Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Infrastructure Improvements Along I-94
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $13,736,000 in federal funding for the I-94 Blowing and Drifting Snow Control Project in West Central Minnesota. The project will install 24 miles of snow fence across 38 sites to address snow control along nearly 120 miles of I-94 between the cities of Moorhead and Alexandria. The project will reduce snow traps along the economically vital I-94 corridor, enhancing safety, minimizing winter maintenance, and boosting the reliability of the heavily traveled highway. “I-94 is one of the most heavily used highways in our state but its driving conditions can be impacted during winter storms,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal grant, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will install snow fences to reduce snow traps along the highway and ensure I-94 remains safe for drivers.” “In Minnesota, we have to keep moving even when there’s snow, and this stretch of I-94 is notoriously unsafe in snowy conditions,” said Smith. “This grant from the Federal Highway Administration will help keep Minnesotans safe on I-94 in snowy conditions.” The funding was secured through the USDOT Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant program. PROTECT provides funding to ensure surface transportation resilience to natural hazards including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides funding for PROTECT.
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Infrastructure Improvements to Highway 11 Along the Rainy River
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $2,560,000 in federal funding for the City of Loman’s Highway 11 Rainy River Slide Realignment and Resiliency Project. The project addresses two critical slope failures that threaten to close portions of Highway 11 along the Rainy River. The project will realign 1.2 miles of the highway about 150 feet to the west, removing the roadway from the slide areas and completing work to stabilize the slopes. “Highway 11 is a vital part of Northern Minnesota’s transportation system,” said Klobuchar. “With this grant, the City of Loman will make critical infrastructure improvements to make Highway 11 resilient and improve driving conditions.” “Minnesotans deserve to drive on safe, reliable roads,” said Smith. “Highway 11 along the Rainy River in Northern Minnesota is a danger to drivers, and this project will realign the highway on safer, more stable ground to protect and improve drivers’ safety.” The funding was secured through the USDOT Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant program. PROTECT provides funding to ensure surface transportation resilience to natural hazards including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides funding for PROTECT. ###
Members of Minnesota Congressional Delegation Urge Administration to Provide Critical Assistance to the State in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN-2), Dean Phillips (D-MN-3), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5), and Collin Peterson (D-MN-7) wrote a letter to Vice President Pence calling on the Administration to provide critical assistance to the State of Minnesota in its efforts to respond to and mitigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “We have heard serious concerns from medical personnel in our State regarding the ability to process coronavirus testing due to the limited availability of needed components such as reagents and lab supplies,” the members wrote. “It is
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Dean Phillips to Host Coronavirus Briefing Call on Monday, March 16
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/16/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN 3) will host a free and open-to-the-public coronavirus briefing call featuring Minnesota public health experts at 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET. Minnesotans are invited to submit their questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) online here, and join the call by dialing 855-927-0897 or streaming online here. WHO: U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips Dr. Rob Thomas, Medical Director, Emergency Physicians Professional Association Dr. Penny Wheeler, CEO, Allina Health System Additional public health experts WHAT: Coronavirus Briefing Call WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2020 6-7 p.m. CT/7-8 p.m. ET WHERE: Call-in: 855-927-0897; Stream online: https://phillips.house.gov/dial-in SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE: https://tinyurl.com/MNCoronavirusBriefing
U.S. Senator Smith Leads Democratic Senate Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Expand Free Coronavirus Testing to People on Private Insurance, in Medicare, Medicaid and the Uninsured
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/12/20]—Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led a number of her Democratic Senate colleagues in introducing the Free COVID-19 Testing Act, which would expand free tests to confirm coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) was an original cosponsor of the bill. The legislation was also led by Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The Free COVID-19 Testing Act would waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and related health care services for individuals enrolled in private health plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, VA as well as for federal civilians,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Protect Quarantined Workers From Being Fired or Punished by Employers Amid Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/12/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced legislation to prohibit employers from firing, punishing or otherwise discriminating against a worker who is quarantined or isolated—or who is caring for a family member in quarantine or isolation—amid the coronavirus pandemic. While President Trump touched on providing financial relief for workers during an address from the Oval Office yesterday evening, Sen. Smith believes workers need a clear set of federal rules so Americans are reassured and more likely to follow quarantine or isolation recommendations if they know they’ll still have their jobs and won’t get fired for doing so. Sen. Smith also supports
English