Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Celebrate $92 Million for Minnesota Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $92 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Minnesota drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the more than $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. “Investments in water infrastructure are essential to the health and safety of families across our state,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “These resources will update water, storm water, and wastewater systems.” “Minnesotans know the value of clean water—in fact, we were the first state to put statewide water quality standards in place over 50 years ago,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “This is an investment in the health and safety of Minnesota families, including families living in underserved communities who have historically been left out of infrastructure upgrades. I was proud to support the President’s legislation to deliver this funding.” “Clean drinking water and properly treated wastewater are basic human rights, yet too many communities still lack access to this critical resource and public health necessity, said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “This funding will help ensure underserved areas receive crucial improvements through expanded grants and loan forgiveness programs targeting those most in need. I look forward to
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Significant Federal Infrastructure Funding for Bemidji Regional Airport
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for the expansion of Bemidji Regional Airport’s Passenger Terminal. The grant provides $261,250 to expand the passenger terminal, which will address current concerns regarding security checkpoints and congestion throughout the terminal. The grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “Bemidji Regional Airport needs to expand its passenger terminal to operate safely and efficiently,” said Klobuchar. “This funding builds on the other federal grants we secured to improve the security checkpoint and extend the life of the runway so that the airport can continue to serve the area for years to come.” “I’m glad to see President Biden’s historic infrastructure package delivering once again for travelers in Minnesota. Our small and regional airports have been in desperate need of upgrades for too long, and this funding will go directly towards expanding the Bemidji Regional Airport’s Passenger Terminal, so travelers aren’t held up by unnecessarily long security lines and can focus on getting to their final destination,” said Senator Smith. This funding is from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In July 2022, Klobuchar and Smith announced that the FAA will award $95,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Bemidji Regional Airport. The airport will use the money to reconfigure and expand the security checkpoint. In June 2023, Klobuchar visited the Bemidji Regional Airport to discuss a $6.5 million grant the Bemidji Regional Airport received through another Bipartisan Infrastructure
Klobuchar, Smith Urge Department of Education to Address Loan Forgiveness for Defrauded Borrowers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) are continuing to call on the Department of Education to address protections for student loan borrowers. In a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Klobuchar and Smith called on the Department of Education to immediately stop collecting on the student debt of borrowers who were defrauded by Globe University (Globe) and Minnesota School of Business (MSB), discharge the covered loans, and process pending borrower defense applications. Klobuchar and Smith’s call follows recent news of Globe and MSB filing for bankruptcy, which may prevent these defrauded students from receiving any of
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Continues Bipartisan Fight to Improve Access to Rural Health Care for New and Expecting Moms
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/04/19]–U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is continuing her efforts with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to ensure new and expecting moms living in rural communities get the care they need by calling on Senate Health Committee leaders to hold a markup for the Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services (Rural MOMS) Act. Earlier this year, Sen. Smith introduced her Rural MOMS legislation after hearing from Minnesotans and providers about the struggles families face in accessing maternity and obstetric care in rural areas and small towns. And this fall, the House companion bill to Sens. Smith and Murkowski’s bill advanced out of the House Committee
Klobuchar, Smith, Peterson Announce $200K for Transit Improvements in Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
WASHINGTON D.C. [11/27/2019]–U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), along with Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN-07), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians a grant of $211,944 for transportation infrastructure improvements. The grant will help Red Lake Nation Public Transit purchase new buses and equipment, allowing it to accommodate ridership demand. Red Lake Nation Public Transit provides bus services on the reservation. “Investments in transportation serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our tribal communities and our state,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “By investing in buses and bus facilities for the Red Lake Band we are making
Members of the Minnesota Delegation Raise Serious Concerns over Use of Unsafe School Buses to Transport Minnesota Students
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Representatives Angie Craig (MN-2), Dean Phillips (MN-3), Betty McCollum (MN-4), Ilhan Omar (MN-5), and Collin Peterson (MN-7) expressed serious concern following recent reports that one out of every eight school buses operated by First Student, Minnesota’s largest school bus provider, failed to meet Minnesota safety standards this year due to serious defects such as unsafe brakes, flat tires, steering issues, and faulty emergency door buzzers. In a letter to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Acting Administrator James Owens, members of the Minnesota delegation requested additional information on what the agency can do to improve
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