Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Federal Funding to Strengthen Electric Grid Reliability and Resilience in Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding for upgrades to Minnesota Power’s High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) terminal stations through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program. This project will modernize the aging terminal stations of a 465-mile HVDC transmission line that runs from Center, North Dakota, to Hermantown, Minnesota, to strengthen grid reliability in rural areas and improve access to affordable, clean electricity. “Investments in our infrastructure are down-payments on the economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will allow us to upgrade these aging terminal stations, boost economic development in northern Minnesota, and create hundreds of good-paying jobs all while supporting our renewable energy goals.” “Modernizing our electric grid is a win for the environment and for Minnesotans who will benefit from more affordable, reliable electricity,” said Smith. “I am proud of our work to help deliver these investments and look forward to seeing the impact of these improvements on energy prices and grid reliability.” This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass in 2021. Earlier this year, Klobuchar and Smith sent letters to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in support of Minnesota Power’s HVDC terminal station upgrade project.
U.S. Senators Smith, Padilla, Tillis, Ernst Launch Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced the launch of their bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus. Amidst a national mental health crisis, the Senate Mental Health Caucus will serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. The caucus will work to improve prevention and early intervention efforts, expand the country’s mental health professional workforce, enhance our nation’s crisis response services, and increase access to evidence-based mental health treatment and common-sense solutions for all Americans. Daniel Gillison, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Laurel Stine, Vice President of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), joined the Senators in announcing the launch. U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are also members of the caucus. “I believe that everyone should have access to quality mental health care, regardless of insurance, ZIP code, or age,” said Senator Smith. “Mental health care isn’t a partisan issue – it’s something that affects Americans in red states and blue states alike. Today’s launch represents a renewed commitment and focus to collaborate on bipartisan legislation and solutions. I’m looking forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue to tackle the mental health care crisis in this country.” “Our nation has long faced mounting mental health challenges that have touched the lives of all Americans, but we know there are bipartisan
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Help Pass Emergency Funding for Coronavirus Response and Preparedness
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) voted to secure $7.8 billion in emergency funding for coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness and response efforts, including support for state and local health agencies, vaccine and treatment development, and low-interest loans for small businesses affected by the outbreak, and an additional $500 million to expand telehealth services for seniors in small towns and rural areas who receive Medicare benefits. The emergency funding also includes at least $40 million for Tribal health entities to ensure Tribal communities have the resources needed to respond to the virus outbreak. The state of Minnesota
U.S. Senators Klobuchar & Smith Announce Grants Totaling More Than $2 Million to Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/05/20]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that the National Science Foundation has awarded more than $2 million to fund projects at Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University aimed at addressing the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teacher shortage in Minnesota. “As we work to address teacher shortages across Minnesota and our country, we must invest in students who want to serve their communities as educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM),” said Sen. Klobuchar “These National Science Foundation awards promoting STEM education will help Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University
U.S. Senator Tina Smith & Democratic Senate Colleagues Defend Right of Department of Defense Civilian Workers to Engage in Collective Bargaining
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/04/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) urged Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper to make sure the Pentagon upholds workplace protections and safeguards the collective bargaining rights of Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees. Sen. Smith—in an effort with the entire Senate Democratic Caucus led by Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I)—wrote to Secretary Esper following a Trump Administration memorandum directing Sec. Esper to consider abolishing collective bargaining rights for as many as 750,000 of DoD’s civilian workers, including a diverse workforce of janitors, firefighters, food service workers, teachers, depot maintenance technicians, welders and other professionals. The senators strongly disagree with the President’s claims
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Measures to Improve Mental and Physical Health for Seniors Pass Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/04/20]—Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) moved forward measures to address the negative mental and physical health effects—and the economic consequences—of social isolation among seniors, as well as efforts to strengthen grants for Tribal organizations to provide home and community-based services, as part of a Senate-passed bill to amend the Older Americans Act. The legislation passed by the Senate on Tuesday contains provisions from Sen. Smith’s Older Americans Social Isolation and Loneliness Prevention Act, and from Sen. Smith’s bipartisan Strengthening Services for Native Elders Act with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). “Seniors need to be connected to communities in order to thrive. So I’m pushing to
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