Today, Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) expressed his concerns over the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) “Nonpoint Source Management Plan” and interactions with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed “Waters of the United States” rule. Smith has voiced sharp criticism over the EPA rule change that could give the federal agency control over every pond, gully, dry creek bed, irrigation ditch, puddle or other similar collection of water. Now Smith is concerned that Misso... READ MORE
Today, Monday, June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby in the case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. The case involved a challenge to the HHS mandate that requires businesses to provide insurance coverage for certain drugs and devices that are contrary to the religious and moral beliefs of the family-owned business. “Today’s landmark decision is a victory for religious liberty and Constitutional freedoms. The Supreme Court recognized that Americans do not lose their religious fr... READ MORE
Today, the House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 4874 the Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2014, or SCRUB Act, sponsored by Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO). Smith filed the SCRUB Act in an effort to fight ineffective and intrusive federal regulations that are holding back private sector job creation and economic growth. “Regulations from Washington are hurting job growth and keeping our economy from growing. Studies have estimated that every Americ... READ MORE
Yesterday, Congressman Jason Smith held a conference call with members of his Veterans Advisory Board to discuss issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs and recent reports of veterans not receiving timely access to care. The Veterans Advisory Board consists of at least two members from each one of the 30 counties in the Eighth Congressional District. Smith gave a brief legislative update to the group and then opened the call for members of the Advisory Board to share their concerns. “Imm... READ MORE
Today, Congressman Jason Smith called on the Veterans Administration (VA) to provide more timely care to America’s veterans while announcing his support for the Veterans Access to Care Act. Smith’s comments come after the release of a VA audit that found more than 57,000 U.S. military veterans have been waiting 90 days or more for their first VA medical appointment. The audit also found an additional 64,000 veterans have completely fallen through the cracks and have never received an appointmen... READ MORE
On Thursday, May 22nd, Congressman Jason Smith sent a bi-partisan letter that he helped lead with 177 of his colleagues to Gina McCarthy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Congressman Smith’s letter asks that when EPA’s new rule on emission standards for existing power plants is released, the comment period be extended to 120 days “Having just recently released rules that would place a de-facto ban on the construction of new coal-fired power plants, the EPA is alre... READ MORE
Today, Monday, May 12, 2014 Congressman Jason Smith expressed his opposition to newly proposed air quality standards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency is proposing new “Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units” that would include Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. The CCS technology is not yet commercially available making the proposed air quality standards unachievable. Smith says the ... READ MORE
Today, Monday, May 5, 2014 Congressman Jason Smith expressed his concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to tighten National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone from the current 75 parts per billion to between 60 and 70 parts per billion. In a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Smith said the new regulations would have a detrimental impact on manufacturing, mining, farming, and construction jobs in Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District.... READ MORE
Congressman Jason Smith congratulating U.S. Military Academy nominee Chris Radford ROLLA, MO – Today, Monday, May 5, 2014, Congressman Jason Smith honored Bourbon High School senior Chris Radford on his appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Radford is a senior at Bourbon High School. Smith nominated Radford to the U.S. Military Academy and Radford’s nomination was accepted by the academy’s appointment board. ### READ MORE
Rolla, MO – On Tuesday, April 22, 2014, Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) toured Fort Leonard Wood to learn more about daily life on the Fort meet with service members to understand the economic impact of the Fort to rural Missouri. Smith’s visit included a Command Brief detailing the many activities on the Fort and a tour of the military installation. Congressman Jason Smith talking to Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general. Smith had... READ MORE
