Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Lisa Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Improve Aging Services for American Indian Elders
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Enhancing Native Elders’ Longevity, Dignity, Empowerment, and Respect (Native ELDER) Act that would improve federal programs and services focused on healthy aging and independence for Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian elders. The legislation was introduced in May during Older Americans Month, a time to recognize the important role and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian elders. “Honoring and caring for elders is foundational to Native American communities. Tribal elders in Minnesota and across the country have been clear about their needs,” said Senator Smith. “Enhanced support for caregivers, funding for home modifications, and better training programs for Tribes to deliver in-home care are some of the basic needs this bill would help to meet. Taking care of our elders – giving them the tools to age comfortably and with dignity in their own homes – this is how we keep our communities strong, and I’m proud this bill will help to deliver on that promise.” “When meeting with Alaska stakeholders, they identified home modifications to improve accessibility and caregiver support as some of the greatest unmet needs for Alaska Native Elders,” said Senator Murkowski.“Our Elders already face substantially worse health outcomes at disproportionally higher rates than other seniors. We have to help bridge this divide by ensuring our Elders have the support they need to age at home, in their local communities. Prioritizing home modifications and supporting family members who act as caregivers, is essential in supporting not only Elders, but the entire
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces $22.3 Million in USDA Funding Available to Organizations Helping Veterans, Non-traditional Farmers Get into Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making up to $22.3 million available to fund efforts that help non-traditional farmers and veterans in Minnesota and across the country get into agriculture. “Too often, Minnesota residents from communities who traditionally have not been involved in agriculture, as well as veterans, find barriers to getting into farming,” said Sen Smith. “The 2501 Program helps to remedy that, and I’m proud to champion its reauthorization in the Senate. These funds are available to groups, organizations, and higher education institutions that want to assist them in getting started. I encourage those eligible to apply for this opportunity.” Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, leads the bill in the Senate to reauthorize the “Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program” – or the 2501 Program – that is funded by USDA and set to be included in the Farm Bill. Smith has long been a champion of the 2501 Program and pushed to reauthorize and expand the funding during the debate over the 2018 Farm Bill – which was ultimately signed into law. Information on how to apply can be found below: Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and a range of higher education institutions serving African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2024. See the 2501 Program page for more information on the 2501 funding opportunity. USDA Teleconferences to Help With Application Process USDA will host two teleconferences during
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Says Senate Passage of Historic, Bipartisan Infrastructure Package Will Deliver Billions in Upgrades to Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/10/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said Senate passage today of a historic, bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure package will deliver billions of dollars in long-overdue investments to Minnesota’s roads, bridges, broadband, water pipes and other needed upgrades. Sen. Smith said the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was produced after months of difficult, bipartisan negotiations, resulting in a package that will jumpstart the economy and create jobs and economic development in rural, urban and suburban communities across the state. “We’re no longer just talking about infrastructure, we’re actually delivering a once-in-a-generation package that will make life better for millions of Minnesotans, create
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar & Tina Smith Announce Emergency Haying & Grazing in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8/5/21]—In response to the severe and worsening drought causing Upper Midwest cattle producers to run out of hay for their herds, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that producers can now request haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in 79 Minnesota counties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized the change on Wednesday. The senators said that Minnesota counties are approved for emergency haying and grazing due to drought conditions on a county-by-county basis, when a county is designated as level “D2 Drought – Severe” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. FSA provides a weekly, online update of eligible counties here. “The droughts across Minnesota have created
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Young Americans on National Mall to Highlight Need to Address Climate Change, Promote Clean Energy
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8/4/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined young climate leaders just steps from the U.S. Capitol to call for federal action on addressing climate change and establishing a Clean Electricity Standard (CES). You can access photos from the event here, here, here and here. “This is our moment to make the change we need, and we can’t wait,” said Sen. Smith. “The place to start in Congress is by passing strong climate legislation. This summer, I’m working hard to make sure infrastructure legislation includes a clean electricity standard—which is a powerful, practical, progressive investment to get us to net-zero carbon emissions in power generation as
U.S. Sens. Smith, Cassidy Say FDA Approval of First Generic Insulin Will Lower Prices Across Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/29/21]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) have long pushed to bring lower-cost insulin to market, and today the senators highlighted the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the first generic insulin product that will rein in costs after years of significant increases. Wednesday’s approval by the FDA is due in part to Sens. Smith and Cassidy’s bipartisan bill—the Protecting Access to Biosimilars Act—enacted in 2019. “We know that high insulin prices are jeopardizing the financial security of Minnesotans and Americans, and forcing some into alarming, and at times fatal, rationing,” said Sen. Smith, a member
English