Latest Releases
Sen. Tina Smith’s Statement on Governor Walz’s Decision Not to Seek Re-Election
ST. PAUL, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after Governor Tim Walz announced he would not seek re-election in 2026. “Governor Walz’s decision to not seek re-election is what it looks like when leaders put the interests of the people before politics. Tim’s career has been defined by getting results for Minnesotans, doing the right thing, and always putting people first. In the face of an unprecedented and coordinated attack on Minnesota by President Trump and his administration, the Governor is once again doing the right thing. I’m grateful for Governor Walz’s service and I will always support him.” ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Majority Leader John Thune Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support American Honey Producers Harmed by China’s Unfair Trade Practices
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) introduced the Trade Cheating Restitution Act of 2025, legislation that would support American honey producers and producers of other commodities, like crawfish, garlic, and mushrooms, who have been harmed by unfair trade practices, primarily by China. For decades, Minnesota honey producers harmed by unfair Chinese trade practices have been waiting for relief they were entitled to by law. This legislation would return wrongfully withheld interest from duties that were imposed for cheating American trade rules back to qualifying producers, including beekeepers. “Minnesota farmers produce some of the highest quality honey in the world, and they shouldn’t be unfairly harmed because China doesn’t play by the rules and engages in illegal dumping,” said Senator Smith. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to give Minnesota apiaries the relief they are owed so they can remain competitive and strong for years to come.” “South Dakota is one of the top honey-producing states in the country,” said Senator Thune. “The unfair practice of circumventing U.S. trade laws, which jeopardizes honey producers’ financial security, should be met with strict enforcement and increased protections. South Dakota honey producers deserve a level playing field. This bipartisan legislation helps ensure fair treatment for affected domestic producers and strengthens their ability to compete globally.” “On behalf of Minnesotan beekeepers, I want to thank Senator Smith for introducing the Trade Cheating Restitution Act of 2025 along with other members of Congress that will provide long-overdue relief,” said Burt Honl
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Celebrate U.S. Trade Mission to Morocco
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) applauded that Minnesotan exporters are participating in a USDA agribusiness trade mission to Casablanca, Morocco, ending today. Morocco is the second-largest export market for U.S. agriculture in Africa. U.S. sales of farm and food products to the country topped $619 million last year. Representatives from the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Lamex Foods of Bloomington, Merus LLC of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association of Mankato, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are currently in Morocco to expand U.S. farm and food exports to their market and other West African markets. They are joined
U.S. Senators Smith, Daines Introduce Bill to Combat Drug Trafficking in Tribal Communities
WASHINGTON, DC– U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) today announced the bipartisan Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act to combat drug trafficking in tribal communities. The PROTECT Act would expand the Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) program to allow tribal nations to prosecute non-Native offenders for drug crimes and gun crimes in furtherance of STCJ covered crimes. The PROTECT Act would also allow tribal courts to execute warrants for electronic material to better combat drug traffickers and other criminals. “For years, Tribal leaders in Minnesota have raised the alarm that drug traffickers are exploiting complex legal jurisdiction on Tribal land, making Native communities some
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce New Medicare-funded Residency Slots for Minnesota, Addressing Physician Workforce Shortage
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced additional medical residency slots in five Minnesota teaching hospitals. The slots were created in the 2022 budget law supported by both Senators. The law authorized funding 1,000 new residency slots across the country over a five-year period to combat the nation’s physician shortage by training new providers. 69 of Minnesota’s 87 counties are health professional shortage areas, and nearly 30% of Minnesota physicians are within retirement range. 200 additional slots are awarded funding every year, and these five Minnesota hospitals were selected for the most recent
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Introduce Legislation to Clean Up Toxins Within Schools
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Health and Education Committee, introduced the Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act to remove toxic substances from school buildings across the country. The legislation, unveiled on World Children’s Day, comes on the heels of a report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) that found less than half of public schools in the state were tested for radon between 2018 and 2022. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and occurs more frequently in Minnesota due to the state’s geology. The bill was led by Senator
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