Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Combat Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Diseases Becomes Law
Most recent data shows Minnesota recorded 3,551 cases in 2024 alone, a rate that has likely increased in recent years WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) bipartisan bill to expand research, testing and treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases has been signed into law by the President. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act passed the U.S. Senate in August, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in mid-September. “The number of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses has been rising at an alarming rate. This law will step up regional efforts at researching, testing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. We must cut down on tick-borne illnesses for the sake of Americans’ health and well-being,” said Sen. Smith. “This law will save lives, especially in states like Minnesota, where tick populations have been rising.” Over the past two decades, Minnesota has experienced a significant rise in tick-borne diseases. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Lyme disease remains the state’s most reported tick-borne illness, with 3,551 probable cases reported in 2024. In the same year, Minnesota also reported hundreds of cases of other tickborne diseases: 627 cases of anaplasmosis, 89 cases of babesiosis and 14 cases of Powassan virus disease. The bill, co-led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), was named in honor of former Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), who passed away on October 28, 2019, due to complications from the tick-borne Powassan virus. Using a three-pronged approach, The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act will: This will support ongoing federal
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Bill to Extend Terrorism Risk Insurance, Support Housing Construction Passes the Senate Unanimously
Roughly 60 percent of American businesses have terrorism risk insurance, which is critical to major construction projects WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s bipartisan legislation to safeguard the availability of terrorism risk insurance coverage passed the full Senate by a unanimous vote. Roughly 60 percent of American businesses have terrorism risk insurance, which could become unavailable without further action by Congress. Sen. Smith (D-MN) led the bipartisan Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 alongside Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC). Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, many insurance companies started excluding terrorism risks from commercial insurance policies, leaving businesses and industries without access to coverage. Since insurance is a precondition for commercial lending and real estate transactions, this gap in coverage threatened broad economic damage across real estate, construction, energy, transportation and related industries. Congress responded by passing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA), creating a federal reinsurance backstop to stabilize the private market and ensure that commercial policyholders could continue to obtain terrorism risk coverage. The private insurance market has relied on the TRIA backstop ever since. When TRIA briefly lapsed in December 2014, terrorism exclusions that insurers had pre-filed with state regulators took effect automatically, making terrorism coverage effectively unavailable across commercial policies nationwide. As a result, terrorism risk coverage was removed from policyholders immediately and without notice. Given that the current threat landscape remains elevated, allowing a similar lapse in terrorism coverage would expose policy holders to
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Hears from Renee Good’s Family Members and Firsthand Witness of Alex Pretti’s Killing in Public Testimony to Congress
“We all want our law enforcement officers to perform at the highest standards, but when they don’t, it shouldn’t matter who their employer is. There should be a path to justice for those they harm,” said Brent Ganger, brother of Renee Good. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) heard testimony from three witnesses regarding the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during Operation Metro Surge. Witnesses included the mother and brother of Renee Good, Donna and Brent Ganger, and the bystander who recorded the killing of Alex Pretti, Stella Carlson. Their testimony was part of a spotlight forum on fatal shootings at
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Terrorism Risk Insurance, Support Housing Construction Passes Banking Committee
Roughly 60 percent of American businesses have terrorism risk insurance, which is critical to major construction projects WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s bipartisan legislation to safeguard the availability of terrorism risk insurance coverage passed the Senate Banking Committee by a unanimous vote. Roughly 60 percent of American businesses have terrorism risk insurance, which could become unavailable without action by Congress. Sen. Smith (D-MN) leads the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 alongside Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, many insurance companies began excluding terrorism risks from commercial insurance policies, leaving
U.S. Senators Smith, Baldwin & Murphy Reintroduce Bill to Support Young Farmers, Forgive Student Loan Debt
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) 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 veteran, women and minority farmers. Beginning farmers are considered those who have less than 10 years of experience operating a farm. The ag industry will soon see major shifts in farm ownership with more than one-third of American farmers being 65 years old or older. Student loan debt is among the largest obstacles America’s young farmers face, placing an enormous financial strain
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bill to Combat Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Diseases Heads to President’s Desk
Most recent data shows Minnesota recorded 3,551 cases in 2024 alone, a rate that has likely increased in recent years WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) bipartisan bill to expand research, testing and treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases is expected to become law after successfully passing both chambers of Congress. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act passed the U.S. Senate in August and passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week, heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “When this bill soon becomes law, it will save lives and help people battling Lyme
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