Agriculture is the number one industry in Missouri. Our Eighth Congressional District is home to a great variety of agricultural interests. In the fertile Missouri Bootheel, we grow cotton, rice, corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts and even raise catfish. In stark contrast to the Bootheel stand the Ozark Foothills where we have cattle, dairy and timber producers. Our district is also one of the most diverse agriculture districts in the country growing everything except sugar and citrus fruits.This we... READ MORE
SALEM, MO – Today, August 22, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith announced the Park Service has reversed course and will no longer require permits for Baptisms on riverways in the Ozark National Forest. Since 2006, the Park Service has required permits for riverway baptisms."Today's decision by the Park Service is a victory for common sense. The notion that permits would be required for baptisms on our riverways is ridiculous," said Smith. "I appreciate Superintendent Bill Black's quick response to m... READ MORE
SALEM, MO – Today, August 21, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith sent a letter to Ozark National Scenic Riverways Superintendent Bill Black seeking answers on news that the Ozark National Scenic Riverways will now require a permit and 48-hour notice before baptisms can occur in riverways.“Federal agencies are truly out of control. First they try to regulate children working on their family farms and now they are trying to regulate Baptisms,” said Smith. “I am going to fight these rogue Washington age... READ MORE
Last week I spent time working various jobs throughout our Eighth Congressional District on a Work-A-Day Tour. My goal in touring the district and working local jobs was to meet new people and to learn about the challenges families in our region are facing. In Festus I mixed paint at a hardware store, I helped put siding on a house in Ironton, worked the front desk at a resort in Steelville and even got the chance to read the news on a morning radio show in Cape Girardeau. I cannot tell you how ... READ MORE
Today, Thursday, August 15, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith announced the schedule for his Farm Tour. The Farm Tour will start on Monday, August 19 and will run through Friday, August 23. “Agriculture is the number one industry in our Eighth Congressional District and it is essential to the health of our rural economy. Our district is also one of the most diverse agriculture districts in the country growing everything except sugar and citrus fruits. During the weeklong tour I will be in 11 counti... READ MORE
After days of heavy rains, many in our Eighth Congressional District are now dealing with flooding and the headaches that will come after the water recedes. I certainly wish the rain could have been spread out over the last several months instead of the last several days. In the coming weeks Missouri families will be working to clean up their homes, businesses, farms and communities. As we move forward my staff and I will be working to ensure you have the resources you need. Here are a few tips ... READ MORE
Today, Tuesday, August 6, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) announced the formation of a Veterans Advisory Council to advise on issues important to veterans. Smith and his staff will work with members of the Veterans Advisory Council to get feedback on issues with the Veterans Administration and as new policy is being crafted that will impact veterans living in Missouri’s 8th District. “Honoring our veteran’s service is a top priority for me. I formed this Veteran’s Advisory Council to be a... READ MORE
Regulatory reform has been a top priority of mine since my days serving in the Missouri General Assembly. As a state lawmaker I passed legislation that requires a review of all state regulations every five years. When I was elected to represent our Eighth Congressional District back in June, I asked to serve on the Regulatory Reform Judiciary Subcommittee because I wanted to have a voice in limiting regulations coming from Washington. In Missouri we have a review process in place for regulations... READ MORE
Today, the House of Representatives passed an amendment from Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08), that would require congressional oversight for burdensome regulations enacted from President Obama’s healthcare mandate, the Affordable Care Act. Smith’s amendment received broad bipartisan support and passed the House with a vote of 227 to 185. “From the beginning, the only part of President Obama’s healthcare law that has been bipartisan is the bipartisan opposition to this costly and burdensome mand... READ MORE
On Monday, July 29, 2013, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold an oversight field hearing in West Plains, Missouri titled “Stopping Federal Land and Water Grabs: Protecting Property Rights from Washington, DC Edicts.”The field hearing was requested by Congressman Billy Long (MO-7) and Congressman Jason Smith (MO-8). The hearing will examine the National Blueways Secretarial Order that was signed by Secretary Salazar in 2012. Congressmen Long and Smith will be jo... READ MORE
