Congressman Smith Capitol Report

Turn Over Enough Stones…

February 9, 2018

 

The United States of America was born out of a revolt by the original colonies against their British controllers - controllers who taxed too much, took away too many rights and asked too much. When our new country rose from that great war for independence, we formed a nation which believed in individual rights over the rights of the state and a country who put protecting the constitutional liberties of each and every American above all else.  Unfortunately, as it relates to the most recent presidential election, we are beginning to learn more and more about how those rights were trampled upon by actors at some of the most integral levels of your government.

 

The American public deserves to know how this was allowed to happen. With the release last week of the memo from the U.S. House Select Committee on Intelligence, we now know more than we ever did before – with even more still to come. What was shared with the declassification of the report from the Intelligence Committee was information that government entities requested and were granted the right to spy and surveil a component of President Trump’s campaign. We now know that some of the information they used to convince a judge to grant that right was a dossier written about President Trump by someone who had a strong bias against Donald Trump, and that he was paid to do it by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Hillary Clinton Campaign. That’s right, a government agency used a campaign opposition research piece to convince a judge to allow them to spy on the campaign of our next President of the United States.

 

Oversight, or making sure our government is doing the right thing for the people, is one of the top responsibilities of Congress. What we have uncovered so far is that the author of the dossier on President Trump is someone who has said in meetings during the months leading up to the November 2016 election that he was “desperate” for Donald Trump to not get elected and “passionate about him not being president.” Yet it was this same individual’s ‘report’ which was used and presented as evidence in a court in order to have a judge grant permission for the government to spy on associates of the Trump campaign. Beyond that, the dossier’s author was someone who even the FBI had themselves earlier fired for being a leaker and for serving as an unauthorized source to media. In other words, the government used fake information, written by an anti-Trump activist, funded by the Clinton campaign to get authorization from a secret court to spy on the Trump Campaign.

 

As if a politically motivated, fake dossier wasn’t enough, using that information to justify spying on a United States citizen is even more concerning. It eats away at the core foundation of our nation. You have a right to know what happened and what reforms will make sure it never happens again. You also deserve to know who authorized what and how they will be legally required to answer for their actions. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, Independent or not politically affiliated at all, every American should want answers, want action and want accountability for this very disturbing revelation. Justice is not supposed to be biased, it is not supposed to have a party affiliation, it is supposed to be exactly what it is – fair, impartial, and by definition incorruptible. As your voice in Congress, it is my responsibility to continue to get these answers for you and ensure no one in Washington tramples on your freedoms while running away with an unchecked amount of power. 

 

Last Tuesday night‎ I was honored to join many of you in witnessing President Trump’s very first State of the Union address to Congress. Leading up to the speech there were many things I thought the President could say, what he should say, and ultimately what he would say. But as I thought and reflected on the 12 months since President Trump entered the Oval Office, I realized that with the lowest level of unemployment in close to 20 years, an economy on the cusp of growing at rates never seen in my lifetime, and a strengthened military with ISIS on the run...that above all else, the state of our great union, was, for the first time in a long time, strong.

 

In 2017, we repealed regulations at a rate of 22:1 and saved American taxpayers more than four billion dollars. We passed historic tax cuts legislation that is just over one month old and already putting more money in Missourians’ pockets. Just last week, I visited businesses in Dent and Texas counties where employers were handing out bonuses, increasing wages or strengthening their employee benefits as a direct result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We put an end to the bad deals America was getting from rogue nations like Iran and North Korea. Our military members received the largest pay raise in 8 years and ISIS who started the year with more than 35,000 fighters in its ranks now has less than 1,000. At the same time, we have made it clear that America stands united with her allies like Israel. ‎ 

 

It is amazing the difference a change in administrations makes. After one year in office, the Trump presidency has led to the creation of 2.4 million new jobs, a growing economy and a cut in the unemployment rate from 4.8% to 4.1%. By sharp contrast, at the end of President Obama’s first year in office we had lost 4 million jobs, the American economy was actually experiencing negative growth and the percent of unemployed Americans had risen up from 7.8% to almost 10%.

 

But the work is far from over. During his State of the Union address, the President outlined several major policy priorities for this year – policies that I am already hard at work on and ready to get done. The President mentioned things like increasing price transparency to lower the cost of prescription drugs and medical services, a major theme I heard during my healthcare roundtables last year. The President also discussed ending the tragic opioid epidemic, getting more Americans in the workforce by attaching work requirements to federal benefit recipients and ensuring your tax dollars fund only the most productive and qualified federal workers. These are all issues I have helped coauthor solutions to and advance in the House of Representatives. I remain hopeful the Senate obstructionists will soon see the value in tackling these important issues. In addition, the President mentioned investing in our country’s infrastructure, making sure our federal assistance only goes to countries who actually support our priorities and securing our borders. These are all priorities for this year the President mentioned and are important matters which I have both publically and privately discussed with him. 

 

As the President said, “The people dreamed this country. The people built this country. And it is the people who are making America great again.” This is something we cannot forget as we work for the people and take care of the country we call home. There were many opportunities during the speech for my colleagues to stand and join with our President in what should be bipartisan efforts on behalf of all Americans. Sadly, we did not see much support from across the aisle. I hope they will realize that the agenda this President puts above all else isn’t Republican and isn’t Democrat. It is truly America First.

 

On Friday night, January 19th, Senate obstructionism was on full display for all of America to see as a handful of Senators voted to shut down the United States government in order to advocate for unrelated illegal immigration policies.  That’s right, they chose to prioritize illegal immigration over paying our troops and making sure our men and women in uniform had the tools they needed to protect our freedoms. They also said no to funding important Children’s Health Insurance Programs that more than 87,000 kids in Missouri rely on every day –something I have supported during numerous different votes in the House of Representatives dating back to last year.  

 

In reality, the bipartisan proposal to keep the government open and running had nothing to do with the immigration policies liberals were advocating for. However, since a deal had yet to be finalized regarding the status of illegal immigrants brought here at a young age, an issue not facing an immediate deadline until later this spring, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Elizabeth Warren and the rest of their Senate followers decided it was more important to stand with their progressive base than pay our troops on time, than allow the government to process new social security benefit claims, than to keep your government agencies open and running.

 

Already, weeks of bipartisan talks had been taking place to fund a border wall, increase border security forces, end chain migration, end the visa lottery program and to find a solution to the illegal immigrant community given temporary status through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Democrats had a choice, and they chose to stomp their feet, throw a fit and shut down the government instead of keeping the government open and continuing the bipartisan talks which had already begun.

 

It was especially frustrating since just a day earlier the House of Representatives had voted in bipartisan fashion to keep the government running and open – this is on top of passing numerous pieces of legislation with both Republicans and Democrats to fund agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation and Department of Agriculture for the entire year. Simply put, the Senate had ample time to figure out how to fund the government, but failed to act.

 

The truth of the matter is that arcane Senate rules are leaving the White House, House of Representatives, and the Senate hostage to the demands of just a handful of Senators in the minority party. A Senate parliamentary tool found nowhere in the U.S. Constitution allows the minority to require 60 votes on virtually any piece of legislation they choose. When it comes to funding your government, from 1984 to 2007 the Senate minority party only utilized the 60-vote parliamentary tactic on 4% of government funding bills, since 2007 that has grown to 89% - that’s right, Senate Swamp rules have been abused to virtually require every vote of the Senate to require a 60-vote threshold.  

 

Liberal obstructionists took advantage of arcane Senate rules and held healthcare for children and funding for the military hostage in order to appeal to their progressive base, not because they actually objected to any policies contained within the bill to keep your government open. This kind of gridlock and obstruction cannot continue to happen, we must change the swampy-Senate rules and require a simple majority to move forward on government funding bills. Not only would this help keep your government open and running, but also help us cut additional waste, fraud and abuse rampant throughout the government, it would also help us attach work requirements to significant welfare programs and allow us to protect taxpayer resources from typical Washington waste. While this government shutdown ended after three days, another deadline is fast approaching because the Senate funding bill only keeps the government open until February 8th. Americans expect action. In the House, I’m proud we’ve delivered on that, but it’s time for the Senate to pick up the pace and do the same.

Smith stops at the Tyson Foods Plant in Dexter to see recent expansion and discuss impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Dexter, Missouri -  On Wednesday, Congressman Smith stopped at the Tyson Foods Plant in Dexter, Missouri to see their recent plant expansion first-hand and also to talk about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is reducing the federal tax burden on American companies like Tyson, leaving employers with more resources to decide best how to invest in their operations.

 

“Before passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, like most American based companies, Tyson was being held back by one of the highest tax rates found anywhere in the world,” said Congressman Smith. “That is why our action last month was so important – it leveled the playing field for American employers, including those like Tyson here in Dexter. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will help American companies compete against our competitors around the globe and help ensure that American companies and American workers can continue to succeed.”

 

Tyson Foods in Dexter employs approximately 620 people and sources from local growers for corn and other needs. In the last five years, the Dexter facility completed an over $5 million expansion while simultaneously increasing hourly wages for employees. While there, Smith learned about day to day operations from manager Mark Avery. 

 

“It’s great when members of the U.S. Congress show interest in our company,” said Mark Avery, Tyson Foods’ complex manager in Dexter. “We enjoyed showing Representative Smith how our team is dedicated to providing safe, wholesome food not only to the people of Missouri, but also to the U.S. and the world.”

 

“It was great to spend time with the folks from Tyson today and see their operation. They are an important employer in the Dexter area and exactly the type of American company which the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is going to help,” said Congressman Smith. "America is open for business and competitive once again thanks to this legislation which not only levels the playing field for employers, but also takes care of the American worker. More than two million American families, including thousands of Missourians, have already received bonuses, increased pay and other benefits as a direct result of this legislation. Next month millions more will be receiving larger paychecks as the full impact of these tax cuts begins to kick in," concluded Congressman Smith.

 

Smith is the only member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation on the tax-writing committee in Congress, The Ways and Means Committee, and was instrumental in writing and passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Smith also traveled to St. Charles, Missouri with President Trump in November to discuss the importance of the tax cuts legislation and joined him at a similar stop in Springfield, Missouri last August.

 

The stop in Dexter is one of many tax-related stops the Congressman is making this week. He will also visit Dent and Texas County to hear about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has positively impacted Missourians.

January 19, 2018

 

This week, hundreds of thousands of Americans came to our nation’s Capital to March for Life. Sadly, we have lost more than 60 million lives in the United States since abortion became legal and Roe v. Wade was upheld by the Supreme Court 45 years ago. That is 60 million less lives which could have grown up to find the cure to cancer, discovered new sources of energy, become an astronaut or the next President of the United States. But more than likely, many of those lives would have had a smaller - but just as noble - role in life. Maybe those aborted babies would have grown up to be the 3rd grade teacher at your local elementary school, a small business owner on Main Street, a brave member of our military, or raised families of their own.

 

I was in Cuba, Missouri when I met Gianna Jessen. Gianna was almost one of these millions of lives lost, but was saved by a nurse after surviving an abortion and being born alive. Gianna has had a life filled of uphill battles and complications from the attempted abortion, but she has courageously chosen to dedicate her life to fighting for the unborn and their right to life. This week, I met Kelsey and her twin girls. Kelsey is from south central Missouri, and bravely defended the lives of her unborn babies when she was pressured into an abortion. Through the compassionate care of the Rolla Pregnancy Center, Kelsey was able to receive the support she needed to carry her children to term. 

 

I have voted repeatedly and consistently to make sure that no taxpayer funds are used for abortions and instead, I have supported pregnancy resource centers like the Pregnancy Center in Rolla and Birthright in Cape Girardeau who protect innocent lives and provide critical resources to mothers and families. I have spent time with them, and I can tell you first hand that they are putting tax dollars to good use and using them to protect unborn babies’ right to life and help mothers like Kelsey fight for their children.

 

The right to life must extend to every innocent human being, through every stage of life, and I am committed to defending that right. It is because of this commitment that this week, we marched for people like Gianna, Kelsey and her daughters. We march because every innocent life is precious and deserves a chance in this world. We march because our Constitution guarantees all Americans an inalienable right to life. We also march for people like Micah.

 

Micah was born prematurely at just 20-weeks and survived. After his birth, Micah’s family boldly pushed Congress to outlaw 20-week abortions. Micah is now a thriving, healthy five-year-old and is living proof that children born as young as 20-weeks have the potential to grow up and live completely normal lives. I was honored to help author and pass “Micah’s Law” to stop 20-week abortions for babies like Micah who could feel pain and survive outside of the womb. While this bill was a step in the right direction, there is more work to be done.

 

Standing next to over a hundred Missourians in town this week to join the March for Life was a feeling of inspiration and commitment to protecting the rights of the unborn which I won’t soon forget. While the protection of the unborn is an ongoing battle around the country, we must lay the foundation for a society that does not accept abortion as a form of birth control. Open hearts and open minds can heal our nation and change abortions into adoptions. We must join together to pray for the protection of the unborn. The intersection of prayer and action can produce amazing results. I know we can accomplish our goals, and innocent human life can be saved.