Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Statement on Supreme Court’s Brackeen Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. [6.15.23] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Haaland v. Brackeen, which left the federal law governing the placement of Native American children in foster or adoptive homes intact: “Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978 to confront a massive injustice: the forced removal of countless Native American children from their families and their communities. Today, the Supreme Court upheld that law and respected Tribes’ rights to govern themselves. This is a welcome decision, but efforts to undermine Tribal sovereignty will no doubt continue, and I am fiercely committed to defending the law and upholding our responsibilities to Tribal Nations.”
U.S. Senators Smith, Lummis Defend Homeowners Against Predatory Home Buyers
WASHINGTON. D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) sent a letter to the National Association of Attorneys General recommending that state attorneys general take steps to protect homeowners from predatory home-buying practices. Senators Smith and Lummis were concerned by allegations that some franchises of HomeVestors of America, commonly recognized by their advertising catchphrase, “We Buy Ugly Houses,” were targeting elderly and ill homeowners. “Home equity represents more than a quarter of all household wealth in our country and we are deeply troubled by schemes that are all too eager to pilfer it,” wrote the Senators. “We appreciate the dedication of the National Association of Attorneys General to safeguarding consumers and respectfully request that you continue work to put a stop to unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices, and ensure that HomeVestors and other similar firms are not allowed to take advantage of our nation’s most vulnerable homeowners. Americans work hard to build equity in their homes and should be protected from those seeking to reap the benefits of their investments.” The letter details alarming and misleading practices wherein some franchisees allegedly targeted vulnerable homeowners and communities, deceived and coerced homeowners to close sales, and employed complex legal maneuvers to prevent their victims from backing out of sales despite unfair conditions. The letter recommends that state attorneys general inform consumers, undertake a coordinated response to the repeated complaints, and advocate for tools that empower homeowners. Earlier this week, Senator Smith raised the allegations with the Director
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Fight to Expand Child Tax Credit to Increase Economic Opportunity for Families in Minnesota, Across the Nation
Senators Support Legislation to Improve Child Tax Credit, Reduce Child Poverty WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/07/19]—Minnesota’s U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith said today that they are pushing a new tax cut measure that will not only put more money in the pockets of families raising children, but also cut child poverty by an estimated 38 percent in Minnesota and across the country. The American Family Act of 2019—led by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) would increase the Child Tax Credit to $3,000 per child, with an additional $600 per-year credit for children under six. Further, the measure would make the tax credit fully refundable to allow all families to claim
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and Bipartisan Group of Senate Colleagues: “Provide Back Pay to Compensate Contractor Employees for Their Lost Wages”
WASHINGTON D.C. [03/08/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith continued her fight to secure back pay for federal contract workers who went many weeks without a paycheck during the recent 35-day federal government shutdown by pushing the leaders the Senate Appropriations Committee to include funding for back pay in an upcoming disaster relief package. Unlike federal government employees, who received back pay after they returned to work when the shutdown ended in February, federal contract employees—many of whom serve in modestly-paid jobs—did not receive back pay to make up for the wages they missed. During the shutdown, Sen. Smith led the Senate effort to secure
Approximately 1,000 Minnesotans will be affected by the shuttering of Argosy University’s Eagan Campus
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Betty McCollum (MN-04) sent the Department of Education a letter urging Secretary Betsy DeVos to proactively inform Argosy University students about available resources following reports that their 22 campuses are expected to close after the Department’s decision to cut off federal student aid. There are over 1,000 Minnesota students enrolled at Argosy University’s Eagan campus, which is closing its doors today, but the Department has provided students with limited, direct communication about the resources available and their options to
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Works to Ensure Argosy University Students in Minnesota, Nationwide Receive the Assistance They Deserve
Senate Colleagues Demand Education Department Help Students Explore Options for Continuing Studies at High-Quality Institutions, Properly Distribute Student Loans WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/11/2019]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—along with Sens.Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and 10 of their Senate colleagues—called on the Department of Education to take immediate action to assist students in the aftermath of the agency’s February 27 decision to terminate Argosy University’s eligibility for federal Title IV financial aid and reports of Argosy’s imminent closure. The February 27 decision came after revelations that Argosy University had failed to distribute millions of dollars in federal
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