Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, MN Housing Organizations Unveil New Legislation to Build More Homeless Shelters, Upgrade Aging Shelters and Permanent Supportive Housing
In Minnesota, more than 6,500 people stay in shelters every night, with many shelters operating at or near capacity WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) unveiled new legislation to help more people find a warm and safe place to sleep by increasing the capacity of homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing across the nation, while making critical repairs and upgrades to aging shelters and permanent supportive housing buildings. The Building and Maintaining Homeless Shelters Act would provide $1.5 billion in much-needed federal support over the course of five years. More than 8,300 people experience homelessness on a daily basis in Minnesota, and around 1,800 people can’t find any shelter and are often forced to sleep outside. “Homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing providers are being asked to do more with less at a time when homelessness is on the rise in big cities and small towns. It’s not sustainable, and it’s past time the federal government stepped in,” said Sen. Smith. “This new legislation would increase funding for communities to build new shelters that meet their citizens’ needs while also providing major upgrades to aging shelters. It would mean fewer people on the street and connecting more people to resources to find a place to call home.” “Addressing homelessness requires a full continuum of care, but services cannot succeed without adequate physical infrastructure. Minnesotans navigating homelessness know all too well the exhaustion of a system lacking physical capacity, for both shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing, the long-term solution
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Push the Trump Administration to Release Heating Assistance Funds Before Winter
More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on federal energy assistance last winter WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and several colleagues are leading a bipartisan push for the federal government to release energy assistance funding as quickly as possible, helping families stay safe and warm as our weather cools and energy costs spike. More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) last winter. Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year. Demand for assistance is expected to increase as the average family will likely spend around $1,030 to heat their homes this winter, an 8.7% increase from last year. Heating oil costs are projected to soar by 31% this winter. “In Minnesota, heating your home isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “With colder weather on the horizon, families shouldn’t have to choose between staying warm and putting food on the table.” “Mother Nature doesn’t play politics, and we shouldn’t either,” said Sen. Smith. “No one in Minnesota or across the country should have to choose between turning on the heat or paying for their medications or groceries.” Sens. Klobuchar and Smith, along with 27 of their colleagues from both parties, sent a letter requesting the Department of Health and Human Services release the roughly $4 billion in federal LIHEAP funds before winter home-heating bills arrive. Last year, President Trump fired staff working to deliver LIHEAP benefits, slowing the process of
Klobuchar, Smith Urge USPS to Protect Mail Service During Wildfires Impacting Northern Minnesota
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General to provide Minnesota with the necessary resources and support for postal operations impacted by wildfires. “We have heard from constituents who are concerned about mail delays resulting from the wildfires, and their ability to receive mail in the instance that they must evacuate,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to ensure that Minnesota post offices receive the resources and support needed to maintain reliable service and communicate effectively with residents.” The full letter is available here and below. Dear Postmaster General Steiner: We
Senators Tina Smith, Jerry Moran Re-Introduce Legislation to Lower Cost of Oral Cancer Treatments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to cut costs for cancer patients. Specifically, the bill would ensure cancer patients who are prescribed oral chemotherapy medication can access their drugs at comparable prices to other cancer treatments. Their Cancer Drug Parity Act requires health insurers to cover patient-administered (oral) cancer medications at the same cost-sharing level as traditional intravenous (IV) anticancer drug treatments, closing the coverage gap for federally regulated health plans. Over 2 million Americans are estimated to be diagnosed with cancer each year, and oral medications are a simpler, highly effective treatment option for many patients. According to a Susan G. Komen study released earlier this year, people receiving IV treatment reported a significantly greater negative impact on their daily lives than people receiving oral treatment, including having to
U.S. SENATOR TINA SMITH’S BIPARTISAN RURAL HOUSING SUPPLY LEGISLATION BECOMES LAW
9,000 homes in rural Minnesota will be saved by Smith’s bill MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), the top Democrat on the Senate Housing Subcommittee, announced her major bipartisan bill to preserve 400,000 rural homes across the country became law today. Smith’s Rural Housing Service Reform Act was included in a housing supply package that passed the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. President Trump refused to sign the bill, but because he did not veto the legislation outright it automatically became law after 10 days of Presidential inaction. “Without a safe, affordable place to live, nothing in your life works. Not your health, not your job, and not your education,” said Senator Smith. “The lack of affordable, decent housing
U.S. Senators Smith, Klobuchar Secure Significant Federal Funding for Infrastructure Improvements in Anoka County
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $18 million for the Minnesota State Highway 65 and Bunker Lake Boulevard Project. The grant, provided through the USDOT’s BUILD program, will be used to construct an interchange at the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 65 and Bunker Lake Boulevard. This project is part of a larger initiative to convert the highway into a freeway with grade-separated interchanges. “Highway 65 is a critical link between the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. But we’re seeing drivers intentionally avoiding the intersection
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