{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"MS\" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/december-2019-newsletter", "December 2019 Newsletter", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...  \n\tTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.  \n\tSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=B775571A-1056-4315-81BB-A124FF2EB295", "Wicker Commends Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "America now has a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for this fiscal year. After long congressional debates over this important bill, the overwhelming votes in the House and Senate gave a major win for all our citizens. It shows that supporting our military remains a bipartisan priority. With President Donald Trump's signature making this legislation the law of the land, America's armed forces will have what they need in 2020.\r\nThe NDAA fulfills Congress's most basic responsibility to provide for the common defense by setting funding levels and priorities for the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Army. This year's defense authorization builds on the progress of the last three years and is a strong step forward as our military comes back from the damaging Obama-era cuts and takes care of troops and their families.\r\nWins in this NDAA\r\nThe NDAA for Fiscal Year 2020 authorizes $738 billion in defense funding, consistent with recent years and below Cold War spending when measured as a percentage of the total U.S. economy. This money supports the Department of Defense's normal operations while giving a much-needed pay raise to service members. It will also help the Pentagon adapt to changing threats.\r\nSome of the most important provisions will give our Navy professionals the ships they need. These measures will authorize full funding for the LPD-31 and LHA-9, amphibious ships to be built by the experts in Mississippi, as well as three new destroyers. I have long supported these programs, especially through the SHIPS Act, which I authored and which will increase the size of America's fleet to 355 vessels, the number required to keep our country safe.\r\nSatellites and cyber weapons will also present significant challenges going forward. In 2016, then-candidate Trump promised to address these issues by creating an American Space Force. This NDAA keeps the president's promise by establishing that new service branch within the Air Force, getting America ready for launch.\r\nI am glad a provision I led to expand JROTC and National Defense Cadet Corps to 3,700 units nationwide was included as well. These programs benefit schools, families, and communities by teaching lifelong lessons about character and citizenship to the next generation of leaders, some of whom will go on to serve in uniform.\r\nThere are many other great ideas that will become realities because of this legislation. There are also many unwise proposals that I worked to exclude from the end product, such as measures that would have unnecessarily limited the president's ability to counter Iranian aggression. Efforts to move terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay to the United States and cut off support for our allies were also stopped in their tracks.\r\nA Bipartisan Tradition\r\nCongress has passed a defense authorization every year for the last 58 years, usually with supermajorities of Republicans and Democrats. Both in times of bipartisan unity and during hard fights like today, this process stands out as the legislative branch at its best.\r\nThe fact that we were able to approve the NDAA for the 59th year in a row with such broad support shows how necessary this bill is. The vote also demonstrates the level of trust our country has in our defense professionals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-issues-holiday-message-mississippians", "HYDE-SMITH ISSUES HOLIDAY MESSAGE TO MISSISSIPPIANS", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH ISSUES HOLIDAY MESSAGE TO MISSISSIPPIANS\n  VIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith Offers Holiday Message\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today issued a message to extend best wishes to Mississippians for the holidays:\nThis holiday season I wish everyone the joy that comes in sharing and joining together.\nAs 2019 draws to a close, I am grateful for progress we're making as a nation and as a state. I'm so excited to see what we can accomplish working together in the new year.\nAs always, let's keep the courageous men and women of our armed forces, law enforcement, and their families in our thoughts and prayers this holiday.\nI send my best wishes to you, and your family, for a blessed holiday season.\nMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays! God bless you all.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=6A51AD58-F250-4191-A545-9392FF15983E", "Wicker: Mississippi Ornaments Reflect Student Achievement, State History", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Mississippi high school students and teachers are bringing the Christmas spirit to Washington, D.C. For the last three Christmases, my wife, Gayle, and I have invited students to make ornaments to hang on the tree in my office. This tradition started in 2017 with our state's bicentennial, when talented students and teachers turned this occasion into an educational experience to study and commemorate the Magnolia State's 200-year story. I continued this year with ornaments celebrating Mississippi's arts, crafts, history, science, technology, and the abilities of our young people.\r\nOn December 6, I visited Petal High School to pick up another set of beautiful, handcrafted ornaments. They are now displayed for all of my visitors in Washington, bringing a spot of holiday cheer. They are also reminders of Mississippi's contributions to the world, its bright future, and the beauty and miracle of Christmas.\r\nMississippi Traditions\r\nThe theme for this year's decorations is Telling the Story of Mississippi  From Rockets to Rock Stars and Beyond. This project provided students a chance to showcase what they love about our state, and they chose to cover an enormous amount of material. As William Faulkner once said, To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.\r\nMore than one Elvis ornament winks from the branches of the tree, and the King is joined by ornaments celebrating B.B. King, Robert Johnson, Archie Manning's #18 jersey, and the Stennis Space Center. Decorations of Mississippi crops and products like Pine-Sol and Barq's root beer recall our local industries. Clay recreations of some of Faulkner's classic works, including The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, and Absalom, Absalom! hang next to a fuzzy bear with the date November 14, 1902, when big game hunter and then-President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a tied up black bear near Onward, inspiring the creation of the Teddy Bear.\r\nDozens of other ornaments made from wood, fabric, plaster, ceramics, and 3D-printed plastics capture what makes Mississippi so unique. The icons and stories of the Magnolia State tell our story, and the students, faculty, and staff at Petal High School have demonstrated that our traditions in the creative and visual arts are alive and well.\r\nIt Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive\r\nThe tree and beautiful decorations in my office are also reminders of all the families who celebrate Christmas by gathering together with loved ones around their own trees. Many of those families have made enormous sacrifices this year. In particular, I think about the stalwart and dedicated men and women in our armed forces who are not able to return home because they are safeguarding American interests overseas. I was glad to join with many of my colleagues in the Senate on both sides of the aisle recently at a Holiday Mail for Heroes event in the Capitol to sign cards thanking troops deployed around the world and reminding them that they are loved here at home.\r\nThe example of our military calls each of us to find our own ways large and small to serve in our daily lives. I am proud of my staff in Jackson which, for the last 10 years, has donated to the United States Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program. I was also joined by many of my grandchildren recently in ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in Jackson.\r\nMississippians have a long history of volunteerism and giving back to their communities. That spirit of charity makes this season more merry and bright. As Christ taught us, It is more blessed to give than to receive.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-praises-hhs-rule-end-hidden-abortion-surcharge", "HYDE-SMITH PRAISES HHS RULE TO END HIDDEN ABORTION SURCHARGE", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH PRAISES HHS RULE TO END HIDDEN OBAMACARE ABORTION SURCHARGE\nSen. Hyde-Smith Championed Effort to Replace Obama-era Rule on Abortion Services\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today praised a move by the Trump administration to finalize a rule to end a hidden surcharge within many health plans that funds elective abortion services.\nThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Friday morning issued the final rule to overturn an Obama-era rule that permitted some Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans to include an abortion surchargean act completely counter to congressional intent when Obamacare became law.\nI am grateful to President Trump and HHS Secretary Azar for taking action to overturn the Obama administration's willful misinterpretation of the law by secretly collecting a surcharge for abortion services from people who would never support abortions, Hyde-Smith said. This rule is long overdue and should ensure that Obamacare recipients are not unknowingly subsidizing abortions.\nThe final rule, titled Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Program Integrity, will ensure that separate payments are required for ACA health plans that cover elective abortion services. In implementing Obamacare, the Obama administration allowed abortion fees payments with other premium paymentsin direct violation of a congressional directive that requires separate payments under ACA Section 1301.\nIn July, Hyde-Smith and Congressman Michael Cloud (R-Texas) spearheaded a bicameral letter signed by 25 Senators and 103 Representatives that urged HHS to act swiftly to finalize the rule to end a hidden abortion surcharge.\nRegrettably, HHS issued the final rule after the close of the 2020 open enrollment period for Obamacare health plans. The rule will be in place for plan year 2021.\nHHS information on the final rule, including a fact sheet, is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D97A4E24-0884-4489-B6BD-FCFBC2DFDD84", "Wicker, Brown, Capito, & Sinema Celebrate Senate Passage of Legislation to Promote Physical Activity", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., today celebrated Senate passage of their Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 1608). The bipartisan proposal will require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish regular updates to their recommendations for physical activity, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.\r\nBeing physically active can help all Americans improve their health and reduce the risks of chronic diseases, Wicker said. Our proposal will ensure the public has the most up-to-date, scientific information possible so that they can stay active and, using existing guidance on diet and nutrition, make better choices for their well-being.\r\nAs we gather more information on how to live longer and healthier lives, we should be sharing these findings with the public, said Brown. Regularly updating physical activity guidelines and best practices will help ensure all Americans have the information they need to stay active and make healthier choices. We know physical activity is critical to physical health and overall wellbeing, Capito said. These updates will ensure Americans have the information and recommendations they need to stay active and healthy. I'm committed to working with educators and health care providers to fight obesity and give Arizonans the tools they need to lead healthy lives, said Sinema.\r\nIn response to rising obesity rates across the U.S., HHS developed the first Physical Activity Guidelines in 2008 and published a second edition in 2018. These recommendations provide science-based information and guidance on the amount and types of physical activity Americans need for health benefits.\r\nThe senators' legislation will codify the existing program and ensure that HHS updates the guidelines regularly with reliable, evidence-based health information.\r\nSpecifically, the legislation will require HHS to:\r\n \r\nUpdate and publish Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans every ten years based on the best and latest scientific evidence.\r\nReview best practices and continuing barriers to physical activity every five years, midway between reports.\r\n \r\nThe legislation is supported by the American Diabetes Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and American College of Sports Medicine, among other organizations.\r\nView the full text of the legislation here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401307", "Palazzo Supports Passage of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Points to Benefits for Mississippi", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) today supported passage of a historic overhaul to the outdated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by replacing it with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The bill passed by a vote of 385-41.\"Passing the USMCA is long overdue but is a welcomed upgrade to our outdated North American Free Trade Agreement. Exports from Mississippi totaled $3.4 billion in 2018 and the USMCA will only increase our state's export numbers. Free trade with our North American trading partners is vital to Mississippi manufacturers, farmers, and small businesses. We are paving the way for greater economic prosperity in the United States.\" The agreement is expected to increase agriculture exports by $2 billion and result in a $65 billion increase in gross domestic product. The USMCA includes strong support for continued access to Mexico for growers of US soybeans,Mississippi's top agricultural export. The agreement expands American poultry access in Canada which will support Mississippi's third largest agriculture export. The agreement is anticipated to create over 76,000 jobs in the US automotive sector. An important provision for Mississippi automotive manufacturers was the inclusion of innovative rules of origin that will encourage more goods and materials to be manufactured in the United States, bolstering support for Mississippi automotive manufacturers. In 2018, Mississippi had $3.4 billion in exports to Canada and Mexico, $2.2 billion and $1.2 billion respectively. The top exports to Canada and Mexico are listed below: Transportation equipment, $664.8 million  \r\nComputer and electronic products, $598 million  \r\nChemicals, $425.8 million  \r\nMachinery, $413.9 million  \r\nPrimary Metal Products, $212.2 million  \r\nElectrical equipment, appliances and components, $203 million  \r\nPetroleum and coal products, $199.7 million  \r\nFabricated metal products, $147.6 million  \r\nPaper, $99.3 million  \r\nMiscellaneous manufactured commodities, $97.5 million", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4623", "Kelly Opposes Impeachment Vote\n\nDecember 19, 2019 | Posted in Press Releases\n\n\n\n\r\nWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-Miss) voted against H. Res. 755, Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. \r\n\r\nFollowing hours of debate in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Articles of Impeachment were passed by a partisan vote with zero evidence or facts.  \r\n\r\n\"This is the first time in history that\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-Miss) voted against H. Res. 755, Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.\n\nFollowing hours of debate in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Articles of Impeachment were passed by a partisan vote with zero evidence or facts.\n\n\"This is the first time in history that impeachment proceedings have been completely partisan, shrouded in secrecy, and based on he-said-she-said accusations,\" Rep. Kelly said. \"As a former prosecutor, I find it insulting that my colleagues have built a case on second hand accounts, editorials, and opinions. The House has wasted time and tax dollars on an unfounded witch hunt instead of legislating on behalf of our country.\"\n\nThe U.S. Senate is now obligated to continue the impeachment proceedings. A conviction will require a two-thirds majority vote.\n\nCongressman Trent Kelly represents Mississippi's First Congressional District. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, serving as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Congressman Kelly also serves on the House Committee on Agriculture. This is his third term.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:20:14Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4624", "Representatives Wilson, Sherrill, Kelly, Luria, Stefanik, and Stivers Introduce Body Armor for Females Modernization Act\n\nDecember 19, 2019 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nTags:\nNational Defense / Veterans\n\n\n\r\nWASHINGTON -\u00a0On December 19, Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) with Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Steve Stivers (OH-15) along with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the below statements following the introduction of H.R. 5491, the Body Armor for Females Modernization Act (BAFMA):\r\n\r\n\u201cFort Jackson\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - On December 19, Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) with Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Steve Stivers (OH-15) along with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the below statements following the introduction of H.R. 5491, the Body Armor for Females Modernization Act (BAFMA):\n\n\u201cFort Jackson trains more than 60% of all women entering the Army each year. Women deserve the proper fitting personal protective equipment from the day they enter the military \u2013 not just when deploying. Our military\u2019s readiness depends on Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors to \u2018train like they fight.\u2019 This bill will expedite the procuring and fielding of new generation equipment that better protects females,\u201d said Congressman Joe Wilson. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to work to reduce injuries to all of our brave servicemembers by ensuring they have the right equipment from day one. This bill will improve overall combat effectiveness while increasing our military\u2019s readiness.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the Navy, pilots are required to wear dry suits \u2013 waterproof equipment with neck and wrist seals \u2013 when the water goes below a certain temperature. I couldn\u2019t fly when that happened because the standard wrist seals were too big, and my suit would not have functioned properly,\u201d said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. \u201cI am pleased to work with Representative Wilson on this bill that will push DoD to develop personal protective equipment that better fits and protects all servicemembers, particularly women. This bill also directs DoD to collaborate with academia and industry to ensure our nation is on the cutting edge when it comes to keeping our troops safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cI commend Congressman Wilson\u2019s efforts to ensure America sends her daughters to war with equipment that unleashes their full potential when facing the nation\u2019s enemies in combat,\u201d said Congressman Trent Kelly. \u201cOur female service members deserve to be equipped properly from day one of their service in order to prevent injury and so that they can train as they fight.\u201d\n\n\u201cWomen who serve in combat capacities in the Armed Forces deserve the protective equipment they need to be effective warfighters,\u201d Congresswoman Elaine Luria said. \u201cProper fitting protective equipment is necessary to protect servicemembers from preventable injuries. That\u2019s why I\u2019m championing the Female Armor Modernization Act, which would bring better-fitting protective equipment to the brave women serving our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to be an original cosponsor to the Body Armor Modernization for Females Act and have the opportunity to work with a bipartisan team in both the House and the Senate on this important issue,\u201d said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. \u201cAs women take on more roles within the increasingly diverse Armed Forces, it is important that we equip service members of all shapes and sizes with properly fitting protective gear. This bill aims for every soldier to be outfitted with the right equipment so she can \u2018train as she fights.\u2019 I\u2019m proud to work with my colleagues to lean forward with the next steps of fielding the next generation of protective equipment.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a Brigadier General, I\u2019m seeing the military evolve before our eyes - there are over 200,000 women in the Armed Forces, and with combat roles now open to women, that number is only going to grow,\u201d said Congressman Steve Stivers. \u201cAs a Member of a Congress it is my duty to make sure all American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have the tools necessary to be mission capable,\u201d said Stivers. \u201cI am glad this legislation recognizes this and will provide our servicewomen with the proper gear they need to protect them and prevent potential injuries.\u201d\n\n\u201cWomen continue to make strides in serving in critical roles within our nation\u2019s military. As a woman who served in combat and commanded troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and with my own daughter who is going through training right now at West Point, I understand just how important it is for all servicemembers to be properly equipped for the battlefield,\u201d said Senator Ernst, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities. \u201cRight now, female servicemembers are facing injuries due to ill-fitting equipment. We must do better for our military men and women. This commonsense, bipartisan proposal is a step toward ensuring adequate and proper-fitting equipment is readily available to our female servicemembers to ensure their readiness, survivability, and effectiveness in combat.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:20:14Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4626", "Kelly Supports USMCA\n\nDecember 19, 2019 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nTags:\nNational Defense / Veterans\n\n\n\r\nWASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), legislation that will modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for the first time in 24 years and create new economic opportunities in Mississippi and across America.\r\n\r\nCurrently, Mississippi's economy benefits from the $3.2 billion in exports to Canada and\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), legislation that will modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for the first time in 24 years and create new economic opportunities in Mississippi and across America.\n\nCurrently, Mississippi's economy benefits from the $3.2 billion in exports to Canada and Mexico and will continue to expand with freer markets and fairer trade practices. The USMCA will bring North American trade practices into the 21st Century and allow American industries to be more competitive in the global marketplace.\n\n\"The USMCA is a win for America's workers, farmers, and manufacturers,\" Rep. Kelly said. \"Free and fair trade in North America is essential to ensuring economic prosperity throughout our Nation.\"\n\nCongressman Trent Kelly represents Mississippi's First Congressional District. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, serving as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Congressman Kelly also serves on the House Committee on Agriculture. This is his third term.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:20:14Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-votes-send-president-solid-funding-bills-benefit-us-miss", "HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO SEND PRESIDENT \u201cSOLID\u201d FUNDING BILLS THAT BENEFIT U.S. & MISS.", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO SEND PRESIDENT SOLID FUNDING BILLS THAT BENEFIT U.S. & MISS.\nAs Senate Appropriator, Hyde-Smith Worked to Secure Funding for Mississippi Priorities\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today supported Senate passage of two FY2020 appropriations packages with critical funding for national defense, border security, and programs of importance to Mississippians.\nThe Senate on Thursday voted to send President Trump two legislative vehicles to complete the FY2020 process to fund federal programs. The President has indicated he will sign both bills, which comply with the discretionary spending limits set in the Bipartisan Budget Act signed into law last August.\nThese bills are solid, and they will benefit the nation and Mississippi, Hyde-Smith said. The partisan split between the Senate and House presented an added challenge to getting these bills done in a timely and fiscally-responsible manner, but final outcome is worthy of support.\nThe bills being sent to the President fit within our spending constraints but includes needed funding increases for our military and homeland security, she said. For Mississippi, these two measure represent a vote of confidence in Mississippi shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing. It also supports agriculture and flood control in Mississippi, in addition to programs to support rural hospitals and rural development.\nIn the yearlong effort to complete the FY2020 bills, Hyde-Smith worked to advocate priorities for Mississippi, as well as the nation. Notably, the finished product includes these priorities:\n \nNational Defense  $22 billion increase in defense spending to continue rebuilding the nation's military, including 3.1 percent pay increase, the largest in a decade, for military personnel;\nBorder Security  Transfer authorities for the border wall and immigration enforcement, and provides $1.375 billion for the border wall system;\nShipbuilding  $100.5 million increase in U.S. Coast Guard funding for long lead time materials on a 12th National Security Cutter (NSC), in addition to millions in U.S. Navy procurement funds for LHA-9 amphibious assault ship, LPD amphibious warship, Arleigh Burke Class DDG-51 Flight III shipsall of which have been built in Mississippi;\nFlood Control and Navigation  $375 million for Mississippi River and Tributaries flood control, navigation, and dredging projects, in addition to language allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to use these funds conduct work on remaining unconstructed features of authorized projects impacted by recent natural disasters, such as the Yazoo Backwater Area Pump Project;\nAgriculture Disaster Assistance  $1.5 billion in additional U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance to assist agriculture producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, which could benefit producers in the South Mississippi Delta who alone suffered more than $800 million in damages due to catastrophic flooding in 2019.\nChronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Response  $9 million, not less than $5 million of which is for USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to allocate directly to state departments of wildlife and state departments of agriculture to further develop and implement CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities. These funds will be used for the purposes outlined in Hyde-Smith's DEER Act (S.613).\nRural Hospitals  $500 million for USDA Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans, providing sufficient funding to trigger Hyde-Smith provision in the 2018 Farm Bill that would provide credit to rural hospitals in communities with up to 50,000 residents.\nWorkforce Training  Funding through the departments of Agriculture, Education, Labor, and Transportation to support workforce development, including $30 million for a Labor Department Rural Workforce Training Initiative to provide workforce training assistance for individuals who have lost jobs in the Appalachian and Delta regions. Mississippi received funding this year for three programs in Batesville, Water Valley, and Raymond.\nUnmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)  $12 million for the FAA UAS Center of Excellence led by Mississippi State University, as well as resources through the Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for UAS development projects involving Mississippi universities and other entities.\n \nA broader review of items of interest to Mississippi included in HR.1158, the Consolidated National Security Bill (1. Defense; (2. Commerce, Justice, Science; (3. Financial Services and General Government; and (4. Homeland Securityis available here.\nA separate review of items of interest to Mississippi in HR.1865, the Consolidated Domestic and International Assistance Bill (1. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; (2. Energy and Water Development; (3. Interior and Environment; (4. Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; (5. Legislative Branch; (6. Military Construction-VA; (7. State and Foreign Operations; and (8. Transportation and Housing and Urban Developmentis available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A0C51E4A-B0C1-4B9E-928D-5A6F01A4ADD9", "Wicker Votes to Fund the Government", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today voted for two legislative packages that include appropriations bills to fund the entire federal government for the fiscal year. The bills will now go to the president's desk for his signature.\r\nI am disappointed that Congress has failed to pass individual appropriations bills this year. This flawed process is not the way to govern, Wicker said. However, I am encouraged that with this agreement we will avoid the damaging effects of another continuing resolution or government shutdown.\r\nThese appropriations packages put our national security first, providing important support for our military service members and ensuring our president has the tools he needs to defend our borders. They also guarantee strong investments in infrastructure, health, and research that will propel our American economy forward into the next decade without harmful proposals to remove pro-life protections or increase the regulatory burdens on small businesses, Wicker said.\r\nAmong other provisions, the appropriations packages will provide a 3.1 percent pay raise for all members of the armed forces and $24 billion for the U.S. Navy's shipbuilding plan, and establish a U.S. Space Force within the Air Force as the sixth military service. They will also fund the border wall, providing $1.375 billion outright in new funding and removing restrictions on the president's ability to use homeland security funds for immigration and border enforcement activities.\r\nThe packages will also support important infrastructure projects and grants programs nationwide. They protect the sanctity of life and preserve all existing federal pro-life protections, including restrictions on federal funding for abortions and embryonic research. They also repeal the Obamacare taxes on medical devices, health insurers, and high-cost employer-sponsored health insurance.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-guest-unites-republicans-against-impeachment-effort", "Congressman Guest Unites with Republicans Against Impeachment Effort", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Michael Guest", "G000591", "guest.house.gov", "guest", "https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE to view or download floor speech\n\nWashington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) joined all Republican members of the House of Representatives in voting against both Articles of Impeachment levied against President Donald J. Trump. Article I outlined charges of \"Abuse of Power,\" while Article II outlined charges of \"Obstruction of Congress.\" In a floor speech earlier today, Congressman Guest cited a lack of evidence and Democrat's political bias as the reasons he voted against the resolution.\n\n\"Article II, Section IV of the United States Constitution states that the President of the United States may be removed from office for Treason, Bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. As a former prosecutor, I can say confidently that no court would accept these Articles of Impeachment as meeting the standards set out by our founding fathers. The impeachment articles rely almost exclusively on hearsay and opinion testimony and present no direct evidence of wrongdoing. As a former District Attorney, I am dismayed that the Democrats have submitted Articles of Impeachment against a sitting President of the United States using circumstantial evidence that fails to offer proof of an impeachable offense. Additionally, the charges levied in the Articles of Impeachment lack historical precedent and are motivated by purely political reasons. If the House of Representatives passes the Articles of Impeachment, the Democratic Majority will have set a dangerous precedent by undoing America's vote for president because a single party disagreed with the 2016 presidential election results. I urge my colleagues to vote no on these Articles of Impeachment.\"\n\nYou can find additional press releases in the links below.\n\nCongressman Guest Condemns Speaker Pelosi's Announcement of an Impeachment Inquiry\n\nCongressman Guest Supports Resolution to Censure Adam Schiff\n\nImpeachment Pushback: Congressman Guest Voices Opposition to the Democrats Unprecedented Impeachment\n\nCongressman Guest's Statement on Articles of Impeachment\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401306", "Palazzo Strongly Opposes Impeachment of President Trump", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Strongly Opposes Impeachment of President Trump \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 18, 2019\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      Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)today strongly opposed the articles of impeachment pushed through the House by Democrats to impeach President Trump.\r\nToday's vote proves Democrats don't trust Americans and reject our democratic process. I am adamantly opposed to these articles of impeachment because they are nothing more than another attack against our president. The core argument of the Democrats collapsed, and they still decided to ram this partisan impeachment down the throats of the American people.\r\nIn 2016, voters spoke loud and clear that Donald Trump was the obvious choice to lead our nation. Today's hyper-partisan decision to impeach President Trump in the House is merely a check off the liberal agenda heading into the 2020 election. I cast my vote today on behalf of my constituents in South Mississippi who also reject these unfounded attacks.###\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"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-feds-increase-efforts-stem-aquaculture-losses-avian-predators", "HYDE-SMITH: \u00a0FEDS TO INCREASE EFFORTS TO STEM AQUACULTURE LOSSES FROM AVIAN PREDATORS", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH: FEDS TO INCREASE EFFORTS TO STEM AQUACULTURE LOSSES FROM AVIAN PREDATORS\nU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Issues Notice to IncreaseCormorant Removals\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), who serves on the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, today welcomed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) action to increase the ability of catfish farmers and other aquaculture producers to combat predatory birds that consume millions of dollars of fish every year.\nHyde-Smith, who has been working with the U.S. Department of the Interior on predatory bird controls, said the FWS has published a notice in the Federal Register to allow the removal of nearly 23,000 more double-crested cormorants annually. Overall, the notice increases the annual maximum allowable take of double-crested cormorants from 51,571 to 74,396 per year through individual depredation permits.\nThis notice recognizes that cormorants represent a substantial economic threat to aquaculture operations in Mississippi and other states. Increasing the maximum allowable take will begin to help producers protect their investments, Hyde-Smith said. I appreciate the effort that has gone into this agency action and look forward to working on other long-term solutions to avian predation problems.\nHealthy cormorant populations have led us to adjust our take provisions and restrictions, said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. These actions are fundamental to properly balancing cormorant populations with the needs of aquaculturists.\nThe FWS will next work to issue individual depredation permits to provide relief for aquaculture facilities experiencing direct economic losses from cormorants across 37 central and eastern states. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates double-crested cormorants cause more than $25 million in damage annually for the catfish and aquaculture industry.\nThe FWS will also assess cormorant survey data and update the model at least every 10 years to ensure the authorized take level does not have a significant impact on cormorant populations.\nWithin the Senate FY2020 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, Hyde-Smith secured increased wildlife damage management funding and report language regarding the development of methods to assist aquaculture producers combatting the persistent threat and economic hardship caused by cormorants, pelicans, and other birds.\nIn early November, Hyde-Smith signed a bicameral letter requesting the FWS to streamline the permitting process to give livestock and aquaculture producers greater flexibility in protecting their animals from avian predators shielded under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.\nReview the Federal Register notice here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-statement-house-votes-impeach-president-trump", "HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON HOUSE VOTES TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON HOUSE VOTES TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) issued the following statement after House Democrats voted to approve two articles of impeachment against President Trump:\nThese votes have been a long time coming. Democrats have wanted impeachment since the day President Trump won the election in 2016. I've followed the House Democrats' partisan hearings, and I haven't heard or read anything regarding the charges against the President that rise to the level of impeachable offenses.\nAny attempt to remove a sitting President is a very serious matter. We don't know the framework for a Senate trial, but I am confident the President will be treated more fairly in the Senate.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F2CBB93D-625F-4778-83F2-C04BF0877A7B", "Wicker Responds to House Impeachment Vote", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released a video response to the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump by the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nRead the transcript of Senator Wicker's remarks below:\r\nHouse Democrats made a historic mistake today. By impeaching President Trump on a partisan basis and with little evidence, they have set a dangerous precedent.\r\nThe truth is, congressional Democrats have sought this result since the day Donald Trump was elected. Their effort has never been about the facts or accountability. It was always about politics and damaging a president they cannot tolerate.\r\nTo justify their goal, they conducted an investigation without due process or even the pretense of fairness. Even still, they were able to put forward a flimsy case based only on hearsay and assumptions. These charges would not be admissible in any courtroom in America. But that did not matter to President Trump's detractors.\r\nNow this process comes to the Senate, where the president will be treated fairly. I anticipate he will be acquitted and justice will be served. But significant damage has already been done.\r\nThe founders of our nation gave Congress the power to impeach so that the executive branch could be held accountable. They intended it to be used only in extreme cases, with clear evidence, and overwhelming bipartisan approval. Speaker Pelosi supported this standard just a few months ago but has now abandoned it.\r\nToday the House has abused their solemn responsibility.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401303", "Congressman Palazzo Votes for Eight Funding Bills, Highlighting Benefits for Mississippians Included in First Appropriations Package", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)today applauded the passage of an appropriations minibus for the 2020 fiscal year that funds key priorities relevant to Mississippi. The package will provide major funding opportunities for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Agriculture, Rural Development and Food and Drug Administration; Energy and Water Development; Interior and Environment; Legislative Branch; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; State and Foreign Operations; and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bills.\r\nToday's bill supports programs and research initiatives that are beneficial to Mississippians, our veterans and our farmers. I was particularly pleased to see robust funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans medical care, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport.\r\nI also welcome the inclusion of funding dedicated to addressing issues for mold found in military family housing, which has been a leading concern for our military men and women at Keesler. I remain focused on working with officials at Keesler to ensure our military families live in safe and healthy homes.\r\nThis year, the Bonnet Carr Spillway left the Mississippi Sound devastated. As we continue our recovery efforts, I believe my directive included for the Corps of Engineers to work with a NOAA fisheries expert on decisions made by the Mississippi River Commission will give south Mississippi a stronger voice at the table when future decisions on spillway activities are made.\r\nAs a staunch advocate for the Jones Act, I was pleased to see the inclusion of $300 million for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel program which will support increased training opportunities for American mariners to maintain a sustainable domestic maritime industry.\r\nBelow is a list of priorities secured by Congressman Palazzo: Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education Includes $6 million in funding for the Telehealth Centers of Excellence program. This continued funding for the National Center of Excellence in Telehealth supports the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Telehealth program, one of only two in the nation.\r\nProvides $3.5 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration's Children's Health and Development effort. Mississippi's children are faced with significant health challenges that substantially affect the overall health and economics of the state.\r\nIncludes $1.5 million to contract with and fund a National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine study to examine and recommend improvements to research, policies, and activities related to organ donation and transplantation.\r\nIncludes continued funding for current pilot programs of HHS's Regional Disaster Health Response System.\r\nContinues America's global leadership in basic science research and advances biomedical research by providing $41.7 billion for the National Institute of Health.\r\nMaintains all prior-year, pro-life funding restrictions, including a prohibition of federal funds being used to pay for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or life endangerment of the mother; Prohibits the creation or destruction of embryos for research purposes; and Maintains rape reporting requirements in the Title X Family Planning Program.\r\nAgriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Includes $2 million for cogongrass eradication at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Cogongrass is most concentrated in south Mississippi, so landowners there are more likely to have the weed migrate onto their property.\r\nProvides $19.6 million for the Circuit Rider Program which provides on-site technical assistance to water systems in rural communities.\r\nIncludes $50 million for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program within the Rural Utilities Service, an increase of $16 million.\r\nProvides $642 million for rural broadband, including $555 million for a broadband pilot program called ReConnect designed to provide certain flexibilities to unserved and underserved areas; $35 million in Community Connect grants; $50 million for Distance, Learning and Telemedicine grants; and $11 million in the Broadband Loan Program.\r\nIncludes an additional $3 million for Agriculture Research Service High Performance Computing which will directly benefit Mississippi's existing high performance computing network.\r\nAllocates $6.25 billion for Rural Utilities Service Electric Loan Program which provides financing for electric cooperatives who serve lower density rural areas.\r\nProvides $1 billion for the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development 502 Direct Home Loan Program which provides home loan assistance to low-income rural families.\r\nAllocates $6.5 million for Grassroots Source Water Protection Program that helps communities develop locally driven plans to protect ground and surface water. This program assists those communities in implementing a protection plan that helps reduce the need for continuous updates to treatment facilities.\r\nEnergy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Includes language regarding Corps of Engineers spillways and the need to consult a NOAA fisheries expert on decisions made by the Mississippi River Commission. The Mississippi River Commission ultimately decides on the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.\r\nAllocates funding and includes report language regarding Corps of Engineers work related to sustainable oyster reefs.\r\nProvides $10.9 million for the Corps of Engineers Coastal Inlet Research Program, supporting the work of the University of Southern Mississippi. These strategic partnerships are necessary to develop a comprehensive research program for determining optimal practices for oyster restoration at scales appropriate for regional needs.\r\nProvided an estimated $1.63 billion for Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund-reimbursable activities. The HMTF receives revenue from taxes on waterborne cargo and on cruise ship passengers.\r\nIncludes report language regarding Corps of Engineers investigations to protect critical national defense capabilities. Flood and coastal storm damage reduction investigations are necessary to protect critical national defense capabilities that are also major regional economic hubs, like at the Port of Pascagoula.\r\nAllocates $100 million for Corps of Engineers environmental infrastructure projects for critically needed water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.\r\nInterior, Environment, and Related Agencies Includes $1.6 billion for EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund.\r\nProvides $20.8 million in funding as well as support language for National Heritage areas. Mississippi is home to three national heritage areas: Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area, and the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area.\r\nLegislative Branch Provides for unspent dollars in the Members' Representational Allowance accounts to be put toward federal debt reduction, saving taxpayers money.\r\nContinues the pay freeze for members of Congress.\r\nMilitary Construction and Veterans Affairs Includes a total of $216.5 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, an increase of $19.4 billion above the fiscal year 2019 level.\r\nFunds VA medical care at $80.2 billion  providing for approximately seven million patients to be treated in fiscal year 2020.\r\nProvides an additional $140.8 million to address military family housing issues such as mold, vermin, and lead in military family housing. This funding will ensure quality housing for all 2,006,171 military families currently served by the program.\r\nProvides a total of $11.3 billion for military construction projects including $8.1 million for an Automated Machine Gun Range to be built at Camp Shelby.\r\nIncludes $75.3 million dollars, $11 million over the fiscal year 2020 budget request, for the Armed Forces Retirement homes in Gulfport, Mississippi and Washington, DC.\r\nTransportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Provides $1 billion for DOT's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants. This year, Mississippi was awarded highly competitive BUILD grants for the City of Starkville and the City of Gulfport. The $20.46 million grant to the City of Gulfport will support the addition of a new roadway to connect Daniel Boulevard to existing commercial centers along Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 49, and Airport Road.\r\nIncludes language that prohibits funds from being used to enforce the electronic logging device rule with respect to carriers transporting livestock or insects, providing much-needed regulatory relief to farmers in Mississippi.\r\nProvides $95 million for the Department of Transportation Small Transit Intensive Cities Program, which has helped cities in Mississippi such as Hattiesburg and Pascagoula.\r\nAllocates $5 million for the DOT's Federal Transit Administration technical assistance and training program.\r\nProvides $300 million for the DOT's National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program. The NSMV will help sustain U.S. maritime training operations at the State Maritime Academies by equipping young American mariners with a modern and adaptable training program. The NSMV will also be available to support federal government efforts in response to national and international disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401304", "Palazzo Secures Funding for Key Priorities in Defense, Homeland, and Commerce Appropriations Bills", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC -Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4), member of the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science and the Homeland Security subcommittees, today voted to pass the Defense; Commerce, Justice, and Science; Financial Services and General Government; and Homeland Security Appropriations Bills for the 2020 Fiscal Year.\r\nMississippi has a long-standing tradition of supporting a strong national defense through our military installations, shipbuilding, and support from the community. This bill builds on our commitment to provide for the common defense and focuses on rebuilding our military while providing our service members with the largest pay increase of the decade.\r\nSouth Mississippi has a thriving blue economy that is rapidly growing through the use of unmanned maritime systems. By allocating more funding for research in the Gulf of Mexico, we've enhanced our ability to better understand our oceans and partner with our universities.\r\nAs the Administration focuses on returning Americans to the moon, Stennis Space Center will play a significant part in testing the rocket engines that will send our astronauts to the lunar surface. NASA's Rocket Propulsion Test program received funding to support ongoing rocket engine testing activities occurring at Stennis. This bill ensures the road to space will still go through south Mississippi.\r\nIn part to President Trump's leadership, border apprehensions have dropped over the last several months. I am glad to know that Congress is prioritizing the needs of our southern border and will provide necessary resources, including wall funding, for smarter border security measures.\r\nCommerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies\r\nProvides $2.5 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Launch System (SLS), $1.4 billion for Orion, and $590 million for Exploration Ground Systems.\r\nIncludes $46.5 million for NASA's Space Operations, Rocket Propulsion Test which will be used for testing new rocket engine systems as well as infrastructure improvements at testing facilities, including NASA's largest engine rocket testing facility Stennis Space Center.\r\nDirects $373.4 million for NASA's Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration which includes no less than $130.5 million for NASA's three highest priority institutional construction of facilities projects. This includes Stennis Space Center's High Pressure Industrial Water System Repair thatsupports all rocket engine testing programs, including the Space Launch System (SLS) and the RS-25.\r\nIncludes $110 million to develop NASA's Nuclear Thermal Propulsion technology, an important component of the SLS program which performs engine tests at Stennis Space Center.\r\nIncludes language in support of the NOAA proposal to establish a centralized program for Unmanned Systems Operations, as authorized by the CENOTE Act of 2018 and providing $12.6 million in additional funds within the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, Unmanned System Operations, to support these activities.\r\nProvides $32 million for NOAA's Hydrographic Survey priorities which includes $2 million in additional funds for NOAA to designate and continue supporting joint ocean and coastal mapping centers.\r\nProvides $35.5 million for NOAA's Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Research for Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes, Mississippi State University is the lead entity for the competitively awarded Cooperative Institute for the Northern Gulf.\r\nIncludes up to $1 million to improve Near Real-Time Infrasonic monitoring of hurricane intensity. which would be carried out at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Geospatial Center.\r\nIncludes language and up to $10 million for NOAA to focus on improving shellfish survival and growth rates, which would benefit the University of Southern Mississippi's oyster initiatives.\r\nProvides $27.5 million for NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve System, benefitting the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve which is comprised of approximately 18,000 acres and contains pine savannas, salt marshes, salt pannes, bays and bayous as well as terrestrial habitats that are unique to the coastal zone.\r\nAllocates $42 million for NOAA's Research Supercomputing which includes $15 million to continue to develop a dedicated high performance computing facility in collaboration with partners that have existing high performance computing expertise and scientific synergies.\r\nIncludes language on exempted fishing permits for Red Snapper to allow limited state management of recreational red snapper fishing.\r\nDefense\r\nFunds the recently authorized 3.1 percent pay increase for military men and women. The largest increase in a decade.\r\nProvides $277 million increase for the construction of a San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock (LPD-31) and a $650 million increase for the construction of an additional large deck Amphibious Assault Ship (LHA-9), both of which will be constructed at Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula.\r\nIncludes $15 million for Navy Acoustic Surveillance Systems currently being constructed in Long Beach, MS to provide our Navy with enhanced theatre anti-submarine warfare capabilities.\r\nAllocates $8.1 million for acquisition of special operations boats that are built in Gulfport. These small craft will carry our special operators at the tip of the spear.\r\nIncreases funding for additional Lakota helicopters built in Columbus by $27 million which will be used by our Army to train the next generation of helicopter pilots.\r\nProvides $224 million in funding for high performance computing modernization to provide all of the DOD with a clear technological edge over our near peer competitors.\r\nIncludes $100 million for Army National Guard High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) modernization program positively impacting the readiness of Army National Guard units.\r\nProvides $23 million for advanced naval composite manufacturing work done in Gulfport. Additional work for Ship to Shore connector and the Navy's newest submarines in cutting edge materials is creating the highest quality equipment for our nation's Marines and sailors.\r\nAllocates $5 million for high-performance polymers research, $7.5 million for interdisciplinary cybersecurity research, and $8 million for Advanced Aerospace Composite Structures connecting cutting edge research at the University of Southern Mississippi with the military services that can put those technologies to work.\r\nIncludes $15 million for Medium-Altitude, Ultra-Long Endurance UAV built in Columbus which will provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance to our warfighters and commanders on the ground.\r\nHomeland Security\r\nProvides an additional $1.375 billion for new border wall funding, President Trump's number one priority.\r\nMaintains the president's ability to transfer funds for the border wall.\r\nProvides funding for an additional 1,200 Customs and Border Protection agents to address the influx of migrants at the southern border.\r\nAllocates $100.5 million for Long Lead time materials on a 12th National Security Cutter (NSC) for the United States Coast Guard. The NSC is the largest and most technologically sophisticated in the Coast Guard. On April 30, The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the eighth NSC, Midgett, in Pascagoula, Mississippi.\r\nIncludes $10.8 million for Coast Guard Maritime Security Team boats built on the Gulf Coast. These small boats are essential tools for the Coast Guard when intercepting drug running boats out at sea.\r\nIncludes $32 million for lightweight Customs and Border Patrol Helicopters that are constructed in Columbus, Mississippi to increase resources dedicated to securing the United States border.\r\nIncorporated language forcing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide a status report to Congress on deobligation decisions and appeals for grant awards from Hurricane Katrina recovery.\r\nProvides $135 million for a second Polar Security Cutter to be built by VT Halter in Pascagoula. In April, Palazzo praised the announcement of the Polar Security Cutter contract awarded to VT Halter that has brought more jobs to south Mississippi.\r\nIncludes language supporting the research done by Mississippi State University in conjunction with Engineering and Research Center (ERDC) to respond to a DHS need for rapid innovation to protect soft assets.\r\nProvides $1.5 million for comprehensive testing of imported honey due to continuing evidence that imported raw honey is often marked with an inaccurate country of origin in order to avoid U.S. anti-dumping duties and may be adulterated with substances that could undermine the product's consumer reputation.\r\n  \r\nFinancial Services and General Government\r\nCombats the financing of terrorism and stregthens sanctions against Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Syria.\r\nEliminates a Democrat provision that would have prohibited using the Treasury Forfeiture Fund from being used for construction of the border wall.\r\nCombats the drug epidemic by increasing funds for the Office of National Drug Control Policy and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas like the Gulf Coast.\r\nProvides $262 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund that provides financial services to low-income communities. For Mississippi, CDFIs are there to ensure that capital investments and economic opportunities find their way into underserved communities.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-introduces-bill-protect-moms-babies-through-control-chemical-abortion-pills", "HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT MOMS & BABIES THROUGH CONTROL OF CHEMICAL ABORTION PILLS", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT MOMS & BABIES THROUGH CONTROL OF CHEMICAL ABORTION PILLS\nSAVE Moms and Babies Act Recognizes the Dangersof Chemical Abortion Drugs\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today introduced legislation to protect the lives of women by controlling the distribution of chemical abortion drugs, which have high complication rates for incomplete abortions, infections, severe bleeding, and death.\nThe Support and Value Expectant (SAVE) Moms and Babies Act would prevent labeling changes for already-approved abortion drugs; prevent providers from dispensing these drugs remotely, by mail, or via tele-medicine; and prevent the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from approving new chemical abortion drugs.\nAlthough abortion rates are declining nationwide, rates of chemical abortion are increasing dramatically. Increased use of abortion pills may give the impression that these procedures are safe, when in fact they are quite dangerous. Making chemical abortion pills more broadly available without proper medical oversight would endanger the lives of women. I am introducing this bill to codify the important FDA policy that protects women from dangers inherent in mail-order or do-it-yourself chemical abortions, Hyde-Smith said.\nIn addition to restricting the availability of chemical abortion drugs, the measure would also retain the FDA-imposed Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) currently applied to these drugs due to known or potential serious risk associated with the medication. It would also require health care practitioners to report to the FDA adverse events experienced by patients using an abortion drug,\nIn 2017, chemical abortions made up 39 percent of abortions reported by the 32 states that require reporting on specific abortion methods, up from 5.5 percent in 2001.\nOriginal cosponsors include Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).\nSusan B. Anthony List (SBA List), March for Life Action, National Right to Life, Family Research Council, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are among the groups that support the bill.\nWe are grateful to Senator Hyde-Smith for championing legislation to fight the reckless expansion of chemical abortion, said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. The abortion lobby has attempted to interfere with protective FDA regulations and flood the U.S. market with dangerous abortion drugs from overseas, threatening the health and safety of vulnerable women. On the heels of an abandoned study designed to discredit pro-life abortion pill reversal, which only proved the serious and potentially deadly risks inherent to abortion pills, the need for this bill could not be more pressing. We strongly support the SAVE Moms & Babies Act and urge Congress to pass it swiftly.\nA summary of the SAVE Moms and Babies Act is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-votes-defense-policy-bill-0", "HYDE-SMITH VOTES FOR DEFENSE POLICY BILL", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH VOTES FOR DEFENSE POLICY BILL\nMeasure Setting National Security Policies, Military Pay Raise Headed to President Trump\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted for final passage of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes national security policies, military personnel pay raise, and appropriations to continue President Trump's agenda to rebuild the military.\nThe Senate approved the FY2020 NDAA on a 86-8vote, completing congressional action on the measure. The bill now goes to President Trump to be signed into law.\nThis defense policy bill outlines what we need now to build military readiness, which relies on strong training, modernized weapons systems, and facilities that support troops and their families, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. These policies, combined with the pending defense appropriations agreement, will allow us to continue rebuilding our military to meet existing and evolving threats to our great country.\nThe NDAA authorizes $735 billion for national defense spending, including aircraft and shipbuilding procurement recommendations that would benefit Mississippi. The measure authorizes a 3.1 percent pay raise for members of the Armed Forces, in addition to creating the U.S. Space Force. A summary of the House-Senate conference report on FY2020 NDAA is available here.\nThe House and Senate are expected to give final approval this week to the FY2020 Defense Appropriations Bill as part of two appropriations packages.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C4D0DDDA-076B-458A-9D01-5ED430AEBFBC", "Wicker Celebrates Passage of National Defense Bill", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today celebrated Senate passage of the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Wicker was named to the conference committee that crafted the final agreement, which will now go to the president's desk to be signed into law.\r\nThis legislation is a major victory for the brave men and women in uniform we count on to defend our nation. This proposal builds on recent years' strong budgets to provide our Department of Defense with the resources it needs to confront new and growing challenges from countries like China, Russia, and Iran, Wicker said.\r\nThis legislation also makes important reforms to our military housing system, gives our troops the largest pay raise in a decade, and supports an aggressive shipbuilding plan that will help our Navy move toward its goal of 355 ships. I look forward to the president signing this legislation without delay, Wicker continued.\r\nThe legislation authorizes a topline figure of $738 billion for national defense, consistent with the recent bipartisan budget agreement. Among other provisions, it will provide a 3.1 percent pay raise for all members of the armed forces and $24 billion for the U.S. Navy's shipbuilding plan, establish a U.S. Space Force within the Air Force as the sixth military service, and fully fund nuclear weapons modernization.\r\nWicker and other conferees were successful in blocking several partisan proposals from the House-backed defense bill that would have stripped funding for the border wall with Mexico, allowed U.S. detainees at Guantanamo Bay to be moved to the U.S., and tied the president's hands when it comes to countering Iranian aggression.\r\nIn Mississippi, the defense bill is expected to have a major impact, with provisions to reform military housing, support shipbuilding programs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and fund defense manufacturing and military construction.\r\nHighlights of the final defense proposal for Mississippi include:\r\nMilitary Housing Reform\r\n \r\nRequires the Secretary of Defense to designate a Chief Housing Officer, who will be a presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed official.\r\nRequires the Secretary of Defense to consider a private contractor's history of providing substandard housing when deciding to renew a housing contract or enter into a new contract.\r\nRequires the Secretary of Defense to withhold any amount owed under an existing housing contract until material breaches are remedied and rescind the contract if a material breach is not remedied within 90 days.\r\nRequires the Secretary of Defense to withhold incentive fees for persistent failure to remedy a health or environmental hazard.\r\n \r\nA Boost for Shipbuilding\r\n \r\nAuthorizes an additional $277.9M for the LPD-31 Flight II Amphibious Transport Dock ship for a total of $525M.\r\nAuthorizes $650M for LHA-9 early funding to leverage non-recurring engineering (NRE) investment in LHA 8.\r\nAuthorizes $260M for the purchase of long lead time material for three FY21 DDG-51 Flight III destroyers.\r\nAuthorizes $15M to reduce production time and cost of Columbia class submarine propulsor components that are manufactured in Gulfport.\r\nAuthorizes $15M to produce mission-ready advanced materials components in Gulfport for naval hovercraft.\r\n \r\nDefense Procurement and Military Construction\r\n \r\nAuthorizes the president's budget request of $473M for the procurement of MQ-4C Triton and $47.25M for RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft, which are manufactured in Moss Point.\r\nAuthorizes $16.8M for a fuel facilities replacement project at Columbus Air Force Base, which is consistent with the president's budget request.\r\n \r\nOther Provisions\r\n \r\nIncludes a Wicker provision to establish a minimum national requirement of 3,700 JROTC/NDCC units, which is an increase of 188 from the current 3,512 units.\r\nApproves the Maritime Administration Authorization Act, which authorizes appropriations for MARAD programs and related activities, including two Wicker proposals to improve ports and combat illegal fishing.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EF62B957-662F-4F56-A519-430439EF0B33", "Wicker, Rosen, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Computer Science Educators", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., were joined by Senators Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Teacher Education for Computer Science Act (Teach CS Act). The senators introduced this legislation during Computer Science Education Week to support efforts to train more computer science teachers.\r\nAddressing America's critical shortage of computer science graduates starts in the classroom, Wicker said. This legislation would make targeted changes to existing teacher education programs to place more qualified computer science instructors in our schools.\r\nAs a former computer programmer, I understand firsthand the value in computer science and how education in this field can open doors for students who are looking to pursue a career in STEM, Rosen said. I'm working to extend educational opportunities to our students in Nevada and across the country, and that's why I'm helping introducing the bipartisan Teach CS Act, a bill that will provide teachers and schools with the resources and preparations needed to provide our children with a 21st century education.\r\nWe need to make sure our kids have the tools they need to succeed in the 21st century global economy, Romney said. Our legislation will strengthen computer science curriculums in Utah and around the country and create more opportunities for students to gain important skills which our changing workforce demands.\r\nIn the 21st century innovation economy, proficiency in computer science can be a real asset for young people preparing to enter the workforce  so it's critical that educators have the knowledge and training to help students learn computer science, Hassan said. In honor of Computer Science Education Week, I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to strengthen STEM education in New Hampshire and across the country.\r\nThe Teach CS Act would amend the Higher Education Act (HEA) to make computer science instructors eligible for multiple teacher preparation grants and graduate fellowships. The legislation would also authorize a new competitive grants program for eligible institutions of higher education to establish centers of excellence in teacher education programs for computer science.\r\nThe Teach CS Act has been endorsed by Code.org, Microsoft, CSforAll, Girls Who Code, the Computer Science Teachers Association, the National Education Association, State Educational Technology Directors Association, and 100Kin10.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=62BB795D-75E5-4115-A5E4-DB3135817E7E", "Wicker Marks Booming Economy and Return to Growth", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "America is currently experiencing its longest economic expansion in history. However, even after 125 months of positive news, November's jobs report was a stunning blockbuster. According to the Department of Labor, wages are rising while we added 266,000 new jobs, well over the expected 180,000. Ten years after the Great Recession, policies like tax reform, regulatory rollback, and energy independence are putting Americans back to work in higher numbers than ever.\r\nToday's unemployment rate is just 3.5 percent, a remarkable 50-year low. That means that more Americans are providing for themselves, their families, and their communities. To put this number in context, for every percent the unemployment rate decreases, 1.3 million more people have jobs and opportunities. With the right policies from Washington and innovations from the private sector, America's economy can continue to grow.\r\nBuilding on Historic Progress\r\nThis upward trend did not seem possible to many in 2009, when some thought that the economic crash signaled a new normal of slow growth and possibly decline. In November of that year, Mississippi's unemployment rate stood at 10.5 percent, and it rose for months after.\r\nAmerica has reversed course. When the closing bell rang for the final time last decade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at a dismal 10,428 points. That was 1,000 points lower than it had been at the end of 1999. As we close this year, the Dow hovers around 28,000 points, increasing the value to workers' pension plans and 401(k)s. Ten years ago, our country relied on foreign and sometimes hostile markets for our oil. This September, the U.S. exported more crude oil and petroleum products than we imported  the first time that has happened since our government started collecting the data in 1949. Small business owners are reporting record-high optimism. The pro-growth policies of the last three years have proven the naysayers of a decade ago wrong.\r\nMore to be Done\r\nWith work, these positive developments should continue. The most immediate step is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a vital revision to the outdated NAFTA that will affect more than $3.4 billion of Mississippi exports. I am encouraged that Speaker Pelosi now seems to be moving forward with this bipartisan win for the American people. More than $68 billion in economic growth is waiting, and I hope Congress can get this done soon.\r\nAnother opportunity is jobs training. Apprenticeship programs have track records of providing necessary on-the-job experience. I have supported these programs throughout my time in Congress, providing additional funding and advocating for rules changes that would streamline approvals and increase flexibility.\r\nAdditionally, closing the digital divide by expanding internet access will help unlock rural America's potential. The Chamber of Commerce estimates that this effort could create almost 20,000 jobs and billions of dollars in economic growth in Mississippi. As chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I am working to get more businesses in our state online and able to access markets around the world.\r\nThe American Dream is Alive and Well\r\nAs the United States continues to come roaring back from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, those who were so pessimistic ten years ago can breathe sighs of relief. The task now is to expand economic opportunity to more of our fellow Americans and lay strong foundations for the future. That will ensure that the American Dream of passing on a better life to our children and grandchildren will continue for generations to come.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401296", "Palazzo Co-Leads Bill to Increase Data Collaboration Between Coastal States", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4), along with Representatives Charlie Crist (FL-13), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), and Chris Smith (NJ-4), introduced H.R. 5390, the Regional Ocean Partnership Act toformally authorize Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROP) as partners with the federal government to address ocean and coastal concerns.The legislation will provide ROPs with more consistent funding to help them perform their critical mission of supporting ocean and coastal health, sustainability, and resiliency. ROPs have been operating for years as regional organizations voluntarily convened by state governors. They foster collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as other stakeholders, to address ocean and coastal issues unique to each region. ROPs currently receive funding through an assortment of grants and in-kind donations, making their funding levels unstable. When the coastal communities in my district face an issue in the Mississippi Sound, it is often times not exclusive to Mississippi and impacts large portions of the Gulf Coast region, said Rep. Palazzo. Our legislation fosters collaboration between coastal states through information and data sharing related to the oceans. We are introducing this bill today to better understand our oceans while working together to protect our resources for years to come. As Floridians, we know it is our duty to preserve our way of life by keeping our oceans and coasts clean and thriving. The work of Regional Ocean Partnerships, such as the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, is critical in achieving that goal, said Rep. Crist. These partnerships need more consistent and predictable funding, and by formalizing this arrangement, we help ensure our oceans and coasts are better supported for generations to come. Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs) have a long history of success at dealing with issues revolving around managing and restoring our ocean and coastal regions. This bill would allow us to continue to build on the tremendous accomplishments that have been achieved through ROPs across the nation by providing these programs with secure and predictable funding, said Rep. Lowenthal. I am proud to join Rep. Crist in putting forward this bill to further the critical research, conservation, and restoration efforts ROPs provide.  Regional Ocean Partnerships are essential for the numerous private and public entities that help support and understand our clean oceans, bays and tributaries, and of course the shore-based tourism economies, said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), whose district includes large coastal areas in Monmouth and Ocean counties along the Jersey Shore. ROPs across the nation are hubs for research, data, and programs that help protect our oceans and waterways for future generations. I am pleased to join Rep. Crist and other Members who also represent coastal communities in supporting this bill to foster sensible conservation of our natural resources. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is excited about what the Regional Ocean Partnership Act will mean for coordination and collaboration within the regions. Allowing for expanded actions that cross programmatic and geographic boundaries, is imperative for meaningful regional accomplishments in coastal restoration and resilience, said Laura Bowie, Executive Director of GOMA. Background on Regional Ocean Partnership Act:\r\nRegional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs) are regional organizations voluntarily convened by state governors in collaboration with other governments and stakeholders to address ocean and coastal issues of concern in that region. The four existing ROPs include the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA), Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO), and West Coast Ocean Alliance (WCOA). Meanwhile, Executive Order 13840, Ocean Policy to Advance Economic, Security, and Environmental Interests of the United States, recognizes the importance of ROPs in supporting interagency engagement and collaboration on cross-jurisdictional ocean and coastal matters. In addition to providing more secure and predictable funding, authorization under this bill will give ROPs the ability to leverage funds from multiple federal agencies against state and private funding sources, further boosting their ability to address coastal and ocean issues of regional concern. The bill also establishes an application process for the designation of additional ROPs. A Senate companion to the bill, S.2166, was voted out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in July and is awaiting consideration by the full chamber. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-advocates-sustainable-broadband-networks-rural-consumers", "HYDE-SMITH ADVOCATES SUSTAINABLE BROADBAND NETWORKS FOR RURAL CONSUMERS", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH ADVOCATES SUSTAINABLE BROADBAND NETWORKS FOR RURAL CONSUMERS\nMiss. Senator Among 48 Senators Who Want FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Rule that Keeps Pace with Demand, Advances in Technology\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) is among 48 Senators who are pressing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prioritize sustainable rural broadband networks as the agency considers rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) proceeding.\nIn a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the Senators argue for investing RDOF resources in technologies that keep pace with growing consumer demand in rural communities and the evolution of broadband in urban areas.\nThe FCC must carefully consider how it invests in rural areas. The benefits of improving broadband access in rural Mississippi, for instance, will be short-lived if the networks can't keep up with advances in technology, said Hyde-Smith, who has used her committee assignments to support efforts to close the digital divide.\nIn August, the FCC launched a rulemaking process to establish the RDOF and direct up to $20.4 billion to target areas with rural homes and small businesses that lack modern broadband service.\nLed by Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), the letter stated, Given that the FCC plays a critical role in connecting rural communities to high-speed internet through the universal service fund (USF), we encourage the FCC to make the most efficient and effective use of those funds.\nIf our rural communities are to survive and flourish, our rural constituents need access to services that are on par with those in urban areas, the Senators wrote. By contrast, it would be an inefficient use of resources to promote services that cannot keep pace with consumer demand and the evolution of broadband in urban areas. As the FCC moves forward to adopt new rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund proceeding, we urge you to promote the deployment of networks that will be sustainable even as new advancements are made and are capable of delivering the best level of broadband access for the available USF budget for many years to come.\nA copy of the letter is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-fulfills-promise-people-votes-pass-lower-drug-costs-now", "Congressman Thompson Fulfills Promise For The People, Votes to Pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act", "2019-12-12", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 12, 2019\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie Thompson voted to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, bold, transformative legislation to strengthen the health and financial security of America's seniors and families by finally stopping Americans from having to pay more for their medications than what Big Pharma charges for the same drugs in other countries.\n\nThe Lower Drug Costs Now Act finally levels the playing field for American patients and taxpayers:\n\nGives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with the drug companies, and creates powerful new tools to force drug companies to the table to agree to real price reductions, while ensuring seniors never lose access to the prescriptions they need.\n\nMakes the lower drug prices negotiated by Medicare available to Americans with private insurance, not just Medicare beneficiaries.\n\nStops drug companies ripping off Americans while charging other countries less for the same drugs, limiting the maximum price for any negotiated drug to be in line with the average price in countries like ours, where drug companies charge less for the same drugs \u2013 and admit they still make a profit.\n\nCreates a new, $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, and reverses years of unfair price hikes above inflation across thousands of drugs in Medicare.\n\nReinvests the hundreds of billions of dollars in savings in the most transformational improvement to Medicare since its creation \u2013 delivering vision, dental and hearing benefits \u2013 and turbocharging the search for new cures.\n\nH.R. 3 will reduce drug costs for millions of Americans in MS-02 and across the Mississippi:\n\nBreast Cancer: Mississippi patients could save $45,100 off the average total cost of the breast cancer medication Ibrance per year;\n\nLeukemia: Mississippi patients could save $66,300 off the average total cost of the leukemia medication Tasigna per year;\n\nProstate Cancer: Mississippi patients could save $72,100 off the average total cost of the prostate cancer medication Zytiga per year;\n\nArthritis: Mississippi patients could save $30,000 off their total costs on most arthritis drugs per year;\n\nAsthma: Mississippi patients could save $1,130 off their total costs on most Asthma drugs per year;\n\nHIV/AIDS: Mississippi patients could save $9,000 off their total costs on most HIV/AIDS drugs per year;\n\nMultiple Sclerosis: Mississippi patients could save $27,000 off their total costs on most MS drugs per year;\n\nDiabetes: Mississippi patients could save $15,000 off the average total cost of the insulin NovoLOG Flexpen per year.\n\nIn Mississippi:\n\n98% of Medicare beneficiaries are estimated to gain dental benefits;\n\n88% of Medicare beneficiaries are estimated to obtain vision benefits;\n\n84% of Medicare beneficiaries are estimated to secure hearing benefits.\n\n\"On behalf of the people of Mississippi and all Americans, I am proud to join my colleagues to pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act to deliver significant savings for patients, employers and taxpayers and make critical investments in both the largest expansion of Medicare benefits since Medicare's creation, as well as an expansion of lifesaving research for the groundbreaking cures of the future,\" continued Rep. Thompson. \"With this historic step, House Democrats reaffirm our continued commitment to advance real progress that makes a difference for hard-working families.\"\n\nClick here to download Congressman Thompson's remarks", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-guest-votes-against-hr-3", "Congressman Guest Votes Against H.R. 3", "2019-12-12", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Michael Guest", "G000591", "guest.house.gov", "guest", "https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) voted against H.R. 3 \u2013 the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019. Congressman Guest's primary concern was the likelihood that the bill would result in the creation of fewer cures and hinder the development of new drugs to treat illnesses. Recent reports indicate that over 100 cures could go undeveloped if Nancy Pelosi's bill were to become law.\n\n\"There will be almost 2 million new cases of cancer in 2020. An estimated 5.8 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Over 30 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes. Just one new drug has the potential to change millions of lives. The loss of one potential new cure is unacceptable, but potentially killing over 100 new cures for the sake of a political agenda is unconscionable, especially when bipartisan, legislation exists that would lower drug costs without sacrificing new medicines. H.R. 19 \u2013 the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, has bipartisan support and would lower prescription drug prices without throwing away future cures that could change the lives of millions of Americans of all ages and walks of life.\"\n\nCongressman Guest is an original co-sponsor of H.R. 19 \u2013 the Lower Costs, More Cures Act.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-votes-committee-continue-battlefield-preservation-program", "HYDE-SMITH VOTES WITH COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION PROGRAM", "2019-12-12", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH VOTES WITH COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION PROGRAM\nMiss. Senator Cosponsored Bill that Supports Historic Sites in Mississippi\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted with her colleagues on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to approve legislation to reauthorize a battlefield preservation program utilized in Mississippi to save historic sites.\nHyde-Smith cosponsored the Preserving American's Battlefields Act of 2019 (S.225), which is now available for consideration by the full Senate. This measure would reauthorize the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program through FY2028.\nMississippi has certainly benefited from this battlefield preservation grant program, which relies on nongovernment partnerships to protect historic sites, Hyde-Smith said. Ensuring these sites are available to future generations not only preserves our history, but also helps establish them as economic assets for local communities.\nThe National Park Service provides matching funds through the Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program to preserve significant battlefields. S.225 also includes provisions to promote improved interpretation of high-priority battlefield sites to help transform them into genuine historic tourism destinations. The American Battlefield Trust has endorsed the Senate bill.\nIn Mississippi, this grant program has helped save numerous sites including Vicksburg, Champion Hill, Brice's Cross Roads, Corinth, Port Gibson, Big Black River Ridge, and other sites.\nIn June, the National Park Service awarded a $109,806 grant to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the American Battlefield Trust to acquire 58 acres of the Champion Hill Battlefield threatened by urban and suburban development.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-guest-s-statement-articles-impeachment", "Congressman Guests Statement on Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Michael Guest", "G000591", "guest.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) released the statement below following the announcement made by House Democratic Leadership to bring Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump to the floor for a vote.\nThis should not come as a surprise to anyone. Democrats have been trying to impeach President Trump since the day he was elected, and they have ignored House rules and precedent in their pursuit. I have seen no evidence to support the Democrats' claims, and their accusations were built on hearsay. No court in the United States would admit the majority of the testimony provided by the Democratic witnesses. The purpose of these Articles of Impeachment is not to find justice but to undo the 2016 presidential election results, and I will not vote to silence the voices of over 700,000 Mississippians who voted for our president.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-guests-statement-articles-impeachment", "Congressman Guest\u2019s Statement on Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Michael Guest", "G000591", "guest.house.gov", "guest", "https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) released the statement below following the announcement made by House Democratic Leadership to bring Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump to the floor for a vote.\n\n\"This should not come as a surprise to anyone. Democrats have been trying to impeach President Trump since the day he was elected, and they have ignored House rules and precedent in their pursuit. I have seen no evidence to support the Democrats' claims, and their accusations were built on hearsay. No court in the United States would admit the majority of the testimony provided by the Democratic witnesses. The purpose of these Articles of Impeachment is not to find justice but to undo the 2016 presidential election results, and I will not vote to silence the voices of over 700,000 Mississippians who voted for our president.\"\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401295", "Palazzo Hails Agreement on USMCA as Win for American Workers", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Hails Agreement on USMCA as Win for American Workers \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 11, 2019\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      Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) applauded the announcement that a deal on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has been reached.\"The agreement to move forward with the USMCA is a win for American workers. President Trump deserves total praise for spearheading the United States' demands in this trade agreement and carrying it across the finish line. It's unfortunate that Pelosi stalled the job creation and continued economic progress over her pursuit to impeach the President, but a win is a win. Nevertheless, the American people deserve this trade deal and I am proud to say that Congress will deliver on that promise.\" ###\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"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401297", "Palazzo Supports Passage of Annual Defense Authorization Bill", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Supports Passage of Annual Defense Authorization Bill \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 11, 2019\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      Washington, DC-Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)released the following statement today after voting to pass the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): \"I've always understood that my number one constitutional responsibility in Congress is to provide for the common defense of this nation, and today's bill upholds that commitment. The NDAA maintains key national security priorities and will provide our armed forces with the tools they need to complete their missions and return home to their families safely. \"We are continuing progress on securing our border, rebuilding our military and restoring its readiness, as well as providing pay increases to our military members. South Mississippi is a major defense hub and we will continue bolstering our national security with passage of this bill.\" Key Provisions in the FY20 NDAA\r\n\r\n \r\n    $738 billion for base and overseas contingency operations\r\n    Supports the acceleration of weapons development and purchases\r\n    $265 million for National Guard equipment\r\n    Authorizes construction ofthree Arleigh Burke-class destroyers\r\n    Includes provision for a new frigate\r\n    Provides three unmanned surface vessels for the Navy\r\n    Includes language to construct a new landing platform/dock (LPD) and a landing helicopter assault (LHA)\r\n    3.1% pay raise - largest pay raise in a decade\r\n    Extends special pay and bonuses for service members\r\n    Takes steps to remedy child care waitlist backlongs at military bases\r\n    Includes overhaul of privatized military housing by including a new Tenant Bill of Rights\r\n    Repeals the Widow's Tax for surviving military spouses\r\n    Requires reports on suicides among military members and calls for the incorporation of chaplains, houses of worship, and spiritual resources for service members struggling with suicidal thoughts\r\n \r\n###\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"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4611", "House Passes National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020\n\nDecember 11, 2019 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nTags:\nNational Defense / Veterans\n\n\n\r\nWASHINGTON - Today, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. This bill strengthens and modernizes our national defense readiness on multiple fronts, enabling our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to respond to any threat against America. \r\n\r\nThe FY2020 NDAA supports a 3.1 percent pay raise\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. This bill strengthens and modernizes our national defense readiness on multiple fronts, enabling our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to respond to any threat against America.\n\nThe FY2020 NDAA supports a 3.1 percent pay raise - the largest increase in a decade and establishes the United States Space Force as the sixth Armed Service of the United States under the Air Force.\n\n\"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and an NDAA Conferee, I am proud to be a part of this process which supports the National Defense Strategy,\" Rep. Kelly said. \"The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2020 will also serve as the catalyst to restore readiness while caring for our most cherished asset - military families.\"\n\nRepresentative Kelly spearheaded the effort for the inclusion of the following provisions:\n\n\u2022 Tricare Reserve Select eligibility for all federal employees and National Guard federal technicians beginning in 2030. This provision saves the government $1.6B over ten years, and Rep. Kelly is committed to continuing to work to move the eligibility date closer to today from 2030.\n\n\u2022 Included language on maxing the initial contribution of service members to the Blended Retirement System at 5% with a 5% government match instead of a 1% contribution with a 1% government match.\n\n\u2022 The creation of a Survivors Action Working Group that meets periodically with the chiefs of the Armed Forces and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to receive feedback from those survivors regarding issues affecting such survivors.\n\n\u2022 Provisions that preserves military healthcare by preventing the services from making cuts to healthcare billets before providing additional analysis on the impact those cuts will have on the military health system.\n\n\u2022 A sense of Congress that JROTC should be increased in fiscal year 2020 to include at least 3,700 JROTC units nationwide.\n\n\u2022 The expansion of support for military spouses by doubling the reimbursement amount spouses can receive for professional licensing and expanding eligibility for educational assistance.\n\n\u2022 The improvement of military childcare, including expanding direct hiring authority for child development centers and requiring a comprehensive assessment of childcare capacity on military installations.\n\n\u2022 Ensuring the National Guard gains access to the Defense Environmental Restoration Accounts in order to clean up environmental damage caused by training for federal missions.\n\nCongressman Trent Kelly represents Mississippi's First Congressional District. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, serving as Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Rep. Kelly also serves on the House Committee on Agriculture. This is his third term.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:20:14Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=72FD017D-7B8A-430C-A88E-395D39C6D05A", "Wicker Thanks Nations Military Members", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today signed holiday cards thanking American service members at the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes event in the United States Capitol Visitor Center.\r\nToday I was happy to join some fellow senators in sending Christmas cards for our troops, Wicker said. It is just a simple message - we want the people who have stepped forward and volunteered to go into harm's way to defend our country to know how loved they are at Christmas time.\r\nGod bless them at Christmas, and I hope they come home safe, Wicker concluded.\r\nSince 2007, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program has provided Americans the opportunity to extend holiday greetings, expressions of gratitude, and well wishes to service members, veterans, and their families. Last year, the Red Cross distributed thousands of cards in communities around the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401294", "Palazzo Comments on Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-10", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Comments on Articles of Impeachment \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 10, 2019\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      Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) today released the following statement on the Democrats' articles of impeachment announced against the president:\r\nThe articles of impeachment presented today remain baseless. If anyone should be charged with abuse of power we should start with Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi. There is no cause or justification for impeaching our President. Whatever way you spin it, there's no quid pro quo, no bribery, and no extortion. The root of the Democrats' argument is dying and the American people should see this inquiry for what it truly is, a partisan sham.###\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"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-cosponsors-bill-protect-businesses-consumers-misguided-federal-agency-initiatives", "HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS BILL TO PROTECT BUSINESSES, CONSUMERS FROM MISGUIDED FEDERAL AGENCY INITIATIVES", "2019-12-10", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS BILL TO PROTECT BUSINESSES, CONSUMERS FROM MISGUIDED FEDERAL AGENCY INITIATIVES\nLegislation Prompted by Obama-era Operation Choke Point to Deny Banking Services to Firearm Businesses\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today joined with Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to introduce legislation to block unconstitutional initiatives like the Obama-era program that pressured financial institutions from offering banking services to businesses selling firearms and other lawful products.\nThe Financial Institution Customer Protection Act (S.3003) would prohibit the federal government from coercing banking institutions to deny services to businesses based solely on reputation risk. The legislation strikes at initiatives like President Obama's Operation Choke Point, which was intended to deny banking services to firearms-related businesses.\nObama-era policies, such as Operation Choke Point, represented a direct assault on Second Amendment rights. This strong legislation would act to protect those rights, as well as the spirit of free enterprise that makes the American economy so strong, Hyde-Smith said. This bill is needed to stop the federal government under any administration from abusing financial regulations to target businesses, large or small, that offer firearms or other lawful products.\nThe legislation would prohibit any federal banking agency from requesting or ordering a depository institution to terminate a customer account unless the agency has a valid reason for doing so, and that reason is not based solely on reputation risk.\nIn response to Operation Choke Point, the bill would also provide greater accountability and oversight of the Department of Justice and federal banking regulators, including the FDIC, Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and National Credit Union Administration.\nIn addition to Hyde-Smith, other original cosponsors include Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).\nA summary of S.3003 is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0A938D1F-9713-4D63-8FFC-D69D7A3CBD71", "Wicker Displays Petal High School Christmas Ornaments", "2019-12-10", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., celebrated the start of the Christmas season by decorating his Washington, D.C., office Christmas tree with handcrafted, Mississippi-themed ornaments created by students from Petal High School in Petal, Miss.\r\nFor the past three years my wife, Gayle, and I have been thoroughly impressed by the talented students we meet across the state, Wicker said. The ornaments the students at Petal High School have created this year will help showcase our state to the many visitors who come to my Washington office this holiday season.\r\nThe students crafted dozens of ornaments from wood, fabric, plaster, ceramics, and 3D-printed plastics with the theme, Telling the Story of Mississippi - From Rockets to Rock Stars and Beyond.\" The ornaments depict various Mississippi music artists, products, and companies, including B.B. King, Faith Hill, Elvis Presley, Glenn Ray Tutor, Robert Johnson, Pine Sol, Barq's Root Beer, and FedEx.\r\nThis is the third year that Wicker has asked one Mississippi school to create unique ornaments for visitors to his Washington, D.C., office to enjoy.\r\nWicker credits his wife, Gayle, with the idea for the Christmas celebration. The project started as a way to affirm the importance of creative and visual arts in education. The work the students produce showcases their talents, but also represent the people, icons, and stories that make the Magnolia State unique.\r\nOrnaments were provided in previous years by Clinton High School and Gulfport High School.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1E30496D-8278-4C3D-A7EB-EF71066B6EBF", "Wicker Statement on National Defense Authorization Agreement", "2019-12-10", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today cheered the completion of negotiations for the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Representatives Adam Smith, D-Wash., and Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, chairman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced the details of the agreement late Monday, which will authorize funding for the Department of Defense and other national security programs.\r\nThis agreement is a major victory for the brave men and women we count on to defend our nation, Wicker said. With this consensus, Congress can fulfill our most basic responsibility to provide for the common defense and give our service members the resources they need to keep us safe.\r\nI commend the chairmen and ranking members of both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees for their diligent work to complete these negotiations. With the increasing threats from countries like Russia, China, and Iran, it is imperative that we get this year's defense bills to the President's desk without delay.\r\nThe agreement, known as the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, authorizes a topline figure of $738 billion for national defense, which is consistent with the recent bipartisan budget agreement.\r\nFor a full summary of the conference report, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=1B22AA42-123B-4C51-A1BF-0040DFFD5FFB", "Wicker Urges Congress to Move Past Budget Brinksmanship", "2019-12-09", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A week before Thanksgiving, Congress approved and President Donald Trump signed a short-term government funding bill through December 20. This bill, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), keeps existing expenditures in place and was necessary to prevent an immediate government shutdown. However, the CR amounts to a regrettable stopgap and sets up a legislative sprint to find a longer-term solution.\r\nIf members of Congress and the president are unable to reach a new agreement by the deadline, then our country could experience a government shutdown right before Christmas for the second year in a row. That would be unacceptable. I am hoping that cooler heads prevail and we can move past budget brinkmanship.\r\n\r\nShutdowns Waste Time and Money\r\nWashington falls into these kinds of traps far too often. The most recent shutdown lasted for 35 days, longer than any other in American history. During that time, loans to farmers went unprocessed, TSA agents and air traffic controllers reported for duty without compensation, and companies could not verify workers' immigration statuses. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that it cost the American economy $8 billion in the first quarter of 2019.\r\nAmong the worst effects, military men and women in the Coast Guard, deployed around the world, had to serve without pay. This did not happen to members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, who are funded through a separate defense appropriation. Because no service member should go without pay, I have authored a bill that would prevent the Coast Guard from being singled out again.\r\nThis legislation would ease the burden of future budget impasses, but Congress should do more to avoid this scenario in the first place. I have cosponsored a bill that would keep the government open without an updated budget agreement while giving lawmakers strong incentives to come back to the negotiating table.\r\nContinuing Resolutions Create Problems\r\nShutdowns are worst-case scenarios in federal budgeting, but CRs like the one in place today create their own problems. These across-the-board extensions of current spending bills require money to be used in areas where it is no longer needed and delay new programs.\r\nThis is particularly harmful for our nation's defense. Our military cannot execute this year's strategy with last year's budget and priorities. While America's defense industrial base and the Pentagon wait for updated funding, our nation's rivals make gains that erode our competitive edge.\r\nA Basic Responsibility\r\nOf course, the best way to get out of this destructive pattern is for Republicans and Democrats to do their work in a spirit of consensus and bipartisanship. Congressional leaders agreed with President Trump on a two-year budget deal as early as July. That deal involved compromises on both sides. It also set up a framework for a responsible appropriations process to fill in the details, and I hoped it signaled a return to a normal budgeting process.\r\nSince that time, it is regrettable that some elected members have taken back promises they made this summer, allowing partisan politics to distract from the task at hand. This creates uncertainty not only for our military but also for the millions of Americans who rely on federal services.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/miss-delegation-requests-federal-disaster-declaration-october-storm-damage", "Miss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for October Storm Damage", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Michael Guest", "G000591", "guest.house.gov", "guest", "https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting full consideration of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant's request for a major federal disaster declaration in the wake of devastation from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga in October. If approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts.\n\nThe delegation's letter referenced damage reports indicating at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events. The Governor's request covers 16 counties, including Alcorn, Covington, Itawamba, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Leake, Lee, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Scott, Simpson, Smith, and Tippah, as well as hazard mitigation assistance statewide.\n\nThe full text of the delegation's letter is below:\n\nDear President Trump,\n\nIn the wake of Tropical Storm Olga causing devastation across the State of Mississippi, we request your full consideration of Governor Phil Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act.\n\nWe appreciate the continued efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and anticipate expeditious assistance from the agency in assisting state and local officials in Mississippi as they continue their hard work to help these communities recover from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga.\n\nAs Governor Bryant indicated in his request, the Joint Public Assistance damage assessments conducted by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), FEMA, and other agencies showed at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events.\n\nOn November 12, 2019, Governor Phil Bryant declared a State of Emergency in Mississippi to begin rebuilding. However, resources from the state government, local governments, and volunteer organizations are not adequate to recover from these damages. All 16 counties included in the request, as well as the State of Mississippi, have met the per capita indicator threshold, and significant federal assistance and cooperation are required. This is especially true given the multiple other state and federally-declared disasters that have affected Mississippi over the past 12 months.\n\nWe are determined to help Mississippi recover by supporting the local communities, the State of Mississippi, and federal agencies as we continue to work to rebuild and renew areas affected by these major weather events. We therefore reemphasize our support of Governor Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration.\n\nThank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.\n\nSincerely,\n\nRoger F. Wicker, United States Senator\n\nCindy Hyde-Smith, United States Senator\n\nBennie G. Thompson, Member of Congress\n\nSteven Palazzo, Member of Congress\n\nTrent Kelly, Member of Congress\n\nMichael Guest, Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401292", "Miss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for October Storm Damage", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting full consideration of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant's request for a major federal disaster declaration in the wake of devastation from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga in October. If approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts.\r\nThe delegation's letter referenced damage reports indicating at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events. The Governor's request covers 16 counties, including Alcorn, Covington, Itawamba, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Leake, Lee, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Scott, Simpson, Smith, and Tippah, as well as hazard mitigation assistance statewide.\r\nThe full text of the delegation's letter is below:\r\nDear President Trump,\r\nIn the wake of Tropical Storm Olga causing devastation across the State of Mississippi, we request your full consideration of Governor Phil Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act.\r\nWe appreciate the continued efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and anticipate expeditious assistance from the agency in assisting state and local officials in Mississippi as they continue their hard work to help these communities recover from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga.\r\nAs Governor Bryant indicated in his request, the Joint Public Assistance damage assessments conducted by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), FEMA, and other agencies showed at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events.\r\nOn November 12, 2019, Governor Phil Bryant declared a State of Emergency in Mississippi to begin rebuilding. However, resources from the state government, local governments, and volunteer organizations are not adequate to recover from these damages. All 16 counties included in the request, as well as the State of Mississippi, have met the per capita indicator threshold, and significant federal assistance and cooperation are required. This is especially true given the multiple other state and federally-declared disasters that have affected Mississippi over the past 12 months.\r\nWe are determined to help Mississippi recover by supporting the local communities, the State of Mississippi, and federal agencies as we continue to work to rebuild and renew areas affected by these major weather events. We therefore reemphasize our support of Governor Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration.\r\nThank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRoger F. Wicker, United States Senator\r\nCindy Hyde-Smith, United States Senator\r\nBennie G. Thompson, Member of Congress\r\nSteven Palazzo, Member of Congress\r\nTrent Kelly, Member of Congress\r\nMichael Guest, Member of Congress\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4603", "Mississippi Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for October Storm Damage\n\nDecember 5, 2019 | Posted in Press Releases\n\n\n\n\r\nMiss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for October Storm Damage\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON \u2013 The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J.\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Miss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for October Storm Damage\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting full consideration of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant\u2019s request for a major federal disaster declaration in the wake of devastation from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga in October. If approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts.\n\nThe delegation\u2019s letter referenced damage reports indicating at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events. The Governor\u2019s request covers 16 counties, including Alcorn, Covington, Itawamba, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Leake, Lee, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Scott, Simpson, Smith, and Tippah, as well as hazard mitigation assistance statewide.\n\nThe full text of the delegation\u2019s letter is below:\n\nDear President Trump,\n\nIn the wake of Tropical Storm Olga causing devastation across the State of Mississippi, we request your full consideration of Governor Phil Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act.\n\nWe appreciate the continued efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and anticipate expeditious assistance from the agency in assisting state and local officials in Mississippi as they continue their hard work to help these communities recover from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga.\n\nAs Governor Bryant indicated in his request, the Joint Public Assistance damage assessments conducted by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), FEMA, and other agencies showed at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events.\n\nOn November 12, 2019, Governor Phil Bryant declared a State of Emergency in Mississippi to begin rebuilding. However, resources from the state government, local governments, and volunteer organizations are not adequate to recover from these damages. All 16 counties included in the request, as well as the State of Mississippi, have met the per capita indicator threshold, and significant federal assistance and cooperation are required. This is especially true given the multiple other state and federally-declared disasters that have affected Mississippi over the past 12 months.\n\nWe are determined to help Mississippi recover by supporting the local communities, the State of Mississippi, and federal agencies as we continue to work to rebuild and renew areas affected by these major weather events. We therefore reemphasize our support of Governor Bryant\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration.\n\nThank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.\n\nSincerely,\n\nRoger F. Wicker, United States Senator\n\nCindy Hyde-Smith, United States Senator\n\nBennie G. Thompson, Member of Congress\n\nSteven Palazzo, Member of Congress\n\nTrent Kelly, Member of Congress\n\nMichael Guest, Member of Congress\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:20:14Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/miss-delegation-requests-federal-disaster-declaration-october-storm-damage", "MISS. DELEGATION REQUESTS FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR OCTOBER STORM DAMAGE", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MISS. DELEGATION REQUESTS FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR OCTOBER STORM DAMAGE\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  The Mississippi congressional delegation today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting full consideration of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant's request for a major federal disaster declaration in the wake of devastation from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga in October.\nU.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), and Michael Guest (R-Miss) signed the letter.\nThe delegation letter referenced damage reports indicating at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events. The Governor's request covers 16 counties, including Alcorn, Covington, Itawamba, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Leake, Lee, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Scott, Simpson, Smith, and Tippah, as well as hazard mitigation assistance statewide.\nIf approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts.\nThe full text of the delegation letter is below:\nDear President Trump,\nIn the wake of Tropical Storm Olga causing devastation across the State of Mississippi, we request your full consideration of Governor Phil Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act.\nWe appreciate the continued efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and anticipate expeditious assistance from the agency in assisting state and local officials in Mississippi as they continue their hard work to help these communities recover from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga. \nAs Governor Bryant indicated in his request, the Joint Public Assistance damage assessments conducted by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), FEMA, and other agencies showed at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events.\nOn November 12, 2019, Governor Phil Bryant declared a State of Emergency in Mississippi to begin rebuilding. However, resources from the state government, local governments, and volunteer organizations are not adequate to recover from these damages. All 16 counties included in the request, as well as the State of Mississippi, have met the per capita indicator threshold, and significant federal assistance and cooperation are required. This is especially true given the multiple other state and federally-declared disasters that have affected Mississippi over the past 12 months.\nWe are determined to help Mississippi recover by supporting the local communities, the State of Mississippi, and federal agencies as we continue to work to rebuild and renew areas affected by these major weather events. We therefore reemphasize our support of Governor Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration. \nThank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.\nSincerely,\nRoger F. Wicker, United States Senator\nCindy Hyde-Smith, United States Senator\nBennie G. Thompson, Member of Congress\nSteven Palazzo, Member of Congress\nTrent Kelly, Member of Congress\nMichael Guest, Member of Congress\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0C856D42-E832-4F73-88B2-627C119B5971", "Miss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for October Storm Damage", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting full consideration of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant's request for a major federal disaster declaration in the wake of devastation from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga in October. If approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts.\r\nThe delegation's letter referenced damage reports indicating at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events. The Governor's request covers 16 counties, including Alcorn, Covington, Itawamba, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Leake, Lee, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Scott, Simpson, Smith, and Tippah, as well as hazard mitigation assistance statewide.\r\nThe full text of the delegation's letter is below:\r\nDear President Trump,\r\nIn the wake of Tropical Storm Olga causing devastation across the State of Mississippi, we request your full consideration of Governor Phil Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act.\r\nWe appreciate the continued efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and anticipate expeditious assistance from the agency in assisting state and local officials in Mississippi as they continue their hard work to help these communities recover from straight-line winds and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga.\r\nAs Governor Bryant indicated in his request, the Joint Public Assistance damage assessments conducted by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), FEMA, and other agencies showed at least 154,000 power outages, 772 lost or damaged homes, 26 affected businesses, 27 destroyed or damaged roads, other public property damages, and one fatality from these events.\r\nOn November 12, 2019, Governor Phil Bryant declared a State of Emergency in Mississippi to begin rebuilding. However, resources from the state government, local governments, and volunteer organizations are not adequate to recover from these damages. All 16 counties included in the request, as well as the State of Mississippi, have met the per capita indicator threshold, and significant federal assistance and cooperation are required. This is especially true given the multiple other state and federally-declared disasters that have affected Mississippi over the past 12 months.\r\nWe are determined to help Mississippi recover by supporting the local communities, the State of Mississippi, and federal agencies as we continue to work to rebuild and renew areas affected by these major weather events. We therefore reemphasize our support of Governor Bryant's request for a Major Disaster Declaration.\r\nThank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\nRoger F. Wicker, United States Senator\r\nCindy Hyde-Smith, United States Senator\r\nBennie G. Thompson, Member of Congress\r\nSteven Palazzo, Member of Congress\r\nTrent Kelly, Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-praises-completion-new-snap-benefit-rule-able-bodied-adults", "HYDE-SMITH PRAISES COMPLETION OF NEW SNAP BENEFIT RULE FOR ABLE-BODIED ADULTS", "2019-12-04", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH PRAISES COMPLETION OF NEW SNAP BENEFIT RULE FOR ABLE-BODIED ADULTS\nMiss. Senator Submitted Supportive Comments during USDA Rulemaking Process to Encourage Employment & Self-Sufficiency\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today praised the completion of a new U.S. Department of Agriculture rule to encourage able-bodied individuals to find gainful work and reduce dependence on federal nutrition assistance.\nThe USDA on Wednesday announced the completion of a rule to promote self-sufficiency and employment among able-bodied adults without dependents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Last April, Hyde-Smith submitted formal public comment endorsing the USDA rulemaking proposal.\nPresident Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue promoted this rule as good government. It will restore the original intent of SNAP benefits as a source of temporary assistance and save taxpayer dollars while ensuring those truly in need get help, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee.\nThere is dignity in having a job. I hope this reform, combined with our strong economy, will encourage more people to rejoin the workforce, she said. This rule will also curb abuses by some states that grant broad work requirement waivers despite low unemployment rates.\nThe final rule, which takes effect April 1, 2020, will tighten work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents and reform the ability for states to grant work requirement waivers in areas with high unemployment rates.\nThe rule would save the government $12.8 billion over 10 years, according to USDA projections.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401290", "Palazzo Announces 2019 Congressional App Challenge Winner", "2019-12-03", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Announces 2019 Congressional App Challenge Winner \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, 2019\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      Washington, DC- Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)today announced Jalynn Bloodsworth and Skye Godley, two Pass Christian Middle School students, as winners of the 2019 Congressional App Challenge in Mississippi's Fourth Congressional District.Using block code, Bloodsworth and Godley created \"The Alphabet for Preschoolers,\" an app designed to help preschoolers learn and remember the alphabet by selecting letters to reveal an animal that starts with the same letter. \"I'd like to congratulate Jalynn and Skye on submitting a very impressive app and being selected as the winners of south Mississippi's 2019 Congressional App Challenge. It is clear these ladies put a lot of effort into creating this app and I hope their work will inspire others to learn more about STEM education. I'd like to also thank all of the south Mississippi students who participated in this year's challenge. I look forward to seeing more great submissions in the future,\"Palazzo said. Screenshots of the app are included below.\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"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-effort-secures-expanded-breast-cancer-screening-coverage-us-servicemembers-families", "HYDE-SMITH EFFORT SECURES EXPANDED BREAST CANCER SCREENING COVERAGE FOR U.S. SERVICEMEMBERS &\u00a0FAMILIES", "2019-12-03", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH EFFORT SECURES EXPANDED BREAST CANCER SCREENING COVERAGE FOR U.S. SERVICEMEMBERS &FAMILIES\nSenator Backs Permanent Fix as Defense Department Agrees to Provisional Improved Mammography Options, Senator Cosponsors Legislation to Provide a Permanent Fix\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Two months after pushing for a Pentagon policy shift, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed news that the Department of Defense will improve breast cancer screening options for the U.S. military personnel and their families.\nIn response to a letter signed by Hyde-Smith in September, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery approved provisional coverage for Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, also known as DBT or 3D mammography, as an option for military members and their families covered under TRICARE. Until this policy change, 3D mammography was only a secondary screening option. This provisional coverage can be extended for up to five years.\nHyde-Smith welcomed the policy shift, but also called for permanent 3D mammography coverage.\nServicemembers and their families should have access to the most effective breast cancer screening option as a first priority. This is a matter of fairness, especially as more women enlist to serve our country, Hyde-Smith said.\nI am pleased the Department of Defense has approved 3D mammography screenings on a provisional basis. However, Congress must act to make sure these screenings remain available through TRICARE, just as they are through the VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and other traditional health care plans, she said.\nTo promote permanent coverage of 3D mammography in TRICARE, Hyde-Smith is an original cosponsor of the Better and Robust Screening Today Act (S.2944), which would require the Department of Defense to use 3D mammography as a first option for breast cancer screenings.\nDBT is more effective than conventional mammography and digital mammography in the breast cancer screening process for all women. Improved detection and subsequent treatment have led to a 40 percent drop in breast cancer-related deaths between 1989 and 2017.\nIntroduced by Senator Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), S.2499 is pending in Senate Armed Services Committee.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6EB4DA8B-A7CD-4566-99B3-A3A4556765DB", "Wicker Highlights Continuing Problems with Keesler Housing", "2019-12-03", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today asked Barbara Barrett, the Secretary of the Air Force, to address concerns he has with the military housing system at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.\r\nWe have an unusual situation at Keesler in that Katrina hit and almost all of our 1,188 housing units had to be replaced in one fell swoop, Wicker told the committee. Of the 1,188 residences there, 1,084 actually have experienced moisture and mold.\r\nThe mold and other damage followed issues with air conditioning systems and ductwork that were improperly installed by a private contractor. Wicker said that remediation efforts often fail to fix the problems and can disrupt the lives of service members and their families for weeks at a time. He said that repair timelines are often extended multiple times before work is complete.\r\nThis is called being jerked around by the system, Wicker told Barrett.\r\nIn his questions to Barrett, Wicker asked the secretary to answer how many companies were involved in the installation of the air conditioning units at Keesler, why repeated remediation efforts failed to fix the issues, how often repair timelines are extended, how often repairs are completed in under two weeks, and how often units go days without work being performed. Wicker also asked Barrett to answer whether lawmakers should change the statute for service members' basic allowance for housing to account for higher homeowner insurance costs on the Coast and in other areas around the country.\r\nWicker met with Barrett when she visited Keesler Air Force Base last week. In her opening statement to the committee, she cited examples of families at Keesler that had been displaced from their privatized homes as many as four times in recent years.\r\nAs these families prepared for Thanksgiving, they wondered whether they should decorate a Christmas tree in their temporary homes or rely upon the latest promise that they would return to their permanent homes in time for their holiday, Barrett said.\r\nThe Air Force Secretary committed to working with the committee to fix the issues at Keesler and other bases.\r\nWe owe it to our Air Force families to get this right. With your continued support, we will, Barrett concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-november-edition-0", "Thompson Report November Edition", "2019-12-02", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents. \nSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read entire newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-october-2019-edition-0", "Thompson Report October 2019 Edition", "2019-12-02", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Thompson Report\nWelcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8856EB73-3AAD-40E9-8991-823B2B192112", "Wicker Advocates for New Facility at Stennis", "2019-12-02", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Like most Mississippians in 1969, I had no idea that the path to the Moon and to victory in the space race went through Hancock County, Mississippi. But it did.\r\nThe Stennis Space Center  then called the Mississippi Test Facility  was the ideal site for testing the Saturn V rocket that sent Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins on their journey. America is entering a new space race today, and Stennis is going to play a vital role again.\r\nToday's Space Race\r\nMuch has changed since the 1960s. Back then, the space race was a Cold War battle between the Soviet Union and the United States. There are more players now, including rivals like China. New technologies made possible by half a century of innovation make the lunar module look like an antique.And private spacefaring companies are blasting off, adding to the possibilities of exploration and enterprise in space.\r\nThe economic opportunities of the commercial space sector have taken the spotlight. Now valued at $400 billion, experts anticipate it to grow to nearly $3 trillion over the next two decades. That is more than the gross domestic product of the United Kingdom. There were 35 commercial space launch and reentry operations in 2018 licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), up from just 17 in 2016.\r\nThis growth presents challenges. Scientists and entrepreneurs are creating new and different flight operations, safety systems, and propulsion technology every year, making it necessary for today's workforce to master concepts that might not have existed or even been imagined a short time ago. The fact that many of the people who do have these skills are at or near retirement age only increases the urgency. With the acceleration of commercial space operations and future launches already scheduled, the FAA will need to do more to ensure that its staff is prepared.\r\nKeeping pace with these developments will require ongoing recruitment, education, and training. As the nation's premier rocket propulsion test facility and home of NASA's Engineering and Test Directorate, Stennis is the best-positioned facility in the world to get America's workers ready for liftoff.\r\nThe LIFTS Act\r\nTo make sure the FAA and Stennis are equipped for this task, I have introduced the Licensing Innovations and Future Technologies in Space (LIFTS) Act. The LIFTS Act would create a facility at Stennis to train and retrain commercial space licensing professionals. It would provide the hands-on experience necessary to make sure the commercial space sector remains dynamic and safe.\r\nUnder the LIFTS Act, Stennis would soon become the focal point for an effort involving NASA, the FAA, the commercial space industry, and academia to modernize and update commercial spaceflight licensing training programs. The lessons learned at Stennis would then reverberate to partners around the globe, teaching them about what works and does not work in commercial space licensing.\r\nStennis Space Center has set the course for rocket engine testing operations since the first space race. During the entire Apollo and Space Shuttle programs, no engine tested at Stennis ever failed a mission. That legacy continues, and NASA uses Stennis to test the RS-25 engines that will put the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024.\r\nThe path to the Moon will once again go through Hancock County, Mississippi. But something unimaginable when I was young  a thriving private commercial space sector  is ready to take off as well. That will be thanks in large part to the Magnolia State and the hard work of the Mississippians at Stennis Space Center.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401282", "Palazzo Applauds Grant for Bobby Chain Municipal Airport", "2019-11-22", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Applauds Grant for Bobby Chain Municipal Airport \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 22, 2019\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      Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) today applauded a $2,134,424 grant for the Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport to make improvements to the airport. The grant for the airport will be invested in upgrades to the airport's apron.The U.S. Department of Transportation, on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will award the supplemental airport improvement grant.  \r\nThis funding will allow the Bobby Chain airport to make infrastructure upgrades that will benefit travelers in the area. The Pine Belt has experienced great economic success and with this grant, not only will that progress continue, it will also enhance the quality of life for residents in the region, said Congressman Palazzo. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-announce-788-million-improvements-local-airports", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $7.88 MILLION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL AIRPORTS", "2019-11-22", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $7.88 MILLION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL AIRPORTS\nMiss. Senators Detail Three Grants to Support Air Transportation Upgrades in Greenville, Hattiesburg & Oxford\nWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today announced the award of $7,878,974 for improvements to three airports in Mississippi.\nThe U.S. Department of Transportation, on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will award the supplemental airport improvement grants for work in Greenville, Hattiesburg, and Oxford.\nEach year the FAA supports local airports in our state by providing much-needed funding to complete important repairs and upgrades, Wicker said. These supplemental grants will help Greenville, Hattiesburg, and Oxford to repair pavement to facilitate the safe movement of planes, people, and equipment at their airports.\nThe additional airport improvement funds will allow the municipal airports in Greenville, Hattiesburg, and Oxford to accelerate upgrades that will improve their safety and efficiency, Hyde-Smith said. I'm grateful to Secretary Chao for her department's attention to the needs in Mississippi.\nThe FAA grants for Mississippi will support the following airport improvement projects:\n \nGreenville Mid-Delta Airport, City of Greenville  $4,629,550 to rehabilitate the apron.\nBobby L. Chain Municipal Airport, City of Hattiesburg  $2,134,424 to rehabilitate the apron.\nUniversity-Oxford Airport, City of Oxford  $1,115,000 to rehabilitate the apron\n \nEach of these airports received initial 2019 airport improvement grants this summer, including $2,375,306 to Greenville for airport drainage, $744,205 to Hattiesburg for apron rehabilitation, and $677,402 to Oxford for runway improvements and an aircraft rescue vehicle.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7816358D-4338-4478-B555-187B64B87802", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith Announce $7.88 Million for Improvements to Local Airports", "2019-11-22", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today announced the award of $7,878,974 for improvements to three airports in Mississippi. The U.S. Department of Transportation, on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will award the supplemental airport improvement grants for work in Greenville, Hattiesburg, and Oxford.\r\nEach year the FAA supports local airports in our state by providing much-needed funding to complete important repairs and upgrades, Wicker said. These supplemental grants will help Greenville, Hattiesburg, and Oxford to repair pavement to facilitate the safe movement of planes, people, and equipment at their airports. The additional airport improvement funds will allow the municipal airports in Greenville, Hattiesburg, and Oxford to accelerate upgrades that will improve their safety and efficiency, Hyde-Smith said.I'm grateful to Secretary Chao for her department's attention to the needs in Mississippi.\r\nThe robust economy is enabling more passengers to travel by air so this Administration is investing billions of dollars in America's airports which will address safer operations, fewer airport delays, and greater ease of travel for air travelers, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.\r\nThe FAA grants for Mississippi will support the following airport improvement projects:\r\n \r\nGreenville Mid-Delta Airport, City of Greenville- $4,629,550 to rehabilitate the apron.\r\nBobby L. Chain Municipal Airport, City of Hattiesburg - $2,134,424 to rehabilitate the apron.\r\nUniversity-Oxford Airport, City of Oxford - $1,115,000 to rehabilitate the apron.\r\n \r\nEach of these airports received initial 2019 airport improvement grants this summer, including $2,375,306 to Greenville for airport drainage, $744,205 to Hattiesburg for apron rehabilitation, and $677,402 to Oxford for runway improvements and an aircraft rescue vehicle.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401279", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith, & Palazzo Announce $5.35M Grant for Downtown Gulfport Bridge", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., today announced the award of a $5,351,155 grant to the Coast Transit Authority (CTA) to fund the final phase of construction for a bridge over U.S. 90/Beach Boulevard in downtown Gulfport. The project will connect Gulfport's transit center, the Mississippi Aquarium, and Jones Park with an electric tram, pedestrian walkway, and bicycle path. In a related award, the Mississippi Department of Transportation will receive a $5,680,000 grant.\r\nI am a longtime supporter of the Gulfport tram and pedestrian bridge project, and I am pleased to see that it will now become a reality, Wicker said. This new bridge will enhance safety and the overall experience for visitors and residents. Once it is complete, this new downtown corridor will be a magnet for tourism and boost economic development. I will continue to work with our state and local leaders to support projects like these that are smart investments in the future of our communities.\r\nThe Tram Bridge is part of a dynamic transit plan that has the promise of making our coast more attractive to residents, tourists, and commerce. It is an example of how the state of Mississippi is working to incorporate effective bus systems to improve communities, Hyde-Smith said.\r\n As economic development booms on the Gulf Coast, this grant will allow our Coast Transit Authority the ability to match our growing public transportation needs. Knowing that south Mississippi is expanding, I was glad to support this grant application and believe it will not only accommodate transportation demands but improve our facilities, Palazzo said.\r\nOnce constructed, the multimodal bridge will allow CTA to operate rubber-tire open-air trams across U.S. 90, connecting the Gulfport Transit Center and the CTA transit stop in Jones Park. The bridge will link parking areas at the CTA transit center to Jones Park during special community events and activities.\r\nThe project will link downtown Gulfport, the transit center, Jones Park, and the beach, shortening travel times and improving safety and access for visitors.\r\nThe grant is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Buses and Bus Facilities Program.\r\nThe Mississippi Department of Transportation will use another $5,680,000 grant from the Buses and Bus Facilities Program to support transportation improvements across the state.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401281", "Palazzo Joins House Republican Appropriators in Expressing Concern Over Appropriations Stall Due to Impeachment Exercise in Congress", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) joined Republican House Appropriators in expressing his concerns that the impeachment inquiry is stealing the focus of Congress and hurting the fiscal year 2020 appropriations process. This letter comes after Palazzo voted against the continuing resolution in the House because no spending caps have been agreed to and short term resolutions severely impact our military readiness. The text of the letter is below. A pdf version of the letter can be found here.\r\nThe Honorable Nita M. Lowey\r\nChairwoman\r\nHouse Committee on Appropriations\r\nH-307, the Capitol\r\nWashington, D.C. 20515Dear Chairwoman Lowey, The Federal Government is currently funded through a continuing resolution because final appropriations bills have not been enacted for fiscal year 2020. This is damaging to our military, federal law enforcement, and other critical programs.  As Republican Members of the Appropriations Committee, we write to you today with concern that the House is focused on the purely political exercise of impeaching the President during this critical time for our Committee. We cannot afford to let this political matter slow down this year's appropriations process even further. We know you share our interest in completing the appropriations process, and we appreciate the work you and Senator Shelby are doing to develop subcommittee funding allocations. We hope that you will reach agreement very soon so that all parties can engage in the necessary task of negotiating final bills.  We hope both parties in the House and the Senate can work together, putting politics aside, to pass full-year appropriations measures that the President can sign into law as quickly as possible. We stand ready to work with you to bring the fiscal year 2020 appropriations process to a close. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-palazzo-announce-535-million-grant-downtown-gulfport-bridge", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH & PALAZZO ANNOUNCE $5.35 MILLION GRANT FOR DOWNTOWN GULFPORT BRIDGE", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH & PALAZZO ANNOUNCE $5.35 MILLION GRANT FOR DOWNTOWN GULFPORT BRIDGE\nMississippi Department of Transportation to Receive Additional $5.68 Million for Transit Improvements\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) today announced the award of a $5,351,155 grant to the Coast Transit Authority (CTA) to fund the final phase of construction for a 1,100-foot bridge over U.S. 90/Beach Boulevard in downtown Gulfport.\nThe project will connect Gulfport's transit center, the Mississippi Aquarium, and Jones Park with an electric tram, pedestrian walkway, and bicycle path. In a related award, the Mississippi Department of Transportation will receive a $5,680,000 grant to make transit improvements.\nI am a longtime supporter of the Gulfport tram and pedestrian bridge project, and I am pleased to see that it will now become a reality, Wicker said. This new bridge will enhance safety and the overall experience for visitors and residents. Once it is complete, this new downtown corridor will be a magnet for tourism and boost economic development. I will continue to work with our state and local leaders to support projects like these that are smart investments in the future of our communities.\nThe Tram Bridge is part of a dynamic transit plan that has the promise of making our coast more attractive to residents, tourists, and commerce. It is an example of how the state of Mississippi is working to incorporate effective bus systems to improve communities, Hyde-Smith said.\nAs economic development booms on the Gulf Coast, this grant will allow our Coast Transit Authority the ability to match our growing public transportation needs. Knowing that south Mississippi is expanding, I was glad to support this grant application and believe it will not only accommodate transportation demands but improve our facilities, Palazzo said.\nOnce constructed, the multimodal bridge will allow CTA to operate rubber-tire open-air trams across U.S. 90, connecting the Gulfport Transit Center and the CTA transit stop in Jones Park. The bridge will link parking areas at the CTA transit center to Jones Park during special community events and activities.\nThe project will link downtown Gulfport, the transit center, Jones Park, and the beach, shortening travel times and improving safety and access for visitors.\nThe Mississippi Department of Transportation use a $5,680,000 award to support transportation improvements across the state.\nThe U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding the grants through the Buses and Bus Facilities Program.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=02700C51-598D-464F-AACC-CA189A88CF38", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith, & Palazzo Announce $5.35M Grant for Downtown Gulfport Bridge", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., today announced the award of a $5,351,155 grant to the Coast Transit Authority (CTA) to fund the final phase of construction for a bridge over U.S. 90/Beach Boulevard in downtown Gulfport. The project will connect Gulfport's transit center, the Mississippi Aquarium, and Jones Park with an electric tram, pedestrian walkway, and bicycle path. In a related award, the Mississippi Department of Transportation will receive a $5,680,000 grant.\r\nI am a longtime supporter of the Gulfport tram and pedestrian bridge project, and I am pleased to see that it will now become a reality, Wicker said. This new bridge will enhance safety and the overall experience for visitors and residents. Once it is complete, this new downtown corridor will be a magnet for tourism and boost economic development. I will continue to work with our state and local leaders to support projects like these that are smart investments in the future of our communities.\r\nThe Tram Bridge is part of a dynamic transit plan that has the promise of making our coast more attractive to residents, tourists, and commerce. It is an example of how the state of Mississippi is working to incorporate effective bus systems to improve communities, Hyde-Smith said.\r\nAs economic development booms on the Gulf Coast, this grant will allow our Coast Transit Authority the ability to match our growing public transportation needs. Knowing that south Mississippi is expanding, I was glad to support this grant application and believe it will not only accommodate transportation demands but improve our facilities, Palazzo said.\r\nOnce constructed, the multimodal bridge will allow CTA to operate rubber-tire open-air trams across U.S. 90, connecting the Gulfport Transit Center and the CTA transit stop in Jones Park. The bridge will link parking areas at the CTA transit center to Jones Park during special community events and activities.\r\nThe project will link downtown Gulfport, the transit center, Jones Park, and the beach, shortening travel times and improving safety and access for visitors.\r\nThe grant is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Buses and Bus Facilities Program.\r\nThe Mississippi Department of Transportation will use another $5,680,000 grant from the Buses and Bus Facilities Program to support transportation improvements across the state.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F3282578-C966-4AE5-95F3-2AF9FCC52794", "Wicker Votes for Short-Term Funding Extension", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement after voting for a short-term bill to fund the federal government through December 20, 2019:\r\nIt is deeply disappointing that Congress has reached another funding deadline without an agreement on appropriations for this fiscal year. This is not the way to govern. Extending the current spending levels is better than a government shutdown, but it is still bad policy because it damages our national security and wastes taxpayer dollars. For the sake of our troops and our military readiness, I hope my colleagues will not allow any further delays in approving long-term government funding.\r\nWicker recently spoke on the Senate floor on the damage and waste caused by continuing resolutions.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-announce-197-million-rural-miss-water-wastewater-improvements", "WICKER & HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $19.7 MILLION FOR RURAL MISS. WATER, WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WICKER & HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $19.7 MILLION FOR RURAL MISS. WATER, WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS\nUSDA Water and Waste Disposal Funding Awarded for Projects for Lauderdale, Marion, Oktibbeha, Pike & Wilkinson Counties, and City of Senatobia\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced the award of more than $19.7 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grants and low-interest loans to improve water and wastewater systems for residents in Senatobia and five Mississippi counties.\nThe USDA Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program supports infrastructure improvement projects for water districts and communities with fewer than 10,000 residents.\nSafe water and wastewater services are essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities, Wicker said. These USDA investments will provide a much-needed boost to public water systems across our state as they work to modernize and expand their existing infrastructure.\nThese grants and loans will help local utilities provide water and wastewater services to their customers more efficiently. The infrastructure improvements should also increase safety and cost savings, said Hyde-Smith, who has worked to secure funding for this program as a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.\nUSDA Rural Development grants and loans awarded to Mississippi include:\n \nCity of Senatobia, Tate County  $8,019,000 loan to upgrade wastewater system components and increase capacity to reduce system failures.\nEast Oktibbeha Wastewater District, Oktibbeha County  $3,240,000 loan and $2,128,000 grant to expand existing wastewater collection and treatment system to serve an additional 337 households.\nNTS Utilities Association, Lauderdale County  $4,258,000 loan to replace distribution lines, install meters, and construct a water production well.\nSunnyhill Water Association, Pike County  $556,000 loan and $394,000 grant to construct a new 500 gallon-per-minute water well and water lines within the system.\nBuffalo Water Association, Inc., Wilkinson County  $472,000 loan and $379,000 grant to upgrade a 200 gallon-per-minute water well, provide an emergency power generator, and replace nonfunctioning water meters.\nFoxworth Water and Sewerage Association, Marion County  $143,000 loan and $116,000 grant to replace existing household water meters with automatic radio-read water meters.\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-welcome-198-million-grants-distance-education-programs", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH WELCOME $1.98 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH WELCOME $1.98 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS\nRural Development Grants to Support Technology Installation Statewide\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed the award of $1,980,417 to support distance learning programs across the entire state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development will award the grants.\nThese investments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help bring new learning technology to dozens of sites in Mississippi, Wicker said. With this support, thousands of students and job seekers will be able to access educational opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.\nExpanding the technological infrastructure to allow distance learning will create so many opportunities for rural Mississippians. Using universities, community colleges, schools, and USDA Extension Service offices allow greater outreach to the youth and adults alike, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. I applaud USDA Rural Development and the grant recipients for working together to make progress on these projects.\nThe USDA Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants will support the following projects:\n \nBase Camp Coding Academy  $492,131 to install distance learning technologies to connect the Base Camp Coding Academy facility in Water Valley to Northwest Community College in Senatobia.\nMississippi State University  $488,315 to update video conferencing and cloud-based equipment at dozens of USDA Extension Office sites across the state.\nCovington County School District  $480,628 to procure interactive video systems and touch panels at eight sites in Covington County to enable curriculum and teacher sharing.\nMississippi Community College Board  $319,343 to install virtual reality equipment in Coahoma, Copiah, Kemper, Hinds, Jones, George, Prentiss, and Tate counties.\nCoahoma Community College  $200,000 to install a distance learning system to connect the college to high schools in Coahoma, Tallahatchie, and Quitman counties.\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=BAFCDA4B-AB34-4E24-92F7-E52BAD50D8B2", "Wicker & Hyde-Smith Announce $19.7 Million for Rural Miss. Water, Wastewater Improvements", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced the award of more than $19.7 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grants and low-interest loans to improve water and wastewater systems for residents in Senatobia and five Mississippi counties.\r\nThe USDA Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program supports infrastructure improvement projects for water districts and communities with fewer than 10,000 residents.\r\nSafe water and wastewater services are essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities, Wicker said. These USDA investments will provide a much-needed boost to public water systems across our state as they work to modernize and expand their existing infrastructure.\r\nThese grants and loans will help local utilities provide water and wastewater services to their customers more efficiently. The infrastructure improvements should also increase safety and cost savings, said Hyde-Smith, who has worked to secure funding for this program as a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.\r\nUSDA Rural Development grants and loans awarded to Mississippi include:\r\n \r\nCity of Senatobia, Tate County  $8,019,000 loan to upgrade wastewater system components and increase capacity to reduce system failures.\r\nEast Oktibbeha Wastewater District, Oktibbeha County  $3,240,000 loan and $2,128,000 grant to expand existing wastewater collection and treatment system to serve an additional 337 households.\r\nNTS Utilities Association, Lauderdale County  $4,258,000 loan to replace distribution lines, install meters, and construct a water production well.\r\nSunnyhill Water Association, Pike County  $556,000 loan and $394,000 grant to construct a new 500 gallon-per-minute water well and water lines within the system.\r\nBuffalo Water Association, Inc., Wilkinson County  $472,000 loan and $379,000 grant to upgrade a 200 gallon-per-minute water well, provide an emergency power generator, and replace nonfunctioning water meters.\r\n \r\nFoxworth Water and Sewerage Association, Marion County  $143,000 loan and $116,000 grant to replace existing household water meters with automatic radio-read water meters.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=BCB873E6-FA5D-4DCE-A472-E0BBA325C74D", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith Welcome $1.98M in Grants for Distance Education Programs", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today welcomed the award of $1,980,417 to support distance learning programs across the entire state. The grants will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development.\r\nThese investments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help bring new learning technology to dozens of sites in Mississippi, Wicker said. With this support, thousands of students and job seekers will be able to access educational opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.\r\nExpanding the technological infrastructure to allow distance learning will create so many opportunities for rural Mississippians. Using universities, community colleges, schools, and USDA Extension Service offices allow greater outreach to the youth and adults alike, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. I applaud USDA Rural Development and the grant recipients for working together to make progress on these projects.\r\nThe USDA Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants will support the following projects:\r\n \r\nBase Camp Coding Academy - $492,131 to install distance learning technologies to connect the Base Camp Coding Academy facility in Water Valley to Northwest Community College in Senatobia.\r\nMississippi State University - $488,315 to update video conferencing and cloud-based equipment at dozens of USDA Extension Office sites across the state.\r\nCovington County School District - $480,628 to procure interactive video systems and touch panels at eight sites in Covington County to enable curriculum and teacher sharing.\r\nMississippi Community College Board - $319,343 to install virtual reality equipment in Coahoma, Copiah, Kemper, Hinds, Jones, George, Prentiss, and Tate counties.\r\nCoahoma Community College - $200,000 to install a distance learning system to connect the college to high schools in Coahoma, Tallahatchie, and Quitman counties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401278", "Palazzo Cosponsors Legislation to Establish Coastal Climate Centers of Excellence", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)has signed on as one of the first cosponsors of Rep. Jimmy Panetta's bipartisan legislation to allow the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish National Centers of Excellence at coastal institutions of higher education. The Coastal Resilience Research and Education Act provides NOAA the authority to designate public universities and colleges as National Centers of Excellence in Coastal Resilience Research and Education. Such a designation recognizes institutions of higher education that exhibit national leadership in research and education focused on climate and coastal adaptation and mitigation, and formalizes collaboration and partnerships with federal agencies. These relationships will ensure science-based research, information, and policy recommendations are effectively shared with the federal government.\r\n\"My hope is that introducing this legislation will leverage the coastal research being conducted at universities throughout the United States, including my alma mater, Southern Miss.This bill allows those institutions to be designated as National Centers of Excellence and provide expert advice and guidance for our federal agencies focused on coastal resiliency.It's important to form these partnerships and utilize existing research that will further our understanding of America's coastlines,\"said Palazzo.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-fix-energy-committee-approves-gulf-mexico-revenue-sharing-legislation", "WITH HYDE-SMITH FIX, ENERGY COMMITTEE APPROVES GULF OF MEXICO REVENUE SHARING LEGISLATION", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WITH HYDE-SMITH FIX, ENERGY COMMITTEE APPROVES GULF OF MEXICO REVENUE SHARING LEGISLATION\nMiss. Senator Now Agrees to Cosponsor COASTAL Act to Increase Federal Offshore Revenue Payments to Mississippi\n  VIDEO: Hyde-Smith Discusses Amendment to Improve COASTAL Act.\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted to send an important Gulf of Mexico revenue sharing bill to the full Senate, but only after the measure included her amendment to prohibit use of funding for noncoastal projects that could harm the Mississippi Gulf Coast.\nHyde-Smith serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that approved the Conservation of America's Shoreline Terrain and Aquatic Life Act (COASTAL Act, S.2418). Among other things, the bill would increase revenue sharing from offshore energy production to 50 percent from 37 percent for Mississippi and three other Gulf Coast states. \nIt is appropriate to allow the use of offshore energy revenues for coastal conservation, restoration, and hurricane protection projects that will improve the Gulf Coast. This revenue source should not be used for inland projects, especially if those projects could compromise the health and wellbeing of the Mississippi coast, Hyde-Smith said.\nI'm pleased the committee accepted my amendment to clarify that point. With that change, I am ready to cosponsor and fully support enactment of this bill. It will give Mississippi additional resources to improve our beautiful coast, she said.\nS.2418, approved 12-8, would amend the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA), which created a revenue sharing program for Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texasthe Gulf Coast states that embrace offshore oil and gas production.\nThe Hyde-Smith amendment, accepted by voice vote, struck overly broad language that would have allowed states to use GOMESA revenues for any other federally authorized project, even those far from the coast, which might be labelled ecosystem restoration.\nIncreasing the revenue share for energy-producing Gulf Coast states to 50 percent would put them on par with inland states with energy production on federal lands. The COASTAL Act would also eliminate the annual $500 million cap on GOMESA funding for states.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-welcomes-us-south-korea-rice-agreement-good-mississippi-producers", "HYDE-SMITH WELCOMES U.S.-SOUTH KOREA RICE AGREEMENT AS GOOD FOR MISSISSIPPI PRODUCERS", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH WELCOMES U.S.-SOUTH KOREA RICE AGREEMENT AS GOOD FOR MISSISSIPPI PRODUCERS\nRice Pact Comes on Heels of China Agreement to Lift Ban on American Poultry Imports\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed news of an agreement that could allow exports of rice grown in Mississippi to South Korea.\nU.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Tuesday announced the long-sought agreement by which South Korea will allow market access for 132,304 tons of U.S. rice annually, with an annual value of approximately $110 million. \nAs a rice producing state, Mississippi can only benefit as South Korea agrees to provide guaranteed market access to U.S.-grown rice, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate committees that authorize and fund federal agricultural programs.\nThe South Korean rice deal, along with China agreeing to lift its ban on U.S. poultry imports, represents very positive actions by the President and his team that will benefit Mississippi agriculture directly, she said.\nLast Thursday, China agreed to open its market to U.S. poultry exports after banning American-grown poultry in 2015.  Before the ban, China imported more than $500 million worth of U.S. poultry products in 2013. The U.S. Department of Agriculture now estimates that China could increase its intake of U.S. poultry and poultry products by 68 percent, amounting to $1 billion annually.\nMississippi is the fifth-largest U.S. producer of broilers, with 747 million chickens worth $2.88 billion produced in 2018. The state also produced more than 1.41 billion eggs last year, valued at $304 million.\nRice production in the Mississippi Delta ranks sixth nationally. With more than 10.1 million hundred weight grown in 2018, valued at $117 million in production value, a $21 million increase over 2017.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8F463578-CECF-4BF5-9067-F6773861838B", "Wicker Commends Committee Passage of Bill to Strengthen Offshore Energy Revenue Sharing", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today applauded committee passage of the Conservation of America's Shoreline Terrain and Aquatic Life (COASTAL) Act, legislation that would ensure fair distribution of offshore energy revenue under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). States use GOMESA distributions to support coastal conservation, restoration, and hurricane protection projects. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance the proposal to the full Senate for consideration. Wicker is an original cosponsor of the legislation.\r\nToday's vote advances an important piece of legislation for Mississippi, Wicker said. Mississippi and the other Gulf states deserve a fair share of energy revenues produced off our shores so that we can invest in projects that will protect our coasts for future generations.\r\nUnder current law, Gulf Coast states receive 37.5 percent of the government revenues generated in federal waters off their coasts, whereas other states receive 50 percent of the revenues generated from mineral production on federal land within their borders. Gulf states are also subject to an arbitrary $500 million cap on revenue that is divided among Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas.\r\nTo address this gap, the COASTAL Act would:\r\n \r\nIncrease the share of revenue Gulf Coast states receive from energy production in federal waters from 37.5 percent to 50 percent;\r\nIncrease the revenue available to Gulf Coast states by eliminating the arbitrary $500 million cap;\r\nProtect GOMESA payments from future sequestration cuts; and\r\nEnsure oil and gas leases from 2000-2006 are eligible for GOMESA revenue sharing payments.\r\n \r\nEarlier this year, Wicker cosponsored a Cassidy amendment to the Lands Package that would ensure Gulf Coast states receive their fair share of revenues from any federal mineral development. Last Congress, Wicker sent a letter to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee requesting that parity in revenue sharing be included in any legislation allocating federal mineral revenues.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=25029AAA-4EEA-4933-B2FD-2211C0F5D3DD", "Wicker Pushes Legislation Instead of Partisanship", "2019-11-18", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Although partisan fights are consuming much of Washington's attention, there is a lot to celebrate. The economy continues what has become the longest expansion in our nation's history, unemployment is at near-record lows, and wages rise every month, particularly for low-skill workers.\r\nTax cuts and less burdensome regulations are giving business owners the chance to expand operations and create new jobs. This progress is encouraging. It shows how free-market principles and hard work are making our country stronger.\r\nFund America's Defense\r\nI wish I could also provide an encouraging report on this year's Congress, where important work seems mired in partisan differences. Vital legislation involving spending priorities, national defense, and trade has been cleared by congressional committees but has failed to see the light of day in the full Senate and House.\r\nChief among our disappointments this year has been the inability to pass appropriation bills. With the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1, Congress has been compelled to enact temporary spending bills  known as continuing resolutions (CRs)  to keep agencies open according to last year's appropriations.\r\nThis practice is wasteful for all agencies, but especially for the military. Under the current CR, the Pentagon is being forced to spend money on programs that are outdated and would be abandoned under revised plans. The Department of Defense had specified $4 billion in unnecessary procurements to cut over the next year, but cannot do so under a CR. That means that our military is now having to use taxpayer dollars to buy things it no longer needs. At the same time, new national security initiatives are having to wait.\r\nThe path out of this appalling situation is clear. The Senate has already approved a defense authorization on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis. Now the House needs to set aside politics and come to the table in good faith to debate priorities and funding. Sending a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act to the president for his signature for the 59th consecutive year and then appropriating funding would build positive momentum for other issues facing Congress.\r\nLegislative Opportunities\r\nMembers could then focus on other government agencies and services, like the Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security, and our national parks, each of which require their own legislation.\r\nCongress should be able to do this by November 21 and avoid another government shutdown. If we can do so without extending the current CR, then the legislative branch will have accomplished vital work and gained traction to tackle proactive policy matters.\r\nOne of the most important of these issues is the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Trump administration has successfully negotiated USMCA, a key update to the Clinton-era North American Free Trade Agreement. This is a landmark agreement that would create $68 billion in economic growth and 176,000 good-paying jobs. Passing USMCA should be an easy win for Democrats, Republicans, and America's workers.\r\nThe private sector has come roaring back to life. It is time for Congress to do the same. The opportunities for the American people are too important to pass up. Partisanship may be good for headlines, but it is not good for America's military, and it is not good for our country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B1EB8BD0-A205-4DEF-B512-DE55D0FF8C83", "Wicker Leads Commerce Committee Passage of Fishery Disasters Bill", "2019-11-15", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today commended committee passage of the Fishery Failures: Urgently Needed Disaster Declarations (Fishery FUNDD) Act. Wicker's legislation would reform theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Fishery Resource Disaster Relief program ofthe National Marine Fisheries Service, making improvements to expedite relief for fishermen during fishery disasters.\r\nPeople along Mississippi's Gulf Coast have seen firsthand the wide-ranging effects a fishery disaster can have on a local community, Wicker said. This legislation would make important reforms to the federal government's disaster declaration process, ensuring those affected receive relief more quickly. This vote affirms the importance of getting this legislation to the President's desk without delay.\r\nWicker's Fishery FUNDD Act would streamline the fisheries disaster declaration process by holding the federal government accountable to deadlines to get funding distributed in a timely manner. It would also allow for disaster funding to go directly to members of the fishing community.\r\nAmong other provisions, the bill would:\r\n \r\nMaintain the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to determine the existence of a fishery disaster, after which the Secretary would make funds available to be used by state or regional groups to assess the impacts of the disaster and conduct other activities that support fishing activity;\r\nAssign a 120-day timeline for the Secretary to evaluate a request, either upon receipt or immediately after the close of the fishery season; and\r\nList the eligible uses of fishery disaster relief funds, including direct payments to affected members of the fishing community, habitat restoration and conservation, management improvements, job training, public information campaigns, and preventative measures for future disasters. It would prioritize hiring fishermen displaced by the fishery disaster for these tasks.\r\n \r\nWicker introduced the legislation in July.\r\nTo read the full bill, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/leaders-praise-end-harmful-chinese-poultry-ban", "Leaders Praise End of Harmful Chinese Poultry Ban", "2019-11-14", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Michael Guest", "G000591", "guest.house.gov", "guest", "https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) commended the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service for its work to reopen the Chinese poultry market to American farmers. United States poultry and poultry products have been banned by the Chinese government since 2015. The end of this ban will reopen a large export market for American poultry producers.\n\n\"This is great news for our poultry farmers in Mississippi. As the third largest poultry producing district in the nation, Mississippi's Third Congressional District will benefit greatly from this renewed access to the Chinese market,\" Guest said. \"Agriculture Secretary Purdue and Ambassador Lighthizer have secured a long sought-after victory for American agriculture. We are thankful for their unparalleled leadership in this win for our poultry industry.\"\n\nUnited States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue announced the lifting of the ban earlier today and released the following statements:\n\n\"The United States welcomes China's decision to finally lift its unwarranted ban on U.S. poultry and poultry products. This is great news for both America's farmers and China's consumers,\" said Ambassador Lighthizer. \"China is an important export market for America's poultry farmers, and we estimate they will now be able to export more than $1 billion worth of poultry and poultry products each year to China. Reopening China to U.S. poultry will create new export opportunities for our poultry farmers and support thousands of workers employed by the U.S. poultry industry.\"\n\nSecretary Perdue said, \"After being shut out of the market for years, U.S. poultry producers and exporters welcome the reopening of China's market to their products. America's producers are the most productive in the world and it is critical they be able to sell their bounty to consumers in other parts of the globe. We will continue our work to expand market access in important markets like China as well as other countries, to support our producers and U.S. jobs.\"\n\nThe original press release can be found at the following link: https://www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/american-poultry-farmers-regain-access-china\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:43:09Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-commends-diane-adkins-coldwater-miss-angels-adoption-honoree", "HYDE-SMITH COMMENDS DIANE ADKINS OF COLDWATER AS MISS. 'ANGELS IN ADOPTION'\u00a0HONOREE", "2019-11-14", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH COMMENDS DIANE ADKINS OF COLDWATER AS MISS. 'ANGELS IN ADOPTION'HONOREE\nCongressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Honors Tate County Woman and Other Angels this Week in Washington\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today honored Diane Adkins of Coldwater, named a 2019 Angel in Adoption for her work to find safe and loving homes for children in Mississippi.\nHyde-Smith nominated Adkins for the honor as part of the annual Angels in Adoption program sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI).\nDiane's inspirational work on behalf of children in need is deserving of the Angels in Adoption honor. In finding safe and loving homes for children, she has also opened her home to mothers, infants, and adoptive families who needed shelter, said Hyde-Smith, a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.\nI regret that Diane cannot make it to Washington this week, but she should know that our appreciation of her is undiminished, she said.\nAdkins, a Tate County mother and grandmother, has served as a foster parent to infants for more than 20 years, first with Bethany Christian Services and later with New Beginnings International Children's and Family Services, Inc. Her service has included accepting and caring for infants with special needs and medically fragile children.\nAngels in Adoption from across the nation are being honored by the CCAI during events in Washington this week.\nThe nonprofit, nonpartisan CCAI advocates for increased awareness about children in need of a stable home environment and supports eliminating barriers to adoption. CCAI, which does not receive government funding, was established in 2001 as an outgrowth of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-lead-effort-study-insulin-affordability", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH LEAD EFFORT TO STUDY INSULIN AFFORDABILITY", "2019-11-14", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH LEAD EFFORT TO STUDY INSULIN AFFORDABILITY\nMiss. Senators Introduce Insulin Affordability Data Collection Act\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today joined U.S. Senators Tina Smith (R-Minn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to introduce the Insulin Affordability Data Collection Act.\nThe bipartisan legislation (S.2855) would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to complete a comprehensive study of insulin affordability and the impacts higher costs have on treatment programs.\nToo many Mississippians are burdened by the high cost of their insulin, Wicker said. This bipartisan legislation would help policymakers understand the real cost of this lifesaving treatment as we consider solutions to improve access and affordability.\nA more comprehensive understanding of insulin pricing should help policymakers better understand why the market is out of whack. The growing need for insulin in Mississippi and elsewhere makes the affordability question very important, Hyde-Smith said.\nThe legislation would require the HHS Secretary to conduct a study that examines the impact of the affordability of insulin on individuals who are insulin-dependent. Among other provisions, the study would investigate the impact of the affordability of insulin products on:\n \nAdherence to insulin prescriptions;\nRates of diabetic ketoacidosis;\nDownstream impacts of insulin adherence (including rates of dialysis treatment and end-stage renal disease); and\nSpending by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs on acute care episodes that could be averted by adhering to an insulin prescription.\n \nThe legislation is supported by the American Diabetes Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and T1International.  \n  \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8237E7A3-E3E3-497C-BD9D-D50BB9F6983D", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith Lead Effort to Study Insulin Affordability", "2019-11-14", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today joined U.S. Senators Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., to introduce the Insulin Affordability Data Collection Act. The bipartisan legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to complete a study of insulin affordability and the impacts higher costs have on treatment programs.\r\nToo many Mississippians are burdened by the high cost of their insulin, Wicker said. This bipartisan legislation would help policymakers understand the real cost of this lifesaving treatment as we consider solutions to improve access and affordability.\r\nA more comprehensive understanding of insulin pricing should help policymakers better understand why the market is out of whack. The growing need for insulin in Mississippi and elsewhere makes the affordability question very important, Hyde-Smith said.\r\nThe legislation would require the HHS Secretary to conduct a study that examines the impact of the affordability of insulin on individuals who are insulin-dependent. Among other provisions, the study would investigate the impact of the affordability of insulin products on:\r\n \r\nAdherence to insulin prescriptions;\r\nRates of diabetic ketoacidosis;\r\nDownstream impacts of insulin adherence (including rates of dialysis treatment and end-stage renal disease); and\r\nSpending by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs on acute care episodes that could be averted by adhering to an insulin prescription.\r\n \r\nThe legislation is supported by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and T1International.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4580", "House Passes Kelly's Bill, H.R. 1615 - the VA-SBA Act\n\nNovember 13, 2019 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nTags:\nEconomy / Jobs, \r\n              Government Reform\n\n\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed my legislation, H.R. 1615, the Verification Alignment and Service-disabled Business Adjustment Act, also known as the VA-SBA Act.\r\n\r\nThis common-sense legislation transfers the verification of service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses from Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Small Business Administration (SBA). This will\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2019-11-13", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed my legislation, H.R. 1615, the Verification Alignment and Service-disabled Business Adjustment Act, also known as the VA-SBA Act.\n\nThis common-sense legislation transfers the verification of service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses from Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Small Business Administration (SBA). This will unify the two programs and prevent fraud and abuse of the system while also protecting our veterans and their businesses.\n\nRepresentative Kelly commented, \"The VA-SBA Act marks the next significant step towards streamlining the two programs under one umbrella at the Small Business Administration and reduces red tape and confusion for veteran small business owners who wish to do business with the federal government.\"\n\nCongressman Trent Kelly represents Mississippi's First Congressional District. Rep. Kelly is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, serving as the Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. Rep. Kelly also serves on the House Agriculture Committee. This is his third term.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:20:12Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-us-navy-will-name-guided-missile-destroyer-us-senator-thad-cochran", "HYDE-SMITH: \u00a0U.S. NAVY WILL NAME GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYER FOR U.S. SENATOR THAD COCHRAN", "2019-11-13", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH: U.S. NAVY WILL NAME GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYER FOR U.S. SENATOR THAD COCHRAN\n  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)  USS Thad Cochran Graphic\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today praised a decision by Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer to name a future guided-missile destroyer after her predecessor, the late U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).\nHyde-Smith said Spencer made the decision to honor Cochran by naming a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer for the Pontotoc native. Cochran, who resigned in April 2018 and passed away on May 30, 2019, was a Navy veteran who represented Mississippi in the U.S. Congress for almost 46 years.\nThad Cochran was a statesman who dedicated his life to serving his nation and his state. A future USS Thad Cochran destroyer is a fitting tribute to a leader whose service in the Navy was a touchstone for how he conducted himself as a public servant, Hyde-Smith said. I commend Navy Secretary Spencer and the Department of Defense for honoring a very special son of Mississippi in this way.\nSpencer has sole authority to name Navy vessels, with guided-missile destroyers named to honor members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard; former secretaries and assistant secretaries of the Navy; and members of Congress closely identified with naval affairs.\nFrom his service as a legal officer aboard the heavy cruiser USS Macon, to his dedicated work on behalf of our Sailors and Marines on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Thad Cochran was always a strong advocate for our nation's defense and a courtly voice for cooperation and civility in American politics, said Spencer. We mourned his passing this May, but his legacy will live on wherever this Arleigh Burke-class destroyer may serve.\nHyde-Smith, who like Cochran serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, committed to working to secure funding to continue Navy procurement of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, currently built at shipyards in Pascagoula, Miss., and Bath, Maine. These ships are capable of fighting air, surface, and subsurface battles simultaneously.\nThe Senate Appropriations Committee in September approved a FY2020 Defense Appropriations Bill that recommends a $390 million increase for long lead materials for three DDG-51 destroyers in FY2021.\nCochran, who ended his Senate career as chairman of both the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense, began his military career at the University of Mississippi with the Navy ROTC. Cochran was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve and assigned to duty aboard the USS MACON, becoming the ship's legal officer after graduating as an honor student from the U.S. Navy School of Justice in Newport, Rhode Island. He also became qualified as Officer of the Deck, in port and underway. Later, Cochran was assigned to the staff of the Commandant of the Eighth Naval District in New Orleans, Louisiana, to complete his two-year tour of active duty in the Navy.\nCochran served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978. He was the 10th longest-serving senator in the history of the United States.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A1AF2B70-B34B-414F-9A31-0DB41AADD938", "Wicker Statement on Passing of Billy McCoy", "2019-11-13", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the passing of former Mississippi House Speaker Billy McCoy:\r\nBilly McCoy has been my friend for 33 years. I always admired him and enjoyed his company. He believed in four-lane highways and public education. And he has a record of accomplishment on these and other important issues. Mississippi has lost a distinguished native son.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A8910BBC-88FE-456A-B53D-5141DCE6705E", "Wicker Praises Decision to Name Destroyer for U.S. Senator Thad Cochran", "2019-11-13", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today praised the announcement that Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer intends to name a future guided-missile destroyer after the late U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).\r\nThis is a fitting tribute to Senator Cochran, who was a giant in the United States Senate and one of the greatest champions Mississippi has ever known. As a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime leader in Congress, he worked to make our nation's military stronger. I was proud to work alongside him in the Senate to provide our troops with the tools they need to keep America safe. When future Mississippians see the USS Thad Cochran, they can be proud of this statesman and the work he did for our state and nation.\r\nCochran represented Mississippi in the U.S. Senate from 1978 to 2018. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he was an effective advocate for Mississippi's shipbuilding industry.\r\nCochran co-sponsored Wicker's Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act in 2017. Wicker's legislation, which was signed into law in December 2017, made it the official policy of the United States to achieve the Navy's minimum requirement of a 355-ship fleet. Wicker and Cochran worked to appropriate additional funds for ships to help meet this goal.\r\nCochran passed away on May 30, 2019. The Senate passed a resolution honoring the life of Cochran in June.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=C8AAAD3C-9A9F-4926-9EC1-67E543BB6C6C", "Wicker Salutes Military on 100th Anniversary of Veterans Day", "2019-11-12", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared Armistice Day  now Veterans Day  to mark the anniversary of the Allied victory in World War I. For precisely a century now, Americans have commemorated this occasion with ceremonies and parades. It also gives former service members the chance to share their experiences with younger generations.\r\nPresident Wilson thought the armistice would last and that World War I had been the war to end all wars. But just a few decades later, World War II would become the most devastating conflict in history. President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954 in part to honor those who fought Japan and Germany.\r\nVeterans Day celebrates all who have served in America's armed forces, not just a single armistice or war. As a veteran, the son of a World War II veteran, and the father of an Air Force officer, I was glad to join Mississippians recently to discuss the significance of Veterans Day.\r\nA Debt of Gratitude\r\nEarlier this month, many Mississippians cast their ballots in our state's elections. That right is enshrined in our constitution and protected by our military. No matter the tides of politics, gratitude for this security unites Americans.\r\nMilitary men and women do not stop helping their communities when they put away their uniforms. Veterans are business owners, nurses, police officers, preachers, school teachers, and shipbuilders. In the camouflage of civilian life across our country, they continue to act as leaders and role models.\r\nAmericans' appreciation for our veterans is displayed every day. I am always glad to hear the phrase thank you for your service said to our veterans and to see honor flights come to visit war memorials in Washington. These small tokens of thanks go a long way.\r\nDuring the past three years, Congress has passed 57 pieces of veterans legislation and sent them to President Trump for his signature. The new VA MISSION Act increases veterans' health-care choices and streamlines community care programs. I am actively working to pass the HAVEN Act, which would protect veterans' benefits. Other initiatives come from the state and local levels, including programs at our universities as well as nonprofits like Combat Wounded Veterans of South Mississippi.\r\nProviding for Tomorrow's Veterans\r\nVeterans Day is also a reminder of the need to support those currently in uniform. In President Wilson's day, many Americans hoped disarmament would give us lasting peace. A century later, we have learned that peace comes through strength.\r\nOne of the most important roles of an elected official is to provide for the common defense. America has met past challenges because, for 58 years, Democrats and Republicans have passed the National Defense Authorization Act and agreed on funding for our troops. I am working to meet those goals as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\r\nOur military is confronting new threats, including from countries like Russia, China, and Iran, making this task more pressing every day. As Congress debates funding, I hope we can again fulfill our most basic constitutional responsibilities to tomorrow's veterans. The lessons learned since the first Armistice Day show that the best way to protect the hard-fought gains of the veterans we honor is to support today's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401259", "Palazzo Applauds Planting of Apollo Era \"Moon Tree\" at Vice President's Home", "2019-11-08", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC-Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)applauded the planting of a \"Moon Tree\" at the Vice President's residence during a ceremony today. The tree, whose parent seeds were carried on a lunar voyage by Apollo 14 Astronaut Colonel Stuart \"Stu\" Roosa, was provided by Col. Roosa's daughter, Rosemary Roosa. Rosemary serves as the president of the Moon Tree Foundation and is a resident of Biloxi.\"What a terrific opportunity for a living piece of our American space history to be planted at the home of the Vice President. I know my constituent, Rosemary Roosa, has done an outstanding job of ensuring her father's legacy remains for generations. I am grateful for Vice President Pence and President Trump's commitment to restore America's exceptionalism in space and know that this tree will stand as a symbol of America's pioneering spirit and inspiration for generations to come,\"Palazzo said. \"Today has been an incredible day and a major milestone in the Moon Tree Foundation's mission to unite, inspire and conserve. Planting a second generation Moon Tree at the Vice President's home will allow the spirit of the Apollo missions to withstand the test of time for generations to come. I'd like to thank Congressman Palazzo and his staff for assisting the foundation in making this happen as well as President Trump and his Administration for renewing our nation's focus on American space exploration,\"said Rosemary Roosa, daughter of Apollo 14 Astronaut Col. Stu Roosa andpresident of the Moon Tree Foundation. Moon trees are from seeds that endured the unknowns of deep space travel to the moon and back. The seeds of the trees traveled 240,000 miles from Earth and circled the moon with Apollo 14 Astronaut Stu Roosa. Upon returning to Earth, the seeds were germinated and planted during the United States' Bicentennial and have since become know as \"Moon Trees.\" The Moon Tree Foundation, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, is working to plant 50 moon trees in 50 different locations. The foundation began working with Palazzo's office in 2018 to raise awareness of its mission and coordinate efforts in carrying on a living legacy of the Apollo program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-encourages-citizens-engage-veterans-nation-salutes-their-service", "HYDE-SMITH ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO ENGAGE WITH VETERANS AS NATION SALUTES THEIR SERVICE", "2019-11-08", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO ENGAGE WITH VETERANS AS NATION SALUTES THEIR SERVICE\nMiss. Senator Acknowledges Service, Sacrifices in 2019 Veterans Day Tribute\nVIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith's Veterans Day Tribute\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  In a Veterans Day tribute, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today encouraged Mississippians to engage with veterans and their families as a means of honoring their service to the nation.\nOn Veterans Day we take time to recognize that we all benefit from the sacrifices of our veterans. The freedoms and liberties we enjoy every day are because of their courage and bravery. They deserve our admiration and gratitude, not just on Veterans Day, but every day. \nI'm proud of the communities across Mississippi that honor our veterans through ceremonies and special programs. As we focus on these deserving men and women, I would also encourage everyone to engage veterans and their families. Go the extra mile to hear their stories or lend a helping hand.\nTo every veteran in Mississippi, thank you for your service. As your Senator, I will continue to do all I can both in Washington and Mississippi to ensure that the promises we've given to veterans and their families are honored.\nEngaging with Veterans\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-miss-witness-say-more-cooperation-needed-expand-rural-internet-access", "HYDE-SMITH & MISS. WITNESS SAY MORE COOPERATION NEEDED TO EXPAND RURAL INTERNET ACCESS", "2019-11-07", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH & MISS. WITNESS SAY MORE COOPERATION NEEDED TO EXPAND RURAL INTERNET ACCESS\nSenate Ag Committee Reviews Implementation of 2018 Farm Bill Rural Development Programs\nVIDEO: Hyde-Smith and Mississippi rural electric cooperative representative discuss rural broadband service.\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Following a hearing to examine implementation of rural development programs in the 2018 farm bill, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today said federal agencies need more cooperation as taxpayer dollars are spent to expand broadband access to rural areas.\nHyde-Smith, who serves on committees that authorize and fund U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development programs, made the assessment after receiving testimony from Keith Hayward, general manager and CEO of the North East Mississippi Electric Power Association.\nThe 2018 farm bill and subsequent agriculture appropriations bills include significant resources to connect rural America to 21st century technologies, first of among them broadband, Hyde-Smith said.\nEnsuring homes, farms, and businesses in rural Mississippi and elsewhere have internet access won't be easy. Today's testimony indicates that effective investment of taxpayer dollars on this challenge will require federal agencies to collaborate more effectively. There's no need to make this harder than it has to be, she said.\nHyde-Smith commended Hayward for his leadership and bid to qualify for a USDA Broadband ReConnect grant, a program intended to help build modern broadband infrastructure in rural areas lacking sufficient internet service. Hayward told the committee of the difficulties and uncertainties his association encountered in complying with application requirements.\nResponding to Hyde-Smith, Hayward also discussed competing requirements rules set by agencies with jurisdiction over rural electric cooperatives and rural telecommunications systems engaged in expanding broadband service.\nIf we're going to serve rural, unserved sparsely-populated areas, our structure is different than telecoms. That has been demonstrated through some other utilities that are out there doing that, and we feel there needs to be a little bit more collaboration between the departments within the USDA, Hayward said.\nTestimony from the administrators of the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business Service, and Rural Housing Service indicated ongoing efforts to issue updated rules regarding rural broadband programs and to coordinate with Federal Communications Commission and National Telecommunications and Information Administration.\nIn addition to supporting appropriations to support rural broadband initiatives, Hyde-Smith last week cosponsored the Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands (RURAL) Act (S.1032) to ensure tax-exempt cooperatives retain their tax-exempt status if they use government grants and assistance, including rural broadband grants and FEMA disaster relief.\nThe video and material from the Thursday Senate Agriculture Committee oversight hearing is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-names-doug-davis-be-chief-staff", "HYDE-SMITH NAMES DOUG DAVIS TO BE CHIEF OF STAFF", "2019-11-07", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH NAMES DOUG DAVIS TO BE CHIEF OF STAFF\nOutgoing Chief Brad White to Lead Governor-Elect Reeves Transition Operation\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today named Doug Davis, a longtime associate and former state senator, as her incoming chief of staff.\nDavis, who currently works in Jackson as the Senator's deputy chief of staff, will replace Brad White, who will be leading the transition for Mississippi Governor-elect Tate Reeves.\nDoug Davis has the legislative, political, and personal abilities needed to administer my Senate offices. I believe he will serve me and all Mississippians well as my chief of staff, Hyde-Smith said. I am also grateful to Brad White for his leadership and skills, which have been invaluable to me.\nHyde-Smith, the twice-elected Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce and a former state senator, was appointed in April 2018 to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). She subsequently won a special election in November 2018 to become the first woman elected to represent Mississippi in Washington, D.C.\nDavis, a DeSoto County native, was chief of staff to Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann from 2013 to 2018 before joining the Hyde-Smith's Senate staff as a senior advisor.\nThe Mississippi College graduate served in the Mississippi State Senate from 2004 to 2011, where he chaired the Appropriations Committee and the Universities and Colleges Committee. In addition, Davis worked on business development, marketing, and compliance at First Security Bank from 2001 to 2013.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A8EE2DC5-10EE-40FA-A855-EC18EDCF3B29", "Wicker Urges Passage of Defense Appropriations Package", "2019-11-07", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  In advance of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass a full defense appropriations package, which would include support for our nation's troops. Wicker expressed his concern that another continuing resolution would delay development of new platforms and could cost defense programs nearly $20 billion in unnecessary spending.\r\nWe are under a continuing resolution, a CR, and it sounds so harmless, Wicker said. That is not true. Every defense expert in the government  will tell you that a continuing resolution is harmful to our nation's defense. It not only sends the wrong signal, it has us sending money in the wrong direction and has us not spending money where we need to spend it.\r\nWicker has joined calls from Senate leadership, including Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., urging Congress to approve a full defense appropriations bill as the nation continues to confront growing threats from abroad.\r\nIran is the largest state sponsor of terror, and it is on the warpath Vladimir Putin's Russia is in a shooting war against our partners in Ukraine. The Communist Government of China is brutalizing its own people on the streets of Hong Kong, Wicker said.\r\nChina has increased military spending by 83 percent over the last decade at a time when we can't even agree on the funding for the current fiscal year we are in, Wicker said.\r\nThe defense appropriations package would provide important support for the military, including funding for pay raises, training, housing, and upgraded equipment. Congressional Democrats have blocked consideration of the 2020 defense appropriations package twice, despite a bipartisan agreement setting defense and non-defense spending levels for the next two fiscal years.\r\nI am begging my colleagues, let's fund our military, and let's fund these future veterans who are serving on active duty right now. The current continuing resolution is doing real damage to our national security. It is harming the progress we have already made  It is harming our military men and women and making it harder for them to do their jobs going forward, Wicker said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/wicker-hyde-smith-palazzo-guest-announce-331-million-mississippi-road", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, & Guest Announce $33.1 Million for Mississippi Road Improvements", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Michael Guest", "G000591", "guest.house.gov", "guest", "https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today announced the award of $33.1 million in federal grant funding for road improvements in Gulfport and Starkville. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide a $20.46 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to assist with construction of a new roadway and overpass in Gulfport and another $12.66 million to support road improvements along MS Highway 182/MLK Drive in Starkville.\n\n\"The grants announced today will support the completion of two high-priority projects in Mississippi that will improve safety and enhance access to important economic centers,\" Wicker said. \"I thank Secretary Elaine Chao and the Department of Transportation for recognizing the importance of these projects, which will benefit Mississippians.\"\n\n\"BUILD grants are highly competitive. Gulfport and Starkville will benefit from federal funding that will help them continue their economic growth through transportation, infrastructure, and safety improvements,\" Hyde-Smith said. \"We'll keep working as a delegation to promote Mississippi communities as they work on infrastructure projects.\"\n\n\"I was proud to support this BUILD grant application and continue the progress of economic development for the city of Gulfport,\" Palazzo said. \"This funding will allow for improved infrastructure on the Gulf Coast and better serve south Mississippi's transportation needs with a safe and reliable multi-modal transportation system.\"\n\n\"The announcement of this grant for Starkville and Oktibbeha County is encouraging news and I was grateful for the opportunity to support this much-needed project,\" Guest said. \"This funding will help improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bike travel while providing more broadband access to residents, students, visitors, and businesses. The addition of this infrastructure will help revitalize parts of Starkville and bring even more modern technology and business opportunity to our district.\"\n\nThe $20.46 million grant to the City of Gulfport will support the addition of nearly two miles of new roadway to connect Daniel Boulevard to existing commercial centers along Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 49, and Airport Road. The project, which is expected to cost a total of $32.17 million, would include new lighting, storm drain improvements, roundabouts, and multi-modal paths. The city expects the project would encourage future development and provide critical safety enhancements along an important economic corridor.\n\nThe $12.66 million grant to the City of Starkville will support the revitalization of 1.4 miles of roadway along Mississippi Highway 182/MLK Drive near downtown Starkville. The overall $18.32 million project will revitalize a culturally-significant minority business district and include new pedestrian walks and crossings, safety and drainage improvements, high-speed broadband infrastructure, and other enhancements to increase safety and support economic development.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:43:09Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401258", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, & Guest Announce $33.1 Million for Mississippi Road Improvements", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today announced the award of $33.1 million in federal grant funding for road improvements in Gulfport and Starkville. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) a $20.46 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to assist with construction of a new roadway and overpass in Gulfport and another $12.66 million to support road improvements along MS Highway 182/MLK Drive in Starkville.\r\nThe grants announced today will support the completion of two high-priority projects in Mississippi that will improve safety and enhance access to important economic centers, Wicker said. I thank Secretary Elaine Chao and the Department of Transportation for recognizing the importance of these projects, which will benefit Mississippians.\r\nBUILD grants are highly competitive.Gulfport and Starkville will benefit from federal funding that will help them continue their economic growth through transportation, infrastructure, and safety improvements, Hyde-Smith said.We'll keep working as a delegation to promote Mississippi communities as they work on infrastructure projects.\r\nI was proud to support this BUILD grant application and continue the progress of economic development for the city of Gulfport, Palazzo said. This funding will allow for improved infrastructure on the Gulf Coast and better serve south Mississippi's transportation needs with a safe and reliable multi-modal transportation system.\r\nThe announcement of this grant for Starkville and Oktibbeha County is encouraging news and I was grateful for the opportunity to support this much-needed project, Guest said. This funding will help improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bike travel while providing more broadband access to residents, students, visitors, and businesses. The addition of this infrastructure will help revitalize parts of Starkville and bring even more modern technology and business opportunity to our district.\r\nThe $20.46 million grant to the City of Gulfport will support the addition of nearly two miles of new roadway to connect Daniel Boulevard to existing commercial centers along Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 49, and Airport Road. The project, which is expected to cost a total of $32.17 million, would include new lighting, storm drain improvements, roundabouts, and multi-modal paths. The city expects the project would encourage future development and provide critical safety enhancements along an important economic corridor.\r\nThe $12.66 million grant to the City of Starkville will support the revitalization of 1.4 miles of roadway along Mississippi Highway 182/MLK Drive near downtown Starkville. The overall $18.32 million project will revitalize a culturally-significant minority business district and include new pedestrian walks and crossings, safety and drainage improvements, high-speed broadband infrastructure, and other enhancements to increase safety and support economic development.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4557", "Mississippi Lawmakers Press Fish & Wildlife Service to Address Avian Predators Damage to Livestock, Aquaculture Production\n\nNovember 6, 2019 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nTags:\nAgriculture\n\n\nWASHINGTON\u00a0\u2013\u00a0U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today encouraged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to rewrite the federal rules that limit the ability of livestock producers and catfish farmers to fight losses due to predatory birds.\r\n\r\nThe Mississippi lawmakers signed a\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today encouraged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to rewrite the federal rules that limit the ability of livestock producers and catfish farmers to fight losses due to predatory birds.\n\nThe Mississippi lawmakers signed a bicameral letter that asks the FWS to give livestock and aquaculture producers greater flexibility in protecting their animals from avian predators shielded under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The lawmakers seek to replace an inadequate permitting structure with a more streamlined process.\n\n\u201cWe recognize there are federal processes in place for affected producers to manage protected avian predators. However, these processes are often insufficient to adequately address the problem,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cWe urge the FWS to promulgate new rules that simplify and streamline the permitting process, as well as allow greater flexibility for livestock and aquaculture producers to protect their livelihoods from these avian predators.\u201d\n\nDouble-crested cormorants, black vultures, and ravens are among the predatory birds protected by the MBTA that inflict serious harm on livestock and fish operations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates double-crested cormorants cause more than $25 million in damage annually for the catfish and aquaculture industry. USDA also reported that black vultures are responsible for 10 percent of all calves lost to predators.\n\n\u201cWith populations of each species numbering well in the millions, they are thriving and face no immediate or foreseeable threat of extinction. It is incumbent upon the FWS to consider the growing economic losses inflicted upon livestock and aquaculture producers by these birds,\u201d the lawmakers said.\n\nUnder the current FWS permitting process, farmers must apply annually and pay a fee to obtain a permit to use certain methods to protect their animals from predatory birds. These permits cap an applicant\u2019s legal take, often at levels inadequate to prevent loss or deter further predation.\n\nU.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Ga.) led the letter, which was signed by Senators and Representatives from Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Wyoming.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:20:12Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/miss-lawmakers-press-fish-wildlife-service-address-avian-predators-damage-livestock-aquaculture", "MISS. LAWMAKERS PRESS FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE TO ADDRESS AVIAN PREDATORS DAMAGE TO LIVESTOCK, AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MISS. LAWMAKERS PRESS FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE TO ADDRESS AVIAN PREDATORS DAMAGE TO LIVESTOCK, AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION  \n  \nWicker, Hyde-Smith, Kelly & Guest Sign Bicameral Letter Urging Agency to Ease Regulatory Burden on Farmers\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today encouraged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to rewrite the federal rules that limit the ability of livestock producers and catfish farmers to fight losses due to predatory birds.\nThe Mississippi lawmakers signed a bicameral letter that asks the FWS to give livestock and aquaculture producers greater flexibility in protecting their animals from avian predators shielded under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The lawmakers seek to replace an inadequate permitting structure with a more streamlined process.\nWe recognize there are federal processes in place for affected producers to manage protected avian predators. However, these processes are often insufficient to adequately address the problem, the lawmakers wrote. We urge the FWS to promulgate new rules that simplify and streamline the permitting process, as well as allow greater flexibility for livestock and aquaculture producers to protect their livelihoods from these avian predators.\nDouble-crested cormorants, black vultures, and ravens are among the predatory birds protected by the MBTA that inflict serious harm on livestock and fish operations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates double-crested cormorants cause more than $25 million in damage annually for the catfish and aquaculture industry. USDA also reported that black vultures are responsible for 10 percent of all calves lost to predators.\nWith populations of each species numbering well in the millions, they are thriving and face no immediate or foreseeable threat of extinction. It is incumbent upon the FWS to consider the growing economic losses inflicted upon livestock and aquaculture producers by these birds, the lawmakers said.\nUnder the current FWS permitting process, farmers must apply annually and pay a fee to obtain a permit to use certain methods to protect their animals from predatory birds. These permits cap an applicant's legal take, often at levels inadequate to prevent loss or deter further predation.\nU.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Ga.) led the letter, which was signed by Senators and Representatives from Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Wyoming.\nThe letter to FWS Deputy Director Margaret Everson is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-introduce-lifts-act", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCE THE \u2018LIFTS\u2019 ACT", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCE THE LIFTS' ACT\nLegislation Would Establish a Facility at Stennis Space Center to Modernize Commercial Space Licensing Training\nWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today introduced the Licensing Innovations and Future Technologies in Space (LIFTS) Act.\nThe bill would modernize training for the federal commercial space licensing workforce and promote collaboration with academia and industry by creating a centralized training facility for safety and licensing personnel. The new facility would be located at the NASA Stennis Space Center in Hancock County. \nThe Stennis Space Center is the perfect location for training more space professionals to certify the growing demand for commercial space launches in the United States, Wicker said. This legislation would help ensure the U.S. remains the leader in the commercial space industry and would expand Mississippi's contributions to the future of space exploration and research.\nThe federal oversight and licensing of commercial space technologies will require a workforce qualified to certify the safety and efficiency of those breakthroughs. The LIFTS Act would tap the expertise based at the Stennis Space Center to establish a facility to meet this critical need, Hyde-Smith said.\nMississippi Governor Phil Bryant said, For nearly 60 years, Mississippi has been a leader in rocket engine testing and certification of systems and workforce. When certifying rockets for space flight, it has been said man may go to the moon and return safely to earth but he will have to pass through Mississippi to get there.' As this bill is considered, my hope is that the existing experience in Mississippi is used as the foundation to train the next generation of space explorers.\nThe LIFTS Act (S.2780) would establish a facility to train federal employees to license commercial space activities. The training program would be coordinated between the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, the commercial space industry, and academic partners.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-introduce-lifts-act-0", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCE THE \u2018LIFTS\u2019 ACT", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCE THE LIFTS' ACT\nLegislation Would Establish a Facility at Stennis Space Center to Modernize Commercial Space Licensing Training\nWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today introduced the Licensing Innovations and Future Technologies in Space (LIFTS) Act.\nThe bill would modernize training for the federal commercial space licensing workforce and promote collaboration with academia and industry by creating a centralized training facility for safety and licensing personnel. The new facility would be located at the NASA Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.\nThe Stennis Space Center is the perfect location for training more space professionals to certify the growing demand for commercial space launches in the United States, Wicker said. This legislation would help ensure the U.S. remains the leader in the commercial space industry and would expand Mississippi's contributions to the future of space exploration and research.\nThe federal oversight and licensing of commercial space technologies will require a workforce qualified to certify the safety and efficiency of those breakthroughs. The LIFTS Act would tap the expertise based at the Stennis Space Center to establish a facility to meet this critical need, Hyde-Smith said.\nMississippi Governor Phil Bryant said, For nearly 60 years, Mississippi has been a leader in rocket engine testing and certification of systems and workforce. When certifying rockets for space flight, it has been said man may go to the moon and return safely to earth but he will have to pass through Mississippi to get there.' As this bill is considered, my hope is that the existing experience in Mississippi is used as the foundation to train the next generation of space explorers.\nThe LIFTS Act (S.2780) would establish a facility to train federal employees to license commercial space activities. The training program would be coordinated between the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, the commercial space industry, and academic partners.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-palazzo-guest-announce-331-million-mississippi-road-improvements", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH, PALAZZO & GUEST ANNOUNCE $33.1 MILLION FOR MISSISSIPPI ROAD IMPROVEMENTS", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WICKER, HYDE-SMITH, PALAZZO & GUEST ANNOUNCE $33.1 MILLION FOR MISSISSIPPI ROAD IMPROVEMENTS\nGulfport, Starkville Projects Receive Major Boost from U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD Grants\nWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today announced the award of $33.1 million in federal grant funding for road improvements in Gulfport and Starkville.\nThe U.S. Department of Transportation will provide a $20.46 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to assist with construction of a new roadway and overpass in Gulfport and another $12.66 million to support road improvements along MS Highway 182/MLK Drive in Starkville.\nThe grants announced today will support the completion of two high-priority projects in Mississippi that will improve safety and enhance access to important economic centers, Wicker said. I thank Secretary Elaine Chao and the Department of Transportation for recognizing the importance of these projects, which will benefit thousands of Mississippians.\nBUILD grants are highly competitive.Gulfport and Starkville will benefit from federal funding that will help them continue their economic growth through transportation, infrastructure, and safety improvements, Hyde-Smith said.We'll keep working as a delegation to promote Mississippi communities as they work on infrastructure projects.\nI was proud to support this BUILD grant application and continue the progress of economic development for the city of Gulfport, Palazzo said. This funding will allow for improved infrastructure on the Gulf Coast and better serve south Mississippi's transportation needs with a safe and reliable multi-modal transportation system.\nThe announcement of this grant for Starkville and Oktibbeha County is encouraging news and I was grateful for the opportunity to support this much-needed project, Guest said. This funding will help improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bike travel while providing more broadband access to residents, students, visitors, and businesses. The addition of this infrastructure will help revitalize parts of Starkville and bring even more modern technology and business opportunity to our district.\nThe $20.46 million grant to the City of Gulfport will support the addition of nearly two miles of new roadway to connect Daniel Boulevard to existing commercial centers along Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 49, and Airport Road. The project, which is expected to cost a total of $32.17 million, would include new lighting, storm drain improvements, roundabouts, and multi-modal paths. The city expects the project would encourage future development and provide critical safety enhancements along an important economic corridor.\nThe $12.66 million grant to the City of Starkville will support the revitalization of 1.4 miles of roadway along Mississippi Highway 182/MLK Drive near downtown Starkville. The overall $18.32 million project will revitalize a culturally-significant minority business district and include new pedestrian walks and crossings, safety and drainage improvements, high-speed broadband infrastructure, and other enhancements to increase safety and support economic development.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=58D30F1F-33E8-4B9D-9890-8296E5CDE069", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith Introduce the LIFTS Act", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today introduced the Licensing Innovations and Future Technologies in Space (LIFTS) Act. The bill would modernize training for the federal commercial space licensing workforce and promote collaboration with academia and industry by creating a centralized training facility for safety and licensing personnel. The new facility would be located at the NASA Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.\r\nThe Stennis Space Center is the perfect location for training more space professionals to certify the growing demand for commercial space launches in the United States, Wicker said. This legislation would help ensure the U.S. remains the leader in the commercial space industry and would expand Mississippi's contributions to the future of space exploration and research.\r\nThe federal oversight and licensing of commercial space technologies will require a workforce qualified to certify the safety and efficiency of those breakthroughs. The LIFTS Act would tap the expertise based at the Stennis Space Center to establish a facility to meet this critical need, Hyde-Smith said.\r\nMississippi Governor Phil Bryant said, \"For nearly 60 years, Mississippi has been a leader in rocket engine testing and certification of systems and workforce. When certifying rockets for space flight, it has been said man may go to the moon and return safely to earth but he will have to pass through Mississippi to get there.' As this bill is considered, my hope is that the existing experience in Mississippi is used as the foundation to train the next generation of space explorers.\r\nThe LIFTS Act would establish a facility to train federal employees to license commercial space activities. The training program would be coordinated between the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, the commercial space industry, and academic partners.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=BF957D2D-83F2-4CC2-B35A-1D7C4BB233DB", "Miss. Lawmakers Press Fish & Wildlife Service to Address Avian Predators Damage to Livestock Aquaculture Production", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today encouraged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to rewrite the federal rules that limit the ability of livestock producers and catfish farmers to fight losses due to predatory birds.\r\nThe Mississippi lawmakers signed a bicameral letter that asks the FWS to give livestock and aquaculture producers greater flexibility in protecting their animals from avian predators shielded under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The lawmakers seek to replace an inadequate permitting structure with a more streamlined process.\r\nWe recognize there are federal processes in place for affected producers to manage protected avian predators. However, these processes are often insufficient to adequately address the problem, the lawmakers wrote. We urge the FWS to promulgate new rules that simplify and streamline the permitting process, as well as allow greater flexibility for livestock and aquaculture producers to protect their livelihoods from these avian predators.\r\nDouble-crested cormorants, black vultures, and ravens are among the predatory birds protected by the MBTA that inflict serious harm on livestock and fish operations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates double-crested cormorants cause more than $25 million in damage annually for the catfish and aquaculture industry. USDA also reported that black vultures are responsible for 10 percent of all calves lost to predators.\r\nWith populations of each species numbering well in the millions, they are thriving and face no immediate or foreseeable threat of extinction. It is incumbent upon the FWS to consider the growing economic losses inflicted upon livestock and aquaculture producers by these birds, the lawmakers said.\r\nUnder the current FWS permitting process, farmers must apply annually and pay a fee to obtain a permit to use certain methods to protect their animals from predatory birds. These permits cap an applicant's legal take, often at levels inadequate to prevent loss or deter further predation.\r\nU.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Ga.) led the letter, which was signed by Senators and Representatives from Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Wyoming.\r\nThe letter to FWS Deputy Director Margaret Everson is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E8A8A86C-6F92-489E-A77C-1F63C9FDD5F4", "Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, & Guest Announce $33.1 Million for Mississippi Road Improvements", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today announced the award of $33.1 million in federal grant funding for road improvements in Gulfport and Starkville. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide a $20.46 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to assist with construction of a new roadway and overpass in Gulfport and another $12.66 million to support road improvements along MS Highway 182/MLK Drive in Starkville.\r\nThe grants announced today will support the completion of two high-priority projects in Mississippi that will improve safety and enhance access to important economic centers, Wicker said. I thank Secretary Elaine Chao and the Department of Transportation for recognizing the importance of these projects, which will benefit Mississippians.\r\nBUILD grants are highly competitive.Gulfport and Starkville will benefit from federal funding that will help them continue their economic growth through transportation, infrastructure, and safety improvements, Hyde-Smith said.We'll keep working as a delegation to promote Mississippi communities as they work on infrastructure projects.\r\nI was proud to support this BUILD grant application and continue the progress of economic development for the city of Gulfport, Palazzo said. This funding will allow for improved infrastructure on the Gulf Coast and better serve south Mississippi's transportation needs with a safe and reliable multi-modal transportation system.\r\nThe announcement of this grant for Starkville and Oktibbeha County is encouraging news and I was grateful for the opportunity to support this much-needed project, Guest said. This funding will help improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bike travel while providing more broadband access to residents, students, visitors, and businesses. The addition of this infrastructure will help revitalize parts of Starkville and bring even more modern technology and business opportunity to our district.\r\nThe $20.46 million grant to the City of Gulfport will support the addition of nearly two miles of new roadway to connect Daniel Boulevard to existing commercial centers along Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 49, and Airport Road. The project, which is expected to cost a total of $32.17 million, would include new lighting, storm drain improvements, roundabouts, and multi-modal paths. The city expects the project would encourage future development and provide critical safety enhancements along an important economic corridor.\r\nThe $12.66 million grant to the City of Starkville will support the revitalization of 1.4 miles of roadway along Mississippi Highway 182/MLK Drive near downtown Starkville. The overall $18.32 million project will revitalize a culturally-significant minority business district and include new pedestrian walks and crossings, safety and drainage improvements, high-speed broadband infrastructure, and other enhancements to increase safety and support economic development.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-announces-12-million-fema-grant-sunflower-county", "HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION FEMA GRANT FOR SUNFLOWER COUNTY", "2019-11-05", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION FEMA GRANT FOR SUNFLOWER COUNTY\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced the award of $1.2 million in federal disaster assistance to Sunflower County for roadway repairs associated with flood damage earlier this year.\nThe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the Public Assistance funding to the county, which was included in the major disaster declaration approved in April by President Trump.\nFEMA Public Assistance funding reimburses eligible applicants, like Sunflower County, for critical repairs following severe storms and flooding.These grants help ease the budgetary stress on communities and counties as they undertake disaster recovery work, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with funding jurisdiction over FEMA.\nStatewide eligibility for Public Assistance support was included in the April 23, 2019, disaster declaration.The designation was based on damages sustained this spring from severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding.\nFEMA Public Assistance grants provide supplemental disaster assistance to state, local, and tribal governments, and some nonprofit organizations.These grants support the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly-owned facilities.In most cases, Public Assistance grants are limited to 75 percent of eligible costs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-draws-attention-miss-issues-interior-nominee", "HYDE-SMITH DRAWS ATTENTION TO MISS. ISSUES WITH INTERIOR NOMINEE", "2019-11-05", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HYDE-SMITH DRAWS ATTENTION TO MISS. ISSUES WITH INTERIOR NOMINEE\nNational Parks, Flooded Refuge Habitat, and Agricultural Interests Cited at Hearing\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today cited the importance of several U.S. Department of the Interior activities in Mississippi as the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee considered the nominee for the second-highest position at the agency.\nThe confirmation hearing on the nomination of Katherine MacGregor to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior prompted Hyde-Smith to call attention to need for continued work by the department to support the eight national parks, 15 national wildlife refuges, and other agency activities in Mississippi.\nMississippi is proud of its national parks and wildlife refuges, but we also recognize that there are areas that need immediate and long-term attention, said Hyde-Smith, who also serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee with funding jurisdiction over the Interior Department and its agencies.\nHyde-Smith focused on flood damage to more than 100,000 acres of habitat within national wildlife refuges in the Mississippi Delta.\nI want you to be aware of the significant damage that has occurred on these refuges as a result of almost annual flooding events over the past decade and the historic flood disaster we suffered this year, Hyde-Smith told MacGregor. I recognize flood reduction isn't the Interior Department's primary mission, but I hope you will recognize the impact of these damages, and the need for an environmentally sustainable flood reduction solution.\nHyde-Smith also said she is interested in working with MacGregor on the following issues:\n \nSolutions to aquaculture and livestock losses due to avian predation involving birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Senate-passed FY2020 Agriculture Appropriations Bill includes Hyde-Smith report language directing the Farm Service Agency to modify its regulations to make farm-raised fish producers eligible for death losses under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish. Program (ELAP), and to deem bird predation and disease be deemed eligible loss conditions.\nReform within the Fish and Wildlife Service to allow agriculture producers to use all federal registered seed and crop protection products in farming operations on refuge lands.\nContinued support for the U.S. Geological Survey the Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility at the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.\n \nThe MacGregor nomination requires committee approval before being referred to the Senate for consideration.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-october-2019-edition", "Thompson Report October 2019 Edition", "2019-11-04", "2019", "2019-11", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Thompson Report\nWelcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nClick here to read the newsletter.\nThank you!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=E8D1669E-5110-4D34-BC77-420B84363CBB", "Wicker Urges Productive Health-Care Reforms", "2019-11-04", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The latest Democratic proposal for a government takeover of health care just got more expensive. Previous estimates had put the cost of Medicare for All at $32 trillion over ten years. But a recent study by the left-leaning Urban Institute pegs the tab at $34 trillion.\r\nAn additional $2 trillion is no small sum. That money represents half the current federal budget, three times what our country spends on our military, and more than the value of all of the goods and services produced in Canada every year. The revised $34 trillion total is another reminder of how unsustainable Medicare for All would be.\r\nThe bill's sponsor, Senator Bernie Sanders, has openly acknowledged that only massive middle-class tax increases could pay for what it would require. Costs are not the only concern. The policy would take away Americans' health-care choices, increase wait times, and limit the potential for future medical innovations.\r\nThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  also known as Obamacare  has already shown what can happen when the government's role in health care grows. Prices skyrocketed and people could not keep the plans or doctors they liked. Americans are right to wonder why it would be wise to double down on the mistakes of the past.\r\nInsurance Provided at Work Would End\r\nProponents of Medicare for All should stop repeating outlandish promises. They should come to the table and engage productively. That is the only way to find a solution that would give more Americans the care they want at the time they need it from the doctors they trust.\r\nProposals should not throw out what works about America's health-care system, including what works about Medicare. More than 600,000 Mississippians over the age of 65 rely on Medicare. Medicare for All would immediately take away options like Medicare Advantage, and it would eventually empty the U.S. Treasury. With no money left to spend, Medicare for All would become Medicare for none.\r\nMedicare for All would also make most of the existing private insurance market illegal, taking away coverage from more than 180 million people. A new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 76 percent of participants like the coverage they get on the job. That type of insurance would end if Medicare for All became the law of the land.\r\nThe Way Forward\r\nAmericans deserve a say in their health-care choices, which are some of the most personal decisions that anyone can make. Given the proper tools and regulatory framework, our citizens are more than capable of picking the best plans to fit their needs.\r\nPresident Donald Trump has made empowering consumers, lowering costs, and keeping protections for people with preexisting conditions top priorities. His administration has given small businesses the option to join together in associations to negotiate lower prices. It has also granted waivers from some of the Affordable Care Act's burdensome mandates on insurance exchanges so that states can customize coverage options for their residents' health needs.\r\nCongress is taking action as well. The Republican Senate recently voted to keep these waivers in place. I cosponsored legislation to protect existing association health plans and expand their benefits to more than 400,000 uninsured Americans. I also recently introduced the bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act of 2019, which would grow access to telehealth services in rural parts of our country like the Mississippi Delta.\r\nRepublicans on Capitol Hill are ready to work with our Democratic colleagues on health care. But Medicare for All is a dangerous distraction. It would prevent positive reforms and could cause devastating results.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/impeachment-pushback-congressman-guest-voices-opposition-democrats", "Impeachment Pushback: Congressman Guest Voices Opposition to the Democrats Unprecedented Impeachment", "2019-10-31", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Michael Guest", "G000591", "guest.house.gov", "guest", "https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) voted against the resolution proposed by the Democrats to establish the House of Representatives' impeachment process. The House Resolution passed the House on a 232-196 vote.\n\nCongressman Guest reconfirmed his stance against the impeachment inquiry. \"It is apparent by the process the Democrats have proposed that they have no interest in transparency, fairness, or due process. Democrats have been focused on one goal since the day President Trump was elected \u2013 to impeach a president the American people democratically elected, regardless of the consequences. In their mission, the Democrats have ignored the crisis on our border, they have neglected important trade agreements, and they have forgotten about our aging infrastructure. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to drop this political sham that is creating a schism across our nation so that we can address the issues that will create a brighter future for all Americans regardless of their political beliefs.\"\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:39:44Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401252", "Palazzo Votes Against Resolution to Authorize Impeachment Inquiry", "2019-10-31", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Votes Against Resolution to Authorize Impeachment Inquiry \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        October 31, 2019\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      Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) today voted against H. Res. 660, a bill that would authorize an impeachment inquiry within the House of Representatives. The resolution passed the House by 232-196. Palazzo released the following statement:The House has many other things we can be focused on besides a bogus impeachment inquiry. We've yet to pass appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year, the annual defense authorization act, or the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Instead, Democrats waste precious time to further their Liberal agenda of impeaching a successful president they disagree with. I do not support the illegitimate investigations and will continue standing against the bombastic attacks made against our duly elected President. ###\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": 630, "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 \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "MS", "p1": "2019"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 582, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 48, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 623, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 7, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "MS", "label": "MS", "count": 630, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "2019", "label": "2019", "count": 630, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MS", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2019-10-31,https~3A~2F~2Fpalazzo~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D401252", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019&_next=2019-10-31%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fpalazzo~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D401252&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 88.01765483804047, "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"}