Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Disaster Loans for Minnesotans Affected by Drought
Washington [10/16/23] — Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) announced federal loans designed to help small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations in Minnesota recoup losses as a result of this summer’s drought. These federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Murray and Nobles counties and the contiguous counties of Cottonwood, Jackson, Lyon, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock Minnesota. “This summer’s drought affected everyone from farmers and ranchers to local business owners,” said Klobuchar. “These federal loans will provide relief and ensure farms and businesses get the support they need as they continue to recover. I encourage everyone eligible to get in touch with the Small Business Administration to learn more and apply.” “Climate-fueled extreme weather events, like the drought we experienced in Minnesota this summer, are becoming more and more common. We need to be doing everything we can to support those impacted and limit the economic toll they take,” said Sen. Smith. “These federal loans will help sustain local businesses and farms as they deal with the fallout from the drought. I encourage eligible businesses, farms and nonprofits to contact the Small Business Administration and apply before the May 29th deadline.” The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. EIDLs are available through the Small Business Administration (SBA), and can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, and other bills that could have been paid if
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Low Carbon Hydrogen Production
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Heartland Hydrogen Hub, made up of public and private partners in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, will receive significant federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to produce low carbon hydrogen for power generation, natural gas distribution systems, and agricultural use. “This investment will be an important part of our energy future, unlocking innovation and new sources of energy that will benefit our whole state,” said Klobuchar. “The combined public/private investments will create good-paying jobs and power Minnesota for years to come.” “The clean energy transition is happening—the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” said Smith. “This funding will jumpstart the production of hydrogen from clean energy resources in Minnesota to help decarbonize various sectors of the economy, while creating more than 1,500 good paying jobs in our state. I’m proud of our work to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made investments like these possible.” The Heartland Hydrogen Hub was one of just seven proposed clean hydrogen hubs nationwide selected to receive funding through the Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program and this funding were made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass in 2021. The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program will create a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, and delivery of clean hydrogen.
Klobuchar, Smith Secure $180,000 in Funding for Animal Disease Preparedness and Response
WASHINGTON –U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced that they have secured $180,000 in grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for disease preparedness and response activities in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will receive $133,000 and the University of Minnesota will receive $47,000. “This critical funding will ensure that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and University of Minnesota will be able to continue their work researching and protecting U.S. animal health,” Klobuchar said. “Animal disease preparedness is an important part of ensuring that Minnesota’s farmers and ranchers can respond quickly to a potential disease outbreak. This
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Help Introduce Legislation to Protect Community Television
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/23/20]—This week, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) helped introduce the Protecting Community Television Act, which would ensure that community television operations continue to receive the resources they need to educate and inform viewers in the cities and towns where they operate. Currently, local governments are permitted to require—as part of cable franchise agreements—that cable companies meet demonstrated community needs by providing in-kind contributions that benefit schools, public safety buildings, as well as public, educational, and government (PEG) channels, also known as community television stations. However, last year the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to permit cable
Klobuchar, Smith, Hagedorn Announce $1 Million for Infrastructure Improvements in Winona
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith along with Representative Jim Hagedorn (MN-1) announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) $1,000,000 in grant funding to improve infrastructure in Winona. The award will allow MnDOT to complete a project on Broadway Street, including reducing the roadway from four lanes to three lanes over 1.9 miles and adding sidewalks and pedestrian ramps to improve safety. “This funding will help pave the way for improvements in Winona’s infrastructure and make our roads and pedestrian byways safer,” Klobuchar said. “I am pleased that we were able to secure
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Chronic Disease Management Effort
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/16/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith helped introduce bipartisan legislation—led by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.)—to lower health care costs by allowing high-deductible health plans to provide chronic disease prevention services—including insulin for diabetes—to plan enrollees before they reach their plan deductible. The Chronic Disease Management Act builds on legislation introduced last year, and it follows updated guidance issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury last summer. In July of last year, the Internal Revenue Service issued a notice expanding its interpretation of what constitutes preventive care to include certain items and services that are prescribed to someone with certain
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