Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Substance Use Treatment Program in Hubbard and Beltrami Counties
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $550,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget to implement the Stratis Health CIRCLE of Care program in Hubbard and Beltrami Counties. The project is a substance use treatment program aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality for those with opioid use disorder (OUD). “The opioid epidemic has been hurting communities across Minnesota for far too long,” said Klobuchar. “With this funding, Stratis Health will have resources to expand proven treatment programs to additional counties to bolster access to treatment for those who are living with substance use disorder.” “Supporting mental health and substance use disorder services is essential—mental health is health, and we need to make sure more people get the care they need,” said Smith. “This funding will help people in Hubbard and Beltrami access life-saving substance use treatment.” Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Infrastructure and Housing Improvement Projects in Red Wing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for projects benefiting Red Wing. These projects will help support Sorin’s Bluff Reservoir and the Red Wing Hill Street Triplex Project. “These projects will improve critical water infrastructure and housing options for communities in Red Wing,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, these projects will have the resources to move forward.” “Without a safe place to live – including clean drinking water – nothing in your life works,” said Smith. “These investments in Red Wing will directly benefit the community and improve public health by making housing safer and protecting access to clean drinking water.” Klobuchar and Smith have successfully secured: Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Murphy Call on Health Agencies to Require “Complete, Transparent, and Timely National Reporting of COVID-19 Cases” on College Campuses
MINNESOTA [08/20/20]— U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)—all members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee—are pressing the nation’s health agencies to issue detailed guidance for colleges and universities for reporting COVID-19 cases. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Senators urged the agencies to provide direction to institutions of higher education about how COVID-19 cases should be reported to state, local, and federal health officials, including the timeline for reporting suspected and confirmed cases, demographic data
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Discusses Impact of U.S. Postmaster’s “Chaotic Approach and Rapid Fire Change” at Eagan Mail Processing Facility
MINNESOTA [08/18/20]—Today U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), who has raised deep concerns over the recent and sudden changes at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), toured an Eagan mail-processing center and discussed with USPS officials the impact of the changes that have already disrupted mail delivery in the state and may affect mail-in ballots during this fall’s election. Recent operational and leadership changes put in place by newly-installed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy—including denying overtime to mail clerks and carriers—have slowed timely mail delivery for millions of people in Minnesota and across the country. The delays hold significant implications for veterans, older citizens and rural residents who
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Colleagues Call on Postal Board of Governors to Immediately Reverse Changes Made by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Which Have Degraded and Delayed Postal Service Operations
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8/17/2020]—Today U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and colleagues sent a letter to the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors, calling on them to immediately use their authority to reverse changes to Postal Service operations and mail service delays put in place by Trump donor turned Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Mr. DeJoy appears to be engaged in a deliberate effort, with the support of the President, to delay and degrade mail service and undermine the mission of the United States Postal Service. Sens. Klobuchar and Smith said that fundamental changes to Postal Service operations made by DeJoy—including cutting back
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Attorney General Keith Ellison Hear From Minnesotans Hit Hard by High Prescription Drug Prices During Pandemic
MINNESOTA [08/17/20]—Today U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Health Committee—and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison led a discussion about the impact of high prescription drug prices on Minnesotans during the pandemic, and the status of current efforts by large drug companies to undo Minnesota’s newly-enacted insulin affordability law. Sen. Smith has held several events in the state regarding the high price of insulin and prescription drugs more broadly, where she’s heard stories from Minnesotans who cannot afford the prescription medications they need to survive. Since 2013, drug spending has grown faster than most other categories of medical spending. And recent data
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