The Right Recipient
February 17, 2017
In 2012, then President Obama signed into law the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. While this legislation prevented a scheduled tax increase on millions of middle class families, it also rightfully authorized states across the country to begin drug testing applicants for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Simply put, prioritizing help to those who are doing everything they can to get back to work and to get off of government assistance is not only a right, but a responsibility of your government in its obligation to be good stewards of valuable taxpayer resources. This important section of the law was authored by the Republican controlled House of Representatives, then signed by President Obama, and it overturned an earlier regulation that banned states from drug testing applicants for unemployment assistance.
Unfortunately, soon after this new law hit the books – the same Obama White House that signed it started working behind the scenes, around Congress and behind the backs of the American people to circumvent it. They wrote rules and regulations out of the Department of Labor narrowly defining how, when, where and under what circumstances states may actually test for drug usage among applicants - all but nullifying the law a bipartisan Congress had passed and President Obama had himself signed. So when states like Wisconsin, Texas and others passed laws requiring the testing of Unemployment Insurance recipients for drug usage – they were unable to enforce them due to delays, obstructions and regulations from the Obama instructed Department of Labor.
It is your hard earned tax dollars that are used to fund government and all its programs – as such your government has a fiduciary responsibility to you that it will be good stewards of those resources. Unfortunately we have a federal government that has grown too big, taxes too high and spends too much of your tax dollars on government programs stricken with widespread fraud and abuse. It is one of the reasons I will continue to advocate for a government that takes less and allows the American people to keep more. As such I have long advocated for things like drug testing and work or job training requirements for those seeking welfare support or unemployment assistance. In 2011, I helped co-author and support Missouri State House Bill 73 which required Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients be tested for illegal drug use. That bill garnered support from both Democrats and Republicans because making sure taxpayer resources aren’t used to support individuals who are using those same dollars on illicit and illegal drugs just makes sense.
This week, with my support the House of Representatives passed a resolution to overturn the regulations used by the Obama White House which were preventing states from testing Unemployment Insurance recipients for drug usage. Our actions this week were to roll back and undo President Obama’s unfaithful execution of that 2012 law and to give states like Missouri the right to make sure hard working taxpayer dollars only go to deserving citizens. These are the type of common sense policies which make sense for thousands of private sector employers handing out a weekly paycheck and should as well for your federal government. Too many politicians and bureaucrats forget that it is their responsibility to protect and defend valuable taxpayer resources. As I continue to look for ways to cut the size and scope of your government while reducing fraud and waste, I am glad that I am joined by a President in the White House who shares the same vision of stamping out the abuse rampant throughout all levels of government.
Dexter, Missouri - Congressman Jason Smith's mobile office will be in Dexter on Thursday, February 16th. The office, staffed by a member of the Congressman's district staff allows area residents a chance to discuss their problems and concerns which are then relayed directly to the Congressman for action.
WHO: Representative Jason Smith’s Staff
WHAT: Mobile Office in Stoddard County
WHEN: Thursday, February 16, 2017
1:00pm to 2:00pm
WHERE: City of Dexter Municipal Building
119 Vine St
Dexter, MO 63841
Dexter, Missouri - Congressman Jason Smith's mobile office will be in Dexter on Thursday, February 16th. The office, staffed by a member of the Congressman's district staff allows area residents a chance to discuss their problems and concerns which are then relayed directly to the Congressman for action.
WHO: Representative Jason Smith’s Staff
WHAT: Mobile Office in Stoddard County
WHEN: Thursday, February 16, 2017
1:00pm to 2:00pm
WHERE: The Dexter Senior Center
23 West Stoddard Street
Dexter, MO 63841
Jefferson City, Missouri - Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, announced Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, will serve as Chairman of the Senate Small Business and Industry Committee during the 99th General Assembly.
“It is an honor to have been named Chairman of the Small Business and Industry Committee,” Sen. Libla said. “I look forward to working with committee members to ensure the passage of meaningful legislation. Remember, if there is a bill that you are passionate about, the best way to make a difference is by visiting your State Capitol and testifying at the committee hearing.”
The committee shall consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the ownership and operation of small businesses. The committee shall also debate, study, and hear public testimony on legislation relating to labor management, fair employment standards, worker’s compensation and employment security within the state and shall examine legislation relating to industrial development.
Several key issues are expected to be brought before the committee, such as workforce and economic development, tort reform, and unemployment insurance. “I recognize the importance of these issues to every Missourian,” Sen. Libla said. “Missouri faces a number of economic challenges, with job creation and retention being at the top of the list. We need high-quality and high-paying jobs that empower workers to have a positive impact on the communities where they live, both economically and as leaders contributing to the overall quality of life.”
Senator Libla was re-elected to a second term in the Missouri Senate last November. He proudly serves the counties of Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Shannon and Stoddard. In addition to his new duties as chair of the Small Business and Industry Committee, Sen. Libla will serve as vice-chairman of the General Laws Committee.
To view a full list of Sen. Libla’s committee assignments and sponsored legislation, visit his official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/libla.
U.S. Rep Smith Authors Bill Defunding Sanctuary Cities
Smith bill would force sanctuary cities to comply with federal law by blocking federal transportation dollars
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) filed H.R.824, the No Transportation Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act, to block Federal Highway Trust fund dollars from being awarded to states and local governments if they fail to obey federal immigration laws and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests.
Before Congressman Smith introduced the bill, he said, “Over 300 cities and counties employ policies to stonewall the federal government and prevent the Department of Homeland Security from effectively enforcing our immigration laws. We are a nation of law and order, and cities that actively work against the law of the land should face consequences. That’s why I introduced the No Transportation Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act to cut off the spigot of federal funds to cities and counties that fail to work with us to Make America Safe.”
As President Trump and Congress begin work on policies to enable new and robust investments into our nation’s roads, rails, tunnels, waterways and airports it is important that municipalities across the country know that unless they observe and follow U.S. immigration laws and policies, they will no longer be eligible for federal infrastructure investments in their communities. Smith’s goal is to codify the prohibition of taxpayer funds released to sanctuary cities in order to secure our borders and make local communities safer.
Smith noted after he filed the bill, “When cities fail to adhere with Federal law enforcement requests our citizens are put in danger. The American people spoke in November and support President Trump’s no-nonsense plan to enforce existing laws to protect our citizens. Because states, counties, and cities have failed to comply with Federal law, we have to use Congressional power of the purse to require these cities to abide by Federal immigration laws. If cities fail to comply with DHS requests, they shouldn’t receive Highway Trust Fund dollars or any highway grants, period.”
Note: Highway Trust Fund dollars have been successfully used three times in the past to encourage states to comply with Federal Standards. Most notably, Louisiana complied with the Federal requirement to lift their drinking age to 21 years-old after the Federal government pulled part of their Highway Trust Fund dollars for failure to comply.
