Latest Releases
Senator Smith, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Grow Foreign Sales of American Agricultural Products
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) continued her fight to open new international markets for Minnesota farm products by throwing her support behind bipartisan legislation to help farmers, rural cooperatives, and small businesses sell more exports abroad. The Expanding Agricultural Exports Act is estimated to increase agricultural exports by $7.4 billion by doubling funding for the advertising programs of agricultural goods in foreign countries. In addition to Senator Smith, The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was reintroduced by Senator Angus King (I-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA). “I fought for a spot on the Agriculture Committee because farming is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy,” said Senator Smith. “I want to make sure that Minnesota’s farmers have every opportunity to sell their products and stay competitive. This bipartisan bill would ratchet up our ag export policies to another level, allowing family farmers to establish, build, and maintain their economic partnerships in international markets.” “Whether it’s Maine blueberries or Iowa pork, people around the world have fallen in love with the unbeatable taste and quality of America’s agricultural products,” said Senator King. “The Expanding Agricultural Exports Act will open new markets for these delicious American products, create opportunities for hard-working farming communities, and support thousands of jobs across the country. With a relatively modest boost in marketing, the bill will spur significant private investment and create billions in resulting sales. That’s the definition of a commonsense deal, and one that I’m glad is already receiving bipartisan support.”
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Seeks Answers From Insurance Companies on Mental Health Care “Ghost Networks”
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) led a bipartisan letter to Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and United Healthcare regarding “ghost networks” that make it difficult for patients to find in-network providers. According to a March 2022 US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, problems include inaccurate or out-of-date information on provider networks. Ghost networks occur when providers are listed as in-network on an insurer’s website but are no longer in-network, accepting new patients, or even in business. The problem of ghost networks is especially prevalent in mental health care and worsened during the pandemic mental health crisis as providers left their positions or stopped taking new patients due to overload. “Ghost networks sow confusion and frustration among patients who are often in need of immediate care. Patients who lack the time and resources to sift through inaccurate provider directors may ultimately choose to forgo or delay needed health care. Others may be forced to pay out-of-pocket for a provider,” the Senators wrote. “When patients search for an in-network provider on a company’s website or directory, it is essential that they are given accurate and up-to-date information,” the Senators continued. Supporting groups include The Kennedy Forum, Mental Health America, American Psychological Association, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Treatment Advocacy Center, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In November, Senator Smith introduced legislation with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to strengthen mental health care coverage, crack down on ghost networks and create stronger
Sen. Tina Smith in Senate Floor Speech: “Farm Bill Touches Lives of Virtually Every American”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/28/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee—urged her Senate colleagues to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill in order to provide more certainty to farmers, and to support jobs in Minnesota and across the country. You can download video of Sen. Smith’s speech here and access a copy of her remarks as prepared for delivery here. “The Farm Bill touches the lives of virtually every American, and it is vital to my state’s economy,” said Sen. Smith in her speech from the Senate floor. “This bill will provide important stability and predictability to Minnesota farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Prevent Another Sun Country Airlines Debacle
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/28/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) followed up on her promise to explore legislation to prevent another incident like the Sun Country Airlines blunder by introducing the Airline Consumer Protection Act. Earlier this year, Eagan-based Sun Country Airlines stranded travelers in Mexico and around the country, leaving them scrambling to find additional lodging and their own way home. Sen. Smith’s Airline Consumer Protection Act seeks to ensure that this won’t happen again by guaranteeing that when a consumer purchases an airline ticket you are getting the transportation you paid for—which often is not the case in the fine print of airline tickets. The bill would also
Sens. Smith, Warren Continue to Demand Answers on Trump Administration’s Failed Promise of “Voluntary, Massive Drops” in Prices
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/02/2018]—U.S. Sens. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are continuing their investigation of the Trump Administration’s promises of “voluntary, massive drops” after these reductions in drug prices fail to materialize. The senators have reached out to nine Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and drug distributors asking for their response to allegations by Secretary Azar during a Senate Health Committee hearing that they are setting uproadblocks that are preventing drug companies from voluntarily lowering their drug prices. This latest effort follows similar letters previously sent toSecretary Azar and to drug manufacturers. “These are extremely disturbing allegations by Secretary Azar,” wrote Sens. Smith and Warren. “If
Smith, Klobuchar Call on Federal Communications Commission to Establish Protections for Consumers from Unwanted, Harassing Robocalls
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar joined Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and 11 other senators in calling for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish protections for consumers from unwanted and harassing robocalls and robotexts. “In an era when the onslaught of unwanted and abusive robocalls is on the rise, we are concerned that the absence of core protections would result in even more invasive calls and texts,” the senators wrote in their letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “It is the FCC’s obligation to use its existing authority to reestablish robust, enforceable protections to enhance the precious zone of privacy
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