Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez Introduce Legislation to Protect Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence from Economic Abuse
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced the Survivor Financial Safety and Inclusion Working Group Act, a bill aimed at increasing support for survivors of intimate partner violence within the financial system. The bill would create an interagency working group comprised of the federal financial regulators and relevant stakeholders, including a representative of historically underserved communities. The working group would be tasked with collecting data on the impacts of economic abuse of survivors carried out through regulated financial institutions. The working group would also provide recommendations on how Congress and federal regulators can help financial institutions improve existing products and services and launch new ones to meet survivors’ financial and safety needs. “It can be impossible for someone trapped in an abusive relationship to escape if they’re unable to land on their feet,” said Senator Smith. “Abusers in intimate partner relationships use financial insecurity as a tool to trap their victims. This legislation will help protect survivors of economic abuse within the financial system and ensure they have a chance at safety, healing, and long-term financial stability.” “Intimate partner violence is a scourge in our society, with over 10 million men and women being physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States every year. Most survivors also report experiencing economic abuse from harm-doers, making it extremely difficult to build the financial security necessary to escape a dangerous situation,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “It’s clear that financial institutions must do more to reduce economic abuse of survivors. This
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Chris Murphy and Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán Introduce Legislation to Improve Conditions Exacerbating Health Inequities Among Black, Brown, Indigenous and People of Color
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.-44) introduced legislation to study and address how social, environmental, and economic conditions exacerbate health inequities in Black, Brown, Indigenous, and people of color. These conditions, known as social determinants of health (SDOH), are the result of institutional racism embedded in our society including in housing, employment, education, health care and more. While it’s often believed that good health is only due to medical care, one estimate found that clinical treatment accounts for only 10 to 20 percent of an individual’s overall health. Meanwhile, around 80 to 90 percent of healthy outcomes are driven by social determinants. “For many Black, Brown, Indigenous and people of color, health outcomes like chronic disease and overall longevity are determined by factors out of their control, often rooted in institutional racism and lasting inequities. Supporting healthy families and communities means more than just access tomedical care – it’s also having a safe place to call home, jobs, adequate food and more,” said Senator Smith. “This legislation will help us chart a better path forward to rectify historical injustices and ensure everyone has the chance to live a healthy life.” “When you don’t have a safe, stable place to live, or you can’t find affordable, nutritious food in your neighborhood, you’re more likely to develop chronic health issues that cost you thousands in medical bills. These structural inequities disproportionately impact communities of color and can have really devastating consequences for peoples’ health. I’m glad to team up with Senator Smith on this legislation to make a worthwhile investment in helping communities create healthy environments and improve long-term health outcomes,” said
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Nearly $1 Million Federal Grant to Provide Free Textbooks to Teaching Students at Minnesota Colleges
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/14/2021]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said today that a nearly $1 million grant will provide free textbooks to students studying teacher education at colleges and universities across Minnesota. The $978,332 grant has been awarded to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to support students at Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Normandale Community College, Century College, and St. Cloud Technical and Community College. The grant aims to diversify the teacher workforce pipeline in Minnesota through eliminating textbook costs and lowering the cost of a teaching degree. The free textbooks will cut costs for all students, but will especially help economically disadvantaged students who may otherwise have trouble affording college and finishing their degree. “As we emerge
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Celebrates Senate Passage of Her Legislation to Commemorate Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday in Senate Floor Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6/16/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) celebrated the Senate passage of legislation to commemorate Juneteenth as a federal holiday during a Senate floor speech. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act–led by Sen. Smith and her colleagues Sens. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas)–passed the Senate unanimously yesterday afternoon. The measure now moves to the House, where it is expected to be taken up and passed soon, before being sent to the President to be signed into law. You can access video of Sen. Smith’s remarks here. “Juneteenth,” observed on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is also known as Emancipation
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Commemorate Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday Signed into Law by President Biden
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6/17/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) was at the White House to witness President Biden sign into law her legislation to commemorate Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act—led by Sen. Smith and her colleagues Sens. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas)—passed the Senate unanimously on Tuesday. The identical House measure, led by U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), passed yesterday. “The end of slavery in the United States is a critical milestone in our country’s history,” said Sen. Smith. “I fought to make Juneteenth a federal holiday because it’s important to mark it as a day of celebration, reflection, and rededication to the cause of racial justice in this country. “I am
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Senate Republicans Blocking January 6 Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. [5/28/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked legislation to create a commission to investigate the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021. “It’s hard to believe that, after standing together in a safe room calling our loved ones to say we were safe, so many Republicans would now deny the American people transparency and truth. This proposed commission is bipartisan and balanced—35 Republican members of the House supported it. This should not be a hard choice. Mitch McConnell and much of his caucus are choosing to coddle Trump instead of finding the answers that the Capitol Police,
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