Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Chris Murphy and Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán Introduce Legislation to Improve Conditions Exacerbating Health Inequities Among Black, Brown, Indigenous and People of Color
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.-44) introduced legislation to study and address how social, environmental, and economic conditions exacerbate health inequities in Black, Brown, Indigenous, and people of color. These conditions, known as social determinants of health (SDOH), are the result of institutional racism embedded in our society including in housing, employment, education, health care and more. While it’s often believed that good health is only due to medical care, one estimate found that clinical treatment accounts for only 10 to 20 percent of an individual’s overall health. Meanwhile, around 80 to 90 percent of healthy outcomes are driven by social determinants. “For many Black, Brown, Indigenous and people of color, health outcomes like chronic disease and overall longevity are determined by factors out of their control, often rooted in institutional racism and lasting inequities. Supporting healthy families and communities means more than just access tomedical care – it’s also having a safe place to call home, jobs, adequate food and more,” said Senator Smith. “This legislation will help us chart a better path forward to rectify historical injustices and ensure everyone has the chance to live a healthy life.” “When you don’t have a safe, stable place to live, or you can’t find affordable, nutritious food in your neighborhood, you’re more likely to develop chronic health issues that cost you thousands in medical bills. These structural inequities disproportionately impact communities of color and can have really devastating consequences for peoples’ health. I’m glad to team up with Senator Smith on this legislation to make a worthwhile investment in helping communities create healthy environments and improve long-term health outcomes,” said
Klobuchar, Smith, Craig Introduce Resolution Honoring Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, Adam Finseth, and Adam Medlicott
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) announced they introduced a resolution to honor Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth who were killed in the line of duty, and Sergeant Adam Medlicott who was injured and hospitalized. In addition, the resolution recognizes law enforcement and first responders in Minnesota and across the country for their dedication to protecting and serving their communities. Craig leads the resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives which is also co-sponsored by U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), and Pete Stauber (R-MN). “Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, and Sergeant Adam Medlicott are heroes who selflessly responded to the call for help,” said Klobuchar. “This resolution honors their bravery and recognizes the dedication of our country’s law enforcement and first responders.” “Since I heard the news, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the sacrifices made by the first responders who lost their lives, officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, and about Sergeant Adam Medlicott as he recovers from his injuries,” said Smith. “Every day they left their families and put their lives on the line to go to work and protect the Burnsville community. I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. This resolution can’t take away their pain and grief but is one
U.S. Senator Tina Smith & Colleagues to Secretary Mnuchin: Workers—Not Just Businesses—Must Benefit from Stimulus Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/21/20]—In an effort to help Americans rebuild and recover after the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and several of her colleagues on the Senate Banking Committee—of which she’s a member—are urging the Trump Administration to prioritize workers in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus lending. The CARES Act included key worker protection provisions, secured by Sen. Smith and her colleagues, along with business supports. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Sen. Smith and her colleagues urged him to require businesses receiving taxpayer money to enter into binding agreements with the Department of the Treasury that commit businesses to meaningful worker protections that support hardworking families during this crisis.
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Veterans Will Automatically Receive Coronavirus Financial Assistance Without Having to File Tax Returns
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/20/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that veterans in Minnesota and across the country who receive benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will automatically receive direct coronavirus relief payments without having to file tax returns. Earlier this month, Sens. Klobuchar and Smith—along with 43 of their Democratic colleagues—called on the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration to automatically provide relief payments to millions of low-income veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities even if they have not filed a tax return. The Treasury Department first took this step
U.S. Senators Smith & Barrasso Plan to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Relief to America’s Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/19/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)—co-chairs of the Senate Rural Health Caucus—announced that they will be introducing their bipartisan Rural Health Relief Act, which would provide relief to rural hospitals amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by making them eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created through the CARES Act. The PPP provides 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 emergency, with loan forgiveness of up to eight weeks of payroll based on employee retention and salary levels. Unfortunately, the PPP as it currently stands excludes small, publicly-owned hospitals. Sens. Smith
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads 16 Colleagues in Bipartisan Push For Rural Housing Assistance Amid Economic Fallout from Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/17/20]—In an effort to prevent people in small towns and rural communities—particularly low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities—from losing their housing during the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today led a bipartisan group of 16 colleagues in pressing top Senate Appropriators for emergency funding to help rural renters. Sen. Smith—a member of the Senate Housing and Banking Committee—said that 86 percent of counties in the United States struggling with persistent poverty are in rural areas, and yet the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service Program received no funding in the recently-passed legislation to address the pandemic. This vital program helps low-income households, seniors and persons with disabilities in rural communities access affordable housing. The push came
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