Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Funding to Increase Minnesota’s STEM Talent Pipeline, Foster Diversity in STEM Fields
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced two grants for Minnesota middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities to strengthen Minnesota’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent pipeline. One award sponsors the North Star STEM Alliance, a program that supports public, private, and Tribal colleges and universities in their efforts to significantly increase the numbers of students enrolling into and successfully completing high quality degree programs in STEM disciplines in order to diversify the STEM workforce. The other award supports the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus to partner with Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) and Hamline University, among others, to expand professional development opportunities for 18 science teachers working in diverse schools. “To continue our global leadership in science and technology research and development, American students must receive the best training and education,” said Klobuchar. “With these federal grants, our schools can better prepare students for the careers of tomorrow.” “Every student deserves every opportunity to succeed and build a bright future for themselves, and that all starts with a good education,” said Senator Smith. “This funding will help all students, from middle school through undergrad, no matter their background, to develop the skills they need to enter into a STEM field.” The North Star STEM Alliance aims to increase the number of students who graduate with B.S. degrees in STEM who participate in the STEM workforce. Over a five-year period, North Star Alliance will use $2,500,000 to increase STEM Bachelor of Science degrees from 700 in 2022, to 1,000 annually by 2028. To
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Clean Energy Manufacturing Investment in Fridley
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) announced Cummins, Inc. received a tax credit allocation of $10,500,000 for investment in electrolyzer manufacturing and testing in Fridley, Minn., for its Accelera by Cummins zero-emissions business. This investment is expected to support more than 260 direct jobs and nearly 2,000 indirect jobs. Electrolyzers separate water into oxygen and hydrogen, and when done using renewable energy, create carbon-free hydrogen that can be stored and used as a clean energy source. The funding comes from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which both Klobuchar and Smith supported. “Minnesota has long been a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This investment in Cummins’s Fridley plant will create good paying jobs and ensure this critical technology continues to be made in America.” “I always say that when it comes to transitioning to a clean energy economy, we can lead or follow—and I think we should lead,” said Senator Smith. “Through this investment in Fridley, the Biden Administration is creating thousands of good-paying jobs for Minnesotans and ensuring American manufacturing is a leader in the clean energy future. We’re investing in American workers while fighting climate change.” “We are grateful to the Biden Administration and Senators Klobuchar and Smith for their investment in and support for accelerating the U.S. hydrogen economy,” said Alex Savelli, Managing Director of Electrolyzers for Accelera by Cummins. “Government partnership is critical to spur the growing hydrogen industry. This credit allows us to continue building manufacturing capability in Fridley, create desirable green tech and manufacturing jobs, and
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, John Hoeven Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize October as National Co-op Month
MINNESOTA [10/2/20]— U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate October 2020 as National Co-op Month. Their resolution recognizes the co-op business model for its contributions to the economy, the jobs it creates and its positive impacts on local communities. The Senators said that co-ops can be found in almost every economic sector throughout the United States, and that during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic many co-ops have taken additional steps to serve their member-owners and communities. “In 1948 Minnesota became the first state to issue a Co-op Month proclamation,” said Sen. Smith. “I’m honored to help continue our state’s
U.S. Senators Tina Smith & Mike Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Health Care Providers Continue Delivering Telehealth Services to Rural America
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/1/20]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced bipartisan legislation to help health care providers continue delivering telehealth services to rural communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program Extension Act would provide an additional $200 million for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which ran out of funding in July. A bipartisan House companion bill has been introduced by U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). The FCC established the COVID-19 Telehealth Program in April to help health care providers acquire telehealth technology to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Such infrastructure included telehealth platforms, wireless access points for patients, tablets
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Help Students Access Mental Health Services in Schools Passes the House
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/1/20]–U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that her legislation to make sure students in schools across the nation are able to access mental health services passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This gets her bill over a major hurdle on its way to becoming law. Sen. Smith’s bill—the Mental Health Services for Students Act—would help schools partner with local mental health providers to establish on-site, mental health services for students. It would also provide training for school personnel on how to recognize, assist and refer students who may need mental health assistance. Sen. Smith says that young people
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Stop Surprise Medical Bills for COVID-19 Tests
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/30/20]—Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said far too many people are being forced by their insurance companies to pay for coronavirus (COVID-19) tests that should be free. On Wednesday, Sen. Smith introduced her Stop COVID-19 Test Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020 to protect Americans from unanticipated COVID-19 test charges. The measure clarifies that insurers cannot refuse to cover medically necessary tests, directs federal health officials to help ensure providers and insurers understand how to submit claims to protect patients from surprise bills, and strengthens price transparency requirements. A House companion was introduced by U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07). Right now, Senator Smith’s Free COVID-19 Testing Act—enacted into law as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18—requires public health insurance
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