Latest Releases
Senator Tina Smith Applauds New Equity Commission on Rural Community Economic Development
WASHINGTON, [8.26.22] – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) applauded the appointment of 12 members to the newly established Equity Commission Subcommittee on Rural Community Economic Development (RCED) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Among the 12 appointees is Minnesotan Cheryal Hills. The Commission was created as part of the American Rescue Plan, which Senator Smith helped pass earlier this year. “Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy,” said Sen. Smith. “In the Senate Agriculture Committee, I have pushed to make federal programs that help farmers more accessible for underserved communities. I am glad to see this commission, which was made possible by the American Rescue Plan, appoint qualified members like Cheryal Hills who will work to more effectively address the needs of rural and underserved communities.” The new RCED subcommittee members are: Cheryal Hills, Minnesota; Davis Carrasquillo-Medrano, Puerto Rico; Calvin Allen, North Carolina; Lakota Vogel, South Dakota; Valerie Beel, Nebraska; LaTonya Keaton, Illinois; Doug O’Brien, Maryland/Washington, DC; Curtis Wynn, Florida; Terry Rambler, Arizona; Larry Holland, Mississippi; Nils Christoffersen, Oregon; and Shonterria Charleston, Georgia. The RCED Subcommittee will work with the Equity Commission and its Agriculture Subcommittee to provide recommendations to the Secretary that specifically address issues and concerns related to rural development, persistent poverty and underserved communities. The newly appointed subcommittee members reflect diversity in demographics, regions of the country, background, and in experience and expertise.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small for Visits to Wadena and Menahga
MINNEOSTA — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small to visit Wadena and Menahga in Central Minnesota. Photo and video footage from the visits can be found here. They started the day in Wadena, where they toured Tri-County Health Care’s new $72 million project. Named Astera Health, this will be a new 125,900 square-foot facility designed to integrate new technology, create a healthy environment that improves the patient experience and efficiency for staff, and ensure a sustainable future for health care in the area. Tri-County Health Care received a $42 million direct loan from the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities program. After their visit with Tri-County Health Care, they toured Ten Finns Creamery in Menahga to learn about their specialization in A2 milk production and sustainable farming practices. Owned and operated by Joel and Amanda Hendrickson, their namesake comes from their Finnish ancestry and ten kids who play a big role in the daily care of their cows. Their specialization in A2 milk production produces dairy products for people with milk sensitivities to enjoy. They currently have whole milk, 2% milk, chocolate milk, and butter available as products. They pride themselves on sustainable farming practices, which include refusing to use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides and planting cover crops to keep carbon in the soil and out of our atmosphere. “It was great to have Under Secretary Torres Small here to see a glimpse of what rural Minnesota
Sen. Tina Smith on Supreme Court Justice Kennedy’s Retirement: “Pivotal Moment in Our Country”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/27/18]—Today, while delivering a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Tina Smith made the following statement on Justice Kennedy’s retirement announcement. You can access video of her remarks here. “This is a pivotal moment in our country. With Justice Kennedy’s retirement announcement today, the stakes have never been higher for making sure we choose a Supreme Court justice committed to the constitution and protecting the most fundamental rights of Americans—the right to vote, the ability to organize, a woman’s right to choose. And whomever replaces Justice Kennedy will no doubt have a say on issues that affect the
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Pass Bipartisan Senate Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/28/18]—After taking a leading role in making sure Minnesota priorities are included in the 2018 Farm Bill as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) was proud to help pass the bipartisan legislation in the Senate today. The Senate Farm Bill includes measures authored and championed by Sen. Smith—her legislative roadmap for the energy title of the Farm Bill, her provision to expand access to much-needed broadband in rural communities and tribal areas across the country, and a provision to create a U.S. Department of Agriculture “Rural Health Liaison” who will work
Sen. Tina Smith in Senate Floor Speech: “Farm Bill Touches Lives of Virtually Every American”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/28/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee—urged her Senate colleagues to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill in order to provide more certainty to farmers, and to support jobs in Minnesota and across the country. You can download video of Sen. Smith’s speech here and access a copy of her remarks as prepared for delivery here. “The Farm Bill touches the lives of virtually every American, and it is vital to my state’s economy,” said Sen. Smith in her speech from the Senate floor. “This bill will provide important stability and predictability to Minnesota farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Prevent Another Sun Country Airlines Debacle
WASHINGTON, D.C. [06/28/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) followed up on her promise to explore legislation to prevent another incident like the Sun Country Airlines blunder by introducing the Airline Consumer Protection Act. Earlier this year, Eagan-based Sun Country Airlines stranded travelers in Mexico and around the country, leaving them scrambling to find additional lodging and their own way home. Sen. Smith’s Airline Consumer Protection Act seeks to ensure that this won’t happen again by guaranteeing that when a consumer purchases an airline ticket you are getting the transportation you paid for—which often is not the case in the fine print of airline tickets. The bill would also
English