Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Demands Accountability from USPS Leadership Following Damning Report on Postal Failures in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [5.29.24] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith sent a scathing letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, following a United States Postal Service (USPS) Inspector General (OIG) report that reveals severe management failures contributing to critical postal service disruptions in Bemidji and the broader Minnesota-North Dakota District, including around 80,000 pieces of delayed mail. Senator Smith is calling for immediate action to address these failures and restore reliable postal service for Minnesotans. The OIG report reveals that the Bemidji Post Office only had eight days warning before their package volume doubled and Postal Service management failed to confirm that the facility had the staffing or resources to accommodate the increased volume. It also found that local postal workers were not properly trained to avoid these issues. The report attributes these problems directly to national and district management missteps, resulting in untenable working conditions for postal workers and severe delays in mail delivery. “The findings of the Inspector General’s report are deeply troubling and highlight severe mismanagement within the USPS that has led to unacceptable delays and unnecessary hardships for postal workers and Minnesotans,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “Reliable postal service is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for accessing medications, paychecks, and staying connected with loved ones. It is imperative that USPS leadership takes immediate action to address these issues and restore trust in our postal system.” Senator Smith’s letter stresses the urgency of rectifying these issues and holds USPS leadership accountable for ensuring Minnesotans receive the reliable postal service they depend on for essential
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $250,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester’s Off-site Program Expansion project. This expansion will double the number of K-12 students served by the Rochester Boys & Girls Club. “Nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester offer important resources for kids to improve their academics and lead healthy lives,” said Klobuchar. “With the resources we secured, the Boys & Girls Club will be able to fund their expansion project to meet the needs of the community.” “Developments in community outreach are crucial for strengthening Minnesota communities,” said Smith. “Investing in the Boys and Girls Club in Rochester will connect kids to the resources they need to lead healthy lives and are crucial to protecting the safety and future of our communities.” Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce More Than $375M in Federal Funding to Combat Coronavirus Pandemic in Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award the Minnesota Department of Health more than $375 million to support the state’s efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. This funding is part of the $22 billion being provided to states by the federal government through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021. “For more than ten months, Minnesotans have worked tirelessly to combat the pandemic. This much-needed additional funding will expand testing and help prepare communities for vaccine distribution. There is a
U.S. Senators Smith, Warren Applaud President-elect Biden’s Call for Emergency Child Care Aid in COVID-19 Rescue Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/15/21]—Today, United States Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)—both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP)—issued the following statement regarding the child care provisions included in President-elect Biden’s American Rescue Plan: “Right now, child care providers are struggling to keep their doors open while a pandemic and economic crisis devastate a system that was already deeply broken. That is why we are glad that President-elect Biden has included strong support for child ca WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/15/21]—Today, United States Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)—both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor,
President Biden Heeds U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Call to Protect Americans from COVID-19 Testing Charges
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/22/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) says that an executive order signed by President Joe Biden during his first week in office heeds her call to protect Americans from coronavirus (COVID-19) testing charges. The order directs agencies to provide free testing to people who lack health insurance. It also clarifies insurers’ obligation to cover testing. Sen. Smith has been working to make COVID-19 testing free for all Americans since the start of the pandemic. And on January 5, Sen. Smith urged President Biden and Vice President Harris to take executive action to protect patients from out-of-pocket charges for COVID-19 tests, regardless
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Calls on Biden-Harris Administration to Work with Congress to Ensure COVID-19 Vaccines Are Free for All Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/21/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) called on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to work with Congress to ensure coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are free for all Americans. Sen. Smith and the Biden-Harris Administration have a shared commitment to making sure that everyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine is able to receive one free of charge. In her letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris, Sen. Smith identifies some of the barriers preventing all Americans—particularly the uninsured and adults on Medicaid—from a free COVID-19 vaccine or its administration, and outlines what is needed to address
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