Latest Releases
Senator Smith Takes to Senate Floor to Share How Childcare Crisis is Hurting Minnesotans, Urge Action from Congress
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined a number of her colleagues, led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), in speaking on the Senate floor about how the worsening childcare crisis is hurting families and local economies in every state—and stressing the need to address the crisis by acting on President Biden’s supplemental funding request to extend important stabilization funds. Joining Senators Smith and Murray were Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ron Wyden, (D-OR), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). “Childcare is one of the top issues I hear about from Minnesotans. I hear from families who have to drive more than 50 miles to get their kids to childcare, families who are spending more than one-third of their household income on the cost of care for two kids. No one is well-served by our current childcare system,” said Senator Smith on the Senate floor. “We know that the programs stabilizing the sector worked. We know how much they helped parents and how much they benefited our economy. We must provide additional funding for childcare in a future supplemental to help providers stay afloat, allow parents to continue working, and keep children in quality care. Throughout her time in the Senate, Senator Smith has led efforts to expand access to childcare. In addition to leading the push to stabilize the childcare sector, this year she has introduced bipartisan legislation to bring more childcare to more agricultural and rural communities. She has also supports a host of bills to reform our childcare system, including the Child Care for Working
Klobuchar, Smith Statements on Bipartisan Confirmation of Jeffrey Bryan to be U.S. District Court Judge
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Tina Smith (D-MN) issued the following statements after the Senate confirmed Jeffrey Bryan to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the District of Minnesota. Currently serving on the Minnesota Court of Appeals in Saint Paul, Judge Bryan was one of the candidates sent to President Biden by Klobuchar and Smith following the recommendation from a judicial selection committee. Judge Bryan will be the first Latino federal judge in Minnesota. “As a former federal prosecutor and a current appellate judge with over two decades of legal experience, Jeff Bryan has spent his career serving the people of Minnesota. His dedication to justice and the rule of law has earned the respect and support of judges, attorneys, and law enforcement officials across the political spectrum,” said Klobuchar. “As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I worked to advance his nomination and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of this outstanding nominee. I’m confident that he will be an excellent U.S. District Court Judge.” “Judge Bryan’s confirmation is a testament to his considerable experience and commitment to the rule of law,” said Smith. “His distinguished record as an appellate judge, trial court judge, and Assistant U.S. Attorney in Minneapolis make him exceptionally well-qualified for this position. I congratulate him on his confirmation.” Judge Bryan was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals in Saint Paul in 2019.
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.
Sen. Smith Pushes for Action to Support Iron and Steel Workers in Minnesota
U.S. Senator Tina Smith is calling on the federal government to act promptly and conclude a Commerce Department investigation to determine the effect of steel imports on national security—known as a Section 232 investigation—in order to stem the tide of steel imports that puts the jobs of iron and steel workers in Minnesota at risk. In April of last year, President Trump announced that he would be invoking Section 232 of a U.S. trade law to launch an investigation into the effects of foreign steel imports on national security. After repeated delays from the Commerce Department in issuing recommendations for action, Sen. Smith—who recently
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