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Congressman Jason Smith's Capitol Report - A Secure America
July 29th 2017 by Dee Loflin
Congressman Jason Smith's Capitol Report - A Secure America
Congressman Smith Capitol Report
A Secure America
July 28, 2017
 
Whether it is a border you can walk across or a border you can launch a missile across, it is the responsibility of Congress and the President to protect our country from those who wish to harm the United States. The last administration drew lines in the sand with foreign countries and let them blow away over and over again.
 
Instead of negotiating failed nuclear deals with Iran, this week we advanced some of the toughest sanctions to date on countries like Russia, North Korea and Iran. The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act punishes Russia for using the internet to attack vital components of our infrastructure and imposes catastrophic economic sanctions on Iran and North Korea for their support of terror organizations, continued antagonistic missile tests and their threats to bring terror and chaos to America. With this action, we are cutting off access to resources like fuel and food and sending a message to these countries that their continued behavior will not go unpunished and that all options remain on the table in response to their aggression.
 
Simply put, America should not stand idly by as foreign regimes threaten our freedoms and way of life. We should not tolerate continued nuclear advancements by North Korea and Iran and the detainment of members of the U.S. Navy by countries like Iran. I know Congress and this President will have the resolve to take the needed further actions should they be warranted.
 
The other security measure we voted for this week is the Make America Secure Appropriations Act which will help fortify our country’s southern border. We cannot leave our borders open to dangerous gangs like MS-13 whose members illegally enter our country while smuggling drugs, weapons and criminals. 
 
This bill gives President Trump and his White House every penny they requested to shore up more than 70 miles of damaged and open border in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and San Diego, California and expand our border protections. The money will also be used for planning additional border wall construction and reinforcing the walls that are already protecting portions of the United States’ border with Mexico.
 
Making America secure at home and abroad is so incredibly important. Our work takes major steps to stop the bad guys abroad and fortify our borders at home, making sure we keep anyone who doesn’t have America’s best interest at heart from crossing both our physical and virtual borders.

Last Updated on July 29th 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v80k/Congressman-Jason-Smiths-Capitol-Report--A-Secure-America


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Congressman Jason Smith's Capitol Report - Supporting Our Military Like Never Before
July 22nd 2017 by Dee Loflin
Congressman Jason Smith's Capitol Report - Supporting Our Military Like Never Before
Congressman Smith Capitol Report
Supporting Our Military Like Never Before
July 21, 2017
 
Time away from family and friends, missing the birth of their sons and daughters, deployed overseas during holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, anniversaries gone by… these are just a few things the men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces give up in order to defend our freedom. Our troops sacrifice so much for us, and last week, I had the honor of voting for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will give them the resources they need to protect our great nation and make America safe and strong.
 
Our country is facing growing threats around the world, and as these threats increase, so do the needs of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom. As our troops put themselves in harm’s way to defend us against threats to American values, it is our job to make sure that they are more prepared than ever.
 
The number one responsibility of the federal government is to keep you and your family safe. While we work at home to secure the border and defund Sanctuary Cities that harbor dangerous illegal immigrants, there are ever-evolving threats spreading world-wide. ISIS, North Korea and Iran are just a few of the menaces we are facing. Fully supporting our men and women in uniform is the best way to defend against these international bad actors who want to destroy America’s way of life. Unfortunately, in recent years, our military has been subject to damaging budget cuts, reducing some of our capabilities to pre-9/11 levels. But now, we are giving our Military Generals what they asked for, fully funding our military’s budget request and ensuring they have the newest most up to date resources they need to fight against threats to our freedom.
 
My vote for the NDAA will provide our troops with the equipment, personnel, weapons systems, protections and capabilities they need to accomplish their missions and thwart countries who want to hurt us, like North Korea and Iran. One of the most concerning threats from these rogue nations are intercontinental ballistic missiles which is why we are increasing spending for our missile defense programs by $12.4 billion dollars. We are also giving our men and women in uniform the best body armor and increasing spending to modernize and improve this vital and sometimes last line of defense for our troops. There is also a provision in NDAA that makes sure no terrorists from Guantanamo Bay are moved to U.S. prisons. Most importantly, the NDAA gives our brave men and women in the military a well-deserved pay raise. In fact, it’s the highest pay raise for our troops in more than seven years.
 
I often tell our troops that I am thankful for their service, but I am honored to have been able to actually show them just how grateful I am for what they do to protect us by voting to give them the resources they need and deserve.

Last Updated on July 22nd 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v7uj/Congressman-Jason-Smiths-Capitol-Report--Supporting-Our-Military-Like-Never-Before


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Jason Smith's Capitol Report - Friday, June 30, 2017
July 06th 2017 by Dee Loflin
Jason Smith's Capitol Report - Friday, June 30, 2017
Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

Dear Friend,

Being an American makes me feel proud, fortunate and humbled all at the same time. Proud that our Founding Father's vision became a reality. Fortunate because I was lucky enough to be born in this incredible, free nation and humbled by the blessing of serving our country in Congress.
 
We are a nation of humble beginnings. Colonies of England, bound to serve the King. But our Founding Fathers saw potential for more. The Continental Congress voted in favor of our independence from England on July 2, 1776.  Two days later, on July 4, 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies that sparked the great American experiment adopted the Declaration of Independence.  
 
Every year, we celebrate our independence, and rightfully so as it was hard fought and won. Oh say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave - we cannot forget that there was a moment amid the clashing bayonets, exploding cannons, gun powder and smoke when we were not sure America would prevail. But we have never doubted our ability, strength and resilience as a nation since. 
 
Even in some of our lowest, most difficult moments, America has stood together and stood strong. September 11, 2001 stands out to me as one of those moments. When I got the news, I was shocked and saddened, thinking to myself who would want to hurt a country as incredible as ours? Like many of you, I called to check in with friends and family that I had not spoken to in a while to make sure everyone was ok, and I hugged them all a little tighter the next time I saw them.  
 
The attacks on September 11th broke many, many things - lives, homes, hopes and dreams for futures together - but it could not break our American spirit. In fact, it made us even more resolute in our beliefs. We banned together and came back even stronger and prouder of our country - ready to fight to defend our freedoms and our way of life. American flags were hung outside of nearly every home and we rebuilt the World Trade Center even taller than before.
 
But there are smaller, different battles we wage every day as well. It's a fight for Missourians' way of life. Whether that's making sure the government doesn't try to regulate every drop of water on your land, or how you heat your homes in the winter or how you spend your paycheck, it's a fight for what our Founding Fathers believed America could be. The land of the free.
 
We enjoy freedoms every day. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the freedom to bear arms. All because we prevailed in our fight for independence and have a military who continues to heroically defend our nation's sovereignty.
 
We have proved to be the home of the brave many times over in our nation's short, 241-year history. From the Vietnam War to rallying in the face of a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, defending humanity and defeating the Nazis, to the War on Terror that is still being valiantly fought today, Americans have faced adversity bravely and boldly. I am thankful for our freedom and the brilliance of our Founding Fathers who had a dream of what this piece of land that was colonized by England could become. On July 4th and every other day, I am so very proud to be an American.

Last Updated on July 06th 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v7qj/Jason-Smiths-Capitol-Report--Friday-June-30-2017


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Local Students from SEMO Electric Coop Visit with Rep. Smith
June 28th 2017 by Dee Loflin
Local Students from SEMO Electric Coop Visit with Rep. Smith

U.S. Rep. Smith Hosts Students from SEMO Electric Cooperative
Students participating in NRECA’s Youth Tour joined Smith on Capitol Hill
 
Washington, D.C. -  Congressman Jason Smith recently hosted students from the SEMO Electric Cooperative who were participating in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
 
“I’m excited to host these outstanding young students and think it’s great that they have taken an interest in American history and civics,” said Congressman Smith. “I remember my first trip to Washington, and it had a lasting impact. It really helped me understand our civic duties as Americans and inspired me to serve and lead.”
 
NRECA’s Youth Tour is a national program where students apply and are selected to participate by their local electric cooperative. According to the NRECA, the purpose of the tour is for “students to gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting their Representative and Senators.”
 
Smith and the students discussed how Missouri residents get 83% of their energy from coal-fired power plants and Smith’s work with the Trump Administration to end Obama’s so-called Clean Power Plan.
 
“The cost of energy for Missourians would have skyrocketed if we didn’t stop the harmful regulations brought on by Obama’s Clean Power Plan,” said Congressman Smith. “President Trump’s team asked me to help identify regulations hurting rural America, and this was at the top of my list. I am very happy that the Trump Administration took action to rescind these rules.”
 
Smith also answered questions about what it’s like to work in Washington.
 
“It has been my honor to serve southeast and south central Missouri, and I learned quickly after being elected to Congress that the quickest and best way to make a difference is to build relationships with people and understand how you can accomplish your goals together,” said Congressman Smith.
 
Smith’s office has hosted NRECA’s Youth Tour participants every summer since he was elected four years ago.
 
Please see attached for a photo. Students pictured include Morgan Roper from Advance, MO and Noah Hester from Bloomfield, MO.


Last Updated on June 28th 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v7og/Local-Students-from-SEMO-Electric-Coop-Visit-with-Rep-Smith


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Rep. Jason Smith Fights for Continued Use of MO Driver's Licenses
June 23rd 2017 by Dee Loflin
Rep. Jason Smith Fights for Continued Use of MO Driver's Licenses

U.S. Rep. Smith Fights for Continued Use of Missouri Driver’s Licenses
Smith leads Congressional Delegation to allow Missouri residents to continue to use their driver’s license
 
Washington, D.C. -  This week, Congressman Jason Smith led the entire Missouri Congressional Delegation in calling for continued usage of Missouri driver’s licenses as the state begins the process of compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-13).
 
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the federal REAL ID Act was signed into law and established stricter standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and created an additional level of security as recommended by the 9/11 Commission.
 
In December of 2013, the Department of Homeland Security announced that effective January 2018, current Missouri driver’s licenses would no longer be accepted by federal agencies.
 
Specifically, the Missouri Congressional Delegation, led by Smith, is requesting that the Department of Homeland Security issue a waiver beyond the start of 2018 to continue to allow current Missouri driver’s licenses be used as the state comes in compliance with the federal law.
 
“Without this extension, Missourians will not be able to fly, access military bases or enter federal buildings with their current driver’s license,” said Congressman Smith.
 
The Congressional Delegation's request for a waiver is in response to Governor Greitens signing House Bill 151, which allows the Missouri Department of Revenue to start issuing REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses if requested by the ID holder.
 
“Governor Greitens is giving Missourians the opportunity to get a REAL ID, and on the federal level, we have to make sure the entire state has time to get in compliance with the new standards,” said Congressman Smith.
 
The Department of Homeland Security has recently issued similar waivers in Maine and Minnesota.
 
Smith’s letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kelly was co-signed by the entire Missouri Congressional Delegation.


Last Updated on June 23rd 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v7oh/Rep-Jason-Smith-Fights-for-Continued-Use-of-MO-Drivers-Licenses


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