Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Funding to Identify, Replace Minnesota’s Lead Pipes
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) announced Minnesota will receive historic funding to identify and replace lead pipes across the state. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, drinking, breathing, eating or touching food, water and other materials that contain lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. In children, lead can also slow development or cause learning, behavior, and hearing problems. Minnesota is receiving a total of $86,566,000 from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass, to support the Biden Administration’s goal of replacing every lead pipe in America. “Lead exposure from aging water pipes is dangerous and it’s long past time for an upgrade,” said Senator Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, Minnesota will identify and replace old service lines to protect our water supply from lead contamination.” “Minnesotans know the value of clean water—in fact, we were the first state to put statewide water quality standards in place over 50 years ago,” said Senator Smith. “This is an investment in the health and safety of Minnesota families, including families living in underserved communities who have historically been left out of infrastructure upgrades. I was proud to support the President’s legislation to deliver this funding.” “All Minnesotans should have access to safe, clean drinking water. Right now, there are more than 100,000 lead water service lines around our state leaching lead into drinking water and threatening our health,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham. “We are tremendously grateful to the Environmental Protection Agency for their support and
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces $1.2 Million in Federal Funding to Support Training, Employment Services to Young People; Increase Apprenticeships in High-Demand Careers in Beltrami and Cass Counties
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced a significant investment in the Bi-County Community Action Programs Inc. (BI-CAP) in Bemidji to empower young workers and strengthen the workforce in the region. Totaling $1,242,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the grant will support training and employment services critical for preparing young people to secure well-paying jobs in high-demand industries. This is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s ongoing effort to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities and prepare young workers for quality jobs and strengthen the nation’s workforce to meet industry demands. The grant was provided by the DOL’s YouthBuild Program and prioritized proposals that align training with local infrastructure projects funded by the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda. “Access to education and training is critical for young people to gain the skills needed to fill high-demand, good-paying jobs. By expanding access to pre-apprenticeship programs like YouthBuild, we are ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to their communities,” said Sen. Smith. “This federal funding will boost BI-CAP’s ability to support young people, workers and drive economic growth across Beltrami and Cass Counties.” BI-CAP was established in 1966 as part of the national war on poverty and is one of approximately 1,000 community action programs nationwide that make up the service delivery arm of the federal Office of Community Services. They serve Beltrami and Cass counties with the following programs: early childhood education, housing, weatherization, energy assistance, and youth education/employment services. The $1.2 million grant will support the
Klobuchar, Smith Join Menendez, Cardin and Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Address COVID-19 Racial Disparities
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) in introducing the COVID-19 Health Disparities Action Act to address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on communities of color. The bill would require targeted testing, contract tracing, public awareness campaigns and outreach efforts specifically directed at racial and ethnic minority communities and other populations that are vulnerable to COVID-19. “The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color, yet this Administration has failed to provide complete, consistent, and transparent statistics on coronavirus tests, cases, hospitalizations, complications, and deaths by race
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Pens CNN Op-Ed: “What McConnell is Getting Very Wrong on the Stimulus Bill”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/28/20]—Today U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) penned an op-ed condemning Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s failure to lead the Senate to pass a coronavirus relief bill—despite the fact the House acted on their latest COVID relief bill 10 weeks ago. In her piece, published by CNN, Sen. Smith cites the chaos that she’s witnessing—including McConnell filling the Senate calendar with votes on judges rather than legislation related to the pandemic—and outlines what we need to do in this moment. “Part of the Senate majority leader’s job is to set the Senate calendar. The House passed its latest Covid-19 relief bill a full 10 weeks
Klobuchar, Smith, Colleagues Introduce John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and over 40 colleagues to introduce the bipartisan John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which as a reintroduction of the Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore the landmark Voting Rights Act and help preserve the legacy of John Lewis – one of America’s civil rights heroes. “I was always in awe of Congressman John Lewis — of his persistence, his resilience, his faith that this country could be better, if only we put in the work. He never gave up on justice. He never stopped marching toward freedom,” Klobuchar said. “We
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Introduce Bill to Address Teacher Shortages for Low-Income Students, Communities of Color
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/24/20] – This week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced a bill to address severe nationwide shortages of early childhood and K-12 teachers that disproportionately impact students from low-income backgrounds and students of color. For too long, schools in low-income communities have struggled to retain experienced, qualified education professionals. This is exacerbated by low pay, school leadership instability, and poor teaching conditions. The Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now (RETAIN) Act would create a fully refundable tax credit for teachers, mental health providers, school leaders, early childhood educators and other professionals working at K-12 schools and early childhood centers in low-income
English