Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Tackle Drug Shortages, Improve Public Health Preparedness Advances Through Key Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8.4.23] –U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that two of her legislative priorities, aimed at addressing drug shortages and improving public health preparedness, took a major step forward. “Drug shortages are hurting patients, pharmacists, and physicians across the country,” said Senator Smith. “I have heard directly from Minnesotans who are facing shortages of ADHD medications like Adderall, cancer-fighting drugs for chemotherapy, among other things. These drug shortages can be life-threatening, and I’ve made it a priority to tackle this problem. In addition, I’m focused on ensuring we are prepared for future public health threats. My bipartisan legislation will improve the FDA’s responsiveness when medication demand outpaces the supply, and help improve our ability to rapidly develop and distribute diagnostic tests in the event of a disease outbreak. I’m glad to see these priorities included in this important legislation.” The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act is essential legislation that reauthorizes key public health and emergency preparedness programs. Current funding expires on September 30th. Millions of Americans have been affected by shortages of chemotherapy drugs, commonly-used antibiotics, pediatric formulations of medications like ibuprofen, and other essential drugs. Pieces of Senator Smith’s legislation, which have been included in the reauthorization, will help address these shortages and bolster public health preparedness. Senator Smith’s provisions include:
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Reintroduce Legislation to Improve Fire Safety in Public Housing
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8.3.23] – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) reintroduced legislation to help install sprinkler systems in older public housing buildings. Companion legislation was also introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ 15) and John Rutherford (R-FL 05) with support from Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN 5). Smith originally introduced the Public Housing Fire Safety Act following the tragic Cedar High Apartments fire, which took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2019. The upper floors of the building, where the fire erupted, did not have sprinkler systems installed. “In the wake of the tragic 2019 Cedar High Apartments Fire, I joined Senator Smith in introducing legislation to ensure that buildings have properly installed fire and sprinkler systems. Every second counts during a house fire, and with up-to-date systems, more lives can be saved,” said Klobuchar. “We need to continue these efforts by passing the Public Housing Fire Safety Act to bring us one step closer towards ensuring that buildings are safe for all residents.” “The fire at Cedar High Apartments was a tragic loss for the Cedar-Riverside community,” said Smith. “In the aftermath of the tragedy, I began connecting with people closely affected the fire and looking into ways to prevent it from happening again. This bill gets to the root of what we need to do: incentivize public housing authorities to install sprinkler systems and give them the support they need to do it.” “One of the most important investments our federal government
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on Supreme Court’s Latest Labor Union Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/27/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after the Supreme Court released their 5-4 decision on the Janus labor union case. “I believe that workers have a fundamental right to join together to fight for fair wages and better working conditions,” said Sen. Smith. “I’m deeply disappointed in today’s Supreme Court decision to weaken this key protection for teachers, firefighters, nurses, and other public sector employees. We must now renew our commitment to fight against far-right, corporate-funded, special interests which backed this case—and continue to defend working families in Minnesota and across the country.” ###
Sen. Tina Smith on Supreme Court Justice Kennedy’s Retirement: “Pivotal Moment in Our Country”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/27/18]—Today, while delivering a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Tina Smith made the following statement on Justice Kennedy’s retirement announcement. You can access video of her remarks here. “This is a pivotal moment in our country. With Justice Kennedy’s retirement announcement today, the stakes have never been higher for making sure we choose a Supreme Court justice committed to the constitution and protecting the most fundamental rights of Americans—the right to vote, the ability to organize, a woman’s right to choose. And whomever replaces Justice Kennedy will no doubt have a say on issues that affect the
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Pass Bipartisan Senate Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/28/18]—After taking a leading role in making sure Minnesota priorities are included in the 2018 Farm Bill as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) was proud to help pass the bipartisan legislation in the Senate today. The Senate Farm Bill includes measures authored and championed by Sen. Smith—her legislative roadmap for the energy title of the Farm Bill, her provision to expand access to much-needed broadband in rural communities and tribal areas across the country, and a provision to create a U.S. Department of Agriculture “Rural Health Liaison” who will work
Sen. Tina Smith in Senate Floor Speech: “Farm Bill Touches Lives of Virtually Every American”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/28/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee—urged her Senate colleagues to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill in order to provide more certainty to farmers, and to support jobs in Minnesota and across the country. You can download video of Sen. Smith’s speech here and access a copy of her remarks as prepared for delivery here. “The Farm Bill touches the lives of virtually every American, and it is vital to my state’s economy,” said Sen. Smith in her speech from the Senate floor. “This bill will provide important stability and predictability to Minnesota farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and
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