Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant to Replace Roof of Public Safety Building Aitkin
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to replace the roof on Aitkin’s Public Safety Building. Aitkin’s Public Safety Building houses the local law enforcement department. “The City of Aitkin’s Public Safety Building needs a new roof so emergency service providers have the facilities they need to continue serving the community,” said Klobuchar. “The federal grant will advance this project.” “Federal investment is quite literally helping our small towns build a roof overhead for essential community services like public safety,” said Smith. “Our local law enforcement officers deserve to be in buildings that are safe and in good condition. This investment to replace the roof of the Aitkin public safety building will improve the city’s infrastructure and help keep Minnesotans safe.” 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. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Celebrate $92 Million for Minnesota Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $92 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Minnesota drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the more than $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. “Investments in water infrastructure are essential to the health and safety of families across our state,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “These resources will update water, storm water, and wastewater systems.” “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 Sen. Tina 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.” “Clean drinking water and properly treated wastewater are basic human rights, yet too many communities still lack access to this critical resource and public health necessity, said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “This funding will help ensure underserved areas receive crucial improvements through expanded grants and loan forgiveness programs targeting those most in need. I look forward to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Evergreen Action & Data For Progress Highlight New Report Outlining How Congress Can Pass Clean Electricity Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/4/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—who has been a longtime leader in policymaking to support our clean energy economy—joined Evergreen Action and Data for Progress to launch a new report: A Roadmap to 100% Clean Electricity by 2035. Last Congress, Sen. Smith introduced legislation to establish a federal Clean Electricity Standard (CES) to achieve net-zero emissions in the electric sector by midcentury and this Congress she will push for the strongest CES that can get passed. Today, she joined experts from Evergreen and Data For Progress, as well as Dr. Leah Stokes, to discuss the report and their insights
U.S. Senator Tina Smith & U.S. Representative Angie Craig Call on Congressional Leaders to Include Expanded Definition of Dependent Children in Upcoming COVID-19 Relief Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/4/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN 2) are urging Congressional leaders to include all dependents in economic payment proposals, which would make nearly 15 million dependents eligible to receive economic impact payments and go a long way in helping families weather the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In their letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA 12), Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA 23) and Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Smith and Rep. Craig called on the leaders to expand the definition of dependents to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Senate Push to Ensure Stimulus Payments Reach Americans Experiencing Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/4/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led 28 of her Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on the Department of the Treasury to ensure Americans receive the relief they are entitled to, including those who are experiencing homelessness. Sen. Smith has been focused on this work since the spring of last year following earlier coronavirus (COVID-19) relief legislation. The bipartisan COVID-19 relief package enacted into law on December 27 of last year provided a round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult, and efforts are currently underway to provide additional direct payments in future relief legislation. Sen. Smith
U.S. Senators Tina Smith & Lisa Murkowski Introduce Two Bipartisan Bills to Expand Mental Health Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/2/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced two bipartisan bills to address behavioral health needs and substance use disorders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Stopping the Mental Health Pandemic Act would authorize federal grant funding for States, Tribes, Tribal organizations, and community-based entities to address behavioral health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) would administer these grants for training, technology upgrades, surge capacity needs, emergency crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and outreach to underserved communities. U.S. Representative Katie Porter (D-CA 45) introduced the House companion earlier this year.
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