Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant to Replace Roof of Public Safety Building Aitkin
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to replace the roof on Aitkin’s Public Safety Building. Aitkin’s Public Safety Building houses the local law enforcement department. “The City of Aitkin’s Public Safety Building needs a new roof so emergency service providers have the facilities they need to continue serving the community,” said Klobuchar. “The federal grant will advance this project.” “Federal investment is quite literally helping our small towns build a roof overhead for essential community services like public safety,” said Smith. “Our local law enforcement officers deserve to be in buildings that are safe and in good condition. This investment to replace the roof of the Aitkin public safety building will improve the city’s infrastructure and help keep Minnesotans safe.” Senators Klobuchar and Smith are members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees the USDA. This federal funding was secured through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Program grants can be used by communities across the country to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area, such as health care facilities, public safety services, educational services, and more. ###
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Celebrate $92 Million for Minnesota Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $92 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Minnesota drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the more than $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. “Investments in water infrastructure are essential to the health and safety of families across our state,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “These resources will update water, storm water, and wastewater systems.” “Minnesotans know the value of clean water—in fact, we were the first state to put statewide water quality standards in place over 50 years ago,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “This is an investment in the health and safety of Minnesota families, including families living in underserved communities who have historically been left out of infrastructure upgrades. I was proud to support the President’s legislation to deliver this funding.” “Clean drinking water and properly treated wastewater are basic human rights, yet too many communities still lack access to this critical resource and public health necessity, said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “This funding will help ensure underserved areas receive crucial improvements through expanded grants and loan forgiveness programs targeting those most in need. I look forward to
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Murphy Call on Health Agencies to Require “Complete, Transparent, and Timely National Reporting of COVID-19 Cases” on College Campuses
MINNESOTA [08/20/20]— U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)—all members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee—are pressing the nation’s health agencies to issue detailed guidance for colleges and universities for reporting COVID-19 cases. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Senators urged the agencies to provide direction to institutions of higher education about how COVID-19 cases should be reported to state, local, and federal health officials, including the timeline for reporting suspected and confirmed cases, demographic data
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Discusses Impact of U.S. Postmaster’s “Chaotic Approach and Rapid Fire Change” at Eagan Mail Processing Facility
MINNESOTA [08/18/20]—Today U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), who has raised deep concerns over the recent and sudden changes at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), toured an Eagan mail-processing center and discussed with USPS officials the impact of the changes that have already disrupted mail delivery in the state and may affect mail-in ballots during this fall’s election. Recent operational and leadership changes put in place by newly-installed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy—including denying overtime to mail clerks and carriers—have slowed timely mail delivery for millions of people in Minnesota and across the country. The delays hold significant implications for veterans, older citizens and rural residents who
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Colleagues Call on Postal Board of Governors to Immediately Reverse Changes Made by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Which Have Degraded and Delayed Postal Service Operations
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8/17/2020]—Today U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and colleagues sent a letter to the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors, calling on them to immediately use their authority to reverse changes to Postal Service operations and mail service delays put in place by Trump donor turned Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Mr. DeJoy appears to be engaged in a deliberate effort, with the support of the President, to delay and degrade mail service and undermine the mission of the United States Postal Service. Sens. Klobuchar and Smith said that fundamental changes to Postal Service operations made by DeJoy—including cutting back
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Attorney General Keith Ellison Hear From Minnesotans Hit Hard by High Prescription Drug Prices During Pandemic
MINNESOTA [08/17/20]—Today U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Health Committee—and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison led a discussion about the impact of high prescription drug prices on Minnesotans during the pandemic, and the status of current efforts by large drug companies to undo Minnesota’s newly-enacted insulin affordability law. Sen. Smith has held several events in the state regarding the high price of insulin and prescription drugs more broadly, where she’s heard stories from Minnesotans who cannot afford the prescription medications they need to survive. Since 2013, drug spending has grown faster than most other categories of medical spending. And recent data
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