Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz Amendment Requiring the Use of U.S. Supplemental Aid Comply with U.S., International Law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) announced growing momentum around their amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security supplemental are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict. The amendment is now supported by Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.). These Senators add their support to the group of over a dozen Senators who initially cosponsored the amendment: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The Senators’ amendment also requires that the president report to the Congress on whether countries receiving military equipment paid for by American taxpayers meet that test and whether the use of U.S-supplied weapons comports with established presidential directives on arms transfers and Defense Department policies for reducing harm to civilians. And it would buttress current law that prohibits U.S. security assistance to any country that prevents or restricts U.S. humanitarian assistance to those in need, subject to a presidential waiver. The amendment does not apply to funds for air defense systems or other systems that the president determines will be used for strictly defensive purposes. “I am pleased to see growing momentum behind our effort to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used by our
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Celebrate Selection of Minnesota Tribe for Innovative, Culturally Responsive Social Services Pilot Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) celebrated news that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was selected for the Tiwahe Program Social Services Demonstration Project, an innovative program that allows participating Tribal Nations to integrate certain services for their members and incorporate culturally-appropriate components. Tiwahe, which means “family” in the Lakota language, focuses on job placement and training, social services, housing, wellness, and various courts to give Tribal Nations the ability to make these programs work best for their communities. “The Tiwahe Program gives Tribes the flexibility to design family and social services programs that fit the specific needs of their communities,” said Klobuchar. “The Leech Lake Band’s inclusion in the Tiwahe program and White Earth Band’s new grant will help improve the delivery of services for children and families while ensuring Chippewa traditions and values are incorporated into the programs.” “This program means Tribes will have the freedom to govern and deliver social services to their members in the way that works best for them,” said Smith, member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “The Tiwahe program is a crucial part of fulfilling our trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations and Native communities. I am proud of support the Tiwahe program and the work of Tribal Nations in Minnesota.” Senator Smith wrote to the United States Department of Interior supporting Leech Lake Band’s application. Leech Lake Band’s Tiwahe project will work to improve economic security, cultural connections, natural resource stewardship, healthy lifestyles, and other key needs among Tribal members. Red Lake Nation has participated in the program
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Lisa Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Health Care Services for Native American Elders
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/24/2019]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)—both members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee—introduced a bipartisan bill to expand health care services to Native American elders in Minnesota, Alaska and across the country. The Strengthening Services for Native Elders Act would help tribal organizations provide a wider range of home and community-based health services to American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) elders, including transportation, case management, and health and wellness programs. Right now there are more than 26 million AIAN adults over age 65 living in the United States and too many are facing significant health disparities. These elders are more likely to confront mortality at a younger age, and have higher mortality rates
U.S. Senators Smith, Brown, Van Hollen, Kaine, Cardin & Warner Continue Fight to Secure Back Pay From Last Government Shutdown for Federal Contractor Employees
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/24/19]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—along with Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.)—is making good on a promise to keep fighting to secure back pay for federal contractor employees who went without pay during the last government shutdown. The Senators filed an amendment to Senate appropriations measures that would provide those low-wage workers with back pay. Sen. Smith and her colleagues say it is unacceptable that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) took out back pay language from the House-passed appropriations bills, and they are working to right that
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Seeks Young Minnesotans Interested In Attending a U.S. Service Academy
MINNESOTA [10/24/19]—U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s (D-Minn.) office is now accepting applications from young Minnesotans interested in attending one of the nation’s four service academies, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. In order to attend a service academy, candidates must be nominated by a member of Congress, or other applicable nominating source. Applications are due by 5 pm on Friday, November 1. “As Senator, I am proud to be able to nominate talented Minnesotans to our four U.S. Service Academies, where they can prepare to be future leaders in our nation’s military,” said Sen. Smith. “I’m happy to assist eligible Minnesotans in the nomination process,
U.S. Senators Klobuchar and Smith Announce $480,000 to Help Give Farmers and Ranchers Tools to Deal with Stressful Economic Times
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/24/2019]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $480,000 to fund a project to give farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses the tools they need to deal with economic and emotional stress brought on by the difficult farm economy. The funding will allow the University of Minnesota Extension to partner with seven other cooperative extension services in the upper Midwest to develop online resources people can turn to for help. It will also help expand programs including stress assistance classes, a stress assistance hotline and prescription drug abuse education. Right now, Minnesota ag
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