Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz Amendment Requiring the Use of U.S. Supplemental Aid Comply with U.S., International Law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) announced growing momentum around their amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security supplemental are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict. The amendment is now supported by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.). These Senators add their support to the group of over a dozen Senators who initially cosponsored the amendment: 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), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The Senators’ amendment also requires that the president report to the Congress on whether countries receiving military equipment paid for by American taxpayers meet that test and whether the use of U.S-supplied weapons comports with established presidential directives on arms transfers and Defense Department policies for reducing harm to civilians. And it would buttress current law that prohibits U.S. security assistance to any country that prevents or restricts U.S. humanitarian assistance to those in need, subject to a presidential waiver. The amendment does not apply to funds for air defense systems or other systems that the president determines will be used for strictly defensive purposes. “I am pleased to see growing momentum behind our effort to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used by our
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Celebrate Selection of Minnesota Tribe for Innovative, Culturally Responsive Social Services Pilot Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) celebrated news that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was selected for the Tiwahe Program Social Services Demonstration Project, an innovative program that allows participating Tribal Nations to integrate certain services for their members and incorporate culturally-appropriate components. Tiwahe, which means “family” in the Lakota language, focuses on job placement and training, social services, housing, wellness, and various courts to give Tribal Nations the ability to make these programs work best for their communities. “The Tiwahe Program gives Tribes the flexibility to design family and social services programs that fit the specific needs of their communities,” said Klobuchar. “The Leech Lake Band’s inclusion in the Tiwahe program and White Earth Band’s new grant will help improve the delivery of services for children and families while ensuring Chippewa traditions and values are incorporated into the programs.” “This program means Tribes will have the freedom to govern and deliver social services to their members in the way that works best for them,” said Smith, member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “The Tiwahe program is a crucial part of fulfilling our trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations and Native communities. I am proud of support the Tiwahe program and the work of Tribal Nations in Minnesota.” Senator Smith wrote to the United States Department of Interior supporting Leech Lake Band’s application. Leech Lake Band’s Tiwahe project will work to improve economic security, cultural connections, natural resource stewardship, healthy lifestyles, and other key needs among Tribal members. Red Lake Nation has participated in the program
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Push to Ensure Married Couples in Minnesota, Across Country Can Avoid Depleting Savings When Caring for Spouse
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/22/19]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) want to permanently ensure that married couples in Minnesota and across the country are able to access home and community-based Medicaid services without having to completely deplete their savings. As the nation’s primary source of coverage for long-term services and supports, Medicaid funds more than 50 percent of long-term care provided nationwide. While many Americans receive this care in institutional settings like nursing homes, in 2014 more than 3 million Americans received this care at home. Three decades ago, Congress established protections—known as spousal impoverishment rules—in cases where a spouse
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig Press Top Administration Officials to Quickly Implement New Effort to Improve Health Care in Rural America
WASHINGTON D.C. [07/19/19]— Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-Minn.) are pushing for the Trump administration to quickly implement a new effort they both support to focus federal health efforts on the unique needs of rural America. Sen. Smith and Rep. Craig, both members of their respective Agriculture Committees, said the 2018 Farm Bill established a “Rural Health Liaison” position within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) charged with coordinating federal health efforts in rural communities across the country. In a letter this week, the two lawmakers pushed both U.S Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, and
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Announce Investments in Local Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/18/19]— U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) investments in Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes. The cities of Eagle Bend and Altura will also receive investments. The Boys and Girls Club grant will allow the organization to increase its services, whereas the Eagle Bend and Altura grants will give additional funding to emergency services. “Critical investments in our rural communities serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our country,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “These rural development investments will help enhance the safety and quality of life
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith: $16 Million in USDA Funding Available To Organizations Helping Veterans, Non-Traditional Farmers Get Into Agriculture
[WASHINGTON, 07/17/19] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making up to $16 million available to eligible groups and organizations to fund efforts to get veterans and non-traditional farmers in Minnesota and across the country get into agriculture. Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said she pushed to reauthorize the funding during the debate over the 2018 Farm Bill – which was signed into law late last year. The funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also
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