Latest Releases
Senator Smith, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Make College Textbooks More Affordable
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), along with U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO-02) introduced bicameral legislation designed to help students manage costs by making high quality textbooks easily accessible to students, professors, and the public for free. The Affordable College Textbook Act would authorize a competitive grant program to support the creation of and expansion of open college textbooks—textbooks that are available under an open license, allowing professors, students, researchers, and others to freely access the materials. “Textbooks are a key part of a college education – but for too many students, their cost is exorbitant and a real strain on their budgets,” said Smith. “In Minnesota, we’ve seen how free, open access textbooks can make a huge difference and save students money—and I want more students to reap these benefits. This bill is a critical step in the effort to lower the cost of college for students.” “Students already are facing momentous barriers to obtaining a college education because of the rising costs of tuition. On top of this, students are expected to shell out additional dollars to purchase expensive, required textbooks for their coursework,” said Durbin. “Open textbooks are a tried and true way to save students money while ensuring they have access to quality instructional materials. I’m introducing the Affordable College Textbook Act again to support students pursuing higher education.” “Textbooks are a central part of a college education – but for students already struggling to
Senators Smith, Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Farmers, Conservation
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) re-introduced legislationto support farmers seeking to adopt conservation and innovative climate practices on their farms. The Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act would bridge the divide between the innovative research taking place at land-grant universities and those who farm for a living by helping family farms adopt climate friendly strategies like planting cover crops and using no-till practices. “Strong farm programs that encourage sustainable conservation and climate practices help farmers maintain productive operations for generations to come,” said Senator Smith. “They also help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. This bill will help connect farmers with the information and resources they need to adopt climate smart practices.” “Hoosier farms feed our families and are integral to our supply chains. Every farmer faces unique decisions in their farm management, and pressure from the federal government to cut carbon emissions can place stress on the good work already underway,” said Senator Young. “My Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act gives farmers access to the latest tools and research in order to be successful while keeping American soil productive and healthy.” The Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act would: Enable partnerships between land-grant institutions and local farmers to increase uptake of conservation and innovative climate practices Allow farmers to voluntarily adopt practices that suit their individualized needs Require land-grant institutions to partner with a non-profit, state, or federal entity Allow the partnership to conduct a variety of activities to
Sen. Tina Smith Presses Top Transportation Safety Agency Over Troubling Deaths Caused by Keyless Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/15/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith pressed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for action to protect families across the country following reports of numerous deaths caused by keyless ignition vehicles. Over the Mother’s Day weekend, a New York Times report detailed how over two dozen people have been killed—and dozens more injured—due to carbon monoxide poisoning related to exposure from exhaust by a keyless ignition vehicle. Sen. Tina Smith finds it concerning that while technology in the automotive industry continues to progress, safety standards and action to address potential hazards have not kept pace. You can read a copy of
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on Senate Net Neutrality Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/16/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) voted to restore net neutrality protections that were recently overturned by President Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC). “I’ve heard from Minnesotans across the state, including large and small businesses, educators, and health care providers that a free and open internet is critically important to their bottom line and to our state’s economic future. They strongly oppose the creation of fast lanes and slow lanes dictated by companies like Comcast and Verizon.” said Sen. Smith. “Today’s vote continues our efforts to restore protections for an open internet that millions of people across the country need
Bipartisan, bicameral bill from Sens. Coons, Risch, Smith, Gardner & Reps Luján, Fleischmann, Hultgren, Lipinski supports small business innovation
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), James Risch (R-ID), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Cory Gardner (R-CO) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) today introduced the Promoting Small Business Innovation through Partnerships with National Labs Act, which allows small businesses to gain access to premier facilities at the national labs, spurring innovation and stimulating the culture of private-public collaboration. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy. However, the cost of investing in necessary but expensive capital equipment often prohibits small businesses from pursuing truly innovative ideas and developing
Sen. Tina Smith Says Minnesotans Deserve to Know How Drug Companies Are Using Billions in Tax Breaks
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/17/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith is introducing legislation that would require pharmaceutical companies to share with Minnesotans and people across the country how they’re using the billions of dollars in tax breaks they received as a result of the Republican tax bill. The GOP tax law provided pharmaceutical companies with large windfalls that could have been used to bring down costs for consumers. But earlier this year, news reports showed that some top pharmaceutical companies used a large chunk of their tax cuts to benefit investors and drive up stocks. Sen. Smith’s bill—the Disclosing Pharmaceutical Company Windfall Profits Act—would make
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