Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding to Improve Red Lake Falls’s Water and Waste Disposal Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $906,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant and an $8,310,000 loan to make improvements to the Red Lake Falls’s water, wastewater, and sewer infrastructure. Specifically, this project will construct a new water tower and pump station and install new water meters. “Red Lake Falls’s current water, wastewater, and sewer infrastructure no longer meets the needs of the city,” said Klobuchar. “Using this federal funding, Red Lake Falls can make the necessary improvements to enhance these critical public services.” “Minnesotans deserve to have safe, clean water,” said Smith. “The city of Red Lake Falls is no exception, and this investment from the USDA will update the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure system, directly impacting all of its residents.” Senators Klobuchar and Smith are members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees the USDA. This federal funding was secured through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Program grants can be used by communities across the country to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area, such as health care facilities, public safety services, educational services, and more. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding to Improve Taconite’s Water System
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $851,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant and a $1,494,000 loan to make improvements to the City of Taconite’s water system. The funding will advance the construction of a new water storage tank, a water pump house, and a replacement water tower. The project will also install individual water meters for customers and develop a meter-reader system. “To ensure families are getting quality water out of their taps, it’s important to upgrade water infrastructure once the equipment reaches the end of its useful life,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal support, Taconite can rebuild the water system to better serve residents.” “Updating the water system will make a real difference for people living in Taconite,” said Smith. “This loan from the USDA will help to construct a new water storage tank and provide safe, clean water for the city’s residents.” Senators Klobuchar and Smith are members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees the USDA. This federal funding was secured through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Program grants can be used by communities across the country to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area, such as health care facilities, public safety services, educational services, and more. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Open New Markets, Strengthen Operations for Small Meat Processing Plants
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/25/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) helped introduce bipartisan legislation to help small meat and poultry processors adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and meet consumer demand. The Strengthening Local Processing Act, also led by U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), would provide training, education, and technical assistance grants to help small processing plants improve and streamline their operations. Additionally, it would open new markets by allowing inspector-approved meat products to be sold across state lines. “As a member of the Senate Ag Committee, I feel a strong responsibility to help address the vulnerabilities in meat processing that COVID-19 exposed,” said Sen. Smith. “I also want to create economic opportunity for small processing plants. This bipartisan bill will open new markets
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Seniors Due to COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/25/21]—In an effort to address social isolation and loneliness amongst older adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Senator Tina Smith introduced legislation to help older adults be socially connected and healthy. The Strengthening Social Connections Act would provide emergency supplemental funding to programs that strengthen social connectedness and address the negative health effects of social isolation. Sen. Smith is urging Senate and House leadership to include provisions from the bill in the next COVID-19 relief package. In a letter to Senate and House leaders, Sen. Smith said that many older adults who are staying home and avoiding in-person social contact with family and friends are unfortunately experiencing an extended period
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Pushes Bipartisan Bill to Stop Big Pharma From Keeping Drug Costs High by Unfairly Extending Monopolies
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/24/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced a bipartisan measure to stop pharmaceutical manufacturers from claiming new innovations when they make insignificant modifications to their products in order to extend their monopolies and keep drug prices high for consumers. Currently, pharmaceutical companies engage in “evergreening,” which allows them to extend their patents for five years when they make minor, insignificant changes to a drug. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tried to end the practice by only granting these patent exclusivities to drugs that truly have a new chemical entity, but a district
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Says More Information Coming Forward on How National Gas Price Spike is Hurting Families Across the Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/23/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said more information is coming to light about how families will be hurt financially following the price of natural gas quickly spiking when extreme weather hit Texas and other parts of the central United States. During a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MN PUC) hearing earlier today, utilities shared how these costs are projected to be passed on to customers, with major utilities estimating per customer costs averaging $250 or more. Additionally, yesterday, following Sen. Smith’s letter seeking an investigation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced that they had launched an investigation
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