url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-votes-cash-act-and-calls-passage-senate,Congressman Thompson Votes for the CASH Act and Calls for Passage by the Senate,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 9051, Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act of 2020. ""I emphatically voted in support of the CASH Act today,"" said Rep. Thompson. ""I returned to Washington with my congressional colleagues to vote on the House's stand-alone bill to increase impact payments to $2,000. Americans are in desperate need of financial assistance. Democrats have repeatedly called for bigger checks for months but were met with Republican rejection. Now, the President has changed his mind and decided to support Democrats' call for increasing direct payments to $2,000. I call on the Senate to pass this legislation so that we can provide relief to millions of Americas who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With this vote on the stand-alone CASH Act, which would provide $2,000 checks for fifteen million Americans, Republicans are on record. They have a choice: either vote for this bill, or vote to deny families the relief they desperately need."" The legislation will increase the value of the second round of economic impact payments in the recently enacted COVID relief bill from $600 per eligible member of the household to $2,000 per eligible member of the household. Additionally, the legislation provides that the second round of economic impact payments shall include non-child dependents in calculating the amount of the payment, and further provides that non-child dependents shall be included in the first round of economic impact payments as well.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401899,Palazzo Vote on NDAA Backs Military Men and Women,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)released the following statementtoday after votingto override a presidential veto of the recently-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included his legislation,the Coast Guard Retirement Parity Act. From day one, as your member of Congress, my number one constitutional responsibilityhas been toprovide for the common defense of this nation, and I do believe this year's NDAA accomplishes that. While I understand and share the President's concern related to Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, I do not believe the annual defense bill is the right place to address this issue.But I do believe this issue needs to be addressed by Congress,""Palazzo said. ""As bothan active National Guard memberandMarineveteranwith three decades of service, I know our men and womeninuniform must remainlethal andready to respond, which is why I believe it is critical togive them the tools and resources they need to accomplish their mission and return home safely to their loved ones. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401900,Palazzo Issues Statement on Stimulus Payment Vote,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Issues Statement on Stimulus Payment Vote f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)today issued the following statement after votingagainst a$1,400increase fordirecteconomic stimulus payments that were included in the recentcoronavirus relief package that was passed by Congress andsigned by President Trump. There is no doubt that many Americans are suffering. For months,Ihave said that the passage of COVID relief should be the top priority of this Congress. Still, time and time again, Nancy Pelosi has come up with partisan proposals that do little to nothing to address our economy and jobs.The relief package signed by PresidentTrump is the result of a great deal of work between the White House and congressional leadership,""Palazzo said. ""While the idea of additional stimulus money sounds good, giving away cash without adequate barriers to ensure only those who need help get it is dangerous. This vote is the result of Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushing their socialist agenda when given the opportunity.Our country is deeper in debt than we have everbeen, and the time for hard decisions is now.People across Mississippi would love to have $2,000 checks instead of $600 checks, but when it comes down to it, our country can't afford the nearly half trillion-dollarprice tag that comes along with that.### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401898,Palazzo Announces Congressional App Challenge Winners,2020-12-24,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)is pleased to announce Hannah Watts, Shawn Butler, Jade Thompson, and Cort Stephens from Columbia High Schoolare the winners of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge in Mississippi's Fourth Congressional District. The students created ""onTrack,"" a web application which allows high school students to organize their goals and to-do lists. OnTrack is an app that allows high school students to organize their multi-faceted lives in a way that is effective and nonstrenuous. There are four sections of the app: information, planner, goal tracker, and to-do list. The information section explains how to students would use the app, the planner is a virtual calendar that allows students to plan events and activities, the goal tracker allows students to maintain and edit both long and short-term goals, and the to-do list enablesstudents to write down tasks and mark them off once completed. ""Congratulations to Hannah Watts, Shawn Butler, Jade Thompson, and Cort Stephens of Columbia High School for winning this year's Congressional App Challenge. Students lead very hectic schedules, and this app wouldkeep students organized and on track,""Palazzo said.""I am so proud of the work submitted by all South Mississippians in this year's Congressional App Challenge and thank everyone for participating."" A video explaining the app can befound here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-votes-emergency-coronavirus-relief-and-omnibus-agreement,Congressman Thompson Votes for the Emergency Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Agreement,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson voted to pass H.R. 133, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. After months of negotiations and numerous proposals passed in the House of Representatives, a deal was reached on Sunday and later voted on Monday evening. Attached to the fiscal year 21 $1.4 trillion appropriations omnibus is the $900 billion relief package which include direct payments up to $600 to working Americans, $300-per-week in federal unemployment aid, an extension of the eviction moratorium, and an expedited distribution plan to crush the coronavirus. ""I understand that this bill does not fix all of our problems,"" said Rep. Thompson. ""I support it because the people of Mississippi's Second Congressional District need help now. This legislation guarantees more money and longer eligibility for the unemployed, checks for the vast majority of working and middle-class families, assistance for renters and landlords, significant money for COVID-19 testing, tracing and vaccines, and so much more. I will continue to work with my congressional colleagues to deliver more assistance for the American people."" The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act include: Billions in urgently need funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to crush the virus; $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the COVID hunger crisis; A new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child; A $300 per week unemployment insurance enhancement for Americans out of work; $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools and $10 billion for childcare assistance to help get parents back to work and keep childcare providers open; and An additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus. Bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will end surprise billing for emergency and scheduled care. Expands access for rural communities, with more than $730 million in the expansion of broadband service to provide economic development opportunities and improved education and healthcare services. $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium. Funeral assistance for COVID-19 by covering 100% of the cost through FEMA. More information on H.R. 133, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act: Appropriations Coronavirus Relief Authorizing Matters # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/guest-reaffirms-commitment-fiscal-responsibility-bipartisan-resolution,Guest Reaffirms Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility in Bipartisan Resolution,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) reaffirmed his commitment to fiscal responsibility while acknowledging the need for additional COVID-19 relief funds by cosponsoring a resolution ""expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on addressing the reckless and unsustainable national debt while committing necessary resources to the COVID-19 pandemic."" ""The source of American resiliency has always been our nation's adherence to our core values. Fiscal conservatism combined with common-sense legislation allows our economy to rebound while preparing our nation for future needs,"" Guest said. ""Unfortunately, we have become increasingly reliant on deficit spending in recent years, and, with the ongoing battle against the coronavirus, this has led our country down the path towards worrying levels of national debt. Once the coronavirus is defeated, Congress will need to make necessary reductions to our spending, which will allow the U.S. government to return to a state of fiscal security and preparedness."" The resolution recognizes the importance of Congress's efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus but follows this recognition with concerning statistics. America's deficit widened from 4.6 percent of our GDP in 2019 to 16 percent of our GDP in 2020, and the FY20 budget deficit has grown by a factor of three above 2020 projections. This resolution also comes at a critical moment as the United States government's gross national debt has soared above $27 trillion. The resolution outlines four provisions to fuel America's fight against the coronavirus while adhering to the promise of fiscal responsibility. The legislation resolves that the House of Representatives: ""recognizes that an unprecedented response to provide relief to hundreds of millions of Americans was required to address the COVID–19 pandemic; realizes that additional relief measures are required; believes that further efforts to address the COVID–19 pandemic must include measures and reforms to help Congress restore the Federal Government's long-term fiscal health once the pandemic ends and the economy regains its strength; and believes Congress should promote the return to regular order and deliberation, and to change the broken and dysfunctional budget practices that threaten both economic stability and national security."" The resolution is led by Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Scott Peters (D-CA). Congressman Michael Guest represents Mississippi's Third Congressional District. He serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Committee on Ethics. Before beginning his first term in Congress, Congressman Guest served as the district attorney for Madison and Rankin Counties. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401894,Palazzo Votes for Targeted COVID Relief,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Votes for Targeted COVID Relief f t # e Washington, December 21, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) today voted in support of a COVID-19 relief package that provides targeted relief for millions of Americans dealing with the impacts of the coronavirus. The relief package passed the House by a vote margin of 359-53. ""This legislation makes good on several key promises to restore our way of life and delivers targeted relief to millions of Americans in every corner of the country. After months of Speaker Pelosi refusing to act, I am pleased to see targeted aid will finally reach our small businesses, families, and those who need it most."" Key Provisions: Extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide relief to small businesses, adds deductibility for PPP expenses, and includes 501(c)(6) organizations for eligibility Gives businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan Provides $20 billion for COVID-19 vaccine purchases, $8 billion for vaccine distribution in the United States Extends December 11, 2020 expiration of Section 3610 in the CARES Act toprotect the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and Defense Contractors through April 30, 2020, benefitting contractors at Stennis Space Center and protecting our future space and defense missions from the potential loss of critical talent Provides one-time $600 economic stimulus payment for both adults and dependents and verifies each recipient is a U.S. citizen Extends and enhances requirements to prevent fraud and abuse of unemployment programs that were set to expire on December 31, 2020, and provides $300 per week for unemployed individuals for 10 weeks starting December 26, 2020 Includes $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with re-opening campuses for in-person learning Provides $25 billion in temporary and targeted rental assistance for Americans who lost their source of income and extends the eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021 Includes $7 billion in broadband funding, including support for telehealth and rural broadband, a key priority pushed by Palazzo Provides $13 billion in support for U.S. agriculture, benefitting seafood producers in South Mississippi In August, Palazzo penned a letter to House and Senate leadership outlining key priorities he believed should be included in additional relief packages. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-highlights-benefits-miss-senate-approves-fy21-funding-bills-new-covid-19-relief-package,"HYDE-SMITH HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS TO MISS. AS SENATE APPROVES FY21 FUNDING BILLS, NEW COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS TO MISS. AS SENATE APPROVES FY21 FUNDING BILLS, NEW COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today highlighted benefits to Mississippi in an omnibus appropriations and COVID-19 relief package approved by the Senate late Monday night. The comprehensive package with all 12 FY2021 appropriations bills and $892 billion in targeted pandemic relief (HR.133) now heads to President Trump for his consideration. This year has been anything but conventional and that includes the unwieldy legislation to maintain federal programs and to continue the fight against the coronavirus, Hyde-Smith said. I support the appropriations measures, and worked to include important funding for Mississippi and its citizens, she added. In addition, including coronavirus relief in this legislation will ensure the timely delivery of benefits for working families, the jobless, small businesses, and our healthcare system. Hyde-Smith worked to advocate priorities for Mississippi and the nation in the FY2021 appropriations bills. Notably, the final product includes these priorities: National Defense A $2.6 billion increase in defense funding to continue rebuilding the U.S. military and to provide servicemembers with a 3 percent pay raise; Shipbuilding $23.27 billion for 10 battle force ships including: two DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class Flight III destroyers; an additional $130 million for long lead time material for a third DDG-51 destroyer in FY2022; one LPD-17 amphibious warship and addresses economic order quantity opportunities for LPD 32 and LPD 33; and $500 million to fund the advanced procurement of the LHA-9 amphibious assault ship. Department of Defense Research Activities $107 billion for research, development, test, and evaluation accounts to support Army, Air Force, Navy, Space Force, and Defense Department research initiatives, including multiple projects involving the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi, and other Mississippi academic and industry partners. USDA Disaster Assistance for 2018 and 2019 Losses Repurposes $1.5 billion in previously appropriated funds to ensure that producers impacted by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019 can receive assistance under the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Gulf of Mexico Water and Aquatic Habitat Quality $20 million, $2.5 million above FY2020 enacted, for the Environmental Protection Agency Gulf of Mexico Program to address water quality and hypoxia problems in the Gulf. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects $74.1 million for 27 authorized flood control, navigation, and related projects and activities in Mississippi, including: $22 million for operation, maintenance, and recreation at Mississippi flood control reservoirs (Arkabutla, Enid, Grenada, and Sardis Lakes), $30.6 million for operation, maintenance, and wildlife mitigation activities on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and $14.7 million for dredging operations at ports in Gulfport, Pascagoula, Biloxi, Vicksburg, Greenville and Rosedale. Surprise Medical Billing Fix Includes the No Surprises Act to end surprise billings in which patients receive unexpected medical bills from their insurer due to out-of-network care. Hyde-Smith cosponsored early versions of this legislation and called on Leadership to include this in the final package. Pandemic Preparedness $4.1 billion for Health and Human Services preparedness programs. Overall Medical Research $1.25 billion increase for National Institutes of Health medical research, bringing total annual funding to $42.9 billion. This includes $3.1 billion specifically for Alzheimer's research, a $300 million increase. Telehealth Expansion Eliminates Medicare restrictions to allow all beneficiaries to receive mental health services through telehealth on a permanent basis. This is from Section 4 of the CONNECT for Health Act, introduced by Hyde-Smith and other Senate Telehealth Working Group members. Member Pay Freeze The bill continues a provision to freeze the pay of Members of Congress, preventing any pay increases in FY2021 as strongly advocated by some in the House of Representatives. A freeze on Members' salaries has been in place since 2009. Hyde-Smith chairs the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee that held the line to retain the member pay freeze. A broader summary of FY2021 appropriations items of interest to Mississippi is available here. Coronavirus response and relief package repurposes more than $560 billion in unspent CARES Act funding to support new help for those most affected by the pandemic. It would provide, among other things: $8.75 billion to plan, prepare for, promote, distribute, administer, monitor, and track coronavirus vaccines A second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans for eligible small businesses, including restaurants and live-venue operations $600 direct impact payments to eligible families and individuals $300 per week for 10 weeks of federal unemployment benefits $54.3 billion for elementary and secondary schools pandemic safety and other requirements, in addition to $22.7 billion for higher education and $4.1 million for the Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund $11.187 billion for the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture to support agricultural producers, processors, and contract growers affected by COVID-19 Summaries of major provisions in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 are available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-statement-targeted-covid-19-relief-package-completed-fy2021-appropriations-bills,"HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON TARGETED COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE, COMPLETED FY2021 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS",2020-12-20,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON TARGETED COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE, COMPLETED FY2021 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS Targeted Coronavirus Aid Agreement Much like Senate GOP Plan Blocked by Democrats since Summer WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Sunday night issued the following statement regarding anagreement on must-pass legislation to provide a new round of COVID-19 relief and to complete the FY2021 appropriations process: I share the frustration many Mississippians must feel during last-minute wrangling of Congress every December to complete its work. However, I am heartened that a spirit of compromise prevailed to ensure we continue needed relief for hard-hit families, unemployed workers, small businesses, and healthcare providers on the front lines of our fight against COVID-19. Much of the assistance in this package resembles the targeted aid Senate Republicans have advocated since July. Mississippi will also benefit from the funding and certainty contained in the omnibus appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2021. I've worked hard to represent Mississippi's interests in these annual funding bills, and believe the final legislation reflects that fact. The Senate could vote Monday to pass the legislation and send it to the President. Briefly, the COVID-19 relief package will: Repurpose more than $560 billion in unspent CARES Act funding Increase support for healthcare providers, including vaccine distribution Extend the Paycheck Protection Program for hard-hit small businesses Provide direct impact payments to families and individuals Continue a number of federal unemployment benefits Direct additional resources to return students to schools safely Provide additional support for American agricultural producers, processors, and contract growers ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401895,Palazzo Honors Late Staff Sergeant in House of Representatives,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)recently spoke on the House floor to honor the life of the late Staff SergeantRobert E. Carterof Hattiesburg.Palazzo's office successfullyworkedwiththe Department of the Army's Award and Decorations Branch to gain approval for Ssgt. Carter to receive the Purple Heart Medal.In January of 2020,Palazzopresented SSgt.Carter with a Purple Heart Medalduring a quaint ceremony at the Congressman's Hattiesburg office. You can read the remarks by Palazzo below orclick here to watch. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the legacy and the outstanding life of service of Purple Heart Recipient, Staff Sergeant Robert E. Carter. He was born September 2, 1986, in San Luis Obispo, California,to Rick and Linda Carter. Staff Sergeant Carter attended Rio Vista High School and San Joaquin Delta College as a firefighter for a degree in Fire Science. He was also in the process of completing his Bachelor of Science in Public Health at the University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Staff Sergeant Carter joined the United States Army on April 25, 2007, and attended training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated as an 11Bravo Infantryman. Staff Sergeant Carter's first deployment was in 2007 to Baghdad under the Dagger Brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His second deployment was from November 2008 to November 2009 for Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Rifle Team leader and Platoon designated marksman in charge of Small Denial Team's counteroffensive for IEDs. It was during this deployment on April 5, 2009, that he sustained injuries from an IED explosion while conducting dismounted clearance of a hostile village in Balad Ruz, Iraq. His final deployment was in July 2011 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment, he created and implemented the Afghanistan National Army's Sniper course. His last assignment before retirement was to serve as a Sniper Observer Course Trainer. A few of Staff Sergeant Carter's awards and decorations included the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal, Expert Infantryman's Badge and Combat Infantryman's Badge. He earned each of these accolades and will be remembered for his unwavering service to his country. Staff Sergeant Carter was laid to rest on October 19, 2020 at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. He is survived by his fianc Erica Farmer. Staff Sergeant Carter was a beloved son, brother, and friend to all that knew him. He accomplished more in just his 34 years on this earth than most do in a lifetime. I had the pleasure of meeting with and presenting Staff Sergeant Carter with his Purple Heart Award on January 24, 2020. He was a true American hero, motivated by the love of his fellow men. We are all indebted to the sacrifices he made through his unwavering commitment to boldly defending our country. It is an honor to recognize Staff Sergeant Robert E. Carter's life and legacy of service. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-colleagues-seek-inclusion-surprise-medical-billing-fix-year-end-spending-bill,"HYDE-SMITH, COLLEAGUES SEEK INCLUSION OF SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLING FIX IN YEAR-END SPENDING BILL",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH, COLLEAGUES SEEK INCLUSION OF SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLING FIX IN YEAR-END SPENDING BILL Senators Promote Bipartisan, Bicameral Agreement to Shield Patients from Damaging Billing Practice WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today said she is part of a bipartisan push to protect patients from surprise medical bills by including a legislative fix in a year-end spending bill. Hyde-Smith, Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (La.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and others signed a letter asking Senate leadership to include a bicameral agreement on ending surprise medical billing practices in must-pass, year-end legislation. Hyde-Smith in 2019 cosponsored Cassidy's STOP Surprise Medical Bill Act (S.1531). A short legislative calendar shouldn't keep us from shielding families from surprise medical bills, those truly outrageous medical charges that seemingly come out of nowhere, Hyde-Smith said. Committees of jurisdiction in the Senate and House have an agreement on how to best protect patients and we should not delay in enacting this plan. A Senate and House agreement would hold patients harmless from surprise medical bills and provide a fair arbitration process to resolve disputes between health care providers and insurers. It would not undermine any existing state laws or include rate setting or a threshold to access arbitration to resolve billing disputes. In their letter, the Senators wrote, The practice of surprise medical billing needs to end. This practice has been especially damaging during COVID-19 when patients receive large unexpected bills weeks after they go to the emergency room There will never be a broader bipartisan, bicameral solution to ending surprise medical billing, and we should deal with it now. Patients cannot wait any longer. The letter also notes that inclusion of this agreement to end surprise medical billing would also allow approximately $18 billion in savings to fund Community Health Centers and other crucial primary care programs for four years. A copy of the letter is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401887,Palazzo Celebrates South Mississippi Blue Ribbon Schools on House Floor,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)celebrated two schools located in Mississippi's Fourth Congressional District designated Blue Ribbon Award Schools by the Department of Education. Biloxi Elementary School and D'Iberville Elementary received this recognition for their academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among students. Palazzo delivered the following remarks,also found here: ""Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition today of two Mississippi elementary schools that were awarded the 2020 National Blue Ribbon School Award. This prestigious award is given in acknowledgement of overall progress in closing achievement gaps and/or being among the state's highest performing schools. The first school is Popp's Ferry Elementary School, located in Biloxi, Mississippi. Popp's Ferry is a Title I School for kindergarten through third grade, serving 500 students. I want to congratulate the principal at the time of nomination, Dr. Todd Boucher,current principal Dr. Vivian Malone,Biloxi Public Schools Superintendent Marcus Boudreaux,as well asthe members of the Popp's Ferry faculty and staff. The second school is D'Iberville Elementary School in D'Iberville, Mississippi. D'Iberville Elementary is a Title I School for kindergarten through fourth grade, serving over 700 students. This is their second Blue Ribbon School Award, having previously been honored in 2009. I want to congratulatePrincipal Cindy Dusang,Harrison County Schools Superintendent Roy Gill,and all of D'IbervilleElementary faculty and staff members. It is an honor that two of the four Mississippi schools awarded the National Blue Ribbon School Award call the Fourth District of Mississippi home. Mississippi is fortunate to have schools and educators dedicated to preparing the next generation.Congratulations again to Popp's Ferry and D'Iberville Elementary Schools this incredible achievement!"" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401888,Palazzo Stands for Election Integrity,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Stands for Election Integrity f t # e Washington, December 11, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)released the following statement after joining over 100 of his House Republican colleauges in filing an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Courtsupporting the casefiled by the state of Texas v. Pennsylvania, et al, to address voting irregularities. ""Americans deserve assurances that we can trust our democratic process and that the 2020 presidential election wassecure and free of corruption. This amicus brief is about affirming our deep concerns with the integrity of our election system. Honest and transparent elections are the bedrock of our American democracy,""Palazzo said. Filed by Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) on Thursday, December 10,the amicus brief included 106 cosigners and has since beenamended to account for aclerical error that left off several original cosigners, including Palazzo. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5149,"Congressman Kelly Announces Congressional App Challenge Winner December 11, 2020 | Posted in Press Releases Louisville, Mississippi - Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01) is pleased to announce that Camryn Colter of Louisville High School is the winner of the First Congressional District's 2020 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The CAC, an initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, invites middle and high school students to create an informational app. Camryn, a 9th grade student,… Read more »",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Trent Kelly,K000388,trentkelly.house.gov,trentkelly,https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Louisville, Mississippi - Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01) is pleased to announce that Camryn Colter of Louisville High School is the winner of the First Congressional District's 2020 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The CAC, an initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, invites middle and high school students to create an informational app. Camryn, a 9th grade student, created an app called Mississippi Census 4H Counts. The app gives information to the user about the Mississippi Census and how to complete the survey. ""It is my pleasure to congratulate Camryn for the hard work and dedication required to win the 2020 Congressional App Challenge,"" Rep. Kelly said. ""The CAC is a great program that encourages the development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills. These are the building blocks needed to build solid, cutting-edge computer skills - a necessity in today's world."" For additional details about the program, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us. Congressman Trent Kelly represents Mississippi's First Congressional District. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, serving as Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Rep. Kelly also serves on the House Agriculture Committee. January will mark the beginning of his fourth term. ###",1,2026-04-07T14:16:54Z,2026-04-07T14:20:23Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-cosponsors-bill-stop-medicare-physician-payment-cuts,HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS BILL TO STOP MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT CUTS,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS BILL TO STOP MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT CUTS Without Congressional Action, Medicare Physician Payment Cuts Start Jan. 1, 2021 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today joined in introducing legislation to prevent cuts to physician payments planned by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to begin Jan. 1, 2021. The Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020 (S.5007) would ensure payments to medical physicians are maintained at current levels for the next two years. The measure was introduced by Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.), Hyde-Smith, and Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), and Susan Collins (R-Maine). If our heroes this year are people who wear scrubs, then it is unconscionable to hit them with Medicare cuts as a New Year's gift, Hyde-Smith said. This legislation needs to be passed before the holidays to provide relief to the very healthcare professionals who bear the burden of fighting this pandemic. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, CMS plans to increase the payment levels for stand-alone office and outpatient evaluation and management visits. This will result in payment cuts for surgical services due to statutory budget neutrality requirements. In a letter sent last week, the sponsors of the new legislation called on Senate leadership to stop the scheduled cuts. More than 70 medical colleges and associations support the effort to stop the cuts. 2021 is fast approaching, and time is running out. We need Congress to protect our patients by passing legislation that stops these cuts, said John A. Wilson, MD, FAANS, FACS, President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. The legislation introduced by Sens. Boozman, Cramer, Hyde-Smith, Cotton, and Collins will preserve patient access to quality care. Our nation's physicians are under incredible strain due to COVID-19, and this bill begins to correct a misguided and ill-timed policy that would cut health care spending in the middle of a pandemic. Time is running out to reverse these cuts and protect patients. We thank Sen. Boozman for his leadership on this issue and will continue to partner with him and his Congressional colleagues to protect patients' access to quality surgical care, said David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, American College of Surgeons Executive Director. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-hails-release-final-environmental-impact-statement-yazoo-backwater-pumps,HYDE-SMITH HAILS RELEASE OF FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR YAZOO BACKWATER PUMPS,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH HAILS RELEASE OF FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR YAZOO BACKWATER PUMPS Army Corps Final Pump Plan Marks Significant Progress Toward Flood Protection, Environmental Improvements WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith today praised the release of a final U.S. Army Corps of Engineers environmental document that outlines the flood reduction and environmental benefits of its new Proposed Plan to address catastrophic flooding in the South Mississippi Delta. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday morning released a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register for the Final Supplement No. 2 to the 1982 Yazoo Area Pump Project Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Corps will post the final SEIS and accompanying appendices here: https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/missions/programs-and-project-management/project-management/yazoo-backwater-report/ The release of this environmental report represents significant progress toward providing residents of the South Mississippi Delta the flood protection promised by the federal government for eight decades, said Hyde-Smith, who has spearheaded this effort since becoming a U.S. Senator. With the information provided in the Corps' Final Environmental Impact Statement, there is no justifiable reason to oppose the new Proposed Plan, she said. After extensive review, the Corps has determined that it will reduce annual flood damages, and provide net gains in environmental value to the entire Yazoo Backwater Area. In the final environmental impact statement, the Corps concludes, that the Proposed Plan as designed would benefit low-income and minority populations in the Yazoo Study Area. The vast majority of structures and homes would be better protected from flooding, there would be a discernible economic benefit separate from agricultural benefits, and the negative effects of extended duration backwater flooding on aquatic resources, wildlife, and recreational resources would be dampened. The Proposed Plan in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement outlines: A new location for the pump station, approximately eight miles northeast of the 2007 proposed location); A system operated by natural gas rather than diesel to reduce the carbon footprint; The installation of 34 groundwater wells to re-establish flows for fish species in approximately 9,321 acres of streams; and The acquisition and reforestation of 5,105 acres of agricultural lands for the purposes of enhancing wetlands, terrestrial, aquatic, and waterfowl resources. A November 30 EPA Region 4 letter to the Corps regarding the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statementstated, The EPA fully supports the purpose of the project to reduce flood damages in the Yazoo Backwater Area. EPA has determined that the proposed project is not subject to EPA's 2008 Final Determination. Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Corps, expressed gratitude to the Corps for its diligence in renewing the prospect for flood control for an area that has experienced significant flooding in nine of the last 10 years. The historic 2019 flood caused two deaths, hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, flooded over 600 homes, and severely affected wildlife and the environment. I commend Commander Colonel Robert Hilliard, Project Manager Kent Parrish, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District for their swift and thorough work in completing the extensive environmental documentation mandated by law for water resources projects, Hyde-Smith said. Seeing firsthand the disruptions the backwater flooding has on the lives of Mississippians has made this my top priority from day one. On my first day in office as a United States Senator, more than 300,000 acres were under water, and I am pleased with the progress we have made on this effort thus far, she said. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hyde-Smith worked to secure $1.5 million in FY2020 appropriations legislation to fund the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement announced in the Federal Register on Friday. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-votes-send-defense-policy-bill-white-house,HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO SEND DEFENSE POLICY BILL TO WHITE HOUSE,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO SEND DEFENSE POLICY BILL TO WHITE HOUSE FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act Gets Senate Approval WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted to send President Trump the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a military and national defense policy measure that builds on his promise to rebuild the U.S. Armed Forces. The NDAA, a Senate-House compromise agreement, authorizes $740.5 billion in funding to fulfill the requirements of the President's National Defense Strategy. This is strong legislation to continue rebuilding our military and national defense strategies, Hyde-Smith said. The policies in this bill support Mississippi's national defense interests, including benefits for servicemembers and their families, investments in cutting-edge technologies, and authorizing additional shipbuilding funding. This final bill is by no means perfect, but it does advance many strong policies while doing away with progressive Democratic provisions to gut defense funding and use the military for social engineering experiments, she said. Items of interest: Approves a 3 percent pay raise for members of the Armed Forces Supports military family readiness by advocating for high-quality, accessible child care, and the employment of military spouses Authorizes $23.4 billion for shipbuilding, and continues investment in the next generation of ships, planes, tanks, and weapons. Strengthens U.S. strategic alliances, including the United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2020 that Hyde-Smith cosponsored in February Invests in research and development on equipment and weapons platforms to secure U.S. military supremacy Encourages innovative technological development to restore, maintain, or expand U.S. comparative advantages over China and Russia for key capabilities and technologies Improves fiscal responsibility by making the Pentagon budget and management processes more transparent and accountable to Congress and the American people Directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to complete a comprehensive study of insulin affordability and the impacts higher costs have on treatment programs. (Senator Hyde-Smith cosponsored an amendment to include this provision, which follows similar legislation introduced last November.) ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-guest-announces-congressional-app-challenge-winner-0,Congressman Guest Announces Congressional App Challenge Winner,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Brandon, Mississippi – Congressman Guest (MS-03) is pleased to announce that Kylar DeLoach of Enterprise High School was selected by a panel of professionals in the technology industry as the winner of the Third Congressional District's 2020 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The CAC is an initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. Students identified a local, national, or global problem and created an app to help solve that problem. Kylar's winning app, Map It!, uses Google Maps to create an interactive way for middle school and high school students to learn certain events in history. The user can choose one of four areas of history (the Colonial Period, the Civil War, World War One, and World War Two) to study. Kyler also placed in the 2019 Congressional App challenge with his innovative app, X Squared. ""Congratulations to Kylar. Through hard work and dedication, Kylar earned this recognition. I have full faith in his talents and am proud that he will represent the Third District of Mississippi as he presents his app in the national competition,"" Guest said. The CAC was created by Congress as a recognition that Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation. Unfortunately, the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. These are high-paying, high-demand jobs. To maintain American competitiveness, it's crucial that the United States invests in our youth now and helps them acquire these valuable skills. The CAC encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes their achievements in the STEM and computer-based fields. For further information about the Congressional App Challenge, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us. Congressman Michael Guest represents Mississippi's Third Congressional District. He serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Committee on Ethics. Before beginning his first term in Congress, Congressman Guest served as the district attorney for Madison and Rankin Counties.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/members-congress-file-amicus-brief-support-texas-elections-suit,Members of Congress File Amicus Brief in Support of Texas Elections Suit,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) joined 106 Members of Congress in an amicus brief in support of the plaintiff in the case of State ofTexas v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State of Georgia, State of Michigan, and State of Wisconsin. The amicus brief supports the position of the plaintiff that government officials in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin (Defendant states) acted in clear violation of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States to revise certain processes in their respective states for the appointment of Presidential electors for the 2020 Presidential election and requests that the Supreme Court of the United States carefully review these concerns. ""I understand that many sacrifices and changes have been necessary to protect individuals during this pandemic. However, there is no situation, including a pandemic, that offers any elected officials a legitimate reason to disregard the Constitution of the United States or the constitutions of individual states,"" Guest said. ""The bill of complaint prepared by Attorney General Paxton calls attention to many irregularities that justify review by the Supreme Court, and my colleagues and I offer this amicus brief for its consideration. If the court finds that these elected officials overstepped their Constitutional duties and, therefore, tainted their states' elections, we must focus on restoring the integrity of the electoral process that was found to be undermined."" Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States of America directs state legislatures to determine the manner in which Presidential electors are chosen. By subjecting the electorate to changes in the election process of the Presidential electors without the approval of their respective state's legislatures, the Defendant states acted outside the scope of the Constitution. The bill of complaint in the case, presented to the Supreme Court by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, accuses government officials in the Defendant States of ""[u]sing the COVID-19 pandemic as justification… [to usurp] their legislatures' authority and unconstitutionally [revise] their state's election statutes."" The Members support this claim in their amicus brief, stating, ""the unconstitutional irregularities involved in the 2020 presidential election cast doubt upon its outcome and the integrity of the American system of elections. Amici respectfully aver that the broad scope and impact of the various irregularities in the Defendant states necessitate careful and timely review by… [the Supreme] Court… As members of the federal legislature, these amici seek to protect the constitutional role of state legislatures in determining the manner by which states choose their electors."" Read the full Bill of Complaint submitted to the Supreme Court Read the Amicus brief presented by Members of Congress # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-thompson-commend-park-service-designating-medgar-and-myrlie-evers-home-national,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH & THOMPSON COMMEND PARK SERVICE FOR DESIGNATING MEDGAR AND MYRLIE EVERS HOME AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT",2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH & THOMPSON COMMEND PARK SERVICE FOR DESIGNATING MEDGAR AND MYRLIE EVERS HOME AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT Miss. Lawmakers Championed Efforts to Make Jackson Civil Rights Landmark Part of the National Park System The Medgar and Myrlie Evers home in Jackson, Miss. (Photo by U.S. Civil Rights Trail) WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) today commended the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior for officially designating the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home in Jackson as the 422nd unit of the National Park System. The announcement fulfills the requirements of the lawmakers' legislation to designate the Evers Home as a national monument within the NPS system. The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home serves as a permanent reminder of the legacy of the Evers family, whose contributions advanced the cause of justice in our nation, Wicker said. I was proud to champion legislation with Representative Bennie Thompson and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith to designate this historic site as a national monument and preserve it for future generations. I appreciate President Trump, the National Park Service, and the Department of the Interior for their work to make this designation a reality. The national monument designation represents a great honor for the Evers family and their sacrifices and accomplishments for the cause of civil rights. This new national site will also stand in recognition of the overall pursuit of equality and justice in Mississippi and our nation, Hyde-Smith said. I am proud to have worked with Senator Wicker and Congressman Thompson to secure this designation. I, like many others, was inspired by the magnitude of determination Mr. Evers showed by dedicating himself to others and fighting against adversity, said Thompson. The designation of his home is an everlasting tribute to his legacy. The importance of protecting the heritage and important artifacts for the enjoyment of all, and historical understanding, cannot be overstated. As many members of communities, their existence contributes to local economies directly and indirectly. After working on this legislation diligently for 16 years, I am honored that the legacy of an icon in American history, Medgar Wiley Evers, will forever be preserved. His widow Myrlie Evers-Williams was instrumental in helping us achieve this goal. Mr. Evers was an inspiration to all Americans by dedicating his life to others and fighting against racism and discrimination. The lawmakers introduced their legislation in an effort to bring additional federal resources to the site. The proposal was signed into law by President Trump as part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S.47) in March 2019. The national monument designation is reserved for sites of great cultural, historical, or natural significance to the United States. It provides permanent protection by Congress under the Antiquities Act. The Evers home, acquired by Tougaloo College in 1993 and labeled a museum in 1997, is a designated Mississippi landmark under the State Antiquity Law and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-federal-communications-commission-bids,Congressman Thompson Announced Federal Communications Commission Bids for Mississippi Second District,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimated thousands of Mississippians will gain access to high-speed broadband through the Commission's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction. Following is a list of winning bidders, number of homes and businesses to be served, and total support for 10 years in Mississippi, by county: County Bidder Locations/Residents Support Attala Connect Everyone LLC 2,688 $12,154,964 Attala Space Exploration Technologies Corp. 1,158 $2,144,877 ATTALA, MS TOTAL 3,846 $14,299,841 Bolivar NexTier Consortium 1,228 $3,794,476 Bolivar Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 914 $3,971,669 Bolivar Space Exploration Technologies Corp. 7 $4,518 BOLIVAR, MS TOTAL 2,149 $7,770,663 Carroll Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 3,227 $14,459,058 CARROLL, MS TOTAL 3,227 $14,459,058 Claiborne Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 752 $2,421,948 Claiborne Space Exploration Technologies Corp. 14 $2,844 CLAIBORNE, MS TOTAL 766 $2,424,792 Coahoma NexTier Consortium 1,839 $4,790,118 Coahoma Space Exploration Technologies Corp 78 $23,166 Coahoma Windstream Services LLC, Debtor-In-Possession 244 $1,211,946 COAHOMA, MS TOTAL 2,161 $6,025,230 Copiah Bay Springs Telephone Company, Inc. 1,807 $3,644,857 Copiah Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 966 $3,072,342 Copiah Space Exploration Technologies Corp 830 $864,994 Copiah Windstream Services LLC, Debtor-In-Possession 1,110 $2,185,588 COPIAH, MS TOTAL 4,713 $9,767,781 Grenada RDOF USA Consortium 167 $276,732 Grenada Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 970 $2,982,780 Grenada Space Exploration Technologies Corp 138 $156,788 GRENADA, MS TOTAL 1,275 $3,416,300 Hinds Connect Everyone LLC 157 $649,560 Hinds Space Exploration Technologies Corp 3,246 $3,450,020 Hinds Windstream Services LLC, Debtor-In-Possession 230 $643,573 HINDS, MS TOTAL 3,633 $4,743,153 Holmes Connect Everyone LLC 377 $1,763,277 Holmes Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 2,419 $8,890,568 Holmes Space Exploration Technologies Corp 56 $29,524 HOLMES, MS TOTAL 2,852 $10,683,369 Humphreys NexTier Consortium 1,317 $6,497,851 HUMPHREYS, MS TOTAL 1,317 $6,497,851 Issaquena NexTier Consortium 402 $2,449,680 ISSAQUENA, MS TOTAL 402 $2,449,680 Jefferson Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 1,507 $6,846,594 JEFFERSON, MS TOTAL 1,507 $6,846,594 Leake Commnet Wireless, LLC 655 $477,116 Space Exploration Technologies Corp 3,556 $4,341,008 LEAKE, MS TOTAL 4,211 $4,818,124 Leflore Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 1,105 $7,179,102 Leflore Space Exploration Technologies Corp 65 $38,406 LEFLORE, MS TOTAL 1,170 $7,217,508 Madison Connect Everyone LLC 140 $579,225 Madison Space Exploration Technologies Corp 1,706 $2,795,172 MADISON, MS TOTAL 1,846 $3,374,397 Montgomery Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 1.096 $5,269,038 Montgomery Space Exploration Technologies Corp 10 $10,279 MONTGOMERY, MS TOTAL 1,106 $5,279,317 Panola RDOF USA Consortium 3,266 $7,195,530 Panola Space Exploration Technologies Corp 77 $79,202 PANOLA, MS TOTAL 3,343 $7,274,732 Quitman NexTier Consortium 747 $4,172,522 Quitman RDOF USA Consortium 392 $406,212 Quitman Space Exploration Technologies Corp 138 $88,821 QUITMAN, MS TOTAL 1,270 $4,667,555 Sharkey NexTier Consortium 560 $2,632,338 SHARKEY, MS TOTAL 560 $2,632,338 Sunflower NexTier Consortium 219 $1,108,916 Sunflower Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 1,226 $6,327,360 SUNFLOWER, MS TOTAL 1,445 $7,436,276 Tallahatchie RDOF USA Consortium 1,710 $5,740,707 Tallahatchie Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 406 $1,487,568 Tallahatchie Space Exploration Technologies Corp 11 $18,186 TALLAHATCHIE, MS TOTAL 2,127 $7,246,461 Tunica NexTier Consortium 1,128 $5,366,252 Tunica Space Exploration Technologies Corp 1 $4,596 TUNICA, MS TOTAL 1,129 $5,370,848 Warren Connect Everyone LLC 260 $1,197,848 Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 85 $503,616 Warren Space Exploration Technologies Corp 316 $514,640 WARREN, MS TOTAL 661 $2,216,104 Washington NexTier Consortium 1,266 $6,188,371 Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 33 $115,392 Washington Space Exploration Technologies Corp 4 $5,244 WASHINGTON, MS TOTAL 1,303 $6,309,007 Yalobusha RDOF USA Consortium 1,685 $4,627,302 YALOBUSHA, MS TOTAL 1,685 $4,627,302 Yazoo Connect Everyone LLC 326 $511,480 Yazoo NexTier Consortium 2,987 $8,169,385 Yazoo Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium 129 $270,588 Yazoo Space Exploration Technologies Corp 8 $5,704 YAZOO, MS TOTAL 3,450 $8,957,157",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/legislation-preserve-integrity-elections-add-new-cosponsor-congressman-guest,Legislation to Preserve Integrity of Elections Add New Cosponsor: Congressman Guest,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) announced that he has cosponsored legislation to protect our elections from irregularities. A shift to a Universal Vote by Mail System by many states has presented new possibilities for problems to occur in the voting process, such as those we saw in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. H.R. 8072, the Integrity of Our Elections Act, would help ensure that only U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote receive a mail ballot for a federal election. Specifically, the bill would require each chief state election official to certify that recipients of mail-in or absentee ballots are living and are U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote. ""The foundation of any democracy is the trust that the people place in the process of the election,"" Guest said. ""Since our country's founding, most voting has taken place at the polls. However, the 2020 election introduced America to an entirely new election process that relied on mail-in voting, a process that presents many potential pitfalls that we don't yet fully understand. We must set up provisions that protect our elections from natural human error, from the unknown risks of a new style of voting, and, most importantly, from those who desire to intentionally undermine our elections. This bill is a strong first step towards addressing those concerns."" H.R. 8072 was introduced by Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO). Congressman Michael Guest represents Mississippi's Third Congressional District. He serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Committee on Ethics. Before beginning his first term in Congress, Congressman Guest served as the district attorney for Madison and Rankin Counties. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401884,Palazzo Applauds Inclusion of Coast Guard Retirement Parity Legislation in NDAA,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) last night voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included his legislation with Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13), the Coast Guard Retirement Parity Act (H.R. 6072). Once signed into law, this provision will protect the retirement benefits of United States Coast Guard retirees. Unlike the otherU.S. Armed Forces branches, under current law, Coast Guard retirement benefits require annual funding from Congress through theHouse Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee where Palazzo serves. Because they rely on this funding mechanism, if the federal government shuts down due to budget disagreements, Coast Guard servicemembers and retirees go without pay. During the January 2019 government shutdown, when active duty Coasties were not being paid, over 50,000 Coast Guard retirees were just days away from missing their retirement check. The bill will protect these earned benefits of thousands of USCG retirees by including the Coast Guard in the Military Retirement Fund just like every other branch of the military providing protection from a potential government shutdown. ""Any veteranwho has honorably served this nation should never wonder if they will receive their retirement benefits. This legislative solution will make things right by our Coast Guard retirees and safeguard the benefits they've rightfully earned,"" Palazzo said. The NDAA provides critical national security measures that will bolster the strength and readiness of our military. As Chair of the House National Guard and Reserve Caucus, Palazzo was also pleased to see the inclusion of his amendment with Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-1)that will provide transitional health care benefits to National Guard servicemembers who are supporting the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ""I am pleased to see the House come together and pass our annual defense bill, giving our servicemembers the resources they need to execute their mission. The NDAA supports our National Guard servicemembers and will ensure our military maintains America's competitive edge against our adversaries. I was pleased to see support for our military families and improvements to military housing were included in the legislation. South Mississippi is a military community and will stand to benefit from this bill.""###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5147,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, & Kelly Announce $24.3 Million Project to Renovate Aberdeen Courthouse December 9, 2020 | Posted in Press Releases WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Representative Trent Kelly, R-Miss., today announced that Congress has approved a $24.3 million plan by the General Services Administration (GSA) to renovate the Thomas G. Abernethy Courthouse in Aberdeen, Miss. The building was deemed uninhabitable in 2017 because of mold and moisture… Read more »",2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Trent Kelly,K000388,trentkelly.house.gov,trentkelly,https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Representative Trent Kelly, R-Miss., today announced that Congress has approved a $24.3 million plan by the General Services Administration (GSA) to renovate the Thomas G. Abernethy Courthouse in Aberdeen, Miss. The building was deemed uninhabitable in 2017 because of mold and moisture infiltration. “This is an outstanding outcome for the federal courthouse in Aberdeen,” Wicker said. “This long overdue project will allow the GSA to complete decades of deferred maintenance, ensuring the health and safety of the public and federal workers for years to come. I am glad to have partnered with members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, Judge Sharion Aycock, and community leaders to get this project the attention it deserved.” “The repair to the Aberdeen courthouse means it can become a fully functional federal facility to serve North Mississippi, particularly for the federal judiciary system. I’m pleased with the GSA plan to reprogram existing dollars to undertake this extensive project,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I credit Chief Judge Sharion Aycock and her team for their determination to get this project done and resume public services from the courthouse.” ""This project will ensure a safer environment for our community and hardworking court officials,” Kelly said. The GSA, which maintains the building, will support the project using excess funds from other repair and construction projects. Congressional committees with authorization and appropriations jurisdiction over the GSA approved the agency’s plan to reprogram existing funding to repair the facility. A GSA project prospectus indicates a design and construction schedule beginning in 2021 with work completed in 2024. The project will include: • HVAC replacement; • Building envelope repair; • Electrical, fire protection, and life safety upgrades; • Associated demolition; and, • Hazardous materials (mold, lead-based paint) abatement. The Thomas G. Abernethy Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a 64,000-square-foot, three-story building built in 1973 in downtown Aberdeen, Miss. Before being abandoned in February 2018, the building housed the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshal Service, and the GSA. ###",1,2026-04-07T14:16:54Z,2026-04-07T14:20:23Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-stresses-need-covid-19-vaccine-rural-america,HYDE-SMITH STRESSES NEED FOR COVID-19 VACCINE IN RURAL AMERICA,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH STRESSES NEED FOR COVID-19 VACCINE IN RURAL AMERICA Senator Discusses Rural Care Challenges with Pandemic Preparedness Steering Committee WASHINGTON, D.C. With the impending approval of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today stressed the importance of distributing the vaccine to rural and harder to reach communities. Hyde-Smith aired these concerns in remarks by Zoom to a Capitol Hill Steering Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Security panel discussion on coronavirus vaccine policies. Hyde-Smith is a founding co-chair of the Steering Committee, which the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security staffs and manages. I am particularly concerned about how to get this vaccine to every corner of the country, especially rural and harder to reach communities, Hyde-Smith said. Delivering the vaccine to Americans in rural areas will be difficult considering these areas have fewer healthcare providers, less healthcare infrastructure, longer travel times, more remote populations, and less reliable internet connectivity. Under the umbrella of the President's Operation Warp Speed, vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna are in the last stages of approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use throughout the nation. As early as next week, the Mississippi State Department of Health expects to receive an initial 25,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, the storage and distribution of which will challenge rural providers. I have spoken with Operation Warp Speed leadership about this issue, and I continue to urge HHS to ensure rural Americans have the same access to the vaccine as more urban areas, Hyde-Smith said. Ultimately, success in this, like in so many things, will require close coordination between the federal government and our state governments. I came to the Senate from state government, so I have a special appreciation of how truly important that coordination is, the Senator told the Steering Committee. I have worked hand-in-hand with our state leaders in Mississippi throughout this pandemic, and that will continue as we work to ensure the vaccine is distributed to all areas of my state and our nation. Hyde-Smith and fellow co-chairs Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) addressed the panel, which was one of the monthly Steering Committee events hosted to examine lessons from responses to natural, man-made, and other complex health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to better mitigate and respond to future health crises. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-kelly-announce-243-million-project-renovate-aberdeen-courthouse,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH & KELLY ANNOUNCE $24.3 MILLION PROJECT TO RENOVATE ABERDEEN COURTHOUSE",2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH & KELLY ANNOUNCE $24.3 MILLION PROJECT TO RENOVATE ABERDEEN COURTHOUSE Congress Approves Plan to Repair Federal Courthouse Plagued With Mold and Moisture WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Congressman Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) today announced that Congress has approved a $24.3 million plan by the General Services Administration (GSA) to renovate the Thomas G. Abernethy Courthouse in Aberdeen, Miss. The GSA deemed the building uninhabitable in 2017 because of mold and moisture infiltration. Congressional committees with authorization and appropriations jurisdiction over the GSA approved the agency's plan to reprogram existing funding to repair the federal facility. This is an outstanding outcome for the federal courthouse in Aberdeen, Wicker said. This long overdue project will allow the GSA to complete decades of deferred maintenance, ensuring the health and safety of the public and federal workers for years to come. I am glad to have partnered with members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, Judge Sharion Aycock, and community leaders to get this project the attention it deserved. The repair to the Aberdeen courthouse means it can become a fully functional federal facility to serve North Mississippi, particularly for the federal judiciary system. I'm pleased with the GSA plan to reprogram existing dollars to undertake this extensive project, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. I credit Chief Judge Sharion Aycock and her team for their determination to get this project done and resume public services from the courthouse. This project will ensure a safer environment for our community and hardworking court officials, Kelly said. The GSA, which maintains the building, will support the project using excess funds from other repair and construction projects. A GSA project prospectus indicates a design and construction schedule beginning in 2021 with work completed in 2024. The project will include: HVAC replacement; Building envelope repair; Electrical, fire protection, and life safety upgrades; Associated demolition; and, Hazardous materials (mold, lead-based paint) abatement. The Thomas G. Abernethy Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a 64,000-square-foot, three-story building built in 1973 and in downtown Aberdeen. Before being abandoned in February 2018, the building housed the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Marshal Service, and the GSA. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-re-elected-chairman-house-committee-homeland-security,Congressman Thompson is Re-Elected as Chairman of House Committee on Homeland Security,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement after he was re-elected as Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security by the House Democratic Caucus:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-trump-receive-bill-name-brookhaven-post-office-fallen-officers,President Trump to Receive Bill to Name Brookhaven Post Office for Fallen Officers,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate has passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Congressman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) to name a Brookhaven post office in honor of three local law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The legislation, which U.S. Senator Roger Wicker cosponsored, was approved by unanimous consent late Thursday, clearing it for President Trump's signature. The bill, passed by the House of Representatives on Sept. 14, 2020, designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 201 West Cherokee Street, Brookhaven, as the ""Deputy Donald William Durr, Corporal Zach Moak, and Patrolman James White Memorial Post Office Building."" ""Brookhaven is my home and the loss of these officers continues to break the hearts of so many in our community. Senate passage of our legislation puts us a step closer to ensuring their service is honored and remembered,"" Hyde-Smith said. ""I commend Congressman Guest for his good stewardship in getting us to this point."" ""Mississippi respects our law enforcement officers, and we are grateful for the risk they take on in the line of duty. For this reason, it's important to commemorate those we've lost in remembrance of their sacrifice. It's my hope that our efforts will preserve the memory of Deputy Donald William Durr, Corporal Zach Moak, and Patrolman James White, who demonstrated John 15:13 in their heroism: ‘Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.' I'd like to recognize Senator Hyde-Smith and Senator Wicker for their commitment to honoring these fallen officers,"" Guest said. ""Every single day, our law enforcement officers risk their lives to protect and serve their communities,"" Wicker said. ""Renaming the Brookhaven Post Office is a small but fitting tribute to the sacrifices of Deputy Durr, Corporal Moak, and Patrolman White. I hope this renaming will serve as a powerful reminder of all those men and women who wear the badge."" Hyde-Smith and Guest introduced companion bills (S.1182 and HR.2246) in April 2019 to honor the fallen officers. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker cosponsored the Senate measure. Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff William Durr was killed while responding to a domestic dispute in May 2017. A veteran law enforcement officer, he previously served with the Brookhaven Police Department. Brookhaven Police Officer James Kevin White and Corporal Walter Zachery Marshall Moak lost their lives in a standoff in September 2018. Moak served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department before serving with the Wesson and Brookhaven police departments. In addition to serving as a police officer, White served in Iraq with the Mississippi National Guard where he sustained a serious injury.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401882,Palazzo Speaks in Support of NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)today spoke on the floor of the United States House of Representativesin support ofS. 2981, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020. The legislation will stand to benefit NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations'expansion on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Key Details: The bill aligns NOAA Corps' regulations with the nation's other uniformed services andimproves the recruitment and retention of NOAA Corps Officers, increases parity with other uniformed services with respect to benefits such as family programs, mental health resources, and educational assistance. The legislation alsorequires the Secretary of Commerce to enter into contracts or the procurement of multi-year charters for hydrographic services survey vessels. Palazzo is aco-sponsor of the House versionof this legislation. Palazzo delivered the following remarks which can also be watched here. I rise today in support of S. 2981 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020. This bicameral and bipartisan legislation aims to improve the smallest uniformed service in our country - the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. The men and women of the NOAA Corps operate a highly specialized fleet of scientific ships and aircraft, several of which are based in my district on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and along coastlines around the nation. The research conducted on these scientific platforms helps to improve hurricane forecasts, manage healthy and sustainable fisheries such as red snapper, and ensure safe and efficient maritime commerce on America's waters. Members of the NOAA Corps are the ones who operate the nineaircraftand 15 vessels in NOAA's growing fleet. During a hurricane, they deploy on missions into the storm, and immediately after hurricanes they deploy to assess damage and map out debris in the channels to open our ports back up as soon as possible.All these activities are essential to my districtand many others, especially this year, where we had back-to-back hurricanes in the Gulf impacting our maritime economy and ecosystems. NOAA Corps Officers provide essential scientific and operational expertise needed for NOAA to meet its missions every day. Recognizing NOAA's 50thanniversary and their growing responsibilities, this legislation will help NOAA retain and recruit the most qualified officers and will offer these service members the level of personal and professional support that they deserve. The 2020 hurricane season confirms that we need to make the right investments so the NOAA Corps can become even better at predicting storms, in turn protecting life and property while helping conserve our fisheries that are vital to our national heritage. Mr.Speaker, I believe it is crucial that we reauthorize and support the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it. I yield back. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5132,"Miss. Lawmakers Calling for Permanent Expansion of Telehealth Coverage in End-of-Year Legislation December 4, 2020 | Posted in Press Releases Tags: Healthcare Bipartisan, Bicameral Support to Extend Telehealth Measures Included in COVID-19 Relief Bills on Temporary Basis WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today joined a bipartisan group of 49 lawmakers pushing congressional leaders to make permanent the telehealth services… Read more »",2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Trent Kelly,K000388,trentkelly.house.gov,trentkelly,https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Bipartisan, Bicameral Support to Extend Telehealth Measures Included in COVID-19 Relief Bills on Temporary Basis WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today joined a bipartisan group of 49 lawmakers pushing congressional leaders to make permanent the telehealth services expanded temporarily to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers signed a letter advocating action on telehealth services in end-of-year legislation considered by Congress this month. “Telehealth has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring that patients can continue to receive the health care services that they need while minimizing the spread of the virus and keeping health care providers and patients healthy and safe,” the lawmakers wrote. “We continue to hear from our constituents and health care providers that the uncertainty about the long-term future of Medicare telehealth coverage is a barrier to organizations investing fully in telehealth. Congress needs to act now to better serve patients and health care providers during the pandemic, and to ensure that telehealth remains an option after the pandemic is over,” the letter stated. The letter highlights the growing use and benefits of telehealth during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as patients seek to avoid traveling to hospitals and other providers and instead receive care at home. New data shows that the number of Medicare beneficiaries using telehealth services increased by nearly 13,000 percent in just a month and a half during the pandemic. This spring, Congress enacted provisions from the bipartisan, bicameral Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act to expand telehealth benefits for Medicare beneficiaries and to allow more types of health care providers to provide telehealth services. Those provisions are only temporary through the extent of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Mississippi lawmakers cosponsored the bipartisan, bicameral CONNECT for Health Act, which is considered the most comprehensive telehealth legislation in Congress. Forty-six Senators have cosponsored the Senate bill (S.2741), while 68 Congressmen cosponsored the House measure (HR.4932). A signed copy of the letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is available here. ###",1,2026-04-07T14:16:54Z,2026-04-07T14:20:23Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401880,Miss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Zeta,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to approve Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves's request for a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Zeta. The damage from the October 28 storm has put an additional strain on the state's emergency response capability in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, warranting a federal response. If approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts. The delegation letter referenced initial damage reports indicating two confirmed deaths and at least 135 injuries. The state has also reported at least $79 million in damage to public infrastructure and more than $10 million in damage to homes and businesses. Storm surge levels reached eight feet in some counties and spanned the entire Mississippi coastline. More than 200,000 Mississippians reported power outages across 38 counties, and many did not regain power for more than a week. The full text of the delegation letter is below: Dear President Trump, In light of the significant damage that resulted from Hurricane Zeta, a Category 2 storm that hit the State of Mississippi on October 28, 2020, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act for individual and public assistance, as well as U.S. Small Business Administration assistance. We appreciate the continued efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and anticipate expeditious assistance from the agency to support state and local officials in Mississippi who are responding to the devastating effects of Hurricane Zeta and other storms while simultaneously working to mitigate COVID-19 in our state. As Governor Reeves indicated in his request, current reports indicate that at least 135 people were injured and two Mississippians lost their lives as a result of these storms. Damage also severely devastated local communities, homes, and public infrastructure. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments found an estimated $79 million in damage to public infrastructure and more than $10 million in damage to homes and businesses. In addition to damage caused by sustained winds of 104 miles per hour, storm surge levels reached eight feet in some counties and spanned the Mississippi coastline. Over 200,000 Mississippians reported power outages across 38 counties, and many did not regain power for more than a week. On October 28, 2020, Governor Reeves declared a State of Emergency in Mississippi to assist in the recovery and requested a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration ahead of the storm. Members of the Mississippi delegation also sent a letter in support of Governor Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration. The request was not granted. State resources are already strained by the ongoing effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the quantity and severity of multiple federally declared disasters this hurricane season, including Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Sally. In addition, the State continues to support efforts to recover from 10 federally declared disasters that have impacted citizens within all 82 counties in Mississippi during 2020. Without significant additional federal resources, we are concerned that Mississippi may not be able to recover. We are determined to help Mississippi recover by supporting the affected local communities and the State as they work to rebuild from these devastating weather events. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort. Sincerely, Roger F. Wicker, United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, United States Senator Bennie G. Thompson, Member of Congress Steven Palazzo, Member of Congress Trent Kelly, Member of Congress Michael Guest, Member of Congress ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5131,"Miss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Zeta December 3, 2020 | Posted in Press Releases Miss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Zeta WASHINGTON – The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump… Read more »",2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Trent Kelly,K000388,trentkelly.house.gov,trentkelly,https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to approve Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves’s request for a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Zeta. The damage from the October 28 storm has put an additional strain on the state’s emergency response capability in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, warranting a federal response. If approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts. The delegation’s letter referenced initial damage reports indicating two confirmed deaths and at least 135 injuries. The state has also reported at least $79 million in damage to public infrastructure and more than $10 million in damage to homes and businesses. Storm surge levels reached eight feet in some counties and spanned the Mississippi coastline. More than 200,000 Mississippians reported power outages across 38 counties, and many did not regain power for more than a week. The full text of the delegation’s letter is below: Dear President Trump, In light of the significant damage that resulted from Hurricane Zeta, a Category 2 storm that hit the State of Mississippi on October 28, 2020, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act for individual and public assistance, as well as U.S. Small Business Administration assistance. We appreciate the continued efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and anticipate expeditious assistance from the agency to support state and local officials in Mississippi who are responding to the devastating effects of Hurricane Zeta and other storms while simultaneously working to mitigate COVID-19 in our state. As Governor Reeves indicated in his request, current reports indicate that at least 135 people were injured and two Mississippians lost their lives as a result of these storms. Damage also severely devastated local communities, homes, and public infrastructure. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments found an estimated $79 million in damage to public infrastructure and more than $10 million in damage to homes and businesses. In addition to damage caused by sustained winds of 104 miles per hour, storm surge levels reached eight feet in some counties and spanned the Mississippi coastline. Over 200,000 Mississippians reported power outages across 38 counties, and many did not regain power for more than a week. On October 28, 2020, Governor Reeves declared a State of Emergency in Mississippi to assist in the recovery and requested a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration ahead of the storm. Members of the Mississippi delegation also sent a letter in support of Governor Reeves’s request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration. The request was not granted. State resources are already strained by the ongoing effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the quantity and severity of multiple federally declared disasters this hurricane season, including Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Sally. In addition, the State continues to support efforts to recover from 10 federally declared disasters that have impacted citizens within all 82 counties in Mississippi during 2020. Without significant additional federal resources, we are concerned that Mississippi may not be able to recover. We are determined to help Mississippi recover by supporting the affected local communities and the State as they work to rebuild from these devastating weather events. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort. Sincerely, Roger F. Wicker, United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, United States Senator Bennie G. Thompson, Member of Congress Steven Palazzo, Member of Congress Trent Kelly, Member of Congress Michael Guest, Member of Congress ###",1,2026-04-07T14:16:54Z,2026-04-07T14:20:23Z https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5125,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, Kelly, Guest Call for Transparency and Accountability in 2020 Election Count December 1, 2020 | Posted in Press Releases WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss, Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., on November 2, 2020, released the following statement on the 2020 election: “Americans should have confidence in our voting system and that all ballots have been submitted correctly and legally. This is… Read more »",2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,MS,Trent Kelly,K000388,trentkelly.house.gov,trentkelly,https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss, Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., on November 2, 2020, released the following statement on the 2020 election: “Americans should have confidence in our voting system and that all ballots have been submitted correctly and legally. This is precisely what President Trump and his legal team are seeking. “Any allegations of voting irregularities, including ballot tampering or voting by ineligible persons, should be investigated and adjudicated to the fullest extent of the law. “It is essential to our democracy and the integrity of our elections that this process be allowed to play out in full view of the American people, and that election observers from both sides of the aisle be allowed to participate. “Neither the media nor states should rush to declare a winner in closely contested states until all legally-cast ballots have been counted and all legal challenges and required recounts have been resolved.” ###",1,2026-04-07T14:16:54Z,2026-04-07T14:20:23Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401878,Palazzo Cosigns Letter Expressing Concerns Over Backlog of Veterans Records Requests,2020-11-24,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)recently joined 233 lawmakersin a bipartisanletter to the National Archives and Records Administration Director Scott Levins expressing concerns over the rising number of unprocessed requests for military personnel, health, and medical records from theNational Personnel Records Center (NPRC) amidst the pandemic. A signed copy of the letter can befound here,and the full text is included below. Director Levins, We write to voice our growing concern with the rising number of unprocessed requests for military personnel, health, and medical records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) amidst the current pandemic. Except for a limited number of emergency requests, since March of this year, our constituents' requests for military personnel records from NPRC have largely been unfulfilled. Moreover, there remains no definitive timeline in which our constituent veterans can expect to have their requests processed. As you know, personnel records are needed for veterans and their dependents to qualify for a range of benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a significant challenge for all Americans and the Federal agencies who serve them, and efforts to protect workforce health and safety are absolutely of top importance. However, as more time continues to elapse, these delays are causing significant anxiety and hardship for many of our nation's veterans. It's for that reason we write to strongly encourage you to work to implement new policies and procedures that can both protect the NPRC's workforce and ensure our nation's veterans are getting the records they need and deserve in a timely fashion. We also ask that you provide our offices with a working plan including a timeline for how your agency intends to address the growing backlog of military personnel records requests. As many of our constituents have already been waiting for months to obtain their records, providing. TheNPRC serves as an important cornerstone in our nation's system to provide and care for veterans, but without your agency's needed services many of those who have worn the uniform are experiencing significant claims processing delays. We ask for your committed leadership to overcome these challenges and to assist in providing veterans with the records needed to pursue their earned benefits. As Members of Congress we stand ready to assist in these efforts. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-celebrate-senate-confirmation-kristi-johnson-be-us-district-judge,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH CELEBRATE SENATE CONFIRMATION OF KRISTI JOHNSON TO BE U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE",2020-11-17,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH CELEBRATE SENATE CONFIRMATION OF KRISTI JOHNSON TO BE U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE Johnson Is Southern District of Mississippi's First Female Jurist WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today hailed Senate confirmation of Kristi H. Johnson of Brandon to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. Johnson, who will be the first female jurist in the Southern District of Mississippi, is a native of Hurley and served most recently as the first Solicitor General of Mississippi. The Senate confirmed Johnson, 53-43. Kristi Johnson's confirmation is good news for Mississippi and the United States as a whole, Wicker said. She has a unique record of accomplishment as a public servant, a private attorney, a scholar, and a professor. She will make a great judge, and I know Mississippians will join me in congratulating her on this accomplishment. I am thrilled the Senate has confirmed Kristi Johnson to be a U.S. District Judge. She is well-prepared and well-equipped to take her seat on the federal bench, and I'm proud she is making history to be the first woman judge to serve in the Southern District, Hyde-Smith said. I am confident that she will serve Mississippi and our nation with distinction as she upholds the Constitution and the rule of law. Johnson is the 223rd federal judge confirmed by the Senate to serve lifetime appointments on the federal bench since President Donald J. Trump took office in January 2017. Johnson earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and a law degree from Mississippi College, where she graduated summa cum laude and served as executive editor of the Mississippi College Law Review. She served as a law clerk for the Honorable Sharion Aycock with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi and for the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Johnson has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Mississippi, an adjunct professor at Mississippi College, and as Treasurer and Secretary of the Mississippi Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401870,Palazzo Encourages South Mississippi Veterans to Share Their Stories,2020-11-10,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Encourages South Mississippi Veterans to Share Their Stories f t # e Washington, November 10, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4),a veteran of the United States Marine Corpsand current member of the Mississippi National Guard,is calling on veterans in South Mississippi to take part in the Library of Congress's Veterans History Project,which allows veterans across the United States to share their stories from their timein the military. The project invites anyone who has servedin the U.S. militaryduring World WarI to present, regardless of branch or rank,to submit their personal account of serving in the military. Palazzo issued the following statement requesting South Mississippi's participation. ""South Mississippi is home to the state's largest veteran population and through this projectI want to amplify the heroic accounts I've heardthrough the years. Every story in South Mississippi deserves to be shared.This project isan engaging way to allow these stories of service to live on whileeducatingfuture generations on the sacrifices made by so many brave Americans."" How to participate: 1.Visit loc.gov/vets 2. Select""How to Participate"" 3. Select""Print theVeterans History Project Field Kit""and print/complete required forms 4.Conduct the Interview 5.Mailyour story to the Library of Congress The Project collects first-hand accounts ofU.S. Veterans from the following wars: World War, 1914-1918 World War, 1939-1945 Cold War Korean War, 1950-1953 Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Grenada--History--American Invasion, 1983 Panama--History--American Invasion, 1989 Operation Restore Hope, 1992-1993 Persian Gulf War, 1991 United Nations Operation in Somalia Haiti--History--American intervention, 1994-1995 Operation Allied Force, 1999 Peacekeeping forces--Bosnia and Hercegovina Operation Joint Guardian, 1999- War on Terrorism, 2001-2009 Afghan War, 2001- Iraq War, 2003-2011 Palazzo's office is available to answer any questions about submitting recorded interviews to the Library of Congress. Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-encourages-citizens-honor-veterans-moment-silence,HYDE-SMITH ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO HONOR VETERANS WITH MOMENT OF SILENCE,2020-11-10,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO HONOR VETERANS WITH MOMENT OF SILENCE Miss. Senator Promotes National Campaign for Veterans in 2020 Veterans Day Tribute VIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith's Veterans Day Tribute WASHINGTON, D.C. In a Veterans Day tribute, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today encouraged Mississippians to participate in a national moment of silence on Wednesday to honor veterans and their families. The Senator's tribute: The freedoms and liberties we, as Americans, enjoy every day are due to the courage and bravery of our veteranspast and present. They deserve our admiration and gratitude every day. Veterans Day this year will mark our nation's first observance of Veterans Day Moment of Silence'a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. I encourage Mississippians to join our nation in standing in silence for two minutes at 1:11 p.m. Central Time on Veterans Day, November 11th, to honor and remember our veterans. To every veteran in Mississippi, thank you for your service. As your Senator, I will continue to do all I can to fulfill the promises our nation has made to all veterans and their families. For more information on the Veterans Day Moment of Silence, visit: https://veteransdaymomentofsilence.org/ Engaging with Veterans Veterans who need assistance with federal agencies can find assistance through Hyde-Smith offices or visiting here: https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/casework Families, students, and others can contribute to the nation's understanding of military service by participating in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, which collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans. Learn more here: https://www.loc.gov/vets/vets-home.html ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-welcomes-roll-out-fy2021-appropriations-bills-senate,HYDE-SMITH WELCOMES ROLL OUT FY2021 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS IN THE SENATE,2020-11-10,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH WELCOMES ROLL OUT FY2021 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS IN THE SENATE Twelve Bills Set Table for Negotiations to Fund Federal Programs for Remainder of Fiscal Year WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed the releases of the FY2021 appropriations bills developed and unveiled by the Senate Appropriations Committee and pledged to work to complete the appropriations process that will fund important federal projects and programs in Mississippi. Hyde-Smith said the 12 bills will serve as the basis for negotiations with the House of Representatives as Congress attempts to clear FY2021 appropriations during the lame-duck session. Federal programs are currently operating under a continuing resolution, which expires Dec. 11, 2020. Mississippi stands to benefit if we can work together to complete the FY2021 appropriations process, despite the forces that have disrupted typical consideration of these spending bills this year, Hyde-Smith said. I will do my best to protect Mississippi's interests as we work in good faith to deliver certainty for our military, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other critical programs. On the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hyde-Smith serves on six subcommittees, including: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; Homeland Security; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch, on which she serves as chairman. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday provided the following links to legislative text, accompanying reports, and overall highlights for each of the Senate's FY2021 appropriations bills: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Defense Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Energy and Water Development Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Financial Services and General Government Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Homeland Security Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Legislative Branch Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill Text | Explanatory Statement | Highlights ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-1048500-awarded-yates-street-ii-lp,"Congressman Thompson Announced $1,048,500 awarded to Yates Street II, LP",2020-11-06,2020,2020-11,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded $1,048,500 in funds through the Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees Program to Yates Street II, LP located in Coahoma County. This Rural Development investment will be used to rehabilitate the existing dwelling and offer new and modernized standards utilizing tax credits and federal direct loan. For more information contact John McConahey at 256-878-2408.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/wicker-hyde-smith-palazzo-kelly-guest-call-transparency-and-accountability,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, Kelly, Guest Call for Transparency and Accountability in 2020 Election Count",2020-11-06,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss, Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the 2020 election: ""Americans should have confidence in our voting system and that all ballots have been submitted correctly and legally. This is precisely what President Trump and his legal team are seeking. ""Any allegations of voting irregularities, including ballot tampering or voting by ineligible persons, should be investigated and adjudicated to the fullest extent of the law. ""It is essential to our democracy and the integrity of our elections that this process be allowed to play out in full view of the American people, and that election observers from both sides of the aisle be allowed to participate. ""Neither the media nor states should rush to declare a winner in closely contested states until all legally-cast ballots have been counted and all legal challenges and required recounts have been resolved.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/wicker-hyde-smith-palazzo-kelly-guest-call-transparency-and-accountability-2020,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, Kelly, Guest Call for Transparency and Accountability in 2020 Election Count",2020-11-06,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss, Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the 2020 election: Americans should have confidence in our voting system and that all ballots have been submitted correctly and legally. This is precisely what President Trump and his legal team are seeking. Any allegations of voting irregularities, including ballot tampering or voting by ineligible persons, should be investigated and adjudicated to the fullest extent of the law. It is essential to our democracy and the integrity of our elections that this process be allowed to play out in full view of the American people, and that election observers from both sides of the aisle be allowed to participate. Neither the media nor states should rush to declare a winner in closely contested states until all legally-cast ballots have been counted and all legal challenges and required recounts have been resolved. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401864,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, Kelly, Guest Call for Transparency and Accountability in 2020 Election Count",2020-11-06,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss, Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the 2020 election: Americans should have confidence in our voting system and that all ballots have been submitted correctly and legally. This is precisely what President Trump and his legal team are seeking. Any allegations of voting irregularities, including ballot tampering or voting by ineligible persons, should be investigated and adjudicated to the fullest extent of the law. It is essential to our democracy and the integrity of our elections that this process be allowed to play out in full view of the American people, and that election observers from both sides of the aisle be allowed to participate. Neither the media nor states should rush to declare a winner in closely contested states until all legally-cast ballots have been counted and all legal challenges and required recounts have been resolved. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-palazzo-kelly-guest-call-transparency-and-accountability-2020-election-count,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH, PALAZZO, KELLY, GUEST CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN 2020 ELECTION COUNT",2020-11-06,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH, PALAZZO, KELLY, GUEST CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN 2020 ELECTION COUNT WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and S. Representatives Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today released the following statement on the 2020 election: Americans should have confidence in our voting system and that all ballots have been submitted correctly and legally. This is precisely what President Trump and his legal team are seeking. Any allegations of voting irregularities, including ballot tampering or voting by ineligible persons, should be investigated and adjudicated to the fullest extent of the law. It is essential to our democracy and the integrity of our elections that this process be allowed to play out in full view of the American people, and that election observers from both sides of the aisle be allowed to participate. Neither the media nor states should rush to declare a winner in closely contested states until all legally-cast ballots have been counted and all legal challenges and required recounts have been resolved. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-186644-u-s-department-justice-funds,"Congressman Thompson Announced $186,644 in U. S. Department of Justice Funds",2020-11-03,2020,2020-11,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department of Justice has awarded $186,644 in FY 2020 Project Safe Neighborhood funds to the Mississippi Division of Public Safety Planning. Project Safe Neighborhood provides the critical funding, resources, and training for law enforcement and prosecutors to combat violent crime and make their communities safer through a comprehensive approach to public safety. For more information contact Emberly Holmes, Director at (601) 977-3756.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-2345000-awarded-mississippi-second,"Congressman Thompson Announced $2,345,000 awarded to Mississippi Second Congressional District Business",2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded $2,345,000 in funds through the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program to Grande Delta Corporation located in Isola, Mississippi. This Rural Development loan guarantee investment will be used to purchase manufacturing equipment to produce healthy chips produced from catfish skins which will be provided by Consolidated Catfish. For more information contact Lawrence Johnson at 415-380-8932.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-announce-18-million-support-mississippi-delta-health-care,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $1.8 MILLION IN SUPPORT FOR MISSISSIPPI DELTA HEALTH CARE",2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $1.8 MILLION IN SUPPORT FOR MISSISSIPPI DELTA HEALTH CARE Miss. Senators Welcome USDA Rural Development Awards to Support Workforce Development and Training WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today praised the award of $1,803,058 for two healthcare training and workforce development projects in the Mississippi Delta. The Delta Health Care Services Program grants will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The University of Mississippi's ALERT Program and Mississippi State University's Delta BroadReach Healthcare project will help to expand high quality healthcare training and workforce development across the entire Mississippi Delta, Wicker said. I appreciate USDA Rural Development and the Trump administration for continuing to invest in programs that will improve quality of care and patient safety for Mississippians. These grants will apply the expertise of UMMC and Mississippi State to address healthcare disparities in the Delta and improve services overall. I'm excited that USDA Rural Development is investing in projects to implement training and best practices to affect healthcare in our state, Hyde-Smith said. The USDA Rural Development grants for Mississippi will support the following projects: University of Mississippi Medical Center $1,000,000 to help create the Advancing Local Emergency Responder Training (ALERT) program, which will provide a wide range of low to no-cost medical education classes and emergency response training programs throughout the entire Mississippi Delta Region. Mississippi State University $803,058 to help establish the Delta BroadReach Healthcare project, which will train healthcare professionals, telehealth providers, and entry-level EMTs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-highlights-manufacturers-expansion-sign-future-grenada-county-growth,HYDE-SMITH HIGHLIGHTS MANUFACTURER’S EXPANSION AS SIGN OF FUTURE GRENADA COUNTY GROWTH,2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH HIGHLIGHTS MANUFACTURER'S EXPANSION AS SIGN OF FUTURE GRENADA COUNTY GROWTH At Advanced Distributor Products Ribbon Cutting, Senator Links Business Growth with Benefits of USDA Rural Development Grant Programs Photo: Advanced Distributor Products Expansion Ceremony. GRENADA, Miss. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today highlighted the benefits of federal rural development programs as part of a greater effort to improve economic development in areas like Grenada County, which today celebrated the expansion of a major manufacturer. Hyde-Smith participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a 288,000-square-foot expansion for Advanced Distributor Products, the leading national manufacturer of air conditioning coils and HVAC systems. It is a major employer in Grenada County. In her remarks, the Senator pointed to the award of $455,400 in U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grants that will help the county fortify its vehicular service fleet. The Advanced Distributor Products expansion is exciting because it signals future job growth and economic activity in Grenada County, Hyde-Smith said. With such growth, there will be greater demands for county services, which is where USDA Rural Development programs come into play. The USDA investment of $455,400 in Grenada County makes it a partner with the county to ensure it has the vehicles and equipment needed to serve the public, she said. Serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Hyde-Smith has supported strong funding for USDA Rural Development programs, including the Community Facilities Program grants that will support Grenada County's replacement of outdated law enforcement, service, and maintenance vehicles. The Communities Facilities Program is helping counties across Mississippi improve healthcare, education, public safety, and public services for our citizens, Hyde-Smith said. I will continue working to support the USDA programs that help rural communities with water and wastewater systems, broadband service, infrastructure, and economic development. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/mississippi-delegation-supports-governor-s-request-disaster-declaration-advance,Mississippi Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Disaster Declaration in Advance of Hurricane Zeta,2020-10-29,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,,,legacy,"Pre-Landfall Declaration Would Provide Assistance to Save Lives and Protect Property WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to approve Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration in advance of Hurricane Zeta. The storm is expected to have a severe impact on the southeastern portion of Mississippi, including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. In their letter, the lawmakers note that under a federal emergency declaration the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance for 13 Mississippi counties, including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. See the full text of the letter below: Dear President Trump, In anticipation of landfall of Hurricane Zeta, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration under Section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Under the requested federal emergency declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding for thirteen Mississippi counties including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. As noted in the Governor's request, Mississippi is forecasted to face devastating impacts in the southeast portion of the State including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. This declaration would provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort. Sincerely, Roger F. Wicker United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith United States Senator Steven M. Palazzo Member of Congress Michael Guest Member of Congress ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/mississippi-delegation-supports-governors-request-disaster-declaration-advance,Mississippi Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Disaster Declaration in Advance of Hurricane Zeta,2020-10-29,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Pre-Landfall Declaration Would Provide Assistance to Save Lives and Protect Property WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to approve Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration in advance of Hurricane Zeta. The storm is expected to have a severe impact on the southeastern portion of Mississippi, including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. In their letter, the lawmakers note that under a federal emergency declaration the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance for 13 Mississippi counties, including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. See the full text of the letter below: Dear President Trump, In anticipation of landfall of Hurricane Zeta, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration under Section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Under the requested federal emergency declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding for thirteen Mississippi counties including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. As noted in the Governor's request, Mississippi is forecasted to face devastating impacts in the southeast portion of the State including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. This declaration would provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort. Sincerely, Roger F. Wicker United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith United States Senator Steven M. Palazzo Member of Congress Michael Guest Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/epa-announces-new-dicamba-registrations,EPA Announces New Dicamba Registrations,2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Andrew Wheeler, announced that EPA is approving new five-year registrations for over-the-top use of two dicamba products, Engenia®, XtendiMax®, and extending the registration of an additional dicamba product, Tavium®. ""Today's announcement brings clarity and confidence to Mississippi soybean and cotton producers as they make their purchasing decisions for the 2021 crop year,"" said Congressman Guest. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the letter in support of these registrations, and I appreciate my House colleagues who joined us in our mission to support our agriculture community. I'd like to thank Administrator Wheeler and the EPA for their efforts to preserve this important herbicide for our hard-working farmers."" ""With today's decision, farmers now have the certainty they need to make plans for their 2021 growing season,"" said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. ""After reviewing substantial amounts of new information, conducting scientific assessments based on the best available science, and carefully considering input from stakeholders we have reached a resolution that is good for our farmers and our environment."" Earlier this month, Congressman Guest and Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) led a bipartisan letter in support of these new registrations following a June decision by the Ninth Circuit Court to vacate previous registrations of dicamba products. Congressman Guest announced the letter in a press release on October 1st. ""I am pleased to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort. We are working in support of American farmers and trying to bring confidence and clarity to our producers before the upcoming crop year,"" Congressman Guest said in the October 1st press release. ""Last year's court decision put in jeopardy millions of acres of crops across our country, and especially Mississippi. As our farmers continue to battle a pandemic, natural disasters, and fluctuating markets, it is critical they have the tools necessary to a successful growing season."" The following information offers additional background on dicamba products and was provided in a press release from the EPA: ""The United States is the world's leading soybean producer and second-leading soybean exporter and also serves as the world's third-largest cotton producer and the leading cotton exporter. Today, there are limited cost-effective options to control herbicide-resistant weeds affecting these commodities. In 2018, approximately 41 percent of U.S. soybean acreage was planted with dicamba-tolerant (DT) seed and almost 70 percent of U.S. cotton acreage was planted with DT seed in 2019. Relative to alternative herbicide programs, postemergence dicamba may reduce weed control costs for some growers, possibly by as much as $10 per acre, or over five percent of net operating revenue, not accounting for all measures growers will have to take to control off-field movement of dicamba. Following reports of damage resulting from the off-site movement of dicamba, EPA amended the dicamba registration labels in 2017 and in 2018. In June 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated the registrations for three dicamba products: XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology, Engenia Herbicide, and DuPont FeXapan Herbicide. As a result of the Court's decision, EPA issued cancellation orders outlining limited circumstances under which existing stocks of the three affected products could be distributed and used until July 31, 2020."" The EPA's full press release can be found here. The letter to Administrator Wheeler led by Congressman Guest and Congressman Bishop can be found here. Congressman Guest's previous press release on the subject can be found here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401863,Mississippi Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Disaster Declaration in Advance of Hurricane Zeta,2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to approve Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration in advance of Hurricane Zeta. The storm is expected to have a severe impact on the southeastern portion of Mississippi, including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. In their letter, the lawmakers notethat under a federal emergency declaration the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance for 13 Mississippi counties, including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. See thefull text of the letterbelow: Dear President Trump, In anticipation of landfall of Hurricane Zeta, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration under Section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Under the requested federal emergency declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding for thirteen Mississippi counties including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. As noted in the Governor's request, Mississippi is forecasted to face devastating impacts in the southeast portion of the State including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. This declaration would provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort. Sincerely, Roger F. Wicker United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith United States Senator Steven M. Palazzo Member of Congress Michael Guest Member of Congress ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/miss-delegation-supports-governors-request-disaster-declaration-advance-hurricane-zeta,MISS. DELEGATION SUPPORTS GOVERNOR’S REQUEST FOR DISASTER DECLARATION IN ADVANCE OF HURRICANE ZETA,2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MISS. DELEGATION SUPPORTS GOVERNOR'S REQUEST FOR DISASTER DECLARATION IN ADVANCE OF HURRICANE ZETA Pre-Landfall Declaration Would Provide Assistance to Save Lives and Protect Property WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to approve Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration in advance of Hurricane Zeta. The storm is expected to have a severe impact on the southeastern portion of Mississippi, including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. In their letter, the lawmakers note that under a federal emergency declaration the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance for 13 Mississippi counties, including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. The letter is available below and here: Dear President Trump, In anticipation of landfall of Hurricane Zeta, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration under Section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Under the requested federal emergency declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding for thirteen Mississippi counties including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. As noted in the Governor's request, Mississippi is forecasted to face devastating impacts in the southeast portion of the State including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. This declaration would provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort. Sincerely, Roger F. Wicker United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith United States Senator Steven M. Palazzo Member of Congress Michael Guest Member of Congress ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-welcome-259-million-water-wastewater-upgrades-rural-miss,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH WELCOME $25.9 MILLION FOR WATER & WASTEWATER UPGRADES IN RURAL MISS.",2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH WELCOME $25.9 MILLION FOR WATER &WASTEWATER UPGRADES IN RURAL MISS. USDA Approves Loan/Grant Awards to 10 Rural Mississippi Communities WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed the award of more than $25.9 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funding to improve water and wastewater systems in 10 rural Mississippi communities. The funding for several communities and rural water associations is provided through the USDA Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The total $25,980,300 award consists of $23,677,300 in low-interest loans and $2,303,000 in grants. Safe water and strong public utilities are essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities, Wicker said. This additional USDA funding will support much-needed upgrades to public water and wastewater infrastructure across our state. The delivery of reliable water and wastewater service requires consistent maintenance and upgrades, which can be challenging for rural communities. Congress appropriates funding to support these USDA loans and grants to ensure rural residents, like so many in Mississippi, can receive those basic utilities, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program is focused on eligible rural populations of 10,000 or less. It provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses. The following loan and grant awards are going to Mississippi: South Central Water Association, Inc., Terry $13,904,000 loan to support drilling a 3,000-gallon-per-minute (GPM) well. The project also includes an elevated tank, distribution improvements, and construction of a shop. Hermanville Community Water Association Inc., Hermanville $128,000 loan and $383,000 grant to support upgrading water lines, installing automatic meter-reading systems, replacing all water meters, and installing a backup generator. Funds will also support installing automatic transfer switches at well sites, replacing chlorination equipment, and installing a new supervisory control and data acquisition and system. Young's Water and Sewer District, Inc., Coffeeville $490,000 loan and $268,000 grant to support installing a 150 GPM well to replace an old well, which was near maximum capacity and beyond its useful life. Delta City Utility District #2, Delta City $73,000 loan and $208,000 grant to support installing approximately 44,000 linear feet of water main pipes and upgrading the distribution system to serve new residents and resolve low water pressure issues throughout the system. Hurricane Creek Water Association, Inc., Abbeville $396,000 loan and $984,000 grant to support construction of two water supply wells and a water treatment plant. City of Nettleton $1,330,000 loan to support replacing the original water distribution lines built in 1935 with a system that incorporate erosion control, hydrants, service reconnections, and other improvements. City of Columbia $3,886,300 loan to support installing a new gravity sewer main, new sewer manholes, a triplex sanitary sewer pumping stations. The project also includes rehabilitation of three sanitary sewer lift stations and construction of new water main and waterworks operation building. Sebastopol Water Association, Sebastopol $2,740,000 loan to support drilling a 500 GPM well, a 380,000-gallon elevated tank, a 435,000-gallon ground storage tank, and distribution improvements. Green Acres Water Association, Inc., Clarksdale $352,000 loan to support installing new eight-inch sanitary sewer lines and new service connections on the existing sanitary sewer collection system in the Lane Acres Subdivision. East Chickasaw Water Association, Inc., Okolona $378,000 loan and $460,000 grant to support drilling a new well at a new site near Highway 32 to alleviate existing pressure and supply issues in the western portion of the system. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-657300-awarded-mississippi-second-congressional,"Congressman Thompson Announced $657,300 awarded to Mississippi Second Congressional District",2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"This Rural Development investment will be used for construction of a new facility that will mainly house the city's law enforcement administration with a small jailer's detention area.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-rural-water-and-wastewater-infrastructure,Congressman Thompson Announced Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements to Mississippi Second Congressional District,2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 150-gallons-per-minute well to replace the old well, which was near maximum capacity and beyond its useful life. This Rural Development investment will be used to install approximately 44,000 linear feet of polyvinyl chloride pipe water mains to serve 12 new rural residents. This Rural Development investment will be used to install new eight-inch sanitary sewer lines and new service connections on the existing sanitary sewer collection system. This Rural Development investment will be used to drill a 3,000-gallon-per-minute well, an elevated tank, distribution improvements, and construction of a shop. This Rural Development investment will be used to upgrade water lines, install automatic meter reading systems, replace all water meters, and install a backup generator. Funds will also be used to install automatic transfer switches at well sites, replace chlorination equipment, and install a new supervisory control and data acquisition system.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-announce-93-million-support-mississippi-communities,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $9.3 MILLION IN SUPPORT FOR MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITIES",2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $9.3 MILLION IN SUPPORT FOR MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITIES Miss. Senators Praise USDA Rural Development Awards to Support Equipment Purchases, Facility Upgrades WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today praised the award of $9,317,500 for 42 community improvement projects in rural Mississippi. The Community Facilities Program grants will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. These targeted investments from the USDA Rural Development program will help fund much needed equipment in communities across our state, Wicker said. The projects will enhance quality of life and improve safety for thousands of Mississippians. These USDA Rural Development grants will help fulfill the need for vehicles, equipment, and projects required by small, rural communities to better serve their residents. These federal resources are backed with local funding, which makes these projects a welcomed collaborative effort, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. The USDA Rural Development grants for Mississippi will support the following projects: City of Holly Springs, Marshall County $6,378,300 to replace 28.38 miles of cast iron pipe with 60 psig maximum allowable operating pressure pipe. Union County $700,000 to help upgrade the current 911 system. City of Port Gibson, Claiborne County $629,500 to help fund construction of a new law enforcement facility. Grenada County Board of Supervisors, Grenada County $455,400 to help purchase law enforcement vehicles, patrol vehicles, a tractor, rotary cutter, a dump truck, a compact track loader, a tractor mower, a cab, a cassis truck, a backhoe loader, and a track type tractor. Mississippi Main Street Association, Inc., Hinds County $150,000 to help provide technical assistance and training. Prentiss County Board of Supervisors, Prentiss County $100,000 to help purchase two new fire trucks. City of Louisville, Winston County $50,000 to help purchase a patrol vehicle, mini excavator, and chipper; and a second $29,800 grant to help with improvements to facilities. Town of Tishomingo, Tishomingo County $50,000 to help purchase a sewer jetter and a second $30,200 grant to help purchase a tractor. Carroll County Board of Supervisors, Carroll County $50,000 to help purchase a large truck and a second $27,800 grant to help purchase a mini excavator. City of Calhoun City, Calhoun County $36,300 to help purchase an excavator for the public works department and a second $27,700 grant to help purchase two trucks for public work. Webster County Board of Supervisors, Webster County $50,000 to help purchase a vehicle for the Sheriff's Department. Coahoma County Board of Supervisors, Coahoma County $50,000 to help purchase patrol cars. City of Kosciusko, Attala County $49,900 to help purchase patrol cars. Town of Friars Point, Coahoma County $46,900 to help with improvements to facilities. Town of De Kalb, Kemper County $44,600 to help purchase a bush hog, excavator, and mower. Town of Brooksville, Noxubee County $43,500 to help purchase a pickup truck and chipper. Wayne General Hospital, Wayne County $42,000 to help purchase a portable x-ray system. Town of Sumner, Tallahatchie County $39,700 to help purchase a law enforcement vehicle. Town of Derma, Calhoun County $37,400 to help purchase a new Jaws of Life. Town of Kilmichael, Montgomery County $34,000 to help purchase a new dump truck. City of Water Valley, Yalobusha County $30,500 to help purchase a warning siren. East Mississippi Community College, Kemper County $28,600 to help purchase a patrol car. Town of Myrtle, Union County $26,600 to help purchase a patrol car and a second $21,300 grant to help purchase a public works vehicle. Jefferson Davis Board of Supervisors, Jefferson Davis County $21,800 to help purchase a new fingerprint machine, pepper spray guns, and portable radios for the Sheriff's Department. Town of Artesia, Lowndes County $19,500 to help purchase a warning sign. Town of Tutwiler, Tallahatchie County $16,200 to help purchase a debris removal truck. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-430600-awarded-mississippi-second-congressional,"Congressman Thompson Announced $430,600 awarded to Mississippi Second Congressional District",2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Project funds will be used to assist the City of Water Valley in purchasing a Warning Siren. Project funds will be used to assist the City of Kosciusko in purchasing patrol cars. This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase law enforcement vehicles for District III of Grenada County. This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase a dump truck for District III of Grenada County. This Rural Development Investment will be used to purchase a compact track loader for District III of Grenada County. This Rural Development investment will be used to assist with purchasing a track type tractor. This Rural Development investment will be used to assist in purchasing a new dump truck. This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase a debris removal truck. This Rural Development Investment will be used to purchase a Freightliner truck.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401862,Palazzo Issues Statement on Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Issues Statement on Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court f t # e Washington, October 26, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)released the following statement after the United States Senate voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the newest Supreme Court Justice. Barrett's confirmation was approved on a vote of 52-48. ""Judge Barrett's confirmation todayis historic as she is only the fifth woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. She is extremely qualified to fill this seatand will directly interpret the Constitution, upholding faith, family, and freedom. Congratulations to Judge Barrett on her confirmation.""### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-statement-confirmation-judge-amy-coney-barrett,HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT Miss. Senator Votes to Confirm Barrett as Newest Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court PHOTO: Senator Hyde-Smith and Judge Amy Coney Barrett. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today issued a statement following her vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be the newest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Senate has rarely ever had a nominee with the exceptional qualifications and characteristics of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. I've never been more confident of a vote for a nominee than I am in voting for Judge Barrett. She will be a conservative jurist committed to interpreting the law and not legislating from the bench. In the years ahead, I believe the American people will be proud to have Judge Barrett on the Supreme Court. Hyde-Smith delivered a speech last week explaining her support for Barrett's confirmation. Find video and the text of those remarks here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-visits-miss-national-guardsmen-assigned-capital-defense-mission,HYDE-SMITH VISITS WITH MISS. NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ASSIGNED TO CAPITAL DEFENSE MISSION,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH VISITS WITH MISS. NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ASSIGNED TO CAPITAL DEFENSE MISSION Miss. Senator Attends Reenlistment Ceremony PHOTO: Senator Hyde-Smith and Mississippi Army National Guard. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today visited with members of the Mississippi Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, following a classified briefing on their assignment to the National Capital Region Integrated Air Defense System. In addition, the visit included Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, Adjutant General of Mississippi, presiding over a reenlistment ceremony for members of the Mississippi contingent. For the record, the Senator and National Guard practiced COVID-19 health protocols with the exception of 10 seconds for the image above. Additional photographs available here and here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-accepts-nfib-guardian-small-business-honor,HYDE-SMITH ACCEPTS NFIB GUARDIAN OF SMALL BUSINESS HONOR,2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH ACCEPTS NFIB GUARDIAN OF SMALL BUSINESS HONOR Designation Based on Votes, Policies Beneficial to Small Businesses WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today accepted the designation of Guardian of Small Business from the National Federation of Small Business (NFIB). Small businesses represent not only a core of Mississippi's economy, but also opportunities for entrepreneurs and the people they hire. They have my admiration and solid support, Hyde-Smith said. I appreciate this designation and will continue to do my best to support the small business sector, particularly as we work to overcome this terrible coronavirus pandemic. The NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award is based on key votes during the 116th Congress that support small businesses, including votes related to COVID-19 relief. Learn more here: https://www.nfib.com/guardian-of-small-business-awards/ ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-announces-106-million-defense-contract-tishomingo-co-manufacturer,HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCES $10.6 MILLION DEFENSE CONTRACT FOR TISHOMINGO CO. MANUFACTURER,2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCES $10.6 MILLION DEFENSE CONTRACT FOR TISHOMINGO CO. MANUFACTURER Defense Logistics Agency Taps Golden Manufacturing Co. to Produce Military Trousers WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced that the Defense Department is exercising a contract option with the Golden Manufacturing Company, Inc. in Golden, and providing $10.6 million for the firm to continue producing military garments. The Defense Logistics Agency issued the first of three one-year options associated with a $15.9 million contract awarded in May 2019. The $10.6 million one-year option is for the Tishomingo County-based company to produce various types of trousers and slacks for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. This contract option can be seen as certification of the good work being done by Golden Manufacturers and its workers to provide our military with quality garments, Hyde-Smith said. I'm pleased that this defense funding will support our national defense and jobs in North Mississippi. This latest award is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, with an Oct. 23, 2021, ordering period end date. The $10.6 million is funded through FY2021-2022 defense working capital funds. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/miss-senators-celebrate-committee-approval-mississippi-nominees-us-district-court,MISS. SENATORS CELEBRATE COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF MISSISSIPPI NOMINEES FOR U.S. DISTRICT COURT,2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MISS. SENATORS CELEBRATE COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF MISSISSIPPI NOMINEES FOR U.S. DISTRICT COURT Nominations of Kristi Johnson and Taylor McNeel Head to Full Senate for Consideration WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today hailed committee approval of the nomination Kristi H. Johnson of Brandon and Taylor B. McNeel of Pascagoula to serve as U.S. District Judges for the Southern District of Mississippi. The Senate Judiciary Committee approval on Thursday clears their nominations for consideration by the full Senate. The Committee today also advanced the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. Kristi Johnson and Taylor McNeel are outstanding picks for the federal bench in Mississippi. They will both bring an impressive record of experience and a strong conservative judicial philosophy to their work. I look forward to seeing their nominations considered by the full Senate without delay, Wicker said. Judiciary Committee approval of the Kristi Johnson and Taylor McNeel nominations sets the stage for the Senate to fill vacancies on the federal bench in Mississippi. They are both exceptional attorneys and are well qualified to serve as federal judges. Hyde-Smith said. I look forward to the full Senate confirming these outstanding Mississippians as soon as possible. Wicker and Hyde-Smith introduced Johnson and McNeel at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to consider their nominations. President Trump selected Johnson in March and McNeel in June. Johnson, a native of Hurley, serves as the first Solicitor General of Mississippi. If confirmed, she would also be the Southern District of Mississippi's first female jurist. Johnson earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and a law degree from Mississippi College, where she served as executive editor of the Mississippi College Law Review. She served as a law clerk for the Honorable Sharion Aycock with the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Mississippi and for the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Johnson has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Mississippi, an adjunct professor at Mississippi College, and as Treasurer and Secretary of the Mississippi Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Committed to excellence from an early age, McNeel was an Eagle Scout, student body president, and an all-state quarterback in high school. At the University of Mississippi, he was elected senior class president and was a member of the football team for two seasons. He graduated from law school at Ole Miss in 2008. McNeel is a partner in the law firm of Brunini, Grantham, Grower, and Hewes, where he heads the Mississippi Gulf Coast office and has led a number of cases before the Mississippi Supreme Court, Mississippi Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula and the Harrison County Bar Association. Additionally, McNeel has held a number of leadership positions in the Mississippi Bar Association. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-77-million-awarded-city-greenville,Congressman Thompson Announced $7.7 Million Awarded to City of Greenville,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department ofCommerce has awarded $7.7 Million in Economic Development funds to make infrastructure improvements needed to protect businesses from flooding in Greenville, Mississippi, Opportunity Zone. ""This EDA funding is a much needed investment in Greenville that will spur economic development, community stabilization and provide much needed jobs to the citizens of Greenville, MS,"" said Congressman Bennie G. Thompson.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-92139-comprehensive-housing-counseling-funds,"Congressman Thompson Announced $92,139 in Comprehensive Housing Counseling Funds",2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development has awarded $92,139 in Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant funds to Mississippi Home Corporation. The purpose of the Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program is to provide funds to HUD approved housing counseling agencies that provide counseling and advice to tenants and homeowners, with respect to property maintenance, financial management and literacy, and other matters as may be appropriate to assist program clients in improving their housing conditions, meeting their financial needs, and fulfilling the responsibilities of tenancy or homeownership. For more information contact Scott Spivey at (601) 718-4642.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-americans-should-be-celebrating-judge-amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court,HYDE-SMITH:  ‘AMERICANS SHOULD BE CELEBRATING’ JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT FOR THE SUPREME COURT,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH: AMERICANS SHOULD BE CELEBRATING' JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT FOR THE SUPREME COURT Miss. Senator Delivers Speech for Confirmation of Judge Barrett to Serve on U.S. Supreme Court VIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith Endorses Judge Barrett's Confirmation. VIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith's Full Speech on Judge Barrett. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today said the American people should be celebrating the prospect of Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, describing her as a stunningly successful jurist and mother. Hyde-Smith delivered a speech to the Senate to explain her support for confirming Barrett, who was nominated by President Trump in September to be an Associate Justice on the Court. Judge Barrett's life experiences as a judge, lawyer, teacher, wife, and mother will bring a valuable, and much needed, perspective to the Supreme Court. I am proud to support Judge Barrett. Now the Senate must do its Constitutional duty and confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett as soon as possible, said Hyde-Smith, who visited with Barrett in September. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday will vote on forwarding the Barrett nomination to the full Senate for consideration. [Watch 8 a.m. CDT, Oct. 22.] The Senate is expected to be in session over the weekend, with a final confirmation vote on Monday or Tuesday. Americans should be celebrating the nomination of Judge Barrett. She is brilliant, hardworking, ambitious, and a proud mother and wife. In a time where we need role models for our youth, Judge Barrett fills that role, Hyde-Smith said. The Judge is a family-oriented woman who reveres the Constitution. She is a representative for working women across the country and a testament that women can have a career and family and be stunningly successful at both. I also appreciate that she has displayed great strength in withstanding affronts to her faith and her family during the confirmation process, she continued. The text of Hyde-Smith's remarks are available below and here. U.S. SENATOR CINDY HYDE-SMITH (R-Miss.) October 21, 2020 Mr. President, it is an honor to speak in strong support of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as an associate justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. After careful review of her record and her outstanding testimony during her confirmation hearing, it is clear Judge Barrett is well suited for a lifetime appointment on the Court. Last week, Judge Barrett firmly held her own during hours and hours of questioning from my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee. She did not once falter during her hearingin fact, she excelled. Judge Barrett proved to the American people that she is prepared, talented, compassionate, and not to mention, brilliant. Judge Barrett demonstrated that she is an independent individual who can think for herself. She made clear she is an originalist who will follow the rule of law. Without a single note or binder in front of her, Judge Barrett repeatedly affirmed that she would interpret the Constitution and laws passed by Congress as they are writtenno more, no less. During her hearing, Judge Barrett testified: I apply the law. I follow the law. You make the policy. The Judge kept pointing out that we, the Senate, are the legislators. She stressed that she has no mission or agenda to change the law as she would want it. Judge Barrett made it abundantly clear that in her role as a jurist, she has no issues with setting aside her personal beliefs when applying the letter of the law. This mindset and legal philosophy is exactly the type of jurist we need on our nation's highest court. Not only did we hear from Judge Barrett, but we heard from her former professors, colleagues, and studentsthese are the people who know her best. These individuals were a witness to not only her intellect, but her character as well. The testimonies on her behalf only proved her absolute readiness for this position. Americans should be celebrating the nomination of Judge Barrett. She is brilliant, hardworking, ambitious, and a proud mother and wife. In a time where we need role models for our youth, Judge Barrett fills that role. The Judge is a family-oriented woman who reveres the Constitution. She is a representative for working women across the country and a testament that women can have a career and family and be stunningly successful at both. I also appreciate that she has displayed great strength in withstanding affronts to her faith and her family during the confirmation process. If confirmedand I am confident that she will beAmy Coney Barrett will have the honor to be the fifth woman in history to serve on the Supreme Court. The first judge as a mother of school-aged children. She will be the only sitting judge on the Court to have not attended an Ivy League law school. We must continue to ensure women, like Judge Barrett, are represented in the highest levels of our judicial system. Judge Barrett's life experiences as a judge, lawyer, teacher, wife, and mother will bring a valuable, and much needed, perspective to the Supreme Court. I am proud to support Judge Barrett. Now the Senate must do its Constitutional duty and confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett as soon as possible. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-senate-democrats-four-four-blocking-urgent-covid-19-relief,HYDE-SMITH:  SENATE DEMOCRATS FOUR-FOR-FOUR IN BLOCKING URGENT COVID-19 RELIEF,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH: SENATE DEMOCRATS FOUR-FOR-FOUR IN BLOCKING URGENT COVID-19 RELIEF $500 Billion Targeted Relief for Health, Education, Small Businesses & Agriculture Again Spoiled WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today criticized ongoing Democratic opposition to passing a targeted COVID-19 relief package to provide urgent aid to the most pressing needs of small businesses, schools, the unemployed, and the healthcare system. Senate Democrats for the fourth time since July blocked Senate debate on a targeted $500 billion bill to fund a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program, expand school safety protocols, and other priority needs for the nation to overcome the health and economic harm caused by the national health emergency. The Senate Democrats have racked up a perfect four-for-four record in terms of stopping the delivery of new COVID-19 relief. Unfortunately, their perfect record denies the citizens of my state and this great country the help they need, Hyde-Smith said. The funding and provisions in this package are noncontroversial, widely supported, and urgently needed. We are well past time to do what's needed to responsibly provide targeted assistance where it's needed now. The COVID-19 bill blocked today largely resembles similar legislation sunk by the Democrats in early September. Both measures provided important agricultural assistance that would benefit Mississippi, including $20 billion of additional farm assistance and $500 million in direct federal assistance for fisheries. On Tuesday, Senate Democrats also blocked a standalone measure to provide $257.64 billion to support the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and PPP Second Draw Loans. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-102145-comprehensive-housing-counseling-funds,"Congressman Thompson Announced $102,145 in Comprehensive Housing Counseling Funds",2020-10-20,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development has awarded $102,145 in Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant funds to the following: Recipient Amount Contact Housing Education and Economic Development, Inc. 3405 Medgar Evers Blvd Jackson, Mississippi $5,508 Charles Harris 601-981-1960 Mississippi Homebuyer Education Center-Initiative 350 West Woodrow Wilson Ave, Suite 3480 Jackson Mississippi $96,637 Eric Eades 601-291-2811 The purpose of the Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program is to provide funds to HUD approved housing counseling agencies that provide counseling and advice to tenants and homeowners, with respect to property maintenance, financial management and literacy, and other matters as may be appropriate to assist program clients in improving their housing conditions, meeting their financial needs, and fulfilling the responsibilities of tenancy or homeownership.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-votes-covid-19-small-business-relief-senate-dems-continue-obstruction,"HYDE-SMITH VOTES FOR COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF, BUT SENATE DEMS. CONTINUE OBSTRUCTION",2020-10-20,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH VOTES FOR COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF, BUT SENATE DEMS. CONTINUE OBSTRUCTION WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted for the first of two measures intended to overcome partisan obstruction and begin delivering additional COVID-19 relief to the nation. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats effectively blocked consideration of the Continuing Paycheck Protection Program Act. The measure would have provided $257.64 billion to support the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and PPP Second Draw Loans. We all recognize that the Paycheck Protection Program successfully kept hard-hit small businesses and their employees afloat as the coronavirus battered our economy. It's a shame that Senate Democrats continue to cling to an all-or-nothing strategy instead of getting real help out the door right now, Hyde-Smith said. The PPP benefitted many Mississippians, who now look to Congress to do more to help our economy. In addition to supporting PPP and PPP Second Draw Loans, the Continuing Paycheck Protection Program Act would have simplified the PPP loan forgiveness process and expanded forgivable expenses. It would have also established a specific PPP loan calculation for farmers and ranchers, and provided the Farm Credit System Institutions with greater certainty and equity in PPP lending participation. We will not give up on delivering responsible, targeted assistance to where it is most urgently needed, Hyde-Smith said. On Wednesday, the Senate will attempt to proceed to a broader $500 billion targeted relief package that addresses more PPP, unemployment benefits, safe school operations, COVID tests needs, vaccine development, and healthcare needs. This package also includes significant support for agricultural interests. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-back-constitutional-amendment-legislation-block-supreme-court-packing,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH BACK CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT & LEGISLATION TO BLOCK SUPREME COURT PACKING",2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH BACK CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT & LEGISLATION TO BLOCK SUPREME COURT PACKING Proposals Would Enshrine Nine-Justice Court, Require Supermajority Support for Future Expansion WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today joined U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), to introduce two proposals to protect the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court and prevent future partisan manipulation of the Court's size. The Senators launched the legislative effort in response to recent threats from national Democrats to pack the U.S. Supreme Court by expanding its size and adding reliably liberal justices under a possible future Democrat-led government. Proposals to pack' the Supreme Court and add seats to change its ideological balance should concern every American, Wicker said. There have been nine seats on the Supreme Court for more than 150 years, providing stability and trust in the rule of law. These two proposals would protect the independence of our federal judiciary and ensure our nation's highest court is not subject to political games. Having nine justices on the United States Supreme Court has worked for more than 150 years. Today, the long-standing checks and balances that are the foundation of our democracy would be thrown into crisis if threats to pack the court are successful. Packing the court is all about politics and power, not principle, Hyde-Smith said. The legislation we introduce today would keep our democracy intact and isolate the judiciary from the political whims of our colleagues across the aisle. The first proposal, also known as the Keep Nine amendment, would amend the U.S. Constitution to prevent the expansion or contraction of the Supreme Court and codify the current nine-member court. The second proposal would require a supermajority (two-thirds) vote before any legislative effort to modify the size of the Court could be considered in the Senate. If enacted, the two proposals would provide a substantial barrier to future attempts to change the composition of the Supreme Court. Currently, the number of justices on the Court could be modified with a simple majority vote in Congress and the approval of the President. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-new-yazoo-area-pump-plan-marks-significant-milestone-effort-reduce-backwater-flooding,HYDE-SMITH:  NEW YAZOO AREA PUMP PLAN MARKS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN EFFORT TO REDUCE BACKWATER FLOODING,2020-10-16,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH: NEW YAZOO AREA PUMP PLAN MARKS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN EFFORT TO REDUCE BACKWATER FLOODING Draft Pump Proposal Released by Army Corps Will Reduce Flooding, Benefit Environment and Wildlife VIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith Comments on U.S. Army Corps Plan on Yazoo Backwater Pumps. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith today welcomed the long-anticipated release of a new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan that recommends moving forward on a flood control project to address the catastrophic Yazoo Backwater Area flooding that has plagued the South Mississippi Delta in nine of the last 10 years. The Army Corps on Friday announced in the Federal Register the Draft Supplement No. 2 to the 1982 Yazoo Area Pump Project Final Environmental Impact Statement, a new Proposed Plan that would breathe new life into the Yazoo Backwater Area Pumps project. The Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is now available for public review and comment through Nov. 30, 2020. The Vicksburg District's recommendation to move forward with a new and improved Yazoo Area Pump Project proposal is a significant milestone, said Hyde-Smith, who has championed the effort to reverse a 2008 veto of the pumps project. Residents of the South Mississippi Delta have suffered enough. Over the past decade, we have lost lives, homes and businesses, suffered hundreds of millions in economic damages, and observed catastrophic impacts to the environment and wildlife. I commend Commander Colonel Robert Hilliard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District for their swift and diligent work on this new and promising plan, the Senator said. I also strongly recommend that Mississippians study the Draft SEIS and comment in favor of taking the next steps required to finish the pumps. The Draft SEIS will serve as an update to the Corps' 2007 environmental documentation, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The report takes into account new and improved environmental data in the study area, which has suffered significant flood events in nine out of the last 10 years with substantial environmental, economic, and public safety damage. The Corps' draft plan recommends a new location for the Yazoo Backwater pumping station, which would be operated by natural gas rather than diesel. It would also entail thousands of acres of conservation easements for reforestation, and the installation of 34 supplemental low flow groundwater wells to enhance aquatic resources. In the Draft SEIS, the Corps determines that the Proposed Plan is the most balanced, implementable approach, and meets the economic and environmental needs of the basin. Based on new environmental and wetland data from the Yazoo Backwater Area, the updated evaluation also found that precipitation is the dominant driver of wetland hydrology in much of the Yazoo Basin. As a result, impacts to wetland functions are not anticipated to convert any wetlands into non-wetlands. The Corps determined, Inflow from the Yazoo Study Area drainage area into the ponding areas when the water control structures are closed causes interior flooding in the Yazoo Study Area that needs to be reduced. The flooding affects public roads and bridges; residential and nonresidential structures; other infrastructure; environmental resources; and agricultural, forested, and timber management lands. As a result, flooding has caused undue hardships and economic losses to residents of the area due to flooding of homes, disruption of sanitation facilities, lines of communications, and transportation. This flooding constitutes a major problem to residents and is a detriment to economic development of the Yazoo Study Area, therefore a definite need exists for the reduction of this flooding. A flood damage reduction project would benefit all sections of the economy and contribute to the well-being of all area residents. More than $984.5 million in agricultural crop damages have been observed from various flood events since 2008, which does not even take into account the hundreds of thousands of acres that went unplanted because floodwaters rose in early spring and remained high through the planting season. In 2019 and 2020, for instance, more than 200,000 acres were prevented from planting, which means hundreds of millions of dollars in economic output the area could have generated, Hyde-Smith said. Recent studies conducted by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Mississippi State University Extension Service on the economic impacts of the 2019 backwater flooding found that 687 homes were damaged or destroyed, the average out-of-pocket expenses for area residents was $42,160, and that it could take years to fully realize the impact the flood had on area wildlife. The Draft SEIS estimates that flood damages across all categories would have been reduced by 75 percent if the proposed project would have been in place. Public Comment Period Due to COVID-19, the Army Corps will conduct virtual public meetings to provide information on the project and to receive verbal public comments. Time and meeting details for these public events will be provided in subsequent media release and advertisements. The Army Corps will accept written comments through Nov. 30, 2020. Comments on the Draft Addendum should be sent by e-mail to YazooBackwater@usace.army.mil or by mail to: District Engineer U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District 4155 Clay Street Vicksburg, Mississippi 39138-3435 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-935065-u-s-department-justice-funds,"Congressman Thompson Announced $935,065 in U. S. Department of Justice Funds",2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department of Justice has awarded $935,065 in funds to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-miss-awarded-21-million-reduce-dna-forensic-backlogs,"HYDE-SMITH:  MISS. AWARDED $2.1 MILLION TO REDUCE DNA, FORENSIC BACKLOGS",2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH: MISS. AWARDED $2.1 MILLION TO REDUCE DNA, FORENSIC BACKLOGS Miss. Dept. of Public Safety & City of Jackson Receive U.S. Dept. of Justice Grants WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today reported the award of more than $2.1 million in grants to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) and City of Jackson to address backlogs in DNA and forensic analyses. The DPS will receive two grants from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance$670,367 from the Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program and $264,698 from the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. The City of Jackson was awarded $1,179,593 through the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). The Justice Department grants support the work of state and publicly-funded crime labs to analyze DNA and forensic evidence. It is critical to public safety and our justice system to reduce backlogs and solve crimes, including sexual assaults and other violent offenses, Hyde-Smith said. The CEBR Program funding will support, among other things, DPS efforts to conduct DNA analyses of database samples, including forensic case samples, for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System. The formula Coverdell grant funding supports improved forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services. The SAKI grant will give the City of Jackson added resources to address sexual assault kits that have not been submitted to a forensic laboratory for testing with Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)-eligible DNA methodologies. It will also work to support a comprehensive approach to solving sexual assault crimes. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-encourage-students-apply-us-senate-youth-program-1,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR U.S. SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM",2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR U.S. SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM Application Deadline is Dec. 1 for $10,000 College Scholarship Program WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today encouraged Mississippi juniors and seniors involved in student leadership to apply for the 2021 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP), an educational program that will provide $10,000 college scholarships to two delegates from the Magnolia State. A Dec. 1, 2020, application deadline has been set for the program's 59th annual Washington Week, March 14-18, 2021. Because of COVID-19 concerns, the USSYP 2021 Washington Week ONLINE will be virtual. The 2021 U.S. Senate Youth Program is adapting to our current environment and going virtual. This year's program will provide a unique opportunity for our state's young leaders to engage with our nation's highest levels of government, said Wicker, who serves on the USSYP Senate Advisory Committee. I encourage every eligible student to apply for this special opportunity. Even as a virtual experience, the Senate Youth Program offers student leaders a chance to get firsthand exposure to our nation's leaders and the workings of the government. I encourage Mississippi's talented students to look at this valuable program and apply for the 2021 Washington Week, Hyde-Smith said. Applicants must be juniors or seniors and elected or appointed student officers for the 2019-2020 or the 2020-2021 academic year. Because of COVID-19, students unable to serve in qualifying leadership positions for the 2020-2021 academic year may use positions held in the previous year. The selected Mississippi delegates will be among 104 student delegates overall. The Hearst Foundation fully funds this program, which provides a $10,000 college scholarship to each delegate. The 2021 Washington Week ONLINE, like previous in-person programs, will connect USSYP delegates with the highest-level officials from each branch of government, including their Senators, the President, cabinet secretaries, a justice of the Supreme Court, senior members of the national media and other key policymakers. Interested students can visit https://www.ussenateyouth.org/ for more information. The USSYP 2021 Washington Week ONLINE brochure is available here . To apply, students should also contact their high school principal or Mississippi's state selection administrator: Mrs. Sandra Hilliard Education Specialist, Sr. Mississippi Department of Education shilliard@mdek12.org (601) 359-2213 https://mdek12.org/OTL/OTC/USSYP Mississippi's 2020 USSYP delegateswere Bobby Current of Olive Branch and Alex Stradinger of Ridgeland. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-announce-682-million-fema-disaster-aid-associated-easter-day-disaster,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $6.82 MILLION IN FEMA DISASTER AID ASSOCIATED WITH EASTER DAY DISASTER",2020-10-09,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $6.82 MILLION IN FEMA DISASTER AID ASSOCIATED WITH EASTER DAY DISASTER Funding Will Offset Debris Removal Costs for MDOT, Covington and Jasper Counties WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced more than $6.82 million in federal disaster assistance to offset debris removal costs from the fatal Easter Sunday tornadoes and severe storms in Mississippi last April. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Grants were approved for Covington and Jasper counties, in addition to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). President Trump issued a federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4536) related to severe storms on April 12, 2020, which claimed more than a dozen lives, injured hundreds more, and caused extensive damage in counties across the state. In the wake of several strong storms and tornadoes this Easter, communities across Mississippi were faced with massive cleanup expenses, Wicker said. These funds from FEMA will help our counties recover and prepare for future storms and other natural disasters. These FEMA grants focus on work done to insure public safety following the deadly storms last Easter. Debris removal is an immediate priority following disasters, and this assistance will ease the budgetary burdens on MDOT and Covington and Jasper counties, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over FEMA. The FEMA Public Assistance grants, which cover 75 percent of overall project costs, include: Covington County $3,243,015 to offset the cost of removing more than 226,000 cubic yards of vegetative and construction/demolition debris. Jasper County $1,291,028 to offset the cost of removing more than 197,285 cubic yards of vegetative and construction/demolition debris. MDOT $2,287,720 to offset debris removal operations in Clarke, Covington, Davis, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lawrence, and Walthall counties. FEMA Public Assistant Grants provide supplemental disaster assistance to state, local and tribal governments, and certain types of private, nonprofit organizations for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5038,"Kelly Hosts Virtual Academy Day 2020 October 8, 2020 | Posted in Press Releases Washington - Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01) is pleased to invite First District middle and high school students, parents, and educators to participate in Virtual Academy Day 2020. Representatives from the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy,… Read more »",2020-10-08,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Trent Kelly,K000388,trentkelly.house.gov,trentkelly,https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Washington - Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01) is pleased to invite First District middle and high school students, parents, and educators to participate in Virtual Academy Day 2020. Representatives from the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, Marion Military Institute, Mississippi State University Army ROTC, and the University of Mississippi ROTC will participate in the virtual Zoom event. A question and answer session will follow presentations by each member of the panel. Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, or Android device. For more information, please visit TrentKelly.house.gov What: Virtual Academy Day 2020 Where: Virtual Zoom Event When: Saturday, October 10 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST How: Please click this URL to join: https://ushr/zoomgov.com/i/1607491809 or copy and paste the link in your browser. For more information, please contact Military Academy Liaison Robert Smith at (662) 687-1540 or Robert.Smith@mail.house.gov Representative Trent Kelly represents Mississippi's First Congressional District. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, serving as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Rep. Kelly also serves on the House Agriculture Committee. This is his third term. ###",1,2026-04-07T14:16:54Z,2026-04-07T14:20:22Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-joins-amicus-brief-protecting-religious-freedom,HYDE-SMITH JOINS AMICUS BRIEF ON PROTECTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM,2020-10-07,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH JOINS AMICUS BRIEF ON PROTECTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Senators Side with Capitol Hill Baptist Church as D.C. Allows Mass Protests While Barring Most Outdoor Worship Services WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today joined dozens of her colleagues in filing an amicus brief supporting the religious freedom lawsuit filed by the Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) against Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District of Columbia. The amicus brief, led by Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), argues that selective enforcement of COVID-19 orders by Bowser and the District violates the church's First Amendment rights and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). This amicus brief argues that religious freedom is not a second-tier First Amendment right under the Constitution, Hyde-Smith said. I appreciate Senator Wicker leading this effort to protect the constitutional rights of worshipers. CHBC in late September filed the complaint in light of Bowser permitting and participating in mass protests, while continually prohibiting religious gatherings of more than 100 individuals outdoors. The Senators' amicus brief argues, in part: Whether viewed as a matter of free speech, the freedom of assembly, or the free exercise of religion protected by the Constitution and RFRA, the result is the same: The Mayor's discrimination against houses of worship rests on a mistaken, and unconstitutional, premise that one particular exercise of free speecha church's desire to gather together and worship their Godis subordinate to other First Amendment-protected activities. This Court should enforce the First Amendment's promise of free speech for all by issuing a preliminary injunction to prevent the Mayor and the District of Columbia from prohibiting outdoor religious services that adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols. CHBC has complied with the COVID-19 orders issued by Bowser since March, which include banning outdoor religious services of more than 100 people, regardless of social distancing and mask wearing. Since June, however, Bowser and the District of Columbia have supported outdoor protests and gatherings of other groups. In June and again in September, the District denied CHBC applications to waive the 100-person restriction to facilitate outdoor worship services in the city. Other Senators signing the amicus brief include: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James E. Risch (R-Idaho), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.). A copy of the Senators' amicus brief is available here. In addition to this brief, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a statement of interest in federal district court supporting CHBC. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-announce-347-million-usda-grants-telemedicine-distance-learning,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $3.47 MILLION USDA GRANTS FOR TELEMEDICINE & DISTANCE LEARNING",2020-10-07,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCE $3.47 MILLION USDA GRANTS FOR TELEMEDICINE & DISTANCE LEARNING WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed the award of almost $3.5 million in telemedicine and distance learning grants to five healthcare and educational organizations in Mississippi. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program awards will support multi-county projects led by the Delta Health Center, Inc., Greenwood-Leflore Hospital, Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and the Pearl River County School District. Connecting more Mississippians to healthcare and educational opportunities remains a top priority, especially as our communities recover from the coronavirus pandemic. I appreciate President Trump and Secretary Sonny Perdue for their commitment to meeting these urgent needs in our state, said Wicker, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. I am very pleased to see Mississippi receive these distance learning and telemedicine dollars, which are part of a broader effort by Congress to close the digital divide in rural areas. These projects will mean greater access to healthcare and educational resources, both of which are key to improving opportunities for rural Mississippians, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. The $3,476,970 awarded to Mississippi through USDA Rural Development will support these DLT projects: Delta Health Center, Inc.,Mound Bayou $1,000,000 to increase access to telemedicine services throughout its service area in Bolivar, Coahoma, Sunflower, and Washington counties. Greenwood-Leflore Hospital, Greenwood $996,871 to implement telehealth consultations between the hospital and five clinics serving Leflore, Carroll, Holmes, Montgomery, and Tallahatchie, including access to primary care physicians and specialists, and remote patient monitoring. Coahoma Community College, Clarksdale $943,884 to support distance learning by deploying synchronous interactive video conferencing among the college and high schools in Coahoma, Bolivar, and Quitman counties. Pearl River County School District,Carriere $288,692 to support a project to bring distance learning technologies to rural schools in order to expand access to content and instruction, particularly in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) areas. Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Wesson $247,523 to install interactive telecommunications equipment to support STEM-focused distance learning on the three Co-Lin campuses in Copiah, Adams, and Simpson counties. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bennie-thompson-announces-624496-awarded-south-central-community,"Congressman Bennie Thompson Announces $624,496 Awarded to South Central Community Action Agency",2020-10-05,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration has awarded $624,496 in grant funds to the South Central Community Action Agency through the Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) Program. The South Central Community Action Agency (SCCAA) near Jackson will use funding to test the feasibility of an integrated electronic fare payment system for riders of eight partner agencies in rural Mississippi. The system will provide a universal payment card for unbanked riders to pay fares via cash, mobile device or web, including subsidies, to travel anywhere in the partner areas covering 9,000 square miles.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-praises-469-million-usda-grant-expand-internet-service-five-miss-counties,HYDE-SMITH PRAISES $4.69 MILLION USDA GRANT TO EXPAND INTERNET SERVICE IN FIVE MISS. COUNTIES,2020-10-05,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH PRAISES $4.69 MILLION USDA GRANT TO EXPAND INTERNET SERVICE IN FIVE MISS. COUNTIES Bay Springs Telephone Co. Will Expand Broadband Fiber Service in Jasper, Jones, Newton, Lauderdale and Smith Counties BAY SPRINGS, Miss. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today celebrated the award of a $4.69 million U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect Program grant for the Bay Springs Telephone Co. to construct 116 miles of broadband fiber in Jasper, Jones, Newton, Lauderdale, and Smith counties. Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and Senate Agriculture Committee, joined USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach and local officials to announce the USDA Rural Development funding. The ReConnect Program grant funds will help provide high-speed internet e-Connectivity to thousands of Mississippians across five rural counties. I'm excited that this important USDA Rural Utility Service investment will benefit households, businesses, farms, and our essential public safety, community services, educational, and healthcare facilities, Hyde-Smith said. I look forward to seeing all of the benefits that this ReConnect Program investment brings to this region of Mississippi, she said. The Senator also commended the Bay Springs Telephone Company for applying successfully for the grant, which will be matched with $1.56 million in nonfederal funding. The overall $6.25 million project will allow the company to expand internet service beyond the 5,238 customers currently receiving internet service. The ReConnect Program, administered by the USDA Rural Development Rural Utility Service, is a broadband pilot program created by Congress to provide USDA Rural Development financing and funding options (loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations) for broadband deployment in rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband. The CARES Act provided an additional $100 million for grants under the ReConnect Program. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has prioritized connecting America's rural communities to this essential infrastructure, Ibach said. When rural America thrives, all of America thrives, and expanding access to this critical infrastructure will help ensure rural America prospers for years to come. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-recommend-actions-now-resume-noaa-fisheries-surveys-2021,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH RECOMMEND ACTIONS NOW TO RESUME NOAA FISHERIES SURVEYS IN 2021",2020-10-05,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH RECOMMEND ACTIONS NOW TO RESUME NOAA FISHERIES SURVEYS IN 2021 2020 Surveys, Critical to Coastal Communities, Suspended Due to COVID-19 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), in an effort to help Mississippi coastal communities whose economies rely on fishing, are calling for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to begin planning now to resume fisheries surveys in 2021. The Mississippi Senators are among 19 Senators who signed a letter to NOAA Acting Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs recommending the agency begin identifying and resolving any challenges created by COVID-19 that prevented fisheries surveys from occurring in 2020 in order to ensure 2021 surveys can take place. NOAA Fisheries suspended the surveys in May amid COVID-19 logistical and health concerns. Any challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, whether logistical or health-related, that prevented surveys from occurring in 2020 should be identified and resolved through immediate planning and preparation, the Senators wrote. We encourage NOAA Fisheries to work with other federal agencies and private industries that have successfully conducted research cruises and other operations at sea during the pandemic, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard; identify successful strategies for minimizing risks; and develop a proactive plan to protect the safety of scientists and crew while ensuring NOAA can complete its core survey mission in FY21. In seeking a written plan for FY2021 surveys before Dec. 15, 2020, the Senators also stressed the employment and economic impact of fishery operations to U.S. coastal communities. Fishery and ecosystem research surveys are essential to support the U.S. blue economy and provide valuable fishery-independent data needed to carry out provisions of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Data collected from NOAA's research surveys are used to manage commercial and recreational fisheries that contributed 1.74 million jobs, over $240 billion in sales, and $111 billion in gross domestic product to the U.S. economy in 2017. The economic output of U.S. fisheries is maximized by setting accurate quotas and catch limits, which depend on the long-term, fishery-independent datasets collected by NOAA's research surveys, the Senators wrote. While NOAA used alternative data collection methods after suspending surveys in May, those methods are not sufficient replacements for the typical large-scale, long-term research surveys required to sustainably manage fisheries under the MSA. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) led the letter, which was also signed by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Angus King (I-Maine), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). A copy of the letter is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-gets-flu-vaccine-calls-mississippians-do-same,"HYDE-SMITH GETS FLU VACCINE, CALLS ON MISSISSIPPIANS TO DO THE SAME",2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH GETS FLU VACCINE, CALLS ON MISSISSIPPIANS TO DO THE SAME Annual Flu Outbreak Will Add Pressure for Healthcare Providers Amid Ongoing Pandemic PHOTO: Senator Hyde-Smith Receives Annual Flu Shot. MADISON, Miss. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today received a flu shot and encouraged fellow Mississippians to be vaccinated amid concerns that the annual influenza outbreak will place added burdens on healthcare workers and hospitals already treating COVID-19 patients. Hyde-Smith received her annual flu shot at Walgreens in Madison in order to call attention to the availability of the flu vaccine and its importance. Getting a flu shot is important every year, but it is especially important this year with COVID-19. We need to make sure that we protect ourselves from the flu to keep our hospitals from getting overwhelmed this winter, Hyde-Smith said. I hope my fellow Mississippians will do their part to protect themselves and their communities by getting vaccinated against the flu. Hyde-Smith noted that while Mississippi is a national leader in childhood vaccination rates, the state ranks poorly when it comes to vaccination rates against flu for adults. Let's change that this year and put Mississippi at the top for flu vaccination rates, Hyde-Smith said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions, as an effective way to decrease flu illness, hospitalization, and death. Flu shots are offered at no cost, with most insurance, as well as with Medicare Part B and Medicaid. They are currently available at Walgreens and other pharmacies across the state, and the Mississippi State Department of Health also notes that county health departments also provide flu shots to all children, and to qualifying adults who lack insurance coverage. Use the Walgreens Find Care function through the Walgreens app or online to find a Walgreens near you, or use the CDC Flu Shot Locator to identify other pharmacies and retail centers offering flu shots in the state. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-group-lawmakers-calls-new-registrations-dicamba-products,Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Calls for New Registrations for Dicamba Products,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Michael Guest,G000591,guest.house.gov,guest,https://guest.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Congressman Michael Guest (R-MS) and Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) led a bipartisan letter encouraging the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Andrew Wheeler, to issue new registrations for four dicamba products. Because the Ninth Circuit Court's ruling in June of this year vacated prior registrations for Engenia®, Xtendimax®, and FeXapan®, many farmers face an uncertain future about the use of products they rely on to help manage soybean, cotton, and other crops. New registrations of the products would help clarify the use of these critical products as farmers begin making decisions on their management strategies for next year. ""I am pleased to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort. We are working in support of American farmers and trying to bring confidence and clarity to our producers before the upcoming crop year,"" Congressman Michael Guest said. Last year's court decision put in jeopardy millions of acres of crops across our country, and especially Mississippi. As our farmers continue to battle a pandemic, natural disasters, and fluctuating markets, it is critical they have the tools necessary to a successful growing season."" ""The 9th Circuit court ruling to vacate the registration for dicamba products Engenia®, Xtendimax®, and FeXapan®was disruptive to our farming community nationwide as well as in Georgia. Our farm producers are now faced with identifying alternative weed control methods. As the next growing season approaches, the release of a new registration with the most up-to-date, scientifically based data will aid in meeting the demands for our food supply chain,"" said Congressman Sanford Bishop A bipartisan group of 30 Members of Congress joined the letter. A copy of the letter is available here. You can find the full text of the letter below: Dear Administrator Wheeler: We write today to encourage the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue new registrations for dicamba products Engenia®, Xtendimax®, FeXapan®, and Tavium®. We also support issuance of these registrations quickly and in simple, clear, and understandable language so that producers can make herbicide and seed purchasing decisions ahead of the 2021 crop year. We understand that the Agency's decision on new dicamba registrations has been challenging due to the June decision by the 9th Circuit Court to vacate all three registrations. However, we also understand the EPA now has newer data and information on the products, as well as information from states on the effectiveness of stewardship and training programs that have been recently implemented, and we are confident that the EPA will be able to address the issues raised by the court. These three products are used across millions of acres of dicamba-tolerant soybean, cotton, and other crops to manage broadleaf weeds throughout the crop growing season. It is especially important for these crops that weed control is managed throughout the growing season, not simply until crop-emergence. The ability to control weed growth, regardless of when weeds occur during the growing process, ensures a full, successful crop. We hope that any new registration will allow for the over the top application of the dicamba products throughout the growing season. Without new registrations, the industry may not be able to handle the demand shifts that would result from the unavailability of these products. During these trying times for our producers, in which they have battled a pandemic, natural disasters, and fluctuating markets, it would be unfair to subject them to such changes that may impact the cost and effectiveness of their growing season. Without these products, we are also removing an additional crop protection tool that is critical to producers, as they have invested significantly into the dicamba tolerant trait crop. We appreciate the support your agency has provided to our farmers and ranchers. We encourage EPA to proceed swiftly with new registrations for these dicamba products so that our producers can have a clear and understandable direction going into the 2021 crop year. # # #",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401853,Palazzo Commends House Passage of DESCEND Act,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Commends House Passage of DESCEND Act f t # e Washington, October 1, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)released the following statementcommending the U.S. House of Representatives for voting to passH.R. 5126, the Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020(DESCEND Act), a bipartisan bill thatrequires recreational and commercial fishermen to possess a descending device that is either rigged and ready to use or a venting tool while reef fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.This bill addresses the use of descending devices to release reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico.A descending device is an instrument that will release fish at a depth sufficient for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma.This legislation will curb the discarding of fish thatsuffer from barotrauma when being reeled in. ""As an avid sportsman and fisherman, I understand the need for improved fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico and commend the House for advancing this legislation. The DESCEND Act will reduce the wasteful disposal of red snapper and other reef fishthatexperience barotrauma whilesupporting a healthier fishing economy in our region."" Specifically, the bill requires: Commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone; The Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and produce a report on discard mortality in the Gulf reef fish fisheries;and Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to develop guidance for reporting discards and associated mortality and develop a plan to assess the effectiveness and usage of barotrauma-reducing devices. Palazzo is an original cosponsor of the DESCEND Act of 2020. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401854,Palazzo Votes Against HEROES 2.0 Act,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Votes Against HEROES 2.0 Act f t # e Washington, October 1, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)released the following statement after voting against the Democrats' latest attempt at a COVID-19relief bill. ""This nation is in desperate need of relief, and this partisanproposalis not the solution.Speaker Pelosi's multitrillion-dollar-billturns its back on American workers andsmall businesses while putting illegal immigrants ahead of our own people.Now is not the time to adopt the socialist pipe dream, it is time to pass targeted relief that gets our economy back on track without jeopardizing the future of our country by adding trillions more in insurmountable debt. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-votes-protect-health-coverage-those-pre-existing-conditions,HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO PROTECT HEALTH COVERAGE FOR THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO PROTECT HEALTH COVERAGE FOR THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS Miss. Senator Critical of Partisan Trivialization of an Issue with Broad Bipartisan Support WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today reiterated her support for protecting health coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions and criticized Senate Democrats for trivializing bipartisan desires to ensure health insurance access for those individuals. Hyde-Smith on Wednesday night voted for the Senate to proceed to the Protect Act (S.4675), a bill to codify separately into law the pre-existing conditions provisions of the flawed Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Enactment of such a law would assure individuals with pre-existing conditions are not denied health coverage or charged more for the care they require, regardless of the fate of Obamacare overall. We all know people with pre-existing conditions, some of whom are our own family members. Not one of us want insurance companies to put them in harm's way, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee. I regret that progress is perpetually hamstrung by partisan games that, interestingly enough, always reach a fevered pitch every other October. Instead of engaging in these partisan games, we should all be working together to give Americans more affordable health insurance options within a healthcare system that works better for patients and families, she said. The vote on the Protect Act stalled on party lines, as did a separate Democratic measure voted on Thursday. Both votes were spurred continued efforts to enact more patient-centered policies and ongoing legal challenges to Obamacare. The Protect Act, which Hyde-Smith cosponsored Thursday, would amend the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to: Guarantee the availability of health insurance coverage in the individual or group market, regardless of pre-existing conditions; Prohibit discrimination against patients based on health status, including prohibiting increased premiums for patients due to pre-existing conditions; and Prohibit insurance companies from excluding coverage of treatments for a beneficiary's pre-existing condition. The bill aligns with President Trump's Executive Order on An America-First Healthcare Plan, released on Sept. 24, 2020. It outlines the President's ongoing commitment to protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions and reaffirmed that [i]t has been and will continue to be the policy of the United States to give Americans seeking healthcare more choice, lower costs, and better care and to ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions can obtain the insurance of their choice at affordable rates. Last October, Hyde-Smith was part of a successful effort to stop a Senate Democratic effort to overturn the Trump administration's State Relief and Empowerment Waivers guidelines, which give states greater flexibility in administering Obamacare mandates. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announces-u-s-department-education-revised-title-1,CONGRESSMAN THOMPSON ANNOUNCES U. S. Department of Education Revised Title 1 Allocations,2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U.S. Department of Education Revised Final Fiscal Year 2020 Title 1 Allocations to the following: Local Educational Agency Amount Attala County School District $455,469 Canton Public School District $1,796,458 Carroll County School District $383,722 Claiborne County School District $1,247,318 Clarksdale Municipal School District $3,827,620 Cleveland School District $1,615,018 Clinton Public School District $820,874 Coahoma County School District $1,473,618 Coffeeville School District $338,585 Copiah County School District $1,551,653 East Tallahatchie School District $895,192 Greenville Public School District $5,746,173 Greenwood Public School District $2,830,222 Grenada School District $1,485,867 Hazlehurst City School District $1,070,808 Hinds County School District $1,474,246 Hollandale School District $645,149 Holmes County Consolidated School District $2,910,275 Humphreys County School District $1,633,578 Jackson Public School District $16,123,816 Jefferson County School District $1,152,900 Kosciusko School District $1,127,585 Leake County School District $1,946,819 Leflore County School District $2,786,064 Leland School District $791,612 North Bolivar Consolidated School District $961,250 North Panola School District $1,448,074 Quitman County School District $1,197,247 South Delta School District $835,468 South Panola School District $1,655,007 Sunflower County Consolidated School District $3,452,937 Tunica County School District $1,619,478 Vicksburg Warren School District $3,539,321 Water Valley School District $525,134 West Bolivar Consolidated School District $1,274,205 West Tallahatchie School $627,265 Western Line School District $1,446,402 Winona-Montgomery County Consolidated School District $855,485 Yazoo City Municipal School District $1,706,345 Yazoo County School District $1,000,936",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:28:51Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-meets-judge-amy-coney-barrett-confident-confirmation,"HYDE-SMITH MEETS JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT, CONFIDENT OF CONFIRMATION",2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH MEETS JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT, CONFIDENT OF CONFIRMATION VIDEO & B-ROLL: Senator Hyde-Smith Meets Supreme Court Nominee Judge Barrett. PHOTO: Senator Hyde-Smith Meets Supreme Court Nominee Judge Barrett. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today met with Judge Amy Coney Barrett as part of the Senate confirmation process following her selection by President Donald Trump to serve as an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Hyde-Smith issued the following statement after their discussion at the U.S. Capitol: It was an honor to meet with Judge Amy Coney Barrett personally and to touch base on her background and judicial philosophy. Judge Barrett has a brilliant legal mind. She is a true Constitutionalist and I certainly trust her judgement and ability to interpret the law fairly and apply it accordingly. This amazing wife and mother has a servant's heart. I am confident the Senate will confirm Judge Barrett after a review of her qualifications and background. She will bring a unique and important perspective to the court and will be an amazing addition to the court. I certainly pray for her and her family during this process. At an earlier news conference Wednesday, Hyde-Smith joined Republican women Senators to discuss Judge Barrett as a jurist and role model for working women and girls, while also criticizing the double standard applied when covering women in public service. News conference video is available here (Hyde-Smith remarks at 18:00) and a high-resolution image is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-seemann-composites-gulfport-wins-137-million-defense-contract,HYDE-SMITH:  SEEMANN COMPOSITES IN GULFPORT WINS $13.7 MILLION DEFENSE CONTRACT,2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH: SEEMANN COMPOSITES IN GULFPORT WINS $13.7 MILLION DEFENSE CONTRACT WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced that Seemann Composites, Inc. in Gulfport has won a $13.7 million contract to produce tailcones for the U.S. Navy's Virginia Class submarines. This Navy contract will allow Seemann Composites to extend its decades of work providing the advanced composites products that make our Navy vessels the best in the world. This is very good news for the company and the Mississippi workers employed in the shipbuilding industry, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. The competitive contract secured by Seemann Composites extends through 2027 and involves an initial obligation of more than $2.26 million at the time of award. A majority of the work will be performed at the company's Gulfport plant. This is a firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery, definite quantity contract. The Navy's Virginia class submarines are nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack vessels. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-votes-stopgap-funding-bill-extending-programs-important-miss,HYDE-SMITH VOTES FOR STOPGAP FUNDING BILL EXTENDING PROGRAMS IMPORTANT TO MISS.,2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH VOTES FOR STOPGAP FUNDING BILL EXTENDING PROGRAMS IMPORTANT TO MISS. Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown Boosts Pandemic Child Nutrition, USDA Farm Assistance & FEMA WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, today voted for a stopgap appropriations measure to fund federal operations through Dec. 11, while also extending programs important to Mississippi's economy and wellbeing. The Senate gave final approval to a continuing resolution, a measure required to maintain federal programs past the Oct. 1 start of Fiscal Year 2021. HR.8337 includes provisions fought for by Hyde-Smith, including funding to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for farm assistance and other payments and extending Families First Coronavirus Response Act waiver extensions for the National School Lunch Program. This continuing resolution is necessary to maintain federal programs without disruptions, which is important as families, businesses, and local governments work through the ongoing pandemic. For Mississippi, it will ensure children are fed, farmers have access to resources, and community health centers support is extended, Hyde-Smith said. I hope the bipartisan cooperation that went into this measure will extend to negotiations to complete FY2021 appropriations bills, she said. The bill now goes to President Trump. In addition to providing funding for government programs through Dec. 11, the measure extends expiring authorizations for programs important to Mississippians. Among them: Allows the USDA CCC to be replenished in order to make necessary 2018 Farm Bill assistance and other payments. Extends the Pandemic EBT program through Sept. 30, 2021, and expands the program to cover children at childcare centers impacted by the pandemic. Extends waivers in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act relating to the National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children until Sept. 30, 2021. Extends state flexibilities for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Extends funding for Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education Program through December 11, 2020. Extends the National Flood Insurance Program through Sept. 30, 2021. Provides the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund immediate access to an additional $17.4 billion for disaster recovery operations. Provides a one-year appropriations extension, through Sept. 20, 2021, for FAST Act federal surface transportation programs, whose authorization expires Sept. 30, 2020. Extends the Highway Trust Fund and Airport and Airway Trust Fund, including general fund transfers to support federal projects and programs. Extends Defense Department authority to make CARES Act 3610 payments to reimburse contractors for COVID-19 related costs. A section-by-section summary of HR.8337 is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announces-199955-awarded-jackson-state-university,"CONGRESSMAN THOMPSON ANNOUNCES $199,955 AWARDED TO Jackson state University",2020-09-29,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U.S. Department of Education has awarded $199,955 to Jackson State University under the Rehabilitation Long-term Training- Rehabilitation Counseling Program. The funds will be used to support projects to train personnel in providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. For additional information contact, Dr. Frank L. Giles, Project Director at (601) 979-4188.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:28:51Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401852,Palazzo Issues Statement on SCOTUS Nominee,2020-09-26,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Issues Statement on SCOTUS Nominee f t # e Washington, September 26, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)released the following statement after President Trump announced Judge Amy Coney Barrettas his official nominee to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court of the United States. President Trump made a promise to the American people to uphold the Constitution, and just like he's done for the last three and a half years, he will keep his promise. President Trump has made a great choice with the selection of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be a Supreme Court Justice. I know she is a principledconservativewho values faith, family, and freedom. I look forward to the Senate fulfilling its responsibility and filling the vacant seatwith the fifth woman to serve on the Supreme Court. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-statement-nomination-judge-amy-coney-barrett-serve-us-supreme-court,HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT TO SERVE ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT,2020-09-26,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT TO SERVE ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement regarding Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, who was nominated to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court by President Donald Trump following the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: President Trump has exercised his right to put forth a nominee to fill a Supreme Court vacancy. In Judge Barrett, I believe President Trump has chosen a qualified conservative jurist who, if confirmed, will bring an important perspective to the Court. I look forward to being part of her historic and important confirmation process, which will follow precedent and regular Senate order. I take my constitutional advice and consent' responsibility very seriously, and I will carefully weigh Judge Barrett's merits and qualifications and vote accordingly. Filling a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court is a solemn process for our nation, and I hope Senate consideration of Judge Barrett will not descend into the dishonorable spectacle that Americans witnessed during the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401849,Palazzo Signs Discharge Petition in Support of Small Businesses,2020-09-25,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Steven Palazzo,P000601,palazzo.house.gov,,,legacy,"Palazzo Signs Discharge Petition in Support of Small Businesses f t # e Washington, DC , September 25, 2020 Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)today signed a discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 8265, legislation that amends the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to extendthe Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and allow small businesses to draw a second loan.The PPP has beena lifeline for thousands of Mississippi businesses coping with the economic hardships of the coronavirus. Palazzo released the following statement after signing thedischarge petitionin support of South Mississippi businesses. Mississippi's small businesses continue to suffer from the economic fallout caused by the pandemic. Speaker Pelosi is holding up immediate relief in hopes of passing her $3 trillion liberal wish list. Because Speaker Pelosi is failing the American people, I was left with no other choice but to sign the discharge petition filed today. I hope that Democrats will join us in demanding action from Pelosi and helping the American people. Thedischarge petitionrequires 218 signatures from members of the House of Representatives in order to be moved to the floor for a vote. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-cosponsored-senate-passed-resolution-defending-constitutionality-pledge-allegiance,HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORED SENATE-PASSED RESOLUTION DEFENDING CONSTITUTIONALITY OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,2020-09-25,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORED SENATE-PASSED RESOLUTION DEFENDING CONSTITUTIONALITY OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a resolution cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) that defends the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance and the principles of religious freedom on which it is based. Introduced by Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.), S.Res.715 notes that Congress added the words Under God to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 and withstood Supreme Court challenges to allow recitation of the pledge in schools and other public settings. The Pledge of Allegiance was founded on ideals of religious freedom, and has been a valuable part of our national life for generations, Hyde-Smith said. I'm pleased the Senate has unanimously reaffirmed our dedication to defending the Pledge. Senators Tom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), James Risch (R-Ind.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), David Perdue (R-Ga.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) also cosponsored the resolution. The following is the text of the resolution: RESOLUTION Expressing support for the Pledge of Allegiance. Whereas the United States was founded on principles of religious freedom by the Founders, many of whom were deeply religious; Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States embodies principles intended to guarantee freedom of religion both through the free exercise thereof and by prohibiting the Government from establishing a religion; Whereas the Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist Minister, and first published in the September 8, 1892, issue of the Youth's Companion; Whereas, in 1954, Congress added the words under God to the Pledge of Allegiance; Whereas, for over 60 years, the Pledge of Allegiance has included references to the United States flag, to the country having been established as a union under God, and to the country being dedicated to securing liberty and justice for all; Whereas, in 1954, Congress believed it was acting constitutionally when it revised the Pledge of Allegiance; Whereas the Senate of the 116th Congress believes that the Pledge of Allegiance is a constitutional expression of patriotism; Whereas patriotic songs, engravings on United States legal tender, and engravings on Federal buildings also contain general references to God; Whereas the Supreme Court overturned Newdow v. United States Congress, 328 F.3d 466 (9th Cir. 2003), a case in which the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by a student's public school teacher violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and Whereas the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit later concluded that its previous opinion in Newdow was no longer binding precedent, that case law from the Supreme Court of the United States concerning the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States had subsequently changed, and that Congress, when passing the new version of the Pledge of Allegiance, established a secular purpose for the use of the terms under God and, thus, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by public school teachers: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That (1) the Pledge of Allegiance has been a valuable part of life for the people of the United States for generations; and (2) the Senate strongly defends the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-announces-227-million-repair-storm-damanged-federal-roadways-miss,HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCES $22.7 MILLION TO REPAIR STORM-DAMANGED FEDERAL ROADWAYS IN MISS.,2020-09-24,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCES $22.7 MILLION TO REPAIR STORM-DAMANGED FEDERAL ROADWAYS IN MISS. Funding Includes $8.0 Million Dedicated to Vicksburg National Military Park & Natchez Trace WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced the award of more than $22.7 million in emergency relief funding to offset the costs for repairing and reconstructing federal roadways damaged by flooding and storms earlier this year. Among the five Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awards is $8.0 million to the National Park Service for the repair of road damages at Vicksburg National Military Park and Natchez Trace National Parkway. Hyde-Smith, who serves on the appropriations committee overseeing the park service, visited the Military Park following mudslides and erosions in February that closed parts of the park. The severe storms and flooding Mississippi experienced earlier this year claimed lives and caused significant damage to federal properties throughout the state. Damage to the Vicksburg National Military Park, a historic and economic asset to Warren County, was particularly startling, Hyde-Smith said. I'm pleased the U.S. Transportation Department has approved this emergency relief funding to address the costs of making necessary repairs to ensure public safety and commerce. The five awards are linked to federal and state emergency disaster declarations issued for Mississippi following heavy rains and flooding in 2019 and 2020, including the February 2020 storms that caused the Pearl River to reach its third-highest crest on record. One award is linked to severe weather and flooding in April 2020. The FHWA awards include: $12,952,530 Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for February 2020 heavy rain and severe flooding damage repairs $8,000,000 National Park Service for January 11 and February 14, 2020, heavy rain and flood damage repairs $1,044,692 MDOT for February 2019 flood damage repairs $749,010 MDOT for April 12, 2020, storms and flooding repairs $41,963 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for February 2019 flood damage repairs ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/rosen-hyde-smith-introduce-jobs-bill-support-reentering-mid-career-workers-close-gender-skills-gap,"ROSEN, HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCE JOBS BILL TO SUPPORT REENTERING MID-CAREER WORKERS, CLOSE GENDER & SKILLS GAP IN STEM",2020-09-24,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ROSEN, HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCE JOBS BILL TO SUPPORT REENTERING MID-CAREER WORKERS, CLOSE GENDER & SKILLS GAP IN STEM Legislation Would Engage Small, Mid-Sized Businesses to Provide Paid Returnships for Technical Professionals WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would provide grants for small and medium-sized STEM businesses to offer robust, paid, mid-career internships, known as returnships, for mid-career workers seeking to return or transition into the STEM workforce. The STEM Restoring Employment Skills through Targeted Assistance, Re-entry, and Training (RESTART) Act (S.4677) would promote mid-career internships or returnships as an effective way to address the difficulties of former STEM employees seeking to return to work to in-demand industry sectors. There are any number of reasons many talented people, particularly women, leave their careers for a period of time. We're proposing a program to aid reentry into the workforce for underrepresented individuals with STEM-related skills. Our measure would help fulfill a need for qualified workers in small and mid-sized businesses that are driving STEM job growth, Hyde-Smith said. I think this is a smart solution to help get people back to work, increase the financial standing of many families, and boost economic activity in growing states like Mississippi. Nevada is home to countless innovators, entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking small business owners, said Rosen. However, particularly during our current economic crisis, we must do more to break down the barriers that too many workers face when re-entering or transitioning into the STEM workforce. This bipartisan legislation would create a new national program to support our mid-careers workers by funding mid-level returnships to provide the professional development and support they need to transition back to work in the STEM industry or enter a good-paying STEM field for the first time. This bill will also help bridge the gap between workers who are underrepresented in STEM fields and small businesses looking for qualified talent. I will continue working in Congress to develop forward-thinking solutions that support our workforce and small business community during this crisis. There's a hidden talent pool in women, as well as men, returning to work after a break, but their resumes are often overlooked due to large gaps in employment. The Center for Talent Innovation's research shows that while 93 percent of off-ramped women want to resume their careers, only 74 percent manage to get any kind of job at all and just 40 percent successfully return to work full-time. A Pew study found that 62 percent of Black STEM workers say they have faced discrimination in hiring or promotion at their jobs compared to just 13 percent of White STEM. The STEM RESTART Act would authorize a grant program to support returnship programs involving a probationary period and opportunities for off-ramped workers to obtain mentorship, professional development, and support as participants transition back to work and advance in their career. They allow an employer to base a hiring decision on actual work instead of just interviews and references. Many larger and Fortune 500 companies provide mid-career internships for returning technical professionals as an effort to close the gender gap and skills gap. However, studies show that small firms are more likely to develop emerging technologies than large firms, yet have access to fewer resources. Specifically, the STEM RESTART Act: Provides Direct Funding for Organizations within Needed STEM Fields: Allocates $50 million per year in grant funding for small and medium-sized businesses to set up returnships for qualified talent within in-demand industries within the STEM workforce. Prioritizes Returnships for Underrepresented Populations to Close the Skills/Hiring Gap: Prioritizes funds for returnships for unemployed or underemployed persons who are also part of historically underrepresented groups in STEM, including women, Black and Latino persons, and individuals in rural communities. Ensures Accountability: Requires any grant-funded returnship to last at least 10 weeks and include assurances of how the program will build upon returning workers' skills. Requires the Secretary of Labor to track and report to Congress on the use of funding by grantees. Also sets parameters for who can apply for grant funds and limits initial funding to five years. Includes Flexibility for Local Needs: Allows small and medium-sized businesses within in-demand industries as determined by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Actstandards and State and local workforce development strategies to apply for grant funds. Also allows grantees to collaborate with other providers, including universities and nonprofit organizations, to provide the best returnship experience. Protects Returning Workers from Exploitation: Ensures that returning workers must be provided payment and benefits equivalent to a grantee's existing non-entry level employees. Allows for grant funds to be used for benefits and incentives, such as childcare and necessary travel or training expenses. A copy of the Rosen and Hyde-Smith STEM RESTART Act is available here. Read statements of support for STEM RESTART Act here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/wicker-hyde-smith-urge-trade-representative-end-special-treatment-foreign-rice,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH URGE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE TO END SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR FOREIGN RICE",2020-09-24,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WICKER, HYDE-SMITH URGE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE TO END SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR FOREIGN RICE Highly Subsidized Foreign Rice Imports Disadvantage Miss. Rice Producers WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) are encouraging the Trump administration to level the playing field for American rice producers by reforming the nation's largest and oldest trade preference program, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The Mississippi Senators joined a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that supports a USA Rice Federation petition to remove all rice tariff lines from the list of commodities eligible for duty-free import under the GSP. We understand GSP is meant to be a win-win for both the U.S. and our trading partners, but unfortunately in the case of rice, our biggest competitors on the world stage have taken advantage of the program for far too long, the Senators wrote. Over the past several years, we have seen an annual uptick in rice imports from countries that have GSP eligibility. Coupled with our competitors' high and rising domestic subsidies, these unfair advantages are having negative implications for our rice farmers, millers, merchants and allied businesses, who are losing domestic market share, the letter said. As you continue your efforts to promote fair and free trade, we encourage you to remove rice from the GSP eligibility list. The GSP program provides duty-free treatment to goods from developing countries to promote economic growth in those nations. Under the current program, highly-subsidized rice growing competitors are increasing rice exports to the United States at the expense of American producers. The Mississippi rice producers harvested more than 8.3 million hundredweight produced in 2019, a decrease from the 10.1 million hundredweight produced in 2018. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) authored the letter, which was also signed by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas). A copy of the letter is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-200590-awarded-coalition-citizens-0,"Congressman Thompson Announced $200,590 Awarded to Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities",2020-09-22,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,,0,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-200590-awarded-coalition-citizens-disabilities,"Congressman Thompson Announced $200,590 Awarded to Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities",2020-09-22,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,MS,Bennie G. Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,benniethompson,https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department ofEducation has awarded $200,590 under the Parent Training and Information Centers Program to Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities in Jackson, Mississippi. For more information contact Leslie Junkin at (601) 969-0601.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:28:51Z