Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Bill to Forgive Student Loan Debt for Beginning Farmers
WASHINGTON [12/20/22] – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, helped reintroduce legislation she co-sponsors to create a loan forgiveness program for beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as women, veteran, and minority farmers. The Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act, which is led by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and also cosponsored by Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), would serve as an incentive for farmers to enter – and stay – in the agricultural industry and boost opportunities to grow successful businesses. “Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy. But the average age of our workforce is getting older, and we need to be doing more to help the next generation fill their shoes,” said Smith. “Student debt is a major hurdle for younger and beginning farmers. This legislation would help incentivize a younger, more diverse workforce and help more people start and stay in farming. I’ll keep working to get this bill across the finish line.” “The Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act provides a path out of debt for many young and beginning farmers who haven’t been able to see one before. Held back by existing debt making financing complicated– on top of climate crisis, input, and living costs– passing this act will open the possibility of becoming a full-time farmer and/or rancher to many who would be, but for having repayment of existing loans in their way. National Young Farmers Coalition supports Senator
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Construct Moorhead Downtown Underpass
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith announced that they have secured more than $26.3 million in federal funding to help construct two railway underpasses along 11th Street in downtown Moorhead. The resources, provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, will address a key infrastructure priority for Moorhead by improving safety and mobility, and removing blockages caused by heavy rail traffic. “For years I have been working with the City of Moorhead to obtain this funding. We have tried nine times so this is certainly a lesson in perseverance!” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will enable the long-discussed construction of two 11th Street underpasses, which will strengthen downtown Moorhead’s economy by helping reduce traffic and bolstering safety and mobility. With these new underpasses, Moorhead residents will be able to more easily and conveniently access work, school, and other destinations.” “Making our infrastructure safer and more efficient is one of the best ways to boost local economies and improve quality of life,” said Smith. “Plans for these two 11th Street underpasses have been stuck on the backburner for far too long, but thanks to the Infrastructure Law we passed last year, we’re finally making progress. These underpasses will help improve the lives of families in Moorhead by reducing traffic congestion and making it safer to get to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities.” “The vision for the 11 Street underpass project is becoming reality! This traffic safety and mobility
Klobuchar, Smith, Nolan Announce More than $5.6 Million Loan for Electric Grid Improvements in Two Harbors
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Representative Rick Nolan announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Cooperative Light and Power Association of Lake County a loan of $5,670,000 for infrastructure improvements. “This investment will strengthen the Northland’s economy for years to come,” Klobuchar said. “Projects like this not only boost the economy, but also support good-paying jobs and maintain the services Minnesotans rely on.” “Improving our electric grid infrastructure is vital to building a 21st century economy that works for everyone,” Smith said. “This investment will connect more Minnesotans with the power they need and spur rural development in the
Klobuchar, Smith Announce More Than $46 Million for Minnesota’s Basic Health Program, MinnesotaCare
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded $46,276,090 in additional payments to Minnesota for their Basic Health Program (BHP). Established by the Affordable Care Act, states have the option to create a BHP for low-income citizens, providing healthcare coverage to those who do not qualify for programs like Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CMS estimates that qualified health plan premiums in Minnesota would have been 18.8 percent higher if it was not operating their BHP, MinnesotaCare. “Minnesota has a long, bipartisan history of innovation and
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: We Must Ensure Veterans Receive Full Housing Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/03/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is helping to lead a bipartisan push to get the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to quickly clarify how it intends to “make whole” the more than 360,000 veterans in Minnesota and across the country who are at risk of being denied the full housing benefits they’ve earned. In response to recent reports that the VA plans to withhold retroactive payments for missed or underpaid monthly housing benefits from some veterans because it would create a backlog, Sen. Smith joined 12 of her Congressional colleagues in asking the VA’s Inspector General to investigate
Sen. Smith Demands Urgent Action on Climate Change in Floor Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/06/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), in a speech on the Senate floor, demanded urgent action to combat climate change and spoke out against Trump Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) nominee Bernard McNamee’s troubling environmental record. Citing evidence from the latest National Climate Assessment, Sen. Smith pointed to threats to Minnesota if temperatures continue to rise. You can watch Sen. Smith’s speech here. “The problems of a changing climate are already known to us Minnesotans,” said Sen. Smith. “Our winters are milder than they used to be. We know that rain patterns are changing. We are prone to long hot, dry
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