Latest Releases
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Significant Investment in Grand Rapids Transit Project
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced over $9.3 million in federal funding to support a free, on-demand transit service in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The investment will be used to expand the current goMARTI (Minnesota’s Autonomous Regional Transit Initiative) vehicle fleet with electric vehicles and automated driving systems (ADS). The expanded fleet of vehicles will be wheelchair accessible and will expand service to communities that lack access to reliable, convenient transportation. “Investments in our transportation systems are a down-payment on the long-term economic success of our state and ensure Minnesotans can safely and reliably get to where they need to go,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help meet Grand Rapids’ growing transit needs and provide accessible, efficient, and modern transportation options for residents and visitors alike.” “Each day, transit systems connect Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities – all while reducing traffic congestion and pollution,” said Smith, Chair of the Senate Transit Subcommittee. “This funding will help modernize transit options around Grand Rapids with electric vehicles and new automated driving technology. It’s a big win for residents who have lacked access to affordable, modern, and accessible ways to get around.” The federal funding is made possible through the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program, which awards grants to deploy, install, and operate advanced transportation technologies. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith helped pass, amended and helped fund the program. These projects are intended to help
Senator Smith Reintroduces Bill to Address America’s Maternal Mortality Crisis
WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith introduced legislation to address America’s worsening maternal mortality crisis, which has a disproportionate impact on Black, Brown, Indigenous and all People of Color. The Data to Save Moms Act seeks to understand the root causes of this emergency by improving data collection on maternal mortality and morbidity. From 2018 to 2021, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. increased by 89%. The crisis is even more acute for Black, Native and Indigenous women, who are more than twice as likely to die due to a pregnancy-related complication as white women. “I do not think it’s radical to believe that everyone who gives birth should be able to access high-quality health care,” said Sen. Smith. “America’s increasing maternal mortality rate, and the disparities in maternal health outcomes for People of Color, is a national emergency. My legislation will identify the root causes of this problem so we can tackle them head on. This is about establishing maternal health justice—especially for People of Color.” “We are committed to addressing the underlying root causes of maternal mortality and morbidity and applaud Senator Tina Smith and Representative Sharice Davids for introducing the Data to Save Moms Act, which will improve data collection to advance equitable responses to the ongoing maternal health crisis,” said March of Dimes Sr. Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs, Stacey Y. Brayboy. “The staggering maternal mortality rates women, particularly for Black and Indigenous women of color, face in the nation is
At the Urging of Smith, Klobuchar, U.S. Department of Agriculture Extends Enrollment Deadline for Margin Protection Program to Assist Dairy Farmers
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/20/2018]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the enrollment deadline for the improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) following a letter from the senators requesting the extension. The MPP provides dairy producers with more cost-effective protections from shifting milk and feed prices by paying them when the difference between the national all-milk price and the national average feed cost (margin) falls below a certain dollar amount set by the producer. The new enrollment deadline is June 22, 2018. “Our dairy farmers are the backbone of our economy, and we
Sen. Tina Smith Helps Introduce Bill to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Students
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/21/2018]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Health Committee—helped introduce legislation in order to better address the increasing number of students with mental health concerns at colleges and universities across the country. The bill—known as the Higher Education Mental Health Commission Act—would create a national commission to study the mental health concerns that students face. This commission would includerepresentatives from higher education institutions, disability and student advocacy groups, students with mental health conditions, and family members of college students. “Facilitating open, honest conversations about mental health is an important first step toward eliminating the stigma that
Sen. Tina Smith Calls for Senate Health Committee Hearing on Negative Consequences of Family Separation on Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/21/2018]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) called on leaders of the Senate Health Committee—on which she serves—to hold a hearing in order to better understand the negative health effects of the Trump Administration’s disgraceful zero tolerance immigration policy on separated children and their families. “Although the administration has said that they will stop separating families, we must hold them to this promise and ensure that the more than 2,300 children who have already been separated are safely reunited with their families and receive the care they need as soon as possible,” wrote Sen. Smith in her letter to Chairman
Sens. Smith, Warren Press Secretary Azar for More Answers on Inadequate Plan to Reduce Drug Prices
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/26/2018]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alexander Azar for more answers following their exchanges with him during a recent Senate Health Committee hearing. You can read a copy of the full list of questions Sens. Smith and Warren sent to Mr. Azar today here. Sens. Smith and Warren urge Secretary Azar to provide details about what President Trump meant when he said drug companies would voluntarily reduce prices, the number of meetings that administration officials have had with drug manufacturers to discuss voluntary reductions, and how the administration will
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