Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Celebrate $92 Million for Minnesota Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $92 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Minnesota drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the more than $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. “Investments in water infrastructure are essential to the health and safety of families across our state,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “These resources will update water, storm water, and wastewater systems.” “Minnesotans know the value of clean water—in fact, we were the first state to put statewide water quality standards in place over 50 years ago,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “This is an investment in the health and safety of Minnesota families, including families living in underserved communities who have historically been left out of infrastructure upgrades. I was proud to support the President’s legislation to deliver this funding.” “Clean drinking water and properly treated wastewater are basic human rights, yet too many communities still lack access to this critical resource and public health necessity, said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “This funding will help ensure underserved areas receive crucial improvements through expanded grants and loan forgiveness programs targeting those most in need. I look forward to
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Significant Federal Infrastructure Funding for Bemidji Regional Airport
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for the expansion of Bemidji Regional Airport’s Passenger Terminal. The grant provides $261,250 to expand the passenger terminal, which will address current concerns regarding security checkpoints and congestion throughout the terminal. The grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “Bemidji Regional Airport needs to expand its passenger terminal to operate safely and efficiently,” said Klobuchar. “This funding builds on the other federal grants we secured to improve the security checkpoint and extend the life of the runway so that the airport can continue to serve the area for years to come.” “I’m glad to see President Biden’s historic infrastructure package delivering once again for travelers in Minnesota. Our small and regional airports have been in desperate need of upgrades for too long, and this funding will go directly towards expanding the Bemidji Regional Airport’s Passenger Terminal, so travelers aren’t held up by unnecessarily long security lines and can focus on getting to their final destination,” said Senator Smith. This funding is from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In July 2022, Klobuchar and Smith announced that the FAA will award $95,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Bemidji Regional Airport. The airport will use the money to reconfigure and expand the security checkpoint. In June 2023, Klobuchar visited the Bemidji Regional Airport to discuss a $6.5 million grant the Bemidji Regional Airport received through another Bipartisan Infrastructure
Klobuchar, Smith Urge Administration to Increase Access to Counseling Services for Veterans, Servicemembers, their Families
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) called on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to increase access to Readjustment Counseling Services to help Minnesota veterans, servicemembers, and their families transition to both military and civilian life. In the letter, Klobuchar and Smith also highlighted the importance of mental health services – particularly in rural Minnesota – to combat Minnesota’s rising veteran suicide rate. “It is critical that the Department address the shortage of behavioral health providers and expand access to these services for our veterans,” Klobuchar and Smith wrote. “For over forty years, Readjustment Counseling Services
U.S. Senators Smith, Klobuchar & Senate Colleagues Call on Census Bureau to Address Impact of Coronavirus on 2020 Census
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/04/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—along with fellow Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)—pushed the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau to put a plan in place to ensure that the expanding Coronavirus outbreak doesn’t impact the accuracy of the 2020 Census, and to make certain the health of census takers is protected. In addition to Sen. Klobuchar, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.),
U.S. Senators Klobuchar & Smith Announce Additional Aid to Help Minnesota Producers Recover from Extreme Weather
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/02/20]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced additional U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding to help Minnesota producers recover from 2018 and 2019 losses related to excessive rain. The USDA is also finalizing agreements with sugar beet cooperatives to distribute $285 million to grower members for 2018 and 2019 crop losses. Funding is made available through the USDA’s Wildfires and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). The Senators said that producers should go to their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) starting March 23 to apply for WHIP+ assistance. Sugar beet growers should go directly to their cooperative. “This announcement from the
More Than a Dozen National Health Care Organizations Urge Senate Health Committee to Pass Sens. Smith and Collins’ Bipartisan Drug Shortages Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/02/20]—Over a dozen organizations representing physicians and hospitals are calling on leaders of the Senate Health Committee to pass the Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages (MEDS) Act, a bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). China accounts for 13 percent of the facilities making active pharmaceutical ingredients to supply the U.S. market, which could be disrupted by manufacturing delays caused by the Coronavirus. On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the first drug shortage caused by the Coronavirus, but it was able to identify an alternative. Sens. Smith and Collins introduced their partisan MEDS Act last fall to enhance reporting requirements of
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