Videos
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Sen. Franken's Remarks on the Passing of Former Congressman Jim Oberstar
Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) took to the Senate floor and gave the following speech.
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Sen. Franken Calls for Action to Address College Affordability & Student Loan Debt
U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) took to the Senate floor and called for action to help Minnesota students and families burdened by the rising cost of college and the debt they are forced to take on.
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Sen. Franken Presses Officials and Experts to Find Solutions to Propane Crisis
Sen. Al Franken told a key Senate energy panel investigating this past winter's propane shortage that the shortfall caused prices to skyrocket for thousands of families, farmers, and businesses in Minnesota who rely on the fuel to heat their homes and power their farming and business operations.
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on Raising the Minimum Wage
Sen. Al Franken took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in five years, saying an increase would give millions of working people in Minnesota and across the country a chance to work their way into the middle class and slow the country's growing income inequality.
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Sen. Franken Continues Push to Raise Minimum Wage
Sen. Al Franken spoke at a rally on Capitol Hill about raising the federal minimum wage.
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Sen. Franken's Statement on the Supreme Court's Ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission
In a Senate floor speech, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to undo caps on campaign contributions will further concentrate power in the hands of billionaires and wealthy corporations.
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Sen. Franken Fights to Extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance for Hard-Pressed Families
In an effort to help give Minnesotans and their families the support they need to stay afloat while searching for work, U.S. Sen. Al Franken took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech on the critical need to renew emergency unemployment insurance for millions of people in Minnesota and across the country.
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Sen. Franken Praises Passage of Farm Bill
Sen. Al Franken took to the Senate floor today to deliver a speech to praise the passage of the bipartisan five-year Farm Bill, which gives Minnesota's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities the certainty they need to plan for the future. You
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Sen. Franken Fights to Extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance for Hard-Pressed Families
As part of his ongoing fight to help give Minnesotans and their families the support they need to stay afloat while searching for work, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech about the critical need to renew emergency unemployment insurance for millions of people in Minnesota and across the country.
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In Speech, Sen. Franken Urges Passage of Immigration Reform Bill
In a Senate floor speech, Sen. Franken urged his colleagues to support the immigration reform bill because it provides commonsense solutions to help fix the broken immigration system and will be a boon to Minnesota's economy.
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Veterans Outreach Welcome Video
Sen. Franken's staff will be holding meetings across the state to gather input on my efforts to address some to the current and real challenges facing our veterans.
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Sen. Franken's Remarks on the Sugar Program
Sen. Franken took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to stand up for the sugar program, which supports thousands of Minnesota jobs and ensures a stable market and price for American sugar producers.
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Sen. Franken Highlights Detroit Lakes Department Store in Speech Pressing for Legislation to Protect Minnesota's Retailers
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) once again took to the floor of the Senate to urge his colleagues to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would end the unfair advantage that online retailers have over Minnesota's brick-and-mortar retailers. In his speech, he highlighted the situation faced by Norby's, a department store in downtown Detroit Lakes that has been an anchor of the community for decades, and which, like brick-and-mortar retailers all over Minnesota, struggles to compete with online retailers that are not required to collect sales tax.
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Sen. Franken Urges Colleagues to Take Action to Address Climate Change
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) took to the floor of the Senate to urge his colleagues to take action to address global climate change. In his speech, he noted that climate change has already led to record high temperatures, widespread drought, and deadly hurricanes - which have cost taxpayers billions of dollars - and that its effects are only beginning to be felt.
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Sen. Franken Presses for Legislation to Protect Minnesota's Retailers from Unfair Online Competition
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) took to the floor of the Senate to urge his colleagues to prioritize the Marketplace Fairness Act - which would end the unfair advantage that online-only retailers have over Minnesota's brick-and-mortar retailers - in the Senate's budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2014.
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Sen. Franken Urges Colleagues to Pass VAWA
In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Al Franken urged his colleagues to support the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) to help protect women who are victims of sexual and domestic violence.
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Sen. Franken on SNAP Helping Children, Families, Seniors
Senator Franken wants you to know about a government program to help you buy groceries.
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Senator Franken's Floor Statement on Medicare
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Remembering Paul and Sheila Wellstone
Click here to see Sen. Franken talk about the tenth anniversary of the deaths of Paul and Sheila Wellstone and to read his op-ed from the Duluth News Tribune.
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Sen. Franken Floor Statement on Tax and Economic Policy
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on Arbitration Fairness for Students
Sen. Franken took to the Senate floor to speak in favor of arbitration fairness for students.
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Sen. Franken's Floor Speech on the Veterans Jobs Corps Act
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on Cybersecurity
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on Extending Middle Class Tax Cuts
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Sen. Franken's Field Hearing on Patient Privacy and Consumer Protection First Panel
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Second Accretive Panel
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Third Accretive Panel
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Fourth Accretive Panel
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement Supporting the Violence Against Women Act
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Sen. Franken's Floor Speech on the Importance of Postal Reform
Sen. Franken went to the floor of the senate of set out his ideas on postal reform and the importance of post offices and distribution centers to communities and businesses.
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Sen. Franken Questions Witnesses In Judiciary Committee Hearing on Racial Profiling
In the Judiciary Committee Sen. Franken questioned witnesses about the anti-muslim racial profiling that was recently reported.
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Sen. Franken on the Second Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
Sen. Franken spoke on the floor of the senate about he benefits of the affordable care act two years into its implementation.
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Sen. Franken on the Second Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
Sen. Franken introduced his Rural Energy for America Program bill, which helps farmers and rural businesses cut energy costs.
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Sen. Franken Introducing the Rural Energy for American Program Act
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Consumer Alert: Veterans Crisis Hotline
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Consumer Alert: Crop Insurance Deadline
More information about resources after the jump.
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Sen. Franken's Amendment to Make America's Bridges Safer
Sen. Franken announced that a bipartisan amendment -- which he introduced in response to a report that showed nearly one in ten bridges in Minnesota is structurally deficient -- has been included in a Transportation Bill introduced by Senate leadership.
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Sen. Franken's Opening Statement in the Judiciary Committee Hearing on NDAA
Sen. Franken in a Judiciary Hearing on The Due Process Guarantee Act: Banning the Indefinite Detention of Americans
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Sen. Franken's Floor Speech Against the Blunt Amendment
Sen. Franken's gave today against the Blunt Amendment, which would give employers the ability to opt out of providing health care that covers contraception if they have a moral objection.
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on Wind Energy
Sen. Franken joined Sen. Sanders on the floor of the senate to talk about renewable energy and climate change.
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Sen. Franken in the Judiciary Hearing on Bullet Proof Vests
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Consumer Alert: Federal Mortgage Settlement
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Sen. Franken Introduces the Courthouse Safety Act
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Sen. Franken's Opening Statement on the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on the Anniversary of Citizens United
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Sen. Franken's Response to President Obama's State of the Union
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Sen. Franken's Colloquy with Sen. Whitehouse on Climate Change
Sen. Franken's Colloquy with Sen. Whitehouse on Climate Change and the importance of peer reviewed scientific evidence.
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Sen. Franken Questioning FBI Director Mueller about Carrier IQ
Sen. Franken questioned FBI Director Mueller about whether or not the FBI uses information collected by Carrier IQ in their investigations.
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement in Support of Richard Cordray to Lead the CFPB
Rich Cordray has demonstrated that he is looking out for middle class families. He’s looking out for homeowners who have been scammed by mortgage servicers. He’s looking out for pensioners who’ve lost their pensions at the hands of Wall Street recklessness. I hope my colleagues will join with me in supporting Rich Cordray to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.”
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Sen. Franken's Floor Speech on the Defense Authorization Bill
Sen. spoke today to express his strong opposition to the detention provisions in the defense authorization bill.
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Sen. Franken Introduces a Bill to Help Small Businesses Get Paid by Contractors
Small businesses often serve as subcontractors or suppliers to large corporations that have a primary government contract. Sen. Franken's amendment would help guarantee that small businesses get paid by these large corporations in a timely way.
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Sen. Franken's Veterans Day Remarks
On Veterans Day in 1985, President Reagan spoke of those who laid down their lives for our country. “Most of them were boys when they died,” he said, “and they gave up two lives – the one they were living and the one they would have lived.”
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Sen. Franken's Remarks on the Student Non-Discrimination Act in the HELP Committee
During the mark-up of the No Child Left Behind bill in the Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee, Sen. Franken gave a brief statement on the importance of the Student Non-Discrimination Act.
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Medicare Open Enrollment Window
Medicare open enrollment is a brief time during the year when Medicare and Medicare Advantage subscribers can switch their plans and make sure that the plan they are enrolled in is the best one available.
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Sen. Franken's Opening Statement in the Judiciary Committee Hearing on Fair Arbitration
Sen. Franken chaired the judiciary Committee hearing: "Arbitration: Is It Fair When Forced?"
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Claim Your Retroactive Stop Loss Pay by October 21st
Please apply to claim your retroactive stop loss pay by October 21st. Learn more at www.defense.gov/stoploss.
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Sen. Franken Statement on the Need for Supplemental Disaster Relief Funds
I rise today to talk about the urgent need for FEMA disaster funds. I was very concerned when I heard some of my colleagues in the House of Representatives demanding spending cuts in exchange for supplemental disaster relief funds.
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Sen. Franken's Response to President Obama's jobs Speech
Sen. Franken's response to President Obama's jobs speech on Thursday night.
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Sen. Franken in the Energy Committee Questioning Witnesses About the Stillwater Bridge
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on Bert Blyleven's Induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame
I rise today to pay tribute to former Minnesota Twins pitcher Bert Blyleven, who this week received his sport's highest honor when he was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Sen. Franken Questions Dr. Hamburg on Medical Devices
I think we would all agree that patient safety is the priority of Congress and the priority of the FDA. And it is my job and the job of the HELP Committee to help you to protect patient safety to the best of our ability.
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Sen. Franken: It's Time to Repeal Federal Law Barring Same-Sex Marriage
Sen. Franken said in the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing he will work to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law that prevents federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allows states to refuse to acknowledge a same-sex marriage from another state.
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on the Debt Crisis
Sen. Franken took to the floor of the Senate to talk about the importance of raising the debt ceiling.
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A Message of Hope from the United States Senate
Sen. Franken joined 12 of he colleagues to make this video for the It Gets Better Project. Sen. Franken introduce the Student Non-Discrimination Act to stop anti-gay bullying.
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Sen. Franken Testifying at a Rail Transportation Meeting
Sen. Franken testified at a hearing held by the Surface Transportation Board (STB), telling the agency that the current anti-competitive nature of the railroad industry is hurting many of Minnesota's industries.
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Sen. Franken's Speech to Netroots Nation 2011 on the Attack on the Middle Class
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Sen. Franken Fighting to Stop the Republican Bill to End Ethanol Support
U.S Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) and a bipartisan group of Senators successfully stopped an effort to abruptly end federal support for ethanol production, saying the unwise move would not only kill jobs in Minnesota and across the country, but also contribute to higher gas prices and an over-reliance on foreign oil.
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Sen. Franken Questions FBI Director Mueller About National Security Letters
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Sen. Franken Questions Mr. Rolnick on Early Childhood Development and Education
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Drowning in Debt: Financial Outcomes of Students at For-Profit Colleges
Sen. Franken questions witnesses in the HELP Committee on For-Profit Colleges.
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Sen. Franken Speaks on the Judicial Nomination of Goodwin Liu
Sen. Franken went to the floor of the Senate yesterday to speak in favor of the confirmation of Goodwin Liu.
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Sen. Franken Honors Twins Legend Harmon Killebrew on Senate Floor
U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) spoke on the floor of the Senate yesterday in honor of Minnesota Twins legend Harmon Killebrew, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 74.
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Sen. Franken's Statement in Support of Removing Federal Subsidies to Big Oil Companies
Sen. Franken spoke out on the floor of the Senate in support of Senator Menendez's bill to eliminate subsidies to big oil companies.
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Sen. Franken Questioning Secretary Salazar About the Republicans' Off-Shore Drilling Plan
In the Senate Energy Committee Sen. Franken asked witnesses about the Republicans' plan to automatically approve every application if there is no decision after 60 days.
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Sen. Franken Questioning the CEOs of AT&T, T-Mobile USA, Sprint Nextel, and Cellular South.
Sen. Franken in the Judiciary Committee questioning the CEOs of AT&T, T-Mobile USA, Sprint Nextel, and Cellular South about the proposed AT&T-T-Mobile merger.
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Chairman Franken questioning Apple and Google on Mobile Privacy and Location Tracking
Sen. Franken questioning representatives from Apple and Google about location tracking and mobile privacy.
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Chairman Franken's Opening Statement on Mobile Privacy
Chairman Franken's Opening Statement in the Privacy Technology and the Law Subcommittee
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement Against Republican Efforts to Undermine FCC's Net Neutrality Rules
Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) spoke on the Senate floor about the need to stop House Republicans from undermining the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s open Internet rules, which protect the principle of net neutrality — the idea that all content and applications on the Internet should be treated the same, regardless of who owns the content or the website.
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Sen. Franken Speaks Out Against Proposal to Cut Medicaid
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Sen. Franken Questioning Attorney General Holder on Contractor Fraud
Sen. Franken questioning Attorney General Holder in the Judiciary Committee on contractor fraud and technological security breaches
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National Teacher Appreciation Week
Sen. Franken's personal story of a teacher who made a difference.
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Sen. Franken's Speech to the Humphrey Center at the University of Minnesota
Sen. Franken spoke to the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Center on renewable energy.
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Sen. Franken Congratulates the University of Minnesota Duluth's Men's Hockey Team
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Sen. Franken's Introduction of the STEM Master Teacher Corps Act
The STEM Master Teacher Corps Act would invest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in order to prepare students to compete in a 21st century economy.
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Sen. Franken's Introduction of the Pay for War Resolution
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Sen. Franken Discusses Implementation of the Affordable Care Act
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Sen. Franken Reintroduced the Student Non-Discrimination Act
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on the House Republican Budget
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Sen. Franken Questions Peter Lyons at his Nomination Hearing to be Assistant Secretary of Energy
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Sen. Franken Questions Secretary Salazar about the Lewis and Clark Water Project
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Sen. Franken Speaks Out Against Effort to Defund Planned Parenthood
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Sen. Franken Questions Witnesses in Energy Committee Hearing
Sen. Franken questions Sec. Chu in the Energy Committee.
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Sen. Franken Questions Witnesses during Judiciary Committee Hearing
On February 16, 2011, Sen. Franken questioned witnesses during a Judiciary Committee hearing on "Targeting Websites Dedicated To Stealing American Intellectual Property".
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Sen. Franken Questions Witnesses about Protecting Consumers in Foreclosure
Sen. Franken questioned witnesses in the Senate Judiciary Committee about how to better protect consumers when it comes to forclosures and bankruptcy courts.
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Sen. Franken at a Press Conference on Protecting Women's Health
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Sen. Franken's Response to President Obama's State of the Union Address
Sen. Franken's response to President Obama's State of the Union address.
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Happy Holidays!
Sen. Franken would like to wish everybody a Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year.
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on Net Neutrality and the Comcast-NBC Merger
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on the Tax Cut Package
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Sen. Franken's Floor Statement on Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance