Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Cut Red Tape, Help Families Access Nutritious Food, and Expand Markets for Farmers
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7.26.23] – This week, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI 3) introduced bicameral legislation to make it easier for families to use nutrition assistance at farmers markets by helping farmers participate in federal nutrition programs. Small and independent farmers are often unable to sell directly to customers using USDA food assistance programs at farmers markets and roadside stands. This is due to burdensome application processes to become vendors for those nutrition programs and the lack of harmonized payment processing technology and equipment. The Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act would address these issues and make it easier for farmers to participate as authorized vendors under various nutrition programs. By doing so, it also provides an opportunity to bolster the dignity of nutrition program customers. “Every family should be able to get nutritious, affordable food. Small farmers and ranchers are the lifeblood of Minnesota’s ag economy. We should be doing everything we can to help small farmers to be able to sell their products to those families, particularly in their local area,” said Sen. Smith. “By cutting red tape and providing necessary technology and equipment, this bill will make it easier for them to accept nutrition program benefits, thereby tapping into that market, while simultaneously helping folks using federal nutrition programs to access healthy, local food at farmers markets.” “West Michigan is known for its incredible fresh produce, and today I introduced legislation to ensure even more of our neighbors have
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, John Hoeven Introduce Legislation to Improve Key Native American Food Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7.26.23] – This week, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced bipartisan legislation to make the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) work better for Tribal communities. FDPIR provides food assistance for income-eligible Native households. In 2018, the Farm Bill reauthorization created a pilot program to allow self-governance contracting for procurement within FDPIR. The bipartisan FDPIR Tribal Food Sovereignty Act expands and makes that pilot program permanent. If enacted, the bill would allow Tribal governments to administer FDPIR for their community. “Every Native American community should have access to nutritious and culturally specific food,” said Smith. “This bipartisan bill will strengthen local food economies, empower Tribal governments, and provide healthy food to those who need it. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this passed as part of the Farm Bill.” “This legislation is part of our broader efforts to promote Tribal self-governance and builds upon the pilot program I worked to include in the 2018 farm bill,” said Hoeven. “Our bill will not only give Tribes greater control over this important nutrition program, helping ensure that assistance gets to those who need it most, but will allow food to be sourced from more local producers, supporting the local economy.” Federal food programs are vital in many Native communities, with approximately 25 percent of Native Americans receiving some type of federal food assistance. In some Tribal communities, participation is as high as 80 percent. Self-governance
Sen. Tina Smith Sworn in to Serve Minnesota in US Senate
U.S. Senator Tina Smith was sworn in to serve the state of Minnesota in the United States Senate. Photos of the ceremonial swearing-in are attached and you can watch video here. “Every time I talk about Minnesota I feel incredible pride—in our communities and community leaders, in hard-working families, in farmers and businesses, and in all the women, men, and children who call our great state their home,” said Sen. Smith. “I’m thinking about all of those people—and the weight of this seat, which carries a long progressive legacy that I intend to uphold—as I begin representing Minnesota in the U.S. Senate. “I want to thank everybody who joined me today, including my husband Archie, our sons Mason
Sen. Tina Smith Fights for Minnesota in First Weekend as U.S. Senator
Back in Washington after a productive trip home to Minnesota, U.S. Senator Tina Smith said she plans to take what she learned from her first weekend as Senator and use it to continue fighting for Minnesota’s priorities. Over the weekend, Sen. Smith made several stops—which you can read more about here—on her way from the metro area to Duluth and the Iron Range and back. “What a great first weekend as Senator,” said Sen. Smith. “The stops I made, and meetings I held, and Minnesotans I met really drove home what a big, diverse, welcoming state Minnesota is. I’m excited to hit the ground
Sen. Tina Smith Throws Support Behind Proposal to Restore Net Neutrality
U.S. Senator Tina Smith backed a Senate effort to restore the national net neutrality protections that were recently gutted by President Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC). “Net neutrality is the basic—but important—principle that what we read, view, and watch on the internet is free and open to everybody,” said Sen. Smith. “And that principle has long allowed for the internet to be a pillar of innovation that powers our modern economy. Tearing up net neutrality gives giant internet service providers the ability to pick and choose how Minnesota families, schools, and businesses use the internet. We can’t let that happen, which is why I’m backing the effort to restore the net neutrality protections that millions
Sen. Tina Smith Named to Key Senate Committees Tuesday
After being named to several key Senate committees, U.S. Senator Tina Smith vowed to use the posts to work on the most-pressing issues facing Minnesotans. Sen. Smith will start serving immediately on the following committees: The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs “It’s an honor to serve Minnesota in the U.S. Senate, and I’m excited that my new committee assignments will allow me to work on issues that touch every community in our state,” said Sen.
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