Latest Releases
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
Senators Smith, Grassley Reintroduce Legislation to Prevent Spread of Foreign Animal Diseases
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reintroduced legislation to combat the spread of foreign animal diseases entering the United States. The Healthy Dog Importation Act would expand the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (USDA-APHIS) program by providing additional tools to monitor and safeguard the health of dogs being imported into the country. “Human and animal health are inextricably linked, and we know that taking proactive steps can help prevent health emergencies,” Smith said. “That’s why the Healthy Dog Importation Act is so important. Mitigating the spread of foreign diseases in dogs helps keep domestic and wild animals healthy. It can also help prevent illnesses and disease outbreaks in people. I will continue working to move this bipartisan bill forward.” “Maintaining animal health is critical to our nation’s overall public health goals. It’s important that we work to stop the spread of diseases that can hurt both animals and humans,” Grassley said. “This commonsense proposal will leverage an existing program to ensure that all dogs entering the country are healthy and not at risk of spreading dangerous diseases.” In addition to expanding the USDA-APHIS program, the Healthy Dog Importation Act would require every imported dog to have a certificate of veterinary inspection from a licensed veterinarian. The health certificate must attest that the dog has received all required vaccinations and demonstrated negative test results. This legislation would also create an online database containing documentation and import permits to ensure dogs entering the United States are being properly
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
English