Latest Releases
Statement from U.S. Senator Tina Smith on the Biden Administration’s Approval of Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s approval of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration. “Minnesotans are struggling right now — these floods have turned people’s worlds upside down. I appreciate the swift declaration from President Biden following our request for aid,” said Senator Smith. “Minnesota needs help, and the federal government is answering. These unlocked resources will make an important difference as communities get back on their feet and we work to rebuild.” The declaration applies to 22 counties, though that list is expected to grow as more damage estimates are completed. This week, Senators Klobuchar and Smith led the entire bipartisan Minnesota congressional delegation in urging President Biden to approve Minnesota’s request. ###
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Lead Entire Minnesota Bipartisan Congressional Delegation in Urging Biden Administration to Approve Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) urged the Biden Administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding. Once this disaster declaration is approved, the federal government will be able to provide disaster assistance for various recovery and rebuilding efforts. “We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act to assist communities that are working to recover from severe storms and flooding. These natural disasters have caused significant damage, and we ask that you quickly grant approval for federal disaster assistance,”said the lawmakers. The lawmakers continued, “Time and time again, Minnesotans have stepped up to support their neighbors after natural disasters. When flood waters rise and homes are damaged, volunteers and neighbors are quick to fill sandbags, clean up debris, and lend a hand to those in need. Impacted communities will repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but rapid federal assistance will speed up this recovery effort. We strongly support Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and ask that you grant its approval without delay.” Full text of the letter is available HERE and below: Dear Mr. President: We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s
Senator Smith Announces Passage of Bipartisan Legislation That Will Unlock Major Investments in Nation’s Waterways
Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced the Senate has passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, which will unlock and expedite a number of significant projects in Minnesota and across the country. The legislation greenlights investments in the nation’s ports and waterways and includes several priorities Senator Smith has pushed for including Mississippi River protections and Great Lakes coastal resiliency. “Minnesota is blessed with pristine waterways and lakes from Lake Superior to the headwaters of the Mississippi,” said Senator Smith. “This bipartisan legislation will help unlock funding to improve and restore our ports,
Senator Smith, Assistant Speaker Clark Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Expand Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark (D-MA-5) introduced legislation to improve support for youth with the Trauma-Informed Schools Act. The bill would make key federal funding sources available for teachers, staff and after school programs to support trauma-informed practices in school settings. The bill also defines “trauma-informed practices” for the first time in federal education law, ensuring that such practices are evidence-based and help all students. The bill is co-led by Congressmen Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1). The bill would support positive behavioral interventions,
Smith, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Allow Use of U.S. Foreign Assistance for Abortion Care Oversees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined a group of her colleagues in introducing legislation that would allow U.S. foreign assistance to be used to provide the full scope of comprehensive health care, including safe and legal access to abortion services. The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, led by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), would repeal the 1973 Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act and clarify that under U.S. government policy, safe abortion care is a critical component of comprehensive maternal and reproductive care. “Abortion care is a fundamental component of comprehensive reproductive health care and
Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Jessica Looman’s Nomination to Lead Key Division at Department of Labor
Washington D.C. [7/27/2022] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement on President Biden nominating Jessica Looman to lead the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor, which is responsible for enforcing several of the nation’s key labor laws. “I’m very glad that President Biden has nominated Jessica Looman to permanently lead the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor. This is a critical post and I’m confident that she will fairly enforce our nation’s minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws. I have worked closely with Jessica for years in Minnesota and
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