Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Head of Second Harvest Heartland as State of the Union Guest
WASHINGTON [2.3.23] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that Second Harvest Heartland CEO, Allison O’Toole, will be her guest at the President’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 7th in Washington, D.C. Second Harvest was one of many food banks that benefitted from Democrats’ American Rescue Plan and helped provide crucial support for families during the pandemic. Thanks in part to federal funding that they received from the legislation, Second Harvest Heartland was able to provide more than 107 million meals to families across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin in 2022. In addition, they administered $3 million in American Rescue Plan funding to support a prepared meal distribution program throughout 2022. “In the wealthiest country on earth, it is inexcusable that so many Americans face hunger,” said Sen. Smith. “I am proud to have Alison O’Toole, head of Second Harvest Heartland, join me at the State of the Union. As one of the largest hunger-relief organization in the country, Second Harvest has been a tireless advocate for policies and programs that work to end hunger. I’ve seen their operation firsthand and admire their work to provide healthy food where it’s needed most. I look forward to our continued work together as we look to meet President Biden’s goal of eliminating hunger in America by 2030.” “I am honored to represent Second Harvest Heartland at the State of the Union this week as Senator Smith’s guest,” said Allison O’Toole, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland. “President Biden has taken a
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Rep. Cori Bush Re-Introduce Legislation to Protect Access to Medication Abortion
WASHINGTON [2.2.23] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representative Cori Bush (D-MO) re-introduced a bill to defend access to medication abortion in states where the right to an abortion still exists. The Protecting Access to Medication Abortion Act would protect current FDA guidelines so that women can always access medication abortion through telehealth and certified pharmacies, including mail-order pharmacies. Of the one in four American women who will have an abortion, over half will use medication abortion. In the 23 years since its approval, evidence has shown that mifepristone can be prescribed to patients without an in-person appointment, is safe and effective for people to take in their own homes, and can be sent through the mail. But extremist Republican lawmakers have sought to block access to medication abortion and GOP-led states have imposed restrictions that contradict scientific evidence and take away women’s reproductive freedom. Republican efforts are undermining the ability of women to access proven, safe, and effective reproductive health care. “Right now, extremist Republicans are attacking and undermining access to a safe and effective medication because they believe that the government – not women, not their health care providers – should control the health care women receive,” said Senator Smith. “We need to fight back against Republicans’ efforts to chip away at women’s reproductive freedoms. Our bill, which would safeguard access to medication abortion, is a critical step to protect what remaining access exists to reproductive health care.” “The use of medication abortion has been
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Senate Democrats Continue Push for Affordable Child Care For Families in Minnesota, Across the Country
Senator Helps Introduce Legislation to Help Families in Minnesota, Across Nation Afford Comprehensive, High-Quality Child Care WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/27/19]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—who last year launched “Child Care Access and Affordability” listening sessions across Minnesota—is continuing her work to ensure families in Minnesota and across the country are able to access high-quality childcare by supporting a comprehensive bill to address the skyrocketing cost of child care. The bill, called the Child Care for Working Families Act, would address child care costs in a number of ways. It would ensure that families do not have to pay a large percentage of their income onchild care and would provide universal access to
U.S. Sens. Smith, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Consumers From Predatory Rent-to-Own Housing Contracts
Senators’ Legislation Would Establish Standards for Predatory Rent-to-Own Contracts, Which Have Traditionally Targeted Underserved Communities and Lower-Income Americans WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/27/19]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have introduced the Residential Rent-to-Own Protection Act to protect consumers in Minnesota and across the country from predatory rent-to-own housing contracts. Their measure would allow rent-to-own residents—many of whom are often people of color or low-income Americans—to seek damages from landlords who violate contracts and put protections in place to ensure these residences are safe. “Rent-to-own contracts can create valuable pathways to homeownership and security, but they don’t always protect consumers. We want
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Honors Grand Portage Chairman Norman Deschampe with Senate Tribute
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Honors Grand Portage Chairman Norman Deschampe with Senate Tribute WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/27/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) honored the legacy and contributions of Grand Portage Chairman Norman W. Deschampe, who recently passed away. Praising his leadership, Sen. Smith cited the numerous issues Deschampe championed in his more than 40 years of service to the Grand Portage Band, serving 27 of those years as Chairman. Sen. Smith’s tribute follows Governor Tim Walz’s declaration of February 26, 2019 as Norman Deschampe Day. “Norman Deschampe’s legacy includes a longstanding commitment to supporting the health, education, and economic development of the Grand Portage Band,” wrote Sen. Smith, a
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