Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Disaster Loans for Minnesotans Affected by Drought
Washington [10/16/23] — Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-Minn.) announced federal loans designed to help small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations in Minnesota recoup losses as a result of this summer’s drought. These federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Murray and Nobles counties and the contiguous counties of Cottonwood, Jackson, Lyon, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock Minnesota. “This summer’s drought affected everyone from farmers and ranchers to local business owners,” said Klobuchar. “These federal loans will provide relief and ensure farms and businesses get the support they need as they continue to recover. I encourage everyone eligible to get in touch with the Small Business Administration to learn more and apply.” “Climate-fueled extreme weather events, like the drought we experienced in Minnesota this summer, are becoming more and more common. We need to be doing everything we can to support those impacted and limit the economic toll they take,” said Sen. Smith. “These federal loans will help sustain local businesses and farms as they deal with the fallout from the drought. I encourage eligible businesses, farms and nonprofits to contact the Small Business Administration and apply before the May 29th deadline.” The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. EIDLs are available through the Small Business Administration (SBA), and can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, and other bills that could have been paid if
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Low Carbon Hydrogen Production
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Heartland Hydrogen Hub, made up of public and private partners in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, will receive significant federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to produce low carbon hydrogen for power generation, natural gas distribution systems, and agricultural use. “This investment will be an important part of our energy future, unlocking innovation and new sources of energy that will benefit our whole state,” said Klobuchar. “The combined public/private investments will create good-paying jobs and power Minnesota for years to come.” “The clean energy transition is happening—the question is whether we lead or follow. I want us to lead,” said Smith. “This funding will jumpstart the production of hydrogen from clean energy resources in Minnesota to help decarbonize various sectors of the economy, while creating more than 1,500 good paying jobs in our state. I’m proud of our work to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made investments like these possible.” The Heartland Hydrogen Hub was one of just seven proposed clean hydrogen hubs nationwide selected to receive funding through the Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program and this funding were made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass in 2021. The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program will create a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, and delivery of clean hydrogen.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Students, Families with Access to Important Financial Aid Information
WASHINGTON D.C. [03/27/19] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced bipartisan legislation to empower students and their families with better information about the costs of college from the initial college search and the application process, to when it comes time to accept financial aid. The Net Price Calculator Improvement Act, Understanding the True Cost of College Act and Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act would help college students avoid sticker shock, compare colleges to find the best value and increase the amount of information students receive about federal student loans before they sign up for tens of
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Laud Lewis & Clark Project’s Rural Development Milestone in Southwestern Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/21/2019]—Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statements after Worthington in southwestern Minnesota became the latest city to be connected to clean water through the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System. “The Lewis and Clark pipeline is critical to delivering reliable, clean water to farmers, businesses, and families in Southwestern Minnesota,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “So many people have been working on this project for years and this is an exciting step forward for the community.” “The Lewis & Clark project is essential to supply clean drinking water to rural communities, and it’s a
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Pushes for Service Members to Receive Owed Student Loan Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/16/2019]—United States Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is pushing to get servicemembers the student loan payments they have been incorrectly denied under existing law. In a letter to Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, Sen. Smith expressed her support for a proposed “matching agreement” with the Department of Education which would enable servicemembers to automatically get the refunds they are owed. The letter was led by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). “The new matching agreement should allow all eligible servicemembers and veterans-including those who were formerly eligible-to automatically receive refunds for any interest amounts that they
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Push Bill to Ensure Pregnant Mothers Can Get Affordable Health Care Both During and After Pregnancy
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/15/19]– U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) today joined an effort to ensure that all expectant mothers get the health care services they need both during and after pregnancy by cosponsoring the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (Healthy MOM) Act. Sen. Smith said the measure would ensure that all women eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces, as well as women eligible for other individual or group health plan coverage, can access affordable health coverage throughout their pregnancies. Currently, marriage, divorce, having a baby, adoption and changing jobs are considered a qualifying life event that
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