Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Federal Funding to Strengthen Electric Grid Reliability and Resilience in Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding for upgrades to Minnesota Power’s High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) terminal stations through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program. This project will modernize the aging terminal stations of a 465-mile HVDC transmission line that runs from Center, North Dakota, to Hermantown, Minnesota, to strengthen grid reliability in rural areas and improve access to affordable, clean electricity. “Investments in our infrastructure are down-payments on the economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will allow us to upgrade these aging terminal stations, boost economic development in northern Minnesota, and create hundreds of good-paying jobs all while supporting our renewable energy goals.” “Modernizing our electric grid is a win for the environment and for Minnesotans who will benefit from more affordable, reliable electricity,” said Smith. “I am proud of our work to help deliver these investments and look forward to seeing the impact of these improvements on energy prices and grid reliability.” This funding was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass in 2021. Earlier this year, Klobuchar and Smith sent letters to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in support of Minnesota Power’s HVDC terminal station upgrade project.
U.S. Senators Smith, Padilla, Tillis, Ernst Launch Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced the launch of their bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus. Amidst a national mental health crisis, the Senate Mental Health Caucus will serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. The caucus will work to improve prevention and early intervention efforts, expand the country’s mental health professional workforce, enhance our nation’s crisis response services, and increase access to evidence-based mental health treatment and common-sense solutions for all Americans. Daniel Gillison, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Laurel Stine, Vice President of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), joined the Senators in announcing the launch. U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are also members of the caucus. “I believe that everyone should have access to quality mental health care, regardless of insurance, ZIP code, or age,” said Senator Smith. “Mental health care isn’t a partisan issue – it’s something that affects Americans in red states and blue states alike. Today’s launch represents a renewed commitment and focus to collaborate on bipartisan legislation and solutions. I’m looking forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue to tackle the mental health care crisis in this country.” “Our nation has long faced mounting mental health challenges that have touched the lives of all Americans, but we know there are bipartisan
Senate Banking Committee Unanimously Passes Sens. Smith & Tillis Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Terrorism Risk Insurance Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/20/2019]—Today, the Senate Banking Committee unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and members of the Senate Banking Committee, that would extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for seven years. After Committee passage, Sen. Smith highlighted how the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) makes it possible for Minnesota to host major events, including the 2018 Super Bowl which generated more than $350 million for the state’s economy. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program was established in response to the scarcity of affordable insurance coverage for terrorism risk in the wake of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Since then, the program has improved the availability
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Extension of Crop Insurance Premium Flexibility for Farmers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that the United Sates Department of Agriculture (USDA) is deferring accrual of interest on 2019 crop year insurance premiums to support farmers affected by recent flooding and extreme weather. Producers will now have until January 31, 2020, to pay their 2019 crop insurance premium without accruing interest. For any premium that is not paid by that date, interest will accrue consistent with the terms of the policy. “Many farmers in Minnesota were unable to get into their fields this fall due
Klobuchar, Smith, Peterson Announce $1.7 Million for Rural Infrastructure Investments in Sacred Heart
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN-07) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a loan of $1,700,000 to the City of Sacred Heart, Minnesota for infrastructure improvements. The funding will be utilized for rehabilitation and re-construction of city streets affected by water and storm sewer upgrades. “Investments in more reliable infrastructure, like this one in Sacred Heart, are crucial to improving Minnesota communities,” Klobuchar said. “Our 21st century economy demands 21st century infrastructure, and that requires investments in roads, bridges, airports, and rural communities.” “This investment in Sacred Heart is an investment in community
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Rural Development Funding to Support Local Agriculture in Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded grants totaling $800,000 to provide technical assistance and support for local cooperatives and small businesses in Minnesota. “These grants will help ensure that local cooperatives and small businesses have access to the support and training opportunities they need to succeed and continue developing more value–added uses for crops and coproducts and local agricultural opportunities,” Klobuchar said. “We must continue working to expand opportunity for farmers to enhance and sustain their livelihood for generations to come.” “This investment will help move Minnesota products to market, support a
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