Jason Smith

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore) for yielding and for being an incredible member of the best committee in Congress, the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my staff director, Mark Roman, who is leaving Federal service at the end of this week. For more than one decade, Mark has been one of the most capable and loyal public servants I have ever worked alongside. My team is stronger today because of his judgment and the example his work ethic sets for the rest of my team. He has not only been my most trusted adviser, but I am proud to also call him a true friend. Mark began working in the House of Representatives just over 20 years ago for his hometown Congresswoman, Ms. Nancy Johnson, from Connecticut. Mark went on to work for two congressional Members from Illinois before he joined my team in 2015 as my deputy chief of staff to serve the great people of Missouri's Eighth Congressional District. Mark's keen eye for tax policy in particular and, in fact, his keen eye for all policies within the Ways and Means jurisdiction made him so important to me when my colleagues selected me to serve as a member of the Ways and Means Committee. He went on to become my chief of staff and my staff director when I was the Republican leader of the Budget Committee, and my staff director for the Ways and Means Committee for the last 3 years. Mark's deep understanding of and relationships within the conservative and the populist movements have been invaluable as we worked to build the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. I am told that most Ways and Means Committee staff directors often have their legacies defined by their one signature accomplishment, and I think it says so much about Mark that his signature accomplishment will be the largest tax cut in our Nation's history and a bill remembered for rejecting special interest tax policy in favor of relief for the tens of millions of working American families, farmers, and many small businesses that are the heartbeat of this Nation. I know that Mark's wife, Tate, and his two wonderful children, Johnny and Ann Tate, have made a lot of sacrifices along the way to allow him to serve for so long, and I will say I am blessed to call them family as well. Mark is not going far, and even though he won't be here in the Capitol with us, I have no doubt he will continue to leave a lasting impact on all of us after he leaves. His incredible tenure of service has strengthened my team and this institution for the better. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. Mark Roman for his dedication and years of public service to this institution.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Oscar Leroy Wade of Farmington, Missouri. He died January 2, 2026, at the age of 97, and was among the last of the veterans from Farmington who served in World War II. Mr. Wade's military service in the U.S. Navy became a cornerstone of his life. He enlisted at the age of 17 on August 6, 1946, and received an honorable discharge on April 29, 1948. He served in the South Pacific on the USS Whiteside. He earned the China Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal. Leroy served in the South Pacific on the USS Whiteside. He took great pride in collecting Navy memorabilia and telling stories of his time at sea. Leroy was a member of Farmington VFW Post 5896 and when he was able, frequently attended veterans' events. In his later years, he would rise from his seat, hold onto his walker to stand at attention and salute when the colors were presented or when Taps was played. In 2015, he joined a group of local veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to visit veterans' memorials. His room at Maplebrook Assisted Living was decorated in tribute to his naval service. Leroy was born August 2, 1928, in Farmington and is survived by his sister, Barbara Cornellson, and his children, Cathy Mana, Mary LeTourneau, Nancy Rariden, Greg Wade, Diane Byrd and stepdaughter Kellie Grief. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 20 great- grandchildren. It is my great privilege to acknowledge Mr. Wade's patriotic pride and celebrate his military service today before the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1009, I call up the bill (H.R. 6945) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to clarify the authority of States to use funds for pregnancy centers, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act led by Representative Fischbach. What this bill does is really pretty simple. It ensures States will be able to continue to use TANF funds for pregnancy resource centers and the maternal care they provide to pregnant women and moms. That is it, Mr. Speaker. Pregnancy resource centers offered material support and care to over 2 million women at more than 2,700 locations in 2024 alone, including diapers, prenatal vitamins, parenting classes, and transportation, just to name a few of the many services provided to these mothers. These services meet the core purposes of TANF. Yet, the Biden administration proposed a regulation to discriminate against the pro- life mission of pregnancy resource centers by forbidding States from using TANF funds for these centers. It was a deliberate attempt to sidestep the law to achieve a partisan political agenda. Nothing, Mr. Speaker, in the TANF statute gave the Biden administration or any other future administration the ability to target pregnancy resource centers. Following pressure from the Committee on Ways and Means and this Chamber, the Biden administration withdrew the rule in its final days. Think of what would have happened to maternal care in this country. One of the few places women can get care and support would have been closed. In my home State of Missouri, $3 out of every $4 the State gives to pregnancy resource centers comes from TANF, and it is not just Missouri. Women in other States would have had fewer choices for their own care. That is why we are passing this bill, to give pregnant women and moms a choice about where they receive maternal care and to stop any future administration from taking the same action as the Biden White House. Democrats will talk until they are blue in the face, Mr. Speaker, about a woman's right to choose, but they oppose this bill, which is all about empowering women to make their own choices. Why is that, Mr. Speaker? Simply because it doesn't align with their political agenda. The hypocrisy is absolutely stunning, Mr. Speaker. Democrats only believe in choice when it is the choice that their party would make. Republicans are on the side of pregnant women, moms, and children who choose to get the help they need at one of these centers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach), the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), an incredible advocate for the unborn.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Fong).

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Mrs. Biggs).

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, Democrats are fear-mongering today. The majority of pregnancy resource centers have voluntarily signed on to industry standards, a call to commitment of care and competence created by Heartbeat International. These standards set an ethical code where they agree to adopt a transparent and honest service model. According to a recent report that surveyed 2,750 different pregnancy centers in 2025, there were 4,779 licensed medical professionals on staff, and 5,396 licensed medical professional volunteers. I include in the Record a copy of Heartbeat International's ``Our Commitment of Care and Competence.'' Our Commitment of Care & Competence Clients are served without regard to age, race, income, nationality, religious affiliation, disability or other arbitrary circumstances. Clients are treated with kindness and compassion, in a caring manner. Clients always receive honest and open answers. Client information is kept securely and confidentially and only released with the client's signed authorization or as required by law. Clients receive accurate information about pregnancy, fetal development, lifestyle issues, and related concerns. We do not offer, recommend, or refer for abortions or abortifacients, or contraceptives. We are committed to offering accurate information about related risks and procedures. All of our advertising and communications are truthful and honest, and accurately describe the services we offer. We provide a safe environment by screening and equipping all staff and volunteers interacting with clients. We are governed by a Board of Directors and operate in accordance with our articles of incorporation, bylaws, and stated purpose and mission. We comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements regarding employment, fundraising, financial management, taxation, and public disclosure including the filing of all applicable government reports in a timely manner. All services are provided in accordance with pertinent and applicable laws. Medical services are provided in accordance with medical standards, under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician (or advanced clinical provider as permitted by law). All of our staff and volunteers receive appropriate training to uphold these standards.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Yakym).

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, holy cow. The things that you hear from the other side in this body could not be so--not truthful-- false. They paint with a broad brush and say the most ridiculous items, saying that pregnancy resource centers do not help anyone. Give me a break. Where I come from, whenever someone says something useless, we call it hogwash. They are swimming in hogwash on that side of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I object.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, Democrats will make all kinds of wild and ridiculous claims about pregnancy resource centers. They have tried to twist giving diapers and ultrasounds to moms into some sort of nefarious activity, giving diapers to moms. The millions of women who have sought and received care at a pregnancy resource center know the truth. I hope every American is watching this debate today on this floor. Democrats distract and fearmonger because they can't admit that pregnancy resource centers fulfill the purposes of TANF. These centers provide material support and assistance to women in need and reduce dependence on government assistance. They are eligible for State TANF funds, period. I thank Representative Fischbach for her very hard work on this bill. She has been a champion--a champion for women, mothers, and children her entire career. I am glad she once again led the effort this Congress to preserve funding for pregnancy resource centers. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 269) to improve

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. This bipartisan bill continues a bipartisan policy that has already enabled the Federal Government to identify, prevent, and recover hundreds of millions of dollars of improper payments made to dead people. Currently, the Social Security Administration has temporary authority to share its death data with the Treasury Department's Do Not Pay Portal to identify, prevent, and recover improper payments. In its first year alone, Treasury reported this data exchange saved American taxpayers over $108 million. Unfortunately, Social Security's authority to share its data with Treasury is temporary and lapses at the end of this year if Congress doesn't pass this bill. That would only increase the likelihood that more taxpayer money is erroneously sent to dead people. In 2023 alone, before this policy was implemented, the Office of Management and Budget found the Federal Government sent $1.3 billion to dead people. That is unacceptable. The American people expect Congress to safeguard their hard-earned tax money from waste, fraud, and abuse. I thank Representative Higgins for his leadership on this issue as well as Senator Kennedy. As a former law enforcement officer, Clay Higgins has worked to protect Americans from criminals, and now he is translating that commitment into finding ways that we can protect taxpayer dollars as well. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Estes).

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bean).

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this bill is another piece of the puzzle in the fight against waste, fraud, and abuse. Before the Social Security Administration began sharing its complete death records with the Treasury Department, the Federal Government paid $1.3 billion to the dead in just a single year. Congress authorized the Treasury to access Social Security's death data for 3 years ending in 2026. In the first year alone, Treasury reported that it helped the Federal Government identify, prevent, or recover $108 million in improper payments, with another $200 million expected by the end of this year. It is only common sense to make this fraud prevention measure permanent. This policy has already passed both the Senate and the Ways and Means Committee with broad, bipartisan support. I hope the House does the same and sends this to President Trump's desk as soon as possible. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6500) to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill under consideration.