Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Announce Grants to Improve Rail Safety in Metro Area
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced grants to three cities in the Twin Cities Metro Area to make upgrades to rail-pathways that focus on improving the safety and mobility of travelers and goods. “Blocked rail crossings not only inconvenience drivers, but also delay emergency vehicles and threaten public safety,” said Klobuchar.“This federal investment will reduce traffic, boost efficiency and improve rail crossing safety. Investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state.” “Revitalizing our infrastructure is about more than just fixing railways or roads; it’s about improving people’s lives, which is precisely what this project will do,” said Senator Smith. “These rail-pathways help connect families and businesses across the metro area and are critical for shipping and commerce in Minnesota. Investing in projects like these not only makes our roads and railways safer but helps support local economies across the state.” Three cities received grants: This investment is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith supported and worked to pass. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program (RCE), which provides funding for highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that improve the safety and mobility of people and goods. Klobuchar and Smith have both cosponsored the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. This legislation will make key updates to improve rail safety protocols, including increasing inspections on trains that carry hazardous materials, requiring rail carriers to have emergency
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Demand Answers from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for Cook County Postal Delays
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) are demanding answers from U. S. Postal Service Postmaster General Louis DeJoy after several Minnesotans in Cook County reported not receiving mail delivery since last year. Residents were also turned away from local post offices when attempting to retrieve undelivered mail. Minnesota-North Dakota District leadership reportedly didn’t know of the issue until Senator Smith inquired on January 8. On December 19, USPS staff assured the Senators that service in Minnesota was stable – a claim that is contradicted by the Cook County problems. The Senators are demanding answers on steps USPS plans to take to rectify the issue and prevent it from happening again. “We are deeply concerned by reports from residents that mail has not been delivered since last year. Minnesotans rely on the Postal Service for essential needs like medications, Social Security benefits, and paychecks. This disruption is unacceptable and must be resolved immediately and steps taken to prevent similar issues,” wrote the Senators. “… We appreciate the hard work of postal workers in Minnesota who serve their communities despite the pressures of staffing shortages, weather events, and ever-growing parcel volumes. But without accountable, honest leadership, they struggle to do their jobs,” they continued. “Like all communities, Minnesota’s North Shore relies on the Postal Service as an essential public service. We urge you to not only address this failure, but to work to prevent these repeated issues from occurring again,” wrote the Senators. The Senators requested answers to the following questions no later than January 16, 2025. You can read the full letter to
Sen. Tina Smith, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation Outlawing Discrimination From Financial Institutions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Tina Smith (D-MN) – a member of the Senate Banking Committee – joined a group of Senators in reintroducing legislation to prohibit discrimination by banks and other financial institutions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The Fair Access to Financial Services Act would close a loophole in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While the law outlawed discrimination in certain places of public accommodations, it does not cover banks and other financial institutions. This legislation, led by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would ensure that all people receive
U.S. Senator Smith and Rep. Emmer Introduce Legislation Investing in Ag’s Next Generation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/26/22] — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced legislation investing in agriculture’s next generation. The Agriculture Skills Preparation for Industry Recruitment Efforts (ASPIRE) Act, which was introduced in the House by Representatives Tom Emmer (R-Minn.-06) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine-01), supports workforce development in the agriculture and farming sector. Specifically, the ASPIRE Act establishes a work-based agriculture training program within the USDA’s existing Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to fund participation in apprenticeship and internship programs with local agriculture businesses. “Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy,” said Sen. Smith. “With
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar Reintroduce No Shame at School Act
WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) announced they will reintroduce the No Shame at School Act, to prohibit public schools from shaming students who are unable to pay for school meals or who have outstanding debt. Additionally, the measure requires schools to certify a child’s unpaid meal fees and authorizes the federal government to reimburse the meals for up to 90 days. The legislation was introduced in the House today and will be reintroduced in the Senate in the coming days. “Everyone knows you can’t learn or perform well when you are hungry. We need
U.S. Senators Smith, Murray, and Warren Introduce Legislation to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/19/22]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led a group of their Democratic colleagues in introducing the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act. The bill would protect access to critical reproductive health care services—like birth control, cancer screenings and more—by providing a consistent and strong source of funding for the Title X Family Planning Program. The Title X Family Planning Program is the only federal program dedicated to providing comprehensive family planning and preventive health services. Hundreds of thousands of Americans
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