ROLLA, MO – Today, Congressman Jason Smith was in Phelps County to meet with the Rolla Regional Economic Commission at their monthly public meeting. During the hour-long conversation, Smith and attendees discussed tax reform, healthcare and the national debt.
“It is ridiculous that Americans are spending more than 250 billion dollars a year just to figure out how much money they owe the IRS,” said Congressman Smith. “I have talked with thousands of people across southeast and south central Missouri, and within the last year, whether these people are farmers, stay at home moms or small business owners, I have heard more and more about the need for tax reform.”
Smith is the only member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation on the Ways and Means Committee, which is the committee in charge of rewriting the U.S. Tax Code. Smith reflected on his conversations with President Trump and discussed the President’s recent trip to Springfield to talk tax reform with Missourians.
“President Trump and I have a great relationship. We are both tired of business as usual in Washington, and are working day in and day out to make sure we deliver on real tax cuts that helps families and puts money back in Missourians’ pockets,” said Congressman Smith.
Smith was also asked about the potential for Obamacare to be repealed and replaced.
“The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the repeal and replace legislation President Trump asked for and sent it to the Senate months ago,” said Congressman Smith. “In fact, just last week, President Trump got tired of waiting on the Senate and took action himself to advance healthcare policies that I've pushed for and that have already passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
President Trump’s action builds on Smith’s efforts to create more choice and more competition, end unconstitutional bailouts for insurance companies, allow folks to buy insurance across state lines and band together with other hardworking Missourians to bring down the cost of care for their families.
Finally, Smith discussed out of control spending in Washington and what he’s doing to address the nation’s debt.
“We passed a budget with the biggest cuts to mandatory spending in 20 years,” said Congressman Smith. “One way we were able to do this is by implementing work requirements for welfare that returns dignity to a hard day’s work while ensuring that the most vulnerable among us continue to have their needs met.”
The stop in Rolla is one of many the Congressman had planned for his week at home in Missouri. Smith plans to visit a total of 15 counties before returning to Washington to continue his work fighting for a fairer, flatter tax code for Missourians, repealing and replacing Obamacare, stopping expensive regulations authored by government bureaucrats and reducing the overall size and scope of the federal government.
“It’s always great to be back home and spend time with folks in our area,” said Congressman Smith. “Sleeping on the floor of my office in D.C. can get old, but I’m ready to get back and keep fighting for the folks of southeast and south central Missouri as Congress works to deliver on President Trump’s legislative agenda.”
