Press releases
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1,368 rows where state = "MN" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ellison-mccollum-emmer-send-letter-to-secretary-of-state-kerry-regarding | Ellison, McCollum, Emmer Send Letter to Secretary of State Kerry Regarding Protests in Ethiopia | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Keith Ellison | E000288 | ellison.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON DC Reps. Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum, and Tom Emmer sent the following letter to Secretary of State John Kerry regarding the student protests in the Oromia region of Ethiopia calling for stronger action against human rights violations: Full text of letter: December 23, 2015 The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary of State United States Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520 Dear Secretary Kerry: We are writing in regards to the recent student protests in the Oromia region of Ethiopia that have erupted in response to the Ethiopian governments Master Plan to expand Addis Ababa into surrounding farmland. Minnesota is home to the largest Oromo population in the United States and we have been contacted by hundreds of constituents concerned about the violence and intimidation these protesters have faced from government security forces. We would like to commend youfor condemning the recent killings and violence against peaceful Oromo protesters.However, our constituents feel that stronger action is required to address the deteriorating human rights situation in the region. The United States and Ethiopia have shared a long, fruitful relationship and are partners on a number of issues important to the region. This ongoing relationship, coupled with the extensive foreign assistance that the United States provides Ethiopia each year, should be used to leverage the United States position that inclusive democracy be practiced in Ethiopia. Numerous reports from organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Committee on the Protection of Journalists have revealed the growing practice of government security forces using arbitrary arrests and prosecution to silence journalists and Ethiopian citizens who are simply exercising freedom of expressiona fundamental right and the cornerstone of a democratic society. These individuals are often charged under the draconian 2009 anti-terrorism proclamation. The continued mistreatment and displacement of the Oromo ethnic group in the Oromia region is … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/minnesota-congressional-delegation-urges-va-secretary-visit-st-cloud-va | Minnesota Congressional Delegation Urges VA Secretary to Visit St. Cloud VA Hospital | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Tom Emmer | E000294 | emmer.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. On Monday, the Minnesota Congressional Delegation called upon U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to visit the St. Cloud VA Health Care System (St. Cloud VA) as soon as possible to reassure the employees and the thousands of veterans they serve of the VAs commitment to providing a healthy and productive workplace to ensure delivery of the highest quality medical care. The bi-partisan group of lawmakers wrote to the VA Secretary after media reports revealed multiple complaints about the St. Cloud VA work environment.The letter was signed by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Tom Emmer, Rep. Tim Walz, Rep. Rick Nolan, Rep. Collin Peterson, Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Betty McCollum, Rep. Erik Paulsen, and Rep. John Kline. We are writing to bring your personal attention to recent media reports about the St. Cloud VA Health Care System, the lawmakers wrote. Several local media outlets have reported concerns about patient access and care, workplace culture, facility operations and construction contracting. On October 2, Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Tim Walz (D-MN), who sits on the House Veterans Affairs Oversight and Investigation Sub-committee, visited the St Cloud VA to conduct oversight following the recent release of a 2014 report to the Office of the Inspector General conducted by the VA Midwest Health Network (VISN-23). The 2014 VISN 23 report substantiated five of the six allegations regarding St. Cloud VA facilities, services, staffing and managerial practices. After Reps. Emmer and Walz heard concerns about ongoing strained relationships, lack of trust, and unresolved grievances, the pair suggested to both management and labor to voluntarily and jointly request assistance and support from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Were encouraged that management and labor at the facility recently agreed to voluntarily work together with facilitation and training conducted by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to strengthen workplace relationships… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-lawmakers-especially-rep-nolan-great-job-on-getting-white | Mesabi Daily News: Lawmakers, especially Rep. Nolan, great job on getting White House chief of staff here | 2015-12-21 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | We are extremely pleased that Minnesotas federal lawmakers especially 8th District U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan and the governor have worked to get the attention of the White House regarding the iron ore and steel crisis that is devastating the Iron Range. Gov. Mark Dayton and Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken all deserve credit, along with Rep. Nolan, for working hard to repeatedly deliver the message with a sense of urgency that the very foundation of the nation its ore and steel industries are being unfairly hammered by illegally subsidized steel imports. Nolans efforts have been relentless. He even went so far as to spend time with President Obamas Chief of Staff Denis McDonough at a White House Christmas party on Dec. 7 to personally impress upon the presidents top advisor just how dire is the situation. McDonough took what he heard that night from Nolan to the president and Obama directed him to travel to the Range and get some first-hand information on the situation. McDonough called the congressman the next day to tell him he would be visiting Minnesotas Iron Range. The chief of staffs journey to the Range was confirmed by those Minnesota elected officials this week, and McDonough will venture to the Range next Tuesday for a meeting at Mesabi Range College with all stakeholders in the areas distressed mining industry. This is a major development for the area. We need help from the Obama administration and we need it very soon. And it is imperative that message is impressed upon McDonough with respectful passion and the utmost urgency. The chief of staff needs to hear exactly what is at stake the very survival of the Iron Range, which is of vital importance to the future of the State of Minnesota and the overall United States. The cheaters are winning in global trade of steel and steel products. The aggressive infusion of illegally subsidized steel has been out of control. And it doesnt really matter how many rulings come down against these trade cheats, they just keep on winning because the International T… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-12182015 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/18/2015 | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Christmas in Washington Dear Friends, We extend our sincere thanks to the men and women in uniform whose sacrifice allows us to celebrate tradition and family during the holidays. Some of our servicemen will be overseas during this holiday season so we extend special thanks to those who are away from their families and keeping us safe. This week Congress passed much-needed tax credit extensions to provide more certainty for Americans and an appropriations bill which will fund our government in 2016. Finally, as the New Year approaches, I would like to wish you the best this holiday season. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Agri-Pulse Open Mic Last week, I joined Agri-Pulse host Jeff Nalley for an Open Mic interview about current farm law and risk management tools. I also offered my perspective on the recent Agriculture Committee review of the Farm Credit System, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, Cuba policy and nutrition programs. Legislative Update This week Congress passed a comprehensive tax credit extension bill and an appropriations package which will fund our government next year. I supported both of these bills on the floor. The tax extenders bill provides much-needed certainty to the marketplace for businesses, farmers, and families. Small businesses will be able to better plan ahead as several tax extensions were made permanent or extended several years. The legislation permanently extends increased expensing limits under Section 179 of the tax code, a provision that is used by farmers and small businesses and is critical to keeping our rural economy strong. This bill also includes deductions for charitable giving, such as tax-free charitable distributions from individual retirement accounts, and makes permanent the option to claim an itemized deduction for state and local general sales taxes. Other extensions include enhanced versions of the child tax credit, American Opportunity Tax Credit, and Earned Income Tax Credit. The appropriations bill funds programs… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-statement-on-republican-tax-extender-and-omnibus-legisation | Rep. Ellison Statement on Republican Tax-Extender and Omnibus legisation | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Keith Ellison | E000288 | ellison.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON—Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the “Tax Extender†bill and Omnibus funding bill. “Our nation faces crumbling infrastructure, a rental-housing crisis, and millions of people struggling with low wages. I voted against the Omnibus today, and the tax extender bill yesterday, because they didn’t go far enough in addressing these critical issues. “The tax extenders bill would double down on the Republican plan to shrink the size of government by “starving the beast.†By passing massive tax cuts for multi-national corporations, this bill will add more than $2 trillion to the national debt over the next two decades. “This Omnibus funding bill does not provide anywhere near the funding levels we need to provide housing, health care, education and basic medical research for Americans. While this spending bill removes some of the harm from the partisan riders included in the original draft, it fails to ensure that no American lives in grinding poverty, that everyone has access to quality education and that our roads, bridges and subway systems are safe and reliable. In addition, the spending bill repealed a forty-year ban on companies exporting crude oil. Lifting the ban will cost thousands of American refinery jobs and could lead to as many as 7,000 new oil wells every year. This repeal will give the oil industry an extra $20 billion a year while they ship jobs overseas, endanger our natural resources and wildlife, and add more carbon to the atmosphere. While I support some of the investments that are proven to help working families to succeed – such as making the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit permanent – the price demanded by Republicans for corporate tax giveaways was too high. When we slash federal funds that could be available for childcare, prenatal care and early childhood nutrition, we don’t just harm people, we reduce the benefits our society could reap from investing in working fami… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/transcript-of-rep-ellison-floor-speech-in-opposition-to-omnibus-bill | Transcript of Rep. Ellison Floor Speech in Opposition to Omnibus Bill | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Keith Ellison | E000288 | ellison.house.gov | legacy | Let me thank the Gentlelady. I just want to say, you've done an awesome job holding down the Progressive Caucus special order hour. It's been to the benefit of everyone who listens. So, Bonnie Watson Coleman, thank you very much. Mr. speaker, it's important for all of us involved in this debate and for every American to understand a concept known as Starve the Beast. It's a conservative concept and what it really means, and I would like everybody just to be clear, what it means is that the conservative wing in our country wants to shrink the size of government where a big multinational oil company will never have to worry about an E.P.A. regulator because the government will have so little money, they won't have an E.P.A. regulator. The Starve the Beast concept means that a big bank won't ever have to worry about a bank regulator saying, hey, Mr. banker, you cannot do that with the American people's money, you have to be fair, you have to be proper and right with the people's money, because we'll shrink the government to be so small and so weak that there won't ever be that regulator who will say to the big banks, you cannot do that. Starve the Beast means that the largest private sector elements in our country can escape the accountability that the government provides through the people who inspect the water, the people who inspect the meat, the people who inspect the air quality. And when the public interest runs afoul of private gain, the private gain will prevail because the public won't have the wherewithal and resources to say, no, or you have to readjust this, or you have to operate at a higher standard of quality or anything like that. How do you get this Starve the Beast strategy in play? One thing you do is you have unpaid-for tax cuts and you get these tax cuts in place, they're all good you say, isn't this great, don't you want to stop paying taxes? Who likes paying taxes? Nobody. So people say, ok, good, we're going to get out of having to pay taxes, how nice. Then you don't pay for them. But then wh… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-statement-on-the-omnibus-vote | Nolan Statement on the Omnibus Vote | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today voted in favor of the FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act. On the whole, this bipartisan compromise bill is good for the 8th District, Minnesota and our entire nation, Nolan said. For Minnesotas hard-hit Iron Range, the legislation advances our battle against the illegal dumping of low-grade, foreign government-subsidized steel with a provision I strongly supported to provide more funds and resources to crack down on cheater nations. And it requires the use of American iron ore and steel in a wide range of EPA public water system and treatment projects. The bill also provides additional funds for local transportation projects in Minnesota and throughout the nation, along with new measures to make our air and rail systems safer. It fully funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) so we can continue our progress in bringing back the St. Louis River, along with hundreds of other projects throughout the Great Lakes System; and after a long, tough battle, this legislation reauthorizes the Land & Water Conservation Fund that has provided Minnesota with more than $200 million over the years to help local communities preserve the places they love without costing taxpayers a dime. While Im deeply disappointed that we were unable to completely stop the Republican give-away to big oil companies in their push to lift the 40-year old ban on crude oil exports, I am pleased our leadership fought to extend and include important tax credits to support wind and solar energy reducing pollution and lightening our carbon footprint, Nolan continued. Im also pleased that we were able to remove provisions that would have weakened EPA clean water regulations. The measure fully funds the National Institutes of Health so they can continue groundbreaking research leading to new treatments and ultimately cures for cancer, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, diabetes and other dreadful diseases that rob our people and our nation of so much life and productivity. Students and teachers will benefit as well from addi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://walz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-walz-votes-for-omnibus-appropriations-bill | Rep. Walz Votes for Omnibus Appropriations Bill | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Tim Walz | W000799 | walz.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] Today, Rep. Walz in support of the FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. This measure funds the government for FY 2016. The bill implements the Bipartisan Budget Agreement that was adopted by Congress in October. While this bill is not perfect; it is a bipartisan compromise. I supported this legislation today because it is needed to keep southern Minnesota moving in the right direction. From provisions that support renewable energy from the heartland, to funding our troops in the field and important national security priorities, to groundbreaking medical research and important investments in education. The bills investments in priorities include the following: Renewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021), while phasing both credits down somewhat over time. Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit. Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Overall Education: The bill restores the $2.5 billion cut in education that the GOP had proposed and also makes critical additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students. Early Learning: Investing in Head Start produces results and this bill invests nearly $400 million more than the House GOP bill and nearly $600 million more than 2015 in this vital initiative. The bill also provides $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, assisting 18 states across the country. Medical Research: Medical research at NIH has been underfunded for the last several years. This bill provides $900 million more than the House GOP bill and $… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmers-statement-omnibus-bill | Emmer's Statement on Omnibus Bill | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Tom Emmer | E000294 | emmer.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) released the below statement following todays vote on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, also known as the Omnibus Bill: One thing Ive learned throughout my time in Congress and as a married man is that you do not typically get everything you want. Today, we voted on a piece of legislation where both sides of the aisle won some and lost some. Like many of my colleagues, there are many items I wished would have been included, however, I believe it is more important to acknowledge some of the positive and crucial items that were included in the Omnibus Bill. This legislation repeals the out of date oil export ban, strengthens the Visa Waiver Program, makes the United States trade agreement compliant by repealing COOL and invests in our nations transportation infrastructure. This bill addresses our countrys out of control Washington bureaucracy by reining in the IRS and cutting funding for the EPAs overreaches. Todays bill also prohibits taxpayer funding for abortions as well as any new funding for Obamacare. Lastly, we provide for our heroes by honoring our commitments to our veterans, adequately funding our military, and providing necessary health care benefits to 9/11 first responders. While it is clear I see many benefits to todays Omnibus Bill, the fact is that I had concerns that I simply could not push aside. Our nation faces an enormous and growing $18 trillion debt that our children and grandchildren will be burdened with, unless we begin to act. I have great issues withnew spending without plans to slow debt increases. I am hopeful that yesterdays tax extender package along with the pro-growth policies in todays bill, will lead to a stronger economic recovery that will benefit all Americans. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/passing-11t-appropriations-bill-victory-democrats | Passing $1.1T Appropriations Bill a Victory for Democrats | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Today, the House of Representatives voted on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, a $1.1T bill to fund the day-to-day operations of the federal government and make critical investments in our national security and programs that serve the American people. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) released the following statement regarding her vote in support of this legislation: The appropriations bill that was passed today is a significant political victory for Democrats in Congress. Republicans hold their largest Congressional majority in 66 years, but Democrats forced the most harmful conservative policy riders out of this bill. Attacks on womens health, Syrian refugees, and our environment were stripped from this bill because Democrats stood united. This bill demonstrates that Democrats will stand united to defend our priorities and that Republicans are still unable to effectively govern. In addition to pulling the worst of the worst policy riders from the bill, Democrats delivered increased investments for clean air, clean water, and our nations parks. This legislation also includes increased funding for anti-poverty efforts, medical research, and education. The new investments in this bill are at their highest possible level given our current budget situation. 150 Republicans followed the leadership of the Democratic minority and supported this new spending. In spite of an overwhelming majority, Republicans were forced to abandon nearly all of their right-wing budget and policy priorities because Democrats kept the focus on governing responsibly and meeting the needs of the American people. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20160910212758/https://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3345 | Sen. Frankens Statement on Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsays Departure | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | web.archive.org | legacy | Today U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.)issued the following statement on Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay's acceptance of a new position as police chief of Wichita, Kansas:"Chief Ramsay has been an incredible leader and asset to the Duluth community," said Sen. Franken. "He has worked tirelessly to make Duluth a safer and more inclusive city. I've had the opportunity to work with Chief Ramsay on issues ranging from mental health to combatting synthetic drug use, and he was always insightful and engaged. Wichita is lucky to have him, and he will be missed in Minnesota."Sen. Franken has worked closely with Chief Ramsay on several issues throughout the years. Most recently, Chief Ramsay participated in a roundtable hosted by Sen. Franken on his Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act Friday, December 18, 2015 Today U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.)issued the following statement on Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay's acceptance of a new position as police chief of Wichita, Kansas:"Chief Ramsay has been an incredible leader and asset to the Duluth community," said Sen. Franken. "He has worked tirelessly to make Duluth a safer and more inclusive city. I've had the opportunity to work with Chief Ramsay on issues ranging from mental health to combatting synthetic drug use, and he was always insightful and engaged. Wichita is lucky to have him, and he will be missed in Minnesota."Sen. Franken has worked closely with Ch… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=49cbf0e4-2271-4a09-bb5c-72d8531b66cb | Klobuchar, Boozman, Franken Introduce Bipartisan National Child Protection Training Act | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Bill would build on the success of the National Child Protection Training Centers (NCPTC) facility at Winona State University, improve child abuse training programs, and enhance child protection nationwide WASHINGTON DC U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Boozman (R-AR), and Al Franken (D-MN) today introduced the National Child Protection Training Act, a bipartisan bill that seeks to improve child abuse training programs and enhance child protection nationwide. The bill would build on the success of the National Child Protection Training Centers (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 and major advocate on this issue, Ive seen firsthand what a difference the right resources can make to children and families trying to escape the horrors of child abuse, Klobuchar said. I have visited Winona State many times, and have seen 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. Our children deserve the best opportunities we can provide to keep them safe and help them overcome issues resulting from abuse.This bill expands on the success of theSouthern Regional Training Center at the Northwest Arkansas Community Collegeand provides our child advocates with the tools and resources they need to support victims of child abuse, Boozman said. "Making sure that people who work closely with children have the appropriate training to detect signs of child abuse is one of the best ways to protect our chi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=67ad5979-0f5d-4375-80a8-11aff83b099d | Klobuchar: Bipartisan Year-End Budget Agreement is Good for Minnesota | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Agreement advances many of Klobuchars legislative priorities, which include efforts to invest in medical research, protect Great Lakes, support National Guard, honor veterans, combat sex trafficking, protect consumers, promote rail safety, and suspend the medical device tax,among others Also extends several tax credits that will provide certainty for Minnesota businesses and families while boosting Minnesotas investment in clean energy WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced that a bipartisan year-end agreement she backed has passed the Senate in the form of two pieces of legislation with key Minnesota priorities. The agreement is comprised of a tax extenders bill and omnibus appropriations bill that have passed the House and are now expected to be signed into law. The agreement advances many of Klobuchars legislative priorities, which include efforts to invest in medical research, protect the Great Lakes, support the National Guard and honor our veterans, combat sex trafficking, protect consumers, promote rail safety, and suspend the medical device tax, among others. It also extends several tax credits that will provide certainty for Minnesota businesses and families while boosting Minnesotas investment in clean energy. This compromise deal is good for Minnesota and it is good for our country, Klobuchar said. It includes important investments in renewable energy like wind and solar, critical funding for the National Institutes of Health, funding for our transportation networks and conservation programs, and important provisions to make our country safer and more secure. It also includes a two year suspension of the medical device tax, which I have long advocated for because of its harmful impact on manufacturing and innovation in Minnesota and across our country. The agreement advances many of Klobuchars priorities, including: Investing in Cutting-Edge Medical Research At $32.1 billion, the agreement includes the largest funding increase for National Institutes of Health (… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=c0dc14cd-ad0d-47b9-825d-fda9683c01d0 | Klobuchar-Backed Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Families From Dangerous Chemicals Passes Senate | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Bipartisan bill requires the EPA to review new and existing chemicals and regulate them based on the impact they would have on those most at risk, ensures chemical companies cannot hide information about their products from the public, and requires chemical companies to contribute to the cost of regulation Klobuchar has been a leader in consumer protection, and has fought for setting tough limits for diesel and formaldehyde emissions, the installation of smart phone kill switches, and limiting the amount of lead used in toys WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar backed bipartisan legislation to protect families from dangerous chemicals. The legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review new and existing chemicals and regulate them based on the impact they would have on those most at risk, ensures chemical companies cannot hide information about their products from the public, and requires chemical companies to contribute to the cost of regulation. The legislation overhauls the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). In the 39 years since TSCA was enacted, the EPA has been able to restrict just five chemicals, and it has prevented only four chemicals from going to market - out of the more than 23,000 new chemicals manufactured since 1976. The bill must now be reconciled with the U.S. House of Representatives-passed legislation. This is a critical bipartisan step forward in protecting our families from the dangers of toxic chemicals, said Klobuchar. In this complex economy, people need strong advocates who will fight to ensure the safety and integrity of the goods, products, and services they buy, and I will remain vigilant in my work to protect American families. Klobuchar has been a leader in the U.S. Senate in protecting consumers and holding those responsible for wrongdoing accountable. Since her time as a prosecutor, she has made protecting citizens a priority, including calling for the recent prosecution of peanut company executives responsible for a salmo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3343 | Sen. Franken Reintroduces Bill to Help Protect Minnesota Nurses and Health Care Workers from Workplace Injuries | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.)has reintroduced legislationto address the hazards that nurses and health care workers face when manually lifting patients.The Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act, would help ensure that nurses and health care workerswho too often suffer serious, preventable injuries due to unsafe lifting practicescan do their job more safely.Our nurses and health care workers provide essential care to millions of Americans, and they shouldnt have to sacrifice their safety or their livelihood to do so,Sen. Franken said.Every year, thousands of these caregivers sustain serious injuries as a result of manually lifting patients. These injuries can cause a lifetime of chronic pain and even force nurses to leave the profession permanently. My bill would ensure that nurses and health care workers have the tools they need to do their jobs safely, which would prevent injuries, increase patient safety, and reduce costs.This bill, which was also reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), has the support of key organizations that have long-sought reforms for nurses and health care workers.Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), an organization that represents thousands of nurses,said,Nurses and other healthcare workers put their patients first. Sometimes, these workers get physically hurt by helping the people they care for. This bill provides a wonderful solution for patients, nurses and other healthcare workers by creating a federal standard on safe patient handling, mobility and injury prevention. As the nations second-largest nurses union, the AFT supports Sen. Franken and Rep. Conyers efforts to give our members a safe healthcare environment in which they can do what they do bestprovide the highest-quality of care for their patients.The American Nurses Association (ANA) President PamelaF. Cipriano, commended Sen. Franken and Rep. Conyers for the introduction of the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act.Every day, nurses … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/emmer-reform-fed | Emmer: Reform the Fed | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Tom Emmer | E000294 | emmer.house.gov | legacy | Yesterday, Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, announced that they are raising interest rates for the first time in almost a decade. While it remains to be seen how well unelected bureaucrats in Washington can maneuver monetary policy back towards normal interest rates, there is no doubt in my mind that we need to reform the Fed to make it more transparent and accountable to the American people. Two improvements that must be made law are rule based monetary policy which allows market participants to more accurately anticipate the Feds monetary policy actions and Ron Pauls Audit the Fed legislation which lets the American people know to whom the Fed is lending money. Luckily, the House Financial Services Committee has been diligently working on these initiatives. On November 19, 2015, the House of Representatives passed the Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization Act (H.R. 3189) by a bipartisan vote of 241- 185, which includes both of these measures. It is my hope that that the Senate considers H.R. 3189 at their earliest convenience and that one day it is enacted into law. To watch Representative Emmer speak on the House Floor on the Fed Oversight and Modernization Act, click on the video below. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-votes-622-billion-tax-relief | Emmer Votes for $622 Billion in Tax Relief | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Tom Emmer | E000294 | emmer.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) today voted in favor of the Tax Extender Package which passed with a vote of318-109. The American people know that we cannot tax and spend our way into prosperity, said Emmer. Minnesotans know how to spend their money better than Washington bureaucrats. Today, passage of this legislation allows for $622 billion in tax relief over the next 10 years, which allows families, businesses and taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money. The package allows for a 2-year suspension of the medical device tax - which is crucial to Minnesota - and the so-called Cadillac Tax, said Emmer. "This package also makes the research and development credit permanent, extends the bonus depreciation credit, and enhances Section 179 for small businesses. This package is a huge win for Minnesota, and what is good for Minnesota is good for the Country. Congress has a duty to enact pro-growth policies that help working families and encourage, not stifle, development and innovation throughout our nation, and today we took a big step towards doing just that. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=1779 | House Passes Two-year Suspension of the Medical Device Tax | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Erik Paulsen | P000594 | paulsen.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) voted for, and the House approved, legislation that suspends the medical device excise tax for a two-year period in a vote Thursday afternoon. The provision was included in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, which also makes a number of temporary tax provisions permanent in order to give more certainty to American taxpayers. The medical device tax is a 2.3% excise tax on the sale of medical devices like pacemakers, ventilators, and artificial hips and was included in the Affordable Care Act, which passed Congress in 2010. Paulsen has long championed efforts to repeal the medical device tax in Congress, and legislation he authored, the Protect Medical Innovation Act, passed the House earlier this year by a bipartisan vote of 280-140. Last year, he authored an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal on the need to repeal the burdensome tax. Suspending the medical device tax will give much needed relief to our innovators and job creators that are developing life-saving and life-improving products, said Paulsen. Temporarily repealing this tax is welcome news for the hundreds of medical device companies in Minnesota and the tens of thousands of workers they employ. This bipartisan vote sets the stage to get rid of this burdensome, job-killing tax once and for all, and Ill continue to lead the effort for its full repeal. Paulsen spoke about the legislation on the House floor before the vote. Video is available here. Congressman Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus. For more information on Congressman Paulsens work in Congress visitpaulsen.house.gov. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=1780 | Paulsen-authored Provisions Included in Year-end Tax Package | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Erik Paulsen | P000594 | paulsen.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. In addition to a two-year suspension of the medical device tax, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) secured other important provisions in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act to give more certainty and predictability to taxpayers. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 318-109 and made permanent a number of temporary tax provisions that are often renewed on a short-term basis or retroactively. Were the only country in the world that lets important parts of our tax code expire on a regular basis, said Paulsen. Minnesota families and small businesses cant plan for the future when Congress passes tax policy at the last second, or even worse, retroactively. By making charitable giving and other important tax provisions permanent, were giving more certainty to businesses and hardworking taxpayers, which will help grow our economy. Provisions authored by Congressman Paulsen included in the PATH Act are: IRA Charitable Rollover Allows IRA owners aged 70 and older to rollover required withdrawals to charities without being required to count the money as income. This popular provision has been renewed several times since 2005 and is made permanent in the PATH Act. Removal of Bond Requirements for Small Brewers Currently, small brewers face biweekly bonding requirements that require time and money to meet. Under the PATH Act, small brewers will only need to meet these bonding requirements quarterly. Increasing Foreign Investment A provision that encourages foreign investment in the U.S. by easing tax and administrative burdens on foreign investors in U.S. mutual funds. Tax Rate for Small Mutual Insurance Companies Cuts taxes for small mutual insurance companies, allowing them to grow and better serve local communities across the country. Expanding the Definition of Hard Cider Modifies and broadens definition of hard cider so that more small, craft cider makers will qualify for a lower excise tax rate. Congressman Pauls… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=7e54851a-b4e4-4821-bd79-0be440d1bd88 | Senator Amy Klobuchar's Statement On Resuming Commercial Air Travel Between the U.S. and Cuba | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, the chief author of the bipartisan bill lifting the trade embargo restrictions against Cuba, issued the following statement regarding the agreement between the United States and Cuba to resume commercial air travel between the two countries: "Securing commercial flights between the United States and Cuba will make it easier for Americans to seek travel and commerce opportunities on the island after more than 50 years of isolation. This announcement is an important step in modernizing our relationship with Cuba. The next step is for Congress to pass my bipartisan bill to lift the fifty-three-year-old embargo so that we can boost U.S. exports and allow Cubans greater access to American goods." Klobuchar is leading the bipartisan Freedom to Export to Cuba Actwhich currently has 22 Senate cosponsors. The bill lifts the current embargo and allows more U.S. goods to be exported to Cuba. The bill would eliminate the legal barriers to Americans doing business in Cuba, boosting job creation and exports. It does not repeal provisions of current law that address human rights in Cuba or that allow individuals and businesses to pursue claims against the Cuban government. Klobuchar attended the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba with Secretary of State John Kerry in August. She also recently testified before the International Trade Commission to highlight the benefits of lifting the trade embargo with Cuba. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=a09bdef5-4ec8-44f4-8afb-95f28e76f29c | Klobuchar, Hatch Become Senate Co-Chairs of Rare Disease Congressional Caucus | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) have been named Senate co-chairs of the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus to bring public and Congressional awareness to the unique needs of the rare disease community. Their new role is an opportunity to work with patients, physicians, scientists, and industry to create opportunities to address roadblocks in access to and development of crucial treatments. The Caucus works to give a permanent voice to the rare disease community on Capitol Hill and highlight the broad benefits of work on rare disease. While there are about 7,000 known rare diseases, there are fewer than 500 drugs approved to treat any of those conditions, Klobuchar said. It is critical that we work together to increase the number of safe, effective, and affordable treatments that are available for people with rare diseases. I have long worked with Senator Hatch on this issue and I look forward to continuing this work as a Senate Co-Chair of the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus. Throughout my time in the Senate, I have worked hard to help the 30 million Americans with rare diseases, said Hatch. While we have seen great success from past achievements like the Orphan Drug Act, the fact that 95 percent of rare diseases have no treatment shows that much more needs to be done. Senator Klobuchar has been a terrific partner on legislation to get vital treatments to patients in need, and I am honored to join her as Senate Co-Chairs of the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus. Klobuchar is a leader in efforts to boost innovation and provide safe options in the treatment of rare diseases. She has consistently called for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health and medical research, which is critical to fueling the next generation of biomedical breakthroughs such as the treatment of rare diseases. She also introduced the OPEN Act with Senator Hatch to increase the number of safe, effective, and affordable treatments that are available for people with rare diseases. #… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3339 | In Senate Speech, Sen. Franken Praises Momentous International Climate Change Agreement | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | In a speech delivered today on the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.)applauded the recent international agreement that aims to combat the causes of climate change. Sen. Franken, who was among a group of 10 Senators representing the U.S. at the summit, said the international move toward clean energy will open up new opportunities for the nation and for Minnesota, which is already a leader in renewable energy production.You can download video of his speech by clicking here."This past Saturday, 196 countries came together and agreed to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, taking a very important step in the fight against climate change," said Sen. Franken. "This historic agreement is a recognition that we cannot afford to ignore the negative impacts of climate change. And that we must work together, globally, to put the planet on a safer path forward.""But our job is not done," Sen. Franken continued. "The agreement in Paris puts the planet on a safer trajectory than the one we have been on. But we have to remain vigilant and build on that success. Internationally, we have to hold other nations accountable, ensure that they commit to stronger emission reduction targets over time, and to make sure that those reductions are transparent and verifiable. Domestically, we have to build on the success of our cities and states, and we have to work to make sure that the Clean Power Plan and other emission reduction policies are effective. As a member of the Senate Energy Committee, I intend to do just that."Working to address climate change has been one of Sen. Franken's top prioritiessince joining the Senate. He has fought to reduce carbon emissions and transition our economy to renewable, homegrown sources of energy.You can read a copy of his prepared remarks below: Floor Statement on Paris Climate NegotiationsSenator Al Franken(as prepared for delivery) M. President, I rise today to celebrate the successful climate negotiations that just wrapped up in Paris.This past Saturday, 196 countries came together and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3340 | Sen. Franken: Suspension of Medical Device Tax Will Boost Innovation, Jobs in Minnesotas Important Medical Device Industry | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) hailed a two-year suspension of the medical device taxincluded in a bipartisan tax compromiseas an important boost to Minnesota's medical device companies that will help create jobs and expand innovation in an industry that already provides tens of thousands of jobs in the state.Sen. Franken has fought the tax since it was first proposed as part of the Affordable Care Act, and has worked for several years to repeal it. The two-year suspension of the tax is expected to be voted on as part of a larger legislative package in the days to come."This is great news for an industry that is so important to Minnesota's economy and to millions of people who rely on the life-saving technology our state's medical device industry produces each and every day," said Sen. Franken. "I fought for this important change because it will allow hundreds of important Minnesota companiesboth large and smallto create jobs, expand innovation,and continue to improve the health of people across the globe."Sen. Franken, a strong supporter of the medical device industry, has fought the medical device tax since it was first proposed. During the debate over the health reform law, he fought to have the tax stripped from the bill, and ultimately succeeded in getting it cut in half in the final legislation. He has cosponsored bills to repeal the medical device tax several times during his time in the Senate. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3341 | Sen. Franken Successfully Helps Revive Critical Loan Program That Helps 10,000 Minnesota Students Afford College | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) lauded the Senate passage of a two-year extension to the Perkins Loan program, which helps 10,000 Minnesota college students afford school each year. In October the program expired, cutting off an important lifeline for students who need help paying for college.The Perkins Loan program provides critical support for students who have already reached their limit on other federal loans and still need help paying for things like textbooks and materials. While the bill that passed in the Senate today extends Perkins Loans for two years, it also makes some changes to the program that Sen. Franken hopes to fix when the Education Committee works on reauthorizing our federal financial aid laws."During my time in the Senate, I've held roundtables on college affordability all around Minnesota to hear from students about the challenges that they and their families face in paying for college, and to talk about ways to make the situation better,"said Sen. Franken, a member of the Senate Education Committee. "But unfortunately, college continues to get more and more unaffordable and our students continue to take on more and more debt."In Minnesota, over 10,000 students receive Perkins Loans for an average of $2000 a year. Earlier this year, Congress let that critical support expire, but I'm pleased that we were able to come together today and pass a bipartisan two-year extension of the program. While the extension isn't perfect, it's a compromise that allows the Senate Education Committee to work on renewing our financial aid laws without cutting off students in the meantime."Sen. Franken has long been a champion of making the cost of college more affordable. When the Perkins Loan program expired earlier this year,he immediately fought back.He has also introduced many legislative measures to reduce the cost of college, including two bipartisan college affordability bills that would give students and families better information about the costs of college.You can read about themhereandhere. I… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-announces-cuba-working-group-steering-committee | Emmer Announces Cuba Working Group Steering Committee | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Tom Emmer | E000294 | emmer.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) today joinednine* of his colleagues in announcing the launch of a bipartisan Cuba Working Group along with itssteering committee. An overwhelming majority of the American people supports a change in our policy towards Cuba and the creation of the Cuba Working Group highlights that consensus, said Emmer. Since last year, a massive and sweeping change has occurred in our policy towards Cuba, which has benefits for farmers, manufacturers, and most importantly the Cuban and American people. Im proud to join with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to advance policies that will improve human rights, create opportunities for American exports, and improve our national security and foreign policy. In a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announcing the groups formation, the steering committee members said: Increasingly, the American people are indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba. More people are traveling from the U.S. to Cuba, more businesses are looking for opportunity on the island, and more sectors are eager for trade. The bi-partisan Cuba Working Group will promote a U.S.-Cuba policy that reflects the interests of the American people in engagement with Cuba. The letter concludes, Our goal is to raise the level of understanding inside of Congress for the need to build a new policy framework for U.S.-Cuban relations. The bipartisan Cuba Working Group Steering Committee Members are: Kathy Castor (D-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Rodney Davis* (R-IL),Tom Emmer (R-MN), Sam Farr (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Betty McCollum* (D-MN),Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Mark Sanford* (R-SC), Nydia Velazquez* (D-NY). Letter to Speaker Ryan and Democratic Leader Pelosi can be found here: Cuba Working Group. Emmer is the sponsor of H.R. 3238 - the Cuba Trade Act of 2015. For more information, visit emmer.house.gov/cuba. *Additional Members were ad… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=1777 | Rep. Erik Paulsen Efforts Lead to Inclusion of Medical Device Tax Suspension in Year-end Package | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Erik Paulsen | P000594 | paulsen.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Congressmen Erik Paulsen (MN-03) applauded the inclusion of a two-year medical device tax repeal in the year-end tax extender package announced Tuesday. Paulsen has been a Congressional leader on efforts to eliminate the burdensome 2.3.% excise tax on the sale of medical devices like pacemakers, ventilators, and artificial hips. Legislation he authored to repeal the tax, the Protect Medical Innovation Act, passed the House by a 280-140 vote earlier this year. The medical device tax was initially passed in the Affordable Care Act in 2010 and went into effect in 2013. The medical device tax was a bad idea five years ago, and its a bad idea now, said Paulsen. The tax is stifling innovation of life-saving and life-improving medical technology, killing American manufacturing jobs, and hurting small businesses. For these reasons, a bipartisan coalition in Congress expressed their strong support for elimination of the tax. Suspending this tax will give our innovators some relief from an unnecessary burden and protect high-paying jobs. Advocacy groups and stakeholders cheered the inclusion of the two-year suspension in the package and Paulsens advocacy on the issue. AdvaMed is extremely appreciative of the strong leadership by Rep. Paulsen and his tireless efforts to address the medical device tax, which has resulted in language being included in the extenders bill to suspend the tax, said JC Scott, Senior Executive Vice President, Government Affairs at Advamed. Hitting pause on this harmful tax is an important first step for protecting the medical technology ecosystem, freeing up funds for important research and development projects, and helping to ensure the U.S. remains the global leader in innovation. We urge the House and the Senate to adopt this agreement and the President to sign it as quickly as possible. "We thank Congressman Paulsen for his tremendous leadership on an issue that impacts job creation and patient care throughout the United States. Suspension of the medical device… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=1778 | After Efforts from Klobuchar and Paulsen, Medical Device Tax Suspension Included in Year-End Agreement | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Erik Paulsen | P000594 | paulsen.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Erik Paulsen announced that after efforts from them and other lawmakers, a two-year suspension of the medical device tax has been included in a bipartisan, year-end tax extenders agreement. The proposed package suspends the 2.3% excise tax on the sale of medical device products like pacemakers, ultrasound machines, ventilators, and artificial hips through December 31, 2017. Klobuchar and Paulsen have led efforts that would repeal the tax permanently. Minnesota is home to more than 700 medical device companies that employ approximately 35,000 people. The tax extenders bill is expected to receive votes in both chambers in the coming days. I opposed the medical device tax from the start and have led Senate efforts with Sen. Hatch to repeal it because of its impact on manufacturing and innovation in Minnesota and across our country, said Klobuchar.After a lot of hard work, Democrats and Republicans came together today to suspend this harmful tax for two years. I will continue working with Rep. Paulsen and my colleagues in the Senate to end this tax permanently. Doing so will improve patients lives, create well-paying jobs and give Minnesota businesses the certainty and stability needed to keep researching, inventing and developing the next lifesaving medical breakthrough. Weve seen the harmful, job-crushing effect that taxes in Obamacare are having on our small businesses, and the medical device tax has been one of the worst, said Paulsen.Its driven innovation overseas, harmed job creation here at home, and made it difficult for small businesses to grow. Thats why Ive championed this bipartisan provision that repeals the tax for two years to prevent further job losses and remove an unnecessary burden for Minnesota innovators that manufacture life-saving and life-improving products. As a co-chair of the bipartisan Medical Technology Caucus, Senator Klobuchar has consistently fought for Minnesota medical device companies and has been a lea… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=3f780509-cf80-48ef-84d3-86447e1d3337 | After Call from Dayton, Klobuchar, Franken, and Nolan, Department of Labor Approves Trade Adjustment Assistance for Steel Workers and Miners Impacted by Layoffs | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Department of Labor approves Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for affected workers at Magnetation; TAA provides training and education benefits and services to these workers Lawmakers urged the Department of Labor to expedite approval of TAA petitions WASHINGTON, DC Governor Mark Dayton, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Rick Nolan, today announced that the Department of Labor (DOL) has approved Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petitions for steelworkers and miners who have been impacted by recent layoffs at the Magnetation plant. The lawmakers urged the Department of Labor to expedite approval of TAA petitions submitted by workers from the affected mining operations. Steelworkers on the Iron Range urgently need help as they endure the serious economic consequences of illegal foreign steel dumping,said Governor Mark Dayton.I thank Secretary Perez for expediting benefits for laid off steelworkers at Magnetation LLC. But now we need to get to the root of the problem. We look forward to meeting with White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough next week to discuss steps the Administration can take to fight back against the illegal dumping of foreign steel. The hard-working steelworkers and miners who were affected by recent layoffs on the Iron Range received good news today, Klobuchar said. The Department of Labor responded to our call to approve these benefits, and now our Iron Range workers will have the support they need and deserve to help them get back on their feet. Minnesotas iron ore and steel workers are the best in the world, Franken said. But right now, many of them are sitting on the sidelines waiting for our mining operationsbusinesses that closed because of illegal foreign trade practicesto reopen. Im fighting to improve the Range economy, and in the meantime, I want to make sure that workers who have been laid off can get the support and assistance they need. Im glad that, at our urging, the Department of Labor is going to ensure that Minnesotans who w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=41399f1c-345b-4bc5-af3b-78c6731016f3 | Klobuchar, Franken: Bipartisan Agreement Reached for Senate Confirmation Vote on Wilhelmina Wright As Federal District Court Judge | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Currently serving on the Minnesota Supreme Court, Justice Wright has over 25 years of legal experience and has served at all levels in the Minnesota courts Senate has only confirmed 10 District Court Judges this year, making this announcement a major bipartisan victory WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken today announced a bipartisan agreement that guarantees Wilhelmina Mimi Wrightwill receive a Senate vote on her nominationto be a United States District Court Judge for the District of Minnesota before the February Senate recess. Currently serving on the Minnesota Supreme Court, Wright has over 25 years of legal experience and has served at all levels in the Minnesota courts. Wright was recommended to the senators by a bipartisan judicial selection advisory committee. Klobuchar and Franken formed the bipartisan advisory committee to review candidates and assist them in making a recommendation for the position. The Senate has only confirmed 10 District Court Judges this year, making this announcement a major bipartisan victory. With this critical bipartisan agreement, we now know that the confirmation vote for Mimi Wright will take place very soon, Klobuchar said. Mimi is a dedicated public servant with a distinguished career spanning all levels of the state and federal legal system. I fought hard for her confirmation, and I have no doubt thatthe Senate will confirm her, and she will serve Minnesota well. Being a federal judge demands broad experience and an unwavering commitment to the fair and just application of the law,Franken said.Mimi Wright doesnt just meet those requirements, she exceeds them. Thats why Ive been working so hard to get her confirmed. Im pleased we finally reached a bipartisan agreement to vote on Justice Wrights nomination, and Im confident that she will continue to be a great public servant for Minnesota. Wright was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2012. She previously served on the Minnesota Court of Appeals from 2002-2012. Prior to this appointment… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=d25d14ab-f9fd-4205-ab5c-5f38030eb158 | After Efforts from Klobuchar and Paulsen, Medical Device Tax Suspension Included in Year-End Agreement | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Minnesota is home to more than 700 medical device companies that employ approximately 35,000 people WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Erik Paulsen announced that after efforts from them and other lawmakers, a two-year suspension of the medical device tax has been included in a bipartisan, year-end tax extenders agreement. The proposed package suspends the 2.3% excise tax on the sale of medical device products like pacemakers, ultrasound machines, ventilators, and artificial hips through December 31, 2017. Klobuchar and Paulsen have led efforts that would repeal the tax permanently. Minnesota is home to more than 700 medical device companies that employ approximately 35,000 people. The tax extenders bill is expected to receive votes in both chambers in the coming days. I opposed the medical device tax from the start and have led Senate efforts with Sen. Hatch to repeal it because of its impact on manufacturing and innovation in Minnesota and across our country, said Klobuchar. After a lot of hard work, Democrats and Republicans came together today to suspend this harmful tax for two years. I will continue working with Rep. Paulsen and my colleagues in the Senate to end this tax permanently. Doing so will improve patients lives, create well-paying jobs and give Minnesota businesses the certainty and stability needed to keep researching, inventing and developing the next lifesaving medical breakthrough. Weve seen the harmful, job-crushing effect that taxes in Obamacare are having on our small businesses, and the medical device tax has been one of the worst, said Paulsen. Its driven innovation overseas, harmed job creation here at home, and made it difficult for small businesses to grow. Thats why Ive championed this bipartisan provision that repeals the tax for two years to prevent further job losses and remove an unnecessary burden for Minnesota innovators that manufacture life-saving and life-improving products. As a co-chair of the bipartisan Medical Technology Caucus, Se… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/brainerd-dispatch-reader-opinion-save-our-workers-and-our-industries | Brainerd Dispatch: Reader Opinion: Save our workers (and our industries) | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | The race for multi-national corporate profits through manipulation and trade agreements (including the TPP) is hollowing out the American society. They damage the heart of our social structure by devaluing American workers, insisting that they must somehow compete with cheap, and often exploited and unprotected foreign labor. In addition, foreign production, like steel, is often heavily subsidized by foreign governments and dumped on our domestic markets at artificially low prices, making domestic competition nearly impossible. By not finding ways to protect American industry and the soul of the country, the American worker, we are allowing the ravaging of our economy and the lives of Americans. It is important to understand that Wall Street and the stock market represent how well corporate profits are doing and does not measure the other, longer term, costs of those profits or the economic health of the rest of the society. One example of abuse is the dumping of foreign steel, often highly subsidized by foreign governments. The result is the undercutting of American steel industry and thus mining, mine workers and the businesses and social structure that supports them. Representative Rick Nolan (MN CD 8) has introduced legislation, the Support Our Steelworkers Act (SOS), to stop the dumping of foreign steel on our markets ... to the detriment of our mines, the miners and the supporting structure which is such an integral part of northern Minnesota and our entire state economy. He is working to remedy the situation by encouraging President Obama to immediately impose tariffs to stop the dumping ... something both Reagan and Bush did earlier to support the steel industry...and then to pass the SOS Act. Rep. Nolan wants the American steel industry and the miners to be able to compete fairly and to save a vital industry and American workers. Bob Passi Baxter | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/duluth-news-tribune-lawmakers-decry-central-states-pension-cuts | Duluth News Tribune: Lawmakers decry Central States pension cuts | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | US Reps. Rick Nolan and Marcy Kaptur on Tuesday said they are making an "urgent call to the Treasury Department" to reject a request by the Central States Pension Fund to cut pensions for some 270,000 active Teamsters and retirees in several states including thousands in Minnesota. The pension plan is facing a huge deficit and has petitioned federal regulators to allow it to cut benefits to most recipients by 50 to 70 percent in order to keep paying some pension to everyone. The cuts are allowed under a provision passed in last December's federal spending bill. But Nolan, D-Crosby, and Kaptur, D-Ohio, joined 16 other members of Congress in submitting a public comment Monday night calling on Ken Feinberg, the Department's Special Master of Implementation, to deny Central States' request. "Make no mistake, we are going to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to fight these outrageous cuts. Big corporations that get into financial trouble should not be permitted to take their problems and failures out on employee pensions, especially while executives collect tens of millions of dollars in golden parachutes," Nolan said in a statement. Kaptur is the sponsor of the Keep Our Pension Promises Act, H.R. 2844. The measure, co-sponsored by Nolan, would repeal a provision in last year's last-minute budget agreement that opened the door to pension cuts. It would instead shore up the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation by closing two tax loopholes used almost entirely by wealthy estates to reduce their tax burdens, according to a news release from Nolan. Nolan said the bill would protect the pensions not just of Teamsters under the Central States plan but some 1.5 million workers in about 200 different multi-employer pension plans. "Pensions are paychecks, not handouts," Kaptur said. "If the United States of America could bail out Wall Street, whose risky behavior robbed pension funds of workers' hard-earned benefits they've earned over a lifetime of hard work across our nation, surely we can find a way to restore retired… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/duluth-news-tribune-readers-view-nolan-fights-for-iron-range-in-world-war | Duluth News Tribune: Reader's view: Nolan fights for Iron Range in world war over steel | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | While Republicans control both houses of Congress and trip over each other to undermine President Barack Obama, Minnesotas 8th District has a world-class fighter in U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan. Case in point: our hundreds of jobless Iron Range families who are victims of a steel world war. While Republicans in Congress obsess about Obama and Minnesota Republicans obstruct Gov. Mark Daytons attempt to deliver help from our booming state economy, Nolan joins other fighters like Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, to break the steel-war logjam. According to Brown, China has more steelmaking capacity than the entire rest of the world combined. They cant keep their steel mills busy because they dont have that much domestic consumption. China is always trying to sell steel at below-market prices so-called dumping steel is the term the trade lawyers use. Nolan, from a mining state, and Brown, from a steelmaking state, form an axis of action we all should support at petition2congress.com, where names can be added to the plea to please stop (the) dumping of foreign steel. Help Nolan by going there today. David Strand Aitkin | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/fox-21-new-logging-bill-allows-heavy-logging-trucks-on-i-35 | FOX 21: New Logging Bill Allows Heavy Logging Trucks on I-35 | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | A bill by Congressman Rick Nolan permitting heavy logging trucks on Interstate I-35 has been approved by the house and the senate, and signed in to law by President Barack Obama. Federal regulations prevent logging trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds from using I-35. Because of this, heavy logging trucks had to travel down Superior Street in Duluth.. The bill makes it possible for trucks weighing up to 99,000 lbs with six axles to operate on a 24 mile stretch of I-35. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/grand-forks-herald-big-win-in-federal-transportation-bill-for-minnesota | Grand Forks Herald: Big win in federal transportation bill for Minnesota: planning time | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | More than $4 billion for transportation projects is headed from Washington to Minnesota in the next five years, but money is not the big news for state officials. Minnesota's take is part of a $305 billion funding bill that easily passed the House and Senate late this week. It is the first long-term transportation package Congress has passed in a decade and a rare bipartisan effort in the current Congress. However, Minnesota Department of Transportation officials are quick to point out that the state already planned to get nearly that much federal money. "This is basically flat," MnDOT's Serge Phillips said. "It is not a game changer." The federal money does give Minnesota a few percent increases each of the next five years, but Phillips said the big advantage is having a fair amount of certainty that the money will be available over that period. For years, states have not been able to count on federal money, which hurts planning. "You cant undertake a major project like replacing a bridge when Washington is changing the rules of the game every few months, and this bill is a needed step forward that will create jobs and start the process of improving our transportation infrastructure system," U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said. Phillips said that it will take time to sift through details of the bill, which President Barack Obama signed Friday afternoon. Transportation funding is important to Minnesota, being a geographically rural state with lots of road miles. Also, it learned on Aug. 1, 2007, the importance of maintaining roads and bridges when the Interstate 35W bridge fell into the Mississippi River. "In Minnesota, we know all too well the importance of investing in our roads, bridges and transportation systems," Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said. Klobuchar sponsored several provisions in the bill, including one that requires federal transportation authorities to help state officials reduce safety risks of highway-railroad intersections. In Minnesota, concerns have increased in recent year as trains… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/mille-lacs-county-times-nolan-hears-wish-lists-sees-areas-he-can-help | Mille Lacs County Times: Nolan hears wish lists, sees areas he can help | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Mille Lacs County, city and township leaders appeared to be getting in the Christmas spirit Friday, Dec. 4, because they came to the Mille Lacs County Courthouse with wish lists that could make their communities better places to live, work or navigate. The lists werent compiled for Santa Claus, but U.S. Congressman Rick Nolan, who represents Mille Lacs County and the rest of Minnesotas 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. It was a jovial gathering with Nolan sitting at the dais of the board room of the Mille Lacs County Board with County Commissioners Genny Reynolds, DaveOslin, Phil Peterson and County Administrator Pat Oman. In the audience were the countys engineer Bruce Cochran, land services Michelle McPherson, economic developments Richard Baker, and community and veteran services Beth Crook. There were representatives from the cities of Isle, Pease and Princeton, as well as some township officials. Nolan appeared receptive to many of the challenges of the local units of government and some of the plights they were facing. On a number of occasions, Nolan replied to presenters with the words, We can help you with that. Cochran discussed wetlands delineation programs and the difficult process it was for the county to receive millions of dollars in federal aid. The process needs streamlining, Cochran said. Cochran also discussed funding for road projects and the window in which a project is identified and applications for funding are due. Nolan said there are executive orders that can be issued to help the county with the problem. If you have an individual problem, dont hesitate to call us. Sometimes we know of a fix over and beyond what the average person might be aware of, Nolan said. And when it comes to local projects, Nolan welcomes calls on those, too, he said. I like to roll up my sleeves and work on small projects even if its just a 10-mile trail, he said. One area of conversation that got a lot of talk was the Malone Island Bridge in Isle. Its a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/minnpost-congress-passed-a-long-term-transportation-bill-for-the-first-time | Minnpost: Congress passed a long-term transportation bill for the first time in a decade what's in it for Minnesota? | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON One of Washingtons favorite cans to kick down the road has finally found an off-ramp: after passing 36 short-term extensions, Congress passed a five-year plan to fund the nations highways and infrastructure. The last time it funded them for longer than two years? 2005. Last week, President Obama signed the compromise bill, the so-called FAST Act, that provides $305 billion in federal money over the next five years for transportation projects. It had been negotiated for months, but passed overwhelmingly out of Congress last week as officials sought to put a law in place before highway funding ran out. The bill wont resolve all the questions surrounding transportation policy for example, it does not raise the federal gas tax, which has been the same since 1993, even though there are Democrats and Republicans who want to raise it. Still, the law provides much-needed certainty to federal, state, and local transportation agencies, as well as businesses, in planning and executing projects in the long term. How much does Minnesota get? For Minnesota, theres certainly enough to like here. For one, the states getting more cash: through fiscal year 2020, Minnesota is slated to receive just over $4 billion total from Uncle Sam for transportation, $3.4 billion in highway funding and $550 million in transit funding. To put that in perspective, Minnesotas total transportation budget in 2014 from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to the Metropolitan Council and beyond was $5.3 billion, according to the Met Council. Federal funding from the highway bill as well as other federal funding sources made up 17 percent of that total. State lawmakers still need to figure out a transportation funding plan, but with the numbers from the federal government set, at least one piece of the puzzle is in place. So, where will all that fresh cash go? Most will go into the hands of MnDOT, the Met Council, and other transportation authorities around the state. For highway spending, which is primarily the purview … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/park-rapids-enterprise-big-win-in-federal-transportation-bill-for-minnesota | Park Rapids Enterprise: Big win in federal transportation bill for Minnesota | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | More than $4 billion for transportation projects is headed from Washington to Minnesota in the next five years, but money is not the big news for state officials. Minnesotas take is part of a $305 billion funding bill that easily passed the House and Senate late this week. It is the first long-term transportation package Congress has passed in a decade and a rare bipartisan effort in the current Congress. However, Minnesota Department of Transportation officials are quick to point out that the state already planned to get nearly that much federal money. This is basically flat, MnDOTs Serge Phillips said. It is not a game changer. The federal money does give Minnesota a few percent increases each of the next five years, but Phillips said the big advantage is having a fair amount of certainty that the money will be available over that period. For years, states have not been able to count on federal money, which hurts planning. You cant undertake a major project like replacing a bridge when Washington is changing the rules of the game every few months, and this bill is a needed step forward that will create jobs and start the process of improving our transportation infrastructure system, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said. Phillips said that it will take time to sift through details of the bill, which President Barack Obama signed Friday afternoon. Transportation funding is important to Minnesota, being a geographically rural state with lots of road miles. Also, it learned on Aug. 1, 2007, the importance of maintaining roads and bridges when the Interstate 35W bridge fell into the Mississippi River. In Minnesota, we know all too well the importance of investing in our roads, bridges and transportation systems, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said. Klobuchar sponsored several provisions in the bill, including one that requires federal transportation authorities to help state officials reduce safety risks of highway-railroad intersections. In Minnesota, concerns have increased in recent year as trains hauling N… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-obama-sending-white-house-chief-of-staff-denis-mcdonough-to | President Obama Sending White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to Visit Iron Range Hard Hit By Layoffs Stemming From Foreign Steel Dumping | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] - White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, the Presidents top advisor, will be in Virginia, MN at Range Community & Technical College on Tuesday, December 22nd to discuss the Iron Range layoffs and the national steel crisis directly with affected workers, mining executives, business leaders and local elected officials. Today, Governor Mark Dayton, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and Congressman Rick Nolan announced the plans to host McDonough on the Iron Range. Further details regarding the exact time and agenda will be forthcoming. The announcement follows personal meetings and discussions among the four and with McDonough during which they emphasized the gravity of the situation on the Iron Range, where nearly 2,000 miners have lost their jobs in the worst iron mining and steel industry downturn in decades. They further pointed out that the crisis threatening the industries threatens the survival of the U.S. mining and steel industries and with it the nations economic and natural security. Iron Range legislators also joined the governor and the congressional delegation in sending a letter directly to President Obama urging a meeting to address the crisis. Minnesota steelworkers urgently need help from the Administration in Washington, said Governor Mark Dayton. I thank President Obama for sending his Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, to help us with the very serious economic problems facing Minnesotans on the Iron Range. We need the administration to do everything possible to fight back against the illegal dumping of foreign steel. For generations, Minnesota steel workers have met the highest standards of excellence in steel production. On a level playing field they can compete with any country in the world, Klobuchar said. I look forward to the opportunity for Denis to hear directly from Iron Range workers and discuss concrete steps to crack down on foreign steel dumping, which has undercut our domestic industry. Minnesotas iron ore and steel workers can compete with anybod… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=5956dcab-9d45-4252-8b87-de853a80b696 | President Obama Sending White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to Visit Iron Range Hard Hit By Layoffs Stemming From Foreign Steel Dumping | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, the Presidents top advisor, will report back to President Obama following a December 22nd meeting at Range Community & Technical College in Virginia with affected workers, mining executives, business leaders and local elected officials. [WASHINGTON, DC] - White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, the Presidents top advisor, will be in Virginia, MN at Range Community & Technical College on Tuesday, December 22nd to discuss the Iron Range layoffs and the national steel crisis directly with affected workers, mining executives, business leaders and local elected officials. Today, Governor Mark Dayton, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and Congressman Rick Nolan announced the plans to host McDonough on the Iron Range. Further details regarding the exact time and agenda will be forthcoming. The announcement follows personal meetings and discussions among the four and with McDonough during which they emphasized the gravity of the situation on the Iron Range, where nearly 2,000 miners have lost their jobs in the worst iron mining and steel industry downturn in decades. They further pointed out that the crisis threatening the industries threatens the survival of the U.S. mining and steel industries and with it the nations economic and natural security. Iron Range legislators also joined the governor and the congressional delegation in sending a letter directly to President Obama urging a meeting to address the crisis. Minnesota steelworkers urgently need help from the Administration in Washington, said Governor Mark Dayton. I thank President Obama for sending his Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, to help us with the very serious economic problems facing Minnesotans on the Iron Range. We need the administration to do everything possible to fight back against the illegal dumping of foreign steel. For generations, Minnesota steel workers have met the highest standards of excellence in steel production. On a level playing field they can compete with any countr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=3338 | Op-Ed: Our New Education Law Will Help Minnesota Students and Schools | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | If we want a stronger nation tomorrow, we need to give our kids a world-class education today. That was the idea when Congress passed what you may know as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), a law that has governed our federal K-12 education policies for the last 13 years.The goal of NCLB was admirable: to ensure that every child in Minnesota and across the country graduates high school with the skills they need to succeed. But NCLB failed. It failed our schools and teachers, but more importantly, it failed our kids.Instead of focusing on each child's abilities and potential for growth, NCLB was centered on high-pressure, high-stakes tests, and mandated a one-size-fits-all approach for schools struggling to help students succeed. In fact, the law has been failing us for so long that the Education Department handed out waivers to statesincluding Minnesotato exempt them from meeting some of its most burdensome requirements. A Long-Awaited Reform Since I first joined the Senate, one of my top priorities has been to make our education system work better for Minnesota. That's why I became a member of the Senate Education Committee, and it's why I've spent years traveling to dozens of K-12 schools across our state. At nearly all of these meetings, teachers, principals, superintendents, and parents told me that it's time to fix this law.And we just took a huge step in the right direction. I'm thrilled to say that we came togetherRepublicans, Democrats, Senators, and House Members alikeand passed comprehensive legislation to dramatically reform NCLB.This reform, of course, is not perfect, but it's a huge improvement over NCLB. Over the last 13 years, we learned that our approach to fixing failing schools just hasn't worked. So in this bill, we tried to strike a balance between giving our states more flexibility and making sure that they take appropriate action to improve struggling schools.The new lawcalled the Every Student Succeeds Actalso makes critical investments in early childhood education, which is something I've long f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-keith-ellison-statement-on-paris-climate-deal | Rep. Keith Ellison Statement on Paris Climate Deal | 2015-12-12 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Keith Ellison | E000288 | ellison.house.gov | legacy | Washington Rep. Keith Ellison released the following statement after a deal was announced at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris: We have long needed a global agreement to address climate change and a commitment to curb emissions. Today, the negotiators in Paris delivered just that as they passed one of the most important agreements in human history. The Paris climate deal gives us a fighting chance to protect our way of life against the worst impacts of climate change. Congratulations to all the leaders who negotiated this deal and to the activists around the world fighting for this cause. Just a few years ago, this agreement seemed impossible. Your work has made a historic difference. While the Paris agreement is cause for celebration, we have a lot of work to do to reach these goals. Lets get started. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-12112015 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/11/2015 | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Sunrise, Otter Tail County Dear Friends, I was a guest on KFGO and KLGR Radio this week to discuss my efforts to protect crop insurance in the recent budget deal and the next steps for Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). The Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research also held a hearing this week, where I questioned National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) Administrator Reilly about the Census of Agriculture and other NASS surveys. Congress has had some bipartisan success this year passing a long-term reauthorization of highway transportation programs. I am hopeful that Congress can come together in a similar spirit to pass needed legislation to fund the government for 2016 and extend tax credits which expired at the end of last year. Uncertainty surrounding the tax code is especially burdensome for our agriculture industry, and this is something I will continue to push. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Annual Sugar Co-op Meetings American Crystal Sugar and Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative held their annual meetings in Fargo during the last two weeks. These meetings are an opportunity for growers to look back at the previous year and plan for the future. Both cooperatives elected new board members and Minn-Dak recognized retired director Chuck Steiner of Foxhome for his 15 years of service to their board. We must remain vigilant against attacks on the farm safety net, like we saw in the budget deal. We were able to reverse those cuts to the crop insurance program, and I will continue to fight to ensure that people do not unravel the Farm Bill programs like the successful sugar program in the must-pass bills that Congress is currently considering. KFGO News and Views I joined Fargos KFGO Radio host Joel Heitkamp for a News and Views interview this week regarding the World Trade Organizations decision to authorize annual retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico over the U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program. More than 60 countries have… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3336 | Sen. Frankens Bipartisan Measure to Combat Mental Health Crisis in Criminal Justice System Clears Senate, is One Step Closer to Becoming Law | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, the Senate approvedU.S. Sen. Al Franken's (D-Minn.) bipartisan legislation to make our communitiessafer by improving access to mental health services for people in the criminal justice system who need treatment. Earlier this year, Sen. FrankenintroducedhisComprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act, whichwould help reduce the rates of repeat offenders and improve safety for law enforcement officers. The bill cleared the full Senate today, and now needs to pass in the House of Representatives before becoming law. "Our criminal justice system is brokenit doesn't help treat people who have mental illnesses, and it doesn't protect the safety of law enforcement personnel,"said Sen. Franken."The United States has five percent of the world's population, but 25 percent of the world's prison population. And that's in large part because we have criminalized mental illness, using our justice system as a substitute for a fully functioning mental health system. That's a huge problem, and my Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act would help fix it. "I've been working for years on this bill, and I'm very pleased to say that we just took a huge step towards reforming how our criminal justice system treats mental illness. My bill bolsters federal support for mental health servicesincluding special support for veterans who need helpand provides critical training to law enforcement. "Now that my legislation has cleared the Senate, I'm going to fight to get it passed in the House of Representatives and signed into law. It's too important to continue ignoring this crisis." For years, Sen. Frankena member of the Senate Judiciary Committeehas been working on his criminal justice measure in order to bring more resources to law enforcement, the courts, and correctional facilities and help them better deal with the increasingly prevalent mental health issues they encounter. He's held discussions on his legislation all across Minnesota, meeting with law enforcement, advocates, and other experts on how to best reform how our… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3337 | Sen. Franken Applauds Passage of Bill to Protect Servicemembers from Foreclosure | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sen. Al Franken praised the Senate's passage of a bill he supports to help protect members of the armed forces from foreclosure.The bill, which cleared the Senate on Thursday evening, would safeguard active-duty servicemembers from losing their homes for one year following the completion of service."We owe a great debt to our active-duty servicemembers and their families, and we need to be doing everything in our power to support them both during and after their service,"said Sen. Franken."That's why I was pleased to see the Senate come together and pass legislation to extend foreclosure protections for our active duty servicemembers. The men and women who serve our country sacrifice so much for us, and the least we can do is to give them some time to readjust to life at home without having to face foreclosure."The billcalled theForeclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Actextends the existing 12 months of foreclosure protection for military personnel leaving active duty under theServicemembers Civil Relief Act(SCRA).The current one-year protection from foreclosure is set to expire at the end of 2015; this bill extends it to 2017. The foreclosure protection period will revert back to just 90 days starting in 2016 if Congress doesn't act. Sen. Franken has also cosponsored a bill to make this protection permanent. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=1775 | Paulsen Statement on Passage of Trade Customs Legislation | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Erik Paulsen | P000594 | paulsen.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03), a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, released the following statement after the House passed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act. Making much-needed reforms to our custom procedures, strengthening enforcement measures behind our trade agreements, and removing unnecessary barriers to trade are essential to growing our economy. With the completion of two important trade deals on the horizon, todays legislation could not come at a more critical time. 774,000 Minnesota workers are supported by trade, and establishing fair and strong trade rules means ensuring we are on a level playing field with our global competitors. Paulsen is a trade leader in Congress, serving as co-chair of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Caucus. Video of his floor remarks on the legislation are available here. Congressman Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus. For more information on Congressman Paulsens work in Congress visitpaulsen.house.gov. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=1776 | Erik's Correspondence Corner: Health Care Premiums and the Visa Waiver Program | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Erik Paulsen | P000594 | paulsen.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. In this weeks correspondence corner, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers an email from Gary in Orono who asked that Congress do something to address rising health care premiums. Sharon in Coon Rapids sends in an email to ask the Congressman to support the Visa Waiver Improvement Act. Watch this weeks videohere Each week, Congressman Paulsen receives thousands of letters, emails, tweets, Facebook posts, and phone calls from constituents voicing their opinions. Through this video series, Congressman Paulsen regularly responds to constituent correspondence on a variety of topics. For more information on Congressman Paulsens work in Congress and to view previous editions of Eriks Correspondence Corner, visit www.paulsen.house.gov. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=3335 | St. Cloud Times: Franken scores win on schools overhaul | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. Franken has been working hard to make sure students in Minnesota and across the country have access to an outstanding education. As a member of the Senate Education Committee, for years he has pushed to reform the ineffective No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which guided federal education policy for 13 years.That's why he was thrilled to join President Obamaat the signing of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This new lawwhich overhauls NCLBgives states and school districts more flexibility in creating curriculums, setting academic standards, and educating students. ESSA replaces the one-size-fits-all approach of NCLB with bipartisan solutions that will better prepare students for a lifetime of learning.Sen. Franken was proud to have written many bipartisan provisions included in the final bill, including measures to expand programs that let students earn college credit while in high school, improve STEM education, and increase access to student mental health services.The St. Cloud Times reports: Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., could be forgiven Tuesday for doing something of an end-zone dance after the Senate passed the first major rewrite of education policy since No Child Left Behind in 2001."This has been something I've really been working on for seven years," he said in an interview. "This is my third shot at it, and so it's very important."President Obama is expected to sign it into law Thursday. The legislation, which reduces Washington's role in setting academic standards and penalizing schools for missing achievement goals, includes a number of provisions authored by Franken.They include ones supporting mental health training for school staff; enhancing principal training, placement and retention; and allowing foster children to remain in and receive transportation to their original schools.His provisions also include a renewal of a program to create community learning centers that provide after-school academic enrichment programs, particularly for students in low-performing schools; and creation of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-praises-today-s-signing-of-landmark-education-bill-as-a-win-for | Nolan Praises Todays Signing of Landmark Education Bill as a Win for Teachers, School Officials and Students Alike | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan voiced high praise today for the landmark bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) education bill President Obama signed late this morning. The bill replaces the old and widely unpopular No Child Left Behind Act, reducing the amount of standardized testing and giving teachers, local school districts and states far more flexibility and control over how they use federal funds to improve schools and educational outcomes. This new law is a win for teachers, school officials and students alike, Nolan said. It enhances local control, marks the end of the high stakes associated with testing, gives teachers more voice and adds flexibility for rural and tribal school leaders in how they use federal funds to meet their own unique educational needs. Moreover, the bill maintains strong accountability requirements to ensure that all students regardless of where they live or the challenges they face have access to the resources they need to live up to their full potential. The new law also includes Nolans bipartisan amendment making it the policy of the United States to ensure that Indian children do not attend school in buildings that are dilapidated or deteriorating which may negatively affect the academic success of such children. Nolan, a former teacher, noted that with this provision, Thousands of Indian children attending dangerous and dilapidated facilities like the Bug-O-Nay-Gee-Shig school on Minnesotas Leech Lake Reservation are a step closer to getting the education they are entitled to. Its an important addition that lays the groundwork for future funding to bring 63 Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools in terrible condition up to standard. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=70bd803f-1b66-404c-8eaa-bc5fc3d4c556 | After Efforts from Klobuchar and Franken, Minnesota Selected as One of Seven States to Receive National Guard Cyber Protection Team | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Cyber Protection Team will support the militarys cyber defense efforts and help defend the regions networks from cyberattacks Senators led a letter with the Minnesota federal delegation urging the Army to select Minnesota as a host site for a Cyber Protection Team WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken announced Minnesota has been selected as one of seven states to receive a National Guard Cyber Security Protection Team. The Cyber Protection Team will support the militarys cyber defense efforts and help defend the regions infrastructure and networks from cyberattacks. The senators led efforts, including a delegation letter urging the Army to select Minnesota as a host site for a Cyber Protection Team. At a time when international cyber threats are growing in severity and frequency, the Minnesota National Guard has positioned itself on the cutting edge of defensive cyber operations, Klobuchar said. Hosting a Cyber Protection Team will further these critical efforts and allow the Minnesota National Guard to serve as a national leader in the fight against cyber terrorism. In recent years, weve seen a dramatic increase in the number of cyber threats against our country, and its critical that we take action to protect our networks from attacks, Franken said. This new designation will give the Minnesota National Guard the tools it needs to help defend our stateand the entire regionagainst the growing threat of cyber warfare and cyber terrorism. Full text of the senators letter with the other members of Minnesotas federal delegation is available below: Dear Major General Lyons: We write in strong support of the Minnesota Army National Guards proposal for a Cyber Protection Team (CPT). We understand that you will soon be deciding on sites to host ten Army National Guard CPTs over the next three years. We strongly believe that Minnesota offers significant advantages as a host for a CPT due to our Army National Guards proactive planning for and experience in cyber operations and our sta… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3333 | Sen. Franken: No Child Left Behind Overhaul Will Improve Education in Minnesota, Help Students and Schools Succeed | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) called a bipartisan overhaul to "No Child Left Behind"which has governed our federal K-12 education policies for the past 13 yearsa critical step to helping improve education in Minnesota and across the country.The bill, which passed in the Senate today and is soon slated to become law, gets rid of the high pressure, high-stakes approaches that have failed our schools under "No Child Left Behind" and instead finally allows schools to focus on each child's abilities to succeed and their potential for growth. Furthermore, it includes several provisions written by Sen. Franken to help Minnesota students and schools succeed."Over the past 13 years under No Child Left Behind, we've learned a lot about what works in our education policiesand a whole lot more about what doesn't work."said Sen. Franken, a member of the Senate Education Committee."I've always said that the only thing I liked about No Child Left Behind was its name, and now we have the opportunity to get things right. There's nothing more important to our kids' futuresand our country's economic futurethan providing them with a good education. While this isn't a perfect bill, I'm pleased we got this reform effort accomplished."Among the biggest victories in this bill is ensuring that states have more flexibility. The one-size-fits-all approach to fixing failing schools wasn't working, and this bill will help address that. And I am proud that so many of the provisions I authored are included in this billthings like strengthening STEM education, expanding student mental health services, increasing access to accelerated learning courses that help high school students earn college credit, and improving the recruitment and preparation of quality school principals."Once the President signs the measure, I'm going to work hard to make sure that the new law is implemented in the most effective way possible, so that it benefits students, parents, teachers, and schools in Minnesota. This is a big win."Sen. Franken took a key role … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-betty-mccollum-remarks-hr-1076 | Congresswoman Betty McCollum Remarks on H.R. 1076 | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Mr. Speaker, we have an epidemic of gun violence in this country and Congress is doing nothing to end the killing. Right now, a person on the FBIs Terrorists Watch List can go into a gun store and purchase a firearm legally. If a person on the Terrorist Watch List is too dangerous to buy a plane ticket, why are they allowed to purchase unlimited weapons and ammunition? Congress needs to act now to protect the American people, not guns. The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act a bipartisan bill - would prohibit the sale of firearms to people on the FBIs Terrorist Watch List. Congress needs to take the most basic step we can by passing this bill to keep Americans safe from those who wish to do us harm. Mr. Speaker, I yield back. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=3e0f1872-93d7-4bba-baf2-39e06ddc09d6 | Klobuchar Provisions to Help Ensure All Students Receive a Quality Education Passes Congress, Will Head to Presidents Desk to Be Signed into Law | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Provisions Klobuchar authored would help expand STEMopportunities, improve teacher and principal retention, and reduce chronic absenteeism WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced that her provisions to help ensure that all students receive a quality education passed the House and Senate as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which updates the No Child Left Behind federal education law, and will soon head to the presidents desk to be signed into law. The three provisions that Klobuchar authored would help expand STEM opportunities, improve teacher and principal retention, and reduce chronic absenteeism. It shouldnt matter what school you attend, or what circumstances youre born intoall children deserve the right to receive a quality education that will open doors of opportunity, Klobuchar said. Education can be a real game changer that leads to higher-paying jobs and a brighter future for our people and our country. These provisions will help ensure America continues to be a place where anyone who works hard and dreams big can achieve great things. Klobuchars STEM provision, which she introduced with Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), would improve students access to STEM education by allowing states to award funding to create or enhance a STEM-focused specialty school or a STEM program within a school. The provision she authored to help reduce chronic absenteeism would add absenteeism as an acceptable use of professional development funds for teachers and principals, giving school professionals the tools and training they need to address chronic absenteeism and intervene with at-risk students as early as kindergarten. As Hennepin County Attorney, Klobuchar started a major anti-truancy initiative to keep kids in the classroom and out of the courtroom. Her office worked closely with local schools on a faster, more effective response to truancy problems. She also successfully included a provision with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to help improve teacher and principal retention in schools servi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=8b3f191b-058a-4c4f-9570-90b42a8cc346 | Klobuchar, Hoeven STEM Legislation Pass Congress, Will Head to Presidents Desk to Be Signed Into Law | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Provisions continue senators efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education and Training WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) today announced that legislation they introduced to bolster Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education has passed the House and Senate as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act and will now head to the presidents desk to be signed into law. The bill includes the senators provisions to promote STEM education and training. To stay competitive in the 21st century economy, we need a 21stcentury education system that prepares out students today for the jobs of tomorrow, Klobuchar said. By boosting STEM opportunities across the country, todays action will help give our students the skills they need to be successful in high-tech, high-wage jobs. Quality STEM education is an increasingly important component in our students education, said Hoeven. The STEM initiatives Congress passed today will help provide greater access to STEMtraining and help ensure that our students have the skills they need to be competitive today and into the future. The bipartisan legislation, modeled after a provision in Klobuchar and Hoevens Innovate America Act, improves students access to STEM education by allowing school districts to award funding to create a STEM-focused specialty school or an enhance an existing STEM program within a school. Klobuchar has been a leader in Congress on issues of economic innovation.She helped launch the Diversifying Tech Caucus that brings together lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, along with researchers and academics, to shape policy that will help increase diversity in the tech sector and move our economy forward. As Ranking Senate Member of the Joint Economic Committee and a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and the Presidents Export Council, Klobuchar has been a leader in efforts to boost Americas ability to compete in the global economy, working to cut red tape for businesses an… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-leads-effort-calling-on-treasury-to-reject-devastating-pension | Nolan Leads Effort Calling on Treasury to Reject Devastating Pension Cuts | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Reps. Rick Nolan (MN-08) and Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) are spearheading an urgent call to the Treasury Department to reject a request by the Central States Pension plan to be allowed to slash earned retirement benefits for some 270,000 active workers and retirees in Minnesota and throughout the Midwest by 50-70 percent. Nolan, Kaptur, and 16 other members of Congress submitted a public comment Monday night calling on Ken Feinberg, the Departments Special Master of Implementation, to turn down the request. Make no mistake we are going to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to fight these outrageous cuts. Big corporations that get into financial trouble should not be permitted to take their problems and failures out on employee pensions especially while executives collect tens of millions of dollars in golden parachutes, Nolan said. Congresswoman Kaptur is to be commended for her hard work and outstanding leadership. Rep. Kaptur is the sponsor of the Keep Our Pension Promises Act (H.R. 2844). The measure, cosponsored and strongly supported by Rep. Nolan, would repeal a provision in last years last-minute budget agreement that opened the door to pension cuts, and would instead shore up the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation by closing two tax loopholes used almost entirely by wealthy estates to reduce their tax burdens. The bill would protect the pensions of some 1.5 million workers in approximately 200 different multi-employer pension plans. Pensions are paychecks, not handouts, Rep. Kaptur added. If the United States of America could bail out Wall Street, whose risky behavior robbed pension funds of workers hard earned benefits theyve earned over a lifetime of hard work across our nation, surely we can find a way to restore retired workers earned pensions. There are other solutions working their way through Congress that dont pick the pockets of workers and retirees to pay for financial losses for which they bear no responsibility. I am grateful for the support of Congressman Nolan and our colleagues in thes… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-praises-today-s-signing-of-landmark-transportation-bill | Nolan Praises Todays Signing of Landmark Transportation Bill | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan voiced high praise today for the landmark 5-year, $305 billion transportation bill that puts repair and expansion of the nations highways, roads, bridges, pipelines and railroads back on track after 8 years of delays and short-term extensions that have frustrated long-term planning and repeatedly put the Highway Trust Fund at risk. President Obama signed the measure today. After years of kicking the can down the road, we have a transportation bill that addresses the fact that our nations infrastructure that has literally been crumbling before our very eyes, Nolan said. Now federal, state and local planners will have long-term stability along with the resources they need to repair our highways and bridges, keep trains on the tracks, help ensure the safety of our pipelines and by doing so, create tens of thousands of badly needed jobs here in Minnesota and across the nation. The bill includes Nolans amendment addressing a serious safety problem in Duluth by permitting huge logging trucks to avoid the narrow and often snow covered main thoroughfare of Superior Street and instead operate on a 24-mile stretch of Highway I-35 from north of Duluth to South of Scanlon, including Highway 210 via Exit 235. Nolan, the only Minnesotan now serving on the House Transportation Committee, added that the measure contains $3.4 billion over 5 years specifically targeted for highways in Minnesota. Additionally, the transportation bill contains significant new Buy America provisions to boost U.S. manufacturing jobs by increasing domestic content of buses and rail cars from 60% to 70%. At a time when our Iron Range mining and U.S. steel industries are experiencing the worst downturn in decades, these new Buy American requirements are especially critical and important as we continue efforts to ban foreign steel imports for 5 years to give our domestic iron and steel industries time to recover, Nolan added. Earlier this week, Nolan formally introduced his Support Our Steelworkers (S.O.S.) Act (H.R. 4130) to immedi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=50635c91-dcc0-470e-a77f-18776f697168 | Klobuchar, Lee Hold Hearing on Proposed Inbev, SABMiller Merger | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Lee (R-UT), the ranking member and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, issued the following statements today following their hearing on AnheuserBusch Inbevs proposal to purchase SABMiller. Todays hearing was an opportunity to discuss how merging the worlds two biggest beer producers would impact competition and consumers across the country, Klobuchar said. We examined how the proposed merger would affect the price of a pint as well as the craft brewers who are serving up world class beers across the country. Wholesalers make decisions everyday on what brands to put on their trucks. By working to ensure those decisions are driven by consumer demand and not producer power, we can help competition in the beer industry remain on tap. "The American beer market is a more than $100 billion business, and delivers a product that, in both its national brand and regional craft brew forms, holds a special place in American culture and hospitality, Lee said. Todays hearing helped answer some of the questions we had about the merger and mitigated many of our concerns about the transaction." During the hearing, Klobuchar highlighted the thriving craft brewery industry in Minnesota and pressed the witnesses on how the proposed merger would affect it. There are currently more than 70 breweries in Minnesota, which is more than the entire country had in 1978. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ellison-emmer-introduce-resolution-supporting-opening-of-somali-embassy | Ellison, Emmer Introduce Resolution Supporting Opening of Somali Embassy in Washington DC | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Keith Ellison | E000288 | ellison.house.gov | legacy | Washington Earlier today, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) introduced a resolution supporting the opening of the Somali Embassy in Washington, DC The opening is the first time Somalia has had an official United States Embassy since 1992. It was a tremendous honor to attend the opening of the Somali Embassy, said Rep. Keith Ellison, who represents the largest Somali diaspora in the U.S. The Somali people have shown incredible resilience in the face of extreme social and political challenges. I am proud to support Ambassador Awad and the new Somali Embassy as they seek to build the relationship between our two nations and promote peace in Africa. This is a historic moment. Since the founding of the Congressional Somalia Caucus, we have worked to focus on priorities that would improve the security and governing systems there and the opening of the Somali Embassy in Washington is a tremendous step in that direction, said Emmer. As Somalia works to resettle refugees back into their country after decades of turmoil, famine and conflict, increased cooperation between our countries is critical. I applaud the efforts made by the State Department, NGOs and aid organizations that made this possible, but there is much work to be done. We must continue to work together to improve financial, intelligence, security and anti-terrorism cooperation as its vital to the national security of both nations. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-keith-ellison-statement-on-donald-trump-calling-for-an-end-to-muslim | Rep. Keith Ellison Statement on Donald Trump Calling for an End to Muslim Immigration | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Keith Ellison | E000288 | ellison.house.gov | legacy | Washington Rep. Keith Ellison released the following statement after Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump called for an end to Muslim immigration: Most people know more about what keeps our country strong than the leading Republican presidential candidate. Donald Trump should reread the words of our Constitution about religious freedom and tolerance. Do we really want someone who doesnt understand our values speaking to the world on our behalf? The President is supposed to bring everyone together, not divide through hateful rhetoric and fear mongering about an entire religion. The fact that Donald Trump is leading in the Republican Presidential primary polls should raise deep concerns about where Republicans want to lead our country. Demagogues like Trump appeal to the worst in people. They have never been celebrated in our history books - from Joseph McCarthy on. Americans know that we are braver and better than this. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=3328 | Star Tribune Op-Ed: Our food supply is reason enough to act on climate change | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | One of us is a U.S. senator. One of us is the CEO of Cargill, the nation's largest privately held corporation. But we're both citizens who share a deep concern about the impact climate change is beginning to have on our way of life, and a deep commitment to doing our part to address this challenge before it's too late.The challenge is complex but very real. Two months ago, we experienced the warmest October ever recorded, and 2015 will go down as easily the hottest year on record. Climate change is already shrinking glaciers, acidifying oceans and altering weather patterns.But there's another element of the danger posed by climate change: the damage it could do to our food supply. As a senator representing a farm state and as the CEO of a company focused on agriculture, we are particularly concerned about changes in weather patterns, temperature and rainfall, trends that will make farming and thus food security even more challenging around the world.Our global population is expected to grow from 7 billion today to 9.5 billion by midcentury. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that as populations continue to grow and developing nations continue to industrialize global food demand could increase by up to 70 percent by the year 2050.Our food system is resilient, and our farmers have a long history of innovating and adapting in the face of change. But the impact of climate change on agriculture could prove significant, and we all have a role to play in tackling this global challenge.That's why Cargill has joined other major American companies, including great Minnesota businesses like Target, Best Buy and General Mills, in signing the White House's American Business Act on Climate Pledge.As part of the pledge, Cargill made specific commitments to improve energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy. It also reaffirmed the work it is doing across its global supply chains to protect forests and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. These new benchmarks will continue the work Carg… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-remarks-lao-embassy-celebration-40th-founding-anniversary-lao-peoples | McCollum Remarks at the Lao Embassy in Celebration of the 40th Founding Anniversary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Good evening. Ambassador Sayavongs and Madam Sayavongs, I am honored to be with you tonight to celebrate sixty years of diplomatic relations between our countries, as well as the fortieth anniversary of the Lao PDR. My relationship with the people of Laos is very special and I strongly support strengthening our bilateral relations. My home is Minnesota. In my congressional district, I represent tens of thousands of Hmong and Lao-Americans who call Laos their ancestral home. They have family in Laos. Their traditions come from Laos. And, they care deeply about the future of Laos. More than anyone, I would like to acknowledge Mr. Chao Lee who has been on my congressional staff since 2001, for guiding me and advising me. He is with us tonight and I would like to thank him for his work on behalf of U.S.-Lao relations. Over my fifteen years serving in Congress I have taken many steps to strengthen this relationship. I was a supporter of normalized trade relations with Laos at a time when many people were fighting about the past rather than working to build a new future. I have always supported increased U.S. funding for UXO clean a terrible legacy of war that harms the Lao people. And, in 2006, I had the pleasure of celebrating a very special Christmas in Vientiane during a visit to your beautiful country. Ambassador, I am committed to working with you to strengthen our future together. We will work as partners to address issues important to both our countries economic development, increased trade, and access GSP, as well as improving human rights and human development to ensure that all Lao people, including women and girls, are free to live full, productive lives. Ambassador, I wish your government much success as Laos chairs ASEAN next year. I know the Obama Administration will work as a partner to ensure next years ASEAN Summit is a success and they will have my full support. Again, congratulations Mr. Ambassador on your countrys 40 years. Thank you. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=9786606b-f97d-4744-84c8-b09d98f2948b | Klobuchar Raises Concerns About Potential Canadian Pacific Railway/Norfolk Southern Railway Merger | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Combined, the two railroads would have approximately $17 billion in annual revenue and would operate approximately 34,000 miles of track; in a letter to the Attorney General and Surface Transportation Board Chairman, Klobuchar said one of the most concerning aspects of the potential merger is that the railroads current antitrust exemption prevents the Department of Justice (DOJ) from blocking the merger even if it is predicted to harm competition As long-time leader and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, Klobuchar has introduced legislation to repeal the outdated and anticompetitive antitrust exemption for railroads and make railroad mergers subject to full antitrust scrutiny by the Department of Justice Since 1980, number of class one railroads in U.S. has gone from 26 to 7; today 90 percent of the freight traffic is handled by only four railroads WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today raised concerns about the recent proposal by Canadian Pacific Railway to merge with Norfolk Southern Railway. Combined, the two railroads would have approximately $17 billion in annual revenue and would operate approximately 34,000 miles of track. In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Surface Transportation Board Chairman Daniel Elliott, Klobuchar said one of the most concerning aspects of the potential merger is that the railroads current antitrust exemption prevents the Department of Justice (DOJ) from blocking the merger even if it is predicted to harm competition. As ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, Klobuchar has introduced legislation to repeal the outdated and anticompetitive antitrust exemption for railroads and make railroad mergers subject to full antitrust scrutiny by the Department of Justice. Significant consolidation has already occurred in the railroad industry, Klobuchar wrote. Increased prices and diminished service, such as delayed deliveries, has burdened the shipping industry, American producers and those who rely on … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/peterson-statement-2014-2016-rfs-targets | Peterson Statement on 2014-2016 RFS Targets | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson today made the following statement after the EPA released its 2014-2016 Renewable Fuels Standard targets. A strong biofuels industry is an essential component of the rural economy and necessary to achieving our full potential of producing the next generation of domestic biofuels. Todays announcement isnt everything we wanted, but is an improvement on the disastrous proposed rule. The Administration deserves credit for listening to our concerns and now needs to immediately start work on the numbers and get the program back on track. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press-release/peterson-statement-hearing-review-farm-credit-system | Peterson Statement at Hearing to Review the Farm Credit System | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Thank you Mr. Chairman and good morning everyone. And welcome todays witnesses. The topic of todays hearing is very timely, given whats happening across the countryside right now. Commodity prices have fallen, and will likely continue to fall, and land values continue to increase. This has a lot of farmers asking if they will have access to the financing they need for the next planting season. Access to credit is one of the most important tools we can provide to our farmers and ranchers. The farm bills commodity programs work hand in hand with the crop insurance program to provide a safety net to ensure continued access to credit. Having a crop insurance policy in place gives lenders the certainty to know farmers will make good on their commitment and pay back their loans even during difficult times. So, with that said, I look forward to todays testimony and I yield back. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-1242015 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 12/4/2015 | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | 2015Capitol Christmas Tree Dear Friends, The Agriculture Committee heard testimony from Farm Credit Administration Chairman of the Board and CEO Kenneth Spearman this week at a hearing to review the Farm Credit System and its mission to provide credit to agriculture and rural America. This week, Congress approved the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act, which I was proud to support. The bill reauthorizes federal highway and transit programs for five years and includes a provision to roll back the cuts to the crop insurance program included in last months budget agreement. I was also honored to receive the CRP Legacy Award from Pheasants Forever in recognition of my support for the program in past farm bills. Finally, we kicked off the holiday season with the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Farm Credit Administration The Honorable Kenneth Spearman, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration, visited my office to talk about the future credit picture for agriculture. USDA predicts a 36 percent decrease in farm income, but Chairman Spearman feels that the capital requirements for farmers are solid for the next few years. During the Agriculture Committees hearing on farm credit I explained that access to credit is one of the most important tools we can provide to our farmers and ranchers. The farm bills commodity programs work hand in hand with the crop insurance program to provide a safety net to ensure continued access to credit. Having a crop insurance policy in place gives lenders the certainty to know farmers will make good on their commitment and pay back their loans even during difficult times. Minnesota Bankers Association This week I met with Steve Daggett and Joe Witt of the Minnesota Bankers Association to discuss the state of banking in Minnesota, rural lending issues, and regulatory relief. Both attended this week's Agriculture Committee hearing on the Farm Credit System, and I appreciate their per… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=1774 | Erik's Correspondence Corner: Education and Cybersecurity | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MN | Erik Paulsen | P000594 | paulsen.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. In this weeks correspondence corner, Nathan in Chaska emails Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and asks for him to support the Every Student Succeeds Act. Richard in Bloomington emails in with a question about what Congress is doing to prevent cyberattacks. Watch this weeks videohere Each week, Congressman Paulsen receives thousands of letters, emails, tweets, Facebook posts, and phone calls from constituents voicing their opinions. Through this video series, Congressman Paulsen regularly responds to constituent correspondence on a variety of topics. For more information on Congressman Paulsens work in Congress and to view previous editions of Eriks Correspondence Corner, visit www.paulsen.house.gov. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=37af8bd3-5050-4a0a-b6ef-660c0c2dde02 | In Response to Klobuchar Letter, Army Will Conduct Investigation Into Wrongful Discharge Of Servicemembers With Mental Health Disorders | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | According to recent reports, the U.S. Army has dismissed more than 22,000 soldiers for misconduct since 2009 after they returned from deployment and were diagnosed with mental health disorders Klobuchar and 11 of her colleagues sent a letter to the U.S. Army calling for a full investigation by the U.S. Army Inspector General into the allegations WASHINGTON, DC In response to a letter U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar sent with 11 of her colleagues, the U.S. Army announced it will conduct a full investigation into the wrongful discharge of servicemembers with mental health disorders. According to recent reports, the U.S. Army has dismissed more than 22,000 soldiers for misconduct since 2009 after they returned from deployment and were diagnosed with mental health disorders. Last month, Klobuchar and 11 of her colleagues sent a letter to Acting Under Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army General Mark A. Milley calling for a full investigation conducted by the U.S. Army Inspector General into the allegations and expressing concern that the dismissed soldiers will not receive the critical retirement, health care, and employment benefits that those with an honorable discharge would receive. The senators also emphasized that the forceful separation of soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) or traumatic brain injuries (TBI) further denies these men and women much-needed treatments, and may even discourage other servicemembers from seeking the medical treatments they require. Soldiers struggling with mental health disorders deserve to be supported, not dismissed for misconduct and stripped of the benefits they deserve, Klobuchar said. That is why I pushed for an investigation into allegations that the Army discharged servicemembers for misconduct when they may be suffering from PTSD or brain injuries, and I am glad the Army heard our call. This investigation will help to shed light on what went wrong so that we can set things right for these soldiers and prevent … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=689c4aec-2dd3-480f-af48-932f50b7a02c | After Major Efforts from Klobuchar, Congress Reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Klobuchar has continually called on Congress to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank so that American businesses can compete on a level playing field in the global market In Minnesota alone, the Export-Import Bank has supported $2 billion in exports and helped more than 170 businesses in the last five years, nearly two-thirds of which were small businesses WASHINGTON, DC After major efforts from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congress has voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. The reauthorization passed the House and Senate as part of the final transportation bill and is expected to be signed into law. The Export-Import Bank helps American businesses compete on a level playing field in the global market, but its charter expired at the end of June. In Minnesota alone, the Export-Import Bank has supported $2 billion in exports and helped over 170 businesses in the last five years, nearly two-thirds of which were small businesses. Small businesses in Minnesota and across the country rely on the Export-Import Bank to level the playing field with foreign competitors to ensure that American companies can access new markets and compete in the global economy, Klobuchar said. I fought hard for this reauthorization and its a major victory for our Minnesota small businesses and local communities. Klobuchar has been a major advocate for the Export-Import Bank. She cosponsored the bipartisan amendment to the transportation bill to reauthorize the Bank, which passed the Senate in July and consistently spoke on the Senate floor to call on Congress to reauthorize the Bank. Also in July, she met with President Obama and senior White House officials to discuss the importance of reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and work on a strategy to get that done. In her role as chair of the Senate Steering and Outreach Committee, she called a meeting in June with small business leaders from across the country about the importance of reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank. Congress allowed the Banks charter to expire at the end… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3327 | Sen. Franken Lauds Passage of a Five-Year Transportation Bill | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) released the following statement after the Senate passed a bipartisan transportation bill that funds federal infrastructure projects for five years. The legislation includes a fix for Duluth's logging truck issue, which you can download a video of Sen. Franken speaking about here.The bill, which was also passed in the House of Representatives earlier on Thursday, is now expected to be signed into law by President Obama."Upgrading our infrastructure creates jobs, improves safety, and strengthens the overall health of our economy," said Sen. Franken. "I'm pleased that Congress has finally passed a bipartisan, long-term transportation bill that gives state and local officials in Minnesota and across the country the certainty they need to plan and invest in our infrastructure. The bill increases support for highways, public and tribal transportation programs, and makes critical improvements to rail safety."The legislation does a lot of good things for Minnesota, such as resolving a logging truck safety problem that Duluth residents have dealt with for too long. It also undoes crop insurance cuts that would have hurt Minnesota farmers, and helps our businesses by renewing the Export-Import Bank."Counties, cities, communities, and businesses all across Minnesota have waited far too long for long-term transportation funding, and I'm pleased we were finally able to get this bill across the finish line."During his time in the Senate, Franken has fought for stronger investments in transportation infrastructure in Minnesota and across the country. He played a key role in ensuring that a public safety problem plaguing residents of Duluth was fixed. Over the summer, he pressed Senate leaders for a limited waiver to let logging trucks travel on Interstate 35 instead of through downtown Duluth. He also supported a provision written by Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minn.) to make that change.The legislation, called the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, is a bipartisan, five-year bill … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-statement-gun-violence-prevention | McCollum Statement on Gun Violence Prevention | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Yesterdays massacre in San Bernardino, CA was the 355th mass shooting in the U.S. this year in which there were 4 or more victims. Over the past decade, 280,000 Americans have died due to gun violence. Gun violence in America has now become such a common, everyday occurrence that we know there will be another breaking news report of a shooting. We can only hope it is not our town, neighborhood, or family that is victimized. This is intolerable. I am done with the politically correct talk about common sense gun safety measures. It is time for the American people who value their safety from gun violence more than gun rights to stand up and say: enough! This Republican Congress is controlled by the NRA and they are only interested in protecting guns, not our families and communities. Innocent Americans will continue to be murdered in schools, churches and at work unless policy makers acknowledge the proliferation of guns is directly responsible for this epidemic of death and violence. We need a comprehensive public safety and public health approach to guns in America. Every legal firearm should be required to be registered and insured for liability. Ammunition sales should be regulated and limited. And, possessing or owning a firearm should require safety training and a license following a background check. How is the public safer when there are more regulations imposed on a person owning and driving an automobile than on an individual who owns an arsenal of guns? It is time to make America safe for all our families! | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=c766e692-1a46-4fc2-9275-75d4d1c95d50 | Klobuchar-Backed Bipartisan Transportation Bill to Increase Highway and Transit Funding for Minnesota Passes Senate | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Under the FAST Act, Minnesota would receive more than $4 billion in funding over five years, including an increase of $36 million above current levels in highway and transit funding in FY 2016 and up to a $107 million increase in FY 2020 Klobuchar successfully included several priorities in the legislation, including provisions to improve rail safety at blocked highway-rail crossings, combat distracted driving, promote teen driver safety, and protect driver privacy WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced that a bipartisan, long-term transportation bill that will increase transportation funding for Minnesota passed the Senate and is expected to be signed into law. Under the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Minnesota would receive over $4 billion in funding for transportation over the five years of the bill. Minnesota would receive an increase of over $36 million above current levels in highway and transit funding in FY 2016 and up to a $107 million increase in FY 2020. The bill also includes Klobuchars provisions to improve rail safety at blocked highway-rail crossings, help combat distracted driving, promote teen driver safety, and protect driver privacy. Additionally, the bill includes a long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. In Minnesota, we know all too well the importance of investing in our roads, bridges, and transportation systems, Klobuchar said. Ive been a leading advocate for investing in infrastructure, and this bipartisan, long-term bill will increase funding for Minnesota and give states and local officials the certainty they need to plan ahead for critical transportation projects. The bill also includes my provisions to make traveling safer for drivers on the road and a long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. Ill continue working on bipartisan solutions that drive our state and country forward. Under the FAST Act, Minnesota would receive over $767 million in FY 2016, over $783 million in FY 2017, over $800 million in FY 2… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ely-echo-nolan-bill-would-impose-ban-on-foreign-steel-imports-for-5-years | Ely Echo: Nolan bill would impose ban on foreign steel imports for 5 years | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan said Monday hell introduce legislation to immediately halt imports of foreign steel for a period of five years, giving the domestic steel industry time to return to 100% of production capacity. The measure could come as soon as November 30, when Congress returns after the Thanksgiving holiday. Nolans bill comes on the heels of the announcement last week that Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. will lay off several hundred workers in the Babbitt and Silver Bay areas due to a glut of steel in the U.S. market brought about by the continued dumping of millions of tons of low-grade, foreign government-subsidized steel. Once and for all, its time for this Congress and this Administration to stand up for American workers and American jobs jobs being destroyed and stolen due to illegal steel dumping by China, India and other Southeast Asian nations. My bill would place an immediate moratorium on imports of foreign steel for five years, so our domestic industry will have time to return to 100% of production capacity and so thousands of American workers who have lost their jobs in our mining, iron ore and steel industries can return to work as quickly as possible, Nolan said. Nolan noted that while steel imports increased by 36% last year and captured their highest share of the U.S. market on record, American steel mills are still only running at 70.5% of capacity because the domestic market is glutted with low-grade, foreign government-subsidized steel. Nolan added that he plans to introduce a companion bill in the House to legislation by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken to toughen U.S. trade enforcement policies and impose high duties on foreign imports causing injuries to U.S. manufacturers and workers. As I have repeatedly pointed out, the United States has proven itself incapable of enforcing trade agreements and incapable of stopping illegal dumping of foreign steel once it reaches our shores, Nolan continued. So we need a moratorium on foreign steel. Beyond that, we n… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/kbjr-us-rep-rick-nolan-discusses-future-of-social-security | KBJR: U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan discusses future of social security | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) -- The Citizens Federation invited U.S. Congressman Rick Nolan to discuss the future of social security and Medicare at a forum on Monday in Duluth. Citizens Federation asked Representative Nolan to share the latest discussion on social security in Congress. The non-profit organization educates people on earned benefits and how much of an impact it has on the local economy. Citizens Federation officials say about $1.2 billion a year of local household income comes from social security, Medicare and Medicaid. That number makes up the St. Louis, Douglas and Carlton counties. Congressman Rick Nolan urged everyone to protect their well-earned social security. "Social security is not a welfare program it's an earned benefit that people started paying for the first day the first hour that they went to work," said U.S. Congressman Rick Nolan, Minnesota District 8. Citizens Federation is holding precinct caucuses statewide on March 1st for people to present resolutions to social security, Medicare and Medicaid issues. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/kbjr-us-rep-rick-nolan-tours-duluth-medical-centers | KBJR: U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan tours Duluth medical centers | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) -- Duluth hospitals invited Congressman Rick Nolan to see firsthand how important quick healthcare access is to the community. Congressman Nolan sat down with medical officials to learn more about medical helicopters that can bring patients quickly to level two trauma centers. These Life Link Three helicopters aren't just taxis but an intensive care unit that give prehospital services to emergency hospital providers like St. Luke's Hospital and St. Mary's Medical Center. Doctors say the care a patient receives within the first "Golden Hour" will give them a better chance at recovering from a heart attack, stroke or severe trauma. "From the moment the helicopter lands on scene or at a referring hospital we are able to start delivering excellent care to stop the bleeding to halt the injury process and to begin what we call the resuscitation," said Dr. Mark Monte, Surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital. Congressman Rick Nolan toured the new surgical facility at St. Luke's Hospital and St. Mary's Medical Center Newborn ICU. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/lake-county-news-chronicle-nolan-meets-with-northshore-employees-drafts | Lake County News Chronicle: Nolan meets with Northshore employees, drafts bill | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Silver Bay was rocked last week with Cliffs Natural Resources' announcement it would idle its Northshore Mining operation there and in Babbitt, putting the vast majority of the 540 workers out of a job by Dec. 1 through at least the first quarter of 2016, though there is no confirmed date the plant will reopen. Some people are just glad they are among the 70 or so that will be kept on through the shutdown for maintenance and other tasks. Others are thankful they have a secondary income or lucky enough to have been able to put a little money away for a rainy day. Many are having difficult conversations with their family about cutting back on spending and managing expectations for Christmas. Managing expectations. Words no one wants to hear about their favorite football team this time of year, but utterly heartbreaking when it's a daddy talking to his little girl. Many of those that will be laid off or having hours cut back met with U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Crosby, Monday to talk about the shutdown, their concerns and fears and the state of the steel industry in the United States. Nolan said the people he met with want to know what can be done and what is being done to revive the industry. "The whole industry is reeling," Nolan said. "They are pretty discouraged. They not only see what's happening to them, but what's happening around the Iron Range and around the country." Nolan said he, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, Gov. Mark Dayton and the entire Iron Range delegation to Congress are calling for a meeting with President Barack Obama and they will ask him to invoke Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974. Section 201 allows domestic industries seriously injured or threatened with serious injury to petition the U.S. International Trade Commission for import relief. The USITC can make a recommendation, but the ultimate decision rests with the president. Nolan said George W. Bush invoked Section 201 early in his first term to help the steel industry and Ronald Reagan used it early in the 1980s for the sam… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-rep-nolan-s-proposal-sends-right-message | Mesabi Daily News: Rep. Nolans proposal sends right message | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Does U.S. Rep. Rick Nolans legislation calling for a five-year ban on steel imports have a chance of congressional passage and support from President Barack Obama? Very unlikely in Congress. As for the president, forget it. Barack Obama has shown himself to be anti-mining. We believe he has only gone once to a mining operation since hes been president and that was for a memorial service for a tragedy in coal country. He seems to not care one hoot that the countrys ore and steel industries, which have forged its basic foundation and have been the backbone of our national security, are in a freefall. Thats shameful. Regardless the outcome of the steel import ban, the message needs to be sent about what is a crisis situation in this country, and we give Congressman Nolan very high marks for doing just that. Why arent more people outraged that the cheaters those countries that are flooding the U.S. with illegally subsidized steel products are being allowed to win? Why is the national media ignoring this issue that indirectly affects all of us, and directly impacts millions of working Americans, hundreds of companies and thousands of communities? We hope Nolans bill, which he plans to introduce after the Thanksgiving congressional break, receives plenty of national attention, and support in Congress. And that includes from Minnesotas two U.S. Democratic senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. Half-measures and appeals to the Obama administration fall on deaf ears at the White House. Its definitely time for a more drastic and dramatic measure, and also for unrelenting bipartisan pressure to be put on the president on this issue that should not carry any political party label. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/mesabi-daily-news-top-state-officials-stress-urgency-for-obama-meeting-on | Mesabi Daily News: Top state officials stress urgency for Obama meeting on illegal imports | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | ST. PAUL Minnesotas highest elected officials want a face-to-face meeting and soon with the president to impress on him the urgency of action for the devastation that is happening to the ore and steel industries. And they want Democratic President Barack Obama to implement similar actions taken by former Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush on illegal steel imports. Gov. Mark Dayton, U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and state Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk of Cook will lobby hard for such a meeting with the president. We want to meet and press action with the administration, Dayton said in an informal news discussion with reporters following Bakks annual fundraiser in the Twin Cities for Iron Range food shelves on Monday. Dayton specifically cited steps taken by Bush in June 2001 under Section 201 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1979, which gave the president authority to impose temporary trade barriers, known as safeguards, to protect domestic industries that have been injured or threatened by increased imports. That made a difference, Dayton said of Bushs Section 201 action. Illegally subsidized steel imports have been noted for more than a year now as causing pain for ore and steel producers and forcing layoffs and plant closings, including on the Iron Range. Dayton said he is considering talking with other Midwest governors whose states are impacted by the illegal steel imports, and Sen. Klobuchar will be talking with her Michigan counterpart in the Senate on the issue. Dayton said Sen. Bakk said the countrys steel industry is near being tipped over the brink, and if that happens it could be virtually impossible to bring it back. There are currently only three of six taconite plants operating on the Range Minntac in Mountain Iron, ArcelorMittals facility north of Virginia, and Hibbing Taconite. In addition, Mesabi Nugget near Hoyt Lakes and Mineral Resources in Chisholm have been shuttered, perhaps for good, and Magnetation has closed a plant and filed for bankrup… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/star-tribune-dayton-other-minn-leaders-request-meeting-with-obama-on | Star Tribune: Dayton, other Minn. leaders request meeting with Obama on foreign steel dumping | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Top Minnesota political leaders have requested to meet with President Obamato urge him to combatthe dumping of foreign steel on the U.S. market now afflicting Minnesota's steel industry. Gov. Mark Dayton and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said Monday at a charity fundraiser for Iron Range food shelves that they hope the White House grants their request. The meeting would also include Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Al Franken and U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, Dayton said. State leaders are reacting to turmoil in the country's steel industry, which has struggled to compete amid a glut of foreign steel they say is being unfairly underpriced by China and other countries. In Minnesota, hundreds of Iron Range miners are jobless after the idling of more than half of the state's taconite mines, Bakk said Monday. For some, unemployment benefits are ending this week, further adding to their economic plight. "It's not just about a meeting," Dayton told reporters. "We want [Obama] to take action," under a provision of the U.S. Trade Act of 1979. Under that provision of federal law, the president can impose trade safeguards, such as tariffs on imports, while federal authorities conduct an expedited investigation of unfair trade practices. Dayton, who like Bakk, has called for a special legislative session to extend unemployment benefits for idled miners on the Iron Range said federal officials need to act quickly. "This is a very precarious situation and if we tip this industry over the brink, it will be virtually impossible to bring it back," he said. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/star-tribune-rep-nolan-pushs-on-two-fronts-to-try-to-protect-american-steel | Star Tribune: Rep. Nolan pushs on two fronts to try to protect American steel | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan is forging two paths on behalf of the American steel industry. The first and arguably the slowest is a proposed measure introduced in the House of Representatives that would immediately halt imports of foreign steel for five years. This would assuage U.S. manufacturers and steelworkers saddled with mass layoffs and job slowdowns due to dumping into the U.S. market from foreign countries. The second and most likely the quickest is to urge President Obama basically to do the same thing by executive order, a measure that has been used before. In 2002, President George W. Bush used his authority to basically impose high, but temporary, tariffs and duties to foreign steel. That pretty much halted imports and allowed American steel producers time to recover from massive layoffs at the time. Ultimately, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that the action was illegal, and Bush lifted the tariffs a year later. Even though steel demand is higher than in previous years, American steel is in the grips of another crisis: More than 9,000 people have been laid off nationally, including nearly 2,000 workers on the Iron Range, representing more than 40 percent of the regions mining workforce. Cliffs Natural Resources has idled two of its Minnesota-based iron-ore operations just in the past six months. In August, 420 unionized United Taconite workers were laid off, and just a week ago, the company announced another 500 layoffs at Northshore Mining. Thats not only devastating for those workers and their families, its devastating for the community, its devastating for the entire Range and its devastating for the national economy, Nolan said. Nolan, Democratic U.S. Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, and DFL Gov. Mark Dayton have applied steady pressure on the Obama administration to do more about the illegal dumping of low-cost steel from foreign countries. Last week, the same four leaders sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor asking officials to expedite benefits for … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/wdio-nolan-proposes-five-year-ban-on-steel-imports | WDIO: Nolan Proposes Five-Year Ban on Steel Imports | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | With more than 1,700 Iron Range miners on layoff, Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minnesota) says he plans to introduce a bill that would ban steel imports for five years. Nolan says the layoffs are a result of imports of low-grade steel subsidized by foreign governments. He says steel imports are at an all-time high but U.S. steel mills are only running at about 70 percent capacity. "Once and for all, it's time for this Congress and this Administration to stand up for American workers and American jobs jobs being destroyed and stolen due to illegal steel dumping by China, India and other Southeast Asian nations. My bill would place an immediate moratorium on imports of foreign steel for five years, so our domestic industry will have time to return to 100 percent of production capacity and so thousands of American workers who have lost their jobs in our mining, iron ore and steel industries can return to work as quickly as possible," Nolan said in a press release. Nolan said he may introduce the measure as soon as Nov. 30, when Congress returns from its Thanksgiving holiday. He said he also plans to introduce a companion bill to a Senate proposal by Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken to allow import taxes in more situations. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-safety-measure-to-permit-logging-trucks-to-use-i-35-around-duluth | Nolan Safety Measure to Permit Logging Trucks to Use I-35 Around Duluth Added to Final Conference Report | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | Just in time for winter, a House-Senate conference committee has added to the final conference report an amendment by Congressman Rick Nolan to permit heavy logging trucks to avoid Superior Street in Duluth and instead use a 24-mile stretch of Highway I-35 from north of Duluth to south of Scanlon. Both the House and Senate are expected to approve the final transportation bill and send it to President Obama to be signed into law. Nolan, the only Minnesota Congressman now serving on the House Transportation Committee, authored the amendment and shepherded it through the committee and onto the House Floor, where it passed as part of the House version of the landmark 5-year surface transportation bill. Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken joined Nolan in urging the conference committee to accept the measure. This is such good news for all the pedestrians and drivers who navigate Superior Street through the winter months when the pavement gets icy and snow piles up high along the sides. Its good news for the businesses that depend on pedestrian traffic. And its good news for the logging truck drivers who will no longer be diverted into the city at risk to their safety and everyone elses, Nolan said. Federal regulations currently prohibit logging trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds from using I-35. Nolans amendment would permit logging trucks that have a gross vehicle weight of no more than 99,000 pounds and has no less than six-axles to operate on a 24-mile stretch of I-35 including Highway 210 via Exit 235. In remarks a month ago during debate on the House Floor, Nolan cited support for the measure from Duluth Mayor Don Ness, Police Chief Gordon Ramsay, the Greater Downtown Duluth Council, area citizens and logging truck drivers. These trucks are known to, on occasion, tip and spill their logs on sharp turns. Its happened before. And sooner or later, if we dont pass this simple fix, someone is going to be killed or seriously injured. Passing this life-saving amendment will make travel safer for the t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=fa9095af-3600-4724-9a4d-6bce6af344db | Klobuchar, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Bill to Strengthen Security of Visa Waiver Program | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Senator Amy Klobuchar and a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation to strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program to help prevent terrorists from entering the United States. The Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Act would help prevent foreign fighters from using the program, require additional biometric information and electronic passports to participate in the program, and increase information sharing between countries. Protecting our nation from those who would do us harm is the first and most important responsibility of Congress, Klobuchar said. While wehave increasedthe security measures accompanying the Visa Waiver Program, there are ways we can make it even more secure. That is why I worked with members from both sides of the aisle, including Senator Feinstein and Senator Flake, to introduce this bipartisan bill to help strengthen the Visa Waiver Program and protect our national security. The Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Act would improve the security of the Visa Waiver Program by doing the following: Require individuals who have traveled to Syria or Iraq in the past five years to acquire a traditional tourist visa instead of traveling without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. This process requires an in-person interview with an American consular official and the submission of the travelers biometric information. Require travelers using the Visa Waiver Program to submit biometric information, in the form of fingerprints and a photograph, before they travel to the United States. Require all visa waiver travelers to use an electronic passport, which is more secure and harder to tamper with. Require increased intelligence-sharing between Visa Waiver Program countries and the United States. Klobuchar worked with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) to introduce the bill. The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Dan Coats (R-ID), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tammy… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=3323 | Sen. Franken Calls New Renewable Fuel Standard Targets Not Strong Enough | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | A member of the Senate Energy Committee, Sen. Franken has for years been working hard to protect investments in renewable energy and to support Minnesota's ag economy. This week, the Obama Administration finalized rules that would scale back the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which sets the level of renewable fuelsthings like corn-based ethanol and biodieselthat are blended into our nation's fuel supply. Sen. Franken, a long-time supporter of the RFS, called the newly announced biofuel targets not strong enoughespecially for ethanol. He said he remains committed to protecting homegrown jobs and homegrown energy, and between now and when the new targets expire, he will continue fighting for more biofuel production.The Star Tribune reports: The 2016 corn-ethanol level is below the 15 billion gallons envisioned in the 2007 law and is about 1 billion gallons less than the annual capacity of the nation's 212 ethanol plants.Other ethanol industry leaders and supporters criticized the EPA's decision. The Minnesota Corn Growers called it a "step backward" and the Minnesota Biofuels Association, a state trade group, called it "capitulation to the oil industry" echoing similar comments from the Renewable Fuels Association, an ethanol trade group based in Washington.Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., said the EPA biofuel targets are too low, even though they are higher than the agency proposed earlier this year. "[W]hile I'm glad they raised levels from what was proposed, these final numbers just don't cut it especially for ethanol," Franken said in a statement. To read the full article from the Star Tribune, click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=3324 | Floor Statement on SAVE Benefits Act | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | (as prepared for delivery)M. PRESIDENT, we're just one month away from the New Year. 2016 will bring a lot of new things, but one thing it will not bring is a cost-of-living increase for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Despite the fact that the costs of health care, prescription drugs, and housing are increasing, the size of a Social Security check won't go up one cent on January 1 - unless Congress acts.That's why my colleagues and I have introduced the Senior and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act - or SAVE Benefits Act. The SAVE Benefits Act gives a one-time payment to seniors and veterans receiving their earned benefits so they can better meet their basic living expenses.The stagnant level for benefits in 2016 and its damaging effects are part of a bigger problem - too many of our seniors are feeling the squeeze and just aren't secure enough in their retirement. Today's Social Security benefits are not enough to live on, and other retirement savings aren't filling the gap. You see, the share of private-sector workers with pensions has fallen precipitously in recent years, and yet, today, half of all Americans don't have retirement accounts like 401(k) plans or IRAs.So without sufficient pensions or retirement accounts, many seniors depend on Social Security. Social Security benefits comprise over 90 percent of income for the poorest 25 percent of retirees. And Social Security comprises 70 percent of income for the middle 50 percent of retirees. With the costs of things seniors have to spend money on increasing, the absence of a cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits is especially damaging.And I've heard from many Minnesota seniors who are deeply worried about the squeeze that no increase in Social Security will put on their budgets. Jeff from Minneapolis wrote, "Food prices are up and my rent is up 4 percent in 2015 and will be up again in 2016." He continues, "I lost most of my IRA earnings in the 2008/2009 debacle and now I rely almost entirely on Social Security." If we want Minn… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3325 | In Senate Speech, Sen. Franken Pushes Bill to Provide Cost-of-Living Increase for Social Security Beneficiaries, Veterans, People with Disabilities | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | In a speech delivered today on the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.)pressed for passage of the Senior and Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Actlegislation that would give millions of Social Security beneficiaries, veterans, retirees, and people with disabilities a cost-of-living increase in 2016.Despite rising health care, prescription drug, and housing costs, some 70 million Americans will not receive a cost-of-living increase in Social Security and similar benefits. The legislation would authorize a one-time increase that would help lift 8,000 Minnesotans out of poverty. The increase would be paid for by closing an existing tax loophole for CEO pay.You can download video of his speech here or read a copy of his remarks as prepared for delivery here.Whats more important? Protecting high pay for the wealthiest Americans or ensuring that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities have the income security that they need to pay for health care, prescription drugs, and housing? said Sen. Franken. As this year comes to a close, its time to get our priorities straight and stand up for our seniors and our veterans. They need a raise in 2016. Floor Statement on SAVE Benefits ActSenator Al Franken(as prepared for delivery) M. PRESIDENT, were just one month away from the New Year. 2016 will bring a lot of new things, but one thing it will not bring is a cost-of-living increase for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.Despite the fact that the costs of health care, prescription drugs, and housing are increasing, the size of a Social Security check wont go up one cent on January 1 unless Congress acts.Thats why my colleagues and I have introduced the Senior and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act or SAVE Benefits Act. The SAVE Benefits Act gives a one-time payment to seniors and veterans receiving their earned benefits so they can better meet their basic living expenses.The stagnant level for benefits in 2016 and its damaging effects are part of a bigger problem too many of our seniors are feeling … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-remarks-american-architectural-foundation-oculus-award-luncheon | McCollum Remarks to the American Architectural Foundation Oculus Award Luncheon | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Ayers for the kind introduction. I appreciate all that you and your staff are doing to keep Congress working while you are restoring our beautiful Capitol dome. Thank you for your leadership. I am thrilled to be here today! The American Architectural Foundation is playing an important role in driving an agenda that places cultural heritage, historic preservation, and architectural restoration at its forefront. I want to commend the vision and tremendous work of AAF President and CEO Ron Bogle, along with Mr. Thom Minner, Director of AAFs Center for Design and Cultural Heritage. Ron and Thom are working with me to get Congress re-engaged as a partner in protecting and restoring our countrys historic treasures, treasures that unite communities and connect the past to the future. We are here today to honor a company for more than 50 years of accomplishments in historic preservation. Congratulations to Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates on receiving the 2015 Oculus award. WJE has a long record of contributing to projects across the U.S. and around the world. They have an office in Minnesota, but I was surprised to learn how often we worked at the same places. In the early 1970s my first full-time job was in downtown St. Paul in the First National Bank building. Later, WJE worked on the First National Bank building. As a Minnesota state legislator, I spent eight years working in our beautiful Cass Gilbert designed state capitol building. WJE has worked on the capitol. And, one of my proudest accomplishments in Congress has been to help secure the funding for the renovation of St. Pauls historic 1920s era train station Union Depot. The Depots $250 million restoration was completed in 2013 and, again, WJE worked on the project. Again, congratulations WJE on your tremendous record of success! At the beginning of this year I became the lead Democrat on the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. Each year our subcommittee produces a bill that provides over $30 billion to fund the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-statement-world-aids-day | McCollum Statement on World AIDS Day | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | The AIDS epidemic continues to be the most pressing global health issues of our generation. 35 million people of all ages are living with HIV and AIDS today. On World AIDS Day, we remember those who have lost their lives, support those who continue to be affected by the virus, and renew our support for those working to cure it. The 2015 theme for World AIDS Day is Getting to Zero. This theme should serve as a reminder of the work that is being done by those pursuing both better methods of prevention and cures for the AIDS virus. As we continue fighting to find a cure, those who are leading that research deserve the support of elected officials here in Washington. Congress must continue to fund work to prevent the spread of this disease here and around the world today and lay the groundwork for a future with a cure for the AIDS virus. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=44ff921e-3480-4b77-9eb5-baf4a1d444d9 | Klobuchar, Lee Announce Hearing Date for SABMiller Acquisition by Anheuser-Busch Inbev | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Lee (R-UT), the ranking member and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, today announced the committee will hold a hearing on Anheuser-Busch Inbevs proposal to purchase SABMiller. The hearing will examine how the proposed merger of the worlds two biggest beer producers would impact competition and consumers across the country. This hearing will allow us the opportunity to examine this deal closely,including theproposed divestitures, to see how it will impact the price of beer for consumers and if it will harm the craft brewers that are creating jobs and economic growth across the country, said Klobuchar. We must ensure competition in the $100 billion a year beer industry remains on tap. "This hearing will provide an opportunity to publicly examine the impact of the so-called 'beerhemoth' merger on consumers and for the Antitrust Subcommittee to continue its oversight of potentially anticompetitive market consolidation, Lee said. I look forward to a productive and informative discussion." The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. EST in Dirksen Senate Office Building 226, and will stream here.Witnesses include: Carlos Brito CEO, Anheuser-Busch InBev Mark Hunter President & CEO, Molson Coors Bob Pease CEO, Brewers Association Craig Purser President & CEO, National Beer Wholesalers Association J. Wilson Minister of Iowa Beer, Iowa Brewers Guild Diana Moss President, American Antitrust Institute ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=56e506d1-d487-4a5e-93f2-273112adb4c6 | In Light of New Report on Profit-Driven Prescription Drug Pricing, Klobuchar Continues Call for Congress to Immediately Pass Her Legislation to Lower Drug Prices for Consumers | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Senate Finance Committee members released a report today detailing an 18-month investigation that revealed a pharmaceutical company priced and marketed Hepatitis C drug Sovaldi in order to maximize profits at the expense of consumers Klobuchar has introduced bills that would empower Medicare to negotiate for best possible price of prescription medication, allow the safe import of prescription drugs from Canada, and crack down on deals that prevent affordable generics from reaching the market WASHINGTON, DC In light of a new report on profit-driven prescription drug pricing, Senator Amy Klobuchar is calling on Congress to immediately pass legislation that will help lower drug prices for consumers. Senate Finance Committee members released a report today detailing an 18-month investigation that revealed Gilead Sciences marketed Hepatitis C drug Sovaldi in order to maximize profits at the expense of consumers. The $1,000 per pill price tag is limiting the number of patients who can access the treatment and has already cost Medicare and Medicaid billions of dollars. It is as clear as ever: we have an urgent problem with the cost of prescription drugs in our country, Klobuchar said. This report presents yet another example in which a drug manufacturers first priority is how much money it can squeeze from consumers with no regard for what it means for the Americans who need its treatment. This is an alarming trend that we cannot allow to continue. We need to pass legislation to protect consumers from the unjustified inflation of prescription drug prices. Klobuchar is a leader in the Senate on addressing the high cost of prescription drugs, authoring multiple pieces of legislation that would protect American consumers. The Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act would empower Medicare to negotiate for the best possible price of prescription medication for Americas seniors who are enrolled in Medicare Part D. Current law only allows for bargaining by pharmaceutical companies and bans Medicare from doin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-host-second-twitter-town-hall | Emmer to Host Second Twitter Town Hall | 2015-11-30 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MN | Tom Emmer | E000294 | emmer.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) announced today that he will be hosting his second Twitter town hall on Monday, December 7 at 2:00 PM Central Time. To ask a question, post on his Facebook page, tweet to @RepTomEmmer with the hashtag #AskTom, or submit a question on his website, and he will answer the questions live on his YouTube channel. I really enjoy hearing from the wonderful people of Minnesotas Sixth District and I think it is incredibly important that everyone in the district has the opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions, said Emmer. Twitter town halls are a different and often more convenient way for constituents to ask me questions about the issues that are most important to them. I am looking forward to hearing from everyone. This is Emmers second Twitter town hall. Additionally, Emmer has held twelve town halls including Twitter town halls, tele-town halls and at least one in-person town hall in every county he represents. For more information, visit: Emmer.house.gov/AskTom ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=04d2a987-a3dc-4f13-bb56-826225ec4c86 | Klobuchar Statement on Final RFS Rule | 2015-11-30 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today issued the following statement upon the Administrations release of the final RFS rule that sets biofuels Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2014, 2015 and 2016, and sets the RVO for biodiesel for 2017. The Renewable Fuel Standard has helped create American jobs, drive innovation, and boost local economies across Minnesota and the country, all while reducing carbon emissions. That is why after a very disappointing proposed rule was put forth, I led bipartisan efforts to improve the final rule. While we have clearly made some progress in strengthening the rule, it still falls short, which is why Ill continue to call on the Administration to promote biofuels to the extent that Congress intended in the law. Ill also continue my work in the Senate to create policies that generate economic gains across rural Minnesota, including the Farm Bill energy programs I helped put in place that are supporting critical biofuels research, innovative projects, and infrastructure development. Klobuchar has been a national leader in advocating for the expansion of renewable fuels. Last month, Klobuchar convened a meeting in her office between 13 of her colleagues and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to push for the release of a strong final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rule that supports homegrown ethanol production. This meeting followed a bipartisan meeting of 16 senators that Klobuchar convened in December of 2013 with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to call for changes to the proposed RFS 2014 rule. The senators have also sent multiple letters to McCarthy to urge changes to the administrations proposed 2014 RFS rule and call for an increase in the proposed volumes that the EPA has set for biodiesel production in future years. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and 2014 farm bill conferee, Klobuchar supported authorization of biofuels programs, and this year advocated for the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (B… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=1773 | Paulsen-authored Military Working Dogs Legislation Signed Into Law | 2015-11-27 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MN | Erik Paulsen | P000594 | paulsen.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. A provision authored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) to require the Department of Defense to return all military working dogs to the United States after their service is complete was signed into law by President Obama. The legislation was included in theNational Defense Authorization Act,which passed both houses of Congress with bipartisan support. Paulsen introduced the bill, the Military Working Dog Retirement Act, in June. Military working dogs are often retired overseas despite a list of over 1,200 people, including many veterans and active duty troops, waiting to adopt them. Service members often must spend their own money and resources to be reunited with dogs they served next to. There shouldnt be unnecessary hurdles to reuniting our brave troops and the military working dogs they served alongside, said Paulsen. Now we guarantee that military working dogs will be retired and returned to the United States, making it easier and less expensive for them to be adopted. Paulsen spoke on the House floor about this legislation earlier this year.Video of that speech is available here. While military working dogs have served in our military since WWI, there has been renewed focus on the plight of these dogs with the release of the motion picture,Max, this summer. AnArizona Republic articledetails the difficulty that some members of the military have when trying to bring these dogs home. The Star Tribune published an editorialsupporting the legislationin July. Congressman Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus. For more information on Congressman Paulsens work in Congress visitpaulsen.house.gov. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://collinpeterson.house.gov/rep-petersons-newsletter-11252015 | Rep. Peterson's Newsletter 11/25/2015 | 2015-11-25 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Collin Peterson | P000258 | collinpeterson.house.gov | legacy | Hunting Game, US Capitol Dear Friends, During the Thanksgiving holiday, we gather with loved ones to reflect upon and express our gratitude. In that spirit, I thank my constituents for their friendship, hard work, and commitment to the 7th District. As we celebrate, we also remember our dedicated service members and veterans whose sacrifice allows us to enjoy the holiday season. Sincerely, Congressman Collin C. Peterson Minnesota 7th District Minnesota Farmers Union Doug Peterson (President, Minnesota Farmers Union) The Minnesota Farmers Union held its 74th Annual Meeting over the weekend in Minneapolis. I had a good discussion with delegates about a variety of issues, including voluntary Country of Origin Labelling, the Trans- PacificPartnership, Waters of the U.S., and wolf delisting. I have always appreciated working with the Farmers Union on agriculture policy, and am proud to be a multiple recipient of the organizations Golden Triangle Award, given to members of Congress for support of family farmers and ranchers. Minnesota Farm Bureau State 4-H Ambassadors Laura Wyatt (Anoka County), Jake Brekke (Scott County), Anna Brekke (Scott County), Lucia Davila Alvarez (Ramsey County), and Martin Novacek (Roseau County) The Minnesota Farm Bureau held its annual meeting last weekend in Bloomington. I work closely with the Minnesota Farm Bureau in shaping farm policy, so I was grateful for the opportunity to speak at the organizations award luncheon on Saturday.We had a good discussionon issues such as Waters of the U.S., the Renewable Fuel Standard, crop insurance, and GMO labelling. Emerging Leaders Program Luke Stuewe (Minnesota Department of Agriculture) Luke Stuewe, a soil scientist and hydrologist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), was recently selected to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program. Over the next five months, Luke will interview leaders to build a deeper understanding of effective leadership. It was an honor to meet with him and provide my input and perspective, and I… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-keith-ellison-statement-on-shooting-at-fourth-precinct-protest | Rep. Keith Ellison Statement on Shooting at Fourth Precinct Protest | 2015-11-25 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Keith Ellison | E000288 | ellison.house.gov | legacy | Washington Rep. Keith Ellison released the following statement in response to the shooting at the Fourth Precinct protest on Monday night: Mondaynights shooting at the peaceful protest in front of the FourthPrecinctwas appalling. I pray for the victims, and hope their recovery is quick.Idemand theshootersbe brought to justice, and Iam relieved thatthreesuspects have been arrested.The shooting of five black men at a protestfocused on racial equityshould beinvestigatedas a hate crime. I attended Jamar Clarks funeral today, and I join in the communitys mourning for Jamar Clark and for all of the Jamar Clarks who propel the protestors to demand meaningful change. Since the occupation of the FourthPrecinct, Black Lives Matter Minneapolishas achieved a great deal. They asked for and received an independent investigation by the state and federal governments. They asked for and receivedtherelease of theofficersnames.They met with Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, Governor Mark Dayton, and lawyers from the Department of Justice. They also received a commitment that the tapes of Mr. Clarks shooting will beshared with the family andmade public as soon as it will not impede the investigation. I stoodbehind Black Lives MatterMinneapoliswith these requests and have echoed them at every opportunity. Theyalsoheld animpactfulcommunity march yesterday to raise awarenessand show solidarity forjustice. I understand the power of exercising First Amendment rights. This activism has sparkeda long overdue conversation aboutissues facingBlack Minnesotans, which Iknow intimatelyas aNorth Minneapolisresident.As we continue our workon thesecriticalissues,the safety of everyone at the FourthPrecinct must be our highest priority.Mondaynights shootings are not the fault of the victims or theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which is committed to non-violence. But given the events of this week, theres no denying that conditions are unsafe. Protestors and activists should continue to push for systemic change in Minnesota, butits time for… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=7878e585-015e-4d58-8ad7-93ef1ff73e31 | Klobuchar Statement on ISIS and U.S. Counterterrorism Policy | 2015-11-25 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | Last week we woke to news of yet another senseless terrorist attack on innocent civilians. The Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali is part of Minnesota-based Carlson Companies. Although the victims -- both employees and guests -- are miles and miles away from our state, this hit close to home. Having spoken with their managers, I know that Carlson is grieving the loss of life. And the heartbreaking story of the American aid worker killed in that attack -- a kind woman who devoted her entire life to helping others and raising her young son -- reminds us that the victims of these massacres will never be limited to one nationality or one ethnicity or one religion. This attack came barely a week after the horrific terrorist assault on Paris that left 130 people dead. Lastweek I worked with my Senate colleagues and attended numerous meetings and strategy briefings to get the facts about the Paris attack. I believe that it is critical that we take additional steps both at home and abroad to combat Islamic extremism -- and ISIS in particular -- to keep our country safe. As you read this, remember that the actions we take over the next weeks and months ahead must enhance and support our community and our shared American values. We must be strong. And being strong means not only going after those who want to destroy us, but also standing by the innocents among us. When I was a prosecutor we had one straightforward goal: convict the guilty and protect the innocent. To me, that simple mission still holds true. We must make our world safer by rooting out the evil in our midst while still protecting the rights ofpeople whomean no harm. That American aid worker killed in Mali, those innocent families whose plane exploded over Egypt, and those young people lying maimed in hospital rooms throughout Paris deserve nothing less. I have laid out a course of action below, and I hope you will consider these proposals with your friends, family and colleagues. This is a complex problem and the solutions are never easy. I welcome your … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-bill-would-impose-5-year-ban-on-foreign-steel-imports | Nolan Bill Would Impose 5-Year Ban on Foreign Steel Imports | 2015-11-24 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | (DULUTH, MN) U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan said today hell introduce legislation to immediately halt imports of foreign steel for a period of five years, giving the domestic steel industry time to return to 100% of production capacity. The measure could come as soon as November 30, when Congress returns after the Thanksgiving holiday. Nolan's bill comes on the heels of the announcement last week that Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. will lay off several hundred workers in the Babbitt and Silver Bay areas due to a glut of steel in the U.S. market brought about by the continued dumping of millions of tons of low-grade, foreign government-subsidized steel. Once and for all, its time for this Congress and this Administration to stand up for American workers and American jobs jobs being destroyed and stolen due to illegal steel dumping by China, India and other Southeast Asian nations. My bill would place an immediate moratorium on imports of foreign steel for five years, so our domestic industry will have time to return to 100% of production capacity and so thousands of American workers who have lost their jobs in our mining, iron ore and steel industries can return to work as quickly as possible, Nolan said. Nolan noted that while steel imports increased by 36% last year and captured their highest share of the U.S. market on record, American steel mills are still only running at 70.5% of capacity because the domestic market is glutted with low-grade, foreign government-subsidized steel. In 2001, Minnesota iron production bottomed out. In the Eighth District alone, 1,400 workers lost their jobs, with thousands more losing their jobs across the country. When President Bush implemented tariffs on a number of steel products, the iron mining and our steel industry began to recover much of which was credited to those tariffs. Today, we find ourselves in almost exactly the same situation, with roughly 1,750 workers in the 8th having lost their jobs and more than 9,000 layoffs of steelworkers across the country. Nolan added that he… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=e893887e-50a3-4228-8d63-31147a528982 | Klobuchar Statement on Shooting in Minneapolis | 2015-11-24 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Amy Klobuchar | K000367 | www.klobuchar.senate.gov | legacy | I condemn these acts of violence and urge peace throughout our community. We cannot let the actions of a few represent the many. Our thoughts and prayers are with the North Minneapolis community today. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3317 | Sen. Franken Leads Bipartisan Effort to Fund Loan Program That Would Help Minnesotas Tribal Economies | 2015-11-23 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and five colleagues urged top Senate budget negotiators to fund a federal loan program that would help create jobs and ensure access to reliable energy on tribal lands in Minnesota and across the country.The Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TIELGP) will help bring power to the most remote parts of Indian Country by providing loan guarantees to tribes and tribal organizations to support electricity generation projects. But despite being authorized a decade ago, the program has yet to receive any funding. The bipartisan letter, also sent by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), called on budget negotiators to provide $11 million for the Department of Energy program, which would help more than $50 million worth of projects get off the ground. TIELGP not only helps provide reliable and resilient energy, it also supports high-quality, good-paying jobs and promotes economic growth in Indian Country."There is great need and great potential for electricity projects on tribal lands," said Sen. Franken. "But unfortunately, a key program to help support more of these projects has sat unfunded for the past decade. That's why I'm urging Senate budget negotiators to fund the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program this year. It will help stimulate economic growth, provide dependable energy, and improve the standard of living for tribal communities in Minnesota and across the country."Sen. Franken, a member of the Senate Energy Committee and Senate Indian Affairs Committee, is a strong supporter of energy investments in Indian Country. By encouraging borrowers to cooperate with private entitiessuch as utility companiesthe program will leverage private investment with local needs. The Department of Energy expects strong interest from borrowers who deploy the loan.You can read the letter by clicking here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3318 | Sen. Franken and Bipartisan Group Press for Increased Flexibility for Dairy Farmers in Transportation Bill | 2015-11-23 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | Today, U.S. Senators Al Franken (D-Minn.) Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Kelly Ayotte (D-N.H.) and Angus King (I-Maine) called for flexibility for America's dairy farmers in the recently-passed Surface Transportation bill. The senators sent a letter to bipartisan leaders on the conference committee asking that the final bill allow bulk milk trucks to carry milk without being forced to offload portions, which increases food safety risks for consumers and costs for dairy farmers."Each day, more than 12,500 bulk milk trucks pick up milk at farms across the country and move it to over 2,000 processing plants. The transportation of milk is an issue that affects businesses and consumers in every region and in every state," the senators wrote. "We urge you to support language that was included in the House-passed version of H.R. 22, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, that would classify milk as a non-divisible load. This provision would allow states to issue special permits to bulk milk trucks, giving them more flexibility to ensure that milk is delivered in a timely manner and in compliance with federal and state food safety and security standards."The language, offered by Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT-5) and Richard Hanna (R-NY-22), was included in the House-passed version of the bill but was not included the bill passed by the Senate.Full text of the letter is below:November 23, 2015 The Honorable Jim Inhofe The Honorable Barbara BoxerChairman Ranking MemberSenate Committee on Environment Senate Committee on Environmentand Public Works and Public Works 205 Russell Senate Office Building 112 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510The Honorable John Thune Ranking Member Bill… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/statement-record-honoring-november-native-american-heritage-month | Statement for the Record Honoring November as Native American Heritage Month | 2015-11-23 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MN | Betty McCollum | M001143 | mccollum.house.gov | legacy | McCOLLUM of MINNESOTA: Each November, our nation recognizes the contributions of the First Americans during National Native American Heritage Month. Minnesota is home to eleven proud Ojibwe and Dakota nations, and those nations and their people are a vital part of our states heritage and our future. American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are the source of Americas first participatory democracy and the population with the highest rates of service in our nations armed services. Their cultures and communities have endured despite centuries of violence, injustice, and discrimination. That legacy must never be buried or ignored, but I am committed to working with tribal leaders to move forward in a new era of respect and self-governance throughout Indian Country. The nation-to-nation relationship between our federal government and the 567 diverse, federally recognized tribal nations across the country has been strengthened tremendously under President Obama. I am proud to have worked with the President and my colleagues in Congress to pass major legislation to better meet our federal trust responsibility, strengthen tribal self-governance, and support Native families, like the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Tribal Law and Order Act, and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Investing in the health, safety, and education of Native youth, in particular, must be a priority for Congress. Native American youth deserve the same opportunities to shape their futures and succeed as any other child in America. Earlier this month, tribal leaders and Native youth joined President Obama and senior officials from throughout his Administration at the 7th Annual White House Tribal Nations Conference. I was incredibly proud to see young people representing their Native nations and sitting with our President, sharing their priorities and discussing their future. Whether standing against racism in their schools, advocating for opportunities in their communities, or preserving their languages… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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