Jason Smith

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), who is the subcommittee chairman.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, the sue-and-settle practice cuts stakeholders and the public out of the regulatory process. It undermines the Article I authority we hold here in Congress. By restricting the payment of legal fees, we take away the incentive for these environmental advocacy groups to sue the Federal Government, and we protect public input in the rulemaking process. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``yes'' vote on my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sesquicentennial birthday of Bismarck, Missouri, which was founded in 1868. City fathers named the town for Prince Otto Von Bismarck, the `Iron Chancellor' of Germany, in hopes they'd lure German immigrants to live there. Bismarck became a shipping center for the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway. Today, the 100-year-old train depot is a treasured landmark. Bismarck is proud of its community spirit. The desire to serve prompted dozens of residents to join the military in wartime. The drive to succeed helped the town recover from a fire that destroyed its business district in 1901. And the determination to overcome challenges has kept the city working to meet the ever-changing needs of its citizens. Today, Bismarck's leaders are working to increase services and add businesses. Mayor Seth Radford describes Bismarck as a place that ``looks out for its neighbors,'' offering a family-friendly community that brings people together. They look to the future with optimism, but maintain a strong connection to their past. It is my great privilege to recognize Bismarck, Missouri before the United States House of Representatives to mark the town's 150th birthday. I celebrate the community spirit, sense of duty and pride that thrives in this St. Francois County town located in the heart of America.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pleasant Valley Baptist Church of Salem, Missouri on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary. The church was founded in 1868, when a small group met in southern Dent County at the home of J.F. Halbrook. The church began with 11 charter members and Rev. John A. Summers was selected as the first Pastor. The church continued meeting at the home of J.F. Halbrook during the early years. Later they moved to a log school house in the Miner community and in 1878, thanks to Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Orchard, the church moved to its present location in the Doss community. Today, the church has 308 members and is involved in local and nationwide missions. For continuing its work of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ through 150 years of change and challenge, it is my great pleasure to honor Pleasant Valley Baptist Church today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I would absolutely say that the gentleman from Louisiana is correct. It is for floodways and for restoration that have been activated.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in favor of my amendment which protects the Mississippi River and Tributaries System and its floodways. The MR&T is our Nation's most successful flood control and navigation system expanding from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, down through Louisiana near the Gulf of Mexico. Since 1928, the MR&T has prevented $1 trillion in flood damage and protected the lives of millions who live in the Mississippi Valley. The MR&T's floodways and backwaters throughout the system relieve pressure on the Mississippi levees during flooding and are essential to keeping the system functioning. One of those floodways is in southeast Missouri, the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway. In 2011, the Mississippi River experienced historic flooding, leading to the Army Corps' decision to intentionally breach, with explosives, the Birds Point Floodway. As a result, 130,000 acres of land were flooded, destroying people's homes, towns, and crops. The people of southeast Missouri are resilient and, in the aftermath of this tragic action, tried to pick up the pieces and return to their lives. Unfortunately, it was not until over a year and a half later that the Army Corps returned the destroyed levees back to their original design. There were even some who indicated that perhaps these levees not be built back at all. That is truly unacceptable. Floodway activation impacts not just residents in the floodways, but all of 4\1/2\ million people protected by the MR&T system. Floodways are a critical part of the MR&T, and their restoration after activation should never be in question. My amendment ensures that, in the event of activation of any floodway or backwater feature within the MR&T, the Army Corps will prioritize expedient restoration of the damaged floodway's levees back to the original protection. Activation of any floodway on the MR&T has serious consequences and should only be done as a last resort. This amendment simply ensures activated floodway is restored. My amendment is essential to the peace of mind of all people living near floodways and to the proper function of the MR&T. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 216.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable 100th birthday of Tressie Elizabeth Butt Humphrey. Tressie was born to Henry Clay Butt and Zelma Josephine Slownesky Butt on May 3, 1918. A 1936 graduate of Steelville High School, she married the late Luther Theodore Humphrey with whom she shares two children, Loretta Mae and Selma Jean, as well as six grandchildren, eighteen great- grandchildren, and nineteen great-great-grandchildren. Tressie is a former teacher of the Slowensky one-room school house, a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Missouri, and the owner of a Missouri Century Farm. Tressie has achieved a great milestone in her life by celebrating her 100th birthday. She is a woman of character and is greatly beloved by all who know her. She has displayed exceptional leadership, contributing greatly to our society throughout her years. For all of these reasons and many more, it is my pleasure to recognize Tressie before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th birthday of Haline Julian. On Wednesday, February 28, 2018, Haline Julian of Kennett, Missouri celebrated her 100th birthday with friends, family, and the staff at Kennett OAKS Senior Nutrition Center. Haline met her husband for the first time in 1942. H.M. Julian was twenty-one and had just entered the military when he was set-up with Haline Overall. They drove to Kennett for their first date, and it was on this date that a romance started that would last well over seventy years. Haline attended beauty school and after she graduated, opened her own beauty salon. H.M. went to college on the GI bill and received a degree in Vocational Agriculture. Their family began to grow in 1952 with the birth of their first son Chip, and in 1957 with their daughter Judy. Both children were born at Presnell Hospital in Kennett. The Julian family moved all across Missouri over the years, but Haline has always considered Kennett to be their true home. It is with great appreciation and respect I recognize the 100th birthday of Haline Julian today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Virginia Brown Swindle from Senath, MO. Virginia Brown Swindle was born in Monette, AR. on May 13, 1927, to Robert Edgar Young and Emmaline Qualls Young. She was the second youngest sibling among eight brothers and one sister. Working at Wal-Mart in Kennett for 22 years has kept her young and strong. Throughout her life she has owned a grocery store, drove a truck, been an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a certified nursing assistant, cleaned the Senath Baptist Church, and worked as a greeter at the Wal-Mart in Kennett. Virginia worked all her life and until she earned her general educational development (GED) in her forties. After earning her GED, she trained to be an EMT. She bravely utilized this training when she went to work for the Senath nursing home where she was able to utilize her CPR training to save the lives of some of the residents. At the age of ninety-one, retirement isn't in her sights yet, because she loves working. Virginia loves life and enjoys all of the people she meets as a greeter at the local Kennett Wal-Mart. It is with great appreciation and respect, I honor the life of Virginia Brown Swindle before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable 100th birthday of Tressie Elizabeth Butt Humphrey. Tressie was born to Henry Clay Butt and Zelma Josephine Slownesky Butt on May 3, 1918. A 1936 graduate of Steelville High School, she married the late Luther Theodore Humphrey with whom she shares two children, Loretta Mae and Selma Jean, as well as six grandchildren, eighteen great- grandchildren, and nineteen great-great-grandchildren. Tressie is a former teacher of the Slowensky one-room school house, a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Missouri, and the owner of a Missouri Century Farm. Tressie has achieved a great milestone in her life by celebrating her 100th birthday. She is a woman of character and is greatly beloved by all who know her. She has displayed exceptional leadership, contributing greatly to our society throughout her years. For all of these reasons and many more, it is my pleasure to recognize Tressie before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrifice of U.S. Army Warrant Officer First Class Reginald David Cleve of Farmington, MO, missing in action since March 22, 1971. The 23-year-old Mr. Cleve was a member of the 176th Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Group and the 23rd Infantry Division. He was the commander aboard a UH1H ``Huey'' aircraft in a group of five helicopters conducting an emergency re-supply mission on that day. With a crew of four, the helicopter was flying low above Savannakhet province in Laos. The helicopter took intense enemy fire and was shot down. No rescue mission was conducted because of the heavy concentration of enemy troops. Mr. Cleve's remains have never been recovered. His family was left to wonder whether he might have survived and been taken prisoner. But Mr. Cleve never returned home. He and his crew remain numbered among the nearly 600 Americans who disappeared in Laos. Today, 47 years later, his sacrifice is honored at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. At another ceremony in his hometown on March 24, 2018, his name will be etched on a memorial at the St. Francois County Courthouse. It is with great appreciation and respect to honor the service and sacrifice of Warrant Officer First Class Reginald David Cleve today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today to speak on behalf of this bill, the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Establishment Act, and on the behalf of the community of Ste. Genevieve. Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, is home to one of the largest collections of French colonial architecture in the United States and is one of the oldest colonial settlements west of the Mississippi River dating back to the early 1700s. For years, the community of Ste. Genevieve has celebrated its history and unique culture through numerous festivals and annual events. Over time, the Federal Government has begun to catch on. One of the town's historic homes is a National Historic Landmark, several other homes are on the National Register of Historic Places, and a large area of the town itself is designated as a National Historic Landmark district, one of the oldest in the country. In May of 2016, the National Park Service concluded and released a Final Special Resource Study and Environmental Assessment for Ste. Genevieve. This study was the result of legislation passed over 10 years previously, which tasked the Park Service with determining whether or not the resources at Ste. Genevieve met the criteria for inclusion in the National Park System. Happily, the Park Service study concluded what the people of Ste. Genevieve already knew: that Ste. Genevieve's large and unique collection of vertical log houses rises to national significance. The study determined that certain areas are suitable for direct Park Service management. My bill is very straightforward: it establishes the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System; it sets the boundaries of the park as depicted on the map laid out by the Park Service; and it gives the Secretary of the Interior certain authorities within the boundaries of the Historical Park or any nationally significant property identified in the special resource study. In order for the resources of Ste. Genevieve to be properly preserved, Park Service management is necessary. The work of local nonprofits, the city of Ste. Genevieve, and the State of Missouri to manage, preserve, and showcase these historic structures cannot be understated. However, there are still unmet needs for resource protection and interpretation, and the community looks forward to working with the Park Service to increase tourism in the area as well as properly preserve and study the town's resources. Once again, I want to highlight and thank the community of Ste. Genevieve for their strong support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to swiftly pass my bill and move it one step closer to the President's desk.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the folks of southeast Missouri. The district that I represent, the average median income is right at $40,000. It is one of the lowest average median incomes in the country. I have asked my folks back home, just last week, if they support this tax bill, and, in fact, 67 percent say they support the Trump tax bill. Mr. Speaker, $40,000 back home is a salary. It is not a Christmas bonus that people get in New York City or California. $40,000 is their salary. Mr. Speaker, let me give you some facts: Mr. Speaker, the first $24,000 that people earn in southeast Missouri will be at a zero percent tax rate. A family of four that makes $55,000 will pay zero in income tax. When you look at a median average income in southeast Missouri being $40,000, we are winners. What you are hearing on the other side is complete, false, and absolute lies. Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to support the conference committee.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chauncy D. Buchheit, Executive Director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission in Perryville, MO. Mr. Buchheit began his work for the Commission in 1980 and was named Economic Developer of the Year by the Missouri Economic Development Council in 2003. He has helped make communities better throughout Southeast Missouri as he worked to help both the public and private sectors identify needs, secure funding and pave the way for economic development. For almost 40 years, Chauncy has proven to be a valuable resource for cities and towns in the 7-county region he serves. As he retires at the end of 2017, Chauncy's enthusiastic participation in economic growth, his valuable expertise and his genuine sense of caring for Southeast Missouri will be genuinely missed by all of us who were privileged to work together with him to make Missouri better. It is my great pleasure to honor Chauncy D. Buchheit today before the United States House of Representatives for his passionate dedication to the people of Southeast Missouri.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, a lot has been said today on the floor about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from my friends on the other side of the aisle. They think that this bill before us will make losers of the American workers or of the American economy. The truth is the status quo--our current broken Tax Code--is causing our workers and our economy to lose. Back in southeast Missouri--I will give you an example under the current Tax Code--a machinist in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, working 40 hours a week is fearful to work harder because the more money that they make, the less that they will have percentagewise unde our current Tax Code. That is simply not right, Madam Speaker. Back in southeast Missouri, a cotton farmer in Hayti has worked for decades to build his family farm hoping to pass it on to his daughter. Yet, under the current system, his daughter would have to sell portions of the farm or take out a massive loan to continue the family operation. The status quo in our Tax Code is rigged against the American taxpayer. They can't afford an army of lawyers, accountants, and lobbyists to find all of the loopholes and the bailouts available only to a select few. The status quo are tax rates for businesses that are so high that the American companies are not able to grow, hire new workers, or be competitive with other countries around the world. The other side of the aisle was arguing to keep a broken Tax Code that is punishing hardworking taxpayers. All of the grandstanding leaves us with one question that needs to be answered for the American people: What do these tax cuts mean for you? It means that the hardworking family in southeast Missouri will keep more of their paycheck. Instead of being penalized for success, this bill is about employees. It is about wages. It is about getting to keep more of what you earn. For families and couples, the first $24,000 you earn under this bill will be tax free. You get to keep it. You get to decide how to spend your own money, not the government. It means that the small businesses and family farms won't feel the sting of the IRS and the death tax when tragedy strikes their family. It means that lobbyists and special interests become the losers. We close loopholes in handouts that the hardworking taxpayer can't get. We are ending a Tax Code that isn't built for the everyday American. We are making it simple and fair. It means that America can now compete and win again. With this bill, we lower the business rate to historic levels. We are making our economy healthy again. We know from history that a healthy economy takes care of itself. It is more stable and sustainable. It provides for full employment, better jobs, and higher wages. Former President John F. Kennedy knew this when he said: ``Our true choice is not between tax reduction, on the one hand, and the avoidance of large Federal deficits on the other. It is increasingly clear that no matter what party is in power, so long as our national security needs keep rising, an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance our budget just as it will never produce enough jobs or enough profits.''

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, surely, the lesson of the last decade is that budget deficits are not caused by wild-eyed spenders but by slow economic growth and periodic recessions. Any new recession would break all deficit records. This bill makes the American worker, the American family, the American farmer, the American small businesses, and the American economy winners once again. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Clippard Wilson Taylor Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 of Cape Girardeau, Missouri on celebrating their 75th anniversary of serving veterans and their families as well as the community. The Post was chartered on the 20th day of September, 1942 with 44 members. Since then, it has grown to be one of the largest VFW Posts in the state with a current membership of 590, a strong part of the 1.7 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary nationally. Post 3838 has been instrumental throughout the years fostering patriotism in many ways which include teaching flag etiquette at local schools and supplying American flags to schools, churches, and parks. The Post shows great comradery amongst their war veterans and strives to assist fellow veterans in need. The members have lobbied successfully for legislation to provide care to veterans and funding for the military. Throughout their years of service, the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 have remained loyal and dedicated to their organization, their country, their members, and the community. Therefore, it is my privilege and honor to recognize the Clippard Wilson Taylor VFW Post 3838 on celebrating their 75th anniversary before the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment. In recent years, we have seen a sharp increase in a practice called sue and settle. This happens when a Federal agency accepts a lawsuit from an outside advocacy organization and then, rather than defend itself, proceeds to settle that lawsuit in a closed-door agreement, with the end result being new and more costly regulations. If that isn't bad enough, taxpayers are responsible for footing the legal bill for the attorneys of the radical organizations who filed the suit. My amendment is simple. It prevents American taxpayer dollars from being used to pay the legal fees of outside advocacy groups for settlements under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Litigants can still sue, but they will no longer be financially rewarded by the taxpayers for their efforts. This practice is an abuse of our regulatory process and must be stopped. Nowhere are these settlements more costly in their outcomes than in the environmental regulatory context. According to the Chamber of Commerce, between January of 2013 and January of 2017, the EPA chose not to defend itself in 77 of these lawsuits with outside environmental advocacy groups. Overall, during the 8 years of the prior administration, the EPA entered into 137 of these settlements. The result of these lawsuits is hundreds of new regulations and tens of millions--even billions--of dollars in compliance costs. Further, as part of the agreements, agencies are often required to reprioritize their agendas, allocating limited resources to the priorities of these interest groups rather than priorities designated by Congress or ones that have received public and stakeholder input. The American people are tired of our unaccountable Federal Government, and we have the opportunity to do something about it. This is a simple and necessary step to rein in overregulation and bring transparency back to the regulatory process. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Chair, the sue-and-settle practice cuts stakeholders and the public out of the regulatory process. It undermines the Article I authority we hold here in Congress. By restricting the payment of legal fees, we protect taxpayer dollars, reduce Federal spending, take away the incentive of these environmental advocacy groups to sue the Federal Government, and protect public input in the rulemaking process. Madam Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the formal contribution of the Jo Ann Emerson Congressional Papers to the Kent Library Special Collections and Archives at Southeast Missouri State University. Today, we celebrate and congratulate our district's matriarch, Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson. During Jo Ann's sixteen year tenure in the United States House of Representatives, she was a champion for the people of not only Southern Missouri, but the entire state. She fiercely defended the conservative values shared by the citizens of southeast and south central Missouri while also knowing how to reach across the aisle to pass legislation to the benefit of those she represented. The Jo Ann Emerson Congressional Papers contain more than one- hundred boxes of documents that follow Emerson's time in Congress. The collection includes official press releases, documents from committee hearings, personal correspondence, speeches, certificates, and over eleven- thousand photographs. Emerson was the first Republican woman to represent the state of Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was reelected eight times, representing Missouri's Eighth Congressional District from 1996 to 2013. During Emerson's time in office, she successfully promoted economic development, secured federal dollars for rural improvements, healthcare, and agriculture, while building the framework for a brighter future for our region. I want to express my gratitude to Southeast Missouri State University for dedicating the Jo Ann Emerson Congressional Papers to the Special Collections and Archives in the Kent Library, and to Jo Ann Emerson and her family for contributing her photo collection and Congressional Papers. Finally, I want to share a deep and heartfelt thank you to Jo Ann not only for her service and influence on the Eighth District of Missouri, but also for being someone who I looked up to and whose legacy I strive to honor every day.