Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Calls on Trump Administration to End “Operation Metro Surge” in Twin Cities
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement: “I believe in protecting public safety and upholding the rule of law. ‘Operation Metro Surge’ is actively undermining both. There has been none of the necessary cooperation and trust between federal officials and local government, and zero transparency from the Trump Administration into ICE’s operations in the Twin Cities. Minnesotans are seeing their friends and neighbors, including U.S. citizens with no criminal records, abducted by masked agents, shoved to the ground, and sprayed with mace. The fear and violence that President Trump has unleashed on our home is destroying any sense of public safety. The Administration needs to put an immediate end to ‘Operation Metro Surge’.” ###
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Cosponsor Legislation Requiring Airlines to Reimburse Passengers for Delays, Rebooking Fees & Related Expenses After Trump Cancels Consumer Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) helped introduce legislation to protect flyers by requiring airlines to provide cash compensation and free rebooking for passengers facing significant delays or cancellations caused by the airline. The bill comes just in time for the holiday season which is expected to see record numbers of travelers. Early estimates project a record 8.03 million travelers will take domestic flights this holiday season, a 2.3% increase compared to last year. This would mark the first time in history that number tops 8 million. “It’s simple: if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and disrupts your travel plans, you should be compensated,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This legislation will ensure airlines reimburse passengers for the cost of hotels, meals, and transportation as a result of flight cancellations or delays.” “Traveling is already expensive, and the last thing Minnesotans need is an unexpected and expensive bill for rebooking a flight that was canceled because of an airline, especially as folks try to be with their families over the holidays,” said Senator Smith. “This legislation holds airlines accountable for their mistakes and fixes another Trump administration blunder.” People are flying now more than ever. With more Minnesotans flying, refunds and reimbursements for significant cancellations and delays that disrupt travel plans are crucial. In 2024, roughly 20% of all flights departing from MSP were delayed or canceled. Under the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, the DOT would issue regulations that would set a
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Colleagues to Introduce Resolution to Make Sure Every Woman Can Access Emergency Health Care
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined her colleagues to introduce a resolution to ensure that every patient has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care, regardless of where they live. The introduction comes as new reporting from ProPublica states that Republican abortion bans are preventing women from receiving lifesaving emergency health care and resulting in preventable deaths. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade over two years ago, nearly two dozen US states led by Republicans have banned or severely restricted access to abortion. These strict laws have created confusion around the treatment doctors can provide even when a pregnant
Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Expansion of Meat Processing Facility in Perham, MN
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced funding to double the capacity of a meat processing facility in Perham, MN. The $530,000 grant will go to Lakes Community Cooperative, a processing facility that provides its member owners with multi-species livestock processing services. Helping smaller, locally owned processing facilities like Lakes Community Cooperative to be competitive in today’s market will help lower costs for consumers by spurring competition in an already consolidated meat industry. “Minnesota’s meat and poultry products help feed the nation and the world,” said Klobuchar. “This new
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Homes Act to Tackle America’s Housing Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chair of the Senate Housing, Transportation and Community Development Subcommittee, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) today unveiled legislation that would reimagine housing in America, making a historic and long overdue investment in our housing supply. The bill would help build and preserve as many as 1.3 million homes in small towns, big cities, and rural communities; and help families everywhere find a quality, affordable place to call home. Smith and Ocasio-Cortez are joined on the legislation by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and 34 members in the House of Representatives. “Without a safe, decent and affordable
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Reps. Angie Craig, Brad Finstad Reintroduce Bill to Improve Access to Job Training in Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN02) and Brad Finstad (R-MN01) reintroduced legislation to expand partnerships between schools and businesses to help ensure a future workforce that is trained and qualified for the jobs and careers employers are hiring for. Many employers struggle to find qualified workers across several industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. Schools and employers are already building programs and partnerships like those outlined in the billto equip students with the skills needed to secure these jobs, but the lawmakers recognize that the need warrants greater federal investments to support these programs. “Workforce partnerships give students the opportunity
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