Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for St. Cloud Airport Infrastructure Improvements
Washington – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced nearly $500,000 in federal funding to replace outdated infrastructure at the St. Cloud Regional airport. The investment is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith helped pass. “Investments in our airport infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “By enabling the replacement of outdated equipment, this federal funding will help boost efficiency and improve safety for travelers at St. Cloud Regional Airport.” “The St. Cloud Regional airport is a key transportation hub and economic driver for St. Cloud and its neighboring communities,” said Smith. “This investment, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will make our airport more safe and efficient. I’m excited to see this law making an impact and will keep pressing for opportunities to improve our state’s infrastructure.” The $495,000 investment is an Airport Improvement Grant, which was established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding will be used to replace outdated tower equipment on the Minimum Equipment List, which is critical to the safe and efficient operation of the airport.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Texas Judge’s Medication Abortion Ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/07/23] — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement in response to a far-right activist judge blocking approval of a safe and effective abortion medication: “I’m furious. A single ultra-conservative activist judge just attempted to strip away access to safe and effective medication abortions for millions of women nationwide. This ruling is nothing but an extremist, anti-democratic national abortion ban. “This outrageous decision would do irreparable harm to women’s health. It’s a clear attack on our freedoms and it cannot be allowed to stand. “This ruling makes it undeniable: Extremist Republicans won’t be satisfied until they’ve stripped all American women of their most fundamental human rights to bodily autonomy and self-determination.”
U.S Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Bring Lower-Cost Insulin to Market
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/11/2019]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) continued her push to bring down the fast-rising price of insulin by introducing a bipartisan bill with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) focused on bringing lower-cost insulin to market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently transitioning the way it regulates insulin, and Sens. Smith and Cassidy’s bill—the Protecting Access to Biosimilars Act—would codify this new pathway for insulin to come to market, thus increasing market competition and driving down the cost of the life-saving medicine. You can access a summary of the bill here. “High insulin prices are
U.S Senator Tina Smith Signs onto Bill to Crack Down on Explosion of Robocalls
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/10/2019]—This week, Sen. Smith (D-Minn.) signed on to a bill that would increase penalties against telemarketers who spam Americans with robocalls and promote call authentication and blocking technologies. Robocalls are on the rise, with one source reporting an increase of 50% in robocall volume from February to July of last year. The legislation is also supported by the senior Senator from Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). The bipartisan Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act increases penalties for fraudulent telemarketers, while also implementing measures to proactively protect consumers from receiving unwanted robocalls. The bill was introduced by
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Stop Schools From Publicly Singling Out Children Unable to Pay for Meals at School
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/10/2019]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) helped introduce legislation to prohibit school “lunch shaming”—the practice of punishing or stigmatizing children who have an outstanding balance or don’t have enough money to pay for meals at school. The Anti-Lunch Shaming Act—led by Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.)—would ban schools from requiring children to wear hand stamps or do extra chores because their parents or guardians have not paid their school meal bills. Minnesota is currently considering a similar measure to address this shameful practice, and the federal Anti-Lunch Shaming Act aims to provide protections to students throughout the country. You can read text of the bill
Rep. Betty McCollum Wins 9th Annual Minnesota Congressional Delegation Hotdish Competition
***PHOTO AND VIDEO RELEASE*** WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/09/2018]—Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) hosted the ninth annual Minnesota Congressional Delegation Hotdish Competition. Sen. Smith took up the helm last year to continue the annual hotdish off to determine which Minnesota Congressional Delegation member makes the best hotdish—a dish similar to what other states call a casserole, but is indisputably better. You can download video from the event here and here. Participants’ recipes can be found here. You can find photos of the competition here. Rep. Betty McCollum’s “Hotdish A-Hmong Friends” was named the winner of the 2019 Hotdish Off after a blind taste
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