Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding to Improve Red Lake Falls’s Water and Waste Disposal Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $906,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant and an $8,310,000 loan to make improvements to the Red Lake Falls’s water, wastewater, and sewer infrastructure. Specifically, this project will construct a new water tower and pump station and install new water meters. “Red Lake Falls’s current water, wastewater, and sewer infrastructure no longer meets the needs of the city,” said Klobuchar. “Using this federal funding, Red Lake Falls can make the necessary improvements to enhance these critical public services.” “Minnesotans deserve to have safe, clean water,” said Smith. “The city of Red Lake Falls is no exception, and this investment from the USDA will update the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure system, directly impacting all of its residents.” Senators Klobuchar and Smith are members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees the USDA. This federal funding was secured through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Program grants can be used by communities across the country to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area, such as health care facilities, public safety services, educational services, and more. ###
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding to Improve Taconite’s Water System
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $851,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant and a $1,494,000 loan to make improvements to the City of Taconite’s water system. The funding will advance the construction of a new water storage tank, a water pump house, and a replacement water tower. The project will also install individual water meters for customers and develop a meter-reader system. “To ensure families are getting quality water out of their taps, it’s important to upgrade water infrastructure once the equipment reaches the end of its useful life,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal support, Taconite can rebuild the water system to better serve residents.” “Updating the water system will make a real difference for people living in Taconite,” said Smith. “This loan from the USDA will help to construct a new water storage tank and provide safe, clean water for the city’s residents.” Senators Klobuchar and Smith are members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees the USDA. This federal funding was secured through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Program grants can be used by communities across the country to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area, such as health care facilities, public safety services, educational services, and more. ###
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
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Dean Phillips to Host Coronavirus Briefing Call on Monday, March 16
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/16/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN 3) will host a free and open-to-the-public coronavirus briefing call featuring Minnesota public health experts at 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET. Minnesotans are invited to submit their questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) online here, and join the call by dialing 855-927-0897 or streaming online here. WHO: U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips Dr. Rob Thomas, Medical Director, Emergency Physicians Professional Association Dr. Penny Wheeler, CEO, Allina Health System Additional public health experts WHAT: Coronavirus Briefing Call WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2020 6-7 p.m. CT/7-8 p.m. ET WHERE: Call-in: 855-927-0897; Stream online: https://phillips.house.gov/dial-in SUBMIT QUESTIONS HERE: https://tinyurl.com/MNCoronavirusBriefing
U.S. Senator Smith Leads Democratic Senate Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Expand Free Coronavirus Testing to People on Private Insurance, in Medicare, Medicaid and the Uninsured
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/12/20]—Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led a number of her Democratic Senate colleagues in introducing the Free COVID-19 Testing Act, which would expand free tests to confirm coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) was an original cosponsor of the bill. The legislation was also led by Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The Free COVID-19 Testing Act would waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and related health care services for individuals enrolled in private health plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, VA as well as for federal civilians,
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