Washington Correspondent

Washington correspondent Jim Spencer examines the impact of federal politics and policy on Minnesota businesses, especially the medical technology, food distribution, farming, manufacturing, retail and health insurance industries.  

Previously, he worked as an enterprise reporter in Minneapolis, writing on topics including Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, lake pollution caused by residential development, unintentional shootings of children, suicide among senior citizens, and budget cuts to homebound care for the disabled.


3M's support for PFAS could cost taxpayers billions of dollars

The failure of manufacturers to report and deal with potential PFAS problems when they learned of them is saddling the companies with mounting legal costs.


Minnesota's senators vote for $1 trillion infrastructure bill

Minnesota would get billions for its major projects under $1T bill.


Minnesota's congressional delegation divided on PFAS limits

The U.S. House passed a bill to limit the "forever chemicals."


Minnesota delegation split on Supreme Court decision on Arizona voting laws


Capitol police must become protective agency, inspector general tells Senate committee

Sen. Klobuchar's Rules Committee is examining what went wrong on Jan. 6.


First Senate bipartisan report finds broad failures in Jan. 6 Capitol attack

The report, led in part by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, paints a picture of missed clues, lack of preparedness and communication issues in the run-up to the Capitol riot.


Medtronic's profit surges, as turnaround from pandemic slowdown continues

The comparison against year-ago quarterly results was easy, but Medtronic also produced a 4% sales gain for its just-completed fiscal year.


Israel-Hamas conflict divides Minnesota Democrats

Mounting overseas violence highlights differing views among Democrats over Israel's culpability.


Sen. Amy Klobuchar sparks new debate on business competition

Her book "Antitrust" sets out an agenda for controlling modern-day monopolies and shifting burden of proof.


Senate Dems ready voting rights bill despite partisan gridlock

For much of the day before the 9-9 vote, the Senate Rules Committee led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar struggled to find common ground.