Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding to Improve Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $2,194,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant and a $26,179,000 loan to make improvements to the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water system that services the counties of Lyon, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Yellow Medicine, and Redwood. This project will construct a new water source and water treatment plant, and make improvements to the current water treatment plant to ensure the growing regional water demand is met. “The Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System currently serves five counties, and the demand for water is growing,” said Klobuchar. “With these federal resources, Lincoln Pipestone can construct the infrastructure it needs for its expansion plans.” “Safe water and wastewater management are essential to the health of our communities and our environment,” said Smith. “This investment will help five Minnesota counties make improvements to their water infrastructure with the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System.” Senators Klobuchar and Smith are members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees the USDA. This federal funding was secured through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Program grants can be used by communities across the country to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area, such as health care facilities, public safety services, educational services, and more. ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Thom Tillis, Cory Booker and Todd Young Introduce Resolution Honoring 100th Anniversary of the National League of Cities
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of the National League of Cities. The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest organization of municipal governments in the United States, representing over 19,000 cities, towns, and villages and more than 218,000,000 residents. Senators Smith, Tillis and Booker served in local government before coming to Congress. “I always say that the best ideas come from those closest to the work, and local governments exemplify that best,” said Senator Smith. “As former Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Minneapolis, I know firsthand how important local government is to the functioning of our nation. I am so grateful for the leadership and partnership of all local government officials and staff across Minnesota.” “As someone who served on the Cornelius Board of Commissioners, I know first-hand that local government is the one closest to the people and can play a vital role in improving their quality of life,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to co-lead this resolution honoring the 100-year anniversary of the National League of Cities, and to recognize their work to support municipal officials in North Carolina and the rest of the country.” “Through my experience serving in the local government of Newark, first as a city councilman and then as mayor, I’ve witnessed the invaluable contributions municipalities make to our nation’s fabric,” said Senator Booker. “Local governments and leaders play a pivotal role in shaping our communities, and the
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Work Makes Minnesota Rural Hospitals Now Eligible for Coronavirus Relief Loans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/24/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Banking, Indian Affairs, Health and Agriculture Committees—said today that the U.S. Department of the Treasury heeded her bipartisan call with Republican Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) to provide relief to rural hospitals amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by making them eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created through the CARES Act. Sen. Smith says that the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration (SBA) also heeded her call to make Tribal gaming businesses eligible for the PPP. In addition, Treasury and the SBA provided additional guidance on agriculture cooperatives, making clear that they are
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Presses Treasury, Small Business Administration to Support Cooperatives, Rural Hospitals and Businesses in Minnesota, Across Nation By Making Firms Eligible for Paycheck Protection Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/23/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Banking, Indian Affairs, Health and Agriculture Committees—is pressing the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to support workers, small businesses and families by opening eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to additional businesses. Sen. Smith has heard from constituents and Minnesota businesses denied access to PPP assistance. Sen. Smith is pressing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza to open the program to those firms that are key employers in Minnesota who have been denied access due to program rules or
U.S. Senators Push for Sens. Smith, Moran’s Bipartisan Legislation to Make Oral Cancer Medications More Affordable
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/24/20]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) led a bipartisan group of senators in calling on House and Senate leadership to make sure the next coronavirus relief package includes their Cancer Drug Parity Act, which would make sure oral cancer drugs are covered in the same way as traditional intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. Right now, doctors are advising cancer patients to stay at home as much as possible. Switching to oral medications when medically appropriate would allow for patients to self-administer and stay in their homes, but making the switch to oral medications may not be financially feasible. Sens. Smith and
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Loan Eligibility for Farmers Included in Interim Coronavirus Relief Package Passed by Senate
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced that farmers in Minnesota and across the country are now eligible for additional disaster loan relief under the most recent coronavirus relief package passed unanimously by the Senate. Under a bill passed by the Senate this week, agricultural enterprises will become eligible for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Emergency Economic Assistance Grant (EEAG) programs. These key changes will allow farmers to be eligible low-interest loans from the federal government, as well as grants of up to $10,000 to help farmers get through the coronavirus pandemic. This important provision
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