Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Cosponsor Legislation Requiring Airlines to Reimburse Passengers for Delays, Rebooking Fees & Related Expenses After Trump Cancels Consumer Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) helped introduce legislation to protect flyers by requiring airlines to provide cash compensation and free rebooking for passengers facing significant delays or cancellations caused by the airline. The bill comes just in time for the holiday season which is expected to see record numbers of travelers. Early estimates project a record 8.03 million travelers will take domestic flights this holiday season, a 2.3% increase compared to last year. This would mark the first time in history that number tops 8 million. “It’s simple: if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and disrupts your travel plans, you should be compensated,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This legislation will ensure airlines reimburse passengers for the cost of hotels, meals, and transportation as a result of flight cancellations or delays.” “Traveling is already expensive, and the last thing Minnesotans need is an unexpected and expensive bill for rebooking a flight that was canceled because of an airline, especially as folks try to be with their families over the holidays,” said Senator Smith. “This legislation holds airlines accountable for their mistakes and fixes another Trump administration blunder.” People are flying now more than ever. With more Minnesotans flying, refunds and reimbursements for significant cancellations and delays that disrupt travel plans are crucial. In 2024, roughly 20% of all flights departing from MSP were delayed or canceled. Under the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, the DOT would issue regulations that would set a
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Access to Mental Health Clinics
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, which would improve access to mental health services nationwide. This bill would make it easier for seniors on Medicare to get care at Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), specialized clinics that provide mental health and substance use services. The bill would also ensure that these specialized clinics can continue to provide quality care to patients by ensuring that they receive adequate reimbursements from Medicaid. “Everybody deserves access to mental health care, regardless of their zip code,” said Senator Tina Smith. “Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers know the importance of treating the whole patient, and we need to do more to make this model of mental health care accessible and sustainable. I’m grateful to my former colleagues Senator Stabenow and Senator Blunt for laying the groundwork for this initiative. It’s an honor to be its new champion in the Senate.” Minnesota currently operates 22 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) that use a recovery-oriented philosophy, supporting pathways to success for individuals recovering from mental illness and substance use disorders. CCBHCs ensure access to coordinated behavioral health, including through medication-assisted recovery – the combined use of medication and counseling – to provide effective support for recovery. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 codified a permanent CCBHC option for states under the Medicaid program, but further action is now needed to establish CCBHCs in Medicare to allow comparable status and designated payment as other health care
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from Sulfide Mining
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced legislation that would protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) from the threat posed by sulfide mining in the surrounding watershed. The Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act would permanently prohibit new sulfide ore mining on 225,504 acres of federal forest land in the Rainy River watershed, which drains into the BWCAW. “The Boundary Waters must be protected for today, and future generations. The impartial science and data show unequivocally that copper-nickel sulfide mining poses an unacceptable risk to the Boundary Waters. “Mining is an important driver of Minnesota’s economy and the pride of every
Senator Smith Joins Bipartisan Push to Reverse DOGE’s Cuts to Heating Assistance for Minnesotans
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) is part of a bipartisan push to reverse course on DOGE’s push to fire all staff that administer the Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps families pay utility bills when they need help making ends meet through Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program. The Administration has released 90 percent of those federal funds to state partners, but the remaining 10 percent, almost $400 million, is in limbo without staff to administer the funding to states. “Firing all the workers from the office that helps families keep their homes warm and safe through the winter is
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Mike Rounds Reintroduce Bipartisan Rural Housing Legislation
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to improve federal rural housing programs and strengthen the supply of affordable housing in rural America. The legislation would represent the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms in decades . The Rural Housing Service expands housing opportunities by offering loans, grants, and rental assistance to rural communities across the country. Rural parts of the country saw only a 1.7% increase in the number of housing units between 2010 and 2020, with almost half of states seeing a decrease in the number of rural units. According to the Minnesota Housing Partnership, every county in Minnesota
U.S. Senator Tina Smith and U.S. Representatives Budzinski, Nunn and Courtney Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help New Farmers Gain Access to Land
ST. PAUL — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Zach Nunn (R-IA), and Joe Courtney (D-CT) introduced the New Producer Economic Security Act, a bipartisan bill to help bring the next generation into family farming. The bill addresses the issue of Minnesota’s aging farmer and rancher population by giving new farmers and ranchers the tools they need to succeed through grants, financial aid, and training. It ensures that the support goes where it is needed most. “The average age of a producer in the United States is 58, and in Minnesota it’s 57. To keep Minnesota’s agriculture economy thriving, we need to invest
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