Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Key moments in her career
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Nov. 8, 2006: Klobuchar races to easy victory in her first Senate run becoming the first female senator to be elected in Minnesota. She talked about placing more emphasis on renewable energy, affordable health care and a new direction in Iraq.
"In this campaign we have reached out to Democrats, to Republicans and to independents. We have reached out to all of you who have told me you are tired of that 24-hour TV shout fest about what's right and what's left and you want to talk about what's right and what's wrong," Klobuchar said.
Jan. 4, 2007: Klobuchar is sworn in. Former Vice President Walter Mondale escorted Klobuchar into the Senate chamber. Mondale noted the significance of Klobuchar's election during a reception in Washington.
"It's historic the first woman in Minnesota's history to be a United States senator, but it can't be explained on that basis," Mondale said. "She won by such a huge comfortable margin it's really a mandate for her and what she has been proposing be done for our country. I mean, she's a wonderful talent and got all of this hope and energy. That's why everybody is so happy here today."
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December 13, 2007: Klobuchar's pool safety amendments pass the Senate.
Klobuchar supported the bill after the injury of a young Minnesota girl at a wading pool in 2007.
March 6, 2008: Klobuchar's ban on lead in children's products passes the Senate.
The Star Tribune reported: "Passage was a major goal for Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who has made toy safety a signature issue of her first year in Congress and was a co-sponsor of the legislation."
Aug. 25, 2008: Klobuchar speaks at the Democratic National Convention. She gave a preview of her speech to the Minnesota delegates.
"Are you tired of that subprime leadership in Washington?" Klobuchar said. "You've got to be ready because that's what I'm going to say at the beginning of my convention speech. So I need you guys to be loud and to be there," Klobuchar said.
2008: Klobuchar voted for the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) which, at the time, was worth $700 billion; $25 billion in federal loans to the auto industry passed in 2008 (Detroit ultimately got most of its assistance from TARP); a $400 billion bailout for home finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; and the $787 stimulus bill.
2009:Klobuchar did the work of two U.S. senators after Norm Coleman left office in January 2009 until Al Franken was sworn into office in early July 2009.
Jan. 11, 2010: Klobuchar defends Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid after a book reported that in a private conversation in 2008 about Barack Obama's chances of becoming president, Reid described Obama as a light-skinned African-American "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one."
Klobuchar told reporters she and other Democrats were satisfied with Reid's apology over the remarks, and ded not think he needed to leave his leadership post.
"People who have worked with Harry Reid know that he believes in justice and he believes in civil rights," said Klobuchar. "I think he chose some very inappropriate words, and he said he chose some inappropriate words, and he apologized."
Jan. 23, 2012:Klobuchar's legislation to allow the construction of a bridge over the St. Croix River passes the Senate.
"This is a milestone for the St. Croix bridge project," said Klobuchar in a statement. "I hope the House will now take action and pass this critical legislation so that we can move forward and build this bridge."
The legislation was eventually signed into law and the bridge is now under construction.
Nov. 6, 2012: Klobuchar easily wins a second term, defeating Republican challenger Kurt Bills.
In her victory speech, Klobuchar thanked her supporters and she had won re-election "the right way," with hard work and a positive and optimistic vision.
"I am truly humbled by the trust and confidence you gave me six years ago and that you have renewed with your vote today," said Klobuchar, who said her campaign was about the future of Minnesota.
March 10, 2013: Klobuchar gives a well-received, humorous address at the Gridiron Club in Washington.
A sample from her speech: "We all know that the President has aged a little bit in the White House. His secret service code name used to be Renegade. Now? It's fifty shades of gray."
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