Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Statement on Today’s Inflation Reduction Act Celebration
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/13/22] — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement marking today’s celebration of the historic Inflation Reduction Act: “Today we are celebrating a historic bill that is already meeting the moment. In the month since Senate Democrats – without the help of a single Republican – passed the Inflation Reduction Act, the landmark legislation has created new investments, new jobs, and new opportunities for Americans. “It will reduce costs for American families by lowering prescription drug prices and making health care more affordable. It will unleash a new generation of American manufacturing that will help us build and deploy clean energy technology, spur domestic energy production, and tackle the climate emergency. It will help fight inflation and reduce the federal deficit. And it requires big corporations making a billion or more in profits to finally pay more of their fair share in taxes. “And we are also celebrating the most significant piece of climate legislation ever to pass the U.S. Congress that will lead to a 40 percent reduction in emissions by 2030. For the very first time, we have passed a climate bill that actually meets the scale of the problems we face. “Democrats took on big Pharma, entrenched oil interests, and Wall Street – and won.”
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Transit in Twin Cities Suburbs
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $8.1 million in federal funding to strengthen public transit in the southwestern Twin Cities suburbs. Specifically, these resources will enable SouthWest Transit, which connects Chaska, Chanhassan, Eden Prairie and Edina to Minneapolis, to upgrade its bus fleet to include more energy-efficient, low-emission vehicles and bolster its bus facility infrastructure. “Investments in public transit help reduce traffic and make it easier for Minnesotans to get to school, work, and other destinations,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help SouthWest Transit modernize its bus fleet and bus facilities, reducing emissions and allowing residents of the southwestern Twin Cities suburbs to efficiently reach Minneapolis. I’ll keep pushing for resources to ensure public transit is safe and reliable for all Minnesotans.” “Each day, transit systems connect Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities – all while reducing traffic congestion and pollution,” said Smith, Chair of the Senate Transit Subcommittee. “This funding will help modernize public buses and transit facilities in the Twin Cities suburbs while improving air quality and helping combat climate change. I am proud of our work to help secure these grants and will continue working to support public transportation across Minnesota.” The FTA’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program and Buses and Bus Facilities Program provide competitive grants to modernize bus fleets and bus facilities and support the purchase of more energy-efficient public transit vehicles. In April,
Bill to Ensure Back Pay for Federal Contractor Employees Secures Bipartisan Support
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/01/19]—Today, legislation to secure back pay for the federal contractor employees who went without pay during the recent government shutdown garnered bipartisan support thanks to Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) cosponsoring a bill led by Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.). “I want to thank my colleague Senator Collins for supporting the effort to make sure Americans who work shoulder to shoulder with federal employees receive back pay,” said Sen. Smith. “These are people who are often invisible—working in cafeterias, cleaning offices after others go home, and keeping our buildings safe—and they deserve back pay. This bill is trying to fix that, and
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Senate Democrats Urge DeVos to Listen to Students and Survivors of Sexual Assault, Start Over on Title IX Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/04/2019]–U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined her colleagues—led by Senate Education Committee ranking member Senator Patty Murray(D-Wash.)—in urging Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to rescind proposed Title IX changes and to instead draft a rule that truly addresses sexual assault in schools, colleges, and universities in Minnesota and across the country. Since Secretary DeVos announced her proposed rule, students, survivors, advocates, and colleges around the country have fiercely opposed her proposal, which would weaken protections for students and allow schools to shirk their responsibility to keep students safe. “We urge you to listen to students, schools, and survivors across this country,” the Senators wrote. “Clearly, harassment and assault are
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/05/2019]—This evening, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address. “I grew up with my mom always saying something that I think a lot of other Americans heard growing up—that ‘actions speak louder than words.’ We heard the President bring up bipartisanship tonight, and wouldn’t it be great if he lives up to his words,” said Sen. Smith. “His actions need to match what he shared with all of us, and one place I hope we can gain bipartisan support is my bill to help federal contract workers get
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Continues Fight to Lower Prescription Drug Prices By Backing Bipartisan Legislation to Bring Generics to Market
Senator Says Bipartisan Legislation Would Combat Brand-Name Pharmaceutical Companies Unfairly Blocking Lower-Cost Generic Drugs WASHINGTON, D.C [02/06/2019]—This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) continued one of her top health care priorities—lowering the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs—by supporting bipartisan legislation led by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to stop brand-name pharmaceutical companies from blocking lower-cost generic drugs to market. The Creating and Restoring Equal Access To Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act, which is also supported by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), would deter pharmaceutical companies from blocking cheaper generic alternatives from entering the marketplace. “The amount of money that Americans pay for medications
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