Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Legislation to Support Sustainable Workplace Retirement Plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/16/23]— Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) reintroduced legislation to provide legal certainty to workplace retirement plans that choose to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in their investment decisions or offer ESG investment options. “Sustainable investment options are good for retirees and good for our environment—that’s a win-win,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Banking Committee. “I’m putting forth this legislation because we know there’s a growing demand for sustainable investing, and Congress should act now to provide the legal certainty necessary to make sure workplace retirement plans are able to offer these options to workers across the country.” Despite considerable demand for sustainable investment options, relatively few workplace retirement plans, such as pensions and 401(k) plans, take sustainable investing principles into account in their investment decisions or provide sustainable investment options to workers. This is the case even though many workers and retirees want their plans to do so. One of the primary issues hindering plans that want to offer sustainable investment options is an uncertain and regularly changing legal environment. Under the Trump Administration, the Department of Labor issued a rule that imposed new limits on the consideration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors by workplace retirement plans. That rule was rescinded and replaced last year, once again allowing plans to invest sustainably. However, the new rule is currently subject to a legal challenge and is the target of a Congressional Review Act resolution. The Freedom to Invest in a Sustainable Future Act
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Lindsey Graham Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Prepare Young People for the Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/16/23]—This week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to promote partnerships between afterschool providers and businesses so young people can explore career paths and opportunities that help them land their first jobs and thrive in the workforce. The Youth Workforce Readiness Act would support high-quality programs that help young people gain practical skills and connect them to real-life work experiences and learning opportunities. The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). “We should be doing everything we can to provide our kids with the skills and connections they need to find good jobs and contribute to their communities. I also hear from employers in Minnesota that they need help getting connected to great employees. That’s where afterschool and out-of-school time providers can play a role in helping young people gain skills and make connections to mentors, opportunities and local employers,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Education and Labor Committee. “Our bipartisan bill would help support youth success for years to come by exposing young people to a wide range of careers and helping them make connections in the workforce.” “Preparing our kids to successfully contribute to our economy helps keep America strong,” said Sen. Graham. “A well-educated, well-trained workforce is a key component to future economic development. This legislation is great news for South Carolina and an important investment in the future of our nation.” Right now, too many young people in Minnesota and around the
Following Equifax Settlement, U.S. Senators Smith, Markey and Blumenthal Introduce Bill to Hold Data Broker Industry Accountable
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/26/19]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced legislation to require accountability and transparency from data brokers like Equifax that collect and sell personal information about consumers in Minnesota and across the nation. The Data Broker Accountability and Transparency Act would prohibit data brokers from engaging in discriminatory data use practices; make it possible for consumers to access and correct their information; and provide consumers with the right to stop data brokers from using, sharing, or selling their personal information for marketing purposes. The bill additionally would require data brokers to develop comprehensive
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Energy Storage Legislation Clears Major Hurdle in The Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/23/2019]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said several provisions she authored to improve the nation’s energy storage capabilities were approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today as part of a larger bipartisan energy storage measure. That legislation will now go to the full Senate for consideration. Sen. Smith said that key provisions from her Promoting Grid Storage Act of 2019 were included in the package and would boost research and development of cutting-edge technologies, increase energy storage capabilities for America’s electric grid, and enable the expanded use of clean energy. “The United States can lead the clean energy revolution, or we can follow. I, for one, want us
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber Announce Over $1.9 Million in Funding for Rural Broadband Development in Aitkin County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) announced over $1.9 Million in funding for broadband deployment in Aitkin County. The Community Connect grant of $1,953,464 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be used to construct a fiber broadband network helping spur economic, business, telehealth, and educational improvements in Rice River Township and Spaulding Township. “Our 21st century economy demands 21st century infrastructure, and that requires investments in roads, bridges, airports, and rural broadband,” Klobuchar said. “This crucial funding will connect these communities – bringing high speed internet to even more
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on House Beginning Impeachment Proceedings
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/24/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement: “I support the House beginning impeachment proceedings, as a matter of national security, and protecting the rule of law and our Constitution. “Amid reports that the President asked or even actively pressured Ukraine, a foreign government, to interfere in our country’s democracy by undermining a political opponent, we must fully and fairly open a process to lay out all the facts. “Such an inquiry—which is different from removal from office—is serious. Impeachment is the only way in our system of constitutional checks and balances to establish whether a President has abused
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