Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, MN Housing Organizations Unveil New Legislation to Build More Homeless Shelters, Upgrade Aging Shelters and Permanent Supportive Housing
In Minnesota, more than 6,500 people stay in shelters every night, with many shelters operating at or near capacity WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) unveiled new legislation to help more people find a warm and safe place to sleep by increasing the capacity of homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing across the nation, while making critical repairs and upgrades to aging shelters and permanent supportive housing buildings. The Building and Maintaining Homeless Shelters Act would provide $1.5 billion in much-needed federal support over the course of five years. More than 8,300 people experience homelessness on a daily basis in Minnesota, and around 1,800 people can’t find any shelter and are often forced to sleep outside. “Homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing providers are being asked to do more with less at a time when homelessness is on the rise in big cities and small towns. It’s not sustainable, and it’s past time the federal government stepped in,” said Sen. Smith. “This new legislation would increase funding for communities to build new shelters that meet their citizens’ needs while also providing major upgrades to aging shelters. It would mean fewer people on the street and connecting more people to resources to find a place to call home.” “Addressing homelessness requires a full continuum of care, but services cannot succeed without adequate physical infrastructure. Minnesotans navigating homelessness know all too well the exhaustion of a system lacking physical capacity, for both shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing, the long-term solution
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Push the Trump Administration to Release Heating Assistance Funds Before Winter
More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on federal energy assistance last winter WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and several colleagues are leading a bipartisan push for the federal government to release energy assistance funding as quickly as possible, helping families stay safe and warm as our weather cools and energy costs spike. More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) last winter. Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year. Demand for assistance is expected to increase as the average family will likely spend around $1,030 to heat their homes this winter, an 8.7% increase from last year. Heating oil costs are projected to soar by 31% this winter. “In Minnesota, heating your home isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “With colder weather on the horizon, families shouldn’t have to choose between staying warm and putting food on the table.” “Mother Nature doesn’t play politics, and we shouldn’t either,” said Sen. Smith. “No one in Minnesota or across the country should have to choose between turning on the heat or paying for their medications or groceries.” Sens. Klobuchar and Smith, along with 27 of their colleagues from both parties, sent a letter requesting the Department of Health and Human Services release the roughly $4 billion in federal LIHEAP funds before winter home-heating bills arrive. Last year, President Trump fired staff working to deliver LIHEAP benefits, slowing the process of
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Leaked Audio Confirming Attorney General Nominee Todd Blanche Plans to Restrict Medication Abortion Access Nationwide, Including in States with Abortion Protections
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after breaking news from POLITICO that Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche is working with federal agencies “so that the Dobbs decision becomes permanent in every single state” by banning the mailing of medication abortion, such as mifepristone: “Dismantling Roe v. Wade was never Republicans’ endgame, and we’ve always known they’ve wanted to go further. They grew quieter about their next moves after the fierce public backlash in the wake of the Dobbs decision, but we knew the Trump Administration wouldn’t rest until every woman in America was subject to an abortion ban, including in states where abortion rights are
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Proposed Delay of National Ban on Hemp-Derived THC Products
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after language delaying a national ban on most hemp-derived THC products, including THC beverages, was included in a must-pass budget resolution set to be voted on in the Senate this week. The ban was set to take place in November and would now be delayed until December, buying lawmakers more time to negotiate. “Adults should be allowed to have a THC beverage if they so choose. Minnesota has created one of the strongest, most carefully regulated systems in the country to allow the sale of hemp products. The
Sens. Smith, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) Jerry Moran (R-KS) this week introduced the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act (REH 2.0), bipartisan legislation to expand access to federal resources for rural hospitals through the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Medicare designation. This legislation would allow more Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and rural hospitals at risk of closure to sustain health care services in rural communities, and it would make technical improvements to the designation. The legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Katie Britt (R-AL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Roger Marshall, M.D., (R-KS). “Rural hospitals are
Klobuchar, Smith Urge USPS to Protect Mail Service During Wildfires Impacting Northern Minnesota
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General to provide Minnesota with the necessary resources and support for postal operations impacted by wildfires. “We have heard from constituents who are concerned about mail delays resulting from the wildfires, and their ability to receive mail in the instance that they must evacuate,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to ensure that Minnesota post offices receive the resources and support needed to maintain reliable service and communicate effectively with residents.” The full letter is available here and below. Dear Postmaster General Steiner: We
English