Today, Monday, November 4, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith returned his congressional salary from the 16 days of the government shutdown to the United States Treasury. In a letter to the United States House of Representatives Office of Finance, Smith asked that his salary from the shutdown be used towards a reduction in the national debt. “Members of Congress are no better than anyone else. Families across the country faced furloughs because of the shutdown. In Missouri folks don’t get paid until... READ MORE
When I am home in Missouri one of the most frequent complaints I hear about Congress is that its members live under a different set of rules than the rest of America. The idea that Members of Congress should be able to create special exemptions from themselves is not only unfair, it is contrary to the spirit of constitutionalism articulated by the Founding Fathers and reflected in our Constitution. As James Madison wrote in The Federalist No. 57, once it becomes acceptable "to tolerate a law not... READ MORE
Soon senior citizens across our congressional district will be receiving information about Medicare Open Enrollment. During this two month enrollment period, current Medicare beneficiaries can alter their coverage plans and new beneficiaries can sign up for a Medicare plan for the first time. Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15th and closes December 7th. During Open Enrollment, beneficiaries will have the opportunity to: Change to a Medicare Advantage Plan or select a different plan that ... READ MORE
TODAY, Thursday, October 24, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith will tour the Mississippi Lime facility and meet employees. WHO: Congressman Jason Smith WHAT: Tour of Mississippi Lime WHERE: Mississippi Lime, 16147 US Highway 61, Ste. Genevieve, MO WHEN: TODAY, Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 3:30PM-5:30PM ***Members of the media are invited to the tour.*** ### READ MORE
TOMORROW, Friday, October 25, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith will tour the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau and meet employees. WHO: Congressman Jason Smith WHAT: Tour of Missouri Veterans Home WHERE: Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO WHEN: TOMORROW, Friday, October 25, 2013 from 1:30PM-2:30PM ***Members of the media are invited to the tour.*** ### READ MORE
As you know, the government shutdown created by Washington’s inability to work together for the common good is now over. The Senate and the House of Representatives passed legislation to extend our nation’s borrowing limit and end the first government shutdown in 17 years. While I fully support ending the shutdown, I could not support this legislation that does nothing to address our nation’s spending addiction or to protect families and individuals from the harmful effects of ObamaCare. Folks i... READ MORE
Today, Wednesday, October 16, 2013 Congressman Jason Smith questioned Director Jonathan B. Jarvis of the National Park Service during a joint committee hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Oversight Committee entitled, “As Difficult As Possible: The National Park Service’s Implementation of the Government Shutdown.” Smith’s questions centered on the controversies surrounding recent National Park Service decisions to close down the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR)... READ MORE
Today, Wednesday, October 16, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith said he will vote against raising the nation’s debt limit. In Congress just over four months, Smith has emerged as a leading voice in the House of Representatives for reducing the size and scope of the federal government. In a video to his constituents, Smith said while he supports ending President Obama’s shutdown, he believes Washington must address its spending addiction. Click HERE to watch Congressman Jason Smith’s video message “... READ MORE
Today, Congressman Jason Smith called on President Obama to stop playing politics and to open America’s national parks, rivers and monuments. Smith noted that the House of Representatives has voted five times in the last two weeks to restore funding for all national rivers, parks and monuments. “Never could I have imagined that an American president would barricade our national parks, rivers and monuments to score political points. The House of Representatives has voted to restore funding and o... READ MORE
Congressman Jason Smith has co-sponsored legislation to ensure that State governments would be reimbursed for expenses they incur opening National Parks back up to the public during the government shutdown. This legislation comes in light of the Obama Administration’s recent reversal of their policy to needlessly block and barricade citizens from accessing National Parks like the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. “President Obama’s National Parks service must be feeling the heat,” said Represent... READ MORE
