Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Willmar Air Medical Transportation Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $1,500,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for infrastructure improvements for Life Link III’s Willmar base. Life Link III is a hospital owned nonprofit organization representing 10 major health systems providing critical care and specialized air medical transportation. “In emergency situations, every second counts and air medical transportation networks are important resources for first responders to deliver quick assistance in hard-to-reach areas,” said Klobuchar. “With this funding, Life Link III will be able to make infrastructure improvements to its Willmar base to bolster its ability to service the area.” “Life Link III has played a critical role in helping Minnesotans experiencing emergencies,” said Smith. “The infrastructure improvements from this funding will help meet necessary safety standards and ensure that patients receive high quality emergency medical care when they need it.” 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. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for New Child Care Center in Warroad
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $322,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for a new child care center in Warroad. This project will bring a high-quality, sustainable child care option to Northern Minnesota and will be built adjacent to the Warroad Senior Living Center, enabling intergenerational care. “For far too many parents, the struggle to find high-quality, affordable child care is a barrier to reentering the workforce. This project will address a key issue that impacts working families every day. With the federal grant we secured, Warroad is one step closer to opening the new child care facility,” said Klobuchar. “Access to childcare is essential, both for the safe and healthy development of our kids, and because it allows parents the freedom to pursue their careers and contribute to the economy,” said Smith. “But right now, childcare is too expensive and inaccessible for many families. I am proud to be a part of this effort to bring affordable and accessible childcare to Northern Minnesota.” 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. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Presses USDA to Increase Incentive Payments to Farmers to Stop Decline in Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/20/20]–U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is pressing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to increase incentive payments to stop the enrollment decline in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which plays a key role in protecting environmentally-sensitive farm land, stopping soil erosion, improving water quality and preserving wildlife habitat. In a letter to Perdue Monday, Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, pushed him to significantly increase Practice Incentive Payments (PIP) and to begin making rental rate incentive payments, both tools that past Administrations have used to maintain strong enrollment in CRP. She was joined on
Minnesota Congressional Delegation Urges Air Force to Maintain the C-130 Fleet that is Critical to the Minnesota Air National Guard
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Representatives Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Angie Craig (MN-02), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Pete Stauber (MN-08) sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force, Barbara Barrett, urging the Administration to maintain the size of the C-130 fleet while making the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars. As the 133rd Airlift Wing, stationed at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and serving the entire state including the Duluth Air National Guard Base, could be affected by the potential reductions, the delegation
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Enrollment for 2021 Crop Safety Net Programs Now Open
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/19/20]–U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that enrollment for two popular U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs for the 2021 crop year recently opened. The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs provide Minnesota agriculture producers with financial support when crop revenue and commodity prices fall below certain levels. Funding was authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill and is available through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. “The coronavirus pandemic has placed incredible stress on our farming communities,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “As the backbone of our economy, farmers throughout Minnesota and across the country deserve our support during periods of uncertainty like we
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith & Representative Angie Craig Help Introduce Legislation to Expand Tribal
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/16/20]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-2) recently helped introduce bicameral legislation to help Tribes expand broadband in their communities. The Extending Tribal Broadband Priority Act of 2020—led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-N.M.)—will extend the deadline for Tribes to apply for spectrum licenses for unassigned spectrum over their own land. For far too long, Tribes haven’t been able to access spectrum licenses to deploy broadband and telephone networks over their land. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has only exacerbated the effects of the long-standing digital divide. Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provided
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