Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Calls for Expedited Evacuations of Children with Complex Medical Needs from Gaza
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) joined their colleagues in sending a letter to Michael Herzog, Ambassador of Israel to the United States, and Motaz Zahran, Ambassador of Egypt to the United States, urging them to help Palestinian children who are critically ill and injured leave Gaza to seek medical treatment, and increase access to life-saving medical treatments in Gaza for children in need. “While people disagree about the war in Gaza, everyone should agree that no government should prevent injured children access to potentially life-saving medical care. Rather, governments should be doing everything possible to assist in this situation,” wrote the senators. “We have called on our own government to do its part in facilitating safe passage for these children. Our goal is to cooperate with your governments, consistent with your security concerns, to maximize safe passage and increase access to life-saving medical treatment for children in need. We understand some progress has been made, with a number of children in need of cancer treatment being moved out of Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, in cooperation with the World Health Organization,” continued the senators. “We are encouraged by this development as a very positive first step. We must all treat the welfare of children in Gaza as an urgent humanitarian priority and work together to prevent further suffering.” The Senators also requested meetings with the Ambassadors to further discuss how to facilitate safe passage for more children and their accompanying parent or caregiver to have access to the medical
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Small Business Funding for Tribal Nations
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced Red Lake Nation and Lower Sioux Indian Community were selected to receive federal funding to support small business development in their communities. The Tribes will use the funding to help small businesses access credit, which can be difficult in Indian Country. Tribal communities are systemically under-banked, making it nearly impossible for small businesses to obtain the financing they need to grow. Tribal governments can remove these barriers by working directly with businesses in their communities. The funding was awarded through the Small Business Credit Initiative, which was reauthorized and expanded by the American Rescue Plan, which Senator Smith supported. “Access to capital is essential to the economic health and growth of Tribal communities in Minnesota and across Indian Country,” said Senator Smith. “Native-owned small businesses face disproportionate obstacles when trying to secure capital to develop and grow their businesses, especially in rural areas like Red Lake and Lower Sioux. Tribes know best what works for their communities, and this funding will help Tribal economies to grow and thrive.” “The SSBCI allocation is an important steppingstone for meaningful economic development on the Red Lake Nation. Breaking down barriers surrounding capital access for Tribal and member owned businesses to equitably participate in opportunities that have historically been unavailable in Indian Country is a transformative change. An investment like SSBCI will help the Red Lake Nation achieve a vision of economic independence as well as continue to fuel the growth of our Tribal economy that also benefits rural communities across Minnesota. This change would not be possible without the advocacy
U.S. Senator Tina Smith & U.S. Representative Adam Schiff Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Lifesaving HIV Prevention Drugs
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/1/21]—Today, 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 of 2021” addresses the underutilization of HIV prevention drugs – known as PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) – in high risk communities 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. The PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2021 is co-sponsored
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Senators in Introducing Resolution to Designate November as “National Lung Cancer Awareness Month”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/1/21]—Last night, U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-Minn.) Senate resolution to designate November as “National Lung Cancer Awareness Month” passed by unanimous consent. Smith was joined by U.S. Senators Rubio (R-Fla.), Van Hollen (D-Md.), Capito (R-W.Va.), and Scott (R-S.C.) in introducing the bipartisan resolution to express support for the early detection of lung cancer to help save lives and recognize the need for research to improve early screening, diagnosis, and treatment. “We need to take every possible step to fight this terrible disease that kills tens of thousands of people in Minnesota and across the country each year,” said
After Push from U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Biden Administration to Release Oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
WASHINGTON D.C. [11/23/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said the Biden Administration plans’ to release oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve is good news for hardworking Minnesota families who have been struggling to cope with the rising gas prices. The announcement comes two weeks after Sen. Smith and eleven Senate Democrats pressed the administration to take action to ease gas prices, including by releasing supply from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The Senators said that recent decisions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) threaten to push prices higher and the move to release oil from the Strategic Reserve
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Jerome Powell and Dr. Lael Brainard’s Nominations to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/22/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to President Biden’s nomination of Jerome Powell and Dr. Lael Brainard to serve as Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, respectively: “Jay Powell and Lael Brainard are highly qualified and dedicated public servants. I have confidence that together, they can guide us through complicated economic times as we emerge from the pandemic.” Sen. Smith is a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee which will hold hearings on Powell and Brainard’s nominations.
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