The Public Record
Tina Elizabeth Smith is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from Minnesota since January 3, 2018. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, she has focused on issues such as healthcare, education, and economic equity during her time in office. Smith previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota from 2015 to 2018, where she worked on initiatives to improve access to healthcare and support for families and children.
I rise today to support the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 to increase the Federal minimum wage. The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 will increase the Federal minimum wage by $2.10 to $7.25. Oregon's minimum wage, which is $7.80 and adjusted…
I thank Senator Collins. Her amendment is important. She has been working on this issue since 2001. It does have a very real impact. I certainly support her adding it to my amendment. It is an important contribution to education…
I thank my colleague, Mr. President. I join Senator Wyden in saying this is my No. 1 priority as well. It is an emergency. It is not a natural disaster, but it is related to natural resources. It is a disaster that has been in the making…
It is a time when our Nation takes its pulse and checks its health. As we contemplate what the President might say and the agenda that this Congress might pursue, it occurs to me that this is a good time to express what I hope will be a…
I too will support PNTR for Vietnam. Both of us are committed to a strong and mutually beneficial United States-Vietnam trade relationship. Both of us understand how important the vibrant and growing Vietnam market is to our constituents…
It is my understanding that lawyers from USTR and Commerce have advised Ambassador Schwab and Secretary Gutierrez that because a notice has been placed in the Federal Register announcing the creation of the import monitoring program and…
I have heard from them and other U.S. retailers about the impact the proposed monitoring program will have on their businesses as unilateral actions such as this can have a significant chilling effect on companies' sourcing strategies…
I rise today to speak about World Trade Month. I have always been a free trader, and I am very proud of the many Oregon companies that are active in international trade and are pioneers in breaking into new markets and tearing down ancient…
I rise tonight, however, to speak about a subject heavy on my mind. It is the subject of the war in Iraq. I have never worn the uniform of my country. I am not a soldier or a veteran. I regret that fact. It is one of the regrets of my…
I rise today to recognize my home State of Oregon and the city of Portland. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Portland city officials and their plan to ``Unwire Portland,'' the forecast in Portland today is ``overcast, with free…
this is a most difficult issue we are engaged in. We are arguing about what I believe is a cornerstone principle of the rule of law, and that is the issue of habeas corpus. I know this is an unusual war, and I don't know its duration. No…
today, I am taking a parliamentary step to, in effect, reintroduce S. 3815, a bill I sponsored with Senator Lincoln, that would improve access to and quality of long-term care. By doing this, we are removing a provision from the original…
since I have been a U.S. Senator, I have been an advocate of what is known as the tip credit. I have always urged for the tip credit to be included in increases in the minimum wage. In no way have I done this to try to lower someone's…
above the dais, our Nation's motto, e pluribus unum, is chiseled in the marble. That is more than a motto; it is one of America's greatest ideals. But it is an ideal that we are constantly in an effort to realize as fully as is humanly…
every Congress and a number I have served in since 1997, nearly 10 years ago, Senator Wyden and I, my colleague from Oregon, have put forward a bipartisan agenda of things we could do as a Republican and Democrat to advance the interests…
the majority yields 10 minutes to the Senator from Louisiana, and the Senator from Kansas will follow him. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana is recognized.
I rise to join Senator Schumer in offering legislation that will help maintain our Nation's affordable housing inventory. Our country's stock of affordable rental housing is shrinking. Every day, we lose affordable units to rent increases…
since the conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq, 2,808 American men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Of that number, 63 are Oregonians, or those who have Oregon ties. There are 63 patriots among that total. I rise today to honor…
it is a privilege to come to the Chamber and speak of Bob Dole and also his distinguished wife, our colleague, Elizabeth Dole, both great public servants. While that is my intention, to speak about them--specifically, Senator Bob Dole--I…
I was not in the Chamber 10 years ago when Senator Dole resigned his seat. I was, in fact, on the campaign trail in the midst of an election campaign that he had helped to recruit me to run. I remember watching those proceedings and seeing…
I rise to recognize a bittersweet occasion: the 25th anniversary of the first reported AIDS case. June 5 will forever be a day to reflect upon the lives that have been impacted by the HIV/AIDS virus and the significant progress we have…
on rollcall vote 140, I was recorded as voting nay. My intention was to vote yea. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to change my vote since it will not affect the outcome. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection…
I had first like to thank Chairman Grassley for all of his hard work and leadership on the tax reconciliation bill. He represented the Senate well during sometimes difficult negotiations on this bill. Because Chairman Grassley stuck to his…
today I am proud to file the Medicare Part D Outreach and Enrollment Enhancement Act of 2006. This timely piece of legislation addresses two very targeted administrative issues that have come to light since Medicare's new prescription drug…
I intended to speak in reference to an amendment I was to call up for the supplemental, but because we are in morning business I will speak in morning business. My amendment would be objected to as out of order, as being inconsistent with…
Politicians like Tina Smith
