Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Funding to Identify, Replace Minnesota’s Lead Pipes
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) announced Minnesota will receive historic funding to identify and replace lead pipes across the state. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, drinking, breathing, eating or touching food, water and other materials that contain lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. In children, lead can also slow development or cause learning, behavior, and hearing problems. Minnesota is receiving a total of $86,566,000 from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass, to support the Biden Administration’s goal of replacing every lead pipe in America. “Lead exposure from aging water pipes is dangerous and it’s long past time for an upgrade,” said Senator Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, Minnesota will identify and replace old service lines to protect our water supply from lead contamination.” “Minnesotans know the value of clean water—in fact, we were the first state to put statewide water quality standards in place over 50 years ago,” said Senator Smith. “This is an investment in the health and safety of Minnesota families, including families living in underserved communities who have historically been left out of infrastructure upgrades. I was proud to support the President’s legislation to deliver this funding.” “All Minnesotans should have access to safe, clean drinking water. Right now, there are more than 100,000 lead water service lines around our state leaching lead into drinking water and threatening our health,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham. “We are tremendously grateful to the Environmental Protection Agency for their support and
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces $1.2 Million in Federal Funding to Support Training, Employment Services to Young People; Increase Apprenticeships in High-Demand Careers in Beltrami and Cass Counties
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced a significant investment in the Bi-County Community Action Programs Inc. (BI-CAP) in Bemidji to empower young workers and strengthen the workforce in the region. Totaling $1,242,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the grant will support training and employment services critical for preparing young people to secure well-paying jobs in high-demand industries. This is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s ongoing effort to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities and prepare young workers for quality jobs and strengthen the nation’s workforce to meet industry demands. The grant was provided by the DOL’s YouthBuild Program and prioritized proposals that align training with local infrastructure projects funded by the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda. “Access to education and training is critical for young people to gain the skills needed to fill high-demand, good-paying jobs. By expanding access to pre-apprenticeship programs like YouthBuild, we are ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to their communities,” said Sen. Smith. “This federal funding will boost BI-CAP’s ability to support young people, workers and drive economic growth across Beltrami and Cass Counties.” BI-CAP was established in 1966 as part of the national war on poverty and is one of approximately 1,000 community action programs nationwide that make up the service delivery arm of the federal Office of Community Services. They serve Beltrami and Cass counties with the following programs: early childhood education, housing, weatherization, energy assistance, and youth education/employment services. The $1.2 million grant will support the
U.S. Sen. Smith Says New Report Confirms Her Clean Electricity Plan Would Create Millions of Jobs, Provide for Affordable Energy, & Add Billions in Economic Value
WASHINGTON, D.C. [9/9/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) says a new report from a credible research company confirms why she’s been fighting for the Clean Electricity Payment Plan (CEPP) in the Senate. The report—released today by Analysis Group and summarized by Evergreen Action and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC)—shows how Congress can create nearly 8 million jobs and $1 trillion in economic growth over the next decade by passing the CEPP. “This report confirms why I’ve been pushing my clean electricity plan: we can create millions of good paying jobs across the country, provide for affordable energy, clean up air and water pollution, and
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on House Clean Electricity Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. [9/9/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—who has been championing her clean electricity plan in the U.S. Senate—released the following statement after the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led by Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ 6), released its clean electricity plan. The House proposal aligns closely with what Sen. Smith has long been working on in the Senate. “I’ve been pushing my clean electricity plan since the beginning of this Congress, including working closely with key House members. I’m glad to see Rep. Pallone introduce a version in the House. I will work with my Senate colleagues and the Energy and Natural
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Recognized as “Key Senator” in Working to Close Budget Deal
U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) recently lauded the inclusion of an investment-based clean electricity approach she’s long championed—called the Clean Electricity Payment Program (CEPP), a type of clean electricity standard—in the landmark budget agreement passed by the Senate last week. And now, E&E News has identified Sen. Smith as one of “four key senators” who are working to close the deal. You can access the full E&E News piece here and an excerpt from the article below: “Sen. Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat, has been working for months on a clean electricity standard, a linchpin of President Biden’s climate policies. The standard
Klobuchar, Smith Announce USDA Grant Program to Support Health Care in Rural Communities
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) joined U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make significant funding available through Emergency Rural Health Care grants to help rural health care facilities, tribes, and communities expand access to coronavirus vaccines, health care services, and nutrition assistance. “Strengthening access to quality health care in rural areas is crucial to the success and prosperity of our state,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “This federal funding will make a big difference by providing medical equipment, telehealth services, food assistance, and coronavirus vaccines to those in our rural communities. As we
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