POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) announced the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission in Poplar Bluff is receiving nearly $400,000 in economic development assistance to expand broadband connectivity. The Commission oversees economic development efforts in Butler, Carter, Reynolds, Ripley, and Wayne counties. Improving broadband connectivity across southern Missouri has been a top priority for Congressman Smith, and he has consistently raised the issue with the White House... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith’s (R-MO) amendment to speed up infrastructure projects, while also reducing costs, was blocked by Speaker Pelosi from being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives. Specifically, Smith’s amendment would have prevented federal agencies from performing redundant environmental assessments that cause massive project delays. Currently, there are multiple agencies that go through their own burdensome approval processes only to achieve the same results. ... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) was honored by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) with having one of the strongest voting records in the United States Congress for supporting limited government, economic freedom, and low taxes. This year Smith is one of only 48 members of the U.S. House of Representatives to have earned the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” for an outstanding voting record during the 2019 Congressional session. He is the only Representative or Senator to win the award fr... READ MORE
SALEM, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) announced that Madi Holt of Advance High School has been selected as the overall winner for Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District in the 2020 Congressional Art Competition. Holt’s work “Patriotism Lives On” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. “I was blown away by the quality of the artwork we received this year from across southern Missouri,” said Congressman Smith. “First, let me say congratulations to Madi for being chosen... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) led a group of lawmakers on the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee in calling for China to uphold their agreed upon agricultural purchases from the Phase One Deal. The Ways and Means Committee is the only committee in the U.S. House that has oversight of our nation’s trade policies. Congressman Smith has used his position on the full committee and its trade subcommittee to be actively involved in advising the Trump Administrat... READ MORE
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) is fighting for Congress to include language in the upcoming Water Resource bill that would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to aid in maintaining and upgrading southeast Missouri’s water infrastructure. Smith's plan calls for bringing Missouri’s outdated water infrastructure into the 21st century through cost sharing agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers. By the time the Mississippi River travels through southeast Missouri, it cont... READ MORE
ROLLA, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) touted updated guidance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) that now allows rural hospitals that are owned or operated by counties or other localities to qualify for critical financial assistance programs. In early April Smith called on SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza to make this important change to ensure rural providers were not disproportionally affected. After the SBA issued its updated guidance, Congressman Smith spoke about how he’s f... READ MORE
ROLLA, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) on Tuesday held a conference call with over 50 leaders from across southern Missouri to discuss plans for reopening the area’s economy. Smith highlighted how he’s been working with the Governor and President Trump about how to get rural America and southern Missouri back to work. Smith spoke about how the best government is the one closest to the people, which is why getting feedback from the area’s leaders is critical to getting the economy restarted.... READ MORE
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) helped to secure $69,000 in new funding for Popular Bluff Municipal Airport. This funding, part of the CARES Act, will help the airport address its immediate needs in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. After the grant was announced, Congressman Smith spoke about how he’s fought to include rural priorities in the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, including much needed investments for southern Missouri’s infrastructure. “Since ... READ MORE
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) praised the Trump Administration’s updated Medicare guidance announced on Monday, which will permit health care providers to evaluate seniors over the telephone instead of in person or requiring a video conference. Smith has been urging the Administration to make this change to Medicare’s telehealth requirements after hearing concerns from rural health care providers. Two weeks ago, Congressman Smith held a call with 50 health care providers, docto... READ MORE
