Latest Releases
Smith, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Empower States and Communities to Reduce Homelessness
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today introduced the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act, legislation to cut red tape and create local solutions for addressing homelessness. “Without a safe, affordable place to live nothing else in your life works – not your job, health, family, or education,” said Smith.“This bipartisan bill makes common sense reforms to federal homelessness programs: cutting red tape for homeless service providers, streamlining and improving federal housing vouchers, reducing administrative burden and modernizing out-of-date software systems. It will reduce homelessness while using taxpayer dollars more efficiently. We know that the best ideas come from those closest to the issues, and that’s why our legislation gives local leaders in Minnesota and across the country the tools and flexibility they need to address homelessness no matter the ZIP code.” “Despite record levels of federal funding, homelessness continues to rise. It’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working,” said Rounds. “The challenges we face in South Dakota are not the same as those in California or New York. This legislation shifts power back to the states and communities closest to the problem—cutting red tape and enabling local leaders to deliver faster, more effective and more appropriate solutions for the people they serve.” “At a time when more Americans are facing homeless and there are fewer federal resources available, we must do everything we can to make programs more effective and assist people by connecting them to housing, local health systems, and behavioral health programs that can offer the
U.S. Senator Tina Smith on Senate Passage of Republicans’ Disastrous Big Bill
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after voting against the Republicans’ disastrous and cruel budget bill: “What Republicans did here is simple: they voted to kick 16 million people off health insurance while giving massive tax breaks to billionaires and corporations, and managed to still raise the debt by a staggering $5 trillion. In Minnesota alone, nearly 200,000 people will lose their health insurance. Rural hospitals will be forced to close. Planned Parenthood will lose its funding and have to shutter clinics. “I’ve heard from tens of thousands of Minnesotans, and they all tell me, no matter who they voted for, they don’t want to take health care away from veterans and working families and seniors. And they didn’t vote to make it harder and more expensive for working families to put food on the table. “Now it’s up to all of us to continue the fight. As this bill returns to the U.S. House of Representatives, make your voices heard. We say no to the largest role back in health care in our nation’s history, and the biggest transfer of wealth in modern times.”
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce New Childcare Facility in Luverne
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Education Committee, announced federal funding they secured last year to renovate a vacant facility in Luverne, Minnesota into a childcare center has been disbursed. The project will help the city purchase and renovate a facility into a new center that will accommodate 186 infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. The renovated space will also accommodate staff and administrative spaces, a gymnasium, and food preparation kitchen. “Too often I have heard that parents around the state, including in Rock County, have difficulty finding safe, reliable, and affordable child
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues, Demand VA Improves Care for Victims of Sexual Assault
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), led by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT), joined her colleagues to send a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) urging the Department to take immediate steps to improve the readiness of VA facilities and staff to address the needs of veterans after experiencing a sexual assault. The letter comes as a result of a concerning VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report finding significant shortfalls in care provided by VA to veterans who seek care after sexual assault. The letter was also signed by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant to Build New Child Care Facility in Ely
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $1,200,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to remodel an existing building into a child care facility. The newly renovated facility will house the Ely Area Community Foundation Happy Days Childcare Inc. and provide residents with expanded child care services. “Finding child care is a challenge for far too many parents,” said Klobuchar. “We secured this significant federal grant to expand child care services and give parents in Ely more options.” “Access to affordable child care is essential, both for the safe and healthy development of our
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant for New School Equipment for Nicollet Independent School District
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $32,300 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to purchase school equipment for the Nicollet Independent School District. Nicollet Public Schools is a K-12 public school district that also owns and operates an Early Childhood center, which has old playground equipment. The federal funding will help replace outdated equipment to ensure children have a safe space to play. “Kids need up-to-date playground equipment to play safely,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, Nicollet Public Schools will be able to make needed replacements at the Early Childhood center playground
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