Latest Releases
Senator Smith Reintroduces Legislation to Provide Free Emergency Insulin on Rx Companies’ Dime
WASHINGTON [5.11.23] – This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) reintroduced legislation to hold insulin manufacturers accountable for excessive increases in the price of life-sustaining insulin. The Emergency Access to Insulin Act would provide emergency access to insulin for people in Minnesota and across the country who can’t afford the skyrocketing price of the drug that they need to stay alive. “Over a million people are rationing their insulin so they can afford it. And sometimes, they are paying with their lives,” said Sen. Smith. “This bill will allow states to set up a program to provide insulin on an emergency basis, put insulin manufacturers on the hook by requiring them to foot the bill for these programs, hold these manufacturers accountable for gouging the price of insulin, and promote market competition to drive down the price of insulin. This bill holds the right people accountable. To the greedy practice of wielding market power to continually increase prices and make billions off a drug that has been around for over a century, this bill says—no more. This is about providing Minnesotans and Americans with the insulin they need to survive.” “We’ve seen firsthand over the last several months that the pressure we’ve put on drug companies to lower insulin costs is working, and today’s bill is the next step in our fight to make insulin affordable for every American who needs it,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m grateful to Rep. Phillips and Sen. Smith for their partnership on this important issue.”
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce New Regional Food Business Center to Support Farmers in Minnesota
WASHINGTON [5.10.23] – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced the creation of a new Regional Food Business Center in Minnesota that will help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources. The new center, which will be located in Staples, MN, is made possible by the American Rescue Plan, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass. “Our farmers are an essential part of the fabric of our state. We need to make sure they have the necessary resources to continue to feed and fuel the world,” said Klobuchar. “The new Regional Food Business Center will provide critical support to help farmers expand their businesses and reach new markets.” “Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy and I want to make sure our farmers have every opportunity to sell their products and stay competitive,” said Smith. “This new Regional Food Business Center will provide tailored guidance for farmers while helping them grow their business and access new markets. It will be a great resource made possible by the American Rescue Plan and I encourage Minnesota farmers to take advantage of it.” As part of the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced funding for 12 Regional Food Business Centers, including the North Central location in Staples, MN. The Region Five Development Commission was selected to lead the North Central location, which will serve Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Regional Food Business Centers will
Approximately 1,000 Minnesotans will be affected by the shuttering of Argosy University’s Eagan Campus
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Betty McCollum (MN-04) sent the Department of Education a letter urging Secretary Betsy DeVos to proactively inform Argosy University students about available resources following reports that their 22 campuses are expected to close after the Department’s decision to cut off federal student aid. There are over 1,000 Minnesota students enrolled at Argosy University’s Eagan campus, which is closing its doors today, but the Department has provided students with limited, direct communication about the resources available and their options to
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Works to Ensure Argosy University Students in Minnesota, Nationwide Receive the Assistance They Deserve
Senate Colleagues Demand Education Department Help Students Explore Options for Continuing Studies at High-Quality Institutions, Properly Distribute Student Loans WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/11/2019]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—along with Sens.Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and 10 of their Senate colleagues—called on the Department of Education to take immediate action to assist students in the aftermath of the agency’s February 27 decision to terminate Argosy University’s eligibility for federal Title IV financial aid and reports of Argosy’s imminent closure. The February 27 decision came after revelations that Argosy University had failed to distribute millions of dollars in federal
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Jerry Moran Reintroduce Bill to Make Life-saving Oral Cancer Medications More Affordable
Senators’ Reintroduce Legislation to Ensure Oral Cancer Drugs are Covered in Same Way as Traditional IV Chemotherapy WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/12/19]—Today, U.S. Sens. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) took steps to bring down health care costs for cancer patients by reintroducing their bipartisan bill to make sure oral cancer drugs are covered in the same way as traditional intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. Currently, over 40 states—including both Minnesota and Kansas—and the District of Columbia have passed “oral parity” laws that stop insurers from charging more for prescribed oral cancer medicine than traditional (IV) chemotherapy. Sens. Smith and Moran’s Cancer Drug Parity Act would build
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Call on FCC Chair to Launch Probe into Frontier Communications’ Business Practices Amid Troubling Minnesota State Report, Attorney General Investigation
Frontier Received Millions in Federal Funding to Improve Rural Broadband While Delivering Shoddy Internet and Telephone Services; Senators Say Minnesotans Deserve Full FCC Investigation Into Use of Federal Funding WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/13/19]—In light of Minnesota state investigations into telecommunications provider Frontier Communications Corporation (Frontier) and its subsidiaries—which have received millions in federal funding—detailing poor service to consumers, today U.S. Sens. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) pressed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Ajit Pai to launch an investigation into Frontier’s business practices. A Minnesota Department of Commerce investigation alleges that Frontier may have broken at least 35 state laws and regulations, prompting the Minnesota Attorney General to open an investigation
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