Latest Releases
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 in this country has been a major problem for working families for years, but with the 21st Century Road to Housing Act becoming law, we’re choosing a different path: Build more housing and protect the homes we already have from falling into disrepair. I am so proud that language I wrote to reform the Rural Housing Service and save thousands of affordable homes in rural communities is now law.” Senator Smith’s bipartisan Rural Housing Service Reform Act would preserve up to 400,000 affordable homes in small towns and rural communities across the country, and more than 9,000 units in Minnesota, by making commonsense updates to programs at the USDA’s Rural Housing Service for the first time in decades. In addition to Senator Smith’s Rural Housing Service Reform Act, the package included a number of bills Senator Smith cosponsored and supported, including: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act doesn’t just boost housing supply. The legislation also addresses big corporations’ stranglehold on America’s housing market by banning large institutional investors
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 at Bunker Lake Boulevard to avoid the traffic and congestion, which only increases congestion on nearby roads. This intersection is outdated and needs an update,” said Senator Smith. “A new interchange will handle more traffic and take the strain off of side-roads, meaning Minnesotans can more easily get to their families, to their work or where they need to go.” “Investments in our infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help make our roads safer and more accessible and allow Minnesotans to more easily reach work, school, and other destinations in Anoka County.” Senators Smith and Klobuchar have long supported investment in the Highway 65 corridor. In 2023, Senators Smith and Klobuchar announced $20 million in federal funding to improve road safety and accessibility on Highway 65 from 97th Avenue to 117th Avenue. In 2022, Senators Smith
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Jim Banks Introduce New Bipartisan Youth Suicide Prevention Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention (RAYS) Act, requiring middle and high schools to include mental health and suicide prevention information on student identification cards and school websites. The hotline and text line has been used nearly 20 million times since it was created in 2022. “We can’t afford to leave holes in the safety net we’ve built to catch people when they’re going through hard times or struggling with their mental health. That’s why we created the 988 hotline in the first place. Now, we need
Senators Mullin, Smith Introduce the PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Promoting Regulatory Independence, Mastery, and Expansion for Meat Processing in Indian Country Act, also known as the PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act. This bill will support tribal meat processing operations by establishing self-governance authority for the inspection of tribal meat processing facilities. This authority would keep processing local and available and facilities running smoothly and safely. “Food sovereignty for our Tribal nations and businesses throughout Indian Country is critically important. The limitations of federal resources should
Statement from U.S. Senator Tina Smith on Voting to Halt Military Actions in Iran
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement after voting on a War Powers Resolution that stipulates any further United States participation in hostilities against Iran must be stopped unless they are explicitly authorized by Congress: “The Minnesota servicemembers stationed in the region and those stuck trying to find a way to evacuate are in my thoughts. Our prayers are with White Bear Lake’s Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor and her family, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. “We’ve been plunged into yet another dangerous, risky, and costly war in the Middle
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Mike Rounds, Tammy Baldwin Introduce Investments in Rural Transit Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Investments in Rural Transit Act, a bipartisan bill to help rural transit providers improve their services. Rural transit operators provide essential lifeline services to millions of Americans, getting them to work, school, grocery stores, medical appointments, and more. The Investments in Rural Transit Act would address key issues facing rural transit providers, including rising operating costs, complicated red tape, and difficulty procuring new vehicles. It would also support Tribal transit providers, who serve some of the most geographically isolated communities in the country. “High-quality, efficient public transit systems are important
English