What I am saying is I think the right approach is to say to Vietnam, ``You owe us $150 million. Let's work out a payment schedule instead of avoiding it and ducking it. Let's work out a payment schedule to return the $150 million that you…
Tina Smith
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.
Let me just briefly respond. The Senator from Louisiana is correct in terms of waivers being applied in the past for countries. I think he mentioned Colombia and Peru. That is true. And in most cases where such waivers were granted, it was…
this is really a very simple amendment. I will not take too much of the Senate's time to discuss it. Oftentimes, little things that seem rather insignificant get tucked inside these bills that ought to be looked at more carefully, and they…
I do not know that you can say emphatically and without any doubt that Vietnam is ready to embrace the rule of law. I think, if I understand this amendment and I understand the debate here, it is more likely that we are trying to encourage…
Triparty agreements have proven to be an effective tool to coordinate the cleanup efforts at Federal facilities. These agreements should be used where appropriate, and nothing in this amendment would impede the ability of Federal…
it is reality of declining defense budgets that not every program conceived by the Armed Forces or the defense industry can be funded. The Services are forced to examine their military requirements and prioritize among many competing…
During the past 5 years our Nation commemorated the 50th anniversary of a series historic World War II events. These ceremonies highlighted the enormous valor, sacrifice, and honorable service of our Nation's veterans. They also showcased…
during the Armed Services Committee consideration of S. 1745, Senator McCain and I introduced language to amend section 120(h)(3) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 [CERCLA] otherwise known…
The amendment appears to make the program self-sustaining, but in fact it terminates the program flat out. He says that the CMP should be self-sustaining. He states that the program is terrible; in fact, it is outrageous, he says. I think…
I must ask my colleagues: Is this the direction we should go? We are putting a great deal of trust in an undeveloped technology for such a critical national security mission. I certainly cannot predict the future, but I am 100 percent at…
But the thing that fascinates me is how can one argue that the rifle should be destroyed on the one hand and, if they are destroyed, then the value is zero; yet, on the other hand complain that they are being sold? If I have a $10,000…
As the Senator leaves this institution later this year to pursue other interests, I want to take this opportunity, while I have it, while he is here, to thank him for his service to our Nation and certainly for his kind attention to me as…
I join today with my friend and colleague Senator Gregg in offering an amendment to convey approximately 3.5 acres of land to Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH. This land is currently owned by the Army, but will soon be vacated upon…
I rise in opposition to S. 1219, the Senate Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1996. There are several major campaign finance proposals that are now being considered by the Congress. I am pleased to offer my views on each of them. The most…
since fiscal year 1995 the Senate has annually sponsored in its defense authorization bill a program for enhancement of the Marine Corps maritime prepositioning force by the purchase and conversion of three ships from the world market. An…
I concur with Senator Warner's earlier statement, that the $15 million for the Starstreak evaluation should be placed in PE 63003A and be provided for the purpose of continuing the Starstreak evaluation. As chairman of the Acquisition and…
If we lose this vote and lose this technology and end this technology, ASAT, it, in my opinion, will be a direct threat to the thousands of American men and women all over the world who wear the uniforms of the Armed Forces of the United…
The truth of the matter--and the Senator knows this full well--the administration did not request any funding in their budget for the ASAT Program. Unless I am missing something in the logic here--I do not believe I am; maybe the Senator…
let me close with one final observation. I feel very strongly that this issue has become a partisan political issue. It should not be a partisan political issue. We have no more fundamental or important constitutional responsibility than…
we are in the second year of a Republican-controlled U.S. Congress. This is the second year that an actual, real, balanced budget resolution is before the Senate for consideration. I suggest, in all humbleness, that is not a coincidence…
Rather than recite his vast and substantial accomplishments, I want to talk for a moment about the Mike Boorda that I knew. From the first time I met Adm. Mike Boorda, I knew he was something special. My first impressions were that he was…
As we celebrate the 26th anniversary of Earth Day, Americans will again have an opportunity to reflect on many of our past environment successes and, frankly, some shortcomings, which I hope we will be able to address. We should also take…
I rise to commend Senator Hatch and the other members of the conference committee for incorporating what originated in this Congress as my bill, S. 270, the Alien Terrorist Removal Act of 1995, into the conference report on S. 735, the…
Let me also say in regard to the tax initiative that the Senator brought up a few moments ago, this again goes to the heart and soul of the differences between our two parties. George Bush said recently on national television that it might…
I rise to offer some personal reflections on both the substance of this treaty and the process by which the Senate is considering it. Frankly, I am troubled by the casual, disengaged manner in which the Senate is exercising its advice and…





