{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"MO\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://hartzler.house.gov/newsletters/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-new-years-2015", "View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of New Year's, 2015", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Good Day,\nA busy and productive year is drawing to a close and I would like to share some of the highlights from 2014. It was a year of reaching out, listening to, and responding to the concerns of the good citizens of Missouri\u2019s Fourth Congressional District. I would like to share just a few of this year\u2019s memorable moments.\nA number of the year\u2019s events were tied to the defense of our nation. With tensions mounting in the Middle East, I joined several of my House Armed Services Committee (HASC) colleagues on a fact-finding mission to the region, visiting Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco \u2013 meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and President Abdel al-Sisi of Egypt. In each country we visited, we also met with United States Embassy staff and U.S. Defense officials.\nAmong the many issues we discussed was terrorism, in general, and the march of ISIL toward an Islamic caliphate in the Middle East. I shared these concerns with MO-4 citizens at a series of presentations in Harrisonville, Sedalia, and Waynesville. These events were well-attended as residents of our district are rightly concerned about the terrorist threats to our homeland and to Americans abroad and they wanted to hear the latest.\nI have spoken of the great pride we all have in the men and women serving at Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood. This summer I had the privilege of speaking, via telephone, to members of the 442nd Fighter Wing deployed to Afghanistan. What these Airmen did was so important to the troops on the ground - and I thanked them for the job they were doing. The crews spent precious time away from their families, and were looking forward to the return home. I was honored to be invited to take part in the \u201cwelcome home\u201d celebration. It was rewarding to see these Airmen reunited with their families. We cannot thank them enough for their service and their sacrifice.\nStill with defense matters in MO-4, I had the opportunity to welcome Secretary of the Air Force Rebecca James to Whiteman Air Force Base. I also welcomed Chief of Army, General Ray Odierno, to Fort Leonard Wood. I am honored to represent the district that is home to these fine military installations and to represent the interests of the brave men and women stationed there and serving our country.\nOn another matter, I took on a number of social issues affecting our district and our country. In Columbia, our Summit on Human Trafficking helped increase awareness of this horrific crime. All too often, many of us think of human trafficking as something that takes place only in big cities or in other countries when, in fact, this appalling crime is taking place right in our own backyard. This forum followed House approval of a series of bills aimed at preventing or eliminating the spread of trafficking and protecting the victims of this crime against humanity. Many of these victims are pre-teens and young teenagers, with 80 percent of the victims being female. My hope is that the information shared at this summit will help educate and take awareness and prevention to the next step so someday we do not have this abomination occurring in our country.\nI later took a step toward improving child welfare in our state and throughout the nation by hosting a Congressional Listening Tour for Children, in Columbia, with fellow Member of Congress Karen Bass (D-CA), children\u2019s services experts, and community leaders. The goal of our time in Columbia was to highlight both the positive aspects and challenges of the child welfare system here in Missouri. Participants shared their on-the-ground experiences and their perspectives on the best practices and concerns with our child welfare system. An issue of this importance crosses political lines, and my Democratic colleague as well as other participants share my interest in promoting adoption, encouraging family permanency, and stopping child trafficking.\nThis year also included a number of events that we are doing on an annual basis. The third annual Lebanon Job Fair was a success for unemployed Missourians as well as those looking to advance their careers. I was pleased to help bring together employers and those looking for work through the Job Fair and to see some hired that day. It is a tangible action I can take, in addition to legislative action in Washington, to help the good people I am privileged to represent by facilitating the job search process.\nThe fourth Missouri Business Conference at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg once again brought together small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and students with experts on business success. Five issue-specific panels featured more than two dozen entrepreneurs\u00a0who have lived the vision of starting a business and offered their insights.\nThe University of Central Missouri was also the host location for my inaugural Veterans Summit. The goal was to provide veterans with timely information on issues they care about such as how to overcome the challenges of reintegration after deployment, strengthening the family, and succeeding in the workplace. At the same time, we wanted to connect veterans with the many resources they have earned and deserve. Panels hosted by experts included discussion of personal, emotional, spiritual, family and career issues of returning veterans; continuing education and career opportunities for returning veterans; and discussion of VA health care and benefits.\nState Fair Community College in Sedalia hosted the Fourth District\u2019s inaugural Youth Leadership Summit. More than 200 students from 48 high schools were able to participate in this all-day event and have the opportunity to hear from dynamic speakers who shared tips for success in school and in reaching their goals. I am hopeful the time spent will help MO-4 students reach their potential and help make a difference in their communities and schools. I look forward to seeing the great things they are going to do in the future and am glad I could be a small part of it.\nAn \u201cAll-of-the-Above\u201d Energy Tour and our annual Farm Tour rounded out this year\u2019s ambitious schedule of events throughout our district.\nOn a personal note, I was honored to have been chosen to deliver the commencement address to students graduating from the University of Missouri\u2019s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). My message to these young people as they go forward is that they have been blessed with a world class education \u2013 and the world is going to need them. These graduates will advance the cause of feeding the world while protecting our resources as they work together and speak with one voice, advocating the positive message of agriculture and embracing wise use of technology. I was proud to be there on this historic day in the lives of these young people.\nFinally, I would like to close with a few quick facts and figures from 2014. During the year, I sponsored or co-sponsored several bills, including 14 which were signed into law; 1,240 constituents were helped by our caseworkers \u2013 with issues including veterans\u2019 benefits, Medicare questions, visa and passport applications, and many more; More than 655 tours of the U.S. Capitol were given to MO-4 citizens who visited us this year; and 155,970 letters and emails were sent to constituents.\nMy desire is to provide the best representation and service possible for the good people of our district. While we have done much, there is much more to accomplish in 2015. I look forward to working with you to move our district forward, to get America back on track, and to make a difference in the lives of the families in our district. Together, with the Lord\u2019s help, we can do it.\nHave a blessed and happy New Year!\nVicky", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/weekly-capitol-report/capitol-report-the-year-ahead", "Capitol Report: The Year Ahead", "2014-12-26", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House and Senate will officially be sworn in for their\u00a0next term in January and there is a lot of work to be done. In the next Congress, I will be working with a larger House majority and new Senate majority, and we\u00a0will hit the ground running on day one\u00a0to\u00a0provide relief to Americans throughout the country, especially in rural America.\nWith the House and Senate\u00a0finally\u00a0working together, I anticipate many more bills going to the president\u2019s desk. He has been able to hide behind the Democrat-dominated Senate for\u00a0far too long. With\u00a0good bills and\u00a0conservative solutions coming to the president\u2019s desk, he will soon have to decide if he is\u00a0more interested in moving\u00a0America\u00a0forward\u00a0or continuing his \u201cmy way or the highway\u201d style.\nOne of the first bills we\u00a0plan to\u00a0send the president will be a repeal of Obamacare. Though\u00a0it is unlikely\u00a0the president\u00a0will\u00a0repeal his namesake bill, Republicans in the House and Senate will have many opportunities to send the president legislation that will fix some of the most disastrous portions of the law. I continue to hear\u00a0story after story of\u00a0folks\u00a0being dropped from their plans, their premiums skyrocketing, and businesses\u00a0laying\u00a0off employees just to comply.\u00a0In the 114th\u00a0Congress we\u00a0are going to work diligently to repeal this atrocity and offer people some relief.\u00a0Hopefully our president will also be interested in alleviating the burdens that Obamacare has produced.\nI am also working to make The SCRUB Act another bill that comes across the president\u2019s desk in the 114th\u00a0Congress.\u00a0I'm hearing more and more stories of government\u00a0regulations strangling businesses as I travel throughout the district. They are facing potential\u00a0EPA regulations on every puddle of water, new ozone standards not even national forests can achieve, and the list goes on. This flood of regulations makes it difficult to do business, but The SCRUB Act offers some hope for relief. The SCRUB Act would identify and eliminate outdated and ineffective regulations. It would create a bipartisan commission to review regulations and make recommendations for repeal. The bill has also been introduced in the Senate, and I am committed to getting it passed and sent to the president for signature.\nOur tax code is entirely too long and complex. Working to make the tax code fairer and simpler has been a long-standing goal of mine and is a priority of the\u00a0Ways and Means\u00a0Committee I will be serving on next Congress. I am pushing to make rural issues a priority when it comes to the tax code. For example there is an equipment depreciation credit which allows individuals to deduct the cost of the equipment they use on their farms and in their businesses from their taxes. It was just extended for the 2014 tax year, but making it permanent will give folks more certainty in planning for the future. Reforming the individual income tax is also important, because that is how 96 percent of farms are taxed. With a tax code as difficult to understand as ours, it\u2019s no wonder that more than three in five Americans pay for help preparing their taxes.\nThere is a lot of work to be done in the next Congress. The priorities I am pursuing in the 114th\u00a0Congress are the priorities of our district and rural America. We are going to have to make up for lost time while more than 387 House solutions, including almost 50 jobs bills, have been stuck in the Senate, but I have confidence we can get it done.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398511", "Blaine's Bulletin: Looking Ahead to the 114th Congress", "2014-12-26", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "With the new year right around the corner, I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about pieces of legislation that I am excited to reintroduce and regulations that I will continue to monitor and combat that are coming down from the administration.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      With the new year right around the corner, I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about pieces of legislation that I am excited to reintroduce and regulations that I will continue to monitor and combat that are coming down from the administration.\r\nSince I\u2019ve been in Congress, I have been a strong advocate for more transparency in the federal government. So often I hear from you wondering what stage certain agencies are at in a particular rule-making process or you need clarification of what exactly a proposed rule means. With the hundreds of proposed rules coming monthly out of the administration, I wanted to introduce legislation that would require agencies to create a plain language summary to provide more transparency and clarity.\r\nSpecifically, my legislation, the Providing Accountability through Transparency Act would require each government agency, in providing notice of a rule making, to include a link to a 100 word plain language summary of the proposed rule. Government agencies have a habit of creating long-winded rules that don\u2019t make sense unless you are an expert in that field. My legislation would require a short summary and states the agency must provide a web link at regulations.gov to make it accessible so Americans can easily find and understand the proposed rule.\r\nOne rule in particular that I have closely monitored is out of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and would require costly new standards for wood burning stoves and heating systems that would effectively prohibit the manufacture and sale of 85 perfect of wood burning heaters currently on the market. Earlier this year, I introduced legislation that would halt this attempt by the EPA called the Wood Stove Regulatory Relief Act. \r\nThe final rule from the EPA is supposed to be announced early next year. With nearly 90 percent of wood stove manufacturers that operate as small businesses and with many homes in the 3rd District that use wood burning stoves as the primary source of heat, it is my hope this proposed rule is reversed.\r\nLastly, another piece of legislation that will help Americans in our rural areas is the Mobile Mammography Promotion Act. My legislation would increase access to breast cancer screening by providing relief from the federal fuel excise tax for \u201cmammovans,\u201d vehicles designed exclusively to provide mobile mammography services that travel to underserved areas. I have sponsored this legislation for the past two Congresses and it is my hope that in the 114th Congress, this bill will make it to the House floor so that regular mammography screenings become a reality for those many underserved individuals.  It is my hope the 114th Congress can put a halt to many of the regulations that are burdening our nation\u2019s small businesses and families and we can work together to address not only the topics just discussed but all of your priorities as well.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/newsletters/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-christmas-2014", "View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of Christmas, 2014", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Good Day,\nAs 2014 draws to a close, Team Hartzler is saying \u201cfarewell\u201d and \u201cgood luck\u201d to a dear friend who has been an integral part of our operation since we began in January of 2011. As the MO-4 Special Events Coordinator, Donna Spickert coordinated many of our annual events, including the Missouri Business Conference in Warrensburg, the Veterans Summit in Warrensburg, the Lebanon Job Fair, and the annual process by which students are nominated for the U.S. Service Academies. Donna\u2019s public service began in 1989, working for such notables as Senator John Ashcroft, Senator Jim Talent, and Congressman Kenny Hulshof. I have known Donna since my days as a State Representative in Jefferson City in the 1990s and have thoroughly enjoyed having her as part of our team for the last four years. Donna and Terry are looking forward to enjoying their retirement, hopping into the car and visiting their grandchildren when the travel bug strikes.\nBest wishes, Donna. I thank you for all your hard work and wish you and Terry a very lengthy, fruitful, and active retirement.\nThis is Christmas week when Christians throughout our country and around the world celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a time that gives us hope and fills our hearts with joy.\nLuke\u2019s account of how the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in the field that special night sums up the good news we celebrate:\nAs we gather with our families and pray for our men and women in uniform both at home and abroad, we are reminded that the light Jesus brought to the world is needed now more than ever. My wish this Christmas is that this light shines upon you and our brave troops around the world, bringing you comfort and peace while bringing them home quickly and safely.\nFrom my family to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases. God bless.\nHave a blessed Christmas with friends and family,\nVicky", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-hartzler-releases-christmas-greeting", "Congresswoman Hartzler releases Christmas greeting", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has released the following Christmas greeting:\n\u201cChristmas is a time for family and friends to gather, enjoy the time together, reminisce about old memories and make new ones. As we reflect on 2014 and look ahead to 2015, it may be easy to get lost in the trials and tribulations of our day-to-day lives.\u00a0 We must keep in mind that, as Americans, we have much to be grateful for this holiday season.\u00a0 But first and foremost, we must remember the reason for a celebration such as Christmas \u2013 the birth of Jesus Christ.\nLuke\u2019s account of how the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in the field that special night is familiar to so many of us:\n\u2018And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.\u2019\nAs we gather with our families and pray for our men and women in uniform both at home and abroad, we are reminded that the light Jesus brought to the world is needed now more than ever.\u00a0 My wish this Christmas is that this light shines upon you and our brave troops around the world, bringing you comfort and peace while bringing them home quickly and safely.\nFrom my family to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases. God bless.\u201d\nCongresswoman Hartzler serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Budget Committees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/newsletters/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-november-17-21-2014", "View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of November 17-21, 2014", "2014-12-21", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Good Day,\nThis week, the House approved important legislation to ease the Environmental Protection Agency burdens on American job creators by reducing red tape and increasing accountability. We passed three bills: the\u00a0EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act, H.R. 1422, to establish board member qualifications; the\u00a0Secret Science Reform Act, H.R. 4012, to prohibit the EPA from finalizing a regulation unless the public has access to the data used; and the\u00a0Promoting New Manufacturing Act, H.R. 4795, which would bring much-needed transparency to the EPA permitting process.\nThese bills will aid American job creators by allowing businesses to grow without fear of overregulation from environmental extremists. The EPA continues to burden small businesses with red tape, and I am pleased to work toward stopping these unnecessary and unjustified regulations that hamper job creation and wage growth.\nThe Environmental Protection Agency needs accountability, and these common sense bills will work toward that end. These bills ensure transparency by making all scientific and technical information used by the EPA available to the public before agency action. Americans have the right to know the information used to make these burdensome rules, and Congress has a responsibility to make sure all agencies operate in a way that serves the best interests of all Americans. I now call on the Senate to take up and pass these important bills.\nI am a firm believer that the federal government\u2019s primary role should be to provide for a strong national defense. In that light, I recently had the chance to speak with CNN\u2019s Carol Costello about the administration\u2019s response to the threats coming from ISIL and the Middle East.\nI also had the opportunity to attend the Reagan National Defense Forum last weekend. This forum brings together leaders in the defense community \u2013 including Members of Congress, civilian officials, military leaders, and Department of Defense officials \u2013 to address the health of our national defense and discuss policies that strengthen our military for the future. I was privileged to be one of a handful of Representatives to attend with such defense leaders as Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, former Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta and Robert Gates, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James Winnefeld, Jr., and many others. I was grateful to hear such esteemed voices discuss important issues such as the ongoing threats abroad, reform measures to reduce red tape in the Pentagon, and the role of cyber in 21st Century warfare.\nAt the same time, it was a real honor to attend such a forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. President Reagan was a true leader who believed, as I do, that peace is achieved through\u00a0strength\u00a0\u2013 that a strong military is key to deterring conflict around the world. This principle is extremely relevant now as we find ourselves facing numerous national security threats while still binding the hands of our military through disastrous defense cuts from sequestration.\u00a0Our current path is unacceptable. I will continue to work to make defense a key priority in the new Congress and beyond.\nOn another note, I am disappointed that President Obama has chosen to bypass Congress in his rush to implement immigration reform. Our Constitution requires that Congress write the laws and the President execute those laws. Americans are divided on how to address immigration reform, but President Obama\u2019s action can only harm efforts to bring Americans together to reach consensus on this important matter. In the coming weeks, the House will be discussing options to reinstate Congressional authorities. I welcome your feedback on how our nation should proceed on this important issue.\nMeanwhile, I am always happy when constituents come to visit me in Washington and I am pleased that I had a visit this week from a senior-level agriculture policy class from the University of Missouri. The students were in Washington for three days to meet with legislators, Agriculture Committee staff, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and agriculture industry officials.\nWe discussed a number of important issues ranging from the effects of the 2014 Farm Bill and well-founded concerns with the EPA\u2019s Waters of the United States rule. The rule would extend Clean Water Act jurisdictional authority over dry creeks and ditches \u2013 some of which are wet only when it rains \u2013 creating complicated compliance issues for farmers in Missouri and throughout the country. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I have been working to stop this onerous rule. The public comment period has concluded with the EPA receiving more than a quarter-million comments. I urge the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, which will work toward finalizing the rule, to exercise common sense when establishing the ground rules for implementing the rule.\nI also want to share information on scholarship opportunities with the U.S. Naval Academy, the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), and commissioning in the Navy and Marine Corps.\u00a0 An information session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25th at 5:30 pm at the Liberty Memorial\u2019s National World War I Museum at 100 West 26th Street in Kansas City. Representatives will be on hand to discuss the admissions process, nominations, appointments, prep programs, summer programs, and much more. This is a valuable opportunity for any 8th to 11th grade students interested in attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis or attending one of more than 50 NROTC colleges and universities. To RSVP for this event contact: Commander Jack Rush, U.S. Navy (Retired) at\u00a0jack.rush@1973.usna.comwith name and number of persons attending. I want to extend best wishes to all students who are interested in serving our country.\nFinally, as we enter the holiday season, I would like to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving. This is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends and give thanks to God for all He has given us. Let us thank the brave men and women of our Armed Forces as they fight to preserve our freedoms here and abroad. May we always be a grateful nation.\nHappy Thanksgiving!\nVicky", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-highlights-the-need-to-finish-the-floodway", "Congressman Jason Smith Highlights the Need to Finish the Floodway Project", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Jason Smith sent a letter to President Obama condemning new opposition to the St. John\u2019s Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project, and calling for the project\u2019s completion. Congressman Smith wrote to answer letters sent to President Obama Tuesday by environmental groups and \u201clocal leaders\u201d calling for the president and the EPA to exercise an obscure \u201cClean Water Act Veto\u201d to kill the project.\n\u201cIf President Obama vetoes the St. John\u2019s/New Madrid Floodway project it will erase the efforts of generations of Southeast Missourians who have worked to complete this project since Congress authorized it in 1954. This project is vital to protect the lives and property of the people who live and work in my district.\u00a0 It is obvious that people in Illinois have been lied to about this project by outsiders who aren\u2019t from the region and who would like to see all of the flood plain on both sides of the river revert back to bird and fish habitat.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\nThe letter to President Obama said in part:\n\u201cI recently reviewed several letters that were written to you [Tuesday] by \u201clocal leaders\u201d who \u201coppose the New Madrid Levee.\u201d The vast majority of these \u201clocal leaders\u201d do not live in the affected area, or are not from Missouri. The \u201clocal leaders\u201d that are from Missouri all appear to be from the Kansas City Area, and are certainly not from the Southeast Missouri Bootheel.\u201d\nIt went on to say:\n\u201cI ask that you not interfere by derailing this project that has finally begun to show some momentum. Concerns from individuals in Southern Illinois who believe that somehow this project will endanger them with flooding are unfounded and not based in science. The Corps of Engineers has repeatedly determined that this project creates no additional risk of flooding to upstream or downstream communities.\u201d\nThe full text of Congressman Smith\u2019s letter to the president can be found here.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-praises-extension-of-section-179-expensing", "Congressman Jason Smith Praises Extension of Section 179 Expensing", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Jason Smith praised the extension of Section 179 expensing in the tax code which includes valuable savings for individuals and businesses that had expired at the beginning of this year. Now that the president has signed the House bill, these savings will be available when individuals and businesses file their tax returns for 2014.\n\u201cI have been working for six months to extend Section 179 expensing at the full level for another year.\u201d said Congressman Smith. \u201cWhile this legislation only extends Section 179 for the 2014 tax year, I have co-sponsored, and the House has passed, stand-alone legislation to make Section 179 permanent.\u201d\n\u201cOur farmers and businesses rely on Section 179 to deduct the cost of the equipment they use on their farms, and in their business, from their taxes. Without action the Section 179 deduction would have been decreased this year by 95 percent, and businesses and farmers would have had higher tax bills than they expected. I am pleased that the Senate and the president finally saw fit to pass and sign this piece of House legislation to save our farmers and businesses money on their tax bills this year \u2013 money they can reinvest into growing their operations and hiring new people.\u201d\n\u201cWithout further action on valuable tax provisions like Section 179, we will be in the same situation next year, as this legislation only applies for the 2014 tax year. I am hopeful that we will be able to pass a permanent solution next Congress.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/weekly-capitol-report/capitol-report-fighting-for-rural-missouri", "Capitol Report: Fighting for Rural Missouri", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week the House made important progress on an issue I have been fighting since I got to Washington \u2013 protecting our farmers and landowners from intrusive federal regulations.\nSince I have been in office, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers have been scheming to take away our property rights. We know this from their actions. First, they proposed the National Blueway designation for the White River Watershed that would have created \u201cbuffer zones\u201d keeping farmers from using their land. Then they proposed the incredibly damaging \u201cWaters of the United States\u201d rule that threatens to regulate every drop of water on our property. It could also require federal inspectors to approve how farmers and landowners use every collection of water on their property, no matter how small. Now we have their latest action, the dangerous \u201cinterpretive rule\u201d regarding exemptions to Section 404 \u201cdredge and fill permits.\u201d\nSection 404 of the Clean Water Act requires a permit before dredged or fill material may be discharged into waters of the United States, unless the activity is exempt from Section 404 regulation. Traditionally, agricultural activities have been exempt, but on March 25, 2014, the EPA and the Corps of Engineers released an \u201cinterpretive rule\u201d that called into question the current exemption for farm ponds and irrigation ditches. Last week, included in the spending measure Congress passed, there was a directive to the EPA and the Corps requiring them to withdraw the \u201cinterpretive rule.\u201d The old agricultural exemptions to Section 404 permit requirements will, for now, remain in force. Additionally, the bill included a provision preventing the Army Corps or the EPA from releasing a new \u201cinterpretive rule\u201d in 2015.\nWhen I talk to folks throughout the district, I consistently hear how important it is that we continue to fight this. If the agriculture exemption were no longer an option, obtaining the proper permit would be outrageously expensive and time consuming. One study found that obtaining a \u201cnationwide\u201d general permit under Section 404 took, on average, 313 days at a cost of $28,915. Even worse, obtaining an individual permit under Section 404 took, on average, 788 days at a cost of $271,000.\nWe must remain vigilant watching over the EPA and the Corps to ensure that they do not continue to erode property rights through executive rulemakings. We beat them on the Blueways system. We beat them on the \u201cinterpretive rule\u201d that would have opened the door to regulate farm ponds and irrigation ditches. Now we must to continue to beat back the \u201cWaters of the United States\u201d rule that would be so destructive in potentially allowing EPA regulation of every accumulation of water on our land.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=552", "Long Secures Commitment from Forest Service to Hold Open House on Controlled Burn in Barry County", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Billy Long", "L000576", "long.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Rep. Billy Long secured a commitment from the U.S. Forest Service to hold an open house early next year for constituents to address their concerns and comment on the Forest Service\u2019s controlled burn of 17,000 acres in Mark Twain National Forest in Southwest Missouri.  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMany residents in Southwest Missouri were unaware of the Forest Service\u2019s plan for a controlled burn and have expressed concerns with the agency\u2019s proposal.\u00a0 I am glad area residents will have the opportunity to express their concerns to Forest Service officials in January.\u00a0 It is important the Forest Service hear the concerns of area residents and work to address them before moving forward with the controlled burn,\u201d Long said.  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Forest Service is in the process of preparing for a controlled burn in the Butler Hollow portion of the Mark Twain National Forest in Barry County that involves over 17,000 acres.\u00a0 Long secured the commitment from the Forest Service to hold the open house after the agency declined to extend the public comment period for the burn, which ends on December 22nd.\u00a0 Southwest Missourians have expressed concerns about the project.\u00a0 The Forest Service\u2019s open house in January will allow concerned citizens to comment on the project, which will have the same merit as the comments submitted during the public comment period.  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Forest Service will announce the date and time for the open house in early January 2015.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=553", "Long Urges Corps Grant 90 Day Extension for Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation to Comply with Deadline", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Billy Long", "L000576", "long.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Rep. Billy Long today sent a letter to Col. Courtney W. Paul with the U.S. Army Corps (Corps) of Engineers Little Rock District urging a 90 day extension for the Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation (ORHF) to determine repayment of funds.\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs you are well aware, I believe the Corps has dramatically mismanaged its handling of its relationship with the ORHF. This was a mutually beneficial partnership which had a very bright future, that served Table Rock Lake and the surrounding area exceedingly well, and had been approved by the highest levels of the Corps leadership,\u201d Long said in a letter to Col. Paul.\u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Long believes the Corps made the wrong decision when they determined groups who made cooperative management lease agreements could no longer keep the user fees collected to maintain parks.\u00a0 This decision impacts groups like the ORHF who manage areas around Table Rock Lake.\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Long believes the user fees would have been managed with more efficiency and accountability if they remained in the local communities.\u00a0  Text of letter sent to Col. Paul:   Dear Colonel Paul:  This letter comes in regard to the current situation regarding the Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation (ORHF) and the United States Corps of Engineers (Corps).  As you are well aware, I believe the Corps has dramatically mismanaged its handling of its relationship with the ORHF. This was a mutually beneficial partnership which had a very bright future, that served Table Rock Lake and the surrounding area exceedingly well, and had been approved by the highest levels of the Corps leadership. The puzzling and frankly, wrongheaded, decision by unknown parties within the Corps to determine that this previously approved partnership was somehow illegal remains a great frustration to all.   However, setting aside the general lack of merit in shuttering this partnership, it has now come to my attention that the Corps has established a deadline of January 5, 2015 for the ORHF to determine repayment of funds to the Corps. Despite the treatment that the ORHF has received in the past year from the Corps, they remain committed to resolving this matter in a fashion that is acceptable to all involved. This timeframe will be exceedingly difficult to allow for them to give the matter due diligence for multiple reasons, least of which is that many board members are busy with holiday travel and activities.   I understand that the ORHF board has requested an extension of ninety (90) days from the January 5 deadline in order to fully give this issue the attention it deserves. This strikes me as a very simple and fair request, and I cannot stress how strongly I urge the Corps to grant this extension and work in a transparent and equitable manner with the ORHF moving forward.   Thank you very much for your consideration of this request by the ORHF. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398510", "Blaine's Bulletin: The CRomnibus", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As I sat down to write the annual Christmas bulletin, I decided to instead address two topics. While this time of the year is very joyous and festive from coast to coast, I will spend most of this column addressing the spending bill that Congress recently passed. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      As I sat down to write the annual Christmas bulletin, I decided to instead address two topics. While this time of the year is very joyous and festive from coast to coast, I will spend most of this column addressing the spending bill that Congress recently passed. \r\nEach year, it is the job of Congress to fund the government. Earlier this year, the House passed seven appropriations bills, to fund different aspects of the government with bipartisan majorities. By the time the House finished the seventh of these bills, the Senate had not yet taken up a single one, and it became clear that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had no intention of bringing any appropriations bills to the floor prior to the election. So, it came down to the end of the 113th Congress to craft a spending bill to fund the government. As mentioned above, the House tried to pass individual bills through regular order, but in the end, this is the hand we were dealt.\r\nThe bill that has now passed both the House and Senate and\u00a0was recently signed\u00a0by the president\u00a0through September 30, 2015 except for the Department of Homeland Security, which is only funded until late February. This means that the new Republican majority in the Senate will be able to join House Republicans in confronting the president\u2019s executive actions on immigration in early 2015, without the threat of a government shutdown on the table. One of my top priorities heading into the 114th Congress will be working to block the president\u2019s unconstitutional, emperor-like, executive order rampage. \r\nBesides the Department of Homeland Security funding, which will expire in February, the rest of the bill had a number of significant provisions in it, which would not have been possible had Congress just decided to temporarily kick the can down the road once again through a short-term continuing resolution of current funding.\u00a0 The Internal Revenue Service was slashed by $345.6 million below Fiscal Year 2014 and it cut the funding for the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) staff to 1989 levels. Also, there is no new funding for the president\u2019s health-care law. In fact, it cuts $10 million from the Independent Payment Advisory Board. While $10 million is a great first start, next session that is one area that Congress will target to fully defund. The bill also prevents taxpayer bailout of the ACA Risk Corridor Program and maintains all existing pro-life policy and funding provisions. In addition it blocks the UN Arms Trade Treaty and prevents the EPA\u2019s attempt to regulate certain farm ponds and irrigation ditches under Waters of the United States. Another provision that is important for Missourians is it provides funding for national defense, including 15 EA-18G Growler that are built in the state. \r\nThis time of year is a time to reflect but also look ahead to what the new year will bring. In Washington, I hope it brings a more functional Congress. I am ready to get to work on reforming the tax code, a balanced budget amendment, chipping away at the president\u2019s health-care law, and reining in the volatile regulations that are coming out of the administration on a daily basis. \r\nI sincerely hope everyone has a few days to rest and relax with your loved ones and friends. Take a moment and enjoy the traditions or create new ones with your children and family and reenergize and get ready for the new year. Lastly, take a moment and remember the teachings that emphasize love, charity and hope \u2013 and how special it truly is this time of year. \r\nOn behalf of myself, my family, and my staff I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God Bless.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wagner.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cromnibus-isn-t-perfect-but-gains-for-limited-government-are-real", "CRomnibus isnt perfect, but gains for limited government are real", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friends,\n\u00a0\nThis message is long but well worth the read.\n\u00a0\nI\u2019d like to talk directly to you about our vote last week in the United States House of Representatives regarding the government funding bill, the so-called \u201cCRomnibus.\u201d It is important that the people of the 2nd District and Missouri have a full explanation of what is in the bill, the benefits it contains not only for the people of Missouri, but for smaller, more limited government in general and why I voted \u201cyes.\u201d\n\u00a0\nRecognizing that our government spends too much, when Republicans took Control of the House in 2011, they began making significant cuts and reforms to government. And last week\u2019s CRomnibus continued those reforms by cutting spending even further and sending the federal government back to 2009 spending levels. Overall, with this budget, Republicans will have reduced discretionary spending by $176 billion in just four years. \u00a0Additionally, the CRomnibus funds all agencies of the federal government through September 2015, except for the Department of Homeland Security which is tasked with enforcing our immigration laws.\n\u00a0\nThe bill funds Homeland through February 27th, so we can have a specific debate on the President\u2019s executive amnesty. \u00a0The President has not issued an order yet, but he is preparing to act \u2013 and so are we in the United States Congress. We will fight the President on his plan to grant amnesty to millions and we will have a full and thorough debate worthy of an issue of this magnitude. But we must fight when we have the troops to fight. \u00a0In January, Republicans will control the U.S. Senate with 54 votes and the U.S. House with 247 votes. It is foolish to begin this struggle now with limited strength when we know reinforcements are on their way \u2013 so we will fight in January and February and we will hold this President accountable for his executive amnesty threat. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe CRomnibus also contains two major victories against the onerous government agencies that have been wreaking havoc on farmers, small businesses and Americans for several decades: \u00a0the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\u00a0\n\u00a0\nFrom last year\u2019s budget, we cut the EPA\u2019s funding by yet another $60 million. In all, since Republicans took over the House, the EPA\u2019s budget has been slashed by 21% sending that over-reaching agency back to 1989 staffing levels. Additionally, written into the law is a provision that prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from regulating water sources previously covered by the state, such as farm ponds and irrigation ditches. This is a big deal for Missourians in many ways, as they try to open up shopping centers and build new roads across the state. \u00a0I have heard about this particular challenge time and time again from farmers and business owners in and around the 2nd District.\n\u00a0\nThe IRS has been reduced to historic funding lows as well. \u00a0We have now reduced the IRS budget by $345 million, bringing it below 2008 levels. Even better, the bill that the President signed this week will actually place into law a prohibition against actions that his own IRS took when they targeted conservatives groups based on their beliefs. This bill prohibits the IRS from targeting groups for scrutiny based on their political views or targeting citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights. Additionally, it bars the White House from ordering the IRS to determine the tax-exempt status of an organization \u2013 getting rid of any political targeting.\n\u00a0\nThese two gains against the EPA and IRS are historic and by definition reduce government, force it to operate more efficiently and remove politics from these agencies. But there is so much more.\n\u00a0\nThe CRomnibus protects farmers and other commodity producers by amending a provision in Dodd-Frank that required them to put down excessive collateral to get a loan, expand their businesses and hire workers. This is no big-bank bailout as liberals have hailed. This is getting the government off of your back so you can purchase financial products that help your business manage periods of market volatility, which allows you to subsequently produce goods and create jobs.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe CRomnibus is also a major victory for pro-life causes. The bill maintains all current pro-life protections and includes two new major pro-life provisions: \u00a0the bill requires Obamacare plans to tell customers if they provide abortion services; the bill requires the Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights to address complaints of violations of conscience protection. This President is no defender of pro-life causes \u2013 but this President signed this bill into law, strengthening pro-life laws!\n\u00a0\nThe CRomnibus also contains provisions important not only to our local economy, but also to our national security. You have heard me time and time again talk about the E/A-18G Growler aircraft and its important role in the local economy and for national security. I, along with many of my colleagues, fought for 12 Growlers to be included in this budget, but in the end, we received 15 as a result of our hard work and a testament of the need for these fighter jets in our global engagements.\n\u00a0\nThe jobs, long term stability and the investment in the local economy from this aviation defense project cannot be oversold: 13,000 jobs, at least $640 million in annual economic impact to the St. Louis area, support from 91 Missouri suppliers and, now, because there are 15 instead of 12 Growlers, the production line will be up and running through 2018. Like I said, these are major achievements for the area and cannot be discounted. Last week I talked about it online HERE. \u00a0I will continue to work hard in order to make sure our troops abroad have the support of Growlers and F-18 Super Hornets in the sky above them in the future. \u00a0\n\u00a0\nI can go on and on and on about the achievements of this bill, which are many. From prohibiting the Department of Energy from forcing manufacturers to stop producing incandescent light bulbs to eliminating important funding to the Department of Education used to coerce states into adopting Common Core initiatives to prohibiting the transfers of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States, the CRomnibus is not a perfect bill, but it is a good bill and one with many conservative achievements that limit the size of government and limit the intrusiveness of government. \u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe unified Republican Congress that will be sworn in on January 6th will continue to build on the gains from the last several years. The American people are counting on the Republican Congress to hold this President accountable for his unpopular and unconstitutional actions \u2013 and hold him accountable we will. \u00a0\n\u00a0\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\nAnn Wagner\nMember of Congress\n\u00a0\nP.S. Please read this article in US News and World Report this week detailing other important achievements in the CRomnibus by clicking HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-st-joseph-news-press-graves-reflects-tenure-committee-chair", "ICYMI: St. Joseph News-Press: Graves reflects on tenure as committee chair", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 17, 2014\n\nKen Newton\n\nSt. Joseph News-Press\n\nA fundamental problem exists for small businesses trying to abide by federal regulations, Congressman Sam Graves believes.\n\nBecause of their lack of personnel, the companies might not even realize they're out of compliance.\n\n\"They don't have the resources to have a division or department that's devoted to regulatory compliance,\" the North Missouri lawmaker said Tuesday. \"They have to depend on themselves to figure out what has to be done.\"\n\nMr. Graves, a Tarkio Republican, made the remark while discussing his four-year tenure as chairman of the U.S. House Small Business Committee. Because of party rules, he has term-limited out of that leadership position.\n\nBut he looks back on the time as productive in terms of legislation passed and raising the level of awareness in Congress about issues dealing with small businesses.\n\n\"Even where it might not be a primary area of jurisdiction for the Small Business Committee, we pushed other committees of relevance into the argument,\" Mr. Graves told the News-Press in an interview.\n\nRegulation by federal agencies proved a particular area of interest during his chairmanship, and Mr. Graves would describe many of the executive edicts as \"onerous\" and \"over the top.\"\n\nIn January 2013, his committee launched a website called \"Small Biz Reg Watch,\" where business owners could follow changes in federal regulations. This served as a complement to the committee's \"Open Mic,\" through which people could share their experiences in dealing with the federal government.\n\n\"We hear about things that small businesses are facing that either don't make sense or rise to the level of ridiculous,\" the chairman said. \"It's been eye-opening just to see what small businesses are going through, in some cases that we don't even know about.\"\n\nSmall businesses also feel the pinch of uncertain tax policy, Mr. Graves said. He noted that making permanent a reasonable threshold for Section 179 expensing and bonus depreciation provisions would allow companies to expand, improve their equipment and strengthen their inventory.\n\nInstead, small businesses look from year to year without knowing about future levels in these tax areas, he said.\n\n\"With this short-term extension process we continue to go through, it makes it very tough for them to be able to plan,\" the lawmaker said.\n\nMr. Graves said his chairmanship also gave him a fresh perspective on the way legislation gets passed. The Republican worked closely with Democratic Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, his counterpart in the Senate, in guiding the reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research Program.\n\nIn addition, the representative from a largely rural area said he had a good working relationship with the committee's top Democrat, Rep. Nydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez, who represents a district in New York City.\n\n\"Nydia and I couldn't be farther apart in terms of demographics of our districts and, obviously, political philosophies,\" he said, \"but I listened to what she had to say and she listened to me, and we were able to come up with good legislation.\"\n\nMr. Graves, going into his eighth House term, will serve on the House Armed Services Committee during the next session and awaits an official announcement on a chairmanship on a subcommittee on another panel.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=17e65fe6-c819-4f22-9475-355a3c5b524a", "Senate GOP Leaders: Americans Deserve To Know Impact Of King v. Burwell Decision", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), Vice Chairman of the U.S. Senate Republican Conference, joined U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Barrasso (Wyo.) and their fellow Senate Republican leaders, including Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Whip John Cornyn (Texas), and Conference Chairman John Thune (S.D.) in calling on the Obama Administration to inform Americans how an upcoming Supreme Court case of King v. Burwell could potentially affect their out of pocket share of premiums, tax liabilities, and coverage options.  \u00a0  In a letter to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell, the Senators wrote:\u00a0   \u00a0  \u201cObamacare\u2019s tax credits were important for the administration since they obscure the true cost of the law\u2019s many mandates and regulations by passing these expenses to taxpayers. Although the tax credits in federal exchanges may therefore be the Administration\u2019s preferred policy, they are unambiguously inconsistent with the law. Already, two lower courts have concluded that the IRS rule is \u2018not in accordance with the law.\u2019\u2026Without the tax credits, millions of people will be confronted with Obamacare\u2019s true cost and will face much higher premiums. Some could see their coverage cancelled. It is imperative that people understand this risk as they contemplate signing up for coverage.\u201d  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   The Senate leaders specifically requested that Secretaries Lew and Burwell use their departments\u2019 Fiscal Year 2016 budget submission to inform Congress and the American people of how the Administration plans to respond to a possible Supreme Court ruling that finds IRS's tax credit rule is at odds with the law.  \u00a0  The full leadership letter is included below:\r\nDecember 17, 2014  \u00a0  The Honorable Jacob J. Lew  Secretary  Department of Treasury  1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.  Washington, D.C. 20220  \u00a0  The Honorable Sylvia M. Burwell  Secretary   U.S. Department of Health & Human Services  200 Independence Avenue SW  Washington, D.C. 20201  \u00a0  Dear Secretary Lew and Secretary Burwell:  \u00a0  On November 7th, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of King v. Burwell. The issue before the Court is whether the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule extending tax credits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to people purchasing coverage in states that do not establish and operate their own exchange is legal. While PPACA, commonly referred to as Obamacare, instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish exchanges in states that opted not to create their own, the law only allows the tax credits for people purchasing coverage in an \u201cExchange established by the State.\u201d We write to ask about the Administration\u2019s preparations in the event the Court agrees with the plaintiffs that the IRS rule at question is improper and inconsistent with the statute.  \u00a0  Obamacare\u2019s tax credits were important for the administration since they obscure the true cost of the law\u2019s many mandates and regulations by passing these expenses to taxpayers. Although the tax credits in federal exchanges may therefore be the Administration\u2019s preferred policy, they are unambiguously inconsistent with the law. Already, two lower courts have concluded that the IRS rule is \u201cnot in accordance with the law.\u201d Based on a plain reading of the law, IRS\u2019s decision to extend the tax credits to federal exchanges increases taxes and spending by hundreds of billions of dollars beyond what Congress authorized.  \u00a0  The Supreme Court ruling could eliminate the tax credits in states that participate in the federal exchanges. Moreover, the tax credits could end immediately after the ruling. Obamacare would then require many credit recipients to repay some or all of the credit amount already received. Without the tax credits, millions of people will be confronted with Obamacare\u2019s true cost and will face much higher premiums. Some could see their coverage cancelled. It is imperative that people understand this risk as they contemplate signing up for coverage.   \u00a0  On December 9, 2014, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner testified that the administration does not plan to inform federal exchange enrollees that they could face much higher tax bills and higher premiums next year should the Court find that the IRS was improperly providing the tax credits.\u00a0 Without this information, many families could turn down more-secure coverage options (e.g., through a different employer) in favor of less-secure Obamacare coverage. We urge you to reconsider this position and to ensure that these Americans have all available information as they make decisions about health insurance coverage next year.  \u00a0  We also are concerned that the IRS\u2019s interpretation of the law may be inappropriately subjecting individuals and businesses to excessive taxes and mandates. Since the tax credits trigger the tax penalties under the law\u2019s employer mandate and individual mandate, the IRS\u2019s rule extends those penalties to people and employers in states that opted not to create a state exchange. One expert estimated that 57 million people residing in states participating in the federal exchanges would otherwise be exempt from these mandates.   \u00a0  Furthermore, while the Administration has decided not to inform people about the potential ramifications of King, the administration has protected insurers, at their request, from a ruling that strikes down the IRS rule.\u00a0 According to an October report, at the request of insurers, the contracts between CMS and insurers \u201cinclude a new clause assuring issuers that they may pull out of the contracts, subject to state laws, should federal subsidies cease to flow. \u2026 The language in the clause says that CMS acknowledges that the issuer has developed its products for the FFM \u2018based on the assumption that (advanced payment tax credits) and (cost-sharing reduction payments) will be available to qualifying (e)nrollees.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 In the House hearing, Administrator Tavenner testified that CMS negotiated these contracts with insurers over the summer and that every contract has the same clause.\u00a0 It is troubling that the administration decided to protect insurers from a King ruling that restricts the law\u2019s tax credits to state exchanges while at the same time failed to inform people enrolled or considering enrolling in federal exchanges of the potential consequences of such a decision.   \u00a0  Given the enormity of the financial stakes involved, we request that you use your department\u2019s fiscal year (FY) 2016 budget submission to inform Congress of how the Administration plans to respond to a possible ruling in King that recognizes that the IRS\u2019s rule is at odds with the law. We also urge you to inform all current federal exchange enrollees and all visitors to HealthCare.gov about the King suit and how a ruling against the administration could affect them. Finally, please provide information on any actions that the Administration is preparing to ensure that people inappropriately subjected to Obamacare\u2019s individual and employer mandates and associated tax penalties are not punished further.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=18db2774-ee95-4f66-944a-cd1aaffe2e97", "Senator Blunts Statement On President Obamas Cuba Announcement", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following response to President Barack Obama\u2019s announcement today that he plans to change the United States\u2019 policy toward Cuba:\r\n\u201cI oppose this move, and I believe it is a mistake. It\u2019s hard \u2013 if not impossible \u2013 to normalize relations with a Castro-led Cuba. And I don\u2019t see anything in the president\u2019s announcement to persuade me otherwise.\r\n\u201cUnder this administration\u2019s foreign policy agenda, our friends are concerned and our adversaries are encouraged. We\u2019ll see how far the president wants to go with his Cuba proposal, but I have no confidence in this move based on his foreign policy record thus far.\u201d\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=756c10b2-897e-47ff-bc80-432d388ff8ce", "Senator Blunt Joins Cruz, Cornyn On Amicus Brief Against President Obamas Executive Amnesty", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined an amicus brief led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (Texas) and co-signed by U.S. Senator John Cornyn (Texas) in support of a lawsuit brought by the State of Texas against President Barack Obama\u2019s illegal amnesty. The brief is also co-signed by a number of members from the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nLast weekend, Blunt also voted in favor of a constitutional point of order offered by Cruz and U.S. Senator Mike Lee (Utah) against the president\u2019s executive amnesty.\r\n\u201cI agree with the president\u2019s previous 22 comments that he didn\u2019t have the authority to take this action on immigration. I voted with Senator Cruz this weekend to show my disapproval for the president\u2019s executive amnesty, and I am proud to co-sign this amicus brief with Senators Cruz and Cornyn against President Obama's lawless immigration power grab,\u201d said Blunt.\r\n\u201cAs Republicans prepare to take control of the Senate next year, I will continue to fight against this administration\u2019s blatant disregard for the law and the Constitution,\u201d Blunt continued.\r\nIn its lawsuit challenging the president\u2019s executive action, the State of Texas argues that President Obama\u2019s executive amnesty violates federal immigration law and usurps Congress\u2019 constitutional authority to set immigration policy.\r\nThe amicus brief, filed by the American Center for Law and Justice, makes clear that the president\u2019s executive action \u201cchanges the law and sets a new policy, exceeding [the president\u2019s] constitutional authority and disrupting the delicate balance of powers.\u201d\r\nIn addition to Blunt, Cruz, and Cornyn, the brief was signed by U.S. Representatives Diane Black (Tenn.), Dave Brat (Va.), Jeff Duncan (S.C.), John Fleming (La.), Randy Forbes (Va.), Virginia Foxx (N.C.), Trent Franks (Ariz.), Bob Goodlatte (Va.), Trey Gowdy (S.C.), Morgan Griffith (Va.), Vicky Hartzler (Mo.), Tim Huelskamp (Kans.), Mike Kelly (Pa.), David McKinley (W.Va.), Jeff Miller (Fla.), Alan Nunnelee (Miss.), Pete Olson (Texas), Ted Poe (Texas), Bill Posey (Fla.), Tom Price (Ga.), Phil Roe (Tenn.), Adrian Smith (Neb.), Lamar Smith (Texas), and Rob Wittman (Va.).\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-tapped-head-armed-services%E2%80%99-oversight-and-investigations-subcommittee", "Hartzler Tapped to Head Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R \u2013 Mo.) last week was selected to chair the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in the 114th Congress.\u00a0\n\u201cI am extremely humbled to be selected by Chairman Thornberry to lead the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee in the 114th Congress,\u201d Hartzler said.\u00a0 \u201cI look forward to working with Chairman Thornberry as we work to make sure that our armed forces remain the best in the world.\u00a0 I have the privilege of representing the men and women of Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood, and since being elected to Congress, I have made the wise use of taxpayer dollars and a strong national defense my top priorities.\u00a0 I am eager to continue this work by providing key oversight to the Department of Defense and our national security.\u201d\n\u201cVicky has been a proven leader on the Armed Services Committee since she first joined,\u201d Chairman Thornberry added.\u00a0 \u201cHer tireless passion for securing a strong national defense will provide valuable oversight to our armed forces and Department of Defense, shaping a much stronger, more effective force.\u00a0 The coming year will be demanding, but I am confident Vicky\u2019s leadership will be a valuable asset to our leadership team.\u201d\u00a0\nThe Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee conducts studies and investigations across the jurisdiction of the House Armed Services Committee, including inquiries into allegations of waste, fraud, abuse, and wrongdoing and inefficiencies within the Department of Defense. Members and staff conduct comprehensive oversight studies of major programs and issues and produce reports for the Committee and DOD providing recommendations and improvements of these programs.\nCongresswoman Vicky Hartzler, daughter of a U.S. Army Reservist, represents Missouri\u2019s Fourth Congressional District in the House of Representatives.\u00a0 She serves on the House Armed Services, Budget, and Agriculture Committees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398509", "Luetkemeyer Gets One Step Closer to Ensuring Medal of Honor for WWI Veteran", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After passage of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that includes language to ensure Sergeant William Shemin is eligible to receive the Medal of Honor, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer had the following statement:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      After passage of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that includes language to ensure Sergeant William Shemin is eligible to receive the Medal of Honor, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer had the following statement:\r\n\u201cLate last week, the Senate passed the NDAA which included language that specifically states the president may award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant William Shemin for his acts of valor during World War I. For years I have worked to ensure Sergeant Shemin is rightfully awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions fighting for our nation. It is so important that we provide brave Jewish American veterans like Sergeant Shemin the opportunity to receive the recognition they may not have been afforded because of potential discrimination at the time. I want to thank Senator Roy Blunt for including the language in the NDAA and I look forward to receiving notice that the president has signed this bill into law so we can begin the last step. It is my hope that the president swiftly signs this legislation and moves forward with posthumously awarding Sergeant Shemin the Medal of Honor.\u201d\r\nSergeant Shemin passed away in 1973, but his daughter, Elsie Shemin-Roth, a resident of Labadie, Missouri and a constituent of Luetkemeyer\u2019s, has passionately worked on behalf of her father\u2019s military legacy. After meeting with Shemin-Roth, Luetkemeyer secured passage of language in the Fiscal Year 2012 NDAA that provides for reviews of the service records of Jewish World War I veterans who may not have received the awards they deserved for extraordinary acts of military service, due to discrimination at the time. Since then, and the Pentagon has completed a review of Sergeant Shemin\u2019s records connected to Sergeant Shemin\u2019s service, and, most recently, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recommended that the president should posthumously award Sergeant Shemin the Medal of Honor. This year\u2019s NDAA includes a technical correction that will allow the process that was started several years ago by Luetkemeyer to move forward without delay.\u00a0 The president must now decide whether to award Sergeant Shemin the Medal of Honor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=2c82e67e-8987-4d0f-b2fb-f8e70fb20050", "Senator Blunt Highlights St. Louis Arch In Bipartisan Omnibus", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) helped secure report language that was passed by Congress this week to highlight the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mo. The language was included in the omnibus appropriations bill, which was approved by the U.S. Senate this weekend.\r\n\u201cThe Gateway Arch attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each week and helps support businesses and jobs in and around the St. Louis area,\u201d Blunt said. \u201cI\u2019m pleased these important provisions were included in the final bipartisan bill so that we can continue to support the St. Louis Gateway Arch and benefit the economic health of the region.\u201d\r\nThe bill includes two areas of report language relating to the public-private partnership at the St. Louis Gateway Arch. One is specific to the Arch and specifically addresses the CityArchRiver organization. The other encourages public-private partnerships at the U.S. National Park Service (NPS).\r\nThe specific report language includes:\r\n  \u2022\u00a0Jefferson National Expansion Memorial: The CityArchRiver project has raised significant private donations for the Gateway Arch. The Service is expected to exercise the maximum flexibility with respect to the recognition of private donors. The Service is further urged to engage with all stakeholders to reach agreements on donor recognition which will help to facilitate the raising of private funds while protecting the values of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.\r\n  \u2022\u00a0Park Partnerships: The Committees continue to support ongoing public-private partnerships which leverage federal dollars and promote the efficient management of park resources. Such partnerships are fundamental to the long-term fiscal and administrative health of the Service. There is merit in the Service partnering with qualified entities to cooperatively finance and manage improvements to park facilities and programs. Efforts made by the Service thus far to expand partnerships are commendable, but more can be done. The Department and the Service are urged to continue reassessing recent policy interpretations and review procedures to promote the greater use of partnerships that have historically proven beneficial to national parks and partners.\r\nSenator Blunt also encouraged the Committee to highlight the importance of public-private partnerships, which was included in separate report language. To read Blunt\u2019s op-ed from May 2014 on the St. Louis Arch and public-private partnerships, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=84e08ef3-8d0d-464c-8057-0f90355f185d", "Senator Blunt Rejoins Senate Intelligence Committee In 114th Congress", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) announced today that he will rejoin the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in the 114th Congress. The Committee is responsible for overseeing and funding the nation\u2019s intelligence activities. Blunt previously served on the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2011 and 2012. He also previously served as a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nBlunt will depart the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services in January 2015. He will continue to retain his positions on the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations; the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and the U.S. Senate Rules and Administration Committee. Blunt also serves as a member of the defense appropriations subcommittee.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to rejoin the Senate Intelligence Committee at a time when the nation continues to face real threats from enemies who wish us harm,\u201d said Blunt. \u201cI look forward to building on my experience working on these issues in the House and Senate. I also plan to stay fully engaged in the discussion surrounding the relocation of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and working to ensure that facility stays in Missouri.\u201d\r\n\u201cI\u2019ve been honored to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee for the past two years and to work on a number of critical issues facing our servicemembers and their families in Missouri and around the world,\u201d Blunt continued. \u201cThis year, we\u2019ve successfully advanced the discussion surrounding military mental health care, and ensured that military assets like the A-10 and Growlers, which are critical to jobs in Missouri, will continue to receive important federal resources. I intend to stay engaged on all of these issues and others that impact Missourians.\u201d\r\nClick here to read Blunt\u2019s recent statement on critical priorities that were included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015. Click here to read Blunt\u2019s statement on key defense priorities that were included in the passage of the omnibus this weekend.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=a52b3713-6b98-4939-b22d-820d2a7512fb", "Senator Blunt Applauds Key Agriculture Priorities In Passage Of Omnibus", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) applauded the U.S. Senate\u2019s passage of key agriculture priorities that were included in the omnibus this weekend. Blunt, who currently serves as Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, led the efforts to secure several key priorities that were included in the final legislation.\r\n\u201cAgriculture is the number one industry in Missouri and is responsible for roughly 16 percent of our state\u2019s workforce. Nationwide, the agriculture industry supports more than 16 million jobs, and the programs in this bill impact the lives of every person, every day, across America,\u201d said Blunt. \u201cI\u2019m pleased we were able to provide more certainty for our nation\u2019s farmers and ranchers so they can continue working to feed the country and the world.\u201d\r\nAgriculture Highlights In The Bill: \u2022\u00a0Supports Critical Competitive and Formula Agricultural Research Programs: Competitive research funded through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative is increased to $325 million and formula funding for land-grant, historically black, Hispanic, and Native American colleges and universities is maintained at the Fiscal Year 2014 level. In addition, the agriculture division of the omnibus maintains funding for capacity building at non-land-grant colleges of agriculture. Several Missouri institutions directly benefit from agricultural research funding including the University of Missouri, Missouri State University, Lincoln University, Washington University, the University of Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State University, Truman State University, and the Danforth Plant Science Center.\r\n\u2022\u00a0Maintains the Support for Farm Bill Implementation: The legislation fully funds the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at $1.2 billion and rejects the administration\u2019s proposal to close 250 county offices and eliminate 815 county staff positions nationwide. Missouri has over 99,000 farms that rely on the FSA to assist them as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to implement a Farm Bill that advanced the most significant changes to farm programs in a generation. The legislation directs FSA to conduct a comprehensive workload analysis based on new Farm Bill requirements before proposing further restructuring of the agency footprint.\r\n\u2022 Fully Funds Mandatory Inspection Requirements: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is fully funded to meet federal requirements of providing in-plant inspection of all domestic processing and slaughter establishments that prepare meat, poultry, and egg products for sale or distribution into commerce \u2013 a total of approximately 6,427 facilities in all 50 states. There are approximately 148 meat, poultry, and egg processing facilities in Missouri that rely on FSIS inspectors to maintain operations.\r\n\u2022\u00a0Grants Flexibility to Assist Schools Struggling to Meet New School Meals Standards: The legislation allows states to grant targeted exemptions from new, 100 percent whole grain-rich requirements for those schools that are having difficulty procuring products that meet the requirements, either for financial reasons or because of student acceptance. Local schools sought this regulatory relief after experiencing difficulty procuring products that meet the new standards.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=f81e343d-6e06-4877-be6c-5aa4c837878b", "Senator Blunt Praises Key Defense Priorities In Passage Of Omnibus", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) applauded the U.S. Senate\u2019s passage this weekend of key defense priorities, which were included in the bipartisan omnibus agreement that is heading to President Barack Obama\u2019s desk. Blunt, who serves as a member of the defense authorizing and appropriations committees, led several key priorities that were included in the final legislation. \u201cI\u2019m very pleased this bill funds important defense priorities for Missouri jobs, including $337 million to keep the Air Force\u2019s A-10 Warthog flying this fiscal year, and $1.46 billion for 15 additional Growler aircraft, which are built in St. Louis,\u201d said Blunt. \u201cThe legislation also commits important resources for the operations to fight ISIS and ensures our servicemen and women have the resources they need to protect America.\u201d Missouri is home to more than 17,000 active duty servicemen and women, more than 8,000 civilian Department of Defense employees, and more than 20,000 reservists and members of the National Guard. Blunt currently serves as a member of both the defense appropriations and authorizing committees. Additional Highlights:\r\n \r\nArmy Emergency Management Training Center: Directs the Secretary of the Army to report to the congressional defense committees by no later than June 2015, the feasibility of consolidating homeland defense functions across Army installations to better support the consequences management and homeland defense missions and of establishing an Emergency Management Training Center to facilitate comprehensive doctrine, training, and leader development for Installation Emergency Management and Defense Support to Civil Authorities.\r\nC-130 Fielding Plan: Directs the Air Force to develop a modernization, recapitalization and fielding plan for the current C\u2013130 fleet that addresses the most recent Quadrennial Defense Review requirement that the Air Force maintain 300 intra-theater lift aircraft and addresses the recommendations of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force.\r\nMilitary Batteries: States that the committee \u201crecognizes the critical nature of high quality batteries to power military wheeled and tracked vehicles in austere, demanding environments\u2026understands that utilizing batteries based on decades-old design poses potential risks to equipment and personnel, and that the Army has increased use of batteries based on modern designs that deliver improved performance in tactical environments.\u201d\u00a0The report language directs the Secretary of the Army to provide with the fiscal year 2016 budget submission a report detailing safety incidents by different types of battery models used.\r\nFort Leonard Wood General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital (GLWACH) Language in the Milcon/VA Report: Expresses that the Committee \u201cis concerned that the Future Years Defense Program\u2026 proposes indefinite deferral of\u2026 the Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, hospital replacement project\u2026 to fiscal year 2020 or later.\u201d\u00a0The report goes on to emphasize that \u201cthe Surgeon General of the United States Army testified\u2026 that this hospital replacement project is the Army\u2019s top priority for medical military construction projects\u2026 the existing hospital at Fort Leonard Wood last underwent a major renovation nearly 40 years ago\u2026\u201d and that \u201cthe Committee strongly encourages the Department to prioritize and restore medical military construction projects within the FYDP submitted for fiscal year 2016.\u201d\r\nReport Requirement on the Resettlement Plan for Iranian Dissidents: Provision includes a) \u201ca description of measures taken to improve the security and welfare (including quality of life and access to medical care) of residents at Camp Liberty; b) an analysis of attacks against such dissidents since February 2009, including whether any weapons or training provided by the US were used in the attacks, and safeguards to ensure that no such weapons or training are used in the future; and c) options for the resettlement of Iranian dissidents outside Iraq, including in the United States.\u201d\r\n\u00a0Preserves National Guard Apache Helicopter Force Structure: Prohibits the Army from transferring Apache attack helicopters stationed in Missouri (and seven other states) out of the National Guard and into the active component Army during Fiscal Year 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=8726b2b5-e5c0-42cd-8743-52880d11638e", "Congress Passes Senator Blunts Bipartisan Bill To Boost Jobs, Support Travel & Tourism", "2014-12-14", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congress approved legislation last night introduced by U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) to help boost jobs by supporting international tourism to the United States. The \u201cTravel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act\u201d was included in the bipartisan omnibus agreement, which was approved by the U.S. Senate yesterday and is heading to President Barack Obama\u2019s desk. Blunt previously introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The bill reauthorizes Brand USA, a public-private partnership that enhances tourism in Missouri and nationwide. In 2013, Brand USA generated 1.1 million additional international visitors who spent an estimated $3.4 billion,\u00a0strengthening local businesses and stimulating economic growth.\r\n\u00a0\u201cTravel and tourism are important to jobs in Missouri and nationwide, and Brand USA has produced great results attracting more visitors to the United States,\u201d Blunt said. \u201cI introduced this bill several times in the House, and I\u2019m pleased that Senator Klobuchar and I were able to get a five-year extension included in the omnibus so we can continue to promote increased international travel to the U.S. and bring revenue and jobs to communities across the nation.\u201d\u00a0\r\nAdditional Background Information:  In April 2014, Klobuchar and Blunt introduced the bipartisan \u201cTravel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act\u201d to reauthorize Brand USA through 2020. The House companion bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (Fla.) and Peter Welch (Vt.).  Brand USA is funded by international visitors and private contributions \u2013 not U.S. taxpayers. Half of its budget comes from the private sector through cash and in-kind contributions. The rest of the budget \u2013 up to a maximum of $100 million \u2013 is funded by a nominal fee assessed on visa-free international visitors screened by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u2019s (DHS) Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Brand USA can only collect up to $100 million from ESTA fees paid by foreign travelers visiting the U.S., and amounts collected in excess of the cap are returned to the U.S. Treasury to help reduce the deficit. The\u00a0legislation\u00a0has 40 additional co-sponsors in the Senate.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=96451d00-69c5-4cc4-979a-e961e395d06b", "Congress Approves Brown-Blunt Manufacturing Bill In Omnibus", "2014-12-14", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio) applauded the U.S. Senate\u2019s passage last evening of the \u201cRevitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act\u201d (RAMI). The bipartisan legislation was included in the appropriations omnibus bill, which is now headed to President Barack Obama\u2019s desk. \u201cI\u2019m pleased Congress passed this common-sense, bipartisan bill to boost manufacturing and create jobs in Missouri and nationwide,\u201d Blunt said. \u201cSupporting innovation and manufacturing in America will help us continue to compete in a global economy. I look forward to building on this success in the new Congress and working with my colleagues to pass policies that encourage more economic opportunity and jump-start good-paying jobs for workers in Missouri and nationwide.\u201d \u201cMade in the USA is here to stay with this bill. This bill focuses our nation\u2019s strengths toward a common goal: revitalization of American manufacturing and innovation,\u201d Brown said. \u201cWhen American manufacturing moves to other countries, we don\u2019t just lose production \u2013 we lose innovation. A Network for Manufacturing Innovation would foster public-private partnerships that give small businesses, industry leaders, and research institutions the tools they need to compete on a global scale. These regional, industry-led hubs will leverage local expertise and will create thousands of high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs for American workers. We\u2019ve seen it work in Youngstown, now it\u2019s time to advance this effort nationwide.\u201d Blunt and Brown originally introduced a version of the bill in the Senate in August 2013, which passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation by voice vote in April 2014. U.S. Representatives Tom Reed (N.Y.) and Joe Kennedy (Mass.) introduced a companion version of the bill in the House, where it passed in September 2014. The bill would strengthen American innovation and position the United States as the global leader in advanced manufacturing by establishing a Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NMI). For more information on the bill, please click here. According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, nearly 10 percent of Missouri's workforce is currently employed in manufacturing. Aerospace and transportation equipment are the two largest advanced manufacturing sectors in Missouri. Missourians Applaud The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act: \r\n \r\n\u201cWe are grateful to Senator Blunt for his leadership and support of manufacturing in Missouri and across the country. This legislation will help chart a new course to support Made-in-America manufacturing in the technology sector and help prevent losing U.S. manufacturing jobs,\u201d said Dr. Terry Brewer, founder and CEO of Brewer Science headquartered in Rolla, Mo. \r\n\u201cSustained economic security depends on both scientific breakthroughs and the ability to successfully translate those discoveries into real products. This legislation recognizes the critical roles that universities, government, and industry play in the creation of new materials, the development of new processes, and the education of a highly-skilled workforce,\u201d said Mark Wrighton, Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.\r\n\u201cThe Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act will help us to build on the work we are already doing with local universities and community colleges to ensure that we are as competitive internationally and create as many high-paying manufacturing jobs as possible,\u201d said Don Nissanka,\u00a0 CEO of Exergonix, a manufacturer of energy storage systems and a company focused on building the Missouri Innovation Campus in Lee\u2019s Summit, Mo.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThese NMI hubs would allow and encourage collaboration from design to full implementation of innovative ways to manufacture complex products to meet our future needs. Universities like ours across the nation are ready and willing to work in lock-step and with industry to do what will be required for our manufacturing capabilities to continue to be at a world-class level,\u201d said Dr. K. Krishnamurthy, Vice Provost for Research at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo.\u00a0\r\n\u201cManufacturing is the cornerstone of American economy and this legislation is an important step toward its revitalization\u2026. This issue is of particular importance to America\u2019s community colleges as we play a key role in the training of employees for manufacturing and are home to great innovation in collaboration with our local universities, industries, and local, state and federal governments,\u201d said Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor at Ozarks Technical Community College\r\n \r\n\u00a0Background On The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act:\r\n \r\nThis bipartisan bill will leverage federal resources with non-governmental know-how in a broad assortment of manufacturing sectors that Americans and people all over the world will come to rely on in the future.\r\nThe legislation is designed to bring together industry, universities and community colleges, federal agencies and all levels of government to accelerate manufacturing innovation in technologies with commercial applications. It would establish public-private institutes to leverage resources to bridge the gap between basic research and product development.\r\nSenators Blunt and Brown worked together to pass a bipartisan amendment to the FY14 Senate Budget aimed at supporting the creation of a network of manufacturing innovation hubs. The Brown/Blunt FY14 Budget amendment was supported by a number of organizations, including:\r\nNational Association of Manufacturers (NAM)\r\nAssociation for Manufacturing Technologies (AMT)\r\nSEMI North America\r\nUS Conference of Mayors\r\nAssociation of Public and Land Grant Universities\r\nCouncil on Competitiveness\r\nInternational Economic Development Council (IEDC)\r\nAmerican Society for Engineering Education\r\nUnited Auto Workers (UAW)\r\nAssociation of American Universities\r\nSemiconductor Industry Association\r\nAmerican Auto Policy Council\r\n \r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/newsletters/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-december-8-12-2014", "View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of December 8-12, 2014", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Good Day,\nFirst and foremost I want to say it was truly a blessing to meet and thank the families of the 442nd Fighter Wing of Whiteman Air Force Base this past weekend at their Welcome Home Celebration. Over 1,700 airmen and their families came out to celebrate the return of these brave men and women from tours of duty in Afghanistan. I am so proud to represent Whiteman and all of the noble heroes that serve there.\nOn another note, in DC this week, the House approved legislation to fund most federal government operations while protecting American taxpayers from federal overreach.\u00a0 This bill gives the American people access to essential government functions through the end of Fiscal Year 2015 while only funding the Department of Homeland Security through February of next year \u2013 allowing a wholly Republican-controlled Congress to address the president\u2019s executive actions on immigration at the beginning of the next session of Congress.\u00a0 Moreover, this legislation contains substantial spending cuts, translating to\u00a0$165 billion less than when George W. Bush was in office!\nI am pleased that this bill prioritizes many of the important items my colleagues and I have been working on for many months.\u00a0 This package provides for a strong national defense, works to protect Americans from overregulation, and keeps the Executive branch in check.\nSome key highlights impacting Americans and Missourians alike include:\nThis bill\u00a0protects our military and veterans\u00a0by:\n Prioritizing funding for essential readiness programs, ensuring maximum preparedness;\n\tIncluding funding to prevent the retirement of the A-10 and for the production of 15 new EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft made in St. Louis, Missouri; and\n\tProviding\u00a0$2.5 billion for processing VA disability claims\u00a0to end the backlog, and rescinding $41 million in performance bonuses at the VA.\n This bill\u00a0protects our farmers and small businesses from overregulation\u00a0by:\n Cutting EPA funding by $60 million \u2013 this is the fifth consecutive year of cuts, totaling a\u00a021% reduction since FY2010\u00a0\u2013 and prohibiting regulation of farm ponds and irrigation ditches through the Waters of the United States rule;\n\tCutting the IRS funding by $345.6 million, which is\u00a0$1.5 billion below the president\u2019s requested levels, and prohibiting the targeting of groups based on ideology\n\tReducing regulations on commercial trucking, weight limits, driver hours, and hazmat permitting.\n This bill\u00a0protects Missourians from big-government overreach\u00a0by:\n Providing\u00a0no new funding\u00a0for Obamacare and holds the line on those agencies tasked to implement Obamacare;\n\tKeeping\u00a0all\u00a0existing pro-life provisions and introducing three new provisions including requiring Obamacare plans to tell customers if they provide abortion services; and\n\tProhibiting the administration from using funds to limit gun owners\u2019 Second Amendment rights, providing\u00a0no money\u00a0for the UN arms trade treaty, and prohibiting the EPA from regulating the lead content in hunting and fishing tackle.\n As I mentioned earlier, this bill also allows the Congress to address the controversial immigration issue by funding the Department of Homeland Security only through the end of February.\u00a0 President Obama\u2019s executive order on immigration clearly violated the separation of powers by bypassing Congress.\u00a0This must be stopped.\u00a0 The new Congress that will be sworn-in next month will be in a position to enact strong border enforcement measures and to direct funding for immigration as it sees fit, ensuring the will of the people is respected.\u00a0 I look forward to that opportunity.\nFor the section-by-section summary of the funding bill, visit the Appropriations Committee website\u00a0here.\nFinally, Congress moved toward improving the lives of children with disabilities by approving the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. Individuals with disabilities face severe financial struggles, yet they do not have access to the same financial planning tools available to other Americans.\u00a0 This legislation aims to lift this burden by allowing for the creation of tax-free savings accounts for children and family members with disabilities \u2013 empowering them to save for qualified expenses, such as college, health care, and housing.\u00a0 For millions of Americans growing up with disabilities, this will open the door to opportunities that may not have been viable otherwise.\u00a0 The ABLE Act is a real, common sense solution that will provide the opportunity for a better life for millions of Americans.\nHave a great week.\nVicky", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-and-house-approve-measure-fund-national-security-protect-taxpayers-and-rein-0", "Hartzler and House approve measure to fund national security, protect taxpayers, and rein in bureaucratic overreach", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) and the House have approved legislation Thursday to fund most federal government operations while protecting American taxpayers from federal overreach. This bill gives the American people access to essential government functions through the end of Fiscal Year 2015 while only funding the Department of Homeland Security through February of next year \u2013 allowing a wholly Republican-controlled Congress to address the president\u2019s executive actions on immigration at the beginning of the next session of Congress.\n\u201cI am pleased that this bill prioritizes many of the important items my colleagues and I have been working on for many months,\u201d Hartzler said. \u201cThis package provides for a strong national defense, works to protect Americans from overregulation, and keeps the Executive branch in check.\u201d\n\u201cThis bill also allows the new Congress address the controversial immigration issue,\u201d Hartzler continued.\u00a0 \u201cPresident Obama\u2019s executive order on immigration clearly violated the separation of powers by bypassing Congress. This must be stopped.\u00a0 The new Congress that will be sworn-in next month will be in a position enact strong border enforcement measures and to direct funding for immigration as it sees fit, ensuring the will of the people is respected.\u00a0 I look forward to that opportunity.\u201d\nSome key highlights impacting Americans and Missourians alike include:\nThis bill protects our military and veterans by:\n Prioritizing funding for essential readiness programs, ensuring maximum preparedness;\n\tIncluding funding to prevent the retirement of the A-10 and for 15 new EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft made in St. Louis, Missouri; and\n\tProviding $2.5 billion for processing VA disability claims to end the backlog, and rescinding $41 million in performance bonuses at the VA.\n This bill protects our farmers and small businesses from overregulation by:\n Cutting EPA funding by $60 million \u2013 this is the fifth consecutive year of cuts, totaling a 21% reduction since FY2010 \u2013 and prohibiting regulation of farm ponds and irrigation ditches through the Waters of the United States rule;\n\tCutting the IRS funding by $345.6 million, which is $1.5 billion below the president\u2019s requested levels, and prohibiting the targeting of groups based on ideology\n\tReducing regulations on commercial trucking, weight limits, driver hours, and hazmat permitting.\n This bill protects Missourians from big-government overreach by:\n Providing no new funding for Obamacare and holds the line on those agencies tasked to implement Obamacare;\n\tKeeping all existing pro-life provisions and introducing three new provisions including requiring Obamacare plans to tell customers if they provide abortion services; and\n\tProhibiting the administration from using funds to limit gun owners\u2019 Second Amendment rights, providing no money for the UN arms trade treaty, and prohibiting the EPA from regulating the lead content in hunting and fishing tackle.\n Having been approved by the House, the funding bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration. For the full text of the funding bill, click here.\nCongresswoman Hartzler represents Missouri\u2019s Fourth Congressional District in the House of Representatives.\u00a0 She serves on the House Armed Services, Agriculture, and Budget Committees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=0eaa482d-e503-44e9-a9d8-833f84ae326a", "Senator Blunt Applauds Inclusion Of Key Provisions For Missouri In Passage Of NDAA", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), who serves as a member of the defense authorizing and appropriations committees, applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015. The bill, which will now head to the president\u2019s desk for signature, originally passed out of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee mark-up in May 2014. Blunt introduced and co-sponsored several amendments and key provisions that were included in the final legislation passed by the U.S. Senate today.\r\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s servicemen and women and their families make tremendous sacrifices every day to protect our freedoms. The passage of this bill is important to ensure they have the resources they need and the care they deserve,\u201d said Blunt. \u201cI\u2019m very pleased that several provisions that are important for Missouri were included in the final bipartisan bill.\u201d\r\nMissouri is home to more than 17,000 active duty servicemen and women, more than 8,000 civilian Department of Defense employees, and more than 20,000 reservists and members of the National Guard. Blunt also included several important amendments in last year\u2019s legislation.\r\nBlunt introduced and co-sponsored a number of amendments and key provisions included in the final FY15 NDAA bill, including:\r\n \r\nGrowler Aircraft: The bill authorizes an additional $450 million for Growler aircraft. It also includes an effort led by Blunt to allow the U.S. Navy to work with Boeing to extend F-18 deliveries through 2017. In July 2014, the Senate defense appropriations bill included $1.3 billion for 12 additional Growler aircraft. The omnibus appropriations bill for FY15 includes $1.46 billion for 15 additional aircraft, meeting some of the Navy\u2019s demand for additional aircraft. Approximately 15,000 people work at the plant that manufactures Growler and Super Hornet aircraft in St. Louis, Mo.\r\nMilitary Mental Health: As part of Blunt\u2019s continued efforts to improve access to quality behavioral health treatment for all Americans, the bill includes a provision he originally introduced in committee mark-up directing the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide its plan to implement recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) regarding the mental health treatment of service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.\r\nCaring for America\u2019s Heroes: The bill includes language from Blunt\u2019s amendment, which was originally introduced in committee mark-up, and mirrors language from the bipartisan \u201cCaring for America\u2019s Heroes Act\u201d to bring mental health treatment in line with the way physical injuries are treated under TRICARE.\r\nBehavioral Health Report Under TRICARE: Blunt advocated for a provision requiring the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report to the defense committees on the impact of behavioral health in the military.\r\nAir Force C-130 Aircraft Fielding Plan: The bill includes a provision submitted by Blunt and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (Mo.) as an amendment during committee mark-up that directs the U.S. Air Force to provide its full fielding plan for the C-130J aircraft. In March 2014, Blunt and McCaskill visited Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Mo., which is home of the 139th Airlift Wing. Blunt led a letter with McCaskill and 17 other Senators encouraging Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (Mich.) and Ranking Member Jim Inhofe (Okla.) to address the C-130 issue during the committee\u2019s mark-up of the NDAA.\r\nWorld War I History Museum Designation: The amendment introduced by Blunt and McCaskill officially designates the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City at America\u2019s National World War I Museum as the \u201cWorld War I Museum and Memorial.\u201d In April 2014, Blunt joined McCaskill and U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (Mo.) to introduce it as a stand-alone bill.\r\nMilitary Voting Amendment: Blunt and U.S. Senator Angus King (Maine) offered an amendment during the committee mark-up that requires DoD to designate offices on military installations for the purpose of providing voter (and absentee voter) assistance services.\r\nMedal of Honor for WWI Veteran William Shemin: The bill includes a provision that Blunt championed to award posthumously the Medal of Honor to Sergeant William Shemin for his actions in combat against an armed enemy near Bazoches, France in 1918. Shemin was originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer (Mo.) championed the provision in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nRare Earth and U.S. Military Capability: Blunt\u2019s amendment, originally offered during the committee mark-up, directs GAO to complete a report no later than one year after enactment regarding rare earth materials extracted, processed, and refined from secure sources of supply used to develop and produce advanced technologies in support of DoD requirements.\r\n \r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=551", "Long Supports Spending Bill Cutting and Restricting EPA and IRS Activities", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Billy Long", "L000576", "long.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Billy Long issued the following statement after voting yes on the cromnibus spending bill, which reins in the EPA, IRS and funds the Department of Homeland Security through February 2015:   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI support the effort to rein in the EPA and the IRS.\u00a0 \u00a0The regulations coming out of the EPA are a threat to jobs and a growing economy.\u00a0 This budget agreement cuts $60 million from the EPA, which translates into a 21 percent reduction since Fiscal Year 2010.\u00a0 This agreement also prohibits this job killing agency from regulating farm ponds and irrigation ditches.\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe Obama administration was caught trying to use the IRS to silence its opponents.\u00a0 This budget agreement cuts this agency by $345.6 million, which is below Fiscal Year 2008 funding levels.\u00a0 The IRS is prohibited by this agreement from targeting organizations based on their beliefs or for exercising their First Amendment rights.  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe House will finally have a partner next year in the Senate.\u00a0 I look forward to both chambers taking action to rein in this overreaching executive\u2019s actions on immigration.\u00a0 The president needs to enforce the laws on the books as he is required to by the Constitution.\u201d  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wagner.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/house-passes-spending-bill-with-growler-funding", "House Passes Spending Bill with Growler Funding", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today Congresswoman Ann Wagner released the following video statement on the passage of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, which included funding for 15 EA-18 G Growlers\u20143 more than officials had previously anticipated:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=0094f5ed-6265-48cb-a18d-5bec7d8cb4f7", "Senator Blunt Applauds Passage Of Bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Including Missouri River Study", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), who serves as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, applauded the inclusion of a Missouri River Study in the bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2015 and 2016. The bill passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate this week. Blunt worked to get the \u201cReport Reconciling Maintenance and Operational Priorities on the Missouri River\u201d included in the bill.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe Missouri River is an essential asset to our state\u2019s economy and competitiveness, as well as our nation\u2019s security,\u201d Blunt said. \u201cI\u2019m pleased this important Missouri River Study was included in the bill, and I look forward to the report addressing several critical issues. Specifically, I hope to learn more about the consistent failure of the Coast Guard to accurately find and mark a safe channel with buoys and to properly schedule maintenance for cutter boats in accordance with the Missouri River navigation season.\u201d  Language in the bill states that no later than one year after the law is enacted, the Coast Guard Commandant will provide a report outlining a course of action to reconcile general maintenance priorities for cutters with operational priorities on the Missouri River. The report will be submitted to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/sam-graves-statement-passage-government-funding-bill", "Sam Graves Statement on Passage of Government Funding Bill", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Congressman Sam Graves made the following statement after voting to fund the government through fiscal year 2015.\n\n\"By passing today's spending measure, we have averted a government shutdown, while also allowing for action to be taken to address the President's executive amnesty early next year when we will finally have a working partner in the U.S. Senate,\" said Rep. Graves. \"This legislation contains many positive provisions for the people of North Missouri, such as reining in the EPA's ability to infringe on private property rights of farmers and ranchers, prioritizing the Army Corps of Engineers funding for navigation and flood control, and increasing pay for our military service members,\" he continued.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, provides $1.013 trillion for the federal government. This is consistent with the Ryan-Murray Agreement's caps of $521 billion for defense and $492 billion for non-defense spending. H.R. 83 fully funds 11 of the 12 regular Appropriations bills through September 30, 2015, and funds the Department of Homeland Security under a Continuing Resolution (CR) until February 27, 2015.\n\nHighlights:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-votes-to-improve-veterans-affairs-treatment-of", "Congressman Jason Smith Votes to Improve Veterans Affairs Treatment of PTSD", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, the House passed a bipartisan bill to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs response and treatment to wounded warriors with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.\nH.R. 5059, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, will help prevent veteran suicides which occur at twice the rate of the civilian population. It provides more access to mental health care for veterans and improves recruitment of mental health professionals to cut wait times.\n\u201cThe men and women of our military have enough to worry about when they are deployed, they should never have to worry about their health care when they return,\u201d said Congressman Jason Smith. \u201cThese men and women have often served multiple tours of duty spending years away from home. This legislation is one building block to help our returning veterans get the care they deserve.\u201d\nThe bill is named in honor of Marine Cpl. Clay Hunt, a Purple Heart recipient who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cpl. Hunt was diagnosed with PTSD and worked to increase awareness about depression. Tragically, Cpl. Hunt took his own life in 2011 at just 28 years old after delays in receiving mental health care through the VA.\nThis bill is part of an ongoing effort to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs and improve the care our veterans receive.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398507", "Luetkemeyer Urges FDIC Chairman to Act Swiftly in Investigating Involvement in Operation Choke", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) today sent a letter to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Martin Gruenberg to follow-up on yesterday\u2019s meeting regarding the agency\u2019s involvement in Operation Choke Point. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) today sent a letter to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Martin Gruenberg to follow-up on yesterday\u2019s meeting regarding the agency\u2019s involvement in Operation Choke Point. \r\nThe letter from Luetkemeyer reiterates the importance of the FDIC conducting a full review of senior staff members who have, with the Chairman\u2019s approval, clearly committed wrongdoing.\r\n\u201cThere is neither doubt nor denial that numerous members of your senior staff have allowed personal and political views to interfere with the important work of the FDIC,\u201d Luetkemeyer stated in the letter. \u201cTheir actions have not only called into question their ability to appropriately carry out their duties, but also have exposed your entire agency to what many of your staff would refer to as significant \u2018reputational risk.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nIn addition, Luetkemeyer urges Chairman Gruenberg to use his authority to alter and improve the FDIC\u2019s examination process in an effort to create more transparency and reign in these \u201cvigilante activists\u201d FDIC examiners and senior staff. Luetkemeyer\u2019s latest legislation targeted at Operation Choke Point, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act, includes language that would dictate that federal banking regulators cannot suggest, request or order a financial institution to terminate a banking relationship unless the regulator has material reason. Moreover, the legislation states clearly that \u2018reputational risk\u2019 alone is not reason to order account terminations. \r\n\u201cI appreciate Chairman Gruenberg\u2019s willingness to meet and it is my sincere hope he acts swiftly to bring punitive measures against FDIC staff members that have violated public trust,\u201d Luetkemeyer said. \u201cI will continue to hold the FDIC accountable for its actions and wrongdoing, which is why I requested a meeting with Chairman Gruenberg and Vice Chairman Tom Hoenig during the second week of January so they can report back to me and I can hear firsthand the progress made in bringing Operation Choke Point to an end once and for all. If the FDIC has not made substantial headway on these efforts, I will pursue new legislation to ensure this behavior does not happen again.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=bd567fb7-c572-43eb-a639-251afbfa6fe5", "Senator Blunt Criticizes Costly Federal Regulations, Discusses Real Impact For Missourians", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) spoke on the U.S. Senate floor today about several of the Obama Administration\u2019s costly regulations that hurt Missouri families, farmers, and businesses. Blunt highlighted his support for U.S. Senator Rand Paul\u2019s (Ky.) bill, the \u201cREINS Act,\u201d which would require Congress to approve every new major rule proposed by the executive branch that has an annual economic impact of $100 million or more. Blunt also discussed his introduction of the \u201cENFORCE the Law Act,\u201d which would help ensure the president upholds his constitutional obligation to \u201ctake care that the laws be faithfully executed.\u201d\r\nClick here to watch Senator Blunt's remarks.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/sam-graves-statement-being-appointed-serve-house-armed-services-committee", "Sam Graves Statement on Being Appointed to Serve on the House Armed Services Committee", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Congressman Sam Graves made the following statement after being appointed to serve on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC).\n\n\"It is an honor to have the support of my colleagues in being appointed to the House Armed Services Committee. Missouri has a substantial military footprint including Whiteman's Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood Army Base. Additionally, I have the honor of representing the Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph, as well as the largest provider of small-arms ammunition to our Armed Forces, ATK Manufacturing.\"\n\n\"I look forward to joining my colleagues on the committee as we work to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, address the impact of the President's sequester on our military, and advance needed reforms in the coming year. My commitment to the people of north Missouri is to continue to advocate on behalf of our nation's military and the well-being of those who so bravely serve.\"\n\nABOUT HASC\n\nThe House Committee on Armed Services is responsible for overseeing the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, defense policy generally, as well as military resources, and military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/bates-county-staff-listening-post-3", "Bates County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for December 16th, 2014 in Butler, Missouri.\nEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Zack Brown will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.\nAll citizens are invited to attend.\nWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post\nWhere: Bates County Courthouse, 1 North Delaware, Butler, MO 64730\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 (First Floor Hallway)\nWhen: December 16th, 2014 \u2013 9:00 am CT \u2013 10:00 am CT\nFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Harrisonville office at (816) 884-3411.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/henry-county-staff-listening-posts-1", "Henry County Staff Listening Posts", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for December 16th, 2014 in Clinton, Missouri.\nEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Zack Brown will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.\nAll citizens are invited to attend.\nWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post\nWhere: Henry County Courthouse, 100 West Franklin, Clinton, MO 64735\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 (First Floor Hallway)\nWhen: December 16th, 2014 \u2013 1:30 pm CT \u2013 2:30 pm CT\nFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Harrisonville office at (816) 884-3411.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/vernon-county-staff-listening-post-3", "Vernon County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4thCongressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for December 16th, 2014 in Nevada, Missouri.\n\t\t\t\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4thDistrict is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Zack Brown will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tAll citizens are invited to attend.\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tWhat:Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post\n\t\t\t\tWhere:Vernon County Courthouse, 100 W. Cherry Street, Nevada, MO 64772\n\t\t\t\tWhen:December 16th, 2014 \u2013 11:00 am CT \u2013 12:00 pm CT\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Harrisonville office at (816) 884-3411.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398505", "Luetkemeyer Meets with FDIC Chairman to Demand Explanation on Operation Choke Point", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) today met with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Martin Gruenberg about the agency\u2019s involvement in Operation Choke Point. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) today met with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Martin Gruenberg about the agency\u2019s involvement in Operation Choke Point. \r\nYesterday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released a report regarding the FDIC\u2019s involvement in Operation Choke Point. Included in the report are more than 7,500 pages of information, including internal memorandum and emails. The information in the report indicates that FDIC staff blatantly targeted specific industries despite FDIC officials reporting to Congress that industries have not been and would not be targeted. \r\n\u201cAfter reviewing the FDIC report from the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I can confirm that our worst fears have been validated,\u201d Luetkemeyer said. \u201cThe report clearly shows that senior members of the FDIC lied to me, to Congressional staff, to other Members of Congress, and in testimony to several House Committees. Not only that, the communications contained in the report show that the FDIC is inserting personal views into banking supervision, which is unethical and completely unacceptable. I have urged Chairman Gruenberg to take prompt action, including but not limited to a thorough review of each FDIC staff member implicated in the report. Throughout my more than 35 years in the banking industry, I have always had the utmost respect for the FDIC and the manner in which it carries out its mission. That respect has been greatly diminished. Congress and the American people have lost faith in the FDIC and will not tolerate this behavior. It is time for Chairman Gruenberg to take action and report back the findings to Congress in order to restore the integrity of the FDIC.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398506", "Luetkemeyer Supports Legislation to Remove Federal  Red Tape and Allow the Closure of St. Clair Airport", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After years of  local officials seeking permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to close St. Clair Regional Airport, today U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) and the House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow the city to close the airport once all obligations to federal taxpayers have been repaid. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      After years of \u00a0local officials seeking permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to close St. Clair Regional Airport, today U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) and the House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow the city to close the airport once all obligations to federal taxpayers have been repaid. \r\n\u201cIt may come as a surprise to many Missourians, but a municipality such as St. Clair cannot close an airport which it owns and operates without permission from the federal government. A few years ago local officials of St. Clair asked members of the Missouri delegation for help to facilitate authorization to close the airport. I am pleased that the House and Senate have now both passed legislation introduced by Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt to allow the city to pursue its own efforts to improve the local economy once federal taxpayers are made whole,\u201d Luetkemeyer said. \u201cSt. Clair has been financially burdened with maintaining and operating this struggling airport year after year and closing it will allow the city to move forward with economic development plans supported by the local community. This legislation ensures the city will pay back any taxpayer dollars that were put into the airport and will transfer any salvageable airport and aviation equipment back to the state.\u201d\r\nLast week, the Senate passed S.2759 which would release the city of St. Clair from all restrictions, conditions, and limitations on the use of conveyance and closure of the regional airport. It would allow St. Clair to close the airport once they pay back any previously received FAA funds and transfer all salvageable equipment to the Missouri Department of Transportation for the improvement of Missouri aviation. Moreover, the city of St. Clair is very supportive of this effort, including the mayor, city council, school board, and local chamber of commerce. In addition, the Missouri Department of Transportation has indicated closure of the airport will not have an adverse impact on aviation in the state.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wagner.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/wagner-responds-to-the-senate-intelligence-committee-report", "Wagner Responds to the Senate Intelligence Committee Report", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Ann Wagner issued the following statement after the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released the \"Committee Study of the Central Intelligence Agency's Detention and Interrogation Program:\" \u201cAs a former United States Ambassador, the safety and security of Americans, especially those that are overseas, should always be our top priority.\u00a0 The Senate Intelligence Committee's decision to release this report to the public threatens the lives of diplomats, military personnel and all Americans around the globe, and irreparably damages our relationships with our allies.\u00a0\u00a0 While these enhanced interrogation techniques should be seriously examined by lawmakers and officials with top security clearances, the mass publication of this highly partisan and subjective report will only foment more instability around the globe and put our national security at risk.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=52449075-001e-40a0-910c-5fc7852a27a6", "Senator Blunt Discusses Senate Democrats Intelligence Report", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 During the Senate Republican Leadership Stakeout today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) discussed his opposition to the publication of the Senate Democrats\u2019 intelligence report.\r\nBlunt, who served as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence when the report was written, stated that no Republican members on the committee were consulted.\r\nClick here to watch Senator Blunt's remarks.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398504", "Luetkemeyer Introduces the \"Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act\"", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Luetkemeyer Introduces the \"Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act\" \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 8, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        Continuing his efforts to shine light on regulations from the executive branch, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) introduced legislation that would require agencies to create a plain language summary of proposed rules to provide more transparency and clarity.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Continuing his efforts to shine light on regulations from the executive branch, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) introduced legislation that would require agencies to create a plain language summary of proposed rules to provide more transparency and clarity.\r\n\u201cGovernment agencies have a habit of creating long-winded and convoluted rules that, frankly, don\u2019t make sense unless you are an expert in that field. My legislation would simply require agencies to create a short, plain language summary and a web link to make it accessible so that all Americans can easily find and understand the rules being proposed by the administration,\u201d Luetkemeyer said.\r\nThe legislation, the \u201cProviding Accountability through Transparency Act,\u201d would require each government agency, in providing notice of a rule making, to include a link to a 100 word plain language summary of the proposed rule. \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/weekly-capitol-report/capitol-report-ending-washington-s-spending-addiction-0", "Capitol Report: Ending Washingtons Spending Addiction", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In case you missed it, last week our national debt surpassed $18 trillion. When I am home in Missouri, I constantly hear from parents and grandparents who are worried that their children and grandchildren will not be able to live the American dream because our national debt will cripple our economy for generations. This new record debt should be a wakeup call \u2013 now\u00a0is the time to reduce the size and scope of the federal government and end Washington\u2019s spending addiction.\nAfter years of spending money that we do not have, our nation\u2019s economy is stagnant. If nothing is done, our nation\u2019s debt crisis threatens the future prosperity of every American. In the six years President Obama has been in office, the debt has increased by more than $7 trillion, or about 70 percent.\u00a0If you stacked every dollar bill of the national debt, the stack of bills would be more than one million miles high. At over $18 trillion, each American\u2019s share of the national debt is more than $56,000.\nOur tax dollars have been wasted on numerous programs studying the effects of Swedish massages for rabbits, determining if spouses feel \u201changry\u201d (anger stemming from hunger), or if moms love their dogs as much as they love their kids. The Pentagon spent $1 billion to destroy $16 billion in unused ammunition. Three billion went to test how golf clubs and tadpole shrimp adapt on the International Space Station. These are just a few examples of the rampant widespread waste, to say nothing of the fraud and abuse in entitlement programs.\nThis wasteful spending has bad economic consequences \u2013 higher cost of living, higher interest rates for farm loans and small business investments, and higher taxes for everyone. Washington has spent a lot of money on government bureaucracy in an attempt to create jobs. It didn\u2019t work. In fact, the government spending spree led by President Obama has resulted in the longest unemployment crisis since the Great Depression and the slowest recovery in a generation. I am committed to job growth and that starts with an end to deficit spending and a plan to pay down the national debt.\nOur economy\u2019s road to recovery will not be paved with massive national debt and more deficit spending. We will enjoy prosperity by permanently and responsibly reining in federal spending and paying down our national debt.\u00a0Our Missouri Constitution has a balanced budget amendment that guarantees fiscal responsibility. The first bill I filed as a member of Congress was a federal balanced budget amendment, because if Washington was more like Missouri we would be a lot better off.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=548", "Long Criticizes Corps Move Impacting Table Rock Lake Property Owners", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Billy Long", "L000576", "long.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Little Rock District recently announced they are instituting a new moratorium to determine a baseline number of permits and docks for a shoreline management plan they are doing on Table Rock Lake.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This moratorium comes just one year after the Corps\u2019 previous year long moratorium imposed on property owners and is expected to last at least two more years. As Yogi Berra would say, \u201cIt\u2019s like deja vu all over again.\u201d\u00a0 Yesterday evening U.S. Rep. Billy Long talked with Col. Courtney W. Paul of the Corps to discuss this issue.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhile I appreciate Col. Paul listening to the concerns of myself and many of my constituents who have reached out to me, I am not convinced this course of action is necessary or prudent at this time.\u00a0 There is no need for the Corps to take this drastic action that will negatively impact property owners and the local economy around Table Rock Lake on the heels of a recession and a recent one year moratorium.\u00a0 However, Col. Paul gave me his word that no existing Redline Zoning, dock permissible areas, would be taken away from land owners, and the Corps will not revisit a possible vegetation buffer zone that was floated during the last moratorium.\u00a0 Both of these decisions should come as a relief to landowners.\u00a0 Following the call I look forward to the Corps working in good faith to educate the public on what this plan will entail.\u00a0 The Corps needs to avail itself of all avenues available to effectively communicate with property owners what to expect going forward with the moratorium,\u201d Long said.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=6f355dc9-76e1-462d-9928-bfc2141379f2", "Senator Blunts Effort To Establish WWI Veterans Coin Passes Senate, Heads To Presidents Desk", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the \u201cWorld War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act\u201d yesterday, and the bill will now head to the president\u2019s desk to be signed into law. The Blunt-led effort would establish a World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin and recognize 2018 as the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the armistice with Germany, which effectively brought an end to WWI. Blunt and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (Mo.) introduced an original version of bill in the Senate earlier this year.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis important bill gives us an opportunity to honor and remember more than four million American veterans who served our country during World War I,\u201d Blunt said. \u201cI thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their unanimous support in passing this bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to the president signing this bill into law so we can encourage future generations to recognize the selfless sacrifice of these brave American heroes nearly 100 years ago.\u201d  U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (Mo.) and Doug Lamborn (Colo.) introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives where it passed earlier this week.  Missouri is home to the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, which is the only museum in the country solely dedicated to telling the story of World War I and the global events that took place between 1914 and 1918.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-lauds-passage-national-defense-funding-bill", "Hartzler lauds passage of National Defense funding Bill", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman\u00a0Vicky\u00a0Hartzler (MO-4)\u00a0released the following statement regarding passage of the Carl Levin and Howard P. \"Buck\" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA):\n\u201cI am pleased that Congress came together in a bicameral, bipartisan effort to pass this critical bill for the 53rd consecutive year.\u00a0 This legislation gives our brave troops the resources needed to combat the national security threats we face as a nation,\" Hartzler said. \"This bill works to provide the necessary tools to our troops even though we face a scarcity of funds under sequestration.\u201d\n\u201cI am happy that we were able to keep the Apaches with the National Guard and secure additional funding for the E/A-18 \u201cGrowlers\u201d,\u201d Hartzler continued.\u00a0\u201cI am particularly pleased that the A-10 will be spared from retirement.\u00a0 The men and women defending our national security deserve the nation\u2019s best close air support aircraft, and the A-10 is simply unmatched in that category.\u201d\nA House Armed Services Committee fact sheet on the NDAA can be found here.\nCongresswoman Hartzler serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she sits on the Readiness and Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittees. She also serves on the Agriculture and Budget Committees. She represents Missouri\u2019s Fourth Congressional District, which is home to Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-votes-to-fight-president-s-power-grab", "Congressman Jason Smith Votes to Fight Presidents Power Grab", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Jason Smith voted in favor of H.R. 5759, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act of 2014, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 219-197-3. The bill blocks the president from using executive orders to postpone deportation of illegal aliens. Congressman Jason Smith took to the House floor earlier today to speak about the president\u2019s executive overreach.\nThe video of the congressman\u2019s remarks is attached and may also be viewed on his YouTube Channel here.\nTranscript:\n\u201cOn March 28, 2011, President Obama said he would not use an executive order for amnesty explaining that \u2013 and again I quote \u2013 \u201ctemporary protective status, historically, has been used for special circumstances.\u201d Those are his words. More than 20 times, the president said executive action on immigration would not be appropriate. Nothing has changed in our Constitution, but now the administration is now singing a different tune.\n\u201cMr. Speaker, I\u2019m from the Show-Me State. I would love for any of my colleagues in this body to show me in this document, the Constitution of the United States, where it grants the president the authority to change the laws.\n\u201cArticle I of the Constitution says Congress will change the laws, not the president. The president will execute the laws \u2013 faithfully execute the laws. Mr. Speaker, I proudly support this legislation and I ask my colleagues to do so, to stop this action.\n\u201cI yield back.\u201d\nCongressman Smith also said, \u201cPresident Obama said last week that he acted to \u201cchange the law\u201d on immigration, granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens. The president should not change the law. In fact, Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution requires the president to \u201ctake care that the laws be faithfully executed.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=547", "Long Works to Preserve Congress' Legislative Powers, Ensuring No Executive Amnesty", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Billy Long", "L000576", "long.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Billy Long issued the following statement after the House passed the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act (H.R. 5759) in response to President Obama\u2019s decision to take unilateral action on immigration:  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe American people want their government to work together, but President Obama has shown by his recent unilateral action on immigration he did not get the message.\u00a0 The president cannot simply create a law.\u00a0 If the president truly believes a change in existing law or a new law is needed, he is required by the Constitution to work with both Houses of Congress.\u00a0 He does not have the authority to take this action on his own, and that why I support this legislation.\u00a0 For all those who want to see the Constitution respected and adhered to, that is what this legislation does. It preserves the legislative powers of Congress and is the first step in the House\u2019s efforts to rein in the president and his reckless unilateral action.\u00a0 I am looking forward to 2015 when the House will have a partner in the Senate and more action can be taken to rein in this over-reaching executive. \u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Long is an original cosponsor of the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act.\u00a0 This legislation states that the Executive Branch does not have the authority to exempt categories of persons unlawfully present in the U.S. from deportation laws. It also makes clear that any executive action seeking to exempt these categories of persons is a violation of the law and thus has no legal effect. This is a permanent solution to the president\u2019s unilateral action on immigration.\u00a0 Congress is preserving Article I legislative powers with this legislation.\u00a0 The effective date of this legislation is November 20, 2014, the day President Obama announced his unilateral action on immigration.\u00a0  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398503", "Blaine's Bulletin: Costly Regulations from the EPA Hurting Our Nation's Small Businesses, Farmers, and Ranchers", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "While you were with your family and loved ones on Thanksgiving Eve getting ready to enjoy some turkey, the Obama Administration was busy preparing an extra helping of regulations, 3,415 to be exact. With the release of its annual regulation road map the administration has made clear that it plans on continuing its burdensome regulatory agenda in 2015 and beyond. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      While you were with your family and loved ones on Thanksgiving Eve getting ready to enjoy some turkey, the Obama Administration was busy preparing an extra helping of regulations, 3,415 to be exact. With the release of its annual regulation road map the administration has made clear that it plans on continuing its burdensome regulatory agenda in 2015 and beyond. \r\nOne proposed regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone per the requirements of the Clean Air Act. Essentially, the EPA could lower the level from 75 parts per billion (ppb) in the atmosphere to 60 ppb. \r\nLet me explain this further. Currently, the EPA\u2019s requirement for ozone was issued in 2008 and is only now being implemented and it continues to drive billions of dollars in new environmental compliance costs. Not only are billions of dollars being spent, the proposed regulation cost is even more frightening. By the EPA\u2019s own analysis this regulation could end up costing more than a trillion dollars over the next ten years and has the potential to lead to nearly 2.9 million fewer jobs. A study done by the National Association of Manufacturers found that these job losses could be more than 40,000 in Missouri alone.\r\nTo combat this regulation, I am a cosponsor of the Clean Air and Strong Economies Act which would force the EPA to consider economic impacts and the feasibility of its regulations. It would not allow the EPA to update the current requirement until at least 85 percent of counties in the country have come into compliance with the existing rule. In addition, it would require the EPA to issue a cost-benefit analysis without cherry picking data by using \u201cco-benefits.\u201d \r\nAnother regulation that has received a lot of attention is the \u201cWaters of the U.S.\u201d proposal. The EPA has said the final rule definition will be released in 2015, even though a large, bipartisan group of members in Congress have opposed this proposed rule. I have been out front of this issue and I have consistently said this proposed rule is a federal grab of our nation\u2019s waters. I am a proud cosponsor of legislation to combat \u201cWaters of the U.S\u201d and earlier this year, the House voted and passed a measure to rescind the rule.\u00a0 \r\nAnother frustrating fact is these two proposed regulations, and the hundreds of proposed regulations, will not have any significant impact in improving our nation\u2019s environment. It is simply hurting our nation\u2019s small businesses, farmers, ranchers and individuals by forcing them to comply with more rules. \r\nSince I\u2019ve been in Congress, I have been committed to combatting the burdensome regulations and this latest batch has proved to be even more worrisome. I have heard from far too many of you about the numerous regulatory burdens from the EPA that threaten jobs and increase energy prices and I will continue to support legislation to reverse those troubling trends.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=36271586-57bd-4c37-94bf-91a245191d51", "Blunt, Boxer Praise House Passage Of Senates U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Barbara Boxer (Calif.) praised the U.S. House of Representatives\u2019 passage last night of the \u201cUnited States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014,\u201d bipartisan legislation they introduced in July 2014 to help strengthen economic and security cooperation between the two countries. The Boxer-Blunt bill was co-sponsored by a total of 81 Senators, and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. Blunt spoke on the U.S. Senate floor in July in support of the bill.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis bipartisan bill demonstrates Congress\u2019s commitment to supporting our nation\u2019s longstanding ally, Israel,\u201d Blunt said. \u201cI thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support in passing this important legislation, and I look forward to the president signing it into law.\u201d \u201cI am proud that the House and Senate spoke with one voice to pass this bill that reaffirms and strengthens the relationship between the United States and Israel,\u201d Boxer said. \u201cI look forward to the President signing this critical legislation.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe legislation reaffirms the United States\u2019 unwavering commitment to Israel\u2019s security and the strong, historic U.S.-Israel relationship. It supports efforts to deepen U.S.-Israeli cooperation on defense, and reaffirms that the U.S. will continue to provide robust security assistance to Israel, including for the Iron Dome Missile Defense System.\u00a0 The bill also reiterates U.S. support for a negotiated political settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians that results in two states living side-by-side in peace and security.\u00a0\r\nSpecifically, the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014:\u00a0\r\n \r\nExpresses the sense of Congress that Israel is a major strategic partner of the United States.\r\nAuthorizes an increase of $200 million in the value of U.S. weapons held in Israel, to a total of $1.8 billion. This stockpile is intended for use by U.S. forces in the event of a crisis, but it can also be used by Israel in the event of an emergency with Israel reimbursing the U.S. for any weapons used.\r\nRequires the Administration to take steps toward allowing Israel to be included in the top-tier category for license-free exports of certain U.S. technologies and products.\r\nAuthorizes the President to carry out cooperation between the U.S. and Israel on a range of policy areas including energy, water, homeland security, and alternative fuel technologies. And it requires the President to study the feasibility of expanding U.S.-Israel cooperation on cyber security.\r\nStates that it shall be the policy of the United States to include Israel in the list of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program when Israel satisfies, and as long as Israel continues to satisfy, the requirements for inclusion in the program.\r\nRequires the Administration to provide more frequent and more detailed assessments on the status of Israel\u2019s qualitative military edge over its neighbors.\r\nStrengthens collaboration between the U.S. and Israel on energy development and encourages increased cooperation between the two countries\u2019 academic, business and governmental sectors.\r\n \r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/sam-graves-statement-house-action-stop-presidents-executive-order-immigration", "Sam Graves Statement On House Action To Stop The President's Executive Order On Immigration", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Congressman Sam Graves made the following statement after voting for H.R. 5759, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act. This legislation upholds that, except within strict constitutional limits, the President does not have the authority to exempt or defer removal of persons unlawfully present in the United States.\n\n\"The President's recent actions regarding immigration amount to nothing more than amnesty by executive order,\" said Rep. Graves. \"Amnesty rewards those who have cheated the system and punishes those who played by the rules and went through the legal immigration process,\" he continued. \"The President does not have this authority under our constitution and this legislation makes that clear.\"\n\n\"I stand firm in my opposition to this amnesty order and call on the Senate to pass this bill to protect our constitutional separation of powers.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/audrain-county-staff-listening-post-2", "Audrain County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for Audrain County in Mexico.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Mexico-Audrain County Library District, 305 West Jackson Street, Mexico, MO 65265  \n\tWhen: Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 3:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/camden-county-staff-listening-post-6", "Camden County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Camden County Library in Stoutland.  \n\tEach listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Cole Karr will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Staff Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Camden County Library-Stoutland Branch, 132 Starling Ave., Stoutland, MO 65567  \n\tWhen: Tuesday, Decmeber 16 \u2013 4-5 p.m.  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s office at (417) 532-5582.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/cedar-county-staff-listening-post-9", "Cedar County staff listening post", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Cedar County Courthouse in the County Commission Chamber.  \n\tEach listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Cole Karr will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Cedar County Staff Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Cedar County Courthouse, 113 South St., Stockton, MO 65785  \n\tWhen: Thursday, December 18, 2014 \u2013 12-1 p.m.  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s office at (417) 532-5582.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/columbia-open-house-3", "Columbia Open House", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Open House has been scheduled for Boone County in Columbia.  \n\tEach Open House is hosted by members of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff members will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Open House  \n\tWhere: Columbia District Office, 2415 Carter Ln., Ste. 4, Columbia, MO 65201  \n\tWhen: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 5:00 pm \u2013 6:00 pm  \n\tFor further information, contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/cooper-county-staff-listening-post-4", "Cooper County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for Cooper County in Boonville.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Boonslick Regional Library (Boonville Branch), 618 Main Street, Boonville, MO 65233  \n\tWhen: Monday, December 8, 2014 from 3:30 pm \u2013 4:30 pm  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/dallas-county-staff-listening-post-9", "Dallas County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 from 3 - 4 p.m. in the O\u2019Bannon Bank south location community room in Buffalo. Constituents planning to attend the meeting will need to use the door on the building\u2019s south side.  \n\tEach listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Cole Karr will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Dallas County Staff Listening Post  \n\tWhere: O\u2019Bannon Bank-South Location, 1347 S. Ash St., Buffalo, MO 65622  \n\tWhen: Thursday, December 18, 2014 \u2013 3-4 p.m.  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s office at (417) 532-5582.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/pettis-county-staff-listening-post-4", "Pettis County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for Pettis County in Sedalia.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Sedalia Office \u2013 2nd Floor of the Pettis County Courthouse, 415 S. Ohio St., Sedalia, MO 65301  \n\tWhen: Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 9:30 am \u2013 10:30 am  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/randolph-county-staff-listening-post-4", "Randolph County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for Randolph County in Moberly.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Little Dixie Regional Library (Moberly Branch), 111 N. 4th Street, Moberly, MO 65270  \n\tWhen: Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 12:30 pm \u2013 1:30 pm  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=546", "Long to Serve on Three Leading Energy and Commerce Subcommittees in Next Congress", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Billy Long", "L000576", "long.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Billy Long announced today that House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton has named him to three leading subcommittees for the 114th Congress that begins January 2015.  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the 114th Congress, Long will serve on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, the Energy and Power Subcommittee, and the Health Subcommittee.\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe Energy and Commerce Committee will look to build on the committee\u2019s record of success in the 114th Congress, and I am ready to help accomplish this goal with my new subcommittee assignments.\u00a0 The Communications and Technology, Energy and Power, and Health Subcommittees cover a large majority of the full committee\u2019s policy jurisdiction, and I look forward to having a hand in crafting major legislation beginning at the ground floor.\u00a0 It is important that we are looking at new technologies and advancements available in the telecommunications, energy and health care arenas and how they can help spur economic growth and job creation,\u201d Long said.\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The House Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over our nation\u2019s telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health research, environmental quality, energy policy, and interstate and foreign commerce.\u00a0 The committee is responsible for reviewing the programs of the Departments of Energy, Health and Human Services, Commerce, and Transportation; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Federal Trade Commission; the Food and Drug Administration; and the Federal Communications Commission.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398502", "Luetkemeyer Statement on Extension of Iran Nuclear Talks", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Luetkemeyer Statement on Extension of Iran Nuclear Talks \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 3, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) after the administration extended the timeline of nuclear talks with Iran:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) after the administration extended the timeline of nuclear talks with Iran:\r\n\u201cAfter a year of negotiations, it is unacceptable that the Obama Administration has yet again extended the talks while the Iranian government continues to receive billions of dollars in economic sanctions relief. Simply put, we need an agreement that ends Iran\u2019s ability to advance its nuclear weapons capabilities. Until the administration is able to reach an agreement, greater pressure must be put on Iran. It is more important than ever that Congress works together with the administration to show strong American leadership and advance sanctions that leave Iran with no choice but to disassemble its nuclear program.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-hartzlers-statement-extension-nuclear-negotiations-iran", "Congresswoman Hartzler's statement on the extension of nuclear negotiations with Iran", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has released the following statement on the extension of nuclear negotiations with Iran: \u201cI am disappointed and extremely concerned with the extension of negotiations over Iran\u2019s nuclear program and the continued relaxing of economic sanctions against Tehran. Every day that we ease sanctions or fail to apply new ones is another day Iran races toward a nuclear weapons capability. Sanctions brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place, and these sanctions must be strengthened to convince the Iranians to stop their treacherous quest for nuclear weapons. I believe Congress must put renewed pressure on Iran. The Senate needs to pass S. 1881 \u2013 the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act before going home. We cannot allow Iran to hold the world hostage with nuclear weapons. Now is the time to act.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-statement-on-the-proposed-epa-greenhouse-gas", "Congressman Jason Smith Statement on the Proposed EPA Greenhouse Gas Rule", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013After submitting comments yesterday to the Environmental Protection Agency challenging a proposed rule to limit greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants, Congressman Jason Smith (R-Salem, MO) issued the following statement:\n\u201cThis rule could mean crippling price increases for electricity and a destabilization of our nation\u2019s power grid,\u201d said Congressman Smith.\u00a0 \u201cMore than being just another ill-conceived regulation that industry leaders oppose, this is an unprecedented expansion of the EPA\u2019s rulemaking authority, and I am adamantly opposed to it.\u201d\nCongressman Smith continued, \u201cThe House has passed bills to nullify, delay, defund, and cancel these regulations. Only Congress should make these significant policy changes, and this is another example of the Obama administration\u2019s ongoing executive overreach.\u201d\nMissouri\u2019s 8th Congressional District receives over 84 percent of its electricity from coal-fired power plants. A recent study by Energy Ventures Analysis found \u201cthe typical household\u2019s annual electricity and natural gas bills would increase by $680, or 35 percent, from 2012 compared to 2020, escalating each year thereafter as EPA regulations grow more stringent.\u201d\nThe congressman\u2019s entire letter to the EPA can be found on his website here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398501", "House Passes Luetkemeyers Legislation to Help Fuel Investment in Americas Small Businesses", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House of Representatives unanimously passed U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer\u2019s (MO-03) legislation that would reduce duplicative regulatory burdens for advisers of Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs).\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      The House of Representatives unanimously passed U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer\u2019s (MO-03) legislation that would reduce duplicative regulatory burdens for advisers of Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs).\r\nH.R. 4200, the SBIC Advisers Relief Act, accomplishes several things: it allows SBIC advisers that jointly advise SBICs and venture funds to be exempt from registration; it excludes SBIC assets from the SEC registration threshold calculation; and it allows SBIC funds with less than $90 million in assets under management to be regulated solely by the U.S. Small Business Administration, as they are today.\r\n\u201cI am very pleased the House of Representatives recognized the importance of this legislation and of greater investment in our nation\u2019s small businesses,\u201d Luetkemeyer said. \u201cH.R. 4200 will reduce regulatory burdens for the advisers to investment funds that make long-term investments in U.S. small businesses. Several unintended consequences have hampered those advisers since the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act, and this common-sense legislation would relieve those burdens. Most importantly, this legislation includes sensible provisions that prevent redundant regulatory mandates and allow for greater investment in America\u2019s small businesses. It is my hope the Senate will hotline my legislation and the president will sign H.R. 4200 into law before the end of the year.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wagner.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/wagner-calls-for-tougher-sanctions-against-iran", "Wagner Calls for Tougher Sanctions Against Iran", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today Congresswoman Ann Wagner delivered the following speech criticizing the Obama Administration\u2019s recent decision to extend negotiations with Iran over their nuclear program.\u00a0 Congresswoman Wagner called on the Senate to take up the H.R. 850 - the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, passed by the House of Representatives in June 2013.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=496bf5e4-0548-4f15-82f7-a7fbe9e2a1fc", "Senator Blunt Urges EPA To Withdraw Proposed Rule That Would Raise Energy Costs For Vulnerable Missourians & Reduce Missouris Competitiveness", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) filed comments last evening regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)\u2019s proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP) for existing power plants. In his comments, Blunt urges the EPA to withdraw the CPP, an unprecedented, sweeping action to regulate the entire U.S. electric power sector under Section 111 (d) of the Clean Air Act.  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  \u201cMissouri electric service providers have warned that the CPP would increase energy costs for Missourians and reduce our state\u2019s economic competitiveness,\u201d Blunt wrote.  \u201cThe most vulnerable families and individuals among us are hit the hardest by bad energy policies resulting in high utility bills, because these are the consumers who already spend a significant amount of their disposable income on energy,\u201d Blunt continued. \u201cI ask that you withdraw the Clean Power Plan and conduct a full analysis of the effects of new power plant regulations on all ratepayers, especially lower-income communities, before moving forward.\u201d Last Monday, Blunt met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Chemistry, Oil, Refining, and Manufacturing Associations to discuss the impact of EPA regulations on workers, manufacturers, and businesses in Missouri and nationwide. In January 2014, Blunt led a bipartisan group of 21 U.S. Senators in sending a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to stop punishing the most vulnerable American families with higher utility bills.  Missouri Impact: Missourians have historically relied on coal to power over 80 percent of our electricity and, as a result, enjoyed below average electricity rates in 2012. A recent study by Energy Venture Analysis on the effects of the CPP, combined with several recent EPA power plant regulations, found that Missourians\u2019 annual electric and gas utility bills would cost around $1,000 more in 2020 as compared to 2012 \u2013 almost a 50 percent increase.  A recent analysis from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) found that, in 2013, more than 50 percent of families in Missouri earned on average $50,000 or less. According to U.S. Census Bureau Data used in the ACCCE analysis, these families devoted an average of 20 percent of their disposable income to energy costs in 2013. Missouri is home to 13 rural counties with persistent poverty, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Each county happens to be served by a rural electric cooperative. Rural electric cooperatives serve 93 percent of the nation\u2019s persistent poverty counties and are almost 80 percent dependent on coal-fired power. Therefore, ratepayers living in rural poverty are among the most vulnerable to these EPA regulations.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=54491295-1cc8-46bb-a446-657e34e33dbf", "Senator Blunt Slams Impact Of President's Costly Regulations On Missouri Families, Job Creators", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 During the Senate Republican Leadership Stakeout today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) discussed the impact of the Obama Administration\u2019s excessive regulations that will disproportionately hurt the poorest families and young people in Missouri.\r\nBlunt also called on the administration to conduct a full analysis of the impact that the Obama Administration\u2019s proposed regulations will have on families and job creators.\r\nClick here to watch Senator Blunt's remarks.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=e70e19fe-32ed-46f4-85d3-cd657dc7c9c6", "House Passes Version Of Senator Blunts Bill To Establish Coin Honoring WWI Veterans", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to establish a World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin and recognize 2018 as the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the armistice with Germany, which effectively brought an end to WWI. U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (Mo.) and Doug Lamborn (Colo.) introduced the bill in the House. Blunt and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (Mo.) introduced similar legislation in the U.S. Senate earlier this year.  \u00a0  \u201cI\u2019m pleased the House passed this important bill, which gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to the more than four million World War I American veterans for the tremendous sacrifices they made to serve our country and defend the freedoms we enjoy today,\u201d said Blunt. \u201cIt is my hope that this bipartisan legislation will move forward in the Senate so that we can encourage future generations to recognize the selfless contribution of these brave American heroes and the impact this unprecedented war had on the history of our nation.\u201d  Missouri is home to the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Mo., which is the only museum in the country solely dedicated to telling the story of World War I and the global events that took place between 1914 and 1918.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/boone-county-staff-listening-post-0", "Boone County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for Boone County in Ashland.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Southern Boone County Public Library, 109 N. Main St., Ashland, Missouri 65010  \n\tWhen: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 2:00 pm \u2013 3:00 pm  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/dixon-staff-listening-post", "Dixon Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District staff listening post has been scheduled for Monday afternoon, December 8, 2014 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Dixon MidAmerica Banking and Trust community room.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Cole Karr will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Dixon Community Staff Listening Post  \n\tWhere: MidAmerica Banking and Trust community room, 216 W. Second St., Dixon, MO 65459  \n\tWhen: Monday, December 8, 2014 \u2013 2-3 p.m.  \n\tFor more information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s office at (417) 532-5582.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/howard-county-staff-listening-post-4", "Howard County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for Howard County in Fayette.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Howard County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Fayette, MO 65248  \n\tWhen: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 from 9:00 am \u2013 10:00 am  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/moniteau-county-listening-post-1", "Moniteau County Listening Post", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for Moniteau County in California.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Woodplace Library, 501 S. Oak Street, California, MO 65018  \n\tWhen: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 12:00 pm \u2013 1:00 pm  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/morgan-county-staff-listening-post-5", "Morgan County Staff Listening Post", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for Morgan County in Versailles.  \n\tEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.  \n\tAll citizens are invited to attend.  \n\tWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post  \n\tWhere: Morgan County Courthouse, 100 East Newton Street, Versailles, MO 65084  \n\tWhen: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 9:00 am \u2013 10:00 am  \n\tFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Columbia office at (573) 442-9311.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-kicks-off-canned-food-drive", "Congressman Jason Smith Kicks Off Canned Food Drive", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington \u2013 Today, Congressman Jason Smith kicks off a holiday canned food drive to benefit local charities. Each district office is collecting non-perishable food items for those in need from December 1st through December 18th.\n\u201cThe folks of this district embody the best of America when it comes to helping each other through tough times,\u201d said Congressman Jason Smith. \u201cAs we thank God for our blessings and spend time with friends and family this Christmas season, let\u2019s also set aside time to help our neighbors.\u201d\nThe Cape Girardeau office (2502 Tanner Drive, Suite 205, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703) will be collecting canned goods Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m.\nThe Farmington office (22 East Columbia Street, Farmington, MO 63640) will be collecting canned goods Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m.\nThe Rolla office (830A S. Bishop, Rolla, MO 65401) will be collecting canned goods Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m.\nThe West Plains office (35 Court Square, Suite 300, West Plains, MO 65775) will be collecting canned goods Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-new-proposed-epa-rule-is-war-on-rural-america", "Congressman Jason Smith: New Proposed EPA Rule is War On Rural America", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013Today, Congressman Jason Smith (R-Salem, MO) was appalled by the president\u2019s new\u00a0draft EPA rule\u00a0which would tighten National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone from the current 75 parts per billion to between 65 and 70 parts per billion and threaten jobs. The EPA is even taking comments on possibly reducing the level to 60 parts per billion. This is yet another EPA overreach that is being undertaken despite congressional opposition.\n\u201cThis catastrophic EPA regulation is another example of the war on rural America, threatening good-paying manufacturing jobs in my district and across the country.\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Smith. \u201cThree years ago the president delayed changing ozone regulations because it would hurt businesses, but now that the president doesn\u2019t have another election, he doesn\u2019t seem to care how businesses or rural America will fare.\u201d\nThree years ago President Obama delayed a change in the regulation citing \u2018the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty,\u2019 and when the EPA considered tightening the same air standards in 2010, the estimated costs in Missouri were $1.9 billion per year.\n\u201cEverywhere I travel in the district I continue to hear about how the EPA is harming individuals and getting in the way of economic growth and job creation,\u201d continued Congressman Smith. \u201cThe Center for Regulatory Solutions is calling this the most expensive regulation in U.S. history \u2013 when combined with the coal power plant rules and the \u201cWaters of the United States\u201d rule, the burdens placed on our businesses are going to shut folks down. Regulating business out of existence is not the way to turn this economy around.\u201d\nCongressman Smith has long been vocal about how detrimental this would be to the area, hosting round tables and community meetings throughout the district with co-ops, municipal utility boards, civic leaders, business owners, and manufacturers. They\u2019ve said in no uncertain terms that this rule will force them to lay off employees.\nThe Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, which runs air quality monitoring stations in Bonne Terre and Farrar, Missouri, has said the area would not be able to meet those levels. According to recent studies, all 30 counties in our 8th Congressional District are likely to be out of compliance with a 60 parts per billion restriction. This includes the national forest land and national parks.\nIn Missouri, over 80% of the state\u2019s electricity is created by coal-fired power plants making electricity much more affordable, and reliable. This is the primary reason Missouri is a leading manufacturing state. Rules like the EPA's proposed changes to NAAQS have the potential to take away Missouri's manufacturing advantages, and cost our state, and our district, jobs.\nGround-Level Ozone Background: Ground-level ozone is formed from the combustion of fuel from cars, power plants and other industrial plants. It can also be formed from non-manmade sources like plants, forest fires and ozone from the stratosphere migration to ground level. Ground-level ozone naturally increases in the summer.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/weekly-capitol-report/capitol-report-obamacare-one-year-later", "Capitol Report: Obamacare One Year Later", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Open enrollment under Obamacare has begun again and even more folks are being forced to participate in the exchanges. We are hearing that more businesses are being forced to lay off employees, individuals are being dropped from their policies and we don\u2019t even know what the true extent of this round\u2019s damage under Obamacare will be.\nSome companies with 100 employees or more after January 1, 2015 will be determined \u201cnoncompliant\u201d under the Obamacare mandate and forced to pay steep fines or lay off employees. For example, a business in Bonne Terre can either lay off 100 of their 180 employees or pay and estimated $700,000 in fines to comply with Obamacare. One option puts 100 people out of a job and the other puts the company $350,000 in the red. Realistically, unless they want the company to go under, they have only one choice, cut employees. They don\u2019t truly have a choice and now 100 people are without jobs. This is what Obamacare is doing. It is unfair, it is wrong, and it is killing our small businesses.\nAs if that is not bad enough, the American people are equally hurt by the individual mandate. A constituent recently wrote to me sharing that he was dropped from his current plan and his new choice is twice as expensive. He wrote, \u201cI just received my personal introduction to Obamacare. It came in the form of my health insurance cancellation effective December 31, 2014. My wife and I are not wealthy. We both work 50+ hours per week. A doubling of health insurance premium and nearly four thousand (or more) additional funds that must be set aside for the deductible mean sacrifices in other places.\u201d This is becoming all too common under Obamacare and it is something that cannot continue.\nThese horror stories we continue to hear apparently do not phase the Obama administration. They knew these were the consequences all along and they purposely hid them from the American people to get the law passed. The recent discovery of Jonathan Gruber\u2019s comments from 2012 concerning the lack of transparency behind the bill reaffirms this. Gruber, the architect behind Obamacare, said himself, \u201clack of transparency is a huge political advantage. And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical to get the thing to pass. Look, I wish \u2026 we could make it all transparent, but I\u2019d rather have this law than not.\u201d How much clearer can it get? The Obama administration wanted to get this law passed and willingly deceived the American people to do so. As your Congressman, I absolutely will not stand for this. \u00a0\nIn an economic climate that is already hard on everyone, this law is making it even worse. Last week, the House of Representatives filed a lawsuit challenging the Obama Administration\u2019s unlawful and unfair implementation of Obamacare. We are going to continue fighting to repeal this law and send it to the president\u2019s desk. It does not appear that the president will be the most willing to work with Congress to fix this mess, but something must be done. We will see this lawsuit through and work tirelessly to fix the major portions of the law that are hurting our citizens. I am committed to standing with my colleagues and standing for my constituents to repeal this law.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=8d563f1f-0953-4dae-ada6-e20a39be281e", "Senator Blunt Discusses Efforts To Rebuild Ferguson With Faith Leaders, Law Enforcement, Other Local Officials", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CLAYTON, MO. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) visited with faith leaders, law enforcement officials, and other local leaders on Sunday, November 30, 2014, and Monday, December 1, 2014, to discuss recent unrest in Ferguson, Mo. and the efforts underway to help the community rebuild.  On Sunday, Blunt attended St. John\u2019s United Church of Christ in St. Louis, Mo., where he met with Reverend Starsky Wilson and spoke with other congregation members. Blunt also toured Ferguson with St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar and Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, and he met with local law enforcement officials and National Guard members. On Monday, Blunt met with the co-chairs of the Ferguson Commission, Rich McClure and Reverend Wilson. Also in attendance for the discussion were Missouri House of Representatives Majority Leader and Speaker-Designee, John Diehl, and Executive Director of Civic Progress St. Louis, Tom Irwin. \u201cI\u2019m confident that the commitment of the co-chairs of the Ferguson Commission \u2013 along with the work of other local leaders and the Missouri General Assembly \u2013 will have a very positive impact as this community works to move forward,\u201d said Blunt.  \u201cI was glad to hear from a number of area residents, as well as law enforcement and National Guard members who are working to protect local homes and businesses. I continue to believe that we all share the goal of peacefully healing and rebuilding the community after months of unrest,\u201d Blunt concluded.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=9f9c9c5c-b7b0-4c3c-ad76-13c94cc36adc", "Missouri Senators Call For USPS To Delay Consolidation Of Mail Processing Facilities", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.) joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues today to demand a delay in the planned consolidation of up to 82 U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail processing facilities, including two in Missouri.  The letter was sent after the USPS Inspector General found the Postal Service failed to fulfill its obligations to adequately study the impact of the consolidations and failed to inform the public of those impacts. To read a copy of the Senators\u2019 letter, please click here. \u201cWe strongly urge the USPS to delay implementation of any mail processing consolidations until feasibility studies are completed and there has been adequate time for public comment and consideration of those comments,\u201d the Senators wrote.  \u201cThere is no reason that the USPS cannot delay its consolidations to provide time for the public to see and comment on the service standard worksheets,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cIt is only fair to allow the process to unfold in this way, and the USPS gains little by deciding to continue the consolidation process on its current, arbitrary timeline.\u201d\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398500", "Blaine's Bulletin: Over 2,260 Days and Counting...", "2014-11-28", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Over 2,260 days and counting \u2013 that is how many days have passed since backers of the Keystone XL pipeline first submitted the application to the U.S. State Department to build this project. The question remains how much longer will President Obama make America wait for jobs and energy security? \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Over 2,260 days and counting \u2013 that is how many days have passed since backers of the Keystone XL pipeline first submitted the application to the U.S. State Department to build this project. The question remains how much longer will President Obama make America wait for jobs and energy security? \r\nThe application was submitted in 2008 but in 2012, the president rejected the projected and stated that his judgment was not \u201con the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project.\u201d When the president made those remarks, the State Department had already spent over three years reviewing the project which is more than enough time to make a decision on a shovel ready project that would increase U.S. jobs, energy, and revenue.\r\nIn January, 2014, the State Department issued its Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the permit application which confirmed the project is safe and will have limited environmental impacts. In fact, the study found that the pipeline would be safer than shipping the oil on trucks or by rail. \r\nAs a response to that report and in an effort to continue to put pressure on the Senate and the president, the House of Representatives took action and sent another signal to stop stalling and approve the measure. \r\nConstruction of the Keystone XL pipeline is a move in the direction to make oil production less burdensome in the U.S since it will also accept oil from South Dakota and Montana. America would also benefit from encouraging more oil imports from stable allies such as Canada, and with Canada being the sixth largest producer of crude oil and sand, they are certainly a valued trade partner. \r\nAnd the end result will be the creation of thousands of jobs and the reduction of our dependence on foreign oil, thereby helping to jump start our economy and stabilizing what you will pay for gas at the pumps.\r\nI have heard from many of you in the 3rd District and a strong majority of Americans all support the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. It is my hope that in the 114th Congress, the administration and Congress can come together to approve this bipartisan measure.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=26f96a6f-5c1b-4a4a-ba06-8f2a2b1e149e", "Senator Blunt: Missouri Families, Workers Cant Afford Obama Administrations Most Expensive Regulation Ever", "2014-11-26", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today regarding the Obama Administration\u2019s newly-announced ozone rule: \u201cAs Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with their friends and families, the Obama Administration has taken the opportunity to roll-out what some experts estimate could be the most expensive regulation ever. \u201cAlmost 9 million people are still looking for good-paying jobs nationwide. The last thing workers and families in Missouri need is yet another burdensome regulation that will further stifle jobs and economic opportunity. I look forward to participating in a thorough review of this costly rule in the new Republican-led Congress.\u201d\u00a0\r\nBackground Information:   Blunt is a co-sponsor of U.S. Senator John Thune\u2019s (S.D.) bipartisan, bicameral Clean Air, Strong Economies (CASE) Act, which would block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from lowering the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone below 75 ppb until 85 percent of the current non-attainment counties achieve compliance with the existing standard.  The CASE Act would require the EPA to consider the costs and feasibility of the lower standard, which the EPA currently does not consider.\u00a0The legislation would also prohibit the EPA from using unreliable modeling to expand non-attainment areas to rural counties that otherwise would not be impacted by the expensive regulation.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-hartzlers-releases-thanksgiving-message", "Congresswoman Hartzler's releases Thanksgiving message", "2014-11-25", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has released the following Thanksgiving greeting:\n\u201cThanksgiving is a day when Americans join loved ones to celebrate and to thank our Creator for the blessings we enjoy living in the greatest nation on earth.\nAs children, many of us learned that the first Thanksgiving was observed at Plymouth following the harvest of 1621. The Pilgrims had endured a perilous first year and were grateful for God\u2019s provision and faithfulness.\nThe first recognition of Thanksgiving as a national holiday came during the Civil War when President Lincoln issued a proclamation stating that the nation\u2019s many blessings \u2018should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.\u2019\nThe truth found in his words is timeless. We have been blessed with fruitful fields, industry and technology second to none, strong communities, caring neighbors, abundant opportunity, and unparalleled freedom. I know that I am very thankful for my family, my faith, the great people of Missouri\u2019s Fourth District, the chance to serve you here in Washington, and the freedom we enjoy to worship and assemble as we so choose. A loving and Almighty God has truly blessed this nation and its people.\nSo, as we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, let us give thanks to God for all He has given us. Let us also thank the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces as they fight to preserve our freedoms here and abroad. May we live each day being grateful and counting our blessings.\u201d \nCongresswoman Hartzler serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Budget Committees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wagner.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/statement-on-grand-jury-decision-to-not-indict-darren-wilson", "Statement on Grand Jury Decision to Not Indict Darren Wilson", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ballwin, MO - Congresswoman Ann Wagner issued the following statement after the Grand Jury came to a decision to not indict Darren Wilson:\u00a0 \u201cAs a mother, I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child,\u201d said Rep. Wagner.\u00a0 \u201cMy thoughts and prayers are with both Michael Brown's and Darren Wilson's families during this difficult time. \u201cFor the last three months, a grand jury of 12 randomly selected jurors methodically and thoroughly poured through facts and evidence to seek the truth and uphold justice.\u00a0 Today, after a lengthy process, the grand jury reached its decision that the evidence did not support the indictment of police officer Darren Wilson.\u00a0 We must have faith in our judicial system and that all the facts led the grand jury to a just and fair decision. Now it's time for us all to heal together as a community. \u201cI am grateful for the men and women of law enforcement who work to serve and protect us each and every day \u2013 they live in our community, share our values and deserve our utmost respect. I hope all Americans will join me and countless others as we pray for peace in our community.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141205234457/http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=004b6fbd-e6ac-4666-b702-a435a773ca40", "Senator Blunts Statement On Extension Of Iran Nuclear Talks", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), who serves as a member of the defense authorizing and appropriations committees, issued the following statement today regarding the extension of the Iranian nuclear talks by another seven months:\n\u201cEvery day that we continue these unsuccessful talks and repeated extensions with Iran is another day given to Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. I\u2019m especially troubled by the administration\u2019s willingness to give Iran additional economic relief for nothing in exchange. It\u2019s been nearly a year since the original six-month interim agreement, and the Obama Administration has failed to adequately address this problem which is critically important to our country\u2019s national and global security. It\u2019s time for the Senate to take action and pass the bipartisan Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act to impose stronger sanctions on Iran.\u201dIn December 2013, Blunt co-sponsored the \u201cNuclear Weapon Free Iran Act,\u201d bipartisan legislation proposing prospective sanctions on Iran should the regime violate the interim Joint Plan of Action agreed to in Geneva or should Iran fail to reach a final agreement.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141205234507/http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=7dedb6fb-a89d-4b4f-ae79-708cd85a5515", "Senator Blunts Response To Grand Jury Announcement In Ferguson, Mo.", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "CLAYTON, MO. \u2013 U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today regarding the grand jury\u2019s announcement in Ferguson, Mo.:  \u201cMichael Brown\u2019s death was a tragic loss for his family and for the community. Since August, I\u2019ve been in close touch with clergy members and other local leaders, and I believe we all agree our first priority is peacefully healing and rebuilding the community after months of unrest. \u201cWe must balance the rights of Americans to exercise their free speech alongside the rights of people to live peacefully and safely in their communities. I join Michael Brown\u2019s family in urging protestors to do so peacefully. \u201cI\u2019ve talked extensively to law enforcement officials to learn more about the tactics, resources, and procedures that our first responders utilize statewide. Law enforcement officials have been candid in identifying ways officers could have handled the situation in Ferguson better, and I trust those recommendations will be helpful as we continue to count on them to protect us. \u201cMy thoughts are with Michael Brown\u2019s family today, as well as those in law enforcement who continue to protect the rights of all they serve, the National Guard members we ask to step forward during difficult times in our state, and all of their family members. \u201cMichael\u2019s death was tragic, and the months since this tragedy have marked a challenging time in Ferguson and across Missouri. Together, I know we can move forward and heal as we work to find better job opportunities in and more investment for challenged communities.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/blog/national-adoption-awareness-day", "National Adoption Awareness Day", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Adoption is a wonderful way to make a family! \u00a0It gives young children a home, makes loving couples \u2018moms\u2019 and \u2018dads\u2019, fills empty arms with loving hugs, and can be the saving grace for the unborn. In short, adoption is a positive way to create a family. As we recognize November as National Adoption Month and mark National Adoption Day on November 22, 2014, we celebrate the thousands of American lives touched by this joining of hearts, while also advocating for the thousands more children and future \u2018moms\u2019 and \u2018dads\u2019 who await these wonderful opportunities.\nAs a representative who was blessed to become a mother through adoption, I am proud to be a strong advocate for pro-adoption legislation in Washington.\u00a0 In the 113th Congress, for instance, I have sponsored and co-sponsored bills that promote and protect adoption and the foster care system.\u00a0 I am a co-sponsor of the National Adoption Day Resolution that promotes national awareness of adoption and the children waiting for families.\u00a0 I also co-sponsored the Adoption Promotion Act, a bill my colleague, Congressman Billy Long, has put forward. The bill would require government funding for women\u2019s health to cover professional adoption counseling and research programs to study the success of pregnancy options counseling. \u00a0In addition, I introduced legislation that would strengthen the likelihood of adoptions lasting to permanency by improving some of the pre-adoption checks and processes.\u00a0 While this is a partial listing of some of the bills in this Congress that I have supported on this vital issue, one thing is for certain: I will never tire of advocating on behalf of children and families \u2013 it is a matter of the heart that I care deeply about.\nWe need to focus on adoption every month; not just during November. Every day, thousands of couples desire to become parents and to give children a permanent, loving home.\u00a0\u00a0 This life-changing decision will have a profound impact on the lives of parents and of deserving children by giving them the resources to succeed in life.\u00a0 More importantly, that child can now rest assured that she will wake up every morning and go to bed every night with two parents that love her.\u00a0 We need more families to adopt and more birthmothers willing to make this life giving, life-affirming decision.\u00a0 Every child deserves a loving family.\nSometimes children are adopted at birth.\u00a0 Other times it occurs when children are older and have been in the foster care system.\u00a0 Sadly, nearly 400,000 children remain without a permanent, lasting family or home. This could be from abandonment, neglect, or abuse. The foster care system allows for a reprieve for children in need and has been the path for around two in every five adopted Americans. More than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system want to be adopted and are still awaiting their \u201cforever family.\u201d This is a tragedy that needs to be remedied.\nToday, Missouri has over 10,000 children in our foster care system. 1,400 of these children and youth are available for adoption and waiting to be part of a loving family. \u00a0Be a part of the solution.\u00a0 Join me in celebrating National Adoption Day on November 22nd! \u00a0Visit www.nationaladoptionday.org to see how you can join the effort!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-hartzlers-statement-president-obamas-unilateral-action-immigration", "Congresswoman Hartzler's statement on President Obama's unilateral action on immigration", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has issued the following statement in response to President Obama\u2019s unilateral executive action on immigration:\n\u201cI am disappointed that President Obama has chosen to bypass Congress in his rush to implement immigration reform. Our Constitution requires that Congress write the laws and the President execute those laws. Americans are divided on how to address immigration reform. President Obama\u2019s action can only harm efforts to bring Americans together to reach consensus on this important matter.\u201d\nCongresswoman Hartzler serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Budget Committees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-named-to-ways-and-means-committee", "Congressman Jason Smith Named to Ways and Means Committee", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today Congressman Jason Smith (R-Salem) was named to the House Ways and Means Committee, earning the influential committee assignment faster than any other current Republican committee member.\u00a0\n\u201cServing on Ways and Means will provide me with an even greater voice for my constituents and rural America,\u201d said Congressman Smith.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m eager to get people back to work by fixing the broken tax code and alleviating the burden on job creators.\u201d\nThe Ways and Means Committee has continuously operated since 1795. Congressman Smith is the first Missouri representative appointed to Ways and Means since Representative Kenny Hulshof from Charleston, who served on the committee from 1997-2008. With his agriculture background, Congressman Smith will provide a unique perspective on this important committee.\n\u201cThe Ways and Means Committee will be at the forefront of reform in the 114th Congress, and Jason Smith \u2013 who will be one of the youngest members of the Committee \u2013 will have an important role to play as the Committee takes on critical issues like reforming our tax code, making health care more affordable, and strengthening safety net programs like Medicare and Social Security,\u201d said Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan.\u00a0\n\u201cJason is committed to tackling the problems facing our nation and he has a proven track record of working hard for residents of Missouri\u2019s 8th District. I\u2019m looking forward to having him serve on the Ways and Means Committee in the next session of Congress.\u201d\u00a0\nCongressman Jason Smith was reelected in November with 67 percent of the vote, carrying all 30 counties, and at 34 years old, is currently the second youngest Republican member of Congress.\nHis priorities on the Ways and Means Committee include reforming the tax code, promoting free and fair trade, ensuring Social Security solvency, and working to fix our broken healthcare system.\nCongressman Jason Smith was first elected to Congress in a special election and has been serving the constituents of Missouri\u2019s 8th Congressional District for 17 months. He previously served on the Judiciary and Natural Resources committees.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-statement-on-the-president-s-unconstitutional", "Congressman Jason Smith Statement on the Presidents Unconstitutional Executive Overreach on Immigration", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013Today, Congressman Jason Smith (R-Salem, MO) issued the following statement on President Obama\u2019s unconstitutional executive overreach on immigration:\n\u201cThe American people have spoken, but instead of letting the new Congress do its job, President Obama is once again legislating through executive action. He has said 22 times that executive action on immigration was outside the scope of his authority, and we are not going to stand by and watch this president shred the Constitution.\u00a0\n\u201cSince I was first elected, I have never wavered in my belief that we are a nation of laws and any immigration reform must first secure the border.\u201d\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov//media-center/weekly-capitol-report/capitol-report-war-on-coal", "Capitol Report: War on Coal", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Affordable energy options for Missourians may be a thing of the past if President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) place additional burdensome regulations on coal-fired power plants.\u00a0 Coal is an effective, affordable means of energy that keeps Missouri\u2019s utility rates low.\u00a0 Right now, EPA officials are attempting to wage war on coal by eliminating or restricting its use in energy production.\u00a0 This is not only a war on coal; it is an attack on our way of life in rural America.\nFor too long, EPA regulations have unduly burdened all of us who rely on coal-powered energy to competitively operate businesses or farms.\u00a0 Some experts believe the EPA\u2019s proposed carbon rule will be the most expensive regulation in U.S. history.\u00a0 This proposed rule would issue a federal mandate to radically cut carbon emissions, thus penalizing coal power plants and driving up the cost of energy. These costs will not only get passed along to consumers on their utility bill; they also will affect the price of goods as businesses\u2019 costs rise.\nNot only is the Obama administration\u2019s war on coal disastrous economically, it is not supported scientifically.\u00a0 EPA officials continue to ignore requests to publicly provide the scientific evidence it claims supports its recommendations.\u00a0 If the Environmental Protection Agency is going to implement the most expensive rule in U.S. history, it owes the American people a reasonable, proven explanation of why.\u00a0 Yet, they sit silently.\nIf the administration believes a lack of transparency is a good thing for Obamacare, then it is not a surprise that the EPA isn\u2019t being honest about the science behind its recommended regulations. The agency regularly implements costly rules without sharing the evidence that supports them.\u00a0 I think we deserve better and 90 percent of Americans agree. Earlier this week, I voted to require the EPA to release its scientific data so that independent scientists can reproduce the results to ensure rules are fact based versus fiction.\nRegulations without oversight should be rejected.\u00a0 As a member of Congress, I cannot stand idly by while this President threatens the livelihoods of hardworking Missourians. President Obama should stop using his so-called executive authority to impose unfounded, catastrophic regulations and bring these proposals before congress for a full debate.\u00a0\nJoin me in submitting comments to the EPA to protect Missouri\u2019s coal power.\u00a0 Comments are accepted through December 1\u00a0online at https://1.usa.gov/V82AoM.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398496", "Blaine's Bulletin: Giving Thanks", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cBut Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that\u2019s what they mean by \u2018Thanksgiving,\u2019 Charlie Brown.\u201d \u2013 Marcie \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      \u201cBut Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that\u2019s what they mean by \u2018Thanksgiving,\u2019 Charlie Brown.\u201d \u2013 Marcie \r\nThat famous quote from the movie \u2018A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving\u2019 is a light hearted way to remind young and old about the importance of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not only a day to celebrate with loved ones but also a reminder for all of our good fortunes. \r\nAs the story goes, in 1621, the first Thanksgiving was shared among the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Tribe. The colonists had to endure the voyage which left many sick and facing starvation. Then, after persevering through a harsh winter and with the help of the Native Americans, the two groups came together and celebrated a feast. The colonists and the Wampanoags were able to put aside their hardships and differences and enjoy the day together.\r\nDuring this time of year, I like to share the story of the very first Thanksgiving, and the act of kindness, with my grandchildren so they know the history and meaning behind this holiday \u2013 and remind them to whom we are giving thanks. \r\nWhile our great nation has faced much adversity of its own, I am always humbled when I hear and read stories about strangers lending a helping hand to someone less fortunate. Whether it might be donating canned goods to a local shelter or spending a Saturday morning volunteering, there are many ways to give back. This spirit of Thanksgiving and sharing has always been part of the American character. \r\nSo, whether it\u2019s gathering your family and loved ones around the television to watch \u2018A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving\u2019 or if you have a family tradition of going outside to toss the pigskin, or making creative dishes from the leftover turkey and stuffing \u2013 remember all of the blessings you have to be grateful this holiday season. \r\nOn behalf of myself, my family, and my staff, I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206122528/http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-november-17-21-2014", "View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of November 17-21, 2014", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Good Day,\nThis week, the House approved important legislation to ease the Environmental Protection Agency burdens on American job creators by reducing red tape and increasing accountability. We passed three bills: the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act, H.R. 1422, to establish board member qualifications; the Secret Science Reform Act, H.R. 4012, to prohibit the EPA from finalizing a regulation unless the public has access to the data used; and the Promoting New Manufacturing Act, H.R. 4795, which would bring much-needed transparency to the EPA permitting process.\nThese bills will aid American job creators by allowing businesses to grow without fear of overregulation from environmental extremists. The EPA continues to burden small businesses with red tape, and I am pleased to work toward stopping these unnecessary and unjustified regulations that hamper job creation and wage growth.\nThe Environmental Protection Agency needs accountability, and these common sense bills will work toward that end. These bills ensure transparency by making all scientific and technical information used by the EPA available to the public before agency action. Americans have the right to know the information used to make these burdensome rules, and Congress has a responsibility to make sure all agencies operate in a way that serves the best interests of all Americans. I now call on the Senate to take up and pass these important bills.\nI am a firm believer that the federal government\u2019s primary role should be to provide for a strong national defense. In that light, I recently had the chance to speak with CNN\u2019s Carol Costello about the administration\u2019s response to the threats coming from ISIL and the Middle East.\nI also had the opportunity to attend the Reagan National Defense Forum last weekend. This forum brings together leaders in the defense community \u2013 including Members of Congress, civilian officials, military leaders, and Department of Defense officials \u2013 to address the health of our national defense and discuss policies that strengthen our military for the future. I was privileged to be one of a handful of Representatives to attend with such defense leaders as Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, former Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta and Robert Gates, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James Winnefeld, Jr., and many others. I was grateful to hear such esteemed voices discuss important issues such as the ongoing threats abroad, reform measures to reduce red tape in the Pentagon, and the role of cyber in 21st Century warfare.\nAt the same time, it was a real honor to attend such a forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. President Reagan was a true leader who believed, as I do, that peace is achieved through strength \u2013 that a strong military is key to deterring conflict around the world. This principle is extremely relevant now as we find ourselves facing numerous national security threats while still binding the hands of our military through disastrous defense cuts from sequestration. Our current path is unacceptable. I will continue to work to make defense a key priority in the new Congress and beyond.\nOn another note, I am disappointed that President Obama has chosen to bypass Congress in his rush to implement immigration reform. Our Constitution requires that Congress write the laws and the President execute those laws. Americans are divided on how to address immigration reform, but President Obama\u2019s action can only harm efforts to bring Americans together to reach consensus on this important matter. In the coming weeks, the House will be discussing options to reinstate Congressional authorities. I welcome your feedback on how our nation should proceed on this important issue.\nMeanwhile, I am always happy when constituents come to visit me in Washington and I am pleased that I had a visit this week from a senior-level agriculture policy class from the University of Missouri. The students were in Washington for three days to meet with legislators, Agriculture Committee staff, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and agriculture industry officials.\nWe discussed a number of important issues ranging from the effects of the 2014 Farm Bill and well-founded concerns with the EPA\u2019s Waters of the United States rule. The rule would extend Clean Water Act jurisdictional authority over dry creeks and ditches \u2013 some of which are wet only when it rains \u2013 creating complicated compliance issues for farmers in Missouri and throughout the country. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I have been working to stop this onerous rule. The public comment period has concluded with the EPA receiving more than a quarter-million comments. I urge the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, which will work toward finalizing the rule, to exercise common sense when establishing the ground rules for implementing the rule.\nI also want to share information on scholarship opportunities with the U.S. Naval Academy, the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), and commissioning in the Navy and Marine Corps.\u00a0 An information session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25th at 5:30 pm at the Liberty Memorial\u2019s National World War I Museum at 100 West 26th Street in Kansas City. Representatives will be on hand to discuss the admissions process, nominations, appointments, prep programs, summer programs, and much more. This is a valuable opportunity for any 8th to 11th grade students interested in attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis or attending one of more than 50 NROTC colleges and universities. To RSVP for this event contact: Commander Jack Rush, U.S. Navy (Retired) at jack.rush@1973.usna.com with name and number of persons attending. I want to extend best wishes to all students who are interested in serving our country.\nFinally, as we enter the holiday season, I would like to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving. This is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends and give thanks to God for all He has given us. Let us thank the brave men and women of our Armed Forces as they fight to preserve our freedoms here and abroad. May we always be a grateful nation.\nHappy Thanksgiving!\nVicky", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/event/johnson-county-staff-listening-post-5", "Johnson County Staff Listening Post", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Listening Post has been scheduled for December 5th, 2014 in Warrensburg, Missouri.\nEach Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Zack Brown will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman.\nAll citizens are invited to attend.\nWhat: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Listening Post\nWhere: Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce \u2013 Jack Moore Community Room, 100 S. Holden Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093\nWhen: \u00a0Friday, December 5th, 2014 \u2013 12:00 pm CT \u2013 1:00 pm CT\nFor further information contact Congresswoman Hartzler\u2019s Harrisonville office at (816) 884-3411.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-and-house-vote-alleviate-epa-burdens-placed-americas-job-creators", "Hartzler and House vote to alleviate EPA burdens placed on America's job creators", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Vicky Hartzler", "H001053", "hartzler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) and the House have taken an important step toward easing the Environmental Protection Agency burdens placed on businesses by approving bills to reduce EPA red tape while increasing EPA transparency and accountability. The House has approved three bills: the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act, H.R. 1422, to establish board member qualifications; the Secret Science Reform Act, H.R. 4012, to prohibit the EPA from finalizing a regulation unless the public has access to the data used; and the Promoting New Manufacturing Act, H.R. 4795, which would bring much needed transparency to the EPA permitting process.\n\u201cThese bills will aid American job creators by allowing businesses to grow without fear of overregulation from environmental extremists,\u201d Hartzler said. \u201cThe EPA continues to burden small businesses with red tape. I am pleased to work towards stopping these unnecessary and unjustified regulations, which hamper job creation and wage growth.\u201d\n\u201cThe Environmental Protection Agency needs accountability, and these common sense bills will work toward that end,\u201d Hartzler added. \u201cAnd, by making all scientific and technical information used by the EPA available to the public before action is taken by the agency, transparency in EPA dealings is ensured. The information the agency uses to make some of its burdensome rules should not be kept from the public. Americans have the right to know this information, and Congress has a responsibility to make sure all agencies operate in a way that serves the best interests of all Americans.\u201d\nHaving passed the House, the three bills now move to the Senate for its consideration.\nCongresswoman Hartzler serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Budget Committees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=544", "Long Works to Revitalize Manufacturing, Ensure Greater Transparency from EPA", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Billy Long", "L000576", "long.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Billy Long today voted in favor of the Promoting New Manufacturing Act, which seeks to harness America\u2019s abundant energy resources creating jobs for Americans.\u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe EPA is good at one thing and that is issuing rules that take jobs away from Americans.\u00a0 We have plentiful energy resources in our country and need policies in place that allow for new manufacturing projects to tap into those energy resources.\u00a0 The Promoting New Manufacturing Act will rein in the EPA and allow our nation\u2019s manufacturers to create jobs for Americans.\u00a0 I will continue to support policies that allow our country to be a nation of builders that says yes to energy and jobs Americans are demanding,\u201d Long said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Promoting New Manufacturing Act (H.R. 4795) seeks to harness America\u2019s abundant energy resources creating new manufacturing jobs by providing for greater transparency and efficiency in obtaining necessary permits from the EPA required under the Clean Air Act.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=545", "Long Statement on Obama's Unilateral Executive Amnesty", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Billy Long", "L000576", "long.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Billy Long issued the following statement on President Obama taking unilateral action on immigration:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt is unconscionable President Obama took this divisive and unilateral action on immigration.\u00a0 President Obama refused to enforce our nation\u2019s immigration laws and now he thinks it is okay to give those who came to our country illegally a pass.\u00a0 We have a process in place for those who want to immigrate to our country.\u00a0 The process needs to be reformed, but, the Executive Branch does not get to unilaterally make this decision.\u00a0 The president has shown by his actions today he has given up on the legislative process and that is a shame.\u00a0 We have three separate but equal branches of government.\u00a0 The former constitutional law professor would be wise to remember that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe people I represent want to see the border secured and our nation\u2019s current immigration laws enforced.\u00a0 Border enforcement should be and must be the first concrete step our nation takes when it comes to immigration reform.\u00a0 Any reform effort without border security first will not fix the problem.\u201d  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398495", "Luetkemeyer Urges EPA Administrator to Extend Timeline for Warm Air Furnace Compliance", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy urging the agency to follow past precedence and ensure that small businesses are not unfairly harmed by allowing a one year compliance timeline for warm air furnaces under the upcoming regulations.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy urging the agency to follow past precedence and ensure that small businesses are not unfairly harmed by allowing a one year compliance timeline for warm air furnaces under the upcoming regulations.\r\nWarm air furnaces are forced-air, wood-fired furnaces generally used by homeowners and are available for sale at home improvement stores. The EPA\u2019s proposed standards would prohibit the manufacture or sale of any non-certified warm air furnace within 60 days of the final regulation\u2019s publication in the Federal Register. In effect, that means manufacturers of a product that has never before been regulated will have to stop production, master a new testing process, and retool operations in just 60 days. In addition, because the rule prohibits the sale of non-certified models, manufacturers will have to repurchase the stock that home improvement stores already have purchased. \r\nAccording to the letter Luetkemeyer sent, prior to this proposal the EPA has never required emissions controls on warm air furnaces, and manufacturers will not be required to modify and submit their models to costly tests prior to certification. \r\n\u201cThe EPA\u2019s benchmark of 60 days is not feasible for manufacturers to properly comply with their regulations for warm air furnaces,\u201d Luetkemeyer said. \u201cThe EPA should consider this bipartisan and bicameral solution and extend the timeline to at least one year so manufacturers can properly ensure they meet the financial and logistical challenges to certification that is now requested.\u201d \r\nEarlier this year, Luetkemeyer introduced the Wood Stove Regulatory Relief Act, which would prevent the EPA from instituting costly proposed new standards for wood burning stoves and heating systems that would effectively prohibit the manufacture and sale of 85 percent of wood burning heaters currently on the market. Nearly 90 percent of wood stove manufacturers are small businesses that employ hardworking Americans, including many in Missouri\u2019s 3rd District.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398497", "Luetkemeyer Introduces Legislation to Protect Customers from Operation Choke Point", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Continuing his commitment to end Operation Choke Point, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) introduced legislation that would require federal banking agencies to put in writing any suggestion or order to terminate a customer\u2019s banking account.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Continuing his commitment to end Operation Choke Point, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) introduced legislation that would require federal banking agencies to put in writing any suggestion or order to terminate a customer\u2019s banking account.\r\nThis legislation, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act, dictates that agencies such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Federal Reserve cannot request or order a financial institution to terminate a banking relationship unless the regulator has material reason. In addition, Luetkemeyer\u2019s legislation requires the federal banking agencies to issue a rule defining the term \u201creputation risk\u201d and strikes the word \u201caffecting\u201d in the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA), replacing it with \u201cby\u201d or \u201cagainst.\u201d This change is to ensure that the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) broad interpretations of the law are limited and the original intent of the statue is restored. \r\n\u201cThis legislation is straightforward by stating that federal banking agencies must put in writing any suggestion to terminate a customer\u2019s banking account and by requiring agencies to define terms by which they regularly use in the examination process, and by returning the powers vested in FIRREA to their original purpose,\u201d Luetkemeyer said. \u201cAfter receiving letters from the FDIC and DOJ just last week, stating the agencies own internal investigatory departments will investigate Operation Choke Point activities within their agencies, I am even more positive that with the introduction of this legislation, Congress will be able to work in a bipartisan fashion to quickly put an end to this program.\u201d\r\nOperation Choke Point is an operation in which the FDIC and DOJ intimidate financial institutions from offering financial services to certain licensed, legally-operating industries the government doesn\u2019t like in an attempt to choke off those industries from our country\u2019s banking system. These include the non-depository lending industry, ammunition and firearms sales, fireworks sales, coin dealers, debt collectors, tobacco sales, and pharmaceutical sales.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398498", "Luetkemeyer Statement on President Obama's Executive Action on Immigration", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Luetkemeyer Statement on President Obama's Executive Action on Immigration \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 20, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        The following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) following the President\u2019s executive action on immigration: \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      \u201cToday\u2019s action by the president to unilaterally grant amnesty to millions of undocumented illegal immigrants in the United States is not only unconstitutional but also a complete overreach by this administration. The president has completely circumvented Congress with this executive action. Just last year, the president was quoted saying, \u201cI\u2019m not the emperor of the United States. My job is to execute laws that are passed.\u201d He should follow his own words and realize that immigration reform is much too complex and too important to not properly go through the legislative process. Rather than issuing these lawless executive actions, the president should complete the border fence that Congress previously passed into law, increase enforcement against tax and welfare fraud by illegal immigrants, and actually follow through with existing law instead of a \u201ccatch-and-release\u201d approach. House Republicans have been holding discussions regarding how to address this issue and I am confident that action will be taken soon.\u201d\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 921, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "MO", "p2": "2014"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MO&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 921, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MO&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 921, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MO&year=2014&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MO&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "MO", "label": "MO", "count": 921, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MO&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "2014", "label": "2014", "count": 921, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MO", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2014-11-20,http~3A~2F~2Fluetkemeyer~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D398498", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MO&year=2014&_next=2014-11-20%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fluetkemeyer~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D398498&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 183.43958165496588, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}