Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Historic Expansions of Clean Energy Across Rural Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-Minn.), announced historic funding for clean, reliable and low-cost energy across rural Minnesota. Three rural electric cooperatives with operations in the state will receive funding to deploy clean energy or make energy efficiency improvements. More cooperatives are expected to receive funding in the coming months. Minnesota’s electric cooperatives provide electricity to nearly one-third of the state. Senator Smith was instrumental in securing this funding for rural electric co-ops through her work on the clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. The three cooperatives selected that operate in Minnesota are: “The clean energy transition is here, and we can either lead or follow. I want Minnesota to lead, and with this announcement, we will,” said Senator Smith. “With this investment, cooperatives can unleash clean energy in a way that works best for their communities. This will fight climate change. This will lower energy costs. And this will strengthen our energy security and resilience by ensuring our rural communities continue to have safe, reliable and clean, American-made energy for years to come.” “Domestically produced renewable power strengthens our energy independence and boosts rural economies,” said Senator Klobuchar. “These Empowering Rural America Program grants will lower rural energy costs, create good paying jobs, and support renewable energy projects in Minnesota and across the country.” “Dairyland Power Cooperative is honored to receive this New ERA award, which provides Dairyland and our member cooperatives with a tremendous opportunity to continue making vital investments in essential clean energy resources,” said
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Bipartisan Letter Pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Urgently Address Tribal Food Delivery Delays Nationwide
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined a bipartisan group of senators pushing the USDA to fix problems with Tribal federal food aid programs, which have caused widespread disruptions in food distribution to more than 100 Tribal organizations and some 50,000 people who rely on the program nationwide. The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides food to income-eligible households living on reservations, and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Trust relationships between the federal government and Tribal Nations require the federal government to provide food security to Tribal members. Since April, Tribal FDPIR programs have experienced delayed or missing food deliveries, partial deliveries, and deliveries of expired products. Many families who receive FDPIR are now receiving less food or no food at all. The letter — signed by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) — pushed USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to swiftly and fully address the unfolding crisis. “In March 2024, USDA consolidated the food delivery contractors to one sole-source contractor, Paris Brothers, Inc. in Kansas City, MO. Since that change went into effect on April 1, 2024, participating Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) began to experience ‘[s]poradic deliveries, or incorrect orders and compromised best if used by dates.’ Participating households have not had consistent food deliveries for over four months. This is unacceptable,” the senators wrote. “We appreciate that USDA is hosting weekly calls with impacted
After Push from U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Biden Administration to Release Oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
WASHINGTON D.C. [11/23/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said the Biden Administration plans’ to release oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve is good news for hardworking Minnesota families who have been struggling to cope with the rising gas prices. The announcement comes two weeks after Sen. Smith and eleven Senate Democrats pressed the administration to take action to ease gas prices, including by releasing supply from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The Senators said that recent decisions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) threaten to push prices higher and the move to release oil from the Strategic Reserve
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Jerome Powell and Dr. Lael Brainard’s Nominations to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/22/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to President Biden’s nomination of Jerome Powell and Dr. Lael Brainard to serve as Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, respectively: “Jay Powell and Lael Brainard are highly qualified and dedicated public servants. I have confidence that together, they can guide us through complicated economic times as we emerge from the pandemic.” Sen. Smith is a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee which will hold hearings on Powell and Brainard’s nominations.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Three Multi-Million Dollar RAISE Grants to Improve Minnesota’s Transportation Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/19/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced three multimillion dollar Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants that will fund critical transportation projects across the state. This funding is from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The RAISE grants will help fund safety and accessibility improvements along East 7th Street and Arcade Street in St. Paul, the U.S. Highway 169 and Highway 282 Interchange, and a Rondo Streets improvement study in St. Paul. “In order to build an economy that works for everyone, we must invest in crucial infrastructure,” said Sen. Smith. “I’m thrilled to announce this significant
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig Lead MN Members in Introducing Resolution to Designate November 17 as “National Butter Day”
WASHINGTON, D.C [11/17/21]— U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-Minn.) today introduced resolutions in both the House and Senate to designate November 17, 2021 as “National Butter Day.” The Members were joined by U.S. Representative Betty McCollum and U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach in introducing the Resolution. The three leads, all of whom serve on the Agriculture Committee, said that as a dairy state, Minnesota is a major butter producer and their resolution would promote the production of butter, not only in their state, but across the country. “Dairy producers play an important economic
English