E-Newsletters
For months during the run-up to the health care bill vote the American public was repeatedly told the proposed overhaul would save money and decrease overall health care costs. This became known as "bending the cost curve down," and it was used as a key justification for increased government involvement in our health care system.
This weekend we celebrated the annual Labor Day holiday. While the day off was a welcome break for many and a reminder of how hard Americans work, my goal is to ensure our agricultural and manufacturing sectors are kept in mind every day.
We know by now that government cannot create or save jobs; that is what the private sector does. Therefore, I believe the federal government should be pursing policies that help create opportunities for our farmers and small businesses to grow.
Classes are once again back in session across Northwest Missouri. While some students may be wishing they were still on summer break, many teachers are worried about how their newest classes will score on upcoming standardized tests.
This past Thursday was "Cost of Government Day." Each year, the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation and the Center for Fiscal Accountability calculate the day on which the average American has earned enough gross income to pay off his or her share of the spending and regulatory burdens imposed by government at the federal, state and local levels.
Dear friend:
I want to take this opportunity to let you know I will be hosting a townhall meeting at the Savannah Middle School this coming Tuesday, August 24. The event will take place at 4:30 p.m. and the school is located at 10500 State Route T in Savannah.
As your Representative in Washington, I value the chance to hear about the issues that are important to you. Townhalls are also a great opportunity for me to update you about everything I've been working on and what's happening in our nation's capital.
It's no secret spending in Washington is completely out of control. Our President and the majority in Congress are on pace to rack up an unprecedented $1.5 trillion deficit this year. That's following a $1.6 trillion deficit last year. The total national debt stands at over $13 trillion. This has to stop.
The House came back into session for several hours Tuesday to pass an additional $26 billion worth of spending. You'll find more information on that legislation below. I continue to be amazed that many in Washington still do not seem to understand we cannot continue to spend money we do not have.
In a tradition that dates back to its earliest years – a time without air conditioning, to be specific – Congress has left Washington, D.C. for the annual August recess period. This extended time away from our nation's capital allows me to embark on one of the most rewarding aspects of my job as your representative in Washington: traveling across Northwest Missouri to meet with many of you.
This year's deficit is projected to be about $1.5 trillion dollars. In the past, I've talked about how big "just" $1 trillion is. Here are a couple ways to think about it: If you spent $1 million a day, every day since Jesus was born you'd still have about $250 billion left over. Stacked on top of one another, a trillion $1 bills would reach nearly 68,000 miles into the sky, which is about a third of the way from the Earth to the moon.
This week, I sent a letter to President Barack Obama in support of Governor Jay Nixon's request for a Federal disaster declaration for the state of Missouri. The request is in response to recent severe weather and flooding across the state.
People in Northwest Missouri have seen once again the damage Mother Nature can do. Our local emergency workers and first responders did an excellent job of making sure a bad situation did not become even worse.