Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Laphonza Butler Introduce Legislation to Combat LGBTQ+ Mental Health Crisis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D – Minn.) and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) — the first Black and openly LGBTQ+ senator to serve in the Senate — led five Senate colleagues in introducing the Pride in Mental Health Act which would strengthen mental health and crisis intervention resources for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. “Mental health care is health care. And for some LGBTQ+ youth, receiving access to the mental health care they need can mean the difference between living in safety and dignity, and suffering alone through discrimination, bullying, and even violence,” said Senator Smith. “The data shows what many parents and educators see every day—an epidemic of students in classrooms dealing with anxiety, depression and other serious mental health conditions, with nowhere to turn. Meeting LGBTQ+ students where they already are—in school—helps us break down the stigma they might face and get kids the health care they need.” “Accessing mental health care and support has become increasingly difficult in nearly every state in the country,” said Senator Butler. “Barriers get even more difficult if you are a young person who lacks a supportive community or is fearful of being outed, harassed, or threatened. I am introducing the Pride in Mental Health Act to help equip LGBTQ+ youth with the resources to get the affirming and often life-saving care they need.” LGBTQ+ youth experience disproportionate rates of mental health challenges. A 2023 study found that 54 percent of LGBTQ+ youth reported symptoms of depression, while only 35 percent of heterosexual youth reported similar feelings. LGBTQ+ high school students
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Urge the Department of Justice to Improve Public Safety on Tribal Lands
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined her colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland inquiring about the high rates of criminal cases on Tribal land that U.S. Attorneys’ Offices decline to prosecute. The letter was led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and was signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). The Senators ask a series of questions to better understand the reasons behind the high rates of declinations. Specifically, the letter asks about the lack of evidence in these cases and the Department’s “prioritization of federal interests” to justify a decision to decline prosecution. Their letter also seeks more information regarding coordination between the Justice Department and Bureau of Indian Affair’s Murdered and Missing Indigenous Unit. “According to the Justice Department’s own findings, Native American women are two to three times more likely than women of any other race to experience violence, stalking or sexual assault. Yet, the Department declines to prosecute half of these cases,” wrote the Senators. “This in turn contributes to a culture whereby offenders feel emboldened because there is no one to hold them accountable. And families of victims often feel as though law enforcement is not proving regular updates on their cases.” Read the full text of the letter below: Dear Attorney General Garland, We write with concern regarding the high rates of prosecutorial declinations in Indian Country. As you know, Section 212 of the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) requires
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Sherrod Brown, Jack Reed Seek Answers on Zillow’s Sale of Thousands of Homes to Private Equity Investors
MINNESOTA [11/10/21]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), chair of a key Senate housing subcommittee, and Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown (D-OH), are raising concerns about real estate powerhouse Zillow’s reported plans to sell a large portfolio of single-family homes to institutional investors who could turn those properties into rental homes. The move could leave local homebuyers without affordable options, and renters with poorly managed properties. The two Senators were joined by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a senior Member of the Banking Committee, on a letter Monday to Zillow Chief Executive Officer Rich Barton. In the letter, the Senators questioned Zillow’s
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: With Infrastructure Bill Set to Become Law, “Build Back Better” Budget Now Top Priority
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/08/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said the historic, bipartisan infrastructure package – which has passed both the Senate and the House – will be signed into law soon, delivering billions of dollars in long-overdue investments to Minnesota’s roads, bridges, broadband, water infrastructure and other needed upgrades. Sen. Smith said the new law will jumpstart the economy and create jobs and economic development in rural, urban and suburban communities across the state. But as the Infrastructure bill delivers upgrades across the state, she said she will continue to press to enact the “Build Back Better” Budget that lowers taxes
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, John Boozman Push New Measure to Improve Mental Health Services for Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/04/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) continued their push to ensure that veterans across the country – especially those in underserved areas – get the mental health services they need. On Thursday, the Senators introduced their bipartisan “Vet Center Support Act,” which would provide better identification, intervention, and effective care to veterans struggling with mental health issues in underserved areas. The measure also removes barriers preventing the construction of Vet Centers. The bipartisan legislation is also supported by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Tim Kaine (D-VA). Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN2) introduced
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Jerry Moran Push to Make Oral Cancer Medications as Affordable for Patients as Intravenous Chemotherapy
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/27/21]— U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn) and Jerry Moran (R-Kans.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure cancer patients who receive oral medications are not hit with thousands of dollars in unaffordable out-of-pocket costs that health plans routinely cover for patients receiving traditional IV chemotherapy treatments. Their Cancer Drug Parity Act responds to the recent improvements in cancer drugs delivered orally by preventing insurers from charging cancer patients higher copayments for those medications than they charge those receiving their chemotherapy medicine intravenously. Almost 2 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year. In 2017, one in eight patients who
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