Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Trump Administration Releasing Heating Assistance Funding for Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Following news that the Trump Administration responded to her bipartisan push to release $12 million in frozen emergency heating assistance for thousands of eligible Minnesotans, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement: “Cutting heating assistance for families just trying to stay warm and safe in cold weather was thoughtless and cruel by DOGE. Thousands of Minnesotans depend on LIHEAP to make ends meet. They don’t have a Plan B. I fought hard for this funding for a reason and I wasn’t going to sit by and watch it disappear for folks who rely on it,” said Senator Smith. “I’m glad Trump and DOGE have reversed course on this decision, but I want to be clear that LIHEAP is still threatened. The Administration has fired all the workers who administer the program, and come this winter, I worry about how this funding will get to families needing to stay warm.” Senator Smith has long been a champion of the LIHEAP program. Senator Smith helped secure $112 million for Minnesota last year, an increase from years prior. Following the announcement that the Trump Administration fired all the workers at LIHEAP, Senator Smith released a statement saying she would demand answers.
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, Congresswoman Angie Craig Press Trump Administration for Answers on Frozen Energy Projects for Rural Minnesota
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN02) are pressing the Trump Administration about the continued confusion surrounding key clean energy projects that help Minnesota farmers and small businesses lower their costs. This freezing of federal funding has hurt many farmers and small business owners’ bottom lines, especially those that put up their own money expecting to be reimbursed by the federal government. Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding is specifically set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable, clean energy systems, or to make their operations more energy efficient. Example projects include installing energy efficient grain dryers, LED lighting and heat mats for livestock, solar panels, or energy efficient heating and cooling systems. “We write to express our deep concern over reports that hundreds of contracted awards under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) remain frozen and inaccessible to Minnesota farmers and rural small businesses,” wrote the lawmakers. “This back and forth from the Department on a critical program has created a lot of uncertainty for rural communities in Minnesota.” “Since its inception in the bipartisan Farm Bill in 2008, REAP has provided grants and loans that have helped more than 21,000 farms and rural businesses nationwide access affordable, renewable energy and energy efficiency systems,” the lawmakers continued. “Farmers have invested thousands of their own dollars into these projects because they are counting on the Federal government to uphold its commitments. At a time when the cost of operations is high
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant to Purchase Public Safety Security Equipment in Mahnomen
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to purchase public safety security cameras and related equipment for the city of Mahnomen. This funding will help replace outdated and inoperable cameras, allowing for effective and efficient safety monitoring and providing law enforcement with direct access to footage for future use. “Investing in public safety equipment is crucial to keeping our communities safe,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will upgrade the City of Mahnoman’s security camera system and provide law enforcement with the tools they need to do their
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant to Build New Fire Station in Dilworth
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $975,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to advance the city of Dilworth’s fire station replacement project. The city’s existing fire station is approximately 40 years old and co-located with the community center. This project will help remodel an old fire hall to house the fire department and provide adequate space for all emergency service providers and equipment to efficiently provide fire rescue services to residents. This grant follows funding Klobuchar and Smith secured for the project in March 2022. “Dilworth is long overdue for a new fire
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant to Replace Roof of Public Safety Building Aitkin
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to replace the roof on Aitkin’s Public Safety Building. Aitkin’s Public Safety Building houses the local law enforcement department. “The City of Aitkin’s Public Safety Building needs a new roof so emergency service providers have the facilities they need to continue serving the community,” said Klobuchar. “The federal grant will advance this project.” “Federal investment is quite literally helping our small towns build a roof overhead for essential community services like public safety,” said Smith. “Our local law enforcement officers deserve to
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Celebrate $92 Million for Minnesota Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $92 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Minnesota drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the more than $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in
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