Latest Releases
Smith, Klobuchar, McCollum, Stauber, Craig, Finstad, and Morrison Urge FEMA to Distribute Delayed Hazard Mitigation Grants
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), along with Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), Brad Finstad (R-MN), and Kelly Morrison (D-MN) are pushing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to end prolonged delays and disruptions to federal disaster mitigation and response funding for Minnesota. The bipartisan, bicameral group of Minnesota members of Congress urged FEMA to quickly approve hazard mitigation grant applications and move forward with obligations and payments for pending grants, including funding related to record flooding in 2024. “We write to urge you to address prolonged delays and disruptions to federal disaster mitigation and response funding for Minnesota, which assist our constituents recovering and preparing for disasters,” the legislators wrote. “We ask that you quickly approve these grant applications and move forward with obligations and payments for pending grants.” “Time and time again, Minnesotans have stepped up to support their neighbors after natural disasters,” the legislators continued. “Impacted communities repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but timely federal assistance is critical to recovery and mitigation efforts.” The full letter is below. Dear Administrator Hamilton: We write to urge you to address prolonged delays and disruptions to federal disaster mitigation and response funding for Minnesota, which assist our constituents recovering and preparing for disasters. We ask that you quickly approve these grant applications and move forward with obligations and payments for pending grants. Minnesota has submitted eleven Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) applications related to record storms
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Requests Cost Estimate of Big Beautiful Bill’s Data Center Tax Incentives
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), in her capacity as the top Democrat on the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth Subcommittee, is requesting an analysis to shed light on the extent to which OBBBA tax breaks went to data center development. Smith sent the request to the Joint Committee on Taxation after reports that some of the country’s largest corporations taking advantage of the generous corporate tax breaks in Republicans’ signature legislation to subsidize the development of data centers. “We’ve seen reports that tax breaks from the Big Beautiful Bill are being used by some of the biggest tech companies in the world to pad their pockets and boost the buildout of data centers. These companies have billions of dollars of revenues, and I question the fiscal rationale behind rewarding them for investments they would have made regardless of the tax benefits,” says Senator Smith. “How is it that Republicans could find the money for these massive companies to build deeply unpopular data centers, but not the money for health care and nutrition assistance? It’s complete hypocrisy and reeks of corruption, considering these same companies routinely donate millions of dollars to the President’s campaign.” Data centers and the trillion-dollar tech companies building them have reported record profits, which likely were boosted thanks to the OBBBA. OBBBA provisions most commonly utilized include expanded breaks for research and development programs, immediate deductions for the cost of investments, and a new subsidy for manufacturing structures. Senator Smith questions the fiscal rationale of
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Bill to Help College Students Facing Emergencies Afford to Stay in School
Legislation would provide emergency funds as students face record high college costs WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) has reintroduced legislation to help college students afford to stay in school when faced with unexpected financial emergencies. The Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act comes as students face record high college costs, while the Trump Administration works to dismantle the Department of Education and limit federal borrowing amounts for undergraduate and professional students. “Paying for college is a precarious balancing act for many students, and that’s when everything is going ‘right,’” said Sen. Smith. “This bill would help
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, MN Housing Organizations Unveil New Legislation to Build More Homeless Shelters, Upgrade Aging Shelters and Permanent Supportive Housing
In Minnesota, more than 6,500 people stay in shelters every night, with many shelters operating at or near capacity WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) unveiled new legislation to help more people find a warm and safe place to sleep by increasing the capacity of homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing across the nation, while making critical repairs and upgrades to aging shelters and permanent supportive housing buildings. The Building and Maintaining Homeless Shelters Act would provide $1.5 billion in much-needed federal support over the course of five years. More than 8,300 people experience homelessness on a daily
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Push the Trump Administration to Release Heating Assistance Funds Before Winter
More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on federal energy assistance last winter WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and several colleagues are leading a bipartisan push for the federal government to release energy assistance funding as quickly as possible, helping families stay safe and warm as our weather cools and energy costs spike. More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) last winter. Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year. Demand for assistance is expected to increase
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
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