Latest Releases
Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Ensure Accurate, Thorough Education About Native Peoples
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced significant legislation to improve public education and understanding about Native American peoples and their histories. Accurate, thorough education about Native peoples benefits all students, Native and non-Native alike. Unfortunately, the education most students receive regarding Native histories and cultures is woefully inadequate. For example, nearly half of Americans say that what they were taught in schools about Native Americans was inaccurate and in most K-12 classrooms, students are not taught about Native peoples at all post-1900. Furthermore, teachers rate “history of Native American peoples” and “pre-Columbian American history and culture” as two of the worst subjects in terms of coverage and accuracy. These glaring educational deficiencies allow negative stereotypes and misconceptions to take hold and persist. “It is unacceptable that so many Americans are under- and misinformed about Native peoples and their history,” said Senator Smith. “Teachers and Native groups around the country have been sounding the alarm and pushing for action on this issue for years, and it’s time we listened. This legislation would help develop accurate and thorough curriculum for our schools so that harmful misconceptions and stereotypes do not persist.” Deficiencies in our education system are a top driver of false narratives about Native peoples. Senator Smith’s legislation, the Native Histories and Cultures Education Act, would help states improve primary and secondary education about Native histories and cultures in North America by: This legislation is inspired by the Understand Native Minnesota initiative, led by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux
Ahead of Likely Shutdown, Sen. Smith, Rep. Pressley Introduce Bill to Provide Back Pay for Federal Contract Workers
WASHINGTON — Ahead of a possible Republican government shutdown, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)introduced legislation to secure back pay for the thousands of federal contract workers who face layoffs without back pay during a potential shutdown. Unlike federal government employees, the thousands of federal contract employees—many of whom serve in modestly paid jobs like custodians and cafeteria workers—have no assurances that they will receive back pay to make up for the wages they miss during a shutdown. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act seeks to ensure federal contract workers, including low-wage food service, janitorial and security service workers, are fairly compensated for the wages and benefits lost due to a lapse in appropriations. “This is about fairness—contractor workers and their families should not be penalized for a government shutdown that they did nothing to cause,” said Sen. Smith. “Contractor employees perform jobs that are critical to the operation of our government, providing food service, security, and doing custodial work. These are often low-wage jobs that mean workers are living paycheck to paycheck. In the past, these workers haven’t received back pay at the end of a government shutdown like the thousands of government employees. And it’s time we right that wrong.” “As a former hotel worker and unpaid Congressional intern who worked three jobs, I know all too well what it means to
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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