Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Clean Energy Projects for Minnesota Farms, Small Businesses in Rural Areas
[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced funding awards for 76 farms and small businesses across rural and Greater Minnesota to install clean energy technology. This round of funding for Minnesota totals $7,891,608. This year alone, Minnesota has seen over 250 clean energy projects in small towns and rural communities. The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The projects are possible thanks to the Renewable Energy for America (REAP) program, which Senator Smith championed and strengthened in the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported. “The clean energy transition is happening; the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “But as we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits. That’s one reason why projects funded by REAP are so important. These investments will save farms and small businesses across Minnesota thousands of dollars a year in energy costs while helping reduce harmful emissions.” “Investing in long-term energy is a win-win for rural customers and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, we’re taking a big step toward deploying new energy technologies to power rural communities across Minnesota for decades to come.” Total Investment: $7,891,608 Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 98,240,418 Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $2,583,511 The list of projects from this announcement, broken down by region, can be found here and below: Location
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Funding Secured to Complete MSP Airport’s Concourse G Remodel
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced that the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport received the final funding amount necessary to complete the airport’s improvements to Concourse G. This grant, made possible through the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will expand the Terminal 1 building on Concourse G from Gates 8 –13 to include 5 new single use restrooms and 2 new multi-user restrooms, terminal passenger seating, and energy efficient spaces. “Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is among the busiest airports in the country and supports tens of thousands of jobs in our state,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This significant federal funding will enable the airport to fund the expansion of Terminal 1 to improve the travel experience for passengers and maintain its position as a top-ranking airport.” “MSP is a critical transportation hub and economic driver for communities across Minnesota. There’s a reason it’s been ranked the best airport in America so often, and we hope to keep it that way,” said Senator Smith. “The Concourse G upgrades have been years in the making. This investment will make sure MSP remains one of the best airports in the world and has the capacity to meet demand, and I’m proud to have supported the Biden-Harris Bipartisan infrastructure law to make this happen.” “We work hard to provide exceptional airport experiences for our travelers, and a big part of that is ensuring that MSP facilities keep pace with capacity demands while also meeting and exceeding expectations for quality and accessibility,” said Brian Ryks,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Access to Lifesaving HIV Prevention Drugs
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6.29.23] – This month, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced legislation that will expand access to lifesaving HIV prevention medications. The PrEP Access and Coverage Act addresses the underutilization of HIV prevention drugs – known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) – by ensuring these medications and any associated costs are covered by health insurance. The measure also establishes community public health campaigns, and it expands access to the drugs for uninsured individuals and underserved communities. “Every person deserves access to affordable, high quality health care,” said Sen. Smith.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Legislation to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6.23.23] – This week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced legislation to protect access to critical reproductive health care services—like birth control, cancer screenings, and more—by providing a consistent and strong source of funding for the Title X Family Planning Program. The Title X Family Planning Program is the only federal program dedicated to providing comprehensive family planning and preventive health services. Hundreds of thousands of Americans rely on the program for essential health care. In 2020 alone, over 1.5 million patients received family planning services through Title X. Title X
Senators Tina Smith, Joni Ernst Push USDA to Allow More Milk Options in Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6.16.23] – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the Department to continue allowing non-fat and low-fat flavored milk in schools. The letter is in response to a proposed rule from the USDA that could limit flavored milk options in schools. However, school nutritionists have reported that dairy in the school meals is often the only or one of the only ways that many children consume nutrients like calcium and protein. “Each day during the academic year, over 15.5 million kids receive
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on the Department of Justice’s Report on Policing Practices in Minneapolis
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/16/23] — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement on the Department of Justice’s report detailing the results of their patterns and practices investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department: “I commend the Department of Justice for its thorough investigation into the patterns and practices of the Minneapolis Police Department. Following the tragic murder of George Floyd, and the violence and harm done to too many people at the hands of the MPD, I called on the Department of Justice to conduct this investigation. The findings released today enumerate in vivid and heartbreaking detail what members of this
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