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U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Celebrate Selection of Minnesota Tribe for Innovative, Culturally Responsive Social Services Pilot Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) celebrated news that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was selected for the Tiwahe Program Social Services Demonstration Project, an innovative program that allows participating Tribal Nations to integrate certain services for their members and incorporate culturally-appropriate components. Tiwahe, which means “family” in the Lakota language, focuses on job placement and training, social services, housing, wellness, and various courts to give Tribal Nations the ability to make these programs work best for their communities. “The Tiwahe Program gives Tribes the flexibility to design family and social services programs that fit the specific needs of their communities,” said Klobuchar. “The Leech Lake Band’s inclusion in the Tiwahe program and White Earth Band’s new grant will help improve the delivery of services for children and families while ensuring Chippewa traditions and values are incorporated into the programs.” “This program means Tribes will have the freedom to govern and deliver social services to their members in the way that works best for them,” said Smith, member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “The Tiwahe program is a crucial part of fulfilling our trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations and Native communities. I am proud of support the Tiwahe program and the work of Tribal Nations in Minnesota.” Senator Smith wrote to the United States Department of Interior supporting Leech Lake Band’s application. Leech Lake Band’s Tiwahe project will work to improve economic security, cultural connections, natural resource stewardship, healthy lifestyles, and other key needs among Tribal members. Red Lake Nation has participated in the program
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Join Bipartisan Group of 29 Senators in Denouncing Amazon’s Persistent Mistreatment of Delivery Drivers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith joined 27 of their Senate colleagues in a bipartisan letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy requesting information about the company’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program and its efforts to avoid legal liability for the persistent mistreatment of DSP drivers. The senators are also seeking information regarding Amazon’s justification for refusing to bargain with union representatives of DSP employees and requiring DSPs to sign non-poaching agreements. “Amazon’s freight truck drivers haul a variety of goods across highways every day, and their branded delivery vehicles are a virtually unavoidable feature in neighborhoods all over the country. Though nearly all Americans are familiar with and reliant on the services of Amazon- branded vehicles – which are operated by drivers in Amazon-branded vests who exclusively deliver packages with big, bold Amazon labels – few realize that Amazon refuses to acknowledge the workers who operate these vehicles as its legal employees,” the senators wrote. The senators detailed the dangerous working conditions of DSP drivers, pointing to reporting that suggests this system takes an awful toll on drivers, who have been forced to work in extreme heat without air conditioning, make deliveries in the snow without proper safety equipment like snow tires or chains, and are pressured to skip breaks. Some drivers have been forced to work for nearly twelve hours without access to a restroom. “Amazon is also facing numerous allegations of flagrant violations of the National Labor Relations Act, including refusal to recognize and bargain
U.S. Senator Tina Smith to Mnuchin: Disburse $8 Billion in Critical COVID-19 Relief to Tribal Governments Immediately
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/1/20]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to immediately disburse $8 billion in critical relief funds to eligible federally recognized Tribal governments. Sen. Smith. says that this emergency assistance, which was secured in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act, is critical to helping Tribal governments—just like their state, local, and territorial counterparts—respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and continue providing essential government services to their communities. But as of May 1, the Treasury Department has not distributed any of this funding. “The CARES Act was passed over a month ago and contained an express statutory deadline for distribution of the CRF to Tribal governments;
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith: Supplemental Security Income Recipients With Children Need to File Online by May 5 for Stimulus Checks
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/30/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Banking Committee—is taking steps to ensure Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries in Minnesota and nationwide who did not file tax returns know that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is requiring additional information by May 5 for dependents to receive cash assistance made possible through the CARES Act. Sen. Smith is encouraging SSI recipients who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying dependents to understand that the IRS is requiring additional information, which must be submitted using this tool, by Tuesday, May 5, 2020. According to
As COVID-19 Highlights Need to Understand Links Between Human, Animal and Environmental Health, U.S. Senator Tina Smith Urges Senate to Take Up Her Bipartisan Bill Pushing “One Health” Approach
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/30/19]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said today that coronavirus (COVID-19) is highlighting the urgent need to better understand the links between human, animal and environmental health, and that she is urging senate leaders to take up her bipartisan legislation to improve the nation’s preparedness to deal with future outbreaks that originate in animals. Sen. Smith said her bipartisan measure, the Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act, would ensure that federal agencies advance a “One Health” approach—the idea that human, animal and environmental health are all linked, and should be studied together. She introduced the measure in 2019 with Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) to improve preparedness and response to diseases like coronavirus. In a letter to
Backed by Large Group of Senate Colleagues, Sens. Tina Smith and Elizabeth Warren Press to Include $50 Billion Childcare Bailout in Next Coronavirus Relief Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/29/20]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led 29 of their Senate colleagues in calling on Senate leadership to include their plan for a $50 billion childcare bailout in the next coronavirus relief package, saying it is indispensable part of the nation’s response to the pandemic. Earlier this month, Sens. Smith and Warren unveiled their plan to stabilize the childcare system, keep providers in business, and ensure parents are able to go back to work when it is safe to return. A recent report revealed that without adequate support, Minnesota could lose 55 percent of its childcare supply and Massachusetts could lose 34 percent. And now, Sens. Smith,
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