Latest Releases
Amid Government Shutdown, Sen. Smith, Rep. Pressley Introduce Bill to Provide Back Pay for Federal Contract Workers, Including Low-Wage Food Service and Custodial Staff
WASHINGTON, DC – Following the federal government shutdown, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) introduced legislation to secure back pay for the thousands of federal contract workers who face furloughs and missed paychecks when the federal government is shutdown. Unlike federal employees, the thousands of federal contract workers—including janitorial, food, and security services workers—have no assurances that they will receive back pay to make up for their loss of hours and pay during a shutdown. The bill is co-led by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act would ensure federal contract workers, including low-wage service workers providing security, food and janitorial services, are fairly compensated for the wages and benefits lost due to a lapse in appropriations, also known as a government shutdown. It is estimated that more than 327,000 federal contractors make under $15/per hour. “This is about fairness—contract workers and their families should not miss a paycheck because of a government shutdown they did nothing to cause,” said Sen. Smith. “Many federal contractors work in jobs that are important for government operations, providing security, food service and janitorial work. These are often lower-wage jobs, with many workers living paycheck to paycheck. These workers can’t afford to go without, and they shouldn’t have to. In past shutdowns, contract workers haven’t received back pay at the end of a government shutdown like regular government employees. And it’s time we right that wrong.” “Government shutdowns are destabilizing events with devastating consequences
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on the Federal Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after Congressional Republicans and the White House refused to negotiate to lower health care costs for Americans, resulting in a federal government shutdown. “I’ll work with anyone who wants to work with me to bring down health care costs, but I won’t give Donald Trump a blank check and be bullied into voting for their partisan bill that will leave Minnesotans facing a near-doubling of their health insurance costs,” said Senator Smith. “Grocery bills are going up, utility bills are going up, and health care costs are skyrocketing, especially for health insurance premiums. President Trump and Republicans hurt rural hospitals and nursing homes with massive cuts to Medicaid. Some families are seeing health insurance premiums go up as much as 70 percent or more. Now, they’re shutting down the federal government because they refuse to work with Democrats to lower health care costs for Americans. I’m ready to get to work whenever Republicans want to work with me and other Democrats to fund important medical research and help Minnesotans afford their health care. That’s the only path forward, and I’m ready whenever they are.” According to MNSure, 89,000 Minnesotans will see their premiums increase by nearly $200 every month if Republicans refuse to extend subsidies for Americans. 20,000 Minnesotans will lose all financial assistance.
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Majority Leader John Thune Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand and Strengthen Local Meat Processing Capabilities
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) reintroduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, legislation that would provide support to America’s small meat and poultry processors to help strengthen and upgrade their operations. The bill would provide training, education, and technical assistance grants to help small processing plants improve and streamline their operations. Additionally, it would open new markets by allowing inspector-approved meat products to be sold across state lines. Helping smaller, locally owned processing facilities be competitive in today’s market will help lower costs for consumers by spurring competition in an already consolidated meat industry.
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Press Forest Service on Boundary Waters Visitor Permit Disruptions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) are pressing the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) over recent reporting about dramatic staffing and budget cuts at USFS that will negatively impact local economies across Minnesota and make it more difficult for visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to receive necessary permits. Specifically, the Senators probed USFS Chief Tom Schultz for more clarity on the full extent of the staffing cuts at USFS and the public safety, economic, and environmental impacts this will have on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the Superior and Chippewa National Forests. “In Minnesota, the Superior National Forest,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Trump Administration Releasing Heating Assistance Funding for Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Following news that the Trump Administration responded to her bipartisan push to release $12 million in frozen emergency heating assistance for thousands of eligible Minnesotans, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement: “Cutting heating assistance for families just trying to stay warm and safe in cold weather was thoughtless and cruel by DOGE. Thousands of Minnesotans depend on LIHEAP to make ends meet. They don’t have a Plan B. I fought hard for this funding for a reason and I wasn’t going to sit by and watch it disappear for folks who rely on it,” said Senator Smith. “I’m glad Trump and DOGE have reversed course on
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, Congresswoman Angie Craig Press Trump Administration for Answers on Frozen Energy Projects for Rural Minnesota
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN02) are pressing the Trump Administration about the continued confusion surrounding key clean energy projects that help Minnesota farmers and small businesses lower their costs. This freezing of federal funding has hurt many farmers and small business owners’ bottom lines, especially those that put up their own money expecting to be reimbursed by the federal government. Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable, clean energy systems, or to make their operations more energy
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