Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Presses Postmaster Louis DeJoy for Answers on Mail Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy pressing for answers regarding the Postal Service’s agreements with Amazon and the impact of those agreements on Minnesotans. For years, Minnesotans have experienced mail delays and inconsistency, and postal employees have faced difficult working conditions, made worse by a volume of Amazon deliveries that push the system to the brink. Millions of Minnesotans depend on the Postal Service to pay bills, receive prescriptions, and conduct other essential business. When service is unreliable, Minnesotans can face serious consequences – from late payment fees and social security checks to days without critical prescription medications. “As Postmaster General, you are responsible for ensuring that the Postal Service meets its service standards, and it is clear right now that things are not working as they should,” wrote Senator Smith. “Entering into contracts that your system cannot support is a breach of your responsibilities.” Reporting by the Bemidji Pioneer uncovered how harsh working conditions and the implementation of a USPS service agreement with Amazon have pushed mail carriers to the breaking point. Workers are being forced to work 12-hour days for six days per week, time off requests are being cancelled, and sick leave is not being honored. Bemidji isn’t the first Minnesota community to be affected by this new agreement with Amazon – Brainerd saw similar delays after it was implemented and continues to struggle maintaining enough staff. In her letter, Senator Smith presses for answers from DeJoy on how he plans to remedy both the impact of Amazon’s service agreement and the working conditions at the Postal Service so Minnesotans receive on-time
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Help Child Care Providers Serve Nutritious Meals
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation to help ease the financial stress on child care providers across the country. Providers such as family child care homes, child care centers, Head Start programs, and after-school programs provide meals to more than 4.2 million children each day with the support of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act would increase the reimbursement rates child care providers receive for these meals. Not only would this help ensure millions of children receive nutritious meals, it would also ease the significant financial burdens for both child care providers and parents struggling to afford child care. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Greg Landsman (D-OH-1). “I have heard from too many childcare providers in Minnesota who have to dip into their own pockets to feed the kids in their care because of insufficient federal reimbursements. Investing more in childcare will help both families who are struggling to afford care and providers who are having trouble breaking even,” said Senator Smith. “This legislation would improve an effective, but under-resourced, existing program to ensure our kids are receiving nutritious meals and help ease the financial burden on childcare providers and parents.” “Every child deserves access to nutritious meals, especially during their formative years,” said Senator Bob Casey. “The research is clear: the CACFP improves the quality of meals in child care settings. By easing the
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
U.S. Sens. Smith & Cramer Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Fully Examine Scope of Insulin Affordability Crisis in Order to Bring Relief to Americans Struggling to Afford Medication
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/14/19]—In association with World Diabetes Day, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) today introduced bipartisan legislation—along with Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)—to create a national study to more fully understand the scope of the insulin affordability crisis in America. Earlier this year, Sens. Smith and Cramer introduced bold, bipartisan legislation to bring down the cost of insulin and hold manufactures accountable for excessive increases in the price of the life-sustaining medicine. Now, the senators and a bipartisan group of their Senate colleagues are working to expand the scope
Ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Help Veterans Get Care for Hearing Loss, Their Most Common Service-Related Health Issue
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/07/19]—With Veterans Day around the corner, today U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced legislation to reduce the red tape many veterans face when trying to get care for hearing loss as a result of their service—something many veterans say is an enormous burden despite being the most common service-connected ailment. Sen. Smith heard about this problem through her office’s veterans’ health care tour last year, which visited some 10 communities throughout Minnesota to hear what health challenges veterans face. You can access a summary of the bill here and text of the bill here. Currently, veterans receiving benefits through the VA must
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