Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Bill to Help College Students Facing Emergencies Afford to Stay in School
Legislation would provide emergency funds as students face record high college costs WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) has reintroduced legislation to help college students afford to stay in school when faced with unexpected financial emergencies. The Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act comes as students face record high college costs, while the Trump Administration works to dismantle the Department of Education and limit federal borrowing amounts for undergraduate and professional students. “Paying for college is a precarious balancing act for many students, and that’s when everything is going ‘right,’” said Sen. Smith. “This bill would help provide financial stability for students facing a death in the family, steep medical bills, or any number of unexpected emergencies that too often force them to drop out of school and give up on their dreams, ultimately hurting our economy.” For students already balancing tuition, housing, groceries and transportation alongside work and classes, a car repair, medical bill or death in the family can put their education at risk. The Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act would help colleges and universities provide emergency grants to help students manage these unexpected expenses and continue their education without taking on additional debt. Unlike student loans, the grants would not need to be repaid. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY 25). “Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their personal and professional goals,” said Congressman Morelle. “Unfortunately, unexpected financial emergencies
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, MN Housing Organizations Unveil New Legislation to Build More Homeless Shelters, Upgrade Aging Shelters and Permanent Supportive Housing
In Minnesota, more than 6,500 people stay in shelters every night, with many shelters operating at or near capacity WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) unveiled new legislation to help more people find a warm and safe place to sleep by increasing the capacity of homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing across the nation, while making critical repairs and upgrades to aging shelters and permanent supportive housing buildings. The Building and Maintaining Homeless Shelters Act would provide $1.5 billion in much-needed federal support over the course of five years. More than 8,300 people experience homelessness on a daily basis in Minnesota, and around 1,800 people can’t find any shelter and are often forced to sleep outside. “Homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing providers are being asked to do more with less at a time when homelessness is on the rise in big cities and small towns. It’s not sustainable, and it’s past time the federal government stepped in,” said Sen. Smith. “This new legislation would increase funding for communities to build new shelters that meet their citizens’ needs while also providing major upgrades to aging shelters. It would mean fewer people on the street and connecting more people to resources to find a place to call home.” “Addressing homelessness requires a full continuum of care, but services cannot succeed without adequate physical infrastructure. Minnesotans navigating homelessness know all too well the exhaustion of a system lacking physical capacity, for both shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing, the long-term solution
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Push the Trump Administration to Release Heating Assistance Funds Before Winter
More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on federal energy assistance last winter WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and several colleagues are leading a bipartisan push for the federal government to release energy assistance funding as quickly as possible, helping families stay safe and warm as our weather cools and energy costs spike. More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) last winter. Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year. Demand for assistance is expected to increase
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Hears from Renee Good’s Family Members and Firsthand Witness of Alex Pretti’s Killing in Public Testimony to Congress
“We all want our law enforcement officers to perform at the highest standards, but when they don’t, it shouldn’t matter who their employer is. There should be a path to justice for those they harm,” said Brent Ganger, brother of Renee Good. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) heard testimony from three witnesses regarding the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during Operation Metro Surge. Witnesses included the mother and brother of Renee Good, Donna and Brent Ganger, and the bystander who recorded the killing of Alex Pretti, Stella Carlson. Their testimony was part of a spotlight forum on fatal shootings at
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Terrorism Risk Insurance, Support Housing Construction Passes Banking Committee
Roughly 60 percent of American businesses have terrorism risk insurance, which is critical to major construction projects WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s bipartisan legislation to safeguard the availability of terrorism risk insurance coverage passed the Senate Banking Committee by a unanimous vote. Roughly 60 percent of American businesses have terrorism risk insurance, which could become unavailable without action by Congress. Sen. Smith (D-MN) leads the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 alongside Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, many insurance companies began excluding terrorism risks from commercial insurance policies, leaving
U.S. Senators Smith, Baldwin & Murphy Reintroduce Bill to Support Young Farmers, Forgive Student Loan Debt
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) reintroduced the Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act, legislation to create a loan forgiveness program for beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as veteran, women and minority farmers. Beginning farmers are considered those who have less than 10 years of experience operating a farm. The ag industry will soon see major shifts in farm ownership with more than one-third of American farmers being 65 years old or older. Student loan debt is among the largest obstacles America’s young farmers face, placing an enormous financial strain
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