Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Clean Energy Projects for Minnesota Farms, Small Businesses in Rural Areas
[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced funding awards for 76 farms and small businesses across rural and Greater Minnesota to install clean energy technology. This round of funding for Minnesota totals $7,891,608. This year alone, Minnesota has seen over 250 clean energy projects in small towns and rural communities. The funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The projects are possible thanks to the Renewable Energy for America (REAP) program, which Senator Smith championed and strengthened in the Inflation Reduction Act, which both Senators supported. “The clean energy transition is happening; the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “But as we make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, we need to make sure everyone benefits. That’s one reason why projects funded by REAP are so important. These investments will save farms and small businesses across Minnesota thousands of dollars a year in energy costs while helping reduce harmful emissions.” “Investing in long-term energy is a win-win for rural customers and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, we’re taking a big step toward deploying new energy technologies to power rural communities across Minnesota for decades to come.” Total Investment: $7,891,608 Total in Energy Savings (kWh/Year): 98,240,418 Total in Energy Savings ($/Year): $2,583,511 The list of projects from this announcement, broken down by region, can be found here and below: Location
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Funding Secured to Complete MSP Airport’s Concourse G Remodel
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced that the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport received the final funding amount necessary to complete the airport’s improvements to Concourse G. This grant, made possible through the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will expand the Terminal 1 building on Concourse G from Gates 8 –13 to include 5 new single use restrooms and 2 new multi-user restrooms, terminal passenger seating, and energy efficient spaces. “Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is among the busiest airports in the country and supports tens of thousands of jobs in our state,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This significant federal funding will enable the airport to fund the expansion of Terminal 1 to improve the travel experience for passengers and maintain its position as a top-ranking airport.” “MSP is a critical transportation hub and economic driver for communities across Minnesota. There’s a reason it’s been ranked the best airport in America so often, and we hope to keep it that way,” said Senator Smith. “The Concourse G upgrades have been years in the making. This investment will make sure MSP remains one of the best airports in the world and has the capacity to meet demand, and I’m proud to have supported the Biden-Harris Bipartisan infrastructure law to make this happen.” “We work hard to provide exceptional airport experiences for our travelers, and a big part of that is ensuring that MSP facilities keep pace with capacity demands while also meeting and exceeding expectations for quality and accessibility,” said Brian Ryks,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith & U.S. Representative Adam Schiff Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Lifesaving HIV Prevention Drugs
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/1/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced legislation that will expand access to lifesaving HIV prevention medications. The “PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2021” addresses the underutilization of HIV prevention drugs – known as PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) – in high risk communities by ensuring these medications and any associated costs are covered by health insurance. The measure also establishes community public health campaigns, and it expands access to the drugs for uninsured individuals and underserved communities. The PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2021 is co-sponsored
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Senators in Introducing Resolution to Designate November as “National Lung Cancer Awareness Month”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/1/21]—Last night, U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-Minn.) Senate resolution to designate November as “National Lung Cancer Awareness Month” passed by unanimous consent. Smith was joined by U.S. Senators Rubio (R-Fla.), Van Hollen (D-Md.), Capito (R-W.Va.), and Scott (R-S.C.) in introducing the bipartisan resolution to express support for the early detection of lung cancer to help save lives and recognize the need for research to improve early screening, diagnosis, and treatment. “We need to take every possible step to fight this terrible disease that kills tens of thousands of people in Minnesota and across the country each year,” said
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.
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