Latest Releases
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Significant Investment in Grand Rapids Transit Project
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced over $9.3 million in federal funding to support a free, on-demand transit service in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The investment will be used to expand the current goMARTI (Minnesota’s Autonomous Regional Transit Initiative) vehicle fleet with electric vehicles and automated driving systems (ADS). The expanded fleet of vehicles will be wheelchair accessible and will expand service to communities that lack access to reliable, convenient transportation. “Investments in our transportation systems are a down-payment on the long-term economic success of our state and ensure Minnesotans can safely and reliably get to where they need to go,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help meet Grand Rapids’ growing transit needs and provide accessible, efficient, and modern transportation options for residents and visitors alike.” “Each day, transit systems connect Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities – all while reducing traffic congestion and pollution,” said Smith, Chair of the Senate Transit Subcommittee. “This funding will help modernize transit options around Grand Rapids with electric vehicles and new automated driving technology. It’s a big win for residents who have lacked access to affordable, modern, and accessible ways to get around.” The federal funding is made possible through the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program, which awards grants to deploy, install, and operate advanced transportation technologies. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith helped pass, amended and helped fund the program. These projects are intended to help
Senator Smith Reintroduces Bill to Address America’s Maternal Mortality Crisis
WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith introduced legislation to address America’s worsening maternal mortality crisis, which has a disproportionate impact on Black, Brown, Indigenous and all People of Color. The Data to Save Moms Act seeks to understand the root causes of this emergency by improving data collection on maternal mortality and morbidity. From 2018 to 2021, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. increased by 89%. The crisis is even more acute for Black, Native and Indigenous women, who are more than twice as likely to die due to a pregnancy-related complication as white women. “I do not think it’s radical to believe that everyone who gives birth should be able to access high-quality health care,” said Sen. Smith. “America’s increasing maternal mortality rate, and the disparities in maternal health outcomes for People of Color, is a national emergency. My legislation will identify the root causes of this problem so we can tackle them head on. This is about establishing maternal health justice—especially for People of Color.” “We are committed to addressing the underlying root causes of maternal mortality and morbidity and applaud Senator Tina Smith and Representative Sharice Davids for introducing the Data to Save Moms Act, which will improve data collection to advance equitable responses to the ongoing maternal health crisis,” said March of Dimes Sr. Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs, Stacey Y. Brayboy. “The staggering maternal mortality rates women, particularly for Black and Indigenous women of color, face in the nation is
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Push to Prevent Unfair Prescription Drug Hikes
Senators Back Bill to Stop Big Pharma from Using Exclusivity Periods to Stave Off Lower-Cost Generics Coming to Market WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/07/2019]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) recently helped introduce legislation to help prevent price hikes for prescription drugs. Sens. Klobuchar and Smith have both traveled across the state and know just how much Minnesotans—and Americans across the country—struggle when it comes to affording the high cost of prescription medications. The Forcing Limits on Abusive and Tumultuous (FLAT) Prices Act of 2019—led by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and also supported by Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Richard Blumenthal
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Key Areas of Focus on Senate Agriculture Committee
Senator Continues Serving as Ranking Member of Rural Development and Energy; Joins Commodities, Risk Management and Trade; and Livestock, Marketing, and Ag Security Subcommittees WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/08/19]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, she continues to serve as a top leader on the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee. Sen. Smith also announced that she has been named to the Commodities, Risk Management and Trade; and Livestock, Marketing and Ag Security Subcommittees. “Farm policy needs to work for Minnesota, and that’s what I kept in mind as I met with farmers, ranchers,
Smith, Klobuchar, Senators Press Power-5 Conferences to Toughen Sexual Assault Policies
Lawmakers want Pac-12, ACC, SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 to take meaningful action to address sexual violence WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/08/19]– U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar pressed the commissioners of the Pac-12, ACC, SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 conferences to take serious and meaningful steps to address the misconduct and sexual violence within their athletics programs. In August 2018, the NCAA dissolved its Commission to Combat Campus Sexual Violence without considering or adopting any meaningful solutions beyond actions already required by federal law. In a letter led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), the senators asked for the
U.S Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Emissions from Fossil Fuels
Senators’ Bill Would Modernize Tax Credit to Better Support Carbon Capture and Storage for Coal Power Plants WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/11/19]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) recently led a bipartisan effort with Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel producers by creating additional incentives for utilities to install carbon capture and storage technology. The Carbon Capture Modernization Act updates the tax credit system for coal producers and incentivizes the usage of modern technology to return harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the ground, rather than releasing them into atmosphere. Sen. Smith introduced similar legislation last year with former Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. “Climate change will continue to threaten our
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