Latest Releases
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
Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect U.S. Agricultural Exports
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined Senators John Thune (R-SD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) in introducing bipartisan legislation to protect American food products from unfair trade practices by foreign countries. Common food and drink names such as parmesan, asiago, romano, and bologna are used around the world to describe products to consumers. However, due to geographic indication to European locations, the European Union has begun using economic and political influence to implement unfair trade practices under the guise of protecting geographic indicators. These unfair trade practices have the potential to block United States agricultural products from being sold in international markets. The Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act would amend the Agriculture Trade Act of 1978 to include and define a list of common names for ag commodities, food products, and terms used in marketing and packaging of products. The bill would also direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate with our foreign trading partners to defend the right to use common names for ag commodities in those same foreign markets. “Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy and international markets are vital to the economic success of our farmers,” said Senator Smith. “Unfair trade policies from the European Union forcing American producers to change the name of their product will hurt our farmers and their ability to sell products overseas. This legislation would ensure they are able to continue selling their products in foreign markets and
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Help Veterans Get Care for Hearing Loss, Their Most Common Service-Related Health Issue
WASHINGTON [07/18/18]—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, which visited some 10 communities throughout Minnesota to hear what health challenges veterans are facing. You can access a summary of the bill here and text of the bill here. Currently, veterans receiving benefits through the VA must document hearing loss or tinnitus incurred while in
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on Extension of Humanitarian Protections For Somali Nationals
WASHINGTON [07/19/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security heeded the call and granted an extension of humanitarian protections for hundreds of Somali nationals who have taken refuge in our nation—including many in Minnesota—to escape civil war, human rights abuses and violence in their home country. “This is a relief for hundreds of people who would have been forced to leave this country—including many in Minnesota,” said Sen. Smith. “I’m glad the Department of Homeland Security heeded the call to extend humanitarian protections for Somalia for 18 months, and now it’s time to work on a long-term solution.”
Sen. Tina Smith: Farmers Shouldn’t Bear Burden of President Trump’s Tariff Increases
WASHINGTON [07/23/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) shared concerns with top officials in the Trump administration about the effects the President’s recent tariff increases will have on farmers in Minnesota and across the country. Sen. Smith believes that the United States must take action to address trading practices that threaten U.S. jobs. However, she believe such actions must be done in a thoughtful, strategic way. In a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Sen. Smith—a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee—called for the Trump Administration to provide clear answers to farmers, ranchers, and the
Sen. Tina Smith’s Provisions to Improve Career and Technical Training Pass Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C [07/24/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said today that several provisions she authored to improve career and technical education passed a key hurdle with Senate passage Monday night. The bill would expand opportunities for young people who are looking for high-skill jobs that don’t require a four-year college degree. The bill passed with bipartisan support in the Senate Monday night. “Every student should be able to get the skills necessary to prepare for their future and create opportunity—but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to or has to go to a four-year college,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “This bipartisan bill
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