Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Federal Funding to Strengthen Electric Grid Reliability and Resilience in Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding for upgrades to Minnesota Power’s High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) terminal stations through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program. This project will modernize the aging terminal stations of a 465-mile HVDC transmission line that runs from Center, North Dakota, to Hermantown, Minnesota, to strengthen grid reliability in rural areas and improve access to affordable, clean electricity. “Investments in our infrastructure are down-payments on the economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will allow us to upgrade these aging terminal stations, boost economic development in northern Minnesota, and create hundreds of good-paying jobs all while supporting our renewable energy goals.” “Modernizing our electric grid is a win for the environment and for Minnesotans who will benefit from more affordable, reliable electricity,” said Smith. “I am proud of our work to help deliver these investments and look forward to seeing the impact of these improvements on energy prices and grid reliability.” This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass in 2021. Earlier this year, Klobuchar and Smith sent letters to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in support of Minnesota Power’s HVDC terminal station upgrade project.
U.S. Senators Smith, Padilla, Tillis, Ernst Launch Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced the launch of their bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus. Amidst a national mental health crisis, the Senate Mental Health Caucus will serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. The caucus will work to improve prevention and early intervention efforts, expand the country’s mental health professional workforce, enhance our nation’s crisis response services, and increase access to evidence-based mental health treatment and common-sense solutions for all Americans. Daniel Gillison, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Laurel Stine, Vice President of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), joined the Senators in announcing the launch. U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are also members of the caucus. “I believe that everyone should have access to quality mental health care, regardless of insurance, ZIP code, or age,” said Senator Smith. “Mental health care isn’t a partisan issue – it’s something that affects Americans in red states and blue states alike. Today’s launch represents a renewed commitment and focus to collaborate on bipartisan legislation and solutions. I’m looking forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue to tackle the mental health care crisis in this country.” “Our nation has long faced mounting mental health challenges that have touched the lives of all Americans, but we know there are bipartisan
Sen. Tina Smith’s First Bill Would Address Unscrupulous Big Pharma Tactic That Prevents Minnesotans from Accessing Affordable Rx Drugs
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s first standalone piece of legislation—the Expanding Access to Low Cost Generic Drugs Act—takes aim at a big pharma tactic that keeps affordable generic drugs out of the hands of Minnesota families and seniors. Sen. Smith’s bill, which she introduced today and is similar to a policy endorsed by the Trump Administration, gets at the heart of a major concern facing Minnesota families and seniors right now: prescription drug prices. We’re at the point now where around 25 percent of Americans who take prescription drugs report difficulty affording them. And while generic drugs are often a much less
Sen. Tina Smith Questions Five Big Pharma CEOs on Use of Corporate Tax Savings
Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith questioned a group of major pharmaceutical executives on how they are using billions of their corporate tax cut dollars, expressing concern that the companies may be using the funds to enrich investors through stock “buybacks” and shareholder payouts instead of prioritizing lower prescription drug prices. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law in December, reduced the corporate income tax rate by over 40 percent, providing these companies with a large windfall of corporate tax savings that could be used to bring down costs for consumers or invest in new research and development. However,
Sen. Tina Smith Calls for 2018 Federal Funding Bill to Invest in Minnesotans
As the Senate works on this year’s federal spending bill—often referred to as the appropriations process—U.S. Senator Tina Smith is fighting to prioritize investments in Minnesota families, seniors, and communities. The bill is expected to be released later this month. In a letter sent to leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Smith said “I look forward to working with you throughout the appropriations process to provide strong funding for programs that support the health, education, safety, and prosperity of Minnesotans.” You can read a full list of her priorities here or below: Dear Chairman Cochran and Vice Chairman Leahy: As the
Sen. Smith Makes Major Childcare Access and Affordability Push
U.S. Senator Tina Smith recently launched her “Childcare Access and Affordability” listening sessions across Minnesota, and back in Washington, she’s taking what she’s learning from the state to work on behalf of parents who are attending higher education but lack access to adequate child care options. Sen. Smith recently signed on as a cosponsor of the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) Reauthorization Act, which would help meet the needs of student parents who often struggle to find reliable, affordable child care. In addition, Sen. Smith has joined a group of her colleagues in calling on Senate funding
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