Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bill to Combat Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Diseases Heads to President’s Desk
Most recent data shows Minnesota recorded 3,551 cases in 2024 alone, a rate that has likely increased in recent years WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) bipartisan bill to expand research, testing and treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases is expected to become law after successfully passing both chambers of Congress. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act passed the U.S. Senate in August and passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week, heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “When this bill soon becomes law, it will save lives and help people battling Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases,” said Sen. Smith. “Minnesota is proud to have more than 10,000 lakes and thousands of rivers. Unfortunately, as we venture outdoors, the number of Lyme disease cases in the state—and states across the country—goes on the rise. This bill will step up regional efforts at researching, testing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. We must cut down on tick-borne illnesses for the sake of Americans’ health and well-being.” The bill, co-led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), was named in honor of former Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), who passed away on October 28, 2019, due to complications from the tick-borne Powassan virus. Over the past two decades, Minnesota has experienced a significant rise in tick-borne diseases. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Lyme disease remains the state’s most reported tick-borne illness, with 3,551 probable cases reported in 2024. In the same year, Minnesota also
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on Agriculture Committee’s Second Partisan Markup of Long-Delayed Farm Bill
The partisan legislation forces Minnesotans to pay $140 million in administrative costs, fails to address SNAP cuts WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, instead choosing to pass a partisan version drafted by Republicans that will not gain enough support to pass the full Senate: “I said it before and I’ll say it again, patience is a virtue, it’s just not my virtue. I’m disappointed that, once again, Republicans have pursued a partisan path on the Senate Farm Bill; however, we’ll keep working to find a path forward. It’s crucial that we pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that meets the needs of farmers, ranchers and rural America, including year-round E15,” said Sen. Smith. “We have been clear for months that it is not possible to pass a Farm Bill that fails to delay the deep cuts to SNAP by at least two years. Minnesota counties simply can’t afford a $140 million tax increase to pay for these SNAP cost shifts,” she continued. “Amid shrinking markets, tariffs and skyrocketing costs for diesel and fertilizer, farmers need Congress to negotiate a comprehensive, bipartisan Farm Bill that stands a chance of becoming law.” Sen. Smith, along with her Democratic colleagues, were clear that they could not support a Farm Bill that did not delay the cost-shift of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by at least two years. Without this delay, counties would be forced to
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Dave McCormick, Ruben Gallego and Thom Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for Seven Years
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the bipartisan Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026, which is essential to economic security by safeguarding the availability of terrorism risk coverage. This legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Britt (R-AL), Van Hollen (D-MD), Crapo (R-ID), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kennedy (R-LA), Schumer (D-NY), Moreno (R-OH), Kim (D-NJ), Ricketts (R-NE), Alsobrooks (D-MD), Warnock (D-GA) and Blunt-Rochester (D-DE). Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, most states began allowing terrorism risk to be excluded from commercial insurance policies, leaving businesses and industries without access to coverage. Since insurance is a precondition for commercial lending and real estate transactions, this gap
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Catherine Cortez Masto Introduce Legislation Protecting Children Harmed by ICE Actions Against Their Parents
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children Act. The legislation would protect children affected by immigration enforcement actions or proceedings against their parents. According to a 2019 analysis, there are 7.2 million children of noncitizen parents in the United States. “The images of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos in his bunny hat after preschool are seared into the minds of Minnesotans. Using children as pawns to detain their parents is morally repugnant,” said Senator Smith. “This bill would put common-sense moral safeguards in place to protect children from ICE
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Seeks Answers on Hegseth’s Role in Dismantling Military’s Civilian Harm Prevention Guard Rails in Advance of Iran War
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined nine senators in seeking answers on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s role in weakening civilian harm prevention programs and the catastrophic civilian impacts of President Trump’s war in Iran. Since the start of President Trump’s illegal war in Iran, attacks on civilian infrastructure have led to more than 1,700 civilian deaths, along with strikes on more than 20 schools and a dozen health care facilities. “The high human toll of this war reflects the administration’s broader disregard for the strategic, legal, and moral imperative to minimize civilian harm.,” wrote the lawmakers. “We call on the
Smith, Klobuchar Urge HHS to Release LIHEAP Funding
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) are urging the Department of Health and Human Services to release the remaining FY26 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available to all states, including Minnesota. “We write to urge you to immediately release the remaining FY26 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available to all states, including Minnesota,” the Senators wrote. “LIHEAP is the main federal program that assists low-income households and seniors with their energy bills.” “In Minnesota it has helped over 100,000 households this winter, preventing over 17,000 disruptions,” the Senators continued.
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