by a strong coalition of tech companies and civil liberties groups." The legislation would expand and improve ongoing government reporting about programs under the PATRIOT Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that have recently been the subject of controversy. It would also allow companies to report on the number of government information requests they receive a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2611 | Sen. Franken?s Bipartisan Bill to Keep Medicine Safe for Minnesotans Clears Critical Hurdle Toward Becoming Law | 2013-11-12 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken's (D-Minn.) bipartisan legislation to help prevent deaths related to contaminated medications cleared a key hurdle on its way to becoming law. The bill passed a key procedural vote necessary to move the bill to the Senate floor for debate and a final vote. In September, the House passed this bipartisan legislation. Last year, 64 Americans died and hundreds more were infected after a Massachusetts drug compounding facility distributed a steroid contaminated with a fungus that causes meningitis to health care facilities in 20 states, including Minnesota. The legislation seeks to help prevent similar outbreaks. In July, Sen. Franken and a bipartisan group of his Senate Health Committee colleagues introduced legislation to help ensure the safety of drug compounding, which includes the making, mixing, diluting, or combining of drugs for individual patients. In September, Senate Health Committee leaders and House health policy leaders reached an agreement on compromise legislation, which was passed by the House. The bill would clarify the oversight responsibilities of the Food and Drug Administration over large-volume sterile facilities-called outsourcing facilities-and by holding these facilities to high quality standards. "Over the past year, I've worked hard to develop a bipartisan proposal to help ensure that patients and providers in Minnesota can trust that their medicine is safe," said Sen. Franken "This bill will provide protections for Minnesotans who rely on compounded medicine. I'm hopeful that the Senate can pass this bipartisan bill and President Obama will sign it into law." Last year's meningitis outbreak alerted the nation that providers and patients need sources of safe compounded drugs. Following the outbreak, a bipartisan group of Senate Health Committee colleagues-led by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sen. Franken, and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)-developed legislation to help ensure that quality compounded drugs are available to pati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/lets-put-veterans-first | Let's put veterans first | 2013-11-11 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | A few weeks ago, I had the honor of nominating Montevideo veteran Orice Larson for the Patriot Award. This honor was awarded to Mr. Larson for his service to our country in World War II, and for his dedication to serving veterans in his community for many decades following his military service. This award is granted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), a program that encourages safe education and handling of firearms. I was proud to be a part of the presentation of this award to Orice who served our country in World War II as a Supply Sergeant for 179th Infantry. His unit served in the Battle of the Bulge and infiltrated the Eagles Nest, Hitler’s final stronghold at the end of the war. Orice’s life has been full of colorful anecdotes. Since his retirement from the service, he has been a devoted member of veterans organizations. He served in numerous roles as a member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Vets, and as a Commander, Service Officer, and Chaplain to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As part of his award from the CMP, Orice was given an antique M1 Garand Rifle, which turned out to be the exact same model rifle he carried with him in World War II. I'm proud to honor veterans and heroes like Orice and will be forever grateful for their service to our Nation. Our country's veterans are continuing to return from service with pressing needs. I am committed to making sure that veterans have timely access to benefits they have earned, and I am frustrated by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) backlog of claims for disability compensation As a result of the recent government shutdown, veterans experienced further delays in the processing of their disability claims. Survivors and family members suffered the added pain of having to wait to bury their loved ones in National Cemeteries. Outreach and public engagement efforts were suspended, leaving vulnerable veterans unaware of benefits and services when they may need them the most. The one thing that wasn't affected by the government shutdown … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2610 | Sen. Franken: I Hope Every Minnesotan Joins Me Today in Honoring Our Veterans | 2013-11-11 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) made the following statement in honor of Veterans Day. Sen. Franken celebrated Veterans Day by speaking at a community veterans event in New Richland, Minn. and meeting with veterans in Austin, Minn. "It makes me so proud to come from a state where so many men and woman have made the courageous and selfless decision to serve our country," said Sen. Franken. "Today, I hope every Minnesotan joins me to pause and honor the service and sacrifice of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as their families. "One of the main reasons I became a Senator was to make sure we as a country make good on our promises to veterans and their families. I will keep working to improve veterans' access to health care in rural areas and to make sure that VA is getting the benefits our veterans have earned into their hands with no delay. And I will continue to encourage employers in Minnesota and around the country to hire veterans." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-118 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 11/8 | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Walk of Flags at the Fergus Falls City Hall honoring Veterans Dear Friends, This week we honor and salute our veterans and military heroes who sacrificed so much to defend our country. On Veterans Day, cities across Minnesota will host special events as communities come together to honor those soldiers who were killed in action but remain close to our hearts. If you want to get more involved, attend an event, volunteer, or help a veteran share their story, important resources are below. And when you see a soldier in uniform or a veteran this week, give them special thanks. Thank you to all Americans who serve our great Nation in uniform. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District A Veterans Day Tribute A few weeks ago, I had the honor of nominating Montevideo veteran Orice Larson for the Patriot Award. This honor was awarded to Mr. Larson for his service to our country in World War II, and for his dedication to serving veterans in his community for many decades following his military service. This award is granted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), a program that encourages safe education and handling of firearms. I was proud to be a part of the presentation of this award to Orice, who served our country in World War II as a Supply Sergeant for 179th Infantry. His unit served in the Battle of the Bulge and infiltrated the Eagles Nest, Hitler’s final stronghold at the end of the war. Orice’s life has been full of colorful anecdotes. Since his retirement from the service, he has been a devoted member of veterans organizations. He served in numerous roles as a member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Vets, and as a Commander, Service Officer, and Chaplain to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As part of his award from the CMP, Orice was given an antique M1 Garand Rifle, which turned out to be the exact same model rifle he carried with him in World War II. I'm proud to honor veterans and heroes like Orice and will be forever grateful for their service to our Nation. Our countr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2608 | Sen. Franken visits Minnesota family farm to hear concerns over the Farm Bill | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Franken toured a poultry farm in West Concord, and met with family farmers to discuss the need to pass a five-year Farm Bill. The Rochester Post-Bulletin reported on the meeting and his work to pass a Farm Bill: ... In a conference call with reporters earlier in the week, Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President Gary Wertish and Franken summarized a meeting the senator had with farm leaders where they discussed the bill. Representatives from dairy, corn and soybean grower groups and Farm Bureau were among those at the meeting organized by MFU. "I wanted to hear what was on their minds as we go into conference with the House and Senate on the farm bill," Franken said. "Minnesota farmers tell me the farm bill is not only something they want but need. They need the certainty. There are small differences in these groups between some of the provisions, but there is a lot of agreement on other stuff. They don't mind getting rid of direct payments. They want nutrition tied to it, they want the nutrition piece to be robust and they support the beginning farmer rancher provision and the energy title." Click here to read the whole article from the Rochester Post Bulletin. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2609 | Sen. Franken Visits Forest Lake High School to Discuss the Future of Manufacturing in Minnesota | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Franken recently toured Forest Lake High School in celebration of "Minnesota Manufacturing Week," and highlighted his efforts to create partnerships between Minnesota schools and businesses. During his visit, Sen. Franken applauded Forest Lake High School for its work to address the "skills-gap"-where jobs go unfilled because businesses cannot find workers with the right skills-and said he hopes the school can continue to build partnerships that promote high-demand jobs in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and information technology. The Forest Lakes Times printed a column by a former school teacher and administrator: ... Mac, Mariah, Leighton and other students are gaining from a mission that Massey explained to about 60 community members during Franken's visit: a belief that the school should help "all students graduate with skills necessary to attend college, university, technical college or training program - and succeed." Franken responded, "You could not be doing something any more important. ... Manufacturing is back. We have to get rid of the view that manufacturing jobs are ‘dark, dangerous and dirty.' ... In fact, it's the opposite. And we have a massive ‘skills gap' - between one-third and 60 percent of Minnesota manufacturers report that they have jobs they can't fill because they can't find people who have needed skills." ... Sen. Franken introduced the Community College to Career Fund Act in an effort to fill open, high-demand jobs and build strong relationships between community and technical colleges and employers to help reduce the skills-gap. Click here to read more of the column from Forest Lake Times. Click here for more information on the Community College to Career Fund Act and building manufacturing jobs in America. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2604 | After Klobuchar, Franken, Peterson Urge U.S Army to Keep ROTC Program at NDSU Open, Army Announces Program Will Continue | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | After Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Representative Collin Peterson urged the U.S Army to keep the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at North Dakota State University open, the Army announced that the program would not be closed. The unit, which serves students at Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College, will now have two years to prove that it is a viable ROTC program. "Students in Minnesota and North Dakota that want to serve their country depend on the program at NDSU to receive the training they need to become effective officers," Klobuchar said. "I'm pleased with today's decision by the Army, and I'm looking forward to the Bison Brigade's continued strength and dedication to our country." "It makes me so proud to come from a state where so many young men and women want to serve their country. I'm very pleased by the Army's decision to keep the pathway to service open through NDSU's ROTC program, which is used by so many students at Minnesota State Moorhead and Concordia College," Franken said. "I'm happy that the Army reconsidered and will keep this unit open," Peterson said. "These students do an excellent job and I'm proud of their commitment and their service to our country." Earlier this year, the Army notified the NDSU ROTC that it intended to close it and 12 other programs throughout the country. In response Senators Klobuchar and Franken and Representative Peterson sent a letter to Secretary of the Army John McHugh urging him to reconsider, and pointing out that the battalion is among the top performing in the nation. The decision grants the program a two year probationary period, after which time their status will be reassessed. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2605 | Sen. Franken Unveils Legislation to Improve Early Childhood Education | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) introduced two bills to improve early childhood education by increasing parent engagement and enhancing the quality of the workforce working with children. Research shows that access to high-quality education at an early age is not only critical to improving the long-term success of children, but also boasts a significant return on investment, producing benefits of up to $7 for every $1 spent. Parents are their children's first and most important teachers. Sen. Franken is committed to making sure that parents have access to the education classes and family engagement programs they need to facilitate early learning and development and to help children thrive. His Parent Education and Family Engagement in Early Education Act would create a competitive grant program to support these education classes and other forms of parent engagement. Well-trained educators and caregivers are also key to achieving the high-quality instruction and care that kids need to succeed. Sen. Franken's Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce Improvement Act would help states develop or expand their efforts to provide more opportunities for training, education, and professional development to better improve the quality of their early education workforce. "Every child in Minnesota deserves the opportunity to achieve the critical growth that comes with high-quality early childhood education, and I'm committed to making that happen," said Sen. Franken. "My legislation will help families participate in their children's education and development and it will ensure that those teaching and caring for our children are the best they can be." Read more about Sen. Franken's Parent Education and Family Engagement in Early Education Act here and his Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce Improvement Act here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2607 | At Urging of Sen. Franken, FDA Proposes Fix to Protect Consumers Relying on Generic Prescriptions | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said he is pleased that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule to give manufacturers of generic prescription drugs the ability to update their warning labels to improve consumer safety. Sen. Franken pushed the FDA to take this action and helped author legislation that would make this fix. As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Mutual Pharmaceuticals v. Bartlett-involving a New Hampshire woman who became permanently disabled after using an inadequately labeled generic drug-Sen. Franken and several of his colleagues urged the FDA to take action and help prevent consumers from facing serious injuries. You can read Sen. Franken's letter to the FDA here. "A senior in Minnesota may have no idea that a prescription drug they're taking could cause devastating complications, because generic drug manufacturers aren't allowed to update their labels to accurately reflect all side effects or risks," said Sen. Franken. "Last year, I introduced a bill with the help of my colleagues to fix this problem. And today, after our urging, the FDA took a critical step forward to right this wrong. I'll be pushing to get the FDA's labeling fix implemented as soon as possible." Last year, Sen. Franken introduced legislation with his colleagues to protect consumers using generic drugs. The Patient Safety and Generic Labeling Improvement Act was introduced to address another Supreme Court case, PLIVA v. Mensing, which held that patients cannot hold generic drug manufacturers accountable for failure to warn of injuries associated with their products. As a result, consumers who are injured by the generic version of a prescription drug may be foreclosed from seeking any remedy, even though consumers who take the brand-name version of the drug can seek recourse for their injury. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2626 | Sen. Franken Welcomes Release of Long-Delayed Mental Health Guidelines | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) welcomed the release of long-delayed federal guidelines that require insurance companies to cover mental health care to the same extent as other medical services. He also called for a careful review of the new rules prior to their implementation to ensure that millions in Minnesota and across the country can start gaining access to critical mental health services. The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which was passed in 2008, requires group health plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder services to the same extent that medical and surgical benefits are covered. The interim regulations for the law were released in 2010, but the lack of final regulations made the full implementation of the law extremely difficult, if not impossible. "Like Senator Paul Wellstone and Representative Jim Ramstad, I believe it's critically important to do everything we can to recognize mental illness early and treat it effectively," said Sen. Franken. "And a big part of that includes clearing barriers to make these services available. I hope these rules will allow full implementation of this important law, so that millions in Minnesota and across the country who need treatment for mental health and substance use disorders can start getting the care they need. I look forward to carefully reviewing all the guidelines and working to get this law fully implemented as quickly as possible." Sen. Franken is a champion of mental health care and has been pushing for the implementation of the mental health parity law since his first days in the Senate. He has led several Congressional letters urging the Obama Administration to move forward with the implementation of mental health parity, most recently writing to President Obama last week. During a Judiciary Subcommittee hearing yesterday on delayed federal regulations, Sen. Franken heard from witnesses on how the lack of final rules harmed access to critical mental health services.During the heari… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-mccollums-statement-veterans-day | Congresswoman McCollum's Statement for Veterans Day | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | St. Paul, MN – Congresswoman McCollum released the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day, which falls on Monday, November 11. On Veterans Day she will be speaking at the State of Minnesota Veterans Day program in Inver Grove Heights. “Veterans Day serves as a reminder of the enormous sacrifices that brave men and women have made for the ideals and beliefs that all Americans value. As our men and women in uniform continue to return home from combat duty, today is an opportunity to give thanks to them, their families, and 22 million veterans. It is also a day to come together as Americans to pay a special tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country in the name of freedom around the world. “On the battlefield, the U.S. Armed Forces pledge to leave no man or woman behind. As a nation, it must be our promise that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind. We must act to care for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Guardsmen and Reservists, both abroad and at home -- ensuring that all of them receive the highest level of care and compensation they have so bravely earned serving this great nation. This is a commitment to which I hold fast on Veterans Day and every day.” Congresswoman Betty McCollum is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and is Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. #### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=2600 | Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on the Employee Non-Discrimination Act | 2013-11-07 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | STATEMENT ON THE EMPLOYEE NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT SENATOR AL FRANKEN (as prepared for delivery) M. President, I rise today in strong support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. In many towns and cities across our country, it's still perfectly legal to fire someone because they're gay. You can be a hard worker, show up on time, and get exemplary performance reviews, but if your boss discovers that you're gay or transgender, he can fire you just for being who you are or for whom you love, and there's nothing you can do about it. That is a terrible injustice for Americans who happen to be LGBT. It violates the principle that we are all equal under the law. We all deserve the chance to work hard and prove ourselves, regardless of our race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age - or sexual orientation or gender identity. Many Americans don't even realize that it remains legal to discriminate against LGBT Americans in the workplace. In one recent poll, eight in ten Americans believe that it is already illegal under federal law to fire or refuse to hire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Doesn't that tell you something about how obviously right passing ENDA is? The debate that we are having in the Senate today is about whether we should ensure that LGBT Americans don't suffer discrimination in the workplace. I have long been a supporter of ENDA, and enacting it into law is something we should have done a long time ago. In fact, 17 years ago it came within one vote of passing in the Senate. Making ENDA law will be the next significant step in the fight for equality for LGBT Americans. After decades of struggle, we have achieved a number of huge victories in rapid succession - ending Don't Ask Don't Tell; overturning the federal ban on same-sex marriage recognition; the achievement of marriage equality in more and more states, including my home state of Minnesota. While we are debating ENDA in the Senate today, equality in the workplace is in fact something we … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2601 | Sen. Franken Backs Bipartisan Bill to Increase Mental Health Access for Rural Seniors | 2013-11-07 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D.Minn.) announced that he is backing a new bill to help put an end to current shortages of mental health professionals for seniors in rural Minnesota. Nationwide, over 89.3 million Americans live in areas that have been designated by the Department of Health and Human Services as having shortages of mental health professionals. The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act would expand the pool of mental health practitioners in underserved communities by lifting some of the current reimbursement restrictions for licensed mental health counselors and certain other licensed therapists. This will increase access to existing mental health professionals, particularly for people in underserved areas. "I'm working hard to make sure that critical mental health services are as accessible as possible for our seniors, no matter where they live in Minnesota," said Sen. Franken. "This bill will allow seniors to get the care they need. I'm proud to support it." In Minnesota there are 53 Mental Health Profession Shortage Areas, where seniors have limited access to mental health professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists. Two thirds of all Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas are in rural areas. In Minnesota alone, this bill will allow more than 2371 mental health professionals to begin accepting Medicare patients. Mental health professionals are already recognized by other government agencies such as the National Health Service Corps, the Veterans Administration, and TRICARE. The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act was originally introduced by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Barasso (R-Wyo.). | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2602 | Sen. Franken Lauds Passage of LGBT Workplace Protections as Key Step Toward Equality | 2013-11-07 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) called the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by the Senate a key step toward ensuring equality in the workplace for all Americans. Earlier today, Sen. Franken spoke on the Senate floor, urging his colleagues to support and pass the bill. You can download a video of his speech here and a copy of his remarks here. ENDA, which Sen. Franken has supported since coming to the Senate, passed the Senate today 64-to-32. The bill prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. A similar law has been in place in Minnesota for over 20 years. "Four years ago, I said that I hoped my grandkids would only read about when it was legal to fire someone because they were gay or transgender," said Sen. Franken. "Today, we're one step closer toward making that equality a reality for all Americans. "It's long past time that LGBT employees around the country are guaranteed the same rights that they've had in Minnesota for 20 years. For LGBT Minnesotans, it has meant that they don't have to live in fear of being fired, or discriminated against in hiring, just because of who they are or whom they love. That's a big deal. "I will continue fighting to get this signed into law to ensure vital workplace protections, and I urge the House to take up and pass the bill in a timely manner." Sen. Franken has been a longtime advocate of ensuring equality for all LGBT Americans. In addition to pushing for the passage of ENDA, he fought successfully in 2010 to help overturn the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy that prevented openly LGBT Americans from serving in the military. And this past March, Sen. Franken and a number of his colleagues in the House and Senate filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court urging the Court to overturn a key section of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) because it violated individuals' rights to equal protection under the law by denying federal benefits to same-sex couples… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2603 | Sen. Franken: We Must Increase Access to Mental Health Services | 2013-11-07 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | In an effort to expand access to mental health care for millions of Americans, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) urged the Obama Administration to fully implement a law passed five years ago that requires insurance companies to cover mental health care to the same extent as other medical services. During a Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on delayed federal regulations, Sen. Franken heard from witnesses on how the lack of final rules have harmed access to critical mental health services. The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which was passed in 2008, requires group health plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder services at the same level that medical and surgical benefits are covered. The interim final regulations for the law were released in 2010, but the lack of final regulations makes the full implementation of the law extremely difficult if not impossible. "Millions of Americans who need mental health and substance use disorder services are prevented from getting them because we have not fully implemented the necessary rules," said Sen. Franken. "The Administration needs to get this done as soon as possible. Minnesota has a special interest in this because Senator Paul Wellstone and Congressman Jim Ramstad were very active in making mental health parity a national priority. I'm going to continue to press to get this law fully implemented." Sen. Franken is a champion of mental health care and has been pushing for the implementation of the mental health parity law since his first days in the Senate. He has led several Congressional letters urging the Obama Administration to move forward with the implementation of mental health parity, most recently writing to President Obama last week. During the hearing, Sen. Franken heard from a mother who has struggled to receive mental health coverage for her daughter. Sen. Franken has also authored legislation to ensure that schools provide access to critical mental health treatment for kids who need those services.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2595 | Klobuchar, Franken, Bipartisan Group of Senators Call for Strong Energy Title in Final Farm Bill | 2013-11-06 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with a bipartisan group of 12 other senators called for a strong energy title in the final version of the Farm Bill. In a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the senators highlighted the important role programs like the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) have in supporting jobs in rural communities and encouraging the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy production from wind, solar, biomass and biofuels in farms and rural businesses. Klobuchar is a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, which is responsible for crafting the final version of the bill, and Franken helped write the energy section of the Farm Bill. "The Senate's bipartisan energy investments are a small fraction of total Farm Bill outlays and represent an important, and growing, component of the agricultural economy," the senators said in the letter. "We strongly urge you to ensure that the Senate-passed energy title, with the full $900 million in mandatory funding, is included within the conference agreement." Klobuchar is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and has long supported an increased role for renewable fuels in the U.S energy supply. In the 2013 Farm Bill Klobuchar worked to include an amendment in the Senate-passed Farm Bill to provide additional funds for the Rural Energy for America (REAP) program. Franken, a member of the Senate Energy Committee, helped write the energy section of the bill, which will produce jobs and growth in Minnesota's agriculture energy sector. He has also worked hard to preserve investments in federal programs that provide beginning farmers and ranchers with education and training, access to credit, and access to affordable land. And he successfully fought to preserve the federal sugar program by voting to ensure that vital protections remain in place for sugar growers. The sugar industry contributes thousands of jobs and billions of dollars … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2598 | Chairman Franken Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Transparency over Government Surveillance of Americans | 2013-11-06 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, announced the witnesses who will testify at his hearing on legislation to help Americans hold the government accountable by increasing transparency over the government surveillance of American citizens. The legislation is currently considered the leading surveillance transparency bill in the Senate. Chairman Franken's hearing will focus on the Surveillance Transparency Act of 2013, which he first introduced this past summer. Last week, the bill was reintroduced with bipartisan support from Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.). The legislation would expand and improve ongoing government reporting about programs under the PATRIOT Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that have recently been the subject of controversy. It would also allow companies to report on the numbers of government information requests they receive, and the number of their users affected by those requests. These provisions will provide Americans with the basic information they need to decide for themselves whether the government is giving due weight to both privacy and national security. "Minnesotans and the rest of the American public are naturally suspicious of executive power, and when things are done secretly, they tend to think that power is being abused," said Chairman Franken. "Right now, the public isn't getting the most basic information about what's going on with government surveillance programs. That needs to change. This bill goes a long way toward giving Americans the transparency they deserve, and I look forward to discussing it in my subcommittee." The following witnesses will testify before the subcommittee: The Honorable Senator Dean Heller of Nevada. The Honorable Robert Litt, General Counsel, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Brad Wiegmann, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, National Security Division, Department of Justice. Richard Salgado, Director, Law Enforcement and Information Securit… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2599 | Klobuchar, Franken, Bipartisan Group of Senators Call On Army Corps to Expedite Efforts to Stop the Spread of Asian Carp in the Great Lakes | 2013-11-06 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with a bipartisan group of 14 other senators, today called on the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite efforts to stop the spread of Asian carp in the Great Lakes. In a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy, the senators urged the Army Corps to identify the specific measures needed to cut off Asian carp entry points into the Great Lakes. "It is our expectation that the Corps will work with Congress, our staff, and regional stakeholders before and after the report is issued so that we can expeditiously determine how to best move forward with a comprehensive approach to address Asian Carp and other aquatic invasive species," the letter said. "We ask you to identify how you intend to work with stakeholders on a comprehensive alternative that will maintain commerce, enhance and not degrade water quality, and permanently safeguard the Great Lakes from Asian carp." This month, Klobuchar's provision to help fight the spread of Asian carp in Minnesota's waterways by closing the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock within a year, which was cosponsored by Sen. Franken, passed the House of Representatives. It is now included in both the Senate and House water infrastructure bills, which will go to conference committee before final passage. Klobuchar and Franken have worked with members of both parties on legislative efforts to stop Asian carp from wreaking havoc on the Great Lakes' ecosystem. Last year Klobuchar and Franken helped pass the bipartisan Stop Invasive Species Act, which President Obama signed into law. The law requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to present Congress, by the end of the year, with a report (known as the GLMRIS report) on potential strategies to help prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. Today's bipartisan letter requests that the Corps make clear the steps it will take once that report is submitted to determine the best course of action. The full text of the letter and list of cosigners is below: November 6, 2013The… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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