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Amy KlobucharBorn in 1960, Amy Klobuchar received a B.A. from Yale in 1982 and a J.D. from the University of Chicago in 1985. She practiced law for several years, then served as Attorney for Hennepin County, Minnesota, from 1998 to 2005. In 2007 she was elected U.S. Senator from Minnesota, the position she currently holds.
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Arms Trade Treaty
Klobuchar's position on this issue is unknown. In 2013 and 2015, she opposed Senate resolutions aimed at prohibiting the U.S. from entering the treaty or expending resources implementing it, but no statement/position on the treaty has been identified in this election cycle.
Arms Sales to Saudi Coalition
Klobuchar explicitly supports ending arms sales and military support to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.
She voted (see also S.J. Res. 36, 38) June 20, 2019 to prevent arms sales to the Saudis and cosponsored and supported S.J. Res. 7, the War Powers Resolution (see resource page).
She voted (see also S.J. Res. 36, 38) June 20, 2019 to prevent arms sales to the Saudis and cosponsored and supported S.J. Res. 7, the War Powers Resolution (see resource page).
Response to New York Times Interview, Candidates Up Close - 20 (More) Questions with Democrats, January 26, 2020
“You can see it in my records, where I voted against the arms sales and their activities in Yemen.”
Press release following Senate vote on War Powers Resolution, March 13, 2019
“Today, the Senate spoke with a clear voice opposing U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition’s operations in Yemen. We refused to turn a blind eye to civilian casualties or the ongoing humanitarian crisis that continues to devastate Yemen and its people. Passing this resolution was an important step and demonstrated that Congress will perform its constitutional duty and demand that our policies and actions are consistent with our values.
“This Congress will not overlook violations of human rights, whether by Saudi Arabia or by Houthi rebels in Yemen. This vote showed the Administration, the country, and the world that U.S. foreign policy and global leadership will always be rooted in our values.”
Speech in the Senate, December 13, 2018
“I support the comprehensive, bipartisan legislation introduced to ensure effective oversight of the U.S. policy on Yemen and demand meaningful accountability from the Saudi Government. This legislation includes provisions to suspend weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and impose mandatory sanctions on people involved in the death of Mr. Khashoggi. While I support the recent decision to support U.S. aerial refueling—a decision of the administration—for Saudi coalition aircraft, as well as the sanctions that the administration imposed on 17 Saudi officials, this falls far short of the forceful response that our democratic values require. In addition, I have previously voted to limit arms sales to Saudi Arabia, and I will continue to oppose the sale of certain weapons—particularly offensive weapons—to the Kingdom. These are steps that we can and should take. While there is no question that we have common interests with Saudi Arabia and that Saudi Arabia has been our partner, these facts do not require our country to completely sacrifice our values.”
Firearms Export Oversight
Klobuchar’s position on this issue is unknown. She supports banning assault-style weapons domestically, having cosponsored a Senate bill on this topic, but has not directly addressed broader export oversight rules..
“So I have long supported the assault weapon ban. I am the author of the bill to close the boyfriend loophole that says that domestic abusers can't go out and get an AK-47.”
“Turning Ideas into Action: Senator Klobuchar on Gun Violence”, Medium, August 6, 2019
“Senator Klobuchar has been standing up to the NRA and fighting for stronger gun safety measures since she was the Hennepin County Attorney, working with local law enforcement to push to ban military-style assault weapons. In the Senate, she has supported legislation to ban assault weapons and bump stocks and improve background checks.”
Mine Ban Treaty
Klobuchar explicitly supports reversing the Trump administration’s new landmine policy, but has not indicated yet if she would seek to join the Mine Ban Treaty. Klobuchar condemned the new landmine policy and promised to support humanitarian efforts regarding landmines.
Response by a spokesperson of the campaign to Alex Ward as reported in Vox, February 5, 2020
“Senator Klobuchar believes anti-personnel landmines pose an unnecessary danger to civilians and do not advance US strategic interests
As president, she will immediately reinstate the Obama administration’s policy on the use of landmines and continue to support humanitarian efforts around the world to clear landmines and help those who have been injured by them."