Policy Soup stir the pot ALPHA

We could all use some good news. The Rural Energy for America Program I championed has funded 250+ clean energy projects for rural communities and farmers across Minnesota this year. Saves money — and helps rural communities across the country.

Graphic with the words “Rural Energy for America Program” on top of a photo of a solar farm in an agricultural field.

Tina Smith@smith.senate.govDec 10(source)

👋🏼😊

For too long, the federal government’s policies about Tribal Nations and Native communities were aimed at erasing Native families, languages, and cultures – their very identities. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, especially Secretary Haaland, we've truly turned a corner.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks before introducing President Joe Biden to present him with an Eighth Generation blanket from a tribally-owned business, embroidered with "Joe Biden Champion for Indian Country," at the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit at the Department of the Interior in Washington, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Under Secretary Deb Haaland’s leadership, the federal government has started to make amends for the wrongs done to Native families, particularly through the Federal Indian Boarding School Policy.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, right, and Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, left, present President Joe Biden with an Eighth Generation blanket from a tribally-owned business, embroidered with "Joe Biden Champion for Indian Country," at the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit at the Department of the Interior in Washington, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Today, President Biden announced the creation of a National Monument at the Carlisle Indian School to acknowledge the harm done to Native children and families at these schools. This is an important step toward healing for generations of Native peoples.

A building that formed part of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School campus is seen at U.S. Army's Carlisle Barracks, Friday, June 10, 2022, in Carlisle, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Happy National Lutefisk Day! Everyone should try it. Once.

This proposal is common sense, and it respects Tribes’ inherent sovereignty and right to protect their Nations. The reforms are essential to stop drug traffickers from exploiting Tribal lands and communities.

US Sens. Tina Smith, Steve Daines introduce legislation to combat drug trafficking in tribal communities

Minnesota Tribal leaders have raised the alarm that drug traffickers are exploiting complex legal jurisdiction on Tribal land, making Native communities some of the most harmed by the opioid/fentanyl epidemic. I introduced the bipartisan PROTECT Act to help Tribes fight back.

The PROTECT Act would expand the Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction program to allow tribal nations to prosecute non-Native American offenders for drug crimes and gun crimes in furtherance of drug t...

Tina Smith@smith.senate.govDec 5(source)

I swear this isn’t staged, Minnesotans are just like this. Anyways, anybody want 1/3 of a cookie?

Two empty cookie containers and one container with 1/3 of a cookie and a knife.

Tina Smith@smith.senate.govDec 5(source)

Leonard Peltier has been imprisoned since 1976. Allow him the dignity to live his remaining years with his family. Even the U.S. Attorney who put him there agrees. President Biden should grant him clemency.

Jen Bendery

@jbendery.bsky.social

ICYMI: Last night, Sen. Brian Schatz went on the Senate floor and appealed to Biden to "show mercy" and grant clemency to Leonard Peltier in his final days. “This is exactly what that awesome presidential power is for: to right a historic wrong." www.huffpost.com/entry/brian-...

This is essential health care – and we need to organize to protect it, especially at places like Planned Parenthood, where they serve predominantly low income and working Americans. Watch this space.

Cancer screenings. Birth control. Vaccines. STD Testing. Prenatal and postpartum care. And, yes, abortions (though current law doesn’t even allow federal dollars to go towards abortion care!)

They said, “DOGE will help end federal overspending by taking aim at […] nearly $300 million to progressive groups like Planned Parenthood.” Let’s talk about what Planned Parenthood does for millions of people across this country.

I worked at Planned Parenthood. Every day I saw people walk through our doors fully prepared to make decisions about their own bodies and their own lives, including around abortion. In a WSJ op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy made their intentions clear: Defund Planned Parenthood.

I knew we should’ve coordinated… oh well, great minds think alike!

Senators Tammy Baldwin, Maggie Hassan and Tina Smith wearing suits of a similar color.

Peak season for USPS is underway. It’s Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s responsibility to make sure postal workers have the resources to get mail and packages to everyone on time. I’ll be watching mail delivery in Minnesota closely to make sure this is the case.

So proud of the great work happening in Minneapolis, which shows that boosting housing supply helps make homes more affordable.

@amandamarcotte.bsky.social

I had a restful Thanksgiving with my family, and now back to work. We have three weeks to confirm strong, qualified federal judges to safeguard our rights and the rule of law. Let’s do this.

Tina Smith@smith.senate.govDec 2(source)

This is a disgrace.

Amanda Marcotte

Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association

Both Texas and Georgia are destroying evidence of all maternal mortality, blocking proof that women are dying from abortion bans. This story has a lot more going on than you think. Especially since Republicans are lying about the public cases. www.salon.com/2024/12/02/d...

Tina Smith@smith.senate.govDec 1(source)

Cheering on the Minnesota Frost’s first game of the season! Watch out for the hockey state, we frostbite.

@pwhlpa.bsky.social