Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Jerry Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Save Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand a lifeline for rural hospitals facing closure. The Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act would remove barriers for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and rural hospitals to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital designation under Medicare. These changes would help rural hospitals facing closure to receive federal financial assistance to remain open and serving their communities through emergency stabilizing care and obstetric care, rather than closing and forcing community members to travel further distances for emergency care. In Minnesota, more than one-third of rural health care systems were in the red as of 2019. “Rural hospitals provide health care in areas where it isn’t otherwise easy to access, so when their doors close, communities are left with almost no options, and that’s dangerous. If you’re dealing with a medical emergency or you just went into labor, the last thing on your mind should be whether your local hospital is still open,” said Senator Smith. “This bill is about public safety. It will make sure that if a hospital is in truly dire straits, they can remain open for emergency care – including obstetric care.” “Access to emergency health care saves lives and helps keep rural communities prospering,” said Senator Moran. “Too many rural hospitals in Kansas and across the country are struggling to keep their doors open, and this legislation offers those hospitals a lifeline. The Rural Emergency Hospital designation has already helped save numerous rural hospitals, and expanding access to this successful program is
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. Sen. Tina Smith Tells Agriculture Committee that Minnesota Farmers Feel Impact of Climate Change, Discusses Innovative State Efforts to Address it
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/02/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing today that Minnesota farmers see the reality of climate change every year with the increasing impact of drought, heat, and floods, and she pointed to the innovative work of a new coalition of Minnesota businesses and researchers that is working to find solutions. Sen. Smith told the panel about MBOLD, a coalition of food and agriculture leaders who are working to deal with climate change, food insecurity and many other pressing problems for agriculture. The group includes the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Fortune 100 companies as
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Applauds Move to Help High School Students in Minnesota Who Lost Jobs Due to COVID-19, Urges Eligible Students to Apply Soon
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/02/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) says a recent Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling allowing eligible high school students to receive coronavirus (COVID-19) unemployment assistance is welcome news, and she urges eligible students to apply before December 25. Earlier this year, Sens. Smith and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced bicameral legislation with U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-2), Dean Phillips (MN-3), Ilhan Omar (MN-5) and Betty McCollum (MN-4) to help high school students in Minnesota who have lost jobs due to the pandemic. “Minnesota high schoolers who lost jobs in the pandemic had been denied unemployment benefits they should have been eligible
Klobuchar, Smith Commend Alexandria Technical and Community College for Selection to U.S. Naval Community College Program
WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith commended the Alexandria Technical and Community College in Alexandria, MN for their selection in the newly formed U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC) pilot program. The six-month pilot program is set to begin in January 2021 and will gather data and information to help develop the USNCC’s program as it prepares to welcome its first students. “The foundation of our future prosperity can be found in education. As we continue to confront the coronavirus pandemic, new and innovative programs are critical to develop and educate our communities, and the Navy and Alexandria Tech
U. S. Senators Tina Smith & Susan Collins Secure Passage of Resolution Recognizing the Importance of School Principals to Students’ Success
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/19/20]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) recently secured passage of their bipartisan resolution honoring principals and recognizing the contributions they make to helping students succeed. “Principals work with educators to create school communities where students can learn and thrive,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “I’m glad we can honor them in this way, and recognize how principals are so critical to the success of students and schools in Minnesota and across the country.” “Principals in Maine and across the country have gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic, working
English