Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on FAA Announcement of Reduced Air Traffic at MSP Airport as a Result of Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement following an announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration that air traffic will be reduced by 10% across 40 ‘high-volume’ markets during government shutdown, including at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. On average, MSP Airport experiences 750 flights every day, with an estimated average of 60,000 daily departing passengers. “It’s long past time for President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson to act like grown-ups and sit down and talk to us about how to get out of this shutdown so we don’t see impacts like the ones at MSP. Minnesotans are working hard trying to figure out how to afford their lives, especially health insurance. I won’t vote for a bill that hurts Minnesotans and does nothing to make life more affordable,” said Senator Tina Smith. “The only path forward is through negotiating, so air traffic in the skies above Minnesota and the country can keep operating safely and at full capacity and our government can finally open up again.” Senator Smith is a cosponsor of the True Shutdown Fairness Act, to pay all federal workers during the government shutdown, including air traffic controllers. That measure has been blocked by Senate Republicans.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Push Legislation to Pay All Federal Employees, Service Members, and Contractors During Shutdown
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined 24 colleagues to introduce the True Shutdown Fairness Act to pay all federal employees and the contractors supporting their work during the shutdown. The Senators’ legislation, the True Shutdown Fairness Act, would also prevent the Administration’s attempts at mass firings (Reductions in Force or RIFs) while the government is shutdown. The legislation was blocked from passage by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI). “Our troops and federal workers shouldn’t be used as political pawns in this shutdown fight. They never signed up to have their paychecks used as leverage. They shouldn’t be punished because President Trump refuses to negotiate a deal with Congress to re-open our government and has refused to take any action to prevent massive health care cost increases for Minnesota families,” said Senator Smith. “This is a commonsense, straightforward bill that would take federal workers and troops out of the crosshairs of a shutdown fight without handing over more unchecked power to President Trump and his unelected lackey, Russell Vought.” The Senators’ legislation is endorsed by major labor unions that represent federal employees across the country, including: Background on the True Shutdown Fairness Act: The True Shutdown Fairness Act would immediately restart pay for all excepted and furloughed federal workers, servicemembers, and federal contractors during the current shutdown. The Senators’ legislation also includes a prohibition on Reductions In Force while the federal government is shut down. Federal employees are ensured retroactive pay after a shutdown ends due to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act – legislation that was signed into law by President Trump in 2019. The legislation is cosponsored
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Hosts Flag Ceremony with Minnesota Tribal Nations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) hosted a Flag Ceremony with Tribal leaders from Tribal Nations across Minnesota in Washington, D.C. A Flag Ceremony is a formal event to honor the flags of Tribal Nations and the Tribes’ sovereignty, identity, and history. The Mille Lacs Singers sang the Flag Song to commemorate the occasion. Senator Smith will display the flags of the 11 Tribal Nations in Minnesota at her offices in Washington, D.C. and St. Paul in recognition of the government-to-government relationships with the Tribal Nations. This is the first time that a member of the Minnesota Congressional
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Idling of HibTac and Minorca Mines
Minnesota – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement regarding the idling of the HibTac and Minorca mines resulting in the layoffs of hundreds of employees: “The indefinite layoffs of approximately 530 Minnesota United Steelworkers who power the HibTac and Minorca mines, announced by Cleveland Cliffs today, is a punch in the gut to Minnesota and the Iron Range. These men and women produce over 75% of the iron ore used to make steel in this country, and they and their families are the lifeblood of the Range economy. For every steel mining job, 1.8 jobs are created
Senator Tina Smith, Representatives Andrea Salinas, Becca Balint Demand RFK Jr. Rescind Harmful Comments on Mental Illness, Anti-Depression Medications
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) along with U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06) and Becca Balint (D-VT-AL) led their colleagues in a bicameral letter demanding RFK Jr. rescind his past statements further stigmatizing mental health treatment, including comments that SSRI use can be linked to school shootings and that SSRIs are more addictive than heroin. Both claims have zero scientific evidence behind them and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Prozac, Zoloft and Lexapro, are one of the leading treatments for depression and anxiety and are used by nearly 32 million Americans each year. “We write to express our deep concerns regarding
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Voting No on Dangerous Republican Spending Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement on her decision to vote no on the Continuing Resolution (CR): “I will be voting no on cloture for the Continuing Resolution. “Donald Trump and Republicans are forcing two terrible choices on us, both of which are bad for the people of this country, and would hand unchecked power to President Trump and Elon Musk as they slash and burn government services on their own terms. “This bill we are voting on is not a ‘clean Continuing Resolution,’ and it does not continue the spending and policy law that Congress passed last year. Instead,
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