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Senators Smith, Rounds Unveil Major Bipartisan Package to Modernize and Update Rural Housing Programs
Washington [5.2.23] – This week, Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced significant bipartisan legislation to improve federal rural housing programs, cut red tape, and strengthen the supply of affordable housing. The legislation would represent the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms years. “Without a safe, affordable place to live, nothing else in your life works. Not your job, not your education, not your health,” said Senator Smith. “We know that the housing crisis is hurting communities across the country, and the problem is particularly acute in rural places. This legislation is the direct result of bipartisan hearings and conversations with stakeholders who helped identify ways we can make federal rural housing programs work better for people struggling to find a safe, affordable place to live.” “Homeownership is part of the American dream and a key to building wealth,” said Senator Rounds. “Over the past year, Senator Smith and I have held hearings, met with stakeholders and visited with constituents in our states about the hurdles within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service. This legislation makes important improvements and updates to the Rural Housing Service that will create and preserve affordable housing opportunities in South Dakota. As we face an affordable housing crisis across the nation, I look forward to working with my colleagues to get these important, bipartisan updates signed into law.” Lack of affordable housing remains an impediment for many rural towns and communities as they struggle to attract new businesses, residents and
Senator Smith Introduces Bill to Provide Financial Stability for College Students Faced With Unexpected Emergencies
Washington [5.1.23] – This week, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) reintroduced legislation to ensure college students are able to stay enrolled in school in the face of unexpected emergencies. For many students, paying for college requires carefully balancing student loan debts, jobs, and studies, which can be easily derailed by an unexpected costly event. The Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act would provide financial stability for students struggling to manage a sudden death in the family, car repair, medical bill or any number of financial emergencies that too often force students to drop out of school. The bill was introduced in the House by Representative Joe Morelle (D-NY 25). “The cost of college is a precarious balancing act for many students, and that’s when everything is going ‘right,’” said Senator Smith. “This bill would help provide financial stability for students facing a death in the family, steep medical bills, or any number of unexpected emergencies that too often force them to drop out of school.” “Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their personal and professional goals,” said Congressman Morelle. “Unfortunately, unexpected financial emergencies like a vehicle breaking down or the sudden loss of a job can derail years of dedicated work, preventing young people from completing their coursework or even causing them to drop out. That’s not right—which is why I am proud to partner with Senator Smith to introduce this important legislation and ensure students have the support and resources necessary to reach their
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s Staff Kicks Off “Health Care Cost Listening Tour”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/11/18]—U.S Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) continued her push to make health care more affordable for Minnesotans by deploying her staff to kick off their statewide “Health Care Cost Listening Tour.” The listening sessions will include Minnesota residents, as well as health experts and care providers in discussions of how to make health care more affordable and accessible in Minnesota and across the country. “Without question, the number one issue I hear about most frequently from Minnesotans is the high price of health care,” said Sen. Smith. “Over the coming weeks, my staff will be traveling all over the state to
Sen. Tina Smith Pushes for Stronger Safeguards for Minnesotans Taking Out Expensive Private Student Loans
WASHINGTON [07/13/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is pushing to make sure students in Minnesota and across the nation understand all of their options when it comes to taking out private loans to pay for school, which can often be deceptively risky and expensive, especially for inexperienced or first-time borrowers. The “Know Before You Owe Act of 2018” would require schools to provide information to prospective borrowers about federal loan eligibility and benefits before certifying a private loan. The bill would also require schools to confirm the student’s enrollment status and cost of attendance before the private student loan is approved. “The student
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on President Trump’s Remarks at Press Conference with Vladimir Putin
WASHINGTON [07/16/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement on President Trump’s remarks while at a press conference with Russian leader Vladimir Putin: “The president’s press conference on his meeting with Vladimir Putin was nothing short of disgraceful. There is no question that Russia attacked our democracy in 2016 by interfering in the election, as our American intelligence community long ago concluded. When asked today to choose between our own country’s intelligence community and Vladimir Putin—the leader of a hostile foreign power—President Trump refused to choose, and instead blamed our own country. This is a shocking development when I
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Tribes Pursue Justice for Crimes of Sexual Violence Committed by Non-Indian Offenders
WASHINGTON [07/17/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee—has introduced bipartisan legislation to make sure tribes in Minnesota and across the country are able to prosecute crimes of sexual violence committed by non-Indian offenders. According to the National Institute of Justice, over half of all Native American women—56 percent—and more than one in four men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes. And among those, almost all—96 percent of women and 89 percent of men—were victimized by a non-Indian offender. Yet, few survivors ever see justice. The Justice for Native Survivors of Sexual Violence Act—introduced with Senate
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