Issues & Legislation

Minnesotans believe in hard work, fair play and personal responsibility. We believe that no matter where you come from, if you work hard, you can achieve your dreams, give the gift of education to your children, and have security in your later years.
The first responsibility of government is to protect its citizens - not only from criminals on the street but from unsafe merchandise in our stores, unsafe products in our communities and unscrupulous business practices that bring financial ruin to consumers.
Minnesota's 75,000 farms represent a proud part of our state's heritage and history. We are the nation's fifth largest agricultural producing state, and our farmers contribute more than $21 billion to Minnesota's economy each year.
The rising price of energy is one of the top issues affecting Minnesota families, farmers, and businesses. Because of our cold weather and the great distances we drive, Minnesotans are disproportionately impacted by high energy prices.
I believe ethics is something that must be woven into the very fabric of our government. Ethics goes to the heart of our American democracy - to the public trust and respect that is essential to the health of our Constitutional system.
Seniors are a large part of Minnesota's population - and they will represent an even larger share as the Baby Boom generation retires. Our state already has the second longest life expectancy of any state in the country, and the number of seniors in Minnesota is expected to increase by 66 percent in the next twenty years.
I believe every American should have access to quality, affordable health care. Minnesota is already a leader in quality of care and the percentage of citizens with health insurance, and there is much that the rest of the nation can learn from Minnesota about quality and access.
I have always believed that when we ask our young men and women to fight in defense of our nation, we make a promise that we will give them the resources they need to do their jobs. We also promise to take care of them when they return home.
Protecting our nation from those who would do us harm is the first and most important responsibility of Congress. In the midst of turbulent times abroad, we must remain vigilant in deterring hostile nations and pursuing terrorist networks intent on bringing death and destruction to our country.
Before coming to the Senate, I served for eight years as chief prosecutor for Minnesota's most populous county, serving more than one million residents in Minneapolis and 45 suburban communities.
As a mother, I know that parents have an increasingly difficult job in today's world. The economic pressures, the time demands, the many outside influences that affect even the youngest children - all of these, and more, make this an especially challenging time for America's families.
Education has been a stepping stone to opportunity for my family, as it has been for many Minnesota families. My grandfather didn't graduate from high school, but he worked hard and saved money in a coffee can in the basement so my dad could go to college.