Latest Releases
Following Amendment Push, Smith, Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz & Colleagues Welcome New National Security Memorandum to Ensure U.S. Security Assistance is Used in Line with International Law
The memorandum, modeled off of Senators’ amendment, also requires all countries that receive U.S. security assistance to facilitate U.S.-supported humanitarian aid and creates robust reporting requirements to Congress WASHINGTON – Friday, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and their colleagues welcomed a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) released by the Biden Administration Thursday aimed at ensuring all U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law, including international humanitarian law. The NSM is modeled off of the Senators’ amendment to ensure U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law. Additional cosponsors of the amendment were Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Following the intent of the amendment, the NSM also requires that prior to the transfer of U.S. security assistance, recipient countries must provide the U.S. with credible and reliable written assurances that they will facilitate and not arbitrarily deny or restrict U.S. humanitarian assistance and U.S-supported international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance in areas of conflict. And, also in line with the Senator’s amendment, the NSM creates robust reporting requirements to Congress on these provisions and additional assessments of compliance with U.S. laws and policies. “When the United States provides security assistance, we need more in return than a mere promise
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and Congresswoman Betty McCollum Announce Federal Funding for Energy Efficiency Upgrades in Minnesota
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (Both D-MN) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN04) announced federal support to help cities and commercial buildings develop plans to implement energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades across Minnesota. It will also be used to help eligible homeowners install energy efficiency upgrades in their homes, like installing energy efficient furnaces and water heaters or improving insulation and sealing windows, providing them long term cost-savings. The money comes from President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation, which both Senators and the Congresswoman voted for in 2021. “Investing in energy efficiency upgrades and clean energy sources can help lower utility bills and our carbon footprint,” said Klobuchar. “With these federal funds, Minnesota businesses and families can install the equipment they need to retrofit their homes to save money, and communities can get assistance to implement their energy goals.” “The transition to clean energy is happening, the question is whether our country leads or follows. I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “The cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy that you don’t ever need to buy. These investments will help Minnesota businesses, communities, and families save money on their utility bills and reduce harmful emissions contributing to climate change.” “I am so pleased that Minnesotans will benefit from the $2,566,630 total investment in our state through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “The City of Saint Paul’s visionary Climate Action and Resilience Plan will be directly supported by these funds to conduct municipal energy audits and further their strategy to decarbonize municipal buildings by 2030. I commend President Biden for this important investment that will help us meet our climate goals
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Democratic Senate Colleagues Call on President to Enhance and Protect Health of Americans, Urge Administration to Abandon Proposal to Weaken Protections Against Discrimination in Health Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/14/19]—This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and 35 of her fellow Democratic Senate colleagues condemned a proposed rule that would weaken critical protections aimed to help address discrimination in health care. Sen. Smith believes the Trump Administration should instead focus on solutions like fulfilling promises to lower prescription drug prices and addressing health care costs. Sen. Smith and her Democratic Senate colleagues outlined several issues with the proposed rule, including how it could harm patients who already face barriers when seeking care by emboldening insurers and health care providers to discriminate against them, and called on the
U.S. Senator Smith, Representative Phillips Announce More Than $250k Grant for Critical Housing and Community Development in Eden Prairie
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/28/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN 3) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is investing more than $250,000 to Eden Prairie to develop affordable housing and economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income families. “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. “We need to make sure that Eden Prairie has enough housing to support families and economic development. This grant is one step we
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
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