Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Significant Federal Funding to Strengthen Minnesota Public Transit Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded Minnesota $166.5 million in federal funding for 2022 through the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act to strengthen public transit infrastructure. Specifically, the investments will help communities across Minnesota expand transit services, modernize their fleets, and conduct necessary repairs. “Public transit infrastructure investments help reduce traffic and make it easier for Minnesotans to get to school, work, and other destinations,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will support the expansion of services and modernization of transit infrastructure, making a real difference in communities across our state. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Minnesotans will be better able to safely and reliably access public transportation.” “Each day, transit systems connect Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities – all while reducing traffic congestion and reducing pollution,” said Smith. “These investments – from new, modern buses to expanded service – will help connect Minnesota communities large and small.” The historic transit investments provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will significantly increase funding for several key grant programs that support: Mass transit in the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs; Transit for rural and Tribal communities; Maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation projects for transit agencies; Incentives to purchase low-emission vehicles for transit agency use; and Efforts to make transit more accessible for the elderly and disabled. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Klobuchar and Smith supported, was enacted in
Senator Tina Smith & Over 150 Members of Congress Call on Biden Administration to Make Urgent Investments in Childcare
WASHINGTON [4.7.22]– Last night, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led more than 150 members of Congress in urging President Biden to address the on-going childcare crisis and expressed support for federal legislation that lowers the cost of child care for families, expands access to pre-K, and invests in the early childhood workforce and infrastructure. The letter, co-led by Representatives Katherine Clark (D-MA-5), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), Katie Porter (D-CA-45), and Michelle “Mikie” Sherrill (D-NJ-11), called for urgent passage of President Bidens’ plan to reduce child care costs for families down to 7 percent of their annual income, provide universal pre-K to all 3 and 4-year-olds, and invest in the early childhood workforce and its infrastructure. The letter was signed by 122 Members of the House of Representatives and 33 Senators. “Addressing our nation’s child care crisis remains essential to boosting labor force participation among mothers, helping lower everyday expenses for families and child care providers who are facing higher costs due to inflation, and ensuring all children access the benefits of quality child care that support positive physical and brain development,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter to President Biden. “As you know, the high costs of child care and the difficulty of finding quality, affordable child care are challenges facing too many families across the country.” “Now is the time to make additional comprehensive, long-term investments in affordable, high-quality child care to build on the critical but largely short-term investments made through the
Sen. Tina Smith Pressing for Senate Hearing on Novartis Payments to Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/17/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is calling for a full investigation of the payments Novartis made to President Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen and is asking the leaders of the Senate Health Committee to hold a hearing with the CEO of Novartis as the key witness. Sen. Smith expresses concern that the payments may have played a role in shaping the Trump Administration’s positions on issues affecting Novartis and other drug makers, including importation of cheaper drugs from abroad. You can read a copy of the letter Sen. Smith sent by clicking here. “Discovery of these payments comes at
Sen. Tina Smith Condemns Secretary DeVos Dismantling Protections Against Predatory Practices by For-Profit Colleges
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/25/18]—U.S Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined 28 of her colleagues in condemning Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ dismantling of a crucial office designed to protect students against predatory practices by for-profit colleges. Tasked with investigating schools that cheat, mislead, or defraud students, recent media reports have indicated staff and resources of the Department of Education’s Student Aid Enforcement Unit are being systematically reduced by Secretary DeVos. This is occurring while Secretary DeVos has simultaneously hired former executives from for-profit colleges that were previously under investigation by the same unit. “It is critically important that the Department fulfill its mission to protect students in higher
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Support Farm Conservation Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/21/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith recently introduced legislation that would help farmers create and maintain plans to improve soil and water quality on farms in Minnesota and across the country. Sen. Smith’s bill would also streamline coordination between two leading conservation programs in the Farm Bill. The Strengthening Our Investment in Land (SOIL) Stewardship Act would improve the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)—which helps farmers create conservation plans to address natural resource concerns and improve soil and water quality—and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) aimed at making it possible for farmers to maintain their conservation systems. Through the SOIL Stewardship Act, family
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Support Farm Conservation Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/21/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith recently introduced legislation that would help farmers create and maintain plans to improve soil and water quality on farms in Minnesota and across the country. Sen. Smith’s bill would also streamline coordination between two leading conservation programs in the Farm Bill. The Strengthening Our Investment in Land (SOIL) Stewardship Act would improve the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)—which helps farmers create conservation plans to address natural resource concerns and improve soil and water quality—and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) aimed at making it possible for farmers to maintain their conservation systems. Through the SOIL Stewardship Act, family
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