Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Celebrate $92 Million for Minnesota Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $92 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Minnesota drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the more than $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. “Investments in water infrastructure are essential to the health and safety of families across our state,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “These resources will update water, storm water, and wastewater systems.” “Minnesotans know the value of clean water—in fact, we were the first state to put statewide water quality standards in place over 50 years ago,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “This is an investment in the health and safety of Minnesota families, including families living in underserved communities who have historically been left out of infrastructure upgrades. I was proud to support the President’s legislation to deliver this funding.” “Clean drinking water and properly treated wastewater are basic human rights, yet too many communities still lack access to this critical resource and public health necessity, said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “This funding will help ensure underserved areas receive crucial improvements through expanded grants and loan forgiveness programs targeting those most in need. I look forward to
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Significant Federal Infrastructure Funding for Bemidji Regional Airport
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for the expansion of Bemidji Regional Airport’s Passenger Terminal. The grant provides $261,250 to expand the passenger terminal, which will address current concerns regarding security checkpoints and congestion throughout the terminal. The grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “Bemidji Regional Airport needs to expand its passenger terminal to operate safely and efficiently,” said Klobuchar. “This funding builds on the other federal grants we secured to improve the security checkpoint and extend the life of the runway so that the airport can continue to serve the area for years to come.” “I’m glad to see President Biden’s historic infrastructure package delivering once again for travelers in Minnesota. Our small and regional airports have been in desperate need of upgrades for too long, and this funding will go directly towards expanding the Bemidji Regional Airport’s Passenger Terminal, so travelers aren’t held up by unnecessarily long security lines and can focus on getting to their final destination,” said Senator Smith. This funding is from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In July 2022, Klobuchar and Smith announced that the FAA will award $95,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Bemidji Regional Airport. The airport will use the money to reconfigure and expand the security checkpoint. In June 2023, Klobuchar visited the Bemidji Regional Airport to discuss a $6.5 million grant the Bemidji Regional Airport received through another Bipartisan Infrastructure
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar’s Measure to Install Fire Sprinkler Systems in Public Housing One Step Closer to Becoming Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. [7/15/2020]—This week, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to encourage public housing authorities to install sprinkler systems in older apartment buildings cleared the House Appropriations Committee as part of a larger House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding package. The Public Housing Fire Safety Act would create an annual $25 million competitive grant program to provide funds to public housing authorities who wish to retrofit older high-rise apartment buildings with sprinkler systems. It would also collect data on the status of sprinkler installations in public housing high-rises around the country. “The fire at Cedar High Apartments was a tragic
Murray, Smith Urge Labor Department to Withdraw Proposal That Would Discourage Financial Advisors From Supporting Racial Justice
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), and 11 of their Democratic Senate colleagues submitted a comment letter in response the Department of Labor’s proposed rule that would discourage financial advisors from considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. In their comment letter urging the Department to withdraw its proposed rule, the Senators emphasize how ESG investing can be important in considering practices that can impact a company’s performance like diversity and how it can serve as a tool for long-term change in the fight against
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Lisa Murkowski Continue Work to Expand Mental Health Services with New Package of Bipartisan Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/24/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced two bipartisan bills to address behavioral health needs and substance use disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Behavioral Health Support Act would authorize $150 million in grants to States, Tribes, Tribal organizations and community-based organizations for training, technology upgrades, surge capacity needs, emergency crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and outreach to underserved communities. The senators also introduced their bipartisan Emergency Support for Substance Use Disorders Act, which aims to address substance use disorders through harm reduction services. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would help administer these grants
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Urges Secretary Carson to Extend Critical Deadline for Housing Counseling Organizations Who Risk Losing Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/10/20]—Today U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led a group of Senators —including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)—pressing Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Ben Carson to extend the upcoming August 1, 2020 deadline for housing counselor certification for HUD’s Housing Counseling Assistance Program by at least one year. While counseling agencies have been working hard to get members of their organization certified, many agencies will be unable to complete this process before August 1 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and therefore risk losing HUD funding. Sen. Smith said that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed existing disparities and economic inequities in Minnesota
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