Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Loneliness Among Seniors
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Marco Rubio and Rick Scott (both R-Fla.) introduced the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR) Act to combat loneliness among American seniors. In 2023, one in three adults aged 50-80 reported feeling isolated from others, including nearly 40 percent reporting they only have contact with people outside their home once per week. Social isolation and loneliness increase seniors’ risk for dementia by some 50 percent—and heart disease and stroke by about 30 percent. Loneliness is also associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. “People say we can’t combat loneliness through legislation, but I think that’s a ridiculous thing to say. Whether it’s Meals on Wheels or support for caregivers, there are so many different things we can do to support people as they age,” said Senator Smith. “Nobody deserves to feel so alone and isolated that their health suffers, especially seniors. We are more connected now than ever before – yet loneliness endures. We need to invest in programs that will combat loneliness in our older Americans and I’m glad to be leading this charge.” “Seniors across the country are suffering from mental health issues and loneliness. That is why I am introducing the SENIOR Act to support Florida’s seniors by addressing this issue and bringing seniors back into our communities,” said Senator Rubio. “Florida has a wonderful senior population that contributes so much to our great state. Combatting the feeling of isolation and loneliness for our aging community has endless benefits – from better mental and physical health
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Infrastructure and Public Safety Projects in Le Sueur County
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for projects benefiting Le Sueur County. These projects will help support the Le Sueur County Broadband Initiative, the Le Sueur Water Treatment Facility, and the implementation of a Records Management System, Computer Aided Dispatch, and Jail Management Software Program in the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office. Last month, Klobuchar met with Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason and other county officials to discuss the technology upgrades for the Sheriff’s Office. “From expanding access to broadband to bolstering law enforcement, these projects will make a big difference in Le Sueur County,” said Klobuchar. “We worked with local leaders to secure these resources and move the projects forward.” “From building out affordable and accessible broadband access, to ensuring our water is clean and safe, and keeping our local law enforcement offices up-to-date, the funding heading to Le Sueur County is going to have a real, substantive impact in people’s lives,” said Smith. “These are exactly the type of projects the federal government should be a partner in and I’m proud of the work we did with local leaders to make it possible.” Klobuchar and Smith have successfully secured: 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
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith, Colleagues Press President Trump for Answers on Mismanagement of the Strategic National Stockpile
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/17/20]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) are calling on President Trump to provide answers on the Administration’s mismanagement of the Strategic National Stockpile, which has left states without promised federal assistance and supplies they need to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) and save lives. “The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the overall health and safety of families across the country, in every single state. Dozens of states have requested supplies from the stockpile to ensure that public health workers, emergency responders, and frontline health care workers have the personal protective equipment they need to prevent the spread of this virus
Klobuchar, Smith Announce over $4 Million for Affordable Housing in Minnesota
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Minnesota $4,078,002 in grants to meet the housing needs of Minnesotans. These funds, made available through the Housing Trust Fund (HTF), will be used to increase and preserve the supply of affordable housing for low-income households, including homeless families. “As Minnesotans continue to deal with the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring all residents have access to safe housing is vitally important,” Klobuchar said. “These grants will help meet the needs of the people of our state, including the homeless, who
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: $7.6 Billion in Forgivable Loans Approved for Nearly 34,000 Minnesota Small Businesses
Senator Smith, Who Helped Pass Paycheck Protection Program Into Law, Calls Loan Approvals Important Start; Continues Pressing for Additional Funds, Faster Delivery and Improvements to Help More Businesses Access Paycheck Protection Program WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/15/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Banking Committee—announced that, as of April 13, 33,819 Minnesota small businesses have been approved for forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, which she helped pass into law as part of the recently passed legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Smith is also pressing for improvements to the program so that money will flow more quickly and to fix implementation errors. These loans total $7,633,395,870 to help the state’s businesses and make Minnesota the
Thanks to Provision Authored by U.S. Senator Tina Smith, A Second Key Coronavirus Test Will Also Be Free to All Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/15/20]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), who in March successfully included free coronavirus testing for all Americans in legislation responding to the pandemic, said that this week top federal health officials have clarified for her that a second important “antibody” test to help determine which Americans have been infected and recovered will also be free under her testing provision. Sen. Smith said health experts, including those at Mayo Clinic, have said such “serology” tests, also known as antibody tests, could help determine who may have developed immunity to COVID-19, and will greatly assist efforts to identify individuals in areas where potential immunity
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