Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Statement on Today’s Inflation Reduction Act Celebration
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/13/22] — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement marking today’s celebration of the historic Inflation Reduction Act: “Today we are celebrating a historic bill that is already meeting the moment. In the month since Senate Democrats – without the help of a single Republican – passed the Inflation Reduction Act, the landmark legislation has created new investments, new jobs, and new opportunities for Americans. “It will reduce costs for American families by lowering prescription drug prices and making health care more affordable. It will unleash a new generation of American manufacturing that will help us build and deploy clean energy technology, spur domestic energy production, and tackle the climate emergency. It will help fight inflation and reduce the federal deficit. And it requires big corporations making a billion or more in profits to finally pay more of their fair share in taxes. “And we are also celebrating the most significant piece of climate legislation ever to pass the U.S. Congress that will lead to a 40 percent reduction in emissions by 2030. For the very first time, we have passed a climate bill that actually meets the scale of the problems we face. “Democrats took on big Pharma, entrenched oil interests, and Wall Street – and won.”
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Transit in Twin Cities Suburbs
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $8.1 million in federal funding to strengthen public transit in the southwestern Twin Cities suburbs. Specifically, these resources will enable SouthWest Transit, which connects Chaska, Chanhassan, Eden Prairie and Edina to Minneapolis, to upgrade its bus fleet to include more energy-efficient, low-emission vehicles and bolster its bus facility infrastructure. “Investments in public transit help reduce traffic and make it easier for Minnesotans to get to school, work, and other destinations,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help SouthWest Transit modernize its bus fleet and bus facilities, reducing emissions and allowing residents of the southwestern Twin Cities suburbs to efficiently reach Minneapolis. I’ll keep pushing for resources to ensure public transit is safe and reliable for all Minnesotans.” “Each day, transit systems connect Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities – all while reducing traffic congestion and pollution,” said Smith, Chair of the Senate Transit Subcommittee. “This funding will help modernize public buses and transit facilities in the Twin Cities suburbs while improving air quality and helping combat climate change. I am proud of our work to help secure these grants and will continue working to support public transportation across Minnesota.” The FTA’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program and Buses and Bus Facilities Program provide competitive grants to modernize bus fleets and bus facilities and support the purchase of more energy-efficient public transit vehicles. In April,
U.S Senator Tina Smith Addresses the 2019 National Congress of American Indians Tribal Nations Policy Summit
Senator Tells National Congress of American Indians She’ll Press Legislation to Provide Budget Certainty for Critical Programs, Address Violence Against Tribal Communities WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/12/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) addressed Native American leaders from around the country during the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Tribal Nations Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said she will continue efforts to ensure budget certainty for critical tribal programs and address violence—particularly sexual violence—against Native communities. “Let me be clear: the federal government abdicates its trust responsibility when lapses in federal funding force tribes to fill in the gaps
U.S. Senator Tina Smith In Floor Speech: “Contractors Have Been Left Out in The Cold, With No Back Pay”
**VIDEO RELEASE** WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/14/19]–Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) expressed disappointment that her bipartisan legislation is not included in the budget agreement to avoid another shutdown, but said she will keep fighting for these workers. In the speech, Sen. Smith reiterated her willingness to work with the White House and fellow congressional leaders so that steps can be taken to improve the bill and ultimately be passed into law. You can download video of Sen. Smith’s speech here[TK]. “During the longest federal government shutdown in history, thousands of Americans who serve as contractors to the federal government lost over
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith’s Joint Statement on Need to Fix Boundary Waters Reservation System
After Pressing Forest Service on Online Permitting Failure, Senators Say Delayed Relaunch of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Reservations is Unacceptable WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/22/2019]—Today, Minnesota’s U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith released the following statement after the United States Forest Service announced yesterday that the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) online reservation system launch will be delayed an additional week. Sens. Klobuchar and Smith—who last month called on the U.S. Forest Service to address technical difficulties with the new online reservation system for distributing BWCAW permits—called the delayed relaunch “unacceptable,” and said they will continue to press the Trump Administration
Sens. Tina Smith, Thom Tillis Lead Bipartisan Reintroduction of Bill to Support Health Care for “Atomic Veterans”
Senators Smith and Tillis, Congresswoman Meng Reintroduce Bill To Ensure Radiation-Exposed Veterans Who Cleaned Up Nuclear Testing Sites in Marshall Islands Receive Health Benefits WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/26/19]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to secure health care benefits for “Atomic Veterans” who were exposed to harmful radiation when they cleaned up nuclear testing sites during the late 1970s. U.S. Representative Grace Meng (N-NY) reintroduced the House companion bill, and the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act would allow veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll on the Marshall Islands to receive the same health care and benefits
English