Al Franken

Letter Authored by Sen. Harkin (D-Iowa) Pushes for Emission Allowances That Don't Punish Mid-Western Enegy Consumers

Washington, D.C. -- Nov 12, 2009 – U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) today joined a group of 14 colleagues in asking Senate leaders to make sure that any climate and energy legislation does not unfairly or disproportionately raise electricity costs in certain regions of the country.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. -- Nov 5, 2009 – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken, and Byron Dorgan today sponsored legislation to prohibit the use of personal wireless communication devices by the flight crew while operating commercial aircraft.

Klobuchar, an Aviation Subcommittee member, and Franken joined Commerce Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Byron Dorgan to introduce the legislation in response to the recent Northwest Airlines incident in which pilots claimed they were distracted by working on their computers and did not respond to radio calls for 91 minutes. The plane flew 150 miles past its destination of Minneapolis-St. Paul.    » read more »

Proposal Will Reduce the Number of New Diabetes Cases

Washington, D.C. [Nov 5, 2009] – Today, U.S. Senators Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) introduced the Diabetes Prevention Act of 2009, which will reduce the number of new diabetes cases in the United States, resulting in significant health care savings and better health for Americans.

The legislation is being introduced in connection with American Diabetes Month, which is November.

Video of Sen. Franken’s statement of introduction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn8gDPVtkEw    » read more »

Proposal Will Keep More Unemployed Minnesotans Insuread

Washington, D.C. [Nov 5, 2009] – Today, U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) joined his colleagues Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) to support the COBRA Subsidy Extension and Enhancement Act (S.2730).

COBRA allows jobless workers to keep their health care as they look for new employment. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that seven million workers and their dependents will use the COBRA subsidies in 2009. Tens of thousands of Minnesota families won’t be able to stay insured without this extension. This act addresses the short-term crisis facing so many families by extending the COBRA subsidy another six months through June 30, 2010.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. -- Nov 3, 2009 – Today, U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) delivered his second speech on the Senate floor. The topic was the urgent need for comprehensive health care reform.

As the Senate prepares to bring a health care reform bill to the floor, Sen. Franken delivered his first speech on the issue to define his priorities as he participates in this debate.

Sen. Franken invoked Minnesota’s leadership on this issue, citing programs at Duluth St. Mary’s Hospital and the City of New Ulm as examples of putting patients ahead of profits. He also shared the stories he’s heard from Minnesotans struggling with the cost and availability of health insurance.    » read more »

Two Organizations In Minnesota To Be Awarded New Markets Tax Credits

Washington, D.C. - Oct 30, 2009 – Today, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced the distribution of $75 million to the National New Markets Tax Credit Fund Inc. and $15 million to the Great Neighborhoods! Development Corporation as part of the Treasury Department's New Market Tax Credit Awards program.

“Minnesota small businesses play a vital role in the development of our economy,” said Klobuchar. “These programs will provide the resources needed for Minnesota businesses and neighborhoods to build and sustain vibrant communities and ensure a successful future.”    » read more »

Franken Calls On Health Care Reform Leaders to Simplify Administrative Processes and Crack Down on Fraud

Washington, D.C. -- Oct 27, 2009 – U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) wrote to Chairmen Baucus (D-Mont.) and Harkin (D-Iowa) and Senator Dodd (D-Conn.) to urge them to include administrative simplification measures already adopted in Minnesota as part of the national health care reform efforts.

“Doctors and nurses should spend their time and resources dealing with patients, not paperwork,” said Sen. Franken. “I’m proud that Minnesota has been a leader in simplifying administrative processes. If the nation follows our example, we can save this country billions.”    » read more »

Bill will Prevent Injuries Among Nurses and Health Workers

Washington, D.C. -- Oct 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) introduced the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009, which would set standards on safe patient handling and injury prevention. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Rep. Conyers (D-Mich.).

“Nurses and health care workers shouldn’t have to sacrifice their safety and their livelihood to help others,” said Sen. Franken. “Especially when many of these injuries could be prevented. All of us benefit from the services these professionals provide, and by passing this legislation, we can help ensure they’re able to safely continue in their important careers.”    » read more »

Bill Will Extend County of Origin Labeling to Dairy Products

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), chair of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food, Nutrition, and Family Farms, joined U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) to introduce the Dairy Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Act, which would extend mandatory country of origin labeling to dairy products.

“Ohioans and all Americans have a right to know where their food was produced,” Brown said. “This bill supports both families and farmers by requiring country of origin labeling on all dairy products. With increasing dairy imports, country of origin labeling provides critical information as households decide how to feed their families.”    » read more »

Six Minnesota counties eligible for funding

Washington, D.C. [Oct 8, 2009] – U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in September, urging him to quickly approve a request made by Gov. Pawlenty to designate six Minnesota counties federal agriculture disaster areas.

In response the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington and Roseau as agricultural disaster areas. Benefits are also available for the contiguous counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Itasca, Polk, Red Lake and St. Louis .    » read more »

Governor Pawlenty statement regarding the Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision in the Franken-Coleman election contest

June 30, 2009 -- Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding the Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision in the Franken-Coleman election contest.

“The Minnesota Supreme Court has today addressed the issues surrounding the accuracy and integrity of our election system during the 2008 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota. In light of that decision and Senator Coleman’s announcement that he will not be pursuing an appeal, I will be signing the election certificate today as directed by the court and applicable law.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- "The election process and recount in Minnesota have lived up to the state's reputation for organization, transparency, and bipartisanship. The officials have been meticulous and every ruling has been unanimous.

"While Senator Amy Klobuchar is one of the hardest working members of the United States Senate, Minnesotans deserve their full representation.

"Once the Minnesota Supreme Court has issued its final ruling in this case, the President and I look forward to working with Mr. Franken on building an economy for the 21st century."

Source: White House