url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364759,Blaine's Bulletin: Preserving Your Privacy,2013-12-27,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"As I reflect on 2013, one of the issues that seemed to be of great concern to the people of the 3rd District was the government’s ever-growing presence in the private lives of American citizens. And over the course of the last 12 months, I have sought to work on your behalf to protect your privacy form the prying eyes of government. share: f t As I reflect on 2013, one of the issues that seemed to be of great concern to the people of the 3rd District was the government’s ever-growing presence in the private lives of American citizens. And over the course of the last 12 months, I have sought to work on your behalf to protect your privacy form the prying eyes of government. The first test we faced came earlier this spring when I met personally with U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Inspector General Patrick O’Carroll, Jr. That meeting confirmed there was a violation of normal agency protocol when the agency requested and received sensitive data for more than 100,000 Missouri driver’s licenses and concealed carry permits. The admission was a stark one and I appreciated the quick work of the Social Security Administration, especially after it was learned that the information provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in the fall of 2011 was unreadable on the SSA investigator’s computer and the data was destroyed. It was not long after, however, that we faced another privacy challenge that resurfaced amidst a national scandal involving the Internal Revenue Service. In May, the IRS confessed that it was targeting conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status while rubberstamping similar requests from liberal groups. At the same time, it seemed clear to me the IRS was refusing to look at similar liberal groups like the Humane Society of the United States. For three years, the IRS had stonewalled my attempts to get to the bottom of constituent concerns that HSUS was involved in political and lobbying activities that were in direct violation of its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that prohibits such activities. We are still waiting for answers on that issue and we have received assurances the IRS is finally investigating the issue. More recently, I have sponsored and co-sponsored legislation dealing with the protection of your privacy. For example, I am the lead sponsor of the Protecting Education Privacy Act (PEPA) that would strengthen federal student privacy policy and keep student records by rolling back regulatory changes made by the current administration. This legislation will keep parents minds at ease because they will have the ultimate control over whether or not third parties can access their children’s information. I also have recently co-sponsored the USA FREEDOM Act that aims to reign in the dragnet collection of data by the National Security Agency (NSA) and other government agencies.  The bill specifically would ensure that different authorities cannot be used to support bulk collection of information of American citizens and it increases transparency of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), among other things. Finally, I am also co-sponsoring the NSA Inspector General Act that calls for the creation of an Inspector General (IG) of the NSA and requires that both the IG and the NSA Director be appointed by the president with the consent of the U.S. Senate.  The American people are guaranteed a right to privacy and in recent years, it has become clear that those rights have been violated and continue to be under attack. This is unacceptable and I have spent the better part of the last year working to protect Americans from their government’s prying eyes. As we look ahead to 2014, I will continue to support legislation that will protect your privacy and restore perhaps some of your faith and trust in the American government. With that said, I want to wish you a very Happy New Year. CONTACT US: As always, for those of you with Internet access, I encourage you to visit my official website. For those without access to the Internet, I encourage you to call my offices in Jefferson City (573-635-7232) Washington, Mo. (636-239-2276), or Wentzville (636-327-7055) with your questions and concerns. If you want even greater access to what I am working on, please visit my YouTube site, Facebook page, and keep up-to-date with Twitter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-hartzlers-christmas-greeting-0,Congresswoman Hartzler's Christmas greeting,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,hartzler.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has released the following greeting to mark the Christmas holiday: “Christmas is certainly a time for family and friends. It’s time for older Americans to relive memories of Christmas past and for younger ones to cherish the moments that will become the memories they’ll cherish as they grow older. But first and foremost the focus of the season must be on the reason for the season – the birth of Jesus Christ. Luke’s account of how the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in the field is familiar to so many of us: ‘And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ My wish is that the light Jesus brought to the world shines upon you this Christmas and that it shines on our men and women in uniform who sacrifice so much to keep us safe, to bring them home to us soon. From my family to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases."" Congresswoman Hartzler and her family live on a working farm near Harrisonville in Cass County.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364758,Blaine's Bulletin: An American Christmas,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"As we prepare for Christmas, many of us return to traditions as a way to celebrate the season. Christmas in America is a unique experience and over the centuries our nation has created many unique traditions. But as a student of our nation’s history, I recently came across some research that indicates that the first Christmas celebrated in the New World was observed in what many would deem an odd place. share: f t As we prepare for Christmas, many of us return to traditions as a way to celebrate the season. Christmas in America is a unique experience and over the centuries our nation has created many unique traditions. But as a student of our nation’s history, I recently came across some research that indicates that the first Christmas celebrated in the New World was observed in what many would deem an odd place. According to historians, the first Christmas celebrated on land that is now part of the United States took place near Tallahassee, Fl., in 1539. The publication Discovery News reports that Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernando de Soto established his winter encampment site of 1539-40 near what is now Tallahassee, where he and his men celebrated the first U.S. Christmas. Based on excavations and other historical research, the first Christmas meal would have included pork, local vegetables, fruits, seafood and possibly even turkey. Researchers also found that it was likely the first Christmas mass would have been held outside and would have been very similar to those held in a Franciscan chapel. I think it’s important during this time of year, when presents and parties and all the other trappings of the season seem to consume so much of our time, that Christmas is first and foremost the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. And I find it truly remarkable that 250 years before we became a nation, Christmas was celebrated as part of the Christian faith. Even as many of our Christian traditions seem to be under attack this time of year, the teachings of the man born in Bethlehem that stress love, charity, and hope remain very much part of the American Christmas tradition. You can see it everywhere, if you look hard enough. You see the Christmas spirit in the thousands of volunteers who participate in programs that help the less fortunate. From the Christmas Day dinners at local shelters to the Angel Trees at the malls to provide gifts for children - Americans do indeed keep the spirit of Christmas. As much as some try to take the Christ out of Christmas, there is no denying that from centuries before we were a nation, Christmas held a very sacred meaning to those Spanish explorers who settled in Florida and celebrated the birth of Christ. Despite the best attempts of many to distance our nation from the true meaning of Christmas, it is simply impossible. It is part of American tradition and will continue to be so. On behalf of myself, my family and my staff I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God Bless.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=176ebc75-a78b-41b4-9412-ea19b81a8274,Senate Passes Blunt-Klobuchar Bill To Cut Red Tape For Families Who Adopt Abroad,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) today announced that the bipartisan “Accuracy for Adoptees Act” passed the Senate. The legislation would help families who adopt abroad correct errors to their children’s birth certificates. Currently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not recognize state court orders to amend a child’s birth date, forcing families to seek a correction from the adoptee’s country of birth or have two official birth dates for their adopted child. “Every day, American families open up their homes and their hearts to children in need from all over the world,” Blunt said. “This bipartisan bill will make the transition easier for families and their adopted children by removing excessive red tape and ensuring the accuracy of their birth records.” “Families have enough hoops to jump through when adopting internationally,” Klobuchar said.  “We shouldn’t be adding to that red tape by placing extra burdens on those trying to get accurate personal records for their children. I am pleased that this bill has passed the Senate, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House to ensure that this common sense legislation become law.” “I am extremely pleased and proud that the U.S. Senate has passed, with bi-partisan support, this commonsense legislation – placing adoptive families and children ahead of partisan politics,” Donald Cofsky, President of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, said. “We owe immense thanks to Senators Blunt and Klobuchar for their dedication to adoptive families and for their tireless efforts in ushering this bill through the Senate. I cannot overstate the importance of this legislation and the positive impact that it will have on adopted children and their families.” The Accuracy for Adoptees Act, which would authorize USCIS to recognize state court orders and cut red tape for adoptive families, will now head to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote. Senators Richard John Barasso (Wyo.), Durbin (Ill.), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), and Mary Landrieu (La.) are also original cosponsors of the bill. Currently, USCIS only recognizes the original birth certificates from the child’s country of birth. For children who were orphaned and lacked proper medical care in their countries of birth, the ages given on their certificates may be incorrect, which only becomes apparent once the child has begun to grow up in the U.S. While a state court judge can make the decision to amend the date based on this evidence, USCIS will not recognize such an order, and federal agencies like the State Department and the Social Security Administration follow the USCIS date of birth. This results in children growing up with a discrepancy that leaves them vulnerable to identity fraud. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=9556cbf9-0f36-47db-87cb-99fc2d666027,"Senator Blunt Applauds FDA’s Decision To Revise Burdensome Rules Impacting Missouri’s Farm Families, Small Businesses",2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – A successful bipartisan effort led by U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), and U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (Conn.), Chris Gibson (N.Y.), and Annie Kuster (N.H.), has resulted in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) planning to revise regulations and seek additional comments from the public before finalizing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules. The FDA’s announcement comes less than a month after the lawmakers led a bipartisan coalition of 75 members of the House and Senate expressing concern about the impact of proposed FDA rules on farmers and businesses, which re-proposing the regulations for public comment could help alleviate. “I’m pleased the FDA has agreed to issue a second draft of proposed rules and give farmers and businesses the opportunity to provide additional input,” Blunt said. “I thank Senator Shaheen and my colleagues in the House and Senate for their work to alleviate the impact of these burdensome regulations on farm families in Missouri and nationwide.” In March, the FDA issued two proposed rules implementing FSMA, a 2011 law that overhauled food safety laws to increase the safety of our domestic food supply. These rules addressed preventive controls for human food and standards for the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption. As proposed, the 1,200-page rules have left food producers and processors across the country concerned about a number of issues including those specifically surrounding facility compliance and environmental standards. The FDA’s announced plan to re-propose key rule language will allow farmers and stakeholders to lend critical input toward the FDA-rulemaking process. For more information on the letter signed by 75 members of Congress and sent to FDA on November 25, 2013, please click here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=e2a4a41e-82a3-40a5-8199-3298ba7b9904,Senator Blunt Applauds Bipartisan Passage Of Defense Authorization Bill,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 and applauded the inclusion of several key amendments. Blunt is one of three U.S. Senators to serve on both the defense appropriations and authorizing committees. “I’m pleased that several of my amendments were included in this bipartisan legislation, which will ensure that our nation’s servicemen and women have the important resources they need to protect and defend America,” Blunt said. Missouri is home to almost 18,000 active duty servicemen and women, nearly 10,000 civilian employees, 25,000 reservists and members of the National Guard, and almost 29,000 additional military-related personnel. The state also has more than 125,000 civilian contract employees. Blunt introduced and co-sponsored several amendments that were passed as part of NDAA, including: Bannister Federal Complex, Kansas City, Mo. Land Transfer Amendment: Blunt’s amendment would authorize the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the General Services Agency (GSA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enter into an agreement regarding the conveyance of federal property located at Bannister Road in Kansas City, Mo. and allow for an eventual title transfer and redevelopment of the site. Small Business Contracting Amendment: Blunt’s amendment protects small businesses from overly burdensome regulations when they subcontract with the Department of Defense contracts by ensuring that the Small Business Act applies to all contracts awarded using a small businesses preference no matter which agency makes the award.  Article 32 Reform Amendment: Introduced by Senators Blunt, Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), this amendment would reform Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice to help prevent abusive questioning of victims of military sexual assault in a pre-trial setting, ensuring that victims who come forward to report sexual assault are not harassed or intimidated during pre-trial questioning. Advanced Concept Ejection Seat for the B-2 at Whiteman Air Force Base Amendment: Introduced by Senators Blunt and Tom Udall (N.M.), this amendment directs the Air Force to complete the Advanced Concept Ejection Seat qualification on the B-2, which will benefit pilots at Whiteman Air Force Base. Urotrauma Amendment: Co-sponsored by Senators Blunt and Ben Cardin (Md.), this amendment directs the Department of Defense to address the prevention, care coordination, and research of urotrauma as a distinct entity. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=ef69c04c-a40c-4baa-8d5c-f2dd2d889310,Senator Blunt Blasts Department Of Labor For Targeting Missouri Farm Families,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined U.S. Senator Mike Johanns (Neb.) and 41 of his colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor this week regarding reports that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) is overreaching its authority and circumventing Congress by imposing regulations on small farms that are exempt by law.  As the letter notes, Congress has prohibited OSHA from targeting small farms, defined as those with fewer than 10 employees since 1976. In 2011, OSHA issued a memo announcing that the congressional prohibition does not apply to many farms because they do “basic, common, and responsible farming activities that OSHA has arbitrarily decided are non-exempt” – like storing, drying, or fumigating grain. “It has come to our attention that OSHA is now interpreting this provision so narrowly that virtually every grain farm in the country would be subject to OSHA regulations,” the senators wrote. “OSHA’s interpretation defies the intent of Congress in exempting farming operations from the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.” The senators also asked Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez to direct OSHA to take the following three steps to alleviate their concern:  1) cease all actions predicated on this interpretation, which is inconsistent with Congressional intent; 2) issue guidance correcting this misinterpretation of the law; 3) and provide a list and description of regulatory actions taken against farms with incorrectly categorized non-farming activities and 10 or fewer employees since the June 2011 memo. To read the entire letter, please see below or click here.  December 20, 2013  The Honorable Thomas E. Perez Secretary U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20210  We write to you regarding reports that regulators at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have begun taking regulatory actions against farms that are specifically exempted by Congress from regulatory enforcement conducted by OSHA. Since 1976, Congress has included specific language in appropriations bills prohibiting OSHA from using appropriated funds to apply requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1976 to farming operations with 10 or fewer employees.   It has come to our attention that OSHA is now interpreting this provision so narrowly that virtually every grain farm in the country would be subject to OSHA regulations.  OSHA’s interpretation defies the intent of Congress in exempting farming operations from the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.   In viewing a farm’s “grain bin operation” as somehow distinct from its farming operation, OSHA is creating an artificial distinction in an apparent effort to circumvent the Congressional prohibition on regulating farms.  The use of grain bins is an integral part of farming operations.  Without grain bins, farmers must sell corn and soybeans immediately after harvest, when prices are usually low.  Storing grain in bins is thus a fundamental aspect of farming.  Any farm that employs 10 or fewer employees and used grain bins only for storage prior to marketing should be exempt, as required by law, from OSHA regulations.  A memo issued by the Director of Enforcement Programs on June 28, 2011, stated that “many of these small farm employers mistakenly assume that the Appropriations Rider precludes OSHA from conducting enforcement activities regardless of the type of operations performed on the farm.”  The memo declares that all activities under SIC 072—including drying and fumigating grain—are subject to all OSHA requirements (the memo did not even mention grain storage).  There are many farms that have grain dryers on-farm to address wet harvest conditions or fumigate grain to prevent pests from ruining a crop prior to marketing.  These are basic, common, and responsible farming activities that OSHA has arbitrarily decided are non-exempt.   Worker safety is an important concern for all of us—including the many farmers who probably know better than OSHA regulators how to keep themselves and their employees safe on farms.  If the Administration believes that OSHA should be able to enforce its regulations on farms, it should make that case to Congress rather than twisting the law in the service of bureaucratic mission creep.  Until then, Congress has spoken clearly and we sincerely hope that you will support America’s farmers and respect the intent of Congress by reining in OSHA.   We would ask that you direct OSHA to take the following three steps to alleviate this concern.  First, OSHA should cease all actions predicated on this interpretation, which is inconsistent with Congressional intent.  It is important that OSHA also issue guidance correcting this misinterpretation of the law.  We suggest consulting with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and organizations representing farmers to assist with this guidance.  Finally, we ask that OSHA provide a list and description of regulatory actions taken against farms with incorrectly categorized non-farming activities and 10 or fewer employees since the June 2011 memo.  Given the nearly four decades of Congressional prohibition of OSHA enforcement against farms, this should be a simple request to fulfill.  We would appreciate your response by February 1, 2014, to include a copy of the corrected guidance, the data regarding enforcement actions on farms, and confirmation that OSHA will cease such enforcement.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140102052839/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12046,McCaskill Signs up for ?Obamacare? on healthcare.gov,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill this week took advantage of the affordable health care plans offered to Missourians under the Affordable Care Act (""Obamacare""), comparing plans available on healthcare.gov, and purchasing a policy that matches her needs. Members of Congress and their staff are the only people in the country required by the Affordable Care Act to drop their employer health plan and purchase their health insurance on the new health insurance marketplaces set up by the law. Instead of using the Washington, D.C. marketplace, to which Congressional Members and staff were directed, McCaskill opted to use healthcare.gov, saying she wanted to have the same experience as her Missouri constituents. In doing so, McCaskill forfeited her federal employer contribution to her health plan and will be paying the entire cost of her new plan. ""My experience buying a plan on healthcare.gov tells me that the exchange is now doing exactly what it was meant to-provide a marketplace where private insurers are competing for our business, and offering a big range of options,"" McCaskill said. ""It wasn't completely hassle-free, but it was pretty close, and all told it took me less than 45 minutes to create an account, shop for available plans, and select a new insurance policy. We need to keep working hard to fix problems with this law, but we can't return to the old broken system where so many folks were shut out of the insurance market, and companies could discriminate because of preexisting conditions, or drop you when you got sick. We've got to keep moving forward."" In addition to forfeiting her employer contribution, McCaskill was not eligible for subsidies that are available to many low and middle-income Americans, and that would have further lowered her monthly premium. Watch video HERE of McCaskill navigating healthcare.gov and purchasing her Affordable Care Act insurance policy. DETAILS OF McCASKILL'S NEW INSURANCE PLAN Plan: $5 Copay PPO Carelink from Coventry Monthly premium: $552.60/mo Out-of-pocket maximum: $5,000/yr Copay: $5 primary, $50 specialist, $5 generic prescription Subsidies: McCaskill was not eligible for subsidies that are available to many low and middle-income Americans, and that would have further lowered her monthly premium Employer contribution: Because McCaskill wished to use the same exchange used by Missourians, she purchased her plan on healthcare.gov, forfeiting her federal employer contribution, which would have been available if she used the Washington, D.C. exchange McCaskill also issued a challenge to any elected officials who have claimed that the federal employer contribution somehow represents ""special treatment,"" or an ""exemption"" for Congress, to follow her lead and give up their own employer contributions. McCaskill, a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act, has consistently worked across the aisle to make commonsense improvements to the law as it is implemented-first by successfully removing a burdensome reporting requirement on businesses, then teaming up with Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma to seek a repeal of a provision that has proved problematic by causing some states to subsidize high wages at hospitals through Medicare reimbursements. Click HERE for more information on the Affordable Care Act. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221092824/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12045,McCaskill Reacts to President?s Comments on Military Sexual Assault,2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Former sex crimes prosecutor and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following reaction to the President's comments giving military leaders one year to demonstrate substantial progress combatting military sexual assaults, with the historic reforms approved by Congress: ""The President should be commended for treating this scourge with the seriousness it deserves, and for fully backing the historic, comprehensive reforms we pushed across the finish line last night. I agree with him that we should give these significant reforms the time they need to succeed. And I too, plan to spend the next year holding commanders accountable, and ensuring that these historic reforms are implemented forcefully and effectively."" Last night's legislation contains bipartisan reforms to the ""Article 32"" pre-trial process, as well as a long list of historic provisions, including: Stripping military commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions Requiring civilian review if a commander declines to prosecute a case Assigning victims their own independent legal counsel to protect their rights and fight for their interests Mandating dishonorable discharge for anyone convicted of sexual assault Criminalizing retaliation against victims who report a sexual assault Eliminating the statute of limitations in rape and sexual assault cases Read more about McCaskill's fight to curb sexual assaults in the military at www.McCaskill.senate.gov/MilitaryJustice. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221093845/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12044,"McCaskill: Historic Reforms Achieved, ?but this is no finish line?",2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Former sex crimes prosecutor and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following statement after the Senate approved this year’s annual defense bill—which includes dozens of historic provisions to protect and empower victims of sexual assault, boost prosecutions of sexual predators, and hold military commanders accountable: “For me, this year has been largely defined by my fight for victims of military sexual assault—and I know that’s also the case for many of my colleagues. We all recognized the crisis that sexual crimes represent to our servicemembers, and we pursued reforms that would encourage survivors to report these assaults, lead to more prosecutions, and put these perpetrators behind bars. “The overwhelming majority of these reforms were met with near-consensus, but there were also areas of spirited disagreement—areas that often received a big share of the spotlight. What received less attention was the incredible dedication and tenacity with which Congress approached this work. Washington is often characterized as ‘broken,’ and too often that characterization is true. But this issue should give us all optimism that we can work together to find serious solutions to tough problems. “Today represents a huge win for victims of sexual assault, and for justice in America’s armed forces, but this is no finish line. In the months and years ahead, vigilance will be required to ensure that these historic reforms are implemented forcefully and effectively. Given the incredible advocacy and passion displayed by so many on this issue, I know we are finally, belatedly, headed in the right direction.” Tonight’s legislation contains bipartisan reforms to the “Article 32” pre-trial process, as well as a long list of historic provisions, including: Stripping military commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions Requiring civilian review if a commander declines to prosecute a case Assigning victims their own independent legal counsel to protect their rights and fight for their interests Mandating dishonorable discharge for anyone convicted of sexual assault Criminalizing retaliation against victims who report a sexual assault Eliminating the statute of limitations in rape and sexual assault cases Read more about McCaskill's fight to curb sexual assaults in the military at www.McCaskill.senate.gov/MilitaryJustice. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221134251/http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-december-23-27-2013,"View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of December 23-27, 2013",2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Good Day, As the Christmas season winds down and Missourians get ready to welcome 2014, the reality of the President’s health care law is beginning to hit home for so many of us who have been forced to give up the health plans we liked and wanted to keep. Many of the new health plans we have had to enroll in are more expensive than the plans we had to abandon and require us to pay for coverage we don’t need and certainly don’t want. Of course, there’s a chance many of us who thought we had enrolled in various health care plans are not actually enrolled, after all. Many Americans who signed up through the government exchanges have been incorrectly informed they enrolled in plans. If you’re in this category you might be in for a big shock early in the new year when you learn that while you were informed you had enrolled, the insurance company you thought you had signed up with might know nothing about you. Bottom line – you might not have coverage! We have recently learned that many of the navigators who are supposed to be guiding consumers wanting to enroll in plans have made a series of mistakes. These mistakes include giving enrollees incorrect information and failing to properly secure enrollees’ personal health information, Social Security numbers, and annual incomes. We have also been told that some of these navigators have encouraged consumers to commit tax fraud by underreporting income in order to qualify for ObamaCare’s health insurance subsidies. This is yet another example of an unworkable law that should never have been launched before it was ready. As we begin the new year, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to end this disastrous law and to replace it with health care options that offer all Americans access to quality, affordable health coverage they want. On another matter, I am pleased to share that even though Congress was not in session, negotiators from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees were at work hammering out the final details of what I hope will be a comprehensive five-year Farm Bill. There are still differences between the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill, but the principle negotiators are making significant progress and the conferees plan to vote the first full week back in January. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am committed to serving the interests of both consumers and farmers – approving a Farm Bill that provides the United States with a safe, plentiful, and affordable supply of food for many years to come. I hope to be able to share some good news with early in the new year From my family to yours, have a blessed and prosperous New Year! Vicky",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221134357/http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-december-16-20-2013,"View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of December 16-20, 2013",2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"The final full shopping week before Christmas has been a busy one for citizens of Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District. In addition to Christmas shopping with my family, I have spent some time this week visiting with good citizens in parts of our district. It was particularly meaningful for me to visit the Truman VA Hospital in Columbia. Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals at Truman VA are working hard, this holiday season, to administer to the needs of our veterans who are confined to the hospital during the Christmas holidays. Truman VA provides a full continuum of excellent care in both patient and outpatient settings. This facility offers comprehensive primary care services, medical and surgical specialties, as well as behavioral health, physical and occupational therapy. It also provides pharmacy services. Truman VA maintains strong affiliations with the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine, its Sinclair School of Nursing, its School of Health Professions, and other health-related programs. Truman VA provides training opportunities for some 900 students each year. The health care professionals and trainees at Truman VA are providing a service for which simple thanks are insufficient. May God continue to help these health care providers to improve the lives of our veterans who are in need of medical services during this Christmas season. This week also took me to Warsaw, where I had the opportunity to host a town hall and to hear from citizens who shared their thoughts and opinions with me. It is a blessing for me to spend time at home in Missouri’s Fourth District where I can hear the common sense that seems to be so lacking in our Nation’s Capital. There is no doubt many Washington insiders could benefit from the Heartland logic that is found in places like Warsaw, Missouri. There is little doubt our country would be much better off listening to the insights of Mid-America. I look forward to returning after the holidays to share this wisdom with others and working for the solutions America needs and deserves. Finally, Christmas is approaching and our focus turns to friends and family. But it is important to keep in mind that the true focus of the season must be on the reason for the season – the birth of Jesus Christ. Luke’s account of how the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in the field is familiar to so many of us: ‘And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ My wish is that the light Jesus brought to the world shines upon you this Christmas and shines on our men and women in uniform around the world to keep them safe and bring them home soon. From my family to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases. Vicky",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140222025213/http://cleaver.house.gov/ec-dc-december-20-2013,"EC from DC - December 20, 2013",2013-12-20,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"HOLIDAYS AND HOPE There is something about the holiday season that seems to inspire us with hope. Without a doubt, this is a time of year that can be difficult. Inevitably, each year brings with it a dose of disappointment, frustration, sometimes, even utter heartbreak. But it is always darkest before the dawn. And the holiday season, along with the promise of a new year, seems to also pledge a new beginning. For me, Christmas is a magical time. A time, to be sure, to resist being overtaken by the notion of a jolly man dressed in red, frantic purchases, and frazzled nerves. Instead, despite the hubbub of this time of year, I try to create moments of silence, in order to remember and celebrate the real meaning of the season. Amidst the daily struggles and stresses of life, there is good. Amidst the barrage of the unbelievable and tragic, there is reason to rejoice. And amidst the uncertainty of the future, there is faith. And always, there is hope. I have told you the story of the man with a flat tire on the dark road in Texas. It was before the days of constant connectivity of cell phones. He walked and walked, and finally saw a small farmhouse in the distance. His mind immediately began to pound him with negative thoughts. Would they answer their door for a stranger? Would they trust his story and let him in? If so, would they allow him to use their phone? Surely the answers to these questions would all be a resounding ""NO!"" He was quite sure of that. And that made him angry. By the time the smiling man inside the little farmhouse answered the door, the stranded man had already convinced himself of the other’s mistrust, prejudices, and lack of helpfulness. As the door creaked open, and before a single word was spoken, the stranded man screamed out in mad frustration, “You paranoid country bumpkin! I don’t want to use your phone anyway!” I love this story, as I think it speaks so accurately to not only our political divisions, but our individual preconceived notions of one another, groups, and our general stereotypes. So crippling and present are these in our lives sometimes, that we often miss wonderful opportunities to broaden our horizons, create new relationships, and work together for the greater good. We certainly do it in Washington. A rabidly partisan Congress moving from crisis to crisis, refusing to break through barriers, call a ceasefire to the war of words, and get down to business. What a waste! How much are we all losing -- individually, and as a nation? How can burning bridges before we even get to them be a smart course of action? As we move together into 2014, one of my greatest hopes is that civility to and with one another will become the norm, instead of the exception. Truly taking time to get to know a person, an opinion, or a way of life, is certainly more difficult in the short term, but absolutely more hopeful for the future. I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. I look forward to plunging into 2014 – together – with high hopes, hard work, and a renewed commitment to civility. Emanuel Cleaver, II Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=a6d6e2bb-6882-44c1-a5f7-c9fd399bd465,Senator Blunt Introduces Bill Honoring Missouri’s “Monuments Men”,2013-12-19,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) introduced bipartisan legislation today awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the “Monuments Men,” a group of approximately 350 men and women from 13 countries who are credited with preserving, protecting, and restoring millions of pieces of artwork, sculptures, and other cultural artifacts in Europe during World War II. Four of the Monuments Men were Missouri natives, and 10 were later employed in Missouri, including two Directors of the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Mo. The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (N.J.) and was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Kay Granger (Texas). “This bipartisan bill honors the incredible men and women of Missouri and across the world who protected millions of cultural artifacts from devastation during World War II and preserved these invaluable treasures for future generations,” said Blunt. “I’m hopeful that this legislation will encourage more Americans to learn about the rich history of these works of art and the remarkable legacies of the Monuments Men.” Additional Background on the Monuments Men: The Monuments Men served in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section of the Western Allied military effort. They were initially charged with protecting structures, such as churches, museums, and monuments, from destruction. Their responsibilities later shifted to recovering art and artifacts stolen by Nazis across Europe. Today, there are only five living members of the Monuments Men. Works from many of Europe’s major artists – including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pablo Picasso – were plundered by the Nazis and added to their private collections. Some of the notable pieces preserved by the Monuments Men include Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and Michelangelo’s David. By 1951, they had recovered or restored nearly five million cultural artifacts. In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Roberts Commission to help the U.S. Army protect cultural works in Allied occupied areas. General Dwight Eisenhower told his commanders that “inevitably, in the path of our advance will be found historical monuments and cultural centers which symbolize to the world all that we are fighting to preserve,” and he ordered his commanders to safeguard those treasures. The story is the subject of multiple books by author Robert Edsel, the most recent of which is The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History. While living in Europe, Mr. Edsel became interested in how the monuments and artwork survived the devastation of World War II. He is the Founder and Chairman of the Board for the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art. In addition, the story of the Monuments Men is gaining attention with an upcoming movie based on Edsel’s book, starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Bill Murray. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=b8f75b4d-3073-408d-8e5b-3b72cf467075,Senator Blunt Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act,2013-12-19,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (Ill.), Robert Menendez (N.J.), and 23 other U.S. Senators today to introduce the “Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act,” bipartisan legislation proposing prospective sanctions on Iran should the regime violate the interim Joint Plan of Action agreed to in Geneva or should Iran fail to reach a final agreement. “Despite the White House’s opposition, many of my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree that we must be more aggressive in stopping Iran from developing its nuclear weapons capabilities,” said Blunt, who is one of three U.S. Senators to serve on both the defense authorizing and appropriations committees. The legislation requires further reductions in purchases of Iranian petroleum and applies additional penalties to strategic elements of the Iranian economy, to include the engineering, mining and construction sectors. Simultaneously, it gives the Administration continued flexibility and up to one year from the conclusion of an implementing agreement to pursue a diplomatic track resulting in the complete and verifiable termination of Iran’s illicit nuclear weapons program. “If Iran has not made significant progress towards their determination that they will never pursue nuclear weapons at the end of the six-month interim period, this bipartisan legislation rightly calls for more robust sanctions,” Blunt concluded. In addition to Blunt, Kirk, and Menendez, the legislation was also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Mark Begich (Alaska), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Ben Cardin (Md), Bob Casey (Pa.), Susan Collins (Maine), Chris Coons (Del.), Bob Corker (Tenn.), John Cornyn (Texas), Ted Cruz (Texas), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Kay Hagan (N.C.), Mike Johanns (Neb.), Mary Landrieu (La.), John McCain (Ariz.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Mark Pryor (Ark.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), and Elizabeth Warner (Mass.). # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221084048/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12043,"McCaskill Keeps up Fight for Consumers, Tells Brokers who Sell Personal Data: ?You Should be Liable if Your Business Enables Identity Theft?",2013-12-19,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, who this year has led the charge on a wide range of consumer protection issues, used a Senate Commerce Committee hearing Wednesday to grill a company executive on the practices in the ‘data broker' industry-an industry that collects, compiles and sells consumer information for marketing purposes. ""I do not see this industry as evil-but I do see some desperate need for Congress to look at how consumers can get this information and what kind of transparency there is,"" said McCaskill, Chairman of the Senate subcommittee in charge of consumer protection. Much of McCaskill's questioning of witnesses focused on reports alleging that a subsidiary of the data broker Experian sold data to an alleged identity theft operation. In that case the company had received numerous payments from an individual in Singapore who was allegedly using data obtained from Experian's subsidiary to facilitate identity theft. The individual engaged in identity theft was indicted in federal court earlier this year. However, neither Experian nor its subsidiary have been held accountable for its role in enabling the criminal activity to occur. The sale of information began before Experian purchased the subsidiary Court Ventures but allegedly continued for a year after the sale. ""I understand this was not a crime that began under your watch, but you did buy the company and you did keep getting the wire transfers from Singapore-and the only reason you ever questioned them is because the Secret Service knocked on your door,"" McCaskill said to Tom Hadley, representing Experian. ""I don't know how long these wire transfers would have gone on until you caught (this person), but I don't have confidence that it would have stopped at all."" McCaskill called for Congress to pass legislation that would provide greater transparency for consumers about the information data brokers hold on them and hold companies liable for negligent behavior that results in harm to consumers. Today's hearing also included testimony from the Federal Trade Commission, as well as academic experts and those with expertise in consumer privacy and marketing. Read more about McCaskill's fight to protect American consumers, HERE ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=506bd4fa-b33b-4398-acba-6936839cb30c,Senator Blunt’s Bill To Promote Religious Freedom In Middle East Passes Senate Panel,2013-12-18,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee overwhelmingly passed U.S. Senator Roy Blunt’s (Mo.) bipartisan legislation to appoint a special envoy for the purpose of promoting religious freedom among religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia. Under Blunt’s bill, the envoy would hold the rank of ambassador and work in coordination with the Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom to monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against religious minorities in these regions. In addition to working with foreign governments and relevant multilateral organizations, the envoy would coordinate these efforts with the Secretary of State. To read the bill, click here. “The continued violence we’ve witnessed against Coptic Christians and other civilians in the Middle East is deeply disturbing and defies the religious freedoms that Americans hold dear,” said Blunt. “I’m pleased the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed this important bipartisan legislation, and I urge Majority Leader Reid to allow a vote to demonstrate to leaders in the region that the United States takes religious freedom seriously,” Blunt continued. Blunt’s legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (Mich.) and 18 other U.S. Senators. U.S. Representative Frank Wolf (Va.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. In October 2013, Blunt joined U.S. Senators Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry noting recent reports of more frequent, targeted attacks against Coptic churches and individuals in Egypt “warrants a clear U.S. response.” In August 2013, Blunt reiterated his calls for Congress to pass bipartisan legislation aimed at promoting and protecting religious freedoms throughout the region. Blunt serves as a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. He is also one of three U.S. Senators serving on both the defense authorizing and appropriations committees. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=6b56432b-3620-43d0-ac3a-d513d47d8389,Senator Blunt Co-Sponsors Resolution To Protect Missourians’ Military Retirement Pay,2013-12-18,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), co-sponsored a “sense of the Senate” resolution to address the disproportionate military pay provision in the budget that would reduce the cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment for military retirees under the age of 62. The resolution, which was introduced today by U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), states that retirees from the Armed Forces should not unfairly bear the burden of excessive government spending, and the Senate should seek alternatives to the current military retirement provisions in the budget legislation currently being considered. With this resolution, the Senate agrees to address the reduction of military retirement pension before it goes into effect in December of 2015. “I’m voting against final passage of the budget today, in part because it hurts the brave servicemen and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting America,” said Blunt, who is one of three U.S. Senators to serve on the defense authorizing and appropriating committees. “So many active duty and retired military men and women in Missouri have made sacrifices to serve our country, and we owe it to them – as well as their families – to keep our promise.” The legislation is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), John McCain (Ariz.), John Hoeven (N.D.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Susan Collins (Maine), and Rob Portman (Ohio). # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=6f64b2eb-6a54-4527-831c-cbcf4edbc96e,Senator Blunt Joins Colleagues To File Amicus Brief On EPA’s Overreach Implementing GHG Permits,2013-12-18,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (Okla.), senior member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Senators Deb Fischer (Neb.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), and Pat Roberts (Kan.) this week in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court regarding Utility Air Regulatory Group v. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  In the amicus brief, the Senators ask that the Supreme Court remand the D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeals decision that upheld the EPA's authority to require permits for greenhouse gases (GHG) under the Clean Air Act.  “The EPA has time and time again stretched the Clean Air Act to continue their war on affordable energy for families and job creators in states like Missouri,"" said Blunt. “The Obama Administration continues to sidestep Congress by forcing the regulation of greenhouse gases through the Clean Air Act – even though the Act’s authors have said it was never meant to be used for that purpose. These regulations punish our nation’s most vulnerable families who are hurt the most by high energy bills. I will continue to fight against the Obama Administration’s burdensome regulations and promote smart policies that encourage more American energy and more American jobs.” “The EPA's expansive power under the Obama Administration has resulted in overregulation that is stalling economic growth and opportunity in the United States,” said Inhofe. “The Clean Air Act (CAA) was never designed to regulate greenhouse gases, and former EPA administrator Lisa Jackson even admitted in 2009 that these costly regulations alone will not move the needle on climate change. The EPA has had flagrant disregard for the facts and have implemented rules that are stifling job creation and innovation. I urge the Supreme Court to give our brief the utmost attention and to return a decision that reigns in big government and benefits the American people.” “This Administration has abused its authority under the Clean Air Act to expand rules controlling greenhouse gas emissions,"" said Fischer. “I hope the Supreme Court will recognize the limits of the law and rein in EPA before its regulatory overreach causes even more damage to our economy.” “Throughout this administration, a pattern of overreach by federal agencies has resulted in the implementation of laws and regulations never contemplated by those in Congress,” said Roberts. “This is why I proudly joined my colleagues yesterday in filing an amicus brief which correctly argues that use of Prevention of Significant Deterioration permits to regulate GHG’s from stationary sources of emissions runs counter to clear congressional intent. It is critically important that the Supreme Court understand this and remand the lower court’s previous decision.” The amicus brief is available by clicking here and lays out two arguments:   1. Tailpipe rules do not trigger Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits because PSD permits are limited in their scope to National Air Ambient Quality Standard (NAAQS) regulations. Greenhouse Gases (GHG) have not been designated as a NAAQS pollutant; therefore, requiring these permits is not permissible. 2. Congress has, on numerous occasions, introduced and considered a large number of bills proposing to regulate GHG emissions from stationary sources in a wide variety of ways, yet none of the bills contemplated regulation of stationary sources through traditional PSD permits. This absence of legislative proposals to use PSD as a mechanism to regulate GHG supports the conclusion that requirements for stationary sources that emit greenhouse gases to obtain CAA permits are not triggered based on EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles. It also supports the conclusion that EPA’s interpretation of the Act is contrary to Congressional intent. The Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2014. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=8dd40964-e8d5-4c36-91d9-7a275ac3c1a5,"Senators Blunt, Stabenow Join Glenn Close To Urge Congress To Pass Excellence In Mental Health Act",2013-12-18,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Actress Glenn Close joined U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) for a press conference today to urge Congress to pass the bipartisan “Excellence in Mental Health Act,” which was approved by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee last week. Close is the founder of Bring Change 2 Mind, which works to end the stigma and discrimination against those living with mental illness. The Senators were also joined by mental health advocates, veterans, and law enforcement officials who support the bill. Click here for a high-resolution photo. “Approximately one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder each year nationwide, according to the National Institute of Mental Health,” said Blunt. “We’ve got a model that works to solve these important problems, and passing this bipartisan provision out of committee is an important step forward. Now is the time for Congress to act.” “Mental health issues touch every family in some way. Our bipartisan bill expands access and improves quality of care so people can get the treatment they need and live healthy, successful lives,” said Stabenow. “We had a major victory last week, we’ve got tremendous momentum, and we’re going to keep working hard until this bill gets done.” “It is critical that people come out and talk about mental illness to reduce the stigma surrounding those living with mental illness,” said Close. “This legislation is so important in the effort to expand access to mental health services and improve the quality of treatment available.  With reduced stigma and discrimination, and increased access to quality care, people living with mental illness can get the treatment they need.” Additional Background Information: Last Thursday, a version of the “Excellence in Mental Health Act,” authored by Blunt and Stabenow, passed in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee as an amendment to the so-called ‘doc-fix’ legislation (the SGR bill). The amendment will set up demonstration programs across the country to improve mental health care quality and expand access to mental health treatment.   In February 2013, Blunt and Stabenow introduced the Excellence in Mental Health Act to help fix the fragmented mental health system by offering current Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) a chance to obtain the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic designation.  The bill establishes criteria for certified community behavioral health clinics to ensure the providers cover a broad range of mental health services – including 24-hour crisis care, increased integration of physical, mental and substance abuse treatment so they are treated simultaneously rather than separately, and expanded support for families of people living with mental health issues. Certified clinics providing this care could then get reimbursed from the government the same way that traditional health centers can.  In addition to Blunt and Stabenow, the Excellence in Mental Health Act is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators including U.S. Senators Mark Begich (Alaska), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Susan Collins (Maine), Chris Coons (Del.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Robert Menendez (N.J.), Barbara Mikulski (Md.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Chris Murphy (Conn.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), Jack Reed (R.I.), Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), and Ron Wyden (Ore.).  The Excellence in Mental Health Act is supported by more than 50 mental health organizations, veterans organizations and law enforcement organizations including: the National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs’ Association, American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Council for Behavioral Healthcare, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health America, National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Give An Hour, among many others.  Blunt has also co-sponsored a number of mental health bills in the Senate, including:   The “Mental Health First Aid Act of 2013,” which was introduced by U.S. Senators Mark Begich (Alaska) and Kelly Ayotte (N.H). The bill authorizes the launch of a demonstration program to support mental health first aid trainings nationwide to help more Americans identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illnesses and addiction disorders. The “Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act,” which was introduced by U.S. Senators Al Franken (Minn.) and Mike Johanns (Neb.). The bipartisan bill would help make communities safer by improving access to mental health services for people in the criminal justice system who need treatment. The bill also focuses on giving law enforcement officers the tools they need to identify and respond to mental health issues, and includes a 5-year reauthorization of the “Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act” (MIOTCRA), continuing support for mental health courts, and crisis intervention teams. And the “Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013,” which was introduced by U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (Iowa) and Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) and reauthorizes and improves programs related to awareness, prevention, and early identification of mental health conditions. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221083900/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12040,McCaskill Statement on Budget Vote,2013-12-18,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill released the following statement today after the Senate successfully passed a bipartisan budget agreement: ""It's not a perfect deal for any Member, but that's because it's a compromise, which is something we need more of around here. I'm pleased that responsible people got in a room and worked together, instead of taking a ‘my way or the highway' approach. This agreement reduces the deficit while also addressing some of the heavy-handed aspects of budget cuts by sequestration-which were harming our military and our communities. I'm pleased that the agreement keeps us on a glide path to lower spending, and I am hopeful this step forward will allow us to continue working together to find additional budget savings and keep our economy moving in the right direction. A great deal of work remains to be done."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112055/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12041,McCaskill Calls for Removal of Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin from Command,2013-12-18,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Former sex crimes prosecutor and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today called on the Air Force to immediately remove Lt. General Craig Franklin from his command following reports that he had been removed from a sexual assault case. ""It is clear that Lt. General Franklin should not be allowed to fulfill the responsibilities of military command because he has repeatedly shown he lacks sound judgment and respect for the responsibilities held by military commanders to protect those under their authority,"" said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. ""The Air Force's decision to remove him from his role in a sexual assault case within his command is a clear signal that he lacks the confidence of Air Force leadership and that he lacks the basic professional judgment needed to serve as a Commander."" It has been reported that Franklin recently recommended against taking a sexual assault case within his command to trial. The investigating officer, an attorney outside the chain of command, had also recommended against trial. Under a proposal being supported by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate, this case would be over, as under the proposal, there would be no opportunity for the commander to overrule such a decision and no check on the command. This case would never come before a commander for consideration-once military legal authorities determine a case should not proceed to trial, no trial could be ordered, denying a day in court for the victim. McCaskill has opposed that proposal, because it removes accountability from commanders in sexual assault cases, increases the likelihood that victims will be retaliated against for reporting sexual assaults, and decreases the likelihood that perpetrators will be brought to trial. Earlier this year, in response to Franklin's handling of a sexual assault case at Aviano Air Base in Italy, McCaskill grilled military leaders in several Senate hearings and introduced legislation that would curtail the authority of military commanders to dismiss jury convictions against sex offenders. Franklin is scheduled to retire in the near future. Read more about McCaskill's fight to curb sexual assaults in the military at www.McCaskill.senate.gov/MilitaryJustice ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/updating-you-budget-and-fiscal-situation-washington,Updating you on the budget and fiscal situation in Washington,2013-12-17,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,hartzler.house.gov,,,legacy,"On December 12, 2013, the House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Act by a vote of 332-94. The Bipartisan Budget Act would set overall discretionary spending for the current fiscal year at $1.012 trillion—about halfway between the Senate budget level of $1.058 trillion and the House budget level of $967 billion. The legislation includes dozens of specific deficit-reduction provisions, with mandatory savings and non-tax revenue totaling approximately $86 billion. The agreement would reduce the deficit by $23 billion without raising taxes. Additionally, the bill would provide $63 billion in sequester relief over two years, split evenly between defense and non-defense programs. Under this proposal, defense spending would receive an additional $22 billion in FY ‘14 and $10 billion for FY ’15. The sequester relief is fully offset by savings elsewhere in the budget. This agreement will provide certainty by averting a government shutdown in January. This is good for all Americans as it breaks Washington’s pattern of lurching from crisis to crisis. It is not everything we want, but it strengthens our military readiness while cutting spending, and that is good for America. Fully offset savings in this agreement are achieved through: Capping government contractors’ salaries to $487,000. Blocking prisoners from receiving government checks, such as unemployment benefits. Reducing the risks of Social Security fraud. Reforms to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Increases on Transportation Security Administration fees and simplifying how fees are assessed, which saves the federal government $12 billion over 10 years. Reducing payments to student-loan debt collectors to save $6 billion over 10 years. Increasing federal-employee contributions to their retirement program by 1.3 percentage points. This proposal affects new employees hired after December 31, 2013. Lastly, one of the most controversial ways in which this agreement achieves savings is through reforms to military retiree pensions. I share the many concerns that have been expressed over this provision. The budget agreement provides for a lower annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index). The COLA would be inflation minus 1 percentage point starting with the adjustment in December 2015 – until the retiree reaches age 62. At age 62, the retired pay would be calculated as if each prior year’s COLA had been the full CPI. This ""catchup provision"" will ensure that at age 62 the retiree's pension returns to where it would have been without the COLA reduction. And after age 62, the COLA itself would be the full CPI to fully protect retirees from inflation over the long-term. Again, it is important to note that no military retiree age 62 and over will see any reduction in their pension. Incremental changes to compensation generate uncertainty and are corrosive to the all-volunteer military. If we are going to change compensation, I would prefer it to be done at one time in a transparent manner that considers the entire spectrum of compensation. By impacting the pensions of current military retirees while grandfathering current civilian employees, this particular provision represents an imbalance that I expect the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (an independent panel studying military compensation that should complete its work in May 2014) and the Armed Services Committee to reexamine in the coming years. I am not happy with everything in the bill, with the changes to military pensions being at the top of the list. However, Chairman Ryan deserves to be congratulated for reaching an agreement when no one else could. This agreement will provide our military with some near-term relief from sequestration and give them the ability to plan for the next two years. The restored funding can be used to improve readiness, increase flight-training hours, purchasing new equipment, and help our troops on the front line. While the agreement falls short of securing everything I would like to have in the budget, with divided government in Washington it is a step in the right direction. There are only a few things Congress should be doing according to the Constitution, and one of them is to provide for the common defense. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform, I am pleased that this budget safeguards our national defense and restores $30 billion in previously reduced national defense funding. Rest assured, I will keep your thoughts in mind as Congress continues discussing ways to reduce our deficit and keep our military strong. I count it a privilege to be your voice in Congress. Thank you for the honor of serving you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=9fd9c3d3-2096-4c44-8706-4e85609fc40d,Columbia Daily Tribune: Sen. Blunt learns about local food bank,2013-12-17,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Ashley Jost Food insecurity and the increased need to serve the working poor were among the issues U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt heard about in a visit to The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri on Monday afternoon. Blunt spent about 15 minutes talking with volunteers, employees and executives from the food bank before touring the facility and helping assemble a few Buddy Packs, packages of food sent home with children in need so they have something to eat over the weekend when they're not in school. Blunt toured the Ozark Food Bank in Springfield earlier in the day. Local food bank Executive Director Peggy Kirkpatrick said all politicians have a standing invitation to see what the operation does and learn about who it's serving. ""I think it's important to understand what is really happening with their electorate,"" she said. ""When they are out somewhere else, it's easy to get removed from day-to-day needs of your constituency."" Kirkpatrick said the food bank is seeing an ""astronomical increase"" in people with jobs needing assistance. The organization has given out 22 percent more food compared to last year, Kirkpatrick said. Last year's distribution was 128 million pounds of food. During the meeting with food bank employees and Blunt, Kirkpatrick said the biggest challenge is getting people back to work. Blunt, a Republican, said the answer to the jobs issue is in private-sector job creation. After the tour, Blunt lauded the food bank's partnerships with corporate donors. Much of the food comes from Wal-Mart, General Mills and other distributors. The food bank acts as a wholesaler for 131 organizations, Kirkpatrick said. She expressed concerns that there isn't enough incentive for more companies to donate to the food bank, though the need is great in rural areas. ""Metropolitan poverty and rural poverty are two different things,"" she said, adding that in metropolitan areas, there are not-for-profit organizations more likely and able to help. Read more here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221084302/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12038,McCaskill-Johnson Statement on DHS Inspector General Stepping Down,2013-12-17,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)-the Chairman and ranking Republican member of the Senate Subcommittee on Financial & Contracting Oversight-today released the following joint statement after Charles K. Edwards, the Homeland Security Department's Deputy Inspector General who is under investigation by the senators' subcommittee, stepped down from his post: ""Inspectors general are supposed to serve as the eyes and ears of taxpayers within our agencies, guarding against waste, fraud, and abuse of power, and we expect them to abide by the same high standards of behavior they apply to agency officials. We hope that Mr. Edwards' departure will pave the way for a new level of accountability and transparency within the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, and we plan to continue rigorous oversight to achieve that goal."" Edwards was scheduled to face questioning later this week from the oversight panel over allegations of misconduct. That hearing has been canceled following Edwards' reassignment. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112122/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12042,McCaskill Statement on Pentagon?s Announcement of New Official in Charge of Defense Department Sexual Assault Prevention and Response,2013-12-16,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Former sex crimes prosecutor and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following statement after the Department of Defense announced that Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Snow will become the new director of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office: ""Maj. General Snow has a tremendous challenge as he will be tasked with implementing the sweeping and historic changes in the laws governing sexual assault in the military which we have legislated this year. As the senior woman on the Armed Services Committee I am committed to making sure these reforms that will protect victims, make retaliation a crime, prohibit interference by commanders after a jury has spoken, and put more perpetrators in prison, are quickly implemented. It is my job to make sure Maj. General Snow shares that commitment."" Read more about McCaskill's fight to curb sexual assaults in the military at www.McCaskill.senate.gov/MilitaryJustice. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=5f67cabc-6991-4ca5-9e69-89d6caae1df0,Springfield News-Leader: Blunt says food safety rules will overburden farmers,2013-12-14,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Deirdre Shesgreen Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., is among those fighting for changes to new federal food safety rules, saying the proposed requirements could be “severely detrimental” to farmers of produce and even force some out of business. The issue pits fruit and vegetable growers against food safety advocates amid ongoing federal efforts to reduce deadly outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. At the center of the fight is a sweeping food safety law, which Congress passed in 2010 after a spate of high-profile food recalls. These included lettuce contaminated with E. coli bacteria that sickened more than two dozen people, and eggs tainted with Salmonella that made approximately 1,900 people ill. Regulators with the Food and Drug Administration are now implementing the law, the Food Safety Modernization Act. Earlier this year, the FDA issued draft rules for farmers who grow fruits and vegetables that are typically eaten raw or unprocessed, such as lettuce, apples, and tomatoes. The rules don’t apply to produce that’s typically cooked, such as potatoes, or that will be processed in a way that kills bacteria. The rules would also not apply to farms with less than $500,000 a year in sales. The FDA’s produce proposal, first issued in January, has sparked a backlash from farmers and Congress. Some smaller and organic farmers have been particularly vocal in their criticism, saying the rules could disproportionately affect operations that use more sustainable farming methods. Blunt is the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the FDA. He joined a bipartisan coalition of 75 lawmakers who are now pressing the FDA to go back to the drawing board on the food safety rules. The issue has shattered traditional party lines, with Blunt and other conservatives joined by liberals such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont. In a Nov. 25 letter, Blunt and the other lawmakers said the FDA’s proposal could impose a steep new burden on the agriculture sector. “After hearing many reservations from our farmers and businesses, we are concerned that the rules as currently proposed, and the heavy cost of complying with them, will force some producers and processors to shutter their operations,” the lawmakers wrote. Lawmakers have taken issue with several of the FDA’s pending provisions. They cited, for example, an FDA rule that would require farmers who use raw manure on their crops to wait nine months before harvesting from those fields — to make sure any bacteria hasn’t survived to contaminate the crops. Organic farmers are more likely to use manure because they shun chemical products. Another contentious proposal would mandate that farmers who use untreated surface water on their crops test that water frequently for bacteria. Some farm groups say the FDA’s goal is good but the rules go overboard. “We want to do what’s right. Everybody cares about food safety,” said Garrett Hawkins, national legislative programs director at the Missouri Farm Bureau. But for many farmers, it will be too hard to comply with this rule, he said. “Most farmers don’t have an environmental manager . . . taking care of all the paperwork and testing,” he said. “You’re trying to keep the plants alive and have produce to market to consumers.” He said the full impact on Missouri farmers is unclear. But there’s no question that fruits and vegetables are a significant portion of the state’s agriculture sector — from peaches and apples to cabbage and cucumbers. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s last census, conducted in 2007, the state’s farmers produced $61 million in vegetable crops and another $4.3 million in fruits, nuts, and berries. Hawkins said farmers should not shoulder the entire burden of making sure food is safe. “We believe it’s a shared responsibility with those who are involved in food preparation and service,” he said. “You have to look beyond the farm gate.” But food safety advocates say the proposed rules are vital to reducing food-related illnesses and averting deaths. “What’s at stake is whether or not we’re going to continue to have 48 million people get sick every year from contaminated food,” said David Plunkett, a senior food safety attorney the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy group. The proposed FDA rules “really hit the mark,” Plunkett said. “They would result in a safer product” for consumers. The FDA took public comments on the rules through Nov. 22, and the agency is sifting through them now. The agency is expected to issue final regulations in 2015. Plunkett said FDA officials have to determine whether the complaints are coming from “farmers who just don’t want to comply because they don’t like regulations, or farmers who have raised legitimate concerns about how these rules will affect their ability to continue farming in a sustainable fashion.” Some of the concerns may be legitimate, he said, but “there’s a strong mood in the farm community that they just want to be left alone. They don’t want to be regulated.” But Blunt and the other lawmakers have asked the FDA to reopen the rules for additional comment and issue a second draft before moving to finalize anything. “Enhancing the safety of our food supply can be accomplished without burdening farms and small businesses with excessive regulations that make it difficult for them to expand and diversify their operations,” Blunt said. Re-drafting the rules and allowing a second round of public comment “will minimize unintended consequences for producers in Missouri and nationwide,” he said. An FDA spokeswoman, Shelly Burgess, said she could not comment on the request for another round of work on the rules. “The comment period closed on Nov. 22, and we are now reviewing those,” Burgess said. Read more here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/ec-dc-december-13-2013,"EC from DC - December 13, 2013",2013-12-13,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER FASTS IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRATION REFORM This week, I made a decision to fast for one day in solidarity with those in Washington, DC fasting for immigration reform. My voluntary fast represents the urgency, the passion and sacrifice of a community of all creeds, race, gender, affiliation and status, striving for the attainment of immigration reform. I fast, pray and act until the bonds of families are no longer divided, until a pathway to citizenship is a fate for 11 million deserving immigrants and their families, until immigration reform is no longer a notion, but a reality. I fasted because the suffering of immigrants and in our communities has moved me to act. I fasted in support of the many, many immigrants who have lost loved ones due to our broken immigration system. And I extend my unwavering support to the fasters around the nation who are bravely highlighting the moral crisis we face with this broken immigration system. This year, we have come the closest ever to achieving real immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. In June, the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive, bipartisan immigration bill (S.744). Now, the House of Representatives has a chance to complete the dream for 11 million aspiring Americans by addressing the moral crisis that is our broken immigration system. Unfortunately, we are still waiting to vote on the one issue that holds strong bipartisan support and is backed by a breadth of communities and groups across the country. Every day the House leadership stalls on a vote for immigration reform, families and communities suffer the impact of deportations, deaths on the border, exploitation at work and the fear of living in the shadows with no path to citizenship. To learn more about the Fast for Families effort, click here. CONCERN WITH THE EPA There is an important issue that isn't grabbing headlines, but it is critical to revitalizing rural communities, growing the economy, and creating jobs nevertheless. I am very concerned with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent decision to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirement for next year. It would be lowered by almost 3 billion gallons in 2014, to a level, in fact, that is below the legal requirement. Why is this a concern? I fear it will undermine investor confidence in biofuels and, in turn, lower investment in the industry. It is my belief that the new RFS goals should be developed in a comprehensive way that continues to show strong support for biofuels and does not stifle investment. As you know, the ethanol industry is a significant contributor to our state's economy. Missouri's corn and ethanol industries contributed a whopping $12 billion in economic value over the last decade, and more than $2 billion in local, state, and federal taxes during that same time period. Ethanol plants provide good paying jobs in rural areas, as well as a dedicated market for feedstocks for hundreds of local farmers. In some rural areas, these plants are the best economic opportunity around. I wanted to share with you that I am in discussions with policy makers about this issue, and have recently expressed my concerns directly to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. I have urged the revision of this proposal to make sure there is continued interest and investment in the renewable fuel industry. The RFS lowers the cost of fuel and it reduces the resources spent by our military. If it is not revised, I believe we could see a major slowdown in investment in new plants and advanced biofuels, additional damage to our rural economies, and even more dependence on foreign oil. I will keep you updated on my efforts in this area and all new developments. DOLLARS FOR HEALTHCARE HELP Recently, important information was announced about grants in Missouri’s Fifth District to help those who are uninsured get affordable health insurance. Kansas City’s Samuel U. Rodgers Community Health Center and Swope Health Services were both included in grants announced to almost 1,200 health centers across the nation. The grant dollars are targeted to assist in enrolling uninsured residents in the Affordable Care Act. Understanding what options are available, how they best fit an individual’s or a family’s needs, and enrolling in a timely fashion are all important educational pieces for getting the best and most affordable coverage possible. Samuel U. Rodgers Community Health Center will receive almost $250,000 for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014, and Swope Health Services, more than $450,000 for the same time period. These dollars will also make it possible for facilities to offer additional face-to-face assistance for enrollment before the end of the open enrollment period on March 31st of next year. ART OPPORTUNITIES IN RICHMOND And good news, as well, in Richmond, as a grant supporting the arts is on the way. The Missouri Center for the Book Arts Engagement in American Communities has received a $10,000 grant to support The Celebration of the Art of the Book. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recommended this award. Funding goes to support mostly small to mid-sized organizations that focus on bringing the arts to generally underserved populations. These populations may have limited opportunities to experience exhibits, performances, training, and workshops, targeted to become more broadly available through this funding. MONITORING OUR NATION’S ENERGY, CLIMATE, AND ELECTRICAL NEEDS   Congressman Cleaver, along with others, meets with Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz (pictured in the center) This week I met with Dr. Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy, to discuss the nation’s energy plan, the Administration’s Climate Action Plan, and the department’s work to make sure there is safe and reliable electricity for those throughout Missouri’s Fifth District and across the country. Members of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition attended the meeting to make sure we are briefed and up to date on all efforts surrounding these initiatives and their progress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-hartzler-applauds-approval-vital-national-security-legislation,Congresswoman Hartzler applauds approval of vital national security legislation,2013-12-13,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,hartzler.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) is applauding approval of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 to defend our country and to adequately fund America’s men and women in uniform. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. “This important piece of legislation provides the needed resources for America to protect itself and to protect Americans in dangerous parts of the world by supporting and protecting this country’s warfighters and military families,” said Hartzler. “The NDAA not only protects America today, but prepares our nation for future threats, and does so by controlling costs and making wise choices. To that end, our legislation prohibits the Department of Defense from initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). It also maintains the prohibition against transfer of suspected terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to the United States and the prohibition on construction of detention facilities for terrorists in the United States.” “I am pleased that the bill will provide Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force base with the resources they need to protect our country,” added Hartzler. “Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base, combined, will benefit from more than $100 million in military construction funds approved as part of the base bill.” Also included in the bill is a prohibition on making additional A-10 aircraft retirements before December 31, 2014. This proactive step will allow Congress time to conduct oversight and to consider what actions to take on any force structure changes the Air Force may propose in Fiscal Year 2015. “Premature divestment of the A-10 by the Air Force would create a dangerous close air support capability gap that could unnecessarily endanger American service members in future conflicts,” said Hartzler. Congresswoman Hartzler, whose district is home to Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood, serves on the House Armed Services Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/hartzler-and-house-take-step-right-direction-approval-budget,Hartzler and House take a step in the right direction with approval of budget,2013-12-13,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,hartzler.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) and the House have approved a budget that begins the task of reducing the federal deficit while safeguarding national security by reinstating some of the scheduled defense cuts. “This budget bill reduces the deficit by roughly $23 billion without raising taxes,” said Hartzler. “The agreement falls short of securing everything I would like to have in the budget, but with divided government in Washington, it is a step in the right direction.” In addition to reducing the deficit, this budget provides our national defense with $30 billion more over the next two years – reversing some of the sequester’s arbitrary across-the-board cuts that negatively impact our military,” continued Hartzler. “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform, I am pleased that this budget safeguards our national defense, which is one of the primary responsibilities of the federal government.” “This agreement will provide certainty by averting a government shutdown in January,” added Hartzler. “This is good for all Americans as it breaks Washington’s pattern of lurching from crisis to crisis. It is not everything we want, but it strengthens our military readiness while cutting spending, and that’s good for America.” Congresswoman Hartzler serves on House Budget and Armed Services Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364060,Blaine's Bulletin: Seeking Regulatory Reform,2013-12-13,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"After spending 30 years in the financial services industry, I have seen many individuals achieve the American dream through hard work and dedication. These individuals weren’t alone through their journey; many also had the help of local financial institutions like community banks and credit unions. However, those hometown institutions are now being overwhelmed by increasingly burdensome regulations, many of which stem directly from passage of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. share: f t After spending 30 years in the financial services industry, I have seen many individuals achieve the American dream through hard work and dedication. These individuals weren’t alone through their journey; many also had the help of local financial institutions like community banks and credit unions. However, those hometown institutions are now being overwhelmed by increasingly burdensome regulations, many of which stem directly from passage of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. I hear often from these local institutions about how they are frustrated with this law. While these small institutions were not part of the financial problem, they have been roped into the solution by this law. As a result, Dodd-Frank is drowning them under hundreds of new rules and mandates, leaving them struggling to keep up. And this combination of endless new regulations and an increasingly hostile examination environment is lethal. Since January 2007, 484 banks in the United States have failed. The most recent data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission shows that the total number of banks in the nation has fallen below 7,000, the lowest number since at least 1934.  Most of the institutions that are disappearing are our small community banks, those that serve neighborhoods and our small towns in every corner of the country. These are the institutions that make loans to families they’ve known for generations, that sponsor little league teams, provide scholarships to students, and make over one half of the small business loans in our country. These are the institutions that help their communities thrive and their customers realize the American dream. As a member on the Financial Services Committee, I hear regularly from these institutions that are weighed down with these federal regulations that are promulgated by bureaucrats who have no real-world experience in the industry. They don’t foresee the unintended consequences of their actions, and could seemingly care less. I believe we have to take action and advance through both the House and the Senate common-sense legislative reforms that will provide relief to these institutions. I have introduced the Community Lending Enhancement and Regulatory (CLEAR) Relief Act that contains several provisions that would help community banks and credit unions foster economic growth and better serve their communities through targeted regulatory relief. This bill would provide, among other things, an increase in the Federal Reserve’s Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement threshold, Qualified Mortgage status for loans originated and held in portfolio by institutions and relief from certain costly escrow requirements. We must demand common-sense and responsibility from federal regulators so that we can return to a time when examiners worked with community banks and credit unions, not against them. The current landscape is grim, but it is my sincerest hope that Congress can make progress on this front, not just for the benefit of the institutions but for the communities they serve and allow our citizens to continue to realize the American dream.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221134459/http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-december-9-13-2013,"View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of December 9-13, 2013",2013-12-13,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Good Day, With Christmas just weeks away and Americans shopping for family and friends, Congress was at work, trying to complete some important legislation for the people of this country. First and foremost, Congress has approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 to defend our country and to adequately fund America’s men and women in uniform. The bill now goes to the Senate. This important piece of legislation provides the needed resources for America to protect itself and to protect Americans in dangerous parts of the world by supporting and protecting this country’s warfighters and military families. The NDAA not only protects America today, but prepares our nation for future threats, and does so by controlling costs and making wise choices. To that end, our legislation prohibits the Department of Defense from initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). It also maintains the prohibition against transfer of suspected terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to the United States and the prohibition on construction of detention facilities for terrorists in the United States. I am pleased that the bill will provide Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force base with the resources they need to protect our country. Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base, combined, will benefit from more than $100 million in military construction funds approved as part of the base bill. Also included in the bill is a prohibition on making additional A-10 aircraft retirements before December 31, 2014. This proactive step will allow Congress time to conduct oversight and to consider what actions to take on any force structure changes the Air Force may propose in Fiscal Year 2015. Premature divestment of the A-10 by the Air Force would create a dangerous close air support capability gap that could unnecessarily endanger American service members in future conflicts. On another important matter, the House and Senate have agreed on a budget that begins the task of reducing the federal deficit while safeguarding national security by reinstating some of the scheduled defense cuts. This budget bill reduces the deficit by roughly $23 billion without raising taxes. The agreement falls short of securing everything I would like to have in the budget, but with divided government in Washington, it is a step in the right direction. In addition to reducing the deficit, over the next two years this budget restores $30 billion in previously reduced national defense funding – reversing some of the sequester’s arbitrary across-the-board cuts that negatively impact our military. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform, I am pleased that this budget safeguards our national defense, which is one of the primary responsibilities of the federal government. This agreement will also provide certainty by averting a government shutdown in January. This is good for all Americans as it breaks Washington’s pattern of lurching from crisis to crisis. It is not everything we want, but it strengthens our military readiness while cutting spending, and that’s good for America. On another important matter, House and Senate negotiators have made significant progress on a comprehensive Farm Bill, but winter weather in Washington, D.C. and last minute policy changes prevented the Congressional Budget Office from providing the cost analysis the negotiators needed to complete work on the Farm Bill before the end of the year. I am optimistic that the House and Senate will be taking up the Farm Bill once Congress returns in early January and provide a five-year farm bill that saves taxpayers billions of dollars and provides a safety net for farmers during times of extreme weather or catastrophic market failure. This week, the House passed a short, one-month long extension of the current bill to ensure certainty for consumers and farmers in Missouri as negotiators iron out the final differences. Finally, I was privileged this week to present Texas Congressman John Carter with petition signatures collected from Missourians who support his Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act, H.R. 3111, which I co-sponsor. It’s a bill to have the Fort Hood attack declared what it is; a terrorist attack. The fact is that during his trial former Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan acknowledged his jihadist actions as he killed or wounded soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas in November of 2009. I was recently given the signatures of more than 100 veterans at an event in Sedalia. They join me in the desire to have the despicable action declared an act of terror so that the Purple Heart Medal is presented posthumously to those killed as well as to the survivors of this horrendous action. I pray justice will be served and the victims and their families will receive the benefits they deserve. Have a great week. Vicky",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://hartzler.house.gov/event/benton-county-town-hall,Benton County Town Hall,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,hartzler.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Hartzler to host town hall in Warsaw Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) will visit Warsaw on Thursday, December 19, 2013 to host a town hall forum to provide an update on legislative issues and to hear the concerns of Benton County citizens. What: Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler hosts town hall forum When: Thursday, December 19, 2013 – 9:45amCT Where: Harbor Village, 17571 North Dam Access Road, Warsaw, MO 65355",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=470,Long Statement on Budget Vote,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Billy Long,L000576,long.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Rep. Billy Long issued the following statement after voting no on the budget legislation:             “I could not support this budget because not only does it break the budget caps Congress agreed to in 2011, it promises spending cuts down the road that may not happen.  While this budget agreement does contain some good reforms, such as targeting waste and fraud in some government programs, those good intentions were not enough to support the overall bill.  As a former small business owner I understand the importance of budgeting, but our country can no longer afford to keep putting off the tough choices that need to be made to get our nation’s spending and debt under control.  I will continue to fight for the hardworking taxpayers who are telling me Washington must get serious about addressing our nation’s fiscal mess. We need to make the tough decisions now to fix this mess for our children and grandchildren.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364242,Luetkemeyer Statement on House Passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) on the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act: share: f t Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) on the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act: “While this agreement is not perfect, Chairman Ryan did the best job he could in a divided government.  Though I would like to see more progress made on cutting spending and reforming government programs, the Bipartisan Budget Act contains approximately $23 billion in deficit reduction, does so without raising taxes on American families, and exchanges temporary cuts for permanent cuts. In addition, by cutting spending in a smarter way, we will prevent our men and women in uniform from bearing a disproportionate share of budget reductions in the next two years. On top of this, for the first time in years the federal government will finally operate not on a continuing resolution, but on an actual budget, just as Missourians do at home. A budget gives us the chance to cut, eliminate and reform specific programs and agencies while a continuing resolution lets the administration spend money on autopilot.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364294,Luetkemeyer Backs Farm Bill Extension While Work Wraps Up on Comprehensive Plan,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Luetkemeyer Backs Farm Bill Extension While Work Wraps Up on Comprehensive Plan f t # e Washington, December 12, 2013 As part of his commitment to protecting American farmers, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) today voted for a short-term Farm Bill extension which extends through January 31, 2014, most provisions of current farm policy until work is completed on a comprehensive Farm Bill. share: f t As part of his commitment to protecting American farmers, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) today voted for a short-term Farm Bill extension which extends through January 31, 2014, most provisions of current farm policy until work is completed on a comprehensive Farm Bill. “As Congress continues to complete its work on a larger Farm Bill, I felt it was important that we pass this extension in order to provide a sense of continuity to American farmers and ranchers until a final agreement can be hammered out early next year, “ Luetkemeyer said. “We are much closer to finishing the Farm Bill than ever before but it’s important that we get it right while also ensuring that during tough economic times we don’t impose increased hardships on our farm communities.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364297,"Luetkemeyer Praises Boeing Decision to Bring Technology Center to Missouri, Creating Jobs",2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) today praised Boeing’s decision to establish a technology research center in Missouri that the company said would create 300-400 new jobs in the St. Louis area. The announcement is not related to Missouri’s efforts to land a production facility for the company’s 777X jetliner. share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) today praised Boeing’s decision to establish a technology research center in Missouri that the company said would create 300-400 new jobs in the St. Louis area. The announcement is not related to Missouri’s efforts to land a production facility for the company’s 777X jetliner. The company said it will restructure its Boeing Research & Technology organization, the company's central research-and-development unit, through the establishment of research centers in Huntsville, Ala.; Southern California; St. Louis; North Charleston, S.C.; and Seattle. Boeing said the new research centers will consolidate technology development of strategic importance to Boeing over the long-term – up to 30 years into the future. They will be chartered to accelerate technical capability in specific fields and enhance and build networks of collaboration with university, industry and government research centers around the world. “I am extremely pleased that Boeing will be establishing a technology research center in St. Louis and by doing so will create 300 to 400 new jobs for Missourians,” Luetkemeyer said. “Missouri has a long partnership with Boeing and we look forward to building on that partnership with this new technology research center.” The Boeing announcement can be found at http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2013-12-12-Boeing-Realigns-Research-Technology-Unit-for-Growth-and-Productivity",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wagner.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-on-the-passage-of-the-ryan-murray-budget-deal,Wagner Statement on the Passage of the Ryan-Murray Budget Deal,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO) today issued the following statement after the House passed, in bipartisan fashion, the Ryan-Murray budget deal: ""While this deal is far from perfect, it is a small step in the right direction towards enacting the House Republican Budget which will balance our budget in ten years,"" said Rep. Ann Wagner. ""This two-year budget will provide more certainty to the American people and prevents a government shutdown. It will also help restore our military readiness and modernization to defend the United States from threats around the world. Most importantly, this budget reduces the deficit, does not raise taxes, and locks in permanent mandatory spending reductions and reforms. It's time we stop governing from crisis to crisis and restore regular order to get the job done for the American people.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-on-the-passage-of-the-ryan-murray-budget-deal,Wagner Statement on the Passage of the Ryan-Murray Budget Deal,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO) today issued the following statement after the House passed, in bipartisan fashion, the Ryan-Murray budget deal: ""While this deal is far from perfect, it is a small step in the right direction towards enacting the House Republican Budget which will balance our budget in ten years,"" said Rep. Ann Wagner. ""This two-year budget will provide more certainty to the American people and prevents a government shutdown. It will also help restore our military readiness and modernization to defend the United States from threats around the world. Most importantly, this budget reduces the deficit, does not raise taxes, and locks in permanent mandatory spending reductions and reforms. It's time we stop governing from crisis to crisis and restore regular order to get the job done for the American people.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=059633d1-202f-4156-88b2-f5fbf0ea628e,Senate Committee Approves Blunt-Stabenow Plan To Improve Mental Health Care,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Finance Committee today approved the bipartisan “Excellence in Mental Health Act,” introduced by U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) to expand access to community mental health services and strengthen the quality of care provided. “This is an important step forward as we work to fix America’s mental health policies,” said Blunt. “We’ve got a model that works to solve these important problems. It’s time for Congress to act.” The bill was included as an amendment to the so-called “doc fix” (SGR) bill that permanently reforms the way doctors are reimbursed by Medicare. The version of the Excellence in Mental Health Act voted for in committee today would establish pilot programs in 10 states to strengthen and improve access to care. “Strengthening mental health services isn’t partisan. It is an important issue that touches all of our families in some way,” said Stabenow. “Our bipartisan bill expands access to care and improves quality of care so people living with mental illness can get the treatment they need. Instead of merely talking about this issue in the wake of tragedies, it is time for Congress to finally take action.” Background Information: In February 2013, Blunt and Stabenow originally introduced the Excellence in Mental Health Act, to address the nation’s fragmented mental health system by offering current Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) a chance to obtain the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic designation. The bill establishes criteria for certified community behavioral health clinics to ensure the providers cover a broad range of mental health services - including 24-hour crisis care, increased integration of physical, mental and substance abuse treatment so they are treated simultaneously rather than separately, and expanded support for families of people living with mental health issues. In addition to Blunt and Stabenow, the Excellence in Mental Health Act is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators including U.S. Senators Mark Begich (Alaska), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Susan Collins (Maine), Chris Coons (Del.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Robert Menendez (N.J.), Barbara Mikulski (Md.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Chris Murphy (Conn.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), Jack Reed (R.I.), Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), and Ron Wyden (Ore.). The bill is supported by more than 50 mental health organizations, veterans organizations and law enforcement organizations including: the National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs’ Association, American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Council for Behavioral Healthcare, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health America, National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Give An Hour, among many others.  Blunt has also co-sponsored a number of mental health bills in the Senate, including:  The “Mental Health First Aid Act of 2013,” which was introduced by U.S. Senators Mark Begich (Alaska) and Kelly Ayotte (N.H). The bill authorizes the launch of a demonstration program to support mental health first aid trainings nationwide to help more Americans identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illnesses and addiction disorders. The “Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act,” which was introduced by U.S. Senators Al Franken (Minn.) and Mike Johanns (Neb.). The bipartisan bill would help make communities safer by improving access to mental health services for people in the criminal justice system who need treatment. The bill also focuses on giving law enforcement officers the tools they need to identify and respond to mental health issues, and includes a 5-year reauthorization of the “Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act” (MIOTCRA), continuing support for mental health courts, and crisis intervention teams. And the “Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013,” which was introduced by U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (Iowa) and Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) and reauthorizes and improves programs related to awareness, prevention, and early identification of mental health conditions.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221083400/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12037,McCaskill on Additional Boeing Jobs: They Made a Great Choice to Invest in St. Louis,2013-12-12,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following statement after Boeing announced that it will establish a new technology research center in St. Louis, Missouri: ""Seeing companies like Boeing invest and expand their operations in St. Louis is just a further reminder that St. Louis is a growing and vibrant area-and one that employers should rightly see as a great region in which to expand and relocate."" The new research center, which should bring with it 300-400 jobs, will consolidate technology development of strategic importance to Boeing over the long-term - up to 30 years into the future. They will be chartered to accelerate technical capability in specific fields, and enhance and build networks of collaboration with university, industry, and government research centers around the world. McCaskill and fellow Missouri Senator Roy Blunt recently sent a letter to The Boeing Company, urging them to consider the State of Missouri's proposal for consideration to build the new 777X Airliner in St. Louis. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=29f3f766-8000-400a-ad4a-47b409b64d69,"Senator Blunt, Colleagues Introduce Bill To Support Advocacy Centers For Child Abuse Victims",2013-12-11,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Chris Coons (Del.), co-chairs of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, and U.S. Senators Jeff Sessions (Ala.) and Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday to reauthorize the “Victims of Child Abuse Act” (VOCAA), which provides funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers that serve child victims of violent crimes and help law enforcement hold perpetrators accountable. Though the success of these federal-state and public-private partnerships have earned them broad bipartisan support, Congressional authorization for Children’s Advocacy Centers lapsed in 2005, and most recently the President’s proposed budgets for 2013 and 2014 have zeroed out federal funding. The VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013 would restore funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers and strengthen oversight of this critical program. “There are 22 Child Advocacy Centers located in Missouri, which serve around 7,000 of our state’s most vulnerable children each year by coordinating the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases,” Blunt said. “This bill allows Child Advocacy Centers in Missouri and across the country to continue to provide a safe haven for child abuse victims and helps law enforcement hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.” Background on the Bill: Children’s Advocacy Centers employ a multi-disciplinary team of trained professionals to conduct forensic interviews of children who have been victims of abuse. These interviews are designed to be admissible in court, preventing children from being re-traumatized by having to tell their stories multiple times. The VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013 would increase authorization levels for Children’s Advocacy Centers for the first time since the VOCAA was enacted in 1990. Acknowledging current fiscal constraints, this moderate increase, from $20 million to $22.5 million, is still below an amount that would keep pace with inflation and population growth. The reauthorization would also strengthen the programs through enhanced accountability provisions, non-profit requirements and limitations on conference expenditures. Missouri Supporters: Vince Hillyer, President and CEO, Great Circle, Columbia, Mo.: “We support this act as we are accountable for high standards and best practices to provide services that best meet the needs of children who are victims of child abuse. As Great Circle moves towards a trauma-informed practice, the Child Advocacy Centers are the first step in helping addressing the tremendous trauma that children suffer when they are victims of sexual abuse. The work that the Child Advocacy Centers provide establish the foundation for the investigation of the trauma at one site, establishes findings of the victim’s investigation and networks with the next step in healing, to agencies like Great Circle.” Jan Stock, Executive Director, Rainbow House Child Advocacy Center, Columbia, Mo.: “This Act has provided a voice for abused children across our nation. Acknowledgement of abuses against children has prompted research on the impact of abuse, treatment modalities have been developed that most effectively deal with the trauma, prevention strategies continue to evolve, and there is now more awareness of the signs and symptoms so that entire communities are able to do their part.” Joyce Estes, Executive Director, Northwest Missouri Children's Advocacy Center: “As the Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center in St. Joseph, I can testify as to how important this is. Every year we see more and more children here for forensic interviews and for trauma focused therapy for child victims of sexual abuse. Any increase in funding will be appreciated.” Kim Inman Williams, MA Executive Director Beacon Health Center/ SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence: “In 2012, Beacon/NASV served approximately 700 children through sexual/physical assault exams, forensic interviews, victim advocacy, mental health counseling and case management. Funding through our VOCA grant each year is imperative for the continuation of such programs in the 10 county areas served by our three locations. These services help to assure timely intervention in an affordable and accessible manner. As an agency and as individuals supporting the mission of protecting the children of Missouri, we fully support [Senator Blunt’s] efforts at gaining reauthorization of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.”  Barbara Brown-Johnson, Executive Director, Child Advocacy Center, Inc., Springfield, Mo.: “As an agency whose only client is abused children, we are keenly aware of the need for the Victim of Child Abuse Act funds…. The Department of Justice, as well as others, has invested in evaluation research on the impact of this CAC model, and the findings have been consistent – improved services for children while eliminating unnecessary duplication of services, proof that this public-private partnership works.” Eric Zahnd, Platte County, Mo. Prosecuting Attorney: “In my opinion, Child Advocacy Centers are among the most important organizations serving to protect children. My office works with our local CAC on a regular basis. Without their expertise in cases we prosecute, many child predators would not be behind bars today. It would be extremely beneficial to the children of our nation for Senator Blunt to reauthorize the act.” Mark Richardson, Cole County, Mo. Prosecuting Attorney: “[Child Advocacy Centers’] interviews of child victims conducted by trained forensic interviewers have made it much easier for law enforcement investigators, juries and judges to find the truth in child assault and sexual assault cases.  As a result, there is a higher rate of conviction and sentences of imprisonment for the most vile criminals who prey on our most defenseless citizens – our children.” Christopher K. Limbaugh, Cape Girardeau County, Mo. Prosecuting Attorney: “Child victims are the most vulnerable of the population. While many victims of crime are subject to traumatic offenses, children suffer more so given that the offenses committed against them occur during the formative years of their lives. The programs supported by the Victims of Child Abuse Reauthorization Act are a vital tool in the investigation of offenses against children and essential to the successful prosecution of those perpetrators. The Reauthorization of this Act, sponsored by Senator Blunt, will continue to provide law enforcement personnel and child advocates resources to put those who prey on children in prison and off Missouri streets.” Andy Anderson, Boone County, Mo. Sheriff's Dept. Cyber Crimes Task Force Coordinator: “Child advocacy centers in Missouri and around the country must be funded to maintain the professional standard we now enjoy. We owe it to the children and families who have become victims of such horrific crimes to make the investigative process professional and compassionate as possible. I have been investigating crimes against children for 26 years so I started way before child advocacy centers were available. I understand the difficulties victims faced during investigations before they were established. We have come too far to take a backward step now. Child advocacy centers help investigators conduct a better investigation and serve the children well by reducing the number of their interviews and provide them a safe child friendly environment where they can get through a very difficult task.” John Jordan, Sheriff, Cape Girardeau County, Mo.: “I fully support Senator Blunt in his effort to secure funding in the Victims of Child Abuse Reauthorization Act of 2013. This is a noble and very much needed program that has and will continue to protect countless children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse. Being able to have safe environments for children who have been victimized, is paramount to their future physical and mental healing. I commend Senator Blunt for his support of this important legislation.” # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=c80a0a11-d09a-44ff-a75a-1a1a9ade921e,Springfield News-Leader: Management of Mark Twain forest concerns lawmakers,2013-12-10,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"News-Leader Staff U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Strafford, and U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, met with Kathleen Atkinson, the eastern regional forester for the U.S. Forest Service, regarding concerns over controlled burns and timber management in the Mark Twain National Forest.  “Forestry is an important economic engine in rural Missouri, and many families and local businesses rely on the Mark Twain National Forest for resources including timber, wood products, agriculture, and recreation,” Blunt said.  “Congressman Smith and I are working with the forest service to ensure that timber harvest remains a management priority and that the utility of controlled burns is thoroughly examined, so the Mark Twain National Forest can continue to benefit our state.”  Christian County contains 52,260 acres of land set aside for the Mark Twain National Forest. It is home to three campgrounds and recreation areas and an 80-mile trail system for ATVs, mountain biking and hiking.  The forest service uses the burns to control growth of trees and vegetation in the expansive national forest, which stretches over hundreds of square miles in southern Missouri. The Mark Twain National Forest website listed nearly 56,000 acres scheduled for prescribed burns in fiscal 2013.  Logging and timber industries in Missouri employ more than 32,000 people and contribute $5.7 billion each year to the state's economy, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.  The department’s website says Missouri is a national leader in the manufacture of forest products like charcoal, barrels, and red-cedar gift items.  “Roy and I have both toured areas of the Mark Twain where ‘controlled burns’ have inadvertently destroyed harvestable timber,” Smith said. “We would like to see a management strategy from the forest service that prevents harvestable timber from being destroyed, and also ensures that local governments and school districts will continue to benefit as much as possible from timber sales.” Read more here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112140/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12035,"McCaskill, Tester Take Aim at Government Redundancy With Joint Hearing Series",2013-12-10,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Recognizing that every dollar must stretch further and every government program must be able to justify its expenditures-or even existence-U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Jon Tester (Mont.) today announced a joint series of hearings designed to improve government efficiency, streamline or eliminate duplicative programs, and boost economic growth. McCaskill and Tester-both of whom have earned reputations as independent members of their caucus-each lead subcommittees of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. They will combine the resources and focus of those panels for the hearing series aimed at better spending taxpayer dollars. The first of these hearings later this week, in McCaskill's Subcommittee on Financial & Contracting Oversight, will examine opportunities to streamline and improve the management and oversight of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. McCaskill's hearing will take place at 2pm ET in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, SD-342-and will be streamed online HERE. Tester-Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce-will follow up with a hearing early next year entitled ""A More Efficient and Effective Government: Improving the Regulatory Framework,"" which will examine a government-wide review, initiatied by President Obama, that sought to catalogue the effects of some current regulations, and identify ways to streamline, improve, or eliminate outdated regulations. ""We've got situations in the federal government where there are two or more programs with the same goal-often with very little coordination or cooperation,"" said McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor. ""We need to find a way to streamline programs and regulations with the goal of saving money and continuing our economic recovery."" ""Rebuilding trust in government starts with making sure government agencies are meeting the needs of the American people and wisely using taxpayer dollars,"" Tester said. ""These hearings will shed more light of where we can cut the fat to make sure agencies are focused on serving the public, getting the best bang for the buck, and promoting economic growth."" ""Any proposal to consolidate operations that would actually reduce spending are welcome and should be enacted,"" said Senator Ron Johnson, ranking Republican member of the Subcommittee on Financial & Contracting Oversight. ""This is an area where we can work on a bipartisan basis to reform the government to make it more efficient, effective, and accountable to taxpayers."" The series of hearings will include top officials of government agencies, as well as representatives from various stakeholder groups, including think-tanks, issue advocates and business interests. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112156/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12034,McCaskill Cites Successes of Watchdog Over Troubled Assets Relief Program,2013-12-10,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Several years after creating an independent watchdog to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is recognizing the exceptional performance of the office and calling on continued oversight to protect taxpayer dollars. In 2009, McCaskill worked to strengthen oversight of the $700 billion TARP by passing legislation empowering a Special Inspector General. McCaskill's bill, which was signed into law in April 2009, increased the power and authority of the Special Inspector General for TARP by giving him the ability to oversee all actions taken under the plan and providing him with additional and much needed tools to strengthen the oversight of these funds. ""Inspectors General are the eyes and ears of taxpayers in the federal government, and the results here show how critical their work is,"" said McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor. ""It is clear that when an IG has the authority to conduct aggressive oversight, they can provide critical accountability in taxpayer-funded programs. Nowhere was that oversight more needed than with TARP."" A recent report by the Washington Post confirmed the success of the Special Inspector General for TARP, noting that the office has pursued criminal charges for hundreds of high level bank officers, several ending in prison sentences. The financial rescue plan was written based on a proposal spelled out by the Treasury Department to buy up troubled, toxic financial assets. When the Treasury plan changed, the authority of the Special Inspector General needed to be broadened. McCaskill's bill provided the necessary fixes to ensure there is strong oversight in place. The McCaskill bill was co-sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Christopher Dodd (D-Conn), Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). Click HERE to read highlights of McCaskill's fight for stronger accountability in Washington. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112215/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12033,"McCaskill, Ayotte on Defense Bill Agreement: Pass Historic Reforms",2013-12-09,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators and former prosecutors Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) today released the following joint statement after the leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees unveiled a plan to pass this year's annual defense bill-including dozens of historic provisions to protect and empower victims of sexual assault, boost prosecutions of sexual predators, and hold military commanders accountable: ""This agreement represents a huge win for justice in America's Armed Forces. While we're frustrated that votes on additional measures did not occur, these historic reforms-including installing civilian review over prosecutorial decisions, barring commanders from changing jury verdicts, assigning victims their own legal counsel, criminalizing retaliation against victims, and mandating dishonorable discharge for convicted sex offenders-will mean a new day for justice for American servicemembers. And we're going to work as hard as we can to enact these critical reforms into law."" Today's agreement contains a long list of reforms already included in the Senate's National Defense Authorization Act, as well as bipartisan reforms to the ""Article 32"" pre-trial process, including: Stripping military commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions Requiring civilian review if a commander declines to prosecute a case Assigning victims their own independent legal counsel to protect their rights and fight for their interests Mandating dishonorable discharge for anyone convicted of sexual assault Criminalizing retaliation against victims who report a sexual assault Eliminating the statute of limitations in rape and sexual assault cases ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112229/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12032,McCaskill Asks Servicemembers to Nominate Great Employers,2013-12-09,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is encouraging Missourians who are members of the National Guard or Reserves to nominate exemplary employers for an award that recognizes their support and commitment to their employees serving the nation as members of the Guard and Reserves. The Department of Defense sponsors the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award as part of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program. Nominations for the department's highest recognition for civilian employers who have supported Guard and Reserve members are open to all employers-large, small, private and public-for only a short time longer. ""This award gives us a chance to highlight some of the outstanding employers in Missouri that are going above and beyond to support the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country,"" said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and daughter of a World War II veteran. ""This serves as a great reminder that we should all be doing everything we can to support our nation's heroes who give up so much to protect our freedom."" McCaskill has been a strong advocate for the ESGR program as a means to support the service of members of the Guard and Reserves. McCaskill previously arranged a statewide conference call with ESGR representatives, the Missouri National Guard, and employers in Missouri to help find solutions and identify ways to give our Guardsman and Reservists more support. Guard and Reserve members, or a family member acting on their behalf, may nominate their employers at www.FreedomAward.mil. The deadline to nominate is January 20, 2014. Read more about McCaskill's fight for Missouri's veterans by clicking HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363769,SEC Championship Game,2013-12-07,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"SEC Championship Game f t # e Jefferson City, December 7, 2013 Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) on the Missouri Tigers’ SEC Championship loss to the Auburn Tigers today in Atlanta: share: f t JEFFERSON CITY _ Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) on the Missouri Tigers’ SEC Championship loss to the Auburn Tigers today in Atlanta:  “Today, the Missouri Tigers lived up to being from the Show-Me State by showing the nation they are a team with a bright future after giving it their all against the Auburn Tigers. By winning the SEC Eastern Division in only their second year in the league, these Tigers have represented themselves, their school and their state with dignity and humility. I also would like to thank Coach Pinkel and his entire coaching staff for leading this team of young men to the championship game and I look forward to seeing what more they can accomplish in their yet-to-be determined bowl game. I would also like to congratulate the Auburn Tigers for their victory today as they prepare to represent the SEC in their final game of the season.” f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/ec-dc-december-6-2013,"EC from DC - December 6, 2013",2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"KANSAS CITY FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS REMEMBERED   A large crowd gathers by the memorial to the six firefighters killed in the 1988 explosion in Kansas City It is an early morning that I, like so many others, will never forget. I could physically feel the ground move. I heard the cracking of an explosion. I feared what might have just happened. It was in 1988, a time when terrorist attacks on our own soil were not yet on our radar. But, as Mayor Pro Tem at the time, I would soon be on board a helicopter surveying the damage in the wake of the worst carnage I have ever seen. Congressman Cleaver tells friends of family members of the six lost Kansas City firefighters they will never be forgotten Responding to a fire in a trailer in south Kansas City, in those early morning hours so many years ago, the six brave Kansas City firefighters had no idea there were thousands of tons of explosives near the burning flames. They gave their lives doing what they did each day, doing what they believed was their mission in life - serving, saving, and protecting those in our city. A sunny but cold morning the day after Thanksgiving marked the morning of the remembrance ceremony by the memorial site. As hundreds of family members, friends, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others gathered recently to mark the 25th anniversary of that terrible morning, it is clear that so much has changed, yet so much is the same. Over the years there have been new developments, including advancements, led by the fire department in Kansas City, to make sure those first on a scene know what they are walking into. But what remains, and always will, is the absence of the men who were loved by so many. A solemn moment as the 25th anniversary remembrance comes to an end THE VERY LATEST ON THE ACA   As promised, I wanted to continue to keep you updated on the very latest concerning the Affordable Care Act. The website problems have been frustrating, but are continuing to be fixed. In fact, the site successfully handled more than 725,000 visitors recently in just one day. The overall goal of ACA continues to be what it has always been: assisting millions of Americans gain access to health care, while controlling costs and maintaining quality for all. Already, under the Affordable Care Act: More than 47 million women have gained access to free and recommended preventive services. 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage or charged more because of those conditions. The growth in health care costs is slowing. Recent data shows the ACA, along with other factors, is contributing to the lowest growth in spending on record. The cost of healthcare has been prohibitive and crippling for millions of Americans for a very long time. For decades healthcare premiums skyrocketed, especially for middle class families. Already under the Affordable Care Act: Insurance companies will still set premium rates but now face tough new rules that crack down on unjustified rate hikes. Insurance companies are required to spend your money on health care instead of administrative overhead or CEO bonuses. Consumers have saved more than $5 billion in the past two years alone due to this requirement that insurance companies spend at least 80% of your premium dollars on care for patients. If they don’t, consumers get a rebate. In 2013, 8.5 million enrollees will get a total of $500 million in rebates, which is an average of $100 a family. Cutting the cost of health care is critical for economic stability within families and economic growth throughout the country. Already under the Affordable Care Act: Families spending less on health care are getting more security in their budgets. Businesses spending less on health care can hire more employees. Over the past 44 months businesses in our country have created nearly 8 million new jobs. As in all things related to the government, I believe it is important to be transparent, to continue to reduce waste, eliminate fraud and abuse, and work to find ways to improve service and efficiency. I will continue to monitor the ACA and work in a bipartisan way to make sure this plan is the best and most beneficial it can be for those of Missouri’s Fifth District. REACH OUT AND READ   Congressman Cleaver reads with an eager group of youngsters at TMC Lakewood in Grain Valley Recently, it was fun to visit with some great kids at TMC Lakewood, which offers primary health care services for families. It was a part of the Reach Out and Read program, a program TMC has been involved with for a decade. The program is all about encouraging reading, and assisting children with access to books. They are given to kids, even infants, during check-ups. Area children explain the important points of the reading to Congressman Cleaver The goal is to encourage all members of the family to read. Using books as toys, as well as educational tools, is a positive way to do this. It can help with coordination, colors, reasoning, and of course, just the beauty of getting time to spend together. VETERAN HOMELESSNESS DROPS There is more good news in the fight against homelessness among Veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs, along with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, has announced a new national report showing a 24% reduction since 2010. The goal is to end Veteran homelessness by 2015. This fight is taking place in many areas, with numerous community partners, and at all levels of the government. And while progress, very significant progress, is being made, there is still much work to do. Protecting those who have sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom is not just doing what is right – it is an honor. For more information about the VA’s homeless programs and support services for families, please visit my website: https://cleaver.house.gov/. BIOTECHNOLOGY AND OUR FOOD I was honored to join Agri-Pulse and a distinguished group of stakeholders in Washington recently, to talk about the future of our food. The discussion also revolved around biotechnology and its impact on our nation’s food quality, quantity, and distribution. I shared with the group my personal experience with hunger. As a child, growing up in a house with no running water or electricity, hunger was a frequent and familiar companion. In another 4 decades, the population of our planet is expected to reach 9 billion people. Making sure we can feed this growing number is a critical challenge. And, getting that food to those who need it, in all corners of the world, is an additional challenge. Human ingenuity is going to play a key role. Biotechnology, in many forms, is already helping to feed many millions here in the United States, and also in many developing nations. It has also provided benefits by reducing the amount of pesticides used on crops, and the amount of water needed to allow those crops to flourish. I believe our country should continue to support agricultural research, and share agricultural methods and technologies with other nations. They, in turn, with that knowledge and those tools, will need to determine the models that work best for them. America has always been the heart and soul of ingenuity, enterprise, and determination. And we are going to need that, as we move forward together, to make sure every tenant on this rock called Earth – has access to food. CIVILITY CORNER A few years ago, I heard an interesting but tragic story about two Soviet ships: one was a passenger vessel with more than a thousand people aboard and the other was a cargo carrier. The two collided in icy waters off the Black Sea coast of Russia. The thing that made the tragedy even more mournful was that 423 of the 1,234 Russians on board the ship, the SS Admiral Nakhimov, froze to death or drowned from a collision that was 100% avoidable. After this shipwreck in 1986 (a time when former Soviet Leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev was changing the look of Communism) the Politburo member who headed the investigation of the collision issued a report saying that, “The guilt of both captains is undoubted.” I agree. The captains knew that a deadly crash was imminent unless one or both of them changed course. Perhaps it was stubbornness or a dumb declaration, such as those we often hear in the political arena, “I’m right and the other captain is wrong, therefore I’m not going to change.” All the world really knows is that 423 human beings are dead because two obstinate captains, one as crazy as the other, said, “Damn the forewarning, full speed ahead!” It has occurred to me that two ideologically stubborn and hard-headed caucuses in the U.S. House will not move the nation forward, even though, in reality, they seek the same or similar legislative goal. That is, if both groups prefer a shipwreck to a partnership. As we approach a new year, it would benefit the nation if we, the Members of the House of Representatives, accept the not so radical notion that the direction we are sailing the two political ships could lead eventually to an unnecessary wreck which may drown the dreams of millions.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363641,Blaine's Bulletin- Supporting Small Business,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"“Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States” – President Ronald Reagan President Reagan’s words reflect my own long-held belief as a former small businessman that small businesses are the backbone of our nation. Small businesses are where ideas and innovations are not only brought to life but are nurtured into American success stories that create jobs and economic opportunities. share: f t “Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States” – President Ronald Reagan President Reagan’s words reflect my own long-held belief as a former small businessman that small businesses are the backbone of our nation. Small businesses are where ideas and innovations are not only brought to life but are nurtured into American success stories that create jobs and economic opportunities. And as Vice Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, I remain concerned that in order to preserve the economic building blocks produced by small businesses we must ensure that burdensome regulations and job-killing taxes do not become walls to prosperity. As taxpayers, we all know the tax code is confusing. In fact, it’s so confusing that individuals and small businesses combined spend more than six billion hours and more than $100 billion every year trying to understand and comply with the tax code. With that in mind, the House Ways and Means Committee earlier this year announced they were going to take on the task of overhauling the tax code to make it simpler and fairer for hard-working Americans. While I fully support a reformed tax code, it was critical for me to bring to the committee’s attention how reform could affect small businesses in a very specific way.  Last month, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley and I sent a bipartisan letter to the committee urging committee members to consider the negative effects of proposed reforms that would limit accounting flexibility for small businesses and farmers across America. The proposed Tax Reform Act of 2013 would expand the use of cash accounting from businesses with gross receipts that do not exceed $5 million to those with gross receipts that do not exceed $10 million, it would also limit the use of cash accounting for certain pass-through entities, farmers, and personal service corporations that have historically paid their taxes using the simple and appropriate manner of cash accounting. This is important because pass-through entities account for more than 90 percent of all business entities in the United States. The fact is America is long overdue for a simpler and fairer tax code. However, cash accounting is critical for small businesses and it’s important to make sure the committee will consider the negative effects that would limit accounting flexibility. With my history in small business and my current responsibilities on the Small Business Committee, I am deeply committed to preserving the health of America’s small businesses. It is a proven fact that small businesses provide a majority of the jobs in this country, generally about 60 to 80 percent, to be more precise. In this economic climate, it is crucial that we support these businesses rather than place obstacles before them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-wm-lacy-clay-d-death-former-south-african,STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) ON THE DEATH OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA,2013-12-06,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,William Clay,C001049,lacyclay.house.gov,,,legacy,"MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, December 6, 2013 STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) MISSOURI REGARDING THE DEATH OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA The following is a first-person statement by Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri: ""Nelson Mandela was not only the father of a free South Africa, he was a giant for justice who inspired millions around the world with his courage, dedication and unyielding dignity. His great moral force defeated the evils of Apartheid and led his nation to a peaceful transition to majority rule. Mandela's life was a shining example of leaving the world a better place than what he was born into. I was honored to work for his release and the abolishing of the horrible system of Apartheid during my years in the Missouri State legislature. My thoughts and prayers are with Madiba's family and the people of South Africa. May his memory and legacy of courage continue to inspire generations to come."" -end-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363434,Luetkemeyer Highlights Missouri’s Capabilities in Face-to-Face Meeting with Boeing CEO,2013-12-04,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"In a face-to-face meeting today with Boeing CEO W. James McNerney, Jr., U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) had the opportunity to discuss many important issues to the St. Louis area and the state of Missouri including the potential for a new production facility for the company’s 777X jetliner. share: f t In a face-to-face meeting today with Boeing CEO W. James McNerney, Jr., U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) had the opportunity to discuss many important issues to the St. Louis area and the state of Missouri including the potential for a new production facility for the company’s 777X jetliner. “I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Mr. McNerney in my office today to discuss among other issues the many advantages of having the 777X jetliner built in St. Louis,” Luetkemeyer said, whose district includes hundreds of Boeing workers and related suppliers.  “St. Louis has a strong work ethic, history as a home to Boeing, proximity to major transportation corridors, and the presence of more than 700 Boeing suppliers already in the region. Landing this project in St. Louis would create high-paying, high-quality jobs throughout the state and provide a significant economic boost. I am pleased that Boeing will be considering Missouri as the future home of this state-of-the-art aircraft.” In a separate letter to McNerney in support of a state-wide effort to bring the project to St. Louis, Luetkemeyer reiterated and made it clear - the region has a proven history of success when it comes to the state’s commitment to Boeing over the years. “The St. Louis area is home to men and women who embody the unparalleled Midwestern work ethic. Additionally, St. Louis has had the opportunity to serve as a faithful home to Boeing and Boeing precursors since James McDonnell incorporated the McDonnell Aircraft Company in 1939, and today is fortunate to count Boeing Defense, Space and Security as a hometown business,” Luetkemeyer wrote. “You undoubtedly recognize the talent of Missouri’s Boeing aerospace employees, and I can assure you that those individuals and our State’s broader workforce are able and ready to meet the growing demand for Boeing commercial aircraft.” Earlier this week, Luetkemeyer and other members of the congressional delegation participated in a conference call with state officials to discuss Missouri’s current efforts to bring the 777X project to St. Louis. The group agreed to work together across party lines to enhance efforts already underway. “We have a bi-partisan commitment from members of the Missouri congressional delegation to do everything we can, as a group and individually, to show Boeing that St. Louis would be the best possible location for its production facilities and I look forward to working in the months ahead to make this possible,” Luetkemeyer said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=a2249d73-6119-47e9-9f09-e25b4c9242e8,"Joplin Globe: Working web site won’t help ‘Obamacare,’ senator says",2013-12-04,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"JOPLIN, Mo. — A working web site will not spell the end for problems with the federal Affordable Health Care Act, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt told a Joplin crowd on Wednesday. Speaking at a breakfast sponsored by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, the senator said he was surprised at the many problems encountered with the roll out of the web site for the program. “I didn’t expect the web site not to work — that’s the easy part,” Blunt said. He said the coverage will not succeed because he does not believe young, health people will buy in and because of elements cited as benefits by supporters, such as the coverage requirement for those with pre-existing medical conditions. “I’m sympathetic, but you have to be realistic. Allowing pre-existing conditions doesn’t make sense,” he said. “That’s like being able to buy homeowner’s insurance after your house is on fire. So costs have to cover expenses for people who are already sick.” He said that puts the price out of reach for young people who have no incentive to buy insurance when they are young and healthy, especially if they know they can get it when they’re sick. He said he is getting calls from constituents who are frustrated because they are learning — despite the administration’s claims — that they can’t keep their current insurance if they like it, and that they may not be able  to keep their doctor. “In Missouri, the largest health network is through Barnes Jewish (Hospital in St. Louis) but coverage for treatment there isn’t available through the insurance company that’s providing most of the coverage in the state,” he said. Read more here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085736/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12030,FARM BILL DEADLINE-McCaskill: Need to Act in 28 Days,2013-12-04,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - 28 days ahead of an impending deadline that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack predicted earlier today could cause milk prices to rise to $7 per gallon, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is continuing her fight to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill renewal into law. Congressional leaders continued meetings today designed to forge an agreement ahead of the January deadline. For the past two years, the U.S. Senate has passed a renewal of the Farm Bill with a wide bipartisan majority that managed to cut billions of dollars of spending, while protecting America's farmers, ranchers, and low-income families. The U.S. House failed to act on the comprehensive legislation. Earlier this year the House-unable to pass a comprehensive bill-split the Farm Bill into two separate pieces and passed them individually, on party-line votes. This has allowed a conference committee to be formed between the Senate and House with the goal of merging the two bills. ""The problem right now is that we've got some inflexible and extreme lawmakers that want to take their ball and go home if they can't get one hundred percent of what they want,"" McCaskill said. ""But it's American consumers that will literally be paying the price for that inflexibly if we can't provide them with the certainty they deserve."" If a comprehensive bill is not passed by January 1, several provisions relating to dairy products would revert back to rules written in 1949-which could double the price of dairy products, including milk, overnight. Many programs, including those designed to protect farmers and ranchers from unexpected natural disasters, have already expired leaving thousands of farmers who have suffered losses in limbo. This has taken on even greater significance after an early-season storm in South Dakota left 100,000 cattle dead last month. Programs that aid in wetlands conservation and some nutrition programs, including the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, have also expired. Last week McCaskill wrote a letter (available online HERE) to members of the Conference Committee urging them to place a cap on the total amount individual farmers can receive of $250,000-a change that would save taxpayers over $160 million a year. ""We believe farm programs should offer support in tough times, but like other economic safety nets, the assistance should have limits,"" the letter leads. McCaskill also recently joined with her Republican colleague Jeff Flake of Arizona to urge the conference committee to end wasteful Direct Payments-direct cash transfers of taxpayer dollars to farmers from the government that do not take into account current yields or prices. McCaskill's advocacy on the Farm Bill was honored last year at the Golden Triangle Award Ceremony for the National Farmers Union, where she accepted the group's highest legislative honor awarded to sitting members of Congress in recognition of her leadership working on behalf of Missouri's rural communities. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363240,Luetkemeyer Leads Missouri River Delegation on Improving Management Efforts,2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) and the Missouri delegation sent a letter to the House and Senate Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) conferees made up of House and Senate negotiators seeking to improve management of the Missouri River. share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) and the Missouri delegation sent a letter to the House and Senate Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) conferees made up of House and Senate negotiators seeking to improve management of the Missouri River.    “In sending this letter to WRDA conferees, the entire Missouri delegation has united around three important concepts: we want a transparent, results-based strategy for mitigation on the Missouri; we want to uphold the ability of residents, business and municipalities to utilize Missouri River waters without being charged by the federal government; and we want to make sure the Corps is properly maintaining our vital navigation channel,” Luetkemeyer said. “WRDA is our primary opportunity to make these substantive changes to management of the Missouri River, and I am very pleased to be joined by the delegation in this important effort.” Earlier this year, Luetkemeyer and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), who is serving on the WRDA conference committee, successfully included language in the House version of WRDA regarding mitigation.  The delegation letter to WRDA conferees seeks to maintain this language, while also expressing support for a concept championed by Senator John Hoeven (R-ND). Specifically, the House language would require the Corps to provide more information about its mitigation efforts on the Missouri River and also asks to provide an inventory of all conservation lands along the river. The Senate language would prohibit the Corps from charging residents, companies and municipalities for water out of the reservoirs upstream. NOTE: A copy of the letter that was sent to the WRDA conferees is attached.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wagner.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/wagner-responds-to-president-obamas-speech-on-obamacare,Wagner Responds To President Obama's Speech on ObamaCare,2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement in response to President Obama's speech on ObamaCare this afternoon: ""After millions of Americans lost their health plans and millions more are getting ready to receive cancellation letters in the mail under ObamaCare - there is nothing the President can say to restore his credibility to the American people. Every day I hear from far too many hardworking families in the 2nd District who have seen their premiums skyrocket, their health insurance cancelled, who have been forced to change their doctors, and have seen their hours cut back at work. The simple truth is - there is no speech grand enough, no talking point clever enough, and no carefully staged campaign event big enough to make ObamaCare work for the American people.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-responds-to-president-obamas-speech-on-obamacare,Wagner Responds To President Obama's Speech on ObamaCare,2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement in response to President Obama's speech on ObamaCare this afternoon: ""After millions of Americans lost their health plans and millions more are getting ready to receive cancellation letters in the mail under ObamaCare - there is nothing the President can say to restore his credibility to the American people. Every day I hear from far too many hardworking families in the 2nd District who have seen their premiums skyrocket, their health insurance cancelled, who have been forced to change their doctors, and have seen their hours cut back at work. The simple truth is - there is no speech grand enough, no talking point clever enough, and no carefully staged campaign event big enough to make ObamaCare work for the American people.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=4c19d97c-d291-414d-8bbd-ca84e1de289c,"Senator Blunt, Rep. Smith Fight To Protect The Mark Twain National Forest",2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) and U.S. Representative Jason Smith (Mo.) met with Kathleen Atkinson, the Eastern Regional Forester for the U.S. Forest Service, this week regarding concerns over controlled burns and timber management in the Mark Twain National Forest. Click here for a high-resolution photo of the meeting. “Forestry is an important economic engine in rural Missouri, and many families and local businesses rely on the Mark Twain National Forest for resources including timber, wood products, agriculture, and recreation,” said Blunt. “Congressman Smith and I are working with the Forest Service to ensure that timber harvest remains a management priority and that the utility of controlled burns is thoroughly examined, so the Mark Twain National Forest can continue to benefit our state.” “Roy and I have both toured areas of the Mark Twain where ‘controlled burns’ have inadvertently destroyed harvestable timber,” said Smith. “We would like to see a management strategy from the Forest Service that prevents harvestable timber from being destroyed, and also ensures that local governments and school districts will continue to benefit as much as possible from timber sales.” # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=fdf25502-b23d-427f-a7e9-433cf630f02f,"Senators Blunt, McCaskill Urge Boeing To Bring New Aircraft Project, Jobs To St. Louis",2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.) today sent a letter to The Boeing Company, urging them to consider the State of Missouri’s proposal for consideration to build the new 777X Airliner in St. Louis, Mo. In the letter, the Senators highlight several of Missouri’s positive attributes, including the state’s skilled workforce, “tremendous partnerships that exist between the business community and education entities,” and major transportation modes, which allow businesses to benefit from global access and remain competitive in the international marketplace. “The more than 15,000 Boeing employees already in the State of Missouri are a great example of the skill, commitment, innovation, and tremendous work ethic that exists in Missouri,” the Senators wrote. “… The Boeing Company already has a history and strong foundation to build upon in our state. We are confident that choosing Missouri for the 777X long-haul aircraft would be a strong, long-term investment for The Boeing Company,” the Senators continued. To view Blunt’s statement on Boeing’s 777X airliner project from November 21, 2013, please click here. To read the entire letter, please see below or click here. December 3, 2013 Mr. W. James McNerney, Jr. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer The Boeing Company 100 N. Riverside Plaza Chicago, Illinois 60606 Dear Mr. McNerney: We are pleased to know that The Boeing Company has requested the State of Missouri to submit a proposal for your consideration on where to build your 777X long-haul aircraft.  Without a doubt, Missouri is the right location to select. The Boeing Company knows firsthand that Missouri has a dynamic and well-supported workforce. Missouri businesses benefit from the tremendous partnerships that exist between the business community and education entities.  These partnerships result in a skilled workforce for today and tomorrow.   The more than 15,000 Boeing employees already in the State of Missouri are a great example of the skill, commitment, innovation, and tremendous work ethic that exists in Missouri.  In addition, these employees can attest that Missouri is a great place to live and work.  Missouri businesses are strong, growing, and competitive in the international marketplace.  Besides our tremendous workforce, we are ideally situated with a major airport, strong rail and highways, and a river transportation system.  All of these transportation modes allow businesses in Missouri to reach across the globe with ease.  An even stronger Boeing presence in Missouri would be welcomed and would continue to benefit from our global access.  You know the strengths and great benefits of Missouri because The Boeing Company already has a history and strong foundation to build upon in our state.  We are confident that choosing Missouri for the 777X long-haul aircraft would be a strong, long-term investment for The Boeing Company. Missouri has a track record of success in building airplanes and wants to build more.  We look forward to hearing your decision and would be glad to tell you more about why our home state is the right place to build the 777X.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221100542/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12029,"Senators Blunt, McCaskill Urge Boeing To Bring New Aircraft Project, Jobs To St. Louis",2013-12-03,2013,2013-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.) today sent a letter to The Boeing Company, urging them to consider the State of Missouri's proposal for consideration to build the new 777X Airliner in St. Louis, Mo. In the letter, the Senators highlight several of Missouri's positive attributes, including the state's skilled workforce, ""tremendous partnerships that exist between the business community and education entities,"" and major transportation modes, which allow businesses to benefit from global access and remain competitive in the international marketplace. ""The more than 15,000 Boeing employees already in the State of Missouri are a great example of the skill, commitment, innovation, and tremendous work ethic that exists in Missouri,"" the Senators wrote. ""... The Boeing Company already has a history and strong foundation to build upon in our state. We are confident that choosing Missouri for the 777X long-haul aircraft would be a strong, long-term investment for The Boeing Company,"" the Senators continued. To read the entire letter, please see below or click here December 3, 2013 Mr. W. James McNerney, Jr. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer The Boeing Company 100 N. Riverside Plaza Chicago, Illinois 60606 Dear Mr. McNerney: We are pleased to know that The Boeing Company has requested the State of Missouri to submit a proposal for your consideration on where to build your 777X long-haul aircraft. Without a doubt, Missouri is the right location to select. The Boeing Company knows firsthand that Missouri has a dynamic and well-supported workforce. Missouri businesses benefit from the tremendous partnerships that exist between the business community and education entities. These partnerships result in a skilled workforce for today and tomorrow. The more than 15,000 Boeing employees already in the State of Missouri are a great example of the skill, commitment, innovation, and tremendous work ethic that exists in Missouri. In addition, these employees can attest that Missouri is a great place to live and work. Missouri businesses are strong, growing, and competitive in the international marketplace. Besides our tremendous workforce, we are ideally situated with a major airport, strong rail and highways, and a river transportation system. All of these transportation modes allow businesses in Missouri to reach across the globe with ease. An even stronger Boeing presence in Missouri would be welcomed and would continue to benefit from our global access. You know the strengths and great benefits of Missouri because The Boeing Company already has a history and strong foundation to build upon in our state. We are confident that choosing Missouri for the 777X long-haul aircraft would be a strong, long-term investment for The Boeing Company. Missouri has a track record of success in building airplanes and wants to build more. We look forward to hearing your decision and would be glad to tell you more about why our home state is the right place to build the 777X. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=7756da04-cb96-4b0d-bdcb-243696136356,"Springfield News-Leader: In leadership, Sen. Blunt focuses on old ties, new tools",2013-12-01,2013,2013-12,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Deirdre Shesgreen WASHINGTON — On Sept. 28, with three days to go before funding for the federal government dried up, the Senate was shuttered and quiet. But Sen. Roy Blunt made his way to the Capitol anyway. The Missouri Republican spent that Saturday shuttling from one House GOP office to another, meeting with his former colleagues and their aides to see whether there was some way to avert a government shutdown. He was trying to revive a moribund proposal — crafted by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., but rejected by tea party hard-liners — to combine a short-term spending bill with a second proposal to defund the Affordable Care Act. The Senate's Democratic majority could then decouple the two and send only the funding legislation to Obama for his signature — keeping the government open and keeping the health law funded. Blunt did not make much headway that day. But his efforts highlight his role in the Senate Republican leadership — that of a seasoned tactician who works behind the scenes. Two years ago, the freshman senator won a close race to become vice chairman of the Senate GOP conference, the No. 5 leadership slot. The job used to involve taking minutes at the Senate Republicans' weekly meetings, but that task is a relic of a different political era. Today, Blunt said, ""you largely can define (the vice chair job) the way you want to and the way you think the members would like for you to."" Blunt has picked two main venues to exert influence. One seems like a natural fit — using his 14 years in the House to improve coordination between that chamber's Republican majority and the Senate's GOP minority. His other focus is less obvious: The 63-year-old has become a social media maven, nudging his Republican colleagues to sign up for Twitter, start using Instagram, and update their Facebook pages. ""Every (Republican) senator is now on Twitter, which wasn't the case two years ago,"" Blunt said proudly. Blunt regularly attends a weekly leadership news conference with Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. And he shows up frequently on the Sunday talk shows as a GOP spokesman on everything from Obamacare to Syria. But the Missouri Republican seems content to mostly cede the media spotlight to others and wield his clout more discretely. ""He's not been an out-front, rousing spokesperson for the Republican Party,"" said Kenneth Warren, a political science professor at St. Louis University. ""He's always liked to lead in the background … (and) he commands respect mostly for what he says behind closed doors."" At the GOP's weekly closed-door strategy sessions, Blunt hands out a list of the most popular topics on Twitter, at least when it comes to Congress and politics. He urges senators to look at what other lawmakers are doing on social media and emulate successful strategies. And he's brought in digital experts to school senators on the best social media strategies. This summer, for example, Blunt asked Katie Harbath, Facebook's politics and government outreach manager, to talk to Senate staffers about the most effective ways to use Facebook to reach voters. She told them to make their postings ""authentic"" — not just regurgitated press releases — and to post photos that give their followers a behind-the-scenes sense of what it's like to be a senator. Harbath said Blunt was quick to realize ""the power of social media"" and has made sure it's a priority in his own office and with his colleagues, too. Blunt said he wanted to help Senate Republicans become better social media users because it's an easy, efficient way for lawmakers to communicate with their constituents. And they can have more dynamic exchanges with voters than they used to with regular mail, he said. ""Every senator is seeing (social media) as more and more important to the way they campaign,"" he said. But sometimes they drop those efforts once they've won their elections, he said. Still, for all his talk about Twitter, Blunt is better known as an old-guard, establishment Republican with a knack for insider politics. He's served in leadership for 14 of the 17 years he's been in Congress — starting in the House with his stint as chief deputy whip in 1999. Blunt won his race for the Senate post despite efforts by outside groups to cast him as the establishment candidate and his opponent, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, as a fresh-faced outsider who would bring tea party views to the leadership table. Blunt made his experience in the House and his institutional expertise his main campaign pitch — saying he would be able to make sure the GOP was in lock step from one side of the Capitol to the other. The debate over defunding health care reform put that promise to the test, since it exposed a deep GOP rift. Blunt and many other Republican senators saw the efforts to tie extending funding for the government to killing Obamacare as a losing strategy. They fretted that Republicans would shoulder the blame for a government shutdown. ""I did try to tamp that down,"" Blunt said of the GOP split, by pressing his House counterparts to take a different path. Those efforts fizzled when the shutdown began, he conceded, and for weeks, the main storyline was GOP disarray. Still, Blunt kept up his outreach to House Republicans — it was something he was doing regularly anyway, as part of his efforts to make sure Republicans in the House and Senate aren't working at ""cross purposes."" He said he spends at least a few minutes every workday talking to a House Republican — sometimes it's Cantor or House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and sometimes it's a committee chairman. It's a way ""to get caught up on where they are and what they're trying to do and see how that might result in actual legislation,"" Blunt said. He delivers that information, along with his Twitter reports, at the weekly Senate GOP meetings. ""Every week there's some topic that otherwise Republican senators would just simply not know"" their House counterparts were trying tackle, he said. Blunt's job gives him a hand in shaping the broader GOP agenda, as one of the leaders helping to plot political strategy and define the party's priorities. ""He's involved in most of the major issues that come up,"" said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who served in leadership until 2011 and is a close adviser to McConnell. ""He arrived with more experience than most senators have after a couple of terms, so he's an adult at the leadership table and in our conference discussions."" Alexander said Blunt may not be as visible as some other leaders, but that should be seen as a good thing. ""You learn pretty quickly in the Senate that you don't provide much leadership by getting between some other senator and the camera,"" he said. Blunt is ""content to work quietly and as a result (he) is more effective."" Read more here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-thanksgiving-message,Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Thanksgiving message,2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,hartzler.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has issued the following Thanksgiving message: “On Thanksgiving Day, Americans join loved ones to celebrate and to thank our Creator for the blessings we enjoy living in the greatest nation on earth. Many of us learned, as children, that the first Thanksgiving was observed at Plymouth following the harvest of 1621. The Pilgrims had endured a perilous first year and were grateful for God’s provision and faithfulness. We also learned that the first Thanksgiving recognized by the U.S. government came during the Civil War when President Lincoln issued a proclamation in October of 1863, reminding all of us that our nation’s many blessings ‘should be solemnly reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.’ This year marks 150 years since he penned those words, yet their truth remains. We have been blessed with fruitful fields, industry and technology second to none, strong communities, caring neighbors, unparalleled opportunity, and the gift of freedom. A loving and Almighty God has blessed this nation and its people. As we gather this Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, let us give thanks to God for all He has given us. Let us also thank the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces whose sacrifices preserve our freedoms and allow us to enjoy God’s bounty.” Congresswoman Hartzler, who represents Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District, serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Budget Committees.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362909,Luetkemeyer Bill Would Ensure Privacy of Students Under Threat from New Regulations,2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"In an effort to strengthen federal student privacy policy and keep student records secure, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) has introduced the Protecting Education Privacy Act (PEPA) which would enhance protections for students by rolling back regulatory changes made by the administration to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). share: f t In an effort to strengthen  federal student privacy policy and keep student records secure, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) has introduced the Protecting Education Privacy Act (PEPA) which would enhance protections for students by rolling back regulatory changes made by the administration to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).   “During the past few years Americans have been overwhelmed with news about government agencies invading their personal information,” Luetkemeyer said. “My legislation will keep parents’ minds at ease because they will have the ultimate control over whether or not third parties can access their children’s information.” In December, 2011, the Department of Education made significant changes to regulations to FERPA that diminished the privacy protections of the law and opened up access to student records to new entities that were never intended to have access. These records include private information ranging from test scores, attendance records, social security numbers, and sensitive health information. Luetkemeyer’s legislation would empower parents by giving them more control over who has access to their child’s information; ensure that any entity deemed as an “Authorized Representative” of an education agency with access to student records must be under the direct control of the agency; and create a prohibition on the use of student records for commercial purposes.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362939,Blaine's Bulletin- Keeping My Commitment to Becoming Energy Independent,2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"There I was coming off the ladder after spending a few hours putting up the Christmas lights at home in St. Elizabeth when I took a moment to consider all the extra energy demands of the holiday season. Along with all the lights and displays that stretch our power grid, Americans across the country make thousands of extra trips this time of year, especially to visit relatives that may not be close by. But Americans are getting an early gift this year, with gas prices in Missouri are hovering at or slightly above $3 which is below the national average and news coming out of the International Energy Agency (IEA) about the future of American oil production. In fact, according to press reports, the IEA reported earlier in November that our country will surpass Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world’s top oil producer by 2015, and will be close to energy self-sufficiency in the next two decades, amid booming output from shale formations. The U.S. will overtake Russia, currently the biggest oil producer, in 2015 as it taps rock and shale layers in North Dakota and Texas with the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. This is good news because as American production goes up, so does our country’s economic fortunes including job creation and a variety of industries. One only has to look at the prosperity of a state like North Dakota to understand the significant impacts of energy production on local economies and beyond. This domestic energy production also insulates our nation somewhat from being at the mercy of those countries in the Middle East that don’t like us all that much but still sell us oil to help finance their own corrupt and anti-American regimes. As a supporter of an all-of-the-above energy policy, I believe that we must continue to build on these successes, despite the best attempts of the current administration to get in the way with burdensome regulations and waffling on important policy decisions. For example, why we are still waiting on a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline is beyond me. I also continue to be involved in fighting the Environmental Protection Agency overreach when it comes to burdensome regulations that ultimately will drive up the cost of electricity. At the end of the day, the war on coal being waged by the federal government continues on a daily basis and we must fight that battle. Despite these government shortcomings, the House of Representatives passed, with my support, legislation to keep the energy production momentum going. First, we passed the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act that streamlines the permitting process for onshore oil and gas exploration on federal lands, allowing for more certainty around oil and gas leases and reforms the judicial review process surrounding oil and gas exploration. We also passed the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act that will allow states to continue regulating hydraulic fracturing rather than the federal government. And finally the House responded by passing the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act that puts in place a timeframe for approval of new natural gas pipeline projects by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other agencies.  Moreover, if a federal agency fails to approve or deny a permit within the set timeframes provided in the bill, the permit is deemed to be approved. We are fortunate to live in a country where we have access to so many energy resources and those circumstances certainly allow us to do so many wonderful things, including celebrating the Christmas season. We must remain committed to becoming energy independent so that future generations will never fear being at the mercy of hostile countries for our energy supplies. We are on the right track and the future is, well, bright.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362977,Luetkemeyer and House Colleagues Urge for Small Business Accounting Flexibility in Tax Reform Act,2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) has co-authored a bipartisan letter to the House Ways and Means Committee commending its members for their hard-work and dedication to tackling much needed tax reform and urging them to consider the negative effects of proposed changes that would limit accounting flexibility for small businesses and farmers across America. share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) has co-authored a bipartisan letter to the House Ways and Means Committee commending its members for their hard-work and dedication to tackling much needed tax reform and urging them to consider the negative effects of proposed changes that would limit accounting flexibility for small businesses and farmers across America.   “Cash accounting is critical for small businesses and our nation’s farmers and ranchers to manage their yearly tax burden,” Luetkemeyer said. “America is long overdue for a simpler and fairer tax code and I applaud the House Ways and Means Committee for taking on the task. It is very important to consider the proposed change of limiting the use of cash accounting and its effect it will have on small businesses that drive our local economies.” While the proposed Tax Reform Act of 2013 would expand the use of cash accounting from businesses with gross receipts that do not exceed $5 million to those with gross receipts that do not exceed $10 million, it would also limit the use of cash accounting for certain pass-through entities, farmers, and personal service corporations that have historically paid their taxes using the simple and appropriate manner of cash accounting. Pass-through entities account for more than 90 percent of all business entities in the United States. NOTE: Attached is the letter that Luetkemeyer and 70 other members of the House sent to the House Ways and Means Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=25bc7fc2-59c6-4772-9a3d-9b7d9cfe684e,St. Joseph News-Press: Blunt greets high-court decision to hear religious freedom case,2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Ken Newton Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt hailed the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to hear a case regarding the contraceptive mandate of the Affordable Care Act.  The high court granted a “writ of certiorari” in the case pitting Kathleen Sebelius, the cabinet secretary overseeing health-care reforms, and Hobby Lobby Stores, an Oklahoma-based company claiming provisions in the new law violate religious principles.  Mr. Blunt has continually advocated the position that the Affordable Care Act forces some companies to act in ways contrary to their owners’ religious beliefs. Last year, he introduced the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, calling the mandates a violation of First Amendment rights of faith.  The Republican lawmaker said Tuesday that the Senate’s failure to act on his and other legislation regarding religious freedom guaranteed that the Supreme Court would be called upon to decide the matter.  “The (Health and Human Services) mandate is an enormous government overreach, and it violates Americans’ constitutional rights,” Mr. Blunt said in a statement. “Employers should not be forced to choose between giving up their business for their faith or giving up their faith for their business.”  The federal agency appealed the case from the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which held that the private businesses could make claims under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and had established “a likelihood of success” in proving their rights had been burdened by the contraceptive-coverage requirement.  Various interest groups staked out their own claims on learning of the high court’s granting of a hearing.  “The choice about whether to use birth control should be between a woman and her doctor, and no boss should be able to interfere,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  She added, “If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the corporations, the ruling will open the door to businesses denying coverage, based on their owners’ personal beliefs, for a whole host of other medical procedures to which their employees are entitled.”  David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, which has a store in St. Joseph, said his family finds encouragement in the court’s decision to hear the case.  “This legal challenge has always remained about one thing and one thing only: the right of our family businesses to live out our sincere and deeply held religious convictions as guaranteed by the law and the Constitution,” he said in a statement.  Supreme Court documents framed the constitutional argument this way: “The question presented is whether (the religious freedom law) allows a for-profit corporation to deny its employees the health coverage of contraceptives to which the employees are otherwise entitled by federal law, based on the religious objections of the corporation’s owners.” Read more here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=3c330ff5-3cb8-490b-87ca-42a2dc7c590f,Senator Blunt’s Response To Supreme Court’s Decision To Take Up HHS Mandate,2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to take up the controversial Health and Human Services’ (HHS) health care mandate, which violates Americans’ religious freedoms: “By failing to protect religious freedom, the Senate guaranteed that the courtswould have to act. I'm pleased the Supreme Court has decided to hear thisimportant case. The HHS mandate is an enormous government overreach and it violates Americans' constitutional rights.  Employers should not be forced to choose between giving up their business for their faith or giving up their faith for their business.” Today’s Supreme Court decision comes after new polling showed 59% of Americans oppose the mandate requiring religious individuals, faith-based institutions, and businesses cover services that violate their deeply-held religious beliefs.  To read more about Senator Blunt’s work protecting religious freedom in health care, click here.  # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112242/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12028,"Despite Setback, McCaskill Continues Fight to Enact Historic Reforms to Curb Sexual Assaults",2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Despite a procedural setback last week, U.S. Senator and former sex crimes prosecutor Claire McCaskill is continuing her fight to enact historic reforms to curb sexual assaults in the military, introducing the Victims Protection Act-stand-alone legislation that includes those historic reforms already included in the defense bill, as well as additional protections she has pursued in her bipartisan amendment to the bill, and in separate legislation reforming the pre-trial ""Article 32"" process. McCaskill introduced the legislation to provide another path forward for the historic reforms in the event that consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was blocked on the Senate floor last week, continues to be obstructed. ""While last week's setbacks were frustrating for everyone, the Victims Protection Act can serve as a failsafe to ensure the historic reforms already included in the defense bill-and other protections that would have earned broad bipartisan support-get across the finish line,"" said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and former courtroom prosecutor of sex crimes. ""The reforms in the defense bill represent the strongest possible protections for victims on the table, and I plan to continue my fight to make sure that legislation is passed."" The Victims Protection Act includes a long list of reforms already included in the NDAA, bipartisan reforms to the ""Article 32"" pre-trial process, and the added protections included in the defense bill amendment sponsored by McCaskill and Senators Kelly Ayotte and Deb Fischer: Stripping military commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions (included in NDAA) Requiring civilian review if a commander declines to prosecute a case (included in NDAA) Assigning victims their own independent legal counsel to protect their rights and fight for their interests (included in NDAA) Mandating dishonorable discharge for anyone convicted of sexual assault (included in NDAA) Criminalizing retaliation against victims who report a sexual assault (included in NDAA) Eliminating the statute of limitations in rape and sexual assault cases (included in NDAA) Barring the ""good soldier"" defense for those accused of assault (McCaskill-Ayotte-Fischer amendment) Empowering victims by giving them expanded input on whether their case is pursued in military or civilian court (McCaskill-Ayotte-Fischer amendment) Providing a confidential opportunity for discharged servicemembers to gain reviews of alleged past instances of retaliation against victims (McCaskill-Ayotte-Fischer amendment) Reforming the ""Article 32"" pre-trial process, which came under particular scrutiny following a recent Naval Academy rape case, to better protect victims Click HERE to read a recent blog post by McCaskill outlining these historic reforms. Read more about McCaskill's fight to curb sexual assaults in the military at www.McCaskill.senate.gov/MilitaryJustice. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221115518/http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-november-25-29-2013,"View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of November 25-29, 2013",2013-11-26,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Good Day, This Thanksgiving week, an in-district work week, gave me an opportunity to visit with constituents in Sedalia to listen to their concerns. A visit to Bothwell Regional Health Center gave me a chance to see the new Cancer and Cardiovascular Center and hear about the great new care options for people in our district. I was impressed and glad to see such a wonderful facility helping so many families in our area. Bothwell Regional Health Center is the second largest employer in Pettis County – providing valuable health care services to citizens of Pettis and neighboring counties. I am so pleased that this quality care is available to them. I also appreciated the opportunity to hear from health care professionals regarding some of the impact they are feeling and will continue to feel from the President’s health care law. Hospital administrators informed me they had estimated the Affordable Care Act would cost them $22 million over seven years. Renewed estimates now put that cost at approximately $35 million – much of it due to huge reductions in Medicare reimbursement under the new law. This will be a challenge for many hospitals to navigate unless the law can be changed, and is one of the reasons I believe this law needs to be repealed and replaced with a better system that lowers costs while increasing access for all. In the meantime, I commend all the dedicated professionals at Bothwell Regional and wish them much success with their new facility. My Sedalia visit gave me an opportunity to call on State Fair Community College’s (SFCC) President, Dr. Joanna Anderson. She comes with a wealth of experience in community college leadership and a heart for Missouri higher education as she is originally from Missouri. SFCC is a public, non-profit college that offers high quality education to more than 5,000 students – primarily at the Sedalia campus but also with classes offered in Boonville, Clinton, Lake of the Ozarks, Warsaw, Eldon, and at Whiteman Air Force Base. State Fair Community College has agreements with four-year schools that ensure credit earned at SFCC transfers to those institutions, as well. It is a wonderful asset to the community. At the Pettis County Courthouse in downtown Sedalia, the 40 & 8 Honor Society of Veterans presented me with a petition urging me to do what I can to ensure that the brave service members who were victims of the 2009 terrorist attack by U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan at Fort Hood, Texas, receive the benefits they have earned. The petition reads, in part: “We the undersigned members of Voiture 333, 40 & 8 Honor Society of Veterans, Sedalia, Missouri, petition and urge you to actively support any and all legislative efforts … to re-classify the Fort Hood attack to what it was – a terrorist attack / combat action, and to properly award the Purple Heart Medal to the victims (posthumously) and survivors of this horrendous attack, thus ensuring their proper current, and future, veterans benefits commensurate with their service and sacrifice in a combat action during a time of war, and undoing this erroneous and unjust classification of ‘workplace violence’ by the Department of Defense.” There is no doubt this was an act of terrorism. It is only appropriate that the victims of this horrific act, committed by a man who acknowledged engaging in an act of jihad, receive the benefits they have so justly earned. I have co-sponsored H.R. 3111 to address this injustice and look forward to taking their petitions back to Washington to help secure the bill’s passage. It was an honor to meet with so many veterans who came out on a cold day in Sedalia to ask for justice. I am committed to working with my congressional colleagues to have this terrorist act re-classified as an act of war. We owe these Fort Hood heroes no less. Before leaving Sedalia, I spoke to the Sedalia Rotary Club, sharing an update on important legislation in Washington. Among the issues raised by Rotary Club members was the progress of the Farm Bill. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am looking forward to seeing the outcome of a House-Senate conference committee that is trying to iron out the differences in the two chambers’ versions of this important legislation. I remain cautiously optimistic that an agreement can be reached before the end of the year to protect both consumers and farmers while maintaining America’s safe, plentiful, and affordable food supply. Finally, Americans throughout our country are joining family and friends this Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate and to thank our Creator for the blessings we enjoy living in the greatest nation on earth. Many of us learned, as children, that the first Thanksgiving was observed at Plymouth following the harvest of 1621. The Pilgrims had endured a perilous first year and were grateful for God’s provision and faithfulness. We also learned that the first Thanksgiving recognized by the U.S. government came during the Civil War when President Lincoln issued a proclamation in October of 1863, reminding all of us that our nation’s many blessings “should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.” This year marks 150 years since he penned those words, yet their truth remains. We have been blessed with fruitful fields, industry and technology second to none, strong communities, caring neighbors, unparalleled opportunity, and the gift of freedom. A loving and Almighty God has blessed this nation and its people. As we gather this Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends, let us give thanks to God for all He has given us. Let us also thank the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces whose sacrifices preserve our freedoms and allow us to enjoy God’s bounty. Have a great week. Vicky",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=dc2644e5-0dd6-4032-a786-5c022608d3b7,"Blunt, Colleagues Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Coalition Calling For Changes To FDA Proposed Rules",2013-11-25,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), and U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (Conn.), Chris Gibson (N.Y.) and Annie Kuster (N.H.) led a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in requesting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issue a second draft of regulations for public comment before issuing final Food Safety Modernization rules. In a letter co-signed by 75 members of Congress, including 42 Republicans and 33 Democrats or Independents, the bipartisan coalition expressed concerns about the impact of proposed rules on farmers and businesses that an additional comment period could help alleviate. “Despite your agency’s efforts to engage with stakeholders during the rulemaking process, we remain concerned about the ambiguity surrounding many aspects of these proposed rules,” the letter said. The lawmakers continued, “We believe the rules as currently proposed would result in a multitude of unintended consequences that would be severely detrimental to national, regional and local agriculture.  By seeking additional input through second proposed rules for public comment before final rules, we believe that producers’ concerns can be addressed and unintended consequences can be greatly mitigated.” The FDA recently issued two proposed rules implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), a 2011 law that overhauled food safety laws to increase the safety of our food supply. The rules address preventative controls for human food and standards for the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption.  As proposed, the 1,200-page rules have left food producers and processors across the country concerned about a number of issues surrounding facility compliance, environmental standards, among others. To read the entire letter, please see below or click here. November 22, 2013 The Honorable Margaret Hamburg, M.D. Commissioner U.S. Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20993 Dear Commissioner Hamburg: We appreciate the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) efforts to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the agency’s willingness to seek input and guidance from producers and processors, which is of great value to our constituents.  We are confident that the rulemaking process for the proposed Produce Safety Rule and the Preventive Controls Rule (Docket Nos. FDA-2011-N-0920 and FDA-2011-N-0921) will bolster the overall process of the law’s implementation. Despite your agency’s efforts to engage with stakeholders during the rulemaking process, we remain concerned about the ambiguity surrounding many aspects of these proposed rules.  In order to improve the law’s implementation, we are writing to request that the FDA propose and submit second proposed rules for public comment before issuing the final rules. After hearing many reservations from our farmers and businesses, we are concerned that the rules as currently proposed, and the heavy cost of complying with them, will force some producers and processors to shutter their operations.  Food producers and processors in our states are concerned with a number of issues, including: The testing frequency required for certain agricultural waters; Restrictions placed on the usage of biological soil amendments; Compliance issues at mixed-use facilities; New requirements that conflict with existing conservation and environmental standards and practices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; The limiting definitions used in the rule for “farm,” “small business” and “very small business”; and The lack of consideration of the complexity of various farm ownership entities.  We believe the rules as currently proposed would result in a multitude of unintended consequences that would be severely detrimental to national, regional and local agriculture.  By seeking additional input through second proposed rules for public comment before final rules, we believe that producers’ concerns can be addressed and unintended consequences can be greatly mitigated. We appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to your response.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/ec-dc-november-22-2013,"EC from DC - November 22, 2013",2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"Kansas City will receive $1 million to bolster multiple neighborhoods with critically needed repairs Kansas City is receiving grants for more than $1 million to revitalize, repair, and rehabilitate homes in many neighborhoods. The work will create jobs and a more stable environment for many years to come. Smiling faces all around as representatives from Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity joined Congressman Cleaver and KC Mayor Sly James to accept more than $100,000 in grant monies A more than $100,000 grant was also awarded to the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity to target areas in Independence, Buckner, and Grain Valley. The home improvements and repairs there will not only help the homeowners, but will also assist many neighborhoods in retaining their home values, as well as creating jobs through the work itself. Salvador Riojas, Kansas City grantee, explains how important the assistance has been to his family Salvador Riojas gave a heartfelt speech to the group about the impact of these grants. As his 4-year old son looked on, Mr. Riojas explained that the improvement to his own home, and his neighborhood in general, has been important in keeping his family safe and moving forward economically. His son, I might add on a personal note, sat so quietly and politely during all of the speakers. …It was something I never really experienced as a father when my boys were young. BIG DROP REVEALED IN RECENT REPORT There are new numbers in the fight against homelessness among veterans that I wanted to pass along to you. A new national report shows a 24% reduction in the last 3 years. The announcement was made recently by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. As we have discussed before, the VA has made ending veterans’ homelessness a top priority. The goal is to do so by the end of 2015. This is being done through more aggressive programs, funding, awareness campaigns, and cooperation and work with the many local agencies throughout the country dedicated to serving our veterans. This is an effort I think we can all get behind. Those who sacrifice for our country should not come home to suffer in silence. They should not call the streets ""home"" at all. FIX THE PROBLEM OR FIGHT ABOUT IT? There is so much mud-slinging and myth spreading swirling around the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Washington right now, it’s hard to see what is real, and what is simply political posturing. What I do know is there are some problems with the ACA. I will not be one of those Democrats who refuse to admit, or even see, that there are important issues that need to be addressed. And quite frankly, they need to be fixed right now. As I said recently on the House Floor, what is happening right now in the partisan attacks reminds me of a story when I was once riding in my son’s car. I had gone to visit him while he was in college. I was riding in the front, passenger seat of his car, as he drove into an intersection, and the car died. It had run out of gas. Was I frustrated with what was happening? You bet I was. Could we have sat there, in the car, in the middle of the intersection, and started bickering about why we were having this problem? You bet we could have. But the more sensible and productive thing to do at the time, seemed to be getting his car to safety, fixing the problem, and moving on. There would be time for bickering and finger pointing later. When it comes to the Affordable Care Act, we need to stop arguing in the intersection and fix the problems. And while I know there are some, I also know there are millions of Americans who are in desperate need of affordable health insurance. There are women who are in need of preventive services. There are adult children who are in need of coverage through their parents. There are senior citizens who are in need of hundreds, if not thousands, in savings each year on prescription drugs. Not to mention that for decades now, insurance premiums have been skyrocketing for many middle-class families. A new report, prepared by the Council of Economic Advisors, credits ACA in part, for the lowest health care cost growth since 2010. Sometimes, working together to get the job done, is the best and most beneficial course of action for all involved. There will be time for arguing later. QUICK WASHINGTON ROUNDUP A couple of items from Washington I wanted to update you on quickly. We don’t hear much about bipartisan agreement in the news, but it does exist. Yes, I will admit it can be rare, but it does exist. Recently in the House Committee on Financial Services, we had two hearings. The first one was on terrorism insurance. This is a topic that has grown in importance in the twelve years since the attacks on our nation on September 11th. The second hearing was actually a markup—where we literally “mark up” bills under our jurisdiction so they may later be considered by the full House for a vote. We reviewed several pieces of legislation aimed to assist small businesses and provide relief to small institutions, but I would like to highlight two for you. The first bill was H.R. 3329, which would raise the qualification threshold in the Federal Reserve’s Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement from $500 million to $1 billion. This bill would provide capital relief for 550 small banks and affords certain small banks with reduced capital relief if they do not participate in activities deemed risky by the Federal Reserve. These banks did not cause our financial crisis, but in many ways they have been unduly punished anyway. The services of community banks play a unique and important role in our economy, both in Missouri and in our nation as a whole. Their value has always been associated with a unique combination of services, as well as the personal level of attention they can bring to their customers, and this bill will help ensure that remains the case. The second bill I wish to highlight is the Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act. This legislation would provide parity between credit unions and banks regarding deposit insurance coverage of Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts – known as IOLTAs – as well as similar escrow accounts, including, but not limited, to real estate escrow accounts, funeral trusts and other escrows. It is a specific bill, to be sure, but it helps level the playing field for consumers. Both of these bills were crafted and passed in a bipartisan manner. While I believe we can and should do more to craft a broader regulatory relief package, create jobs, and move our economy forward, this is a start. CIVILITY CORNER While sitting in a recent hearing in the Financial Services Committee, where I have sat for nine years, I became enraged over the tone and tolerance level of the debate. I raised my hand to enter the word-of-mouth melee. I have always been relatively creative when it comes to the use of words. And I had a doozy just waiting. But just before the chair called on me, I recalled something from my childhood that caused me to alter what I had planned to say. Percy Cleveland and I grew up together in Wichita Falls, Texas. We lived across the street from each other, we were in the same class, attended the same church, and were running mates on the Booker T. Washington track team. As I remember the story, Percy was casing out a packed peach tree in the back yard of an older couple who also belonged to our church. As he stood outside the gate to their back yard, just staring at the tree, the women of the house walked out of the back door and yelled, ""Hey, aren't you Sister Robingson’s boy? Are you trying to steal my peaches?” Percy quickly, nervously, and a bit angelically replied, ""No ma'am, I'm just working on that willpower we talked about in Sunday school."" The point is this: We are all passionate about our beliefs but we must exercise passion with restraint. I cannot control what anyone else says, but I do have the willpower to control what I say.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362452,Blaine's Bulletin- An Act of Kindness Out of Lincoln County,2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Thanksgiving is a time to pause, reflect and be thankful for the many blessings in our lives; a country full of opportunities, a loving family and special friends. Over the course of my travels around the district, I am able to meet many wonderful people with inspirational and sometimes tragic stories to tell. The following story should be inspirational to all. share: f t Thanksgiving is a time to pause, reflect and be thankful for the many blessings in our lives; a country full of opportunities, a loving family and special friends. Over the course of my travels around the district, I am able to meet many wonderful people with inspirational and sometimes tragic stories to tell. The following story should be inspirational to all. Nathan, a 15-year-old from Elsberry, and his story came to my attention when I had the opportunity to meet with him and other Future Farmers of America (FFA) members from Elsberry. That was in August, so this story has stuck with me for quite some time. It is a story that begins with an awful tragedy and ends with an act of complete and utter kindness. It is also a story that shows how impactful a single selfless act can have on a community and the people in it. Jillian Ann Young was a National Merit Scholar and a cheerleader, but Nathan and Jillian had forged their friendship in the FFA, as so many young people do. But that friendship forever changed on March 4, 2013, when Jillian was killed in an automobile accident on her way to school. Following her passing, the Jillian Young Foundation was created to provide college scholarships to students from Elsberry with financial need displaying academic excellence, strong citizenship and character and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to society. And that’s where Nathan decided to make a difference, even though he wasn’t sure if he could. Nathan decided that at this year’s Lincoln County Fair, he’d donate every penny he earned from the auction of his hog to the Jillian Young Memorial Scholarship. As with most young people showing livestock, Nathan sent letters seeking potential buyers and made it clear where the proceeds from the sale of his animal would go. But early returns were not encouraging, even though his parents told him to keep his head held high. Perhaps something would work out, they assured him. Behind the scenes, as Nathan focused on getting his hog ready, Nathan’s parents, as well as his advisor Jason Vandivort, enlisted the help of folks in the community to spread the word about Nathan’s promise to honor his friend. When the day finally arrived for Nathan to show his hog, something seemed different to him than it had in the past when he showed an animal. It was as if, Nathan has said, that someone was holding his hand in that ring. And then the bids began and they kept going higher and higher. Far above the $6 a pound that was typical for a hog like Nathan’s and, by the time it was over, the winning bid for Nathan Stone’s hog at the 2013 Lincoln County Fair was a whopping $31 a pound. Some say that the $8,600 Nathan raised was a fundraising record at the Lincoln County Fair. But Nathan wasn’t interested in records. After expenses, which he had to be talked into taking, Nathan was able to contribute $7,800 to the Jillian Young Memorial Scholarship. Nathan was later given the hog back, where he sold it on the market and donated those funds as well. The story of Nathan and Jillian is one that makes me thankful to represent such wonderful folks. There are so many stories of selfless acts throughout the 13 counties that I represent, and this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for those folks who make the 3rd District such a wonderful place to live and to represent in Congress. On behalf of myself, my family and my staff, I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, and a Blessed and Joyous Christmas season.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=179e90c0-519d-4207-840b-d02198b0875d,Washington Times (Blog): GOP Sen. Roy Blunt: I suspect Senate now changed 'in fundamental ways forever',2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"David Sherfinski Sen. Roy Blunt, Missouri Republican, said Democrats’ push to end filibusters for most presidential appointments is a bad precedent in a body that was supposed to serve as a model for the world as an example of how a democracy protects the rights of a minority. “They decided to change the rule,” Mr. Blunt said on MSNBC’s “The Daily Rundown.” “I suspect that changes the Senate in fundamental ways forever.” “[W]hen one side decides they’re going to do whatever they want to do all by themselves, there is a usual long-term price to pay,” he added. He said that during his eight years serving as chief deputy whip or whip in the House, there were just two bills passed he could remember that some Democrats didn’t vote for. “One is we had little majorities, but two is we tried to look for ways that let this be something that everybody had to have some skin in the game, and it mattered whenever those things became law,” he said. Read more here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-clay-remembers-jfk,Congressman Clay Remembers JFK,2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Democrat,House,MO,William Clay,C001049,lacyclay.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Clay Remembers JFK WASHINGTON, DC The following is a first-person statement from Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy ===================================================================================== ""Friday, November 22, 1963 was just a regular day. Like most mornings, my sisters and I had jumped on the Delmar streetcar which took us to the St. Francis Xavier primary school in midtown. I was a second grader who loved school and was just getting excited about the bigger world around me. About 1pm, our principal, Sister John the Baptist, came on the PA system to tell us the terrible news...the President was dead, struck down by an assassin. School immediately dismissed, and my sisters and I took the streetcar home where my Mom was waiting. We were glued to the television and it was as if the whole world had stopped. Later that day, my Dad, former Congressman Bill Clay, came home. Back in 1963, he was an Alderman and he had recently been released from jail after leading the landmark Jefferson Bank protests which struck down segregation in St. Louis. At dinner that night, my Dad got up and excused himself from the table. That was the first time that I ever saw him cry. Fifty years have passed since that horrible trauma which changed every American who is old enough to remember it. I could not know then, what I know now. My Dad's tears were not just for the death of one good man, he cried for what we lost as a nation. President Kennedy inspired an entire generation of Americans to believe that public service was honorable and essential. I still carry those values with me every day. His death changed our country, altered the course of the 20th century and changed our world. But his sacrifice also planted the seeds that propelled President Lyndon Johnson to pass the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and much more. So while we remember all that we lost on that terrible day in Dallas, let us also give thanks for President Kennedy's incredible vision, his courage, his unbounded optimism and his belief that freedom and justice are worth fighting for. They still are."" -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221065209/http://hartzler.house.gov/letter/bicameral-bipartisan-letter-secretary-defense-and-chairman-joint-chiefs-support-10-program,"Bicameral, bipartisan letter to the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in support of the A-10 program",2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Harrisonville 1909 North Commercial Street Harrisonville, MO 64701 Phone: 816-884-3411 Fax: 816-884-3163 Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm. Please call my Harrisonville office if you would like to arrange an appointment for another time.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221065248/http://hartzler.house.gov/letter/letter-secretary-air-force-and-air-force-chief-staff-defending-10-thunderbolt-which-based,"Letter to the Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force Chief of Staff defending the A-10 Thunderbolt, which is based at Whiteman Air Force Base",2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Harrisonville 1909 North Commercial Street Harrisonville, MO 64701 Phone: 816-884-3411 Fax: 816-884-3163 Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm. Please call my Harrisonville office if you would like to arrange an appointment for another time.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221134710/http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-november-18-22-2013,"View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of November 18-22, 2013",2013-11-22,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Good Day, This week, the U.S. House took important steps to secure America’s energy future, approving three common sense bills promoting widely shared energy policy goals. The Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Act - H.R. 1965 - combines several bills aimed at expanding offshore energy production as well as streamlining government roadblocks and bureaucratic red tape that block and delay American energy production and job creation. The bill would reform the leasing process for oil and natural gas projects on federal lands to eliminate unnecessary delays. Additionally, it would ensure funds are available for efficient wind and solar permitting. The Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act – H.R. 2728 – will help promote American jobs and energy creation by limiting regulations from the Administration on hydraulic fracturing, a process used to extract oil and natural gas. The legislation prohibits the Interior Department from enforcing hydraulic fracturing regulations in any state that already has regulations and recognizes states’ authority to regulate this type of activity. How important is this form of energy extraction? According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. holds more than half of the world’s oil shale resources – six times Saudi Arabia’s proven resources and enough to provide the United States with energy for the next 200 years. A 2012 report from the economic consulting firm HIS Global Insight found unconventional shale oil and gas alone support more than 1.7 million jobs, which is expected to increase to 3 million jobs as soon as 2020. The fact is that increased energy production will result in lower energy prices and cost savings through less expensive goods and services. The Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act – H.R. 1900 – is a bipartisan effort to expedite the federal review process for natural gas pipeline permit applications. It amends the Natural Gas Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve or deny a permit application for a natural gas pipeline project within 12 months of the filing of that application. Furthermore, it will require the agency responsible for issuing a federal license or permit to take action within 90 days of FERC issuing its final environmental document regarding a project. Currently, energy producers are waiting an average of 307 days for permits to drill on approved federal lands. Compare this to the 12-15 days to get permits for drilling on approved state lands. There is no reason for these lengthy delays. The House took action this week to make your federal government more accountable by addressing those disturbing videos we have seen of IRS employees partying in lavish surroundings on the taxpayers’ dime. The Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act of 2013 – H.R. 2061 – establishes government-wide data standards for the Treasury Department regarding federal expenditures. Specifically, the legislation sets limits and transparency for conference and travel spending by federal employees. This bill prohibits federal agencies from paying for the travel expenses for more than 50 employees of that agency to attend any international conference unless the attendance is in the national interest. Lastly, at the beginning of each quarter, federal agencies will be required to post a report on each conference that costs more than $10,000 for which the agency paid travel expenses during the preceding three months – with agencies prohibited from spending more than $500,000 to support any single conference. In an area of great concern, you might have heard reports that the Obama Administration is close to an agreement to suspend sanctions against Iran in exchange for a six-month freeze of Iranian enrichment activities. The simple truth is that it was implementation of economic sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place. Relieving sanctions without a guarantee that Iran will end its nuclear program is foolish. The U.S. must not rush into any deal without first guaranteeing the security of America and its allies in the region – particularly Israel. All indications are that Iran has no intention of halting its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The United States must maintain robust sanctions until Iran is ready to change course. Our office continues to hear stories from citizens of Missouri’s Fourth District regarding the negative impact of President Obama’s health care law. I shared some of their stories in a video this week that urges the Senate to take up and pass House-approved legislation that would allow citizens across the country to keep their health plans. A link to that video is included in this week’s newsletter. On another matter, I was honored this week to have been presented the 2013 ALOT Agricultural Leader of the Year award. ALOT – Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow - is a two-year leadership program, attracting Missouri adults from across the state, representing rural and urban areas, full-time farmers and agribusinesses, media, and financial representatives. It means a great deal to me to be honored by this group as ALOT’s mission is to provide leadership experiences that will make a positive difference to the future of agriculture and rural communities in Missouri and beyond. As a lifelong farmer who now serves on the House Agriculture Committee, I am committed to promoting agriculture in Missouri and throughout our country. I look forward to updating you on Congress’ biggest agricultural responsibility, passing a Farm Bill, and sharing with you that negotiators from the House and Senate worked this week to reach agreement on this critical legislation to maintain America’s safe, affordable, and plentiful food supply. Have a great week. Vicky",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=bf725974-c3ff-45a0-b156-5ca70dea985f,Senator Blunt: St. Louis Ideally Situated For New Boeing 777x Project,2013-11-21,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after learning that Boeing could be considering St. Louis, Mo. as a possible location to open the assembly line for its new 777x Airliner: “The St. Louis region is home to a skilled workforce with deep roots in the aviation industry and is an ideal production site for Boeing’s new 777x aircraft project. I’m pleased that Boeing is considering St. Louis as a top contender for this initiative, and I’ll be working hard to make the case to our friends at Boeing that St. Louis is the best place to build this aircraft.” # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=469,Long Promotes Stable Families with Adoption Promotion Act,2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Billy Long,L000576,long.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Billy Long believes all children deserve the opportunity to grow up in a loving and stable family and is leading this effort with his Adoption Promotion Act.              “I support policies which encourage adoption and promote stable families.  Each year women all across our country find themselves facing a decision about whether to carry their unborn child to term and how to provide for that child once the child has been born.  We owe it to women in our nation, especially to those who are most vulnerable to make sure that they are truly receiving the information they need about all their options for their child.  Women and their children deserve our support to help them find a chance at life, love, and an opportunity for a great future and that is what my legislation promotes,” Long said.              Long’s Adoption Promotion Act, H.R. 3539, would ensure that all women who access family planning services provided with Title X funding are given pregnancy options counseling which includes professional adoption counseling.  When a woman feels she is unable to care for her child, for whatever reason, it is vital that she knows she still has an option to provide her child with life and a good, loving future through adoption.              The Adoption Promotion Act would also provide for the collection of data on the effectiveness of pregnancy options counseling and adoption counseling so that we can make sure that women are receiving the most effective counseling possible for their child.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362304,Luetkemeyer Seeks Answers from FEMA about Flood Insurance Issues During Hearing,2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) issued the following statement after the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing titled “Implementation of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act: Protecting Taxpayers and Homeowners”: share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) issued the following statement after the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing titled “Implementation of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act: Protecting Taxpayers and Homeowners”: “As Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and with hundreds of miles of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and the Lake of the Ozarks in the 3rd District, I welcomed the opportunity to hear from the witnesses, particularly Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate. I have heard from many of my constituents who are saddled with serious problems stemming from the National Flood Insurance Program. In light of that, I have requested that senior FEMA officials visit the 3rd District and to re-examine the Missouri floodplain maps. As a result of today’s hearing, Administrator Fugate has agreed to my request that he and FEMA leadership meet with representatives from the housing and insurance industries in an effort to improve communication and address the concerns that plague the program. It is my hope that, as a result of this hearing, and after talking with Administrator Fugate, there will soon be greater accountability in the program and solutions for those in the 3rd District.” NOTE: A video of Luetkemeyer during the hearing today is available on his YouTube page at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7cZg4UlwH4&feature=youtu.be.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=61d75b4c-93d8-438c-bfa2-997ddf745f7f,Senator Blunt Introduces National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Amendments,2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) introduced a number of floor amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 this week. Blunt is currently one of three U.S. Senators to serve on both the defense appropriations and authorizing committees. “Our men and women in uniform and their families make tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedoms,” Blunt said. “I hope the Senate will have the opportunity to vote on these important amendments as we move forward with this bill and work to give our Armed Forces the resources they need to meet their critical mission of defending our nation.” Blunt introduced a number of amendments, including: Bannister Federal Complex, Kansas City, Mo. Land Transfer Amendment: Blunt’s amendment would authorize the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the General Services Agency (GSA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enter into an agreement regarding the conveyance of federal property located at Bannister Road in Kansas City, Mo. and allow for an eventual title transfer and redevelopment of the site. Amendment to Appoint a Special Envoy in Near East and South Central Asia: Blunt’s amendment would appoint a special envoy for the purpose of promoting religious freedom among religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia. The envoy would hold the rank of ambassador and work in coordination with the Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom to monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against religious minorities in these regions.  In addition to working with foreign governments and relevant multilateral organizations, the envoy would coordinate these efforts with the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State. Small Business Contracting Amendment: Blunt’s amendment protects small businesses from overly burdensome regulations when they subcontract with the Department of Defense contracts by ensuring that the Small Business Act applies to all contracts awarded using a small businesses preference no matter which agency makes the award.  Afghanistan Anti-Corruption Amendment: Blunt’s amendment would require the Defense Department and State Department to address in a meaningful way the lack of a comprehensive, measurable anti-corruption strategy in Afghanistan.  Specifically, the amendment prohibits funds from being obligated or expended on new Request For Proposal agreements with the Afghanistan government or any third party in Afghanistan until the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense submit to the Senate Armed Services Committee a comprehensive, coordinated strategy for United States anti-corruption efforts in Afghanistan, including goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes. Article 32 Reform Amendment: Introduced by Senators Blunt, Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), this amendment would reform Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice to help prevent abusive questioning of victims of military sexual assault in a pre-trial setting, ensuring that victims who come forward to report sexual assault are not harassed or intimidated during pre-trial questioning. A-10 Warthog Amendment: Introduced by Senators Blunt and Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), this amendment would limit the ability of the Air Force to retire the A-10 until the Air Force certifies that the F-35A achieves Full Operational Capability and exists in the fleet in sufficient quantity to replace the retiring A-10s. It also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to confirm that the Air Force certification is comprehensive, fully supported, and sufficiently detailed. For more information on this amendment, please click here. Amendment to Remove Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan from Tier III Terrorist Organizations: Introduced by Senators Blunt and John McCain (Ariz.), this amendment would remove the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) from Tier III terrorist organizations. KDP and PUK have been classified by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as Tier III group terrorist organizations for U.S. immigration law purposes, which is contrary to the cooperative and friendly relationship between Kurdistan and the United States. Surprisingly, the Executive Branch does not have the authority to remove entities labeled as Tier III terror groups from that designation. Only Congress can grant a group exclusive relief as it did in 2008 when it acted to remove the African National Congress (ANC) from the list. Advanced Concept Ejection Seat for the B-2 at Whiteman Air Force Base Amendment: Introduced by Senators Blunt and Tom Udall (N.M.), this amendment directs the Air Force to complete the Advanced Concept Ejection Seat qualification on the B-2, which will benefit pilots at Whiteman Air Force Base. Urotrauma Amendment: Co-sponsored by Senators Blunt and Ben Cardin (Md.), this amendment directs the Department of Defense to address the prevention, care coordination, and research of urotrauma as a distinct entity.  Blunt also introduced or co-sponsored amendments that were included in the base bill and passed during the committee mark-up in June 2013. For more information, please click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085753/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12027,FARM BILL DEADLINE- McCaskill: Need to Act in 41 Days,2013-11-20,2013,2013-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - 41 days ahead of an impending deadline that could drastically raise the price of dairy products and leave farmers and ranchers with no financial protection from natural disasters, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is continuing her fight to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill renewal into law. For the past two years, the U.S. Senate has passed a renewal of the Farm Bill with a wide bipartisan majority that managed to cut billions of dollars of spending, while protecting America's farmers, ranchers, and low-income families. The U.S. House failed to act on the comprehensive legislation. Earlier this year the House-unable to pass a comprehensive bill-split the Farm Bill into two separate pieces and passed them individually, on party-line votes. This has allowed a conference committee to be formed between the Senate and House with the goal of merging the two bills. McCaskill recently joined with her Republican colleague Jeff Flake of Arizona to urge the conference committee to end wasteful Direct Payments - direct cash transfers of taxpayer dollars to farmers from the government that do not take into account current yields or prices. ""The time we have to provide some certainty to Missouri's farmers and ranchers is running out,"" McCaskill said. ""What we need are for some of the inflexible and extreme lawmakers we have in Washington to sit at the table of compromise and finish the deal."" If a comprehensive bill is not passed by January 1, several provisions relating to dairy products would revert back to rules written in 1949-which could double the price of dairy products, including milk, overnight. Many programs, including those designed to protect farmers and ranchers from unexpected natural disasters, have already expired leaving thousands of farmers who have suffered losses in limbo. This has taken on even greater significance after an early-season storm in South Dakota left 100,000 cattle dead last month. Programs that aid in wetlands conservation and some nutrition programs, including the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, have also expired. Last week McCaskill wrote a letter (available online HERE) to members of the Conference Committee urging them to place a cap on the total amount individual farmers can receive of $250,000-a change that would save taxpayers over $160 million a year. ""We believe farm programs should offer support in tough times, but like other economic safety nets, the assistance should have limits,"" the letter leads. McCaskill's advocacy on the Farm Bill was honored last year at the Golden Triangle Award Ceremony for the National Farmers Union, where she accepted the group's highest legislative honor awarded to sitting members of Congress in recognition of her leadership working on behalf of Missouri's rural communities. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=a8520022-f532-4145-9ef8-7add68c2f1f4,"Blunt, Ayotte Introduce Measure To Ensure Troops Have Necessary Close Air Support",2013-11-19,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) this week introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aimed at preventing the U.S. Air Force from prematurely retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The Senators are concerned that a premature divestment of the A-10 Thunderbolt II by the Air Force would create a dangerous close air support capability gap that could unnecessarily endanger American service members in future conflicts.  The 442nd Fighter Wing is stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The amendment, which is also being co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Mike Crapo (Idaho), would prevent the Air Force from retiring any additional A-10s until the Air Force certifies that it has a sufficient number of fully operationally capable F-35As to replace the retiring A-10s and to meet combatant commander close air support requirements. The amendment also requires the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) to verify the Air Force’s certification.  “While the Air Force confronts difficult budget decisions, we believe the Air Force must protect programs that are central to our nation’s combat readiness, as well as the safety of our service members in harm’s way,” said Blunt, Ayotte, McCaskill, and Crapo in a joint statement. “When our ground forces call for help, our nation must be prepared to answer and to provide the best possible close air support. A premature divestment of the A-10 before its replacement has achieved full operational capability would put our troops at increased risk, and we are not prepared to accept increased risk for our soldiers and marines because of a potential misallocation of budget cuts.” The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) endorsed the Blunt-Ayotte amendment on Monday saying, “Senator Ayotte and Senator Blunt are right on target,” said retired Major General Gus Hargett, the NGAUS president. “For years, our ground troops have enjoyed the world's best close-air-support aircraft. It has allowed them to accomplish their missions and return home safely. Anything less should be unacceptable to a nation that supports its troops. We urge senators to co-sponsor and support the Ayotte-Blunt Close Air Support amendment (#2063).” Last week, a bipartisan, bicameral group of U.S. Senators and Members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, expressing similar concerns regarding the potential divestment of the A-10. During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on November 7, General Raymond Odierno, the Army Chief of Staff, testified, “The A-10 is the best close air support platform we have today… it's performed incredibly well in Iraq and Afghanistan.”  # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=74f27208-2c19-4563-83a8-b8d8eaca2a0e,"Senators Blunt, Warner Introduce Legislation To Reduce Underutilized Federal Property",2013-11-18,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Mark Warner (Va.) introduced legislation to reduce the number of underutilized and excess federal properties, which could save taxpayers $9 billion over the next 10 years. Sens. Lindsay Graham (S.C.), Dean Heller (Nev.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Rob Portman (Ohio), and Roger Wicker (Miss.) are also original co-sponsors of the Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA). Representative Jeff Denham (Calif.) introduced companion CPRA legislation in the House earlier this year. “With limited resources, the federal government needs to explore opportunities for cost savings,” Blunt said. “This bipartisan legislation seizes on the opportunity to save billions of taxpayer dollars over the next decade by simply consolidating and maximizing the footprint and use of federal buildings and facilities.” ""This proposal will require us to carefully review our federal real estate holdings and look for opportunities to downsize,"" Warner said. ""By taking a businesslike approach to our current inventory, and aggressively looking for ways to consolidate and dispose of unneeded real property, we can sell properties we no longer need, and save taxpayer money by reducing maintenance and operations costs for years to come."" The federal government is the largest property owner and manager in the U.S., with more than one million buildings, structures, and land parcels. Real property management has been on the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) high-risk list since 2003, and GAO has estimated that the federal government could save billions through improvements. CPRA establishes an independent commission, comprised of real estate management experts, charged with reviewing the federal property portfolio and developing recommendations for consolidation or disposal. The commission will issue a report recommending individual leased or government owned properties that should be consolidated or disposed of to produce the best value for the taxpayer. Upon approval by the President, the recommendations will be submitted to Congress, which will have 45 days to pass a resolution of disapproval. If no such resolution is passed, the Commission’s recommendations will gain full legal force. The Civilian Property Realignment Act will: Establish an independent commission to downsize federal real estate.  The commission will have seven members appointed by the President and Congress to independently evaluate the federal real estate portfolio and develop recommendations twice a year for 10 years. Develop disposal and consolidation plans with expedited review.  The recommendations developed by the commission will be reviewed by the President within 30 days and Congress will have 45 days to disapprove the proposal. Agencies will have up to 3 years to carry out the recommendations. Mitigate stakeholder interests and reduce red tape.  The legislation will streamline the existing processes that have prevented downsizing and realignment in the past that will generate long-term savings. Improve data quality on federal properties.  This legislation will create a complete and accurate inventory of federal properties, including building condition, annual operating costs of excess properties, value, and utilization. Provide Congressional transparency for the Federal Real Property Profile. Provide access for Congressional Committees of jurisdiction and legislative support agencies to real property data to support greater accountability. Require $9 billion in savings from reductions in federal real property over 10 years.  The legislation sets an aggressive savings target from the sale and consolidation of federal real property.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221134745/http://hartzler.house.gov/press-release/view-capitol-congresswoman-vicky-hartzlers-newsletter-week-november-11-15-2013,"View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of November 11-15, 2013",2013-11-16,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Vicky Hartzler,H001053,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Good Day, This week, the U.S. House approved H.R. 3350 – the Keep Your Health Plan Act – to provide Americans the option of keeping the health plans they currently have. This is needed because, after the Affordable Care Act went into effect, more than 3.5 million Americans, according to the Associated Press, received health plan cancellation notices. Studies estimate up to 15 million Americans could lose their coverage over the next year due to the new law. This is devastating to the hundreds of families in our district who no longer have health insurance. Clearly, the promise of “If you like your health care plan, you can keep it” has proven to be unfounded. Furthermore, the website, when it works, presents security risks for many users. And many of those who have been able to obtain quotes on replacement policies are getting ‘sticker shock’ as they learn the costs of their premiums will rise more than 100 percent in some cases. Many of the policy cancellations or exorbitant increases are due to the bill’s mandates that force consumers to purchase coverage they don’t need and don’t want. Our bill will allow plans currently available on the individual market to be offered next year. I urge the Senate to quickly follow the lead of the House in serving the American people by passing this critical piece of legislation and sending it to the President. The House also approved H.R. 2655, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013, which would require courts to impose appropriate sanctions on attorneys, law firms, or parties filing frivolous lawsuits and to require them to compensate parties injured by these frivolous lawsuits. Under current law, courts may, but are not required to impose such sanctions. Too many family businesses are subjected to frivolous lawsuits that result in layoffs or company closings. No legitimate action would be prevented by this legislation, but it would help to limit the frivolous lawsuits that have the effect of greatly benefitting trial attorneys at the expense of job creators and American workers. On another matter, I had the privilege of leading my colleagues in a Special Order – a series of short speeches from the House floor on a given topic – on religious freedom in the U.S. military. Members of the United States Armed Forces, like other Americans, enjoy a First Amendment right to religious freedom. But these rights are slowly being eroded. Some recent examples of religious intolerance include: Army Reserve Equal Opportunity trainers referencing “Evangelical Christianity” and “Catholicism” as examples of religious extremism along with the KKK, Al Qaeda, and Hamas; A Christian chaplain being ordered to remove a religious column he had written which simply detailed the history of the phrase “there are no atheists in foxholes;” An Air Force officer being told that, after 18 years, he could no longer keep a Bible on his desk because it might “offend” someone; The Air Force Academy removing a poster portraying the words of the Academy oath because it ends with the phrase “so help me God” and announcing the final phrase will now be optional for cadets, even though the phrase has been a part of oaths since the Continental Congress instituted it in 1776; and Soldiers like Sergeant Phillip Monk being relieved of their duties because of their support of traditional marriage. This coercion, intimidation, and outright assault on our military’s freedom of religion has got to stop! Religious freedom includes not only a service member’s beliefs; his or her action and speech are also protected by the First Amendment. An individual’s faith is inseparable from the way in which he or she lives and acts. Service members must be permitted to express, share, and act upon their faith without repercussions. Rest assured, I will continue to be a strong voice on behalf of this vital right. Have a great week. Vicky",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/ec-dc-november-15-2013,"EC from DC - November 15, 2013",2013-11-15,2013,2013-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"BANCROFT OPENING, BIG NEWS – AND OF COURSE – BRAD PITT   The official ribbon cutting in front of Bancroft School Apartments in Kansas City There are a few times when you see smiles all around, and the official ribbon cutting of the Bancroft School Apartments was one of them. It has been a long time coming, but finally, it came. We cut the ribbon, signifying the opening of the new Bancroft School Apartments at 4300 Tracy. The revitalization of Kansas City’s Green Impact Zone, a 150 square block in the urban core, continues, and this day marks a huge step forward. Congressman Cleaver addresses a packed auditorium at the opening As neighborhood leaders and residents, city, state, and federal officials, architects, private business men and women, and even Brad Pitt (via video) gathered to celebrate, the atmosphere was festive as the future continues to brighten. Actor and Make It Right Founder Brad Pitt congratulates Kansas City on Bancroft opening The repurposing of the old and abandoned Bancroft School building is almost complete. It will be a place for people to live, work, and play, in the safety and peace of a neighborhood on the move. Strengthening housing opportunities, and communities as a whole, is something that helps us all. This building now houses an auditorium, a health clinic, a theater, gym facilities, a technology lab, a police foot patrol office, and a community garden. Architect Tim Duggan shows Congressman Cleaver and KC Mayor Sly James through Bancroft Most importantly, it offers 50 top of the line, affordable, LEED Platinum, newly renovated apartments, where families will live, grow, and prosper. Brad Pitt joined the celebration with a special video message. He also has something to say about the Kansas City Chiefs – a team our Missouri man has clearly been following. To view the video, please click here: https://makeitright.org/community/   HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH Veterans Day. It is such an important day each year to stop and reflect. It is a day that means so much to those who have sacrificed for our country, and those who enjoy the freedoms of those sacrifices. Congressman Cleaver addresses the crowd at the Vietnam Wall in Kansas City This Veterans Day, as I visited the Liberty Memorial, Truman Library, and the Vietnam Wall in Kansas City, I hoped to express not only my appreciation, but our duty, to keep our commitments to those who have served our country. Congressman Cleaver applauds during the letter presentation at the Vietnam Wall on Veterans Day Every generation and every sector of our great nation is represented by veterans. They come from different economic backgrounds, religious affiliations, and races, but they share an unwavering love of country. Congressman Cleaver joins other officials at Truman Library to honor veterans It was also a time to utter a special word of remembrance for Congressman Ike Skelton. We continue to mourn the loss of one of our last Statesman. Ike was an honorable Congressman, respected by family, colleagues, friends, veterans, and even those who had never met him. He loved serving the men and women of the military, and was, indeed, a warrior’s advocate. Different WWI uniforms are displayed on Veterans Day at Liberty Memorial At the Liberty Memorial, we have lost our World War I Centennial Commission Chair. In our communities, our state, and our country, we have lost so much more. Congressman Cleaver autographs the Wounded Warrior Car It is now, and will always be, our responsibility to honor – and to serve – those in uniform, and that commitment extends to their families as well. We must support them during all phases of their service, including their return home. This includes expanding the level of assistance for the wounded and making sure they are taken care of physically, mentally, and emotionally, as they work to transition from military service to civilian life. AN EARMARK BY ANY OTHER NAME… With great vexation, but with a deep understanding of the need for water development projects throughout our nation, I recently voted for H.R. 3080. This is the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, often referred to as WRRDA. Overall, this is an important bill, make no mistake about that. My frustration is that it has within it, 23 (give or take) earmarks. And none of them are in Jackson, Clay, Saline, Ray, or Lafayette Counties. You may not see these projects claim the title of earmarks in the media, but do not be fooled: an earmark by any other name will be spent just as sweetly. I have been told by House Leadership that the 23 projects used to be called earmarks, before earmarks were prohibited. But they have now been – transformed. I am not persuaded. That’s like cutting off the tail of an alligator, clipping some paper mache ears to his head and saying, “This used to be an alligator, but now it’s a puppy.” Earmarks have been banned for years now, but they remain. They are now masquerading as angelic government. With that transformation, though, they are away from the inspection and evaluation of the taxpayer. For example, there was an earmark in the debt ceiling deal. It was a $2.1 billion authorization of funds for the Olmsted Dam Project in Kentucky. I am not upset that Sen. Mitch McConnell was able to get this project funded, but I would like to get $2.1 billion earmarked for the Translational Project, which is being proposed in my district. Please don’t miss my point. I am not against earmarks. I have spoken in favor of them many times. What I am against, is this maze of political smoke and mirrors, that allows some areas to prosper from the newly named ‘approval-worthy projects’, while Missouri’s Fifth District doesn’t get funding for projects we need and deserve. All duly-elected representatives of the people should have the same ability to work on behalf of our district, not simply the most senior or significant in status. The public has been intentionally misinformed by some in this process, both pundits and politicians, that earmarks increase the deficit. Sometimes voters are so afraid of being taken in that they are vulnerable to being left out. Contrary to what the public has been told by some, for instance, there’s no such thing as a “bridge to nowhere”. There is, however, a proposed Gravina Island Bridge. This bridge, if constructed, would replace the ferry that connects 50 residents of the islands to the Ketchikan International Airport. If your grandma is one of the residents there, and needs to get to the hospital, you might also agree that it’s a good project. Or you might think it is a project that costs too much money. But the debate should be transparent, truthful, and complete with facts. Before the earmark ban, in our own area, federal funding, in the way of earmarks, has been used to help victims of rape. Earmarks have been used for youth crime prevention programs. Earmarks have been used to implement job training programs. And earmarks have been used to rehabilitate the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site and the dazzling Kit Bond Bridge. The public is never told by those who don’t like earmarks that when their representative is forbidden from fighting for them, the Administration then gets that responsibility. There is no reason to believe that President Barack Obama, as smart as I know he is, understands better than I, the needs of Missouri’s Fifth District. It frustrates me to no end, that for some inside the Washington Beltway, Missouri is often considered “flyover” America. Territory that is likely to be ‘forgotten’ if there isn’t someone fighting for it. Please understand that the Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse, and because the American public has been denied a public discussion on the matter of earmarks, this power has shifted to the President, and whoever is in the White House. I want to be allowed to get in the ring and advocate strongly for the best interests of Missouri’s Fifth District. I don’t want politics and slight of hand to keep us from moving forward with projects we need here for our economic growth, stability, and safety. An earmark by any other name – is still an earmark. Emanuel Cleaver, II Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://long.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=468,Long Supports Bipartisan Effort to Help Americans Impacted by Broken Health Care Promise,2013-11-15,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Billy Long,L000576,long.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Billy Long voted today in support of the Keep Your Health Plan Act.              “Millions of Americans are sadly finding out that President Obama’s repeated promise if you like your plan you can keep your plan is not true.  This common sense legislation is about addressing the concerns hardworking Americans have with the president’s health care law and giving them choices when it comes to their health care options.  President Obama should honor the promise he repeatedly made to the American people,” Long said.                 Long is an original cosponsor of the Keep Your Health Plan Act.  The legislation simply allows for health care plans currently available on the individual market to continue next year, providing millions of Americans whose plans have been cancelled the opportunity to keep their policies in 2014.  The legislation also ensures Americans keeping their plans would not face a penalty under the law’s individual mandate. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361516,"After Millions Lose Health Plans, Luetkemeyer Votes in Support of the Keep Your Health Plan Act",2013-11-15,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"After Millions Lose Health Plans, Luetkemeyer Votes in Support of the Keep Your Health Plan Act f t # e Washington, November 15, 2013 Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) on his support for the Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013 that allows health plans currently available on the individual market to continue next year, providing Americans the opportunity to continue to enroll in those plans they currently enjoy: share: f t Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) on his support for the Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013 that allows health plans currently available on the individual market to continue next year, providing Americans the opportunity to continue to enroll in those plans they currently enjoy: “The president spent nearly four years promising hard-working Americans they would be able to keep their health insurance under Obamacare and when that turned out not to be the case, I felt it was critical to vote for legislation that would allow health plans currently available on the individual market to continue next year. It is now apparent to most Americans that Obamacare is collapsing under its own weight and I remain hopeful that the Senate will bring this to the floor immediately and ultimately require the president to do the right thing and sign this into law.” f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361634,Blaine's Bulletin- Americans Deserve More than Another Promise from the President,2013-11-15,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"A lot has been said and written in recent weeks about the president’s 2009 speech to the American Medical Association in which he pledged that: “We will keep this promise to the American people. If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health-care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health-care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what.” share: f t A lot has been said and written in recent weeks about the president’s 2009 speech to the American Medical Association in which he pledged that: “We will keep this promise to the American people. If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health-care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health-care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what.” It’s a pledge the president repeatedly made when the bill became law in early 2010 and has been his calling card until recently when it became clear the promise to the American people was an empty one. Even as recently as Sept. 26, 2013, he said: “The first thing you need to know is this: If you already have health care, you don’t have to do anything.” Despite all the chatter about this broken promise, folks like you are demanding action and I am pleased to say that lawmakers, from both sides of the political aisle and in both chambers of Congress, are starting to finally get it. The House and Senate both have bills that would allow Americans to keep their health insurance policies in the face of Obamacare, no matter what. The president, under pressure from the American public and a growing number of his own supporters, sought to re-cast his comments about keeping your health insurance on Nov. 4, 2013 when he claimed: “If you had one of these plans before the Affordable Care Act came into law and you really liked that plan, what we said was you can keep it – if it hasn't changed since the law passed.""  Again feeling the pressure, the president on Nov. 14 announced that he would pursue an administrative fix to allow Americans whose policies were cancelled under Obamacare to keep their current policy. First, the president does not have the authority to unilaterally change a law, but Americans also deserve more than another promise from the president about fixes. What Americans deserve is for their elected representatives to take action on the issue. That is why, on Nov. 15, my House colleagues and I passed a bill called the Keep Your Health Plan Act that allows health plans currently available on the individual market to continue next year, providing Americans the opportunity to continue to enroll in the plans that they currently enjoy. The House passed this legislation first but the Senate is also poised to consider its version of the bill. What is remarkable about the Senate position is that Democrats Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Pryor of Arkansas are cosponsoring the Senate proposal known as the Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act. The health-care website continues to malfunction, plans offered on the exchanges are unaffordable and have limited networks of doctors and hospitals, millions of Americans are still losing the insurance coverage they were promised they could keep despite the new promise, and premiums for working families are skyrocketing.  While I have heard many of your personal stories, I would like to hear about more so please email ObamacareStory.MO3@mail.house.gov to share your story with me. It has become increasingly clear that my belief that Obamacare would collapse under its own weight is coming to fruition and the best way to protect Americans is to pass the legislation allowing people to keep their health insurance just like the president had first promised and has now agreed to. I am hopeful that when all is said and done and the House and Senate have done their jobs, the president will give the American public what it wants and start following the appropriate process of creating a law. Mr. President, you are not Congress and you do not make laws, so do the right thing and sign our bill into law.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221112300/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12025,McCaskill Enlists Aid of Kansas City Area Veterans to Reform POW/MIA Recovery Efforts,2013-11-15,2013,2013-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"KANSAS CITY - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill joined local veterans in Kansas City today to gather support for a measure she is introducing that would require the Pentagon to address systemic mismanagement in its efforts to recover and identify personnel who are prisoners of war or missing in action (POW/MIA). ""Standing side by side with our nation's heroes fills me with pride and serves as an important reminder for how critical it is that we bring attention to this tragic problem,"" said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and daughter of a World War II veteran. ""It's our obligation as a country to honor our military veterans and their families for the sacrifices they have made."" McCaskill gave her remarks at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial in downtown Kansas City. She was flanked by several decorated area war veterans who brought with them a large array of incredible personal experiences, including one who took part in a large-scale POW rescue attempt while fighting for our country in Vietnam. McCaskill recently called on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to respond to reports suggesting that phony ""arrival"" ceremonies were being staged using military props and remains. McCaskill has also demanded answers about an internal report that found that the Pentagon's troubled POW/MIA servicemember recovery operation has been woefully mismanaged-and that senior officials may have suppressed the critical report, leading to a Senate hearing earlier this year. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office released a report showing that the Pentagon had given multiple groups overlapping authority and control over POW/MIA searches, and the recovery efforts lacked a cohesive mission, further illustrating the need for systemic reforms. The report also says that the various operations would be more efficient and transparent if they were centralized under a single command structure. Read more about McCaskill's fight for stronger accountability in Washington, HERE. Read more about McCaskill's fight for Missouri's veterans by clicking HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361369,Luetkemeyer: Anemic Obamacare Enrollment Totals Show That Law is an Epic Failure,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Luetkemeyer: Anemic Obamacare Enrollment Totals Show That Law is an Epic Failure f t # e Washington, November 14, 2013 U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) issued the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services released the latest Obamacare enrollment numbers: share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) issued the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services released the latest Obamacare enrollment numbers: “The fact that fewer than 800 Missourians and fewer than 30,000 Americans have “selected” a health plan through the federal Obamacare health exchange makes it clear that the president’s signature piece of legislation is an epic and costly failure. I wouldn’t doubt that more pitches were thrown by the St. Louis Cardinals during the World Series than there are Missourians who have signed up for the federal exchange. This is about more than a broken website; it is about a broken law in which millions of Americans have lost their health coverage and millions more are losing access to their physicians. I look forward to voting on Friday in favor of legislation that would allow Americans to keep their health care coverage, something the president promised but failed to deliver. With leading Democrats fleeing Obamacare, it’s time for the president to admit that Obamacare is a failure and end this political charade.” f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361470,Luetkemeyer Says President’s Administrative Fix Isn’t the Solution to Obamacare Failure,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Blaine Luetkemeyer,L000569,luetkemeyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Luetkemeyer Says President’s Administrative Fix Isn’t the Solution to Obamacare Failure f t # e Washington, November 14, 2013 U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) issued the following statement after the president today announced a so-called administrative fix to Obamacare: share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) issued the following statement after the president today announced a so-called administrative fix to Obamacare: “Four years after first promising hard-working Americans they would be able to keep their health care and their doctors, the president has offered an administrative fix that falls short of offering a long-term solution to the health care crisis confronting the nation. In order to repair the serious damage already inflicted by Obamacare, we must change this law through the legislative process, and that is why I plan to vote tomorrow for the Keep Your Health Plan Act. This bill would allow health plans currently available on the individual market to continue next year, providing Americans the opportunity to continue to enroll in the plans that they currently enjoy. We cannot count on another presidential promise to undo the damage to our health care system, but instead must allow the elected representatives of the American people to do that.” f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=eb5b0037-aceb-432e-b765-9974f7c6d8f4,Jefferson City News-Tribune: Blunt rips ObamaCare Failure,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Olivia Ingle President Barack Obama said Thursday there’s no doubt that millions of Americans are frustrated about receiving cancellation notices from their health insurance companies, especially when the president promised they could keep their health insurance from the individual market if they liked it. “The bottom line is people had insurance that they thought met their needs and they could afford to pay for,” said U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. “Now they’re finding out that the insurance available to them (through the health insurance marketplace) is more expensive than they need, and in many cases has lots of elements to it that they know they don’t need.” Obama said the cancellation notices are currently one of two issues with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the other being making sure the marketplace website, healthcare.gov, works the ways it’s supposed to. “It’s fair to say that improvements will be noticeable,” Obama said. He said state insurance commissioners will continue to have the power to decide what plans can and can’t be sold in their states. Chris Cline, Missouri’s Insurance department spokesman, said the department is reviewing today’s announcement and the impact it will have on insurance companies and Missouri consumers. Blunt believes Obama’s solutions are “too little, too late,” and “will never be as easy as they sound.” “There’s lots of obstacles still in the way and even if you got over all those obstacles, you’d be back to the exact same problem a year from now,” Blunt said. He said he will continue to fight the Affordable Care Act, a law that he calls an “Obamacare train wreck.” “I still think there will be a point when the Administration looks back to the good ol’ days when the only problem they had was trying to explain why the website wouldn’t work, as opposed to trying to explain why this structure just simply won’t work,” he said. “When the president now decides that he’s going to redefine policies and try to make the law agree with what he over and over again said it would do, it creates a big problem.” U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, believes the ACA needs to be changed through the legislative process. “We cannot count on another presidential promise to undo the damage to our health care system, but instead must allow the elected representatives of the American people to do that,” he said. Read more here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=7acb1545-99b5-4969-9727-313ea989f8ae,"Blunt, Murray, Franken, Grassley Lead 28 Colleagues Urging Administration To Support American Biodiesel Industry",2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Patty Murray (Wash.), Al Franken (Minn.), and Chuck Grassley (Iowa) led 28 of their Senate colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging the Obama Administration to support the American biodiesel industry in its upcoming 2014 regulatory proposal for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  Current projections indicate that the industry will produce 1.7 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2014, continuing its pattern of exceeding annual RFS targets. In light of this production estimate, the Senators urged the Administration to carefully consider its 2014 biodiesel targets, which, if decreased or left stagnant at 2013 levels, could cost thousands of American jobs and significantly impact confidence in industry investments. “Biodiesel has exceeded RFS targets in each year and is clearly poised to do so again in 2013. The industry has had impressive growth, going far beyond initial expectations just five years ago, and is supporting 62,160 jobs and nearly $17 billion in total economic impact. Biodiesel is improving our energy security by reducing our dependence on imported petroleum diesel, diversifying fuel supplies and creating competition in the fuels market,” the Senators wrote. “Setting the 2014 biodiesel volume requirement at reduced levels could have severe impacts on the domestic biodiesel industry. Further, a continuation of 2013 levels paired with any reduction in advanced biofuels targets could similarly negatively impact the industry.” The following Senators also signed on to the letter: Senators Mark Pryor (Ark.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Angus King (Maine), Jack Reed (R.I.), Tim Johnson (S.D.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Martin Heinrich (N.M.), Mike Johanns (Neb.), Tom Harkin (Iowa), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Bob Casey (Pa.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Tom Udall (N.M.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Susan Collins (Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Kay Hagan (N.C.), and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.). To read the entire letter, please click here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=a2b527e3-93b8-40b6-8f7b-f13914ca928d,Senator Blunt: President Obama Is Doing The Least He Could Possibly Do To Help Americans,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after President Barack Obama delivered remarks on the Affordable Care Act: “Today’s announcement is literally the least the president could do in the wake of his broken promises. Unfortunately, millions of Americans will still find themselves facing fines without any realistic way to get health insurance as the president essentially shifts the blame to states and insurance companies. “Americans deserve better than the ObamaCare train wreck, which is why I'm still fighting to replace this disastrous law with a system that puts patients and doctors in charge of their own health care -- not Washington bureaucrats.” Yesterday, the Obama Administration released initial enrollment numbers for ObamaCare showing that fewer than 800 Missourians have successfully signed up for the president’s health care plan. Senator Blunt spoke on the Senate floor this week and last week to share stories from Missourians impacted by ObamaCare and losing their health care plans despite President Obama’s promise that if you like your plan you can keep it. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=f438cf89-9c4f-4f0c-ab74-1ca2f2df30c7,Ten Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Create Infrastructure Financing Authority,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan coalition of ten U.S. Senators introduced legislation today to establish a new infrastructure financing authority to help states and localities better leverage private funds to build and maintain the nation’s outdated infrastructure. The “Building and Renewing Infrastructure for Development and Growth in Employment” (BRIDGE) Act, helps to address the nation’s alarming investment shortfall in maintaining and improving our transportation network, water and wastewater systems and energy infrastructure. The legislation would provide an additional financing tool for states and localities which can create new jobs here at home while also increasing our nation’s economic competitiveness.  “Infrastructure has long been an integral part of our economy. Successful transportation systems connect people and communities, and businesses large and small, and the jobs they create, rely on a strong infrastructure network to connect with their customers,” Blunt said. “This bipartisan legislation will provide a new tool to help finance infrastructure projects, create jobs, and ensure America’s global competitiveness in the 21st century.” The BRIDGE Act, introduced by lead sponsors Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Mark R. Warner (Va.), is cosponsored by Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Dean Heller (Nev.), Chris Coons (Del.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Roger Wicker (Miss.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Mark Kirk (Ill.). America currently spends roughly two percent of its GDP on infrastructure -- about half what it did 50 years ago. By comparison, Europe spends around 5%, and China spends 9% of GDP on infrastructure. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, the United States currently ranks 19th among 148 developed countries in overall infrastructure compared to our global competitors. To begin addressing this shortfall, the BRIDGE Act will establish an independent, nonpartisan financing authority to complement existing U.S. infrastructure funding. The authority would provide loans and loan guarantees to help states and localities fund the most economically viable road, bridge, rail, port, water, sewer, and other significant infrastructure projects.  The authority would receive initial seed funding of up to $10 billion, which could incentivize private sector investment and make possible up to $300 billion in total project investment. The authority is structured in a way to make it self-sustaining over time. A summary of the BRIDGE Act legislation is available here.  Comments from a broad variety of stakeholders and industry experts are available here. KEY PROVISIONS:  The BRIDGE Act includes broad eligibility for funding: Projects would have to be at least $50 million in size, and be of national or regional significance to qualify. Five percent of the Authority’s overall funding would be dedicated to projects in rural regions, and rural projects would be required to be $10 million in size.  The BRIDGE Act addresses current gaps in infrastructure financing: The Authority would finance no more than 49 percent of the total costs of the project in order to avoid crowding out private capital. Loans and loan guarantees would be subject to modest additional fees, which will allow the Authority to quickly become self-sustaining over time.  The BRIDGE Act establishes independent, non-partisan operations: Having project finance experts in-house will help states and localities go toe-to-toe with private sector partners to ensure that taxpayers are getting good value for our investments through public-private partnerships. The Authority would operate independently of existing federal agencies, led by a Board of Directors with seven voting members and a CEO, all of whom would be required to demonstrate proven expertise in financial management and be confirmed by a vote of the Senate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20140221104741/http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=12024,Sentors Introduce Bill to Boost Already Historic Set of Reforms,2013-11-14,2013,2013-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators and former prosecutors Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) this morning announced a new set of bipartisan provisions to strengthen and augment the already historic reform package that passed the Armed Services Committee in June to curb military sexual assault. ""This has always been about a very simple concept-what can we do to make prosecutions successful and what can we do to protect victims,"" said McCaskill, a former courtroom prosecutor of sex crimes. ""That's the only yardstick that matters to me."" ""All along I have said that while we must deal with sexual offenders, we can't lose sight of the victims. This amendment keeps that important focus. These changes, both in our amendment and in this year's NDAA, are significant. But importantly, they are also serious and thoughtful - and they are based on sound policy. Changes to the UCMJ should come after a deliberate and transparent process, with input from all sides. This amendment is the product of such an effort,"" said Fischer. The amendment includes a host of reforms, attached and available online HERE, and including: Eliminating the Good Soldier Defense Modifies the Military Rules of Evidence to prevent defendants from using good military character unless it is directly relevant to an element of the crime for which they are charged. Allows Victim Input in Prosecution of Perpetrators Requires Special Victims Counsels to advise victims of the advantages & disadvantages of a case being prosecuted in the military or civilian justice system and provides victims the opportunity to express their preference on where the case is heard, giving a victim a greater degree of control of his or her case. Allows Sexual Assault Victims to Challenge Their Discharge or Separation from Service Requires the services to set up a confidential process that will enable a victim of a sexual assault who was subsequently discharged to challenge the terms or characterization of his or her discharge-in order to take a retrospective look at possible instances of retaliation. Strengthens the Role of the Prosecutor in Advising Commanders on Going to Court Martial In the event a prosecutor recommends a case go forward and the commander disagrees, under the amendment, the case is kicked up for review to the civilian service secretary, providing yet another level of review in these cases when needed. The NDAA currently requires the higher-level review only when there is disagreement between the commander and his or her legal counsel/judge advocate. Boosts Accountability of Commanders for Addressing Sexual Assault & Setting Appropriate Command Climate Strengthens evaluations for commanding officers and the command climate they establish as it relates to allegations of sexual assault and the way victims of crimes are treated within the unit following reports. Extends Protections to the Military Service Academies Clarifies that all changes in the NDAA related to sexual assault prevention and response apply to the military service academies. The Senators also pointed to new statistics of drastically increased reporting as a strong indicator that retaining a role for commanders, while instituting historic, aggressive reforms, is the key for curbing sexual assaults. McCaskill, Ayotte, and Fisher have relentlessly fought to reduce sexual assaults in the military. Earlier this year, the Armed Services Committee gave approval to a series of aggressive, historic reforms addressing sexual assault, including bipartisan, bicameral provisions that will significantly boost accountability for perpetrators and protections for survivors. Reforms included in that package would strip commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions, install civilian review over decisions to not prosecute cases, mandate dishonorable discharge or dismissal for anyone convicted of sexual assault, make it a crime to retaliate against victims who report a sexual assault, provide a Special Victims Counsel to give independent legal advice to servicemembers who report a sexual assault, and eliminate the statute of limitations in these cases. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wagner.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-on-obamacare-enrollment-numbers-for-october,Wagner Statement on ObamaCare Enrollment Numbers for October,2013-11-13,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement in response to the administration releasing data on October enrollments through the federal health insurance exchange: “Time and time again - President Obama promised the American people, ‘if you like your health care plan you can keep it.’  We now know this was a blatant falsehood to win an election, and the only victims are those millions of Americans that have lost their coverage through no fault of their own.” “Every day I hear from hardworking families around the 2nd District who have had their health insurance changed or cancelled, been forced to change their doctors, had their hours cut back at work, and have seen their premiums skyrocket. These hardworking families don’t care about partisan politics; they are simply concerned about how they are going to make it to the 15th and 30th each month and pay their bills on time. “While the Administration claims this is just a minor setback, these absurdly low enrollment numbers are emblematic of a much larger problem: ObamaCare is unworkable, unsustainable, and unaffordable for the American people.  It is time we realize that no matter how many tech experts President Obama hires to fix his $600 million dollar plus taxpayer-paid website – it will never stop ObamaCare from hurting the American people. “As your Representative - I will never stop fighting until ObamaCare is replaced with free-market based solutions that expand access without destroying our economy and lowering the quality of our care.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-on-obamacare-enrollment-numbers-for-october,Wagner Statement on ObamaCare Enrollment Numbers for October,2013-11-13,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Ann Wagner,W000812,wagner.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement in response to the administration releasing data on October enrollments through the federal health insurance exchange: “Time and time again - President Obama promised the American people, ‘if you like your health care plan you can keep it.’  We now know this was a blatant falsehood to win an election, and the only victims are those millions of Americans that have lost their coverage through no fault of their own.” “Every day I hear from hardworking families around the 2nd District who have had their health insurance changed or cancelled, been forced to change their doctors, had their hours cut back at work, and have seen their premiums skyrocket. These hardworking families don’t care about partisan politics; they are simply concerned about how they are going to make it to the 15th and 30th each month and pay their bills on time. “While the Administration claims this is just a minor setback, these absurdly low enrollment numbers are emblematic of a much larger problem: ObamaCare is unworkable, unsustainable, and unaffordable for the American people.  It is time we realize that no matter how many tech experts President Obama hires to fix his $600 million dollar plus taxpayer-paid website – it will never stop ObamaCare from hurting the American people. “As your Representative - I will never stop fighting until ObamaCare is replaced with free-market based solutions that expand access without destroying our economy and lowering the quality of our care.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=8282a996-3260-417f-ada7-0e5a463fed5d,Senator Blunt's Statement On ObamaCare Enrollments,2013-11-13,2013,2013-11,Republican,House,MO,Roy Blunt,B000575,www.blunt.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after the Obama Administration released initial enrollment numbers for ObamaCare: ""Fewer than 800 Missourians have successfully signed up for the president's health care plan while millions of Americans are being forced to lose their current coverage. That's appalling, and it simply confirms what we already knew: ObamaCare is a train wreck. ""President Obama should keep his promise to the American people and make the health care system work again – a system that for most people was working a year ago, and for a whole lot of people, won’t be working a year from now."" Senator Blunt spoke on the Senate floor today and last week to share stories from Missourians losing their health care plans despite President Obama’s promise that if you like your health care plan you can keep it. At the Senate Republican Leadership Stakeout today, Blunt highlighted the story of a young Missourian with a pre-existing condition, who is one of many in the high risk pools that will be terminated under ObamaCare. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z