Minnesota—in protecting freshwater resources and leading the way in creating a clean energy economy—has always been at the forefront of crafting responsible environmental policy. Sen. Smith carries this spirit to Washington and continues to fight for federal policies that seek to combat climate change, preserve clean air and clean water, and protect our most precious natural landscapes.
Despite the great work being done in states like Minnesota, environmental challenges persist every day. Terrible accidents like the Flint water crisis where cost-cutting measures led to dangerous levels of lead in Michigan homes, and sweeping challenges like climate change, make clear that the federal government has an important role to play in protecting our environment. Ignoring this responsibility would put our natural treasures, our public health, and even our economy at risk.
Part of this responsibility means fighting back against efforts to rollback responsible environmental policy. Decisions like pulling out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark international agreement to address climate change, and undermining a plan to reduce air pollution are both outdated and out of touch with what most Americans want. Sen. Smith will fight back against policies that threaten our environment and our public health, but she stands ready work with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure our environmental policies work better for Minnesotans and all Americans.
Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Push USDA to Reinstate Grants Helping Farmers Pay for Expensive Energy Upgrades
The energy upgrades reduce reliance on foreign oil, save farmers money & ease the strain on electric & natural gas supplies SAINT PAUL, MN – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) are pushing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reverse major changes made to a grant program helping farmers and producers install energy upgrades at their operations. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) was the target of a new Trump Administration rule on Oct. 1, making it harder for farmers and producers to pay for expensive energy upgrades without going into major debt. Farmers and producers utilize REAP to pay for energy upgrades like an energy-efficient grain dryer or solar panels to power all the buildings on a farmstead. Previously, the program granted money to farmers and producers upfront, helping them put a down payment on the expensive equipment. Now, farmers won’t be able to apply for the program until their projects have been fully built and are operational, all without any guarantee they would actually receive a grant. Sens. Klobuchar and Smith, along with 19 of their colleagues, urged USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to change the REAP payment method in a letter on Oct. 23. The Senators write, “This rule would foreclose many of its intended beneficiaries from utilizing this popular and important program at a time when energy costs are soaring. This goes against the intent of the REAP program—to incentivize and support renewable energy projects that farmers might not otherwise
Smith, Klobuchar, McCollum, Stauber, Craig, Finstad, and Morrison Urge FEMA to Distribute Delayed Hazard Mitigation Grants
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), along with Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), Brad Finstad (R-MN), and Kelly Morrison (D-MN) are pushing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to end prolonged delays and disruptions to federal disaster mitigation and response funding for Minnesota. The bipartisan, bicameral group of Minnesota members of Congress urged FEMA to quickly approve hazard mitigation grant applications and move forward with obligations and payments for pending grants, including funding related to record flooding in 2024. “We write to urge you to address prolonged delays and disruptions to federal disaster mitigation and response funding for Minnesota, which assist our constituents recovering and preparing for disasters,” the legislators wrote. “We ask that you quickly approve these grant applications and move forward with obligations and payments for pending grants.” “Time and time again, Minnesotans have stepped up to support their neighbors after natural disasters,” the legislators continued. “Impacted communities repair the damage and rebuild following these disasters, but timely federal assistance is critical to recovery and mitigation efforts.” The full letter is below. Dear Administrator Hamilton: We write to urge you to address prolonged delays and disruptions to federal disaster mitigation and response funding for Minnesota, which assist our constituents recovering and preparing for disasters. We ask that you quickly approve these grant applications and move forward with obligations and payments for pending grants. Minnesota has submitted eleven Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) applications related to record storms
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bill to Combat Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Diseases Heads to President’s Desk
Most recent data shows Minnesota recorded 3,551 cases in 2024 alone, a rate that has likely increased in recent years WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) bipartisan bill to expand research, testing and treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases is expected to become law after successfully passing both chambers of Congress. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act passed the U.S. Senate in August and passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week, heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “When this bill soon becomes law, it will save lives and help people battling Lyme
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on Agriculture Committee’s Second Partisan Markup of Long-Delayed Farm Bill
The partisan legislation forces Minnesotans to pay $140 million in administrative costs, fails to address SNAP cuts WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, instead choosing to pass a partisan version drafted by Republicans that will not gain enough support to pass the full Senate: “I said it before and I’ll say it again, patience is a virtue, it’s just not my virtue. I’m disappointed that, once again, Republicans have pursued a partisan path on the Senate Farm Bill; however, we’ll keep working
Smith, Klobuchar, Finstad Urge Trump Administration to Approve Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) and U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) urged the Trump Administration to approve Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities in southeastern Minnesota that are working to recover from severe weather and flooding. If this disaster declaration is approved, the federal government will be able to provide disaster assistance for various recovery efforts. “We write to you in strong support of the state of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance under the Stafford Act to assist our constituents recovering from severe storms
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Minnesota State Government’s Executive Actions to Prevent Copper-Nickel Mining in the Watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced it will take aggressive executive action to stop a copper-sulfide mine within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA): “Minnesotans strongly support protecting the Boundary Waters. We are a mining state, but not this mine in this place. The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress ignored the science and overturned protections for the Boundary Waters, but the fight continues here at home,” said Senator Smith. “I strongly support Minnesota using all our regulatory powers
English