Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Funding for White Earth Nation to Increase Solar Power and Energy Storage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced $1.75 million for the White Earth Nation in Minnesota to use energy storage to increase their use of solar power and allow for greater energy flexibility. The project will expand an existing solar array at Pine Point Elementary School and Community Center to help lower electricity costs and support White Earth’s goal to be energy independent. “Tribal Nations have always been leaders in environmental stewardship,” said Senator Tina Smith. “This funding will help White Earth Tribal Nation continue building a more resilient and clean energy system for the Tribe.” The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity selected three communities across the country to receive a total of $3.7 million in project development assistance under the Energy Storage for Social Equity Program. The program successfully launched in March 2022 and selected 14 communities for similar projects that focused on providing a strategy for energy access and affordability, decarbonization, environmental impact, resilience, and social impact. The funding will promote an equitable clean energy transition, advance more affordable and reliable electricity, and support the Biden Administration’s Justice40 goals. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Statements on Nomination of Laura Provinzino to be U.S. District Court Judge
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that President Biden nominated Laura Provinzino to serve as a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Currently serving as an Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, Provinzino was one of the candidates sent to President Biden by Senators Klobuchar and Smith following the recommendation of a judicial selection committee. “As a widely respected Assistant United States Attorney with over twenty years of legal experience, Laura Provinzino is extremely qualified to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge,” said Klobuchar. “Born and raised in St. Cloud, she is dedicated to serving all Minnesotans and has a demonstrated commitment to justice and the rule of law. I look forward to working with my Judiciary Committee colleagues on both sides of the aisle to confirm her.” “Laura Provinzino has spent her career serving Minnesotans, advancing justice and protecting the rule of law.” said Smith. “She will make an exceptional U.S. District Court Judge and I want to congratulate her on her nomination.” Laura Provinzino was born and raised in St. Cloud, and attended St. Cloud Technical High School. Her mother taught at Apollo High School, and her father was a lawyer in St. Cloud. Provinzino has spent her entire legal career in Minnesota. She has served as an Assistant United States Attorney since 2010. As a prosecutor, she has led efforts to prosecute violent crime, human trafficking, child pornography, and
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce $22M Federal Investment in Minnesota to Support Vaccine Distribution, Cover Cost of Ventilators
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/16/21]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded two grants that total more than $22 million to the Minnesota Department of Health. A $15 million grant will support efforts to distribute and administer the COVID-19 vaccine at 10 vaccination centers across Minnesota. A $7,397,990.26 grant will help cover the cost of ventilators and ventilator accessories purchased during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. “This federal funding to support vaccine distribution and help cover the cost of ventilators is vital as we work to fight this pandemic and lessen the financial burden on our state budget,” said Sen.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Voting to Convict Former President Donald Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/13/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement: “The facts and the evidence were overwhelming—former President Donald Trump lied for months to his supporters, summoned them to Washington, and incited a violent insurrection against our government and our democracy,” said Sen. Smith. “I voted to convict because no reasonable person could believe this would have happened without his betrayal.”
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Roger Wicker Propose Bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Fix for Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/16/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced their bipartisan PPP Access for Rural Hospitals Act, which would waive the Small Business Administration (SBA) affiliation rules for non-profit critical access hospitals and hospitals that serve rural areas so that they may qualify for PPP loans. Granting smaller non-profit and rural hospitals access to the PPP program would allow facilities to retain critical staff and focus their resources on providing quality care to patients for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. “Rural hospitals are vital to public health – they’re economic engines for communities in Minnesota and states
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood Introduce Bill to Bolster Vaccination Efforts and Keep Families Healthy
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/11/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL 14) recently introduced their Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act, which would support local efforts to boost routine vaccinations, and ensure that immunization providers and local organizations can lead community-specific initiatives to reach all community members, particularly underserved populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we can’t afford to fall behind on routine vaccinations and risk losing progress in preventing once-common diseases, like measles,” said Senator Smith. “This is especially important for children, who are recommended to get pediatric vaccinations at certain stages in their development. In my home state
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