Latest Releases
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 funding will make it easier for the Lakes Community Cooperative to bolster their capacity and get their high quality meats to new markets.” “A strong meat processing industry is critical to maintaining a stable economy in Minnesota, especially for Minnesota’s farmers,” said Smith. “By doubling the capacity of coops like Lakes Community Cooperative, producers will have another processing option. This helps farmers get a fair value for animals and also helps keep prices down for consumers at the grocery story.” Four large meat-packing companies control 85 percent of the beef market. In poultry, the top four processing firms control 54 percent of the market. And in pork, the top four processing firms control about 70 percent of the market. Klobuchar and Smith have long worked to spur competition in America’s meat processing industry. They secured funding to increase meat cutting and butchery career pathways for students by enabling the Minnesota State Northern Agricultural Center to expand its training facilities and
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 place to live, nothing in your life works. It becomes nearly impossible to hold a job, go to school, or stay healthy,” said Senator Smith. “Our country is facing a housing crisis, with annual supply falling dramatically behind demand. Our proposal would serve renters, and homebuyers alike, providing millions of Americans in rural and urban communities with more options for a quality, affordable place to call home—with the sense of stability, security, comfort and pride that should come with it. Housing is a human right—this is a bill that meets the urgency of the moment we are in.” “Every day, we see families grappling with the harsh reality of the housing crisis—skyrocketing rents, evictions, and homelessness—while big banks and Wall Street prioritize profit over people. The Homes Act is our bold response to this crisis, investing $300 billion over the next decade to ensure everyone can access an affordable home,” said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. “We
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Ensure Accurate, Thorough Education about Native Peoples
WASHINGTON [3.24.22] – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that she has introduced significant legislation to improve public education and understanding about Native peoples and their histories. Accurate, thorough education about Native peoples benefits all students, Native and non-Native alike. Unfortunately, the education most students receive regarding Native histories and cultures is woefully inadequate. For example, nearly half of Americans say that what they were taught in schools about Native Americans was inaccurate and in most K-12 classrooms, students are not taught about Native peoples at all post-1900. Furthermore, teachers rate “history of Native American peoples” and “pre-Columbian American history
Every Female Senator Joins Smith, Ernst Resolution Designating Today National Women in Agriculture Day
WASHINGTON – During Women’s History Month and National Agriculture Week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)—both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee—have just received the support of every single female senator for their resolution designating today, March 24, as “National Women in Agriculture Day” to honor “the countless women who help agriculture prosper both at home and abroad.” Today, the senators are pushing the Senate to unanimously adopt their bipartisan measure, a process known as “hotlining.” The senators introduced the resolution earlier this week. Now, their bipartisan resolution has the support of every female senator and a
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Statement on Confirmation of Andy Luger as U.S. Attorney for Minnesota
WASHINGTON [03/24/2022]—Today. U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed Andy Luger to serve as U.S. Attorney for Minnesota. “Andy Luger is exceptionally well-qualified to lead federal law enforcement efforts in Minnesota. I want to congratulate him on his confirmation to this important post,” said Sen. Smith. “I am confident that his experience, dedication to public service, and commitment to justice will help him lead the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota with integrity.” Sen. Smith and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) formed a selection committee of legal experts and advisors in February 2021 to help vet
Senators Smith, Sanders Introduce Legislation to Address Major Staffing Crisis Across EMS Departments
WASHINGTON [3.23.22] – Today, Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation to address the major staffing crisis affecting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Minnesota and across the country. “EMS and fire department calls have skyrocketed during the pandemic. Yet too often, these emergency services are understaffed and underfunded,” said Sen. Smith. “Everyone deserves a timely, fully-equipped response in times of crisis. I will continue working to get this bill across the finish line and ensure our first responders have the resources and staff they need to do their jobs.” “In too many communities across our country, ambulance
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