Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Introduce Legislation to Support Volunteer Drivers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced legislation to support volunteer drivers. The Volunteer Driver Tax Parity Act would lower the financial burden that volunteer drivers face by increasing the charitable mileage tax reimbursement rate for drivers from $0.14 to $0.625 per mile for a two-year period. “Volunteer drivers are vital to rural communities across our state, helping seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and others access important necessities such as meals and health care,” said Klobuchar. “By increasing the charitable mileage tax reimbursement rate, this legislation will help alleviate the financial challenges that many volunteer drivers face, ensuring that they can continue to serve their communities.” “Minnesota’s seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities all rely on volunteer drivers to provide crucial services such as access to food, medication and transport,” said Smith. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation, which will increase the charitable mileage tax reimbursement rate and lower the financial burden for these volunteers. By more fairly compensating them for their services, we can help ensure volunteers are able to continue helping the people who rely on them.” The Volunteer Driver Tax Parity Act would: Increase the charitable mileage reimbursement rate from $0.14 to $0.625 per mile for a two-year period in order to address financial challenges placed on volunteer drivers; Set the permanent rate for volunteer drivers at $0.24 following the two-year period to adjust for inflation; Ensure that the IRS has the ability to adjust charitable mileage reimbursement rate accordingly to inflationary
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Infrastructure Improvements in Duluth
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $24.9 million in federal funding for infrastructure improvements in Duluth. Specifically, the grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will revitalize a two-mile section of West Superior Street by replacing outdated utilities systems, expanding broadband connectivity, and building electrical vehicle charging stations. “Investments in our infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will make a real difference for communities in Duluth, enabling critical infrastructure improvements that will strengthen downtown, while helping to replace aging utilities and increasing broadband connectivity for local businesses and residents.” “Minnesota is paving the way to a clean energy future and this project exemplifies Duluth’s commitment to prioritizing the environment while upgrading the city’s infrastructure,” said Smith. “From installing electric vehicle charging stations to investing in green infrastructure and expanding access to broadband, this project will both make critical improvements to the city’s infrastructure while remaining committed to the future of our planet. I’m glad we’re able to be a partner at the federal level to ensure this project gets done.” “I am deeply grateful to Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith for understanding the value of this enormous investment in our community,” said Duluth Mayor Emily Larson. “This is a highly competitive grant process – receiving this RAISE grant is a truly monumental achievement and speaks to the commitment our Senators have to Duluth
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Senate Democrats Urge DeVos to Listen to Students and Survivors of Sexual Assault, Start Over on Title IX Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/04/2019]–U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined her colleagues—led by Senate Education Committee ranking member Senator Patty Murray(D-Wash.)—in urging Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to rescind proposed Title IX changes and to instead draft a rule that truly addresses sexual assault in schools, colleges, and universities in Minnesota and across the country. Since Secretary DeVos announced her proposed rule, students, survivors, advocates, and colleges around the country have fiercely opposed her proposal, which would weaken protections for students and allow schools to shirk their responsibility to keep students safe. “We urge you to listen to students, schools, and survivors across this country,” the Senators wrote. “Clearly, harassment and assault are
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/05/2019]—This evening, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address. “I grew up with my mom always saying something that I think a lot of other Americans heard growing up—that ‘actions speak louder than words.’ We heard the President bring up bipartisanship tonight, and wouldn’t it be great if he lives up to his words,” said Sen. Smith. “His actions need to match what he shared with all of us, and one place I hope we can gain bipartisan support is my bill to help federal contract workers get
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Continues Fight to Lower Prescription Drug Prices By Backing Bipartisan Legislation to Bring Generics to Market
Senator Says Bipartisan Legislation Would Combat Brand-Name Pharmaceutical Companies Unfairly Blocking Lower-Cost Generic Drugs WASHINGTON, D.C [02/06/2019]—This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) continued one of her top health care priorities—lowering the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs—by supporting bipartisan legislation led by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to stop brand-name pharmaceutical companies from blocking lower-cost generic drugs to market. The Creating and Restoring Equal Access To Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act, which is also supported by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), would deter pharmaceutical companies from blocking cheaper generic alternatives from entering the marketplace. “The amount of money that Americans pay for medications
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Senate Colleagues Fight to Increase Fairness and Transparency in Lending Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/06/19]—Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) took steps to improve data collection and deter discrimination in mortgage lending. The Home Loan Quality Transparency Act would reinstate key reporting mortgage lending data reporting requirements that were repealed last year over the objections of Sen. Smith and many consumer and civil rights advocates. The new legislation to reinstate lending transparency was introduced by Sen. Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and cosponsored by Sen. Smith. “I believe that when we have an opportunity to make our communities more inclusive, strengthen transparency, and make sure banks and lenders are playing by the rules, we should take it,” said Sen. Smith. “This legislation strengthens a key tool for
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