Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Infrastructure Projects in Stearns County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for road and wastewater infrastructure projects in Stearns County. The projects include road improvements in the cities of Sartell and Waite Park, and wastewater system upgrades in St. Cloud. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN). “From critical road improvements to upgrading a sewer system, these projects will bolster important infrastructure in Stearns County and surrounding areas,” said Klobuchar. “We worked with local leaders to secure these resources and move these projects forward.” “Revitalizing our infrastructure is about more than just fixing roadways, bridges and water treatment facilities, it’s about improving people’s lives, which is precisely what these projects will do,” said Smith. “These projects are going to make life easier and safer for Stearns County residents.” Klobuchar and Smith have successfully secured: Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Jerry Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Save Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand a lifeline for rural hospitals facing closure. The Rural Emergency Hospital Improvement Act would remove barriers for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and rural hospitals to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital designation under Medicare. These changes would help rural hospitals facing closure to receive federal financial assistance to remain open and serving their communities through emergency stabilizing care and obstetric care, rather than closing and forcing community members to travel further distances for emergency care. In Minnesota, more than one-third of rural health care systems were in the red as of 2019. “Rural hospitals provide health care in areas where it isn’t otherwise easy to access, so when their doors close, communities are left with almost no options, and that’s dangerous. If you’re dealing with a medical emergency or you just went into labor, the last thing on your mind should be whether your local hospital is still open,” said Senator Smith. “This bill is about public safety. It will make sure that if a hospital is in truly dire straits, they can remain open for emergency care – including obstetric care.” “Access to emergency health care saves lives and helps keep rural communities prospering,” said Senator Moran. “Too many rural hospitals in Kansas and across the country are struggling to keep their doors open, and this legislation offers those hospitals a lifeline. The Rural Emergency Hospital designation has already helped save numerous rural hospitals, and expanding access to this successful program is
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Allow Local Meat and Poultry Products to be Sold Across State Lines
WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/1/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently helped introduce the bipartisan New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act, which would allow meat and poultry products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs to be sold across state lines. This legislation is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Farmers Union, and the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association. “I fought for a spot on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and it’s my job to make sure Washington is helping expand markets for ag communities in Minnesota and across the country. This
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Chris Murphy Introduce Bill to Study, Address Conditions that Exacerbate Health Inequities in Black, Brown, Indigenous & People of Color
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/29/21]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced legislation to study and address how social, environmental, and economic conditions exacerbate health inequities in Black, Brown, Indigenous, and people of color. These conditions, known as social determinants of health (SDOH), are the result of institutional racism embedded in our society including in housing, employment, education, health care and more. Sens. Smith and Murphy said that Black, Brown, Indigenous and people of color have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic due to the social determinants of health. While it’s often believed that good health is only due to medical care, clinical treatment accounts for only 10 to 20 percent of an individual’s overall health. Meanwhile, around 80
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Encourage Minnesota Producers and Landowners to Enroll in Conservation Reserve Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/25/21]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) are encouraging Minnesota producers and landowners to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) by the February 12 deadline. The CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the United States. Participants receive an annual payment in exchange for removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve its condition. Senators Klobuchar and Smith said that for decades CRP has helped improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and improve wildlife habitat on private lands in Minnesota and across the country. “The Conservation Reserve Program is key to supporting Minnesota producers and landowners who help
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Say $75K Federal Investment Will Target South Central Minnesota Manufacturers Hit Hard by Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/26/21]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) say a $74,552 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant will help manufacturers and communities in South Central Minnesota recover from economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment will go to the Region 9 Development Commission (RNDC) as it establishes a disaster and economic recovery plan to address the manufacturing and job losses in local communities. Manufacturing accounts for more than 22 percent of the jobs in the region and the funds will help RNDC assist local manufacturers as they recover from COVID-19. “We know that our state’s manufacturers are hurting right now. This investment will
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