Latest Releases
Senator Tina Smith Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Bill to Combat Mislabeling of Non-Dairy Products
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposed guidance last week allowing nut, oat, soy, and other non-dairy products to use the name “milk,” Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jim Risch (R-ID), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Peter Welch (D-VT) in introducing bipartisan legislation to combat the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products using dairy names. The Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) of 2023 would require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae to no longer be mislabeled with dairy terms such as milk, yogurt or cheese. “Minnesota dairy farmers are an essential part of our economy and their high-quality products are distributed around the country,” said Senator Smith. “We should be making sure plant-based imitation products are not misleading consumers and putting hard-working dairy farmers at a competitive disadvantage. This legislation will ensure plant-based alternatives are properly labeled while protecting and supporting Minnesota’s dairy producers.” “Wisconsin’s dairy farmers produce second-to-none products with the highest nutritional value and imitation products have gotten away with using dairy’s good name without meeting those standards,” said Senator Baldwin. “The Biden Administration’s guidance that allows non-dairy products to use dairy names is just wrong, and I’m proud to take a stand for Wisconsin farmers and the quality products they make. Our bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act will protect our dairy farmers and ensure consumers know the nutritional value of what they
Senators Smith, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Bills to Help Students Navigate College Costs
WASHINGTON [2.27.23] – Today, Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reintroduced three bipartisan bills to help students and families make informed decisions about borrowing for college. The bills ensure that students get the full picture when choosing a college and taking out loans. From the initial college search, to the acceptance of financial aid, to counseling once in college, the bills would help college students avoid sticker shock, find the best college for their budget and avoid taking out ill-advised and oversized loans. In December 2022, the Government Accountability Office issued an alarming report, finding that colleges are misleading students, understating costs and leaving out critical details regarding federal student aid. “We need to equip students and their families with better information about the costs of college from the initial college search to when they receive financial aid offers. My bipartisan bills with Sens. Grassley and Ernst would help fix these problems,” said Smith. “That includes improved net price calculators so students and families have estimates of college costs after taking into account scholarships and grants. We’ve got a plan to create a universal financial aid offer so students can easily compare financial aid packages between schools, which is important because time and again students are met with inconsistent and incomplete information. And we’ve introduced a bill to improve loan counseling. These reforms will help students make one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives—how to pay for college.” “I often hear from Iowa families who are frustrated
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Again Calls on Top Trade and Foreign Agriculture Official to Provide Clear Answers on Effects Trade Restrictions on Cuba are Having on Minnesota, Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/25/19]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) believes in the importance of building relationships in foreign markets on behalf of Minnesota farmers—and farmers across the country—which is why today she again pressed the Department of Agriculture’s top trade and foreign agriculture official for more information regarding our nation’s trade with Cuba. Two years ago as Lieutenant Governor, Sen. Smith led an agricultural mission from Minnesota to Cuba. But since taking office President Trump has imposed several new restrictions on business with and travel to Cuba, making it even more difficult to build a strong trade relationship with Cuba going forward.
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith & Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Reps. Denny Heck & Sean Duffy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Tribes Combat Homelessness in Minnesota, Nationwide
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/25/2019]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), along with U.S. Representatives Denny Heck (D-WA 10) and Sean Duffy (R-WI 7), introduced bipartisan companion bills in the Senate and House to make it possible for Tribes and tribally designated housing entities to access funding to combat homelessness on tribal lands. According to a study commissioned by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), there are between 42,000 and 85,000 homeless Native Americans living on tribal lands. Homelessness on tribal lands often leads to families moving in with neighbors—sixteen percent of American Indian and Alaska Native
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Angus King, Jeff Merkley Press to Enhance Nation’s Energy Efficiency Capabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/25/19]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation to boost the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase energy efficiency capabilities across America. The American Energy Efficiency Act of 2019 builds upon state success to establish a nationwide energy efficiency standard that would ask retail electric and national gas utilities to achieve energy savings of 22% and 14% respectively by 2035. Currently, 26 states have such standards, which have proven to be cost-effective energy savers. “One of the immediate actions necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce the amount of energy we use—more energy efficiency,” said Sen.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, 19 Colleagues Fight to Protect Children When Parents are Detained By Immigration Authorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/25/19]—This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced legislation to protect the safety and well-being of children who might be left alone and vulnerable after their parents are arrested or detained by U.S. immigration authorities in communities across the country. Sen. Smith is pushing the legislation because, in the past, children have been abandoned at home or at school after their parents’ detention, often without information about their parents’ location and without adequate arrangements for their care. She pointed to a 2006 incident in Minnesota where, after Immigrations and Customs Enforcement carried out an enforcement action against a family in Worthington, one child—a second grader—came home from school to find
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