Latest Releases
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. Smith Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Safeguard American Food Exports and Protect Farmers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Chris Coons (D-DE), introduced bipartisan legislation to protect farmers in the event of animal disease outbreaks. The Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act would give the USDA clear authority to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats, ultimately preventing unsafe agriculture exports from getting shipped around the globe and keeping trading markets open for American farmers with disease-free livestock. “I hear from Minnesota farmers all the time about the toll avian flu outbreaks have on families and the economy. Animal disease outbreaks can unnecessarily disrupt trade and hurt our exporting ability,” said Sen. Smith. “This bipartisan bill would allow the USDA to proactively negotiate regionalization agreements with our key trading partners. It’s a common-sense step that would help our farmers weather any future animal disease outbreaks.” “Indiana is a top ranked poultry-producing state, being first in the country for ducks, second for layer chickens and table eggs, and third for turkeys,” said Sen. Braun. “During the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak last year, our Hoosier poultry producers relied on trade regionalization agreements to ensure that their safe food products made it to market. Spending most of my life around the farm, I know just how devastating animal disease outbreaks can be. The SAFE Act will help farmers focus on animal health, rather than finding a market for their safe food products, by giving USDA the authority to negotiate proactive trade agreements.” “Poultry farmers across the
Smith, Klobuchar Call on Federal Communications Commission to Establish Protections for Consumers from Unwanted, Harassing Robocalls
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar joined Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and 11 other senators in calling for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish protections for consumers from unwanted and harassing robocalls and robotexts. “In an era when the onslaught of unwanted and abusive robocalls is on the rise, we are concerned that the absence of core protections would result in even more invasive calls and texts,” the senators wrote in their letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “It is the FCC’s obligation to use its existing authority to reestablish robust, enforceable protections to enhance the precious zone of privacy
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s Resignation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/05/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Energy Committee—released the following statement on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s resignation. This statement originally appeared on Sen. Tina Smith’s official Senate Facebook page. “Scott Pruitt abused our trust. I’m glad he stepped down. I had repeatedly called on him to do so, and now the Trump Administration needs to replace him with somebody who has the integrity and effectiveness to fight for our environment. After all, that’s the job of the EPA Administrator.” ###
Sen. Tina Smith Presses to Help Schools in Minnesota, Across the Country Hit Hard by Teacher Shortages
WASHINGTON D.C [07/09/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Education Committee—introduced legislation to help schools in Minnesota and across the country fill their growing need for STEM and special education teachers, to give rural districts resources to overcome teacher shortages, and to develop a more-diverse teacher workforce in the nation’s schools. Sen. Smith’s bill—the Addressing Teacher Shortages Act—would allow school districts across the country to apply for grants to help them to attract and retain the quality teachers they need. The bill would also provide funding for the Department of Education to administer the grant program and help
Sen. Tina Smith Presses to Help Schools in Minnesota, Across the Country Hit Hard by Teacher Shortages
WASHINGTON D.C [07/09/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Education Committee—introduced legislation to help schools in Minnesota and across the country fill their growing need for STEM and special education teachers, to give rural districts resources to overcome teacher shortages, and to develop a more-diverse teacher workforce in the nation’s schools. Sen. Smith’s bill—the Addressing Teacher Shortages Act—would allow school districts across the country to apply for grants to help them to attract and retain the quality teachers they need. The bill would also provide funding for the Department of Education to administer the grant program and help
English