WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after his trip to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he spent the Easter weekend with Airmen from the 442nd Fighter Wing deployed out of Whiteman Air Force Base.

“I could not be more proud of the Airmen from Whiteman Air Force Base who are putting their lives on the line and sacrificing time with their families to keep our country safe,” said Blunt. “The Airmen who are deployed to Afghanistan with the 442nd are playing a pivotal role in the fight against the Taliban. I’m grateful for their service, and for all of our military men and women who are carrying out dangerous and difficult missions across the globe.”

The U.S. Air Force deployed the A-10 Thunderbolt jets to Afghanistan in January to provide close air support and precision strike capacity for a variety of efforts, including counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts against the Taliban.

Last month, Blunt announced that funding for A-10 wing replacement was included in the recently-enacted government funding bill for this year. Blunt previously traveled to Estonia in September 2015 when the A-10s were deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

 

During holy week, beyond decorating and hiding eggs and spending time with our family, we celebrate Jesus’ life, death and most importantly His resurrection. As I reflect on the importance of Easter, I think about how new beginnings have benefited us all. While the Friday of the crucifixion brought grief and loss to Jesus’ loved ones, Sunday brought joy when they found that the tomb was empty and Jesus had risen. His death felt like an end, but truly, it was the beginning of eternal life.  

 

Growing up as the son of a preacher, we learned the details and importance of Easter early on. From betrayal to faith, Easter serves as a reminder that we have a God who has defeated the grave and in that, we have the strength to stand by our faith and live a life that glorifies Him.

 

In recent years, we have seen Washington bureaucrats often test our faith by denying Christians of their rights as government mandates found themselves at odds with the closely held religious beliefs of millions of Americans. Under Obamacare, employers were forced to provide health insurance that covers services and medications that violate their religious beliefs. The same law attempted to require certain religious groups who had historically opted out of health insurance to, for the first time ever, purchase government coverage or risk a fine. Government’s failure to understand that millions of American’s answer to someone higher than a federal bureaucrat has even played out right here in Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District. The National Park Service wanted to require a permit and a 48-hour notice before baptisms could occur within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. While we were successful in reversing that decision, we must always be mindful of a government capable of infringing upon the beliefs you and I hold dear.

 

I was fortunate enough to travel to the Holy Land a few years ago. I was without words walking down the same streets I grew up reading about in the Bible, seeing the birthplace of Jesus Christ and witnessing baptisms in the Jordan River. My visit to Israel deepened my faith and strengthened my resolve to stand up for Christian values each and every day. Furthermore, it solidified in my heart our continued need to protect our greatest ally in the word, Israel - a place which holds relics for the Christian and Jewish faiths alike. Beyond serving as an example for democracy, rule of law and equal treatment of all people in one of the most volatile regions in the world, the direct roots, origins, and holy sites of many faiths are honored and celebrated around Israel. It is high time we show our allies like Israel that we stand with and support them and it is why I applauded President Trump’s announcement late last year to follow through on a 22 year old commitment to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

 

Even in the face of adversity, we must stand up for what’s right. As a Christian and as a Member of Congress, I’ve had the honor of standing up for our faith and taking action to protect religious rights. Whether that’s voting to defund taxpayer abortions, stopping Obamacare from violating American’s religious beliefs or standing up to the National Park Service’s attempts to require permits for baptisms on public water, I am proud to use my vote and my voice in Congress to protect the rights of the faithful worldwide.

Signaling that the priorities and values of the Midwest no longer take a back seat to those of the coastal elite, for the third time in less than eight months, this week President Trump once again visited our great state.

 

Last August, I joined our President in Springfield to officially kick off our push for comprehensive tax reform to reduce the tax burden on American businesses, farmers, families and workers. Three months later, I once again joined the President in St. Charles as we continued to push for historic tax reform to benefit our economy. Less than one month later the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was officially signed into law. 

 

This week, the President returned to the heartland to meet with Missourians from all across the state who were benefiting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Dave Johnson from Mid-Am Metal Forming shared that in addition to giving out bonuses to employees, they were now hiring at all facilities across our state. Kevin Baker from Great Southern Bank shared that the bonuses they distributed were used for everything from much needed repairs to long overdue family vacations. And from College of the Ozarks, employees described how their tax cuts bonuses helped them pay medical bills and save for retirement. Dr. Jerry Davis, College of the Ozarks President, made sure to let President Trump know that unlike what Nancy Pelosi thinks, the tax cut bonuses were not just “crumbs” for folks in Missouri.

 

These stories are just some of the many I’ve heard about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is helping Missourians. Whether it was meeting the folks at the AT&T Call Center in Cape Girardeau who were using their new tax cut bonuses to buy a washing machine for their family or the individual at the Bank of Advance in Dexter who told me they were using their bonus to pay for their daughter’s college education expenses – these great stories are repeating themselves all across Missouri and all across the country. I started this week at Lowe’s in Rolla where I got to meet employees who received bonuses, new benefits and higher wages as a result of our tax cuts legislation. It’s incredible to watch a piece of legislation that was signed into law just a few months ago already having such a noticeable impact.  More than 4 million Americans have received bonuses, wage hikes or new benefits since the passage of this relief while American employers are no longer looking abroad to locate, but are investing hundreds of millions of dollars right here in the U.S. to grow their workforce and expand operations. In addition, numerous utility companies have used the new tax law to reduce rates and bring down the cost of the monthly home heating bills their customers are paying. 

 

Hearing these stories makes me even prouder of all the hard work and long nights we spent writing and passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. I am truly honored to have played a role in putting more money in Missourians’ pockets. Over the past year as I’ve worked with President Trump and his Administration, I’ve seen how the President operates. He listens to multiple points of view, takes in all of the information, puts thought into what needs to be done and decisively takes action. But our work on tax cuts isn’t finished. 

 

Several weeks ago, the President shared with me what he again said publically during the roundtable in St. Louis, that he is now ready to look at “phase two” of tax cuts for hard working Americans. The impact of our tax cuts legislation so far has been incredibly successful, but there is more we can do to help working families, provide greater relief to our farmers and further incentivize employers large and small to want to invest here in the U.S. We are the greatest nation on earth with the greatest workforce on earth. You will find no more disciplined, hardworking, and family oriented employee than right here in southern Missouri - I know that, and with his third visit in such a short period, our President knows that. I look forward to continuing to work with our President to reverse the policies of the previous Administration which sought to punish the American worker, rather than reward them for years of dedication and hard work.

 

MALDEN, MO - Today, Congressman Jason Smith announced that the City of Malden will receive more than $150,000 in disaster recovery funds from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Missouri Department of Economic Development following the February 24 tornado that damaged over 75 properties, completely destroyed 11 homes and caused major damage to 11 more.

 

“I was in Malden days after the tornado hit, and from the very start it was apparent that whatever funds we could assist in securing were going to be needed to help bring this community back to where it was,” said Congressman Smith. “I was impressed with the community leaders and citizens’ immediate response to clear debris and begin recovery efforts.”

 

The DRA, an organization created and funded by the U.S. Congress, is granting $75,000 to the City of Malden to help with recovery efforts. The grant will provide new backup generators for the police station and emergency management department. It will also fund new power lines and power poles to fully restore electricity in Malden. Smith’s office was essential in getting generators included as a part of the DRA grant.

 

“The grant today from DRA for the City of Malden is exactly why Congress created the Delta Regional Authority and why I have continued to work closely with and supported securing resources for Missouri's 8th Congressional District,” said Congressman Smith. “Having power restored to the area is a huge help as they rebuild. I’m so glad to see the DRA supporting Malden, helping the community recover and making sure people get back on their feet.”

 

In addition to the DRA grant, $79,250 has been approved for Malden by the Missouri Department of Economic Development to help with debris removal and electrical line repair.

 

Malden Mayor Denton Kooyman said, “Congressman Smith has been in constant contact and getting updated on our recovery efforts. We truly appreciate his concern and know that the DRA grant would not have been possible without his help.”

 

“When a tornado struck Southeast Missouri, we told the rest of the state about a resilient community that remained unbroken in the face of danger and damage,” said Governor Greitens. “We wanted you to know that we’re still with you, helping to rebuild and repair what you’ve lost. We want the state to know that the people of Malden are tough and we know they’ll rebuild and rise up twice as strong.”

 

Smith was at the Home Depot in Poplar Bluff this week to discuss how employees were benefitting from higher wages and bigger paychecks as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While at this stop, Home Depot store manager, Will Brumit, shared with Smith how the Poplar Bluff store was the very first group on the ground and helping in Malden after the tornado.

 

“Neighbors helping neighbors is a really powerful thing,” said Smith. “In Malden, you’ve got everyone from the Home Depot to DRA pitching in to get this community back on their feet. That’s one of the most admirable things about folks in our state, the best people come out in the worst of times.”

Recently, the Missouri Senate debated several meaningful pieces of legislation that are sure to not only bring high paying jobs, but also protect countless Missouri children.  Two of those bills were top priorities of mine for the 2018 legislative session, Senate Bill 894 and Senate Bill 800 were bills I filed, and both were passed.

 

Senate Bill 894 establishes new computer science standards to include coding and programming along with guidelines designed for K-12 schools. This will encourage more Missouri students to study computer science by allowing the course to count toward high school graduation. Computer science job skills are in demand across our state and country. This program will teach our youth the skills they need for the 21st century job market. The bill also creates a certification program for computer science teachers as well as introduces an online program that showcases STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) careers and their impact on today’s economy. 

Senate Bill 800 shortens the length of time a child spends in foster care. Under the current system, there can be a lag between when a petition to terminate parental rights is filed and when an adoption petition is filed. Senate Bill 800 allows both the petition for adoption and the petition to terminate parental rights to be filed together. The journey for many of our children in Missouri’s current foster care system takes far too long. Sadly, many of the delays are caused by prolonged legal proceedings. Statics indicate that older children are less likely to be adopted than younger children. I am hopeful this bill will become law this year, and help these children find their way into loving forever homes, as quickly as possible.

 

After some debate, Senate Bill 800 and Senate Bill 894, were approved and sent to the Missouri House of Representatives for final approval. The Missouri General Assembly will take a one-week spring break beginning March 19th.  Upon returning, bills and proposals will begin to move quickly through the legislative process before the end of the legislative session.

 

More great news, Magnitude 7 Metals plans to bring many good paying jobs back to our area. The opening of the new aluminum smelter gives New Madrid County and the Bootheel hope that better times are ahead. Some of the poorest counties in Missouri are in the Bootheel and these quality, high paying jobs will greatly benefit the community. 

 

I welcome you to visit your State Capitol and stop by our office (room 219), or call (573-751-4843) with any questions, concerns or comments you may have. I am honored to serve the citizens of the 25th District.