Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Infrastructure Projects in Stearns County
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 road and wastewater infrastructure projects in Stearns County. The projects include road improvements in the cities of Sartell and Waite Park, and wastewater system upgrades in St. Cloud. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN). “From critical road improvements to upgrading a sewer system, these projects will bolster important infrastructure in Stearns County and surrounding areas,” said Klobuchar. “We worked with local leaders to secure these resources and move these projects forward.” “Revitalizing our infrastructure is about more than just fixing roadways, bridges and water treatment facilities, it’s about improving people’s lives, which is precisely what these projects will do,” said Smith. “These projects are going to make life easier and safer for Stearns County residents.” 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, Jerry Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Save Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand a lifeline for rural hospitals facing closure. The Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act would remove barriers for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and rural hospitals to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital designation under Medicare. These changes would help rural hospitals facing closure to receive federal financial assistance to remain open and serving their communities through emergency stabilizing care and obstetric care, rather than closing and forcing community members to travel further distances for emergency care. In Minnesota, more than one-third of rural health care systems were in the red as of 2019. “Rural hospitals provide health care in areas where it isn’t otherwise easy to access, so when their doors close, communities are left with almost no options, and that’s dangerous. If you’re dealing with a medical emergency or you just went into labor, the last thing on your mind should be whether your local hospital is still open,” said Senator Smith. “This bill is about public safety. It will make sure that if a hospital is in truly dire straits, they can remain open for emergency care – including obstetric care.” “Access to emergency health care saves lives and helps keep rural communities prospering,” said Senator Moran. “Too many rural hospitals in Kansas and across the country are struggling to keep their doors open, and this legislation offers those hospitals a lifeline. The Rural Emergency Hospital designation has already helped save numerous rural hospitals, and expanding access to this successful program is
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Fighting to Secure Emergency Relief for U.S. Postal Service Amid Economic Fallout From Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/08/20]— As Congress works to craft the next bipartisan coronavirus (COVID-19) package, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is fighting to secure emergency relief for the United States Postal Service (USPS) to help bridge budget gaps, continue nationwide service, and provide hazard pay and personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers. In a letter to Leaders Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Smith said that the USPS has become a lifeline for all communities during the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting small businesses, connecting loved ones, and delivering critical items such as prescriptions. But due to the economic impact of COVID-19, USPS estimates that overall mail volume could decline by over 50 percent by mid-summer, compared to the same period
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Fighting to Secure Emergency Relief for U.S. Postal Service Amid Economic Fallout From Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/08/20]— As Congress works to craft the next bipartisan coronavirus (COVID-19) package, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is fighting to secure emergency relief for the United States Postal Service (USPS) to help bridge budget gaps, continue nationwide service, and provide hazard pay and personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers. In a letter to Leaders Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Smith said that the USPS has become a lifeline for all communities during the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting small businesses, connecting loved ones, and delivering critical items such as prescriptions. But due to the economic impact of COVID-19, USPS estimates that overall mail volume could decline by over 50 percent by mid-summer compared to the same period
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Fight to Help State and Local Governments Provide Paid Leave to Police, Firefighters, and Other Workers During Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/08/20]—This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced a key measure to help state and local governments provide public employees with paid leave when they need it most. Her legislation would provide a tax credit to help state and local governments afford to provide paid leave to police, firefighters, and other employees who can’t work due to coronavirus. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which was enacted by Congress earlier this year, requires many public and private employers to provide paid leave for workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic. That law provides tax credits to private-sector employers to cover the costs of paid leave. But the package did not extend these tax credits to public-sector employers. This is
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Back Legislation to Significantly Expand National Service Programs to Improve COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/07/20]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) are backing legislation to significantly expand national service programs as the country works to respond and recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act, led by U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) would fund 750,000 national service positions over a three-year response and recovery period, in part to meet the projected need for as many as 300,000 public health workers. The bill would also expand partnerships between AmeriCorps and federal health agencies and increase the AmeriCorps living allowance to ensure all Americans can step up to serve regardless of their financial circumstances.
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