Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Significant Federal Funding to Combat Extreme Heat, Create More Green Spaces in Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced over $33 million in federal funding to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature in cities, towns, and suburbs throughout Minnesota. The funding is made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, which Smith helped pass. “As climate change fuels record-breaking heat waves across the country, we need to be doing more to increase tree cover and improve access to nature,” said Smith. “Extreme heat strains our energy systems and has negative effects on public health and overall well-being. These investments, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will increase access to green spaces and help communities become more resilient to extreme heat thanks to the cooling effects of tree cover.” The grants are made possible by investments from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. Studies show that trees in communities are associated with improved physical and mental health, lower average temperatures during extreme heat, and increased food security, and create new economic opportunities. This historic funding will help support projects that increase tree cover in disadvantaged communities, provide equitable access to the benefits of nature, and deliver tangible economic and ecological benefits to Minnesota. The grants include:
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Mike Rounds Announce More Bipartisan Support for Legislation to Modernize and Reform Rural Housing Programs
Washington [9.19.23] – This week, Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) announced growing support for their bipartisan legislation to improve federal rural housing programs, cut red tape, and strengthen the supply of affordable housing. Their updated bill would represent the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms years, and has the support of a large bipartisan group of senators including eight members of the Banking Committee. New cosponsors include Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Steve Daines (R-MT), and John Fetterman (D-PA). “Without a safe, affordable place to live, nothing else in your life works. Not your job, not your education, not your health,” said Smith. “We know that the housing crisis is hurting communities across the country, and the problem is particularly acute in rural places. This legislation is the direct result of bipartisan hearings and conversations with stakeholders who helped identify ways we can make federal rural housing programs work better for people struggling to find a safe, affordable place to live. I’m excited about the growing support for this package of rural housing reforms” “I am pleased with the bipartisan coalition that is building around this commonsense legislation to update USDA’s Rural Housing Service,” said Rounds. “Homeownership is part of the American dream and a key to building wealth. This legislation makes important improvements and updates that will create and preserve affordable housing opportunities in South Dakota. As we face an affordable housing crisis across the nation, I
Members of Minnesota Congressional Delegation Urge Administration to Provide Critical Assistance to the State in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN-2), Dean Phillips (D-MN-3), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5), and Collin Peterson (D-MN-7) wrote a letter to Vice President Pence calling on the Administration to provide critical assistance to the State of Minnesota in its efforts to respond to and mitigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “We have heard serious concerns from medical personnel in our State regarding the ability to process coronavirus testing due to the limited availability of needed components such as reagents and lab supplies,” the members wrote. “It is
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Dean Phillips to Host Coronavirus Briefing Call on Monday, March 16
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/16/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN 3) will host a free and open-to-the-public coronavirus briefing call featuring Minnesota public health experts at 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET. Minnesotans are invited to submit their questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) online here, and join the call by dialing 855-927-0897 or streaming online here. WHO: U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips Dr. Rob Thomas, Medical Director, Emergency Physicians Professional Association Dr. Penny Wheeler, CEO, Allina Health System Additional public health experts WHAT: Coronavirus Briefing Call WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2020 6-7 p.m. CT/7-8 p.m. ET WHERE: Call-in: 855-927-0897; Stream online: https://phillips.house.gov/dial-in SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE: https://tinyurl.com/MNCoronavirusBriefing
U.S. Senator Smith Leads Democratic Senate Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Expand Free Coronavirus Testing to People on Private Insurance, in Medicare, Medicaid and the Uninsured
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/12/20]—Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led a number of her Democratic Senate colleagues in introducing the Free COVID-19 Testing Act, which would expand free tests to confirm coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) was an original cosponsor of the bill. The legislation was also led by Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The Free COVID-19 Testing Act would waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and related health care services for individuals enrolled in private health plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, VA as well as for federal civilians,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Protect Quarantined Workers From Being Fired or Punished by Employers Amid Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/12/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced legislation to prohibit employers from firing, punishing or otherwise discriminating against a worker who is quarantined or isolated—or who is caring for a family member in quarantine or isolation—amid the coronavirus pandemic. While President Trump touched on providing financial relief for workers during an address from the Oval Office yesterday evening, Sen. Smith believes workers need a clear set of federal rules so Americans are reassured and more likely to follow quarantine or isolation recommendations if they know they’ll still have their jobs and won’t get fired for doing so. Sen. Smith also supports
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