Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Statement on Supreme Court’s Brackeen Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6.15.23] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Haaland v. Brackeen, which left the federal law governing the placement of Native American children in foster or adoptive homes intact: “Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978 to confront a massive injustice: the forced removal of countless Native American children from their families and their communities. Today, the Supreme Court upheld that law and respected Tribes’ rights to govern themselves. This is a welcome decision, but efforts to undermine Tribal sovereignty will no doubt continue, and I am fiercely committed to defending the law and upholding our responsibilities to Tribal Nations.”
U.S. Senators Smith, Lummis Defend Homeowners Against Predatory Home Buyers
WASHINGTON. D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) sent a letter to the National Association of Attorneys General recommending that state attorneys general take steps to protect homeowners from predatory home-buying practices. Senators Smith and Lummis were concerned by allegations that some franchises of HomeVestors of America, commonly recognized by their advertising catchphrase, “We Buy Ugly Houses,” were targeting elderly and ill homeowners. “Home equity represents more than a quarter of all household wealth in our country and we are deeply troubled by schemes that are all too eager to pilfer it,” wrote the Senators. “We appreciate the dedication of the National Association of Attorneys General to safeguarding consumers and respectfully request that you continue work to put a stop to unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices, and ensure that HomeVestors and other similar firms are not allowed to take advantage of our nation’s most vulnerable homeowners. Americans work hard to build equity in their homes and should be protected from those seeking to reap the benefits of their investments.” The letter details alarming and misleading practices wherein some franchisees allegedly targeted vulnerable homeowners and communities, deceived and coerced homeowners to close sales, and employed complex legal maneuvers to prevent their victims from backing out of sales despite unfair conditions. The letter recommends that state attorneys general inform consumers, undertake a coordinated response to the repeated complaints, and advocate for tools that empower homeowners. Earlier this week, Senator Smith raised the allegations with the Director
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Urges Immediate Action to Control Spread of Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/03/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is calling on the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Health Subcommittee to quickly provide emergency funding to the depleted Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF) so that state and local health departments aren’t overwhelmed by the emerging coronavirus outbreak. Sen. Smith—a member of the Senate Health Committee—says that PHEF, a critical source of funding for public health emergencies, was depleted in 2012. “Though our federal public health response has been adequately surveilling, screening, and testing for the virus, now is the time to ensure that our states and localities are equally prepared to respond,” wrote Sen. Smith. “As this emergency response evolves, states and localities may foot the bill for medical screening, countermeasures, deployment of
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Continues Fight to Strengthen Workers’ Rights and Wages
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/3/20]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) helped introduce a bill to prohibit states from passing “right-to-work” laws that make it harder for workers to form unions, fight for higher wages and push for better working conditions. Right now, under “right-to-work” laws, some members are not paying dues despite the fact that they benefit from a union. This is draining key resources used by unions to fight for workers’ rights. “I believe that workers have a fundamental right to join together for fair wages, benefits and improved working conditions,” said Sen. Smith. “But right now, so-called ‘right-to-work’ laws are undermining workers’ ability to join together to fight for better pay and working conditions. It’s time
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Duluth Mayor Emily Larson as State of the Union Guest
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/30/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will be her guest at the President’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 4 in Washington, D.C. Sen. Smith made her first stop in Minnesota as Senator in Duluth, alongside Duluth Mayor Larson. Since then, Sen. Smith and Mayor Larson have worked together on many issues, including the need to support and create affordable housing. The two understand that as new jobs are created, the people who fill them need an affordable place to live. Duluth—like many communities across the state—is taking steps to address this.
Klobuchar, Smith, Murray, Democrats Press Health Department for Updates on Novel Coronavirus, Call for Continuing Robust, Scientifically-Driven Response
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and 29 Democratic senators in sending a letter to Secretary Alex Azar at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requesting updates on the Administration’s response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak and information on the steps being taken to keep Americans safe. In the letter, the senators asked the Department to keep them updated with the latest information regarding the severity of the disease, the country’s capacity to diagnose cases,
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