Jason Smith

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman across the aisle is correct when he says that this does not change current law and it is just enforcing current Federal law. I would just urge the body to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is very straightforward. It just requires that funds in Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies only go to cities and States that uphold Federal law. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Sarah Barton Murphy Chapter, as they celebrate their 62nd Anniversary in Farmington, Missouri. The chapter is an incredible asset to the community, especially as they commemorate the 230th Anniversary of U.S. Constitution Week, September 17 through 23, 2017. To help preserve our American heritage through this national observance, the Sarah Barton Murphy Chapter encourages 5th grade students in St. Francois County to participate in ``Ring Bells for Freedom.'' They promote displays in six libraries in three counties and books on Colonial founders to help residents retrace the American story. The Chapter asks all residents of St. Francois County to study our nation's birth through the events that led to the drafting of the Constitution and its signing on September 17, 1787. The Sarah Barton Murphy Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution works tirelessly to keep their communities aware of America's amazing heritage. I am honored to recognize the chapter today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Sarah Barton Murphy Chapter, as they celebrate their 62nd Anniversary in Farmington, Missouri. The chapter is an incredible asset to the community, especially as they commemorate the 130th Anniversary of U.S. Constitution Week, September 17 through 23, 2017. To help preserve our American heritage through this national observance, the Sarah Barton Murphy Chapter encourages 5th grade students in St. Francois County to participate in ``Ring Bells for Freedom.'' They promote county library displays and books on Colonial founders to help residents retrace the American story. The Chapter asks all residents of St. Francois County to study our nation's birth through the events that led to the drafting of the Constitution and its signing on September 17, 1787. The Sarah Barton Murphy Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution works tirelessly to keep their communities aware of America's amazing heritage. I am honored to recognize the chapter today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the military service of Major Charles Appleberry of Flat River, Missouri. Major Appleberry was a medical doctor who enlisted in the Army on May 26, 1942 and served until his discharge on January 29, 1946. As a member of the Army Medical Corps, he served in the South Pacific during World War II. He saved many lives, but one particular surgery is recounted in the Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune on November 1, 1944. It tells of how Dr. Appleberry removed a live Japanese 20 millimeter shell from the chest of Private Jackie Miles on the island of Leyte in The Philippines. The newspaper account explains how the doughboy clung to life, ``unaware that the group of tense medics were risking their lives to save him.'' The article states how Major Appleberry firmly grasped the shell, removed it and safely lifted it to a tray for careful disposal. After the war, Dr. Appleberry returned to St. Francois County to resume his medical career at the Farmington State Hospital and Bonne Terre Hospital until his death in 1984. Those who knew the doctor join with VFW Post No. 5741 in Leadington today to honor him for his 55-year career as a physician both at home and at war. I join them in recognizing Dr. Appleberry today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, children and adults who are mentally and physically disabled have a great friend in an organization called Pony Bird, Incorporated located in Jefferson County, Missouri. Named after a children's book about a young boy and his magical flying pony, Pony Bird is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It began in 1977 in one home devoted to caring for 10 severely disabled children. Today, Pony Bird provides 24-hour care in six residential homes for up to 60 individuals unable to walk or meet their daily living needs. The facilities in Mapaville and De Soto allow residents to receive a maximum level of personalized care. They lead happy lives through socialization, participation, work and the opportunity to volunteer as members of their community. Pony Bird has been recognized many times by the State of Missouri Department of Mental Health for its outstanding level of care. It is my great privilege to celebrate their 40 years of caring for our most vulnerable citizens today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Beverly Rowe of Rolla, Missouri, as she retires after more than forty- nine years of public service. Her longstanding career at Fort Leonard Wood was dedicated to assisting military service members and their families in many capacities. Ms. Rowe began her career on October 30, 1967, as a military personnel clerk, preparing reassignment orders for prior-service and medically evacuated soldiers returning to active duty, and soldiers assigned to the Special Processing Detachment. She managed the Hometown Recruiting Assistance Program, Junior Enlisted Travel, and United States Military Academy Preparatory School candidates. She also served as the basic training assignment lead clerk and with the AG Trainee/ Student Personnel Section. Beverly was promoted to the position of supervisory travel assistant with the Central Port Call Office in February 1984. In September 1993, Ms. Rowe began working in the Retirement Services Office as a contact representative, a survivor benefit counselor, and processed enlisted and officer retirement applications. She was later selected as the Retirement Services Officer. Most recently, Ms. Rowe became the Transition Services Manager in June 2012, working with the Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program. Ms. Rowe completed college courses at Central Texas College, Drury University, and the University of Colorado-Denver while working at Fort Leonard Wood. Upon retirement, she plans to continue living in Rolla and volunteering at Leach Theater. She has a lifetime of service at Fort Leonard Wood, providing expertise, stability, continuity of operations, and critical support on a daily basis. I celebrate with Beverly Rowe as she enters retirement after more than forty-nine years.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary. The congregation was founded in 1867 and work began that year on its church building which was completed in 1869. In celebrating its momentous anniversary, the congregation is highlighting three words: Survival, Revival and Vital. They want to emphasize all the church at 200 Market Street has overcome to survive this century and a half, to commit to reviving the congregation's presence in Ste. Genevieve and to celebrate how vital the church and the message of Jesus Christ remains. Known for its historic altar donated to the church in 1950, the congregation now averages about 50 people in its worship services. They remain dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel message and reaching out to the people of Ste. Genevieve. 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 Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Kennett Board of Public Works 75th year of service as a municipally owned utility to the citizens of Kennett, Missouri. In Missouri's Eighth Congressional District we are thankful to have a public power utility that provides Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Sewer, Internet and Economic Development services to their customers. Throughout their 75 years, the Kennett Board of Public Works has made it their mission to provide the best possible service at the lowest possible rates for their customers in the Bootheel. With the guidance of their wise and dedicated board members, along with the management of the utility, they have been very successful in accomplishing their mission. As we celebrate the Kennett Board of Public Works 75th year of service as a municipally owned utility to the citizens of Kennett, Missouri, it is my pleasure to recognize the organization and their efforts before the House of Representatives and thank them for their commitment to their community in Missouri's Bootheel.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Trinity Lutheran Church of Egypt Mills, Missouri on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary. German Immigrants founded the congregation in 1867. They have worshipped in the same, postcard perfect white church on a hill since 1880. During the first fifty years, German was the church's primary language. With the close of World War I, the transition into English was completed. Trinity members have served their country from the Civil War through the Afghanistan War. Many have died in service. In celebrating its momentous anniversary, the congregation wants to ``Honor the Past and Celebrate the Future''. 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 Trinity Lutheran Church of Egypt Mills, Missouri, today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Camp Hope/ Chris Neal Farm on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary. Created by Gold Star parents, William, ``Mike'' and Galia White, the camp located on the farm in St. Francois County, Missouri, honors their 23-year-old son, Marine Private First Class Christopher Neal White. Chris was killed in action in Al Anbar, Iraq on June 20, 2006. Not long after, the Whites began to develop their vision for helping wounded soldiers enjoy the great outdoors as their son had done. Camp Hope provides outdoor adventures for combat wounded veterans of the War on Terror and active-duty combat-wounded soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors. Their Camp Hope experience is entirely free of charge. Camp Hope's mission is to offer these combat veterans the chance to shoot skeet, hunt turkey and deer, fish, hike, explore the country, or relax around the ever-burning fire pit. The goal is to help them experience healing through nature. Since 2007, dozens of wounded soldiers from across the nation and all branches of service have laughed and cried together and found their own sense of peace at this 170-acre farm near Farmington. Volunteers--many of them veterans themselves--have helped to make the dream come true donating their time and money to these heroes on the homefront. In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Camp Hope/Chris Neal Farm, it is my great pleasure to honor the Whites, the volunteers who join them and the combat veterans they serve today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheryl Lynette Branch Maxwell, the 33rd Anniversary Honoree of The Daughters of Sunset in Sikeston, Missouri. Fondly known throughout the State of Missouri as ``Ms. Sherry,'' Sheryl has continuously served the under- privileged and special needs youth and adults of the 8th Congressional District since 1979. Under Ms. Sherry's watchful hand, a program called Kids' Beat has grown tremendously. Kids Beat provides a safe and educational surrounding for underprivileged and special needs children, and has grown to cover 30 counties in Missouri. Ms. Sherry has also worked as Special Project Coordinator for the New Madrid County Health Department. In this role, Sheryl helped limited resource residents and partnered with outside groups to generate additional resources for the program. Sheryl has been named to advisory committees for three concurrent Missouri governors and spearheaded programs for the Lincoln University Cooperative Extension. Ms. Sherry even has a day named after her. January 20, 2013 was declared ``Ms. Sherry Day'' by the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. At Cornerstone Baptist Church, Ms. Sherry served her community as a choir president, Sunday school teacher, church secretary and youth leader. Whether she is raising money for those less fortunate or counseling someone through a rough time, Ms. Sherry has shown true leadership throughout our community. Today, I am honored to announce Ms. Sherry as the 33rd Anniversary Honoree of The Daughters of Sunset. Their mission is ``Making a Difference,'' and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient than Sheryl Maxwell. Thank you, Ms. Sherry, for making a difference in the 8th Congressional District of Missouri.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Missouri Whitewater Championships celebrating their 50th year March 17 through 19, 2017. The races are held at the Millstream Gardens Conservation Area of the Saint Francis River near Fredericktown, Missouri. The Championships continue a tradition begun in 1968, when the first Saint Francis River Whitewater Slalom Race was held. Since then, the event has expanded its scope and attracts beginners and seasoned competitors from other states and countries. Even Olympic-class paddlers have used this race as training preparation for future Olympic Games. The event first begun by the Meramec River Canoe Club is now hosted by the Missouri Whitewater Association. It comes together as 100 volunteers set up the race course, provide safety, judge, time, and score the participants while hundreds of spectators cheer. For providing sportsmen with the thrill of competition on the Saint Francis River for half a century and enhancing tourism for Madison and surrounding counties through its annual Whitewater Championships, I am happy to congratulate the Missouri Whitewater Association today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, on January 20, America witnessed the end of the most regulation-happy Presidency in American history. Under the Obama administration, the pages of the Code of Federal Regulations reached the highest level in the history of our country. The Obama administration issued 3,037 finalized regulations, which means almost two new regulations were added each and every day on American farmers, families, and small-business owners. Regulations from the last administration alone cost taxpayers $873 billion. That is a burden of over $12 million an hour added by the Obama White House on the American taxpayer. Back home in Missouri alone, the cost of complying with regulations just added by the Obama administration totaled $19 billion, which is equal to over $9,000 in costs per person. Regulations written by unelected bureaucrats in Washington are suffocating the very farmers and small-business owners who we need to hire and expand in order to get full workforce participation. Today, we are considering a solution to this problem with the Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act, otherwise known as the SCRUB Act. The SCRUB Act's objective is to reduce the overall cost of regulations by at least 15 percent. With the passage of the SCRUB Act today, we are simply putting the tools in place to support what President Trump has already started. During his first full week in office, President Trump authored an executive order for the purpose of reducing regulation and controlling regulatory costs. The order is simple. For every new proposed regulation, two existing ones must be taken off the books. This order will help prioritize regulations truly in the best interest of the American people and remove ones that are outdated, burdensome, and costly. And just last week, the President began a regulatory review task force to review existing regulations. The SCRUB Act mirrors and supports the President's actions, ensuring that our regulatory burdens never again reach the heights that they are today. The SCRUB Act makes sure that farmers, small-business owners, and families impacted by Washington regulators have a seat at the table in prioritizing which ones the Trump White House should remove. We must help the President put an end to the Washington-knows-best mentality that has polluted our Nation's Capital and plagued the American people for the past 8 years. Many of you voted in favor of this legislation last Congress. However, with this new administration, the American people are calling for us to change the way things are done in Washington. So it is my hope that you will join me once again in helping put an end to the Washington regulatory machine. I also call on my colleagues on the other side of the Capitol, who seem lately more bent on obstruction, to reevaluate why their districts and States sent them to Washington. I am hopeful they will consider supporting the legislation, policies, laws, and nominations that will help alleviate the burden of an oversized Federal Government. With the SCRUB Act, we have a real opportunity to shrink the size of government and get Washington off the backs of the American people. I want to thank Chairman Chaffetz and Chairman Goodlatte for bringing this bill up today, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the SCRUB Act.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize American Red Cross Month. In Missouri's Eighth Congressional District we have a long history of helping our neighbors in need. American Red Cross Month is a special time to recognize and thank our heroes, those Red Cross volunteers and donors who give of their time and resources to help community members. These heroes help families find shelter after a home fire. They give blood to help trauma victims and cancer patients. They deliver comfort items to military members in the hospital. They use their lifesaving skills to save someone from a heart attack, drowning or choking. They enable children around the globe to be vaccinated against measles and rubella. The American Red Cross depends on local heroes to deliver help and hope during a disaster. We applaud our heroes here in Missouri's Eighth Congressional District who give of themselves to assist their neighbors when they need a helping hand. Across the country and around the world, the American Red Cross responds to disasters big and small. In fact, every eight minutes the organization responds to a community disaster by providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It collects nearly 40 percent of the nation's blood supply; provides 24- hour support to military members, veterans and their families; teaches millions lifesaving skills, such as lifeguarding and CPR; and through its Restoring Family Links program, connects family members separated by crisis, conflict or migration. We dedicate the month of March to all those who support the American Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. Our community depends on the American Red Cross, which relies on donations of time, money and blood to fulfill its humanitarian mission. As we celebrate March 2017 as American Red Cross Month, it is my pleasure to recognize the organization before the House of Representatives and thank them for their commitment to communities all across this great nation.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 42, to eliminate the Obama administration's intentionally unfaithful execution of our laws. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, the previous administration knew exactly what they were doing when they wrote this regulation. President Obama signed off on the underlying law to allow States to drug test certain unemployment insurance recipients, then he worked to block its implementation. Today, we will vote to end President Obama's obstruction. Instead of faithfully executing the law, as our Constitution demands, the Obama administration effectively blocked States from making sure hardworking taxpayer dollars only go to deserving citizens. The Congress spoke in 2012, before I arrived here, but here is what happened. Congress spoke, and the President signed a bill into law to give States an option--not a mandate, an option--to drug test. I stand today to say let's roll back and undo our previous President's unfaithful execution of the law and allow States like Missouri to have the freedom to decide for themselves. This is not a mandate; this is simply about states' rights. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this joint resolution.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the House Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the opening of the Delbert Day Cancer Institute at Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The nationally accredited Delbert Day Cancer Institute will provide comprehensive cancer treatment care to residents of south central Missouri and its surrounding areas. The center will directly improve access to life saving and live extending services. I am proud to know Missouri's Eighth Congressional District will be home to one of the finest cancer treatment centers in the country. Doctor Delbert Day serves as a leader in biomedical research in his role as the Curator's Professor Emeritus of Ceramic Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Over the course of his impressive career, Dr. Day founded MO-Sci Corp in 1985, and introduced the glass microsphere components used for inoperable liver cancer treatments. As a leader in the advancement of radiation therapy, Dr. Day earned dozens of awards and high honors for his achievements as an incredibly successful forward thinking engineer. The Delbert Day Cancer Institute will use state of the art medical technologies, including some of the breakthroughs he developed, to treat the citizens of south central Missouri. This week the United States Congress sent a bill to the President's desk that will support the principles of incentivizing research to create new treatments and one day cures for rare diseases, including cancers. I was proud to support the 21st Century Cures Act because we need to unleash the ingenuity of future inventors so they can continue to develop pioneering technologies so that centers like these will be able to better treat and one day cure cancer. For improving access to cancer treatments in rural Missouri it is my pleasure to recognize the Delbert Day Cancer Institute before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark a historic day in the Arcadia Valley. Today, Iron County opens its new Amtrak Station and welcomes the Texas Eagle to begin regular service from Arcadia to the USA. Led by the group ``Our Town Tomorrow,'' the communities of Arcadia, Ironton and Pilot Knob have worked since 2011 to revive the old train stop and resurrect rail service. They've navigated a complicated process. The members of ``Our Town Tomorrow''--September Bennett, Joan Duncan, Carol Kelsheimer, Pam Sherrill, and Judy Schaaf-Wheeler--have worked with other community leaders to establish a vision for the Arcadia Valley and to bring the train to town. I applaud them for their community spirit and determination to improve the quality of life in the place they call home. Starting today, Arcadia joins St. Louis and Poplar Bluff as the only three stops the Texas Eagle makes in Missouri. It is my hope the Amtrak Station will signal a new era of prosperity for Iron County. It is my great honor to represent the good folks of the Arcadia Valley and join them in celebration as I recognize their accomplishment today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bethel Association of United Baptist Churches of Jesus Christ celebrating its 200th anniversary. A group of settlers to the Missouri Territory organized the first Baptist Church west of the Mississippi on July 19, 1806 near what is now Jackson, Missouri. Ten years later, six churches came together to form the Bethel Association. In 1834, at Pendleton Church in St. Francois County, the Bethel Association accepted the term ``United Baptist.'' The organization has continued to meet every year since its founding--except during the four years of the Civil War. The Bethel Association has established 87 churches throughout Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas and there have been 250 ordained ministers in the organization to date. The Bethel Association today is made up of 11 churches and approximately 850 members in the Missouri counties of St. Francois, Madison, Ste. Genevieve, Wayne, Crawford and Iron. For 200 years of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is my privilege to recognize the Bethel Association of United Baptist Churches today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of H.R. 5659, the ESRD Choice Act, and thank the Speaker for taking this effort up today on the floor. This bipartisan legislation expands access to high-quality, affordable healthcare coverage options for Americans suffering from serious kidney illness. End-stage renal disease, or ESRD, is the only preexisting condition that explicitly prevents patients from enrolling in Medicare Advantage. This bill removes a harmful Federal restriction that has, for too long, blocked patients with ESRD from enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans. The question is: Why should kidney disease patients be denied a choice all other Medicare beneficiaries have? The short answer is: They shouldn't. These patients should have the same option to choose Medicare Advantage. Once this bill is passed and signed into law, my colleagues and I will be constantly watching the bureaucrats at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to make sure they fulfill their responsibilities to properly risk adjust payments to plans in an accurate and transparent manner. The bill requires a report of the effects of this legislation on risk adjustment, and I will be watching to make sure they get it right. I also want to recognize the hard work that went into this bill and specifically thank Mr. Lewis, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Schrader, and Mr. Marino, as well as the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce for the hard work to remove the last preexisting conditions in Medicare Advantage. The benefits of Medicare Advantage should be extended to all ESRD patients. It is right thing to do, and now is the time to get it done. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5659) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to expanding Medicare Advantage coverage for individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), as amended.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The legislation expands access to a program that has improved millions of lives. This is just one of the bipartisan solutions Americans deserve, and these are the types of solutions I hope to continue working with the chairman and my colleagues in delivering as we work to improve our healthcare system. Dozens of folks back home in southeast and south central Missouri have contacted me with their support for this bill. Do you know what they tell me? They want a choice. I am pleased that the House is acting on our bill today since it follows one of our core principles as we look at health care, increasing patients' options and control over their care. I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.