Minnesota

State Senators:

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2007

Full Name: Amy Jean Klobuchar
Date of Birth: May 25, 1960
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Amy Klobuchar was born and raised in Plymouth, Minnesota. Her father, Jim Klobuchar, was a well-known sports journalist, and her mother, Rose, was a schoolteacher. Klobuchar attended public schools and graduated from Wayzata High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Yale University in 1982 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1985.

Personal Life: Amy Klobuchar is married to John Bessler, a law professor, and they have one daughter. The family resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Klobuchar is known for her dedication to public service and her efforts to address the needs of her constituents through effective and pragmatic legislation.

Early Career: After law school, Klobuchar worked as a corporate lawyer and partner at the Minneapolis law firm Dorsey & Whitney and later at Gray Plant Mooty. She gained recognition for her advocacy on behalf of patients, particularly regarding the lengths of hospital stays for new mothers, which led to significant legislative changes in Minnesota. She also served as the Hennepin County Attorney from 1999 to 2007, becoming known for her work on criminal justice reform and improving public safety.

Political Career:

U.S. Senate: Klobuchar was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, becoming the first woman elected to represent Minnesota in the Senate. She was re-elected in 2012 and 2018. As a senator, Klobuchar has built a reputation as a pragmatic legislator and a strong advocate for consumer protection, antitrust issues, and election security. She is known for her ability to work across party lines and has sponsored numerous bipartisan bills.
2020 Presidential Campaign: In 2019, Klobuchar announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Her campaign emphasized her Midwestern roots and practical approach to governance. Although she did not win the nomination, she gained national recognition and was considered a potential vice-presidential candidate.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee on Rules and Administration (Chairman)
Committee on the Judiciary
Joint Committee on Printing (Vice Chairman)
Joint Committee on the Library (Chairman)
Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – 2024 (Chairman)
Joint Economic Committee

Legislative Achievements:

Healthcare: Advocates for expanding access to affordable healthcare and reducing prescription drug costs. Supports the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has worked on bipartisan efforts to improve mental health services and address the opioid crisis.
Technology and Antitrust: Focuses on regulating big tech companies and ensuring fair competition. Has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening antitrust laws and increasing scrutiny on mergers and acquisitions in the tech industry.
Agriculture and Rural Development: Strong advocate for farmers and rural communities. Supports measures to expand broadband access, promote sustainable farming practices, and provide relief to farmers affected by natural disasters.
Election Security and Voting Rights: As Chairwoman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, prioritizes election security and expanding voting rights. Has introduced legislation to protect against foreign interference in elections and to make voting more accessible.
Criminal Justice Reform: Worked on legislation to improve the criminal justice system, including efforts to reduce recidivism and support reentry programs for former inmates.

Senator Klobuchar is known for her pragmatic and bipartisan approach to legislation. Her focus areas include healthcare reform, technology regulation, agriculture and rural development, election security, and criminal justice reform. With a background in law and local government, Klobuchar’s legislative efforts aim to address the needs of her constituents in Minnesota and promote fair competition, public safety, and accessible healthcare.

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact economic development, technological innovation, transportation systems, and scientific advancements within a country or region.

Rules and Administration: Committee ensures that the Senate functions smoothly and efficiently by overseeing its rules, administration, elections, and public access.

Judiciary: Committee plays a role in shaping the nation’s legal framework and ensuring the fair administration of justice. Its work impacts a wide range of issues, from the confirmation of judges to the protection of civil liberties and the enforcement of federal laws.

Joint Committee on Printing (JPC): Committee oversees the functions related to printing and the dissemination of government publications. The JCP is composed of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it plays a role in managing and overseeing the federal government’s printing needs and information dissemination practices.

Joint Committee on the Library: Committee oversees various functions and operations related to the Library of Congress, the principal research arm of the legislative branch.

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – 2024 (JCCIC): Committee oversees the planning and execution of all presidential inauguration events. The JCCIC is comprised of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it collaborates with various federal, state, and local agencies to organize the inauguration.

Joint Economic Committee: Bipartisan committee composed of members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This committees’ role is to inform Congress about the state of the economy and provide policy recommendations to address economic challenges and opportunities. Its work helps shape economic policy and legislation in the United States.

Voting patterns

Senator Klobuchar has a voting record that demonstrates her commitment to healthcare, consumer protection, environmental issues, and social justice.

Key Voting Patterns:

Healthcare and Reproductive Rights: Klobuchar has consistently supported expanding healthcare access and protecting reproductive rights. She co-sponsored and voted for the “Right to Contraception Act” and the “Right to IVF Act” to ensure nationwide access to these services.
Environmental Issues: She is a strong advocate for environmental protection, voting against bills that would weaken energy conservation standards and supporting legislation to address climate change and promote renewable energy (Vote Smart).
Economic and Fiscal Policies: Klobuchar supports economic relief measures and has backed various bills to provide financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also supports increasing funding for community development and small business initiatives.
Consumer Protection and Antitrust: Known for her focus on antitrust issues, Klobuchar has sponsored and supported legislation aimed at curbing monopolistic practices and promoting competition. She is a vocal advocate for protecting consumers from corporate abuses.
Civil Rights and Social Justice: Klobuchar supports measures to advance civil rights and social justice. She has voted for legislation to protect voting rights, promote LGBTQ+ equality, and address systemic racism.

Senator Klobuchar’s voting record demonstrates her commitment to progressive policies across various domains, including economic development, healthcare reform, national security, environmental protection, and social justice. Her legislative efforts focus on supporting middle-class families, ensuring accessible healthcare, protecting the environment, and promoting equality and civil rights.

Full Name: Christine Elizabeth “Tina” Smith
Date of Birth: March 4, 1958
Birthplace: Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Tina Smith was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She attended Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1980. Smith then moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, where she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1984.

Personal Life: Tina Smith is married to Archie Smith, and they have two sons. The family resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Smith is known for her dedication to public service and her efforts to address the needs of Minnesotans through effective and inclusive legislation.

Early Career: After completing her education, Smith worked in marketing for General Mills, one of the largest food companies in the world. She then transitioned into public service and political consulting, including a role as Vice President of External Affairs at Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. She later served as Chief of Staff to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and then to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.

Tina Smith (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2018

Political Career:

Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota: In 2014, Smith was elected Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, serving under Governor Mark Dayton. During her tenure, she focused on issues such as economic development, early childhood education, and rural healthcare. Her work helped to advance several key initiatives in the state.
U.S. Senate: Smith was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2018 by Governor Dayton, following the resignation of Senator Al Franken. She won a special election later that year to complete Franken’s term, and was re-elected in 2020. As a senator, Smith has focused on healthcare, rural economic development, and education. She is known for her advocacy for mental health services, reproductive rights, and renewable energy.

Committee Assignments:

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee o Indian Affairs

Legislative Achievements:

Healthcare: Advocates for expanding access to affordable healthcare, mental health services, and addiction treatment. Supports the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has worked on legislation to reduce prescription drug prices and improve rural healthcare access.
Agriculture: Focuses on supporting farmers and rural communities. Has worked on measures to promote sustainable farming practices and ensure that agricultural policies benefit small and family-owned farms.
Economic Development: Advocates for economic policies that support job creation and infrastructure development. Supports measures to boost small businesses and enhance workforce training programs.
Education: Supports increased funding for public education and measures to make higher education more affordable. Advocates for student loan reform and expanding access to vocational training.
Environment: Strong proponent of environmental protection and clean energy. Supports legislation to combat climate change, promote renewable energy, and protect natural resources.

Senator Smith is recognized for her commitment to healthcare, agriculture, economic development, education, and environmental protection. Her background in business and public service, along with her legislative efforts, reflect her dedication to improving the lives of her constituents in Minnesota and addressing critical national issues.

Committees

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission. This is a U.S. government agency that monitors and promotes the following in Europe and surrounding areas: Human Rights, Democracy, Military Security, Economic Cooperation, and Humanitarian Issues. The commission includes members from the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and executive branch, and it conducts various activities to inform U.S. policy and ensure adherence to international agreements.

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Banking, Housing, and Urban Development: Committee ensures that the banking system is safe, housing is accessible, urban areas are well-developed, and consumers are protected in financial matters.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP): Committee addresses issues related to health care, education, employment, and retirement policies.

Indian Affairs: Committee conducts hearings, investigations, and studies to address these issues and to develop and recommend legislation to the Senate that impacts Native American communities.

Voting patterns

Senator Smith has a voting record that aligns with her focus on healthcare, reproductive rights, environmental protection, and economic development.

Key Voting Patterns:

Healthcare and Reproductive Rights: Senator Smith has consistently supported expanding healthcare access and protecting reproductive rights. She co-sponsored and voted for the “Right to Contraception Act” (S.4381) and the “Right to IVF Act” (S.4445) to ensure nationwide access to these services.
Environmental Issues: Smith is a strong advocate for environmental protection. She voted against a resolution (S.J.Res.58) disapproving an energy conservation rule by the Department of Energy, reflecting her commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
Economic and Fiscal Policies: She supports economic relief measures and has backed various bills to provide financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, she voted for the “Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act” (H.R.3935) to support the aviation industry.
Consumer Protection and Financial Regulation: Smith has voted against resolutions that would reduce regulatory oversight of financial institutions, such as H.J.Res.109, which aimed to disapprove a rule by the Securities and Exchange Commission, demonstrating her commitment to protecting consumers and maintaining financial regulations.
Civil Rights and Social Justice: Smith supports measures to advance civil rights and social justice. She has voted for legislation to protect voting rights and promote equality, such as supporting the “Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act” (H.R.7888) aimed at enhancing national security while protecting civil liberties.

Senator Tina Smith’s voting record reflects her commitment to progressive policies across various domains, including economic development, healthcare reform, national security, environmental protection, and social justice. Her legislative efforts focus on supporting working families, ensuring accessible healthcare, protecting the environment, and promoting equality and civil rights.