Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith, Announce Significant Federal Funding to Help Minnesota Families and Seniors With Heating Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.), announced over $112 million in federal funding to help families and seniors pay for energy costs this winter. The funding was made possible in part through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith helped pass. “As Minnesota prepares for winter, families shouldn’t have to choose between heating their homes or buying other necessities,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help families and seniors across our state pay their energy bills and keep their homes warm.” “As the temperature starts to drop in Minnesota, everyone should be able to heat their homes and stay warm,” said Senator Smith. “For low-income families, high energy prices can force an impossible choice between heating their homes and other essentials like rent, food, or medicine. I’m proud of our work to secure this funding, which will help families in Minnesota afford their heating costs and utility bills in the coming winter months.” The funding is issued through the Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides families with payment assistance to support their home energy needs. LIHEAP can also be used to weatherize homes to make them more energy efficient, and mitigate energy emergencies during disasters and extreme weather. Households can easily identify if they are eligible for assistance by using the LIHEAP Eligibility Tool on energyhelp.us. Those interested in applying for LIHEAP can visit energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline toll-free at: 1-866-674-6327.
Senator Smith, Colleagues Introduce Senate Resolution in Solidarity with UAW Workers on Strike
WASHINGTON, [10.19.23] – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and 31 of their colleagues in the Senate to introduce a resolution in solidarity with 150,000 members of United Auto Workers (UAW) bargaining for a fair contract. Autoworkers voted to go on strike in September– calling for a fair share of the record-breaking profits their labor produces as well as cost-of-living adjustments, an end to two-tier wage system, and restoration of pension benefits. Since then, the strike has expanded to 44 locations across 22 states. It is one of the largest U.S. strikes in the past three decades. “Workers bailed out the Big 3 auto manufacturers during the Great Recession to keep the companies afloat. Now, these companies make billions in profit while workers see stagnant wages,” said Smith. “I stand with the UAW workers in Minnesota and around the country who are striking for a fair contract and call on the automakers to negotiate with them in good faith.” “The fight the UAW is waging has everything to do with the outrageous level of corporate greed and arrogance on the part of senior executives in the automobile industry and their backers on Wall Street,” said Sanders. “At a time when the Big 3 automakers have made $250 billion in profits over the past decade, it is absolutely unacceptable that wages for the average autoworker have gone down by 30 percent in the past 20 years after adjusting for inflation. If these companies could afford
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces More Than $3 Million in Grants for Critical Housing and Community Development in Duluth
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/28/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is investing more than $3 million in grants to Duluth to develop affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, help people who are experiencing homelessness and create economic opportunity. “Having a safe, stable, affordable place to live is what makes everything in our lives work. Without housing, it is nearly impossible to keep your job, go to school and stay healthy,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Housing Committee. “There is no doubt that Duluth is facing an affordable housing crisis, and needs relief now. These grants are one
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Jeff Merkley Introduce Bill to Lower Americans’ Energy Bills, Create Jobs, Reduce Carbon Pollution
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/05/2019]—This week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)—along with Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—introduced legislation that would help families lower monthly energy bills, reduce wasted energy and carbon pollution, and create good-paying jobs. The Community Energy Savings Program Act of 2019 (CESP) would provide low-interest financing to consumers who want to make energy efficient upgrades to their homes. These upgrades are good for public health and the environment, and would help create good-paying jobs across America through the manufacturing and installation of materials used in the projects. “Our country can lead or we can
U.S. Sens. Klobuchar, Smith Announce Minnesota Ag Producers Can Now Sign Up for Crop Safety Net Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/6/19]–U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced today that enrollment for two popular USDA safety net programs for the 2019 crop year opened this week. The programs provide Minnesota ag producers with financial support when crop revenue and commodity prices fall below certain levels. Funding is available through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. “Our farmers are a key part of our agriculture community and agriculture economy, and they are in great need of stability. As the backbone of our economy, farmers throughout Minnesota and across the country deserve our support during periods of uncertainty like we are experiencing now. With the Agriculture Risk
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber Announce Over $10 Million for Infrastructure Improvements in St. Louis County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) a grant of $10,252,000 for infrastructure improvements. “When we invest in our infrastructure, we invest in opportunity for every American. Critical investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state and country,” Klobuchar said. “By investing in our bridges and roads in St. Louis County, we are making an important investment in the economy of the region and enhancing public safety.” “We
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