Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Climate Resiliency Projects for Lower Sioux Indian Community
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced Lower Sioux Indian Community (LSIC) will receive federal funding to reduce harmful carbon emissions and energy costs in Tribal homes and businesses. LSIC will be awarded nearly $5 million from the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate provisions, which Senator Smith helped to pass into law. This award will allow LSIC to: “Our transition to a clean energy economy can’t leave Indian Country behind. We are finally starting to turn the page on generations of underinvestment and underfunding by the federal government in Indian Country through projects like this,” said Senator Smith. “Tribes know what works best for them and their members, and this funding allows them to meet the unique needs of their communities.” “Lower Sioux Indian Community, Cansayapi, has been researching and working diligently to find ways to continue as good stewards of the Earth and reducing the carbon footprint by growing hemp and building homes made with hemp-based materials for insulation,” said Robert L. Larsen, Lower Sioux Community Council President. “With the help of Senators Klobuchar and Smith, we will continue reducing harmful emissions from fossil fuels and improving local resilience by installing solar-powered heat pumps so the traditional heat sources will not have to run as often or as long. This funding supports Lower Sioux’s strategy to evaluate and weatherize homes, which ultimately will affect the cost to heat them and reduce the harmful emissions from conventional heating sources. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will contribute directly to Lower Sioux’s resilience goals and
Klobuchar, Smith Statements on the Bipartisan Senate Confirmation of Laura Provinzino to be U.S. District Court Judge
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Laura Provinzino to serve as United States District Court Judge for the District of Minnesota. Currently serving as an Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, Provinzino was one of the candidates sent to President Biden by Senators Klobuchar and Smith following the recommendation from a judicial selection committee. “As a federal prosecutor, Laura Provinzino has dedicated her career to upholding the rule of law and her work has earned her the respect of attorneys and law enforcement across the state,” said Klobuchar. “I am confident that she will make an outstanding jurist, and I know she will make St. Cloud proud. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I worked to advance her nomination and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of this outstanding nominee.” “Laura Provinzino has spent her career in service to Minnesotans. Her decades of experience advancing justice and protecting the rule of law will make her an exceptionally well-qualified U.S. District Court Judge,” said Smith. “I congratulate her on her bipartisan confirmation.” Laura Provinzino was born and raised in St. Cloud, and attended St. Cloud Technical High School. Her mother taught at Apollo High School, and her father was a lawyer in St. Cloud. Provinzino has spent her entire legal career in Minnesota. She has served as
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Mike Crapo Announce Big Win For Dairy Farmers After Leading Bipartisan Push Against Unfair Trade Practices
WASHINGTON, [1.6.22] – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) announced a major victory for U.S. dairy farmers after spearheading Congressional efforts to hold Canada accountable for violations of a key trade agreement. “For nearly two years, Senator Crapo and I have been leading the charge to crack down on Canada’s illegal trade practices that are hurting U.S. dairy farmers,” said Sen. Smith. “This is a historic win for dairies in Minnesota and across the country, who will finally be able to sell U.S. products to Canadian buyers without unjustified restrictions.” “Enforcing our trade agreements to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Senate Hearing on Expanding Economic Development in Underserved Communities
WASHINGTON, [1.5.22] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) chaired a productive hearing focused on addressing the economic challenges and disparities in underserved communities. The hearing covered two bipartisan bills authored by Sen. Smith, which would expand financial services and capital investment in communities of color, Tribal lands, and rural communities. Senators heard from a number of witnesses who shared how Sen. Smith’s legislation would make a difference for community development. Witnesses included: Lakota Vogel – Executive Director, Four Bands Community Fund Frank Altman – Founder and CEO, Community Reinvestment Fund John Holdsclaw – President, Coalition of Community Development Financial
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Mike Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Spur Economic Development in Underserved Communities
WASHINGTON, [1.4.22] – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) introduced legislation to jumpstart economic development in economically distressed areas and address disparities in access to capital for underserved communities. The bill would strengthen and expand Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), which play a critical role in bringing capital and financial services to a wide range of underserved communities – from urban areas to small towns and rural communities to Tribal lands. “Unequal access to capital and financial services is a key driver of economic disparity in rural areas, communities of color, and Indigenous communities,” said
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and U.S. Representative Angie Craig Announce Plan to Strengthen Meat and Poultry Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1.4.22] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Representative Angie Craig (both D-Minn.) announced new plans to create a more competitive, fair, and resilient meat and poultry sector. These initiatives will help secure better earnings for producers while ensuring more choices and affordable prices for consumers. The funding for this plan is available through the American Rescue Plan, which Senator Smith and Rep. Craig helped pass earlier this year. “Just a handful of large companies have come to dominate the meat and poultry processing industry, which means higher prices for consumers and shrinking earnings for producers,” said Sen.
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