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Klobuchar, Smith, Finstad Resolution to Recognize Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Woman and Men’s Basketball Team Passes Senate
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced their resolution celebrating the Minnesota State University, Mankato Women’s and Men’s basketball teams’ winning the 2024 NCAA Division II Basketball National Championships passed the Senate. U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) led companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “One school, two national championships, and a chapter in the Minnesota sports history books,” said Klobuchar. “This resolution recognizes the hard work and incredible accomplishments of the Mankato Maverick Basketball teams during the 2024 season. Congratulations to the players, coaches, staff, administrators and fans on a great season!” “I am so proud to see both of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s basketball programs bring home the Division II trophies,” said Smith. “These student-athletes dedicate countless hours to become the best at what they do, and it is wonderful to see their hard work paying off on the national stage.” “Congratulations to both the women’s and men’s basketball teams at Minnesota State University, Mankato, who have embodied southern Minnesota through their perseverance, dedication, and teamwork,” said Finstad. “To celebrate this achievement, I am honored to introduce this resolution congratulating both teams on behalf of our community in Minnesota’s First District.” Full text of the resolution is available HERE and below: Whereas, on March 29, 2024, the Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the “women’s basketball team”) won the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the “NCAA”) Division II women’s basketball national championship game against the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers by a
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, and Rep. Michelle Fischbach Announce Grant for Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07) announced a grant from the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) for the expansion of the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. The cemetery serves more than 59,000 Veterans and their eligible family members and the $1,368,100 grant will fund 1,080 columbarium vaults, update landscaping, and improve irrigation. “It’s on all of us to remember fallen service members and to honor their memories,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will go towards upgrading the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls so families can continue to have a peaceful and dignified place to pay their respects.” “The servicemembers who make such enormous sacrifices for our country deserve our utmost respect,” said Senator Smith. “This grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs will make much-needed improvements to the final resting place for thousands of veterans from our state so they can rest with the honor they deserve.” “This grant is going to mean so much to the thousands of veterans and their families who are laid to rest or paying respects to loved ones in Little Falls,” said Rep. Fischbach. “We can never thank our veterans enough, but this is one small way to show our gratitude for the sacrifices so many have made for this nation.” Part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the VCGP has provided more than $1 billion to establish, expand, improve, and maintain 122 state, territorial and tribal Veterans cemeteries since its inception in 1978. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Colleagues in Push to Fight Food Insecurity as Benefits Cliff Approaches
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined 32 of her Senate colleagues in a push to extend child nutrition waivers ahead of their expiration and enact a robust set of child nutrition priorities. With school summer break already underway in many states, it is vital that Congress extends and expands these programs as low-income families are facing a steep benefits cliff when the waivers expire on June 30, 2022. In their letter to Congressional leaders, the Senators call for extended child nutrition waivers, the creation of a nationwide Summer EBT program, and expanded community eligibility (CEP), a flexible meal
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Minnesotans Aren’t Forced to Pay Ex-Spouses’ Student Debt
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that legislation she co-led to provide relief to individuals with consolidated loan debt with a spouse – including victims of domestic violence and financial abuse – has taken a major step towards becoming law. The billwould allow individuals to sever joint consolidation loans with a former spouse, which will provide long overdue financial freedom for vulnerable individuals who are being unfairly held responsible for the debt of a former partner. While Congress eliminated the program to allow spouses to consolidate their loans in 2006, it did not provide a mechanism for severing
Sen. Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Bill to Stop Unscrupulous Big Pharma Tactic, Lower Drug Prices for Minnesotans Takes Key Step Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6.14.22] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) legislation—the Expanding Access to Low Cost Generic Drugs Act—was included with bipartisan support in a major funding bill. The legislation takes aim at a Big Pharma tactic that keeps affordable generic drugs out of the hands of Minnesota families and seniors. “Since I came to the Senate, taking on big pharmaceutical companies and lowering prescription drug prices has been a top priority for me.” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Health Committee. “That’s why the first bill I ever introduced addressed a loophole that big pharmaceutical companies exploit
Sens. Smith, Rounds Seek Input from Public on Rural Housing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate’s Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee, issued a request for input from stakeholders on Rural Housing Service programs. Last month, the Subcommittee held a hearing to review the Rural Housing Service, with Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small as the witness. The hearing was the first time a U.S. Department of Agriculture official had testified before the Senate Banking and Housing Committee in more than a decade. Smith and Rounds’ hearing focused on ways to improve the agency’s rural housing programs. The Senators
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