Latest Releases
Senator Smith and Representative Omar Reintroduce No Shame at School Act
WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) announced the reintroduction of the No Shame at School Act, a bill aimed at ending lunch shaming practices in schools nationwide. The No Shame at School Act would prohibit school districts from publicly identifying or shaming students who are unable to pay for school meals. It also bans schools from hiring debt collectors to recover unpaid school meal debt.The legislation requires schools to attempt to directly certify children with unpaid meal debt for free or reduced-price meals and allows schools to be retroactively reimbursed for meals served to these children. “No child should have to go through the experience of being shamed at school for an unpaid lunch bill,” said Senator Smith. “I’m so proud of the work Minnesota has done to address this issue through universal school lunches, but there are too many places around the country where we still see this happening. We need to set our children up for success in school, and making sure kids get the school lunches they need without being made to feel ashamed or embarrassed is an important part of that success.” “In Minnesota, we have already implemented universal school meals and are leading the charge to remove school lunch shaming,” said Rep. Omar, a member of the Committee on Education and Workforce. “It’s time for the rest of the nation to follow suit. Every child deserves to learn and grow without the pangs of hunger or the fear of being
Bipartisan Momentum Builds for Warehouse Worker Protection Act
Washington (September 25, 2024) – U.S. Senator Tina Smith, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee, along with Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Bob Casey (D-PA), applauded the bipartisan momentum behind the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, legislation that would protect warehouse workers by prohibiting dangerous work speed quotas that lead to high rates of worker injuries. The legislation as re-introduced includes new enforcement authority for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as well as an exemption for small businesses. Senators Smith, Markey, and Casey, first introduced the Warehouse Worker Protection Act in May. “The Warehouse Worker Protection Act is about protecting the health and dignity of workers from the scourge of corporate greed at Amazon and other large companies,” said Senator Markey. “This movement is strong and growing, and we will not rest until warehouse workers know when they clock in that they will return home unharmed.” “Corporations too often prioritize profit over their workers’ safety and well-being, treating them like cogs in a machine. It has to stop. This legislation combats the warehouse industry’s worst practices while ensuring corporations do right by their employees in treating them with the dignity they deserve,” said Senator Hawley. “The momentum to protect workers is growing. These big companies hold a lot of power, they are literally controlling the lives of workers minute by minute with their productivity metrics and quotas,” said Senator Smith. “With this bill, we are saying, enough is enough. We’re putting accountability into this system and power back in the hands of workers
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Increase Mental Health Coverage
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/26/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced legislation—along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)—to expand access to mental health services for low-income families and children, the elderly and people living with disabilities. The Medicaid Bump Act would increase the federal reimbursement rate for mental and behavioral health care services under Medicaid. A House companion bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY-20) and David Trone (D-MD-6). Right now, behavioral health providers—including adolescent and pediatric specialists—are often reimbursed by Medicaid at low rates. Furthermore, there is a shortage of behavioral health providers, particularly in rural and underserved communities. These barriers contribute to inequities in access to mental and behavioral health care services
Klobuchar, Smith, Craig Announce Federal Funding for Fleming Field Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Representative Angie Craig (D-MN), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the South St. Paul Municipal Airport (Fleming Field) a grant of more than $3.4 million for infrastructure improvements. “Critical investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state and country,” Klobuchar said. “By investing in Fleming Field, we are supporting the economy of the region and enhancing public safety.” “Fleming Field is a small but mighty airport in South St. Paul that supports hundreds of local jobs,” Smith
Klobuchar, Smith, McCollum Announce Federal Funding for Lake Elmo Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Lake Elmo Airport a grant of $3.6 million for infrastructure improvements. “Critical investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state and country,” Klobuchar said. “By investing in the Lake Elmo Airport, we are supporting the economy of the region and enhancing public safety.” “Lake Elmo Airport is a key transportation hub and economic driver for the community,” Smith said. “It’s great to see the Department of Transportation
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith & Ben Sasse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Credit Union Employee & Member Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/20/21]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) introduced bipartisan legislation to make credit unions safer for employees and members. The Credit Union Employee and Member Safety Act of 2021 would simplify the expulsion process for credit union members who engage in unacceptable, sometimes dangerous behavior, while preventing unfair expulsions. Minnesota credit unions have shared stories of members who have robbed credit unions, smashed ATMs, and sexually harassed tellers. Despite this unacceptable behavior, it can be difficult for credit unions to expel these members. That is because current law requires the credit union to call a vote of membership to expel a member,
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