Al Franken's Blog, page 43

Did you see: “Students have a clear choice in this election”

A letter to the editor in the Minnesota Daily lays out the Minnesota choice students have in this election.

During his first term in office, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., has shown unwavering support for students. From co-sponsoring legislation that would help reduce college costs to fighting to increase transparency in the cost of higher education to ensuring that students can stay on their parents’ health insurance until they are 26, it is clear that Franken is working for us.

Last year, Franken worked with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to introduce the Affordable College Textbook Act, which could significantly reduce the cost of textbooks for college students. Due to this bill’s potential to cut into the cost of higher education, the Minnesota Student Association led the charge to get it endorsed by the Association of Big Ten Students, an organization that represents tens of thousands of students.

In addition to his work to lower the cost of college while students are enrolled, Franken helped introduce the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act. This bill would allow students to refinance their student loans at the lowest interest rate available.

Franken’s opponent, wealthy businessman Mike McFadden, said he wouldn’t vote for the bill if it involved raising taxes.

Read the full article here >>>

The post Did you see: “Students have a clear choice in this election” appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

RELEASE: Mike McFadden Health ‘Plan’ Would Hurt Minnesotans

Today, the Franken campaign released the following statement on investment banker Mike McFadden’s decision to once again jump at the opportunity to play politics rather than actually solve problems.

Statement from Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokesperson:

“Sen. Franken has been working hard to make sure the Affordable Care Act works for the people of Minnesota, and he will continue to do what he can to make that happen. Because of the Affordable Care Act, the state’s uninsured rate has been cut in nearly half, and ninety-five percent of Minnesotans now have health insurance. Investment banker Mike McFadden would undo that.

“Mike McFadden would repeal the health law and take us back to a time when women were charged more for health coverage simply because they were women, people with preexisting conditions were denied coverage, half the bankruptcies in this country were connected with health care emergencies and young adults couldn’t get covered under their parents’ plan. Once again, Mike McFadden has proven that he would rather jump at the opportunity to play politics than actually solve problems.”

###

The post RELEASE: Mike McFadden Health ‘Plan’ Would Hurt Minnesotans appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

New ad: Mike McFadden’s business made millions on merger that moved U.S. company offshore

New ad: Mike McFadden’s business made millions on merger that moved U.S. company offshore
American taxpayers, not so lucky

ST. PAUL [9/17/14]— Today, the Franken campaign released a new TV ad that highlights a recent Associated Press report about how investment banker Mike McFadden’s business made $11 million on a merger that moved an American company offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes.

The 30-second ad, titled “Lucky,” informs voters that “‘Mike McFadden’s investment firm was involved in a merger that moved an American pharmaceutical company to Ireland’ to avoid paying U.S taxes.” Ireland is a well-known tax haven for American companies.

In 2012, McFadden’s business managed a merger between then American-based Jazz Pharmaceuticals and the Irish drugmaker Azur Pharma. The transaction led Jazz Pharmaceuticals overseas to Ireland where it could avoid paying U.S. taxes, a practice commonly referred to as an “inversion.” The ad notes that McFadden’s company made out big — more than $11 million — from the deal. But American taxpayers weren’t so lucky: they lost millions.

“It’s clear investment banker Mike McFadden has a long history of putting profits over people. His company made a fortune on a merger that moved an American company offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes, while American taxpayers got stuck with a multi-million dollar tab. Minnesotans need a Senator who puts people first, not profits,” said Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokeswoman.

TRANSCRIPT:

AL FRANKEN: I’m Al Franken, and I approved this message.

ANNOUNCER: Ireland. Famous for its lucky leprechauns. And corporate tax shelters. Minnesota newspapers just revealed that “Mike McFadden’s investment firm was involved in a merger that moved an American pharmaceutical company to Ireland” to avoid paying U.S taxes. McFadden’s company “made more than 11 million dollars”. But American taxpayers weren’t so lucky…we lost millions. Mike McFadden. This guy’s not for us.

###

The post New ad: Mike McFadden’s business made millions on merger that moved U.S. company offshore appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

RELEASE: Mike McFadden Doubles Down on Support For Tax Breaks for Big Oil, Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas

Mike McFadden Doubles Down on Support For Tax Breaks for Big Oil, Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas
New McFadden ad attacks Franken again for voting to end wasteful tax giveaways

ST. PAUL [9/16/14]—Investment banker Mike McFadden doubled down today on his support for tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas AND for big oil and gas companies.

McFadden reinforced his profits-over-people philosophy again today in a new ad when he attacked Sen. Al Franken on three votes to end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and tax breaks for big oil and gas companies. McFadden continues to make it clear to Minnesotans that he supports the wasteful tax giveaways Sen. Franken has been working to eliminate.

“The fact that investment banker Mike McFadden doubled down today on his support for tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas and for big oil and gas companies just shows that he will always put profits over people, no matter the cost,” said Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokeswoman.“Sen. Franken has voted to end these wasteful tax breaks because he knows they’re wrong.”

###

McFadden Repeatedly Defends Tax Loopholes For Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas. McFadden’s ad attacks Franken for voting for a measure that would end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. According to the Washington Post, “To pay for the new spending, the measure would cut off in March 2014 an expansion of food-stamp benefits enacted in last year’s stimulus. And it would end tax breaks for some multinational corporations that are based in the United States but have operations and pay taxes abroad. Closing those ‘loopholes,’ as Democrats call them, is the centerpiece of a House Democratic campaign to promote domestic manufacturing and discourage companies from shipping jobs overseas.” [McFadden Press Release, 9/16/14; WCCO, 9/10/14; Vote 228, 8/5/10; Washington Post, 8/5/10]

McFadden Repeatedly Defends Tax Breaks For Big Oil And Gas Companies. McFadden’s ad attacks Franken for voting for an amendment that, according to The Hill, would “eliminate tax loopholes for the oil and gas industry to fund repeal” of the Affordable Care Act’s 1099 provision. [McFadden Press Release, 9/16/14; McFadden Press Release, 8/19/14; Vote 7, 2/2/11; The Hill, 2/2/11]

McFadden Repeatedly Defends Tax Breaks for Big Oil and Gas Companies. McFadden’s ad attacks Franken for voting in June 2010: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate big oil and gas company tax loopholes, and to use the resulting increase in revenues to reduce the deficit and to invest in energy efficiency and conservation.” [McFadden Press Release, 9/16/14; WCCO, 9/10/14; Vote 187, 6/15/10]

The post RELEASE: Mike McFadden Doubles Down on Support For Tax Breaks for Big Oil, Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

RECAP: Volunteer Leader Summit

Sally King, Digital Intern

On Sunday, Team Franken volunteer leaders gathered in St. Paul to plan out how our organization will remain strong going into November – from thinking through the crucial next steps of getting out the vote across Minnesota to sharing best practices on how we’re motivating more people to take action and volunteer.

Al stopped by to personally thank the volunteers for their involvement.

“It’s people like you that are going to make the difference.”

Every volunteer had their reasons for getting involved, but one theme was common across the board: there’s too much at stake to sit on the sidelines.

“I’m so proud of what Senator Franken and other DFLers have accomplished. What’s more, it’s fun and rewarding to have great conversations with everyday people on the doors about the issues that matter to them. “

—   Jess B., St. Paul

“It’s inspiring to see so many people in one room committed to the same goal — making sure Senator Franken and other DFLers can keep working hard for us. He truly gets the late Paul Wellstone’s credo: ‘We all do better when we all do better.’”

—   Paul H., Eagan

“I’m impressed by how hard Al has advocated to protect net neutrality, an issue that has a real impact on the way we communicate with each other. That’s why I signed up to volunteer.”

— Nina J., St. Paul

“It’s hard to see that for some people, one job simply isn’t enough to surprise. Al has been an advocate for a living wage, and making sure the wealthy pay their fair share. We need to keep Al in the Senate so he can keep working hard to change the rules.”

—   Don R., Edina

Ready to get involved? Join our team at an upcoming event near you.

The post RECAP: Volunteer Leader Summit appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

RELEASE: Mike McFadden Out of Touch With Students, Families Struggling With Loan Debt

ST. PAUL [9/15/14]— Yesterday, investment banker Mike McFadden attacked “Senate leaders for focusing on student loan refinancing” and the work being done in the Senate to help lower the cost of college, despite the fact that Minnesotans graduate with some of the highest debt in the country.

McFadden’s out of touch comments that Congress should ignore the millions of Americans struggling with student loan debt came during a Sunday press conference where he attempted to play election year politics with ISIL’s activities and suggested the Senate isn’t focused on terrorist recruitment. Sen. Franken attended national security briefings last week after the President’s address to the nation on ISIL, and has been focused on terrorist recruitment in Minnesota since taking office.

McFadden’s comments show his inability to focus on more than one issue at a time, and reveal how disconnected he is with the reality families in Minnesota face.

“The fact that investment banker Mike McFadden would ignore the millions of Minnesotans and Americans struggling with student loan debt shows how little he cares about solving problems, and how wrong he is for Minnesota,” said Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokesperson. “U.S. Senators have to be able to tackle more than one issue at a time, and it’s clear that Mike McFadden isn’t up to the job.”

Student loan debt is the second largest source of personal debt in the country. Last week, Sen. Al Franken called on his colleagues to pass his student loan bill, which would give Minnesotans with outstanding student loan debt the chance to refinance their public and private student loans at lower rates. The Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act is paid for by enacting the Buffett rule, which would ensure millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share in taxes. 560,000 Minnesotans stand to benefit from the lower interest rates in the bill.

McFadden does not support the bill, and would protect millionaires and billionaires over giving half a million Minnesotans the ability to refinance their high-interest student loans.

###

The post RELEASE: Mike McFadden Out of Touch With Students, Families Struggling With Loan Debt appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

RELEASE: Mike McFadden Continues to Play Politics with ISIL and Terrorist Recruitment

ST. PAUL [9/14/14]—Today, the Franken campaign released the following statement on investment banker Mike McFadden’s decision to play election year politics with ISIL’s activities abroad and here at home.

Statement from Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokesperson:

“Mr. McFadden is playing election year politics with a very serious issue. Sen. Franken has been on top of terrorist recruitment in Minnesota since taking office. Any accusations to the contrary are patently false and an unscrupulous attempt to deceive Minnesotans.”

“Sen. Franken has had an ongoing conversation with the FBI and several other agencies regarding terrorist recruitment since he took office. With the heightened threats from ISIL, the Senator and his staff are in constant contact with the Department of Justice and the State Department regarding the most effective ways the federal government can not only prevent recruitment here at home, but also make sure people are stopped, especially from coming back into the country, if they go and fight with terrorists.”

###

FRANKEN HAS REPEATEDLY PRESSED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO ENSURE COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS WERE EFFECTIVE AND THAT THERE WAS REAL COOPERATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MINNESOTA’S SOMALI COMMUNITY

September 2009: Franken Thanked FBI Director For Briefings On Terror Recruitment In Minnesota, Inquired How The Bureau Was Doing In Recruiting Agents Who Have Cultural And Language Backgrounds To Improve Those Investigations. [Judiciary Committee Hearing, 9/16/09]

March 2011: Franken Questioned Homeland Security Secretary On Whether “There Had Been Real Cooperation From That Community In Minnesota, Including Imams And The Mosques.” [Judiciary Committee Hearing, 3/9/11]

March 2011: Franken Said He Had Spoken To The Justice Department About Ensuring There Was Cooperation From Minnesota’s Somali Community. [Judiciary Committee Hearing, 3/9/11]

March 2011: Franken Pressed Homeland Security Secretary On Whether She Was Working “To Have A Somali Face On Some Of Our Counterterrorism Efforts In The Somali Community In Minnesota.”[Judiciary Committee Hearing, 3/9/11]

March 2011: Franken Confirmed With The FBI Director That Minnesota’s Somali Community Was Cooperating Well With Law Enforcement To Prevent Terror Recruitment. [Judiciary Committee Hearing, 3/30/11]

March 2011: Franken Questioned FBI Director About Whether His Agency Was Recruiting Agents From Within Key Communities For Counterterorism Work. [Judiciary Committee Hearing, 3/30/11]

April 2012: Citing The Positive Relationship Between Minnesota’s Somali Community And Law Enforcement When It Comes To Stopping Al-Shabaab Recruiting In The Twin Cities, Franken Said Racial Profiling Undermines The Relationship Between Communities And Law Enforcement. [Judiciary Committee Hearing, 4/17/12]

FRANKEN AND HIS STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE FBI AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES ON THE ISSUE OF POTENTIAL ISIS RECRUITMENT IN MINNESOTA AND PRESSING THEM ON HOW THEY’RE USING THE TOOLS AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO PREVENT THAT RECRUITMENT

August 2014: Franken Told KMSP His Office Had Already Been In Contact With The FBI About The Possibility Of Minnesotans Having Perished Fighting Alongside ISIS. During an August 2014 interview with KMSP, Franken, asked about news that up to two Minnesotans had died fighting with ISIS, said his office had been talking to the FBI about the news. He called it “disturbing” that Americans were going to fight with ISIS. [KMSP, 8/30/14]

September 2014: “Franken Urges Department Of Justice To Focus On ISIL Recruiting At Home.” On September 2, Franken wrote Attorney General Holder, expressing his concern about the President’s lack of a strategy regarding ISIS in Syria and told Holder, “We must act diligently and responsibly to prevent Americans from taking up arms with ISIL, or from reentering our country if they do.” [Star Tribune, 9/2/14]

Star Tribune: Franken Called On The Attorney General “To Focus DOJ Efforts Where Terrorism Recruitment May Be Happening.” In his letter to Attorney General Holder Franken said, “The Justice Department, in coordination with other relevant agencies, should use its existing legal authorities to prevent Americans who intend to do serious damage to U.S. national security interests from reaching Syria or returning to the U.S. once they have done so.” [Star Tribune, 9/2/14]

September 2014: “Franken Said U.S. Officials Need To Closely Track Minnesotans With Ties To ISIS And Arrest Them If They Are Suspected Of Supporting Terrorism.” Franken told Minnesota Public Radio that “any federal authorities should closely scrutinize any who return. The Democratic senator said he hopes to meet soon with FBI officials in Saint Paul for an update on their assessment of the Minnesota-ISIS connection.” Franken added he was hoping to meet with FBI agents in St. Paul to discuss the issue further. “Franken said U.S. officials need to closely track Minnesotans with ties to ISIS and arrest them if they are suspected of supporting terrorism.” [Minnesota Pubic Radio, 9/2/14]

September 2014: Franken Met With FBI In St. Paul To Discuss Potential ISIS Recruitment In Minnesota, Said He Had Been Working On This Issue Since He First Came To The Senate. During a September 8 interview with MSNBC, Franken said he had met with the FBI’s Special Agent In Charge in Minnesota to discuss potential ISIS recruitment in Minnesota. He said that the Somali community in Minnesota was cooperating with law enforcement, saying “Believe me, no one is more upset about this than they are, than that community.” Franken added that he had met with FBI shortly after arriving in the Senate to discuss potential recruitment by Al-Shabaab in Minnesota as well. [MSNBC, 9/8/14]

###

The post RELEASE: Mike McFadden Continues to Play Politics with ISIL and Terrorist Recruitment appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

RELEASE: Mike McFadden, GOP Falsely Attacking Sen. Franken’s Vets Record

McFadden, GOP Falsely Attacking Sen. Franken Vets Record
Investment Banker Virtually Silent on Veterans Issues, Has No Plan

St. Paul [9/12/14]—Minnesota veterans are expressing their disappointment today over investment banker Mike McFadden and the Minnesota Republican Party’s attempts to deceive Minnesotans about Sen. Al Franken’s record of standing up for Minnesota veterans.

“Mike McFadden and the GOP may be entitled to their own opinions – but they are not entitled to their own facts,” said Co-Chair of Veterans for Al, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Trista Matascastillo. “Senator Al Franken has been a champion and true advocate for Minnesota veterans and claims to the contrary are patently false.”

“Other than attacking Senator Franken, Mike McFadden has said nothing about veterans or the issues we care about,” said Co-Chair of Veterans for Al, U.S. Marine Corps Captain Ashwin Madia. “He has offered no policy stances, no plans; there isn’t even a section about veterans on his website.”

“Senator Franken has been an advocate for America’s servicemen and women since long before he was elected,” said Co-Chair of Veterans for Al, U.S. Navy 1st Lt. Jim Judson. “The very first thing he did in the Senate was pass a bill to help veterans suffering with PTSD and that was just the beginning of his work in office for veterans.”

FRANKEN IS WORKING TO REDUCE THE VA BACKLOG. Last year, Franken and Rep. Tim Walz introduced legislation to help speed veterans’ access to benefits and clear the backlog at the VA. [Fargo Forum, 6/28/13]

FRANKEN WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE THE VA TO CHANGE POLICY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR VIETNAM VETERANS IMPACTED BY AGENT ORANGE TO ACCESS BENEFITS AFTER HEARING FROM MINNESOTANS. After hearing from Minnesota veterans of the Vietnam War who were having trouble accessing benefits connected to their exposure to Agent Orange, Franken reached out to the VA and asked them to improve the process of accessing those benefits. The VA took action in response to Franken’s request and streamlined that process. [Veteran Journal, 7/13/11]

FRANKEN WORKED ACROSS PARTY LINES TO HELP RESTORE BENEFITS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, INCLUDING MINNESOTA’S RED BULLS. In 2012, Franken worked with other members of the Minnesota delegation to undo a change made by the Defense Department to the leave time promised to Reservists and Guard Members, including nearly 3,000 members of Minnesota’s Red Bulls, who were already on deployment in Kuwait when DoD tried to make the change. The Duluth News Tribune wrote, “Thanks to the actions and urgings of Klobuchar, Franken, Cravaack and others, the bipartisan legislation (how could it have been anything but bipartisan?) passed and was signed into law this month by President Obama. A wrong was made right. Elected leaders worked well together to fix a problem.” [Duluth News Tribune, Editorial, 5/29/12]

FRANKEN’S FIRST BILL WAS TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO BENEFIT WOUNDED VETERANS BY PAIRING THEM WITH SERVICE DOGS. Franken’s very first bill in the Senate – to pair service dogs with wounded veterans – passed the Senate in October 2009. [Pioneer Press, 10/23/09]

FRANKEN PUSHED THE VA TO ADOPT HIS DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM, AND NOW MINNEAPOLIS IS SERVING AS ONE OF THE PILOT CITIES. After adding his bipartisan Diabetes Prevention Act to the Affordable Care Act, Franken went a step further and convinced the VA to adopt the Diabetes Prevention Program in their own health care system. The VA has set up a pilot program for potentially using the DPP across the country, with the Minneapolis VA Medical Center serving as one of the pilot centers. [Detroit Lakes Tribune, Editorial, 3/6/13 (emphasis added)]

FRANKEN HAS SUPPORTED EFFORTS TO HELP RETURNING VETERANS FIND JOBS. Franken strongly supported the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which granted employers a tax credit for hiring out-of-work veterans. Franken called on employers in Minnesota and around the country to take advantage of these tax credits and hire veterans, saying, “With the unemployment rate for Minnesota’s post-9/11 veterans at three times the state average, we have to do everything we can to create jobs for them after their service is done.” [Minnesota Public Radio, 2/28/12]

FRANKEN’S WORK TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS INCLUDES RETURNING VETERANS. Franken championed the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers program that was part of the recently passed Farm Bill. That program includes assistance for returning veterans who want to get into farming, but need help getting off the ground. [Faribault Daily News, 10/24/13]

FRANKEN HAS SUPPORTED A REVIEW OF THE WAIT TIME SCANDAL AT THE VA, BACKED BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE VA. With the wait list scandal affecting VA facilities around the country, Franken contacted Minnesota VA officials to get the bottom of what was happening in Minnesota, and has supported the investigation into wait times at facilities in Minnesota and around the country. He also strongly supported recently-passed legislation to improve the VA’s ability to provide health care to veterans in a timely fashion and give the VA more authority to hold under-performing officials accountable. [Star Tribune, 5/27/14; Wall Street Journal, 7/31/14]

FRANKEN HAS BEEN WORKING TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE FOR RURAL VETERANS. Franken has been working to improve access to health care for veterans living in rural areas. He’s introduced and is working to pass bipartisan legislation that would give the VA the tools it needs to ensure veterans who live in rural communities in Minnesota and around the country can access the care they need without having to travel a long distance to a metropolitan area, when they could be getting care from health care professionals right in their own communities. [International Falls Journal, 8/7/13]

###

The post RELEASE: Mike McFadden, GOP Falsely Attacking Sen. Franken’s Vets Record appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

RELEASE: Mike McFadden Supports Tax Breaks for Big Oil, Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas

McFadden Supports Tax Breaks for Big Oil, Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas
Investment banker’s attacks prove he will always put profits over people

ST. PAUL [09/12/14]—Investment banker Mike McFadden showed his true colors this week when he revealed his support for tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas AND for big oil and gas companies.

McFadden exposed his profits-over-people philosophy when he attacked Sen. Al Franken for three votes to end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and tax breaks for big oil and gas companies. McFadden has made it clear to Minnesotans that he supports the wasteful tax giveaways Sen. Franken has been working to eliminate.

“While Senator Franken has voted to end wasteful tax breaks for big oil and gas companies and corporations that ship American jobs overseas, investment banker Mike McFadden’s support for them just shows he will always put corporate profits ahead of Minnesotans,” said Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokeswoman.

McFadden Defends Tax Loopholes For Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas. McFadden’s ad attacks Franken for voting for a measure that would end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. According to the Washington Post, “To pay for the new spending, the measure would cut off in March 2014 an expansion of food-stamp benefits enacted in last year’s stimulus. And it would end tax breaks for some multinational corporations that are based in the United States but have operations and pay taxes abroad. Closing those ‘loopholes,’ as Democrats call them, is the centerpiece of a House Democratic campaign to promote domestic manufacturing and discourage companies from shipping jobs overseas.” [WCCO, 9/10/14; Vote 228, 8/5/10; Washington Post, 8/5/10]

McFadden Defends Tax Breaks For Big Oil And Gas Companies. McFadden’s ad attacks Franken for voting for an amendment that, according to The Hill, would “eliminate tax loopholes for the oil and gas industry to fund repeal” of the Affordable Care Act’s 1099 provision. [McFadden Press Release, 8/19/14; Vote 7, 2/2/11; The Hill, 2/2/11]

McFadden Defends (Again) Tax Breaks for Big Oil and Gas Companies. McFadden’s ad attacks Franken for voting in June 2010: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate big oil and gas company tax loopholes, and to use the resulting increase in revenues to reduce the deficit and to invest in energy efficiency and conservation.” [WCCO, 9/10/14; Vote 187, 6/15/10]

The post RELEASE: Mike McFadden Supports Tax Breaks for Big Oil, Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.

RELEASE: Veterans Stand Behind Franken For Hard Work In Senate

For Immediate Release:
September 10, 2014

Contact:
Alexandra Fetissoff
Alexandra@alfranken.com
612-888-3221



Veterans Stand Behind Franken For Hard Work In Senate
Campaign launches grassroots “Veterans for Al” to continue statewide support

ST. PAUL [09/10/14]— Today, the Franken campaign announced the launch of “Veterans for Al,” a group of Minnesota veterans committed to mobilizing and engaging voters about the hard work Sen. Franken is doing to help improve rural access to VA healthcare, make sure returning veterans can find jobs and ensure veterans have access to the care and benefits they have earned.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Trista Matascastillo, Army National Guard Specialist Miguel Morales, U.S. Navy 1st Lt. Jim Judson and U.S. Marine Corps Captain Ashwin Madia will serve as co-chairs.

“Senator Franken is fighting to make sure that Minnesota veterans in rural communities get the care they need quickly without having to travel long distances. He’s worked hard in the Senate and I’m honored to stand behind him so he can keep working hard for veterans,” said Madia.

 “One of Senator Franken’s first acts in the Senate was passing a law to provide service dogs to help veterans with mental and physical injuries. He knows how important it is to look after our veterans when they return home,” said Matascastillo.

“Senator Franken is working hard to help returning veterans find jobs, including efforts to create and expand tax credits for employers who hire veterans. He’s also helped pass a law to help veterans who want to get into the farming business. Sen. Franken has been a champion for us when we needed him and now it’s our turn to be there for him,” said Morales.

“Whether it’s pushing the VA to adopt his diabetes prevention program or making it easier for Vietnam veterans impacted by Agent Orange to access benefits — Sen. Franken has been a consistent advocate for veterans and their families. We need him fighting for us in the Senate,” said Judson.

In the Senate, Sen. Franken has worked hard on behalf of Minnesota veterans and their families. Sen. Franken’s very first bill helped give service dogs to veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder. He is also working to improve access to health care for veterans in greater Minnesota and supports efforts to help returning veterans find jobs by creating and expanding tax credits for employers who hire veterans.

Sen. Franken has kept his promise to work hard for Minnesota veterans. He convinced the VA to change their policy and make it easier for Vietnam veterans impacted by Agent Orange to access their benefits, urged the VA to adopt his diabetes prevention program established in the health care reform law and passed provisions into the Farm Bill that was signed into law to help veterans who want to get into the farming business. Sen. Franken has also worked to reduce the VA backlog and hold them accountable to make sure veterans receive the care they earned.

###

The post RELEASE: Veterans Stand Behind Franken For Hard Work In Senate appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.