Latest Releases
Statement from U.S. Senator Tina Smith on the Biden Administration’s Approval of Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s approval of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration. “Minnesotans are struggling right now — these floods have turned people’s worlds upside down. I appreciate the swift declaration from President Biden following our request for aid,” said Senator Smith. “Minnesota needs help, and the federal government is answering. These unlocked resources will make an important difference as communities get back on their feet and we work to rebuild.” The declaration applies to 22 counties, though that list is expected to grow as more damage estimates are completed. This week, Senators Klobuchar and Smith led the entire bipartisan Minnesota congressional delegation in urging President Biden to approve Minnesota’s request. ###
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Lead Entire Minnesota Bipartisan Congressional Delegation in Urging Biden Administration to Approve Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) urged the Biden Administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding. Once this disaster declaration is approved, the federal government will be able to provide disaster assistance for various recovery and rebuilding efforts. “We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act to assist communities that are working to recover from severe storms and flooding. These natural disasters have caused significant damage, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal disaster assistance,”said the lawmakers. The lawmakers continued, “Time and time again, Minnesotans have stepped up to support their neighbors after natural disasters. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but rapid federal assistance will speed up this recovery effort. We strongly support Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and ask that you grant its approval without delay.” Full text of the letter is available HERE and below: Dear Mr. President: We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Colleagues in Push to Fight Food Insecurity as Benefits Cliff Approaches
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined 32 of her Senate colleagues in a push to extend child nutrition waivers ahead of their expiration and enact a robust set of child nutrition priorities. With school summer break already underway in many states, it is vital that Congress extends and expands these programs as low-income families are facing a steep benefits cliff when the waivers expire on June 30, 2022. In their letter to Congressional leaders, the Senators call for extended child nutrition waivers, the creation of a nationwide Summer EBT program, and expanded community eligibility (CEP), a flexible meal
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Minnesotans Aren’t Forced to Pay Ex-Spouses’ Student Debt
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that legislation she co-led to provide relief to individuals with consolidated loan debt with a spouse – including victims of domestic violence and financial abuse – has taken a major step towards becoming law. The billwould allow individuals to sever joint consolidation loans with a former spouse, which will provide long overdue financial freedom for vulnerable individuals who are being unfairly held responsible for the debt of a former partner. While Congress eliminated the program to allow spouses to consolidate their loans in 2006, it did not provide a mechanism for severing
Sen. Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Bill to Stop Unscrupulous Big Pharma Tactic, Lower Drug Prices for Minnesotans Takes Key Step Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6.14.22] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) legislation—the Expanding Access to Low Cost Generic Drugs Act—was included with bipartisan support in a major funding bill. The legislation takes aim at a Big Pharma tactic that keeps affordable generic drugs out of the hands of Minnesota families and seniors. “Since I came to the Senate, taking on big pharmaceutical companies and lowering prescription drug prices has been a top priority for me.” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Health Committee. “That’s why the first bill I ever introduced addressed a loophole that big pharmaceutical companies exploit
Sens. Smith, Rounds Seek Input from Public on Rural Housing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate’s Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee, issued a request for input from stakeholders on Rural Housing Service programs. Last month, the Subcommittee held a hearing to review the Rural Housing Service, with Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small as the witness. The hearing was the first time a U.S. Department of Agriculture official had testified before the Senate Banking and Housing Committee in more than a decade. Smith and Rounds’ hearing focused on ways to improve the agency’s rural housing programs. The Senators
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