Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Chris Murphy Introduce Bill to Forgive Student Loan Debt for Beginning Farmers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act, legislation to create a loan forgiveness program for beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as women, veteran, and minority farmers. Student loan debt is a major hurdle for beginning farmers, and this legislation would incentivize farmers to enter—and stay—in the agricultural industry, and strengthen opportunities to grow successful businesses. The average age of a farmer in the United States is 58 years old. Smith and Murphy’s legislation will reduce barriers for young, diverse farmers hoping to take over as the current generation of farmers and producers begin to retire. “To keep Minnesota’s agriculture economy thriving, we need to continue to invest in the next generation of farmers as the average age of farmers keeps going up. There is more we can be doing to help future farmers fill their shoes,” said Senator Smith. “Student debt is one of the most significant challenges our young farmers and ranchers face. This legislation would help encourage a younger, more diverse workforce and help more people start and stay in farming.” “Connecticut farmers have always been the lifeblood of our rural communities, but starting and maintaining a new farm is increasingly unaffordable for young people who are often saddled with student loan debt and can’t afford to make additional investments necessary for success. By helping new farmers pay off their student loans, this legislation would pave the
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Lisa Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Improve Aging Services for American Indian Elders
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Enhancing Native Elders’ Longevity, Dignity, Empowerment, and Respect (Native ELDER) Act that would improve federal programs and services focused on healthy aging and independence for Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian elders. The legislation was introduced in May during Older Americans Month, a time to recognize the important role and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian elders. “Honoring and caring for elders is foundational to Native American communities. Tribal elders in Minnesota and across the country have been clear about their needs,” said Senator Smith. “Enhanced support for caregivers, funding for home modifications, and better training programs for Tribes to deliver in-home care are some of the basic needs this bill would help to meet. Taking care of our elders – giving them the tools to age comfortably and with dignity in their own homes – this is how we keep our communities strong, and I’m proud this bill will help to deliver on that promise.” “When meeting with Alaska stakeholders, they identified home modifications to improve accessibility and caregiver support as some of the greatest unmet needs for Alaska Native Elders,” said Senator Murkowski.“Our Elders already face substantially worse health outcomes at disproportionally higher rates than other seniors. We have to help bridge this divide by ensuring our Elders have the support they need to age at home, in their local communities. Prioritizing home modifications and supporting family members who act as caregivers, is essential in supporting not only Elders, but the entire
Senator Klobuchar, Representative Phillips, and Minnesota and North Dakota Congressional Leaders Introduce Bill to Rename Wayzata Post Office in Honor of Former Representative Jim Ramstad
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Dean Phillips introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to rename the Wayzata post office in honor of former Minnesota Representative Jim Ramstad who passed away last month. Senator Tina Smith and Representatives Tom Emmer (MN-06), Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Angie Craig (MN-02), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Pete Stauber (MN-08) have also sponsored the legislation. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Hoeven (R-ND) joined as original cosponsors as Ramstad was born in North Dakota. Representative Phillips holds the seat Ramstad once held. “Minnesota
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Funding for Job Training and Services To Combat Opioid Crisis
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced that the U.S. Department of Labor awarded an opioid-crisis National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker grant to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for up to $1,368,421 to train at least 200 displaced workers. “The opioid epidemic is hurting communities across Minnesota—none have been immune from its devastating effects,” Klobuchar said. “This crucial funding will provide job training across the state and support those who are in recovery and preparing to rejoin the workforce.” “This grant will create economic opportunity for Minnesotans whose careers have been impacted by the opioid crisis,” Smith
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Encourages Minnesota Producers Affected by COVID-19 to Apply for USDA Assistance by December 11
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/4/2020]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is urging Minnesota producers who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting economic crisis to submit applications for assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) by Dec. 11, 2020. This USDA program provides direct relief to producers for eligible commodities. Sen. Smith said that many commodities grown or raised by Minnesota producers are eligible. This includes corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar beets, wild rice, apples, dairy, turkey, beef, hogs and pigs, and more. “2020 has been a deeply challenging year as we navigate the public health and economic crisis of COVID,” said Sen.
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Push to Extend Pandemic Unemployment Programs Set to Expire December 26
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/4/2020]— U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) are urging Senate leaders to extend two coronavirus (COVID-19) unemployment programs that are set to expire December 26 in the next relief package. In a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sens. Klobuchar, Smith and 30 of their colleagues called for these programs to be extended with additional weeks of eligibility for workers. They noted that approximately 4.4 million workers will have already run out of benefits by the end of the year, with millions more exhausting their benefits next year. The senators also stressed the importance of significantly reforming the
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