Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Funding Available for Climate-Smart Agriculture Programs
WASHINGTON [2.22.23] – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced new funding is available for voluntary, incentive-based climate-smart agricultural and conservation programs. The funding is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass last year. “Our farmers should have the tools and resources they need to conserve and improve soil, strengthen water quality, and preserve wildlife habitat,” said Klobuchar. “By providing Minnesota farmers with better access to critical, voluntary conservation programs, these investments will boost productivity and increase economic opportunities for our agricultural communities while protecting the environment.” “Climate friendly farming and land use practices are a win-win for Minnesota’s environment and ag economy,” said Smith. “These Climate-Smart programs are a creative way to combat the climate crisis while boosting rural economies and generating opportunity for farmers. I worked hard to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which made these investments possible. I encourage eligible Minnesota famers to apply.” The Inflation Reduction Act provided an additional $19.5 billion over five years for climate smart agriculture through several of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) conservation programs. These voluntary programs are implemented through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and allow farmers and forest landowners to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. The NRCS is making $850 million available in fiscal year 2023 for its popular conservation programs: the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). These investments
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Coordination Between HHS and Urban Indian Organizations
WASHINGTON, [02.21.23] – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would help federal programs – from substance use treatment to Medicare and Medicaid – meet the unique needs of Indigenous communities and improve care. The Urban Indian Health Confer Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to confer with urban Indian organizations regarding health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban areas – a critical step that will improve care for Indigenous communities and create parity between urban Indian organizations (UIOs) and other components of the Indian Health System. “American Indian and Alaska Native people living in urban areas deserve an active voice in the policies that affect them,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “The bipartisan Urban Indian Health Confer Act will help give them one by facilitating the open and free exchange of information and opinions between federal agencies and urban Indian organizations. It is a critical step towards creating parity within the Indian Health System.” “Urban Indian Organizations play a critical role in providing health care services to Indian Country,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin. “It is essential that the Department of Health and Human Services consult with these UIOs to improve patient access to high-quality, affordable, and consistent care. I’m proud to represent a state home to the second-largest Indian population, many of whom will benefit from this bill. Thank you to Senator Smith for joining me on
U.S. Senators Smith & Klobuchar Announce Public Housing Fire Safety Act Following Tragic Fire in Minneapolis
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/18/2019]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced legislation—the Public Housing Fire Safety Act—that would create a program to provide support to public housing authorities who wish to retrofit older high-rise apartment buildings with sprinkler systems. The Federal Fire Safety Act of 1992 required the installation of sprinklers in all new government-owned high rise buildings. However, there are thousands of public housing apartment buildings around the country built before that date. According to data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for example, nearly all of the high-rise public housing buildings in Minneapolis, Minnesota were
As 2020 Budget Agreement is Passed, Key Bipartisan Measures U.S. Senator Tina Smith Authored & Championed Set to Become Law and Benefit Minnesotans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/18/19]—As Congress sends its final budget agreement for 2020 to the President’s desk, Minnesotans will benefit from several bipartisan measures U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) authored and championed. Sen. Smith’s bipartisan efforts to address health care costs and skyrocketing prescription drug prices, support rural housing, ramp up clean energy, expand disaster relief to hard-hit farmers and preserve electric cooperatives’ tax-exempt status while expanding much-needed broadband services in rural communities were all included in the final budget package expected to be signed into law in the coming days. “Here we are at the end of the year, and
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Mike Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Underhanded Big Pharma Tactic That Prevents Americans from Accessing Affordable Rx Drugs
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/18/19]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced legislation to bring low-cost generics to market, increase competition and help American families and seniors access their medications. The Expanding Access to Low-Cost Generics Act—which was the first standalone piece of legislation introduced by Sen. Smith—gets to the heart of a major concern families are facing right now: prescription drug prices. Nearly three in ten Americans report that they did not fill a prescription because it was too expensive. Anti-competitive behavior between brand name and generic drug manufacturers is delaying timely access to low-cost generic drugs. For example,
U.S. Senators Smith & Collins’ Bipartisan Bill to Combat Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases Advances
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/17/19]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced that their bipartisan bill to improve research, prevention, diagnostics, and treatment for tick-borne diseases was included in the government spending agreement released yesterday. Once passed by both the House and Senate, the bill will proceed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The Kay Hagan Tick Act unites the effort to confront the alarming public health threat posed by Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, which have risen exponentially from approximately 30,000 cases in 2003 to an estimated 450,000 last year. Sens. Smith and Collins renamed the
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