Al Franken's Blog, page 84
November 10, 2011
MPR: Senate panel OKs repeal of much of Defense of Marriage Act
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would repeal much of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
That law prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions. The legislation cleared the committee on partisan lines with only Democrats supporting the measure and Republicans unanimous in their opposition.
The only immediate effect is political: Democrats can show part of their liberal base of backers that they strongly support equality in federal benefits for gay couples.
DFL Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken both sit on the committee and supported the bill. At a press conference after the vote, Franken praised the measure.
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© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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November 8, 2011
Minnesota Independent: Members of Minn. delegation urge FDA to speed medical device approvals
Members of Minnesota's congressional delegation signed onto a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to speed up the approval process for medical devices.
It was signed by 41 members of Congress, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Betty McCollum, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. John Kline, Rep. Michele Bachmann and Rep. Erik Paulsen, who the Minnesota Independent previously reported is a major recipient of the industry's campaign donations.
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© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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November 7, 2011
Brainerd Dispatch: Franken provisions in bill may reform NCLB
Sen. Al Franken said the federal No Child Left Behind law placed unrealistic burdens on the nation's schools but he's hopeful that bipartisan reforms made to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act will be an improvement.
In a Friday interview from Washington, D.C., Franken said he successfully incorporated four key provisions into the Senate bill to reform No Child Left Behind.
"You could almost call it repeal," he said of the changes to the education bill.
The four amendments were: Computer Adaptive Testing, School Principal Recruitment and Training, Fostering Success in Education and No Forced Transfer.
© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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November 4, 2011
Daily Globe: Franken has meeting with interior secretary
U.S. Sen. Al Franken continued Thursday to push for full funding of the Lewis & Clark Water Project, convening a meeting with a bipartisan delegation of legislators, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and others.
Minnesota's Franken, a first-term Democrat, has been advocating for full funding of the water project since his election in 2008. Most recently, he met in September with Lewis & Clark project officials in South Dakota to receive a progress update, and on Thursday he again relayed in Washington the need for further federal investment in the water system.
"The current funding level is ridiculous; it's enough to maybe keep the administration of the project going," Franken said during a telephone call to the Daily Globe. "I underline the fact that this is an economic development project. If we're going to increase job opportunities and increase economic development, we have to have enough water."
© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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November 3, 2011
Minnesota Independent: Franken, Peterson, Conrad and Klobuchar call on American Crystal Sugar to resume negotiations
One day after 90 percent of union workers rejected the most recent contract offer by American Crystal Sugar, members of the region's congressional delegations are calling for both parties to return to the bargaining table.
About 1,300 union workers have been locked out of their jobs by American Crystal Sugar since Aug. 1. Since the lockout started, the union and company have only met twice, both times at the urging of a federal mediator. Following the rejection of Monday's offer, there are no plans to meet again.
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© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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November 2, 2011
WDIO: Franken Tours Mining Projects, Plants
After meeting with officials from three Iron Range mining operations and steelworkers from across the region on Friday, October 28, and Saturday October 29, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said he saw a lot of potential to create badly needed jobs in the region.
Sen. Franken met with leaders at Polymet and Mesabi Nugget and with steelworkers in Hibbing on Friday, and with officials at Essar Steel Minnesota on Saturday about each operation's plans for the future and to understand the current state of the Industry.
"Mining is critically important to Minnesota's economy and to the well-being of our communities across the Iron Range," said Sen. Franken. "After meeting with steelworkers from across the Range and company officials at Polymet, Mesabi Nugget, and Essar Steel, it's reassuring to know that there is a lot happening that has the potential to create badly needed jobs now and into the future."
© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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Equal Voice: Experts: Half of Foster Kids Quit High School
When Carey Sommer entered foster care in California, he left his mom, his high school and his friends. Bounced from home to home, he changed high schools nine times until the disheartened teen finally dropped out.
"I just started to not really care about high school because I figured I'm just going to move anyway — why does it matter?" said Sommer, who was told it would take an extra year and a half to graduate to make up for credits he lost changing schools.
Sommer, 19, is among the roughly 50 percent of the nation's 500,000 foster kids who won't graduate from high school, experts say.
© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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Education Week: Fight Against Bullying Moves to Congress
Nearly every state has its own laws addressing bullying, but now federal lawmakers are weighing legislation to protect students from bullying and harassment that would apply to every school and district in the country and could also add an explicit layer of protection for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.
As debate by the U.S. Senate education committee over a new draft of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act neared a close last month, Democratic Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota offered an impassioned plea for the law to include language specifically protecting LGBT students. The proposal has advocates for school districts worried about the flurry of potential lawsuits it could trigger.
© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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October 31, 2011
International Falls Journal: Sen. Franken urges seniors to take advantage of Medicare open enrollment
U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., reminded Minnesotans that they should take advantage of this year's Medicare open enrollment period to review their Medicare plan to make sure they have the best possible option for themselves and their families. The Medicare open enrollment period lasts for seven weeks this year, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
"I know that the many different Medicare plans and options can be overwhelming, but there are resources to help you choose the best one for you and your family," said Sen. Franken. "Seniors deserve to enjoy their retirement. You worked hard for years; now your Medicare should work for you. I'll continue fighting to protect the Medicare program in Congress. It's up to you to make sure you have the Medicare coverage that's right for you and your family."
Medicare open enrollment is the only time of year when seniors can switch Medicare traditional benefits, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare prescription drug plans. Sen. Franken is taking this opportunity to raise awareness and make sure people take advantage of the open enrollment period.
© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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News-Tribune: Joining rush to online commerce: Google workshop helps Northland businesses launch websites
Jack Rendulich went to the free Google seminar in Duluth, expecting to learn about business websites.
"It sounded interesting," he said. "I wanted to come and see what it's all about."
He was pleased to learn that by the time he left, he would have his own website.
With local and national partners, Google has been putting on the half-day seminars around the country for a couple of years for small-businesspeople like Rendulich who need a nudge or technical help to get online.
© Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota, 2011. |
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