Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Announce Infrastructure Grants for Indian Country in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced two grants for Tribal communities in Minnesota to make several sections of highway safer and more accessible for travelers. “Rebuilding our infrastructure is critical for families, workers, and businesses everywhere–including in Tribal communities like Lower Sioux Indian Community and Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “These infrastructure projects will create good jobs, support new businesses, and make traveling safer for drivers and pedestrians.” “If we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone, then we need to prioritize investments in vital infrastructure, like highways, that connect people with opportunities all across the state,” said Sen. Smith. “This federal grant will help improve safety on County State Aid Highway 2 and Minnesota State Highway 1, so that members of Lower Sioux and Red Lake Nation can get where they need to go safely. It’s great to see this significant federal investment and I’m going to keep fighting to bring federal dollars back to Minnesota.” Two Tribal Communities received grants: The grants were distributed as part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program within the Department of Transportation. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported, delivered a 50 percent increase in the amount of available funding for RAISE, which provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. ###
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Announce Grants to Improve Rail Safety in Metro Area
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced grants to three cities in the Twin Cities Metro Area to make upgrades to rail-pathways that focus on improving the safety and mobility of travelers and goods. “Blocked rail crossings not only inconvenience drivers, but also delay emergency vehicles and threaten public safety,” said Klobuchar.“This federal investment will reduce traffic, boost efficiency and improve rail crossing safety. Investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state.” “Revitalizing our infrastructure is about more than just fixing railways or roads; it’s about improving people’s lives, which is precisely what this project will do,” said Senator Smith. “These rail-pathways help connect families and businesses across the metro area and are critical for shipping and commerce in Minnesota. Investing in projects like these not only makes our roads and railways safer but helps support local economies across the state.” Three cities received grants: This investment is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith supported and worked to pass. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program (RCE), which provides funding for highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that improve the safety and mobility of people and goods. Klobuchar and Smith have both cosponsored the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. This legislation will make key updates to improve rail safety protocols, including increasing inspections on trains that carry hazardous materials, requiring rail carriers to have emergency
Senators Smith, Murray, Baldwin Reintroduce INFORM Act to Ensure People Aren’t Denied Key Info When Considering Lump-Sum Buyouts of Pension Benefits
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reintroduced the Information Needed for Financial Options Risk Mitigation (INFORM) Act of 2022, which would require pension plan sponsors to provide retirees and participants with critical information about the trade-offs involved when they offer a lump-sum buyout of their lifetime retirement plans and protect families’ savings. “After putting in a lifetime of work, retirees deserve to understand how a lump-sum buyout of their hard-earned pensions could impact their retirement plans,” said Senator Smith. “This commonsense bill would ensure hardworking Americans are given that clear information they need to make
Following Calls from Senator Smith, Biden Administration Expands Eligibility for Head Start Program
WASHINGTON – Following calls from U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that it is expanding Head Start Program eligibility to help more families in Minnesota and across the country access affordable, high-quality early education services. “For over half a century, Head Start programs in Minnesota and across the country have provided vital early childhood care and education to children from low-income households,” said Senator Smith. “Complex red-tape and outdated requirements have created unnecessary barriers to access. I’m pleased the Biden administration acted so quickly in response to our request to simplify
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Call on Biden Administration to Expand Access to Head Start
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined a group of her colleagues calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand and streamline eligibility for the Head Start program. Expanded and simplified access would help ensure that more families in Minnesota and across the country are able to access affordable, high-quality childcare, education and health services and reduce administrative burden for programs. Along with Senator Smith, the letter was signed by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “We write to
Klobuchar, Smith Urge U.S. Department of Agriculture to Help Minnesota Farmers Respond to Avian Flu Outbreak
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) helps Minnesota farmers respond to the recent avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. “We write with concern about the rapid spread of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus that has been confirmed in 19 commercial turkey flocks and 2 backyard flocks in 11 counties across Minnesota, already killing over a million birds,” the lawmakers wrote to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “As the number
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