Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Bill to Help New, Beginning Farmers Grow a Successful Business
WASHINGTON, D.C. – [6/25/2026] U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) reintroduced the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program Reauthorization Act, a bill that helps new farmers and producers successfully grow their budding operations. Beginning farmers are forced to literally bet the farm, and then some, to pay for record-high land, fertilizer, equipment and other input costs necessary for farming. This grant program offers those farmers access to the knowledge, skills and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations today and in the future. “Farmers strengthen Minnesota’s economy and keep food on the table, simple as that,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “That’s why we need to support the next generation of independent farmers before the industry is eaten up by billion-dollar corporations, foreign companies and tech CEOs who see farming as another investment instead of a time-honored way of life. This program works to keep local farms locally owned and operated.” The ag industry will soon see major shifts in farm ownership with more than one-third of American farmers being 65 years old or older. A seamless transition to the next generation is vital for small towns and rural communities to thrive, and to keep the United States as a leader in producing high-quality food and ag products. This bill offers grants to organizations and non-profits that provide programs to support new farmers. One program is called Land Link, and it connects retiring farmers with new farmers, ensuring generational knowledge is passed down. The bill also supports business training, mentoring, apprenticeships, ag rehab programs for veterans, production practices, conservation planning, risk management, diversification and marketing strategies, food safety, recordkeeping, credit management and farm safety training. “We applaud Senator Smith’s reintroduction of the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program,” said Theresa Schneider,
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Shelley Moore Capito’s Bipartisan Women’s Lung Cancer Prevention Legislation Unanimously Passes Senate
WASHINGTON – United States Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced their bipartisan legislation, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act, unanimously passed the Senate. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate with the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans’ Affairs to conduct a comprehensive review across departments of ongoing research that could help us better understand and respond to the increasing number of women being diagnosed with lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for women in America. The disease claims more women’s lives each year than breast, ovarian and cervical cancers combined. While lung cancer rates are generally declining, cases among non-smoking women are on the rise, troubling researchers. “Cancer has touched each and every one of our lives in some way. Many of us remember a loved one fighting this horrible disease and doing everything we can to prevent ourselves from developing cancer. But for women, even if we never smoke, we’re increasingly more likely than men to develop lung cancer. It’s a deeply troubling trend that we need to better understand if we hope to combat the disease,” said Senator Smith. “This legislation is a good first step for us to take to better understand what we do and don’t know about why lung cancer rates seem to be moving in the wrong direction, particularly for one half of our population.” “West Virginia has long been deeply impacted by lung cancer, and
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Clean Energy Awards for Electric Co-Ops Across Minnesota
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced funding to make energy upgrades for more than 150,000 people and homes in Greater Minnesota. Nine electric co-ops across the state are receiving federal funding to make energy upgrades that will reduce costs for consumers and increase energy efficiency. Minnesota’s electric cooperatives provide electricity to nearly one-third of the state. “The clean energy transition is here, and we can either lead or follow. I want Minnesota to lead, and with this announcement, we will,” said Senator Smith. “With this investment, cooperatives can unleash clean energy in a way that works best for their communities. This will fight climate change. This will lower energy costs. And
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Federal Investment to Lower Housing Costs Through Zoning Reform in Twin Cities Metro Area
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Housing Subcommittee, announced an additional $5 million for the Twin Cities Metro area to assist with updating local zoning laws to build more affordable housing. The award will add to the $4 million previously announced in June 2024. The funding will provide technical support to cities and towns already in the process of updating their housing plans, community development strategies and best practices around zoning policy to incentivize more housing development. The funding will allow the Met Council to fully fund staff for the project through 2030. “We
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Eliminate Dangerous Rail Crossings in La Crescent
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $229,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for the La Crescent Rail Corridor Safety Improvement Project. This project will assess safety improvements at four railway crossings in La Crescent. The plan which will reduce the total number of crossings from four to three, which will improve safety for drivers and pedestrians through this corridor. Additionally, the project will involve the installation of protective devices, signals, and signage. “Blocked rail crossings not only inconvenience drivers, but also delay emergency vehicles and threaten public safety,” said
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Eliminate Dangerous Rail Crossings in Central Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured significant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for rail infrastructure projects in Central Minnesota. The TH 10 & CSAH 11 Railroad Crossing Improvement Study in Sherburne County has received $1.4 million to support grade crossing improvements in Becker Township. This at-grade intersection and BNSF rail crossing is an area of safety and mobility concern and several past studies have demonstrated the need for grade separation in several past studies. The Railroad Crossing Elimination Planning project in Douglas County has received $240,000 to
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