Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith and Representative Craig Announce Minnesota Dairy Producers Can Sign Up for Improved Dairy Margin Coverage
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/24/2022] – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (all D-MN) announced that Minnesota dairy producers are eligible to sign up for the 2023 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, an important safety net program that helps producers manage changes in milk and feed prices. The lawmakers encourage producers to sign up at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office by Dec. 7, 2022. “The Dairy Margin Coverage program helps provide Minnesota’s dairy farmers with important stability and risk management tools that benefit our rural communities,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “ I encourage all dairy farmers interested in enrolling to apply for the DMC program before December 7.” “During periods of price volatility, the Dairy Margin Coverage program is an important assurance for dairy farmers,” said Sen. Smith. “I encourage dairy farmers to take advantage of this program and enroll before the December 7 deadline.” “Minnesota’s dairy farmers are a central part of our agricultural economy – and the resources provided by the Dairy Margin Coverage program will help ensure they are able to keep their operations running smoothly,” said Representative Craig. “I encourage all Second District dairy farmers to take advantage and enroll in this important program today.” The Dairy Margin Coverage program provides critical assistance to our nation’s small- and mid-sized dairies, helping make sure they can manage the numerous and often unpredictable uncertainties that impact market prices for milk. Last year, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) took steps to improve coverage, especially
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce New Rental Assistance Funding for Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/121/22] — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (Both D-Minn.), announced over $8 million in funding for a key rental assistance program that will help Minnesotans struggling to pay rent. The additional funding is made possible by the American Rescue Plan, which both Klobuchar and Smith helped pass last year. “Far too many households across our state are struggling to afford the high costs of housing. Families should not have to choose between paying their rent and paying for other essential necessities,” said Klobuchar. “This critical rental assistance will enable more Minnesotans to remain in their homes and enjoy the safety and stability that affordable housing provides.” “Without access to housing, nothing else in your life works. Not your job, your health, your education or your family,” said Smith. “Emergency rental assistance has been a critical lifeline for tens of thousands of households in Minnesota during the pandemic. I am very glad to see more of this funding, made possible by the American Rescue Plan, come to our state and help thousands of Minnesotans stay in their homes.” The pandemic exacerbated the nationwide housing affordability crisis, putting more Minnesotans at risk of eviction or foreclosure, and making it more difficult for unhoused individuals to secure housing. In response, the American Rescue Plan Act provided substantial housing relief, including the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. The Emergency Rental Assistance program makes funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities. Through two rounds of
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
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Senate Democrats Continue Push for Affordable Child Care For Families in Minnesota, Across the Country
Senator Helps Introduce Legislation to Help Families in Minnesota, Across Nation Afford Comprehensive, High-Quality Child Care WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/27/19]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—who last year launched “Child Care Access and Affordability” listening sessions across Minnesota—is continuing her work to ensure families in Minnesota and across the country are able to access high-quality childcare by supporting a comprehensive bill to address the skyrocketing cost of child care. The bill, called the Child Care for Working Families Act, would address child care costs in a number of ways. It would ensure that families do not have to pay a large percentage of their income onchild care and would provide universal
U.S. Sens. Smith, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Consumers From Predatory Rent-to-Own Housing Contracts
Senators’ Legislation Would Establish Standards for Predatory Rent-to-Own Contracts, Which Have Traditionally Targeted Underserved Communities and Lower-Income Americans WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/27/19]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have introduced the Residential Rent-to-Own Protection Act to protect consumers in Minnesota and across the country from predatory rent-to-own housing contracts. Their measure would allow rent-to-own residents—many of whom are often people of color or low-income Americans—to seek damages from landlords who violate contracts and put protections in place to ensure these residences are safe. “Rent-to-own contracts can create valuable pathways to homeownership and security, but they don’t always protect consumers. We want
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