Latest Releases
Smith, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Empower States and Communities to Reduce Homelessness
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today introduced the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act, legislation to cut red tape and create local solutions for addressing homelessness. “Without a safe, affordable place to live nothing else in your life works – not your job, health, family, or education,” said Smith.“This bipartisan bill makes common sense reforms to federal homelessness programs: cutting red tape for homeless service providers, streamlining and improving federal housing vouchers, reducing administrative burden and modernizing out-of-date software systems. It will reduce homelessness while using taxpayer dollars more efficiently. We know that the best ideas come from those closest to the issues, and that’s why our legislation gives local leaders in Minnesota and across the country the tools and flexibility they need to address homelessness no matter the ZIP code.” “Despite record levels of federal funding, homelessness continues to rise. It’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working,” said Rounds. “The challenges we face in South Dakota are not the same as those in California or New York. This legislation shifts power back to the states and communities closest to the problem—cutting red tape and enabling local leaders to deliver faster, more effective and more appropriate solutions for the people they serve.” “At a time when more Americans are facing homeless and there are fewer federal resources available, we must do everything we can to make programs more effective and assist people by connecting them to housing, local health systems, and behavioral health programs that can offer the
U.S. Senator Tina Smith on Senate Passage of Republicans’ Disastrous Big Bill
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after voting against the Republicans’ disastrous and cruel budget bill: “What Republicans did here is simple: they voted to kick 16 million people off health insurance while giving massive tax breaks to billionaires and corporations, and managed to still raise the debt by a staggering $5 trillion. In Minnesota alone, nearly 200,000 people will lose their health insurance. Rural hospitals will be forced to close. Planned Parenthood will lose its funding and have to shutter clinics. “I’ve heard from tens of thousands of Minnesotans, and they all tell me, no matter who they voted for, they don’t want to take health care away from veterans and working families and seniors. And they didn’t vote to make it harder and more expensive for working families to put food on the table. “Now it’s up to all of us to continue the fight. As this bill returns to the U.S. House of Representatives, make your voices heard. We say no to the largest role back in health care in our nation’s history, and the biggest transfer of wealth in modern times.”
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Highway 5 in Carver County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to improve Highway 5. The resources, provided through USDOT’s Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, will widen the roadway from two to four lanes between Chanhassen and Victoria. “Rebuilding our infrastructure is critical for families, workers, and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “Highway 5 is a key route in Carver County, but it does not adequately serve the growing population, leading to safety hazards and traffic jams. This infrastructure project will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and create good jobs.”
Klobuchar, Smith, Fischbach, and Entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation’s Legislation to Rename Roseau Post Office in Honor of Floyd B. Olson Signed into Law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07) announced their legislation to rename the Roseau Post Office after Floyd B. Olson, the Roseau Postmaster of 25 years, has been signed into law. Mr. Olson served in the Army from 1952 to 1954 and was an active member of the Roseau County Historical Society Board, Roseau County Fair Board, Rose Free Lutheran Church Board & Men’s Club, and the Postmaster’s Association. Mr. Olson passed away in 2017, after decades of service to his community and country. “Floyd B. Olson was the Roseau Postmaster for
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Secure Disaster Relief for Minnesota Farmers, Families, and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN), ranking member and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that an expected $2 billion in agriculture disaster relief and farmer aid will soon be made available for Minnesota producers, small businesses, and families impacted by extreme storms and flooding last year. After record water levels across the state wreaked havoc on producers, small businesses and homeowners, both Senators worked to make sure the needs of Minnesota were addressed in the Congress’s comprehensive disaster aid package, the American Relief Act, 2025,which was passed and signed into law at the
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for South Broadway Avenue in Rochester
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $2,500,000 for the South Broadway Avenue project planning in Rochester. The grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will support the study, design, and engineering of a Complete Street and pedestrian and bike overpass along the approximate half-mile corridor on South Broadway Avenue between 4th Street SE and 9th Street SE. “Broadway Avenue is the main north-south access to downtown Rochester and this federal support will improve the safety of this major corridor,” said Klobuchar. “By building an overpass, we will make
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