Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Minnesota Fire Chiefs Celebrate Passage of the Fire Grants and Safety Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) issued the statements below after the Senate passed the Fire Grants and Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to continue providing federal funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant programs. This bill now goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program helps firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources. The SAFER Grants program provides direct funding to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to increase or maintain the number of trained “front line” firefighters and enhance their capacity to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards. Since 2015, fire departments across Minnesota have received over $33 million in SAFER grants and $59 million in AFG grants. “Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to save lives. We need to invest in our local fire departments and ensure that they have the funding they need to hire and train firefighters and purchase life-saving equipment,” said Senator Klobuchar. “That’s why I worked to pass the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act which will support fire departments in Minnesota and across the country.” “Firefighters do one of the most difficult jobs possible, often at the risk of immense personal injury, to keep our families and loved ones safe. This funding is our way of giving them the support they need to do their jobs as safely and effectively as possible,” said
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’s Statement on Senate Republicans Blocking January 6 Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. [5/28/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked legislation to create a commission to investigate the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021. “It’s hard to believe that, after standing together in a safe room calling our loved ones to say we were safe, so many Republicans would now deny the American people transparency and truth. This proposed commission is bipartisan and balanced—35 Republican members of the House supported it. This should not be a hard choice. Mitch McConnell and much of his caucus are choosing to coddle Trump instead of finding the answers that the Capitol Police,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bold Legislation to Tackle Skyrocketing Cost of Prescription Drugs
WASHINGTON D.C. [05/27/21]—Today U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced bold legislation to tackle the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. Sen. Smith’s Affordable Medications Act—supported by 13 of her Senate colleagues—would improve prescription drug transparency, access, innovation and competition to drive down costs for consumers and taxpayers. Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Health Committee, said that her legislation will increase transparency for drug companies that are setting exorbitant prices and end the restriction that prevents the federal Medicare program from using its buying power to negotiate lower drug prices for its beneficiaries. The Affordable Medications Act will also promote innovation for new drugs and curb monopoly practices
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Lauds President Biden’s Bold Action to Address Climate Risk to the Financial System
WASHINGTON, D.C. [5/20/21]—This afternoon, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to President Biden signing an executive order addressing climate-related financial risks. Among other things, the order directed the Department of Labor to review harmful limits imposed by the Trump Administration that prevented the consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors by workplace retirement plans. “I’m pleased to see President Biden is taking bold action to address climate risk to the financial system. It’s critical that financial regulators and the federal budget take into account the risks of climate change. In addition, I’m especially glad
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Continues Fight to Improve Mental Health Services for Students
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/27/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) continued her fight to improve mental health services for students by reintroducing legislation to strengthen school-based mental health services for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The Mental Health Services for Students Act would help schools partner with local mental health providers to establish on-site mental health services for students. It would also provide training for school personnel on how to recognize, assist and refer students who may need mental health support. Sen. Smith—a member of the Senate Health and Education Committee—said that schools are an ideal setting to identify students who need mental health services and quickly connect them to help. These
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