On Monday, September 16th, Congressman Jason Smith will open a district office in Poplar Bluff. Smith will be on hand to officially open the office and to meet with his constituents. Smith hopes his Poplar Bluff office will allow him to be closer to his constituents and to ultimately represent the Eighth District more effectively in Washington, D.C.“We are excited about opening an office in Poplar Bluff. Poplar Bluff is one of the fastest growing communities in our Eighth Congressional District... READ MORE
Today, Tuesday, September 10, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08), announced he does not support using American military force in Syria. Smith announced his decision in a guest column for the Southeast Missourian newspaper. Smith’s column reads in part:“America’s goal in any war should be to win. To date, President Obama has not been able to adequately define what victory would look like in military conflict with Syria. The best picture painted by the Obama Administration appears to be that o... READ MORE
From the beginning, the only thing bipartisan about President Obama’s healthcare mandate has been bipartisan opposition. Democrats and Republicans agree the law will hurt our economy by imposing new fines and regulations on small businesses. President Obama’s law does nothing to make healthcare more accessible or affordable in rural Missouri. The mandate takes $500 billion from Medicare that will hurt our senior citizens. Finally, ObamaCare is a new trillion dollar entitlement program that will ... READ MORE
Today, Congressman Jason Smith expressed his concerns regarding calls for military action in Syria.“In the Constitution, our Founding Fathers gave Congress the authority to authorize military action. Congress should use that authority to determine the best course of action in dealing with Syria. I have serious concerns about any military involvement in Syria because the situation has no clear national securities connections to the United States and victory of any proposed military action has no... READ MORE
Today, Congressman Jason Smith announced he is seeking applications for nomination to U.S. Service Academies. As a Member of Congress, Smith is able to make nominations for the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. “Attending a Service Academy can be a life changing experience. Students get a world class education and assume a leadership role in the military upon graduation,” said Smith. “Service Academies attract the best and br... READ MORE
A few weeks ago my office in Rolla received a phone call from church members who expressed concern about the Park Service requiring permits for Baptisms in the rivers of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Yes, you read that correctly, the Park Service was actually requiring churches and pastors to get a permit in order to perform Baptisms.After learning of this ridiculous rule, I immediately contacted Bill Black, the Superintendent of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. In a letter, I express... READ MORE
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
