Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Applauds Senate Passage of Her Bipartisan Bill to Help Small Businesses Access Capital, Create Jobs in Rural America
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) applauded the Senate’s passage of her bipartisan Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act. The legislation, which is co-led by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), would help eliminate hurdles small businesses in rural areas disproportionately face when they try to access capital. “Access to capital is essential to the economic health and growth of rural communities in Minnesota and across the country,” said Sen. Smith. “Rural small businesses often face disproportionate obstacles when trying to secure capital to develop and grow their businesses. This legislation would help rural small businesses overcome these hurdles and strengthen our rural economies.” Access to capital is critical for starting and expanding rural small businesses, which often face a disproportionate number of obstacles when seeking capital investment. This bipartisan legislation, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act, would require the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit annual reports on the unique challenges small businesses in rural areas face when trying to secure capital. The report would outline roadblocks and identify solutions to ensure rural small businesses, and the local economies they support, are able to develop and grow. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) also cosponsored the legislation.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Legislation to Tackle Drug Shortages, Improve Public Health Preparedness Advances Through Key Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8.4.23] –U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that two of her legislative priorities, aimed at addressing drug shortages and improving public health preparedness, took a major step forward. “Drug shortages are hurting patients, pharmacists, and physicians across the country,” said Senator Smith. “I have heard directly from Minnesotans who are facing shortages of ADHD medications like Adderall, cancer-fighting drugs for chemotherapy, among other things. These drug shortages can be life-threatening, and I’ve made it a priority to tackle this problem. In addition, I’m focused on ensuring we are prepared for future public health threats. My bipartisan legislation will improve the FDA’s responsiveness when medication demand outpaces the supply, and help improve our ability to rapidly develop and distribute diagnostic tests in the event of a disease outbreak. I’m glad to see these priorities included in this important legislation.” The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act is essential legislation that reauthorizes key public health and emergency preparedness programs. Current funding expires on September 30th. Millions of Americans have been affected by shortages of chemotherapy drugs, commonly-used antibiotics, pediatric formulations of medications like ibuprofen, and other essential drugs. Pieces of Senator Smith’s legislation, which have been included in the reauthorization, will help address these shortages and bolster public health preparedness. Senator Smith’s provisions include:
U.S. Senator Smith, Representative Phillips Announce More Than $250k Grant for Critical Housing and Community Development in Eden Prairie
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/28/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN 3) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is investing more than $250,000 to Eden Prairie to develop affordable housing and economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income families. “Having a safe, stable, affordable place to live is what makes everything in our lives work. Without housing, it is nearly impossible to keep your job, go to school and stay healthy,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Housing Committee. “We need to make sure that Eden Prairie has enough housing to support families and economic development. This grant is one step we
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces More Than $3 Million in Grants for Critical Housing and Community Development in Duluth
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/28/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is investing more than $3 million in grants to Duluth to develop affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, help people who are experiencing homelessness and create economic opportunity. “Having a safe, stable, affordable place to live is what makes everything in our lives work. Without housing, it is nearly impossible to keep your job, go to school and stay healthy,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Housing Committee. “There is no doubt that Duluth is facing an affordable housing crisis, and needs relief now. These grants are one
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Jeff Merkley Introduce Bill to Lower Americans’ Energy Bills, Create Jobs, Reduce Carbon Pollution
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/05/2019]—This week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)—along with Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—introduced legislation that would help families lower monthly energy bills, reduce wasted energy and carbon pollution, and create good-paying jobs. The Community Energy Savings Program Act of 2019 (CESP) would provide low-interest financing to consumers who want to make energy efficient upgrades to their homes. These upgrades are good for public health and the environment, and would help create good-paying jobs across America through the manufacturing and installation of materials used in the projects. “Our country can lead or we can
U.S. Sens. Klobuchar, Smith Announce Minnesota Ag Producers Can Now Sign Up for Crop Safety Net Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/6/19]–U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced today that enrollment for two popular USDA safety net programs for the 2019 crop year opened this week. The programs provide Minnesota ag producers with financial support when crop revenue and commodity prices fall below certain levels. Funding is available through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. “Our farmers are a key part of our agriculture community and agriculture economy, and they are in great need of stability. As the backbone of our economy, farmers throughout Minnesota and across the country deserve our support during periods of uncertainty like we are experiencing now. With the Agriculture Risk
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