Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Applauds Senate Passage of Her Bipartisan Amendment to Improve Farm Service Agency Staffing to Better Serve Farmers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) celebrated the Senate passage of her bipartisan amendment to improve staffing at local USDA offices, which are often the first point of contact for farmers looking to make use of federal services. Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices are critically under-staffed and too often unable to meet the needs of farmers. This bipartisan amendment, which is co-led by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and cosponsored by Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would help improve staffing at these local offices and improve customer service, particularly in rural areas. “FSA and NRCS offices are critical resources for farmers in Minnesota and across the country,” said Senator Smith. “These offices are often the first point of contact for farmers looking for capital to expand their operations or purchase equipment. Unfortunately, these offices have been severely understaffed, which hurts their ability to provide important services. This amendment would help develop a plan to improve staffing and provide recommendations to Congress so that we can address this issue. I’m glad to see it pass the Senate and will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it signed into law.” “The staff in county offices provide critical support to family farmers who are navigating federal programs,” said Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) President Gary Wertish. “Unfortunately, staffing is an ongoing challenge which has consequences for farmers who are trying to utilize farm safety net programs
As Child Labor Violations Skyrocket, Senators Smith, Casey, Murray Introduce Legislation to Combat Child Labor Exploitation
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introducing comprehensive labor legislation to protect children from exploitative child labor practices and hold companies and individuals who take advantage of them accountable. The Children Harmed in Life-threatening or Dangerous (CHILD) Labor Act cracks down on employers who violate child labor laws with much stronger federal penalties and allows children who have been exploited to sue their employers. The bill authorizes the Department of Labor to label and restrict the shipping of goods that are produced with child labor. It also provides the Department of Labor with greater authority to investigate and hold suppliers and subcontractors throughout the supply chain responsible for oppressive child labor and requires federal contracts to contain provisions prohibiting child labor, among other provisions. “Over the past few years we have seen an alarming and dramatic increase in child labor violations,” said Senator Smith. “We’ve seen deeply troubling examples in Minnesota – meatpacking plants and slaughterhouse floors are no place for children. Companies that take advantage of children – often those who are most vulnerable – and subject them to dangerous work environments must be held accountable. This legislation strengthens and improves federal child labor laws and takes important steps to ensure bad actors are met with stronger penalties and are held accountable for violations.” “Children do not belong in factories or working during hours when they should be studying, spending time with their families, or simply being
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Susan Collins’ Bipartisan Wind Energy Legislation One Step Closer to Becoming Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/12/19]—Today U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) said that their bipartisan wind energy research and development legislation passed out of the Senate Energy Committee. This gets their bill over a major hurdle on its way to becoming law. Senator Smith and Collins’ legislation, the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2019, would renew and expand the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Wind Energy and award competitive grants to improve the energy efficiency, reliability and capacity of wind energy generation. “Today’s committee action shows that both sides of the aisle recognize the importance of investing
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Over $22 Million in Funding to Help Minnesota Farmers Cut Energy Costs
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded grant and loan funding to Minnesota totaling $22,140,048 to help farmers and rural businesses reduce energy costs through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Grants totaling $1,109,430 have been awarded to 32 Minnesota projects and loans totaling $21,030,618 have been awarded to four Minnesota projects. Minnesota recipients can use REAP grants to install renewable energy systems—like biofuels or power generation from wind, solar, or biomass, for example—and make energy efficiency improvements. Funds can also be used on energy storage projects and energy audits. “Farmers and small businesses in
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Minnesota Dairy Producers Now Have Extended Time to Enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/12/2019]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee—said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the enrollment deadline for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program to December 20 due to the prolonged and extensive impacts of weather. The USDA announced it is also continuing to accept applications for the Market Facilitation Program through December 20. The Senators said that the DMC program helps Minnesota dairy producers manage the volatility of milk and feed prices more affordably. “Dairy farmers continue to struggle with market instability and low prices, and they deserve our support during these tough times,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “I
Klobuchar, Smith Announce $1.75 Million Grant For Great Lakes Restoration Efforts
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) a $1,750,000 supplemental Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant to continue restoration efforts in the Saint Louis River Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) in Lake Superior. This supplemental grant brings the total GLRI investment in the project to $7,770,000 and represents a larger effort to restore and protect the Great Lakes through the GLRI. “The Great Lakes are a national treasure and vital to the economy and environment in Minnesota and our
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