Press releases
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1,044 rows where party = "Republican", state = "MO" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending
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| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398665 | Looking Ahead to 2016 | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | With 2015 officially in the books, we can now look ahead to 2016 and build on what the House was able to accomplish last year. share: f t With 2015 officially in the books, we can now look ahead to 2016 and build on what the House was able to accomplish last year. I am ready to get the ball rolling early. In the coming weeks, the House is expected to vote on my legislation, the Providing Accountability through Transparency Act. This legislation would require each government agency, in providing notice of a rule making, to include a link to a 100-word plain language summary of the proposed rule. Government agencies create long-winded rules each and every day and this bill requires a short summary and ensures the agency will provide a web link at regulations.gov to make the proposed rule accessible to all Americans. Of course, Ill keep fighting against the onerous new rules and regulations being issued by the Obama Administration, but it is very important that the American people have the opportunity to read, in plain language, what is being proposed. Also this year, I will continue oversight of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, maintain a leading role in the debate over Missouri River management, and support legislation that helps our nations veterans. In addition, it is my hope the House will start working on tax reform in 2016. Families and small businesses deserve a tax code that is simple and fair and it is long overdue for the House to start the process of overhauling the more than four million words that are in todays tax code. In 2015, the House passed major bills addressing education, transportation, tax relief, and lifting the ban on crude oil. The House will continue to build on its plan to keep our nation secure and a plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America more competitive. As we enter 2016, please remember that my offices located in Jefferson City, Wentzville, Washington, Mo., and Washington,… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-organizes-open-town-hall-meeting-at-clara | Congressman Jason Smith organizes open Town Hall Meeting at Clara Drinkwater Library to discuss Mississippi River Levels and surrounding Levees | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | Cape Girardeau, MO On Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 4pm, Congressman Jason Smith invites residents and media to speak directly with the Army Corps on the recent record rainfall and current levels on the Mississippi River. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the Army Corps and others to give a status update on current river levels, projected levels, and what the plan is for each levee. After the update, residents and the media will have a chance to ask questions. WHO: U.S. Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) Major General Wehr, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division Colonel Anderson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division Sam E. Angel, Mississippi River Valley Commission The Honorable Norma Jean Mattei, Mississippi River Valley Commission WHAT:Status update and discussion on recent record rainfall and Levee integrity WHERE:Clara Drinkwater Library, 105 E Marshall St, Charleston, MO WHEN: Thursday, December 31, 4pm ***Members of the media are invited to the meeting*** | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398666 | Luetkemeyer Ranked Among Most Effective Lawmakers in House of Representatives | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | Luetkemeyer Ranked Among Most Effective Lawmakers in House of Representatives f t # e Washington, December 30, 2015 In a recent study performed by the Legislative Effectiveness Project (LEP), U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) was ranked Missouris most effective lawmaker. share: f t In a recent study performed by the Legislative Effectiveness Project (LEP), U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) was ranked Missouris most effective lawmaker. The Legislative Effectiveness Project is run by professors at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University and measures how successful a given representative is at getting things done. The average Legislative Effectiveness Score for any given member in the 113th Congress was 1.0. Luetkemeyer received a 2.344. In addition, Luetkemeyer was ranked 45th out of the 240 Republicans in the House of Representatives. The list can be found here. As a Member of Congress, one of the most important parts of the job is to listen to your constituents and take what they have told you back to Washington to put their concerns and ideas into action. Thats what the legislation that I introduce each year is all about. I am very pleased to be recognized as an effective lawmaker but it does not happen alone. It takes collaboration with and support from my colleagues, along with assistance from my staff, for bills to pass through committees, the House, the Senate, and be enacted into law. f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398664 | Luetkemeyer Offers Resources for Mo. Residents Due to Widespread Flooding | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following release in response to the high level of rainfall that has occurred over the last few days in areas of the 3rd District. share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following release in response to the high level of rainfall that has occurred over the last few days in areas of the 3rd District. With Missouri under a state of emergency due to the heavy rain and flooding throughout much of the state, I wanted to ensure that individuals have the access to information they may need. I have listed website links to various agencies or departments so individuals can find any necessary information they are looking for in dealing with the aftermath of the heavy rainfall. There are now clearer days in the forecast but roads are still flooded over so please stay safe on the roads over the next few days. Resources General Flood Readiness Information: http://www.ready.gov/floods Road Closures from MoDot: http://traveler.modot.org/map/ Missouri State Emergency Management: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/plan_and_prepare/flooding.php St. Louis Corps of Army Engineers (Mississippi River): http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/ National Weather Service (Missouri Basin River Forecast Center): http://www.weather.gov/mbrfc/ | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=cf8021b5-1538-40ea-ba15-80bae616757a | Senator Blunt Comments on Passing of Missouri Senator Emory Melton | 2015-12-26 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.)released the following statement today on the passing of former Missouri State Senator Emory Melton. Senator Melton was a lifelong resident of Barry County, Missouri and served in the Missouri Senate from 1972 until 1996. "Senator Melton faithfully served Missouri in the statehouse for over 20 years and he is someone most everyone admired, including me. Emory's advice was valued, his friendship could be counted on, and his example was always good." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/weekly-capitol-report/capitol-report-protecting-farm-family | Capitol Report: Protecting Farm & Family | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Jason Smith Capitol Report:Protecting Farm & Family This past week Congress completed its legislative work for the calendar year. While much of what was jammed through Congress in the 11thhour represented more of the same in Washington; there was one piece of legislation which will provide large scale tax relief to American families, farmers and business owners, which I was proud to support, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act. As a Member of the Ways & Means Committee, the Committee with jurisdiction over all federal taxation issues, I helped author one provision in particular making permanentsection 179 expensing levels. Section 179 of the U.S. Tax Code allows small businesses, farmers, and small manufacturers to immediately expense the purchase of certain equipment. Had we not taken action, come January 1st, the tax rate on that equipment would have increased by almost 2000%! Since 2003, section 179 expensing levels have been extended on a temporary, uncertain, ad-hoc basis on ten different occasions usually for one or two years at best. That type of tax code policy does nothing to allow farmers and business owners to plan for the future. Without certainty on what their tax rates, folks cant manage their farm or business properly nor know how much they will have to expand, invest and grow their operation. The more certainty congress can provide about long term tax rates, the more farmers and businesses can help our economy and create new jobs. This is a major step to give farmers more peace of mind for the long term while also providing for a major reduction in taxes. Without this action, taxes would have gone up on the very farmers that keep our rural economy moving. Making this provision permanent finally ends the charade of temporary extensions and patches of U.S. tax code policy. Working on and advancing major wins like this for the farmers of Missouri was the exact reason I fought to get on the Ways & Means Committee. We are finally allowing farmers, manufactures and smal… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398663 | Blaine's Bulletin: Looking Back on 2015 | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | Looking back on 2015, I am reminded what an honor it is to serve as your voice in Congress. This year has proved to be another year of battles between Congress and the Administration but it has also been one in which several issues facing the 3rd District were tackled and I am proud of what has been accomplished. share: f t Looking back on 2015, I am reminded what an honor it is to serve as your voice in Congress. This year has proved to be another year of battles between Congress and the Administration but it has also been one in which several issues facing the 3rd District were tackled and I am proud of what has been accomplished. This year, Congress passed and the president signed into law, the first long-term transportation legislation in a decade. This fully-funded legislation will help sustain and improve our nations highways, bridges, and railroads. In addition, Congress passed and the president signed into law, legislation that repeals No Child Left Behind. What this means is that Common Core will be kept out of schools, it will reduce the federal role in K-12 education, and it will restore local control and empower parents. The Wall Street Journal wrote this legislation is a bipartisan compromise from the House and Senate represents the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter century. On a more personal note, I was honored to assist in the naming of the Cedar Hill Post Office after one of our 3rd Districts very own heroes. In June, the president signed into law legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service in Cedar Hill as the Sergeant First Class William B. Woods, Jr. Post Office. It was very moving at the dedication ceremony to be alongside Sergeant Woods friends and family. Another humbling moment for me was having the honor to go to the White House with former Labadie resident, Elsie Shemin Roth, to receive the Medal of Honor on behalf of her father. The official awards ceremony was a … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-votes-fund-government-turns-gaze-2016 | Hartzler Votes to Fund the Government, Turns Gaze to 2016 | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) today voted to pass H.R. 2029, a bill to fund government activities through the end of the 2016 fiscal year. Missourians and Americans across the country want to focus on the holidays and spending time with their families, Hartzler started. They do not need to worry that the government isnt going to be available when they need it. This package provides the certainty Americans need that their social security checks will go out on time, the Department of Homeland Security will have the resources it needs to keep them safe as they travel to see loved ones, and Congress will be able to focus on other American priorities as it goes forward. I am pleased we were able to provide increased funding for our national defensea priority I fought hard for since the beginning of the year as we were writing the budget. As a result of this bill, Missourians will be building seven E/A-18G Growlers and five F-18 E/F Super Hornets that the Navy truly needs, the administration will not be allowed to transfer detainees at Guantanamo to our shores, and our troops will get the resources and equipment they need to combat the threats of the world. Additionally, we fully repeal the financially dangerous country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law which would hurt American industry with billions of dollars in export tariffs if not repealed and we repeal the ban on exporting American crude oil which will create an estimated 1 million jobs here at home and add $170 billion annually to our GDP. There are many good things in this bill for all Americans. But this bill is not perfect, Hartzler stated, there are some aspects we like and some we dont. I am pleased we made some progress in reining in the IRS and the EPA, but more needs to be done. I am disappointed we didnt make more progress on issues I have fought for such as overturning the Waters of the U.S. rule, which is nothing more than an executive land grab; stopping the Department of Labors fiduciary rule, which prevents the most vulnerable in our … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398661 | Blaine's Bulletin: The Spirit of the Season | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | The spirit of the holiday season is truly magical. Twinkling lights are hung on houses throughout the neighborhood and trees are decorated with ornaments, joy fills the air as children anxiously await Christmas morning and friends and neighbors help the less fortunate in the spirit of charity. share: f t The spirit of the holiday season is truly magical. Twinkling lights are hung on houses throughout the neighborhood and trees are decorated with ornaments, joy fills the air as children anxiously await Christmas morning and friends and neighbors help the less fortunate in the spirit of charity. No other time of the year is quite as special as the month of December. Growing up in a tight-knit community provided many wonderful memories that are especially powerful as families gather to celebrate the holiday season. Families would take the opportunity to reflect on our blessings and exchange cookies and warm wishes. Friends and neighbors will wish each other a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and children will surely toss snowballs and build snowmen this year if we get any snow. Now that my children have children of their own, it is a remarkable experience each year to spend Christmas with my grandchildren. How their eyes light up in wonder when we read The Night Before Christmas together and how they shock me with their own acts of kindness especially to one another or their sibling! We all have so much to be thankful for and I think it is especially important during this time of the year, with its presents and parties, to remember that Christmas is foremost the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is important to remember the teachings of the man born in Bethlehem that emphasize love, charity, and hope. While we might be more giving during this time of the year, that does not mean we shouldnt throughout the entire year. Random acts of kindness to one another are small blessings to some. Let us all remember the message of peace and goodwil… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398662 | Luetkemeyer Statement on the Passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016: share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016: Todays passage of the legislation that will fund the government for the next fiscal year represents a bipartisan compromise that includes a number of priorities that are important to Americans. National security is arguably the biggest concern right now and this legislation fully funds our military and tightens security requirements for those entering our country under the nations Visa Waiver Program. It includes no new funding for Obamacare, and in fact, undermines Obamacares funding; reduces EPAs budget to its lowest level since 2008 and cuts its employees to the lowest number since 1989; blocks the anti-gun UN Arms Trade Treaty; repeals mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, which is hurting Americas farmers and ranchers; prohibits taxpayer funding for abortions and cuts the UNs Population Fund. This legislation will also repeal the decades old oil export ban which will help grow jobs and promote greater exploration of natural resources in our country. While this bill is not perfect, it ultimately is a step in the right direction. It is my hope the House of Representatives will get back to regular order and pass appropriations bills one-by-one so Congress can avoid governing by crisis. Additional highlights of the legislation: Fully funds defense, pays our troops, and provides the resources and equipment our military needs. No new funding for Obamacare. Includes 2nd Amendment rights protections. Limits the EPA to the lowest funding levels since 2008 and prevents funds for new or expanded EPA regulatory programs. Freezes IRS funding $1.7 billion below the presidents request. Provides a two-year delay of the Obamacare excise tax on high cost health plans (C… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=515a65a1-2e19-4ba2-a35d-80a3dba9051e | Senate Passes Blunt Tax Provisions Critical to Boosting Economic Growth and Strengthening Communities in Missouri and Across the Nation | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after voting in favor of a tax relief package that will help families, spur private-sector investment, boost small business growth, and support charitable giving in Missouri, and across the country. Several measures sponsored by Blunt were included in the package passed by the Senate today, and are now headed to the presidents desk. Missouris small business owners cannot plan for the future with all of the uncertainty they face in the tax code, Blunt said. This measure extends and makes permanent several tax provisions, like the R&D tax credit and Section 179 small business expensing, that will give job creators the peace of mind they need to access capital, expand their businesses, and put more Missourians to work. The bill also includes two measures I sponsored, including extending the New Markets Tax Credit and changing the Empowerment Zone hiring definition and extending the program, which will help steer private-sector investment to the areas that need it most. Im also glad we support working families by making the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit permanent, and strengthen communities by extending tax deductions for many types of charitable donations. While I continue to support a broader, more permanent overhaul of our tax code, this is an important step in the right direction. Following are Several of the Key Tax Provisions Included in the Package: Child Tax Credit The bill makes permanent the child tax credit that has benefited thousands of Missouri households. Earned Income Tax Credit The bill makes permanent the EITC tax credit, a refundable tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and couples, particularly with children. A total of 519,000 Missourians benefited from the EITC tax credit last year, receiving an average of $2,377. American Opportunity Tax Credit The bill makes permanent the AOTC tax credit for education expenses paid for the first four years of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=703ec8f6-c1b8-445e-96fa-1372f24df377 | Senate Passes Two Blunt-Backed Measures to Enhance Cybersecurity & Strengthen Visa Waiver Program | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement today after voting in favor of the omnibus bill that includes provisions from two measures he supported to enhance our cyber defense capabilities and strengthen the Visa Waiver Program: The federal governments most sacred responsibility is to keep Americans safe, and Im glad the Senate passed two more measures today that will help us do so. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, which I was proud to help usher through the Intelligence Committee, allows the public and private sectors to voluntarily share information about emerging cyber threats without running the risk of costly liability suits. If enacted, the measure will enhance our cybersecurity, while ensuring that we protect the privacy rights of individuals. The bill also includes provisions from a measure I co-sponsored, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, to support and strengthen the Visa Waiver Program and help prevent terrorists from entering the country and carrying out attacks within our borders. Today, we are facing more threats, coming from more places, than ever before. I will continue working to advance legislation that puts our national security and the safety of the American people first. To that end, I also urge the president to do his part, as Commander-in-Chief, to lay out a clear, comprehensive, and effective strategy to not just contain the terrorist threat, but to defeat it. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=ad698630-e307-474d-885f-6dd67f697f32 | Blunt Votes to Fund Key Missouri Priorities, Cut Dozens of Ineffective Government Programs | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after voting in favor of the FY2016 omnibus appropriations bill funding the government for the coming year. The bill prioritizes key investments that will help grow our economy, strengthen national security, and meet the needs of local communities in Missouri and across the nation. The measure also rescinds more than $5.5 billion in spending, does not fund more than 95 new programs or initiatives proposed by the president, and consolidates and terminates dozens of programs throughout the budget. In a tight fiscal environment, it is imperative that every taxpayer dollar we spend reflects the priorities of the American people, and the bill we passed today does so in several ways, Blunt said. First, it includes a $2 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health, which I fought for as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and increases investments in mental health services. It provides funding for Missouri military installations and national defense priorities that will help keep America safe and fulfill our commitment to our service members and veterans. It funds programs that address challenges facing local communities, including support for areas facing civil unrest, and increased funding for substance abuse treatment and prevention. And, it includes measures I backed that will enhance our cybersecurity and help keep terrorists out of the United States. Just as important as what this bill does is what it does not do. It does not fund nearly 100 new or unauthorized programs proposed by the president. It does not allow the administration to use taxpayer funds to bailout health insurance companies, and it defunds ObamaCares Independent Payment Advisory Board. And, it eliminates dozens of duplicative or ineffective programs, including 18 programs in the Labor/HHS budget alone. That said, this bill is far from perfect. I was disappointed that Senate Democrats blocked the majo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-votes-make-tax-cuts-permanent | Hartzler Votes to Make Tax Cuts Permanent | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) today voted for the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act to make permanent or extend a number of tax cuts that allow Americans to keep more of their own money and grow the economy. In addition, the legislation includes a number of tax policy changes and reforms to how the IRS treats taxpayers. Americans everywhere need to know what to expect from their governmenteven more so when it comes to taxes, Hartzler said. Having the certainty from this bill that certain tax provisions are now permanent allows American families and job creators plan for the future and use their hard-earned dollars to invest in our economy and workforce. In addition to protecting millions of Americans from a significant immediate tax hike, this package lays the ground work for much needed broader tax reform in the future. Instead of spending valuable time extending these provisions each year, Congress can focus on advancing a bold tax reform agenda in 2016 to bring more certainty, simplicity, and growth for all. Fifty-five separate provisions of the Internal Revenue Code expired on December 31, 2014, and this legislation prevents tax increases on millions of families and businesses as the tax year 2015 filing season begins early next year. The legislation makes permanent several important tax provisions and extends additional policies for five years, and extends for two years a number of other tax relief provisions that expired at the end of calendar year 2014. Some highlights of the bill include: Individual Tax Provisions: o American Opportunity Tax Credit (qualified education expenses paid for an eligible student for the first four years of higher education) is made permanent o Child Tax Credit Expansions (expanding refundability for low-wage workers) are made permanent Letting businesses and the economy grow: o Immediate code 179 expensing helps cyclical businesses, especially farms, to invest in new property and equipment o The Work Opportun… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-s-initiative-for-students-passes-house | Congressman Jason Smiths Initiative for Students Passes House | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C.Today Congressman Smith voted to keep a $622 billion tax increase from hitting American families. One of the provisions in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act is Congressman Smiths initiative, H.R. 3409 the Tax Relief for Working Students Act, to make college more affordable for students. The language authored and introduced by Smith treats income as a scholarship rather than as a wage if it is earned at a comprehensive student work-learning-service program at a certified Work College. It only makes sense that we encourage the hard work of responsible students, said Smith, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which handles all federal tax issues. Work Colleges, including College of the Ozarks in southern Missouri, start students on the right track. I am glad that my language was included to reduce the tax burden students are facing and makes it easier for them to earn the scholarships they need to pay for college. Currently, compensation students earn at Work Colleges is taxed as income, rather than a tax-free scholarship. Smiths provision clarifies the tax treatment of these scholarships and restores the specific tax protection that was erroneously eliminated by Congress in 1986. Americas seven Work Colleges are unique, four-year liberal arts institutions. In addition to graduating with little or no student loan debt, Work College students finish school with four years of work experience. Typical entry level jobs in the program include landscaping and administration, and students average about eight to 15 hours of work per week in addition to their education and service requirements. Congressman Smith has been leading the fight to make college more affordable for students, said Jerry C. Davis, President of College of the Ozarks. This is a big win for the students who see Work Colleges as a way to get a college education without student loan debt. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act also included language making permanent the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) which … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-smith-protects-farmers-from-tax-increase | Congressman Smith Protects Farmers from Tax Increase | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C.Today Congressman Smith voted to keep a $622 billion tax increase from hitting American families. One of the most important provisions for farmers and small business owners in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act is providing tax relief for equipment and property purchases through Section 179 of the tax code. The PATH Act would make permanent Section 179 expensing, allowing for an immediate deduction on equipment purchases for farmers and small business owners. Without action today the tax rate on that equipment would have increased by roughly 2000% at the end of the year. As a Member of the House Ways & Means Committee with jurisdiction over all federal taxation issues, Rep. Smith worked to help author and finally make permanent this important provision for those in equipment heavy businesses like farming. This is a major step to give farmers more certainty and peace of mind, said Congressman Smith. Without this action, taxes would have gone up on the very farmers that keep our rural economy moving. Making this provision permanent finally ends the charade of temporary extensions and patches of U.S. tax code policy. Working on and advancing major wins like this for the farmers of Missouri was the exact reason I fought to get on the Ways & Means Committee. We are finally allowing farmers, manufactures and small business owners to plan financially for the long term so that they can help grow their farm or business here in America. The issues of Section 179 and bonus depreciation are important for soybean farmers because they give us the certainty as we grow through investments in new equipment and infrastructure, said Missouri Soybean Association President Tom Raffety. The bill is also good news for farmers who often dont know their tax burden until the end of the year due to constant tax code changes. Additionally, permanently extending section 179 helps provide the framework and path forward for large scale U.S. tax code overhaul in 2016 and 2017. As a Member of the House Way… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=746 | Long votes to make major tax cuts permanent, hold IRS accountable | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Billy Long | L000576 | long.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Billy Long (MO-07) voted today for the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, which prevents tax increases on Missouri families and small businesses. By stopping tax increases from implementation and extending other tax cuts, the bill allows for more certainty and income to bolster the economy. Overall, the bill provides $629 billion of tax relief. This bill prevents a significant immediate tax increase on millions of Americans and makes dozens of temporary tax cuts permanent, including the research and development tax credit to incentivize innovation and provisions to provide small business tax relief, said Rep. Long. Small businesses will now be able to plan and adjust their budgets and new investments accordingly due to finally having the certainty that these tax extensions will now be in place for several years to come. The PATH Act also continues to rein in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by allowing for the firing of employees that make politically motivated actions similar to ones taken under former IRS Director Lois Lerner. It is simply unthinkable that workers in a government agency would use their positions to impact the outcome of elections,said Rep. Long. It is crucial that the IRS regain public trust, and this bill includes important measures to hold its employees accountable for wrongdoings. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398660 | Luetkemeyer Supports Legislation That Provides Tax Relief for Missouri Families and Businesses | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after voting to support the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act: share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after voting to support the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act: Todays passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act will not only help our economy grow but it will also help American taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars. This legislation provides certainty to our nations small businesses by making a number of temporary provisions - such as the Research & Development credit and the section 179 expensing credit permanent. Now, businesses can plan appropriately for more than one year at a time, hire new workers, and invest in their communities. In addition, there are a number of reforms designed to better protect taxpayers from abuse by the Internal Revenue Service. With the passage of this legislation, it sets the stage for comprehensive tax reform to finally happen. Americans deserve a simpler and fairer tax code that is built for growth and this bill will help to make that possible. More highlights of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act: R&D credit (permanent) Code section 179 expensing (permanent) State and local sales tax deduction (permanent) Charitable Tax Policies (permanent) Bonus depreciation (five year extension) Reduces the marriage penalty for certain credits (permanent) Provisions to crack down on fraud and abuse IRS employees prohibited from using personal email accounts for business IRS must inform taxpayers on status of investigations related to unauthorized use of private tax information Right to appeal adverse ruling of tax-exempt status IRS employees terminated taking official actions for political purposes | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=3177e136-9bc8-44cc-a4fe-f5820972b57d | KFVS: Senator Roy Blunt Secures Funding for Missouri Military | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | Don Frazier MISSOURI (KFVS) - Missouri is one of 29 states selected to take on additional cyber units. U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations, made the announcement onWednesday, December 16, 2015,that this is one of the several defense prioritiesincluded in the recently passed appropriations bill. The provisionincludes $7.5 million to support Army National Guard Cyber Protection Teams. In Missouri, the money will be used to take on additional cyber units tasked to identify and reduce emerging cyber threats to the United States. The National Guard Bureau has recognized the Missouri Cyber Team as an exceptionally experienced and knowledgeable team. The Missouri Cyber Team also serves as a resource to the National Guard Bureau in planning its annual national Cyber Shield exercise. Click here to read more. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/telephone-town-hall | Telephone Town Hall | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Join Congresswoman Hartzler Wednesday, December 16th, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. CT for a live, interactive telephone town hall meeting. Vicky will be taking questions from constituents about the latest updates and news from Washington and Missouri. If you would like to pre-register for this event, you can do so by clicking here. If you would prefer to simply listen in on the call, it will be livestreamed here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/jason-smith-introduces-bill-to-protect-taxpayers-stop-epa-propaganda | Congressman Smith Introduces Bill to Protect Taxpayers, Stop EPA Propaganda Machine | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today, Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) introduced the End EPA Advertising Act, a bill to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using taxpayer money to hire public relations contractors. Between 2000 and 2014, the EPA spent $26 million on outside public relations contracts. These are contractors hired with taxpayer dollars used to create media campaigns aimed at selling the latest EPA rule or regulation to the American public. These are rules and regulations which often have an adverse impact on economic growth and job creation in this country. According to a 2012 study, regulations from the EPA cost the economy roughly $350 billion a year or half of the total economic cost of complying with all federal regulations. Its unbelievable the EPA would think it is appropriate to use taxpayer dollars to hire public relations teams to sell their economically disastrous proposals, said Congressman Smith. Millions of dollars spent on the best public affairs firms cant fool the American people into believing that the EPA should be regulating their farm, small business, wood stoves, ponds, or backyard barbeques. The federal government has spent $4.34 billion on public relations firms since 2007. Outside public relations consulting expenses has increased by 47 percent under the Obama administration, including more than $2 billion in outside contracts with firms performing polling, public relations, and marketing consulting. Public relations contractors do not provide any essential function for the EPA. They are used to advertise poorly crafted rules and regulations to the American people. On Monday, it came to light that the EPA broke federal law promoting its Waters of the United States rule (WOTUS) on social media. The news came in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report spurred by Congressman Smiths letter to the Inspector General of the EPA demanding an investigation into these violations earlier this year. Weve seen the lengths the EPA will go to in order to push their agenda. Maybe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-wagner-statement-on-dol-fiduciary-rule | Rep. Wagner Statement on DOL Fiduciary Rule | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Ann Wagner | W000812 | wagner.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Ann Wagner released the following statement on absence of a DOL-Fiduciary legislative rider in the Omnibus Spending bill: I am disappointed that the White House chose politics over protecting low and middle-income investors during this time of economic uncertainty. The President continues to ignore over 100 Democrats in Congress who have expressed concerns with the Department of Labors proposed rule. Instead, this President has decided to stand with big government liberals like Sen. Elizabeth Warren. As a result, the ability of low and middle-income Americans to receive affordable financial advice for their retirement is now in jeopardy. The House has already passed the Retail Investor Protection Act twice, in bi-partisan fashion. It is now more important than ever that the Senate act immediately and take up this important piece of legislation. I will continue this fight until the rule is delayed, dismantled and defeated. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-wagner-statement-on-omnibus-bill | Rep. Wagner Statement on Omnibus Bill | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Ann Wagner | W000812 | wagner.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Ann Wagner released the following statement on the inclusion of 7 EA-18G Growlers and 5 F-18E/F Super Hornets in the Omnibus Spending bill: This is a big win for St. Louis, national security, and most importantly, our warfighters. By securing 7 EA-18G Growlers and 5 F-18E/F Super Hornets, we are helping to fill an acute Navy shortfall and a crucial national security need. These planes are a workhorse of naval combat operations and play a critical role in the fight against the Islamic State. By keeping this important production line operating, we are protecting thousands of St. Louis jobs and putting our local stamp on national defense. # # # Background on Rep. Wagner support of Growler and Super Hornet: Fiscal Year 2014 Worked with House Armed Services Committee and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to obtain advanced procurement funding for future additional Super Hornets Fought to protect full funding allocations for Growlers amid sequestration cuts to defense spending Fiscal Year 2015 15 Growlers included in spending bill Led Congressional letter to appropriations and armed services committee signed by over 100 Members of Congress Testified before House Armed Services and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on importance of Growlers to the warfighter Fiscal Year 2016 7 Growlers and 5 Super Hornets included in spending bill Led Missouri and Illinois delegation letter to appropriations and armed services committee requesting more fighter jets Testified before House Armed Services and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on importance of Growlers and Super Hornets in the fight against the Islamic State | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=1598ccde-765f-4e25-8cb9-dc8c8043bfa6 | Senators Blunt & Brown Announce Breast Cancer Awareness & Education Bill Included in Omnibus | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio) today announced that the Breast Cancer Patient Education Act they introduced earlier this year has been included in the omnibus appropriations bill. The measure, which is co-sponsored by Senators Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), and Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), will help ensure breast cancer patients have access to information about their post-operative care options. Women who face a breast cancer diagnosis are too often left with more questions than answers about their recovery options, Blunt said. This year alone, an estimated 4,600 women in Missouri and 235,000 nationwide will be diagnosed with the disease. This bill will help them chart a course that best fits their needs after surgery. I am proud to see this measure advance, and will continue working to increase breast cancer awareness and education, and accelerate research efforts to find a cure for this disease. We should do all we can to ensure that women battling breast cancer have the opportunity and information to make the best decision before they begin treatment, said Brown. An overwhelming majority of women especially women of racial and ethnic minority groups are not informed of their breast cancer reconstructive options prior to surgery, even though by law any insurance plan that covers breast cancer treatment must also cover reconstruction or prosthetic care. This lack of information is preventing some women from accessing the care plan that is best for their individual needs. Including our bill in the omnibus spending package will help improve education around the availability and coverage of different options so that all women battling breast cancer have access to information about all of their care options including reconstruction prior to breast cancer surgery. The omnibus appropriations bill also includes more than $5.2 billion in funding for the National Cancer Institute, a five per… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=21d23696-8df8-4893-a909-4938fdb57892 | Senator Blunt Secures Funding for Missouri Military Installations & National Defense Priorities | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations, today announced that several defense priorities he championed have been included in the omnibus appropriations bill. The federal governments first responsibility is to protect the nation, Blunt said. To that end, this legislation funds key defense priorities at Whiteman, Rosecrans, Fort Leonard Wood, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and Missouri National Guard installations across the state. These investments will ensure that we maintain the most well-trained, well-equipped fighting force in the world. It is incumbent upon the president, however, to outline a clear, comprehensive strategy that will enable our military and intelligence personnel to take on the terrorist threat we face, and to keep America safe. Blunt Provisions Included in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill: Super Hornets The bill provides an additional $1 billion for seven EA-18G Growlers and five F-18E/F Super Hornets manufactured in St. Louis, Mo. After hearing testimony from Admiral Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, during an annual defense appropriations hearing, Blunt made the case that the additional aircraft will meet the US Navys tactical aviation shortfalls and larger joint requirements for additional airborne electronic attack capability. Consolidated Stealth and Nuclear Alert Facility The bill includes $29.5 million for the construction of a 79,000 square-foot Consolidated Stealth and Nuclear Alert Facility at Whiteman Air Force Base.Sponsored by Blunt, these funds will enhance the Air Forces strategic stealth bomber capability and preserve our deterrence capability at home and abroad. C-130 Aircraft Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Mo. is the nations premier Air Guard training center for Advanced Airlift Tactical Training. The bill provides an additional $128.2 million for C-130 aircraft upgrades that meet Air National Guard intra-theater airlift mobility requirements. Tomah… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=3c5c3d12-df24-41ae-a45f-e5041e803dfa | Omnibus Bill Includes Blunts $2 Billion Increase for NIH, Eliminates 18 Ineffective Programs in Labor/HHS | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies, announced that the National Institutes of Health has received $32 billion in the omnibus appropriations bill. This represents a $2 billion increase over last years funding level, which Blunt successfully fought for in the Senate committee-passed appropriations bill earlier this year. This is the largest increase NIH has received in the Labor/HHS bill in more than a decade. In a tight fiscal environment, we have to ensure that every dollar we spend reflects the priorities of the American people, Blunt said. In my view, there is no greater priority than to help every American live a longer, healthier life. This bill does that by increasing funding for NIH, and prioritizing funding for key investments while eliminating more than a dozen ineffective or duplicative programs throughout the bill. Over the past decade, NIHs purchasing power has decreased by more than 20 percent, slowing research efforts and advances toward treatments for more than 6,000 incurable diseases. I have been proud to lead efforts to increase funding for NIH, and am glad that the omnibus maintains the $2 billion increase we passed in the committee earlier this year. I will continue working to ensure NIH has the resources necessary to address our nations health challenges, spur medical innovation, increase U.S. competitiveness, and lower healthcare costs, while ensuring that every taxpayer dollar we spend goes toward advancing these priorities. In addition to the NIH increase, the Labor/HHS bill focused on increasing the efficiency and cost effectiveness of government.The Labor/HHS bill eliminates 18 programs and reduces waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, including preventing the administration from using discretionary funds to bail out the ObamaCare Risk Corridor program as well as defunding the unaccountable ObamaCare Independent Payment Advisory Board.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=85c14242-220f-4ac2-9a07-f15942f0b830 | VIDEO: Senator Blunt Touts NIH Priorities in Omnibus Appropriations Bill | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies, spoke on the Senate floor today to highlight several National Institutes of Health priorities he championed that have been included in the omnibus appropriations bill. Blunt announced that NIH has received a $2 billion increase over last years funding level, which is the largest increase NIH has received in the Labor/HHS bill in more than a decade. Blunt also noted that the Labor/HHS bill eliminates 18 ineffective or duplicative programs, defunds ObamaCares unaccountable Independent Payment Advisory Board, and protects taxpayers from bailing out ObamaCares risk corridor program. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=b9661bf0-01ad-45e8-b776-1744dac17e3f | VIDEO: Senator Blunt Touts NIH Priorities in Omnibus Appropriations Bill | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies, spoke on the Senate floor today to highlight several National Institutes of Health priorities he championed that have been included in the omnibus appropriations bill. Blunt announced that NIH has received a $2 billion increase over last years funding level, which is the largest increase NIH has received in the Labor/HHS bill in more than a decade. Blunt also noted that the Labor/HHS bill eliminates 18 ineffective or duplicative programs, defunds ObamaCares unaccountable Independent Payment Advisory Board, and protects taxpayers from bailing out ObamaCares risk corridor program. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-wagner-statement-dol-fiduciary-rule | Rep. Wagner Statement on DOL Fiduciary Rule | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Ann Wagner | W000812 | wagner.house.gov | wagner | https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Congresswoman Ann Wagner released the following statement on absence of a DOL-Fiduciary legislative rider in the Omnibus Spending bill: "I am disappointed that the White House chose politics over protecting low and middle-income investors during this time of economic uncertainty. The President continues to ignore over 100 Democrats in Congress who have expressed concerns with the Department of Labor's proposed rule. Instead, this President has decided to stand with big government liberals like Sen. Elizabeth Warren. As a result, the ability of low and middle-income Americans to receive affordable financial advice for their retirement is now in jeopardy. The House has already passed the Retail Investor Protection Act twice, in bi-partisan fashion. It is now more important than ever that the Senate act immediately and take up this important piece of legislation. I will continue this fight until the rule is delayed, dismantled and defeated." # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z |
| https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-wagner-statement-omnibus-bill | Rep. Wagner Statement on Omnibus Bill | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Ann Wagner | W000812 | wagner.house.gov | wagner | https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Congresswoman Ann Wagner released the following statement on the inclusion of 7 EA-18G Growlers and 5 F-18E/F Super Hornets in the Omnibus Spending bill: "This is a big win for St. Louis, national security, and most importantly, our warfighters. By securing 7 EA-18G Growlers and 5 F-18E/F Super Hornets, we are helping to fill an acute Navy shortfall and a crucial national security need. These planes are a workhorse of naval combat operations and play a critical role in the fight against the Islamic State. By keeping this important production line operating, we are protecting thousands of St. Louis jobs and putting our local stamp on national defense." # # # Background on Rep. Wagner support of Growler and Super Hornet: Fiscal Year 2014 Worked with House Armed Services Committee and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to obtain advanced procurement funding for future additional Super Hornets Fought to protect full funding allocations for Growlers amid sequestration cuts to defense spending Fiscal Year 2015 15 Growlers included in spending bill Led Congressional letter to appropriations and armed services committee signed by over 100 Members of Congress Testified before House Armed Services and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on importance of Growlers to the warfighter Fiscal Year 2016 | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z |
| http://hartzler.house.gov/blog/taliban-5-transfer-%E2%80%93-administration-broke-law | The Taliban 5 Transfer the Administration Broke the Law | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | You may recall the May, 2014, White House press conference when President Obama celebrated the secret release of five senior Taliban detainees at Guantanamo Bay to Qatar in exchange for the release of Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. That deal was immediately met with criticism from Americans fearful of the repercussions of releasing dangerous terrorists. As Chairwoman of the House Armed Services Committees (HASC) Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I headed the probe into the details of this transfer, joining HASC Chairman Mac Thornberry in releasing a report that concludes the Obama Administration violated the law. The law requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress not later than 30 days before the transfer or release of detainees from Guantanamo. This was not done, despite the fact we now know that prisoner swap negotiations between the United States and the Taliban had begun 102 days before the transfer. Congress and Pentagon officials best positioned to assess the national security risks were left out of the process, increasing the chances of dangerous consequences. What is even more disturbing are the decisions and plans to deliberately mislead Congress and the American people. After assuring Congress in late February of 2014 that press reports about a Taliban 5 detainee swap were not accurate, and despite promises to keep Congress informed, Department of Defense officials traveled to Doha to meet with Qatari officials about a swap, sought Department of Justice assistance to avoid legally-required Congressional notification, and prepared legal paperwork to facilitate the transfer. This ploy put our country at risk. The simple truth is that a review of the detainees at Guantanamo, ordered by President Obama, concluded the Taliban 5 were among a group of 48 detainees considered too dangerous to transfer. Despite what should have been a red flag, the transfer went forward. This report, while it involved extensive research, does not provide all the answers. There is still muc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/audrain-county-listening-post-3 | Audrain County Listening Post | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Staff Listening Post has been scheduled for Audrain County in Mexico. Each Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Staff Listening Post Where: Audrain County Courthouse Community Room, 101 N. Jefferson St., Mexico, MO 65265 When: Thursday, December 17, 2015 from 10:00 am 11:00 am For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers Columbia office at (573) 442-9311. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/columbia-office-open-house-1 | Columbia Office Open House | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Open House has been scheduled in Columbia. Each Open House is hosted by members of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff members will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Open House Where: Columbia District Office, 2415 Carter Ln., Ste. 4, Columbia, MO 65201 When: Monday, December 21, 2015 from 9:00 am 10:30 am For further information, contact Congresswoman Hartzlers Columbia office at (573) 442-9311. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398659 | Luetkemeyer Calls U.N. Climate Agreement a Bad Deal for Americans | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | Luetkemeyer Calls U.N. Climate Agreement a Bad Deal for Americans f t # e Washington, December 14, 2015 U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement following the release of the global climate agreement in Paris: share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement following the release of the global climate agreement in Paris: After reviewing the details of the climate agreement that was reached over the weekend in Paris, it is clear that the Administration decided to put posturing and wishful thinking ahead of our nations economy. Not only will this climate agreement raise energy prices on American families, it is based on the presidents climate plan that doesnt even have the support of the American people and will likely be proven illegal in court. This agreement is just one more example of how out of touch the Administration is with the priorities of the country. I will continue to push my legislation in Congress which would prevent taxpayers dollars from being used to fund the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change, Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Green Climate Fund so that American taxpayers are not footing the bill for an unelected organization that is tasked with advancing the UNs global warming agenda. f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/survey/poll-week-december-7-2015-results | Poll of the Week, December 7, 2015 **RESULTS** | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | After the tragic events of Paris, and most recently San Bernardino, California, many have questioned whether or not the current strategy to defeat ISIS is working, and whether or not President Obama has set forth a clear strategy to defeat ISIS. Last Sunday, the President addressed the Nation from the Oval Office, only his third time ever doing so. In his address, he repeated the current strategy, saying it is designed and supported by our military commanders and counterterrorism experts, together with 65 countries that have joined an American-led coalition. At a recent G-20 summit in Antalya, Turkey, hedefended the current U.S. strategy against ISISat a press conference, saying, "There will be an intensification of the strategy that we've put forward but the strategy that we are putting forward is the strategy that ultimately is going to work," It's going to take time." The response to the Presidents handling of the situation would show that many are still not convinced this strategy is working. A recent CNN/ORC poll, taken before the attack in San Bernardino, but after the attacks in Paris shows a majority of Americans (53%) say the U.S. should send ground troops to Iraq or Syria to fight ISIS. At the same time, 6-in-10 disapproves of the President's handling of terrorism and 68% say America's military response to the terrorist group thus far has not been aggressive enough. Congress, in an overwhelming bipartisan fashion, recently sent a national defense bill to the Presidents desk, which he signed into law, mandating the Commander-in-Chief issue a concerted strategy to financially and militarily destroy the Islamic State. Question of the Week: Is the President Obamas current strategy on terrorism strong enough to fully defeat ISIS? ( ) Yes ( ) No ( ) I am unsure | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/jason-smith-named-to-powerful-house-leadership-group | Jason Smith named to powerful House leadership group | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, has been chosen to serve on a powerful leadership committee in the House, the first Missourian appointed since U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., was a House representative years ago. Republican colleagues Thursday elected the 8th District congressman to serve on the Republican Steering Committee, a group of House leaders tasked with choosing committee chairmen and who will serve on the various legislative committees. The 35-year-old Smith is the second-youngest lawmaker to serve on the committee. Smith is dramatically younger than most House members. The average age of all 246 GOP House members is 57, he noted. The steering committee has 30 members, including the six chosen Thursday. Key House leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, serve on the committee. Smith said he was among 11 GOP lawmakers seeking election to the committee. Under new rules implemented by Ryan, committee chairmen were removed from the group to add six at-large members. Smith said many of his colleagues encouraged him to run for the committee post. "It's humbling to have your colleagues cast a ballot with your name," Smith said after the secret-ballot election. "Since taking the oath of office, I have continuously focused on opportunities to better serve Missouri by developing relationships with conservative leaders," he said. "The trust they have placed in me today to help pick our next generation of committee leaders is a true honor." Smith insisted it's beneficial for lawmakers to serve on the committee. "It helps empower your district," he said. "It used to be referred to as the committee of all committees." Smith said no Missouri lawmaker serves on the Appropriations Committee, making it even more important for him to serve on the committee that will determine the members of that committee. That could pay dividends in securing needed funding for projects in Southeast Missouri, such as dredging of ports, he explained. He added committee chairmen play key roles in moving bills through the legislative process… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-smith-stands-up-for-local-manufacturers-fights-unfair-trade | Congressman Smith Stands Up for Local Manufacturers, Fights Unfair Trade Practices in ENFORCE Act | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. With todays bipartisan passage of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, Congressman Jason Smith stood up for local manufacturers. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act fosters economic growth to allow businesses to thrive in the 21st Century global economy by stepping up enforcement of trade agreements, reducing barriers to legitimate trade, making American exports more competitive, and facilitating small business competition in the global marketplace. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Kevin Brady explained, "It gives Customs and Border Protection new tools and holds it accountable to effectively act against evasion of antidumping and countervailing duties, including by targeting risky imports and establishing a new investigation process with strict deadlines and judicial review. He noted, "Representatives Boustany and Jason Smith deserve credit for working together to make sure these provisions were included. Rep. Smith worked tirelessly to have a provision known as the ENFORCE Act Included in this bill. Recently, a Missouri manufacturer found itself unfairly competing against an illegal product originating from China, but using a fake address in another country. The ENFORCE Act allows this company in Missouri to take real and meaningful action against these type of foreign perpetrators. As a member of the Ways & Means Committee with jurisdiction over all international trade laws, Rep. Smith has been working for over a year to include the ENFORCE Act in this final legislation. American workers and American products can compete with anybody in the world. But when countries cheat, our manufacturers are significantly harmed, said Smith. This bill with the inclusion of the ENFORCE Act helps end those unfair practices. The ENFORCE Act included in the final conference report of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act would strengthen Americas ability to identify and go after those who break international trade law which is a serious problem for Missouri … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=745 | House passes trade legislation, Long's 'ENFORCE' provisions | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Billy Long | L000576 | long.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Billy Long (MO-07) supported the Houses passage of H.R. 644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act Conference Report. This legislation streamlines trade facilitation procedures, modernizes Custom and Border Protections (CBP) automated systems, and fights currency manipulation. Additionally, this bill includes language from Rep. Longs Enforcing Orders and Reducing Customs Evasion (ENFORCE) Act, which he has championed since first coming to Washington. This bill protects U.S. manufacturers from negative impacts from rampant evasion of antidumping and tariffs by improving CBP mechanisms that ensure the proper duties are applied to products subject to corporate evasion techniques. This bill is critical to making sure products coming into our borders abide by our tariff laws,said Rep. Long. Duty evasion has a very real impact that harms American workers, including hundreds right here in Missouris 7th Congressional District. We must ensure that our border trade law enforcement officials have the modern tools to combat the threat of deliberately misclassified and fraudulently documented imported goods. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398656 | Blaine's Bulletin: Keeping America Secure | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | Providing for the common defense of our nation is one of the explicit duties given to the federal government by the United States Constitution. Now more than ever, as terrorists fueled by Islamic extremism attack America and her allies at home and abroad, it is critical that our government exercise this constitutional duty to keep America safe and secure. While the administration has not proposed a clear strategy to defeat our enemies yet, Congress has passed important measures to keep the American people and our homeland safe in recent weeks. share: f t Providing for the common defense of our nation is one of the explicit duties given to the federal government by the United States Constitution. Now more than ever, as terrorists fueled by Islamic extremism attack America and her allies at home and abroad, it is critical that our government exercise this constitutional duty to keep America safe and secure. While the administration has not proposed a clear strategy to defeat our enemies yet, Congress has passed important measures to keep the American people and our homeland safe in recent weeks. Following the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris, the House of Representatives acted quickly to pass legislation that I co-sponsored to require homeland security and law enforcement officials, including the FBI Director, to certify that refugees entering our country from Syria or Iraq do not pose a threat to the United States. In the absence of the ability to make such a certification, the legislation would halt the admission of refugees from Syria and Iraq. Despite a primetime speech, the president has yet to signify any concrete efforts the White House will take to ease the concerns of Americans and protect our security on this issue. Following the speech, the Wall Street Journal wrote, Mr. Obama didnt announce an overhaul of his counterterrorism strategy or any sweeping changes in the U.S.-led military campaign in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State. Instead, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/thornberryhartzler-release-taliban-5-report | Thornberry/Hartzler On Release Of Taliban 5 Report | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, released the Committees report on the illegal transfer of 5 Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay (GTMO). The entire report can be readhere. The Chairman made the following remarks upon its release: "In May 2014, President Obama transferred five senior Taliban terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to Qatar. Since this transfer, the House Armed Services Committee has been conducting an investigation into the actions of Secretary Hagel and senior DOD officials involved in the transfer, including the legality of their conduct. Our report finds that the Administration clearly broke the law in not notifying Congress of the transfer. Leading up to the transfer, DOD officials misled Congress as to the status of negotiations. Pentagon officials best positioned to assess the national security risks were left out of the process, which increases the chances of dangerous consequences from the transfer. It is irresponsible to put these terrorists that much closer to the battlefield to settle a campaign promise and unconscionable to mislead Congress in the process. Chairwoman Hartzler said the following: The findings of this report should give each of us pause. Most disturbing to me are the calculated decisions and plans to mislead Congress and the American people as to the details and necessity of this transfer. After a review of the detainees at Guantanamo, ordered by President Obama, the Taliban 5 were included in a group of 48 detainees deemed too dangerous to transfer. Despite this, they were transferred. Getting all the facts and all the information necessary to complete this report was no simple task, but it is our responsibility to get the facts and present them to the public. After rigorous investigation, there are still some unknowns. We still do not know if we negotiated for less than five detainees. We do not know how five was determi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-smith-tries-to-end-epa-rules-on-wood-stoves | Rep. Smith tries to end EPA rules on wood stoves | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- There's nothing quite like the warmth generated by a cozy old wood stove during winter. But Environmental Protection Agency regulations issued in January to snuff the crackling fire in the potbelly -- in the name of air quality and better breathing -- now are the law of the land and causing some headaches for self-sufficient families and stove dealers in the Show-Me State. A local congressman is taking aim against those regulations. The EPA's rule tightened the amount of particulate matter new wood stoves can emit, effectively making 80 percent of the nation's stoves obsolete. Those new rules have cost Poplar Bluff wood-stove dealer the Stove Shop a lot of business this year, said general manager John Kassing. "We are allowed to sell the stoves that are already in stock that were grandfathered over, but any new addition has to meet those specifications. It has affected our stove sales greatly," he said. Poplar Bluff do-it-yourselfers and other industrious folks have told Kassing they might just make their own stoves. It is unclear what, if any, federal penalties a homeowner faces for unlawful manufacture or possession of illegal wood-burning paraphernalia. Kassing said the new stoves are worthwhile, however. "The new stoves are more efficient. They are better," he said. "We are getting in to the catalyst world where it is burning the tar pellets and smoke, and it is an absolute clean flame, a clean exhaust after you get it burning correctly." U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, last week filed to repeal the new regulations in the form of a rider tacked on to a wide-sweeping energy bill. "People I talk with are sick of this administration's war on rural America. Rules like these disproportionately hurt rural areas, which use much more wood heat than urban or suburban areas," Smith said. "Times are already tough enough. Folks should not be punished for their self-reliance and their forethought to take advantage of an abundant, eco-friendly fuel like wood." But the EPA regulations have not gone up i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398658 | House Financial Services Committee Passes Luetkemeyer Legislation to Reform Federal Housing Programs | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House Financial Services Committee passed H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act with a vote of 44-10. share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House Financial Services Committee passed H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act with a vote of 44-10. My legislation lays the groundwork, for the first time in years, to institute reforms to the programs and processes at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Housing Service. As I have said before, this legislation represents the first step in housing policy modernization by making many targeted reforms to streamline regulatory burdens and overhaul inefficient policies and regulations. We make these changes while saving taxpayer dollars. Todays successful vote can be attributed to the broad collaboration of Members of the Financial Services Committee from both sides of the aisle. After months of negotiations, the Committee has passed legislation that takes into account many viewpoints that will foster positive change for housing in our country. Specifically, H.R. 3700 modernizes outdated rules and regulations to give state and local housing agencies and private owners enhanced flexibility in meeting key program objectives. In addition, the legislation provides a limitation on public housing tenancy for over-income families, and pays special attention to homeless veterans and children aging out of foster care. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=e311f9a6-fca9-4ca2-8a1e-8aa1188e293f | Kansas City Star (Opinion): Daisy Duarte: Alzheimers stole my moms memories and mine are next | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | Daisy Duarte Last year, I tested positive for the early-onset familial Alzheimers gene that my mother and so many others in my family have. I sat quietly as a genetic counselor explained that the results meant that I would get Alzheimers disease by my 65th birthday. Like many in the Latino community, I didnt know much about Alzheimers before my mother was diagnosed with the progressive brain disease two years ago at the age of 57. Now I live with the knowledge that my memories have a limited shelf life, set to expire in 25 years. Ive decided to use this time to fight for a cure as an advocate, a caregiver and as one of the few Latina participants in an Alzheimers clinical trial at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Five million Americans live with Alzheimers disease, a number that is expected to triple by 2050. My mother is one of the 100,000 Missourians living with the disease. And the number of Latinos is expected grow 600 percent to 1.5 million by 2050. But these numbers dont adequately capture the diseases impact on my family, the Latino community or the nation. Financially, its devastating. The direct and indirect cost of Alzheimers disease is more than $225 billion annually. If we continue on our current course, the total cost of the disease is likely to exceed $1 trillion by 2050 more than cancer and heart disease. Personally, I was forced to close a successful business to provide the fulltime care my mom needs. Now any money I make as an hourly worker, along with her meager pension, go to Alzheimers related costs. Its certainly not something we planned for financially or emotionally. I know that significant federal research investments in HIV, stroke and heart disease have saved lives and reduced overall health care costs. But a similar investment has not been made in Alzheimers and were paying for it in the lives of our loved ones. This fact is made clear in published studies from the National Center for Health Statistics, which reports that from 2000 to 2… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=04bc9b7a-efd2-45ac-bf7f-2dea3700f809 | VIDEO: Senator Blunt Urges Expansion of Excellence In Mental Health Act | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) spoke on the Senate floor today to urge support for expanding the Excellence In Mental Health Act. The legislation, which was signed into law last year, creates an eight-state pilot program to improve the amount and quality of mental health services available to those suffering from mental illness. Senator Blunt called for expanding the program to include all 24 states currently receiving planning grants under the law. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=bcf5a0db-9f59-4bc5-9bc1-ac7fbf939b49 | Senator Blunt: Education Decisions Are Best Left to State & Local Agencies, Not Federal Bureaucrats | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) voted against legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. If enacted, the measure would leave policies in place that have vastly expanded the role of the federal government at the expense of state and local education departments. Decisions affecting our childrens education are best left to state and local agencies that have the ability to tailor policies and programs to meet the needs of students, Blunt said. A one-size-fits all approach handed down by Washington has proven ineffective. Unfortunately, the bill passed by the Senate today does not go far enough to reform or eliminate programs that are not working, roll back flawed testing mandates, and restore local control. Weighing in at more than 1,000 pages, the bill also allows for the rapid growth of K-12 spending, and authorizes new spending on additional programs. Going forward, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will work together to advance policies that better address the shortcomings in our education system and give all students the opportunity to succeed. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=d7efb7fd-6785-460f-a7c3-cb5f2f561364 | VIDEO: Senator Blunt Urges Expansion of Excellence In Mental Health Act | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) spoke on the Senate floor today to urge support for expanding the Excellence In Mental Health Act. The legislation, which was signed into law last year, creates an eight-state pilot program to improve the amount and quality of mental health services available to those suffering from mental illness. Senator Blunt called for expanding the program to include all 24 states currently receiving planning grants under the law. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-votes-give-visa-waiver-program-boost-security | Hartzler Votes to Give Visa Waiver Program Boost in Security | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) today voted to strengthen the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in order to close critical security gaps in the program and address the heightened terror threat environment. Today the House passed the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 407-19. In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, perpetrated partially by radicalized citizens from visa waiver countries, it is clear that more must be done to ensure Americans safety, Hartzler said. The current Visa Waiver Program contains a number of security gaps we address with this legislation. The threat of an extremist traveling from a visa waiver country to the United States is a real concern and must be addressed. This act works to boost security measures in those participating countries to ensure we have more complete information and verifiable documents on those traveling to our shores. It also terminates the program in those countries failing to do so, Hartzler continued. Under this legislation, the U.S. Visa Waiver Program would go further to deny visa waiver status to individuals who have traveled to terrorist hotspots, such as Iraq and Syria, since 2011. The federal government has a fundamental obligation to protect Americans, and this is a constructive step towards doing that. Background: The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) was created in 1986 and allows nationals from participating countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days for business or tourism without obtaining a U.S. visa, by presenting a valid passport, and by meeting certain other requirements. Currently, there are 38 countries that participate in the VWP. For a complete list of participating countries, click here. To be designated as a VWP country, the country must participate in security reviews every other year and meet several key conditions, such as offering reciprocal visa-free travel for U.S. citizens and meeting a host of information-sharing and sec… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/us-house-passes-protection-for-wood-stove-users | U.S. House passes protection for wood stove users | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment Thursday eliminating new EPA regulations on wood stoves. The amendment, introduced by Congressman Jason Smith, R-8th District, passed with a bipartisan vote of 247-177 and was added to H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act. The EPA has decided that 12 million wood-burning stoves in 2.4 million households across America need to be regulated because of Washington-driven bureaucrat emissions standards," he said. "People I talk with are sick of this administrations war on rural America. Rules like these disproportionately hurt rural areas, which use much more wood heat than urban or suburban areas. Times are already tough enough. Folks should not be punished for their self-reliance and their forethought to take advantage of an abundant, eco-friendly fuel like wood. A given home in the district is five times more likely to be heated with wood than the national average. Fifty-seven percent of households who primarily use wood for heat are in rural areas, 40 percent are in the suburbs and only 3 percent in urban areas. According to Smith, about 30,000 households in the 8th District use wood heat to warm their homes. He also said that census data shows households heating with wood grew 34 percent between 2000 and 2010, and that low and middle-income households are more likely to use wood as a primary heating fuel. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=744 | Long votes to strengthen Visa Waiver Program | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Billy Long | L000576 | long.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Billy Long (MO-07) voted for H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, which addresses the vulnerabilities of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This legislation requires VWP participant countries to provide counterterrorism information and other critical intelligence, while allowing the suspension of high risk countries and denying VWP status for those who have traveled to terrorist hotspots, like Iraq and Syria, since 2011. We must ensure that the Visa Waiver Program doesnt turn into an easy entrance fast-track for foreign nationals who wish to harm us,said Rep. Long. Given the legitimate threat that terrorists could come to the United States through participant countries, this bill takes commonsense steps to protect national security and the safety of our citizens. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398657 | House Passes Legislation to Strengthen the Nation's Visa Waiver Program | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act. share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act. Todays critical legislation will ensure that our country is identifying and stopping foreign fighters with Western passports from entering the United States. The recent terrorist attacks, and the fact that nearly 5,000 individuals from countries included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program have traveled to Syria and Iraq pledging allegiance to ISIS, have brought our current Visa Waiver Program under scrutiny. As the program stands now, nationals from the 38 countries included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program do not have to go through the U.S. consulate to obtain a visa; rather, these individuals are only required to provide background information, which does not include finger prints, to be screened by U.S. security databases. Thus, these individuals receive an expedited approval or denial. It will improve American security by making sure that all 38 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program have an e-passport, which would contain fraud-resistant certifications of an individuals biographic and biometric information. In order to prevent acts of terrorism from occurring on U.S. soil, this legislation would prevent aliens who are nationals of, or those who have traveled in the last five years to, a country designated by the Secretary of State as a state sponsor of terror, from access to visa-free travel to the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program. These individuals would be required to go through the more stringent and prolonged process of obtaining a visa for entry. Under current Visa Waiver Program rules, individuals can enter the United States for up to 90 days with very little scrutiny that is no longer acceptable. Todays bipartisan legislation is just … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=4a7982a3-137b-4a4a-89c5-05af96a92573 | Senator Blunt Backs Key Reforms to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program, Protect Americans | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today co-sponsored the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, legislation to enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Program. The federal governments number one responsibility is to keep Americans safe. To do that, we must strengthen the Visa Waiver Program to ensure terrorists cannot exploit Americas ties with our friends and allies to enter the country and carry out attacks within our borders. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act takes several important steps to enhance the security of the program, without inflicting undue harm on our economy and the millions of Americans who depend on the travel and tourism industry. The measure has strong, bipartisan support in both houses of Congress, and should be passed and signed into law without delay. Following are several key reforms included in the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act: Denies VWP status to individuals who are from Iraq, Syria, and other countries with significant terrorist activity, or who have visited those countries in the past five years; Requires the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to terminate a country from the VWP if the country does not share intelligence or law enforcement information; Requires all VWP countries to check travelers against INTERPOL databases to determine whether the traveler is wanted by law enforcement agencies based on ties to terrorism or criminal activity; Requires all VWP countries to issue their citizens fraud-resistant e-passports containing biometric information, and requires countries to be able to confirm that such documents are legitimate when they are scanned; Requires top U.S. security agencies to conduct more frequent intelligence and threat assessments of VWP countries to determine whether they pose a high risk to the national security of the United States; and Requires DHS to take steps to better d… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletters/a-welcomed-end-to-no-child-left-behind | A Welcomed End to No Child Left Behind | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | legacy | Last week, when the House passed reauthorization of theElementary and Secondary Schools Act (ESEA),the Wall Street Journal wrote that it was thelargest devolution of federal control in 25 years. The bill - which the Senate should passtomorrow- replacesNo Child Left Behind,gives authority back to local school districts, and prevents the White House from forcing states to adopt Common Core standards. It is expected to be signed into law by the President as early as this week. Federal overreach and excessive testing requirements have made it impossible for teachers to fulfill their single most important responsibility - preparing children to lead productive and fulfilling lives. This bill will return decision making capabilities to administrators, school districts and local governments, while limiting the influence of bureaucrats in Washington. The House and Senate passed separate versions of ESEA reauthorization earlier this year. This bill was a bipartisan compromise developed by both chambers, and is a critical final step before reauthorization can become law. ReplacingNo Child Left Behindrepresents a shift back to the way things should be run.I am proud that Congress passed a bipartisan bill that will let local governments make their own decisions on education. Sincerely, Sam Graves | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/blog/visa-waiver-program-improvement-act-america-needs-it-now | The Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act - America Needs It Now! | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Acts of terrorism in the United States and around the world are a clear signal that this country must take additional steps to protect itself from these horrendous acts of violence. One of the measures that will help address this situation is a bill currently being discussed by Members of Congress the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015. It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include terrorism as a risk factor that should be considered under the electronic system for travel authorization in determining the eligibility of an alien to travel to our country. Under the current Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which was established in 1986, citizens of 38 countries can travel to the United States without visas or in person consular interviews by undergoing background security checks. In return, U.S. citizens get to travel to those countries visa-free. In 2007, the Department of Homeland Security implemented an electronic security screening system to reflect newer security threats. But there are security gaps that must be reviewed and addressed. The fact is that around 5,000 Europeans, many of them from VWP countries, are estimated to have traveled to Syria and Iraq to join terrorist groups. It is, therefore, easier for these individuals to enter the United States. We must act to address this frightening fact. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act closes the security gaps and adds protection in several ways: It will deny VWP status to those who have visited Syria, Iraq, or other terrorist hotspots in the last five years, requiring visas of these travelers to enter this country; the legislation enhances the screening of all travelers in VWP countries before they attempt to enter the United States by requiring background checks against INTERPOL databases; it takes measures to ensure VWP travelers do not falsify their background information by preventing the use of fraudulent or stolen passports and other documents by creating a database of lost and stolen documents; and it requires the Secretar… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/howard-county-listening-post-1 | Howard County Listening Post | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District Staff Listening Post has been scheduled for Howard County in Glasgow. Each Listening Post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Austin Kramer will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Staff Listening Post Where: Lewis & Clark Community Center, 102 Market Street, Glasgow, Missouri 65254 When: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 from 9:00 am 10:00 am | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-responds-president%E2%80%99s-address-nation | Hartzler Responds to Presidents Address to the Nation | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) released the following statement in response to President Obamas address last night to the Nation: President Obama gave us nothing new in his address to the nation. As ISIL continues its wave of terror around the globe, and now apparently inspiring attacks here at home, the Commander in Chief needs to get serious about this threat and present a solid, workable strategy to defeat this menace. Doubling down on the current failing strategy is irresponsible and lets the Islamic State continue to expand its influence. Now is the time for American leadership. Congresswoman Hartzler serves on the House Armed Services, Agriculture, and Budget Committees. She represents Missouris Fourth Congressional District. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-wagner-statement-on-president-obamas-sunday-address | Rep. Wagner Statement on President Obama's Sunday Address | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Ann Wagner | W000812 | wagner.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Ann Wagner released the following statement in response to President Obamas Sunday evening address concerning the San Bernardino shooting, ISIS and gun control: Last night, President Obama spoke to the nation about the threat posed by terrorism. Instead of charting a new course for victory over ISIS, the President chose to double-down on years of failed counterterrorism policy in the Middle East.President Obama's address amounted to a reassertion of the same counterterrorism strategy that has seen ISIS seize control of large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria and use that territory as a base from which to inspire and direct attacks like the ones we have seen in Paris and San Bernardino. Our number one responsibility in Congress is to keep the American people safe. It is time for the President to end the equivocation and half-measures and instead put forward a comprehensive and aggressive strategy to destroy ISIS. If we do not act decisively to impede the threat of Islamic extremism to our homeland, then the acts of terror will continue against the United States and our allies. The enemy is adapting its plots to defeat our security measures, and the President has failed to present a flexible strategy to counter the terrorists increasingly dangerous tactics. As Americans, we have a responsibility to stand up to our enemies and work as a force for good in the international community. We must not downplay the real and present danger posed by ISIS and the President has a responsibility to the American people to defeat them. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=cab5ffba-b97d-48af-9baf-c9b6c95a9d2f | Missouri Times: Blunt visits Cole County to talk about infrastructure | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, visited with local officials in southern Cole County near Russellville, Missouri to speak about roads, bridges and other pieces of infrastructure in Missouri. Blunt touted a recent and rare compromise in Congress to move a newfive-year highway billwhich will allot around $300 billion federal dollars for state infrastructure projects. Blunt says having a longer guaranteed plan will ensure a more effective use of that money Its been 17 years since we had a five-year bill, Blunt said. Since 2009, there have been 37 short-term extensions of the highway bill. The longest of those 37 extensions was two years, and frankly, you just cant have a highway plan that does much good if youre working within a two-year window. He specifically pointed out provisions he helped put into the legislation that would help reopen and maintain bridges owned by counties and municipalities, not just state governments. It would also allow emergency vehicles come into the state with less bureaucratic oversight. State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, also attended and spoke about the positives this federal legislation would bring to the state. A highway department needs certainty because as everybody knows MODOT plans their highway plans in the STIP (Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan) which is a five-year dedicated plan, Kehoe said. When youre working off reauthorization to previous highway bills for four months or six months, the department never really has that certainty. And for policymakers here in the state, its good to know what our foundation is going to be and this new bill gives us that foundation. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill, despite criticisms from some Democrats that the legislation will not include health care funds for 9/11 First Responders. Click here to read more. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=4c103d48-f317-40d4-8b41-c63aa547e08c | Senator Blunt Statement on the Presidents Oval Office Address | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement in response to President Obamas Oval Office address on the terrorist threat: What the American people needed to hear from the president last night was a comprehensive strategy to defeat the terrorist threat and keep our country safe. Instead, what they heard was a reiteration of the same failed policies that have allowed ISIS to continue consolidating gains in the Middle East and Africa, and spreading their insidious ideology abroad. The attack in San Bernardino last week demonstrates that ISIS is far from contained, and underscores the urgent need for the president to re-evaluate his strategy and change course. Congress stands ready to work with the administration to provide the tools and resources necessary to enhance our intelligence capabilities, reinforce the coalitions fight against ISIS, and prevent terrorists from entering the United States. The president has no more sacred a responsibility than to keep Americans safe, and I urge him to re-focus his efforts on defending the nation rather than doubling down on policies that clearly havent worked. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sam-graves-responds-to-president-obamas-national-address-on-isis | Sam Graves Responds to President Obama's National Address on ISIS | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Sam Graves spoke today in response to President Obamas National Address on combating ISIS. Graves is a member of the House Committee on Armed Services. ISIS has not been contained, Rep. Graves said. In the absence of Americas leadership, ISIS has been able to extend its influence across the globe, as weve seen play out tragically in San Bernardino, Paris, and elsewhere. Last night, the President gave us more of the same tired talking points. What we need is a new strategy to destroy ISIS that will keep America and our allies safe. My colleagues and I on the Armed Services committee recently offered suggestions to increase protections against the threat of foreign fighter travel and to combat homegrown extremism, Graves continued. I will push to see the White House adopt these and other important policies in our fight to defeat radical Islamic terrorism. Failure is simply not an option. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/sam-graves-responds-president-obamas-national-address-isis | Sam Graves Responds to President Obama's National Address on ISIS | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | graves | https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves spoke today in response to President Obama's National Address on combating ISIS. Graves is a member of the House Committee on Armed Services. "ISIS has not been contained," Rep. Graves said. "In the absence of America's leadership, ISIS has been able to extend its influence across the globe, as we've seen play out tragically in San Bernardino, Paris, and elsewhere. Last night, the President gave us more of the same tired talking points. What we need is a new strategy to destroy ISIS that will keep America – and our allies – safe. "My colleagues and I on the Armed Services committee recently offered suggestions to increase protections against the threat of foreign fighter travel and to combat homegrown extremism," Graves continued. "I will push to see the White House adopt these and other important policies in our fight to defeat radical Islamic terrorism. Failure is simply not an option." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z |
| https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-wagner-statement-president-obamas-sunday-address | Rep. Wagner Statement on President Obama's Sunday Address | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Ann Wagner | W000812 | wagner.house.gov | wagner | https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Congresswoman Ann Wagner released the following statement in response to President Obama's Sunday evening address concerning the San Bernardino shooting, ISIS and gun control: "Last night, President Obama spoke to the nation about the threat posed by terrorism. Instead of charting a new course for victory over ISIS, the President chose to double-down on years of failed counterterrorism policy in the Middle East. President Obama's address amounted to a reassertion of the same counterterrorism strategy that has seen ISIS seize control of large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria and use that territory as a base from which to inspire and direct attacks like the ones we have seen in Paris and San Bernardino. "Our number one responsibility in Congress is to keep the American people safe. It is time for the President to end the equivocation and half-measures and instead put forward a comprehensive and aggressive strategy to destroy ISIS. If we do not act decisively to impede the threat of Islamic extremism to our homeland, then the acts of terror will continue against the United States and our allies. The enemy is adapting its plots to defeat our security measures, and the President has failed to present a flexible strategy to counter the terrorists increasingly dangerous tactics. "As Americans, we have a responsibility to stand up to our enemies and work as a force for good in the international community. We must not downplay the real and present danger posed by ISIS and the President has a responsibility to the American people to defeat them." # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z |
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/weekly-capitol-report/congressman-jason-smith-capitol-report-energy-regulations-impact | Congressman Jason Smith Capitol Report: Energy Regulations Impact the Heartland | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | Last Friday, while we were all deep in Thanksgiving leftovers, thinking no one was watching, President Obama unveiled a new deluge of regulations that will hit rural America hard. Of the more than 20,000 proposednew regulations, 144 are expected to cost the economy $100 million each. This comes at the same time Barack Obama is at the U.N. climate conference in Paris signing America up for global regulations on energy production. In another effort to sidestep Congress, they have declared that any deal agreed to in Paris will not be considered an international treaty subject to congressional approval, but instead a binding agreement.That is why this week I helped offer a resolution in the U.S. House requiring that any agreement made by the president in Paris seek the advice, approval and consent of Congress. Its clear that the policies President Obama has been pushing will make energy more costly for rural America. The EPA has plans to unleash new and unvetted air quality standards that could likely put all 30 counties in our Eighth Congressional District out of compliance. These new standards written by bureaucrats in Washington wouldevenclassifythe Mark Twain National Forestas uncompliant due to carbon released by the trees. Implementing the changes would cost Missouri alone $1.9 billion. One of the rules the president is pushing forward which will have serious implications for Missouri is his so-called Clean Power Plan rule. Our state gets more than 83 percent of its energy from coal power and this plan will drastically increase the price of energy for rural families and businesses. This is why on Tuesday we passed two resolutions in the House with my support which would prevent implementation of the presidents ill-conceived power rules. In addition to the new power rules, the Obama EPA is also trying to go around Congress to regulate everyday occurrences like farm dust, smoke from barbeque grills and even put new regulations on wood burning stoves. In our area, about 30,000 households use wood heat to warm thei… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398655 | Blaine's Bulletin: Turning Education Back to States | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | Parents and local educators know what is best for our nations children; parents are the ones who are raising their children to become well-rounded individuals and educators are with the children day in and day out and they know how to best operate a classroom. I believe that entrusting education decisions with those closest to the students, rather than bureaucrats in Washington, creates the most effective and sustainable education programs. share: f t Parents and local educators know what is best for our nations children; parents are the ones who are raising their children to become well-rounded individuals and educators are with the children day in and day out and they know how to best operate a classroom. I believe that entrusting education decisions with those closest to the students, rather than bureaucrats in Washington, creates the most effective and sustainable education programs. Recently, the House passed a conference report overhauling K-12 education the first education overhaul since 2002. What this means to you and Americans across the country boils down to four important points: keeping Common Core out of schools; reducing the federal role in K-12 education; restoring local control; and empowering parents. And to those points, the Wall Street Journal wrote that a bipartisan compromise from the House and Senate represents the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter century. Every single student is different and every single student has different needs. Common Core is the definition of a one-size-fits-all education approach which does not work and this report allows states to withdraw from Common Core without a penalty and prevents the Secretary of Education or any agent of the federal government from coercing states into implementing Common Core through the use of waivers. Additionally, in order to rein in the Department of Education, this legislation eliminates 49 duplicative programs and prohibits the Secretary f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-passage-long-term-highways-bill | Hartzler on Passage of Long-Term Highways Bill | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) released the following statement upon House passage of the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Missourians rely on highways to get to and from work, grocery stores, daycares, and even little league games. The vast system of roads, highways, avenues, and boulevards that make life manageable are an undeniable necessity for almost every one of us. To that end, I am pleased that we were able to come together and pass this bill for the sake of all Americans. This bill strengthens and reforms our transportation program while returning more transportation decisions back to state and local governments, providing them long-term certainty they require to complete betterment and repair projects. By getting the federal bureaucracy out of the way and refocusing our priorities, this legislation will ensure the roads we all use continue to be safe and reliable. Congresswoman Hartzler represents Missouris Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She serves on the House Armed Services, Agriculture, and Budget Committees. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-congressman-smith-s-protection-for-wood-stove-users | House Passes Congressman Smiths Protection for Wood Stove Users | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Jason Smiths amendment to eliminate new Obama EPA regulations on wood stoves by a bipartisan vote of 247-177. The amendment was added to H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, which increased innovation, security and reliability of American-made energy. People I talk with are sick of this administrations War on Rural America. Rules like these disproportionately hurt rural areas, which use much more wood heat than urban or suburban areas. Times are already tough enough. Folks should not be punished for their self-reliance and their forethought to take advantage of an abundant, eco-friendly fuel like wood. The EPA has decided that 12 million wood-burning stoves in 2.4 million households across America need to be regulated because of Washington-driven bureaucrat emissions standards. In the 8th District of Missouri, about 30,000 households use wood heat to warm their homes. Census data shows households heating with wood grew 34 percent between 2000 and 2010 and that low and middle-income households are much more likely to use wood as a primary heating fuel. A given home in the district is five times more likely to be heated with wood than the national average. Fifty-seven percent of households who primarily use wood for heat are in rural areas, 40 percent are in the suburbs, and only 3 percent in urban areas. Congressman Smith has been leading the charge to keep expensive and unnecessary rules from bankrupting families and businesses. Earlier this year he introduced the SCRUB Act to end intrusive and ineffective regulations and keep bureaucrats from leveling damaging new regulations in rural America. Below are Representative Smith's remarks on the amendment as prepared for delivery on House floor: Mr. Chairman, The EPA has decided that 12 million wood-burning stoves in 2.4 million households across America need to be regulated. In the 8th District of Missouri, about 30,000 households use wood heat to warm their homes.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=6059ee69-8f8d-4365-8e33-7b643f995538 | Senator Blunt Secures Missouri Priorities in Senate-Passed Highway Bill | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) today praised Senate passage of the bipartisan Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act. The measure includes several provisions offered by Blunt that will improve our nations highways, bridges, and rail service. Strengthening our transportation network is vital to boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and increasing competitiveness in Missouri, and across the nation, Blunt said. Because Missouri is a hub for our nations railways, highways, and waterways, it is imperative that our transportation planners and industry have the long-term certainty they need to promote investment, ensure the safety and reliability of existing infrastructure, and expedite the permitting process for new projects. The bill passed by the Senate today represents the longest highway authorization in more than a decade, and I am glad we can finally move forward with infrastructure improvements that will benefit Missouris families and small businesses, and provide a foundation for the 21st century economy. Following are the Blunt-backed provisions included in the bill: Off-System Bridges: County-owned bridges make up 52 percent of Missouris bridges, and 30 percent of them are structurally deficient or obsolete. The bill protects the dedicated revenue stream for off-system bridges, a set-aside Blunt established in the 2012 highway bill, and makes more funding available for all bridges. Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act: The bill includes Blunts bipartisan TRAIN Act, which reforms and streamlines the environmental permitting process for rail projects. The measure promotes additional investment in rail systems without compromising environmental quality. Emergency Route Working Group: The bill includes Blunts language to create a working group at the Department of Transportation to address delays caused by state-by-state permitting requirements for special vehicles needed for emergency infrastructure response. Competition in Passenger Rail: The b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=f1e9b003-ea13-4e7a-aa2c-1d87d3c4c0fb | Senator Blunt Votes to Repeal ObamaCare, Protect Missouri Families | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) continued fighting to protect Missouri families from the fallout of ObamaCare today, voting in favor of the Restoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act to repeal the presidents health care law and clear the way for smarter solutions. ObamaCare has failed to live up to the promises President Obama made when he forced the law through Congress, and Missouri families are paying the price, Blunt said. Premiums are increasing by double digits and the average deductible has reached $2,000. Those who cannot afford coverage face up to a $2,085 penalty next year. Small businesses are holding down hours to comply with the laws burdensome employer mandate. Insurance companies are fleeing the state and federal exchanges, narrowing health care options. And the law will impose a job-killing, trillion-dollar tax hike over the next 10 years. ObamaCare has proven unworkable and unaffordable, and I am pleased that the Senate voted to repeal it today. Having failed to deliver on the promises he made, President Obama ought to sign this bill and pave the way for real solutions that will help more families secure quality, affordable health coverage. In remarks on the Senate floor yesterday, Blunt highlighted several solutions that would lower costs and improve access for families, including: Expanding access to Health Savings Accounts and allowing qualified participants to use HSAs to pay for premiums; Allowing small businesses to pool together to offer affordable insurance options to employees; Enacting meaningful medical liability reform to reduce malpractice insurance costs, leading to increased access for patients; Allowing consumers to buy insurance across state lines; Expanding and reforming high-risk pools to provide insurance options for people with pre-existing conditions; Promoting prevention and wellness programs by giving employers greater flexibility to reward employees who adopt healthier lifestyles; Prohibiting insurers from cancelling a policy unles… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/highway-subcommittee-chairman-graves-helps-pass-federal-highway-bill | Highway Subcommittee Chairman Graves Helps Pass Federal Highway Bill | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Sam Graves issued the following statement after the House today passed the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act, a 5-year reauthorization of federal highway programs. The legislation is the product of a compromise between previous House and Senate bills, and todays 359-65 vote represents an important final step before reauthorization can be signed into law. Its been over a decade since Congress has passed long-term Highway reauthorization, Rep. Graves said. States have been forced to operate off of one short-term extension after another, and our roads have suffered. I am proud of the bipartisan way that this bill was developed, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law by the President. As the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Graves played a critical role in shaping the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act. Graves also served on the Conference Committee responsible for ironing out differences between House and Senate bills. In Missouri, a long-term Highway Bill translates into immediate improvements for our 35,000 highway miles and 10,000 roadway bridges, Rep. Graves continued. It means crumbling bridges are rebuilt, potholes are filled, and road construction projects get done faster. But looking ahead, it also sets the stage for us to continue reshaping Americas transportation infrastructure. It will allow us to modernize roads and transit systems using innovations from the private sector, it will help us apply advances in technology to improve safety on Americas highways, and it will ensure we continue to build on cost-efficient practices so taxpayer dollars are going further than ever before. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The House and Senate passed separate versions of Highway reauthorization earlier this year. The conference legislation passed by the House today was a bipartisan compromise developed by both the House and Senate. Like the original House-passed bill, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act maintains that 15% of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/highway-subcommittee-chairman-graves-helps-pass-federal-highway-bill | Highway Subcommittee Chairman Graves Helps Pass Federal Highway Bill | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | graves | https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves issued the following statement after the House today passed the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, a 5-year reauthorization of federal highway programs. The legislation is the product of a compromise between previous House and Senate bills, and today's 359-65 vote represents an important final step before reauthorization can be signed into law. "It's been over a decade since Congress has passed long-term Highway reauthorization," Rep. Graves said. "States have been forced to operate off of one short-term extension after another, and our roads have suffered. I am proud of the bipartisan way that this bill was developed, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law by the President." As the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Graves played a critical role in shaping the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act. Graves also served on the Conference Committee responsible for ironing out differences between House and Senate bills. "In Missouri, a long-term Highway Bill translates into immediate improvements for our 35,000 highway miles and 10,000 roadway bridges," Rep. Graves continued. "It means crumbling bridges are rebuilt, potholes are filled, and road construction projects get done faster. "But looking ahead, it also sets the stage for us to continue reshaping America's transportation infrastructure. It will allow us to modernize roads and transit systems using innovations from the private sector, it will help us apply advances in technology to improve safety on America's highways, and it will ensure we continue to build on cost-efficient practices so taxpayer dollars are going further than ever before. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The House and Senate passed separate versions of Highway reauthorization earlier this year. The conference legislation passed by the House today was a bipartisan compromise developed by both the House and Senate. Like the original House-passed bill, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z |
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/barton-county-listening-post-1 | Barton County Listening Post | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Monday, December 21st, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Mary K. Finley Library in Lamar. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Zack Brown will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Barton County Staff Listening Post When: Monday, December 21, 2015 10:00amCT-11:00amCT Where: Mary K. Finley Library, 300 W. 10th Street, Lamar, MO For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (816)884-3411. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/benton-county-listening-post | Benton County Listening Post | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Friday, December 18, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Benton County Courthouse in Warsaw. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Adam Timmerman will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Benton County Staff Listening Post When: Friday, December 18, 2015 10:00amCT-11:00amCT Where: Benton County Courthouse, 316 Van Buren Street, Warsaw, MO 65355 For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (816) 884-3411. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/cedar-county-listening-post-2 | Cedar County Listening Post | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Thursday, December 17, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Cedar County Courthouse in Stockton. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Adam Timmerman will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Cedar County Staff Listening Post When: Thursday, December 17, 2015 1:00pmCT-2:00pmCT Where: Cedar County Courthouse, 113 South Street, Stockton, MO 65785 For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (816) 884-3411. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/henry-county-listening-post-3 | Henry County Listening Post | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Thursday, December 10th, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Henry County Courthouse in Clinton. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Zack Brown will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Henry County Staff Listening Post When: Thursday, December 10, 2015 10:00amCT-11:00amCT Where: Henry County Courthouse, 100 W. Franklin, Clinton, MO For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (816)884-3411. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/hickory-county-listening-post | Hickory County Listening Post | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Hickory County Courthouse in Hermitage. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Adam Timmerman will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Hickory County Staff Listening Post When: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 1:00pmCT-2:00pmCT Where: Hickory County Courthouse, 100 West Polk Street, Hermitage, MO 65668 For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (816) 884-3411. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/johnson-county-listening-post-3 | Johnson County Listening Post | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Jack Moore Community Room at the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Zack Brown will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Johnson County Staff Listening Post When: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 1:30pmCT-2:30pmCT Where: Jack Moore Community Room, Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce, 100 S. Holden, Warrensburg, MO For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (816)884-3411. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/pettis-county-listening-post-1 | Pettis County Listening Post | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 29, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Pettis County Courthouse in Sedalia. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Adam Timmerman will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Pettis County Staff Listening Post When: Tuesday, December 29, 2015 10:00amCT-11:00amCT Where: Pettis County Courthouse, 415 South Ohio Avenue, Sedalia, MO 65301 For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (816) 884-3411. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/st-clair-county-listening-post-0 | St. Clair County Listening Post | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Thursday, December 17, 2015 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the St. Clair County Courthouse in Osceola. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Adam Timmerman will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler St. Clair County Staff Listening Post When: Thursday, December 17, 2015 3:30pmCT-4:30pmCT Where: St. Clair County Courthouse, 655 2nd Street, Osceola, MO 64776 For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (816) 884-3411. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-statement-on-the-every-student-succeeds-act | Congressman Jason Smith Statement on the Every Student Succeeds Act | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Jason Smith (R-Salem, MO) issued the following statement after voting against the Every Student Succeeds Act: This bill does not go far enough to get the federal government out of our local school districts. Local school communities and parents have always been the best decision makers for their childrens education. We can do much better to get the federal government out of our school system than a 1,061-page bill which authorizes six brand new federal education programs. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398654 | House Passes Highway Bill to Invest in Roads and Bridges; Reform Federal Programs | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | House Passes Highway Bill to Invest in Roads and Bridges; Reform Federal Programs f t # e Washington, December 2, 2015 U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a long-term highway bill: share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a long-term highway bill: Missourians deserve quality roads and bridges and todays passage of the highway bill, the first long-term investment in transportation in more than a decade, is a step in the right direction toward improving the infrastructure that so many Missourians rely upon every single day. This bill provides certainty and flexibility for states to invest in transportation infrastructure, cuts federal red tape, eliminates duplicative offices, and makes important reforms to the permitting processes. With over 200 amendments that were offered to this legislation, Congress was able to work in a regular order, bipartisan way to get this bill passed in the House. Two bills that Luetkemeyer sponsored, H.R. 432, the SBIC Advisers Relief Act and H.R. 601, the Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Act, that had previously passed the House unanimously, were included in the final highway bill. H.R. 432 would amend the Investment Advisers Act to reduce unnecessary regulatory costs and eliminate duplicative regulation of advisers to SBICs. H.R. 601 would reduce confusion among consumers by clarifying that they will receive privacy notices after opening a new account when their financial institutions privacy policies change rather than an annual notice. f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=16f1cd20-6961-47e4-9faf-a3cd2a9e049b | VIDEO: Senator Blunt: ObamaCare Is Just Not Working | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) spoke on the Senate floor today to emphasize the harmful effects of ObamaCare as prices for health care premiums and deductibles continue to rise. The U.S. Senate will be voting this week to repeal provisions of the health care law. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=303c0f79-d70d-42a4-8b59-392f98ec7981 | Blunt Joins Colleagues to Stabilize, Modernize U.S. Postal Service | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, a bipartisan group of senators sponsored legislation to fix the serious, but solvable challenges facing the U.S. Postal Service. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.),Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), and Tom Carper (Del.) agreed to sponsor the Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (iPOST). I have heard from Missourians from all parts of the state that depend on a strong and efficient U.S. Postal Service, Blunt said. This bill will help get the Postal Service on stable financial footing and modernize the post office. I am glad to join my colleagues in support of the iPOST Act. The iPOST Act includes a comprehensive package of reforms that would place the Postal Service on firm financial footing, stabilize and improve service performance, allow for the development of new products and services, and enhance transparency. The bill reflects the views of a broad range of stakeholders and offers a compromise solution to the difficult issues that Congress and the Postal Service have struggled with for years. McCaskill added, This bipartisan legislation will help modernize our mail system and more effectively serve the millions of rural folks in Missouri and across the country that rely on the postal service as a source of communications and commerce every day. Ensuring the Postal Service endures through the 21st century is critical for everyone from the modern entrepreneur to the grandchild placing a card in the mailbox, and Im proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to sustain it. The financial condition of the Postal Service has been deteriorating for years, but the 2008 economic downturn and the continuing transition to digital communications and commerce have hastened concerns. The Postal Service currently owes $15 billion and faces tens of billions of dollars more in unfunded pension and health care obligations in the years to come. It ended fiscal year 2015 with a net loss of $5.1 billion and now has a net deficit totaling more than $50 billion. The United S… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=64c0bd27-76e7-4d7c-8f4b-383fcdc9e7dd | VIDEO: Senator Blunt: ObamaCare Is Just Not Working | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) spoke on the Senate floor today to emphasize the harmful effects of ObamaCare as prices for health care premiums and deductibles continue to rise. The U.S. Senate will be voting this week to repeal provisions of the health care law. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletters/defense-authorization-and-the-139th-airlift-wing | Defense Authorization and the 139th Airlift Wing | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | legacy | This year, I was fortunate to be appointed by my colleagues to the House Armed Services Committee. Our main responsibility every year is passing aNational Defense Authorization Act.Last week, we were thankful to see the President back down from his continued veto threats and sign the bill into law. The overall bill authorizes pay and benefits for our troops; creates a new portable retirement system for uniformed military; requires President Obama to submit a concrete strategy to defeat ISIS; and ensures that no GTMO prisoners will be transferred into the United States. One of my other top priorities was ensuring my amendment to protect the C-130H aircraft was included and adopted into law. The amendment authorized $10 million toward the Air Forces plan to modernize and preserve the C-130H fleet. For decades, the C-130H has been a critical component of National Guard units across the country, particularly in St. Joe. The aircraft provides tactical support to our troops on the ground, protecting them from enemies and allowing them to moreefficientlyexecute the missions that are critical to our national defense. The Air Force has been taking positive steps to modernize the C-130H, but its plan lacked urgency. This amendment not only provides for Air National Guard units across the country, but it ensures the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joe will be protected by this aircraft for decades to come. I am thankful that my amendment and the overall defense authorization bill was signed into law by the President last week. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/graves-votes-to-reauthorize-esea | Graves Votes to Reauthorize ESEA | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Sam Graves issued the following statement after the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 passed the House this evening. The bill reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act (ESEA), replacing No Child Left Behind, and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama in the coming weeks. The federal government continues to push further and further into local schools districts, Rep. Graves said. Teachers and administrators should be able to focus on one thing and one thing only preparing children to lead productive and fulfilling lives. But federal mandates and one-size-fits-all testing systems have made that impossible. I am proud that the House tonight passed ESEA reauthorization that will end No Child Left Behind, prohibit the federal government from forcing states to adopt Common Core standards, and empower local governments to make decisions based on the needs of individual communities. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The House and Senate passed separate versions of ESEA reauthorization earlier this year. The conference legislation passed by the House today was a bipartisan compromise developed by both the House and Senate. The Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act for four years. The bill significantly limits the authority of unaccountable bureaucrats at the Department of Education and prohibits its Secretary from influencing school districts with conditional waivers or executive orders. An increased focus on federally-mandated, high-stakes tests have created inefficiencies within the national education system, forcing teachers to focus a majority of their attention on these assessments while ignoring other critical components of a childs education. The Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 will eliminate many of the federal strings tied to these tests, and also eliminates the broad federal accountability system known as Adequate Yearly Progress. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-votes-reauthorize-esea | Graves Votes to Reauthorize ESEA | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | graves | https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves issued the following statement after the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 passed the House this evening. The bill reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act (ESEA), replacing No Child Left Behind, and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama in the coming weeks. "The federal government continues to push further and further into local schools districts," Rep. Graves said. "Teachers and administrators should be able to focus on one thing and one thing only – preparing children to lead productive and fulfilling lives. But federal mandates and one-size-fits-all testing systems have made that impossible. "I am proud that the House tonight passed ESEA reauthorization that will end No Child Left Behind, prohibit the federal government from forcing states to adopt Common Core standards, and empower local governments to make decisions based on the needs of individual communities." BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The House and Senate passed separate versions of ESEA reauthorization earlier this year. The conference legislation passed by the House today was a bipartisan compromise developed by both the House and Senate. The Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act for four years. The bill significantly limits the authority of unaccountable bureaucrats at the Department of Education and prohibits its Secretary from influencing school districts with conditional waivers or executive orders. An increased focus on federally-mandated, high-stakes tests have created inefficiencies within the national education system, forcing teachers to focus a majority of their attention on these assessments while ignoring other critical components of a child's education. The Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 will eliminate many of the federal strings tied to these tests, and also eliminates the broad federal accountability system known as "Adequate Yearly Progress." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z |
| http://hartzler.house.gov/blog/keeping-america-safe | Keeping America SAFE | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | With Paris still reeling from the Islamic State massacre that claimed more than 120 innocent lives, other parts of Europe on alert for possible further acts of terrorism, the west African nation of Mali recovering from an Islamic State act of terrorism, and our State Department issuing a worldwide travel advisory for Americans, it is clear that terrorism remains a threat to people all over the globe. With this reality in mind, I believe the U.S. House was prudent in passing the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act. The SAFE Act places on hold the Syrian refugee resettlement program until the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have the information needed to determine that any Syrian and Iraqi refugee coming to our shores is NOT a security threat. It requires security officials to certify that each refugee, before being admitted, has NO ties to the terrorism that is threatening countries around the globe. This common sense legislation, passed overwhelmingly by the House with 47 Democrats in support, still requires Senate and White House approval. Given this fact, it is extremely disturbing and discomforting that Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid has threatened a filibuster to prevent an up or down vote on this plan to protect our homeland. It is even more disturbing and even alarming that President Obama has vowed to veto this bill should it get to his desk. This irresponsible action flies in the face of concerns expressed by the Presidents own Homeland Security Secretary who has stated his department is unable to appropriately vet the individuals seeking to be allowed into our country. To open our doors to people, without first determining whether they might have ties to terrorism, is unwise and extremely troubling. Our country has, for a long time, welcomed refugees and it is not the intention of the SAFE Act to turn away persecuted and oppressed people. Our country will continue support the Syrian refugees by continuin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/newsletters/reining-epas-overregulation-american-energy | Reining In the EPA's Overregulation on American Energy | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | The House on Tuesday passed Resolutions of Disapproval of EPAs CO2 Rules for Power Plants, which will keep electricity affordable and reliable for Americans. S.J. Res. 23 and 24 would disapprove of EPAs rules to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) from new and existing plants. The rules were issued pursuant to the Presidents Climate Action Plan and published on October 23, 2015. They would put in place an unprecedented new regulatory structure on the U.S. electricity sector, effectively imposing renewable energy and cap-and-trade mandates similar to those in the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade legislation that failed in 2010. In these rules, the administration is seeking to regulate where it could not legislate. The resolutions would provide for Congressional disapproval of each rule, and that each rule shall have no force and effect. Under the Congressional Review Act, the EPA may not issue the same or a substantially similar rule unless authorized by subsequent legislation. Passage of these resolutions will ensure that the United States continues to pursue an all of the above energy policy, that households and businesses continue to have access to affordable and reliable energy, and that we protect American ratepayers and jobs. The House will also be considering H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act this week, providing a broad response to Obama's policies and maximize America's energy potential. H.R. 8 seeks to update and modernize outdated policies, make our energy infrastructure more resiliant, and create quality American jobs by making it easier for energy companies to invest in our energy infrastructure. S.J. Res. 23 New Plants Rule (New Source Performance Standards) This resolution would disapprove of EPAs CO2 standards for new power plants. Under this rule, EPA interprets section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to allow the agency to set standards for new coal-fired power plants premised on the installation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies that are not commercially… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=959c22ee-0d28-486c-81e2-a8c5b03991e6 | VIDEO: Senator Blunt: ObamaCare Is Driving Up Costs, Hurting Missouri Families | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. During the Senate Republican Leadership Stakeout today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) highlighted the negative impact ObamaCare is having on families in Missouri and across the nation, as premium costs and deductibles continue to climb. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=5620d242-4b85-4201-947b-547140e9e9e9 | VIDEO: Senator Blunt: ObamaCare Is Driving Up Costs, Hurting Missouri Families | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. During the Senate Republican Leadership Stakeout today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) highlighted the negative impact ObamaCare is having on families in Missouri and across the nation, as premium costs and deductibles continue to climb. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=eb0662c3-4cbd-43a3-b66b-4a15f10f5757 | Blunt, Inhofe, Manchin Introduce Resolution on International Climate Agreement | 2015-11-30 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), and Joe Manchin (W. Va.) introduced a bipartisan resolution that requires the Obama administration to submit any agreement reached at the Paris climate summit to the Senate for its advice and consent. The legislation also says that no taxpayer dollars should go toward a billion dollar fund for other countries to deal with climate change without the advice and consent of the Senate. President Obama has shown a total disregard for the limits of his authority and the interests of the American people when it comes to pushing his politically-driven climate agenda, Blunt said. There is no pen and phone clause in the Constitution, but there is an advice and consent provision, and we intend to use it to stop the president from enacting a bad deal that will hurt American workers, families, consumers, and communities. The international community needs to be aware that the U.S. Congress and the American people do not support President Obamas international climate agenda, Inhofe said. Expert testimony from the most recent Senate EPW oversight hearing has made it clear that nonbinding, political commitments along the lines of what Secretary Kerry recently announced would come from the international climate negotiations, are legally akin to giving a speech, or stating at a news conference, that he will make reductions in emissions. Should the negotiations produce a more substantive outcome as European delegates announced, then there is no way around the Senate. I would urge caution in considering any diplomatic promises that may suggest otherwise as the president is once again attempting to make international promises he cannot deliver. The U.S. Senate must be able to exercise its constitutional role to approve any agreement that emerges from the Paris climate talks, Manchin said. The energy-producing states in our country, especially West Virginia, and American consumers will be significantly affected by any deal made by this President. This Administratio… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-column?ContentRecord_id=74a6f62f-ad4b-4b3b-982e-07d6e3ce9c74 | St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Op-ed): Senator supports increased funding for Alzheimer's research | 2015-11-28 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) In her letter "Increase funding to find a cure for Alzheimer's" (Nov. 21), Martha Daly issued a call to action to increase funding for Alzheimers research. I have been proud to lead efforts in the Senate to boost funding for the National Institutes of Health, including a 60 percent increase for Alzheimers research, and hope my colleagues will answer Dalys call and join me in this critical effort. Every 68 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimers. There are currently more than 5 million Americans living with the disease and, as Daly noted, that number is expected to reach 16 million by 2050. Yet for every $260 Medicare and Medicaid spend on caring for individuals with Alzheimers disease, the federal government spends only $1 on Alzheimers research. Increasing funding for NIH research will help close that gap, and bring us closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease. Over the past year, cutting-edge NIH-supported research identified a set of 10 compounds in blood that might be used to distinguish the risk for developing memory deficits or Alzheimers disease. And, according to the National Institute on Aging, scientists are now able to look beyond simply treating symptoms and focus on addressing underlying disease processes ..., developing and testing several possible interventions, including immunization therapy, drug therapies, cognitive training, physical activity, and treatments used for cardiovascular and diabetes. These are promising steps, but there is much more to be done. As chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies, I advanced a bill this year that increased NIH funding by $2 billion the largest increase NIH has received in this bill since 2003. The bill provided a $350 million increase for the National Institute on Aging, the lead institute researching Alzheimers disease, and increased funding for other priorities like Precision Medicine, the BRAIN Initi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/weekly-capitol-report/giving-thanks | CAPITOL REPORT: Giving Thanks | 2015-11-27 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. - Abraham Lincoln, 1863 Thanksgiving proclamation Despite the fruitful fields, America was divided. We were in the middle of the Civil War and President Lincolns words were needed to unite us in country and spirit. That Thanksgiving, President Lincoln prayed for the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union. At a time when the news is filled with stories of division and anger, of hurt and discontent, it was especially important to gather this Thanksgiving and be thankful for the many blessings that sustain us. As I have done every year since childhood, I was lucky enough to spend this time with my family. Whether first hosted by my grandmother or eventually my mother, Thanksgiving for me has always been a day filled with eating, playing games and enjoying the company of family until well after midnight. This year was no different and I enjoyed every minute of spending time with those that I love. It was also a time to reflect and continue to give thanks to God for our freedom, for the brave men and women who fight so valiantly to preserve it, for the health and well-being of my family, and for the community that we are all so fortunate to call home. Our area is one of the most generous places in the country, and at no time is that more evident than during the holiday season. On Thanksgiving Day, beyond the parades, stuffing, and football, churches like The Missing Peace Church in Park Hills and the First Baptist Church in West Plains were looking after those in need by providing free turkey dinners with all the trimmings to anyone who visited. Volunteers at Shared Blessings Homeless Shelter in Bonne Terre were hand-delivering 1,000 meals to those in the community. And with Christmas right around the corner, Jefferson Elementary School Student Santas are alre… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398652 | Blaine's Bulletin: Keeping Americans and Our Homeland Safe and Secure | 2015-11-27 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | Earlier this month, the world was in shock as hundreds of individuals in Paris were killed or wounded by a terrorist attack. What happened in Paris is a very real reminder that terrorism is still a threat to America and our allies around the world. share: f t Earlier this month, the world was in shock as hundreds of individuals in Paris were killed or wounded by a terrorist attack. What happened in Paris is a very real reminder that terrorism is still a threat to America and our allies around the world. The attack took place in France and was perpetrated, in part, by European citizens. However, its roots are in Syria, which has been in the throes of a violent civil war since 2011. Syrian government forces, rebel groups, militant Islamic extremists, sectarian militias, and foreign armies and their proxies are all engaged in this conflict, fighting with and against each other depending on the circumstances and the day of the week. This ongoing conflict has prompted more than three million Syrians to flee the country over the past four years. The ongoing conflict has also allowed one group of militant Islamic extremists, who call themselves the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), to carve out an area of territory in Syria and Iraq from which they have planned and executed terrorist attacks in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The combination of a record flow of refugees fleeing Syria and ISIS desire to conduct terrorist attacks abroad has created a dangerous threat to our national security. The Paris attack is a case in point. While a number of the perpetrators were French and Belgian citizens, others exploited the plight of the refugees and infiltrated their ranks in order to travel from ISIS base in Syria to Paris. I deeply understand the importance of providing refuge to those in need. However, I remain firm in believing our nations first priority is to keep our fellow Americans and our homeland safe and secure. In order to do so, we must eva… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=d320dd4a-5657-47be-9ece-669e5265cf18 | Defense One: Give Thanks for the OSS | 2015-11-25 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | Charles Pinck What do attorney James Donovan (portrayed by Tom Hanks in Bridge of Spies), the French Chef Julia Child, Virginia Hall (the only American civilian woman to receive the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II), Nobel Peace Prize recipient Ralph Bunche, Pulitzer Prize recipient Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Hollywood director John Ford, and architect Eero Saarinen (who designed Dulles Airport) have in common? They all served in the Office of Strategic Services, or OSS, the World War II predecessor to the CIA and the U.S. Special OperationsCommand. As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II this year - and increasingly rely on our intelligence and special operations communities to defend the United States - we should remember that they were born in the crucible of World WarII. In June 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt created the OSS. Roosevelt appointed as its director the legendary General William Wild Bill Donovan, the only American to receive our nations four highest decorations, including the Medal of Honor. Donovan dedicated his entire life to serving the United States, starting in World War I as part of the Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment. One of our nations leading attorneys, he served as an assistant United States attorney general and as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York. President Roosevelt sent him to Great Britain in 1940 as one of his personal emissaries. Following World War II, he served as ambassador to Thailand during the height of the ColdWar. Fisher Howe, who served as a special assistant to Donovan, said that if you define leadership as having a vision for an organization, and the ability to attract, motivate and guide followers to fulfill that vision, you have Bill Donovan in spades. Roosevelt called Donovan his secret legs. Donovan led by example, going behind enemy lines and taking part in several invasions, includingD-Day. Professor E. Bruce Reynolds said the OSS was an organization designed to do great things. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sam-graves-amendment-protecting-c-130h-aircraft-adopted-into-law | Sam Graves Amendment Protecting C-130H Aircraft Adopted into Law | 2015-11-25 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Sam Graves amendment protecting the fleet of C-130H aircraft was adopted into law on Wednesday when President Obama signed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment, which authorized $10 million toward the Air Forces plan to modernize and preserve the aircraft, was included in multiple versions of this years NDAA bills that passed both the House and Senate. For decades, the C-130H has been a critical component of National Guard units across the country, particularly in St. Joe, Rep. Graves said. The aircraft provides tactical support to our troops on the ground, protecting them from enemies and allowing them to more safely and effectively execute the missions that are critical to our national defense. The Air Force has been taking positive steps to modernize the C-130H, but its initial plan did not move quickly enough, Rep. Graves continued. Modernizing this fleet not only protects Air National Guard units across the country, but it ensures the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joe will continue to benefit from the aircraft for decades to come. I am grateful to see my amendment and the overall National Defense Authorization Bill signed into law by the President. BACKGROUND: The Air Force last year began initiating a plan to move forward on modernizing its Air National Guard C-130 H-model fleet. Rep. Graves amendment, which passed through the House of Representatives with the underlying bill with bipartisan support, would authorize $10 million for the continued development of the Air Forces modernization plan. Specifically, it will expedite the process and ensure all C-130H aircraft meet all airspace requirements by 2020, and that the fleet undergoes necessary modernization upgrades in a timely manner. The overall bill authorizes pay and benefits for our troops; creates a new portable retirement system for uniformed military; begins reforming the Pentagon to restore agility; requires President Obama to submit a concrete strategy to defeat ISIL; and carries a … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/sam-graves-amendment-protecting-c-130h-aircraft-adopted-law | Sam Graves Amendment Protecting C-130H Aircraft Adopted into Law | 2015-11-25 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Sam Graves | G000546 | graves.house.gov | graves | https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves' amendment protecting the fleet of C-130H aircraft was adopted into law on Wednesday when President Obama signed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment, which authorized $10 million toward the Air Force's plan to modernize and preserve the aircraft, was included in multiple versions of this year's NDAA bills that passed both the House and Senate. "For decades, the C-130H has been a critical component of National Guard units across the country, particularly in St. Joe," Rep. Graves said. "The aircraft provides tactical support to our troops on the ground, protecting them from enemies and allowing them to more safely and effectively execute the missions that are critical to our national defense." "The Air Force has been taking positive steps to modernize the C-130H, but its initial plan did not move quickly enough," Rep. Graves continued. "Modernizing this fleet not only protects Air National Guard units across the country, but it ensures the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joe will continue to benefit from the aircraft for decades to come. I am grateful to see my amendment – and the overall National Defense Authorization Bill – signed into law by the President." BACKGROUND: The Air Force last year began initiating a plan to move forward on modernizing its Air National Guard C-130 H-model fleet. Rep. Graves' amendment, which passed through the House of Representatives with the underlying bill with bipartisan support, would authorize $10 million for the continued development of the Air Force's modernization plan. Specifically, it will expedite the process and ensure all C-130H aircraft meet all airspace requirements by 2020, and that the fleet undergoes necessary modernization upgrades in a timely manner. The overall bill authorizes pay and benefits for our troops; creates a new portable retirement system for uniformed military; begins reforming the Pentagon to restore agility; requires President Obama to submit a concrete strategy to defeat … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:30:58Z |
| http://hartzler.house.gov/blog/giving-thanks | Giving Thanks | 2015-11-24 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Its that special time of year. Harvest is over. Leaves have flashed in color and danced with the wind to the ground. Time has been spent in a tree stand teaching the younger generation how to get that perfect deer. Football games are watched sitting by a blazing fire at home rather than the local high school bleachers as college football becomes the focus. Wood smoke fills the air. New days begin with the sparkly cover of a morning frost. Its time for one of my favorite national holidays: Thanksgiving! When I think of this holiday I think of the Pilgrims and that first Thanksgiving in 1621 when they gathered with their Native American friends to thank the Lord for His provision after surviving that first perilous year. So many had perished during the harsh winter but the dream lived on. That original dream is captured in one of the paintings displayed in the Capitol rotunda. The painting depicts the beginning of the Pilgrims journey and captures the essence of why they came. The Embarkation of the Pilgrims shows the Pilgrims gathered on the deck of the Speedwell (the original boat on which they began their journey to America before needed repairs caused them to switch to the Mayflower). In the painting, the Pilgrims kneel in prayer as William Brewster, colony leader and preacher, holds an open Bible. Governor Carver kneels with his head bowed with another pastor kneeling and extending his arms while looking Heavenward as families and children gather around. The phrase God with us is seen on the sail. The Pilgrims came here for religious freedom and for a better life for their children beginning their journey with prayer. As William Bradford said, the Pilgrims longed to bring the gospel to people who had not yet heard the message of Jesus Christ. They cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good foundations, or at least of making some way towards it, for the propagation and advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in the remote parts of the world, even though they should be but stepping … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hartzler.house.gov/event/camden-county-listening-post-0 | Camden County Listening Post | 2015-11-24 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Vicky Hartzler | H001053 | hartzler.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) announces a 4th Congressional District listening post has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Stoutland Library in Stoutland. Each listening post held throughout the 4th District is hosted by a member of Congresswoman Hartzlers staff and is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Hartzler staff member Steve Walsh will meet with constituents and report back to the Congresswoman. All citizens are invited to attend. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler Camden County Staff Listening Post When: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 5:00pmCT-6:00pmCT Where: Stoutland Library, 132 Starling Avenue, Stoutland, MO For further information contact Congresswoman Hartzlers office at (573) 442-9311. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-announces-canned-food-drive | Congressman Jason Smith Announces Canned Food Drive | 2015-11-24 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Jason Smith Announces Canned Food Drive Donations welcomed at Farmington District Office fromNov. 30 Dec. 7 WASHINGTONToday, Congressman Jason Smith announced that his Farmington Office is joining the Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce Christmas Tree Contest. His tree in Farmington will be made of canned goods donated by the community. The folks in our district have the biggest hearts in the country, said Congressman Smith. This Christmas season its nice to take a step back from the holiday hustle and bustle and do something special for our neighbors. Congressman Smith invites his Farmington-area constituents to bring canned food items to his office at 22 East Columbia between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.Nov. 30 through Dec 7. Donations will be used to build the tree and given to the Farmington Ministerial Alliance and St. Vincent de Paul food pantries to help local families. The Christmas tree will be judged onDec. 7. For more information, please contact the Farmington office at573-756-9755. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398653 | Luetkemeyer Announces Dates for Constituent Service Days | 2015-11-24 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) announced the latest round of Constituent Service Days his staff will host beginning Nov. 30 in each of the 13 counties in the 3rd Congressional District. share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) announced the latest round of Constituent Service Days his staff will host beginning Nov. 30 in each of the 13 counties in the 3rd Congressional District. From Nov. 30 through Dec. 4, my staff will be in every county in the 3rd Congressional District to assist and talk with constituents regarding any questions or concerns they may have, Luetkemeyer said. If you have any questions about the Constituent Service Days over the next couple of weeks, please do not hesitate to call my Jefferson City office at 573-635-7232. Monday, November 30th Osage County 10:00 A.M 11:00 A.M. Chamois City Hall 200 S. Main Street, Chamois Hosts: Matt Thompson, Special Assistant and Keri Stuart, Director of Constituent Affairs Gasconade County 11:30 A.M. 12:30 P.M. Hermann City Hall 1902 Jefferson Street, Hermann Hosts: Matt Thompson, Special Assistant and Keri Stuart, Director of Constituent Affairs Montgomery County 2:00 P.M 3:00 P.M. Jonesburg City Hall 106 W. Boonslick, Jonesburg Hosts: Matt Thompson, Special Assistant and Keri Stuart, Director of Constituent Affairs Tuesday, December 1st Miller County 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. Tuscumbia Courthouse 2100 Hwy 52, Tuscumbia Hosts: Jeremy Ketterer, Deputy Chief of Staff and Keri Stuart, Director of Constituent Affairs Camden County 1:30 P.M.-2:30 P.M. Camdenton City Hall 437 W. US Hwy 54 Hosts: Jeremy Ketterer, Deputy Chief of Staff and Keri Stuart, Director of Constituent Affairs Wednesday, December 2nd Franklin County 10:00 A.M. 11:00 A.M. Pacific City Hall 300 Hoven Drive, Pacific Hosts: Jim McNichols, District Office Director and Lori Boyken, Constituent Liaison Jefferson County 1:30 P.M. 2:30 P.M. Herculaneum C… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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