Latest Releases
U.S. SENATOR TINA SMITH’S STATEMENT ON NOMINATION OF CHRISTY GOLDSMITH ROMERO TO CHAIR THE FDIC
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) , a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, applauded President Biden’s decision to nominate Christy Goldsmith Romero to be Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): “Christy Goldsmith Romero is a widely respected, principled financial regulator with extensive federal experience, and I applaud President Biden’s decision to nominate her as Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This nomination comes at a pivotal time at the FDIC, and Goldsmith Romero’s track record of holding bad actors accountable at the Troubled Asset Relief Program and advancing consumer interests at the CFTC is exactly the experience needed at the agency charged with protecting Americans’ money. I urge my Senate colleagues to move quickly to advance her nomination so she can begin the important work needed at the FDIC.” ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan Celebrate First-Ever Trade Mission Focused on Indigenous Products
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan (DFL) announced the first-ever trade mission by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) focused solely on Indigenous products. Lieutenant Governor Flanagan will join Red Lake, Inc. in representing Native producers from Minnesota on this historic trade mission to Canada from June 17-20 alongside 15 Tribal agribusinesses and 13 Native agricultural leaders from across the country. “This is a historic opportunity for Native farmers and producers and Tribal businesses to access a new market for their goods. Native farmers and producers face unique and challenging barriers, and this market access will make a huge difference,” said Senator Smith. “I pushed hard to get Tribes and Native communities represented on these trade missions. I’m delighted to see such a historic trip finally come to fruition, and it will be a great benefit to not just Red Lake Nation, but the rest of Indian Country as well.” “Native farmers and producers feed our families and the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am proud to lift up Native agriculture as a standard part of our Minnesota trade missions. I am looking forward to connecting with more Native farmers and producers and showcasing the products that Minnesota has to offer to our global partners. Indian Country has always led in agribusiness and innovation, and I am grateful for Senator Smith’s partnership and work to ensure my community is at the table for these important opportunities and conversations.” “Red Lake, Inc. is honored and beyond excited to participate
U.S. Sens. Smith & Cramer, Reps. Pallone & Ruiz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Mental & Behavioral Health Care Resources for Indian Health Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/1/2021]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Representatives Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06) and Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Calif.-36) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, Tribal health programs and urban Indian health organizations address mental and behavioral health needs in their communities. Right now, only 39 percent of IHS facilities provide 24-hour mental health crisis intervention services, and 10 percent of IHS facilities do not provide any crisis intervention services at all. A survey conducted by IHS found that Tribes rated the expansion of inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse facilities as their number one priority. The Native Behavioral Health Access Improvement
Sen. Smith Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Permit Year-Round Sale of Higher Blends of Ethanol
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced a bipartisan bill to permit the year-round sale of E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol. This legislation follows the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruling against year-round sales of E15. Original bill cosponsors also include Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Thune (R-SD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Roger Marshall (R-KS). “I’m very disappointed in the D.C. Court ruling to
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Says Her Clean Electricity Standard (CES) Included in Budget Deal; Shares Primer on How CES Works
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/15/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that the Clean Electricity Standard (CES) she has championed is included in the budget deal, and shared this helpful primer on how a CES will play an important role in the nation’s transition to a clean energy future. “A Clean Electricity Standard is the cornerstone of the progressive, practical transformation to a clean energy future we urgently need,” said Sen. Smith. “Getting it included in the budget package sends a strong signal we are committed to tackling climate change. I will continue to work hard on getting a CES done because we cannot squander this moment. We
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Calls Supreme Court Decision on Renewable Fuels Very Disappointing, A Potential Blow to Economy Across Rural America
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/1/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) called the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision that makes it easier for oil refineries to get waivers to avoid meeting Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirements “very disappointing,” saying it could set back efforts in rural America to recover from recent economic blows. The vote overturned a 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling that cracked down on the abuse of small refinery economic hardship waivers. During the Trump Administration, the granting of these waivers spiked by over 300 percent, which led to a steep drop in corn used for ethanol production. “I want Minnesota’s rural communities, farmers, clean energy producers, and agribusinesses to thrive,” said Sen. Smith. “A strong Renewable Fuel Standard is key to jobs and economic development
English