Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Jerry Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Save Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand a lifeline for rural hospitals facing closure. The Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act would remove barriers for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and rural hospitals to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital designation under Medicare. These changes would help rural hospitals facing closure to receive federal financial assistance to remain open and serving their communities through emergency stabilizing care and obstetric care, rather than closing and forcing community members to travel further distances for emergency care. In Minnesota, more than one-third of rural health care systems were in the red as of 2019. “Rural hospitals provide health care in areas where it isn’t otherwise easy to access, so when their doors close, communities are left with almost no options, and that’s dangerous. If you’re dealing with a medical emergency or you just went into labor, the last thing on your mind should be whether your local hospital is still open,” said Senator Smith. “This bill is about public safety. It will make sure that if a hospital is in truly dire straits, they can remain open for emergency care – including obstetric care.” “Access to emergency health care saves lives and helps keep rural communities prospering,” said Senator Moran. “Too many rural hospitals in Kansas and across the country are struggling to keep their doors open, and this legislation offers those hospitals a lifeline. The Rural Emergency Hospital designation has already helped save numerous rural hospitals, and expanding access to this successful program is
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Chris Murphy Introduce Bill to Forgive Student Loan Debt for Beginning Farmers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) 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 women, veteran, and minority farmers. Student loan debt is a major hurdle for beginning farmers, and this legislation would incentivize farmers to enter—and stay—in the agricultural industry, and strengthen opportunities to grow successful businesses. The average age of a farmer in the United States is 58 years old. Smith and Murphy’s legislation will reduce barriers for young, diverse farmers hoping to take over as the current generation of farmers and producers begin to retire. “To keep Minnesota’s agriculture economy thriving, we need to continue to invest in the next generation of farmers as the average age of farmers keeps going up. There is more we can be doing to help future farmers fill their shoes,” said Senator Smith. “Student debt is one of the most significant challenges our young farmers and ranchers face. This legislation would help encourage a younger, more diverse workforce and help more people start and stay in farming.” “Connecticut farmers have always been the lifeblood of our rural communities, but starting and maintaining a new farm is increasingly unaffordable for young people who are often saddled with student loan debt and can’t afford to make additional investments necessary for success. By helping new farmers pay off their student loans, this legislation would pave the
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Evergreen Action & Data For Progress Highlight New Report Outlining How Congress Can Pass Clean Electricity Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/4/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—who has been a longtime leader in policymaking to support our clean energy economy—joined Evergreen Action and Data for Progress to launch a new report: A Roadmap to 100% Clean Electricity by 2035. Last Congress, Sen. Smith introduced legislation to establish a federal Clean Electricity Standard (CES) to achieve net-zero emissions in the electric sector by midcentury and this Congress she will push for the strongest CES that can get passed. Today, she joined experts from Evergreen and Data For Progress, as well as Dr. Leah Stokes, to discuss the report and their insights
U.S. Senator Tina Smith & U.S. Representative Angie Craig Call on Congressional Leaders to Include Expanded Definition of Dependent Children in Upcoming COVID-19 Relief Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/4/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN 2) are urging Congressional leaders to include all dependents in economic payment proposals, which would make nearly 15 million dependents eligible to receive economic impact payments and go a long way in helping families weather the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In their letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA 12), Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA 23) and Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Smith and Rep. Craig called on the leaders to expand the definition of dependents to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Senate Push to Ensure Stimulus Payments Reach Americans Experiencing Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/4/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led 28 of her Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on the Department of the Treasury to ensure Americans receive the relief they are entitled to, including those who are experiencing homelessness. Sen. Smith has been focused on this work since the spring of last year following earlier coronavirus (COVID-19) relief legislation. The bipartisan COVID-19 relief package enacted into law on December 27 of last year provided a round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult, and efforts are currently underway to provide additional direct payments in future relief legislation. Sen. Smith
U.S. Senators Tina Smith & Lisa Murkowski Introduce Two Bipartisan Bills to Expand Mental Health Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/2/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced two bipartisan bills to address behavioral health needs and substance use disorders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Stopping the Mental Health Pandemic Act would authorize federal grant funding for States, Tribes, Tribal organizations, and community-based entities to address behavioral health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) would administer these grants for training, technology upgrades, surge capacity needs, emergency crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and outreach to underserved communities. U.S. Representative Katie Porter (D-CA 45) introduced the House companion earlier this year.
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