Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Co-Leads a Bicameral Push to Renew Expired Funding for Childcare
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bob Casey (D-PA), along with members of the House of Representatives, led a bicameral group of their colleagues in urging congressional leadership to renew expired funding for childcare in any supplemental funding package. Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act expired in September, and the state of childcare continues to be in crisis mode. Without this funding, many childcare providers have either closed or struggle to keep their doors open for working families. The letter comes on the heels of President Biden’s request to Congress for $16 billion to address the childcare crisis, which the members called for in August. “We write today to urge you to include robust funding for child care in any supplemental funding package considered by the Appropriations Committee. Child care is unaffordable and hard to find for working families, and child care providers across the country are struggling to stay afloat,” wrote the lawmakers. “Child care providers in communities across the country are at risk of closure. The child care stabilization relief funds provided a much-needed lifeline to the child care industry, but it is crucial that, at minimum, we sustain that level of investment to ensure the industry’s survival and prevent a new emergency.” Smith, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has been a leader in pressing for expanding access to childcare. She is an original cosponsor of the Child Care Stabilization Act, which aims to
Tina Smith, 13 Senate Colleagues’ Statement on Humanitarian Aid to Civilians in Gaza
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who led a group of Senators including Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), in releasing the following statement: “The tragic war in Gaza, initiated by Hamas terrorist attacks on innocent civilians on October 7, is causing heartbreaking suffering among Israelis, Palestinians and citizens of other nations living in the region. “Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself against Hamas, whose leadership continues to state clearly that their goal is the complete annihilation of Israel. Israel also has the obligation, pursuant to international law, to conduct that defense in such a way as to minimize harm to civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those who are suffering. We acknowledge the increased burden that this necessarily places on Israel to accomplish these obligations. “Hamas’s horrific actions cannot be ascribed to all Palestinians. Indeed, Palestinian residents of Gaza have often been victimized by Hamas. “As Senators, we have been closely monitoring the war in Gaza and believe that much more must be done to protect civilian life. We have been in ongoing dialogue with government officials in the United States, Israel and other nations in the region. We have communicated extensively with international aid officials doing work in Gaza, including those working together with the
Sen. Tina Smith Helps Introduce Bill to Make Sure Veteran, Minority, and Immigrant Farmers Have Access to USDA Services
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith helped introduce legislation to make sure producers from diverse backgrounds—including veteran and immigrant farmers—are able to access services through a vital Department of Agriculture (USDA) program. The Assist Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018 would ensure the USDA’s Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program continues through the end of the current Farm Bill, and would strengthen the program by making it a more efficient resource for veteran, minority population, and immigrant farmers and ranchers. You can learn more about the bill and access a list of supporting organizations here. “We
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
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