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U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Tom Cotton Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost U.S. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to reduce dependence on foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing and boost production in the U.S. The pandemic exposed our nation’s dependence on other countries for essential prescription drugs. Seventy-seven percent of key pharmaceutical ingredients come from overseas, including from China, threatening the security of the supply chain and leading to shortages of essential prescription drugs. The American Made Pharmaceuticals Act would reduce our dependence on foreign countries for pharmaceuticals by boosting production here at home. The legislation would create federal incentives to onshore manufacturing of essential medicine, while taking steps to shore up links in the supply chain. “We know that depending on foreign countries for key resources – whether it’s oil or medicine – leaves us vulnerable to global supply chain shocks and shortages,” said Sen. Smith. “This bipartisan legislation would reduce our dependence on foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing and help boost production here at home. I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line so we can relieve prescription drug shortages and build more resilient supply chains.” “The Chinese Communist Party threatened to cut off America’s access to vital drugs during the pandemic,” said Sen. Cotton. “It’s time to bolster onshore manufacturing of pharmaceuticals to ensure Americans never have to rely on China for lifesaving medicine.” “Amneal applauds Senators Smith and Cotton on their targeted approach to increase pharmaceutical manufacturing here in the United States,” said Chirag Patel, President & Co-CEO of Amneal Pharmaceuticals. “Ensuring that
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Presses Postmaster General to Ensure Timely Deliveries, Safe Working Conditions Ahead of Busy Holiday Season
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy requesting information about how the Postal Service plans to ensure on-time deliveries and safe working conditions during the holiday season. Millions of Minnesotans depend of the Postal Service to pay bills, receive prescriptions, and conduct other essential business. When service is unreliable, Minnesotans can face serious consequences – from late payment fees and social security checks to days without critical prescription medications. Smith also pushed DeJoy to ensure Postal Service employees, who are often overworked during this busy time of year, are adequately supported. “The timeliness of deliveries and safety of workers are both critical issues in Minnesota, where severe weather adds a complicated dimension to the usual peak-season delivery challenges,” wrote Senator Smith. “I urge you to take every possible precaution and preparation to protect workers and ensure timely deliveries this holiday season.” In her letter, Smith requested responses to the following questions by November 23, 2023: You can find a full copy of the letter here.
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
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Democratic Colleagues Fight for Nation’s Registered Apprenticeship Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/27/19]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and 45 of her Senate colleagues are calling on Acting Labor Department Secretary Patrick Pizzella to oppose the Department’s recent proposal that would undermine the highly-effective and widely-supported registered apprenticeship program. The proposed rule would create duplicative, unnecessary, and lower-quality “industry-recognized apprenticeship programs” (IRAPs), which would not provide the same crucial benefits and protections as long-established registered apprenticeships. The Department has also proposed the establishment of new entities to oversee the IRAPs, potentially allowing these programs to evade accountability, even to apprentices themselves. “Rather than invest federal taxpayer dollars in a duplicative, less
U.S. Senators Smith, Klobuchar, Stabenow, Durbin, Peters, Baldwin, and Brown Call for Stronger Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/26/19]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—along with Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)—is standing up for the nation’s rural economy by urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to end the harmful abuse of small refinery hardship waivers under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In a letter sent to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Sen. Smith and her colleagues pointed out that under the Trump Administration, the granting of waivers has increased by 370 percent with “small refinery” waivers going to large oil companies. While the president has
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