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Klobuchar, Bennet, Slotkin Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Media Literacy Education and Improve Personal Cybersecurity

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced two pieces of bicameral legislation to strengthen media literacy education to teach Americans the skills to identify online misinformation and disinformation. The Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act would create a grant program at the Department of Commerce to teach students digital citizenship and media literacy skills to help them think critically about online content. The Veterans Online Information and Cybersecurity Empowerment (VOICE) Act would create a grant program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to teach veterans digital and media literacy skills as well as cybersecurity best practices to identify disinformation and online scams.  “Increasing media and digital literacy education can help combat disinformation and misinformation campaigns that seek to manipulate perceptions and sow division,” said Klobuchar. “These bills will provide students and veterans with the skills they need to make informed decisions about online content and protect themselves from exploitation.” “We need to equip communities with the tools to identify and avoid online scams, cyberattacks, and disinformation in the digital age. Our bills will strengthen resources for students and veterans to protect themselves online,” said Bennet. The Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act would provide $20 million in federal funding over the course of four years for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to administer a grant program to support digital citizenship and media literacy in grades K-12. These grants would be available to local and state educational agencies,

Klobuchar, Smith Introduce Legislation to Rename Twin Cities Post Offices In Honor of Three Distinguished Minnesotans

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced three pieces of bicameral legislation to rename three post offices in the Twin Cities in honor of distinguished Minnesotans. The legislation proposes renaming the Minneapolis Post Office in honor of former Congressman Martin Sabo; the Richfield Post Office in honor of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Charles Lindberg, who served during World War Two and helped raise the first American flag at Iwo Jima; and the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of Officer Leo Pavlak, a member of the St. Paul Police Department who lost his life in the line of duty.  “Martin Sabo was a dear friend and mentor who tirelessly championed the Twin Cities for 28 years in Congress. Charles Lindberg served our country with distinction during World War II, receiving a Silver Star for his valor. Officer Leo Pavlak sacrificed his life to protect his community just four months after beginning his career in law enforcement,” said Klobuchar. “By renaming the Minneapolis, Richfield, and South St. Paul post offices in their honor, we are paying tribute to their legacies and helping Minnesotans keep their memories alive for generations to come.”  “Martin Sabo, Officer Pavlak and Charles Lindberg all embodied the best of Minnesota values – selfless dedication to public service and improving the lives of others,” said Smith. “By serving our state in public office, law enforcement and overseas, these men worked to make our state a more safe and prosperous place to live.

Sen. Tina Smith Calls for 2018 Federal Funding Bill to Invest in Minnesotans

As the Senate works on this year’s federal spending bill—often referred to as the appropriations process—U.S. Senator Tina Smith is fighting to prioritize investments in Minnesota families, seniors, and communities. The bill is expected to be released later this month. In a letter sent to leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Smith said “I look forward to working with you throughout the appropriations process to provide strong funding for programs that support the health, education, safety, and prosperity of Minnesotans.” You can read a full list of her priorities here or below:    Dear Chairman Cochran and Vice Chairman Leahy: As the

Sen. Smith Makes Major Childcare Access and Affordability Push

U.S. Senator Tina Smith recently launched her “Childcare Access and Affordability” listening sessions across Minnesota, and back in Washington, she’s taking what she’s learning from the state to work on behalf of parents who are attending higher education but lack access to adequate child care options. Sen. Smith recently signed on as a cosponsor of the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) Reauthorization Act, which would help meet the needs of student parents who often struggle to find reliable, affordable child care. In addition, Sen. Smith has joined a group of her colleagues in calling on Senate funding

Sens. Tina Smith, Lisa Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Mental Health Services in Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/12/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced a bipartisan bill to expand mental health services in the school system.  The Improving Access to Mental Health Services Act would bring mental health professionals who currently work in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) into schools, community-based organizations, and into the homes of families who need the services. Right now, NHSC professionals can only provide care at certain approved clinics and are limited in the care they can provide off site. This bipartisan legislative effort would allow communities in Minnesota, Alaska, and across the country to bolster their mental

Sen. Tina Smith Stands up for Minnesota Jobs & American Energy Independence, Presses White House to Preserve Strong Renewable Fuel Standard

U.S. Senator Tina Smith is calling on the White House to support Minnesota’s rural communities and American energy independence by maintaining a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the federal program that sets the level of biofuels—like ethanol and biodiesel—that are blended into our nation’s fuel supply. After a series of postponed meetings between the White House and U.S. biofuel producers—sparking fears that there may be an attempt to weaken the RFS—Sen. Smith is urging the Administration’s top energy officials to come together with renewable energy leaders and discuss how to preserve and protect the program. “I fought for a spot

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