Latest Releases
U.S Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Colleagues Press Postal Service for Details on How Facility Consolidation Could Impact On-Time Delivery of Mail-In Ballots
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) joined 17 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy requesting information about how the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) plans to ensure the timely delivery of mail-in ballots throughout the ongoing 2024 election cycle and beyond. The request comes in light of USPS facility consolidations initiated under DeJoy, which have been temporarily paused following outcry from people all across the country as well as Congressional leaders. Through this process, USPS has greenlit the downgrading of 56 of 59 selected postal facilities nationwide — including in Minnesota. “USPS serves an essential function in American elections. On a nonpartisan basis, it securely processes, transports, and delivers election mail, including ballots. In 2020, the Postal Service overcame a series of challenges, including the onset of a global pandemic, to fulfill this critical mission. Impressively, it delivered 97.9% of ballots within three days, even as a record number of Americans voted by mail. For the 2022 midterm elections, USPS maintained this standard of excellence and delivered 98.96% of ballots within three days,”wrote the senators. “We applaud these achievements, but much has changed since 2022.” “In July 2023, USPS completed its first regional consolidation in Richmond, Virginia. A report from the USPS Inspector General found that the consolidation led to “a decrease in service performance for the Richmond region that continued four months after launch,”they continued. “Earlier this year, these delays led some local election officials to direct area residents to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Representative Brad Finstad Announce Investment to Strengthen Southwest Minnesota Manufacturing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representative Brand Finstad (R-MN01) announced a $1.6 million grant from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington, Minnesota to help address the growing demand for skilled workers in robotics, hydraulics, welding and machining training. The grant will go towards purchasing and outfitting a mobile mechatronics classroom and customized welding trailer to expand manufacturing workforce training at the college’s campuses in Lyon and Nobles counties. This EDA investment is expected to create and retain 250 jobs and generate $1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates. “Technical and community colleges play a critical role in meeting the demand for skilled manufacturing, and it’s fantastic to see the Biden administration investing in Minnesota schools that will help us train and educate the workforce of the future,” said Senator Tina Smith. “This grant will help us meet labor needs, create jobs, and ensure America leads in innovation.” “Southern Minnesota has world-class technical programs that equip young people with the experience they need to modernize and meet the demands of today’s workforce,” said Representative Brad Finstad. “Minnesota West Community and Technical College has done great work to ensure the readiness of the next generation in the workplace, and I am happy to see that they receive the funding they need to continue to grow welding and robotics programs which will strengthen the skilled workforce in Minnesota’s First District.” This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023,
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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