Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce STEM Education Funding for Minnesota Tribal Colleges and Universities
WASHINGTON [2/14/2024] – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs and Education Committees, and Amy Klobuchar (both D-Minn.) announced funding for White Earth Tribal and Community College and Red Lake Nation College to expand their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. The funding comes from the National Science Foundation and is part of a larger project to promote education and careers in STEM for Indigenous students. “STEM education has never been more important as the demand for STEM-trained employees has soared,” said Senator Smith. “This funding will provide accessible pathways for Native students to pursue higher education and serve their communities – all while integrating Tribal cultural heritage and roots into their curriculum.” “Expanding higher education offerings can be a real game changer for students,” said Senator Klobuchar. “These National Science Foundation awards will open doors for White Earth Tribal and Community College and Red Lake Nation College students to learn essential skills for in-demand careers while ensuring Ojibwe language and culture remain key components of their education.” White Earth Tribal and Community College was awarded $2,500,000 to begin offering an associate’s degree in natural sciences, with coursework including biology, chemistry and physics. Having this coursework available to White Earth students will help graduates access good jobs and further education in high-demand fields such as health sciences. Red Lake Nation College will use their $2,500,000 in funding to expand curriculum in social and behavioral sciences, with coursework rooted in the Ojibwe language and culture. Given the high demand in Tribal areas for workers in social services, this program will strengthen the talent pipeline for graduates to fill that need. Senator Smith has long been a lead advocate for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). In addition to
Following Amendment Push, Smith, Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz & Colleagues Welcome New National Security Memorandum to Ensure U.S. Security Assistance is Used in Line with International Law
The memorandum, modeled off of Senators’ amendment, also requires all countries that receive U.S. security assistance to facilitate U.S.-supported humanitarian aid and creates robust reporting requirements to Congress WASHINGTON – Friday, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and their colleagues welcomed a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) released by the Biden Administration Thursday aimed at ensuring all U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law, including international humanitarian law. The NSM is modeled off of the Senators’ amendment to ensure U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law. Additional cosponsors of the amendment were Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Following the intent of the amendment, the NSM also requires that prior to the transfer of U.S. security assistance, recipient countries must provide the U.S. with credible and reliable written assurances that they will facilitate and not arbitrarily deny or restrict U.S. humanitarian assistance and U.S-supported international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance in areas of conflict. And, also in line with the Senator’s amendment, the NSM creates robust reporting requirements to Congress on these provisions and additional assessments of compliance with U.S. laws and policies. “When the United States provides security assistance, we need more in return than a mere promise
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Presses Secretary Pompeo for Plan to Bring Home Minnesotans, Other Americans Trapped Abroad Due to Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/18/20]—With a growing number of countries closing their borders due to the spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is pressing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to quickly implement plans to get information and assistance to Minnesotans and other Americans trapped abroad so they can safely travel home. In a letter to Pompeo Tuesday, Sen. Smith said her office has been in contact with numerous Minnesotans trapped in countries that have closed their borders—like Peru and Morocco—leaving them with no access to commercial flights or other transportation. With other countries expected to follow suit and close borders, Smith said the number
Minnesota Congressional Delegation Speaks with One Unified Voice on Coronavirus Response
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Representatives Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Angie Craig (MN-02), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Pete Stauber (MN-08) wrote an open letter to the people of Minnesota concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The delegation is committed to working together to ensure Minnesotans have the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe. “The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a rare event that is reshaping our society. We all need to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and
Klobuchar, Smith Urge Administration to Protect Access to Critical Health Care Supplies During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) wrote a letter to Vice President Pence calling on the Administration to take action to protect consumers’ access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated medical products and hygiene products from supply chain disruptions created by the coronavirus pandemic. The letter also asks several questions regarding the Administration’s preparedness and response efforts in light of reported supply shortages. “We have heard widespread reports – including from hospitals, health systems, and long-term care facilities in our state – that health care providers across the country are facing shortages of medical supplies
Members of Minnesota Congressional Delegation Urge Administration to Provide Critical Assistance to the State in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN-2), Dean Phillips (D-MN-3), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5), and Collin Peterson (D-MN-7) wrote a letter to Vice President Pence calling on the Administration to provide critical assistance to the State of Minnesota in its efforts to respond to and mitigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “We have heard serious concerns from medical personnel in our State regarding the ability to process coronavirus testing due to the limited availability of needed components such as reagents and lab supplies,” the members wrote. “It is
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