Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Demands Accountability from USPS Leadership Following Damning Report on Postal Failures in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [5.29.24] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith sent a scathing letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, following a United States Postal Service (USPS) Inspector General (OIG) report that reveals severe management failures contributing to critical postal service disruptions in Bemidji and the broader Minnesota-North Dakota District, including around 80,000 pieces of delayed mail. Senator Smith is calling for immediate action to address these failures and restore reliable postal service for Minnesotans. The OIG report reveals that the Bemidji Post Office only had eight days warning before their package volume doubled and Postal Service management failed to confirm that the facility had the staffing or resources to accommodate the increased volume. It also found that local postal workers were not properly trained to avoid these issues. The report attributes these problems directly to national and district management missteps, resulting in untenable working conditions for postal workers and severe delays in mail delivery. “The findings of the Inspector General’s report are deeply troubling and highlight severe mismanagement within the USPS that has led to unacceptable delays and unnecessary hardships for postal workers and Minnesotans,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “Reliable postal service is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for accessing medications, paychecks, and staying connected with loved ones. It is imperative that USPS leadership takes immediate action to address these issues and restore trust in our postal system.” Senator Smith’s letter stresses the urgency of rectifying these issues and holds USPS leadership accountable for ensuring Minnesotans receive the reliable postal service they depend on for essential
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $250,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester’s Off-site Program Expansion project. This expansion will double the number of K-12 students served by the Rochester Boys & Girls Club. “Nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester offer important resources for kids to improve their academics and lead healthy lives,” said Klobuchar. “With the resources we secured, the Boys & Girls Club will be able to fund their expansion project to meet the needs of the community.” “Developments in community outreach are crucial for strengthening Minnesota communities,” said Smith. “Investing in the Boys and Girls Club in Rochester will connect kids to the resources they need to lead healthy lives and are crucial to protecting the safety and future of our communities.” Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: COVID-19 Relief Will Bring Support to Minnesotans, But More Must be Done
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/21/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement on the coronavirus (COVID-19) relief and government funding agreement: “This bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief bill will provide much-needed and long-overdue relief to Minnesotans. In the midst of the dark days of this pandemic, this legislation is an economic and health bridge for Minnesota and all Americans, and it is desperately needed. “During the course of 2020, my priorities have been Minnesota’s priorities—getting direct help to families, small businesses, and our health care system. This relief package supports all three of these priorities, and I’m very glad it includes
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and James Lankford’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Health Care Resources for Urban Indian Health Organizations Clears Senate and House
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/21/20]—Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) to strengthen health resources for urban Indian health organizations amid the pandemic passed the Senate yesterday and the House earlier last week. The legislation will amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to create parity within the Indian Health Service system (ITU system). It next heads to the President to be signed into law. The ITU system is made up of the Indian Health Service, Tribal health programs, and urban Indian organizations (UIOs). UIOs provide culturally competent care for the over 70 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives who live in urban centers,
U.S. Senators Smith & Menendez Lead Push to Make Sure COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials Continue to Enroll Diverse Participants
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/17/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) led a group of their Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Operation Warp Speed and the U.S. Army Material Command (AMC) to make sure COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials continue to enroll a diverse group of participants. In addition to underscoring this priority, Sens. Smith, Menendez and their colleagues are urging HHS Secretary Alex Azar, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, Operation Warp Speed Chief Advisor Moncef Slaoui and General Gustave Perna to provide information on the
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Says Upcoming Government Funding Package Should Include Additional, Long-term Funding for Community Health Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/15/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined a group of her colleagues in calling on Congressional leadership to include funding for community health centers (CHCs) in the upcoming government funding package to ensure that millions of Americans can continue to receive the care both during and after the pandemic. “The pandemic has had a dramatic economic impact on our health centers, many of which have been forced to implement safeguarding measures to ensure the long-term financial stability of their organization,” wrote Sen. Smith and her colleagues. “This includes some having made difficult personnel decisions, including temporary reductions in
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