Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Clean Energy Awards for Electric Co-Ops Across Minnesota
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced funding to make energy upgrades for more than 150,000 people and homes in Greater Minnesota. Nine electric co-ops across the state are receiving federal funding to make energy upgrades that will reduce costs for consumers and increase energy efficiency. Minnesota’s electric cooperatives provide electricity to nearly one-third of the state. “The clean energy transition is here, and we can either lead or follow. I want Minnesota to lead, and with this announcement, we will,” said Senator Smith. “With this investment, cooperatives can unleash clean energy in a way that works best for their communities. This will fight climate change. This will lower energy costs. And this will strengthen our energy security and resilience by ensuring our rural communities continue to have safe, reliable and clean, American-made energy for years to come.” “Far too many households struggle to afford their heating costs. Families should not have to choose between paying for heat and other necessities,” said Senator Klobuchar. “With this investment, electric cooperatives can reduce energy costs for families across our state while strengthening access to clean, reliable power.” Senator Smith was instrumental in securing this funding for rural electric co-ops through her work on the clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. The program funding these projects, dubbed the Empowering Rural America (or New ERA) program, was partially inspired by Senator Smith’s Flexible Financing for Rural America Act. This set of awards follow the announcement of three previous awards to Minnesota co-ops last fall. Nine electric co-ops in Minnesota received funding: ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Federal Investment to Lower Housing Costs Through Zoning Reform in Twin Cities Metro Area
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Housing Subcommittee, announced an additional $5 million for the Twin Cities Metro area to assist with updating local zoning laws to build more affordable housing. The award will add to the $4 million previously announced in June 2024. The funding will provide technical support to cities and towns already in the process of updating their housing plans, community development strategies and best practices around zoning policy to incentivize more housing development. The funding will allow the Met Council to fully fund staff for the project through 2030. “We have to tackle our housing crisis at every level of government. Boosting the supply of housing is necessary to drive down costs, and that takes federal, state, local and private-sector coordination,” said Senator Smith. “Localities across the Metro have been working hard to reduce barriers to affordable housing and improve community development. This federal funding will support these efforts and further invest in the production and preservation of affordable housing in the region.” “Neighbors for More Neighbors celebrates this newly-awarded grant to the Metropolitan Council. Minneapolis has seen the positive impact of legalizing more housing types in neighborhoods across the city. We are confident that similar reforms, encouraged by this grant and undertaken across the Twin Cities metro area, will help everyone find secure, affordable homes in the neighborhoods they choose,” said Anna Nelson, Board Chair at Neighbors for More Neighbors. Local zoning laws dictate where housing can be built and what
Sens. Smith, Marshall Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Reduce Delays in Bringing Safe Eye Drops, Sunscreen to Market
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced bipartisan legislation to clarify the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority to regulate “combination products” – products that meet both the definition of drugs and devices. The bill would eliminate unnecessary confusion and turmoil in the industry and free up valuable time and resources within the FDA. “Our regulatory process around medical products should be clear and transparent,” said Senator Smith. “This bipartisan legislation would help clarify the FDA’s authority to regulate things like sunscreen, eye drops, and other ‘combination products’ so the agency can focus on important work
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Major Federal Funding to Support Biofuel Producers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded major federal funding to support biofuel producers in Minnesota through a program created by bipartisan legislation led by Klobuchar. The funding will provide economic support to lower costs and offset market losses through the Biofuel Producer Relief Payments program. This program, created in December 2020, is based on the Renewable Fuel Feedstock Reimbursement Act, Klobuchar’s bipartisan legislation with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to provide relief to biofuel and renewable fuel producers that suffered
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Major Federal Funding to Establish New Antiviral Drug Development Center at University of Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced significant federal funding to establish a new Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Center for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern at the University of Minnesota (UMN). The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will provide $66.4 million in federal funding over three years for the University of Minnesota to house a new center for researching and developing coronavirus antivirals, especially those that can be taken at home or in an outpatient setting, and treatments targeting specific viruses with high potential to cause a
Sens. Smith, Brown, Feinstein Lead Senate Dems in Introducing Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) led all 50 Senate Democrats in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. On the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month, the senators’ resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans, and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals. The resolution also recognizes how the U.S. Supreme Court’s pending decision to overturn Roe v. Wade could potentially undermine and erode other constitutional
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